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MENNONITE  BIBLICAL  SEMINARY 


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JANUARY  6,  1959 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
MAN  LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIST 


Fear  not,  for  I am  with  you, 

Be  not  dismayed,  for  I am 
your  God; 

I will  strengthen  you,  I will 
help  you, 

I will  uphold  you  with  my 
victorious  right  hand. 

(Isa.  41:10  RSV) 


Delton  Franz— NOTES  ON  A SOUTHERN  JOURNEY 


in  this  issue 

COVER 

Photo  by  Luomo 

ARTICLES 

JOY  IN  THE  MORNING 

By  James  Waltner  

NOTES  ON  A SOUTHERN  JOURNEY 


By  Delton  Franz  4 

AGONIZING  REAPPRAISAL  6 

A MISSIONARY  COMES  HOME 
By  Anna  Dyck  7 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  2 

Mennonite  Youth 

A NOTE  FOR  THE  NEW  YEAR 

By  Ed  Reddick  9 

VOCATIONS 

By  M.  S.  Harder  10 

INTRODUCING:  NORTHERN 
DISTRICT  YPU 

By  Dianne  Waltner  11 

BOOKMARKS  8 

FILM  REVIEW  8 

OUR  SCHOOLS  12 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  12 

JOTTINGS  14 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  16 


of  things  to  come 

Jan.  4-11 — Universal  Week  of  Prayer 
Jan.  1 8-Feb.  11 — Christian  Ministry  Em- 
phasis 

Feb.  8 — Race  Relations  Sunday 
Feb.  1 1 — Ash  Wednesday;  Lent  begins 
Feb.  1 3 — Universal  Day  of  Prayer 
Feb.  22-Mar.  1 — Brotherhood  Week 
March  8 — Conference  Sunday 
Aug.  5-12 — Ministers'  and  Church  Work- 
ers' Retreat,  Camp  Friedenswald, 
Mich. 

Aug.  12-20 — General  Conference,  Bluff- 
ton,  Ohio 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor,  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 

J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzle: 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Asst.:  Esther  Groves. 
Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  1 


editorials 

ARE  WE  REACHING  OUR  GOALS?  Since  this  is  Confer- 
ence Year,  let  us  again  review  the  eleven  goals  which  the  last  Gen- 
eral Conference  set  up  for  this  triennium;  1.  Every  member  a per- 
sonal witness.  2.  Every  congregation  seeking  a mission  outpost.  3. 
Eifteen  new  congregations  by  1959.  4.  Every  member  a tither.  5. 
Every  church  supporting  every  Board.  6.  A Voluntary  Service  work- 
er from  every  congregation.  7.  Every  pastor  prayerfully  seeking  a 
new  recruit  for  the  ministry.  8.  A strong  spirit-controlled  seminary 
program  receiving  whole-hearted  support.  9-  Trained  personnel  and 
adequate  facilities  for  the  teaching  program.  10.  Reaching  at  least 
one  unevangelized  tribe  for  the  gospel.  11.  Every  member  "know- 
ing the  power  of  His  resurrection  and  the  fellowship  of  His  suf- 
fering, being  made  conformable  to  His  death.” 

During  1957  and  1958  all  but  the  last  two  of  these  goals  have 
been  carried  on  the  editorial  page,  with  special  articles  on  each. 
The  goal  of  fifteen  new  congregations  has  been  mentioned  each 
year,  leaving  the  last  two  for  special  emphasis  this  year,  although 
all  should  be  examined  and  re-emphasized.  The  last  goal  is  intensely! 
personal.  Making  this  increasingly  real  would  be  a good  resolution,  j 
1959_W0RLD  refugee  YEAR  The  United  Nations  has! 
decided  to  declare  1959  "World  Refugee  Year,”  with  the  hope  that! 
both  governments  and  citizens  will  remember  these  forgotten  people. 

Elfan  Rees  of  the  Commission  of  the  Churches  on  International ' 
Affairs,  an  Australian  clergyman,  and  a noted  authority  on  refugees, 
points  out  that  the  responsibility  for  the  creation  of  the  refugee  prob- 
lem lies  with  governments  who  decreed  the  partition  of  Korea,  Viet- 
nam, India,  and  Germany,  and  thereby  created  the  largest  segments 
of  the  world’s  refugee  problem.  This  however  does  not  relieve  the 
churches  from  their  responsibility  for  the  refugees. 

Dr.  Rees  states  that  nobody  knows  just  how  many  refugees  there 
are  in  the  world  today,  but  we  do  know  that  no  less  than  forty 
million  people  have  lost  their  homes  in  the  last  ten  years.  He  tells 
of  the  25  million  who  have  been  made  homeless  in  Asia:  Korea, | 
9 million;  Vietnam,  800,000;  Hong  Kong,  700,000  Chinese  refu-' 
gees;  India  and  Pakistan,  13  million.  The  number  of  Arab  refugees 
now  exceeds  one  million,  while  in  Europe  not  less  than  15  million 
have  lost  their  homes  in  the  last  ten  years.  During  the  month  of 
November  alone  there  were  practically  a thousand  a night  that 
crossed  the  border  from  East  Germany  into  West  Germany. 

Were  there  ever  so  many  homeless  people  in  the  entire  history  of 
the  world  ? As  Christians  we  dare  not  be  indifferent  to  the  desperate 
needs  of  our  brother  man.  This  World  Refugee  Year  should  find  us 
making  larger  plans  for  a greater  service  to  the  world’s  forgotten 
people,  for  whom  Christ  died. 


2 


THE  MENNONITE 


Joy 

in  the 


Morning 


James  H.  IValtner* 


Always  somewhere  in  the 
world  it  is  midnight.  The  shad- 
ows are  as  deep  as  death.  Have  you 
ever  been  out  at  night  in  pitch  black 
darkness,  in  a strange  place?  Have 
you  ever  been  on  the  highway  at 
night  in  a heavy  fog?  Suddenly  the 
road  becomes  strange  and  fearful. 

As  we  look  at  some  parts  of  our 
world  they  are  as  unpromising  as 
darkness  and  as  ominous  as  the 
grave.  Violence  and  tyranny  seem 
invincible.  The  lands  of  the  Middle 
East,  the  countryside  on  which  the 
events  of  the  Bible  took  place  sev- 
eral thousand  years  ago,  have  been 
rocked  again  and  again  by  human 
strife.  Or  we  look  at  the  Far  East, 
or  Central  Europe,  or  Africa,  and 
wonder  where  the  next  (and  maybe 
final)  great  battle  will  begin.  Men 
seem  to  be  intent  upon  destroying 
themselves  in  their  greed  and  self- 
ishness— men  whose  souls  are  dark, 
men  who  are  lost  in  the  blackness 
of  the  night  of  sin  seem  to  be  shap- 
ing world  history. 

We  who  have  felt  that  we  are  on 
familiar  ground,  we  who  have  lis- 
tened to  the  stories  of  the  Bible,  we 
who  have  believed  the  promises  of 
Jesus  suddenly  find  ourselves  in  en- 
veloping darkness  as  the  fog  stirred 
up  by  warring  men  settles  over  us. 
We  begin  to  wonder — does  God 
reign?  Are  the  promises  of  the  Bi- 
ble true  that  light  shall  conquer 
darkness?  Or  is  this  the  vain  and 
smpty  dream  of  man — to  give  hope 
where  there  is  no  hope? 

Always  somewhere  in  the  world, 

1 there  are  people  who  are  navigating 

‘Pastor,  Tabor  Church,  Newton,  Kansas. 


life’s  darkest  tunnels — the  dark  val- 
leys of  loneliness  and  fear,  of  doubt, 
and  despair.  Though  we  ourselves 
may  catch  a glimpse  of  the  radiance 
of  Christ’s  light  and  choose  to  walk 
in  that  light,  sometimes  our  walk 
through  life  leads  through  dark  val- 
leys of  bitter  personal  experience — 
the  loss  of  a loved  one,  the  disap- 
pointment of  desertion  by  a friend; 
the  loss  of  one’s  job  or  the  shock  of 
discovering  that  one  is  ill  or  dis- 
abled; or  the  sudden  realization  that 
one  is  growing  older  and  needs  to 
face  life’s  sunset  years. 

The  soul’s  darkness  is  real  and 
mightily  fearful  for  those  who  feel 
alone.  We  recall  the  words  of  the 
Psalmist,  “My  soul  thirsteth  for 
God,  for  the  living  God.  . . . My  tears 
have  been  my  meat  day  and  night, 
while  they  continually  say  unto  me, 
where  is  thy  God?  . . . Why  art  thou 
cast  down,  O my  soul?  And  why 
art  thou  disquieted  in  me?  . . . Deep 
calleth  unto  deep  . . . All  thy  waves 
and  billows  are  gone  over  me’’  (Ps. 
42:2-7). 

This  is  despair  and  helplessness, 
this  is  the  soul’s  dark  night  when 
hope  is  gone  and  loneliness  sweeps 
over  us. 

Always  somewhere  in  the  world  it 
is  midnight.  Even  so,  it  is  also 
true  that  “Tis  always  morning 
somewhere  in  the  world.”  When  it 
is  evening  and  midnight  here,  it  is 
morning  and  day  on  the  other  side 
of  this  earth. 

Violence  and  tyranny  may  seem 
invincible.  Sin  and  moral  chaos  ap- 
pear to  rule  for  the  time  being.  Just 
as  surely,  however,  there  are  parts 
of  our  world  where  the  opposite  is 


; January  6,  1959 


true.  These  are  fuU  of  promise,  and 
radiant  with  hopeful  outlook.  'These 
are  the  morning  places,  where  the 
sun  is  shining  and  darkness  is  driv- 
en out. 

The  radiance  of  hope  turns  devas- 
tation into  gardens,  dries  the  tears 
of  grief  and  replaces  them  with  the 
happy  smile  of  expectant  faith. 

God  is  not  dead,  and  rebellious 
man  lives  only  a brief  span  of  time. 
It  is  always  morning  somewhere, 
and  it  is  going  to  be  morning  every- 
where someday!  “Weeping  may  en- 
dure for  a night,  but  joy  cometh  in 
the  morning”  (Ps.  30:5). 

Darkness  may  reign  for  a time — ■ 
we  may  be  caught  in  a tunnel,  a val- 
ley of  unpleasant  or  unhappy  ex- 
periences. But  dawning  will  also 
come.  Our  hope  lies  in  the  fact  that 
the  morning  will  come  sometime  to 
stay!  And  the  soul’s  darkness  will 
be  dispelled  as  the  light  of  the  joy 
of  the  morning  comes  to  stay. 

It  is  in  this  fact— that  Jesus  Christ 
is  living  and  reigning  and  that  He 
will  come  again — that  we  find  our 
encouragement.  The  hope  of  the 
Christian  faith  lies  in  the  joy  which 
is  to  come  on  the  morning  when  the 
Light  of  the  world  will  have  cast 
out  the  darkness  of  sin.  When  the 
early  Christians  talked  of  the  joy  to 
come,  they  referred  to  Christ’s  com- 
ing again. 

We  do  not  know  when  or  how 
this  will  be.  But  we  do  know  the 
certainty  of  the  promise  that  Christ 
will  be  at  the  end  of  the  world  and 
will  receive  us  unto  the  Father 
(John  14:1-4).  His  coming  will  be 
as  the  morning  light  dispelling  the 
darkness — a morning  light  to  stay. 
This  will  be  our  joy. 

For  when  that  morning  comes,  the 
soul’s  darkness  will  vanish — and  we 
shall  see  anew.  For  there  will  be  a 
new  heaven  and  a new  earth — “Be- 
hold, the  tabernacle  of  God  is  with 
men,  and  he  will  dwell  with  them, 
and  they  shall  be  his  people,  and 
God  himself  shall  be  with  them,  and 
be  their  God. 

“And  God  shall  wipe  away  ail 
tears  from  their  eyes;  and  there 
shall  be  no  more  death,  neither  sor- 
row, nor  crying,  neither  shall  there 
be  any  more  pain:  for  the  former 
things  are  passed  away”  (Rev.  21: 

3,  4). 

Let  us  find  our  hope  in  these 
promises  and  long  for  that  morning 
and  the  joy  which  will  be  ours. 


3 


Notes  on  a 
Southern  Journey 


Delton  Franz 

WE  HAD  read  the  newspapers 
and  listened  to  the  radio.  But 
we  wanted  to  see  and  hear  and  feel 
more  personally  the  struggles  of 
our  brothers  in  the  South,  both 
white  and  Negro.  Our  neighbors 
across  the  street,  here  in  Chicago, 
had  told  us  some  things  about  life 
in  the  South.  Now  we  wanted  at 
least  to  attempt  to  share  a bit  more 
keenly  the  kind  of  “life  imprison- 
ment” in  which  the  Negro,  especial- 
ly in  the  South,  had  been  kept  so 
long  . . . the  bondage  of  racial  dis- 
crimination and  segregation. 
Vertical  and  Horizontal 

♦Five  of  us,  two  Negroes  and 
three  white,  ventured  out  on  a tour 
that  took  us  to  some  of  the  places 
of  tension  we  have  heard  about.  We 
went  not  to  reform  the  South  in 
nine  days  but  to  learn.  We  went 
not  to  break  laws  or  to  seek  arrest, 
yet  realizing  that  our  very  presence 
on  a fraternal  basis  would  be  a vio- 
lation not  only  of  Southern  tradi- 
tion, but  in  many  cases  of  state  and 
county  laws.  (It  is  unlawful  for 
Negro  and  white  to  eat  or  sleep  to- 
gether in  most  Southern  states.) 

Having  written  ahead,  our  con- 
tacts were  fairly  well  established 
with  some  eating  and  sleeping  ac- 
commodations arranged  for.  Never- 
theless, there  were  occasions  when 
Southern  law  and  practice  compelled 
us  to  conform.  On  one  occasion  we 
were  assured  of  our  meal  in  a res- 
taurant if  we  would  eat  in  the 
kitchen  and  enter  by  way  of  the  al- 
ley. This  we  proceeded  to  do,  but 
were  “kindly”  informed  that  there 


*Delton  Franz,  pastor;  Vincent  Harding, 
associate  pastor;  Elmer  Neufeld,  Ed  Rid- 
dick, Glen  Boese,  all  Woodlawn  Church 
members. 


wasn’t  room  enough  to  serve  us 
when  we  got  to  the  kitchen.  We 
then  proceeded  across  the  street  to 
purchase  some  groceries,  whereup- 
on some  Negro  gentlemen  standing 
outside  the  store,  having  observed 
what  had  taken  place,  warmly  greet- 
ed us  with  a kind  of  understanding 
that  only  they  could  offer.  Having 
purchased  our  groceries  without  dif- 
ficulty, we  went  on  our  way. 

Through  this  incident  we  began  to 
experience  the  meaning  of  a long  ac- 
cepted practice  and  legal  statute  of 
the  South.  This  is  best  expressed 
by  a prominent  Southern  race  re- 
lations leader;  “No  one  looks  at  a 
vertical  (standing)  Negro.  It’s  the 
horizontal  (sitting  or  lying)  Negro 
that  the  South  watches.”  A Negro 
can  go  into  any  A & P (grocery) 
and  no  one  bothers  him.  But  if  he 


Author  Delton  Franz  is  pastor  of 
the  Woodlavm  Mennonite  Church, 
Chicago,  III. 


wants  to  sit  down  and  eat  in  the 
restaurant  next  door  to  the  same 
grocery,  people  will  throw  up  their 
hands. 

On  one  occasion  the  writer  and 
Brother  Harding  sat  down  at  a res- 
taurant counter  for  coffee.  Bibles 
placed  in  book  ends  along  the  coun- 
ter caught  our  eye  immediately. 
This  seemed  to  suggest  a kind  of 
“security.”  However  when  I was 
served  coffee  in  a regular  cup  and  , 
my  Negro  brother  was  served  with 
a paper  cup,  we  realized,  as  we  were 
to  discover  in  the  coming  days,  that 
the  presence  of  the  Bible  or  even  a 
profession  of  its  message  is  no  as- 
surance of  the  practice  of  its  teach- 
ings. Nevertheless,  as  we  were 
leaving  the  restaurant,  the  waitress 
called  me  back,  and  in  the  sincerest 
way  asked  me  to  teU  my  Negro 
friend  that  she  was  as  hurt  as  he 
probably  was,  but  that  because  of 
a very  prejudiced  boss  she  had  no 
other  choice  but  to  serve  him  in  this 
way  or  else  lose  her  job.  We  under-  ' 
stood  better  after  that,  that  many  a 
white  person  in  the  South  is  caught 
in  this  vice  and  has  difficulty  escap- 
ing a long  practiced  evil. 

From  Africa  to  Little  Bock 

Perhaps  second  only  to  the  na- 
tion’s capital  in  the  eyes  of  the 
world  is  Little  Rock.  Newspaper 
correspondents  and  foreign  repre- 
sentatives from  all  over  the  world 
have  poured  into  Little  Rock  to  un- 
ravel the  story  of  a racial  crisis  that 
might  have  happened  anywhere  in 
the  South.  Our  arrival  at  the  home 
of  Mrs.  L.  C.  (Daisy)  Bates,  much 
publicized  Chairman  of  the  Arkan- 
sas NAACP,  coincided  with  the  ar- 
rival of  several  other  persons.  One  , 

was  the  night  guard,  hired  to  pro-  i 
tect  the  home  and  lives  of  the  Bates’ 
family  from  white  segregationists,  j 
A second  person  arriving  was  a na-  j 
tive  of  Africa  on  a tour  of  the  South  > 
to  investigate  the  meaning  of  our  I 
race  problem;  he  was  sent  by  his  I 
government.  A third  person  present  i 
was  Elizabeth  Eckford,  one  of  the  | 
nine  Negro  students  whom  Mrs.  I 
Bates  enrolled  in  Central  High  J 
School  through  the  NAACP.  ) 

There  we  were.  From  North  and  I 
South  . . . from  East  and  West  we  I 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
lues,  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church.  En- 
tered at  North  Newton,  Kansas.,  post  office  as  second  class  matter.  Acceptance  for  mailing  at  special  rate  of  postage:  section  1 103,  Act  of 
Oct.  3,  1917.  Authorized  Jan.  22,  1910.  Subscriptions  $2.50;  foreign  $3.00.  Mail  subscriptions  and  payments  to  Mennonite  Publication 
Office,  North  Newton,  Kan.,  or  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan.  Address  manuscripts  for  publication  to  J.  N.  Smucker,  Editor,  THE  MENNONITE,  Wood- 
ward Place,  Goshen,  Ind.  Postmasters:  change  of  address  Form  3579  to  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan. 


4 


THE  MENNONITE 


had  come  seeking  answers.  From 
Africa  to  Little  Rock!  We  were 
gathered  in  the  Bates’  living  room 
behind  a picture  window  that  was 
splintered  and  cracked  in  every  di- 
rection, showing  evidence  of  the 
tension  and  violence.  Covering  the 
window  from  the  outside  was  a 
huge  framework  of  steel  grating  to 
keep  bricks  out. 

But  even  more  sobering  than 
night  watchmen,  splintered  win- 
dows, and  steel  grating  was  the  bit- 
ter disappointment  expressed  by 
Mrs.  Bates  in  the  lack  of  response 
on  the  part  of  the  church  and  its 
leadership  in  this  struggle  against 
the  evils  and  sin  of  injustice  and 
hatred.  Only  two  out  of  twenty- 
four  ministers  whom  she  asked  to 
assist  in  escorting  the  nine  Negro 
children  to  Central  High  to  be  en- 
rolled in  the  face  of  angry  mobs 
consented  to  help.  Obviously  there 
was  much  more  at  stake  here  than 
the  education  of  nine  children — 
rather,  the  education  of  thousands 
who  would  follow  these  into  the 
doors  of  a brighter  tomorrow. 

These  nine  Negro  students  have 
been  called  “saints  in  an  Arkansas 
basement’’  because  of  their  meeting 
together  in  prayer  for  guidance  in 
this  cause and  this  in  a base- 

ment for  safety’s  sake!  Their  ex- 
ample has  undoubtedly  pricked  the 
conscience  of  Little  Rock’s  church 
leadership.  In  recent  months  nine 
ministers  in  that  city  have  lost  their 
charges  because  they  dared  to  stand 
up  and  be  counted  for  Christ’s  way 
in  the  matter  of  brotherhood. 

We  wondered  what  is  happening 
in  the  American  Southland  today 
when  Christians  must  meet  in  base- 
ments and  behind  windows  covered 
by  steel  grills  and  when  ministers 
are  forced  out  of  their  churches. 
How  can  people  nurtured  by  reli- 
gion in  the  nation’s  “Bible  belt’’  be 
swept  into  following  the  leaders  who 
invoke  this  bigotry? 

We  got  at  least  a partial  answer 
that  same  evening  at  our  next  stop. 
We  arranged  to  have  a white  segre- 
gationist minister  give  us  his  view- 
point. The  lecture  lasted  about  one 
and  a half  hours.  The  subject:  “The 
Bible’s  Proof  that  God  Segregated 
the  Races!”  The  audience;  an  un- 
segregated Mennonite  congregation 
of  five ....  two  Negro  and  three 
white.  Our  reaction:  silent  agony! 

Again  we  saw  that  a Bible,  wheth- 
er on  a restaurant  counter  or  in  the 


hands  of  a minister,  may  be  used  as 
a tool  and  even  a weapon  for  one’s 
own  selfish  end.  Even  a man  who 
has  studied  the  Scripture  in  Greek 
may  “strain  out  gnats  and  swallow 
a camel”  in  his  attempt  to  defend 
his  own  preconceived  conclusions. 
The  very  central  theme  running  all 
through  the  Scriptures  was  avoided 
by  the  segregationist  minister  who 
did  not  recognize  or  admit  this 
theme — Reconciliation  — God  recon- 
ciling the  world  unto  himself  and  in 
so  doing  calling  man  to  be  recon- 
ciled with  his  brother! 

We  were  dismissed  with  the  admo- 
nition of  having  sinned  because  of 
our  fellowship  across  racial  lines. 
And  so  we  left  Little  Rock  as  law- 
breakers and  sinners.  We  continued 
our  “illegal”  and  “unchristian”  jour- 
ney through  the  “land  of  the  free 
and  the  home  of  the  brave”  as  we 
left  for  Mississippi. 


Sweet  Land  of  Liberty 

At  Prentiss  Institute  (private 
trade  school)  in  Mississippi  we  were 
involved  in  a discussion  of  the  vex- 
ing problems  being  faced  by  a 
school  principal.  Ninety  per  cent  of 
the  financial  support  of  this  school 
for  Negro  youth  had  been  cut  when 
it  was  discovered  that  a Negro  con- 
stituent of  the  school  had  reacted 
against  being  denied  the  right  to 
vote  after  three  successive  attempts. 
He  had  taken  the  issue  to  court. 
Only  six  Negro  people  had  passed 
the  registration  test  required  of 
them  for  voting  in  this  county  of 
several  thousand  eligible  voters.  A 
sample  question  asked,  to  be  an- 
swered to  the  satisfaction  of  the 
white  registrar:  “Give  an  interpre- 
tation of  the  ex-posto-facto  law  in 
Mississippi.”  (No  two  lawyers 
could  agree  on  such  questions.) 

Above  the  principal’s  office  we 


January  6,  1959 


5 


could  hear  over  400  students  crowd- 
ing into  the  inadequate  assembly 
haU  and  join  their  voices  in  “My 
Country  ’Tis  of  Thee.”  Having 
heard  of  the  sad  plight  of  the  Negro 
people  in  Mississippi  made  the 
words  being  sung  so  eagerly  by  the 
pupils  sound  tragic  and  utterly 
idealistic. 

“My  country  ’tis  of  thee,  sweet 
land  of  liberty,  of  thee  1 sing;  la/nd 
where  my  fathers  died,  land  of  the 
pilgrim’s  pride,  from  every  moun- 
tain side  let  freedom  ring.” 

We  could  scarcely  find  words  as 
we  addressed  the  assembly  at  the  in- 
vitation of  the  principal.  The  words 
they  had  sung  . . . “sweet  land  of 
liberty  . . . land  of  the  noble  free” 
seemed  to  stick  in  our  throats  as 
we  looked  out  over  the  sea  of  dark 
faces!  What  had  happened  to  our 
land  of  liberty? 

In  Gulfport  we  asked  two  young 
boys,  “Did  you  go  to  school  today?” 
With  innocent  grins  they  answered, 
“No.”  After  asking  Orlo  Kaufman 
for  an  explanation,  we  knew  why 
boys  like  these  young  Negro  lads 
were  not  in  school.  Why  should 
children  feel  a sense  of  responsibili- 
ty to  attend  when  their  own  state 
legislature  had  repealed  its  compul- 
sory school  attendance  law?  Why 


Agonizing 


Theodore  C.  Mayer,  pastor  of 
the  First  Methodist  Church, 
Warren,  Ohio,  was  leader  of  the 
Ohio  Area  Methodist  Tour  to  Europe 
and  Russia  last  summer.  In  a/n  ad- 
dress at  the  North  Central  Regional 
Briefing  Conference  in  Chicago,  Dr. 
Mayer  made  the  following  ten 
points  in  what  he  called  an  "Ago- 
nizing Re-appraisal.” 

• We  have  been  underestimating 
the  U.S.S.R. 

Sputnik  I and  II  of  last  year  did 
much  to  open  our  eyes,  but  there 
seems  to  be  a desire  on  the  part  of 
most  Americans  to  think  the  Rus- 
sians are  backward  and  stupid. 
They  have  a long  way  to  go  to  bring 
the  country  up  materially  to  the 
American  standard  of  abundance. 
Never  doubt  their  ability  to  do  just 


should  a Negro  child  have  an  incen- 
tive to  go  to  school  when  there  is 
no  room  for  him?  Orlo  showed  us 
a school  built  for  seventy  pupils 
with  over  350  enrolled!  And  how 
could  these  boys’  mothers  have  the 
vision  necessary  to  encourage  their 
children  when  this  same  kind  of 
education  has  brought  them  no  fur- 
ther than  their  present  attempt  to 
exist  on  twenty-five  cents  an  hour 
by  picking  up  tung  nuts! 

Hospitality  and  Hostility 
Montgomery,  Alabama,  was  stiU 
enveloped  in  an  air  of  tension.  Yet 
we  never  ceased  to  wonder  at  the 
gracious  hospitality  of  the  Negro 
people  in  spite  of  white  hostility. 
After  only  a few  hours  in  the  city 
our  presence  as  a mixed  group  was 
apparently  noticed  by  some  racist 
agitators.  Threatening  phone  calls 
at  the  hours  of  1:30  and  3:00  a.m.  at 
the  home  of  our  hostess  caused  us 
to  limit  our  contacts  in  Montgom- 
ery to  members  of  the  Montgomery 
Improvement  Association  (church 
leaders  of  bus  boycott).  We  had 
hoped  to  meet  with  officers  of  the 
White  Citizens  Council.  But  after 
visits  with  Bro.  Seay,  the  new  ex 
ecutive  secretary  of  the  MIA,  and 
with  Martin  Luther  King,  we  loaded 
our  baggage  from  the  rear  door  of 


this  if  they  waint  to  do  it,  given  the 
necessary  time.  'They  are  not  in- 
capable, but  have  skyrocketed  ahead 
of  us  in  some  things  already, 

• We  have  been  thinking  that  the 
Russian  experiment  would  fail. 

It  may,  but  if  you  are  expecting  a 
collapse  in  the  immediate  future, 
your  expecting  will  eventuate  in  a 
still  birth.  They  seem  about  as  sta- 
ble as  the  U.S.  and  their  chances 
of  surviving  through  the  coming 
years  as  good  as  ours.  Since  1932 
when  I visited  the  country  before, 
there  has  been  dramatic  improve- 
ment in  consumer  goods  and  mo- 
rale. 

• It  is  either  co-existence  or  non- 
existence. 

We  have  our  choice  of  either  liv- 
ing together  with  the  U.S.S.R.  in 


Reappraisal 


our  hostess’  home,  hoping  to  depart 
without  incident. 

Practicing  the  Gospel 
As  we  drove  away  from  Mont- 
gomery we  Ccirried  some  of  the  bur- 
dens of  these  people  with  us.  How 
does  the  gospel  speak  to  these  situ- 
ations? It  seemed  clearer  and  clear- 
er as  the  miles  rolled  by  that  the 
gospel  must  not  only  speak  to  this 
need  but  must  act.  Could  it  be  that 
we  are  being  called  to  do  some  Eu- 
ropean relief  work  in  Mississippi, 
Alabama,  and  Georgia?  Shacks  im- 
fit  for  swine  should  not  be  permitted 
to  stand  as  homes.  Corrupt  laws 
must  be  changed,  and  the  church 
must  begin  the  witness! 

The  words  of  Martin  Luther  King 
kept  echoing  in  my  ears: 

“Any  religion  that  professes  to  be 
concerned  with  the  souls  of  men  and 
is  not  concerned  with  the  slums  that 
damn  them,  the  economic  condi- 
tions that  strangle  them,  and  the 
social  conditions  that  cripple  them, 
is  a dry-as-dust  religion.  Such  a re- 
ligion is  the  kind  the  Marxists  like 
to  see — an  opiate  of  the  people.” 
Note:  Further  impressions  of  other 
contacts  and  stops  made  on  tour, 
such  as  Koinonia  Farm;  Atlanta, 
Georgia;  Monteagle,  Tenn.,  etc.,  will 
appear  later. 


this  smeill  world  or  not  living.  I 
believe  that  we  need  to  recognize 
this  fact  and  guide  our  future  ac- 
cordingly. 

• A real  desire  for  peace  in  the 
U.S.S.R. 

“Peace  and  Fellowship”  are  the 
most  popular  words  in  the  Soviet 
Union  today.  I believe  there  is  a 
sincere  desire  for  peace  on  the  part 
of  the  people.  They  know  what 
war  does.  Eighty-five  per  cent  of 
Stalingrad  was  destroyed  in  the  last 
war  and  with  old  style  bombs.  The 
Soviet  Union  needs  peace  to  do  what 
they  want  to  do  in  lifting  the  living 
standard  of  the  people. 

• Appearances  would  indicate 
that  they  (the  Soviet  Union)  are 
planning  on  peace. 

We  saw  much  construction  going 


6 


THE  MENNONITE 


imperative  the  need  of  a stronger 
United  Nations  to  resolve  the  differ- 
ences and  difficulties  that  are  bound 
to  arise. 

• The  need  of  increasing  the  ex- 
change of  persons. 

Students,  church  groups,  and 
every  type  of  cultural  contact  would 
increase  understanding  of  each 


other  and  create  friendship.  If  we 
can’t  get  together  at  the  summit,  we 

can  get  together  in  the  valley 

This  is  a positive  approach  to  one 
of  the  most  pressing  problems  for 
peace  in  our  world  today. 

— From  Methodist  Peace  Courier, 
vnth  'permission. 


A Missionary  Comes  Home 


on — apartment  houses  in  Moscow  to 
house  700,000  people.  This  is  a sam- 
ple of  what  is  taking  place.  It  in- 
dicates that  they  are  not  going  un- 
derground in  preparation  for  a war. 
We  all  were  surprised  at  the  lack 
of  military  installations  and  mili- 
tary personnel.  We  may  have  been 
shunted  around  them,  but  at  least 
we  did  not  see  them. 

• Peace  mentality. 

A dictatorship  perhaps  can  con- 
dition the  minds  of  the  people  much 
faster  than  a democracy  for  war, 
but  we  saw  no  evidence  that  the 
Russians  were  being  conditioned  for 
a war  at  least  with  the  U.S.A.  There 
were  plenty  of  signs  on  billboards 
that  were  critical  of  U.S.  policy,  but 
we  did  not  meet  one  unfriendly  Rus- 
sian and  we  came  into  the  U.S.S.R. 
immediately  following  the  Lebanon 
crisis. 

• It  is  a mistake  to  compare  So- 
viet dictatorship  with  fascist  dicta- 
torship. 

Too  much  of  our  current  policy 
in  the  U.S.A.  is  trying  to  do  now 
what  we  think  would  have  prevent- 
ed Hitler,  Mussolini,  and  Tojo  from 
involving  us  and  the  world  in  the 
last  war.  I do  not  believe  that  we 
are  facing  the  same  situation  and 
therefore  do  not  believe  that  what 
we  think  would  have  worked 
against  Hitler  is  necessarily  the 
right  thing  to  do  now.  A Maginot 
Line  of  military  security  and  en- 
circlement geared  to  the  past  has 
no  value  for  the  present. 

Some  of  the  differences  in  the 
current  picture: 

The  U.S.S.R.  is  not  a small  nation 
with  delusions  of  grandeur.  It  is 
three  times  the  size  of  the  United 
States  and  the  largest  country  in 
land  area. 

The  U.S.S.R.  is  not  a have-not  na- 
tion seeking  markets. 

The  U.S.S.R.  is  not  stressing  race 
or  national  superiority. 

The  U.S.S.R.  has  a missionary 
zeal  for  its  idea,  its  way  of  life. 

• We  need  to  view  the  U.S.S.R. 
as  our  chief  competitor  for  the 
minds  of  men. 

We  expend  time  and  money  fac- 
ing the  U.S.S.R.  as  “the  enemy” 
while  the  need  is  to  face  the  unde- 
cided peoples’  of  the  world  with  our 
I faith  and  help. 

, • Tremendous  need  of  a strength- 

; ened  United  Nations. 

Our  inability  to  deal  directly  with 
the  U.S.S.R.  effectively  makes  more 


The  blue  Pacific  waters  are  re- 
ceding. The  course  is  narrow- 
ing. Darkness  envelops  us  and 
stars  begin  to  pop  out  from  the  inky 
sky.  The  aroma  of  pine  is  drifting 
out  from  shore.  We  stand  on  deck 
and  a million  thoughts  race  through 
our  minds.  Four . . . five . . . six . . . 
seven  years  ago  we  left  these 
shores.  What  will  face  us  on  our 
homecoming? 

Our  hearts  long  for  the  warmth 
of  fellowship  we  once  knew,  ’That 
is  perhaps  the  thought  uppermost 
in  our  minds.  Will  our  families 
have  changed?  Will  our  friends 
have  changed? 

To  our  dismay,  they  have — we 
feel  like  strangers  until  we  face  up 
to  the  realization  that  we  ourselves 
have  perhaps  changed  more.  We  go 
through  an  emotional  turmoil  and 
long  for  peace  and  quiet — just  to 
get  away  by  ourselves  for  a few 
weeks,  to  find  our  place  gradually 
...  to  readjust  from  a walking  pace 
to  a seventy-mile-an-hour  whirl . . . 
to  learn  to  eat  pies  and  cake  and 
ice  cream  without  thinking  that  the 
mailing  has  cost  someone  more  than 
the  original  cost  of  the  article  it- 
self ...  to  learn  to  wear  a new  dress 
without  feeling  too  self-conscious  in 
it ...  to  readjust  our  thinking  from 
a foreign  language  to  the  home 
language ...  to  sit  back  in  our 
church  pew  and  listen  to  the  four- 
part  harmony  of  old  familiar 
hymns ...  to  listen  to  the  voice  of 
the  minister  expounding  the  pre- 
cious Word  of  God  ...  to  be  fed  emd 
filled  with  the  Bread  of  Life — ^we 
come  home  hungry  because  we  have 
given  and  given  . . . and  to  hear  the 
minister’s  sincere  voice  lifting  up 
in  prayer  those  whom  we  have  left 
behind. 

And  by  and  by  we  feel  we  have 
attained.  We  feel  a part  of  the 
whole  and  those  first  weeks  seem 
like  a dream.  We  have  spanned 
the  gap — ^to  a certain  extent,  at 


least.  And  we  feel  we  would  like 
to  share  what  the  Lord  has  done  in 
us  and  through  us,  to  tell  those  who 
have  prayed,  those  who  have  given, 
that  it  has  not  been  in  vain,  that 
there  have  been  glorious  victories — 
lasting  results. 

But  we  would  also  like  to  share 
the  continued  need.  There  have  been 
defeats  and  discouragements,  there 
are  still  vast  areas  unconquered,  xm- 
touched  by  the  love  of  Jesus.  There 
is  still  a need  for  you  to  take  your 
place  in  the  Lord’s  vineyard.  We 
like  to  see  response  in  praying,  in 
going,  in  giving— not  because  of  the 
words  we  have  spoken,  but  because 
the  Lord  needs  you. 

We  like  to  see  response  in  pray- 
ing. Not  just:  “Bless  the  mission- 
ary on  the  field,”  but  specific,  intelli- 
gent praying.  Do  you  have  to  pray 
for  victory  over  temptation?  So 
does  the  missionary.  If  you  were 
asked  to  deal  with  a soul  disturbed 
about  his  eternal  destiny,  would  you 
need  wisdom  and  guidance  from 
above?  So  does  the  missionary. 
Have  you  experienced  a time  when 
a certain  financial  obligation  need- 
ed to  be  met,  and  you  didn’t  have 
the  wherewithal  to  meet  it?  Our 
needs  are  the  same  as  yours. 

We  like  to  see  response  in  giving. 
There  are  times  when  we  get  word 
from  the  Board:  “Please  cut  down 
here  or  there”  or  “We  may  have  to 
postpone  expansion”  or  just  a tact- 
ful “Let’s  be  careful.” 

We  like  to  see  young  people  re- 
spond to  the  Lord’s  call  to  service, 
whether  at  home  or  on  the  foreign 
field.  We  are  aware  of  the  needs  in 
our  churches  at  home  as  well  as 
overseas.  And  if  we  don’t  know  it 
when  we  come  home,  we  soon  be- 
come aware  of  it. 

Your  response  gives  us  the  assur- 
ance that  we  are  in  this  together. 
We  are  “workers  together  with 
Him.”  We  need  each  other. 

— Anna  Dyck,  missionary  to  Japan 


January  6,  1959 


7 


film  review 

THE  FACE  OF  THE  SOUTH,  16mm 
sound  film  in  color,  29  minutes. 
Rental  may  vary.  Available  from 
Religious  Film  Libraries,  220  W. 
Monroe,  Chicago  6,  III. 

This  is  a film  in  which  Dr.  Mitch- 
ell, an  educator  and  religious  leader 
from  the  South,  illustrates  with 
charts  the  economic  and  social  is- 
sues facing  the  South  today. 

Actually  Dr.  Mitchell  is  the  only 
person  who  appears  in  the  film.  As 
he  describes  the  issues  involved, 
with  the  background,  he  portrays 
both  with  charts  on  a blackboard 
and  on  a map.  Illustrations  are 
given  showing  various  homes, 
farms,  industries,  etc. 


bookmarks 

STRIDE  TOWARD  FREEDOM  by 
Mairtin  Luther  King,  Harper,  230 
pp.,  $2.95. 

Every  Christian  should  read  a 
book  such  as  this,  especially  in  a 
time  when  the  race  question  is  con- 
tinually in  the  news  today.  Martin 
Luther  King,  29-year-old  son  of  a 
southern  Negro  pastor,  and  one  of 
the  best  known  Negro  leaders  of 
today,  has  risked  death  on  numer- 
ous occasions  for  the  cause  of  free- 
dom. Brother  King  received  his 
Ph.D.  at  Boston  University  and  is  at 
present  the  pastor  of  Dexter  Ave- 
nue Baptist  Church  in  Montgomery. 
He  is  also  chairman  of  the  South- 
ern Christian  Leadership  Confer- 
ence. 

In  this  book  we  have  the  oppor- 
tunity of  reading  firsthand  the 
story  of  the  Montgomery  bus  boy- 
cott as  told  by  its  leaders.  One  is 
amazed  at  how  the  Negro  of  the 
South,  who  has  been  considered  a 
second-class  citizen,  can  exercise 
such  discipline  and  love.  King  and 
his  friends  received  scores  of  tele- 
phone calls  threatening  their  lives, 
their  homes  were  bombed,  they 
were  put  into  jail,  and  yet  constant- 
ly the  theme  of  “do  not  let  them 
cause  you  to  stoop  to  hate”  was  on 
their  lips.  Here  we  see  Christian 
people  who  have  no  long  tradition 
of  the  peace  position,  put  us  all  to 
shame  by  such  loving,  sacrificial, 
and  longsuffering  action.  The  Ne- 


This  film  is  not  geared  to  an  emo- 
tional or  inspirational  response  but 
is  a film  which  gives  information 
regarding  issues  facing  the  South 
today,  with  a few  leads  as  to  their 
possible  solution. 

The  film  is  well  done  and  should 
be  helpful  if  used  with  a group  that 
is  interested  in  information  on  the 
South’s  economic  and  social  issues. 
The  committee  felt  that  the  film 
would  be  adapted  for  college  age 
groups  as  well  as  for  adults  in  vari- 
ous meetings  in  a church  such  as 
the  men’s  brotherhood.  Possibly  the 
film  could  be  used  with  the  upper 
high  school  age  if  a group  is  es- 
pecially interested  in  this  particular 
issue. 


gro  will  no  longer  sit  back  and  let 
the  white  man  trample  over  him. 
This  is  a struggle  for  freedom.  The 
tool  which  King  and  his  friends  use 
is  nonviolent  Christian  action. 

The  book  is  easy  to  read,  for  it 
is  written  in  story  form.  The  auth- 
or uses  the  personal  pronoun  fre- 
quently but  as  one  reads  on,  the 
dedication  and  sacrifice  of  these 
Negro  people  lead  one  to  discard 
the  idea  that  the  element  of  pride 
is  present.  The  reader  will  need  to 
bear  in  mind  that  the  book  has  been 
written  from  the  viewpoint  of  the 
Negro. 

Leo  Driedger 

BREAKING  BREAD  TOGETHER 
by  Elaine  Sommers  Rich.  391  pp.. 
Herald  Press,  $3.00. 

This  storehouse  of  spiritual  gems 
is  a devotional  guide  designed  es- 
pecially for  women.  It  contains  365 
meditations  appropriately  written 
for  the  seasons  of  the  year  and 
seasons  of  a lifetime.  Although  the 
meditations  are  directed  to  women, 
it  could  be  helpful  to  other  members 
of  the  family. 

'Twelve  women  who  have  had  ex- 
perience in  writing  and  Christian 
living  share  intimate  thoughts  and 
personal  convictions.  The  contribut- 
ors to  this  collection  are  teachers, 
missionaries,  and  homemakers.  Be- 
cause their  thinking  comes  from 
varied  backgrounds,  it  is  certain 


that  among  the  twelve  writers  one 
will  find  a kinship  at  least  with 
several  of  the  writers,  if  not  all  of 
them.  Since  personal  tastes  of  writ- 
ers and  readers  differ,  some  will  find 
certain  techniques  and  styles  chal- 
lenging while  to  others  they  may 
seem  less  appealing. 

This  is  a book  which  can  endure 
the  years  and  be  a source  of  inner 
light  in  any  generation.  The  truths 
are  so  vital  and  significant  to  the 
daily  Christian  walk  that  time  can- 
not make  them  old-fashioned. 

If  you  have  been  looking  for  a 
meaningful  devotional  book  for 
yourself,  friend,  or  relative,  this  is 
sure  to  be  just  the  volume  for  v*^hich 
you  have  been  searching. 

It  is  truly  said  in  the  words  of 
the  title  that  we  break  bread  to- 
gether when  we  mutuEdly  share 
thoughts  and  experiences  which 
have  strengthened  amd  led  us  in  a 
firmer  Christian  journey  through 
life.  — Griselda  Shelly 

the  reader  says 

Dear  Sirs: 

You  are  all  wrong  when  you  call 
a minister  a professional!  It  is  a 
calling,  and  therefore  cannot  be 

compared 1 believe  that  he 

should  be  helped,  but  he  will  really 
miss  the  purpose  of  his  calling  when 
he  lets  it  be  known  how  little 
he  gets.  Even  though  Paul  could 
have  had  support,  he  was  busy 
working  and  earning  his  living. 

When  a lad,  we  listened  to  two  or 
three  sermons  on  Sunday  mornings, 
and  they  weren’t  paid  scouts,  either. 
Too  big  a percentage  of  the  popu- 
lation is  too  materialistically  mind- 
ed. It  is  not  how  much  we  earn 
that  counts;  it’s  more  how  we  earn 
it  and  what  we  do  with  it. 

Henry  J.  Schultz 


Both  the  Manchester  Guardian 
Weekly  and  NEC’s  News  Bureau 
have  compiled  interesting  statistics 
on  East  German  youth  and  educa- 
tional development;  In  West  Berlin 
alone,  an  estimated  7,000,  or  more 
than  one-third  of  the  city’s  total  of 
20,000  university  students,  are  East 
German.  All  told,  the  number  of 
youth  who  have  left  the  East  at 
college  and  university  age  level  is 
estimated  by  church  leaders  in  Ber- 
lin to  exceed  15,000,  which  is  moi-e 
than  25  per  cent  of  all  high  school 
graduates  in  the  East  Zone. 


8 


THE  MENNONITE 


What  is  “followship”? 


A Note  for 


by  Ed  Riddick 


The  fellowship  of  Jesus  within 
the  fellowship  of  Menno  becomes 
an  apt  setting  for  pilgrim  medita- 
tion this  week.  This  is  the  season 
of  the  new  year — and  that  just  fol- 
lowing the  re-enacted  presence  of 
God  in  the  baby  Christ  child  who 
took  upon  himself  not  only  the  rod 
of  our  afflictions  but  the  salvation 
of  our  souls.  It  is  difficult  to  escape 
the  demands  of  Jesus  . . . one  simply 
cannot  get  away  from  them.  This 
is  particularly  true  when  He  speaks 
to  the  need  for  ministering  to  others 
who  like  ourselves  are  human  and 
beings — and  who  incorporate  in 
their  being  the  image  of  God  the 
Father. 

We  are  told  that  our  task,  our 
privilege  in  life,  is  to  be  our  broth- 
er’s keeper. 

We  are  told  to  love  (not  like  or 
admire,  or  think  he’s  “a  good  Joe”) 
our  neighbor  as  ourselves.  And 
that  the  neighbor  is  the  man  in  Ac- 
cra or  New  Delhi  as  well  as  in 
Moimtain  Lake  or  Lansdale. 

We  are  told  that  the  Fellowship 
of  the  Concerned  is  not  simply  a 
good  name  for  a very  fine  Menno- 
nite  group — but  is  the  very  vitality 
and  “stuff”  of  Christ’s  church.  We 
are  not,  then,  a country  club  with 
an  altar  or  pulpit ...  or  a Sunday- 
go-to-meeting  establishment.  We  are 
not  a mere  worship  center  for  our 
cultural  or  ethnic  group.  We  are 
an  inspired  and  total  commimity 
which  seeks  to  transform  the  world 
about  us  by  the  power  of  Christ 
within  us. 

America  is  thrust  into  a tragedy 
which  sees  it  technologically  in  a 
space  age  and  spiritually  in  an  ice 
age.  As  one  leading  minister  com- 
nented,  “We,  having  searched  the 


Mennonite  Youth 


New  Year 


skies  with  our  intercontinental  bal- 
listic missiles,  have  yet  to  meike  of 
our  own  planet  the  ‘good  earth’. . . .” 
As  a nation  of  nuclear  giants  we 
are  all  too  populated  with  spiritual 
or  theological  pygmies. 

Some  of  our  publications  have 
suggested  that  our  present  era  is 
reminiscent  of  the  1920’s  with  its 
gay  carefree  groping  and  chaos. 
This  was  an  age  whose  glories  were 
eulogized  by  Hemingway  and  whose 
moralism  crept  through  the  back 
door  of  F.  Scott  Fitzgerald.  It  was 
an  age  of  bigotry  and  hypocrisy,  as 
Sinclair  Lewis  and  Fulton  Oursler 
or  Upton  Sinclair  well  attested. 

One  wonders  if  we  can  afford  to 
be  as  irresponsible  as  the  genera- 
tion of  the  1920’s  seemed  to  be.  If 
in  a day  of  Little  Rocks  and  Mont- 
gomerys we  are  eager  to  “live  it 
up.”  We  may — or  better  still,  our 
children  may — have  to  attempt  to 
“live  it  down”  if  such  an  attitude 
persists. 

People  in  Asia  and  Africa  are 
giving  the  whole  western  world 
cause  to  wonder  if  it  really  can 
“live  it  up.”  Certainly  we  can  pro- 
test that  we  are  in  a post  war  period 
— that“the  old  folks  did  it  to  us” — 
but  this  does  not  erase  the  fact  of 
God’s  judgment  upon  us.  Either  we 
affirm  Christ  in  our  daily  relation- 
ships to  our  fellow  man  or  we  are 
lost.  The  statement  “love  or  per- 
ish” is  no  longer  just  a good-sound- 
ing twist it  is  a truth  which  is 

borne  out  by  our  experiences  wheth- 
er in  Little  Rock  or  London,  Mont- 
gomery or  Detroit,  Chicago  or  Jack- 
son. 

One  author  suggested  recently  (in 
The  Mennonite)  that  we  must  not 
let  our  great  concern  for  justice  for 


the  Negro  blind  us  to  the  futility 
and  wrong  of  using  force  to  obtain 
it.  Agreed — but  then  we  must  not 
cease  to  have  that  concern  either, 
even  during  those  times  when  force 
is  being  used  futilely  to  resolve 
this  struggle. 

Five  of  us  recently  toured  the 
South.  All  of  us  were  from  an  in- 
terracial church  community  at 
Woodlawn  (in  Chicago),  and  only 
one  of  us  had  any  prior  extensive 
experience  in  the  South. 

As  we  journeyed  through  Little 
Rock,  Jackson,  Gulfport,  Montgom- 
ery, and  on  up  to  Koinonia  and 
Highlander  Folk  School,  we  came 
to  feel  a real  sense  of  repentance 
for  the  impoverished  conditions  and 
poor  relations  between  people 
throughout  the  South.  Somehow 
the  message  of  God  in  Christ  and 
of  “love  ye  one  another”  had  not 
taken  root,  and  all  of  us  were  in 
some  way  responsible.  Indeed,  be- 
ing Christian  means  among  other 
things  that  we  commit  ourselves  to 
being  responsible. 

No,  we  can’t  hang  it  on  “the  old 
folks.”  As  youth  we  must  be  pre- 
pared for  what  F.D.R.  described  as 
our  “rendezvous  with  destiny.” 
We’ve  got  to  be  prepared  to  bring 
all  our  Christian  resources  to  ful- 
fillment whether  in  Little  Rock,, 
Chicago,  Montgomery,  or  Leopold- 
ville in  the  Belgian  Congo.  We  are' 
a “called  community,”  and  in  the 
words  of  the  hymnist: 

He  who  would  valiant  be 
’gainst  all  disaster 
Let  him  in  constancy 
follow  the  Master. 

My  brothers,  sisters,  and  fellow 
Mennonites,  may  this  be  your  chal- 
lenge in  the  New  Year. 


January  6,  1959 


9 


“What  are  you  going  to  do  when  you  get  big?’’ 
“I’m  going  to  be  a teacher  or  a preacher  or 
a missionary.” 

“That’s  nice  — but  why?” 

“Well,  it’s  the  only  way  to  get  to  heaven.” 

Here  the  same  boy,  now  grown  up,  looks  at 


Vocations 


By  M.  S.  Harder 

WHEN  I was  a young  boy,  I be- 
gan, in  due  time,  to  give  some 
thought  to  my  life’s  vocation.  Pe- 
culiarly, I had  only  three  vocations 
to  pick  from! 

Somewhere,  somehow,  I had  de- 
veloped the  queer  notion  that  there 
were  only  three  things  that  I could 
devote  my  life  to,  if  I didn’t  want 
to  live  a useless  life.  I believed  that 
if  I wanted  to  serve  God  and  get 
into  heaven  I would  have  to  become 
either  a missionary,  a minister,  or 
a teacher.  I used  to  feel  deeply  sor- 
ry for  the  pleasant  groceryman  my 
mother  sent  me  to  for  her  groceries. 
How  could  such  a fine  man  waste 
his  life  away  selling  coffee  and 
beans? 

The  mission  fields  never  called 
me.  That  left  either  the  ministry 
or  teaching  for  me.  But  in  those 
days  my  church  didn’t  provide  sal- 
aries for  ministers  and  I had  to 
have  an  income  to  live.  So  I checked 
Ihe  ministry  off.  That  left  teaching 


You  Too  Can  Serve 

The  Voluntary  Service  programs 
of  the  Mennonite  Central  Commit- 
tee and  the  various  conference 
boards  have  enriched  the  lives  of 
many  young  people.  Voluntary 
Service  offers  opportunities  for: 

— serving  children  and  adults  in 
need 

— presenting  a Christian  witness 
— participating  in  new  learning  ex- 
periences 

— meeting  new  friends 
— getting  acquainted  with  the  work 


for  me.  And  I have  been  teaching 
thirty-seven  years.  Maybe  my 
childish  notion  about  what  voca- 
tions pleased  God  came  from  the 
fact  that  my  father,  whom  I ad- 
mired greatly,  was  both  a minister 
and  a teacher.  He  played,  I thought, 
very  safe  by  engaging  in  both  of 
God’s  favorite  vocations. 

Thank  God,  as  I matured  into 
manhood  my  peculiar  ideas  about 
vocations  received  some  remodeling 
which  they  badly  needed.  I only 
wish  now  that  I could  have  been 
directed  to  a better  understanding 
of  vocations  earlier  in  my  life. 

All  young  people,  I am  sure,  con- 
cern themselves  with  the  trying 
task  of  choosing  a life’s  work.  In 
the  kind  of  world  we  live  in  today, 
this  bvsiness  of  making  up  your 
mind  about  the  right  vocation  be- 
comes a complex  thing.  There  are 
so  many  vocations  to  pick  from.  The 
queer  thing  in  these  days  is  a very 
prevalent  notion  that  any  vocation 


of  your  church. 

You  should  volunteer  if  you  have 
these  qualifications: 

— a vital  Christian  commitment 
— an  interest  in  serving  others 
— a desire  to  serve  your  church 
— some  high  school  or  college  edu- 
cation 

— a desire  to  give  rather  than  re- 
ceive 

— a willingness  to  leave  home  for 
one  year. 


emphasizing  service  rather  than 
financial  gain  is  mostly  for  those 
who  just  don’t  know  better. 

Here’s  where  I would  like  to  of- 
fer my  sincere  feelings  concerning 
vocations.  We  are  living  in  a world 
that  requires  a great  many  skills 
and  professions.  Every  person  in 
our  community,  sooner  or  later, 
needs  the  services  of  a dentist,  a 
doctor,  or  an  automobile  mechanic. 
There  comes  the  time  when  he  needs 
to  see  a salesman  for  insurance,  a 
county  treasurer  to  pay  taxes,  or  a 
shoe  store  for  a pair  of  shoes.  Life 
would  not  be  complete  without  mu- 
sicians, athletes,  and  radio  announ- 
cers. Of  great  use  to  us  are  the 
clothes  cleaners,  the  shoe  cobblers, 
and  the  waitresses  in  a restaurant. 
Jewelers  are  necessary  to  fix  our 
watches,  clerks  in  the  post  office  to 
forward  our  letters,  and  filling  sta- 
tion attendants  to  fill  our  empty  gas 
tanks  and  wash  our  dirty  wind- 
shields. 'Then  there  are  the  train- 
men, the  boys  who  deliver  the  eve- 
ning newspapers,  the  butchers,  the 
candlestick  makers,  and  the  men 
who  bury  the  dead.  Now  tell  me, 
which  of  the  vocations  just  listed 
can  be  eliminated?  Which  are  real- 
ly unnecessary? 

I firmly  believe  that  any  job  that 
needs  to  be  done  to  make  human 
life  possible  and  more  livable  is  im- 
portant and  worthwhile  in  the  sight 
of  God.  Naturally  we  may  have 
more  talent  for  some  vocation  and 
we  may  be  more  happy  pursuing  it. 
All  vocations  offer  opportunities 
for  great  service  to  our  fellow  men. 
God  is  perhaps  not  so  much  inter- 
ested in  what  we  are  doing  as  how 
we  are  doing  our  job. 


A two-week  training  period  for 
new  volunteers  wishing  to  partici- 
pate in  the  inter-Mennonite  Volun- 
tary Service  program  of  MCC  is 
being  planned  for  the  month  of  Feb- 
ruary. The  purpose  of  this  orienta- 
tion period  is  to  inform  volunteers 
about  the  entire  service  program 
and  to  prepare  them  for  the  spir- 
itual and  social  service  they  are  ex- 
pected to  give.  Further  information 
is  available  from  the  Personnel 
Office,  MCC,  Akron,  Penna. 


10 


THE  MENNONITE 


Introducing:  Northern  District  YPU 


by  Dianne  Waltner 


THIRTY-TWO  youth  groups  com- 
prise the  membership  of  the 
Young  People’s  Fellowship  of  the 
Northern  District  of  the  General 
Conference  Mennonite  Church.  The 
groups  represent  five  states:  Min- 
nesota 6,  Montana,  4,  Nebraska  2, 
North  Dakota  4,  and  South  Dakota 
14. 

The  Northern  District  YPF  aims 
to  deepen  the  spiritual  life  of  its 
young  people  by  organizing  them 
for  more  effective  and  meaningful 
work  and  play.  It  seeks  as  its  goal 
the  realization  of  “a  united  Menno- 
nite youth  in  Christ.” 

This  fellowship  has  been  an  active 
organization  for  a number  of 
years.  It  is  an  auxiliary  of  the 
Northern  District  Conference  and 
strives  to  be  in  close  co-operation 
with  the  YPU  of  the  General  Con- 
ference. 

An  annual  business  meeting  is 
held  at  the  time  of  the  Northern 
District  Conference,  at  which  time 
representatives  from  each  local  fel- 
lowship elect  the  new  officers,  con- 
sider projects,  and  approve  the  bud- 
get for  the  following  year.  The 
Youth  Fellowship  is  also  responsi- 
ble for  the  presentation  of  one  of 
the  programs  for  the  general  as- 
sembly of  the  conference.  This  year 
Vincent  Harding,  copastor  of  the 
Chicago  Woodlawn  Church,  served 
as  guest  speaker. 

The  work  of  the  organization  is 
directed  by  the  executive  committee, 
which  at  present  is  composed  of 
president  Arlan  Ortman,  vice-presi- 
dent John  Harder,  secretary- treas- 
urer Ardis  Fliginger,  and  youth  edi- 
tor Dianne  Waltner.  L.  H.  Lin- 
scheid  is  the  advisor  to  the  group. 

One  of  the  major  concerns  of  the 
Youth  Fellowship  during  the  past 
several  years,  has  been  the  purchase 
of  their  own  retreat  grounds  and 
the  building  up  of  a strong  retreat 
program.  While  retreats  have  been 
held  in  the  district  for  quite  a few 
years,  the  program  was  never  a 
[united  one  because  of  the  need  for 
a private,  centrally  located  site. 

I This  need  was  met  when  the  con- 


ference purchased  camp  grounds  at 
Swan  Lake  near  Freeman,  S.  D.  The 
first  retreat  was  held  there  in  June 
of  1954.  Since  that  time  the  retreat 
program  has  grown  steadily.  A 
series  of  four  retreats  for  various 
age  levels  were  held  last  summer. 
A milestone  was  reached  in  this 
project  when  the  debt  on  the  origi- 
nal purchase  price  was  erased  this 


OFFICERS:  From  left  to  right: 
Dianne  Waltner,  Ardys  Flickinger, 
John  Harder,  and  Arlan  Ortman. 


year.  Improvements  in  facilities  are 
now  being  planned,  and  the  YPF 
has  raised  funds  for  the  digging  of 
a much  needed  well. 

Because  of  the  scattered  location 
of  the  individual  fellowships  (over 
700  miles  in  some  cases),  there  has 
been  relatively  little  opportunity  for 
activities  on  the  district  level.  To 
a certain  extent  the  extended  re- 
treat program  has  compensated  for 
this;  now  another  experiment  is  un- 
der way.  This  is  the  leadership 
clinic-youth  rally  which  is  being 
planned  for  the  first  weekend  in 
February.  The  meetings  will  be 
held  at  Henderson,  Neb.,  and  arc 
planned  for  the  growth  as  well  as 
the  fellowship  of  Northern  District 
Youth.  Workshops  and  discussion 
periods  on  training  in  leadership 
techniques  for  use  in  individual  fel- 
lowships will  be  the  first  goal.  This 
will  be  combined  with  informal  fel- 


lowship Emd  climaxed  by  a banquet 
for  all  Northern  District  young 
people. 

Another  area  in  which  the  North- 
ern District  has  been  active  is  the 
service  project.  The  project  of 
sponsoring  VS  workers  for  Gulf- 
port was  completed  as  Ardis  Fligin- 
ger and  LaVerle  Kaufman  returned 
from  their  summer  work  there  and 
reported  their  experiences  to  vari- 
ous churches  in  the  district. 

During  the  annual  business  meet- 
ing this  year,  one  of  the  major  proj- 
ects adopted  was  the  partial  sup- 
port of  a Mission  Pax  worker.  This 
project  recently  became  a reality 
when  the  Palmer  Beckers  left  for 
Formosa  with  Youth  Fellowship 
support.  'They  plan  to  spend  ap- 
proximately three  years  in  service 
there.  Palmer  and  his  wife,  the 
former  Ardys  Preheim,  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Salem  Mennonite  Church 
of  Freeman.  They  are  both  gradu- 
ates of  Freeman  Junior  College, 
and  Palmer  completed  his  work  at 
Goshen  College  last  spring. 

As  in  most  organizations,  the  mat- 
ter of  finances  plays  an  important 
role.  The  budget  for  the  current 
fiscal  year  is  set  at  $1,550  and  is  ap- 
portioned as  follows: 

General  Conference  YPU  $900 

Service  Project  $450 

General  Expenses  $200 

The  total  is  an  increase  over  the 
amount  of  the  previous  year. 
Through  good  response  on  the  part 
of  many  of  the  groups,  the  1957-58 
budget  had  been  exceeded  by 
$209.53.  Several  of  the  church  fel- 
lowships in  the  Northern  District 
have  very  successfully  adopted  the 
pledge  system  of  stewardship  tO’ 
meet  YPF  treasury  needs.  This 
system,  presented  at  the  ’57  council 
meeting,  is  a planned  method  of  giv- 
ing on  the  individual  level. 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People's  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  3003 
Benhom  Avenue,  Elkhart,  Indiana. 


1 ] 


.January  6,  1959 


our  schools 

LETTER  FROM  BRAZIL 

Nelson  Litwiller,  president  of  our 
inter-Mennonite  South  American 
seminary,  writes  of  a trip  to  Curiti- 
ba (capital  of  Parana)  and  Witmar- 
sum  in  the  state  of  Parana  to  visit 
the  brethren  and  German  speaking 
congregations;  “This  trip  was  made 
in  the  interest  of  the  seminary,  to 
report  on  the  year’s  work  as  well 
as  meet  and  counsel  with  prospec- 
tive students.  The  trip  was  highly 
worthwhile.  There  are  prospects  of 
new  students,  and  the  congrega- 
tions give  offerings  to  support  the 
seminary  and  are  interested  in  its 
progress.  Among  other  activities, 
my  ministry  included  two  sermons 
in  the  German  language.’’ 

SCHOLARSHIP  AWARDED 

The  Women’s  Discussion  Group  of 
the  First  Mennonite  Church,  Berne, 
Ind.,  offered  a $100  scholarship  for 
seminary  training  to  a member  of 
Women  in  Church  Vocations.  Muri- 
el Thiessen,  a first  year  student  at 
Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary,  was 
suggested  to  the  women’s  group  by 
the  WCV  committee  and  accepted 
by  them  as  the  one  to  receive  the 
scholarship. 

Miss  Thiessen  took  her  under- 
graduate work  at  Bluffton  College 
in  the  field  of  English.  Studying  at 
Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary,  she 
also  serves  as  youth  editor  of  The 
Mennonite  and  works  on  publicity 
for  Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary. 
She  is  interested  in  the  field  of 
journalism. 

CHRISTMAS  BANQUET 

“Let  us  go  even  now  unto  Beth- 
lehem’’ was  the  theme  of  the  C.M. 
B.C.  Christmas  banquet.  Candle 


GOSPEL  TEAMS  ON  TOUR 


light,  holly,  and  a decorated  Christ- 
mas tree  helped  to  transform  the 
chapel.  Mr.  Janzen  reminded  us 
that  Bethlehem  should  mean  humili- 
ty. The  Literary  Society  was  in 
charge  of  the  second  part  of  the 
program.  A drama.  The  Other  Shep- 
herd, was  very  effective  in  showing 
us  how  the  Birth  might  have 
touched  the  common  people  on  the 
hillsides  of  Judea. 

HOSPITAL  CAROLING 
On  the  last  Saturday  in  the  fall 
quarter  C.M.B.C.  students  are  divid- 
ed into  groups  of  approximately  ten 
people.  These  groups  visit  and  sing 
carols  in  different  hospitals  in  the 
city.  Places  visited  this  year  were 
Manitoba  Home  for  Girls  in  Sel- 
kirk; Canadian  National  Institute 
for  the  Blind;  Moore’s  Nursing 
Home;  Indian  Residential  School; 
Shriner’s,  Children’s,  King  George, 
and  Deer  Lodge  Hospitals.  This 
sharing  of  Christmas  cheer  proved 
to  be  a great  blessing  and  inspired 
us  with  the  true  Christmas  spirit. 
Peanuts,  candies,  and  games  also 
form  a part  of  the  tradition.  In  the 
closing  devotional  period  Bernie 
Thiessen,  who  is  planning  to  go  to 
the  Belgian  Congo  for  a term  of 
Pax  service,  gave  his  testimony. 
CHRISTMAS  FESTIVITIES 
The  annual  Bluffton  College 
Christmas  Banquet  was  held  on 
Dec.  18  in  the  Ropp  Hall  dining 
room.  A musical  program  given  by 
the  A Cappella  Choir  under  the  di- 
rection of  Earl  Lehman  followed 
the  banquet.  Eldon  Graber,  asso- 
ciate professor  of  education,  was  the 
speaker.  The  banquet  was  spon- 
sored by  the  Gospel  Team.  After 
the  program,  the  Student  Christian 
Association  was  in  charge  of  Christ- 
mas caroling  at  faculty  members’ 
houses. 


Bluffton  College  Girls’  Gospel  Team,  from  left  to  right:  Miriam  Mitchell, 
Jeanette  Sprunger,  Sarah  Kratz,  and  Judy  Hilty.  The  Mixed  Gospel  Team, 
left  to  right:  James  Glenn,  Carolyn  Blosser,  Robert  McCrary,  Nancy  Yoder. 


FOLLOWING  UP  PLEDGES 

Carl  Lehman,  business  manager 
at  Bluffton  College,  wrote  an  article 
entitled,  “We  Found  an  Easier  Way 
to  Follow  Up  Pledges,”  which  was 
recently  published  in  the  December 
issue  of  College  and  University 
Business.  In  this  article  he  described 
the  procedure  used  by  Bluffton  Col- 
lege in  its  present  campaign  to  col- 
lect pledges  effectively. 

SPEAKERS  AVAILABLE 

Lorraine  Kauffman,  a senior  from 
Middlebury,  Ind.,  has  been  appoint- 
ed deputation  chairman  of  Peace 
Club  at  Bluffton  College.  The  depu- 
tation program  will  concentrate  on 
Pax  and  Voluntary  Service  work. 
These  groups  will  be  available  for 
visits  to  churches  and  for  other 
speaking  engagements.  Speakers 
already  available  are  Marlin  Ger- 
ber, Sugarcreek,  Ohio,  who  did  Pax 
service  in  Europe  and  Algeria;  and 
Lois  Shutt,  who  has  done  Voluntary 
Service  work. 

MCC  news  and  notes 

PEACE  SECTION 

On  December  13,  the  Executive 
Committee  of  the  MCC  Peace  Sec- 
tion met  at  Akron  headquarters. 
Some  of  the  items  under  discussion 
were  the  following. 

Seminar  on  Race  Relations 

At  the  suggestion  of  the  General 
Conference  Board  of  Christian  Serv- 
ice, the  Peace  Section  is  planning 
for  a Seminar  on  Race  Relations 
to  be  held  April  17-19  at  the  Wood- 
lawn  Mennonite  Church  in  Chicago. 
A five-member  planning  committee 
felt  that  the  seminar’s  emphasis 
should  be  directed  within  the 
church;  that  representation  should 
consist  of  persons  working  in  our 
interracial  church  situations;  that 
we  come  together  to  review  the  race 
question,  awaken  our  consciences, 
share  our  convictions,  and  examine 
our  witness;  that  we  come  seeking 
God’s  guidance. 

Church  Peace  Mission  Conference 

Plans  are  well  along  for  the  third 
Church  Peace  Mission  Conference 
to  be  held  at  Evanston,  111.,  April 
20-23.  The  theme  of  the  conference 
will  be  “The  Word  of  God  in  the 
Nuclear  Age.” 

The  Church  Peace  Mission  is  the 
main  avenue  by  which  the  MCC 
Peace  Section  maintains  contact 
with  the  peace  promotion  activities 
and  interests  of  other  peace  church- 


12 


THE  MENNONITE 


es  and  pacifist  fellowships.  CPM 
offers  a unique  opportunity  for  ex- 
tending the  emphasis  on  Christian 
peace  and  nonresistance  to  and 
through  the  channels  of  the  general 
church,  particularly  in  the  U.  S., 
though  it  also  affords  valuable  con- 
tacts with  church  leaders  through- 
out the  world. 

The  past  year  has  revealed  an  in- 
creasing concern  by  leading  church- 
men regarding  the  present  and  po- 
tential evils  of  nuclear  weapons 
and  weapons  testing.  Four  topics 
for  study  and  discussion  at  the  con- 
ference will  be  “Theological  and 
Biblical  Basis  for  Christian  Peace 
Action”  “Christian  Dynamic  for  So- 
cial Change”  “Christian  Faith  and 
International  Politics”  “Christian 
Peace  Strategy  and  Nuclear  Weap- 
ons.” 

PACKAGES  TO  POLAND 

EUROPE  — The  first  parcels  to 
Poland  are  being  sent  from  MCC 
relief  supplies  in  Vienna.  As  a re- 
sult of  Peter  Dyck’s  visit  to  Poland, 
contacts  have  been  made  through 
which  these  parcels  can  be  mailed 
directly  to  individual  needy  peo- 
ple. The  MCC  office  in  Vienna  does 
the  actual  packing  and  mailing  to 
Poland. 

CHILDREN'S  HOME  TRANSFERS 

FRANCE — On  Jan.  1,  MCC  turned 
over  the  management  and  complete 
financial  responsibility  for  the  Val- 
doie  Children’s  Home  to  the  Menno- 
nite  church  of  France.  MCC  will 
continue  to  support  the  work  with 
regular  monthly  financial  contribu- 
tions as  well  as  gifts  of  clothing, 
shoes,  bedding,  and  surplus  com- 
modity foods  to  the  extent  that 
these  goods  are  available. 

Mary  Ellen  Shoup  (Los  Angeles, 
Calif.)  who  has  been  in  charge  of 
the  home  a number  of  years  and 
has  given  a total  of  twelve  years 
of  MCC  service  in  France,  will  be 
returning  home  early  in  the  new 
year.  This  leaves  only  one  MCC 
worker,  Paxman  Howard  Snyder 
(La  Junta,  Colo.)  at  Valdoie. 

NEW  PASTOR  FOR  VIENNA 

AUSTRIA — Brother  Ernst  Wyss, 
pastor  of  the  Mennonite  congrega- 
tion in  Vienna  since  1955  and  serv- 
ing under  the  auspices  of  the  Swiss 
1 Mennonite  Mission  Board,  will  be 
I discontinuing  his  services  in  March. 
The  European  Mennonite  Evange- 
lism Committee  has  been  asked  to 
explore  the  possibilities  of  securing 
a successor  to  Brother  Wyss. 


HYMN  WRITER  IS 
HOSPITAL  FOUNDER 

JORDAN  — MCC  worker  Tina 
Klassen,  R.N.  (Abbotsford,  B.  C.) 
reports  that  she  has  recently  trans- 
ferred from  the  Evangelical  Hos- 
pital in  Nablus  to  the  Spafford  Chil- 
dren’s Hospital  in  Jerusalem. 

This  hospital  has  an  interesting 
origin.  Years  ago  a certain  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Horatio  P.  Spafford  founded 
a baby  home  in  Jerusalem.  Mr. 
Spafford  is  the  man  who  composed 
the  words  of  the  well-known  hymn 
“It  Is  Well  with  My  Soul.”  Even- 
tually the  home  changed  into  a hos- 
pital, which  has  served  hundreds 
of  sick  and  neglected  children  in 
Jordan.  The  children  who  are  ad- 
mitted are  generally  dirty,  wet,  un- 
dernourished, and  suffering  from 
rickets,  eye  diseases,  intestinal  dis- 
orders, worms,  and  lice.  “The  moth- 
ers marry  young  and  know  nothing 
of  child  care.  They  have  too  many 
children.  They  are  poor.  They  have 
no  education  . . . they  do  not  care.” 

ALTERNATIVE  SERVICE 

GERMANY — On  Nov.  11  an  In- 
ternational Christian  Service  for 
Peace  meeting  was  held  at  Breth- 
ren Haus,  Kassel,  Germany,  with 
fifteen  persons  in  attendance.  Repre- 
sentatives included  North  and  South 
Germany,  Holland,  Fellowship  of 
Reconciliation,  World  Council  of 
Churches,  Brethren  Service  Com- 
mission, Mennonite  Central  Commit- 
tee, and  others.  Milton  Harder  and 
Peter  J.  Dyck  were  the  two  Men- 
nonite representatives. 

The  purpose  of  the  meeting  was 
to  help  find  direction,  through  con- 
sultation, for  the  practical  peace 
program,  EIRENE.  This  program 
seeks  to  “provide  a channel  through 
which  young  men  in  various  coun- 
tries can  render  a voluntary  service 
as  Christian  pacifists  in  places  of 
need  and  particularly  in  places  of 
tension  where  Christian  love  can 
contribute  to  reconciliation.” 

EIRENE’s  greatest  challenge  at 
present  lies  in  Germany,  where  CO 
applications  are  definitely  on  the 
increase,  but  where  no  government- 
recognized  alternative  service  pro- 
gram exists.  It  is  hoped  that  a 
local  project,  somewhere  in  Ger- 
many, would  lead  to  government 
recognition  of  EIRENE  as  an  or- 
ganization which  can  sponsor  al- 
ternative service  for  German  COs. 

Representatives  from  England, 
Ireland  and  Holland  felt  that  their 


respective  governments  should  also 
be  approached  concerning  recogni- 
tion of  EIRENE  for  alternative 
service. 

Peter  Dyck  was  in  charge  of  a 
two  and  a half  hour  discussion 
period  during  which,  among  other 
matters,  the  following  points  were 
agreed  upon: 

• EIRENE  should  remain  specif- 
ically Christian  in  character  and  ac- 
cept only  volunteers  who  are  Chris- 
tian pacifists. 

• More  publicity  for  announcing 
EIRENE’s  service  opportunities  to 
European  young  men  is  needed. 

• A project  should  be  set  up  in 
Europe,  probably  in  Germany,  as 
soon  as  possible. 

RUSSIAN  IMMIGRANTS  WORK 
ON  BRAZIL  SETTLEMENT 

BRAZIL — According  to  a news  re- 
lease from  World  Council  of  Church- 
es, fifty  young  people  from  a new 
Russian  colony  in  Brazil  have  gone 
to  a neighboring  Mennonite  settle- 
ment as  farm  laborers. 

They  belong  to  a group  of  over 
500  Old  Believers,  members  of  a 
Russian  Orthodox  agriculturist 
group  who  have  settled  in  Brazil 
since  May.  The  Old  Believers  left 
Russia  in  1919-20  and  settled  on 
farms  in  northern  China.  When 
Soviet  authorities  came  in  1947, 
many  of  the  men  in  the  group  were 
deported  to  Russia.  In  1951-52  the 
Chinese  seized  their  small  farms. 
Then  the  families  turned  to  the 
World  Council  for  help  to  leave 
China  and  emigrate  to  South  Amer- 
ica. 

It  took  six  years  of  arduous  ne- 
gotiations before  WCC  was  able  to 
clear  the  way  for  resettlement  of 
the  present  group  on  a 6, 000-acre 
tract  of  virgin  land  in  the  state  of 
Parana,  Brazil.  Still  hoping  to  come 
are  another  200  members  of  the 
Orthodox  group  remaining  in  Man- 
churia. 

Most  of  the  settlers  have  moved 
into  permanent  homes  which  they 
have  built,  leaving  shacks  which 
housed  them  temporarily,  for  use 
as  “summer  kitchens.”  Ploughing  i& 
going  on  twenty-four  hours  a day 
with  the  help  of  four  tractors  which 
several  of  the  Old  Believers  have 
learned  to  operate.  The  young  peo- 
ple working  for  the  Mennonites  are 
getting  acquainted  with  local  meth- 
ods of  agriculture,  learning  Portu- 
guese, and  earning  some  much  need- 
ed money  for  their  colony. 


January  6,  1959 


13 


jottings 

HARVEST  FESTIVAL 

First  Church,  Mountain  Lake, 
Minn.:  John  Ewert,  president  of 
Freeman  Jr.  College,  filled  the  pul- 
pit Oct.  19  while  our  pastor  was 
ministering  to  the  Hopi  Indians  in 
Ariz.  A reception  was  given  to  the 
Harry  Harder  family  Oct.  19,  at 
which  time  Mr.  Harder  showed  pic- 
tures of  his  roadbuilding  work  in 
South  America.  Ben  Sawatzky 
showed  pictures  of  their  work  in 
India  at  the  annual  Mite  Box  pro- 
gram of  the  Oakleaf  Mission  So- 
ciety. Elizabeth  and  David  Harder 
gave  us  a report  of  their  European 
trip  at  the  Nov.  2 C.  E.  meeting, 
and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  P.  F.  Pankratz 
reported  on  their  trip  to  Haiti.  Nov. 
9 Pastor  Wiebe  showed  slides  on 
his  recent  mission  to  the  Hopi  In- 
dians. The  women  of  six  Confer- 
ence churches  of  this  area  met  in 
an  all  day  session  Nov.  14.  Special 
speakers  were  Mrs.  Olin  Krehbiel 
and  Mrs.  Edwin  P.  Graber  of 
Freeman,  S.  D.  Our  church  observed 
its  eightieth  anniversary  with  an 
all-day  meeting  Nov.  23.  In  the 
morning  our  pastor  brought  the  an- 
niversary sermon  and  Frank  S.  Har- 
der, “Our  House  of  Worship”;  Jus- 
tina  Neufeld,  “Our  Mothers  in  the 
Church”;  and  Walter  Gering,  “What 
the  Church  Ought  to  Be.”  The  eve- 
ning included  a panel  discussion, 
“Facing  the  Future.”  Nov.  23  was 
also  the  beginning  of  our  Harvest 
Festival  week  with  Frank  S.  Har- 
der of  Omaha  as  guest  speaker.  The 
Harvest  Thankoffering  amounted  to 
$3,021.06.  Five  hundred  pounds  of 
clothing  have  been  processed  and 
are  ready  for  shipping.  Walter  and 
Joyce  (Berg)  Harder  were  mar- 
ried Nov.  26. — Mrs.  Sam  Quiring 
MEAT  CANNING  PROJECT 
Eden  Church,  Moundridge,  Kan.; 
Oct.  19  our  former  pastor,  Walter 
Gering,  from  Mountain  Lake,  Minn., 
brought  the  morning  message.  Mrs. 
David  C.  Goering  and  daughter 
Paulette  passed  away,  due  to  an 
automobile  accident,  and  funeral 
services  were  held  at  the  Eden 
Church  Oct.  9.  Eden  fall  services 
were  held  Thanksgiving  week  with 
Howard  G.  Nyce,  Newton,  as  guest 
minister.  He  also  brought  the  morn- 
ing and  afternoon  messages  at  our 
Harvest  Festival  Nov.  30.  Our  can- 
ning project  resulted  in  a total  of 
3,487  cans  of  prepared  meat  ready 
for  shipment  to  the  hungry  and 
needy  in  many  countries.  It  is  a 
real  blessing  to  give  “in  the  Name 
of  Christ.”  Pastor  Arnold  Nickel 
was  guest  speaker  at  the  Alexan- 
derwohl  Church  in  Dec. — Corr. 


YOUTH  PRESENT  PLAY 

Lorraine  Ave.  Church,  Wichita, 
Kan.:  For  the  past  weeks  E.  G. 
Kaufman  has  been  speaking  to  the 
adults  during  the  S.  S.  period;  his 
final  message  was  Nov.  30.  His  lec- 
tures were  based  on  “The  World’s 
Great  Religions.”  Seven  children 
were  consecrated  Dec.  7.  In  the 
evening  members  of  the  Burrton 
Church  presented  a program,  the 
theme  of  which  was  “The  Evange- 
listic Outreach  of  the  Church.”  The 
evening  offering  will  be  used  for 
their  building  fund.  The  Friendship 
Circle  met  at  the  home  of  Mrs.  E. 
M.  Harms  Dec.  9.  Theme  for  the 
program  was  “Christmas  As  Told 
in  Art.”  A full  length  Christmas 
play.  The  Tinker,  was  presented  by 
the  youth  of  the  church  Dec.  28,  and 
a Christmas  Musical  Vespers  was 
presented  under  the  direction  of 
Hugo  Remple  Dec.  21.  On  Christ- 
mas Eve  was  the  program  present- 
ed by  the  children;  on  Dec.  31  will 
be  the  New  Year’s  Eve  Fellowship. 

ADVENT  KRANZ 

JOHANNESTAL  CHURCH,  HILLSBORO, 
Kan.:  During  the  month  of  Nov. 
the  Youth  Fellowship  had  Wilfred 
Unruh  as  guest  speaker.  The  Men- 
nonite  Men  had  P.  K.  Regier  with 
them  during  their  quarterly  meet- 
ing; he  showed  slides  and  told  of 
his  South  American  trip.  The  S.  S. 
had  its  annual  business  meeting  and 
showed  the  film  Split  Leviel  Fam- 
ily, a stewardship  film.  Our  church 
again  took  part  in  meat  canning 
for  relief,  processing  a total  of 
1,150  pounds.  Nov.  23  we  observed 
our  annual  Harvest  Festival.  Ed- 
mund Miller  of  the  First  Church  of 
Christian,  Moundridge,  brought  the 
morning  and  afternoon  messages. 
Offerings  amounted  to  $1,317.69  for 
missions  and  relief.  Special  serv- 
ices were  held  the  first  three  eve- 
nings of  Thanksgiving  week  with 
H.  B.  Schmidt,  Moundridge,  bringing 
the  messages.  The  wedding  of  De- 
lores  Ann  Suderman  and  Marvin 
Bartel  took  place  Nov.  27  at  First 
Church,  Newton.  The  Women’s  An- 
nual Christmas  Party  was  held  in 
the  church  basement  Dec.  15.  Gifts 
of  sewing  supplies  for  relief  were 
brought.  Our  church  is  again  ob- 
serving the  Advent  Season  with  an 
Advent  Kranz  or  wreath  as  a cen- 
ter piece,  a German  custom.  On  the 
first  Sunday  in  Advent  one  candle 
is  lit,  the  second  Sunday,  two,  etc., 
with  the  lighting  of  a fifth  candle 
on  Christmas  Day. — Mrs.  Walter 
Bartel,  corr. 

MISSION  FESTIVAL 

Bethel  Church,  Inman,  Kan.:  We 
had  our  annual  Mission  Festival 
Nov.  16.  Missionaries  Pastor  and 


Mrs.  Bernard  Thiessen,  Mary 
Schrag  R.N.,  and  Don  Wismer,  H. 
G.  Nyce,  and  Bob  Miller  served  us. 
The  children  had  separate  meet- 
ings in  the  church  basement.  MCC 
relief  was  presented  in  the  eve- 
ning. Offerings  amounted  to  $3,000. 
The  eightieth  birthday  of  Mrs.  A.  H. 
Toews  was  commemorated  by  a 
short  program  and  open  house  Nov. 
23.  Dec.  7 Andrew  R.  Shelly 
preached  on  “God’s  Grace,”  and 
concluded  his  services  on  Mon.  eve- 
ning. He  was  here  in  the  interest 
of  the  seminary  at  Elkhart.  The 
Charity  Society  extended  an  invita- 
tion to  a Christmas  program  on 
Dec.  11.  The  congregation  observed 
Communion  Sunday  evening,  Dec. 
14.— Corr. 

“INVITE  A FAMILY”  CAMPAIGN 

Immanuel  Church,  Downey,  Cal.: 
We  welcomed  two  members  into 
our  church  fellowship:  Mrs.  Cor- 
nelia Funk  and  Delores  Gade.  The 
church  held  an  “Invite  A Family 
Campaign,”  in  which  families  in- 
vited other  families  into  their  homes 
for  dinner  or  out  to  a park.  The 
men  of  our  church  go  to  the  mis- 
sion in  Los  Angeles  once  a month 
to  sing  and  testify  for  our  Lord. 
The  Carl  Unruhs  were  divinely 
spared  in  a car  accident  in  October. 
The  Men’s  Fellowship  had  a meet- 
ing in  the  Ferd  Wiens  home  with 
Kenneth  E.  Jones,  a former  dope 
addict,  telling  how  God  delivered 
him  from  the  habit.  The  annual 
Women’s  Missionary  Society  pre- 
sented their  program  Nov.  2 and 
Mrs.  Wes  Van  Nattan  spoke.  Our 
pastor  spoke  at  a series  of  meetings 
at  First  Church,  Paso  Robles.  It 
was  good  to  have  Marion  and  Dor- 
othy Schroeder  Allen  and  family 
in  our  midst.  They  are  our  mission- 
aries home  on  furlough  from  Af- 
rica. Mrs.  Allen  spoke  Nov.  16  in 
the  evening.  Bro.  Walter  Lepp 
spoke  at  a week’s  Crusade  for 
Christ  meetings  and  at  the  Young 
People’s  banquet.  Sunday,  the  last 
day  of  meetings,  was  our  annual 
Homecoming  Day.  In  the  afternoon, 
we  had  a missions  program  with 
our  own  three  missionary  families, 
all  by  the  way,  from  the  same  field 
in  Africa — Tanganyika — the  Frank 
Mannings,  Wes  Van  Nattans,  and 
the  Marion  Allens.  They  acted  out 
everyday  occurrences  and  things 
that  they  do  on  the  mission  field. 
Nov.  23  the  Calif.  Menn.  Y.  P.  held 
a C.  E.  Youth  Musical  Rally  in  our 
church.  Martin  Soper  spoke  on  mu- 
sic in  the  life  of  a Christian  teen- 
ager. All  churches  brought  musical 
numbers.  Special  speakers  this 
month  were  our  Ralph  Wetmore, 
Nev.,  and  Melvin  Gingerich,  Goshen, 


14 


THE  AAENNONITE 


Ind.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  Lepp  an- 
nounced the  engagement  of  their 
daughter  Lorretta  to  Paul  Sukau. 
— Mrs.  Allen  Sukau,  corr. 

ANNUAL  CONVENTION 
Gospel  Church,  Mountain  Lake, 
Minn.:  At  the  meeting  of  the  Light- 
bearers  Nov.  2 the  gospel  film  The 
Navajo  was  shown.  Holy  Commun- 
ion was  observed  Nov.  9.  Bernice 
Klaassen  spoke  and  showed  pictures 
of  her  experiences  in  Mexico  at  the 
King’s  Co-workers’  Mission  Society 
meeting  in  Nov.  “Women’s  United 
for  Missions  Day’’  was  held  in  our 
church  Nov.  14,  being  an  all-day 
meeting  of  the  six  Conference 
churches  in  the  community.  Mrs. 
Olin  Krehbiel  and  Mrs.  Edwin  P. 
Graber  of  S.  D.  were  guest  speak- 
ers. H.  P.  Fast  of  Marion,  S.  D., 
spoke  and  showed  pictures  of  his 
evangelistic  meetings  in  Germany 
last  summer.  John  Friesen  and 
Glenda  Rae  Malm  were  married 
Nov.  16;  and  Jerrold  Duerksen  and 
Elizabeth  Schmidt  were  married 
Nov.  29.  The  third  annual  mission- 
ary' convention  was  held  Nov.  23-30. 
Many  blessings  were  received  from 
messages  and  pictures  by  various 
missionaries  participating  and  from 
some  of  our  missionaries  in  the 
field  who  sent  pictures  and  tape 
recordings.  Dr.  Harry  Stam,  with 
twenty  years  of  missionary  expe- 
rience in  Africa,  directed  the  con- 
vention. Missionaries  participating 
were  the  Bernard  Thiessens  of  Ja- 
pan; Ben  Sawatzky  of  India;  Ben 
J.  Nickel  and  Bruce  and  Delma  Hel- 
land.  Services  concluded  Nov.  30 
with  the  Harvest  and  Mission  Fes- 
tival and  a fellowship  meal. — Mrs. 
Waldo  Stoesz,  corr. 

LEADERSHIP  DEMONSTRATION 
Zion  Church,  Elbing,  Kan.  : Our 
C.  E.  program  consisted  of  a film, 
Centerville  Awakening.  Cornelius 
Hiebert  has  moved  to  the  Valley 
View  Convalescent  Home  at  El  Do- 
rado. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Herman  Janzen 
are  the  parents  of  a son,  Bruce 
James,  bom  Sept.  28.  Bradley  Scott 
was  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Donald 
Hall  on  Nov.  8.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Louis 
Janzen  observed  their  twenty-fifth 
wedding  anniversary  on  Oct.  26 
with  open  house  and  a reception 
in  the  church  basement,  followed 
by  a program  of  praise  and  thanks- 
giving in  the  church  sanctuary.  A 
Leadership  Demonstration  School 
was  held  in  ’ our  church  on  Nov.  2. 
Churches  invited  to  participate  in- 
cluded Emmaus,  Grace  Hill,  Burns, 
and  Swiss.  The  program  included 
observation,  evaluation,  and  devel- 
opment of  better  teaching  methods. 
^ On  Nov.  19  a representative  from 
j the  Gideons  presented  the  work  and 
needs  of  that  organization.  At  the 


evening  service  the  same  day,  W.  F. 
Unruh  spoke  and  showed  pictures  of 
Conference  activities.  Communion 
was  observed  in  our  church  Nov.  30. 
Dec.  3 the  Burns  church  and  our 
church  canned  meat  for  MCC  relief. 
The  Mission  Friends  Society  is  spon- 
soring a clothing  drive  for  MCC 
relief. — Corr. 

PASTOR  CALLED 

First  Church,  Berne,  Ind.:  Gordon 
J.  Neuenschwander,  who  served  as 
interim  pastor  of  the  church  since 
the  resignation  of  Olin  A.  Krehbiel 
in  1958,  has  been  called  to  serve  as 
pastor  of  the  church.  Janet  Soldner 
returned  home  on  furlough  from 
Colombia,  S.  A.  Speakers  for  our 
fifth  annual  Thanksgiving  Mission 
Festival  Nov.  27-30  were  Pastor  Er- 
nie Virgino,  Kenya,  East  Africa; 
Janet  Soldner;  Pastor  James  Bert- 
sche,  Congo  Beige,  Africa;  Pastor 
and  Mrs.  W.  C.  Voth,  Formosa; 
Martha  Giesbrecht,  Japan;  and  Pas- 
tor John  P.  Suderman,  member  of 
the  Conference  Mission  Board.  The 
special  project  for  the  festival  was 
completing  payment  of  the  new 
building  in  Taipei,  Formosa,  which 
was  underwritten  by  the  church 
earlier  this  year.  The  Mennonite 
Choral  Society  presented  their  an- 
nual rendition  of  Handel’s  The  Mes- 
siah on  Dec.  6 and  7.  The  S.  S. 
Christmas  program  was  held  Dec. 
25,  and  a communion  service  on 
Dec.  28.  The  new  educational  unit 
project  is  progressing  and  the  new 
office  section  is  to  be  ready  early 
in  1959.  Dedication  services  for  the 
building  are  tentatively  planned  for 
Easter,  1959.  The  church  will  again 
participate  in  the  annual  Union 
Evangelistic  services  here  Feb.  5-12 
with  Dr.  Paul  T.  Petticord,  presi- 
dent of  the  Western  Evangelical 
Seminary,  Portland,  Ore.,  speaking. 

into  the  beyond 

Fanny  Schumacher,  of  Pandora, 
Ohio,  and  member  of  the  Grace 
Mennonite  Church  of  Pandora,  was 
bom  June  10,  1880,  and  died  Decem- 
ber 8,  1958. 

Adolf  Schmidt,  member  of  the  Alex- 
anderwohl  Mennonite  Church,  Goes- 
sel,  Kansas,  and  former  charter 
member  of  the  Eden  Mennonite 
Church,  Inola,  Okla.,  was  bom  July 
1,  1889,  and  passed  away  September 
13,  1958. 

Clara  Yoder,  of  Wadsworth,  Ohio, 
and  member  of  the  First  Menno- 
nite Church  of  ^ Wadsworth,  was 
born  June  2,  1869,  and  died  Decem- 
ber 15,  1958. 


CONFERENCE  NOTES 
(continued  from  page  16) 

signed  to  bring  this  emphasis  to 
the  congregation.  Other  bulletin 
covers  for  January  are  Follow  Me, 
featuring  “The  Coming  of  the  Apos- 
tles Peter  and  Andrew”  by  Duc- 
cio di  Buoninsegna;  Winter;  and 
Dare  We  Live  in  the  Household  of 
God,  prepared  for  youth  week  (Jan- 
uary 25  to  February  1). 

Bulletin  covers  for  February  de- 
pict Children  of  Eloy,  a Bible  class 
of  migrant  children  in  Arizona;  The 
Bible  in  Colombia;  Miracle  in  In- 
dia; and  Prophet  of  Temperance, 
quoting  an  address  given  by  Abra- 
ham Lincoln  on  Washington  Day  in 
1842. 

The  Conference  Sunday  bulletin 
for  March  features  a reproduction 
of  the  mural  by  Robert  Regier,  dis- 
played at  the  General  Conference 
in  1956.  Time  to  Share  is  in  keep- 
ing with  the  drive  for  relief  funds 
in  March.  Three  bulletins  have  Len- 
ten and  Easter  themes.  Christ  Be- 
fore Pilate  features  a painting  by 
Michael  Munkascy  considered  by 
some  as  the  greatest  religious 
painting  of  the  nineteenth  century. 
“Entry  of  Jesus  into  Jerusalem”  by 
Giotti  (1266-1337)  is  used  in  the 
Palm  Sunday  bulletin.  The  paint- 
ing “The  Resurrection”  by  Lodo- 
vicus  Finsonius  and  words  from 
“Light’s  Glittering  Morn”  by  John 
Mason  Peale  make  up  the  Easter 
bulletin. 

For  further  information  write  to 
Maynard  Shelly,  Faith  and  Life 
Bulletin  Service,  722  Main,  Newton, 
Kansas. 

INSTITUTIONAL  MEETING 

With  the  help  of  the  Committee 
on  Welfare  Institutions,  the  engi- 
neers and  maintenance  men  of  Men- 
nonite institutions  have  planned  a 
two  day  get-to-gether  on  the  Hess- 
ton  Junior  College  campus  Jan.  12- 
13.  The  institutions  which  will  be 
represented  include  Hesston  Junior 
College,  Bethel  College,  Tabor  Col- 
lege, Prairie  View  Hospital,  and 
various  Mennonite  hospitals  and 
homes  for  the  aged.  Sessions  will 
be  devoted  to  studies  of  operating 
and  maintaining  heating  plants,  air 
conditioning,  maintenance  of 
grounds,  etc.,  and  will  provide  op- 
portunity for  men  in  the  same  kind 
of  work  to  fellowship  and  share 
together. 


January  6,  1959 


15 


conference  notes 

REPORT  ON  MISSIONS 

The  following  are  excerpts  from 
the  annual  report  of  the  executive 
secretary  to  the  Board  of  Missions, 
presented  at  the  December  Coun- 
cil of  Boards:  “The  work  on  the 
field  has  gone  on  very  satisfactor- 
ily, even  though  in  some  areas  mis- 
sionaries have  felt  cramped  because 
of  lack  of  funds.  . . . 

“In  Oklahoma  we  have  experi- 
enced the  loss  of  the  Alfred  Wiebes 
by  retirement.  This  has  left  Selling 
without  a resident  missionary.  But 
the  H.  T.  Neufelds  from  Enid  have 
been  willing  to  help  half  time  in 
order  to  keep  the  work  going.  . . . 

“The  migrant  work  in  Friendly 
Corner  (Arizona)  goes  on  quite 
well.  They  have  had  a baptismal 
service  this  year.  If  the  people  of 
the  community  were  not  so  tran- 
sient, there  would  be  good  hope  of 
building  up  a congregation.  It  can 
yet  be  done,  though  we  can  hardly 
expect  ever  to  have  a large  con- 
gregation because  the  people  are 
migrants.  Yet  conversions  will  take 
place,  and  the  blessings  from 
Friendly  Corner  may  reach  out  to 
far  distances.  . . . 

“We  are  now  closely  connected 
with  the  work  of  the  Menno  Col- 
ony, Paraguay  in  that  we  have  sent 
Eleanor  Mathies  from  Leamington, 
Ont.,  to  work  with  Bernhard  Toews 
in  bringing  the  gospel  to  a very  re- 
ceptive Indian  tribe.  Thirty-four 
were  baptized  by  Bro.  Toews,  1350 
Indians  attending  as  witnesses.  . . . 
Besides  this  work,  which  has  real 
momentum  in  Menno  Colony,  there 
is  a budding  work  with  cm  Indiem 
tribe  near  Friesland  Colony.  Among 
our  Brazil  people,  especially  in  the 
Curitiba  area,  a movement  is  being 
started  to  bring  the  gospel  to  native 
Brazilians,  and  also  an  outreach  to- 
ward the  Amazon  Valley.  . . . 

“The  Congo  field  of  Mennonite 
co-operative  enterprises  is  still,  spir- 
itually speaking,  the  most  produc- 
tive field  in  our  entire  mission  ef- 
fort. The  Congolese  are  streaming 
into  the  church.  It  is  honorable  in 
their  sight  to  be  a Christian.  Per- 
secution, as  it  is  known  in  most 
other  mission  fields,  is  practically 
unknown.  Yet  there  are  always  sin- 
ister enemies  at  hand,  and  they  are 
the  old  customs,  witchcraft,  poly- 
gamy, and  other  evils  which  the 


Christian  church  cannot  counte- 
nance. However  the  church  is  grow- 
ing in  spiritual  stature.  African 
leaders  take  more  and  more  respon- 
sibility. Men  like  Kazadi  Matthew 
wield  a terrific  influence  on  their 
countrymen.  In  order  to  help  the 
Congolese  materially  we  now  have 
two  missionaries  v’Hh  agricultural 
training:  Arnold  Regier  (GCM)  and 
Elmer  Claassen  (EMB).  Fremont 
Regier  is  studying  in  Manhattan, 
Kan.,  and  is  slated  to  go  to  Congo 
with  his  wife,  who  is  a nurse,  as 
soon  as  he  has  finished  the  course 
in  agriculture  at  ‘K  State.’ 

“Japan  is  still  one  of  our  most 
vigorous  mission  fields,  especially 
when  we  think  of  the  indigenous 
church.  The  church  members  are 
not  particularly  conscious  of  the 
need  for  the  foreign  dollar  to  help 
them  with  church  work.  Of  course, 
in  Japan  medical  and  educational 
work  are  carried  on  by  the  govern- 
ment, and  missions  do  not  enter 
these  phases  of  work.  The  Japanese 
is  an  apt  agricultural  man.  The 
foreigner  could  not  teach  him  much 
in  that  line.  The  only  arm  the 
church  of  Japan  has,  outside  its  own 
direct  evangelistic  work,  is  the  kin- 
dergarten work.  . . . Our  mission- 
aries feel  that  kindergarten  work  is 
spiritually  worthwhile,  not  only  so 
that  little  preschool  children  learn 
about  Jesus,  learn  to  pray,  to  sing 
Christian  songs,  and  to  memorize 
Bible  verses,  but  through  the  lit- 
tle children  our  missionaries  have 
access  to  their  homes.  . . . 

“Formosa  also  has  a young  vig- 
orous church.  That  our  Taichung 
church  has  established  two  daugh- 
ter churches  in  the  last  two  years 
is  certainly  a sign  of  spiritual  vigor. 
These  two  daughter  churches  are 
in  suburban  Taichung,  in  Hsitung 
and  Taya.  Then  we  have  the  large 
medical  and  clinic  work  in  Hwalien 
which  we  do  not  have  in  Japan.  The 
hospital  work  is  constantly  grow 
ing  and  is  looked  upon  with  favor 
by  the  population  in  general  and 
by  the  government  as  well.  This 
year  the  plot  of  ground  on  which 
the  hospital  stands  has  become  mis- 
sion property.  . . In  Tapei  city 
great  strides  havj  . been  made.  A 
group  of  thirteen  nave  been  bap- 
tized, and  the  property  has  been 


bought,  mainly  through  the  special 
help  of  our  Berne  church.  . . 

(Twenty-four  missionaries  and 
five  Paxmen  have  been  placed  in 
the  various  fields  during  1958.) 

NATIONWIDE  PEACE  PROGRAM 

Esko  Loewen,  Hillsboro,  Kan.,  who 
attended  the  Fifth  World  Order  for 
Peace  study  conference  sponsored 
by  the  National  Council  of  Church- 
es in  Christ  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  re- 
ports: “It  would  be  most  valuable  if 
we  as  a Mennonite  church  with  a 
nonresistant  conviction  would  try  to 
relate  ourselves  realistically  to  the 
problems  of  real  politics,  not  that 
we  have  an  answer,  but  that  we 
might  be  humbled  and  avoid  the 
perils  of  becoming  satisfied  with  a 
quick  answer  to  world  problems.” 

The  following  excerpt  from  the 
general  message  adopted  at  the  con- 
ference indicates  the  concern  for 
peace  of  people  across  the  nation. 

“Christians  are  not  fools They 

know  that  the  capacity  for  destruc- 
tion possible  in  war  today  exceeds 
the  most  ominous  forebodings  of 
yesterday.  They  know  that  should 
either  the  U.S.  or  the  Soviet  Union 
commit  its  full  power  to  all-out  in- 
ternational war  mutual  destruction 
would  ensue  ....  Therefore,  the  im- 
mediate task  of  every  Christian  is 
to  seize  the  initiative  in  the  preven- 
tion of  war  and  the  achievement 
of  peace  in  a world  of  interconti- 
nental ballistic,  thermonuclear  weap- 
ons, and  platforms  in  outer  space 
for  missile  launching  sites.” 

An  important  decision  was  made 
to  carry  on  a year-long  “Nation- 
wide Program  for  Peace”  from  June 
1959  to  June  1960,  a co-ordinated 
emphasis  by  the  churches  to  con- 
tinue study,  discussion,  and  action 
on  the  same  issues  across  the  entire 
country. 

“In  the  light  of  this,  it  would  be 
of  benefit  if  we  had  some  similar 
peace  study  for  a year’s  time  as  a 
church,”  says  Mr.  Loewen. 

CALLED  TO  PROCLAIM 

January  has  for  the  past  several 
years  been  designated  by  the  Com- 
mittee on  the  Ministry  as  the  period 
of  special  emphasis  on  Christian 
ministry.  Called  to  Proclaim  is  a 
two-color  church  bulletin  cover  de- 
(.continued  on  page  15) 


JANUARY  13,  1959 


Gilbert  Q.  LeSourd— RELIGIOUS  LITERATURE  FOR  THE  BLIND 
S.  F.  Pannabecker— MISSION  VERSUS  MISSIONS 


in  this  issue 

COVER 

Photo  by  Waltner 


ARTICLES 

RELIGIOUS  LITERATURE 
FOR  THE  BLIND 

By  Gilbert  Q.  LeSourd  19 

MISSION  VERSUS  MISSIONS 
By  S.  F.  Ponnobecker  20 

MENNONITE  VOLUNTARY  SERVICE 
IN  EUROPE 

By  Erwin  C.  Goering  22 

ONE  DAY  IN  HWALIEN 

By  William  Zehr  24 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  18 

Mennonite  Youth 

WANTED:  MORE  MEANINGFUL 
BIBLE  READING 

By  Jacob  J.  Enz  25 

NEWFOUNDLAND — THE 

ETERNAL  CHALLENGE  27 

OUR  SCHOOLS  28 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  28 

JOTTINGS  29 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  32 


of  things  to  come 

Jan.  18-Feb.  11 — Christian  Ministry  Em- 
phasis 

Feb.  8 — Race  Relations  Sunday 
Feb.  11 — Ash  Wednesday;  Lent  begins 
Feb.  13 — Universal  Day  of  Prayer 
Feb.  22-Mar.  1- — Brotherhood  Week 
March  8 — Conference  Sunday 
March  17 — West.  Dist.  Women's  Meeting 
Aug.  5-12 — Ministers'  and  Church  Work- 
ers' Retreat,  Camp  Friedenswald, 
Mich. 

Aug.  12-20 — General  Conference,  Bluff- 
ton,  Ohio 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor,  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 

J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Asst.:  Esther  Groves. 
Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  2 


editorials 

THE  POWER  OF  HIS  RESURRECTION  One  of  the  goals 
set  forth  at  the  Winnipeg  Conference  was  for  each  member  to 
experience  with  Paul  the  desire  to  “know  Him,  and  the  power 
of  His  resurrection,  and  the  fellowship  of  His  suffering,  being 
made  conformable  to  His  death.” 

The  resurrection  was  a central  teaching  with  Paul.  Without 
the  resurrection  the  whole  plan  of  salvation  would  have  failed. 
It  must  have  power  to  endure  the  worst  that  all  enemies  com- 
bined could  do  to  it.  Since  the  greatest  enemy  of  all — death — 
has  been  overcome,  there  must  lie  within  the  resurrection  a great 
divine  power  that  causes  life  to  triumph. 

Do  we  feel  defeated,  baffled,  beaten?  This  power  can  raise  us 
up  and  set  us  toward  victory.  Do  we  feel  inadequate  to  meet 
life’s  hard  demands  and  pressures?  Here  is  a power  that  will 
reinforce  our  feeble  efforts  and  help  us  triumph.  Do  we  feel  we 
cannot  keep  our  high  resolves  to  live  Godlike  lives?  Here  is 
power  to  see  us  through.  The  difficulty  is  not  that  there  are  no 
resources,  but  that  we  fail  to  use  them. 

To  truly  know  the  Christ,  to  accept  and  receive  Him  into  our 
hearts,  to  commit  ourselves  fully  to  Him,  to  place  Him  central 
in  our  lives,  is  to  be  able  to  lay  hold  of  the  power  of  His  resur- 
rection. 

TOWARDS  THE  CITY  No  doubt  many  of  our  people  are 
not  fully  aware  of  the  church  fellowships  that  are  being  organ- 
ized in  our  cities.  Within  the  past  few  years  Mennonite  worship 
centers  have  been  established  in  such  places  as  Topeka,  Kansas 
City,  Denver,  Sioux  Falls,  Fresno,  Markham,  Downey,  Whittier, 
Huntingdon  Valley,  Elkhart,  and  others. 

We  are  no  longer  a strictly  rural  people.  More  and  more  as  a 
group  we  gravitate  toward  the  cities.  Rather  slowly  the  churches 
follow  and  become,  not  only  a place  for  our  own  people  to  wor- 
ship, but  a mission  center  for  the  city. 

This  opens  up  a whole  new  area  of  home  mission  work,  a 
type  of  city  work  too  much  neglected  by  our  church.  The  skills, 
techniques,  training,  and  methods  to  be  used  in  this  type  of  work 
are  still  somewhat  new  to  us.  But  we  are  making  progress,  even 
though  somewhat  tardily. 

It  is  encouraging  to  see  young  people  fitting  into  these  new 
city  openings.  With  real  sacrifice  and  dedication  they  undertake 
the  difficult  task  of  creating  worship  centers  in  the  city,  and 
with  a nucleus  of  others  to  help  are  making  a real  witness.  They 
need  our  encouragement,  prayers,  and  support. 

There  is  an  interesting  newsletter  published  approximately 
four  times  a year  called  “The  Mennonite  Church  in  the  City,” 
which  aims  to  strengthen  the  fellowship  of  city  workers  as  well 
as  inform  of  recent  developments.  Anyone  interested  in  receiving 
it  should  write  to  editor  Leland  Harder  at  2927  S.  6th  St.,  Elk- 
hart, Ind.,  and  ask  to  be  placed  on  the  mailing  list.  While  there 
is  no  regular  subscription  rate,  naturally  funds  are  needed  for 
expense  and  postage. 


18 


THE  MENNONITE 


Gilbert  Q.  LeSourd 


Religious  Literature 
for  the  Blind 


Readers  of  The  Mennonite  ap- 
preciate a religious  magazine. 
You  would  not  be  without  it.  But 
suppose  you  were  blind;  what 
would  you  do  then?  Previous  to 
1928  very  little  was  being  done  to 
provide  religious  literature  for  the 
blind.  A publication  program  in 
Braille  had  been  started  by  the 
Catholics,  the  Mormons,  and  the 
Seventh-day  Adventists.  But  for 
others  there  was  almost  nothing. 
The  few  denominational  and  inter- 
denominational publications  avail- 
able were  usually  limited  in  their 
appeal  and  did  not  meet  the  needs 
of  many. 

To  remedy  this  situation  the  John 
Milton  Society  was  organized  in 
1928,  taking  its  name  from  John 
Milton,  the  blind  poet.  It  took  the 
Society  four  years  to  secure  enough 
money  to  begin  a publication  pro- 
gram, but  in  1932  it  launched  the 
John  Milton  Magazine  (first  issue 
January  1933).  This  monthly  mag- 
azine has  continued  ever  since  and 
now  has  the  largest  circulation  of 
any  religious  magazine  in  Braille. 
It  is  truly  an  interdenominational 
journal,  for  much  of  its  material 
is  taken  from  the  various  denom- 
inational magazines  that  come  to 
the  editor’s  desk,  about  fifty  each 
month. 

Originally  the  Magazine  carried 
Sunday  school  lessons,  but  after  a 
few  years  it  was  possible  to  issue 
these  as  a separate  quarterly.  There 
is  also  a splendid  Braille  magazine 
for  children  called  Discovery,  and 
in  addition  many  other  publications 
such  as  Bible  Stories  for  Children, 
Books  of  Prayers,  and  devotional 
and  inspirational  volumes. 

A recent  achievement  is  the  pub- 
lication of  Hymns  for  Worship. 
This  is  a collection  of  100  hymns 
most  commonly  used  in  divine  wor- 
ship. The  words  and  the  melody  are 
printed  in  Braille.  The  hymnal  sup- 


plies a very  real  need.  Braille  print- 
ing is  of  necessity  very  bulky,  and 
to  print  all  the  hymns  in  a stand- 
ard church  hymnal  requires  several 
volumes  so  big  and  cumbersome 
that  it  would  be  almost  impossible 
to  carry  them  back  and  forth  to 
church  or  even  to  keep  them  in  the 
pew.  To  try  to  meet  this  difficulty, 
the  John  Milton  Society  compiled 
this  collection  of  the  100  hymns 
most  commonly  used.  They  make  a 
fair  sized  volume  but  one  not  too 
big  to  carry  and  use  easily.  To  be 
sure,  not  every  hymn  announced  for 
the  worship  period  will  be  found  in 
the  book,  but  it  is  probable  that 
some  of  them  will  be  there. 

The  John  Milton  Society  serves 
all  protestant  churches  by  provid- 
ing this  material  absolutely  free  to 
any  blind  person  requesting  it.  The 
Society  is  supported  to  a small  ex- 
tent by  grants  from  many  of  the 
denominational  mission  boards, 
boards  of  Christian  education,  and 
publishing  houses,  but  these  provide 
less  than  five  per  cent  of  the  total 
budget  of  $150,000  per  year.  The 


balance  comes  chiefly  from  Chris- 
tian people  who,  in  thankfulness 
for  their  own  sight,  give  generously 
to  provide  literature  for  their  sight- 
less friends. 

Unfortunately,  only  one  out  of 
every  four  blind  persons  learns  to 
read  Braille.  Many  lose  their  sight 
in  old  age,  and  it  is  then  almost 
impossible  to  master  the  dots.  For 
many  years  there  was  no  way  of 
providing  religious  literature  for 
this  three  quarters  of  the  blind.  But 
the  development  of  “Talking  Books” 
changed  that.  These  are  simply 
long-playing  phonograph  records 
that  may  be  used  on  most  three- 
speed  phonographs  or  on  a “Talking 
Book  Machine”  that  the  U.  S.  gov- 
ernment lends  free  to  the  blind. 

Realizing  that  records  of  this 
sort  offered  the  solution  to  the  pro- 
vision of  religious  literature  for 
blind  people  who  cannot  read 
Braille,  the  John  Milton  Society  be- 
gan the  publication  of  a Talking 
Book  Magazine  which  has  devel- 
oped into  something  unique.  It  con- 
tains articles  such  as  might  be 


Above  left:  the  lady  second  from  left  is  using  the  Braille  Hymns  for 
Worship  while  others  use  regular  church  hymnals.  Above  right:  listening 
to  recorded  Sunday  school  lessons. 


January  13,  1959 


19 


found  in  any  good  religious  maga- 
zine but  in  addition  carries  some 
fine  church  music  and  addresses, 
even  whole  books  run  as  serials, 
recorded  personally  by  the  authors 
so  that  readers  of  the  magazine 
may  hear  these  people  in  their  own 
voices.  In  addition  to  the  Talking 
Book  Magazine  there  are  Recorded 
Sunday  School  Lessons,  carrying  on 
records  the  same  material  found  in 
the  Braille  Quarterly.  Like  the 
Braille  publications,  the  recorded 
material  is  sent  free  to  any  blind 
person  requesting  it. 

A third  type  of  work  carried  on 


by  the  John  Milton  Society  is  pro- 
viding assistance  to  Christian 
homes  and  schools  in  mission  lands. 
In  many  of  these  there  is  absolute- 
ly no  service  to  the  blind  except 
that  provided  by  the  Christian  a- 
gencies.  The  limited  budget  of  the 
Society  makes  it  impossible  to  de- 
vote large  sums  to  this  important 
overseas  work,  but  sometimes  even 
a little  assistance  makes  the  dif- 
ference between  success  and  failure. 

Local  churches  can  greatly  assist 
these  services  to  the  blind  by 
spreading  the  news  about  the  help 


the  John  Milton  Society  is  ready  to 
give.  There  are  thousands  of  blind 
people  who  would  like  to  have  the 
John  Milton  publications  but  they 
do  not  even  know  the  Society  ex- 
ists. At  present  there  are  about 
334,000  blind  persons  in  the  coun- 
try. Of  course,  not  all  are  protestant 
and  not  all  are  interested  in  re- 
ligion but  many  must  be,  and  the 
John  Milton  Society  is  reaching 
only  about  10,000  of  them.  Tell  the 
others  about  its  work  or  write  to 
the  John  Milton  Society  at  160  Fifth 
Avenue,  New  York  10,  New  York, 
for  free  information. 


Mission  versus  Missions 

f 


ONE  of  the  most  amazing  devel- 
opments of  the  last  century  and 
a half  has  been  the  spread  of  prot- 
estant missions,  whereby  the  name 
of  Christ  has  been  made  known  in 
almost  every  country  on  the  face 
of  the  globe.  The  response,  larger 
in  some  countries  and  smaller  in 
others,  has  been  such  that  one  can 
find  believers  in  organized  groups 
in  all  of  those  countries  where  the 
gospel  has  been  preached.  Our  Men- 
nonite  groups  have  participated  in 
this  also.  Starting  a little  later  than 
the  earliest  of  the  protestants,  they 
have  yet  in  the  last  seventy-five 
years  shown  an  individual  con- 
sciousness of  responsibility  to  the 
call  of  missions  and  a per  capita 
financial  contribution  which  has 
been  far  above  average. 

Previous  to  1900,  American  Men- 
nonite  mission  work  was  confined 
largely  to  home  work  among  the 
isolated  congregations,  to  “Heiden 
mission”  among  the  American  In- 
dians within  our  own  country,  and 
to  contributions  for  foreign  work 
conducted  by  others.  With  the  open- 
ing of  this  century  began  the  organ- 
ization of  one  Mennonite  mission 
board  after  another,  and  opening 


work  in  almost  every  mission  field. 
A small  handful  of  missionaries  in 
1909  has  grown  to  hundreds  of  mis- 
sionaries under  many  Mennonite 
boards  in  different  countries. 

This  phenomenal  development 
causes  us  to  pause  at  times  and 
survey  the  situation  to  see  whether 
we  are  continuing  the  primary  pur- 
pose with  which  such  a program 
was  started,  and  particularly  to  as- 
sure ourselves  that  the  develop- 
ment is  consistent  with  the  purpose 
and  commission  of  our  Lord.  The 
title  “Mission  versus  Missions”  is 
a convenient  phrase  around  which 
we  can  center  these  thoughts. 

The  Apostle  Paul  has  a way  of 
preceding  his  consideration  of 
practical  questions  with  basic  spir- 
itual truths,  after  which  he  says, 
“therefore,”  and  then  begins  to  tie 
practical  action  to  the  truth  pre- 
sented. Let  us  do  the  same! 

In  the  first  chapter  of  the  Epistle 
to  the  Ephesians,  three  great  unities 
are  stressed.  First  is  the  one  Father 
— the  God  and  Father  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ;  He  it  is  who  has 
blessed  us,  who  has  chosen  us  and 
destined  us  according  to  the  pur- 


pose of  His  will,  who  has  willed  a 
plan  for  the  fullness  of  time  to 
unite  all  things  in  Christ.  The  One 
God  and  Father  is  the  center  of 
all  purposes  and  programs  for  time 
and  eternity. 

He  it  is  who  has  decreed  the 
second  basic  unity:  one  Lord  and 
Saviour.  For  it  is  in  Christ  that  He 
will  unite  all  things.  He  is  the  one 
Head  of  the  body.  This  introduces 
us  to  the  third  great  unity:  the 
church,  His  body.  As  members  of 
His  body,  believers  become  His  < 
workmanship,  created  in  Christ  < 
Jesus,  and  are  brought  near  both 
to  Him  and  to  each  other,  fellow 
citizens  with  all  saints,  members  of 
the  household  of  God. 

The  reading  of  these  great  epis- 
tles leaves  us  transported  with  the 
sense  of  one  eternal  purpose  fore-  ( 
ordained  by  the  one  God  and  Fa-  < 
ther,  accomplished  by  the  one  Lord  I 
and  Saviour,  and  in  process  of  re-  I 
alization  in  the  one  body  of  which  j 
He  is  head.  This  sense  of  oneness  I 
and  unity  of  Christ  grows  on  us  as  ( 
we  contemplate  the  purpose  and 
process  by  which  Christ  becomes 
all  and  in  all.  So  that  within  His 
body  there  can  be  none  of  the  com- 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ,  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Educalion  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church. 
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20 


THE  MENNONITE 


mon  distinctions  which  we  make, 
such  as  social  class,  racial  divisions, 
cultural  groups,  or  even  those  based 
on  religious  forms.  All  are  bound 
together  in  one  body,  bought  by 
Him  with  one  price,  inspired  by  Him 
with  one  Spirit,  and  the  agents  for 
Him  of  the  one  eternal  purpose. 

AS  PAUL  would  say;  “therefore, 
my  brethren”  we  have  a call 
to  oneness  through  Christ  in  God. 
The  consciousness  of  one  body 
should  color  our  thinking  in  con- 
trast to  the  individual  purposes  and 
plans  which  often  inspire  us,  and 
we  should  realize  that  the  church 
has  one  mission,  namely  to  accom- 
plish the  one  purpose  of  God — that 
of  uniting  all  things  in  Him  wheth- 
er in  heaven  or  in  earth.  The 
church,  therefore,  has  a mission, 
and  missions  are  only  significant  as 
they  become  part  and  parcel  of  the 
great  mission  of  the  church. 

The  term  “missions”  grew  up  nat- 
urally as  different  individuals  in 
different  places  became  conscious  of 
the  will  of  God  and  sought  under 
His  guidance  and  blessing  to  evan- 
gelize the  fields  to  which  they  were 
called.  The  many  people  and  many 
fields  involved  fostered  the  use  of 
the  term  missions,  but  “missions” 
emphasizes  fragmentation  and  what 
we  need  is  a sense  of  mission  in 
which  unity  and  corporate  existence 
are  central. 

If  we  think  from  the  background 
of  mission  rather  than  missions,  it 
will  bring  new  insight  and  empha- 
sis on  some  of  the  important  as- 
pects of  missionary  work,  particu- 
larly the  missionary  call,  the  mis- 
sionary purpose,  and  missionary 
methods. 

The  Call  to  Mission 

The  call  of  God  to  sensitive  souls 
and  the  response  of  consecrated  in- 
dividuals has  been  one  of  the  most 
inspiring  aspects  of  the  great  mis- 
sionary movement.  If  sometimes  the 
call  has  been  misunderstood,  it  has 
more  often  challenged  men  and 
women  to  heroic  deeds  and  sacri- 
fices. It  has  made  strong  men  out 
of  weak  and  wise  men  out  of  fool- 
ish by  consecration  to  the  one  eter- 
nal purpose. 

No  one  would  desire  to  suppress 
by  one  whit  that  sense  of  call  which 
has  touched  tender  consciences  and 
inspired  to  heroic  endeavor,  but  still 
two  things  may  be  done  to  that  call. 
First  it  should  be  broadened,  and 
secondly  it  should  be  related  to  the 


whole.  God  calls  individuals  un- 
doubtedly, but  more  basically  God 
calls  the  church.  It  is  a call  to  mis- 
sion. It  is  a call  in  which  all  are 
bound  up  in  one  eternal  purpose. 
Missions  and  church  are  a unit;  it 
is  impossible  to  think  of  one  with- 
out the  other,  nor  can  either  exist 
alone. 

The  call  is  therefore  a call  in 
which  all  participate.  Every  believ- 
er receives  the  call,  every  believer 
responds.  Representatives  of  the 
church  serve  in  different  capacities 
and  in  different  areas,  but  it  is  the 
church  that  is  working.  It  is  not 
inconsistent  with  all  of  the  church 
feeling  a call,  that  the  missionary 
might  feel  a specific  call  or  an  in- 
dividual call,  but  in  his  response  to 
this,  it  must  be  understood  that  the 
church  is  responding  and  that  the 
church  is  involved  and  that  the 
church  makes  assignments  and  par- 
ticipates in  the  whole  program. 
Only  in  this  way  can  the  deeper 
unity  which  God  has  foreordained 
in  the  one  Lord  and  the  one  body 
be  realized. 

The  Missionary  Purpose 

Thinking  on  missionary  purpose 
is  also  colored  by  the  consciousness 
of  unity  and  purpose  expressed  in 
mission  as  versus  missions.  If  there 
is  to  be  one  purpose  it  must  be  an 
over-all  purpose  which  encompasses 
the  total  program  of  the  church  in 
the  purpose  of  God.  This  program 
must  have  a twofold  aspect:  direct- 
ed on  one  hand  toward  those  whom 
God  loves  but  who  have  not  yet 
realized  or  responded  to  His  love 
in  Christ  Jesus,  and  on  the  other 
hand  directed  to  those  whom  God 
loves  and  who  have  attempted  as 
they  understood  His  love  and  mes- 
sage to  respond. 

To  the  first  is  a witness  proclaim- 
ing by  word  and  deed  the  message 
of  God’s  love  in  Jesus  Christ,  com- 
municating to  them  in  whatever 
language  or  form  they  need  the 
truth  of  one  God  and  Father,  one 
Lord  and  Saviour,  one  body  in  and 
through  which  He  lives  and  works, 
and  calling  them  to  personal  re- 
sponse. To  the  second  it  is  the  same 
message  but  gathering  them  togeth- 
er to  realize  individually  and  as  a 

by  S.  F.  Pannabecker 
Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary 
Elkhart,  Indiana 


body  the  presence  of  the  Lord  and 
the  mutual  edification  that  comes 
from  living  together  as  brothers  in 
Christ.  Sometimes  both  aspects  of 
this  purpose  can  be  promoted  in  a 
single  operation.  Sometimes  various 
projects  with  differing  emphases 
may  be  employed,  but  every  mis- 
sionary involved  in  the  process  must 
realize  that  the  total  purpose  is  of 
superimportance.  All  specific  en- 
deavors must  be  integrated  into  a 
single  attempt  to  realize  the  full- 
ness of  Him  that  filleth  all  in  all. 

The  Missionary  Method 

When  it  comes  to  missionary 
methods,  only  brief  mention  can  be 
made  of  many  aspects  as  we  think 
of  mission  versus  missions.  The  first 
thing  to  be  realized  is  that  the 
church  is  central,  a development 
which  has  been  forced  on  our  at- 
tention by  the  obvious  results  of 
missionary  activity.  Fifty  years  ag’o 
there  were  few,  or  at  least  fewer, 
converts,  and  the  church  was  often 
composed  of  individuals  so  isolated 
that  it  was  difficult  to  realize  a 
sense  of  bodiness.  Furthermore  the 
converts  at  that  time  were  to  a 
larger  extent  converts  from  pagan- 
ism. Today  the  situation  is  different. 

My  eye  just  fell  on  the  L’Etoile- 
D’or,  or  the  Congo  Star,  published 
by  the  Christian  Teacher  Training 
School  of  the  Congo  Inland  Mission. 
This  lists  eight  graduates  of  the 
school,  each  of  whom  gives  his 
personal  testimony.  Of  these  eight 
graduates  seven  speak  of  a Chris- 
tian mother  or  of  parents  who 
talked  to  them  about  Jesus,  or  be- 
ing born  in  a Christian  home  or 
being  members  of  a Christian  fam- 
ily, while  only  one  of  the  group 
says  he  was  born  in  a non-Christian 
family  and  that  his  parents  knew 
nothing  of  the  Saviour. 

This  graphically  presents  the  situ- 
ation today,  in  that  children  raised 
in  Christian  families  are  now  com- 
ing to  the  fore,  feeling  the  call  of 
God  and  volunteering  to  service  in 
His  church.  The  church  is  reaching 
a maturity  not  obvious  fifty  years 
ago  and  must  be  recognized  as  part 
of  the  one  body  in  that  eternal  pur- 
pose of  God. 

The  work  of  the  missionary  is 
now  carried  on  in  relation  to  this 
church  which  has  members,  is  or- 
ganized, and  has  officers.  This 
church  is  faced  with  the  call  to 
mission,  and  the  missionary  must 
subordinate  his  personal  and  in- 


January  13,  1959 


21 


dividual  affairs  and  contribute  to 
the  over-all  work  of  the  church. 

' Missionaries,  though  sent  by  a for- 
eign mission  body,  have  a respon- 
sibility to  be  acceptable  to  the 
church  with  whom  they  are  work- 
ing. Their  return  to  the  field  should 
be  subject  to  invitation  by  the 
church  with  which  they  work,  and 
their  work  should  be  approved  by 
and  carried  on  in  participation  with 
representatives  of  the  mission  field 
church. 

Still  thinking  of  the  church,  it  be- 
comes increasingly  clear  that  the 


Mennonite 
V oluntary 
Service 
in  Europe 


Envin  C.  Goering* 


indigenous  church  is  the  key  to  op- 
erations on  the  field.  The  church 
in  any  particular  place  is  colored 
by  the  kind  of  people  involved. 
Jesus  saves  people  as  they  are.  It 
is  not  necessary  that  they  be  trans- 
formed into  Americans  or  western- 
ers before  Jesus  can  speak  to  them. 
Thus  in  their  old  setting  new  loy- 
alties are  created  which  bind  them 
to  fellow  believers  throughout  the 
world  but  which  at  the  same  time 
leave  them  in  much  of  their  for- 
mer cultural  background. 

The  church  on  this  field  may  be 


Mennonite  voluntary  service 
is  an  outgrowth  of  CPS  (Civil- 
ian Public  Service)  experiences  of 
the  World  War  Two  era.  Out  of  the 
compulsion  of  going  the  “first  mile” 
under  national  conscription  came 
the  concern  for  doing  worthwhile 
Christian  service  voluntarily,  in 
the  name  of  Christ.  From  the  States 
the  idea  was  carried  to  Europe, 
where  voluntary  services  were  ren- 
dered in  various  projects  of  recon- 
struction and  relief.  Out  of  these 
concerns  and  projects  developed 
what  is  today  known  as  European 
Mennonite  Voluntary  Service, 
which  organizes  international  vol- 
untary work  camps. 

But  what  is  a work  camp,  you 
ask?  A work  camp  is  “a  group  of 
people  living  in  simple  conditions, 
learning  together,  and  working  vol- 
untarily, especially  through  manual 
labor,  for  the  benefit  of  the  commu- 
nity.” This  was  the  definition  agreed 
upon  at  the  Eleventh  Conference  of 
Organizers  of  International  Volun- 
tary Work  Camps  at  New  Delhi, 
India,  1958.  MVS  has  accepted  as 
its  special  assignment  the  task  to 
add  a “plus”  to  the  broad  field  of 
work  camping.  This  “plus”  is  to 
organize  and  administer  the  camps 
with  a Christian  emphasis  and  mo- 
tivation, which  implies  Christian 
leadership  as  well  as  Christian  em- 
phasis in  work,  study,  play,  and  fel- 
lowship. 

Service  and  Growth 

There  are  four  major  emphases 
stressed  in  the  MVS  camps:  (1) 
Through  practical  work  Christian 
faith  is  translated  into  positive  ac- 
tion. (2)  Complementing  the  prac- 
tical work  is  group  fellowship,  de- 
veloped through  the  social,  educa- 


quite different  than  the  church  in 
the  homeland  of  the  missionary, 
and  it  becomes  incumbent  upon  him 
that  all  operations  of  the  mission 
be  geared  to  the  upbuilding  of  this 
church.  This  is  true  whether  it  be 
evangelistic  or  medical  work,  relief 
or  educational  work,  vocational 
training  or  social  betterment  in  any 
form.  All  these  operations  are  nec- 
essary and  legitimate  as  they  min- 
ister to  the  basic  purpose  and  as 
they  fit  into  these  conditions  in 
which  the  church  lives.  Some  of 
(continued  on  page  28) 


tional,  and  spiritual  aspects  of 
group  living.  (3)  Sharing  of  ideas 
through  Bible  studies,  evening  med- 
itations, and  informal  discussions 
helps  the  camper  in  his  search  for 
new  insights  into  the  truth  of  Chris- 
tianity. (4)  Friendly  contacts  be- 
tv/een  the  host  community  and  the 
camp  acquaints  local  residents  and 
volunteers  with  the  background, 
customs,  concerns,  and  aspirations 
of  other  people  and  other  countries, 
and  helps  to  break  down  barriers 
which  lead  to  misunderstanding  and 
tensions  between  individuals  and 
nations. 

The  MVS  program  of  developing 
international  understanding  among 
youth  is  based  upon  the  conviction 
that  Christian  faith  must  express 
itself  in  everyday  living,  and  that 
hate  and  mistrust,  coercion  and  war 
must  he  replaced  by  a life  of  active 
love! 

Administratively,  MVS  is  com- 
posed of  a council  of  representa- 
tives from  the  Mennonite  constitu- 
encies of  Holland,  Germany,  France, 
Switzerland,  and  the  MCC.  An  ex- 
ecutive secretary  administers  the 
work  in  close  co-operation  with  the 
council. 

On  the  international  scene,  MVS 
is  co-operating  with  the  Co-ordina- 
tion Committee  of  International 
Voluntary  Work  Camps,  which  op- 
erates within  the  framework  of  the 
UNESCO  Youth  Section.  This  link 
provides  a valuable  source  of  in- 
formation about  other  work  camp 
organizations  and  programs,  makes 
available  the  opportunity  for  ex- 
change of  ideas  and  ideals,  provides 
an  avenue  for  exchange  of  volun- 
teers, and  provides  an  opportunity 
♦Executive  Secretary,  MVS  in  Europe 


22 


THE  MENNONITE 


for  a Christian  organization  to 
make  its  witness  among  a large 
group  of  other  organizations  and 
\ persons  on  a world- wide  scale.  Here 
I is  a tremendous  field  for  service 
' and  witness. 

Who  Volunteers? 

I In  1958,  MVS  camps  were  organ- 
ized in  France,  Austria,  West  Ger- 
many, West  Berlin,  Holland,  and 
[ England.  A total  of  293  volunteers 
^ served  in  sixteen  different  camps. 
They  came  from  twenty  different 
countries  and  nineteen  different  de- 
nominations as  well  as  from  other 
religious  backgrounds. 

Who  are  these  volunteers?  They 
are  students  (including  Mennonite 
Student  Tour  members),  teachers, 
carpenters,  ministers,  farmers,  day 
laborers,  plumbers,  factory  work- 
ers, secretaries,  bank  clerks  — in 
short,  they  come  from  many  walks 
of  life. 

Just  what  do  they  do  on  a work 
1 project?  They  have  built  kinder- 
I gardens,  churches,  refugee  houses; 

I they  have  repaired  and  painted 
* homes  for  aged;  they  have  helped 
repair  war-damaged  schools;  they 
have  helped  in  flood-devastated 
areas;  they  helped  during  the  Hun- 
garian refugee  influx  to  Austria. 
Wherever  a real  need  presented  it- 
self, young  people  volunteered  to 
I serve  in  the  name  of  Christ.  When 
you  have  an  Egyptian,  a Malayan, 
four  or  five  Germans,  two  or  three 
Englishmen,  four  or  five  Dutchmen, 

1 a Dane,  a Swede,  a few  Americans, 
and  a Greek  all  living  together, 
working  on  a project  together, 

1 cooking,  washing,  and  houseclean- 
ing, opening  and  closing  the  day 
with  worship,  and  spending  free 
hours  in  discussions,  socials,  and 
, outings,  you  have  a Mennonite  Vol- 
untary Work  Camp. 

Yet  this  does  not  completely  ex- 
plain  such  a camp  and  what  it  is. 

! Because  only  after  you  have  lived 
with  such  a group  and  experienced 
the  fellowship  that  grows  in  it,  or 
when  you  have  heard  campers  say 
that  the  periods  of  prayer  and  wor- 
ship were  the  cementing  aspects  of 
camp,  do  you  catch  the  real  sig- 
nificance of  the  experience.  Living 
together  as  a big  family  even 
though  a half  dozen  languages  may 
be  spoken  around  the  table  at  the 
same  time,  in  a central  place  of 
Christian  faith  and  worship,  results 
in  a never-to-be-forgotten  work 
camp  experience.  The  letters  which 


MVSers  hard  at  work  in 


come  to  the  office  after  the  camp- 
ing season  are  evidence  of  this. 

“Thank  You” 

A Danish  camper  writes:  “I  have 
learned  a great  deal  about  what  a 
really  good  work  camp  is,  and  I 
should  like  to  join  you  again  next 
summer.  I have  participated  in  sev- 
eral other  work  camps,  yet  nowhere 
but  in  my  first  MVS  camp  this 
summer  have  I found  this  feeling 
of  being  a member  of  one  great 
family.” 

A Swedish  camper  writes:  “The 
MVS  camp  was  my  third  work 
camp,  but  I dare  say  the  best  one. 
The  organization  of  the  other  camps 
were  not  Christian  ones,  and  that 
makes  the  difference.  ...  It  is  a 
wonderful  experience  to  sit  there 
(during  devotions)  with  all  the 
other  work  campers  and  together 
pray:  “Our  Father,”  each  in  his 
own  language.  . . .” 

A Mennonite  Student  Tour  mem- 
ber writes:  “I  want  to  thank  you 
again  for  letting  me  go  to  Berlin 
for  work  camp.  When  I think  back, 
that  camp  experience  really  gave 
meaning  to  our  summer’s  tour.  . . .” 
Why  Not  More  Americans? 

These  expressions  are  but  sam- 
ples of  many  which  are  received. 
Young  people  of  different  nations 
long  for  an  opportunity  to  serve 
with  other  youth  who  have  worthy 
ideals.  But  there  is  at  least  one  dis- 
turbing element  in  all  this.  One  is 
asked  very  frequently  why  it  is 
that  not  more  Mennonite  youth 
from  the  States  participate  in  this 


an  Austrian  work  camp. 


program  which  provides  such  a 
wealth  of  international  experiences. 
Is  it  true  that  American  Mennonite 
young  people  are  too  engrossed  in 
their  schedules  of  school,  -vacations, 
vocations,  and  earning  to  be  con- 
cerned with  putting  forth  the  effort 
and  extra  cost  in  time  and  money 
to  share  in  such  a service  and  wit- 
ness venture  abroad? 

The  people  who  see  America  only 
through  the  profile  of  the  tourist, 
the  military,  films,  TV,  jazz,  boogie- 
woogie,  or  rock  n’  roll,  have  a very 
definite  profile  in  mind.  Such  people 
see  America  as  wealthy,  soft,  care- 
less, and  uncultured,  with  people 
who  scarcely  appreciate  real  values, 
much  less  possess  them.  They  hard- 
ly associate  Americans  with  depth 
of  concern  and  fine  appreciation. 

You  see,  it  is  people  who  count. 
One  person  is  a witness  to  another 
as  he  shares  his  convictions,  his 
ideas,  his  experiences,  and  his  faith. 
He  becomes  most  convincing  when 
he  proves  himself,  maybe  as  a “dis- 
ciple in  overalls,”  working  on  a 
common  project,  sharing  his  own 
physical,  mental,  spiritual,  and  so- 
cial efforts  for  the  welfare  of  the 
other. 

The  door  is  open  and  the  need  for 
developing  understanding  is  multi- 
plied a thousand  fold.  This  is  a time 
when  Christian  youth  has  unlimited 
service  opportunities. 

“In  Christ  there  is  no  East  or  West 
In  Him  no  South  or  North; 

But  one  great  fellowship  of  love 
Throughout  the  whole  wide  earth.’ 


January  13,  1959 


23 


privilege  at  the  Mennonite  Chris- 
tian Hospital  to  minister  to  their 
needs.  Wlien  they  leave  us,  many 
of  them  take  along  packages  of 
pills  to  help  them  on  the  road  to 
health.  But  they  carry  more  than 
pills — they  have  heard  the  Word  of 
God.”  I can  find  no  better  words  to 
describe  the  work  in  Hwalien  than 
these  written  by  Esther  Mae  An- 
dres, R.N. 

Truly  the  hospital  offers  more 
than  physical  care.  The  whole  staff 
begins  the  day  with  devotions.  Many 
times  outdoors  in  the  morning  hour 
the  devotions  are  conducted  by  a 
staff  member  and  set  the  tempo 
for  the  day.  The  physical  care  of 
patients  begins  with  a half  hour 
chapel  service  for  those  who  ar- 
rive at  the  hospital  each  morning. 
These  services  are  led  by  Chaplain 
Tso,  who  is  always  on  hand  to  give 
spiritual  help  to  those  in  need. 

As  one  watches  the  plains  people 
and  the  tribes  bring  their  sick  for 
help,  it  is  indeed  a picture.  The  Tyal 
tribe  have  interesting  tattooed 
marks  about  their  faces. 


One  Day  in  Hwalien 


William  Zehr 


IT  IS  morning.  We  look  to  the 
mountains  and  see  the  hand  of 
God  stroking  beauty  and  inspira- 
tion into  the  peaks  and  crevasses. 


We  look  again  and  see  people  be- 
gin their  long  trek  to  the  hospital. 
They  are  seeking  medical  help  for 
their  sick  ones,  and  in  it  is  our 


Dr.  Pankratz,  nurse  Esther  Andres,  Formosan  nurse,  and  patient. 


Mennonite  Christian  Hospital  staff  gathered  for  morning  devotions. 


It  is  not  unusual  to  see  Miss  An- 
dres pray  with  a patient,  or  Miss 
Boschman  pray  as  she  takes  her 
place  at  the  head  of  a patient  on 
the  operation  table,  preparing  to 
administer  ether  prior  to  the  opera- 
tion. It  was  a privilege  to  watch 
Dr.  Pankratz  and  Dr.  Friesen  pre- 
pare for  surgery.  When  all  was 
ready  they  paused  for  prayer,  and 
by  their  side  stood  several  Taiwa- 
nese nurses  in  prayer. 

Dr.  Pankratz  says  concerning  his 
experiences  in  Taiwan,  “I  have  cer- 
tainly felt  that  the  Lord  has  helped 
me;  it  is  His  healing  hand.  His  wis- 
dom, His  help  in  restoring  health 
to  the  body,  and  He  who  often 
brought  the  patient  to  a saving 
knowledge  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
If  I had  my  life  to  live  over,  I would 
choose  this  type  of  work  from  the 
beginning  rather  than  in  middle 
life.  I go  to  sleep  at  night  with  a 
satisfaction  and  contentment  in  my 
heart  that  only  a day  of  service  for 
Christ  can  bring. 

“I  would  like  to  throw  out  a def- 
inite challenge  to  young  people, 
whether  it  be  in  medical  work, 
teaching,  VS  work,  or  whatever 
Christian  service:  start  while  you 
are  young,  for  only  a life  that  is 
consecrated  to  Him  and  His  cause 
will  bring  complete  satisfaction  and 
happiness.” 


24 


THE  MENNONITE 


Wanted: 

More 

Meaningful 

Bible 

Reading 


by  Jacob  ].  Enz 


Mennonite  Youth 


WHEN  one  picks  up  a Bible  he 
is  much  in  the  same  position 
as  a serviceman  miles  away  who 
picks  up  his  stack  of  letters  from 
home  and  sits  down  to  read  them. 
The  letters  are  written  by  different 
people  in  different  places  at  differ- 
ent times  and  under  different  cir- 
cumstances. But  they  all  concern 
him. 

Does  he  take  the  pile  as  it  is 
handed  to  him  by  the  mail  distrib- 
utor and  read  the  letter  that  hap- 
pens to  be  on  the  top  of  the  pile 
first  and  the  others  as  they  come? 
Seldom!  Does  he  begin  reading 
without  noting  the  return  address 
or  signature?  Of  course  not!  Does 
he  ignore  the  time  and  place  of  its 
writing?  Usually  not.  Does  he  read 
them  through  at  the  rate  of  one 
page  a day  or  even  one  sentence 
a day?  Certainly  not!  Does  he  run 
to  someone  else  to  ask  the  meaning 
of  the  writing?  Not  if  he  can  read! 

The  Bible  is  a collection  of  books 
which  are  called  God’s  Word.  All 
the  books  concern  man  in  one  way 
or  another.  They  were  written  by 
different  men  in  different  places  at 
different  times  and  under  different 
circumstances.  But  they  all  speak 
to  man’s  common  spiritual  need.  It 
cannot  be  said,  however,  that  Bible 
readers  usually  follow  a simple 
procedure  like  the  one  implied  in 
the  preceding  paragraph.  This  is 
true  largely  because  a valid  em- 
phasis upon  the  uniqueness  of  the 
Bible  has  been  abused  to  the  ex- 
tent that  the  Bible  is  used  like 
magic. 

Paragraph  Division 

Perhaps  it  is  to  overcome  this 
attitude  that  the  publishers  of  the 
Revised  Standard  Version  have  dis- 
pensed with  the  traditional  black- 
covered,  double  column,  fine  type, 
each-verse-indented  volume  and 
have  given  the  world  a book  which 
in  its  attractiveness  takes  its  place 
with  the  other  books  on  the  shelf. 
People  would  be  inclined  to  read 
such  a volume  as  they  would  any 
other  book.  The  various  “books”  of 
the  Bible  are  comparable  to  the 
chapters  of  the  ordinary  book.  The 
chapter  and  verse  divisions  in  the 


traditional  Bible  fade  into  the  back- 
ground, having  value  largely  in 
terms  of  quick  reference.  This  is  as 
it  should  be,  for  diligent  students 
of  Scripture  know  that  the  para- 
graph and  the  book  rather  than  the 
verse  and  the  chapter  are  the  basic 
units  of  study  in  the  Bible. 

All  of  this,  however,  must  not  be 
taken  to  mean  that  we  can  place 
the  Bible’s  message  on  a level  with 
the  message  of  other  books.  Surely 
the  Bible  as  it  is  interpreted  to  us 
by  the  Holy  Spirit  will  ever  hold 
the  prominent  place  as  the  infallible 
rule  for  faith  and  practice.  On  the 
other  hand  it  must  never  be  for- 
gotten that  the  Bible  is  like  any 
other  book  in  that  it  has  employed 
words  of  various  kinds,  sentences 
of  various  kinds,  illustrations,  par- 
agraphs of  prose,  stanzas  of  poetry, 
chapters  and  plots;  in  this  it  is  ex- 
actly like  any  other  book. 

How  Do  You  Read? 

A failure  to  approach  the  Bible 
as  one  approaches  any  other  books 
in  the  sense  described  above  re- 
sults in  a barrier  between  the  peo- 
ple and  the  Word  of  God.  The  Holy 
Spirit  cannot  make  His  full  direct 
impact  upon  the  soul  or  personal- 
ity. The  channels  are  blocked. 

What  is  it  that  people  do  when 
they  read  other  books,  that  they 
don’t  usually  do  when  they  read  the 
Bible?  To  ask  such  a question  is  to 
ask  a still  more  basic  question; 
“What  is  reading?” 

Reading  is  the  exact  opposite  of 
writing  or  speaking.  In  writing,  the 
great  prophets  and  apostles  of  old 
started  with  some  great  revelation 
or  idea  or  message  from  God  that 
impressed  itself  upon  their  minds. 
The  Spirit  of  God  impelled  to  share 
it.  To  do  this  they  had  to  use  the 
words,  expressions,  sentences,  and 
forms  that  were  familiar  to  the 
people.  In  other  words,  the  idea  or 
revelation  was  translated  by  the 
use  of  language  and  composition 
(words  and  combinations  of  words) 
from  something  inward  and  re- 
stricted to  one  person  to  something 
outward  which  all  could  grasp. 

Reading  is  the  exact  opposite  of 
this  process.  The  reader  begins 


January  13,  1959 


25 


with  the  words,  sentences,  and  par- 
agraphs on  the  printed  page.  If  the 
material  is  well  written,  the  reader 
will  get  back  to  the  same  revela- 
tion or  idea  of  the  one  who  wrote. 
In  light  reading  this  is  not  a diffi- 
cult process;  but  in  heavy  reading, 
and  especially  materials  of  the 
Bible  which  are  read  repeatedly, 
the  process  is  more  difficult.  The 
comparison  is  similar  to  the  appre- 
ciation of  popular  songs  compared 
with  symphonies. 

Check  Key  Words  . . . 

If  reading,  then,  is  simply  the  re- 
versal of  writing,  understanding 
what  happens  when  anyone  writes 
should  be  helpful.  For  example,  one 
of  the  most  important  processes  in 
writing  is  the  selection  of  words. 
If  the  reader  knows  this,  then  he 
will  note  the  words  used  and  partic- 
ularly those  that  are  repeated.  This 
law  of  selection  is  a certain  clue  to 
the  message  of  the  writer.  Out- 
standing examples  of  this  are  the 
words  “Holy  Spirit”  in  The  Acts, 
the  word  “life”  in  the  Gospel  by 
John,  or  the  word  “faith”  in  Ro- 
mans. The  thought  of  the  entire 
book  may  be  gathered  up  into  one 
word.  It  is  a worthwhile  study  to 
try  to  sum  up  the  thought  of  each 
book  in  terms  of  a word  or  phrase. 

This  is  but  one  of  a host  of  ways 
in  which  words  are  a key  to  under- 
standing the  Bible.  Words  that  are 
names  of  great  leaders  of  the  Bible 
suggest  character  studies.  Words 
that  are  names  of  places  suggest 
maps  which  should  be  drawn. 
Words  suggesting  the  central  truth 
of  the  Bible  such  as  salvation,  faith, 
love,  sin,  may  be  studied  within  a 
given  book  or  traced  through  the 
various  books. 

. . . and  Units  of  Thought 

Another  important  process  in 
writing  is  composition.  By  them- 
selves words  mean  little,  but  put 
artfully  together  they  become  in- 
spiring. Words  are  to  the  author 
what  colors  are  to  the  artist  or 
what  notes  are  to  the  composer. 
The  process  of  combining  them  to 
produce  beauty  whether  in  art,  mu- 
sic, or  literature,  is  known  as  com- 
position. Applying  this  to  the  study 
of  the  Bible,  it  implies  simply  not- 
ing how  the  various  writers  put 
words  together  to  convey  their  mes- 
sage. Thus  phrases,  clauses,  sen- 
tences, and  the  forms  that  they 
take,  may  provide  clues  to  the  au- 
thor’s message.  The  author  may 


choose  to  express  his  thought  in 
verse  rather  than  prose.  Whether 
he  writes  in  prose  or  poetry,  how- 
ever, his  message  is  conveyed  by 
units  of  thought  called  paragraphs 
in  the  case  of  prose  and  stanzas  in 
the  case  of  poetry.  Each  unit  of 
thought  is  in  some  way  related  to 
preceding  units  and  units  that  fol- 
low, so  that  the  entire  writing  pre- 
sents one  central  thought. 

In  careful  Bible  study,  then,  each 
paragraph  is  studied  for  its  own 
thought  and  then  related  to  its 
neighboring  paragraphs.  It  will  be 
found  that  groups  of  paragraphs 
will  be  related.  Then  groups  of  par- 
agraphs are  related  to  give  the  cen- 
tral thought  of  the  entire  book.  In 
some  books  like  The  Acts  the  cen- 
tral thought  is  found  in  one  of  the 
verses — Acts  1:8. 

It  must  be  obvious  by  this  time 
that  this  is  not  an  attempt  to  advo- 
cate some  new  method  of  study.  It 
is  but  a group  of  suggestions  which 
will  help  one  read  thoughtfully. 
And  what  else  is  true  study  but  just 
that — to  read  thoughtfully? 

If  this  method  were  applied  to 
the  first  book  of  the  Bible,  results 
would  probably  be  as  follows: 

Of  course  the  words  “God”  and 
“Lord”  are  most  prominent,  as  in 
almost  every  other  portion  of  Scrip- 
ture. God  is  Creator,  Lawgiver, 
Judge,  Covenant-maker,  Sustainer, 
Provider,  and  Redeemer.  Yet  other 

Photo  by  Dave  Claassen 


books  of  the  Bible  also  incorporate 
these  truths  to  a greater  or  lesser 
extent.  How  is  Genesis  different? 

A word  that  is  repeated  that  gives 
us  a clue  is  the  word  “generation.” 
This  word  suggests  the  central 
thread  of  Genesis.  (Note  the  sim- 
ilarity of  the  two  words.)  There 
are  “the  generations  of  the  heavens 
and  the  earth”  in  Gen.  2:4,  the  gen- 
erations of  Adam  in  5:1,  of  Noah 
in  6:9,  of  the  sons  of  Noah  in  10:1, 
of  Shem  in  11:10,  of  Terah  (Abra- 
ham) in  11:27,  Ishmael  in  25:12, 
Isaac  in  25:19,  Esau  in  36:1  and  9, 
Jacob  in  37:2.  Generation  then  is 
the  key  v/ord  in  analyzing  this  book. 

This  observation  leads  to  several 
others.  First,  important  as  God’s 
creation  of  the  world  may  be,  that 
thought  is  not  uppermost  in  the 
thought  of  the  writer.  He  is  inter- 
ested in  people — in  a certain  select- 
ed group  of  people.  Of  all  Adam’s 
posterity,  Noah  is  selected  to  carry 
on  the  story.  Then  it  is  Shem,  Ter- 
ah, and  Abraham.  Ishmael  is  brief- 
ly mentioned  while  the  story  con- 
tinues in  Isaac.  Esau  is  briefly  men- 
tioned as  the  story  continues  in 
Jacob.  And  Joseph  is  the  dominat- 
ing figure  among  the  twelve  sons 
of  Jacob. 

This  observation  in  turn  leads  to 
a study  of  the  characters  to  see 
why  some  are  prominent  while  oth- 
ers are  apparently  cast  aside.  The 
prominent  characters,  especially 


26 


Newfoundland  -- 
the  eternal  challenge 


Abraham,  Isaac,  and  Jacob,  are 
found  to  be  in  the  “line  of  promise.” 
The  story  of  these  three  men  takes 
up  three-fourths  of  the  entire  book, 
in  sharp  contrast  to  the  many  gen- 
erations noted  in  the  other  fourth. 
In  any  case  there  is  a single  thread 
running  from  the  promise  to  Adam 
and  Eve  of  triumph  over  sin  in 
chapter  three  to  the  final  promise 
to  Jacob  in  chapter  forty-six.  This 
is  the  thread  of  regeneration. 

Genesis,  then,  marks  God’s 
first  working  through  the  genera- 
tions of  men  by  means  of  regenera- 
tion to  overcome  man’s  degenera- 
tion. Genesis  is  the  first  chapter  of 
redemption. 

From  the  beginning  it  is  increas- 
ingly evident  that  the  family  (not 
a class,  race,  or  nation)  is  the  basic 
unit  of  society  in  which  God’s  pro- 
gram of  redemption  begins.  The 
word  “family”  is  prominent  in  the 
repeated  promises.  Though  the  fam- 
ily is  the  basis  for  the  preserva- 
tion of  the  promises,  in  almost 
every  case  it  is  noted  that  the  her- 
itage is  not  sustained  by  all  the 
members  of  the  family.  The  chief 
examples  of  this  are  Cain,  Ishmael, 
Lot,  and  Esau.  These  stand  in  con- 
trast to  the  faithful  line  and  point 
out  God’s  method  of  winning  the 
world  back  to  himself.  That  method 
is  finding  a responsive  and  obedi- 
ent man,  giving  him  a vision  of 
the  glorious  destiny  of  righteous- 
ness, and  then  giving  him  a son 
into  whose  life  may  fiow  this  glori- 
ous hope,  and  from  whose  life  it 
will  fiow  to  his  children  and  even- 
tually to  the  ends  of  the  earth.  “In 
thy  seed  shall  all  the  nations  of 
the  earth  be  blessed.”  All  hopes  for 
bringing  the  world  back  to  God 
spring  up  in  the  home. 

In  conclusion  it  should  be  stated 
that  there  are  many  methods  of 
Bible  study.  This  article  is  not  a 
suggestion  that  any  of  them  should 
be  abandoned.  It  is  merely  a pre- 
sentation of  an  approach  to  the 
Bible  through  efficient  reading  that 
will  enhance  any  legitimate  meth- 
od that  may  be  used.  Without  ef- 
ficient reading — the  kind  in  which 
we  follow  the  common  sense  ap- 
proach of  the  serviceman  with  his 
letters  — the  Bible  will  remain  a 
locked  book  to  us.  If,  however,  we 
approach  this  unusual  message, 
written  in  ordinary  words,  with  an 
ordinary  openness  and  alertness  of 
mind,  the  Spirit  of  God  will  surely 
speak  from  the  Sacred  Page. 


n[^''HE  lure  of  Labrador  is  not  in 
I its  finished  civilization,  it  is  in 
its  eternal  challenge  to  help  oth- 
ers,” said  Sir  Wilfred  Grenfell,  the 
English  missionary  physician  who 
devoted  his  life  to  serving  isolated 
fishermen  in  the  rugged  coastal 
regions  of  northeastern  Canada. 
The  same  applies  to  the  island  of 
Newfoundland,  where  fishermen 
likewise  eke  out  a barren  living 
from  the  sea.  Today  the  combined 
territory  of  Labrador  and  the  island 
comprises  Canada’s  tenth  and  new- 
est province,  but  though  its  status 
may  be  new,  its  needs  are  old  and 
still  present  the  same  challenge. 

This  is  what  is  drawing  more  and 
more  MCC  volunteers  into  service 
in  Newfoundland.  The  acute  short- 
age of  qualified  teachers,  nurses, 
and  doctors  presents  a recognizable 
need  for  professional  help,  but  ac- 
cording to  Dr.  John  C.  Stutzman, 
VS  doctor  in  Newfoundland,  spir- 
itual needs  are  even  greater.  Early 
missionaries  preached  the  gospel 
and  established  churches,  but  what 
may  have  been  a vital  beginning 
has  largely  deteriorated  into  legal- 
ism, religiosity,  and  denomination- 
alism.  Nothing  is  more  sorely  need- 
ed in  Newfoundland  today  than  a 
penetrating  Christian  witness.  This 
is  the  challenge  Christian  volun- 
teers face  when  they  go  to  serve. 

Dr.  Stutzman  recently  spent  a 
month  in  the  States  following  his 
first  year  of  service.  During  this 
time  he  toured  Mennonite  schools 
and  colleges,  presenting  the  chal- 
lenge of  Voluntary  Service.  He  also 
reported  on  his  work  in  St.  An- 
thony, a village  of  2,000  inhabitants 
on  the  northern  tip  of  Newfound- 
land. Here  the  International  Gren- 
fell Association  has  established  its 
headquarters,  and  Dr.  Stutzman  is 
one  of  three  doctors  (the  only  one 
in  VS)  serving  in  a 140-bed  hos- 
pital. The  association  was  formed 
to  continue  the  work  started  by 
Dr.  Grenfell.  It  operates  the  hos- 
pital as  well  as  a number  of  out- 
post nursing  stations,  keeping  in 
touch  with  the  latter  by  means  of 
daily  radio  communications. 

Approximately  half  the  patients 


dealt  with  are  tuberculosis  cases. 
Dr.  Stutzman  said  this  was  due 
largely  to  crowded  conditions  in  the 
homes  and  patients’  unwillingness 
to  remain  in  the  hospital  long  e- 
nough  to  effect  a permanent  cure. 
He  expressed  particular  interest  in 
the  unusual  surgery  cases  which 
come  up  from  time  to  time.  Because 
special  medical  clinics  are  not  with- 
in reach,  difficult  lung  and  heart 
surgery  is  performed  at  St.  An- 
thony. The  hospital  is  making  quite 
a name  for  itself  in  this  field. 

A unique  method  resorted  to  by 
the  Grenfell  Association  to  give 
medical  assistance  to  even  the  re- 
motest fishermen  is  the  use  of  clinic 
boats  and  versatile  airplanes.  The 
Maraval  is  a ship  which  is  equipped 
with  a well-stocked  dispensary  and 
X-ray  facilities.  During  the  summer 
it  travels  along  the  entire  coast 
with  a doctor  on  board  who  con- 
ducts clinics  and  performs  surgery 
on  a rigorous  full-time  schedule. 
Airplanes  are  equipped  with  both 
pontoons  and  skis. 

When  asked  how  he  felt  about 
his  work  in  Newfoundland,  Dr. 
Stutzman  replied:  “I  enjoy  it  very 
much.  It  certainly  keeps  me  busy.” 
—MCC 


COMMITTEE  ON  YOUTH  WORK 

The  Board  of  Education  and  Pub- 
lication at  the  annual  Council  of 
Boards  of  the  General  Conference 
Mennonite  Church  in  December 
formed  a Committee  on  Youth 
Work  to  function  under  the  Board 
in  order  to  co-ordinate  activities  of 
the  Young  People’s  Union  with  the 
General  Conference.  The  committee 
will  consist  of  persons  appointed 
by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Pub- 
lication and  representatives  of  the 
Young  People’s  Union,  and  is 
charged  with  giving  direction  to  the 
youth  program  through  the  direc- 
tor of  youth  work  who  will  be  add- 
ed to  the  Board  staff. 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People’s  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  3003 
Benham  Avenue,  Elkhart,  Indiana. 


January  13,  1959 


27 


MISSION  VERSUS  MISSIONS  {continued  from  page  22) 


these  have  a humanitarian  value 
which  will  be  appreciated  by  non- 
Christians,  by  governments,  and 
social  forces.  In  this  sense  some 
mission  work  may  overlap  with 
humanitarian  endeavors  of  non- 
Christian  agencies.  This  does  not 
make  them  bad.  They  are  good  and 
are  warranted  as  they  minister  to 
the  basic  purpose,  but  if  or  when 
this  part  of  missionary  activity 
ever  becomes  solely  humanitarian, 
it  is  no  longer  part  of  the  basic 
purpose. 

It  is  obvious  that  missionaries 
are  living  as  it  were  in  two  worlds. 
They  are  amphibious.  They  are 
sent  out  as  representatives  of  the 
church  at  home  and  desire  justifi- 
ably, to  retain  connection  with  the 
home  church,  but  they  also  work 
in  a new  locality  with  a pattern  of 
life  which  is  often  far  different 
from  that  to  which  the  missionary 
was  accustomed  and  far  different 
from  that  of  his  supporters.  His 
responsibility  to  the  two  worlds  in 
which  he  lives  places  him  under  a 
heavy  duty  to  understand  both  and 
to  act  as  an  agent  for  unity.  He 
must  understand  the  background  of 
his  new  field  if  he  is  to  be  an  ef- 
fective worker.  He  must  understand 
the  changes  which  are  taking  place, 
and  he  must  recognize  and  be  aware 
of  the  implications  they  may  have 
for  his  work,  for  the  work  of  Christ 
which  he  represents. 

Consequently,  the  training  and 
selecting  of  missionaries  becomes 
more  rigid  as  the  situation  becomes 
more  complex.  The  number  of  mis- 
sionaries who  can  participate  ad- 
vantageously in  the  program  on  a 
developing  field  now  demands  con- 
sideration. It  has  been  sometimes 
assumed  that  the  more  missionaries 
the  better.  Now  it  is  obvious  that 
the  missionary  staff  in  some  fields 
has  reached  about  the  maximum 
number  that  can  serve  properly  in 
relationship  to  the  other  workers 
available  on  the  field.  In  this  there 
is  nothing  to  regret,  for  it  is  this 
maturity  of  church  and  the  Chris- 
tian responsibility  of  the  new  body 
of  believers  that  was  part  of  the 
original  purpose  of  the  missionary. 
In  other  words,  missions  are  being 
successful,  but  if  this  suggests  that 
some  missions  may  pass,  it  also 
suggests  that  the  call  to  mission 
will  never  end. 


The  missionaries,  therefore,  in 
any  particular  area  are  a passing 
phase  of  a continuing  process,  for 
as  the  work  of  missions  is  partly 
done,  the  task  of  a foreign  body  is 
taken  up  by  the  indigenous  church 
as  the  call  of  mission  comes  to 
their  consciousness.  As  the  church 
takes  over  and  missionaries  step 
aside,  it  does  not  mean  that  the 
missionary  personnel  may  be  with- 
drawn from  the  field.  Some  form  of 
continuing  fellowship  in  the  work 
of  the  gospel  should  remain  no  mat- 
ter how  advanced  the  new  church 
becomes.  Real  brotherhood  assumes 
a liaison  of  some  kind  between  par- 
allel churches. 

The  relationship  between  home 
churches  and  mission  field  churches 
is  becoming  more  and  more  the  re- 
lationship between  Mennonites  in 
America  and  Mennonites  in  Europe, 
or  between  Mennonites  in  North 
America  and  Mennonites  in  South 
America.  It  is  inconceivable  that 
they  should  ever  discontinue  co- 
operative relationships  in  any  way 
that  is  mutually  helpful,  but  it  is 
also  inconceivable  that  a permanent 
parent-child  relationship  could  exist. 

If  certain  phases  of  the  work 
which  have  been  so  challenging  in 
the  last  century  are  changing,  yet 
we  must  recognize  that  the  total 
obligation  was  never  greater  than 
at  the  present  time.  Some  mission- 
aries who  feel  their  work  has  been 
completed  in  certain  areas  are  pass- 
ing on  to  new  areas  less  developed, 
and  certain  mission  fields  which 
have  not  been  emphasized  in  the 
past  are  now  appearing  on  the 
scene  as  new  strategic  centers  of 
missionary  activity.  One  of  the  en- 
couraging signs  is  that  from  some 
fields,  particularly  in  the  Far  East- 
ern churches,  missionaries  are  be- 
ing sent  out  to  join  with  mission- 
aries from  western  churches  in  a 
common  program. 

There  is,  and  can  be,  no  end  to 
the  call  to  young  people  as  each 
successive  generation  comes  on  to 
respond  to  the  call  to  mission.  In 
what  form  it  may  appear  or  in 
what  manner  it  may  be  carried 
forward  we  need  not  ask  at  the 
moment,  but  if  mission  is  the  call 
to  oneness  through  Christ  in  God, 
then  the  call  to  mission  will  never 
cease. 


MCC  news  and  notes 

MENNONITEN-HAUS 

KAISERSLAUTERN— In  the  No- 
vember issue  of  JUNGE  GEMEIN- 
DE,  the  official  youth  publication 
of  the  Mennonite  churches  in  Ger- 
many, Editor  Alexander  Prieur  fea- 
tured the  work  of  Mennoniten-Haus,  ^ 
the  MCC  Community  Center  at  Kai- 
serslautern. Here  is  a summary  of 
his  report. 

Director  of  the  center  is  Milton 
Harder  (Butterfield,  Minn.),  who 
also  serves  as  executive-secretary 
of  EIRENE  (International  Christian  ^ 
Service  for  Peace).  One  of  the  cen- 
ter’s most  successful  ventures  is  the 
well-organized  kindergarten  which 
has  a daily  attendance  of  forty-five 
youngsters.  For  older  children  craft  ; 
classes,  film  nights,  games,  and 
physical  recreation,  as  well  as  Sun- 
day school  and  summer  Bible 
school,  are  conducted  under  the 
supervision  of  Paxmen  Albert  Hos- 
tetler (Massillon,  Ohio)  and  MCC  i 
worker  Margaret  Lapp  (Perkasie,  | 
Pa.).  Margaret  is  also  in  charge  of  , 
a weekly  sewing  class  for  women  ] 
where  articles  for  children’s  homes  ^ 
and  poor  families  are  made.  ; 

Mennonite  Voluntary  Service  head- 
quarters are  located  at  Kaiserslau- 
tern, with  Erwin  C.  Goering  (New- 
ton, Kan.)  serving  as  executive- 
secretary. Sixteen  international 
workcamps  were  conducted  in  Eur- 
ope under  MVS  auspices  this  year, 
with  thirty  German  Mennonite  . 
young  people  participating.  i 

Housemother  of  Mennonite-Haus  i 
is  a German  refugee  woman,  whose  I 
role  is  to  create  and  maintain  a J 
family  atmosphere  among  unit  _ 
members  and  play  hostess  to  the  1 
many  visitors  who  pass  through  the  J 
center.  ’ 

GIVING  WISELY 

VIETNAM — Distribution  of  food 
and  clothing  to  the  most  needy  in- 
dividuals presents  a host  of  prob- 
lems to  concerned  MCC  workers. 
Paxman  Duane  Swartzentruber 
(Princeton,  111.),  tells  of  the  pastor 
of  a tribal  village  who  requested 
the  MCC  give  clothing  and  blankets 
to  his  people.  Upon  arriving  at  the 
village,  the  MCC  team  gradually 
discovered  that  only  Christians  were 
listed  as  needy  individuals,  with  a 
coffee-plantation  owner’s  name 
heading  the  list.  Evidently  the  pas- 
tor wanted  to  impress  on  non-Chris- 


28 


THE  MENNONITE 


tian  members  of  the  village  that  it 
pays  to  be  a Christian! 

Careful  explanations  were  nec- 
essary to  convince  the  people  that 
the  purpose  of  MCC  is  to  help  those 
who  need  help  most,  regardless  of 
religious  affiliation.  Duane  com- 
ments: “It  was  gratifying  to  see  the 
helpfulness  of  the  Christians  now, 
as  they  went  for  the  ones  they  very 
well  knew  to  be  the  poorest  in  the 
village.  It  was  a very  large  village, 
and  those  who  came  were  mostly 
orphans,  widows,  and  fatherless.” 

MCC  ANNUAL  MEETING 

The  two-day  annual  meeting  of 
the  Mennonite  Central  Committee 
will  be  held  Jan.  16-17  at  the  Men- 
nonite Home  Mission,  1907  South 
Union  Avenue,  Chicago.  Representa- 
tives from  each  of  the  constituent 
groups  in  the  U.  S.  and  Canada  will 
attend.  At  this  meeting  the  work  of 
MCC  during  the  past  year  will  be 
reviewed  and  plans  will  be  made 
for  1959. 

HOG  PROJECT 

HAITI — The  hog  project  in  Petit 
Goave  experienced  a major  setback 
with  an  outbreak  of  athrotic  rhino- 
tis,  a disease  which  causes  gradual 
malformation  of  the  bones  but  does 
not  affect  the  meat.  The  entire  herd 
of  150  hogs  is  being  disposed  of.  . . . 
Boarding  schools  and  private  busi- 
nesses have  already  expressed  in- 
terest [in  buying  the  pork].  Invest- 
ment in  some  cutting  and  freezing 
equipment  may  be  necessary.  . . . 
Heifer  Projects,  Inc.,  will  supply 
new  hogs.  The  first  shipment  of 
twenty-four  animals  is  scheduled  for 
the  latter  half  of  January.  A group 
of  Mennonites  from  Mountain  Lake 
is  considering  donating  hogs  for 
this  shipment. 

BIENENBERG  BIBLE  SCHOOL 

SWITZERLAND — The  Bienenberg 
Bible  School  reports  that  sixty-four 
students  have  registered  for  class- 
es. Six  teachers  offer  a variety  of 
courses  in  the  German  and  French 
language.  Student  representation 
by  nationality  is:  Germany  29, 

France  18,  Switzerland  12,  Luxem- 
bourg 2,  and  Canada  3. 

Peter  Dyck,  MCC  director  in  Eur- 
ope, serves  as  one  of  the  school’s 
instructors,  teaching  New  Testa- 
ment, ethics,  Bible,  and  Christian 
education.  Several  Paxmen  are  tak- 
ing advantage  of  the  school’s  offer 
to  accept  them  as  students  during 
their  two-  to  three-week  vacation. 


jottings 

WATCH  NIGHT  SERVICE 

Deep  Run  Church,  Bedminster, 
Pa.:  Nov.  23  a special  thank  offer- 
ing was  received  in  a meaningful 
service.  The  Youth  Fel.  had  elec- 
tion of  officers  Dec.  7.  Another  part 
of  the  program  was  a talk  by  Shir- 
ley Moyer,  who  recently  returned 
from  Newton,  Kan.,  where  she 
served  a year  at  Prairie  View  Hos- 
pital. The  adult  C.  E.  featured  a 
film  entitled  To  Each  a Gift.  Dec. 
14  the  adult  C.  E.  presented  a pro- 
gram at  Nashaminy  Manor  Home. 
In  the  evening  the  S.  S.  gave  an  in- 
spirational Christmas  program, 
“The  Light  Shines.”  A service  of 
carols  and  candlelighting  was  held 
Dec.  21.  On  Christmas  Eve  the 
Youth  Fellowship  sponsored  Christ- 
mas caroling  to  the  aged  and  shut- 
ins.  On  Dec.  31  Family  Fellowship 
and  Watchnight  services  will  be 
held,  at  which  the  Bluffton  College 
Girls’  Gospel  Team  will  present  a 
program.  Dec.  27  was  the  Young 
Adult  Christmas  Banquet.  — Doris 
Moyer,  corr. 

MISSIONARY  CONFERENCE 

Garden  Twp.  Church,  Hesston, 
Kan.:  Our  Missionary  Conference 
was  held  the  evenings  of  Nov.  28 
and  29,  with  services  all  day  Nov. 
30.  Paul  Schroeder  was  elected  to 
serve  on  the  Board  of  Deacons. 
Pastor  and  Mrs.  Clayton  Goertzen 
are  the  parents  of  a son,  John  Cal- 
vin, bom  Dec.  10. — Mrs.  Ferd  Neu- 
feld,  corr. 

WEEK  OF  MEETINGS 

Bethany  Church,  Kingman,  Kan.: 
Sept.  30  a daughter,  Fanny  Rene, 
was  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Verlin 
Dennis  (nee  Phyllis  Flickner)  of 
Pratt,  Kan.  Oct.  2 a son,  Melvin 
Duane,  was  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Victor  Flickner  of  Wichita,  Kan. 
Oct.  5 our  newly  elected  S.  S.  offic- 
ers took  charge  of  their  duties; 
Communion  was  also  observed.  Oct. 
19  Richard  Tschetter  of  Bessie, 
Okla.,  was  the  morning  speaker. 
Among  those  who  have  recently 
been  hospitalized  are  Mrs.  J.  J. 
Kaufman,  Delmar  Voran,  and  Mrs. 
Ida  Albrecht.  All  are  reported  im- 
proved at  this  time.  Oct.  26  Pastor 
P.  P.  Tschetter  left  for  Enid,  Okla., 
where  he  conducted  a two  week 
series  of  meetings.  Oct.  28  a daugh- 
ter, Judith  Ann,  was  bom  to  the 
Carl  Flickners,  missionaries  sta- 
tioned in  India.  Nov.  6 was  the  an- 
nual election  of  officers  of  the 
Women’s  Missionary  Society;  Anna 
E.  Kaufman  was  elected  president. 
Nov.  16-21  R.  L.  Amstutz  of  White- 
water,  Kan.,  conducted  a week  of 


meetings.  No  Thanksgiving  services 
were  held,  as  the  installation  of  our 
new  furnace  was  not  completed. 
Dec.  2 at  the  annual  church  busi- 
ness meeting,  Herman  Krehbiel  was 
put  on  the  church  board;  Mrs.  Dave 
Schrag  will  be  the  new  church  cor- 
respondent.— Mrs.  M.  S.  Kaufman. 

PROGRAM  ON  MIDDLE  EAST 

Community  Church,  Fresno,  Cal.: 
On  Nov.  23  we  celebrated  the  fourth 
anniversary  of  the  organizing  of 
our  church  here,  in  connection  with 
Thanksgiving.  Our  prayer  is  that 
God  will  continue  to  bless  this 
church  and  help  us  to  further  His 
work  here  in  Fresno.  In  Nov.  the 
following  new  members  were  re- 
ceived: Mr.  and  Mrs.  William  Buck- 
ley,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry  Fast,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Menno  Horn,  Mrs.  Anna 
Heintz,  Mrs.  Mildred  Reimer,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Ervin  Wiens,  Mr.  and  Mrs, 
Peter  Fast.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  David 
Fast  joined  as  associate  members. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  David  Mierau  cele- 
brated their  fiftieth  wedding  anni- 
versary to  which  the  congregation 
was  invited.  They  requested  that  no 
personal  gifts  be  given,  but  that 
those  who  wished  to  do  so  could 
contribute  toward  a Communion 
Table  Fund.  Guest  speakers  at  the 
Nov.  WMS  dinner  were  the  Aaron 
Epps,  who  spoke  and  showed  slides 
on  “Problems  of  the  Middle  East.” 
Bro.  Phillips  of  the  Fresno  Rescue 
Mission  spoke  to  us  in  the  absence 
of  our  pastor.  In  the  evening  the 
Arthur  Friesens,  missionaries  to  the 
American  Indians  in  Okla.,  showed 
slides  and  told  us  of  their  work 
there.  The  Reedley  church  choir  to- 
gether with  our  choir  presented 
Handel’s  Messiah  at  Reedley  Dec. 
21. — Mrs.  Orlando  Schmidt,  corr. 

WOMEN  COLLECT  FOR  RELIEF 

Eighth  Street  Church,  Goshen, 
Ind.:  On  Sept.  14  the  first  of  a 

series  of  films  on  Life  of  Paul  was 
shown.  Once  a month  the  united 
prayer  groups  meet  at  the  church. 
Vern  Preheim  from  the  seminary 
will  assist  the  pastor  in  the  evening 
services.  An  auction  sponsored  by 
the  kitchen  committee  brought  in 
$320.  Sept.  26  was  Rally  Day  and 
Promotion  Sunday.  On  Oct.  5 Holy 
Communion  was  observed,  and  in 
the  evening  Martha  Geisbrecht,  mis- 
sionary to  Japan,  was  the  speaker. 
The  Northern  Indiana  YPU  met  in 
the  church  parlor.  On  Oct.  16  the 
Indiana  Mennonite  Missionary  Ral- 
ly met  for  an  all  day  program  at 
the  church.  The  pastor  conducted  a 
series  of  Bible  studies  on  Mark. 
Nov.  6 a dinner  meeting  for  Sunday 
school  teachers  and  officers  was 
held  at  the  church.  The  Nov.  IS 
evening  service  was  given  by  the 
Marvin  Dirks  family.  Nov.  17  a 


January  13,  1959 


29 


Mission  Booster  Dinner  was  held  in 
Fellowship  Hall  for  the  CIM  build- 
ing, sponsored  by  the  six  Northern 
Indiana  churches.  The  offering  ex- 
ceeded the  $1000  anticipated  goal. 
Nov.  30  the  annual  Thanksgiving 
service  of  the  united  missionary  so- 
cieties was  observed,  with  the  Wit- 
marsum  Guild  in  charge.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Ira  Stiver  celebrated  their 
golden  wedding  anniversary  with 
open  house  on  Sunday  afternoon. 
Dec.  7 our  choir  joined  the  Menno- 
nite  choirs  of  this  area  in  the  Christ- 
mas Music  Festival  at  Topeka.  The 
following  Sunday  evening  the 
young  people’s  choir  gave  the  eve- 
ning Christmas  program,  and  on 
the  21st  the  program  featured  the 
White  Gift,  the  offering  to  be  given 
for  the  education  of  the  Schnell 
children  in  Africa.  The  women’s 
sewing  group  has  collected  for  re- 
lief: 50  lbs.  shoes,  33  lbs.  new 
clothes,  600  lbs.  used  clothing,  12 
comforters;  and  quilted  six  quilts, 
two  of  which  were  sent  to  the 
Schnells  in  Africa.  They  also  sent 
layettes  and  bandages  to  the  Afri- 
can hospital. — Corr. 

PLAN  TO  BUY  ORGAN 

First  Church,  Chicago,  III.:  Thank 
God  for  the  blessings  He  has  given 
us  this  past  year.  Oct.  5 was  Rally 
Day.  The  S.  S.  had  promotion  of 
classes  and  some  changes  of  teach- 
ers. Oct.  10  the  WMS  had  an  open 
meeting  and  Talent  Night.  There 
were  many  articles  on  display, 
showing  different  talents  of  sewing, 
crocheting,  painting,  etc.  The  Men’s 
Organization  had  a Father-Son  Ban- 
quet. Interesting  films  followed  the 
dinner.  On  Halloween  night  the 
Youth  Organization  had  a progres- 
sive dinner  ending  at  the  parson- 
age. Nov.  13  the  Women’s  Mission- 
ary Society  had  a Thanksgiving 
Dinner.  The  program  included  a 
devotional  service  and  election. 
Nov.  21,  on  “Organ  Night,’’  a beau- 
tiful organ  was  demonstrated  and  a 
film  shown.  Discussion  and  refresh- 
ments followed.  We  have  received 
some  donations  thus  far  for  the 
organ  and  some  pledges  have  been 
given.  On  Thanksgiving  morning 
we  had  a fine  devotional  service  led 
by  Pastor  Coon,  followed  by  break- 
fast. Dec.  7 Pastor  Coon  baptized 
two  new  members  and  received  a 
third  by  transfer  of  letter:  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Robert  Agnew  and  Carol  Terp- 
stra.  The  S.  S.  and  choirs  present- 
ed our  Christmas  program.  A new 
roof,  gutters,  and  a new  back  porch 
have  been  put  on  the  church.  The 
men  and  boys  also  built  a new 
fence  around  the  churchyard.  Dec. 
10  was  our  annual  meeting  and  sup- 
per. Officers  for  the  coming  year 
were  elected.  The  new  budget  was 


presented  and  accepted,  as  well  as 
the  approval  to  purchase  the  new 
organ  when  necessary  funds  are 
received. — L.  Witty,  corr. 

ANNUAL  PROGRAMS 

Bergthal  Church,  Pawnee  Rock, 
Kan.:  A group  of  students  from 
Bethel  College,  representing  the 
Outreach  and  Service  Commission, 
gave  a program  Dec.  14.  This  pro- 
gram was  sponsored  by  the  C.  E. 
Society.  The  Youth  Fellowship  met 
Dec.  7.  The  highlight  of  their  pro- 
gram was  a reading,  “The  Search,” 
given  by  Mrs.  Gene  Schmidt.  Of- 
ficers elected  were  Darrel  Unruh, 
pres.;  Joel  Buller,  vice-pres.;  San- 
dra Freeburg,  sec.-treas.  The  spon- 
sors, Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  Dirks 
and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dwayne  Deckert, 
were  re-elected.  The  Mission  Work- 
ers discussed  on  Jan.  7 “Getting  Ac- 
quainted with  the  Land  and  People 
of  the  Middle  East.”  Mrs.  Elmer 
Jantz  gave  the  main  topic.  The 
Men’s  Fellowship  met  Dec.  15  for 
a Christmas  program.  The  church 
choir  gave  their  annual  Christmas 
program  Dec.  21.  The  Christmas 
story  was  told  in  song  with  Scrip- 
ture read  between  the  musical  num- 
bers. The  Youth  Orchestra  played 
carols  for  the  prelude,  intermission, 
and  postlude.  The  S.  S.  Dept,  gave 
a program  on  Christmas  Eve  en- 
titled “The  Characters  of  Christ- 
mas Meet  Christ.”  It  consisted  of 
exercises,  songs,  and  tableaux.  The 
annual  Church  Business  Meeting 
was  held  Dec.  30. — Mrs.  Fred 
Schmidt  corr. 

WEEK  OF  SERVICES 

Bethel  Church,  Waka,  Texas:  On 
Oct.  5 the  church  attended  the  gold- 
en wedding  anniversary  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  LeRoy  Willis.  A program  in 
their  honor  was  given  in  the  church 
Oct.  12.  Nov.  2 we  dismissed  serv- 
ices to  attend  the  Mission  Festival 
in  the  M.  B.  Church  at  Adams,  Okla. 
On  Nov.  18  Bro.  Barkman  of  Grace 
Children’s  Home  spoke  and  showed 
slides  of  their  work  with  delinquent 
children.  He  also  spoke  on  his  re- 
cent trip  to  Germany.  The  Sewing 
Circle  sponsored  a Christmas  party 
for  all  families  on  Dec.  7 in  the 
D.  P.  Unruh  home.  A carry-in  sup- 
per was  followed  by  games,  sing- 
ing, and  devotions.  The  final  meet- 
ing of  the  Sewing  Circle  for  the 
year  was  held  Dec.  12.  On  Nov.  30 
six  young  people  were  baptized.  The 
service  was  held  in  the  Full  Gospel 
Church  of  Perryton.  This  followed 
a week  of  services  with  Marvin  Eck 
of  Harper,  Kan.,  as  guest  speaker. 
The  final  meeting  included  com- 
munion and  reception  of  new  church 
members.  A combination  Christmas 
program  was  planned  with  the 


(Old)  Mennonite  Church  in  Perry- 
ton  for  Dec.  21,  with  a play,  A Gift 
for  the  Christ  Child. — Corr. 
MITTEN  TREE  FOR  MCC 
East  Swamp  Church,  Quakertown, 
Pa.:  a mitten  tree  was  decorated 
by  the  Junior  C.  E.  at  their  Dec. 
meeting  for  MCC.  The  Youth  Fel- 
lowship made  100  favors  for  the 
Home  for  Aged  at  Frederick.  An 
impressive  candlelight  service  was 
given  by  our  Intermediate  C.  E. 
Dec.  14.  The  S.  S.  classes  combined 
to  present  a program  on  the  theme 
“In  Times  Like  These.”  Pastor 
Sprunger  directed  the  play.  Com- 
munion was  held  Dec.  21.  Maynard 
George  preached  during  our  pas- 
tor’s absence  over  the  Christmas 
holidays.  Our  watchnight  service 
was  conducted  by  the  young  peo- 
ple home  on  Christmas  vacation. 
Daughters  were  welcomed  into  two 
of  our  families:  Karen  Denise  to 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clarence  Carbaugh 
Jr.,  and  Beverly  Ann  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Harold  Dietz.  The  wedding  of 
Janice  Bright  and  Donald  Jenkins 
took  place  in  the  St.  John’s  Luther- 
an Church  Dec.  6. — Corr. 

SANCTUARY  DEDICATED 

Calvary  Church,  Barlow,  Ore.:  The 
annual  business  meeting  was  Dec. 
4.  James  Howard  is  a new  member 
of  the  church  board,  and  Mrs.  Wel- 
don Roupp,  reporter.  Dedication  of 
our  new  sanctuary  Nov.  2 brought 
over  400  from  various  sections  of 
the  Willamette  Valley.  Dr.  Paul 
Petticord  of  the  Evangelical  West- 
ern Theological  Seminary,  Jennings 
Lodge,  gave  the  sermon.  The  church 
choir  gave  the  eve.  program,  with 
Darlene  Jones  at  the  piano  and 
Jeannette  Jones  at  the  Hammond 
organ.  Jake  Giger  presented  the 
Christian  and  U.  S.  fiags  and  a 
beautiful  electric  clock.  The  Mis- 
sionary Society  received  $124  this 
year  in  quilting;  12  new  wool  com- 
forters, 15  Christmas  bundles,  278 
lbs.  used  clothing,  and  75  lbs.  new 
clothing  were  sent  to  MCC.  New 
officers  are  Mrs.  William  Zehr, 
pres.;  Mrs.  Frank  Morris,  vice-pres.; 
Mrs.  Freeman  Kauffman,  sec.;  Mrs. 
Lester  Conrad,  treas.  Mrs.  Jessie 
Bonney  passed  away.  The  young 
folks  are  rolling  newspaper,  which 
will  be  purchased  by  the  Swan 
Island  bulb  farm. — Mrs.  Ivan  Lear- 
field,  corr. 

SPECIAL  UNION  SERVICE 

Grace  Church,  Enid,  Okla.:  A spe- 
cial Thanksgiving  service  with  the 
two  Mennonite  Brethren  churches 
was  held  at  our  church,  with  Bro. 
Nathan  Heffley  as  guest  speaker. 
On  Nov.  25  our  church  election  was 
held.  Dec.  5 our  S.  S.  election  was 
held,  with  Robert  Buller  elected  as 
superintendent.  Dec.  21  was  installa- 


30 


THE  MENNONITE 


tion  of  all  newly  elected  officers  for 
the  coming  year.  A Christmas  serv- 
ice was  held  at  the  Grace  Church 
on  Dec.  25.  The  relief  canner  will 
be  in  our  midst  the  first  part  of 
February.  The  canner  will  be  set 
up  at  Deer  Creek,  Okla.,  for  this 
area.  Our  Sewing  Circle  sponsored 
a mission  apron,  which  was  passed 
around  to  every  family  to  sew  on  a 
patch  with  a contribution  for  mis- 
sions. The  apron  patches  were  then 
opened;  the  apron  contained  $81.25. 
—Mrs.  R.  Buller,  corr. 

VOTHS  SPEAK  AT  MEETINGS 
Friedensfeld  Church,  Turpin, 
Okla.:  Our  Harvest  Festival  was 
held  Nov.  9.  Main  speakers  were 
Pastor  and  Mrs.  W.  C.  Voth.  Lloyd 
Penner  gave  a thanksgiving  mes- 
sage in  the  afternoon;  special  mu- 
sic was  furnished  through  the  day 
by  different  church  groups.  Our  of- 
fering was  $1,780.36.  The  ladies  of 
our  church  met  one  evening  to  help 
the  Ladies’  Aid  and  Mission  Work- 
ers make  posters  for  Africa.  Ro- 
land Goering  was  our  speaker  for 
our  fall  series.  Pastor  and  Mrs. 
Levi  Koehn  and  Sharon  were  in 
Clinton,  Okla.,  Nov.  30  to  take  part 
in  church  dedication  services.  Paul 
Toews  brought  the  morning  mes- 
sage in  the  absence  of  Pastor 
Koehn.  Our  C.  E.  held  a Christmas 
program  Dec.  7 based  on  the  word 
“Star.”  George  Plett  has  returned 
home  from  the  Beaver  Hospital; 
however  he  is  still  confined  to  his 
bed.  Our  Christmas  program  was 
held  Christmas  Eve. — Mrs.  Paul 
Ediger,  corr. 

SCHIRMERS  TALK  AT  FESTIVAL 

first  Church,  Madrid,  Neb.:  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Herman  Regier  rejoice 
over  the  birth  of  a daughter  Oct.  7. 
Pastor  B.  H.  Janzen  attended  the 
Northern  Dist.  Ministers’  Conf.  at 
Alsen,  N.  D.  Pastor  and  Mrs.  David 
Schirmer,  missionaries  to  Montana 
Indians,  were  guest  speakers  for 
our  Harvest  Festival  Nov.  30.  Our 
annual  church  meeting  was  held 
Dec.  4.  We  have  lots  of  snow  and 
cold  weather. — Mrs.  Pete  Regier, 
Jr.,  corr. 

DEDICATION 

Butterfield  Church,  Butterfield, 
Minn.:  We  were  privileged  to  have 
with  us  our  India  missionaries,  the 
Ben  Sawatzkys,  who  conveyed 
Christian  greetings  and  showed 
colored  slides  at  our  Ladies’  Mission 
Society  annual  Christmas  fellow- 
ship supper  Dec.  4.  Pastor  Peter 
Tschetter  spoke  on  Christian  stew- 
ardship in  connection  with  the  ded- 
ication of  our  new  hymn  books, 
communion  table,  and  sanctuary 
fioor  on  Dec.  7.  On  the  following 
Mon.  evening  the  Watonwan  Coun- 
ty Men’s  Fellowship  met,  with  E. 


O.  Carter  of  Rochester  speaking  on 
the  theme  “Visionary  Laymen.”  Ap- 
proximately $3,000  worth  of  beef 
was  canned,  with  volunteers  from 
the  ten  churches  participating  in 
the  MCC  mobile  canning  unit,  set 
up  in  the  Butterfield  Produce  Co. 
Dec.  9-10.  Our  pastor  was  pleasant- 
ly surprised  by  a birthday  anniver- 
sary program  in  his  honor  Dec.  21. 
The  S.  S.  presented  the  program 
“Message  of  the  Bells”  on  Christ- 
mas Eve. — Willis  Linscheid,  corr. 

mutual  aid  placement 

FOR  RENT 

Farm  Home:  Available  near  Lamed, 
Kansas.  Christian  widow  offers 
home  and  farmstead  to  couple  in- 
terested in  rural  home.  Opportu- 
nity to  feed  a few  cattle.  Contact: 
Mrs.  Edna  R.  Black,  1116  Santa  Fee, 
Lamed,  Kansas  (No.  P.  253). 

Dairy  Farm:  Grade  A dairy  farm 
for  rent  in  west-central  Kansas. 
Owner  interested  in  selling  stock 
including  35  cows.  Pipeline  milkers, 
lots  of  pasture,  80  acres  crop  land, 
well  equipped  home  included.  Con- 
tact Lloyd  Spessard,  Arlington, 
Kansas  (No.  P.  259). 

PERSONNEL  NEEDED 

Registered  Nurse:  Excellent  oppor- 
tunity for  R.N.  with  experience  to 
begin  service  as  head  nurse  with 
Mennonite  Home  for  the  Aged.  Con- 
tact: Mutual  Aid  Services,  722  Main, 
Newton,  Kansas,  for  details  (No.  P. 
257). 

Administrator:  Modern  Mennonite 
Home  for  the  Aged  offers  an  open- 
ing soon  for  administrative  work. 
Located  in  lovely  Pennsylvania  in 
Mennonite  community.  Contact: 
Harry  M.  Detwiler,  Souderton,  Pa. 
(No.  P.  258). 

Into  the  beyond 

Arthur  Zehr,  aged  63,  and  mem- 
ber of  the  Flanagan  Mennonite 
Church,  Flanagan,  Illinois,  recent- 
ly passed  to  his  reward. 

Carl  H.  Norlin,  was  born  in  Min- 
den,  Nebraska,  December  4,  1893. 
He  was  a member  of  the  Spring 
Valley  Mennonite  Church  at  New- 
port, Washington,  and  passed  away 
Dec.  18,  1958. 

Linda  L.  Hiebert,  of  Minneapolis, 
Minnesota,  and  member  of  the 
Bethel  Mennonite  Church,  Mountain 
Lake,  Minnesota,  was  born  March 
21,  1909,  and  died  December  6,  1958. 


CONFERENCE  NOTES 
{Continued  from  back  page) 

FAITH  AND  LIFE  RADIO 

Daily  radio  messages  on  station 
KJRG,  Newton,  Kan.,  were  given 
by  central  office  personnel  the  first 
week  in  January.  Speakers  for  the 
other  three  weeks  in  January  are 
L.  R.  Amstutz,  Whitewater,  Kan.; 
Arnold  Nickel,  Moundridge,  Kan.; 
and  Albert  Gaeddert,  Inman,  Kan. 

CATECHISM  WORKBOOK 

The  Way  of  Life,  a workbook  pre- 
pared by  Philip  A.  Wedel,  published 
by  the  author  in  several  earlier  edi- 
tions, has  been  revised  and  reprint- 
ed by  Mennonite  Publication  Office 
and  is  now  available  at  $1.50  per 
copy  from  Mennonite  Bookstores  at 
Newton,  Kansas;  Berne,  Indiana; 
and  Rosthern,  Saskatchewan.  Be- 
sides revision  of  much  of  the  mate- 
rial, new  illustrations  and  type  were 
used.  As  in  the  former  book,  the 
material  is  arranged  so  that  it  may 
conveniently  be  used  with  the  cate- 
chism commonly  used  by  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  Mennonite  Church. 

HOME  FROM  INDIA 

Mrs.  Arthur  Thiessen,  daughter 
of  Carl  Martig,  Peoria,  111.,  and 
children  arrived  in  the  United 
States  Dec.  19,  via  TWA.  Dr.  and 
Mrs.  Thiessen  are  stationed  at  the 
Bethesda  Hospital,  Champa,  M.  P., 
India.  Dr.  Thiessen  is  remaining  in 
India  until  February  to  try  and 
find  someone  to  take  charge  of  the 
work  during  his  furlough. 

‘WINNIE’  REPAIRS 

Much  has  been  written  and  said 
about  typhoon  Winnie  which  struck 
Hwalien,  Taiwan,  in  July.  Peter  J. 
Pankratz  of  Mountain  Lake,  Min- 
nesota, medical  missionary  under 
the  General  Conference  Mennonite 
Mission  in  Taiwan  reports  that  soon 
the  mission  properties  will  be  “as 
good  as  new.” 

The  day  after  the  storm  mountain 
preachers  and  other  friends  from 
nearby  mountain  villages  were  help- 
ing to  repair  the  roof  of  the  hos- 
pital. Financial  aid  was  given  bjr 
the  local  Joint  Commission  for  Ru- 
ral Reconstruction  and  by  friends 
through  the  Board  of  Missions  and 
Board  of  Christian  Service.  The 
spirit  in  which  native  and  foreigrt 
personnel  worked  to  salvage  and 
repair  hastened  the  progress  of  re- 
construction. 


January  13,  1959 


31 


conference  notes 


JAPAN  CHURCH  CALLS  WORKER 

An  indigenous  church  is  the  aim 
of  missionaries  and  mission  boards. 
In  some  instances  indigenization  is 
extremely  slow  and  cannot  be  ex- 
pected to  become  a reality  until 
many  years  after  mission  work  is 
begun.  The  young  church  in  Japan, 
however,  is  early  showing  signs  of 
becoming  indigenous.  Recently  the 
church  at  Kobe  took  an  important 
step  in  this  direction  when  Miss 
Kushima  was  employed  as  its 
church  worker. 

Part  of  Miss  Kushima’s  work  in- 
cludes visiting  children  in  the  local 
nonchristian  hospital.  Raymond 
and  Phyllis  Reimer,  missionaries 
studying  language  in  Kobe,  relate 
an  incident  in  Miss  Kushima’s  ex- 
perience at  the  hospital: 

Josuke  was  an  invalid  boy  about 
seven  years  old  who  had  been  in 
the  hospital  for  a long  time.  He 
could  not  walk.  Occasionally  his 
mother  would  carry  him  around  on 
her  back,  but  he  spent  most  of  his 
time  in  bed. 

Josuke  was  in  a ward  with  six 
other  children,  some  younger  and 
some  older.  All  were  happy  that 
Miss  Kushima  had  come  to  tell 
them  stories  about  Jesus.  They  had 
never  heard  these  stories  before, 
and  they  waited  patiently  for  her 
every  Thursday  afternoon.  They 
prayed  together,  learned  and  sang 
choruses,  and  then  Miss  Kushima 
would  tell  a story  about  the  life  of 
Jesus  from  the  New  Testament.  Be- 
fore she  left,  she  would  give  them 
Bible  picture  cards  with  a Bible 
verse,  which  they  would  try  to 
memorize. 

One  Thursday  afternoon  when 
Miss  Kushima  came,  Josuke’s  bed 
was  empty.  “Where  is  Josuke?”  she 
asked,  surprised.  Josuke’s  friends 
told  her  that  one  morning  Josuke 
had  much  pain.  He  called  his  moth- 
er and  asked  her  to  bring  him  all 
the  Bible  cards  he  had  received. 
There  were  twenty-two  cards.  He 
asked  his  mother  to  put  them  in  a 
notebook;  then  he  looked  at  them 
again  and  again.  Josuke  became 
weaker.  He  held  the  cards  close  to 
his  heart  and  whispered,  “Jesuma, 
Jesuma,”  and  with  these  words  he 
passed  away.  “Josuke  has  gone  to 
heaven,”  said  a little  four-year-old 
invalid  girl  in  a nearby  bed. 


MISSIONARIES  ITINERATE 

Janet  Soldner,  R.N.,  missionary 
in  Colombia,  South  America,  super- 
vises the  health  of  children  in  the 
school  at  Cachipay  and  is  on  call 
to  help  mothers  in  childbirth.  Since 
this  often  involves  long  walks  over 
mountain  paths,  one  can  under- 
stand why  she  prays  for  strength 
for  the  day.  Miss  Soldner  is  at 
present  on  furlough  at  her  home  in 
Berne,  Ind.,  and  is  available  for 
itineration.  Churches  or  church  or- 
ganizations may  write  to  Board  of 
Missions,  722  Main  Street,  Newton, 
Kan.,  for  an  appointment. 

Also  in  the  U.  S.  at  present  are 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Hector  Valencia  and 
their  two  children.  Dr.  Valencia  is 
head  of  the  Presbyterian  school  in 
Bogota,  Colombia,  and  will  be  itin- 
erating for  the  Presbyterian  Mis- 
sion. Mrs.  Valencia  (nee  Mary  Beck- 
er) formerly  was  with  the  Colombia 
mission  is  accepting  speaking  en- 
gagements in  the  Newton  commu- 
nity, where  they  are  living  while  on 
furlough. 

MISSIONS  FILMS 

William  Zehr,  photo  and  film  sup- 
ply dealer  of  Portland,  Ore.,  has  re- 
turned from  Japan  and  Formosa 
where  he  filmed  various  aspects  of 
mission  work  for  the  Conference. 
It  is  hoped  that  Mokoto,  a film 
based  on  the  life  of  a Japanese  stu- 
dent, will  have  its  premiere  show- 
ing at  the  General  Conference  next 
summer.  A film  on  Formosa  is  also 
being  produced,  as  well  as  two  doc- 
umentary films,  one  on  Japan  and 
one  on  Formosa. 

FOUR  TO  MISSIONS  PAX 

Three  young  men  leave  Jan.  20 
for  the  Belgian  Congo,  Africa, 
where  they  will  serve  in  Missions 
Pax  under  the  Congo  Inland  Mis- 
sion. John  Heese,  Rosthern,  Sask., 
will  work  for  three  years  as  a 
printer  on  the  mission  while  Rob- 
ert Schmidt,  Rosthern,  and  Ber- 
nard Thiessen,  Altona,  Man.,  will 
serve  two  years  as  maintenance 
men.  With  the  arrival  of  these 
three  men,  there  will  be  nine  Gen- 
eral Conference  Mennonite  Paxmen 
in  the  Congo. 

Dennis  Epp,  Rosthern,  Sask.,  will 
be  the  first  Paxman  in  Japan.  He 
leaves  from  Portland,  Ore.,  Jan.  23 
on  the  M /S  Ocean  Mail,  and  will 


teach  English  Bible  to  Japanese  stu- 
dents. 

The  purpose  of  the  Missions  Pax 
program  of  the  church  is  to  relieve 
missionaries  of  some  of  the  routine 
duties,  to  leave  more  time  for  direct  • 
mission  work.  This  is  a government- 
approved  form  of  alternative  serv- 
ice for  men  subject  to  the  draft; 
others  may  enter  for  a term  of 
Voluntary  Service.  Interest  in  this 
program  of  the  church  has  mount- 
ed and  at  present  another  two  ap- 
plicants are  preparing  for  service 
beginning  in  summer. 

PEACE  IN  OUR  TIME 

A long-range  study  of  the  1-W 
program  is  under  way  by  the  Vol- 
untary Service  and  1-W  Committee 
of  the  Board  of  Christian  Service. 
Representatives  of  the  committee 
will  visit  1-W  units  to  consult  with 
unit  members  and  leaders  in  an  at- 
tempt to  find  more  effective  ways 
of  witnessing.  They  will  call  a meet- 
ing of  pastors  to  seek  counsel  and 
suggestions  for  improvement.  The  c 
committee  is  asking  MCC  for  a 
thorough  study  of  the  future  of  the 
1-W  program.  These  steps  have  been  i 
taken  by  the  committee  as  a result  | 
of  the  conviction  that  the  church 
has  not  yet  arrived  at  an  adequate 
peace  witness  for  our  day. 

At  its  recent  meeting,  the  Peace 
and  1-W  Committee  discussed  at 
length  the  need  for  a more  definite 
and  concerted  voice  from  the 
church  regarding  peace  issues  of 
our  day.  Our  function  is  to  speak 
with  our  peace  witness  to  other 
Christians,  to  give  a steady  witness 
at  home  and  then  take  our  witness 
to  other  countries.  ’The  local  church  I 
is  one  of  the  best  avenues  of  com- 
munication, and  it  is  the  local 
church  that  needs  to  develop  the 
conscience  of  the  entire  Christian 
church. 

FARM  STUDY  REPORT 

A statement  of  findings  is  now 
available  on  the  farm  study  con- 
ference sponsored  by  the  Western 
District  and  held  at  North  Newton, 
Kan.,  in  April,  1958.  Copies  may  be 
obtained  by  writing  to  the  Board  I 

of  Christian  Service,  722  Main  St.,  I 

Newton,  Kan.  A copy  of  all  the  i 
papers  presented  at  the  conference  i 
is  available  for  fifty  cents.  | 

(CONFERENCE  NOTES  cont.  p.  31)  i 


r 


JANUARY  20,  1959 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
MAN  LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIST 


O that  I may  grow! 

For,  God,  if  it  can  be 

That  new  and  noble  growth 
can  spring 

From  a decaying  tree, 

Surely  a strong  clean  life  can 
mount 

Up  from  the  life  in  me. 


in  this  issue 

COVER 

Photo  by  Luoma 


ARTICLES 

THREE  CRUCIAL  FACTS 

By  Russell  L.  Mast  35 

CHRISTIANS  IN  CHINA  36 

THE  CHRISTIAN  WEDDING 

By  Waldo  Hiebert  38 

GROWING  INVOLVEMENT 

By  Gordon  Dyck  39 

THE  CHURCH  EXTENDS  40 

PLANNING  FOR  OUTREACH  40 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  34 

Mennonite  Youth 

WHY  DO  WE  REBEL?  41 

KOREA:  LAND  OF  THE 

MORNING  CALM  42 

YPU  CABINET  MEETS  IN  CHICAGO  43 

OUR  SCHOOLS  44 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  44 

JOTTINGS  45 

CONFERENCE  STEWARDSHIP  47 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  48 


of  things  to  come 

Jan.  18-Feb.  11 — Christian  Ministry  Em- 
phasis 

Feb.  8 — Race  Relations  Sunday 
Feb.  11 — Ash  Wednesday;  Lent  begins 
Feb.  1 3 — Universal  Day  of  Prayer 
Feb.  22-Mar.  1 — Brotherhood  Week 
March  8 — Conference  Sunday 
March  17 — West.  Dist.  Women's  Meeting 
Aug.  5-12 — Ministers'  and  Church  Work- 
ers' Retreat,  Camp  Friedenswald, 
Mich. 

Aug.  12-20 — General  Conference,  Bluff- 
ton,  Ohio 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor,  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 

J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler^ 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Asst.:  Esther  Groves. 
Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  3 


editoriais 

MISSIONS,  UNLIMITED  We  have  long  been  accustomed 
to  think  of  missions  as  the  act  of  going  to  a foreign  land  and 
preaching  the  gospel  to  people  who  have  perhaps  not  known  it 
before.  Much  wonderful  work  has  been  done  along  this  line.  But 
gradually  we  have  learned  that  missions  is  more  than  preaching 
to  people.  It  includes  ministering  to  the  whole  man,  dealing 
with  his  everyday  needs  as  well  as  with  his  eternal  destiny. 

Jesus  made  a point  of  healing  people,  and  feeding  them,  as 
well  as  teaching  them  the  Good  News  of  God.  Frequently  His 
healing  sympathy  opened  the  way  to  a more  spiritual  ministry. 

It  is  so  today.  Working  with  refugees,  the  poor  and  needy, 
we  may  show  more  true  Christian  spirit  than  by  holding  our- 
selves aloof  and  talking  to  them  about  God.  They  need  to  see 
God  in  the  flesh  ministering  to  their  needs.  The  relief  worker, 
the  doctor,  the  nurse,  the  builder,  the  friendly  neighbor,  may 
show  the  nature  of  God  so  that  people  can  comprehend. 

One  of  the  finest  avenues  of  Christian  service  for  young  peo- 
ple is  that  provided  in  the  Voluntary  Service  program  both  at 
home  and  abroad.  Here  consecrated  workers  may  show  the  spirit 
of  Christ  in  their  labors  among  needy  people.  It  is  the  message 
of  love  and  good  will  as  lived  for  their  greatest  need  that  really 
gets  into  their  hearts. 

Jesus  went  about  doing  good;  His  followers  should  do  likewise. 

A MONSTROUS  EVIL  The  article  in  this  issue  dealing 
with  alcohol  touches  upon  a gigantic  problem  about  which  we 
should  be  more  deeply  concerned.  The  liquor  interests  last  year 
spent  400  million  dollars  in  newspaper,  magazine,  and  billboard 
advertising,  in  subtle  radio  and  television  appeals.  Unfortunate- 
ly, newspapers  and  magazines  of  the  higher  class,  which  had 
long  held  out  against  liquor  advertising,  are  now  succumbing 
to  liquor  and  financial  pressure. 

Liquor  interests  don’t  hesitate  to  stifle  truth  in  their  attempt  to 
brainwash  the  public  and  infiltrate  youth  in  the  home.  Straight- 
out  discussion  of  beverage  alcohol  and  its  dangerous  and  dam- 
aging effects  is  already  largely  barred  from  commercial  radio 
and  television  broadcasts,  and  to  a large  extent,  from  the  col- 
umns of  the  press. 

Advertising  does  not  dare  tell  the  truth  about  the  effects  of 
liquor  but  deliberately  conceals  the  potentially  dangerous  ef- 
fects, the  damaging  economic  costs,  and  the  morally  destructive 
threat  which  it  brings. 

So  vast  and  complicated  and  dangerous  is  this  growing  men- 
ace that  we  should  raise  our  voices  and  our  influence  in  expos- 
ing this  program  of  deceit.  We  can  object  to  our  newspapers 
and  magazines,  the  radio  and  TV,  about  the  smug  advertising 
being  put  out.  We  can  teach  and  preach  against  the  growing 
evils  of  alcoholism.  Above  all,  each  one  can  resolve  to  abstain 
totally  from  indulging  in  any  form  of  this  public  enemy.  We 
should  not  hesitate  to  refuse  to  drink  in  any  social  function  in 
which  we  may  have  a part.  It’s  not  smart  to  drink — it’s  terribly 
foolish  and  horribly  dangerous! 


34 


THE  MENNONITE 


Three  Crucial  Facts 


Russell  L.  Mast* 

However  you  may  feel  about 
the  use  of  alcohol,  there  can  be 
no  blinking  the  well  documented  fact 
that  alcohol  and  liquor  consump- 
tion is  increasing  with  terrific  ra- 
pidity. One  certainly  does  not  need 
to  be  a total  abstainer  or  even  a 
temperance  advocate  to  be  deeply 
concerned  about  what  is  happening. 

Drinkers  may  be  divided  into 
three  classes:  moderate  drinkers, 
who  drink  only  occasionally  and  for 
whom  drink  does  not  constitute 
much  of  a problem;  habitual  drink- 
ers, who  seem  as  yet  able  to  keep  it 
under  some  kind  of  control;  and 
problem  drinkers,  who  cannot  con- 
trol it  and  are  given  to  drunkenness 
or  alcoholism.  In  the  United  States 
alone,  there  are  about  sixty-five 
million  persons  who  use  alcoholic 
beverages  (more  than  half  of  the 
people  fifteen  years  and  above).  Of 
this  number,  eight  million  are  ha- 
bitual drinkers,  and  at  least  four 
million — or  one  out  of  every  six- 
teen alcohol  users  — are  persons 
whose  drinking  has  become  a se- 
rious problem  to  themselves  and 
others.  But  this  is  the  alarming 
fact:  that  the  number  of  problem 
drinkers  in  this  country  is  increas- 
ing at  the  astounding  rate  of  250,- 
000  a year. 

I propose  three  crucial  facts  about 
the  consumption  of  alcohol  in  mod- 
ern America: 

• The  first  indictment  is  that  the 
consumption  of  alcohol  in  America 
today  is  fearfully  expensive. 

Other  things  are  expensive  too. 
Nevertheless,  consider  that  the  liq- 
uor industry  is  a multi-billion  dollar 
industry — in  a world  where  people 
by  the  millions  are  suffering  from 
malnutrition  and  where  children 
must  go  to  bed  hungry.  Would  not 
Isaiah  say  to  us,  “Wherefore  do 
ye  spend  money  for  that  which  is 
not  bread?  and  your  labour  for  that 
which  satisfieth  not?”  (55:2).  If 
we  were  to  compute  the  total  an- 
nual cost  of  alcohol,  including  the 
indirect  cost  of  crime,  industrial 
loss,  etc.,  the  figure  would  be  so 

*Pastor,  Bethel  College  Church,  North 
Newton,  Kan.  The  above  is  a portion  of 
a recent  sermon. 

January  20,  1959 


stupendous  as  to  be  absolutely  in- 
comprehensible. 

It  is  a fact  that  we  spend  three 
times  as  much  for  liquor  as  we  do 
for  education  in  all  its  forms,  and 
twenty  times  as  much  as  we  do  for 
religion.  I cannot  support  an  in- 
dustry like  that.  To  justify  it,  there 
should  come  from  it  creative  bene- 
fits and  values,  even  exceeding  those 
coming  from  education.  The  fact  is, 
there  are  no  creative  values  or  ben- 
efits coming  from  the  liquor  indus- 
try. It  is,  therefore,  fearfully  ex- 
pensive at  any  price. 

• A second  indictment  is  that  the 
consumption  of  alcohol  is  consum- 
mately destructive.  In  order  to  jus- 
tify spending  for  liquor,  one  would 
have  the  right  to  expect  some  cre- 
ative benefits,  some  abiding  values, 
or  even  some  lasting  pleasure.  But 
pleasure  ought  to  be  truly  relaxing, 
truly  invigorating,  truly  creative. 

Dr.  Haven  Emerson  has  for  many 
years  been  the  foremost  medical 
authority  on  this  subject.  Among 
other  things,  he  has  declared  that 
drinking  impairs  reason,  will,  self- 
control,  and  physical  skill.  Alcohol 
is  destructive  of  bodily  and  mental 
functions.  Actual  tests  show  that 
it  requires  six  more  feet  to  stop  a 
moving  car  if  a driver  has  taken  a 
cocktail  or  two  before  driving. 

This  does  not  begin  to  take  into 
account  the  destructive  aspects  of 
drunkenness,  or  alcoholism,  when 
man  is  at  last  the  complete  slave 
of  alcohol,  when  he  hates  alcohol 
but  must  have  it.  If  you’ve  worked 
in  a mental  hospital,  you  know 
how  alcohol  destroys.  It  destroys 
also  the  relationships  of  life,  in  the 
home  and  in  business.  It  destroys 
the  moral  life,  for  alcohol  removes 
the  necessary  inhibitions  to  main- 
tain a moral  life.  In  a machine 
age,  with  power  and  speed  at  hu- 
man command,  and  with  human  re- 
lationships more  complex  than  ever 
before,  alcohol  is  consummately  de- 
structive. I cannot  support  any- 
thing that  destroys  like  that. 

• A final  indictment  is  that  the 
consumption  of  alcohol  is  ominous- 
ly deceptive.  The  writer  of  Prov- 
erbs was  stating  undeniable  facts 


when  he  said,  concerning  wine, 
“Whosoever  is  deceived  thereby  is 
not  wise”  (20:1). 

The  liquor  ads  deceive.  They  do 
not  show  the  true  facts  about  alco- 
hol. They  don’t  show  wives  cleaning 
up  in  the  bathroom  after  a drunk- 
en husband;  or  children  cringing 
behind  closed  doors  after  a drunken 
mother  has  returned  home;  or  the 
coarse,  crude,  boisterous  talk  of 
men  and  women  under  the  infiu- 
ence.  They  show  men  of  distinction, 
prosperous  and  masterful;  women 
of  glamour  and  charm  and  grace; 
young  people  with  vision  and  hope. 
But  it  is  all  a lie — a dreadful  lie! 

Alcohol  is,  itself,  deceptive.  It 
gives  the  impression  to  the  user 
that  it  is  a stimulant,  that  it  is  an 
exhilarating  tonic  to  step  up  vitali- 
ty and  increase  mental  and  physi- 
cal capacities.  But  that  is  a false 
sensation.  Actually,  the  radical  ele- 
ment in  liquor  is  depressive.  It  is 
more  like  a narcotic  and  a sedative, 
as  we  have  seen  it  retards  the 
muscles  and  the  mind. 

Dr.  A.  C.  Ivy  of  Northwestern 
University  said,  “Alcohol  gives  tem- 
porary relief  from  worry,  abolishes 
mental  tension.”  But  it  is  important 
to  note  that  these  effects  are  only 
temporary.  They  are  an  escape, 
not  a solution,  and  are  therefore 
deceptive.  Dr.  Ivy  goes  on  to  say 
that  alcohol  “disguises  difficulties, 
relieves  a feeling  of  inferiority; 
makes  a weak  person  feel  strong; 
an  ignorant  person  feel  smart;  a 
poor  person  feel  rich;  an  oppressed 
person  feel  free;  a bad  person  feel 
good;  and  makes  one  imagine  him- 
self a good  driver  who  may  be  po- 
tentially a motor  car  murderer.” 

Alcohol  is  deceptive  in  that  it 
hides  its  destructive  effects.  There 
is  scientifically  no  way  to  tell  a per- 
son ahead  of  time  whether  or  not 
he  will  become  an  alcoholic.  In- 
deed, a man  may  drink  moderately 
for  years  and  suddenly  become  an 
alcoholic.  This  does  not  say  that 
all  moderate  drinkers  will  become 
alcoholics,  or  that  all  occasional 
drinkers  will  become  drunkards.  It 
is  a sober  fact,  however,  that  all 
alcoholics  and  drunkards  started 
out  as  moderate  or  even  occasional 
drinkers.  Moreover,  in  the  kind  of 
society  in  which  we  now  live,  the 
number  of  “problem  drinkers”  is 
increasing  at  250,000  a year. 

Alcohol  in  modern  America  is 
fearfully  expensive,  consummately 

35 


i 


destructive,  and  ominously  decep- 
tive. In  view  of  these  facts,  there 
is,  by  way  of  conclusion,  only  one 
position  which  I find  it  possible  to 
take.  I am  convinced  that  there 
are  some  things  that  are  easier  to 
abolish  than  to  regulate;  some 
things  that  are  easier  to  reject  en- 
tirely than  to  bring  under  moderate 
control.  The  drinking  of  alcoholic 
beverages  is  one  of  those  things. 
By  becoming  even  a moderate 
drinker,  I gain  little,  if  anything, 
but  I stand  a very  good  chance  of 
losing  everything.  By  becoming  a 
total  abstainer,  I have  nothing  to 
lose  and  much  to  gain. 

No  one  who  is  even  reasonably 
informed  can  possibly  deny  the 
magnitude  and  the  seriousness  of 
the  alcohol  problem  in  our  own 


country.  Yet  you  can  solve  that 
problem,  for  yourself  at  least,  in 
no  more  than  thirty  seconds.  The 
answer  is  unbelievably  simple:  re- 
nounce alcohol  entirely.  Make  yours 
a life  without  liquor. 

May  I urge  this  especially  upon 
our  young  people?  Solve  that  prob- 
lem right  here  and  now,  and  make 
it  stick,  and  you  will  avoid  many 
miseries  or  even  tragedies  later  on. 
If  you  never  start,  you  will  never 
have  the  problem  of  quitting.  I 
say  this  not  because  I want  to  curb 
anyone’s  pleasure.  But  I am  con- 
vinced in  my  own  mind  that  in  the 
long  run,  alcohol  offers  neither  free- 
dom nor  pleasure.  The  facts  are 
clear:  you  stand  a much  better 

chance  of  living  a happy  life  with- 
out liquor  than  you  do  with  it. 


It  may  not  be  easy  to  hold  such 
a position  in  our  society.  The  tide 
seems  to  be  moving  the  other  way. 
Yet  I see  no  reason  why  we  cannot 
refuse  liquor  without  being  unkind 
about  it  or  self-righteous.  Some- 
times I think  we  make  too  much  of 
this  business  of  refusing.  After  all, 
you  refuse  other  things  which  a 
hostess  may  offer. 

Paul  says,  “Be  not  drunk  with 
wine,  wherein  is  excess,  but  be  filled 
with  the  spirit.”  The  positive  an- 
swer to  the  problem  is  to  live  a life 
that  is  full,  rich,  and  abundant.  It 
is  to  live  a Spirit-filled  life  where 
the  tensions  of  life  are  resolved  on 
a higher  level.  A “life  without  liq- 
uor” must  be  more  than  that — it 
must  be  a life  with  Christ  and  His 
Spirit. 


In  this  Communist  nation  today,  there  are  still 

Christians  in  China 


WHEN  the  Communist  authori- 
ties of  a town  in  the  southern 
part  of  the  Hopei  province,  China, 
realized  that  a local  pastor-evange- 
list was  converting  people  to  Chris- 
tianity, they  decided  he  needed  a 
reprimand.  Accordingly  he  was  im- 
prisoned for  a day  or  so,  thoroughly 
whipped,  and  then  released. 

Not  at  all  chastised,  the  evange- 
list— let  us  call  him  Kao  Lu  Chia — 
went  right  back  to  telling  everyone 
about  Christ.  His  dark-gowned  fig- 
ure was  a common  sight  along  the 
village  streets,  and  there  were  many 
homes  and  shops  which  had  been 
visited  by  Pastor  Kao.  He  bicycled 
here  and  there  on  his  errand  of 
love,  with  the  skirt  of  his  long, 
straight  Chinese  gown  tucked  into 
his  belt,  stopping  frequently  to  talk 
to  people  on  the  streets  or  perhaps 
in  the  shadow  of  the  city  gate 
where  men  gathered  to  gossip  and 
eat  melons.  He  quoted  Scripture 
easily  and  correctly,  and  always 


with  enthusiasm.  Many  of  his  neigh- 
bors privately  thought  him  a little 
mad. 

News  of  his  unceasing  activity 
soon  reached  the  authorities.  Again 
Pastor  Kao  was  jailed,  this  time  for 
a longer  period.  But  the  prison 
was  quite  full  of  political  offenders, 
and  Kao  Lu  Chia,  never  missing  an 
opportunity,  set  about  at  once  to 
bring  them  the  gospel.  Before  long 
he  had  helped  a number  to  under- 
stand Christ’s  teachings  and  to  be- 
lieve in  God,  and  soon  there  were 
Christian  converts  in  the  prison. 

On  can  imagine  how  the  atmos- 
phere of  that  cell  changed  after 
Pastor  Kao  came  to  it,  and  how  he 
fell  asleep  each  night  on  his  straw 
bed  thanking  God  for  this  oppor- 

Part  one  of  two  articles  based 
on  information  from  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  W.  C.  Voth,  missionaries 
to  China,  Japan,  and  Formosa. 


tunity  to  witness.  The  authorities, 
too,  began  to  think  he  was  mad. 

Finally,  when  the  leaders  saw 
that  he  was  not  a man  to  be  shut 
up  at  any  time — he  seemed  simply 
incapable  of  ceasing  to  talk  about 
his  God — they  decided  that  since  it 
was  illegal  to  imprison  a crazy  per- 
son, he  should  be  released.  First, 
however,  they  whipped  him  till  his 
back  bled,  to  remind  him — and  per- 
haps themselves — just  who  had  the 
upper  hand. 

Full  of  joy.  Pastor  Kao  returned 
to  his  fellow  villagers.  Never  both- 
ering to  mention  his  painfully 
bloody  back,  he  praised  God  that 
his  life  had  been  spared  to  continue 
the  work  of  bringing  Christ  to 
China. 

Stories  of  Christians  such  as 
Kao  Lu  Chia,  who  was  led  to 
Christ  through  Mennonite  mission- 
aries, are  helping  to  answer  the 
question:  what  has  happened  to  Chi- 
nese Christians  who  were  converted 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church. 
Entered  at  North  Newton,  Kansas,  post  office  as  second  class  matter.  Acceptance  for  mailing  at  special  rate  of  postage:  section  1103,  Act 
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Woodward  Place,  Goshen,  Ind.  Postmasters:  change  of  address  Form  3579  to  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan. 


36 


THE  MENNONITE 


through  the  General  Conference 
Mennonite  Church  during  its  years 
1 of  mission  work  in  the  Hopei  prov- 
ince? 

As  every  missionary  with  vision 
knows,  it  is  just  as  important  to  es- 
tablish a soul-winning  church  as  it 
is  to  lead  individuals  to  Christ.  The 
goal  is  not  to  bring  persons  into 
the  church  as  fast  as  possible  so 
that  letters  and  reports  to  the  home 
i office  can  show  rapid  increase  in 
f church  membership,  but  to  help 
1 bring  about  with  the  guidance  of 
God  a real,  sincere,  deep-reaching 
conversion  for  every  person.  Such 
converts  become  the  core  of  the 
church  and  are  instrumental  in 
bringing  many  others  to  Christ. 

With  China  under  a new  regime, 
the  work  of  the  General  Conference 
Mennonite  Church  — and  of  all 
churches  engaged  in  mission  work 
in  China — is  being  severely  tested. 
There  is  evidence  to  suggest  that 
Mennonite-taught  Christians,  like 
Pastor  Kao  are  today  showing  the 
stability  they  have  in  Christ. 

Another  whose  story  has  been 
learned  is  a pastor  at  Tung 
Ming.  This  Christian  leader  had 
been  ministering  to  his  church  for 
some  time  before  the  Communists 
took  over.  The  church  congrega- 
tion partially  supported  him,  and 
the  new  authorities  took  note  of 
this  fact. 

“You  are  a parasite  on  society,” 
they  told  him.  “You  will  have  to 
get  into  some  really  productive 
work.” 

As  Li  Paq  Loa  (not  his  real 
name)  had  once  studied  weaving, 
he  was  assigned  a quota  which  was 
the  average  number  of  yards  pro- 
duced per  day  by  weavers.  So  Pas- 
tor Li  set  up  his  loom  in  his  adobe 
brick  house  and  began.  He  was 
an  efficient  man,  and  a dedicated 
one,  and  more  than  anything  else 
he  wanted  to  keep  on  with  the 
church  work.  He  worked  as  fast 
as  he  could  every  day,  and  became 
so  quick  that  he  accomplished  his 
quota  in  a half  day’s  time. 

Some  months  later  a committee 
came  to  check  on  him,  and  found 
that  he  was  still  preaching  the  gos- 
pel and  visiting  people. 

“Haven’t  we  forbidden  you  to  do 
that?”  the  committee  asked. 

However  Pastor  Li  brought  out 
the  yardage  he  had  completed, 
proof  that  he  was  fulfilling  his 
quota.  When  the  committee  mem- 


bers understood  that  he  had  done 
this  in  a half  day,  the  solution  seem- 
ed simple; 

“Your  quota  is  doubled.” 

Now  Li  would  have  no  time  for 
anything  else,  they  probably  told 
each  other  as  they  left  the  neat 
mud-brick  home  and  passed  under 
the  homemade  trellis  covered  with 
cucumber  vines.  But  back  inside 
the  Li  home  one  can  imagine  Li 
Pao  Loa  kneeling  by  the  wooden 
bed  or  folding  his  hands  upon  the 
table  as  he  prayed  for  strength  and 
dexterity  and  love. 

Li  Pao  Loa  learned  to  work  still 
faster  in  his  determination  not  to 
leave  his  flock  without  a shepherd. 
Eventually  the  committee  came 
again,  and  again  his  quota  was  in- 
creased— to  two  and  a half  times 
the  number  of  yards  produced  by 
other  weavers!  Still  Pastor  Li  did 
not  give  up,  but  managed  with  in- 
credible speed  and  concentration  to 
complete  the  entire  quota  during 
the  day.  'The  evenings  he  used  for 
the  ministry  to  his  church. 

Christians  in  his  congregation  and 
non-Christians  alike  found  blessing 
through  the  consecrated  service  of 
this  young  man.  Others,  too,  in 
other  places,  have  found  the 
strength  with  which  to  give  Chris- 
tian testimony  by  their  lives,  and 
only  God  knows  how  many  Chris- 
tians have  done  so  whose  deeds 
and  lives  will  never  be  known. 

Today  china  is  a closed  field  to 
missionary  endeavor.  Control 
of  Christian  activity  varies  in  dif- 
ferent areas.  Farther  north  at  Tam- 
ing, for  example,  no  groups  of  any 
kind  have  been  allowed — not  even 
two  or  three  persons  together.  The 
1200-capacity  Mennonite  church 
building  still  exists  and  is  used  as 
a public  theater.  In  other  places 
where  our  mission  property  has 
been  taken  over,  Christians  find 
it  possible  to  meet  in  small  groups 
in  their  homes.  A second  article 
will  describe  the  events  which  took 
place  as  the  Communists  gained 
control  of  the  largest  General  Con- 
ference Mennonite  mission  station 
in  the  southern  part  of  the  Hopei 
province,  where  there  were  a 500- 
student  high  school,  a 100-bed  hos- 
pital, and  a large  mission  church. 

While  missionaries  may  no  longer 
work  with  their  fellow  Christians 
in  China,  they  are  still  praying  for 
them.  Your  prayers  are  needed, 
too,  to  uphold  the  witness  of  all 


Christians  in  Communist  China  who 
must  every  day  decide  how  to  ren- 
der to  Caesar  what  is  Caesar’s  and 
how  to  give  to  the  Lord  what  is 
His. 


January  20,  1959 


37 


The  Christian  Wedding 


ONE  April  evening  two  fine 
young  people  knocked  at  our 
door.  After  we  were  seated  and 
somewhat  relaxed,  the  young  man 
began:  “We  plan  to  get  married, 
but  we  want  a Christian  wedding. 
We  don’t  mind  being  different,  but 
we  do  want  Christ  to  be  the  center 
of  our  service.  How  can  we  have 
that  kind  of  wedding?  Can  you 
help  us?  Where  do  we  begin?” 

I began  to  think,  and  to  think 
fast.  It  confirmed  what  had  been 
a deep  conviction  in  my  own  soul 
for  a long  time.  I knew  then  it 
was  high  time  to  rethink  carefully 
the  entire  concept  of  Christian  wed- 
dings and  Christian  marriage. 
Frankly,  the  church  wedding  has 
become  the  most  secularized  of  all 
church  functions.  And  young  peo- 
ple are  beginning  to  react  to  it!  A 
new  movement  is  afoot  to  restore 
the  Christian  element  in  today’s 
weddings.  This  is  a fresh  conviction 
born  out  of  dedicated  young  hearts, 
a desire  to  put  Christ  back  into  the 
center  of  the  wedding  service. 

I also  knew,  as  these  young  peo- 
ple sat  before  me,  that  they  weren’t 
interested  primarily  in  church  rules. 
We,  together,  were  interested  in  a 
basic  philosophy  of  life,  a Christian 
approach  to  one  of  life’s  greatest 
experiences.  A door  had  opened  to 
a complete  reorientation  concern- 
ing the  church  wedding.  ’The  time 
had  come  for  us  to  seek  a basic 
Christian  philosophy  that  underlies 
a divine  service — the  wedding. 

The  Philosophy  of 
the  Christian  Wedding 

But  how  to  help?  First  we  must 
dispel  the  idea  that  mere  rules  will 
solve  the  problem.  This  question  is 
one  which  neither  form,  regimenta- 
tion, nor  rule  can  answer.  We  must 
seek  a philosophy,  an  approach.  We 
must  go  back  to  the  basic  principles 
of  Christianity  itself.  I ask  myself 
as  a Christian;  what  does  marriage 
mean  to  me?  What  is  a Christian 
home  and  how  is  it  established? 
The  question  is  not:  what  will  my 
church  allow  me  to  have  at  the 
wedding?  The  question  is:  what 

does  life,  marriage,  and  a new  home 
mean  to  me? 


The  philosophy  of  Christian  wed- 
dings is  based  on  the  conviction 
that  the  wedding  is  a service  of 
worship  and  not  only  a ceremony. 
Isn’t  it  strange  that  as  evangelicals 
we  can  greatly  and  unconsciously 
slip  into  sheer  ceremonialism  and 
dead  form?  Ere  we  know  it  the 
wedding  service  has  become  a 
“short  and  snappy”  ten-minute  cere- 
mony. If  we  want  to  reconstruct 
the  philosophy  of  the  Christian 
wedding,  then  the  contention  must 
be  that  a wedding  for  the  Christian 
is  more  than  ceremony — it  is  wor- 
ship. It  is  that  experience,  once  in 
our  lives  (God  giving  grace),  when 
time  is  set  aside  to  unite  two  into 
one,  and  to  establish  a Christian 
home. 

To  a Christian  this  means  dedica- 
tion “in  the  Lord.”  It  means  a 
mutual  pledge  taken  and  a vow 
made  with  God  to  build  this  home 
as  an  institution  for  Him  to  use  in 
His  vast  and  wonderful  kingdom. 
This  means  more  than  a pledge  to 
each  other.  It  means  a united  dedi- 
cation to  a cause  higher  than  ei- 
ther. This  is  the  strength  of  Chris- 
tian marriage.  So,  then,  the  first 
statement  in  a philosophy  for  the 
wedding  is:  The  Christian  wedding 
service  is  a service  of  worship  as 
well  as  a ceremony. 

The  philosophy  of  the  Christian 
wedding  is  based,  furthermore,  on 
the  conviction  that  the  wedding 
service  is  Christ-centered  rather 
than  bride-centered.  It  is  generally 
held  that  the  center  and  central  at- 
traction of  a wedding  is  the  bride. 
It  is  “her  wedding.”  Is  it  really? 

One  afternoon  there  sat  in  my 
study  a fine  young  Christian  girl, 
active  in  the  church,  with  strong 
Christian  convictions  and  a fine 
testimony.  While  planning  the  long 
awaited  occasion  of  the  wedding 
service,  we  came  to  talk  about  var- 
ious aspects,  some  upon  which  we 
could  not  completely  agree.  Finally, 

I said  to  her,  “The  center,  my  friend. 


by  Waldo  Hiebert,  pastor 
Mennonite  Brethren  Church 
Hillsboro,  Kansas 


of  this  wedding  is  not  you,  but 
Christ  the  Lord!”  There  followed 
some  silent  moments,  then  tender, 
warm,  but  understanding  tears!  At 
the  occasion  of  the  wedding  I stood 
at  the  church  altar  and  saw  her 
come  down  the  aisle.  I knew  then, 
and  I knew  it  surely,  that  her  heart 
was  fixed,  deeply  and  firmly  fixed, 
not  only  in  the  man  she  was  about 
to  marry,  but  her  heart  was  fixed 
on  Christ,  her  Lord!  This  I knew 
because  she  had  been  willing  to 
surrender  the  central  place  to  Him. 

That  is  the  philosophy  of  the 
Christian  wedding.  No  rule  can 
bring  that  about;  it  is  love,  devo- 
tion, and  a joy  no  man  can  give  or 
take  away.  So  then,  the  second 
statement  of  a Christian  philosophy 
for  weddings  is:  The  Christian  wed- 
ding is  Christ-centered,  not  bride- 
centered. 

Implications 

Let’s  see  how  the  above  stated 
concepts  might  help  us  in  planning 
the  wedding  service. 

• First,  this  will  mean  that  the 
invitation  to  the  wedding  will  have 
a Christian  connotation.  In  the  old 
and  familiar  type  of  wedding  invita- 
tion there  is  really  nothing  that 
would  indicate  that  this  is  going  to 
be  a Christian  wedding — aside  from 
the  mention  of  the  place  where  it 
might  be  held,  the  church.  There- 
fore we  might  insert  such  phrases 
as  “To  invoke  God’s  blessings  upon 
them”  or  “The  Lord  willing”  or 
“under  the  Providence  of  God”  or 
“for  this  occasion  your  prayers  are 
requested.”  In  recent  years  several 
such  Christian  forms  have  appeared. 
The  reason  for  this  is  that  through 
the  invitation  we  can  tell  our  guests 
that  they  are  coming  to  a wedding 
which  will  be  under  God  and  where 
an  atmosphere  of  prayer  will  pre- 
vail for  those  now  embarking  on  a 
life’s  dedication. 

• This  philosophy  will  imply  that 
the  music,  whether  prelude,  post- 
lude,  or  vocal  numbers,  will  have  a 
Christian  content.  Some  Catholic 
music  is  beautiful  in  itself,  but  why 
praise  “Maria”  in  a Christ-centered 
wedding?  Lohengrin’s  “Here  Comes 
the  Bride”  makes  everything  sound 


38 


THE  MENNONITE 


like  a wedding,  of  course,  but  how 
refreshing  it  is  when  Christ-honor- 
ing  selections  such  as  “Praise  to  the 
Lord  the  Almighty”  “Saviour  Like 
a Shepherd  Lead  Us”  or  “Joyful, 
Joyful,  We  Adore  Thee”  are  used 
as  the  processional.  The  recession- 
al may  also  be  planned  to  empha- 
size the  sacredness  and  the  blessed- 
ness of  a dignified  worship  service. 

Then  there  are  the  special  num- 
bers. Love  songs  like  “Always”  “I 
Love  You  Truly”  “Liebestraum” 
“Ah,  Sweet  Mystery  of  Life”  and 
similar  ones  might  well  give  way  to 
somethin#  much  more  appropriate 
and  fitting  for  a Christ-honoring 
service.  For  example,  “Jesus  Thou 
Joy  of  Loving  Hearts”  “O  Perfect 
Love”  “O  Happy  Home  Where  Thou 
Art  Loved”  “Oh  God  of  Love  to 
“Thee  We  Bow”  “Unto  the  Hills” 
and  a host  of  others  can  be  used. 

• The  philosophy  of  the  Christian 
wedding  will  imply  that  a place  be 
given  in  the  service  for  the  Word 
of  God  and  prayer.  Many  noble 
words  have  been  recorded  in  The 
Book  especially  appropriate  for 
wedding  occasions.  There  is  a mes- 
sage in  God’s  Word  for  marriage 
services.  Moreover,  this  message 
finds  its  way  into  hearts  best  when 
we  are  at  ease  and  relaxed  during 
the  worship  service  and  during  the 
presentation  of  the  meditation. 
Therefore  it  is  appropriate  for  the 
couple  to  be  seated  for  this  part  of 
the  service.  Psychologically,  there 
can  be  little  relaxation  and  there- 
fore no  real  meditation  and  wor- 
ship as  people  stand  all  the  while. 


The  minister  must  refrain  from 
preaching  lengthy  sermons.  Let 
him  see  to  that! 

• A philosophy  for  the  Christian 
wedding  implies  that  the  physical 
arrangements  be  beautiful,  in  keep- 
ing with  Christian  modesty  and 
simplicity,  and  appropriate  for  a 
dignified  Christian  occasion.  Too 
many  gates  built,  too  many  re- 
modeling jobs  at  the  altar,  too 
many  exterior  decorations  may  dis- 
tract from  the  meaning  and  pur- 
pose of  the  occasion.  There  is  no 
satisfactory  rule  about  physical  ar- 
rangements but  the  principle  is:  all 
that  there  is,  in,  around,  and  about 
the  wedding  service  points  to  the 
Lord  God!  Whatever  detracts  from 
our  concentration  on  Him  and  the 
sanctity  of  the  occasion  would  be 
out  of  order  and  unbecoming. 

• A philosophy  of  Christian  wed- 
dings also  implies  that  apparel 
worn  by  the  bride,  groom,  and  other 
participants,  be  not  such  as  to  draw 
attention  to  self  and  bring  embar- 
rassment upon  the  divine  service. 
“Marriage,  especially  the  church 
marriage,  has  so  interwoven  the 
fashionable  with  the  spiritual  that 
the  former  is  always  close  to  the 
surface.  The  temptation  is  to  be  so 
concerned  with  the  details  of  fash- 
ionable correctness  that  the  inner 
meaning  is  lost.  People  whose  ma- 
jor attendance  is  given  to  the  neck- 
ties for  the  ushers  and  flowers  for 
the  bridesmaids  have  little  mind 
left  for  a proper  consideration  of 
the  significance  of  the  primary  act” 


(Elton  Trueblood,  Common  Ven- 
tures of  Life,  p.  45).  The  goal  to 
keep  in  mind  is  that  all  present 
will  be  led  to  put  their  affections 
on  things  above! 

But  we  are  still  waiting  for  the 
“perfect  wedding.”  The  philosophy 
here  set  forth  and  the  dedication 
implied  are  not  born  in  the  human 
mind  over  night.  If  we  would  be 
willing  to  think  this  through,  and  to 
accept  a new  philosophy  for  wed- 
dings, then  we  must  be  willing  to 
give  ourselves  to  a program  of  edu- 
cation. Parents  will  have  to  speak 
about  these  principles  to  their  chil- 
dren in  the  home,  youth  leaders 
will  have  to  teach  these  ideals  to 
boys  and  girls,  and  the  pastor  will 
need  to  give  guidance  to  youth.  This 
philosophy  must  be  born  out  of  con- 
viction; it  must  be  loved! 

Not  all  young  people  today,  good 
young  people  though  they  may  be, 
will  see  this.  Because  of  the  lack 
of  these  convictions,  not  all  wed- 
dings can  be  worked  out  today  by 
the  presented  philosophy.  Pastor, 
parent,  youth  leader,  and  youth  all 
must  work  together  in  order  to 
achieve  these  goals — then,  only  the 
future  will  tell  how  beautiful  and 
meaningful  the  wedding  can  be.  No 
longer  will  it  be  secularized,  but  it 
will  be  the  expression  of  that  which 
the  Lord  meant  it  to  be. 

“And  whatsoever  ye  do,  do  it 
heartily,  as  to  the  Lord,  and  not 
unto  men”  (Colossians  3:23). 

—Reprinted  from  THE  CHRISTIAN 
WITNESS  by  special  permission. 


Growing  Involvement 


General  Conference 
Mennonites  and 
race  relations 


by  Gordon  Dyck 


WHEN  I received  the  Index  to 
the  1958  Volume  of  The  Men- 
nonite,  I was  reminded  of  a term 
project  I did  just  a year  ago.  For 
the  course  “The  Church  and  Race” 
I checked  back  through  The  Men- 
nonite  to  see  what  our  church  has 
written  since  1900  concerning  Chris- 
tian brotherhood  among  the  races 
— a topic  which  is  so  live  today. 
This  I did  by  leafing  through  the 
1903  Volume  (the  oldest  I could 
find),  then  through  the  1905  Volume 
and  every  succeeding  fifth  year’s 
volume  up  through  1945.  From  1946 
on  I checked  every  volume,  thanks 


to  the  addition  of  the  Index  since. 

In  the  twenty-three  volumes  (now 
including  1958  also),  I found  about 
127  items.  Of  the  twenty-seven  items 
I found  from  1903  to  1930,  most  are 
reprints  of  news  items  from  the 
papers  of  our  nation,  usually  men- 
tioning the  horrors  of  the  latest 
lynchings.  Only  two  of  these  early 
articles  were  written  by  Menno- 
nites. One  is  an  article  by  C.  Henry 
Smith  in  1910  showing  that  the 
Mennonites  were  the  first  to  make 
a protest  against  slavery  in  early 
U.  S.  history.  The  second  is  a Chris- 
tian Endeavor  program  help  in  1920. 


January  20,  1959 


39 


In  the  1935  and  1940  Volumes  I 
found  two  C.  E.  program  helps  on 
race  relations;  no  news  items,  no 
informational,  ethical,  or  theologi- 
cal articles. 

Starting  in  1945,  however,  the 
tide  of  articles  began  to  come  in. 

Of  the  four  items  in  the  1947-48 
Volumes,  all  came  from  Mennonite 
authors  at  Gulfport,  Mississippi. 
1949  was  a strong  year,  with  nine 
articles  recording  personal  experi- 
ences, a historical  review  by  Melvin 
Gingerich  (“Negroes  and  the  Men- 
nonites”),  and  some  articles  with 
stimulating  ethical  teaching. 

From  1952  till  the  present  (seven 
years)  there  have  been  seventy-two 
items  in  The  Mennonite  on  Race. 
Twenty  were  motivated  by  experi- 
ences at  Gulfport,  fifteen  came  from 
the  Woodlawn  Mennonite  Church  in 
Chicago,  seven  from  V.  S.  experi- 
ences other  than  the  above  two 
places,  and  four  from  General  Con- 
ference sponsored  tours  to  the 
South.  Sixty-five  of  the  seventy-two 
were  written  by  Mennonites,  and 
thirty-three  of  these  by  persons  in- 
volved with  the  Seminary  while  it 
was  located  in  the  south  side  Chi- 
cago Negro  community.  In  1957  The 
Mennonite  printed  over  three  times 
as  many  articles  on  race  than  dur- 
ing any  previous  year. 

If  this  rather  superficial  study  is 
even  a slight  measure  of  Mennonite 
involvement  in  this  prominent  cur- 
rent ethical  issue,  then  it  would  in- 
dicate the  following  steps  toward 
greater  involvement: 

1900-1930 — news  prints  (looking  on 
from  the  rocking  chair) 

1930-1940 — C.E.  program  helps  (talk- 
ing among  ourselves  in  our 
churches) 

1940-1946 — C.P.S.  (being  pushed  out 
of  our  churches) 

1946  on — involvement  at  Gulfport, 
Miss.,  and  in  V.S.  (living  together) 
1952  on — involvement  at  the  Wood- 
lawn  Mennonite  Church  (worship- 
ing together) 

1957  on — tours  to  the  South  (explor- 
ing for  more  areas  of  together- 
ness) 

1959—? 

What  will  be  the  next  step?  In 
the  July  15,  1958,  issue  of  The  Men- 
nonite, Leo  Driedger  writes,  “We 
have  work  in  Gulfport,  Chicago,  and 
Philadelphia,  where  we  find  our- 
selves involved.  May  the  love  of 
Christ  continue  to  involve  us.” 
Could  the  next  step  be  in  your  town 
and  church? 


The  Church  Extends 

Fifteen  new  churches  by  1959 — 
this  was  one  of  the  eleven  goals 
adopted  at  the  triennial  conference 
in  1956.  This  year  the  Conference 
found  that  it  had  not  only  reached 
its  goal  but  that  nineteen  new 
church  fellowships  were  being 
formed. 

The  Faith  Mennonite  Church  of 
Newton,  Kan.,  came  into  existence 
when  two  Mennonite  churches  in 
town  realized  they  were  overcrowd- 
ed. A third  church  was  begun  under 
the  auspices  of  the  district  Home 
Missions  Committee  and  is  growing 
rapidly.  Mennonite  fellowships  in 
Denver,  Topeka,  and  Kansas  City 
minister  to  1-W  men  working  in 
hospitals  and  other  places  of  serv- 
ice, while  the  Edmonton  Mission 
Church  in  Alberta  serves  university 
students.  Others  besides  students 
and  1-W  men  are  finding  a church 
home  in  these  four  congregations. 
An  irrigation  project  at  Moses 


Lake  in  the  Warden,  Wash.,  area, 
drew  Mennonite  farmers  into  the 
region  who  formed  the  Warden 
Mennonite  Church.  The  Vancouver, 
B.  C.,  Mission  Church  provides  for 
English  speaking  Christians  as  serv- 
ices of  the  nearest  Mennonite 
church  are  conducted  in  German. 
Quite  often  a survey  shows  a num- 
ber of  Mennonites  living  in  a par- 
ticular area  or  otherwise  indicates 
a need  for  a new  church  fellowship. 

Whatever  new-church  ^al  is  set 
for  the  next  triennium,  every  church 
in  the  Conference  will  want  to  in- 
vestigate carefully  the  opportuni- 
ties for  evangelism  around  it.  Con- 
sider a mission  outpost  for  vour 
church.  There  are  more  resources 
available  among  your  members  than 
have  yet  been  realized,  and  a mis- 
sion outpost  may  be  the  means  not 
only  of  bringing  the  gospel  to  the 
unchurched  but  the  instrument  of 
blessing  in  your  own  congregation. 


Planning  For  Outreach 


During  the  1956  sessions  of  the 
General  Conference  at  Winni- 
peg, serious  thought  was  given  to 
the  growth  of  the  church.  Statistics 
were  presented  which  showed  that 
the  percentage  of  membership  in- 
crease in  the  Conference  was  not 
keeping  pace  with  the  percentage 
of  population  increase.  It  was  clear 
that  something  should  be  done  if 
we  are  to  maintain  — and  increase 
— an  effective  Christian  witness. 

The  population  trend  is  away 
from  the  rural  to  the  urban  areas. 
Our  young  people  are  moving  to 
the  cities,  in  some  of  which  there 
are  no  Mennonite  churches,  result- 
ing in  membership  loss.  At  the 
same  time  huge  new  unchurched 
residential  areas  are  springing  up 
in  all  cities  across  the  country 
which  offer  unprecedented  opportu- 
nities for  church  extension  work. 

In  keeping  with  the  goal,  “Fif- 
teen new  congregations  by  1959,” 
the  Board  of  Business  Administra- 
tion was  instructed  to  establish  a 
separate  department  whose  business 
it  would  be  to  provide  sound  busi- 
ness management  and  a financial 
aid  plan  for  church  extension  work. 
As  a result.  Church  Extension  Serv- 
ices has  been  established  and  in- 
corporated and  is  starting  to  func- 


tion. Seven  directors  have  been  i 
selected — one  each  from  the  Boards 
of  Education  and  Publication,  and 
Christian  Service;  two  from  the 
Board  of  Missions;  and  three  from 
the  Board  of  Business  Administra- 
tion. A.  J.  Richert,  former  Confer- 
ence Treasurer,  serves  as  business 
manager  on  a part-time  basis. 

The  new  organization  will  pro- 
vide counseling  services  and  make 
available  loan  funds  for  new  church 
projects  as  well  as  for  established 
churches.  The  organization  will  also 
maintain  close  co-operation  with  the 
General  and  all  District  Confer-  | 
ences  in  regard  to  their  home  mis-  j 
Sion  projects.  Literature  giving  de-  j 
tails  of  the  plan  will  be  available 
soon. 

To  help  carry  out  its  purpose,  ^ 
Church  Extension  Services  must  ' 
have  a substantial  Revolving  Fund  j 
($4,000  has  already  come  in). 
Churches  and  individuals  who  are  ' , 
really  concerned  about  establishing  ‘ 
new  churches  are  now  urged  to  j 
send  contributions  to:  Church  Ex-  ! 
tension  Services,  722  Main  Street,  ft 
Newton,  Kansas,  as  soon  as  pos-  | 
sible.  Long-term  loans  for  the  re-  v 
volving  fund  are  also  acceptable,  i'i 
For  information  write  to  the  above  'f 
address  or  call.  — A.  J.  Richert  I, 


40 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  Youth 

fFhj  Do  We  Rebel? 


IT  wonders  me — this  basic  assump- 
tion that  parents  don’t  under- 
stand anyway  so  there  isn’t  any 
point  in  bothering  them  with  our 
problems.  And  along  with  it  goes 
the  hurt  look  in  the  eyes  of  parents 
because  their  children  seem  so  far 
away  from  them,  never  confiding, 
never  asking  for  needed  advice. 

Somewhere  in  between  there  is 
the  absence  of  a bridge.  Has  this 
always  been,  in  the  cycle  of  chang- 
ing roles?  Must  this  always  be? 
Will  our  children  feel  the  same 
void  when  someday  they  try  to 
communicate  with  us? 

The  gap  which  seems  to  begin 
with  adolescence  becomes  drama- 
tized when  we  make  the  inevitable 
break  with  home.  We  get  a job,  get 
married,  or  go  off  to  college.  We 
snap  the  strings  and  often  we  feel 
jubilant  in  doing  it. 

Now  there’s  no  one  around  to 
coax  us  to  church  on  Sunday  morn- 
ing or  to  bed  at  eleven  o’clock  at 
night.  If  the  sheets  get  left  on  the 
bed  for  a month — they  just  get  left 
on  the  bed  for  a month. 

It’s  as  if  with  the  first  slack  in 
the  reins  we  plunge  ahead  reck- 
lessly, intoxicated  with  the  freedom 
of  being  on  our  own.  We  gallop 
and  gallop  wildly  until  at  last  the 
satisfaction  comes  of  having  exer- 
cised every  single  muscle.  Then,  and 
perhaps  only  then,  are  we  ready  to 
look  at  things  objectively  — and 
should  I say  sensibly? 

This  is  natural.  Every  bud  grows 
to  fullness  and  then  — seemingly 
overnight  — bursts  into  bloom.  And 
it  isn’t  the  drama  of  it  all  that  I’m 
questioning.  (This  part  is  exciting 
and  rather  fun!)  It’s  the  violence  of 
it  — the  compulsion  to  go  to  the 
very  brink  of  catastrophe  before 
we’re  satisfied  that  what  we  now 
claim  as  our  own  is  our  own  and 
not  a warmed-over  menu  of  what 


someone  else  thinks  or  believes  or 
does. 

For  those  of  us  who  have  grown 
up  in  Mennonite  churches,  our 
church  is  on  trial  at  this  point. 
More  important,  Christianity  is  on 
trial.  Or  maybe,  when  you  come 
right  down  to  it  and  look  through 
all  our  immature  idealism,  we’re 
the  ones  that  are  on  trial.  What- 
ever the  case  may  be,  this  is  a cru- 
cial time  in  every  young  person’s 
life.  We  don’t  want  to  be  told  what 
to  do.  And  on  the  other  hand,  we 
don’t  want  to  be  ignored. 

Why  this  painful  process?  David 
Riesman  in  The  Lonely  Crowd  talks 
in  one  place  about  the  over-steered 
child.  Were  we  over-steered  chil- 
dren? And  at  a certain  point  we 
react? 

Harry  Munro,  in  his  book  Prot- 
estant Nurture,  discusses  three  pat- 
terns by  which  the  child  grows 
from  almost  complete  control  over 
him  at  birth  to  the  responsible  free- 
dom of  full  adulthood.  The  manner 
in  which  this  is  done  pretty  well 
maps  out  the  child’s  religious  de- 
velopment. 

First  is  the  authoritarian  way. 
Here  the  parents  take  their  respon- 
sibility very  seriously.  They  aim  to 
raise  their  children  “right.”  Their 
problem  is  to  keep  up  the  needed 
control  over  their  children.  And  the 
best  way  to  do  this  is  to  maintain 
parental  control  as  long  as  they 
can  and  in  all  the  ways  they  can. 
The  child  is  put  on  his  own  only 
when  his  ideas  and  habits  are  re- 
productions of  those  of  the  parents. 
Such  a child  will  be  told  what  is 
right  and  will  be  given,  through  re- 
wards and  punishments,  incentives 
for  doing  right.  At  first  the  child  is 
so  weak  and  the  parents  so  strong 
that  obedience  is  the  only  way  out. 
He  will  be  a model  child  during 
perhaps  the  first  twelve  years  of 


his  life.  If  he  lacks  initiative  and 
prefers  the  line  of  least  resistance 
he  may  keep  on  being  dependent 
and  never  reach  real  maturity  or  a 
real  selfhood.  The  only  faith  he 
will  have  will  be  the  faith  of  his 
parents  in  a diluted  form.  In  con- 
trast, if  the  child  in  such  a home 
has  drive  of  his  own,  he  begins  to 
evade  control  by  deception,  then  by 
rebellion  when  he  is  strong  enough. 
The  infiuence  of  his  parents  oper- 
ates in  reverse. 

At  the  opposite  extreme  is  the 
home  which  tries  to  avoid  any  kind 
of  “indoctrination.”  Parents  in  such 
a home  are  often  themselves  a prod- 
uct of  negative  reaction  to  their 
homes.  They  may  evade  their  re- 
sponsibility by  reasoning  that  re- 
ligion is  too  difficult  for  the  child 
to  understand.  Then  too,  they  “want 
to  leave  their  children  free  to  de- 
cide such  matters  for  themselves.” 
But  this  is  as  sensible  as  saying, 
“We  will  not  teach  our  children 
any  table  manners.  We’ll  let  them 
get  old  enough  to  read  Emily  Post 
for  themselves,  and  then  they  can 
decide  whether  to  be  mannerly  or 
not.”  Such  children  will  acquire 
some  kind  of  table  manners  or  be 
classed  as  cannibals  long  before 
they  can  read  a book  on  etiquette. 

Somewhere  between  the  authori- 
tarian idea  and  the  attempt  to  keep 
the  child’s  life  a religious  vacuum, 
is  a kind  of  Christian  nurture  which 
encourages  a vital,  firsthand  reli- 
gious experience.  The  development 
of  such  a faith  is  part  of  growing 
up  in  the  stimulating  and  responsi- 
ble freedom  of  a democratic  home. 
In  such  a home  the  parents  see 
their  role  to  be  that  of  freeing  their 
child  into  his  own  self-direction 
and  responsibility  as  rapidly  as  he 
can  take  it  and  in  all  the  ways  he 
can  take  it..  These  parents  will  be- 
gin very  early  to  let  the  child 


January  20,  1959 


4] 


choose.  He  will  even  be  free  enough 
to  make  some  mistakes  which  don’t 
endanger  him  too  seriously.  He  will 
begin  very  soon  to  have  experiences 
in  weighing  values,  choosing  be- 
tween the  lesser  immediate  value 
and  the  greater  delayed  value.  He 
will  learn  by  experience  that  sin  is 
not  so  much  violating  parental  con- 
trol as  it  is  the  choice  of  a lesser 
good. 

At  first  such  a child  may  shrink 
from  having  to  make  a choice  and 
want  his  parents  to  do  it  for  him. 
But  if  he  is  continually  confronted 
with  this  freedom,  he  won’t  worry 
about  the  areas  of  his  conduct  still 


under  parental  control.  Instead  of 
a revolt  against  parental  authority, 
there  will  be  a continuing  desire  for 
parental  advice,  welcomed  by  the 
child  because  he  knows  he  doesn’t 
have  to  follow  it.  Long  before  he 
is  legally  “of  age,”  he  is  on  his  own, 
honoring  the  ways  of  his  parents, 
but  having  a way  of  life  which  is 
his  own.  A part  of  this  is  the  ac- 
quiring of  a personal  faith  of  his 
own.  But  instead  of  the  develop- 
ment of  faith  being  just  another 
facet  of  growth,  God  enters  into 
the  relationship  directly. 

Is  this  only  something  that  sounds 
good  on  paper?  Is  the  whole  matter 


of  building  bridges  between  young 
people  and  “older  young  people” 
one  that  cannot  be  done  with  just 
words?  If  not,  then  what?  Is  it  up 
to  us  to  do  anything,  or  is  it  up  to 
our  parents  to  make  the  first  move? 

The  becoming  of  an  independent 
individual  is  a healthy  part  of  ev- 
eryone’s life.  Whether  we  step  into 
it  gracefully  or  struggle  into  it  is 
determined  by  our  personalities,  the 
home  life  we  grew  up  in,  the  com- 
munity we  call  “ours,”  and  no  doubt 
multitudinous  other  things.  If  you 
have  some  ideas  on  the  subject, 
send  them  in! 

— M.  T. 


KOREA . . . 

4and  of  the  morning  calm” 


Mrs.  Katherine  Klassen,  a typical 
MCC  mother,  shares  with  us  some 
interesting  first  impressions  of  life 
in  the  Far  East.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jacob 
Klassen  (.Steinbach,  Manitoba)  and 
their  two  children,  Martha  and  Lor- 
na,  aged  seven  and  three,  left  for 
Korea  in  September.  Mr.  Klassen 
became  director  of  the  Korean  pro- 
gram, while  Mrs.  Klassen  serves  as 
matron  of  a seven-member  unit. 

Three  months  ago  we  docked  at 
Inchon  harbor,  happy  to  see 
land  after  twenty-one  days  on  the 
ocean.  That  morning  we  hurriedly 


packed  our  belongings  and  after 
filling  out  countless  forms  for  the 
customs  officer  we  were  finally  per- 
mitted to  leave  the  ship. 

It  was  a beautiful,  clear  day. 
From  the  distance  we  could  see 
throngs  of  people  milling  around 
on  shore.  Looking  in  vain  for  some 
sign  of  our  co-workers  who  were 
to  meet  us,  we  stepped  into  the 
little  boat  which  was  to  take  us  to 
shore.  It  was  tied  to  one  of  the 
many  boats  already  bobbing  around, 
and  then,  hanging  on  to  baggage 
and  children,  we  jumped  from  boat 


to  boat  until  we  landed  on  solid  but 
very  dirty  ground! 

Our  baggage  was  loaded  onto  the 
backs  of  several  men  with  A 
frames,  and  with  literally  hundreds 
of  people  following  we  trudged  off 
to  the  customs  office.  Here  we  were 
found  by  our  MCC  friends  who 
bundled  us  into  an  ambulance 
(hired  from  the  hospital  in  Seoul) 
and  took  us  to  the  nation’s  capital. 
The  road  from  Inchon  to  Seoul  is 
lined  with  trees  and  flowers,  so  we 
enjoyed  the  drive  even  though  it 
was  terribly  bumpy  and  the  stench 
at  times  almost  unbearable. 

After  two  restful  days  with  the 
MCC  nurses  in  Seoul,  we  boarded 
the  train  for  Taegu.  The  scenery 
between  Seoul  and  Taegu  is  really 
beautiful  — mountainous,  with  ter- 
raced rice  paddies  up  the  sides  of 
the  hills,  and  in  the  valleys  thatch- 
roofed  villages.  This  happened  to 
be  Korean  Thanksgiving  Day,  one 
of  the  big  events  of  the  year,  so 
everyone  was  decked  out  in  his 
most  colorful  costume. 

In  Taegu  we  were  met  by  the 
rest  of  the  unit  members  and  now 
we  were  actually  on  the  last  lap  of 
the  journey.  I was  eagerly  looking 
forward  to  seeing  the  Japanese 
house  we  would  be  living  in  the 
first  few  weeks  of  our  stay.  I didn’t 
have  long  to  wait.  After  winding  in 
and  out  of  human  traffic  with  much 


Korean  children. 


42 


THE  MENNONITE 


horn  honking,  I was  soon  told, 
“Here  we  are.” 

A high  grey  stone  wall  greeted 
our  eyes,  and  a locked  and  bolted 
gate.  What  a change  from  our  open 
driveways  and  open  garage  doors 
at  home.  Immediately  children  from 
alleys  and  doorways  came  crowd- 
ing around  the  Landrover,  pressing 
their  noses  against  the  windows, 
trying  to  get  a closer  look  at  these 
queer,  long-nosed  people.  I think  I 
know  now  what  the  animals  in  a 
zoo  feel  like.  Someone  unlocked  the 
gate,  closed  and  bolted  it  again  as 
soon  as  we  were  in,  and  then  we 
were  alone  with  our  co-workers — 
as  alone  as  one  can  get  with  about 
twenty  little  faces  looking  in 
through  cracks  in  the  gate  and  un- 
I derneath  it. 

There  was  our  Japanese  home, 
very  low,  tile  roof,  sliding  window 
type  doors  on  all  sides.  “Shoes  off” 

‘ we  were  told  as  we  walked  in,  so 
off  they  came.  Our  girls  protested 
at  first  but  have  gotten  used  to  it. 

There  are  many  adjustments  to 
make  when  one  comes  to  a new 
country.  The  change  I find  hardest 
to  accept  here  is  that  of  not  trust- 
I ing  anyone  and  keeping  everything 
under  lock  and  key.  The  language 
liarrier  is  very  frustrating  too.  We 
study  every  day  but  the  language 
is  difficult  and  progress  is  slow. 

I miss  my  weekly  shopping  trips 
to  our  modern  food  center.  Here 
our  cook  does  the  marketing  for  us 
because  she  gets  better  bargains. 
As  soon  as  I get  my  language  up  to 
par.  I’ll  try  some  of  the  marketing 
myself. 

Wash  day  back  home  was  a busy 
and  enjoyable  day  for  me.  Here  we 
have  a laundress,  and  every  day 
is  wash  day  for  her.  Washing  is 
done  by  hand,  and  due  to  our 
crowded  quarters  it  is  done  in  tubs 
outside,  rain  or  shine.  Washing  for 
seven  adults  and  two  children  in 
this  primitive  manner  is  quite  a 
‘ chore.  The  job  will  be  lightened 
with  the  arrival  of  our  washing 
machine. 

School  for  Martha  might  com- 
pare with  a very  small  country 
school  in  Canada.  She  attends  the 
Presbyterian  Mission  school.  There 
are  only  eight  children,  and  one 
reacher  teaches  all  grades.  Martha 
" misses  the  large  school  back  home, 
“ especially  the  keen  competition  with 
50  many  children  in  one  grade. 


School  is  only  half  a day.  Fortun- 
ately our  cook  has  an  eleven-year 
old  girl  with  whom  she  plays  in 
the  afternoon.  Playing  outside  here 
is  different  from  playing  in  Can- 
ada, where  you  have  no  stone  wall 
to  restrict  your  games.  Our  children 
are  learning  many  new  ways  of 


skipping  as  w'ell  as  other  games. 
Korean  children  seem  to  have  an 
endless  number  of  games  to  play. 

We  particularly  enjoy  the  fellow- 
ship of  the  unit  members  who  live 
with  us.  I’m  sure  our  experience 
here  in  Korea  will  be  one  we’ll 
never  forget. 


YPU  Cabinet  Meets 


Woodlawn  Mennonite  Church  was 
the  meeting  place  for  the  Young 
People’s  Union  cabinet  on  Jan.  2 
and  3.  We  came  from  Manitoba, 
Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Saskatchewan, 
Kansas,  and  Illinois  — still  a little 
misty  from  the  Christmas  holidays 
and  long  traveling  hours  — but 
awake. 

Helen  Coon  summed  up  our  finan- 
cial affairs  for  the  past  year.  In 
1958  the  receipts  totaled  $7,875.09. 
In  1957  the  money  received  came  to 
$7,834.29.  The  comparative  constan- 
cy of  this  figure  is  encouraging, 
since  other  Conference  boards  expe- 
rienced a decline  in  contributions  in 
1958  and  also  because  we  didn’t 
have  a youth  worker  doing  direct 
contacting  of  youth  groups  for  most 
of  last  year. 

A Committee  on  Youth  Work  has 
been  formed  and  will  be  made  up  of 
five  members  — the  YPU  advisor, 
a nonboard  member,  the  youth 
worker,  a YPU  cabinet  member,  and 
a district  officer  or  active  member. 
Jacob  Friesen  (YPU  advisor)  and 
Jack  Purvis  (admissions  counselor 
at  Bluffton  College)  were  appointed 
to  this  committee  by  the  Board  of 
Education  and  Publication.  The  YPU 
cabinet  has  recommended  the  ap- 
pointment of  Bill  Block  (YPU  vice 
president)  and  Ray  Hacker  (East- 
ern District  YPU  president)  as  their 
choice  of  committee  members.  When 
a youth  worker  is  secured  in  the 
near  future,  he  too  will  be  a mem- 
ber. Incidentally,  Mr.  Purvis  was 
present  at  this  cabinet  meeting. 

Vern  and  Marion  Preheim  (stu- 
dents at  Mennonite  Biblical  Semi- 
nary) have  been  selected  as  editors 
for  the  1960  YPU  prayer  calendar. 
The  copy  for  the  calendar  will  be 
prepared  this  summer. 

Four  manuals  are  being  prepared 
for  publication  to  supplement  the 
Youth  Fellowship  Manual.  Of  these, 
Christian  Fellowship  manual  is  now 
ready  to  come  off  the  press.  This 
manual  was  written  by  Gordon 


Dyck  and  Bill  Gering.  The.  other 
three  manuals  which  are  in  the  final 
stages  of  preparation  are  Christian 
Service,  written  by  Leola  Shultz; 
Faith  and  Life  manual  by  Frank 
Epp;  and  the  Youth  Advisors 
Manual  by  Claude  Boyer.  The  four 
issues  of  Program  Helps  for  1959 
are  being  edited  by  Peter  and  Katie 
Letkemann  of  Swift  Current,  Sask. 
Peter  is  the  fellowship  chairman  of 
the  YPU. 

Again  the  biggest  item  of  discus- 
sion was  that  of  a youth  worker. 
Contacts  are  being  made,  and  when 
things  materialize  we’ll  lose  no  time 
in  telling  you!  At  this  meeting  of 
the  cabinet  we  spelled  out  a little 
more  definitely  just  what  the  duties 
of  the  youth  worker  are.  Here  is 
the  list  we  made: 

• Edit  Program  Helps. 

• Co-ordinate  all  youth  interests. 
— District  information  exchange. 
— Relate  YPU  to  the  Conference. 
— Keep  up  key  contact  with  dis- 
tricts primarily  at  their  annual 
conventions. 

• Encourage  leadership  education. 

• Prepare  bibliographies  of  youth 
material. 

• Cultivate  student  interest. 

Big  news  coming  up  is  the  YPU 
retreat  at  Camp  Friedenswald  next 
summer  (Aug.  5-12)  and  the  YPU 
activities  at  the  General  Assembly 
in  Bluffton,  Ohio  (Aug.  12-20).  Bill 
Block  is  heading  the  retreat  plans. 
Special  speakers  for  the  youth 
night  at  conference  will  be  Erwin 
Goering  (now  in  MCC  in  Germany) 
and  Vincent  Harding  (associate  pas- 
tor at  Woodlawn  Mennonite  Church) . 
When  the  schedules  for  these  two> 
events  are  completed  they  will  be 
printed  in  the  youth  section.  Keep 
these  two  weeks  in  mind  as  you 
start  concocting  summer  plans. 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsoredi 
by  the  Young  People's  Union  of  the  Generali 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  3003' 
Benham  Avenue,  Elkhart,  Indiana. 


lanuary  20,  1959 


43 


our  schools 

ALASKA  SENATOR 
DISCUSSES  NEW  STATE 

Ernest  Gruening,  the  first  sen- 
ator from  our  new  forty-ninth  state 
and  governor  of  Alaska  from  1939 
to  1953,  is  discussing  the  many  ram- 
ifications of  what  statehood  will 
mean  for  our  northern  territory 
Jan.  17  at  Memorial  Hall,  Bethel 
College,  North  Newton,  Kan.  Sen- 
ator Gruening  will  discuss  Alaska 
generally,  its  peoples  and  customs, 
its  mines  and  fisheries,  its  climate, 
geography,  history,  politics,  and 
above  all,  its  prospects  for  future 
development  as  an  integral  part 
of  the  U.  S.  A. 

MATHESON  ISLAND  VISITED 

“Go  Ye”  was  the  challenge  pre- 
sented when  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Larry 
Kehler,  missionaries  at  Matheson 
Island,  invited  ten  students  of  Can- 
adian Mennonite  Bible  College  to 
help  in  conducting  an  evangelistic 
service  in  the  little  island  chapel. 
Those  who  volunteered  were  George 
Neufeld,  who  presented  the  mes- 
sages; Menno  Wiebe,  who  led  the 
singing;  Jake  Friesen,  George  Dyck, 
Tony  Enns,  Henry  Dueck,  Lydia 
Boese,  Margaret  Neudorf,  Marie 
Kehler,  and  Edna  Krueger. 

Five  evening  services  where  the 
Word  was  presented  in  song,  story, 
testimony,  and  sermon  were  held. 
In  spite  of  the  extreme  cold  (the 
temperature  dropped  as  low  as 
— 38°)  the  people  were  willing  and 
eager  to  come.  A Bible  was  award- 
ed to  a small  boy  who  had  invited 
and  brought  seven  persons  to  the 
services. 

Afternoon  services  were  held  in 
Pinedock  and  at  the  Bloodvein  In- 
dian Reserve.  These  two  stations, 
which  are  both  approximately  ten 
miles  from  the  island,  are  also 
served  by  the  Kehlers.  We  were 
well  received  and  were  able  to  pre- 
sent the  gospel  to  a congregation 
of  about  thirty  people  in  both 
places. 

Nearly  all  the  homes  on  the  is- 
land were  visited.  Everywhere  we 
were  welcomed.  There  are  approxi- 
mately eight  Christians  who  regu- 
larly attend  chapel  services.  We  saw 
a completely  different  way  of  life 
than  that  of  comfort,  telephones, 
and  electrical  appliances.  We  re- 
ceived a glimpse  into  the  actual 
problems  and  joys  in  a missionary’s 


life.  We  learned  to  pray  in  a new 
way  for  those  who  are  persecuted 
for  His  name’s  sake,  for  those  who 
find  it  difficult  to  respond  positivel3'’ 
to  the  gospel,  and  for  those  who 
faithfully  and  conscientiously  min- 
ister to  the  needs  of  these  people. 
FACULTY  DISCUSSIONS 

The  Bluffton  College  Faculty  Club 
met  at  Founders  Hall  on  Jan.  12. 
Dr.  Delbert  Gratz  presented  a dis- 
cussion of  books  and  other  major 
publications  of  Bluffton  College 
graduates  and  faculty  members.  He 
read  interesting  excerpts  from  these 
books,  as  well  as  giving  some  of 
the  background  which  brought  the 
author  to  write  the  book. 

The  Bluffton  College  Faculty 
Reading  Club  met  Jan.  7 at  the 
Mara-Alva  Home  Economics  demon- 
stration house.  The  book  discussed 
was  David  Riesman’s  The  Lonely 
Crowd.  Dr.  Robert  Kreider  led  the 
discussion. 

DEMONSTRATION 

On  Jan.  13  the  Bluffton  College 
student  chapter  of  the  Ohio  Music 
Education  Association  met  at  Por- 
ter’s Music  Store  in  Lima.  A dem- 
onstration of  new  equipment  and 
instruments  was  given.  A discus- 
sion followed  in  which  the  advan- 
tage of  using  these  various  instru- 
ments and  equipment  items  in  pub- 
lic school  and  college  teaching  was 
considered. 

ATTEND  ANNUAL  MEETING 

C.  J.  Dyck  and  William  Klassen, 
from  Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary, 
attended  the  annual  meeting  of  the 
Society  of  Biblical  Literature  and 
Exegesis  held  this  year  at  Union 
Theological  Seminary  in  New  York, 
Dec.  29  31.  The  two  days’  meetings 
consisted  of  speeches  and  the  read- 
ing of  papers  by  prominent  schol- 
ars on  current  research  and  recent 
archaeological  discoveries. 

MATH  CONTEST 

The  fourth  annual  Kansas  Con- 
ference Intercollegiate  Mathematics 
Contest  will  be  held  at  Bethel  Col- 
lege Feb.  14,  according  to  Dr.  Ar- 
nold Wedel  of  the  Bethel  mathe- 
matics department. 

The  examination  questions  will 
again  be  made  out  and  graded  by 
the  University  of  Kansas.  First 
prize  of  $25  will  be  awarded  to  the 
individual  with  the  highest  score, 
with  a second  prize  award  of  $10. 
The  school  having  the  winning 
team  of  participants  will  receive  a 
$10  prize  for  its  mathematics  de- 
partment. 


MCC  news  and  notes 

S.  A.  RELIEF  GOODS  DUTY  FREE 

PARAGUAY  — On  April  4,  1957, 
an  agreement  was  reached  between 
the  Paraguay  and  U.  S.  govern- 
ments on  shipping  relief  goods  to 
Paraguay.  After  more  than  a year 
of  continued  negotiations,  MCC  has 
now  received  approval  from  the 
Paraguayan  government  to  ship  up 
to  $50,000  worth  of  relief  goods  to 
Paraguay,  with  the  U.  S.  govern- 
ment paying  ocean  freight  to  Buen- 
os Aires  and  the  Paraguayan  gov- 
ernment admitting  the  goods  duty 
free  as  well  as  paying  for  inland 
transportation. 

The  first  piece  of  equipment  be- 
ing shipped  under  the  new  arrange- 
ments is  a Ford  pickup.  It  will  go 
to  the  experimental  farm  in  the 
Chaco  to  replace  the  worn-out  jeep 
that  is  presently  in  use.  The  new 
vehicle  will  be  a real  asset  to  farm 
director  Robert  Unruh  (Bloomfield, 
Mont.,)  who  spends  much  of  his 
time  going  to  individual  farmers  to 
help  them  with  problems. 

POVERTY-STRICKEN  TRIBE 
NEEDS  RELIEF  URGENTLY 

JORDAN  — MCC  worker  Merlin 
Swartz  (Au  Gres,  Mich.),  who  is 
working  with  the  Near  East  Chris- 
tian Council  in  the  East  Jordan 
area,  spent  a week  in  December 
with  an  extremely  poor  Bedouin 
tribe  in  southern  Jordan,  distribut- 
ing flour,  dates,  and  burgohl 
(wheat). 

These  people,  who  are  known  as 
the  Azazmeh  Bedouins,  were  dis- 
placed in  the  conflict  of  1947-49  and 
since  have  been  slowly  filtering  into 
Jordan.  Though  refugees  in  the 
true  sense  of  the  word,  they  are 
not  included  in  United  Nation’s  ra- 
tion lists  and  are  living  in  condi- 
tions of  abject  poverty  in  southern 
Jordan.  The  tribe  totals  between 
eight  and  nine  thousand  persons, 
with  well  over  a thousand  families. 

The  UN  conducted  one  food  dis- 
tribution among  them  in  1955,  in 
co-operation  with  Church  World 
Service,  MCC,  and  the  Lutheran 
World  Federation,  but  apparently 
they  have  received  no  further  as- 
sistance by  way  of  food  until  the 
NECC  distribution  in  December. 
Starvation 

Commenting  on  the  situation  as 
he  found  it.  Brother  Swartz  writes: 
“I  have  often  imagined  what  it 


44 


THE  MENNONITE 


would  be  like  to  see  people  living 
on  the  verge  of  starvation,  but  I 
never  imagined  their  misery  could 
be  half  so  appalling.  I will  never 
forget  the  distribution  which  took 
place.  Some  of  the  Bedouins  were 
so  hungry  when  they  received  the 
flour  that  they  immediately  built  a 
fire  and  made  bread.  Many  of  them 
hadn’t  eaten  for  several  days.  Most 
of  them  hadn’t  enjoyed  a full  meal 
for  months.” 

Prevalence  of  Disease 

Many  families  of  this  tribe  no 
longer  have  tents  and  are  forced  to 
seek  shelter  in  caves  and  bushes. 
Exposure  and  malnutrition  bring  on 
disease,  so  that  at  least  fifty  per 
cent  of  the  tribe  are  in  need  of 
medical  treatment  of  some  kind. 
What  We  Can  Do 
Brother  Swartz  states  that  an- 
other food  distribution  is  needed 
immediately,  while  continued  food, 
clothing,  and  bedding  distributions 

jottings 

CANNING  FOR  RELIEF 

Wayland  Church,  Wayland,  Iowa: 
Nov.  2 the  High  School  YPF  gave 
a program  at  Oakdale  Sanitarium. 
Nov.  8 southeast  Iowa  ministers 
and  families  met  at  Pastor  Habeg- 
ger’s  for  the  regular  quarterly 
meeting.  Nov.  9 Robert  Miller  of 
MCC  brought  the  morning  message. 
In  the  evening  was  Family  Night, 
with  a basket  supper,  after  which 
Anna  Marie  Peterson  showed  pic- 
tures of  VS  work  among  migrants 
at  Waterville,  N.  Y.  Nov.  10  mis- 
sionary Harold  Ratzlaff  of  India 
gave  an  interesting  talk  and  showed 
pictures.  Nov.  12  was  the  all-day 
Dorcas  sewing  with  election  of  of- 
ficers: Rachel  Wyse,  pres.;  Helen 
Graber,  vice-pres.  for  1959.  Nov.  20 
was  an  all-day  meat  canning  at 
Kalona.  360  cans  of  lard  and  612 
of  meat  were  processed,  with  27 
people  assisting  in  this  effort  for 
relief.  George  Eicher  was  granted 
a letter  of  transfer  to  the  Metho- 
dist Church  at  Springfield,  111., 
where  he  is  serving  as  YMCA  sec. 
and  assisting  in  youth  work.  Nov. 
27  Union  Thanksgiving  services 
were  held  at  Eicher  Church  by  Pas- 
tor Grear,  Methodist  minister.  Nov. 
18,  Ronald  Allen  was  born  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  John  Peterson,  and  a son 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gowey  on  Nov. 
23.  Union  Christmas  worship  serv- 
ice was  held  at  the  Methodist 
church  Dec.  25  with  H.  E.  Nune- 
maker  giving  the  Christmas  mes- 
sage. Dec.  29  the  High  School  YPF 


will  be  necessary,  especially  through 
the  winter.  There  is  crying  need  for 
medical  assistance,  and  the  possibil- 
ities for  a dedicated  doctor  are  un- 
limited. 

A tent-making  project,  with  fu- 
ture recipients  of  tents  rendering 
assistance,  might  be  one  step  in  the 
direction  of  meeting  the  need  for 
shelter. 

SCHOLARSHIP  GRANTED 

GREECE  — The  Pax  Newsletter 
informs  that  a nineteen-year  old 
villager  from  Tsakones  has  been 
granted  a scholarship  from  the 
Greek  Agriculture  department  to 
participate  in  a farm  trainee  ex- 
change program  to  the  States. 
Young  Kostas  was  considered  a 
good  prospect  because  of  the  strong 
support  he  gave  the  Pax  program 
by  taking  on  a poultry  project  and 
working  with  Paxman  Harry  Zim- 
merman in  the  cannery.  It  is  a 
direct  result  of  the  Paxmen’s  en- 


entertained  the  Bluffton  College 
Gospel  Team  at  a lunch;  in  the 
evening  the  Team  gave  their  mes- 
sage in  song.  Homer  D.  Weaver, 
former  member  of  our  church,  died 
Dec.  21.  The  funeral  was  held  at 
Stryker,  Ohio,  where  he  lived. — Mrs. 
Lillian  Wyse,  corr. 

ANNUAL  FESTIVAL 
First  Church,  Ransom,  Kan.:  The 
Bethel  College  Chorale  gave  a pro- 
gram March  6.  A week  of  meetings 
was  held  April  14-18  with  Esko  Loe- 
wen  of  Hillsboro  as  guest  speaker. 
Patricia  Ann  Sargent,  daughter  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Laurel  Sargent,  and 
Craig  and  Brad  Harchem,  sons  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Richard  Harchem, 
were  consecrated  May  11.  Former 
pastor  Lamont  Woelk  and  family 
visited  us  Aug.  3;  he  conducted 
morning  and  evening  services.  Pas- 
tor Ruben  Siemens  and  Donald  Wis- 
mer  of  the  Denver  Fellowship  ex- 
changed pulpits  July  13.  Our  an- 
nual Harvest  Festival  was  held 
Nov.  16,  with  Ted  Roth  of  White- 
water  as  guest  minister.  The  offer- 
ing was  sent  for  Home  Missions. 
Ed.  G.  Kaufman  of  Bethel  College 
visited  us  Dec.  7,  showing  slides 
and  telling  of  experiences  and  ob- 
servations in  Egypt.  The  Story  of 
Christmas,  a pageant,  was  given 
Christmas  Eve.  The  annual  business 
meeting  was  held  Dec.  31. — Mar- 
jorie Jaebde,  corr. 

WHITE  GIFT  SERVICE 

Hereford  Church,  Bally,  Pa.:  The 

Christmas  program  of  the  begin- 


couragement  and  assistance  that 
Kostas  has  been  granted  this  schol- 
arship. 

NURSES’  TRAINING  COURSES 
OFFERED  BY  COLONY  HOSPITALS 

PARAGUAY  — Sister  Theodosia 
Harms,  R.N.,  from  Bethel  Deacon- 
ess Hospital,  Newton,  Kan.,  re- 
turned to  the  U.S.A.  in  December 
after  spending  twenty-five  months 
in  South  America. 

After  a four-month  orientation 
period  at  the  Filadelfia  hospital  in 
Fernheim  Colony  she  left  for  eight 
months  of  service  in  both  Friesland 
and  Volendam  Colonies,  where  her 
main  contribution  was  the  launch- 
ing of  two-year  training  courses  for 
nurses.  She  reports  that  Volendam 
opened  a new  hospital  in  August. 
At  Friesland  two  Bethel  Deaconess 
graduates,  Mrs.  Frieda  Siemens 
Kaethler  and  Mary  Wiens,  are 
employed.  Each  hospital  has  one 
doctor. 


ners  and  primary  depts.  was  given 
Dec.  21,  and  the  intermediate  dept, 
presented  the  pageant  His  Birth — 
a Path  to  Calvary  in  the  evening. 
Mrs.  Gladys  Simmons  had  charge 
of  the  White  Gift  service,  and  pre- 
sented the  projects  in  the  form  of 
skits.  White  Gift  contributions  went 
to  the  seminary  at  Elkhart,  vaca- 
tion Bible  schools  among  the  Chey- 
enne Indians,  the  support  of  mis- 
sionary Janet  Soldner  and  to  pur- 
chase surplus  food.  Wilmer  S. 
Shelly,  former  pastor,  consecrated 
the  following  infants:  Donna  Sue, 
daughter  of  Pastor  and  Mrs.  Henry 
S.  Grimm;  Dianne  Marie,  daughter 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Linwood  Romig. 
Mrs.  Earl  Latshaw  joined  our  fel- 
lowship by  letter  of  transfer  Dec. 
28.  A watchnight  service  was  held 
Jan.  31.  The  Ray  Christ  Family 
from  Shoemakersville  presented  a 
program  with  musical  bells  and 
glasses.  The  Bluffton  College  Girls’ 
Gospel  Team  was  here  Dec.  30. — 
Mae  Latshaw,  corr. 

PASTOR  MOVES 

Bethel  Lustre  Church,  Frazer,, 
Mont.:  Holy  Communion  was  ob- 
served Dec.  14.  Pastor  and  Mrs, 
Frank  W.  Loewen  and  family 
moved  to  Battle  Creek,  Iowa.  They 
served  our  congregation  four  and 
a half  years.  Missionary  Anna 
Baerg  spent  her  vacation  here  with 
relatives  and  friends  during  the 
Christmas  holidays.  A piano  has 
been  purchased,  to  be  used  in  the 
basement.  The  S.  S.  Christmas  pro- 


January  20,  1959 


45 


gram  was  held  Christmas  Eve.  Fol- 
lowing the  program,  the  Youth  Fel- 
lowship went  caroling.  Watch  Night 
services  were  held  with  singing, 
Bible  quiz,  testimony  time,  and  pic- 
tures by  Miss  Baerg. — Mrs.  Alvin  D. 
Eitzen,  corr. 

REPORT  ON  ORIENT 

Bethany  Church,  Freeman,  S.  D.: 
Andrew  Shelly  served  us  Nov.  9 
and  called  at  many  of  our  homes  in 
the  interest  of  our  seminary  during 
the  week.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Melvin  Gin- 
gerich  were  with  us  Nov.  23,  giving 
an  illustrated  report  of  needs  in  the 
Orient.  Harold  Ratzlaff  was  guest 
speaker  for  our  Harvest  Home  Fes- 
tival Nov.  30;  $1,137.29  was  received 
for  missions,  and  $474.33  for  other 
causes.  The  film  Martin  Luther  was 
shown  Oct.  19;  and  Our  Bible — How 
It  Came  to  Us  on  Dec.  14.  Christ- 
mas Vesper  Services  were  held  Dec. 
7 and  21,  with  all  our  choirs  tak- 
ing part  together,  and  with  a mes- 
sage by  the  pastor;  a new  piano 
purchased  recently  was  dedicated. 
Twelve  young  people  were  received 
by  baptism  and  one  by  affirmation 
of  faith  Dec.  7.  The  Clinton  Halles 
were  received  Dec.  21.  New  officers 
elected  at  annual  meeting  Nov.  8 
are  Amos  Kleinsasser,  deacon;  John 
Neufeld,  trustee;  and  Jake  Gross, 
secretary.  During  1958  we  had  43 
admissions,  7 dismissals,  7 erasures, 
and  2 deaths,  leaving  a net  in- 
crease of  27  members.  Our  S.  S. 
Christmas  program  was  held  Christ- 
mas Eve,  and  Communion  service 
Dec.  28,  with  a supper  in  the  eve- 
ning. Robert  Tschetter  was  married 
to  Judith  Fitsimmons  Dec.  27.  Re- 
cent births  are:  to  Merle  Millers,  a 
daughter;  to  Paul  Mendels,  a daugh- 
ter; and  to  Leonard  Wienses,  a son. 
Steven  Leslie  Epp  and  Rebecca  Jo 
Massey  were  consecrated  Oct.  19. 
Lydia  Graber  was  appointed  as  Jot- 
tings correspondent. — Ben  J.  Walt- 
mer,  corr. 

CANTATA  GIVEN 

Menno  Church,  Ritzville,  Wash.: 
John  Wallin  of  Pullman,  Wash.,  and 
Lois  Jahnke  of  Lamont,  Wash., 
were  received  as  new  members  Oct. 
5.  The  Gideons  of  Moses  Lake, 
Wash.,  were  in  charge  of  the  C.  E. 
program  Oct.  12.  Oct.  27  Pastor 
Lester  Janzen  and  the  men’s  quar- 
tet presented  a program  at  the 
Christian  Businessmen’s  dinner 
meeting  in  Moses  Lake,  Wash.  Re- 
cent guest  speakers  have  been  Har- 
ry Martens,  John  Standsintimber, 
Melvin  Gingerich,  Frank  Kline,  and 
Aaron  Epp  (who  conducted  our 
third  annual  Bible  Conference  Nov. 
23-27).  Newly  elected  officers  of  the 
Mission  Society  for  1959  are:  pres., 
Mrs.  Walter  Reimer;  vice-pres.,  Mrs. 

Ralph  Gering;  sec.,  Mrs.  Joe  Jantz; 


treas.,  Mrs.  Eva  Jantz.  Phil  Whit- 
man was  elected  S.  S.  supt.  for  the 
coming  year.  A son,  Joel  Lester, 
was  born  to  Pastor  and  Mrs.  Janzen 
on  Nov.  21.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ralph 
Boese  became  the  parents  of  a son, 
David  Ralph,  Dec.  22.  Mrs.  Phil 
Whitman  directed  the  chancel  choir 
in  the  cantata  Chimes  of  the  Holy 
Night  on  Dec.  21;  Mrs.  Joe  Jantz 
was  the  organist.  Mrs.  Jim  Kagele, 
supt.  of  the  Elementary  S.  S.,  di- 
rected the  pageant  The  Message  of 
the  Bells  on  Christmas  Eve.  A 
Christmas  Day  worship  service  was 
held,  and  a Watch  Night  social  for 
the  young  people  was  held  New 
Year’s  Eve.  The  annual  congrega- 
tional meeting  was  Jan.  17. — Mrs. 
Franklin  Toews,  corr. 

YOUNG  PEOPLE  MEET 
Lehigh  Church,  Lehigh,  Kan.: 
Our  Christmas  Eve  program  con- 
sisted of  a short  pageant,  depicting 
the  Christmas  story.  We  had  special 
services  Christmas  morning.  Our 
young  people  met  with  other  young 
people  of  the  Lehigh-Hillsboro  area 
at  the  Suncrest  school  for  New 
Year’s  Eve  worship  and  fellowship. 
On  New  Year’s  Day  we  had  our  an- 
nual church  business  meeting,  be- 
ginning with  morning  worship  and 
followed  by  a basket  lunch  at  noon 
and  the  business  session.  — Mrs. 
William  Hiebert,  corr. 

MISSIONARY  SPEAKERS 

Goessel  Church,  Goessel,  Kan.:  In 
Sept.,  Junior  Church  once  a month 
was  started  on  a trial  basis.  Oct. 
5 we  had  Communion  Service.  The 
film  God’s  Word  in  Man’s  Lan- 
guage was  shown  Oct.  29.  Begin- 
ning Nov.  2 we  had  a series  of  stew- 
ardship meetings  with  Milo  Kauf- 
man of  Hesston  College  as  speak- 
er. Nov.  9 the  film  Children  of  the 
A-bomb  was  shown  to  the  adults 
while  the  Junior  C.  E.  met  in  the 
basement.  The  Mennonite  Men  of 
our  church  and  their  wives  had  a 
banquet  Nov.  10,  proceeds  going  to 
the  Paraguay  road-building  project. 
Dec.  7 Lamont  Woelk  from  Fair- 
field,  Pa.,  brought  the  morning  mes- 
sage. Dec.  2,  Mrs.  P.  K.  Dirksen 
spoke  to  the  Mission  Friends  Circle. 
She  showed  slides  and  related  in- 
teresting experiences  among  the  In- 
dians. As  the  P.  K.  Dirksens  of 
Oraibi,  Ariz.,  are  staying  in  Newton 
at  present,  they  have  been  able  to 
worship  with  us  (their  church 
home)  several  times.  In  the  eve- 
ning of  Dec.  14  we  had  a program 
of  Christmas  music  by  our  choirs. 
Dec.  21  missionary  Bernard  Thies- 
sens  showed  slides  and  reported  on 
their  work  in  Japan.  Dec.  24  the 
Junior  Dept,  of  our  S.  S.  gave  a 
Christmas  program.  Dec.  29  we  had 
our  annual  business  meeting.  Dec. 


31  we  closed  the  year  with  a C.  E. 
program,  followed  by  a social  and 
refreshments. — Corr. 

HOME  MISSIONS  PRESENTED 
First  Church,  Pretty  Prairie, 
Kan.:  Six  children  were  presented 
to  the  Lord  in  the  consecration  serv- 
ice Nov.  30.  A film  made  by  the 
Mission  Board,  portraying  the  ma- 
jor areas  of  work  in  home  missions 
in  the  U.  S.  and  Canada,  was  pre- 
sented Dec.  7.  Our  annual  congre- 
gational business  meeting  was  held 
Dec.  30.  The  Sewing  Society  pre- 
pared and  sent  fifty  layettes  to 
Africa.  During  the  past  year  our 
church  acquired  19  new  members: 
3 by  letter  and  16  by  baptism.  We 
lost  24  members:  8 by  death  and 
16  by  letter. — Corr. 

SERVICE  OF  PRAISE 

Herold  Church,  Bessie,  Okla.  : 
Dec.  6 the  congregation  and  other 
friends  responded  to  the  invitation 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Otto  Nickel  for  a 
praise  and  thanksgiving  service  to 
celebrate  their  silver  wedding  an- 
niversary. After  a program  of 
songs,  readings,  and  a message  by 
Pastor  Tschetter,  a supper  was 
served;  contributions  were  made 
for  the  training  of  a national  couple 
in  India  for  Christian  service.  Dec. 
14  the  Lavern  Loewen  family  (he 
is  pastor  of  the  nearby  Bessie  M.  B. 
Church)  were  guests  and  brought 
a musical  C.  E.  program.  'The  eve 
of  Dec.  21  was  the  installation 
service  for  church  officers.  Dec.  28 
we  had  Communion.  Dec.  24  a good 
program  was  brought  by  the  S.  S. 
On  Christmas  Day,  Harold  Jantzen 
of  Kismet,  Kan.,  brought  us  the 
message.  Dec.  26  the  Ladies’  Chorus 
sang  Christmas  hymns  to  Mrs.  Ben 
Harms,  who  is  ill,  and  to  Mrs.  Dave 
Pankratz  in  the  Home  for  Aged  at 
Corn.  Randy  Leon  was  born  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Milton  Harms  Dec.  16, 
and  Rhoda  Jean  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Earl  Dean  Schmidt  Dec.  25. — Mrs. 
Margaret  Horn,  corr. 

GOSPEL  TEAM  PROGRAM 

Bethel  Church,  Fortuna,  Mo.: 
Evangelistic  meetings  with  Stanley 
Bohn  of  Kansas  City  concluded 
with  baptismal  and  Holy  Commun- 
ion services  Nov.  14.  The  following 
young  people  were  baptized:  Wally 
Groth,  Lavina  Hilty,  Shirley  and 
Garry  Teeple.  Our  relief  and  mis- 
sion sale  was  held  Nov.  13.  Nov.  24, 
hogs  and  beefs  were  butchered  by 
the  Men’s  Brotherhood  and  men  of 
Mt.  Zion  Church.  Both  men  and 
women  helped  process  the  meat; 
1,772  cans  of  beef,  pork,  and  lard 
were  canned.  A Christmas  program 
was  presented  by  the  S.  S.,  Christ- 
mas Eve.  Dec.  31  the  Gospel  Team 
of  Bluffton  College  presented  a pro- 
gram. One  of  our  members,  Loretta 


46 


THE  MENNONITF 


Hilty,  gave  the  message.  Our  S.  S. 
Supt.  for  1959  is  Homer  Garber. 
The  chairman  of  the  Women’s  Mis- 
sionary Society  is  Mrs.  Roy  Gerber. 
We  praise  God  for  the  many  good 
things  that  have  come  our  way  dur- 
I ing  the  past  year,  and  look  forward 
1 to  His  leading  for  1959. — Mrs.  Alvin 
Elliott,  corr. 

REPORT  ON  PARAGUAY 

United  Church,  Vineland,  Ont.: 
Dec.  29  Bruno  Epp  of  Elkhart,  for- 
mer worker  in  Paraguay,  spoke  in 
the  morning  service.  He  reported 
on  and  showed  slides  of  his  work 
I and  the  Mennonites  in  South  Amer- 
ica. This  service  was  held  at  St. 

I Catharines  United  Mennonite 
I Church,  with  other  churches  of  the 
Niagara  Peninsula  invited  to  par- 
ticipate. Dec.  21  a Christmas  choral 
program  was  presented  by  the 
church  choir,  conducted  by  Ben  Epp, 
and  the  Women’s  C.  E.  Choir,  con- 
ducted by  Mrs.  Mimi  Neufeld.  Edith 
Harder  served  as  pianist.  Dec.  31 
some  fifty  young  people  participat- 
ed in  a Watch  Night  Service  follow- 
ing a worship  service  earlier  in  the 
evening.  Hedy  Sawadsky,  student 
at  Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary, 
challenged  us  to  reflect  on  our 
Christian  duties  to  our  entire  global 
surroundings.  — Herta  Fransen. 

MESSAGES  ON  JONAH 

Bethel  Church,  Hydro,  Okla.:  Al- 
bert Unruh  of  Enid  held  meetings 
in  our  church  Nov.  26-30.  He  spoke 
on  the  five  miracles  of  the  Book  of 
Jonah.  One  night  was  centered  on 
missions.  Karen  Pankratz  and 
James  Henderson  were  married 
Nov.  30.  We  had  our  annual  church 
business  meeting  Dec.  5;  Sunday 
school  election,  Dec.  7.  The  church 
called  Paul  Isaak  to  serve  us  an- 
other year.— Wilfred  E\vy,  corr. 

SPECIAL  SPEAKERS 

Walton  Church,  Walton,  Kan.: 
Homer  Sperling  preached  in  our 
church  Dec.  7.  Missionary  W.  C. 
Voth  brought  the  message  on  the 
following  Sun.  Julane  Manning, 
daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Brink 
Manning,  was  married  to  Robert 
Hiebert,  son  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ben 
Hiebert,  Nov.  15.  Pastor  C.  D. 
Boese  was  the  speaker  on  the  KJRG 
Ministerial  Alliance  program  Nov. 
24-26.  A.  C.  Hiebert  of  Orienta, 
Okla.,  was  our  guest  minister  Nov. 
9.  Bernard  Thiessen,  missionary  to 
Japan,  conducted  special  meetings 
Nov.  16-20.  Oskar  Wedel,  a German 
student  at  Mennonite  Biblical  Sem- 
inary, brought  the  message  on 
Christmas  Day.  Edwin  Peters,  an- 
other seminary  student,  spoke  the 
^ next  Sun.  At  our  annual  business 
meeting  Alva  Buller  was  re-elected 


as  deacon  and  Ted  Pankratz  was  re- 
elected as  secretary  of  the  church 
council.  The  congregation  is  con- 
tinuing the  Every  Home  Plan  for 
The  Mennonite.  — Harold  Peters. 

ANTHEM-CAROL  PROGRAM 

Alexanderwohl  Church,  Goessel, 
Kan.:  Pastor  P.  A.  Wedel  conduct- 
ed a series  of  meetings  in  the  Pret- 
ty Prairie  Church.  Arnold  Nickel, 
pastor  of  Eden  Church,  Moundridge, 
held  meetings  in  our  church.  Er- 
win Wedel  of  Jackson,  Miss., 
brought  us  the  Thanksgiving  mes- 
sage. In  the  evening  of  the  21st  our 
eighty-voice  choir,  directed  by  Dr. 
Suderman  of  Bethel  College,  pre- 
sented a Christmas  program  of  an- 
thems and  carols.  The  annual  busi- 
ness meeting  of  our  church  was 
held  on  New  Year’s  Day.  Statistical 
report:  19  marriages,  11  performed 
by  our  pastor;  one  silver  anniver- 
sary, one  forty-fifth,  and  three  for- 
tieth; 15  new  members  received  into 


into  the  beyond 

Alfred  W.  Unruh,  member  of  the 
First  Church  of  Pretty  Prairie,  Kan- 
sas, was  born  December  16,  1887, 
and  died  December  28,  1958. 

John  A.  Graber,  Kendall,  Kansas, 
and  member  of  the  First  Church 
of  Pretty  Prairie,  was  born  May  14, 
1890,  and  departed  this  life  Decem- 
ber 29,  1958. 

Mrs.  Ruth  Sloneker  Schroer  of 
Hamilton,  Ohio,  and  member  of  the 
Apostolic  Mennonite  Church,  'Tren- 
ton, Ohio,  was  born  November  5, 
1929,  and  died  December  21,  1958. 
The  mother  of  three  small  children, 
she  was  very  active  in  Sunday 
school  and  choir. 

Kurt  P.  Wiebe,  member  of  the  First 
Mennonite  Church,  Beatrice,  Ne- 
braska, was  born  June  15,  1883,  and 
passed  away  December  14,  1958. 
Mrs.  George  Schierling,  nee  Marie 
Kroeker,  member  of  the  First  Men- 
nonite Church,  Newton,  Kansas, 
was  born  in  1897,  and  departed  this 
life  on  October  14,  1958,  from  in- 
juries received  in  an  accident. 
Pastor  John  M.  Janzen,  member  of 
the  First  Mennonite  Church,  New- 
ton, Kansas,  was  born  in  1887  and 
departed  from  this  life  after  a lin- 
gering illness  on  December  13,  1958. 
Mrs.  Katherine  Epp  Friesen,  mem- 
mer  of  First  Mennonite  Church, 
Madrid,  Nebraska,  was  born  in 
York  County,  Nebraska,  July  5, 
1885,  and  died  December  18,  1958. 


our  church  through  baptism,  3 by 
right  hand  of  fellowship,  and  9 
members  passed  away  during  the 
year.  Our  Cradle  Roll  stands  at  25. 

SEASONAL  EVENTS 

First  Church,  Madrid,  Neb.:  De- 
cember events  included  the  annual 
church  and  S.  S.  business  meetings, 
a S.  S.  social  at  the  Harold  Doerk- 
sen  home  for  the  adults,  the  Christ- 
mas Eve  program  given  by  our 
children,  and  the  Mission  Society 
Christmas  gathering  at  the  H.  Re- 
gier  home.  Pastor  Janzen  showed 
slides  of  Conference  church  build- 
ings. Mrs.  Katherine  (G.  D.)  Friesen 
passed  away  Dec.  18  at  the  Ogallala 
Rest  Home.  On  Dec.  28,  Allen,  son 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  A.  H.  Friesen,  was 
married  to  Patricia  Baker  at  the 
Congregational  Church  at  Torring- 
ton,  Wyo.  Christmas  Day  and  New 
Year’s  Day  services  were  conducted 
by  our  pastor. — Mrs.  Herman  Re- 
gier,  corr. 


Farm  Home:  Available  near  Lamed, 
Kansas.  Christian  widow  offers 
home  and  farmstead  to  couple  in- 
terested in  rural  home.  Opportu- 
nity to  feed  a few  cattle.  Contact: 
Mrs.  Edna  R.  Black,  1116  Santa  Fee, 
Lamed,  Kansas  (No.  P.  253). 
Dairy  Farm:  Grade  A dairy  farm 
for  rent  in  west-central  Kansas. 
Owner  interested  in  selling  stock 
including  35  cows.  Pipeline  milkers, 
lots  of  pasture,  80  acres  crop  land, 
well  equipped  home  included.  Con- 
tact Lloyd  Spessard,  Arlington, 
Kansas  (No.  P.  259). 

PERSONNEL  NEEDED 

Registered  Nurse:  Excellent  oppor- 
tunity for  R.N.  with  experience  to 
begin  service  as  head  nurse  with 
Mennonite  Home  for  the  Aged.  Con- 
tact: Mutual  Aid  Services,  722  Main, 
Newton,  Kansas,  for  details  (No.  P. 
257). 

Administrator:  Modern  Mennonite 
Home  for  the  Aged  offers  an  open- 
ing soon  for  administrative  work. 
Located  in  lovely  Pennsylvania  in 
Mennonite  community.  Contact: 
Harry  M.  Detwiler,  Souderton,  Pa. 
(No.  P.  258). 

Housekeeper:  Single  lady  or  couple 
wanted  to  keep  house  and  take 
care  of  elderly  lady.  Contact:  Clar- 
ence Shelton,  434  Abilene,  Valley 
Center,  Kansas.  Phone  P15-1675 
(No.  P.  260). 


mutual  aid  placement 

FOR  RENT 


January  20,  1959 


47 


conference  notes 


PEACE  SEMINAR  IN  NEW  YORK 

United  Nations  Headquarters  in 
New  York  City  is  the  location 
chosen  for  the  ninth  annual  Inter- 
collegiate Peace  Fellowship  Confer- 
ence. This  conference,  scheduled  for 
March  12-14,  1959,  is  to  be  in  the 
form  of  a seminar.  Principal  sub- 
jects for  discussion  will  be  the  prob- 
lems and  implications  of  world  dis- 
armament and  peaceful  uses  of  a- 
tomic  energy. 

Program  plans  are  being  made 
through  the  co-operation  of  Virginia 
Williams,  who  is  Seminar  Co-ordi- 
nator of  the  Quaker  Program  at  the 
United  Nations.  This  organization 
sponsors  seminars  at  the  U.  N.  for 
college  groups  as  a part  of  its  regu- 
lar program. 

Included  in  the  activities  of  the 
first  two  days  will  be  a tour  of  the 
United  Nations  headquarters,  ob- 
servations of  sessions  of  the  U.  N., 
and  talks  by  U.  N.  personnel.  The 
third  day  will  be  devoted  largely  to 
discussions  and  seminars  within 
our  own  group. 

The  three-day  program  is  designed 
for  fifty  to  sixty  delegates.  Each 
of  the  ten  member  colleges  of  IPF 
is  expected  to  send  a team  of  dele- 
gates. Transportation  will  be  co- 
ordinated by  the  executive  commit- 
tee and  financed,  at  least  in  part, 
by  IPF  funds.  Several  bus  com- 
panies in  the  Newton  area  have 
been  contacted  for  possible  charter 
service.  Lodging  for  all  delegates 
will  be  in  the  YMCA  Hotel.  Total 
'Cost  for  the  three  days  in  New 
York  should  not  exceed  forty-five 
tiollars  per  delegate. 

— from  Peace  News 

RIOTING  IN  LEOPOLDVILLE 

A recent  riot  in  Leopoldville  in 
the  Belgian  Congo,  which  was 
touched  off  by  the  cancellation  of 
a meeting  in  which  the  mayor  of 
the  city  who  had  just  returned 
from  Brussels  was  scheduled  to 
speak,  points  up  the  problems  which 
Africa  has  yet  to  face. 

Congolese  flock  to  cities  like  Leo 
from  all  over  Congo  in  hopes  of  a 
good  job  and  economic  advantage, 
so  there  are  possibly  100,000  unem- 
ployed Congolese  roaming  about 
Leopoldville  most  of  the  time. 
These  people  are  those  who  are 
the  elite  according  to  “bush”  stand- 


ards and  who  have  received  a little 
education  in  some  mission  school, 
who  have  heard  the  words  of  free- 
dom, democracy,  and  nationalism 
but  have  no  idea  of  the  responsi- 
bilities of  these  words.  More  inci- 
dents such  as  this  can  be  expected 
from  all  over  Africa  in  the  months 
ahead. 

John  Thiessen,  former  missionary 
in  India,  recalls  a similar  over-all 
situation  in  India  some  twenty 
years  ago,  which  finally  resulted  in 
India’s  independence  from  Britain. 
It  becomes  increasingly  important 
for  the  Congo  Inland  Mission,  with 
stations  approximately  500  miles 
from  Leopoldville,  to  concentrate 
on  preparing  African  leaders  to  as- 
sume responsibility  for  the  propa- 

conference  stewardship 


gation  of  the  Christian  gospel,  and 
build  up  the  church  of  Christ  in  all 
its  phases. 

BOOKS  FOR  REVIEW 

Persons  interested  in  reviewing 
books  for  General  Conference  Men- 
nonite  publications  may  write  to 
Maynard  Shelly,  722  Main,  Newton, 
Kansas,  for  a list  from  which  to 
choose  titles. 

GERING  TO  ELKHART 

Walter  Gering,  for  nine  years  pas- 
tor of  the  Bethel  Mennonite  Church, 
Mountain  Lake,  Minnesota,  has  ac- 
cepted a call  to  serve  the  recently 
organized  church  at  Elkhart,  Indi- 
ana, beginning  about  April  15. 
Brother  Gering  is  the  secretary  of 
the  General  Conference  Mennonite 
Church. 


December  31,  1957,  as  compared  to  December  31,  1958 


MISSIONS 


96.7  % 1 957 
96.0%  1958 


CHRISTIAN  SERVICE 

89.2%  1957 
76.6%  1958 


EDUCATION  AND  PUBLICATION 


66.3%  1957 
72.8%  1958 


BUSINESS  ADMINISTRATION 

71.8%  1957 
58.8%  1958 


YOUNG  PEOPLE’S  UNION 


94.4%  1957 
92.1%  1958 


BUDGET 


$650,000 

$670,000 


$184,000 

$193,500 


$ 62,500 
$ 70,000 


$ 26,500 
$ 26,500 


$ 7,450 

$ 7,450 


Receipts  to  Dec.  31 

Total  budget  receipts  for  1958  amounted  to  $857,836  which  is  89.6%  of  the  budget 
($960,000).  December  receipts  totaled  $184,044. 


JANUARY  27,  1959 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
MAN  LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIST 


Youth  Week  Jan.  25-Feb.  1:  United  Christian  Youth  Movement 


in  this  issue 

COVER 

Photo  by  Luoma 


ARTICLES 

AND  ON  EARTH,  PEACE 

By  Ivan  P.  Deckert  51 

NO  ROOM  TO  LIVE  52 

CHRISTIANS  IN  CHINA  53 

MENNONITE  BOYS  LEAGUE  54 

THE  PURPOSE  AND  PROGRAM 

OF  CHRISTIAN  EDUCATION 

By  H.  W.  Byrne  55 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  50 

THE  READER  SAYS  56 

BOOKMARKS  56 

FILM  REVIEW  56 

Mennonite  Youth 

DARE  WE  LIVE  IN  THE 

HOUSEHOLD  OF  GOD?  57 

NORTH  GERMAN  MENNONITE 

YOUTH  -58 

INTRODUCING:  CANADIAN  YPU  59 

OUR  SCHOOLS  60 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  60 

JOTTINGS  61 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  64 


of  things  to  come 

Jan.  18-Feb.  11 — Christian  Ministry  Em- 
phasis 

Feb.  8 — Race  Relations  Sunday 
Feb.  11 — Ash  Wednesday;  Lent  begins 
Feb.  13 — Universal  Day  of  Prayer 
Feb.  22-Mar.  1 — Brotherhood  Week 
Mich. 

March  8 — Conference  Sunday 
March  17 — ^West.  Dist.  Women's  Meeting 
Aug.  5-12 — Ministers’  and  Church  Work- 
ers’ Retreat,  Camp  Friedenswald, 
Aug.  12-20 — General  Conference,  Bluff- 
ton,  Ohio 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor,  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 

J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Asst.:  Esther  Groves. 
Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  4 


editorials 

YOUTH  WEEK  January  25  to  February  1 marks  the  six- 
teenth annual  observance  of  Youth  Week.  The  theme  this  year 
emphasizes  “churchmanship,”  -which  involves  integration  into 
worship,  fellowship,  study,  and  service  to  the  church.  Young 
people  are  not  just  “the  hope  of  the  future”  but  a very  important 
factor  in  the  present,  and  should  be  recognized  as  such.  How 
thankful  we  should  be  for  their  enthusiasm  and  courageous 
spirit  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  as  older  people  we  have  not  done 
too  well  in  the  kind  of  world  we  are  leaving  them. 

The  church  should  provide  an  adequate  program  of  youth  work 
and  activity.  Too  many  of  our  church  programs  are  still  geared 
largely  to  the  middle-aged  and  older,  with  corresponding  neglect 
for  the  needs  of  youth.  Yet  older  people  are  quite  established 
in  their  ways,  while  our  youth  are  just  in  the  making  of  a stand- 
ard of  life. 

Parents  should  be  more  aware  of  the  importance  of  home  life 
in  molding  the  character  of  youth.  Discipline  without  domina- 
tion, confidence  without  undue  criticism,  love  without  pamper- 
ing, can  develop  strong  characters  in  growing  children. 

Youth  Week  could  be  made  a time  when  home  and  church 
and  school  give  serious  thought  and  consideration  to  the  high 
task  of  guiding  and  developing  our  young  people  in  the  Christian 
life. 


SENIOR  CITIZENS  While  there  is  increasing  attention 
being  given  to  the  needs  and  problems  of  our  young  people, 
there  is  also  a deepening  interest  in  our  older  people,  more  politely 
called  “senior  citizens.”  Their  increasing  number  has  forced 
upon  us  a more  careful  consideration  of  their  problems,  possi- 
bilities, and  needs. 

It  has  been  clearly  determined  that  they  do  not  automatically 
become  senile  or  useless  at  a certain  age,  but  rather  that  they 
have  an  abundance  of  potential  usefulness  if  we  devise  the  proper 
ways  of  using  it. 

One  pressing  problem  is  that  of  proper  homes.  Formerly  such 
care  was  usually  provided  in  the  home  of  one  of  the  children 
or  in  a State  institution,  neither  of  which  was  altogether  satis- 
factory. A number  of  convalescent  and  nursing  homes  are  spring- 
ing up  which  provide  good  care.  Better  yet  are  the  special  homes 
and  cottages  where  guests  can  live  more  normal  lives,  yet  with 
adequate  care  provided. 

The  December  issue  of  SENIOR  CITIZENS,  a monthly  publi- 
cation, describes  such  a home  among  the  Mennonites  of  Kalona, 
Iowa.  Writer  Gertrude  Leach  tells  of  the  vision  which  resulted 
in  a home  to  accommodate  forty-six  guests  on  a ten  acre  site, 
opened  in  April  of  1958.  What  this  community  accomplished  has 
also  been  done  in  other  localities,  but  there  is  still  need  for 
numerous  other  such  centers  where  senior  citizens  may  happily 
spend  their  golden  years  without  being  an  undue  burden  to 
anyone. 


50 


THE  MENNONITE 


And  on  Earth,  Peace 


Ivan  P.  Deckert^ 


Nearly  2,000  years  ago  the  an- 
gel brought  this  message: 
■“Glory  to  God  in  the  highest,  and 
on  earth  peace,  good  will  toward 
men”  (Luke  2:14).  Peace  on  earth? 
Where  is  the  peace  the  angel  talked 
about?  Ever  since  the  announcing 
of  the  birth  of  our  Lord  and  Sav- 
iour Jesus  Christ  by  the  angel  we 
have  had  nothing  but  wars  or  prep- 
aration for  the  next  war.  In  my  life- 
time we  have  had  two  world  wars 
and  a series  of  uprisings  of  nations 
against  nations,  with  blood  freely 
flowing.  Now  we  seem  farther  than 
ever  from  having  real  peace.  In 
fact,  science  seems  to  be  used  for 
the  primary  purpose  of  inventing 
more  and  more  deadly  weapons  of 
destruction. 

The  peace  the  angel  was  talking 
about  is  not  the  peace  which  means 
the  end  of  wars,  but  peace  in  the 
hearts  of  men  and  women  who  have 
put  their  faith  and  trust  in  the 
Saviour.  Thousands  upon  thousands 
have  testifled  to  this  peace,  which 
the  world  cannot  give  nor  take  a- 
. way.  It  is  an  abiding  peace  in  this 
world  of  wars  and  rumors  of  wars. 
This  peace  can  be  brought  about 
only  when  a soul  realizes  he  is  a 
lost  sinner  and  comes  to  Christ  for 
salvation.  This  peace  is  only  for 
those  who  have  been  bom  again. 
“The  heart  is  deceitful  above  all 
^ things,  and  desperately  wicked” 
1 (Jer.  17:9).  'We  have  wars  because 
man  is  alienated  from  God.  Men 
would  like  to  be  at  peace  with  one 
another,  but  this  is  impossible  be- 
' cause  war  is  but  the  outbreaking  of 
i sin  from  the.  heart  of  man.  James 
I puts  it  this  way:  “From  whence 
, come  wars  and  flghtings  among 
you?  come  they  not  hence,  even  of 
^ your  lusts  that  war  in  your  mem- 

u;  

*Member  of  Bergthal  Church,  Pawnee 
' Rock,  Kan. ; missionary  in  Nigeria,  Af- 
rica, for  18  years. 

'i  January  27,  1959 


bers,”  (4:1)? 

I realize  there  are  many  agencies 
working  at  present  to  establish 
peace  and  good  will  among  nations. 
What  they  have  accomplished  is 
only  a cessation  of  war,  with  na- 
tions ready  to  take  up  arms  again 
at  the  least  provocation.  Even  if  all 
the  instruments  and  weapons  of  war 
were  destroyed,  people  would  still 
club  each  other  to  death  with  their 
flsts  when  their  lusts  would  give 
way. 

Before  we  can  have  peace,  man 
must  be  born  again,  for  he  cannot 
be  reconciled  to  his  brother  man 
until  he  is  reconciled  first  to  God 
through  Jesus  Christ.  The  flnal  end 
of  all  voluntary  giving  and  service, 
the  sending  of  food  and  clothing  to 
people  in  need,  is  that  there  is  One 
who  is  pointing  men  and  women  to 
the  Lamb  of  God  who  takes  away 
the  sin  of  the  world.  Leave  out  this 


message  of  salvation  and  we  are  but 
feeding  the  body  and  leaving  man 
in  sin. 

We  are  thankful  that  through  the 
Red  Cross  and  many  other  agencies, 
the  government  has  helped  individ- 
uals and  nations  in  such  times  of 
need  as  tornado,  famine,  or  disease. 
The  government,  of  course,  leaves 
out  the  message  of  salvation,  which 
is  the  message  of  the  church  and 
the  individual.  In  our  program  of 
peace,  it  is  pathetic  how  the  gospel 
message  has  been  left  out  and  the 
social  service  brought  before  the 
attention  of  the  people.  Social  serv- 
ice is  only  a means  to  the  end  that 
lost  souls  may  be  brought  to  Christ. 
They  need  first  to  have  peace  with 
God  before  they  can  have  the  peace 
of  God. 

Peace  on  earth?  Yes,  but  only  in 
the  souls  of  those  who  have  expe- 
rienced the  new  birth. 


Peace  For  All 

Give  peace,  O Lord,  in  this  our  time 
To  every  race,  in  every  clime! 

And  with  man’s  penitential  tears 
Cleanse  Thou  the  wounds  of  former  years! 

The  grass  a veil  of  green  has  spread 
O’er  trenches  where  man’s  blood  was  shed; 
And  in  the  woods  where  guns  once  roared 
The  songs  of  birds  are  richly  poured. 

The  night  comes  down  and  o’er  our  dead 
Dewdrops,  like  tears,  are  softly  shed'. 

While  in  some  tree  the  nightingale 
Sings  of  the  peace  that  shall  not  fail. 

Spread  o’er  the  past  of  dark  distrust, 

That  grew  to  hatred  and  war’s  lust. 

Thy  mantle.  Lord,  of  love  and  peace; 

That  wars  for  evermore  may  cease. 

— ^Thomas  Tiplady 


51 


For  the  children  of  Hong  Kong  there  is 


No  Room  To  Live 


SLEEPING  on  the  sidewalks  of 
Hong  Kong  every  night  . . . play- 
ing on  those  same  streets  by  day 
150,000  homeless  Chinese  children” 
— that  is  the  appalling  figure  quot- 
ed in  a recent  New  York  Times 
article.  The  crowded  streets  of  Hong 
Kong  are  playgrounds  by  day,  dorm- 
itories by  night,  to  an  estimated 
150,000  Chinese  children. 


« 

There  is  just  no  room  for  them 
in  this  British  Crown  Colony 
jammed  with  more  than  two  mil- 
lion people,  most  of  them  refugees 
from  the  mainland.  No  room,  and 
too  much  of  the  time,  no  food. 

The  Times  goes  on  to  say,  “The 
youngsters  are  notorious  night  owls, 
but  around  2 a.m.,  passersby  usual- 
ly see  six  or  seven  little  children 


stacked  neatly  on  camp  beds  or 
straw  mats,  fast  asleep.  Others  are 
spread  out  on  the  sidewalks  on 
newspapers  in  an  incredible  tangle 
of  arms  and  legs.  They  do  not  get 
much  sleep.  Early  morning  traffic 
usually  wakes  them  shortly  after 
dawn. 

“Statistics  show  that  at  least  50 
per  cent  of  Hong  Kong’s  children 
suffer  from  lack  of  sleep,  malnutri- 
tion, and  bad  teeth.  There  are  just 
not  enough  public  health  facilities 
to  take  care  of  them  all. 

“Chinese  youngsters  usually  be- 
come very  serious  after  they  are 
five  years  old.  One  often  sees  them 
with  their  baby  brothers  or  sisters 
strapped  papoose-style  on  their 
backs,  playing  intently  together. 

“The  children  apparently  learn 
the  legendary  patience  and  toler- 
ance of  their  race  very  quickly  by 
being  so  to  one  another. 

“They  eat,  sleep,  and  play  togeth- 
er all  the  time.  Many  of  them,  even 
after  they  grow  up,  feel  uncomfort- 
able and  lonely  if  they  have  to  sleep 
in  a room  by  themselves  or  live 
alone  in  a small  apartment. 

Little  Juvenile  Delinquency 

“Despite  overcrowding  and  appal- 
ling living  conditions,”  continues  the 
Times,  “local  police  report  little  ju- 
venile delinquency,  even  among  the 
homeless  children  who  run  the 
streets  day  and  night.  Nobody  real- 
ly knows  why. 

“Perhaps  it  is  because  the  Chi- 
nese children  are  too  busy  looking 
after  their  myriads  of  smaller 
brothers  and  sisters  to  cause  trou- 
ble. There  is  also  the  very  strict 
Chinese  family  system,  which  oper- 


Undernourished,  barefooted  children  and  their  families  live  in  these  shacks 
made  of  pieces  of  paper,  rice  sacks,  wood  scraps,  and  old  metal.  They  go 
like  tinder  when  fire  strikes,  as  it  occasionally  does.  Yet  even  these  fragile, 
makeshift  shelters,  without  heat  and  sanitary  facilities,  are  slightly  better 
than  the  sidewalk  homes  where  other  refugees  live. 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church. 
Entered  at  North  Newton,  Kansas,  post  office  as  second  class  matter.  Acceptance  for  mailing  at  special  rate  of  postage:  section  1103,  Act 
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52 


THE  MENNONITE 


ates  on  all  strata  of  society,  where 
the  young  really  respect  their  eld- 
ers. 

Refugees  Swell  Number 

“The  population  of  prewar  Hong 
Kong  was  about  half  a million. 
Now  it  is  more  than  2,750,000.  And 
more  than  two  million  of  these  are 
squeezed  into  urban  Hong  Kong, 
which  has  a population  density  of 
50,000  a square  mile,  one  of  the 
highest  in  the  world. 

“Most  of  the  population  increase 


is  made  up  of  refugees  from  Red 
China.  More  are  arriving  every  day. 
With  little  help  from  Britain,  Hong 
Kong  has  resettled  a quarter  of  a 
million  refugees.  But  this  is  scarce- 
ly a beginning. 

“There  are  an  estimated  60,000 
children  of  school  age  who  are  not 
able  to  attend  school.  There  is  no 
room.  For  these  children  there  is 
little  hope  in  the  future  except  for 
jobs  as  coolies,  rickshaw  drivers, 
beggars,  or  procurers.” 

— CROP  Newsletter 


Part  Two:  The  story  of  what  happened  to  a mission  station 

Christians  in  China 


IN  THE  year  1911  two  things  took 
place  in  China  which  would  af- 
fect the  mission  program  of  the 
General  Conference  Mennonite 
Church:  one  was  the  beginning  of 
evangelistic  work  by  the  H.  J. 
Browns  in  the  southern  part  of  the 
Hopei  Province;  the  other  was  the 
establishment  by  revolution  of  a 
Chinese  republic,  with  Sun  Yat  Sen 
as  president. 

The  mission  work  prospered, 
growing  into  a Chinese  Mennonite 
i Conference  of  twenty-three  mission 
churches.  One  of  the  largest  of  these 
was  located  in  a suburb  of  Kaichow, 
now  known  as  Puyang,  at  that  time 
a typical  Chinese  city  surrounded 
by  an  earthen  wall  thirty  feet  thick. 
On  the  same  mission  compound 
were  a hundred-bed  hospital  and 
nurses’  training  school,  and  the  flve- 
hundred-student  Hua  Mei  High 
School. 

Both  the  hospital  and  the  schools 
enjoyed  a fine  reputation.  Graduat- 
ing nurses  who  took  their  exam- 
inations at  the  capital  of  Nanking 
consistently  ranked  high.  As  far  as 
anyone  could  have  told  in  those 
early  years  of  mushrooming  church- 
es, a mission  program  in  populous 
China  was  one  of  limitless  oppor- 
tunity. 

But  the  new  Chinese  republic  was 


in  difficulty.  Years  of  political  tur- 
moil, waves  of  nationalism  with 
demonstrations  against  foreigners, 
and  exploitation  by  Chinese  war 
lords  followed,  paving  the  way  e- 
ventually  for  communism.  Japanese 
invasion  brought  further  conflict 
until  the  capitulation  of  Japan  in 
World  War  Two,  and  civil  war  dis- 
rupted the  country  until  after  the 
Communists  gained  control  in  1949. 

By  1941  there  were  no  more  Gen- 
eral Conference  Mennonite  mission- 
aries in  the  Hopei  Province  north 
of  the  Yellow  River.  For  a while 
work  was  carried  on  in  the  west,  in 
Szechwan  Province,  but  with  the 
coming  of  the  new  regime  that,  too, 
had  to  be  abandoned.  The  Chinese 
churches  were  on  their  own  and 
would  need  all  the  support  their  na- 
tive pastors  and  lay  members  could 
give  them. 

Through  the  years  missionaries 
who  had  served  in  China  waited 
for  news  of  the  mission  churches 
and  fellow  Christians,  but  little  or 
no  news  was  forthcoming.  Then  ref- 
ugees came  from  the  Chinese  Main- 
land to  nearby  Taiwan  (Formosa), 
bringing  bits  of  information,  and 
through  these  chance  gleanings,  a 
picture  of  what  has  been  happen- 
ing is  being  pieced  together^.  Here 
are  some  of  the  things  that  have 


been  learned  by  William  and  Ma- 
tilda Voth,  former  missionaries  to 
China,  and  later  missionaries  to 
Japan  and  Taiwan: 

ONE  DAY  the  Communists  ap- 
proached the  Chinese  pastor  of 
the  large  Kaichow-Puyang  church 
with  a show  of  good  will,  saying, 
“We  are  all  working  for  the  public 
good,  are  we  not?”  They  had  come 
to  “borrow”  the  church  for  the  next 
Sunday  morning.  Instead  of  a Chris- 
tian worship  service  that  Sunday 
there  was  an  orientation  lecture  on 
Communism,  and  that  was  the  end 
of  Christian  worship  in  that  church. 

Next  the  church  property  itself 
was  taxed  heavily.  Taxes  increased 
until  finally  the  total  tax  was  more 
than  the  value  of  the  property. 
Thus  the  government  acquired  a 
large  church  building. 

Close  by  was  the  Mennonite  Chris- 
tian Hua  Mei  High  School,  with 
500  students.  During  the  Japanese 
occupation  it  was  the  only  high 
school  open  in  the  southern  part  of 
the  province.  It  had  a dedicated 
Christian  principal  and  twenty-one 
Christian  teachers. 

Before  long,  authorities  decided 
that  two  of  the  teachers  were  not 
capable  enough.  They  were  replaced 
with  two  Communist  teachers.  This 
happened  a second  time,  and  in  six 


January  27,  1959 


53 


months  the  school  had  ten  Com- 
munist teachers. 

But  the  biggest  blow  to  the  em- 
battled principal  was  the  fact  that 
the  Communist  teachers  controlled 
the  school.  He  and  the  remaining 
teachers  had  no  hand  in  policy- 
making; the  Communists  decided 
everything.  As  a result  it  was  im- 
possible to  keep  any  kind  of  Chris- 
tian atmosphere,  so  the  principal 
resigned  rather  than  lend  his  sup- 
port to  a non-Christian  enterprise. 
The  Communists  would  not  accept 
his  resignation,  and  he  finally 
walked  out  in  protest  and  left  the 
area. 

The  hundred-bed  Puyang  Hospital, 
with  its  adjoining  operating  room 
and  neat  Chinese  flower  gardens, 
was  the  next  to  go.  Doctor  Hu,  who 
had  once  worked  with  S.  F.  Panna- 
becker  and  C.  L.  Pannabecker,  was 
hospital  head  during  the  new  re- 
gime. Communist  medical  men  who 
came  into  the  area  “borrowed”  in- 
struments and  medicine  until  the 
hospital  was  depleted.  Without  in- 


struments and  without  medicine,  a 
hospital  cannot  function.  Doctor 
Hu  and  the  rest  of  the  staff  saw 
there  was  no  use  in  remaining;  they 
had  nothing  with  which  to  carry  on 
their  work. 

SINCE  then  there  has  been  occa- 
sional news  of  these  Christian 
workers  in  medicine.  After  the  hos- 
pital closed,  Miss  Chang,  daughter 
of  a native  pastor  in  the  Mennonite 
mission  field  and  herself  a graduate 
of  the  mission  nurses’  training 
school,  went  west  and  found  work 
in  a large  hospital  in  southern  Shen 
Hsi  province.  Because  of  her  fine 
Christian  spirit  and  high  qualifica- 
tions, she  was  promoted  to  be  hos- 
pital supervisor  within  a few 
months  of  her  arrival.  Later  on  she 
came  to  the  mission  hospital  in 
Cheng  Tu,  a city  in  western  Szech- 
wan, where  work  had  been  opened 
in  1948. 

Three  other  nurses  from  Puyang 
Hospital  came  to  a Methodist  hos- 
pital in  the  city  of  Kweilin.  When 


W.  C.  Voth  visited  there  some  time 
later,  he  discovered  that  these  three 
from  Puyang  Hospital  were  on  the 
staff.  Of  course  he  asked  how  they 
were  getting  along.  He  was  told 
that  when  the  nurses  had  first  ap- 
plied for  work,  they  were  accepted 
on  probation.  The  hospital  staff 
soon  saw  that  the  nurses  were  well 
qualified.  The  staff  was  even  more 
impressed  by  the  girls’  excellent 
Christian  spirit  and  their  organi- 
zation of  a nurses’  prayer  group. 
Before  long  the  eldest  was  appoint- 
ed supervisor  of  the  hospital  nurs- 
ing staff.  An  American  superintend- 
ent of  nurses  testified  that  the  com- 
ing of  the  three  Christian  nurses 
from  the  Mennonite  Puyang  Hos- 
pital had  revolutionized  the  morale 
of  the  entire  Kweilin  hospital. 

The  most  recent  news  from  China 
is  of  a fresh  clampdown  by  the 
government.  Missionaries  who  for- 
merly served  there  ask  you  to  join 
them  in  prayer  for  the  Christians 
in  China,  that  the  church  may  con- 
tinue to  be  strong. 


Like  Boys.  . . Mennonite  Boys  League  Is  Growing 


Menno  Schrag* 

Mennonite  Boys  League,  which  is 
one  of  the  newer  ventures  for  en- 
listing General  Conference  youth  in 
the  cause  of  Christ  and  the  Church, 
continues  to  grow. 

Among  the  most  recent  additions 
to  the  League  are  Burns  Lake,  B.  C., 
Oak  Lake,  Man.,  and  East  Swamp, 
Quakertown,  Pa.  Extensive  interest 
is  manifest  in  the  program,  both  in 
the  States  and  in  Canada. 

Sponsored  by  “Mennonite  Men,” 
the  League  is  designed  “to  carry 
out  an  intensive  program  of  whole- 
some activities  geared  to  the  in- 
terests of  young  boys;  to  lead  boys 
into  a saving  relationship  with 
Christ;  and  to  foster  consistent 
Christian  living,  and  instill  a love 
for  the  Mennonite  faith  as  founded 
on  the  Word  of  God.” 

The  League  Handbook,  member- 
ship cards  and  badges  can  be  ob- 
tained by  writing  to  Boys  Work 
Committee,  General  Conference 
Headquarters,  722  Main,  Newton, 
Kansas. 

^Editor,  MENNONITE  WEEKLY  RE- 
VIEW; assoc,  editor,  THE  MENNONITE 


This  lively  group  of  boys  is  the 
Mennonite  Boys  League  of  Grace 
Mennonite  Church,  Lansdale,  Pa. 
They  are  under  the  leadership  of 
Walter  Sames  and  James  Hearing. 
Smaller  photo  at  right  shows  some 
of  the  craft  work  the  hoys  have 
done. 


54 


THE  MENNONITE 


The  purpose  and  program  of 


Christian  Education 

H.  W.  Byrne 


The  Word  of  God  reveals  the 
foundations  for  all  our  work  in 
church  and  Sunday  school.  Chris- 
tian education  is  a part  of  God’s 
program  for  His  church.  We  can 
find  the  purpose  and  program  for 
Christian  education  revealed  in  the 
Holy  Word. 

Purpose 

To  ascertain  the  purpose  of  Chris- 
tian education,  it  is  necessary  to 
know  what  it  is.  A number  of  years 
ago  President  Brown,  of  Dennison 
College,  commented  on  what  Chris- 
tian education  is  not.  Among  other 
things,  he  said  that  Christian  edu- 
cation is  not  secular  education  with 
a fringe  of  pious  words;  it  is  not 
religious  education  with  a politely 
frigid  bow  to  secular  scholarship; 
it  is  not  secular  education  with  an 
occasional  hypodermic  of  theology; 
and  it  is  not  character  building 
activity  with  a diluted  eyewash  of 
history,  English,  etc. 

What,  then,  is  Christian  educa- 
tion? It  is  education  for  the  Chris- 
tian, as  the  term  implies.  It  is  edu- 
cation about  Christ,  but  it  implies 
more  than  factual  knowledge.  It  is 
also  the  kind  of  education  which 
brings  one  to  a knowledge  of  God 
and  Jesus  Christ  as  Saviour  and 
Lord,  and  to  the  living  of  a Christ- 
like  life  . . . “that  I may  know  him” 
(Phil.  3:10),  and  resulting  in  a pe- 
culiar kind  of  living,  recorded  for 
us  in  1 Cor.  10:31:  “whether,  there- 
fore, ye  eat,  or  drink,  or  whatsoever 
ye  do,  do  all  to  the  glory  of  God.” 
The  purpose  of  Christian  educa- 
tion is  the  purpose  of  Jesus  Christ: 
“The  Son  of  man  is  come  to  seek 
and  to  save  that  which  was  lost” 
(Luke  19:10).  The  purpose  of  Jesus 
is  our  purpose  today. 

We  have  an  objective  also:  “That 
the  man  of  God  may  be  perfect, 
throughly  furnished  unto  all  good 
works”  (2  Tim.  3:17).  Our  initial 
purpose  is  to  seek  and  to  save  the 
lost;  our  great  objective  is  the  per- 
fect man  of  God. 


The  early  church,  willing  to  as- 
sume the  purpose  of  Jesus,  was  ex- 
horted by  the  Word  to  “Go  ye, 
therefore,  and  teach  all  nations, 
baptizing  them  in  the  name  of  the 
Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  teaching  them  to  ob- 
serve all  things  whatsoever  I have 
commanded  you;  and,  lo,  I am  with 
you  alway,  even  unto  the  end  of  the 
world”  (Matt.  28:19,  20).  The  church 
was  established  by  Jesus  and  is  to 
carry  out  His  will.  Let  us  harness 
the  great  force  of  Christian  educa- 
tion to  realize  the  purpose  of  Jesus 
and  the  objective  of  Paul! 

Program 

Our  responsibility  in  the  local 
church  is  to  take  this  purpose  and 
objective,  and  follow  the  pattern 
of  the  early  church  as  expressed 
in  Acts  2:41,42,  in  building  the  pro- 
gram of  Christian  education  in  the 
local  church. 

According  to  the  purpose  and  pat- 
tern, our  first  and  greatest  responsi- 
bility is  evangelism.  Yes,  evange- 
lism in  the  Sunday  school!  Too  long 
we  have  thought  of  the  Sunday 
school  as  a mere  informational  a- 
gency.  It  can  be  and  is  a great 
evangelistic  agency.  The  supreme 
purpose  of  all  officers,  teachers, 
and  workers  in  the  Sunday  school 
should  be  the  winning  of  souls — of 
children,  youth,  and  adults.  Chil- 
dren can  be  won  to  Christ  at  an 
early  age.  Let  us  have  a revival  in 
the  Sunday  school! 

The  pastor  and  Sunday  school 
superintendent  are  responsible  for 
promoting  an  evangelistic  program 
in  the  Sunday  school.  Careful  plans 
should  be  laid  to  win  every  scholar 
to  Christ,  to  train  officers  and  teach- 
ers to  be  evangelistic,  and  to  reach 
out  for  new  prospects.  Evangelism 
should  be  kept  central  in  the  Sun- 
day school’s  work.  Prayer  lists 
should  be  formed,  visitation  pro- 
grams planned,  and  absentees  fol- 
lowed up.  Let  us  be  thorough  in  our 
work  to  evangelize.  “And  the  Lord 


added  to  the  church  daily  such  as 
should  be  saved.” 

“They  continued  stedfastly  in 
the  apostles’  doctrine”  (Acts  2:42). 
You  can’t  do  this  without  a school 
situation.  Instruction  is  needed.  Ed- 
ucation is  the  second  major  func- 
tion of  the  program.  It  is  one  thing 
to  save  a soul;  it  is  another  thing 
to  build  faith,  develop  Christian 
character,  and  provide  a place  of 
service  in  the  kingdom. 

Just  as  it  is  logical  for  the  pastor 
to  direct  evangelism,  so  it  devolves 
naturally  upon  the  superintendent 
to  direct  the  instructional  phase  of 
the  program.  The  pastor,  however, 
is  the  general  supervisor  of  the 
total  program  and  works  closely 
with  the  superintendent  in  all 
phases  of  his  work,  guiding,  advis- 
ing, and  providing  general  assist- 
ance. Care  should  be  taken,  how- 
ever, to  see  that  evangelism  is  not 
held  separate  from  the  educational 
phase.  The  two  go  together. 

Social  life  and  fellowship  (note 
“fellowship”  in  v.  42)  are  vital  fac- 
tors in  the  church  program.  This 
is  a neglected  area.  As  above,  here 
is  a strategic  place  of  service  for 
one  person  to  direct  the  social  life 
and  fellowship  affairs  of  the  church. 
Fellowship  and  social  life  activities 
should  be  made  a part  of  the  cur- 
riculum and  correlated  with  other 
activities  to  provide  a dynamically 
spiritual  program. 

“Breaking  of  bread  and  prayers” 
(v.  42)  indicate  that  worship  and 
prayer  are  vital  elements  of  the 
local  church  program.  Much  study 
and  great  care  should  be  given  to 
planning  worship.  To  provide  a 
deeply  spiritual  atmosphere,  and  yet 
avoid  ritualism  and  formalism,  is 
a big  job.  The  importance  of  prayer 
cannot  be  overemphasized.  As  we 
pray,  so  we  evangelize,  instruct,  and 
build  the  program. 

— from  material  made  available  by 
National  Sunday  School  Association 


January  27,  1959 


55 


the  reader  says 

Dear  friends: 

I have  found  myself  guilty  of  al- 
most all  conceivable  sins  recorded 
in  Holy  Script,  and  the  laws  of  the 
land  in  word,  thought,  and  deed. 
Jesus  says  if  you  have  failed  in  one, 
you  are  guilty  of  all,  so  I am  unable 
to  draw  the  line. 

But  thanks  to  God  for  His  un- 
speakable Gift,  who  sent  His  Son 
into  this  world  to  save  sinners, 
even  a wretch  like  me.  If  you  take 
Jesus  Christ  at  His  word  and  prom- 
ise and  confess  your  sins,  God  is 
faithful  and  just  to  forgive  you  all 
trespasses.  Faith  saves,  hope  in- 
spires, love  serves  others.  Having 
made  my  peace  with  God,  I now 
come  to  you,  dear  people  who  know 
me,  that  you  also  will  forgive  me 
where  I have  wronged  you  in  any 
way  or  have  been  a stumbling  block 
to  you  on  your  life’s  way. 

I have  confessed  my  trespasses 


bookmarks 

STUDY  OF  COMMUNISM 

AN  ESSAY  ON  THE  IMPACT  OF 
MARXISM  by  Dr.  Josef  Macek. 
University  of  Pittsburgh  Press,  1955, 
130  pp.,  $5.00. 

This  is  an  excellent  book  for  those 
who  desire  a concise  but  reliable 
introduction  to  the  theory  and  prac- 
tice of  present  day  Communism. 
Bom  and  reared  in  Czechoslovakia, 
Dr.  Macek  has  had  firsthand  expe- 
rience with  the  treachery  of  the 
Russian  Communists. 

Dr.  Macek’s  purpose  in  this  book 
is  threefold.  First,  he  introduces 
his  readers  to  the  basic  Communist 
theories  of  class  war,  capital,  so- 
cial revolution,  value,  and  surplus 
value,  as  these  were  developed  by 
Marx  and  Engels.  Dr.  Macek  points 
out  these  theories  were  developed 
in  response  to  real  social  evils  of 
the  time  in  which  Marx  lived.  How- 
ever, a fact  is  one  thing  and  the 
explanation  of  that  fact  another.  As 
Dr.  Macek  puts  it,  we  need  not  deny 
the  facts  which  Communist  theory 
tries  to  interpret  in  order  to  refute 
or  expose  the  falsehood  of  Commu- 


and wrongs  to  many  while  they 
were  still  among  the  living,  but  not 
as  many,  by  any  means,  as  I would 
have  liked.  There  must  be  many 
others  to  reach  with  this  letter,  so 
that  I can  face  God  with  a clean 
slate. 

There  is  a little  German  verse 
(my  own  translation)  which  my 
mother  taught  us  in  our  childhood 
days,  that  has  been  great  comfort 
and  stay  in  past  days:  “Jesus’  blood 
and  righteousness  Is  my  jewel  and 
honor  dress;  With  this  dress  accept- 
ed, before  God  I’ll  stand.  When  in 
the  Heavenly  Mansion  Land.” 

The  chorus  of  a song  I take  much 
comfort  in  is:  “Living  He  loved  me, 
dying  He  saved  me,  buried  He  car- 
ried my  sins  far  away,  rising  He 
justified  me  forever.  One  day  He  is 
coming  again,  oh  glorious  day.” 
May  we  be  ready  and  live  with  that 
anticipation  that  the  event  may 
happen  at  any  moment. 

Sincerely,  Jake  Matthies 
Canon  Beach,  Oregon 


nist  ideology. 

Second,  Dr.  Macek  shows  how 
successive  leaders  of  the  Russian 
state  from  Lenin  to  the  present 
coalition  have  reinterpreted  Marx- 
ist theory  so  that  what  has  devel- 
oped within  Russia  is  state  cap- 
italism rather  than  Marxist  com- 
munism. The  ruthless  brutality  with 
which  this  was  achieved  both  in 
Russia  and  in  the  satellite  nations 
is  clearly  stated  and  well  document- 
ed. 

Third,  Dr.  Macek  would  have  us 
face  honestly  the  reasons  for  the 
impact  of  Marxism  upon  so  large  a 
part  of  the  world’s  population.  He 
calls  us  to  a positive  program  of 
action  to  meet  the  evils  to  which 
Communism  is  but  a negative  reac- 
tion. Dr.  Macek  does  not  attempt  to 
blueprint  this  program  but  he  clears 
the  air  by  pointing  up  basic  issues. 
The  book  would  be  a valuable  source 
in  a college  course  on  Communist 
theory  and  practice  or  for  a ma- 
ture church  school  group  who 
wished  to  grapple  seriously  with  the 
challenge  of  Communism  to  Chris- 
tianity. Its  chief  limitation  is  the 


film  review 

JAPAN,  Motion  picture  film,  25 
minutes.  Produced  by  Julien  Bryan 
and  the  International  Film  Bureau. 
Available  from  the  International 
Film  Foundation,  1 E.  42nd  St.,  New 
York.  Rental  $10.00. 

A documentary  type  film  that 
places  special  emphasis  on  the  eco- 
nomic and  social  problems  faced  by 
Japan.  Agriculture,  fishing,  light  in- 
dustry, and  heavy  industry  are  re- 
viewed. Japanese  music  is  used. 

The  film  finds  that  the  future 
of  Japan  depends  on  its  chances 
for  economic  survival.  While  the 
factual  material  used  in  the  film 
is  accurate,  there  is  a slight  tend- 
ency to  be  over-idealistic  in  that 
the  best  examples  of  Japanese  life 
are  chosen  for  display.  The  film 
is  recommended  for  instruction  in 
Japan’s  social  conditions  and  pro- 
motion of  interest  in  mission  work 
with  senior  highs  and  older. 


price.  $5.00  seems  prohibitive  for  a 
book  of  130  pages. 

— Alvin  J.  Beachy 

CLERGY  TAX  PRIMER 

A booklet  entitled  Federal  Tax 
Primer  for  Clergymen  has  been 
written  by  J.  C.  Cassel,  C.P.A.,  and 
published  by  the  Evangel  Press, 
Nappanee,  Ind.  The  author  deals  in 
a question  and  answer  method  with 
the  Federal  Income  Tax  and  Social 
Security  Tax  as  it  particularly  af- 
fects a minister.  Special  attention 
is  given  to  the  minister  who,  while 
serving  as  a pastor,  must  supple- 
ment his  income  from  other  sources. 
Attention  also  is  given  to  the  con- 
tractual agreement  between  the 
pastor  and  the  congregation  in  light 
of  Federal  Tax  Regulations. 

J.  C.  Cassel  is  a member  of  the 
Budget  Commission  of  the  Brethren 
in  Christ  denomination  and  is  ac- 
tive in  the  Christian  Businessmen’s 
Committee  of  Dayton,  Ohio.  The 
booklet,  which  sells  for  $ .75,  is 
available  at  Christian  bookstores  or 
from  the  Evangel  Press,  Nappanee, 
Indiana. 


56 


THE  AAENNONITE 


Mennonite  Youth 


DARE  WE 
LIVE 

in  the  household 


That’s  a strange  question,  to  say  the  least!  Why,  of 
course  we  dare  live  in  the  household  of  God.  We’ve 
been  told  all  our  lives  that  we’re  invited  in,  perhaps 
almost  grown  in.  Besides,  I joined  church  a long  time 
ago  so  I guess  that  takes  care  of  my  answer  to  your 
question.  This  “dare  I’’  or  “dare  I not”  doesn’t  apply. 

Why  do  you  persist?  You’re  trying  to  tell  me  that 
it  isn’t  as  simple  as  all  that,  aren’t  you?  Really,  I 
can’t  see  it.  It  doesn’t  seem  to  make  much  difference 
any  more  whether  a person  belongs  to  a church  or  not 
— or  how  seriously  he  takes  it — as  long  as  he’s  morally 
on  the  level  and  all  that. 


of  God? 


still  you  keep  asking?  Why  all  the  “household”  busi- 
ness anyway?  Who  was  it  that  said  those  words?  . . . 
Oh  yes,  something  about  children,  heirs  ...  of  God, 
and  fellow  heirs  with  Christ  . . . for  we  are  members 
one  of  another.  . . . 

Well,  if  you  were  planning  to  have  this  lead  into  a 
sermon  on  my  responsibility  to  the  church,  don’t  both- 
er. I know  all  about  that.  And  I think  I’m  making  a 
brave  attempt  too — teaching  Sunday  school  plus  a few 
other  things. 

Why  don’t  you  leave  me  alone?  I was  getting  along 
fine.  Your  question  is  leading  to  more  and  more  ques- 
tions, and  I don’t  think  I can  answer  them.  But  they’re 
there  and  I seem  compelled  to  face  them.  Why  did  you 
bring  it  up  in  the  first  place?  . . . Dare  we  live  in  the 
household  of  God?  . . . Dare  we  accept  the  sacrifices 
of  self  and  will  and  ‘possessions  that  seem  to  be  in- 
volved in  the  love  demanded  by  the  love  shown  on  the 
cross?  Dare  we  accept  our  inheritance  as  fellow  citi- 
zens with  saints,  no  longer  strangers  or  guests  but 
citizens  of  a kingdom  in  the  world  but  not  of  the 
world?  Are  we  willing  to  be  Christians  and  be  “char- 
acterized by  creative  maladjustment”  ...  to  lose  our 
lives  in  the  love  and  challenge  of  Christ? 


January  27,  1959 


57 


A former  youth  leader  writes  about 

North  German  Mennonite  Youth 


Hans  WIEHLER  started  the 
work  with  German  Mennonite 
youth  back  in  ’51.  Like  an  Old  Tes- 
tament prophet,  he  iust  appeared.” 
The  truth  is  that  Hans  had  been 
to  a Mennonite  college  in  the  U.S.A. 
for  two  semesters,  and  upon  re- 
turning to  Europe  followed  through 
the  interest  he  was  developing 
through  experiences  and  challenges 
found  in  Mennonite  “new  world” 
associations. 

Hans  started  big  things.  He  found- 
ed youth  groups  in  places  where 
isolated  Mennonite  groups  settled 
after  the  war’s  end.  He  soon  found 
out,  however,  that  the  work  was 
too  much  for  him.  But  Hans  had 
connections  with  the  Pax  program 
and  found  a German  speaking 
American,  Robert  Detweiler.  These 
two  youth  workers  continued  to  lead 
youth  programs,  summer  Bible 
schools,  and  tent  camps. 

Hans  was  not  satisfied  with  his 
education  so  he  returned  in  1953 
to  America  for  seminary.  To  take 
Han’s  place,  the  South  German  Men- 
nonites  came  to  the  rescue  and  sent 
Helmut  Funck,  a young  German 
student  who  had  studied  in  St. 
Chrischona,  near  Basel,  Switzerland. 
Between  the  two  of  them,  Robert 
and  Helmut  broadened  the  youth 
program  to  its  present  limits  with 
eighteen  active  youth  groups  scat- 
tered throughout  North  Germany. 

Robert  began  universitv  work 
in  the  spring  of  1955  in  Hamburg. 
This  is  where  I came  on  the  scene. 
In  January,  1955,  I was  to  start  my 
1-W  service  with  MCC  in  the  Neth- 
erlands. Later,  finding  out  that 
youth  work  in  North  Germany 
would  be  my  area,  I was  rushed  up 
to  Hamburg  to  get  a head  start  on 
the  German  language  and  to  get 
broken  in  by  Robert.  This  was  not 
so  easy,  and  I soon  found  that  two 
years  of  language  at  college  were 
next  to  nothing.  When  Robert  left 
the  work  in  May,  I was  able  to  stut- 
ter. But  when  Helmut  left  in  Sep- 
tember to  continue  his  studies,  the 
complete  work  was  placed  upon  this 
American  with  a poor  accent  who 
said  “der”  instead  of  “das!” 

But  where  to  now?  One  thing 
sure,  it  was  now  time  to  work  to- 
ward an  indigenous  program.  It  was 


also  time  to  work  toward  a progam 
based  on  a more  solid  Mennonite 
foundation,  and  the  tools  were  al- 
most at  hand.  For  one  of  the  most 
positive  results  of  the  program  dur- 
ing these  first  four  years  was  the 
fact  that  a number  of  young  peo- 
ple saw  it  their  duty  to  put  their 
lives  into  church  work.  Some  de- 
cided to  study  theology;  others  went 
to  the  Mennonite  Bible  School  in 
Basel.  Others  started  giving  their 
free  time  for  the  youth  work.  Thus 
it  was  no  longer  the  task  of  the 
youth  worker  to  go  to  all  the  re- 


treats and  lead  all  the  programs. 
Much  more  it  was  the  task  to  work 
in  an  intensive  manner  with  a few 
qualified  leaders  in  continuing  a 
program  geared  to  the  level  of  the 
young  people  themselves  with  local 
strength  harnessed  by  local  leader- 
ship. We  have  come  a long  way 
in  making  this  new  aspect  solid 
through  the  more  mature  nature  of 
retreats  in  the  past  year,  especially 
at  the  annual  youth  leaders’  con- 
ference and  the  annual  workshop. 

This  had  made  itself  known,  for 
example,  in  Hamburg  in  the  follow- 
ing manner:  In  1957  there  were 
eleven  Mennonite  university  stu- 
dents in  Hamburg.  These  students, 
along  with  other  young  adults, 
formed  a Gemeinschaft  or  fellow- 
ship which  met  a few  times  each 
month.  Here  problems  were  dis- 
cussed and  issues  raised  pertaining 
to  youth  and  church  work  in  North 
Germany.  Various  of  these  young 
men  and  women  were  leaders  of 
other  youth  groups,  so  that  in  this 
informal  manner  a unifying  princi- 


ple was  also  at  hand  tying  together 
the  concerns  of  most  of  the  youth. 

At  this  point  the  question  might 
be  raised:  What  is  so  different  about 
this  from  our  own  youth  grfcups? 

Here  is  the  difference:  Refugee 
Mennonite  youth  in  North  Germany 
are  as  strangers  in  a new  land.  They 
often  do  not  have  a church  building 
a few  miles  from  their  home  as 
their  parents  had  twenty  years  be- 
fore back  in  Prussia.  There  are  only 
a few  preachers  to  care  for  the 
many  congregations.  And  the  Men- 
nonites  are  scattered,  all  of  which 
gives  the  older  farm  generation 
little  hope  in  their  postwar  urban 
culture.  The  youth  have  been  car- 
rying on  by  themselves.  They  have 
organized  and  carried  through  their 
plans  without  the  backing  of  a well- 
founded  congregation. 

They  travel  hundreds  of  miles 
just  to  have  fellowship  with  other 
Mennoites,  often  via  bicycle.  And 
they  have  a wonderful  time!  They 
do  not  need  to  wait  until  someone 
else  tells  them,  “Now  we  shall  sing.” 
They  simply  start  singing.  They  dis- 
cuss vigorously,  having  their  own 
viewpoints,  which  change  when 
proved  wrong.  This  all  takes  place 
regularly  among  five  to  six  or  ten 
to  twelve  young  people,  and  once 
or  twice  a year  among  sixty  to 
eighty.  For  these  folks  success  does 
not  mean:  “Oh,  so  many  were  here; 
wasn’t  it  wonderful?”  but  rather: 
“Well,  we’ve  come  to  a common 
understanding  in  all  but  three 
points  toward  finding  an  answer  to 
the  German  rearmament  program!” 

Yet  it  is  hard  for  youth  to  mature 
as  a Christian  fellowship  when  the 
older  generation  has  lost  much  hope 
and  does  not  have  good  opportuni- 
ty to  act  as  a congregation  and 
church.  Those  who  have  started  the 
work  and  the  present  leaders  are 
not  working  in  vain.  The  Canadian 
graduate  student  now  in  Hamburg, 
David  Schroeder,  who  has  taken 
over  my  position  in  part,  will  be 
able  to  continue  giving  the  past 
development  a more  solid  theologi- 
cal basis  as  he  continues  with  MCC 
to  devote  his  weekends  and  free 
time  to  the  North  German  youth. 

Those  of  us  who  have  been 
among  the  North  Germans  wish  to 
thank  God  for  His  guiding  hand 
and  we  are  grateful  for  the  insights 
they  have  given  us. 

— Leonard  Gross  in  Youth’s  Chris- 
tian Companion. 


58 


THE  MENNONITE 


German  Youth  in  Action 


! Two-week  summer  retreats  for  children  are  held  at 
I different  plaees  in  North  Germany  as  indicated  on  the 
‘ map  {opposite  page).  The  photos  above  show  the  aver- 


age number  of  children  attending,  and  some  of  the 
young  people  who  helped  in  the  "^ogram. 

— Oskar  Wedel,  Lubeck,  Germany 


' Introducing:  Canadian  YPU 


DISTRICT  OFFICERS:  Arthur 

I Wiens,  president;  John  Neufeld,  vice 
president;  Anita  Froese,  secretary; 

' Arthur  Dick,  faith  and  life  chair- 
I man;  Menno  Epp,  fellowship  chair- 
man; Bertha  Thiessen,  service  chair- 
man; Peter  Harder,  pastor-advisor; 
Larry  Kehler,  editor  of  the  Jugen- 
I bote. 

OUR  BUDGET  for  the  conference 
' year  1958-59  is;  General  Conference 
YPU  $2,170;  gift  subscriptions  to 
; the  Canadian  Mennonite — $125;  pub- 
lications— $900;  travel — $300;  mis- 
sion project — $1,200;  office  expense 
— $55;  music  scholarship  — $100; 
delegate  to  the  next  world  confer- 
1 ence — $150.  This  totals  up  to  $5,000. 

SPECIAL  ACTIVITIES:  Activi- 

ties on  the  district  level  are  lim- 
ited  to  our  youth  conference,  which 
convenes  at  the  time  of  the  Dis- 


trict Conference.  In  1958  it  took 
place  in  Saskatoon,  Saskatchewan. 
For  many  years  the  youth  groups 
sent  adult  delegates  to  this  confer- 
ence, but  recently  it  has  been  en- 
couraging to  notice  that  more 
groups  are  sending  youth  delegates. 
The  youth  conference  brings  many 
young  people  to  the  four  day  gath- 
ering. At  the  last  conference  Peter 
Letkeman  and  Frank  Epp  were  the 
speakers. 

Most  youth  activities  are  spon- 
sored by  the  provincial  organiza- 
tions. There  are  workshops  and  re- 
treats in  all  provinces.  Aberta 
bought  a campsite  this  summer. 
PROJECTS:  (1)  We  finance  a gift 
subscription  of  the  Canadian  Men- 
nonite to  all  our  young  people  work- 
ing abroad.  (2)  We  sponsor  a page 
(Jugenbote)  in  Der  Bote.  (3)  We 


have  a music  scholarship  fund  and 
have  decided  to  add  $100  to  this 
every  year.  (4)  We  are  budgeting 
$150  annually  for  a fund  to  pay  the 
expenses  of  a delegate  to  the  next 
world  conference  of  Mennonites.  (5) 
We  support  two  boys  in  Missions 
Pax  to  the  extent  of  $600  each.  The 
boys  are  John  Heese  (going  to  Bel- 
gian Congo)  and  John  Pauls  (go- 
ing to  India). 

PROMOTION:  The  work  of  our 
organization  is  promoted  through 
the  provincial  youth  groups.  Each 
province  makes  itself  responsible 
for  its  share  of  the  budget. 

NEW  VENTURE:  We  have  al- 
ways felt  far  removed  from  the 
local  youth  groups.  To  meet  this 
situation  we  sponsored  “Canadian 
Mennonite  Youth  Organization” 
nights  during  the  past  year.  We 
contacted  a number  of  speakers  in 
each  province  who  were  acquainted 
with  youth  work  on  Conference  and 
District  levels.  Then  we  sent  out  a 
circular  in  which  we  told  local  youth 
groups  that  these  speakers  were 
open  to  invitations  to  speak.  If 
they  wanted  a CMYO  night,  they 
were  to  contact  one  of  the  sug- 
gested speakers.  Many  groups  took 
advantage  of  this  offer,  and  we 
plan  to  continue  it  this  winter. 

A BIG  CONCERN:  We  still  have 
congregations  that  don’t  have  a 
youth  group. 

— Arthur  Wiens,  president 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsorea 
by  the  Young  People's  Union  of  (he  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  3003 
Benham  Avenue,  Elkhart,  Indiana. 


Discussion  group  at  leadership  clinic,  British  Columbia 


January  27,  1959 


59 


our  schools 

A VISION  MATURING 

A report  from  the  business  office 
of  Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary  re- 
veals that  the  total  contributions  re- 
ceived by  the  seminary  during  1958 
amounted  to  $183,656.60.  More  peo- 
ple contributed  directly  to  the  sem- 
inary than  ever  before,  and  church 
offerings  were  higher  than  in  any 
previous  year.  Of  the  total,  $41,- 
549.00  was  received  in  gifts  of  $1,000 
or  more. 

Andrew  R.  Shelly,  director  of  pub- 
lic relations,  has  announced  the  an- 
nual Winter  Mail  Campaign  goal 
to  be  $56,000.  The  slogan  used  is: 
“A  Vision  Maturing.”  He  pointed 
out  that  this  aptly  describes  the 
challenge  facing  the  seminary  at 
this  time.  Displayed  in  our  main 
hallway  is  the  spade  used  in  the 
groundbreaking  ceremonies  on  Sept. 
3,  1957.  Together  with  this  is  a 
thermometer  poster  being  kept  up 
to  date  as  gifts  are  received.  The 
goal  includes  money  to  be  used  to 
reduce  the  total  bank  loan  and  also 
current  expenses. 

VIOLIN  RECITAL 

Rupert  Hohmann,  Bethel  College 
music  faculty,  appeared  in  a violin 
sonata  recital  Jan.  18  in  the  Bethel 
College  Chapel.  Selections  included 
were  Sonata  in  D Major  by  Handel, 
Sonata  for  violin  solo  by  Prokofief, 
and  Sonata  in  A (Kreutzer  Sonata) 
by  Beethoven.  Janice  Reimer  accom- 
panied Mr.  Hohmann. 

ORAL  EXAMS 

Senior  oral  comprehensive  exam- 
inations are  being  conducted  at 
Bethel  College  every  Saturday 
morning.  The  schedule  is  arranged 
so  that  from  ten  to  twelve  faculty 
committees  may  sit  simultaneously, 
each  committee  examining  several 
seniors  in  the  course  of  the  morn- 
ing. Examinations  are  based  pri- 
marily on  Albert  Schweitzer’s  book 
The  Philosophy  of  Civilization.  Min- 
isterial and  community  leaders  have 
been  invited  to  participate  with  the 
faculty  examining  committees. 

LIBRARY  GRANT 

The  Bethel  College  Library  has 
received  $300  from  the  Association 
of  Colleges  and  Research  Libraries 
to  be  applied  on  laboratory  mate- 
rials in  communications  and  busi- 
ness periodicals,  according  to  Leona 


Krehbiel,  librarian.  The  grant  is 
made  from  funds  contributed  by 
the  United  States  Steel  Founda- 
tion, Inc.  This  is  the  second  of  such 
awards  to  be  made  to  Bethel  Col- 
lege, a previous  grant  having  been 
used  for  a microcard  reader  and  a 
chemical  encyclopedia  on  micro- 
cards. 

TO  SPONSOR  FILM 

The  regular  bimonthly  meeting 
of  the  area  Fellowship  of  Recon- 
ciliation was  held  in  the  Mosiman 
Room  of  the  Bluffton  College  Li- 
brary Jan.  11.  Carl  Smucker,  area 
president,  conducted  the  meeting, 
while  Ralph  Sommers,  Bluffton,  lo- 
cal representative,  had  charge  of 
the  program. 

Mineko  Kubota,  Bluffton  College 
student  from  Japan,  was  guest 
speaker.  She  described  Japanese  re- 
actions to  American  foreign  policy. 
A discussion  period  followed. 

One  of  the  decisions  made  by  the 
group  was  to  sponsor  the  new  film 
Alternatives  featuring  TV  and  mo- 
vie star,  Don  Murray.  [The  film 
will  be  available  in  the  near  future 
from  the  Audio  Visual  Library, 
Mennonite  Publication  Office,  720 
Main,  Newton,  Kan.] 

MCC  SPEAKERS 

Leo  Driedger  and  Merrill  Raber, 
representatives  from  the  Mennonite 
Central  Committee,  will  be  on  the 
Freeman  Junior  College  campus 
Jan.  27-28.  They  will  speak  in  chap- 
el in  the  morning.  During  the  day 
they  will  be  available  for  consul- 
tation with  students  and  young  peo- 
ple from  the  community  who  are 
interested  in  Christian  service  op- 
portunities. An  evening  meeting  for 
all  young  people  from  churches  in 
the  area  is  planned  for  Jan.  28  in 
the  college  chapel. 

REGISTRATION 

Registration  at  Canadian  Menno- 
nite Bible  College  showed  an  in- 
crease of  seventeen  students.  The 
province  of  Manitoba  now  leads 
with  a total  of  32.  The  increase 
brings  the  total  number  to  91,  which 
is  7 less  than  the  number  attending 
in  the  winter  term  of  1958. 


Canadian  Mennonite  Bible  College 
students  were  privileged  to  take 
part  in  the  study  conference  on  “The 
Church  and  Its  Witness  in  Society.” 
The  papers,  discussions,  and  contact 
with  Mennonite  scholars  and  lead- 
ers from  both  the  U.  S.  A.  and  Can- 
ada were  very  informative. 


MCC  news  and  notes 

2ND  FEEDING  PROJECT  IN  BEIRUT 

MIDDLE  EAST— A second  feed- 
ing project  was  opened  in  the  As- 
syrian area  of  Beirut  Dec.  10.  Ap- 
proximately 170  children  from  four 
to  ten  years  of  age  will  receive 
bread  baked  from  MCC  fiour,  and 
cheese  or  fruit  daily.  Old  people 
over  65  years  of  age  are  given  fiour 
once  a month  and  cheese  once  a 
week. 

Most  of  the  beneficiaries  belong  to 
a needy  Assyrian  Christian  group. 
Political  upheavals  and  persecution 
in  the  1930’s  drove  them  from  their 
homes  in  northern  Iraq  and  scat- 
tered them  in  all  directions.  One 
group  came  to  Lebanon  and  settled 
chiefiy  in  the  city  of  Beirut.  Where- 
as the  men  had  been  herdsmen  and 
farmers  in  their  homeland,  they  now 
made  a living  as  unskilled  laborers. 
Few  bothered  to  obtain  work  per- 
mits which  aliens  are  required  to 
have,  or  checked  into  matters  of 
citizenship. 

When  normal  employment  be- 
came disrupted  during  last  sum- 
mer’s political  crisis,  the  govern- 
ment began  to  apply  much  more 
strictly  the  requirement  for  all  for- 
eigners to  have  work  permits.  These 
people,  who  had  no  reserve  to  draw 
on  and  who  could  not  get  employ- 
ment, were  hit  hardest. 

Alice  Snyder  (Kitchener,  Ont.), 
who  is  in  charge  of  the  emergency 
relief  program  in  Beirut,  writes; 
“Here  is  a weak  Christian  group 
which  needs  and  is  asking  for  help, 
not  only  materially,  but  spiritually. 
Maybe  we  were  sent  to  Beirut  part- 
ly as  an  answer  to  their  prayers.” 
She  reports  that  many  of  the  chil- 
dren are  not  in  school  because  their 
parents  cannot  afford  to  send  them 
to  government  schools.  Evening 
classes  for  approximately  100  stu- 
dents are  being  held,  money  for 
school  supplies  having  been  given 
them  by  the  Near  East  Christian 
Council.  They  would  like  to  have  Bi- 
bles and  New  Testaments,  but  they 
cannot  afford  to  buy  them. 

Middle  East  director  Ernest  Leh- 
man reports  that  customs  exemp- 
tion on  relief  supplies  into  Leb- 
anon has  finally  been  granted,  so 
that  it  will  now  be  possible  to  get 
meat  and  clothing  into  the  country. 
MCC  is  planning  a shipment  of  ap- 
proximately 25,000  lbs.  in  the  very 
near  future. 


60 


THE  MENNONITE 


SIX  HAPPY  PAXMEN  IN  NEPAL 

FAR  EAST  — About  two  and  a 
half  years  ago  in  the  fall  of  1956, 
two  Paxmen  and  a relief  worker 
formed  the  first  team  of  MCC  men 
to  enter  Nepal.  Today  six  Paxmen 
are  serving  in  various  capacities  in 
this  ancient  little  kingdom  in  the 
Himalaya  Mountains,  which  until 
seven  or  eight  years  ago  was  virtu- 
ally closed  to  all  foreigners.  They 
are  working  with  the  United  Chris- 
tian Mission  to  Nepal,  an  inter- 
denominational group  extending  the 
Christian  message  via  medical  and 
educational  services. 

I Unit  leader  James  Witmer  (Union- 
town,  Ohio)  gives  a brief  resume  of 
I the  team’s  activities: 

I “Dean  Wyze  from  Ohio  is  at  a 
' mountain  mission  outpost  where  he 
had  been  building  schoolrooms  and 
a medical  dispensary.  He  also  has 
I a rabbit  project  which  creates  a 
great  deal  of  interest  among  the 

I hill  people.  To  the  west,  at  Tansen, 
are  Otho  Horst  from  Maryland  and 
Ken  Stichter  from  Indiana.  A new 
‘ hospital  is  under  construction  here 
and  the  contribution  of  these  men 
is  of  great  importance.  In  the  cap- 
|i.  ital  city  of  Katmandu  at  a seventy- 
I bed  hospital  are  James  Miller  from 
I Ohio,  Willis  Rudy  from  Ontario, 
I and  myself.  Miller  does  electrical 
r repairing  and  other  maintenance 
; jobs  at  the  hospital  and  he  also 
I has  the  big  job  of  preparing  a pal- 

jottings 

JOINT  YOUTH  BANQUET 

Gospel  Church,  Mountain  Lake, 
’ Minn.:  A Christmas  music  program 
; was  given  by  our  church  musical 
groups  Dec.  7.  A reception  was 
1’  held  the  same  day  for  Mr.  and  Mrs. 

: Jerrold  Duerksen,  who  were  mar- 
y ried  in  Kansas.  The  annual  church 
t ft  business  meeting  was  held  Dec.  8. 
: 1 Our  church  helped  with  community 
n relief  canning  Dec.  9-10.  Mrs.  Ben 
; Sawatzky  of  India  spoke  to  the 
^ j Tabitha  Society  at  their  regular 
meeting.  A playlet,  “Christmas 
Bundles,’’  was  given  by  members  at 
- the  Dec.  meeting  of  the  King’s  Co- 
fl  Workers  and  Co-Workers’  Daugh- 
; I ters  Mission  Societies.  Mrs.  Albert 
¥ Larson  also  spoke.  Cookies  were 
iji  brought  for  the  servicemen’s  cen- 
, j ters  and  a shower  was  held  for 
» Missionary  Anna  Quiring  and  for 
“j  > the  Pastor  Schultz  family.  Ben  J. 
Nickel  brought  the  message  at  the 
t Christmas  Day  services;  that  eve- 

January  27,  1959 


ace  which  we  have  rented  recently 
for  living  quarters  and  a nursing 
school.  Rudy  has  been  serving  as 
private  secretary  to  Dr.  Miller  as 
well  as  doing  social  work  among 
the  single  men  staff.  I have  been 
acting  as  business  manager  for  the 
hospital  and  nursing  school.  All 
three  of  us  get  our  share  of  ambu- 
lance calls.  This,  briefly,  is  the  story 
of  six  happy  men  in  Nepal,  serving 
in  the  name  of  Christ  through 
MCC.” 

IN  BRIEF 

— Three  years  ago  a church  school 
was  opened  in  Pati,  Java.  The  school 
has  two  divisions:  the  first  trains 

individuals  for  teaching  in  elemen- 
tary schools,  the  second  offers  a 
course  in  commerce  and  economics 
on  a senior  high  school  level.  MCC 
worker  Wilbert  Shenk  (Sheridan, 
Oregon)  serves  as  an  instructor  at 
this  school.  He  reports:  “The  qual- 
ity of  the  student  body  is  rising 
each  year  and  in  a few  years  we 
will  have  a first-rate  school.  It  is 
also  important  to  us  that  our  school 
continue  to  serve  as  a means  of 
reaching  non-Christians.  If  one 
would  want  to  calculate  the  per 
capita  amount  spent  in  time  and 
money  in  reaching  each  new  Chris- 
tian in  this  country,  it  would  be  low 
for  those  won  through  the  schools. 
And  this  will  be  multiplied  again 
as  these  young  Christian  teachers 
go  out.” 


ning  a Christmas  program  was  pre- 
sented by  the  S.  S.  entitled  “The 
Message  of  the  Bells.”  Dec.  26  the 
young  people  who  were  home  for 
the  holidays  presented  a program. 
H.  H.  Peters  of  Jackson,  Miss., 
brought  the  message  Dec.  28.  That 
evening  J.  J.  Esau  spoke  at  the 
C.  E.  program,  and  elections  of  of- 
ficers was  held.  A young  people’s 
banquet  and  watch  night  service 
was  held  together  with  the  First 
and  Bethel  Mennonite  churches  at 
the  First  Church  on  New  Year’s  Eve. 
Vincent  Harding  of  Chicago  was 
the  speaker.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  A.  H. 
Peters  held  open  house  Jan.  2 in 
honor  of  their  fortieth  wedding  an- 
niversary. On  Jan.  4,  installation 
services  were  held  for  church  and 
S.  S.  workers  at  the  morning  wor- 
ship service.  That  afternoon  a wel- 
come home  service  was  held  for 
missionary  Anna  Quiring.  Abe 
Krause  spoke  at  the  Lightbearers 


— From  Vienna,  Irene  Bishop 
(Perkasie,  Pa.)  reports  that  as  of 
November,  1958,  there  were  still 
15,482  Hungarian  refugees  in  Aus- 
tria. In  addition  approximately 
4,500  refugees  from  Yugoslavia  have 
come  into  the  country  since  1956, 
most  of  them  farmers  who  wish  to 
immigrate  to  the  U.  S.  or  Canada. 

PERSONNEL 

Akron:  On  Jan.  5,  Willard  E. 
Roth  assumed  the  duties  of  Secre- 
tary of  Information  Service  at  MCC 
headquarters.  He  had  previously 
served  as  pastor  of  a city  mission 
in  Des  Moines,  Iowa. 

Europe:  Doreen  Harms  and  Elma 
Esau,  both  of  Whitewater,  Kan., 
and  Joyce  Bratton  from  McVey- 
town.  Pa.,  left  for  assignments  in 
Europe  on  Jan.  12.  Doreen  will  as- 
sist Peter  Dyck  in  the  MCC  office 
at  Frankfurt,  particularly  in  mat- 
ters of  East-West  relations.  Elma 
will  work  with  Paul  Ruth  in  Menno 
Travel  Service  in  Amsterdam  and 
take  over  the  work  temporarily 
when  the  Ruths  transfer  to  Akron 
in  spring.  Joyce  will  also  serve  in 
Amsterdam,  as  MTS  secretary. 

Jordan:  Lome  and  Lois  Ruegg 
(Stayner,  Ont.)  sailed  for  the  Mid- 
dle East  on  Jan.  17.  They  will  join 
the  MCC  unit  at  Jericho,  where 
their  work  will  be  largely  with 
material  aid  distributions. 


program  in  the  evening;  there  was 
also  a candlelight  installation  of 
new  officers. — Mrs.  Waldo  Stoesz, 
corr. 

EIGHTIETH  ANNIVERSARY 

First  Church,  Newton,  Kan.: 
Nov.  9 was  an  eventful  and  blessed 
day  for  First  Church  in  that  it  ob- 
served the  eightieth  anniversary  of 
its  founding  in  1878,  with  special 
services  in  the  afternoon  and  eve- 
ning. Edmund  J.  Miller,  pastor  of 
the  First  Church  of  Christian, 
Moundridge,  Kan.,  was  guest  speak- 
er. His  message  for  the  afternoon 
service  was  entitled,  “What  Is  the 
Church?”  The  four  church  choirs 
gave  a musicale  in  the  evening, 
which  also  included  a short  mes- 
sage, “Where  Are  You  Going?”  by 
Pastor  Miller.  Christmas  in  June 
was  celebrated  on  June  29,  at  which 
time  151  Christmas  bundles  for  re- 
lief were  dedicated.  The  S.  S.  spon- 
sored a Teacher’s  and  Church  Work- 

61 


er’s  Institute  Sept.  29-30  and  Oct.  1. 
Teachers  were  Mrs.  Herbert  Miller, 
Mrs.  Carl  Voth,  Mrs.  Harry  Mar- 
tens, and  Mrs.  Lloyd  Spaulding. 
The  Men’s  Fellowship  sponsored  a 
Father-Son  banquet  on  Oct.  7,  at 
which  fathers  and  sons  of  Bethel 
College  Church  were  invited.  The 
Western  District  Women’s  Associa- 
tion met  here  Oct.  18  in  connection 
with  the  Western  District  Confer- 
ence, which  met  at  North  Newton. 
— Corr. 

“NURSE  FOR  A DAY” 

Mennonite  Hospital,  Bloomington, 
III.;  A “Nurse  For  A Day”  pro- 
gram is  being  conducted  at  the 
Mennonite  Hospital  School  of  Nurs- 
ing in  Bloomington  during  January. 
Each  week,  groups  of  ten  to  twelve 
high  school  seniors  from  the  sur- 
rounding area  who  are  considering 
nursing  as  a career  arrive  at  the 
School  of  Nursing  Thurs.  after- 
noon and  will  leave  Fri.  afternoon. 
On  Thursday  they  engage  in  a get- 
acquainted  and  social  entertainment 
program.  The  Friday  program  be- 
gins with  chapel  attendance.  Fol- 
lowing breakfast,  these  prospective 
applicants,  who  will  be  wearing  a 
complete  nurse’s  uniform,  will  visit 
hospital  wards  with  junior  and  sen- 
ior students  as  hostesses.  'They  will 
then  tour  the  hospital  with  Romeyn 
Oyer,  R.N.,  clinical  supervisor,  and 
Louise  Keeran,  a senior,  as  guides. 
The  tour  will  be  followed  by  a 
coffee  break.  The  program  includes 
viewing  films  and  slides  on  various 
phases  of  nursing  and  a discussion 
of  nursing  as  a profession  by  Mrs. 
Maude  Swartzendruber,  R.N.,  Di- 
rector of  the  Mennonite  Hospital 
School  of  Nursing.  After  lunch, 
there  will  be  an  opportunity  for 
personal  conferences  with  other 
members  of  the  School’s  staff.  After 
attending  classes  with  junior  stu- 
dents, the  visitors  will  have  com- 
pleted their  “Nurse  For  A Day”  ex- 
perience and  enjoyed  an  opportu- 
nity to  gain  some  idea  of  what 
nursing  is  really  like. 

BURKHOLDER  CONDUCTS  SERVICES 

Onecho  Church,  Colfax,  Wash,: 
In  November  Harold  Burkholder, 
Dallas,  Ore.,  conducted  a ten-day 
conference  on  the  Victorious  Life, 
with  studies  taken  from  the  Book 
of  Acts.  On  Thanksgiving  Day  a- 
bout  fifty  people  enjoyed  a fellow- 
ship dinner  at  the  church,  follow- 
ing worship  services  in  the  morn- 
ing. The  annual  thankoffering, 
which  is  largely  designated  for 
missions,  amounted  to  over  $4,000. 
The  annual  business  meeting  was 
held  Dec.  1 with  Herb  Broweleit  as 
newly  elected  trustee.  A new  car- 
pet was  dedicated  Jan.  4.  The  mis- 
sionary society  met  Dec.  4 and  Jan. 


8 for  all-day  sessions  to  tie  com- 
forters. The  young  people  met  for 
a skating  party  and  wiener  roast 
before  their  regular  C.  E.  meeting 
Jan.  4,  at  the  David  Morgan  home. 
Gerhart  Dyck  is  in  the  Ritzville, 
Wash.,  hospital  following  surgery. 
Mrs.  Eugenia  Schluneger  is  in  the 
Sacred  Heart  Hospital  in  Spokane 
for  removal  of  a cataract.  A re- 
cent marriage  was  that  of  Mar- 
jorie Unruh  to  Leslie  Schluneger, 
Pateros,  Wash. — Mrs.  Alvin  Rubin, 
corr. 

YPU  RALLY 

Salem  Church,  Dalton,  Ohio:  Our 
Mission  Sister  social,  held  Dec.  1, 
featured  a play.  Late  April,  present- 
ed by  the  young  people  of  a neigh- 
boring church.  A twenty-five  note 
set  of  chimes  was  installed  in  our 
organ.  Given  in  memory  of  S.  C. 
Sprunger,  the  chimes  will  be  dedi- 
cated in  the  near  future.  At  a Sun. 
evening  service  we  viewed  the  film 
The  Guest,  the  story  of  a shoemaker 
who  was  expecting  the  Lord.  Dec. 
21  all  those  present  who  had  ever 
sung  the  “Hallelujah  Chorus”  from 
The  Messiah  participated  in  sing- 
ing it  as  special  music  of  the  wor- 
ship service.  The  young  people  and 
others  of  our  church  went  Christ- 
mas and  New  Year  caroling,  fol- 
lowed by  a candlelight  and  watch 
night  service.  About  65  young  peo- 
ple from  six  Ohio  churches  attend- 
ed a YPU  rally  here  the  weekend  of 
Jan.  3.  Vincent  Harding  of  Wood- 
lawn  Church  and  Bill  Detweiler  of 
Kidron  Church  were  the  speakers. 
After  a fellowship  dinner  the  an- 
nual congregational  meeting  was 
held  Jan.  18. — corr. 

PASTOR  RESIGNS 

Bethel  Church,  Hydro,  Okla.: 
Our  Christmas  program  included 
readings,  drills,  and  songs  by  the 
little  folks;  a Christmas  medley  by 
the  choir;  a play.  The  Star  of  Wis- 
dom, written  by  member  Mrs.  Wil- 
ma McKee.  The  offering  went  to 
MCC  for  needy  children.  Dec.  15  we 
had  a fellowship  luncheon  and  gro- 
cery shower  honoring  Pastor  and 
Mrs.  Paul  Isaak.  Karen  Pankratz 
and  James  Henderson  were  mar- 
ried Nov.  30  and  are  residing  in 
Shawnee,  Okla.  Pastor  Isaak  re- 
signed as  pastor  of  our  church, 
effective  in  June.  — Wilfred  Ewy, 
corr. 

MAST  SPEAKS 

First  Church,  Hillsboro,  Kan.:  In 
Nov.  Russell  Mast  from  the  Bethel 
College  Church  led  us  to  a deeper 
appreciation  of  the  meaning  of 
Christian  Faith.  P.  H.  Penner  was 
installed  as  deacon  Dec.  28.  Our 
Lenten  self-denial  folder  resulted  in 
a total  of  $528.15  for  the  seminary. 
For  meat  canning  for  relief  our  of- 


fering was  $2,058.50.  The  Christmas 
program  by  the  children  was  pre- 
sented Dec.  24,  and  on  Dec.  31  was 
the  New  Year’s  Eve  Fellowship. 
Sept.  1 Mrs.  Jacob  Goertzen,  our 
older  member,  was  98  years  young. 
She  is  up  every  day  and  enjoys  hav- 
ing the  children  and  others  read 
and  discuss  the  German  S.  S.  les- 
sons and  sing  German  songs  with 
her.  Patricia  Jost  was  married  to 
Leland  Nuss  Sept.  28.  Marlin  Ray 
was  born  Aug.  22  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Algy  Deckert;  Coleen  Sue,  July  3, 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  Miller;  Cyn- 
thia Sue,  July  9 to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Morris  Bartel;  Kathleen  Sue  July 
13,  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Johnnie  Bartel; 
Kelvin  Joseph,  Sept.  25  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Ivan  Bottorff;  Valerie  Lue, 
Sept.  29  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hugo  Rus- 
sell Hiebert;  and  Roger  Dale,  Nov. 
11  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Eldon  Kuak. — 
Corr. 

NEW  BOYS’  LEAGUE 

Bethesda  Church,  Henderson,  Neb.: 
Christmas  week  activities  began 
Dec.  21  with  a program  given  by 
nursery  through  6th  grade  S.  S. 
classes.  Dec.  24  the  pageant  The 
Story  of  Christmas  was  presented 
by  the  youth  and  children’s  choirs 
and  older  S.  S.  groups.  The  Chancel 
Choir  climaxed  the  service  by  sing- 
ing the  “Hallelujah  Chorus.”  The 
Christian  Youth  Fellowship  is  a- 
gain  sponsored  by  Dr.  and  Mrs. 
Hieb.  On  Christmas  Eve  they  went 
caroling,  and  on  New  Year’s  Eve 
they  enjoyed  a progressive  dinner, 
ending  with  recreation  and  inspira- 
tion. They  are  selling  stationery 
with  a cover  photo  of  the  new 
church  as  a money-raising  project. 
Plans  are  being  made  for  a leader- 
ship clinic  and  youth  rally  the  first 
week  of  Feb.  The  Jr.  Youth  Fellow- 
ship, under  the  sponsorship  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Carl  Epp,  met  Jan.  1.  The 
annual  School  of  Missions  began 
Jan.  4 on  the  theme  “The  Middle 
East,”  with  classes  for  all  ages. 
Pastor  Duerksen  spoke  to  us  for 
the  last  time  Dec.  26  at  a morning 
service.  They  left  on  the  27th  for 
Paso  Robles,  Calif.,  to  take  up  du- 
ties there.  The  eve  of  Dec.  14  a 
carol  sing  and  family  night  gather- 
ing was  held  in  their  honor,  and  a 
love  offering  was  given.  Special 
prayer  services  were  scheduled  dur- 
ing Universal  Prayer  Week.  Irwin 
M.  Friesen  and  Anna  Peters  were 
married  Dec.  26.  Homer  Doell  and 
Elaine  Hofer  were  married  Jan.  18 
in  the  Bethesda  Church  at  Marion, 
S.  D.;  and  Donald  Friesen  and  Vel- 
ma Stahl  were  married  Jan.  18  at 
Freeman,  S.  D.  A Boys’  League  was 
organized  for  boys  aged  9-14.  Four 
groups  are  being  sponsored  by  Art 
Mierau,  Ruben  Epp,  Maurice  Jan- 


62 


THE  MENNONITE 


zen,  and  Roland  Friesen.  The  Dec. 
building  fund  drive  netted  around 
$19,000  making  the  year’s  total  a- 
bout  $60,000.— Mrs.  D.  P.  Ratzlaff, 
corr. 

SCF  MUSIC  PROGRAM 

Bethany  Church,  Kingman,  Kan.: 
Dec.  14  Marvin  Eck  from  Harper, 
Kan.,  was  the  speaker.  Dec.  24  the 
annual  S.  S.  children’s  Christnaas 
program  was  given,  also  a mission 
offering.  Dec.  25  Frank  Fotopulus 
was  speaker.  Dec.  28  John  Graber 
from  Calif,  gave  the  morning  mes- 
sage. An  offering  was  taken  to  help 
pay  for  the  new  furnace  just  in- 
stalled. Many  former  church  mem- 
bers visited  with  friends  and  rela- 
tives during  the  holiday  season. 
During  vacation  Myron  and  Joe 
Schrag  helped  their  parents  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Dave  Schrag  move  into 
f their  new  home  which  they  built 
' the  last  year.  Jan.  11  the  Student 
I Christian  Fellowship  group  from 
[ Bethel  College,  North  Newton,  pre- 
sented a musical  program.— Mrs. 
Dave  Schrag,  corr. 

GOSPEL  TEAM  SINGS 

First  Church,  Summerfield,  III.: 
We  hope  that  the  New  Year  may 
be  a truly  blessed  year  for  each 
► one.  A group  of  junior  boys  and 
I girls  visited  a number  of  homes 
f and  sang  carols  the  Sat.  before 
i Christmas.  We  had  our  usual  Christ- 

!mas  service  on  Christmas  morning. 
The  S.  S.  Christmas  service  was 
given  on  Christmas  night.  On  the 
i last  Sunday  in  the  year  we  had 
! Holy  Communion  and  baptism.  Two 
|.  new  members  were  received,  one 
by  letter  and  one  by  baptism.  The 
I Bluffton  College  Gospel  Team  mixed 
‘ quartet,  speaker,  and  pianist  were 
with  us  on  New  Year’s  night  and 
gave  a good  program  to  a large 
audience.  Our  pastor  started  in  1959 
the  Family  Fellowship  Circle  meet- 
1 ings  for  Bible  study  and  prayer,  held 
j in  different  homes  Wed.  evenings. 

■ The  Youth  Fellowship  meets  regu- 
* larly  every  other  Sun.  The  Women’s 
• Mission  Society  and  the  Ladies’  Bi- 
» ble  Study  Class  made  up  sixteen 
Christmas  good-cheer  boxes.^ — Corr. 

a SERIES  OF  MEETINGS 

j.  West  Zion  Church,  Moundridge, 
5 Kan,:  In  Nov.  missionaries  W.  C. 

Voths  were  guest  speakers  at  our 
- i Harvest  Mission  Festival.  Evening 
^ i speaker  was  Roland  Goering  of 
^ Halstead,  who  also  conducted  a 
j series  of  evening  meetings  the  fol- 
I lowing  week.  In  Dec.  the  Bethel 
I College  Chorale  under  the  leader- 
j ship  of  David  Suderman  gave  us  a 
j service  of  music.  Our  S.  S.  supt. 

(placed  an  Advent  Wreath  in  the 
sanctuary  in  observance  of  the  Ad- 
vent season.  Christmas  Eve  the 
S.  S.  gave  their  Christmas  program 

I January  27,  1959 


with  a White  Christmas  service. 
The  following  new  members  were 
welcomed  into  our  church:  Mrs. 

Nelson  Galle,  Mrs.  Leonard  Logan- 
bill  Jr.,  Mrs.  Johnnie  Toevs,  and 
Mrs.  Daniel  Wedel.  Daniel  Wedel 
and  Jeanette  Krehbiel  were  united 
in  marriage  in  the  Eden  Church, 
Moundridge.  Births:  daughters  each 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Darrel  Bender  and 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Waldean  Wedel;  sons 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bertrand  Dirks 
and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  Schmidt. 
— Corr. 

BUNDLES  FOR  LEPERS 

Warden  Church,  Warden,  Wash.: 
During  the  summer  months  we  had 
the  privilege  of  having  the  Gordon 
Dycks  from  seminary  as  student 
pastor.  We  also  had  a good  attend- 
ance at  Daily  Vacation  Bible  School. 
In  Sept.  Rudolph  Schmidt’s,  former- 
ly of  Newport,  came  to  serve  our 
church  until  we  have  a regular  pas- 
tor. We  thank  the  Lord  for  these 
who  have  served  us  so  faithfully. 
Christmas  Eve  the  children  present- 
ed a program  telling  of  the  Christ 
Child  and  of  the  Christ  who  died 
for  their  sins.  The  Women’s  Mis- 
sion Society  had  their  Christmas 
program  Dec.  18.  After  the  program. 


bundles  were  made  for  lepers.  New 
officers  elected  for  the  coming  year 
are:  pres.,  Mrs.  Jim  Unruh;  vice- 
pres.,  Mrs.  Vernon  Karber;  project 
chm.,  Mrs.  Menno  Boschman.  We 
thank  the  Lord  for  this  past  year 
and  pray  that  in  the  coming  year 
we  may  continue  to  be  a light  in 
our  community. — Mrs.  Menno  Bosch- 
man, corr. 

WANTED 

The  choir  of  the  North  Star  Men- 
nonite  Church  needs  a number  of 
books  of  the  two  cantatas  King  of 
Israel  by  Charles  H.  Gabriel  and 
The  Great  Light  by  Findly  Lyon. 
If  any  church  choir  has  any  of  these 
books  they  do  not  need  and  would 
sell  them,  please  write  to:  Mrs.  Wm. 
Schmidt,  Box  106,  Drake,  Saskatch- 
ewan, Canada. 


into  the  beyond 

Mrs.  John  F.  Huebert  was  born 
January  1,  1904,  and  passed  away 
December  24,  1958.  She  was  a mem- 
ber of  the  Bethesda  Church,  Hen- 
derson, Nebraska. 


Books  For  Youth 

TEEN-AGERS  PRAY  edited  by  William  Kramer 

Teen-agers  helped  to  write  this  new  book  of  75  prayers  dealing 
with  their  own  particular  concerns  and  problems.  This  popular 
book  addresses  itself  to  the  spiritual  needs  of  youth  and  is  valu- 
able in  making  prayer  life  more  meaningful  and  important.  $1.00 

FACTS  OF  LIFE  AND  LOVE  FOR  TEEN-AGERS  by  Evelyn  Millis 
Duvall 

This  is  an  honest  guidebook  to  help  every  teen-ager  enjoy  grow- 
ing up  with  as  few  problems  as  possible. 

It  is  written  by  a counselor  who  answers  the  questions  asked 
her  by  thousands  of  young  people  in  schools,  churches,  youth 
centers,  and  homes  from  coast  to  coast. 

Cloth  bound  $3.50,  paper  bound  $ .35 
Available  at  MENNONITE  BOOKSTORES 

Rosthern,  Saskatchewan;  Berne,  Ind.;  720  Main  St.,  Newton,  Kan. 


63 


conference  notes 


AFRICANS  WANT  EDUCATION 

“Every  young  person  is  anxious 
to  get  an  education,  the  girls  as 
well  as  the  boys,  which  was  not 
the  case  in  years  past,”  writes  Sel- 
ma Unruh  of  Hillsboro,  Kan.,  mis- 
sionary with  the  Congo  Inland  Mis- 
sion in  Africa.  The  schools  in  the 
Congo  have  large  enrollments. 

Missionaries  and  Congolese  at  the 
Kandala  station  are  looking  for- 
ward to  building  a more  perma- 
nent church  in  the  near  future.  The 
grass  roof  on  the  present  building 
is  not  rainproof,  which  means  that 
services  cannot  be  held  during  the 
rainy  season.  Miss  Unruh  asks  for 
prayer  as  the  new  building  is  con- 
structed. “We  want  it  to  be  a house 
of  worship  where  many  will  be 
saved,  where  many  will  be  strength- 
ened in  the  Lord,  and  where  the 
Word  of  God  will  be  preached  and 
fall  into  the  hearts  to  bear  fruit 
for  eternity.” 

CHURCH  GIVING  INCREASES 
NINETY  PER  CENT 

In  a year  when  there  was  much 
talk  about  and  some  evidence  of  a 
financial  recession,  the  members  of 
the  General  Conference  Mennonite 
Church  broke  all  kinds  of  records 
in  their  support  of  missions  and 
benevolences. 

Treasurer  of  the  General  Con- 
ference, William  L.  Friesen,  New- 
ton, Kan.,  reported  that  the  three 
hundred  congregations  in  the  Unit- 
ed States  and  Canada  had  contrib- 
uted $857,836  in  1958.  This  figure 
represents  a ninety  per  cent  (90%) 
increase  in  church  support  since 
1949.  The  highest  monthly  receipts 
ever  recorded  in  the  treasurer’s  of- 
fice was  reached  in  December  with 
a high  total  of  $184,000. 

These  figures  do  not  include  the 
contributions  of  the  congregations 
for  the  support  of  their  own  work 
and  regional  mission  programs.  Es- 
timates place  the  total  giving  for 
the  50,000  member  Conference  at 
well  over  $4,000,000. 

Though  the  Conference  reached 
only  90%  of  the  goal  it  set  for  it- 
self, the  total  receipts  gave  the 
Board  of  Missions  and  Board  of 
Education  and  Publication  a new 
high  with  $643,145  and  $50,970  be- 
ing donated  respectively.  The  re- 
mainder of  the  gifts  were  distrib- 


uted to  the  Board  of  Christian  Serv- 
ice: $148,128,  and  to  the  Board  of 
Business  Administration:  $15,593. 

For  1959  the  church  plans  to  raise 
$994,000  for  these  same  causes. 


YOUTH  MANUAL 


The  new  Christian  Fellowship 
manual  prepared  for  the  Young  Peo- 
ple’s Union  by  Gordon  Dyck  and 
Bill  Gering  is  now  off  the  press.  It 
can  be  obtained  from  Mennonite 
Bookstores  in  Berne,  Rosthern,  and 
Newton  for  $1.00. 

KINDERGARTEN  MATERIALS 

Mennonite  Publication  Office  has 
received  shipment  of  the  April,  May, 
and  June  Kindergarten,  Year  Two, 
lesson  leafiets.  These  may  be  in- 
cluded in  regular  orders  for  Sun- 
day school  materials.  The  price  for 
English  leafiets  is  27  cents  per  quar- 
ter and  the  German  32  cents  per 
quarter.  Order  from  Mennonite  Pub- 
lication Office,  720  Main,  Newton, 
Kan.  ' 

NEW  DIRECTOR 
FOR  AUDIO  VISUALS 

Mrs.  Herbert  Miller  has  taken 
charge  of  the  Conference  Audio 
Visual  Library,  at  the  same  time 
continuing  her  work  with  Sunday 
school  curriculum  materials  at  Men- 
nonite Publication  Office,  which 
houses  the  library.  Former  director 
was  Mrs.  Carlyle  Groves,  who  will 
now  give  all  her  time  to  The  Men- 
nonite and  News  Service. 


HYMN  CONTEST 

To  encourage  greater  interest  in 
hymns,  the  General  Conference 
Mennonite  Church  is  sponsoring  a 
hymn  contest  in  connection  with  its 
Centennial  Celebration,  which  is  to 
be  held  at  Bluffton,  Ohio,  August 
12-22,  1959. 

This  year  the  contest  will  be  the 
writing  of  a lyric  (text).  It  is  hoped 
these  contests  will  continue  from 
year  to  year  when  there  will  also  be 
a contest  of  the  music. 

The  contest  is  open  to  all  who 
wish  to  submit  a text  to  one  of 
several  tunes  listed  below.  Follow- 
ing are  contest  regulations. 

® A text  to  be  composed  to  one  of 
the  following  hymn  tunes:  (1)  Wo- 
mit  Soil  Ich  Dich  Wohl  Loben;  (2) 
Mit  Freuden  Zart;  (3)  Ringe  Recht; 
(4)  Regent  Square  (numbers  511, 
512,  563,  and  402  in  the  Hymnary). 

• Hymn  texts  to  be  typewritten 
or  clearly  written  in  ink,  with  in- 
dication of  hymn  tune  used. 

• Each  text  to  be  submitted  un- 
der an  assumed  name  written  at 
the  top  of  the  page.  The  author’s 
real  name  and  address,  along  with 
assumed  name  to  be  enclosed  in  a 
separate  envelope. 

• Each  contestant  shall  send  an 
entry  fee  of  $1.00. 

• Manuscripts  to  be  submitted 
not  later  than  June  1,  1959,  to: 

Hymn  Contest 
722  Main 
Newton,  Kansas 

• All  hymns  become  the  property 
of  the  Contest  Committee,  and  no 
texts  will  be  returned. 

• The  hymns  to  be  judged  by  the 
Hymn  Society  of  America,  and  their 
decision  in  all  cases  is  final. 

Following  are  some  general  prin- 
ciples which  will  be  used  as  a basis 
of  selection: 

— Poetic  quality  of  the  text,  and  its 
appropriateness  to  the  chosen  hymn 
tune. 

— The  correct  use  and  stress  of 
words  in  the  given  meter. 

— A text  which  recognizes  the  holi- 
ness and  majesty  of  God,  and  avoids 
the  trite  and  familiar. 

— A text  which  has  universal  con- 
notations, but  still  appropriate  to 
the  centennial,  without  being  too 
specific  or  obvious. 


NONITE 


FEBRUARY  3,  1959 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
MAN  LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIST 


Race  Relations  Sunday,  February  8 


Harley  J.  Stucky — AGRICULTURAL  CRISES  AND  MENNONITES 


in  this  issue 


ARTICLES 

REASONS  FOR  REJOICING 

By  Floyd  G.  Bartel  

THE  CHURCH  AND  PEACETIME 

CONSCRIPTION  68 

WHAT  DOES  THE  LORD  REQUIRE?  69 

AGRICULTURAL  CRISES  AND 
MENNONITES 

By  Harley  J.  Stucky  70 

ARE  WE  LOSING  OUR  WAY  OF  LIFE?  71 

PILGRIMS  FROM  MEXICO  72 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  66 

Mennonite  Youth 

A TIME  FOR  EVERYTHING 


By  Peter  Kehler  73 

BOOKS  FOR  DIGESTION  75 

FILM  REVIEW  76 

OUR  SCHOOLS  77 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  78 

JOTTINGS  78 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  80 


of  things  to  come 

Jan.  18-Feb.  11 — Christian  Ministry  Em- 
phasis 

Feb.  8 — Race  Relations  Sunday 
Feb.  11 — Ash  Wednesday;  Lent  begins 
Feb.  13 — Universal  Day  of  Prayer 
Feb.  21-22 — West.  Dist.  Men's  Work- 
shop, Buhler,  Kan. 

Feb.  22-Mar.  1 — Brotherhood  Week 
March  8 — Conference  Sunday 
March  17 — West.  Dist.  Women's  Meeting 
May  7 — Ascension  Day 
Aug.  5-12 — Ministers'  and  Church  Work- 
ers' Retreat,  Camp  Friedenswald, 
Mich. 

Aug.  12-20 — General  Conference,  Bluff- 
ton,  Ohio 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor,  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 

J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Asst.:  Esther  Groves. 
Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  5 


editorials 

RACE  RELATIONS  SUNDAY  February  8 is  designated 
Race  Relations  Sunday.  Since  there  has  been  so  much  in  the 
news  the  past  year  about  segregation,  desegregation,  integra- 
tion, and  the  tense  school  situation  in  many  places,  we  will  be 
more  aware  of  the  need  of  a special  day  to  give  serious  con- 
sideration to  the  race  problem. 

In  some  ways  the  whole  situation  seems  discouraging.  The 
race  issue  has  aroused  intense  emotional  feelings  and  opened 
old  animosities.  Some  think  the  solution  has  been  set  back  many 
years  by  unwise  procedure.  Be  that  as  it  may,  the  fact  remains 
that  we  believe  segregation  because  of  race  is  basically  wrong 
and  contrary  to  the  will  of  God.  If  wrong,  then  it  must  finally 
give  way  to  the  right,  for  right  must  triumph. 

The  question  might  well  be  asked  whether  we  are  pursuing 
the  best  methods  in  overcoming  this  evil.  Perhaps  we  have  gone 
ahead  too  much  in  our  own  wisdom  and  not  followed  closely 
the  guidance  of  God.  But  certainly  as  Christians  we  cannot 
condone  what  we  feel  is  wrong  and  sinful. 

Race  Relations  Sunday  could  well  be  used  as  a time  of  self- 
searching to  see  if  we  are  free  from  prejudice  and  pride.  Ser- 
mons could  again  call  attention  to  the  fact  that  God  is  no 
respecter  of  persons  or  of  color  of  skin,  and  that  all  need  His 
forgiving  and  cleansing  power;  all  need  to  keep  themselves  in 
the  love  of  God. 

FEBRUARY  13— WORLD  DAY  OF  PRAYER  For  more 
than  seventy  years,  the  first  Friday  in  Lent  has  been  observed 
by  churches  around  the  world  as  World  Day  of  Prayer.  This 
year  Christians  in  144  countries  around  the  globe  will  unite 
in  60  languages  and  1,000  dialects  in  raising  their  voices  and 
lifting  their  hearts  in  prayer. 

It  seems  unfortunate  that  two  protestant  groups  have  each 
selected  a separate  theme  instead  of  holding  to  one  united 
theme  as  was  formerly  observed  around  the  world.  However 
the  greater  number  of  observers  will  have  the  theme  and  serv- 
ice prepared  by  the  Christian  women  of  Egypt,  most  of  them 
coming  from  the  Coptic  Church,  one  of  the  oldest  of  Chris- 
tian groups.  They  have  chosen  the  general  theme  “Lord,  I 
Believe”  (John  9:38),  as  a call  to  deeper  experience  of  Chris- 
tianity in  their  lives. 

The  minority  group  has  selected  “Let  Your  Light  So  Shine.  . .” 
(Matt.  5:16)  as  their  theme  to  emphasize  Christian  witnessing. 
Both  themes  are  good  and  timely  for  our  day.  If  we  can  say 
truly,  “Lord,  I believe,”  with  a renewed  faith  in  God,  then  there 
will  be  plenty  of  occasions  to  let  our  light  shine. 

Too  often  the  special  services  held  in  churches  seem  attended 
almost  exclusively  by  women  and  preachers.  While  women  have 
been  the  main  promoters  of  World  Day  of  Prayer,  certainly  the 
men  should  also  make  it  a special  day  to  unite  their  hearts  in 
prayer  with  others  everywhere. 

May  God  give  us  faith  and  light  as  we  again  enter  the  Lenten 
period. 


66 


THE  MENNONITE 


From  Philippians  i 

Reasons 

For 

Rejoicing 


Floyd  G.  Bartel,  pastor 
Mennonite  Fellowship 
Topeka,  Kansas 


From  a man  in  prison  comes  a 
surprising  letter.  Instead  of 
bringing  the  pleas  of  a discouraged 
prisoner,  this  letter  overflows  with 
the  contagious  joy  of  a dedicated 
missionary.  What  are  his  reasons 
I for  joy? 

First  is  the  consolation  of  deeply 
rewarding  memories  (v.  3-5).  In 
times  of  great  loneliness  our  memo- 
ries may  become  our  only  company. 
Paul  praises  God  for  his  memories 
of  the  friends  at  Philippi.  One  of 
the  rewards  of  sincerity,  integrity, 
and  faithfulness  in  our  Christian 
walk  is  the  kind  of  memories  we’ll 
have  in  the  future  of  our  past  ex- 


periences. Have  you  thought  of  to- 
day’s experiences  as  tomorrow’s 
memories  ? 

Second,  in  spite  of  his  prison 
chains,  Paul  has  the  continuing 
assurance  of  God’s  faithfulness.  “I 
am  sure  that  he  who  began  a good 
work  in  you  will  bring  it  to  comple- 
tion at  the  day  of  Jesus  Christ,” 
he  says  (v.  6,  RSV).  He  refused  to 
lie  in  prison  and  worry  about  the 
church  at  Philippi,  or  about  any  of 
the  other  churches,  for  that  mat- 
ter. He  knew  better!  He  could  com- 
municate his  concerns  to  God 
through  prayer  and  then  rest  his 
case  with  God,  who,  he  is  sure,  is 
completely  faithful  to  bring  to  com- 
pletion whichever  of  His  purposes 
He  pleases.  What  God  begins.  He 
also  finishes. 

In  fact,  Paul  had  discovered  for 
himself  that  men  have  no  more 
power  to  bring  their  salvation  to 
completion  than  they  have  to  begin 
the  work  of  grace  in  their  lives. 
The  search  for  a sense  of  fulfill- 
ment or  completion  or  satisfaction 
in  life  is  practically  a universal 
search.  It  runs  deep  in  our  yearn- 
ings, and  we  are  driven  from  one 
unsatisfying  panacea  of  the  world 
to  another.  And  our  hopeless  search 
goes  on  until  we  discover  that  God 
has  long  ago  made  the  first  move, 
accepting  us  and  asking  us  simply 
to  entrust  ourselves  to  Him. 

Third,  while  experience  deepened 
his  confidence  in  God’s  faithfulness, 
Paul  also  gained  confidence  in  peo- 
ple. “I  thank  God  ...  for  your 
partnership  in  the  gospel.”  “It  is 
right  for  me  to  feel  thus  about  you 
all,  because  I hold  you  in  my  heart. 
. . .”  He  has  the  warmest  feelings 
of  friendship  and  love  for  his  read- 
ers. 

But  the  great  key  to  his  joy  is 
the  fact  that  he  has  completely 
linked  his  own  destiny  with  the 
destiny  of  the  gospel.  “I  want  you 
to  know,  brethren,  that  what  has 
happened  to  me  has  really  served 
to  advance  the  gospel,”  (v.  12). 
Look  just  at  the  things  that  hap- 
pened to  Paul  on  his  last  trip  away 
from  Philippi!  Thwarted  in  the  pur- 
pose of  his  offering  from  the  Gen- 
tile churches  to  Jerusalem;  mobbed 
in  Jerusalem;  plotted  against  and 
unjustly  imprisoned,  a pawn  in  the 
chess  game  between  two  Roman 
governors  and  the  Jews;  ship- 
wrecked, all  but  destitute;  and  now 
chained  to  a guard  in  his  own  hired 


dwelling;  having  hoped  in  vain  for 
release  the  last  four  years.  All  this 
and  more  had  befallen  him  because 
he  had  linked  his  dwn  destiny  with 
that  of  the  gospel.  And  if  the  mean- 
ing of  these  experiences  is  to  be 
understood,  he  says,  they  must  be 
viewed  in  the  light  of  God’s  pur- 
pose to  advance  his  saving  Word. 

That’s  why  Paul  rejoiced  in  every 
opportunity  he  had  to  witness,  even 
to  the  Praetorian  Guard.  It  meant 
God  was  advancing  the  gospel  to 
new  hearts.  'That’s  why  Paul  could 
rejoice  when  he  heard  of  the  grow- 
ing boldness  of  believers  in  Rome. 
If  discouragement  and  fear  were 
contagious,  so  was  courage.  By  his 
own  reaction  to  his  present  circum- 
stances, Paul  found  himself  in  a 
more  unique  position  than  before  to 
encourage  or  discourage  the  be- 
lievers in  the  church  outside  of 
prison. 

So  grateful  was  Paul  for  the  bold 
reaction  of  the  believers  in  Rome 
to  his  imprisonment  that  no  bitter- 
ness found  room  in  his  heart.  The 
bitterness  he  might  well  have  felt 
toward  those  who  were  using  this 
opportunity  to  promote  partisan- 
ship while  Paul  lay  silenced  in  pris- 
on, was  crowded  out  of  his  heart 
by  joy.  Nothing,  it  seems,  could  rob 
him  of  his  inner  peace  and  joy.  He 
did  not  rejoice  in  false  preaching, 
but  he  did  rejoice  in  the  growing 
certainty  that  the  power  of  God  to 
use  the  proclamation  of  the  gospel 
was  such  that  even  men  with  mixed 
motives  could  not  defeat  the  pur- 
pose of  God  to  save  one  who  heard 
Christ  preached  and  received  Him 
with  repentant  heart. 

“Yes,  I shall  rejoice,”  he  says 
. . . not  once  but  “again  I will  say 
rejoice.”  This  is  not  merely  an  at- 
tempt of  a discouraged  man  to  cheer 
himself  up.  There’s  no  mistaking  it 
— he  has  joy  to  spare! 

He  is  riding  the  ground  swell  of 
God’s  victory  in  the  gospel,  and 
though  the  watery  elements  beneath 
him  may  curl  and  buckle  and  crash 
into  a million  flecks  of  foam,  that 
assurance  sweeping  in  from  the 
fathomless  sea  of  God’s  love  will 
bear  him  in  triumph  to  the  golden 
strand.  His  is  the  joy  of  one  to 
whom  all  things  work  together  for 
good  because  his  life  has  been  com- 
pletely identified  with  Christ. 

“For  me  to  live  is  Christ.”  He 
who  knows  the  meaning  of  that 
has  the  best  reasons  for  rejoicing. 


February  3,  1959 


67 


The  Church  and 

Peacetime  Conscription 


The  Universal  Military  Training 
Service  Act,  authorizing  the 
government  to  induct  young  men 
between  18%  and  26  years  of  age 
into  the  armed  forces,  is  due  to 
expire  on  June  30,  1959.  Many  de- 
nominations have  passed  resolutions 
in  their  annual  conventions  oppos- 
ing conscription  in  peacetime  and 
have  specifically  advocated  the  dis- 
continuance of  the  Act  as  of  July. 

Some  of  the  arguments  for  this 
point  of  view  are  well  posed  in  the 
following  statements. 

The  American  Baptist  Convention 
at  its  convention  in  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  in  June,  1958,  stated;  “We  be- 
lieve that  permanent  universal  mil- 
itary training  constitutes  a serious 
danger  to  democracy  and  a detri- 
meant  to  the  moral  well-being  of 
youth.  We  believe  it  runs  counter  to 
the  American  ideal  of  religious  and 
civil  liberties.  . . . We  therefore  re- 
affirm our  opposition  to  permanent 
universal  military  training.  In  light 
of  the  fact  that  the  present  bill 
providing  for  selective  service  ex- 
pires in  1959,  we  record  our  opposi- 
tion to  any  attempt  to  replace  it 
with  legislation  providing  for  uni- 
versal military  training.  . . .” 

At  the  International  Convention 
of  Christian  Churches  (Disciples  of 
Christ)  Assembly  in  St.  Louis,  Mo., 
in  October  1958,  the  following  reso- 
lution was  passed: 

“Whereas,  the  Universal  Military 
Training  Service  Act  will  expire  in 
July  of  1959,  and  the  Congress  and 
American  people  must  determine 
whether  such  a system  of  conscrip- 
tion should  be  continued;  and 
“Whereas,  the  Disciples  of  Christ 
have  stated  in  previous  Internation- 
al Convention  Resolutions  that  they 
oppose  conscription  as  a permanent 


feature  of  American  life;  and 
“Whereas,  the  validity  of  the  UM- 
TSA  concept  has  been  thrown  into 
doubt  because  in  an  era  of  nuclear 
weapons  and  intercontinental  bal- 
listic missiles  many  civilian  and 
military  authorities  feel  that  large 
mass  armies  are  useless  and  that 
only  an  ever-ready  technically 
trained  professional  army  meets  the 
real  needs  of  the  nuclear  age;  and 
“Whereas,  conscription  which  may 
have  outlived  its  usefulness  even  as 
a military  concept,  is  also  wrong  in 
principle  in  a democratic  society, 
and  should  be  discontinued  at  the 
earliest  possible  moment; 

“Therefore  he  it  resolved  that  the 
International  Convention  of  Chris- 
tian Churches  . . . urges  the  dis- 
continuance of  the  Universal  Mili- 
tary Training  Service  Act  at  its 
expiration  date  in  July  of  1959.” 
The  Methodist  Board  of  World 
Peace  last  year  stated;  “We  reaf- 
firm traditional  Methodist  opposi- 
tion to  any  system  of  peacetime 
universal  military  training.  We  ap- 
peal to  the  United  States  to  give 
bold  leadership  looking  toward  the 
universal  abolition  of  peacetime 
conscription  by  or  through  the 
United  Nations.”  At  its  meeting  in 
Cincinnati  in  November  this  year 
the  Methodist  Council  of  Bishops 
suggested  that  consideration  be 
given  to  allowing  the  present  law 
to  expire. 

The  General  Assembly  of  the  Unit- 
ed Presbyterian  Church  in  the 
U.S.A.  in  June,  1958,  recommended 
to  the  members  of  its  churches  for 
study  and  action  the  1955  statement 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  the 
U.S.A.  on  conscription:  “While  we 
recognize  the  necessity  for  military 
conscription  in  time  of  national 


emergency,  we  reaffirm  the  historic 
position  of  our  Church  in  opposition 
to  peacetime  conscription  and  uni- 
versal military  training.” 

At  the  Fifth  World  Order  Study 
Conference  of  the  Department  of 
International  Council  of  Churches 
of  Christ  in  Cleveland  in  November, 
1958,  the  General  Message  adopted 
by  the  entire  body  contained  this 
sentence,  “We  renew  the  plea  made 
by  the  National  Council  of  Church- 
es for  the  abolition  of  Universal 
Military  Training.” 

It  is  interesting  to  note  that,  al- 
though the  Universal  Military 
Training  Service  Act  is  due  to  ex- 
pire, the  Selective  Service  System 
as  such  will  not  be  touched.  The 
apparatus  of  draft  boards  and  the 
registration  and  classifying  of 
young  men  will  continue  as  a per- 
manent function  of  the  National 
Selective  Service  branch  of  our  gov- 
ernment, as  secure  in  its  position  as 
any  other  department. 

But  should  the  Act  authorizing 
this  Selective  Service  Board  to  in- 
duct draft  age  men  into  the  armed 
forces  be  renewed  this  year  or 
should  it  be  allowed  to  expire?  The 
question  is  one  which  all  thinking 
and  concerned  Christians  must  face 
in  the  coming  months.  Several  good 
analyses  of  the  economic,  moral, 
and  social  implications  of  the  peace- 
time draft  have  appeared  in  recent 
months.  Two  which  are  recommend- 
ed as  background  reading  are:  End 
Peacetime  Conscription  in  1959, 
Friends  Committee  on  National 
Legislation,  104  C Street,  N.E., 
Washington  2,  D.  C.;  and  The  Uni- 
versal Military  Obligation  by  John 
Graham,  single  copies  free  from 
Fund  for  the  Republic,  60  East  42nd 
Street,  New  York  17,  N.  Y. 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church. 
Entered  at  North  Newton,  Kansas,  post  office  as  second  class  matter.  Acceptance  for  mailing  at  special  rate  of  postage:  section  1103,  Act 
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Woodward  Place,  Goshen,  Ind.  Postmasters:  change  of  address  Form  3579  to  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan. 


68 


THE  MENNONITE 


Many  hundreds  of  years  before 
Christ  was  born,  there  was  a 
prophet  whose  name  was  Micah.  He 
raised  the  question:  “What  does  the 
Lord  require  of  you  but  to  do  jus- 
tice, and  to  love  kindness,  and  to 
walk  humbly  with  your  God?”  Mi- 
cah’s  question  calls  for  an  imme- 
diate and  vigorous  answer  in  our 
time,  particularly  in  the  field  of 
race  relations. 

The  Supreme  Court  decree  out- 
lawing segregation  in  the  public 
schools  came  like  a burst  of  sun- 
light and  hope  to  millions  of  peo- 
ple who  had  been  denied  justice 
and  equality  in  education.  Now 
clouds  of  fear  and  violence  have 
rolled  over  the  entire  American 
scene.  They  darken  our  efforts  to- 
ward integrated  housing,  education, 
recreation,  industry,  and  religion. 
They  threaten  our  integrity  and  our 
unity  as  a nation.  They  shadow  the 
witness  for  Christ  in  the  non-Chris- 
tian world.  Every  racial  incident, 
whether  in  Chicago,  New  York, 
Montgomery,  or  Little  Rock,  hits 
the  headlines  in  every  continent  on 
the  globe,  embarrassing  the  church- 
es, shaking  the  faith  of  newer  Chris- 
tians, and  undermining  the  funda- 
I mental  values  of  our  society. 

What  is  the  trouble? 

Too  long  we  have  acquiesced  in 
a system  which  is  riddled  by  preju- 
dice and  injustice.  Our  children 
come  into  the  world  without  any 
sense  of  racial  superiority  or  in- 
feriority and  without  hatred.  They 
become  poisoned  by  practices  of 
racial  discrimination  in  our  society. 
The  acquired  prejudices  of  many 
adults  contribute  to  the  difficulty. 
Thus  prejudice  in  the  heart  and  in- 
justice in  society  reinforce  and  per- 
petuate each  other.  Rather  than 
apportioning  blame,  we  must  ac- 
cept responsibility  as  one  nation 
under  God  to  bring  about  justice 
and  equality  for  all  people. 

Attempts  to  justify  racial  segre- 
gation and  discrimination  are  often 
based  upon  false  theology,  wrong 
biology,  and  bad  economics. 

Many  people  bolster  their  ideas 
about  white  supremacy  with  the 
story  in  Genesis  9 where  Noah 
cursed  his  son.  Ham,  for  looking  on 
Noah’s  nakedness  during  a drunken 
debauch.  “A  slave  of  slaves  shall 
he  be  to  his  brothers,”  said  Noah 
of  Ham’s  son  Canaan.  There  is  not 


*Pres.,  National  Council  of  Churches; 
formerly  pres.  American  Baptist  Conv. 


The  prophet  Micah  speaks  to  race  relations 

What  Does 
the  Lord  Require? 

Edwin  T.  Dahlberg* 


the  slightest  evidence  that  this  in- 
cident had  anything  to  do  with  the 
origins  either  of  racial  variation  or 
human  slavery.  We  should  toss  this 
erroneous  interpretation  back  where 
it  belongs,  in  the  dark  abyss  of  hu- 
man ignorance.  It  was  Noah,  not 
God,  who  pronounced  the  curse. 
Noah’s  anger  did  not  change  the 
pigmentation  of  his  grandson’s  skin. 

There  are  those  who  contend  that 
the  blood  of  the  white  race  is  of  a 
type  superior  to  that  of  any  other 
race.  Biologically  there  is  no  evi- 
dence to  support  this  contention. 
Also,  the  Christian  religion  refutes 
it.  Man’s  value  in  God’s  sight  is 
not  determined  by  blood,  but  by  the 
dignity  and  worth  that  God  gave 
him  in  creation. 

Segregation  is  bad  economics.  In 
the  long  run,  any  nation  that  tries 
to  sustain  a double  racial  system 
of  education,  transportation,  and 
other  public  services,  as  well  as 
racial  discrimination  in  employment 


and  housing,  is  doomed  to  lose  out 
in  our  kind  of  a world.  Our  nation 
cannot  afford  this  waste  at  a time 
when  every  human  resource  must 
be  used  effectively  to  assure  the  na- 
tion’s future  welfare  and  its  par- 
ticipation in  the  creation  of  a bet- 
ter world.  Racial  brotherhood  is 
good  economics,  in  spite  of  tem- 
porary difficulties. 

Experience  has  made  it  abundant- 
ly clear  that  where  people  associate 
freely  without  regard  to  race,  there 
is  ultimately  a more  wholesome 
community,  a more  responsible  cit- 
izenship, and  an  enriched  culture. 
The  churches  must  take  the  lead  in 
bringing  this  to  pass.  They  must 
set  their  own  houses  in  order.  At 
the  same  time  they  must  work  to 
create  a society  which  affords  full 
opportunity  in  every  aspect  of  life 
for  all  persons. 

“What  does  the  Lord  require  of 
you  but  to  do  justice,  and  to  love 
kindness,  and  to  walk  humbly  with 
your  God?”  The  teaching  of  the 
Bible  is  clear.  God  is  no  respecter 
of  persons.  He  made  man  in  His 
own  image.  There  is  in  the  Scrip- 
tures no  distinction  among  white 
man,  black  man,  red,  yellow,  or 
brown. 

All  of  us  have  sinned  and  come 
short  of  the  glory  of  God.  Racial 
segregation  is  sin.  If  we  are  the 
servants  of  sin,  we  are  slaves.  If 
we  have  been  redeemed  through 
Christ  and  know  the  truth  that 
makes  us  free,  we  are  moved  “to 
do  justice  and  to  love  kindness.” 
This  is  the  good  news  of  the  gospel, 
whereby  we  may  walk  humbly  with 
God  and  enter  into  His  kingdom. 


February  3,  1959 


69 


Agricultural  Crises 
and  Mennonites 


Portions  of  a Farm  Study  Conference  paper  by  Harley  J.  Stucky* 


OF  THE  Four  Horsemen  of  the 
Apocalypse — war,  famine,  pesti- 
lence, and  death — probably  famine 
has  been  dreaded  and  feared  the 
most.  Why?  Because  there  has 
never  been  a time  in  human  history 
when  all  of  the  world’s  people  have 
had  enough  to  eat.  “Famine  has 
watched  over  man’s  shoulder  each 
morning  as  he  said  his  prayers, 
walked  with  him  by  day  as  he  went 
about  his  work,  and  laid  down  with 
him  at  night.”  One  historian  notes 
more  than  350  major  famines,  and 
famines  are  mentioned  frequently 
in  the  Bible. 

Here  in  America,  the  land  of 
plenty,  it  is  difficult  to  realize  that 
hunger  and  want  are  man’s  daily 
companions  in  many  parts  of  the 
world.  “America,”  declares  String- 
fellow  Barr,  “is  like  a rich  suburb 
surrounded  almost  entirely  by 
slums.”  The  contrast  between  our 
wealth  and  the  poverty  of  others 
is  portrayed  by  David  L.  Cohn:  “In 
Persia  I talked  with  a peasant  who 
had  seen  a can  of  our  dog  food.  He 
said  that  if  he  could  get  such  a can 
once  a week  for  his  family,  he 
would  be  happy.” 

But  why  should  we  in  America 
be  so  favored  in  this  eternal  strug- 
gle for  daily  bread?  Because  of  the 
vitality  of  our  soil  and  its  abun- 
dance, and  the  high  production  per 
farm  worker.  America  owes  her 
position  as  a great  nation  to  her 
soil  and  its  produce.  Cities  are  pos- 
sible only  when  farmers  produce 
more  than  they  can  consume;  in  a 
primitive  society  where  the  de- 
mands of  consumption  outdo  those 
of  production,  everyone  has  to  grub 
for  food  to  survive. 

In  mid-twentieth  century,  the 
United  States  had  1,905,000,000 
acres,  or  nearly  9 and  1/3  acres  per 
capita,  of  which  3 acres  were  crop 
land.  One  senses  something  of  the 
happiness,  prosperity,  power,  and 

*Assoc.  prof,  of  History  and  Government, 
Bethel  College,  North  Newton,  Kan. 


vitality  of  Americans  when  we  com- 
pare the  above  figure  with  the  1.17 
acres  of  arable  land  per  capita  in 
France,  .73  in  India,  .50  in  China, 
and  .21  in  Japan.  We  are  well  fed 
people  because  we  had  virgin  soil 
and  the  most  acres  per  capita. 

With  the  passage  of  time  and  the 
increase  in  our  population,  we  may 
lose  this  advantage.  We  must  guard 
our  land  resources  and  practice  soil 
conservation,  for  soil  erosion  is 
more  than  dust  and  mud — it  is  loss 
of  food. 

The  high  production  per  farm 
worker  came  about  through  a tech- 
nological revolution:  farm  mecha- 
nization, improved  seed,  fertilizer, 
use  of  hybrids,  and  so  on.  The 
American  farmer  is  the  manager 
or  director  of  mechanical  power  and 
not  its  source;  each  farmer  had  33 
horsepower  at  his  command  in  1950 
compared  to  5.3  in  1920  and  1.6  in 
1870.  America’s  abundant  food  sup- 
ply came  about  largely  through 
mechanization. 

When  the  Pilgrims  tilled  their 
small  fields  by  hand  at  Plymouth 
Rock,  their  methods  were  little  dif- 
ferent from  those  of  ancient  Egypt, 
Greece,  and  Rome.  A farmer  in 
Pharaoh’s  time  would  have  been  at 
home  in  our  great-grandfather’s 
wheat  fields  because  he  could  have 
picked  up  the  grain  cradle  and  gone 
to  work  with  a familiar  tool  at  a 
familiar  job.  Pictures  in  Egyptian 
tombs  show  grain  being  cut  with 
sickles  and  carried  away  to  be 
threshed  by  trampling  oxen.  Not 
much  progress  was  made  from  that 
time  to  the  era  of  the  American 
covered  wagon  — and  then  within 
the  space  of  a generation  or  two, 
crop  production  underwent  greater 
changes  than  in  the  previous  5,000 
years. 

Early  milestones  in  agricultural 
history  might  be  charted  as  : (1) 
the  domestication  of  plants  and  an- 
imals, (2)  the  invention  of  the 
wheel,  and  (3)  the  invention  of  the 


horse  collar.  To  understand  the  im- 
portance of  the  third,  we  need  to 
remember  that  all  early  tools  were 
swung,  pushed,  or  pulled  by  means 
of  human  muscle.  It  was  not  until 
1,000  A.D.  that  farmers  in  Western 
Europe  began  to  utilize  horses. 

Another  agricultural  milestone 
was  the  cluster  of  inventions  that 
improved  the  plow  in  the  period 
from  the  1830’s  to  the  1870’s.  'The 
earlier  wooden  plows,  and  even  the 
early  cast  iron  plows,  wouldn’t 
scour  and  were  hard  to  pull,  and  it 
was  not  until  the  1830’s  that  the 
steel  mouldboard  was  born.  The 
“steel”  plow  made  possible  the 
greatest  conquest  of  all  time — the 
conquest  of  America’s  prairies,  rich 
valleys,  and  productive  slopes,  con- 
verting them  into  the  world’s  great- 
est bread  basket.  Animal  power 
needed  for  turning  the  soil  was  cut 
by  approximately  one  third  to  one 
half.  The  wheeled  sulky  plows  ap- 
peared at  the  close  of  the  Civil 
War.  As  a result  of  these  improve- 
ments in  plowing,  one  generation 
of  men,  from  1870  to  1900,  turned 
more  land  into  farms  than  all  their 
predecessors  from  1607  to  1870. 
Farm  activity  accelerated,  the  farm 
population  increased,  and  overpro- 
duction resulted. 

Mennonites  coming  from  Russia 
in  the  1870’s  participated  in  the 
dramatic  struggle  of  subduing  the 
last  great  American  frontier.  Our 
people  settled  in  the  prairie  prov- 
inces from  Kansas  to  Canada,  where 
in  breaking  the  prairie  sod  they 
“plowed  the  dew  under.”  Can  you 
imagine  the  transition  that  oc- 
curred in  areas  now  settled  by 
Mennonites?  McPherson  County 
was  almost  uninhabited  in  1863  with 
buffalo  and  elk  still  ranging  over 
its  prairies.  In  1877  it  was  pro- 
nounced by  the  Secretary  of  the 
State  Board  of  Agriculture  as  the 
best  agricultural  county  of  the  state. 
As  Mennonites  we  have  participat- 
ed in  the  great  agricultural  revolu- 


70 


THE  MENNONITE 


tion  brought  about  by  the  advent 
of  the  “steel”  plow,  we  have  broken 
the  prairie  and  built  our  commu- 
nities and  contributed  to  the  ac- 
celerated agricultural  activity  that 
brought  about  overproduction. 

Today,  again,  there  is  accelerated 
activity  on  America’s  farms.  The 
rate  of  mechanization  has  taken  a 
sudden  sharp  swing  upward;  the 
size  of  the  farm  is  growing;  there 
is  specialization,  fertilization,  irri- 
gation, hybrid  seeds,  and  so  on.  It 
is  a changing  world  and  change  is 
painful  because  it  means  a certain 
amount  of  dislocation  and  adjust- 
ment. The  present  surge  of  acceler- 
ated activity  is  of  such  dimensions, 
so  large  in  its  scope  and  far-reach- 
ing in  its  consequences  that  it  is 
spoken  of  as  the  current  “agricul- 
tural revolution.”  Within  the  last 
few  years  Midwestern  farms  have 
become  totally  mechanized. 

Increased  horsepower  per  farm- 
er, larger  machinery,  possibilities  of 


Are  We 
Losing 
Our  Way 
of  Life? 


The  1958  Farm  Study  Conference 
listed  a number  of  findings  which 
will  interest  all  Mennonite  church- 
es, rural  or  urban.  Concerning  the 
agricultural  revolution,  the  trend  to 
larger  and  iewer  farms,  and  the 
shift  to  the  city,  the  conference 
noted  that: 

“Life  is  never  static.  Change  is  a 
universal  phenomenon  and  as  such 
is  neither  good  nor  bad. 

“Mechanization  necessitates  an  in- 
crease in  the  size  of  the  farm  unit 


covering  more  acres,  and  the  orig- 
inal cost  of  equipment  all  suggest 
that  the  small  farm  is  no  longer  a 
profitable  economic  unit  and  that 
larger  economic  units  are  needed. 
From  1950  to  1954  the  average  size 
of  farms  throughout  the  United 
States  increased  from  205  to  243 
acres. 

As  a result  of  these  larger  units 
farmers  are  being  “squeezed  out,” 
and  those  that  are,  move  to  the 
cities.  The  number  of  farmers  de- 
creased more  than  twenty  per  cent 
from  1947  to  1954.  The  growth  of 
these  urban  areas,  made  possible 
by  farmers  producing  more  than 
they  can  consume,  is  one  of  the 
most  remarkable  social  phenom- 
ena of  the  twentieth  century. 

As  Mennonites,  we  too  are  caught 
in  the  treadmill  of  technological 
change.  Historically  we  have  been 
farmers,  our  roots  are  anchored  in 
the  soil,  our  heritage  has  been  rural, 
and  our  character  traits  have  been 


for  the  sake  of  efficiency,  except 
where  there  is  specialization,  irri- 
gation, truck  gardening,  or  some 
other  renovating  factor. 

“Most  Mennonite  farmers  could 
not  be  classified  as  small  farmers, 
and  most  production  occurs  on  the 
larger  farms. 

“Public  officials  and  the  press 
ought  to  tell  the  nation  of  the  farm- 
er’s contribution  rather  than  cry 
about  overproduction.” 

Conference  delegates  felt  that  it 
was  “an  advantage  to  live  on  the 
farm,  even  with  a part-time  or  full- 
time job  off  the  farm.”  Noting  that 
the  farmer  is  tempted  to  get  all  he 
can  out  of  his  soil  without  rebuild- 
ing it,  they  agreed  that  “there  is  a 
need  for  soil  and  water  conserva- 
tion on  good  as  well  as  poor  land.” 
Other  conclusions:  “There  is  a dis- 
tinct difference  between  industry’s 
and  the  farmer’s  ability  to  curtail 
production.  . . . Working  in  both 
town  and  country  is  unsatisfactory 
because  it  usually  results  in  poor 
farming,  and  the  excessive  time 
demands  weaken  home  life  and 
participation  in  church  activities. 

. . . “Many  farmers  purchase  lux- 
uries and  conveniences  and  then 
run  short  of  money  for  necessities, 
which  include  land  and  equipment.” 


rural — and  now  it  appears  that  our 
communities  are  being  undermined, 
that  considerable  numbers  of  our 
people  are  moving  to  the  cities,  that 
financial  institutional  support  may 
be  jeopardized,  and  that  much  of 
what  we  have  called  the  “Mennonite 
way  of  life”  is  being  threatened  by 
rapidly  changing  conditions.  For 
some  the  city  job  comes  as  a wel- 
come relief  to  farm  drudgery,  but 
others  are  condemned  by  it  to  a 
sterile,  humdrum  existence,  while 
still  others  are  trying  to  salvage 
the  farm  by  working  in  the  city. 

We  must  take  inventory  of  pres- 
ent conditions  and  analyze  their  im- 
pact upon  our  communities  and 
upon  our  faith,  and  then  in  the  light 
of  what  we  find,  to  rebuild  and  re- 
inforce for  Christ  and  His  King- 
dom’s sake,  the  interests,  institu- 
tions, and  communities  that  will 
perpetuate  the  faith  which  we  as 
Mennonites  have  found  revealed  in 
Christ  Jesus,  our  Lord  and  Saviour. 


Does  the  farmer  have  any  re- 
sponsibility toward  consumers  at 
home  and  abroad?  A message  by 
W.  W.  Graber  pointed  out  that  “the 
consumption  of  farm  products  and 
the  people  who  consume  them,  and 
to  make  sure  that  when  commodi- 
ties leave  the  farm  and  as  they 
flow  through  the  various  channels 
of  the  market,  that  they  are  of  the 
finest  quality,  should  be  faced  by 
all  Christian  farmers.  All  too  often 
farmers  rely  on  legislative  help, 
when  they  ought  to  unify  and  seek 
their  own  solution  to  the  problems 
besetting  them.” 

Observing  the  effects  of  all  these 
trends  on  the  Mennonite  Church 
and  community,  conference  dele- 
gates found  that: 

“The  movement  of  our  people 
from  the  country  is  not  necessarily 
bad  in  itself,  however  many  Men- 
nonites moving  to  the  city  are  lost 
to  the  Mennonite  church. 

“In  view  of  this  urban  trend,  the 
country  church  is  called  upon  to 
do  a more  effective  job  of  implant- 
ing our  Mennonite  faith  prior  to 
migration  to  the  city.  People  mov- 
ing to  the  city  ought  to  be  prepared 
for  the  change. 

“The  home  will  have  to  assume 
more  responsibility  in  furthering 


February  3,  1959 


71 


our  Mennonite  heritage. 

“Industry  needs  to-  be  brought 
into  the  local  community. 

“We  need  to  help  young  people 
get  started  on  the  farm  through 
mutual  aid. 

“The  virtual  monopoly  that  the 
rural  church  had  as  an  institution  a 
generation  ago  has  given  way,  and 
it  must  now  share  its  prestige  and 
time  with  competing  organizations, 
such  as  the  school.  Boy  Scouts,  4-H, 
and  so  on.” 

What  should  be  the  church’s  con- 
cern in  this  area?  “As  a Confer- 
ence we  are  disturbed  because  we 
have  noted  how  economics  molds 
our  lives  and  our  communities.  We 
need  to  emphasize  that  faith  and 
not  economics  should  determine  our 
lives. 

“We  are  concerned  about  the 
growth  of  extensive  rather  than 
intensive  farming.  Perhaps  special- 
ization, irrigation,  and  more  inten- 


AYEAR ago  last  September  ap- 
proximately twenty-eight  fami- 
lies immigrated  to  Canada  from 
Mexico.  Although  their  motives  for 
leaving  are  difficult  to  determine, 
the  overcrowding  of  Mennonite  set- 
tlements in  Mexico,  general  restless- 
ness and  the  urge  to  strike  out  for 
something  new  were  contributing 
factors.  At  Matheson,  in  northern 
Ontario,  they  found  land  available 
for  purchase  or  rent;  here  they  de- 
cided to  settle  down. 

The  winter  was  long  and  severe. 
They  had  insufficient  food  and  cloth- 
ing to  see  them  through.  Non-Men- 
nonite  residents  in  the  immediate 
neighborhood,  seeing  their  need, 
gave  quick  and  generous  assistance, 
but  this  was  only  a temporary  solu- 
tion. Continued  and  more  extensive 
help  was  needed,  so  the  Canadian 
churches,  through  the  channels  of 
MCC  Waterloo,  organized  a relief 
program,  distributed  supplies  and 
sent  in  a full-time  worker,  Dave 
Schellenberg  (Gnadenthal,  Manito- 
ba) to  supervise  the  project. 

Last  spring  shipments  of  donated 
grain,  especially  oats,  enabled  the 
Matheson  farmers  to  seed  their 
fields.  A fair-sized  crop  might  have 


sive  farming  could  cut  down  the 
number  of  acres  needed  per  family 
and  hence  allow  more  people  to 
remain  in  rural  communities.  The 
church  must  help  its  young  people 
find  vocational  opportunities,  but 
how  can  it  help  them  start  farm- 
ing? Should  the  churches  organize 
to  buy  land  and  equipment  for 
young  people,  or  perhaps,  should 
church  members  dispose  of  their 
real  estate  holdings  through  the 
church  rather  than  upon  the  open 
market?” 

Those  attending  the  conference 
felt  that  “we  must  conserve  the 
Mennonite  faith  and  fellowship  both 
in  the  country  and  in  the  city.”  On 
the  one  hand,  it  is  possible  that 
farming  tends  to  produce  desirable 
character  traits  and  spiritual  quali- 
ties through  dependence  on  God  and 
nature  and  many  hours  of  hard 
work.  On  the  other,  it  is  possible  to 
possess  a deep  religious  faith  and  a 


put  them  on  their  feet  but  heavy 
rains  ruled  out  such  a possibility. 
Not  more  than  twenty-five  per  cent 
of  the  crops  could  be  harvested.  As 
these  families  face  their  second  win- 
ter in  Canada — crop  failure,  over- 
due payments,  children  to  feed  and 
clothe — the  future  looks  very  bleak 
and  unpromising. 

On  October  29,  Harvey  Taves,  As- 
sociate Director  of  MCC  at  Water- 
loo, Pastor  I.  G.  Krahn  of  Kane, 
Man.,  and  Pastor  Henry  H.  Epp  of 
the  United  Mennonite  Church  in 


H.  Taves  and  I.  Krahn  talk  to 
Matheson  farmer. 


determined  evangelism  in  the  city.. 

“In  view  of  the  rural  to  urban 
migration,  we  ought  to  start  a fel- 
lowship whenever  ten  families  gath- 
er. We  can  continue  to  promote  our 
faith  through  various  fellowship 
circles.  The  rural  community  must 
not  let  the  city  seize  the  initiative 
or  sit  idly  in  the  midst  of  change, 
but  should  energetically  plan  and 
actively  struggle  to  forge  destiny 
in  its  terms.  Too  often  our  problems 
are  a result  of  drifting  rather  than 
careful  planning.  Our  drifting  is  all 
too  apparent  in  unplanned  urban 
migrations,  poor  care  of  the  soil,, 
and  lackadaisical  stewardship.” 

To  secure  a copy  of  the  papers 
given  at  the  Farm  Study  Confer- 
ence, write  to:  Board  of  Christian 
Service,  722  Main,  Newton,  Kansas. 
The  price  is  fifty  cents.  Consider  a 
study  and  discussion  of  these  papers 
for  your  church  in  1959. 


Waterloo  drove  to  Matheson  for  a 
three-day  visit,  to  size  up  the  situa- 
tion and  determine  what  should  be 
done  to  assist  these  people  in  the 
future,  particularly  this  winter. 
They  found  the  farmers  in  low 
spirits  but  not  completely  discour- 
aged. Though  they  agreed  that  the 
winter  would  be  difficult,  .there  was 
not  much  talk  of  individuals  leav- 
ing. Outside  earning  opportunities 
such  as  road  work,  sugar  beet  and 
tobacco  harvests  have  enabled  most 
of  the  people  at  least  to  pay  their 
grocery  debts. 

However,  Harvey  Taves  reports 
that  they  will  definitely  need  assist- 
ance during  the  winter  season.  Al- 
though MCC  has  not  yet  decided 
how  this  can  be  given  most  effec- 
tively, consultation  between  MCC 
Waterloo  and  various  interested 
Mennonite  groups  who  have  helped 
these  people  in  the  past  should 
throw  light  on  the  subject. 

More  than  food  and  clothing, 
these  people  lack  adequate  educa- 
tional and  spiritual  care.  At  present 
they  are  operating  a private  school 
in  the  German  language,  taught  by 
one  of  their  own  men  whom  they 
support  privately.  There  is  no  resi- 
dent minister  in  the  group,  but  the 
Old  Colony  Mennonite  church  in 
Manitoba  is  trying  to  assist  them 
along  spiritual  lines. — MCC 


Pilgrims  From  Mexico 


72 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  Youth 


Time  for  Everything 


by  Peter  Kehler 


I 


GERRY’S  heart  beat  with  excite- 
ment. Tonight  Ken  was  coming 
back  from  college.  As  she  sat  in 
front  of  the  mirror  putting  the  last 
curls  in  place  she  thought,  “I  won- 
der what  he  will  say  tonight.”  She 
hadn’t  seen  Ken  since  the  Christ- 
mas holidays  and  it  seemed  to  her 
that  he  had  wanted  to  tell  her  some- 
thing then,  but  somehow  he  hadn’t 
said  it.  “Wouldn’t  it  be  wonderful 
to  have  a June  wedding!”  she 
mused.  Now  that  Ken  had  gradu- 
ated from  college  he  would  be  ready 
to  settle  down. 

Confident  that  she  looked  her 
best,  she  went  to  a window  to  watch 
for  him.  She  thought  of  the  fine 
times  they  would  be  having  in  sum- 
mer. No  longer  would  she  have  to 
go  to  the  Young  People’s  Fellowship 
by  herself.  And  retreat — how  she 
was  looking  forward  to  being  at 
retreat  with  Ken ! 

The  minutes  seemed  to  drag  by 
as  she  waited  for  a sign  of  Ken’s 
car.  He  had  written  that  he  would 
I arrive  shortly  before  eight — if  the 
car  held  together. 

Before  she  realized  it,  her  mind 
! was  again  occupied  with  thoughts 
of  a wedding,  quitting  her  job,  and 
I starting  homemaking.  She  would 
' continue  teaching  her  Sunday  school 
class  and  no  doubt  Ken,  too,  would 
be  asked  to  teach.  What  fun  they 
j would  have  working  together! 

’ The  slam  of  a car  door  made 
Gerry  jump  to  her  feet.  That  must 
be  Ken.  How  handsome  he  was, 
r coming  up  the  walk!  But  he  seemed 
so  much  older,  she  thought.  Then 


without  waiting  any  longer  she  ran 
to  meet  him. 

As  they  were  sitting  on  the  bench 
under  the  maple  tree  in  the  front 
lawn,  Gerry  marveled  at  the  change 
that  had  taken  place  in  Ken.  Some- 
how Ken  seemed  different.  Not 
that  he  wasn’t  cheerful  or  talka- 
tive, but  the  things  he  said  seemed 
to  be  born  out  of  conviction. 

“Gerry,”  said  Ken,  “there  is 
something  I have  to  tell  you  to- 
night, but  I don’t  know  how  to  say 
it.” 

Gerry’s  heart  began  to  skip.  Were 
her  dreams  about  to  come  true? 
How  she  had  prayed  that  God  would 
direct  her  to  the  right  man,  and 
now  it  seemed  almost  too  good  to 
be  true. 

“Gerry,”  Ken  began  again,  “I 
want  you  to  know  that  I think  you 
are  wonderful,  waiting  for  me  while 
I finished  college.” 

It  was  hard  for  Ken  to  continue, 
Gerry  could  see  that,  but  what  was 
he  trying  to  say?  This  was  hardly 
the  way  she  had  thought  of  a pro- 
posal. 

“Gerry,”  Ken’s  voice  was  more 
confident  now,  “at  college  my  spir- 
itual life  counselor  spoke  to  me 
about  Voluntary  Service.  He  told 
me  that  there  was  a real  need  for 
fellows  to  serve  in  our  Summer 
Service  projects.  It  was  a real  strug- 
gle, Gerry,  but  I finally  decided  that 
if  I am  going  to  speak  to  others 
about  consecration,  I should  per- 
haps start  with  myself.  I’m  leaving 
for  my  assignment  next  week  and 
I won’t  be  back  until  the  middle  of 


August.  I know  it’s  going  to  cost  us 
something,  but  I feel  this  is  what 
God  wants  me  to  do.” 

Gerry  was  too  stunned  for  a mo- 
ment to  answer.  All  her  dreams  of 
a June  wedding  were  shattered. 
When  she  started  to  speak,  she 
marveled  at  the  calmness  of  her 
voice  as  she  heard  herself  saying, 
“Ken,  as  soon  as  I saw  you  coming 
up  the  walk  tonight,  I knew  that 
something  had  happened  to  you. 
If  you  feel  that  this  is  what  God 
would  have  you  do,  I do  not  wish 
to  stand  in  your  way — and  I’ll  be 
waiting  for  you  when  you  come 
back.” 

That  night  two  people  knelt  and 
prayed,  “Dear  God,  thank  you  for 
leading  me  to  a person  dedicated 
to  you.  Amen.” 


February  3,  1959 


73 


Training  German  Youth  Leaders 


by  Oskar  We  del 

Once  a year,  usually  on  Pente- 
cost,- twenty-five  to  thirty-five  rep- 
resentatives of  all  youth  circles  in 
North  Germany  meet  for  two  or 
three  days  to  discuss  central  themes 
of  the  Christian  life,  to  share  with 
each  other  the  good  and  weak  re- 
sults in  their  youth  work  at  home, 
and  to  get  to  know  each  other  bet- 
ter. In  recent  years  this  group  has 
come  to  include  representatives 
from  all  over  Germany. 


At  our  last  retreat  at  Pentecost, 
1958,  we  appreciated  very  much  the 
presence  of  Peter  J.  Dyck  and  David 
Schroeder,  who  served  as  our  spe- 
cial speakers.  They  told  us  much 
of  their  Christian  experience.  Be- 
sides them,  we  had  two  young  peo- 
ple to  help  in  the  leading  of  discus- 
sions. 

At  our  retreats  we  usually  have 
six  to  eight  sessions.  The  topics  for 
last  year’s  meetings  dealt  with  the 


Alternatives  for  alternative  service 

Witness.  . . or  Worse 


• EITHER  1-W  service  provides  op- 
portunity for  building  Christian 
character.  . . 

OR  it  will  merely  be  a way  of 
putting  in  the  required  two  years 
of  alternative  service. 

• EITHER  the  church  witnesses 
through  the  1-W  demonstration 
of  love  in  action,  which  demands 
consistent  conduct.  . . 

OR  young  men,  acknowledging 
responsibility  only  to  the  govern- 
ment for  their  term  of  service, 
feel  little  necessity  for  upholding 
church  standards  and  home 
church  ties. 

• EITHER  1-W  service  helps  the 
church  to  develop  a concern  and 
.conscience  for  city  missions.  . . 

OR  city  mission  needs  remain 
unrelated  to  1-W  assignments. 

• EITHER  1-W  service  helps  the 
church  demonstrate  to  the  world 
its  rejection  of  materialism.  . . 

OR  jobs  are  selected  according 
to  the  financial  opportunity  they 
offer. 

• EITHER  1-W  service  provides  an 
opportunity  to  deny  self-interests 

OR  personal  considerations  will 
receive  top  priority — as  men  in- 
sisting on  assignments  close  to 
home. 

• EITHER  1-W  service  will  be  an 
opportunity  to  demonstrate  non- 
conformity to  the  world.  . . 


OR  it  will  result  in  the  accept- 
ance of  worldly  standards  and 
practices,  such  as  smoking  and 
drinking. 

• EITHER  1-W  service  will  develop 
in  Christian  young  men  a concern 
for  the  unsaved.  . . 

OR  they  may  become  so  self- 
centered  that  they  will  be  blind 
to  the  spiritual  needs  of  others. 

• EITHER  the  earning  power  of  our 
present  1-W  program  can  become 
the  backbone  of  our  present  mis- 
sion program.  . . 

OR  inexperienced  and  undirect- 


National  Park  Ministry 

Millions  of  visitors  each  year  en- 
joy the  great  natural  wonders  in 
our  country’s  national  parks.  Be- 
sides finding  relaxation  and  inspira- 
tion in  these  places  of  natural  won- 
der, they  can  find  Christian  worship 
and  fellowship  waiting  for  them. 

This  is  because  a Christian  min- 
istry in  the  national  parks  is  spon- 
sored by  the  Department  of  Evan- 
gelism of  the  National  Council  of 
Churches  of  Christ.  Each  summer 
more  than  140  seminary  and  col- 
lege students  make  this  work  pos- 
sible. In  some  of  the  parks  there 
are  year-round  interns  or  resident 
ministers,  such  as  at  Zion  National 


role  of  education  in  a youth  circle, 
basic  equipments  for  a youth  lead- 
er, future  ideas  on  how  to  continue 
the  work,  and  proposals  for  the 
work. 

Probably  the  greatest  values  at 
these  retreats  is  the  meeting  of 
other  concerned  people  and  the 
strength  and  encouragement  re- 
ceived for  our  continued  work  with 
young  people. 


ed  cash  in  the  pockets  of  1-W’s 
will  continue  to  result  in  the  fi- 
nancing and  stimulating  of  un- 
christian activities. 

• EI'THER  1-W  men  will  tell  others 
about  their  peace  convictions.  . . 

OR  they  will  serve  two  years 
with  few  people  finding  out  that 
they  are  conscientious  objectors. 

o EITHER  1-W  men  will  strengthen 
the  church  peace  position  in  their 
home  congregations.  . . 

OR  predraft-age  men  will  find 
it  increasingly  difficult  to  see  the 
significance  of  the  CO  position. 


Park  in  Utah  and  at  Death  Valley 
National  Monument  in  California. 
The  largest  summer  programs  are 
conducted  at  Glacier  National  Park 
in  Montana,  Yellowstone  National 
Park  in  Wyoming,  and  at  Yosemite 
National  Park  in  California.  Be- 
sides this  recruits  are  needed  — 
couples  and  single  students  for  the 
other  national  parks  in  the  Western 
States,  Alaska,  and  the  Virgin  Is- 
lands. 

Students  interested  in  working  in 
this  summer  program  should  apply 
to:  A Christian  Ministry  in  the 

National  Parks,  Rm.  96,  257  Fourth 
Avenue,  New  York  10,  New  York. 


74 


THE  AAENNONITE 


Books 

For 

Digestion 


ONCE  a gentleman  named  Fran- 
cis Bacon  said  that  some  books 
are  to  be  tasted,  others  to  be  swal- 
lowed, and  some  few  to  be  chewed 
and  digested.  Here  are  some  that 
I we’d  recommend  for  the  third  proc- 
1 ess. 

FOR  TEENAGERS  ONLY  by  Frank 
Howard  Richardson,  Tapper  and 
Love,  $2.95. 

For  Teenagers  Only  is  in  my 
estimation  an  ideal  book  for  every 
teen-ager  to  have.  It  is  written  es- 
pecially for  him  and  leaves  nothing 
I unsaid  concerning  those  problems 
1 of  dating,  love,  and  marriage  which 
I grow  increasingly  more  important 
I to  him. 

This  book  does  not  lecture.  It  is 
’ written  in  the  form  of  a novel.  The 
questions  that  young  people  ask 
as  they  consider  early  marriage 
are  written  in  such  a way  that  your 
own  mind  asks  the  questions  of 
yourself  without  letting  you  lose 
interest  in  the  story. 

' To  the  teenager,  his  body  and 
( mind  are  maturing  so  rapidly  that 
it  is  most  difficult  for  him  to  un- 
derstand the  mystery  of  it  all.  There 
are  many  questions  that  he  feels 
ashamed,  afraid,  or  embarrassed  to 
ask  of  older  people,  but  if  he  could 
find  a truthful  answer  in  some  way, 
he  would  be  most  grateful  and  re- 
; lieved.  Frank  Richardson  has  writ- 
ten in  simple  language  the  answers 
■ to  some  of  these.  Though  he  deals 
I first  with  physical  attractions,  he 
‘ I does  not  leave  mental  and  spiritual 
i experiences  unexplained. 

' — Loella  Eby 

' PREACHER  MIKE  by  Elaine  Rice 
i Chabut.  226  pp..  Citadel  Press,  $4.00. 

In  this  life  story  of  Merton  S. 
\ Rice,  his  daughter  says  she  and  her 
j brothers  and  sister  thought  he  was 
I the  funniest  person  they  had  ever 
i known.  They  were  proud  to  display 
him  to  their  friends.  He  loved  to 
...  tease  his  children  and  brag  about 
his  hunting  and  fishing  exploits. 


But  he  despised  a lie  or  even  a 
suggestion  of  a falsehood. 

He  graduated  from  Baker  Uni- 
versity (Baldwin,  Kan.).  After  en- 
rolling in  Michigan  University  Law 
School,  he  dropped  out  because  he 
had  a call  to  preach.  At  the  time  of 
his  death  in  1943  he  was  preaching 
in  Detroit  at  the  Metropolitan  Meth- 
odist Church,  which  he  had  built  up 
into  one  of  the  largest  churches  of 
his  denomination.  He  was  fortunate 
in  finding  the  right  kind  of  rich 
people  to  finance  his  education, 
philanthropic  projects,  and  church 
building  programs. 

Preacher  Mike  was  concerned  a- 
bout  getting  the  gospel  to  as  many 
people  as  possible.  He  maintained 
that  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  was 
not  poured  out  merely  to  make  a 
way  of  escape  for  a favored  few. 
He  said  he  wanted  to  make  the 
world  a better  place  and  titled  him- 
self “a  discontented  optimist.” 

Merton  Stacher  Rice  did  not  like 
his  first  two  names  and  was  happy 
when  people  called  him  Mike.  The 
book  has  many  intimate  details 
which  only  a daughter  could  in- 
clude. — Harold  Peters 

ART  ALWAYS  CHANGES  by  Ray 
Bethers.  96  pp.,  Hastings  House, 
$3.95. 

People  deal  with  modem  painting 
in  various  ways.  Many  ignore  it. 
Some  are  hostile.  A few  take  hon- 
est steps  toward  understanding  and 
appreciation.  This  book  has  much 
to  contribute  to  the  honest  inquir- 
er. The  author  writes  with  excep- 
tional clarity  and  treats  a complex 
subject  simply  without  oversim- 
plifying. His  stated  purpose  is  to 
remove  some  of  the  strangeness  of 
contemporary  painting  through 
tracing  its  origins  and  growth.  The 
title  does  not  suggest  that  painting 
is  getting  progressively  better  but 
rather  that  painting  changes  to 
meet  changing  needs. 

Mr.  Bethers  employs  a unique 
method  to  achieve  his  purpose.  He 
takes  one  theme,  his  apartment 
stove,  and  paints  many  versions  of 
this  theme.  Each  version  illustrates 
a particular  attitude,  style  or  peri- 
od. Thus,  he  effectively  shows  how 
one  phase  of  painting  derives  from 
another  and  how  no  phase  can  ever 
be  the  final  answer. 

Art  always  changes,  yet  art  will 
never  cease  to  express  religious  ex- 
perience. Our  sensitivity  to  this  fact 


will  depend  upon  our  ability  to  un- 
derstand contemporary  art  forms. 
This  book  will  help  our  understand- 
ing. — Bob  Regier 

DOLLARS  FOR  YOU  by  Adrian  A. 
Paradis.  170  pp.,  David  McKay  Co., 
Inc.,  $3.00. 

I believe  this  book  should  be  in 
every  church  library  and  young  men 
encouraged  to  read  it.  There  are 
some  jobs  suggested  in  it  that  we 
as  Christians  would  not  recommend 
for  our  young  people,  but  the  un- 
derlying principles  stressed  in  this 
book  are  good  for  anyone  to  learn 
and  apply. 

It  is  written  in  a way  that  is  in- 
teresting and  helpful.  Our  own  boy, 
in  the  sixth  grade,  picked  it  up  and 
read  most  of  it.  He  felt  he  learned 
much  from  it,  and  the  next  day  he 
went  out  to  apply  for  a job  in  a 
jewelry  store.  This  book  would  be 
a good  one  for  a high  school  li- 
brary or  a vocational  guidance 
class. 

The  book  has  four  main  divisions: 
Suggestions  for  the  Young  Business- 
man, Working  for  Others,  Selling, 
and  A Business  of  Your  Own.  Each 
division  deals  simply  with  the  sub- 
ject and  points  out  basic  problems. 
It  is  all  on  a boy’s  level  and  is 
simply  but  forcibly  done. 

I was  favorably  impressed  with 
the  book  and  would  recommend  it 
for  use  with  young  people  and  coun- 
selors of  young  people. 

— Elbert  Koontz 

LOOK  BEYOND  THE  VALLEY.  C. 
DeRuischer . 215  pp.,  Zondervan 

Publishing  House,  $2.50. 

Ralph  Bertchold  had  the  misfor- 
tune of  falling  in  love  with  the 
wrong  girl— a girl  who  loved  his 
brother.  To  escape  a difficult  situa- 
tion meant  leaving  his  beloved  farm 
home  and  going  to  the  city.  Only 
through  faith  in  God  and  the  satis- 
faction of  bringing  others  in  the 
city  to  God  was  Ralph  finally  able 
to  find  peace  and  happiness  him- 
self. 

Unfortunately  the  author  does  not 
present  this  good  plot  in  a style 
that  is  fascinating  reading.  The 
interest  of  the  reader  may  tend  to 
waver  over  the  long  speeches  and 
lengthy  descriptive  passages. 

— Florence  Leigh  Waltner 

The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsorecS 
by  the  Young  People's  Union  of  the  Genera* 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  3003 
Benham  Avenue,  Elkhart,  Indiona. 


February  3,  1959 


75 


film  review 

THE  MEANING  OF  LENT.  Color 
filmstrip  with  33  1/3  'record,  12  min. 
Purchase  cost,  $10.  Produced  hy  So- 
ciety for  Visual  Education.  Can  be 
secured  through  Mennonite  Book- 
stores. 

This  filmstrip  portrays  the  back- 
ground of  the  observance  of  Lent 
by  the  church  throughout  history. 
Its  major  purpose,  however,  is  to 
depict  ways  in  which  the  protestant 
church  can  make  Lent  meaningful 
even  though  protestants  as  a whole 
do  not  stress  Lent  in  the  same  way 
as  does  the  Catholic  Church.  The 
filmstrip  conveys  a message  and 
suggests  ways  in  which  individuals 
and  churches  can  make  Lent  of 
more  significance. 

This  filmstrip  would  be  useful  for 
groups  from  the  junior  high  age 
on  up.  It  would  be  a good  instru- 
ment to  start  a discussion  on  the 
meaning  and  observance  of  Lent  in 
youth  groups  as  well  as  adult  study 
groups  of  various  kinds. 

HE  LIVES,  l&mm.  sound,  black  and 
white  or  color,  30  min.  Produced  by 
the  Lutheran  Church  (Missouri  Syn- 
od), 1957.  Available  from  Religious 
Film  Libraries,  220  W.  Monroe,  Chi- 
co.go  6,  III.  Rental  during  Lent: 
$22.50,  color;  $13.50,  black  and 
white;  $15.00  color;  $9  black  and 
white,  the  remainder  of  the  time. 

This  film  tells  the  story  of  the 
Foster  family.  The  father  is  very 
close  to  his  two  sons.  A short  time 
before  Easter  the  father  is  taking 
the  two  boys  and  one  of  their 
friends  on  a short  camping  trip. 
On  the  way  one  of  his  boys  is  killed 
in  an  automobile  accident. 

The  major  part  of  the  film  deals 
with  the  reaction  of  the  father  to 
the  death  of  his  son.  He  becomes 
morbid  and  reacts  unfavorably  to 
the  message  of  the  approaching 
Easter  season.  The  minister  dis- 
cusses the  issue  with  the  father  but 
it  seems  that  the  father  is  not  able 
to  find  a victorious  faith  in  this 
experience.  As  the  father  looks  at 
the  choir  robe  his  son  would  have 
worn  had  he  still  been  alive,  he 
goes  to  church  on  Easter  morning. 
It  is  in  the  worship  service  that  he 
rediscovers  his  faith. 

The  committee  felt  that  the  pic- 
ture was  effectively  done.  It  would 
serve  as  an  inspirational  film  for 


the  total  congregation.  The  film 
could  also  be  used  by  adult  groups 
at  any  season  of  the  year  to  deal 
with  the  issues  raised. 

MEET  BILL  HAYDEN:  DIRECTOR 
OF  CHRISTIAN  EDUCATION.  Col- 
or filmstrip  with  331/3  record,  35 
min.  Purchase  cost,  $12.  Can  be  se- 
cured from  Directors’  Section,  Na- 
tional Council  of  Churches,  % Frank 
Bear  Film  Productions,  Inc.,  3426 
Bay  Front  Place,  Baldwin,  N.  Y. 
Can  be  secured  for  use  from  Bluff- 
ton  College. 

This  filmstrip  portrays  the  calling 
of  a director  of  Christian  education 
by  a local  church.  It  follows  the 
work  of  this  director  over  a period 
of  five  years.  The  church  built  a 
new  educational  wing  during  this 
period.  The  filmstrip  shows  the 
church  at  work  in  its  total  task  of 
Christian  education  including  its 
aims,  programs,  etc. 

This  filmstrip  is  well  done.  The 
committee  felt  that  there  were  a 
few  technical  weaknesses  in  photog- 
raphy, yet  the  photography  is  good 
as  a whole.  The  sound  also  seemed 
to  be  a little  muffled  at  spots  but 
the  message  of  the  film  was  com- 
municated. 

This  filmstrip  is  one  which  can 
have  many  uses.  It  can  be  used  with 
a high  school  youth  group  that  is 
studying  vocations;  by  a church  as 
it  faces  a decision  whether  it  should 
secure  a director  of  Christian  edu- 
cation; by  a board  of  Christian  edu- 
cation in  a local  church  as  it  con- 
siders its  total  task;  by  Sunday 
school  teachers  and  administrators 
as  they  study  new  needs  and  meth- 
ods; by  groups  of  parents  as  they 
view  the  total  program  of  Christian 
education;  and  by  a church  that  is 
considering  a building  program  for 
Christian  education. 

HOME  AGAIN,  black  and  white  or 
color,  l&mm.,  sound  35  min.  Pro- 
ducer: Mental  Health  Board.  Avail- 
able from  Leo  Dratfield,  267  West 
25th  Street,  New  York  1,  N.  Y. 
Rental:  black  and  white,  $7.00. 

The  mother  of  three  children,  hos- 
pitalized with  a heart  attack,  wor- 
ries about  her  family.  The  hospital 
directs  the  father  to  the  Homemak- 
er’s Service,  which  provides  a lady 
to  work  in  the  home.  Eventually 
the  mother  is  able  to  return  to  her 
family,  but  her  recovery  is  slow 
until  she  is  helped  to  realize  that 


she  is  needed  by  her  family  even 
though  she  is  not  physically  strong. 

Home  Again  ably  interprets  the 
family  problems  that  come  in  times 
of  sickness,  both  to  the  one  who 
is  ill  and  to  other  members  of  the 
family.  The  film’s  emphasis  is  on 
the  mental  adjustment  necessary  to 
solve  some  of  these  problems.  While 
the  story  is  not  presented  in  terms 
of  Christian  values,  the  treatment 
of  it  is  acceptable,  though  the  ref- 
erences to  a church  dance  will  be 
objectionable  to  some  denomina- 
tions. 'The  picture  could  be  used  by 
churchwomen’s  service  groups  to 
study  ways  of  helping  families  in 
need. 

CAMPUS  PARISH.  16mm.  film,  28 
min.,  color.  Produced  by  the  Divi- 
sion of  Educational  Institutions, 
Methodist  Church,  1958.  Available 
from  the  Methodist  Publishing 
House.  Rental:  offering. 

Professor  Harold  Kent  has  an  of- 
fer from  a research  foundation  at 
three  times  his  salary  as  head  of 
the  physics  department  at  Epworth 
College.  It  is  an  offer  of  greater 
prestige  as  well  as  more  money, 
which  his  family  needs.  But  he  likes 
teaching  and  feels  it  is  a life  com- 
mitment. The  gap  between  faculty 
and  industrial  salaries  is  empha- 
sized throughout.  Roger  Harlow,  an 
excellent  science  student,  is  encour- 
aged by  Professor  Kent  not  to  neg- 
lect human  relations,  even  though 
Roger’s  first  attempts  to  work  with 
people  are  awkward  and  unsuccess- 
ful. 

Les  Neubert,  alumnus  and  new- 
ly elected  trustee,  is  a successful 
engineer  and  strong  churchman.  He 
speaks  at  chapel,  meets  with  the 
trustees,  and  determines  to  see 
that  his  home  church  supports  its 
college  more  strongly.  The  film  is 
introduced  with  a two-minute  pro- 
logue by  two  bishops  of  the  Metho- 
dist Church  speaking  in  behalf  of 
Methodist  church  colleges. 

While  produced  by  the  Methodist 
Church,  aside  from  the  prologue  the 
film  makes  no  mention  of  this  par- 
ticular denomination.  This  film  is 
highly  recommended  for  use  with 
senior  highs  and  up  to  discuss  the 
challenges  of  teaching  in  a church 
college  as  well  as  the  problems  of 
the  church  school.  It  will  also  mo- 
tivate for  support  of  church  col- 
leges. 


76 


THE  MENNONITE 


our  schools 


ALICE  IN  WONDERLAND 

Alice  in  Wonderland,  a children’s 
theater  production  adapted  from 
Lewis  Carroll’s  familiar  story,  will 
be  presented  by  the  Bethel  College 
department  of  speech  and  drama 
Feb.  6 at  7:30  in  Memorial  Hall, 
North  Newton,  Kan. 

The  lead  character  of  Alice  will 
be  played  by  Rita  Ediger,  and  the 
White  Rabbit  will  be  played  by  Ken 
Lohrentz.  Other  characters  and  the 
students  playing  their  parts  are: 
Cat,  Carol  Zerger;  Margaret,  Elaine 
Schmidt;  Duchess,  Esther  Schmidt,; 
Queen,  Bonnie  Schroeder;  King, 
Robert  Loewen;  Knave,  Allen 
Pauls;  Hatter,  Maynard  Janzen; 
Hare,  Marilyn  Schrag;  Gryphon, 
Ron  Friesen;  Mock  Turtle,  Arlyce 
Peters;  Dormouse,  Phyllis  Sawat- 
zky. 

ANNUAL  FOLK  FESTIVAL 

Plans  are  proceeding  for  the  pres- 
entation of  the  annual  Mennonite 
Folk  Festival  scheduled  for  March 
6-7.  The  program  this  year  will  in- 
clude afternoon  activities  demon- 
strating various  pioneer  handicrafts 
and  customs  which  have  now  almost 
disappeared.  As  in  past  years,  the 
evening  programs  will  again  fea- 
ture dialect  dramatic  presentations. 

SUMMER  COURSES 

The  following  courses  will  be  of- 
fered by  Associated  Mennonite  Bib- 
lical Seminaries  for  the  summer 
session  of  1959: 

First  term,  June  to  July  3:  Pas- 
toral Counseling,  Missionary  Meth- 
ods, Missionary  Linguistics,  Con- 
temporary Theology,  Doctrine  of 
Scripture,  Teachings  of  Jesus,  and 
i Beginning  Greek. 

■ Second  Term,  July  6 to  24:  Non- 
Christian  Religions,  Missionary  An- 
thropology, Use  of  the  Bible  in 
Preaching,  Minor  Prophets,  Ephe- 
sians, Philosophy  of  Christian  Edu- 
cation, and  Beginning  Greek  (cont.). 

, These  courses  are  available  for 
i credit  for  those  who  qualify.  It  is 

(possible  to  take  a maximum  of 
_ three  credit  -hours  per  term.  Two- 
credit  hour  courses  meet  two  hours 
per  day,  five  days  per  week;  one- 
I credit  hour  courses  meet  one  hour 
per  day,  five  days  per  week.  Some 
noncredit  courses  will  also  be  avail- 
able for  Women  in  Church  Voca- 
tions. 


NONRESISTANCE 

Elmer  Neufeld,  associate  secre- 
tary of  the  National  Service  Board 
for  Religious  Objectors,  spoke  to 
Bluffton  College  students  during 
chapel  on  Jan.  20  and  21.  He  ex- 
plained the  reason  for  the  nonre- 
sistance program  and  its  practical 
applications.  Mr.  Neufeld  is  a mem- 
ber of  Woodlawn  Church,  Chicago, 
and  was  a member  of  a group 
which  toured  the  South. 

STUDENT  RECITAL 

Nine  Bluffton  College  music  stu- 
dents participated  in  a general  stu- 
dent recital  on  Jan.  21  in  Ramseyer 
Chapel.  Vocalists  participating  were 
Elizabeth  Clemens,  soprano;  Paul 
Krouskop,  bass;  Doris  Liechty,  so- 
prano; James  Miller,  tenor;  Marilyn 
Shelly,  alto.  Organ  soloists  were 
Doris  Liechty  and  Nancy  Wismer. 
Saundra  Berry  and  Sue  Montgom- 
ery presented  piano  solos.  This'  was 
the  first  of  several  student  recitals 
to  be  held  throughout  the  school 
year. 

SPRING  TOUR 

The  Bluffton  College  A Cappella 
Choir  presented  its  first  full-length 
concert  Jan.  25  in  the  First  Menno- 
nite Church,  Bluffton,  under  the  di- 
rection of  Professor  Earl  Lehman. 
The  spring  tour  will  be  made  Mar. 
17-30  throughout  eastern  Ohio  and 
Pennsylvania. 

STUDENTS  ATTEND  OPENING 

The  meetings  of  the  Council  of 
Boards  held  at  Canadian  Mennonite 
Bible  College  during  the  first  days 
of  the  week  brought  many  fathers, 
friends,  and  church  leaders  into  our 
midst.  We  as  a student  body  were 
invited  to  the  official  opening  of 
the  meetings.  J.  J.  Thiessen,  in  sum- 
marizing Conference  activities,  gave 
the  honor  to  Him  who  is  the  Head 
of  the  Church.  The  theme  of  the 
conference  was  taken  from  Revela- 
tion 2:2:  “I  know  your  works.”  A 
short  prayer  meeting  followed  the 
message.  We  are  thankful  for  the 
insight  into  Conference  life  that 
these  days  afforded  us. 

CHAPEL  THOUGHTS 

Visiting  speakers  who  share  their 
thoughts  and  experiences  with  us  in 
chapel  help  to  make  the  Freeman 
Junior  College  morning  services  an 
important  part  of  the  day.  Olin 


Krehbiel,  pastor  of  the  Salem-Zion 
Church,  spoke  Jan.  12  on  the  mean- 
ing of  revival.  He  called  revival  a 
religious  awakening  which  brings 
us  closer  to  God.  To  have  a revival, 
we  need  first  of  all  to  look  at  our- 
selves, to  recognize  our  needs  and 
our  shortcomings,  and  to  acknowl- 
edge them.  In  the  second  place  it 
means  returning  to  God,  calling  to 
Him  in  prayer  and  listening  to 
Him.  The  final  step  is  to  forsake 
sin  and  let  His  Spirit  live  in  us. 
The  results  of  such  a revival,  he 
stated,  is  a pardon  from  sin  and  a 
changed  life  in  which  good  replaces 
evil. 

LaVern  Graber,  recently  returned 
from  two  years’  Pax  service  in 
Paraguay,  spoke  of  his  work  there 
and  told  what  the  experience  meant 
to  him.  It  had,  he  said,  deepened  his 
perspective  and  widened  his  appre- 
ciation of  other  people’s  way  of 
life.  It  is  a service  and  a witness  for 
others,  but  it  is  also  a service  that 
leads  to  a better  self.  He  encour- 
aged students  who  could  qualify  to 
enter  Pax  service,  urging  them  to 
give  it  serious  thought,  to  pray  a- 
bout  it,  and  to  serve  voluntarily 
and  willingly. 

mutual  aid  ulacement 

CORRECTION 

Notice  No.  258  printed  in  The 
Mennonite  issues  of  January  13  and 
20  was  in  error  and  is  herewith 
retracted.  Placement  Service  wishes 
to  apologize  for  its  appearance. 

into  the  beyond 

Kurt  P.  Wiebe  was  born  June  15, 
1883,  in  West  Prussia,  Germany,  and 
passed  away  Dec.  14,  1958.  He  was 
a member  of  the  First  Mennonite 
Church,  Beatrice,  Neb. 

Mrs.  Margaret  Claassen,  nee 
Goossen,  was  bom  June  4,  1886,  and 
passed  to  her  eternal  reward  Janu- 
ary 2,  1959.  She  was  a member  of 
the  First  Mennonite  Church  of  Beat- 
rice, Neb. 

Mrs.  Molly  Albrecht  of  Alsen, 
North  Dakota,  and  member  of  the 
Swiss  Mennonite  Church  of  Alsen, 
was  bom  August  22,  1899,  in  Russia, 
and  died  January  6,  1959,  at  Lang- 
don,  North  Dakota. 


February  3,  1959 


77 


MCC  news  and  notes 

APPOINTMENTS 

The  appointment  of  two  brethren 
to  positions  of  major  responsibility 
was  announced  at  MCC  Annual 
Meeting  Jan.  17.  Elmer  Neufeld, 
who  is  presently  doing  graduate 
work  at  the  University  of  Chicago, 
will  assume  the  duties  of  Execu- 
tive Secretary  of  the  Peace  Section 
at  Akron,  Sept.  1.  He  replaces  Jesse 
Yoder,  who  has  been  serving  as  Act- 
ing Executive  Secretary  on  a half- 
time basis  since  Sept.  1,  1958.  Clar- 
ence Hiebert,  pastor  of  the  Menno- 
nite  Brethren  Church  at  Enid, 
Okla.,  has  been  appointed  Pax  pas- 
tor in  Europe.  This  post  has  been 
vacant  since  last  July  when  the 
Noah  Goods  returned.  The  Hieberts 
will  be  leaving  for  Germany  in  July. 

TO  VISIT  HAITI 

C.  N.  Hostetter,  MCC  chairman 
and  Executive  Committee  member, 
will  visit  the  Haiti  VS  units  in  early 
February.  He  plans  to  vacation  in 
Florida  and  from  there  will  con- 
tinue to  Haiti,  a little  country  in 
the  Caribbean,  less  than  800  miles 
. southeast  of  Miami.  The  purpose  of 
his  one-week  visit  is  to  become  ac- 
quainted with  the  MCC-VS  program 
— the  medical  unit  at  Hospital  Al- 
bert Schweitzer  and  the  agricul- 
tural project  at  Petit-Goave — and  to 
evaluate  the  contribution  MCC  has 
been  able  to  make  thus  far. 

RELIEF  LEADERS 
MEET  WITH  BENSON 

Leaders  of  major  religious  and 
secular  overseas  relief  organizations 
representing  the  American  Council 
lof  Voluntary  Agencies  met  with 
U.  S.  Secretary  of  Agriculture  Ezra 
Taft  Benson  on  Jan.  20  in  his  office 
in  Washington,  D.  C.,  to  review  cur- 
rent aspects  of  U.  S.  surplus  food 
distribution  programs  to  needy  peo- 
ple abroad. 

J.  N.  Byler,  director  of  the  MCC 
Relief  Section  and  a vice-chairman 
of  the  American  Council,  represent- 
ed MCC  at  the  meeting.  He  reports 
that  Mr.  Benson  was  a very  friend- 
ly and  courteous  host.  Representa- 
tives thanked  him  for  his  co-opera- 
tion in  making  government  surplus 
food  available,  reported  briefly  on 
how  it  was  being  distributed  by 
their  respective  agencies,  and  ex- 
pressed the  hope  that  additional 


kinds  might  be  available  in  the  fu- 
ture. 

Surplus  foods,  limited  mostly  to 
milk  powder,  wheat  flour  and  corn- 
meal,  are  being  distributed  in  more 
than  fifty  countries  abroad,  repre- 
senting in  excess  of  fifty  million 
persons  utilizing  about  a billion  and 
a half  pounds  yearly.  The  agencies 
hope  that  some  high  protein  foods 
such  as  cottonseed  oil  and  soybeans 
will  become  available  to  help  bal- 
ance rations  that  are  too  low  in 
protein  content. 

Other  organizations  represented 
at  the  conference  with  Mr.  Benson 
included  Church  World  Service, 
Catholic  Relief  Services,  American 
Jewish  Joint  Distribution  Commit- 
tee, Lutheran  World  Relief,  and 
American  Friends  Service  Commit- 
tee. 

OLD  BELIEVERS  VISITED 

PARAGUAY  — From  Sao  Paulo, 
Brazil,  Abram  Dick  reports  that 
while  visiting  the  Mennonite  col- 
onies in  Parana,  he  was  also  able 
to  go  to  Santo  Cruz,  where  the  Rus- 
sian colony  of  Old  Believers  is  sit- 
uated. This  group  left  Russia  in 
1919  and  settled  in  China,  was  up- 
rooted once  more  as  a result  of 
communist  oppression,  and  emigrat- 
ed to  Brazil  in  May,  1958,  with  the 
assistance  of  the  World  Council  of 
Churches. 

Brother  Dick  reports  that  77  fam- 
ilies are  living  in  three  villages  in 
small  frame  houses  which  are  still 
under  construction.  They  have 
bought  three  used  tractors  and  the 
government  has  loaned  them  two 
others.  They  are  working  the  soil 
and  gradually  investing  in  cattle, 
pigs,  and  poultry.  Some  Mennonites 
have  donated  cows  and  little  pigs 
to  the  neediest  families.  They  have 
also  offered  work  opportunities  to 
Old  Believers  and  paid  them  good 
wages. 

So  far  the  colony  has  no  school 
and  no  building  for  church  services. 
The  nearest  town  is  fifteen  miles 
away.  Conditions  are  poor  but  the 
people  are  clean  and  look  healthy. 
Their  religion  is  very  strict.  When 
they  come  to  Witmarsum  to  work 
for  Mennonite  farmers  they  bring 
their  own  dishes  because  they  re- 
gard Mennonite  utensils  as  unclean. 
When  they  go  out  to  work  they  go 
in  groups.  Despite  pioneer  hard- 
ships, they  are  very  thankful  to  be 
able  to  begin  life  anew  in  Brazil. 


audio  visual  library 

PEACE  FILM  AVAILABLE 

The  24-minute  color  film  Alter- 
natives, which  aims  to  acquaint  the 
general  public  with  the  provisions 
for  COs  in  the  present  draft  law, 
is  now  available.  Through  the  medi- 
um of  art  work  and  live  action 
shots,  the  film  depicts  the  work  con- 
scientious objectors  are  doing  as 
their  alternative  to  military  serv- 
ice. It  is  hoped  that  the  film  will 
make  a vital  contribution  to  the 
promotion  of  world  peace.  Because 
MCC  has  subsidized  the  film,  it  will 
be  available  to  MCC  constituencies 
for  a service  charge  of  $3  rather 
than  the  regular  fee  of  $7.50.  It  may 
be  ordered  from  the  Audio  Visual 
Library,  Mennonite  Publication  Of- 
fice, 720  Main,  Newton,  Kan. 

jottings 

CHURCH  INCORPORATED 

Faith  Church,  Newton,  Kan.:  Dur- 
ing the  first  week  of  Jan.  our  church 
held  a series  of  meetings  with  Ho- 
mer Sperling  speaking  on  “Faith.” 
The  Faith  Mission  Circle  recently 
adopted  its  constitution  and  had  e- 
lection  of  officers  for  1959.  The 
young  people  have  organized  a 
Youth  Fellowship  which  meets  the 
third  Sunday  of  each  month.  Our 
Christian  Endeavor  Society  also  or- 
ganized and  met  the  first  time  on 
New  Year’s  Eve.  Regular  meetings 
will  be  held  the  first  Sunday  of 
each  month.  On  Christmas  Eve  the 
S.  S.  classes  gave  their  program. 
The  choir  Christmas  program  was 
given  Dec.  14  under  the  direction  of 
Jerry  Dyck.  The  Bethel  Chorale 
group  gave  a program  in  our  church  3 
recently,  followed  by  a social  hour., 
Our  church  was  incorporated  Dec. 

4,  1958,  and  since  then  our  Build- 
ing Committee  has  met  a number 
of  times  with  the  architects.  They 
plan  to  meet  again  with  us  to  show 
tentative  drawings  of  our  proposed 
building.  Our  Finance  Committee 
has  been  working  on  ways  of  rais- 
ing money  for  our  Building  Fund. 
They  have  also  made  a down  pay- 
ment on  the  lot  chosen  for  a build- 
ing site.  The  annual  congregational 
meeting  was  held  on  New  Year’s 
Day.  It  was  decided  to  adopt  the 
100%  plan  for  The  Mennonite. — 
Mildred  Schroeder,  corr. 

SPECIAL  SERVICES 

Woodland  Church,  W a r r o a d, 
Minn.:  Thanksgiving  Day  we  had 
forenoon  services  and  in  the  eve- 


78 


THE  MENNONITE 


ning  the  Ladies’  Aid  gave  a pro- 
gram. Bro.  Foster  of  Roosevelt 
was  our  guest  speaker.  The  offer- 
ing was  sent  to:  Sam  Fasts  of 
Ponemah,  Minn.,  to  help  buy  a bus 
to  haul  Indian  children  to  Bible 
school;  to  missionary  Leslie  Dicks 
at  Haiti;  and  to  the  World  Vision 
for  orphanage. — Corr. 

PULPIT  EXCHANGE 

Butterfield  Church,  Butterfield, 
Minn.:  Pastor  Peter  Tschetter  and 
a group  of  other  men  helped  mis- 
sionary Sam  Fast  cut  wood  at  Pone- 
mah in  northern  Minn,  on  Dec.  29. 
Our  motto  for  the  coming  year  is 
Ps.  73:24.  Jan.  4,  Youth  for  Christ 
director  Mel  Johnson  spoke  on  re- 
vival in  terms  of  purpose,  plan, 
product,  and  promise.  Our  young 
people  and  the  youth  of  the  North 
Church  jointly  sponsored  a show- 
ing of  the  film  Going  Steady  Jan. 
10.  Thirteen  ministers  participated 
in  the  third  annual  pulpit  exchange 
on  Jan.  11,  with  the  theme  “The 
Church  and  the  Great  Commis- 
sion.” H.  Albert  Larson,  pastor  of 
the  Bethlehem  Lutheran  Church  of 
Darfur,  stressed  Christian  responsi- 
bility.— Willis  Linscheid,  corr. 

ALBRECHT  FUNERAL 

Swiss  Church,  Alsen,  N.  D.:  Mrs. 
Molly  Albrecht  passed  away  at  the 
Langdon  Hospital  Jan.  6.  Funeral 
services  were  held  Jan.  9.  David 
John  was  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mel- 
vin Klein  Jan.  6.  Our  Mission  So- 
ciety was  held  Jan.  8,  with  Mrs. 
Henry  Loewen  as  hostess.  Jan.  4 
the  Lord’s  Supper  was  observed 
during  the  morning  services. — Corr. 

PREPARING  FOR  1959 

Tiefengrund  Church,  Laird,  Sask.: 
An  enjoyable  program  given  by  the 
S.  S.  on  Christmas  Eve,  as  well  as 
services  on  the  25th  and  26th,  cli- 
maxed the  commemoration  of  the 
birth  of  the  Christ  Child.  The  turn 
of  the  year  brought  retrospection, 
encouragement,  statistics,  and  reso- 
lutions. Prayer  meetings  were  held 
Dec.  28-30  in  preparation  for  the 
new  year.  Papers  were  prepared 
and  read  by  twelve  church  mem- 
bers on  the  theme  of  the  Church, 
its  Head,  members,  leader,  direc- 
tive, service,  and  mission.  Dec.  31 
a C.  E.  program  was  held,  A.  E. 
Regier  speaking  on  the  theme 
“Trust  in  God”  (Ps.  90:1,2).  Jan.  4, 
J.  R.  Friesen,  opening  the  service, 
gave  a brief  but  inspiring  message 
based  on  2 Cor.  13:14.  Following 
this,  L.  W.  Schnell,  speaking  first 
\ to  the  children,  envisioned  “The 
Larger  Circle”  of  outgoing  Chris- 
tian love,  both  as  the  message  of 
the  Bible  and  as  an  incentive  for 
further  distribution  of  the  Bible 
to  all  peoples  and  races.  The  annual 
Brotherhood  meeting  decided  to  con- 


clude the  building  project  with  ad- 
ditional S.  S.  rooms.  Set  in  prospect 
were  the  ordination  of  the  two  min- 
isterial candidates  and  the  election 
of  a deacon  in  view  of  the  passing 
in  Dec.  of  J.  C.  Klaassen,  who  had 
served  us  in  that  capacity  for  fif- 
teen years. — Corr. 

MRS.  THIESSEN  REPORTS 
ON  BETHESDA  HOSPITAL 

Bethel  Church,  Pekin,  III.:  We 
rejoice  that  our  parsonage  debt  was 
paid  in  full  during  Dec.  The  annual 
congregational  meeting  was  held 
on  New  Year’s  Day,  at  which  time 
officers  were  elected  for  1959.  At 
this  time  the  Planning  Committee 
presented  drawings  and  detailed 
plans  for  remodeling  and  moderniz- 
ing the  church  building.  Bible  study 
and  prayer  meetings  are  held  Wed. 
evenings  at  the  parsonage.  The  Gos- 
pel of  John  is  currently  being  stud- 
ied. The  YPU  met  Jan.  2 at  the 
home  of  Bruce  Sommer.  Roger 
Sommer  presented  a program  of 
colored  slides  of  Europe.  Mrs.  Ar- 
thur Thiessen,  on  furlough  from 
Bethesda  Hospital,  Champa,  India, 
gave  a report  on  the  work  Jan.  11. 
The  Dorcas  Society  held  an  all-day 
quilting  on  Jan.  15  at  the  home  of 
Pearl  Hieser  Sr.  The  Young  Married 
Class  and  families  enjoyed  a sled- 
ding party  on  Ahten  Hill  on  Jan. 
11,  with  dinner  and  fellowship  at 
the  parsonage.  Wm.  B.  Weaver, 
Bloomington,  pastor  of  Boynton 
Church,  Hopedale,  conducted  the 
morning  worship  service  here  on 
Jan.  18,  at  which  time  Pastor  S.  T. 
Moyer  served  the  Boynton  Church 
in  a pulpit  exchange.  A motion  pic- 
ture on  temperance  was  shown  the 
evening  of  Jan.  18.  We  participated 
in  the  beef  canning  project  along 
with  other  Mennonite  churches  in 
the  area  on  Jan.  27  at  Morton,  111. 

PASTOR  ORDAINED 

Denver  Fellowship,  Denver,  Colo.: 
On  Aug.  31  Pastor  Donald  Wismer 
was  ordained  as  a minister  of  the 
gospel  at  his  home  church  at  Deep 
Run,  Pa.  During  his  absence  Glenn 
Martin,  chaplain  at  the  University 
of  Colorado  Medical  Center,  and  El- 
do  Risser,  director  of  music  at  First 
Mennonite  Church,  Denver,  led  us 
in  our  worship  services.  At  the  an- 
nual Western  District  Conference 
the  purchase  of  land  for  a perma- 
nent church  site  was  authorized. 
Plans  are  being  made  to  build  on 
the  site  as  soon  as  possible.  On  Nov. 
16  our  pastor  spoke  in  Hillsboro, 
Inman,  and  Halstead,  Kan.,  in  the 
interests  of  the  Home  Missions  Com- 
mittee. A meaningful  Communion 
service  was  held  on  Nov.  23  with 
H.  B.  Schmidt  leading  the  service. 
— Mrs.  Karen  Gehring,  corr. 


CONFERENCE  NOTES 
{continued  from  the  last  page) 

NOTES  ABOUT  MISSIONARIES 

Sadie  Dyck,  missionary  on  health 
leave  from  the  Belgian  Congo,  Af- 
rica, is  teaching  for  one  semester  in 
Menno  Bible  Institute,  Didsbury, 
Alta. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  C.  Voth  of  New- 
ton, Kan.,  recently  returned  from 
Taiwan,  are  on  an  extended  itiner- 
ary in  Canada,  visiting  Bible  schools 
and  churches. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harold  Ratzlaff  and 
their  daughter  Mary  Ann  will  fiy  to 
India  on  Feb.  16  with  a few  days’ 
stop  in  the  Holy  Land  en  route. 
Brother  Ratzlaff’s  responsibilities 
will  be  in  the  field  of  evangelism 
and  primary  school  education,  and 
he  will  initiate  a layman’s  training 
program  in  the  Champa,  M.P.,  area. 
Mrs.  Ratzlaff  has  been  elected  treas- 
urer of  the  missions  conference  in 
India. 

Anna  Isaak,  Niagara-on-the-Lake, 
Ont.,  teacher  in  Paraguay,  is  utiliz- 
ing her  vacation  by  studying  Span- 
ish in  Asuncion.  She  will  return  to 
the  Chaco  the  end  of  February  to 
begin  another  school  year. 

CHURCH  VOCATIONS 

Several  areas  of  church-related 
vocations  were  presented  to  Bethel 
College  students  by  representatives 
of  various  vocations  selected  by 
Board  of  Christian  Service  person- 
nel, when  they  visited  the  campus 
Jan.  15-16.  The  team  consisted  of 
C.  J.  Dyck,  professor  of  church  his- 
tory and  business  manager  of  Men- 
nonite Biblical  Seminary;  John 
Thiessen,  retired  executive  secretary 
of  the  Board  of  Missions;  Willard 
Claassen,  executive  secretary  of  the 
Board  of  Education  and  Publication; 
Elmer  Ediger,  administrator  of 
Prairie  View  Hospital;  and  Marion 
Preheim,  promotional  secretary  for 
Women  in  Church  Vocations. 

At  an  evening  meeting,  C.  J.  Dyck 
addressed  the  combined  Student 
Christian  Fellowship  and  Koinonia 
Club  on  “Christian  Vocations.”  A 
discussion  period  followed.  During 
the  chapel  hour  on  Friday,  the  team 
presented  a panel  discussion  in: 
which  the  vocations  of  the  ministry, 
education,  missions,  welfare  work, 
and  fields  for  women  were  dis- 
cussed. Members  of  the  panel  re- 
mained on  the  campus  for  counsel- 
ing throughout  the  day. 

A similar  team  will  visit  Bluffton 
College  in  March. 


February  3,  1959 


79 


conference  notes 


CONFERENCE  SUNDAY 

Since  this  year  of  our  Lord,  1959, 
is  the  time  for  the  triennial  con- 
ference sessions,  the  observance  of 
Conference  Sunday  takes  on  special 
significance.  As  the  forthcoming 
sessions  at  Bluffton,  Ohio,  Aug.  12- 
20,  are  designated  as  the  Centennial 
Sessions  in  view  of  the  beginning 
of  our  centennial  year  as  an  organ- 
ized Conference  fellowship.  Confer- 
ence Sunday  this  year  is  doubly  im- 
portant. The  date  for  the  observ- 
ance of  Conference  Sunday  has 
been  set  for  March  8,  1959.  It  is 
urgently  recommended  that  all 
member  congregations  recognize 
this  day  in  some  appropriate  man- 
ner. Suggestions  as  to  how  it  may 
be  observed  will  be  released  from 
the  central  offices  at  722  Main, 
Newton,  Kan.  However  local  con- 
gregations may  feel  led  to  observe 
it,  let  us  make  it  a day  of  praise 
and  prayer,  of  repentance  and  re- 
dedication, and  of  growth  in  faith 
and  love.  Let  us  recall  especially 
the  last  of  our  Conference  goals  for 
this  triennium:  “Every  member 

knowing  Christ  and  the  power  of 
his  resurrection  and  the  fellowship 
of  his  sufferings,  being  made  con- 
formable unto  his  death.”  Let  us 
give  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  the  pre- 
eminence in  all  things,  for  He  is 
both  the  Foundation  and  the  Head 
of  the  church. 

WILL  CHRISTIANITY 
FAIL  IN  THE  ORIENT? 

Melvin  Gingerich,  former  MCC 
peace  emissary  in  the  Orient,  ad- 
dressed the  Eastern  District  Con- 
ference Mennonite  peace  and  serv- 
ice representatives  and  pastors  at 
an  annual  meeting  Jan.  12  in  Sec- 
ond Mennonite  Church,  Philadel- 
phia, Pa. 

He  pointed  out  that  historian  Ar- 
nold Toynbee  and  missionary  James 
Graham  both  predict  failure  for 
Christianity  in  the  Orient  because 
Christians  have  failed  to  speak  to 
three  questions;  What  is  the  Chris- 
tian attitude  to  race?  What  is  the 
Christian  attitude  to  war?  How  can 
Americans  live  in  unbelievable  lux- 
ury and  riches  and  allow  two-thirds 
of  the  world’s  people  to  go  to  bed 
hungry  each  night? 

Dr.  Gingerich  said  that  most  Ori- 
entals think  of  Christianity  as  a 


religion  of  violence,  and  of  Ameri- 
cans as  those  who  make  war  and 
violence  holy.  No  mission  program 
can  be  successful  unless  it  faces 
these  problems.  A spirit  of  humil- 
ity and  an  aggressive  world  strat- 
egy are  needed,  or  we  will  lose  the 
uncommitted  people  of  the  world  to 
Communism  by  default.  We  must, 
he  said,  clarify  our  own  position, 
clean  our  own  house,  and  give  a 
clear  testimony  to  the  true  Chris- 
tian life  and  way. 

MENNONITE  AID 
SOCIETIES  TO  MEET 

The  theme  for  the  fifth  annual 
conference  of  the  Association  of 
Mennonite  Aid  Societies  is  “New 
Horizons  for  Mennonite  Mutual 
Aid.”  This  theme  will  also  be  the 
topic  for  a devotional  series  of  five 
addresses  presented  by  Grant 
Stoltzfus  of  Eastern  Mennonite  Col- 
lege, Harrisonburg,  Va.  As  in  pre- 
vious years,  these  devotions  will  be 
made  available  for  distribution. 

The  conference  will  be  divided 
into  four  sections.  One  will  be  a 
general  Mutual  Aid  section  with  the 
following  topics:  “Mutual  Aid  in  an 
Urban  Setting”  by  J.  Howard  Kauff- 
man of  Goshen  College;  “A  Church 
Building  and  Investment  Program” 
by  Abe  Hallman  of  Akron;  “Wid- 
ows and  Survivor’s  Aid”  by  Ralph 
Hernley  of  Scottdale,  Pa.;  and  “A 
Banker  Looks  at  Mennonite  Mutual 
Aid”  by  Charles  Hoelslich,  vice- 
president  of  a Philadelphia  bank. 

In  the  Property  Aid  section  will 
be:  “General  and  Farm  Liability 
and  Allied  Coverage”  by  Wayne  W. 
Martin  of  Goodville,  Pa.;  “How  to 
Handle  Partial  Offers”  by  J.  J.  Pet- 
ers of  Altona,  Man.,  and  A.  A. 
Schroeder  of  Reedley,  Calif.;  “Eval- 
uation of,  the  Large  Risk”  by  Morris 
Klopfenstein  of  Ft.  Wayne,  Ind.; 
and  “One  Hundred  Per  Cent  Insur- 
ance Coverage”  by  J.  M.  Hostetler, 
Orrville,  Ohio. 

Mennonite  Indemnity,  Inc.,  the 
risk  resharing  corporation  estab- 
lished by  the  Mennonite  Mutual  Aid 
Societies  of  the  United  States  and 
Canada,  will  make  a report  on  its 
first  year  of  operation. 

There  will  be  a banquet  Tues- 
day evening,  March  5.  William  Sny- 
der of  Akron  will  serve  as  toast- 
master and  C.  L.  Graber  of  Goshen 


will  speak  on  “Prophetic  Vision  for 
Mennonite  Mutual  Aid.” 

All  Mennonite  Mutual  Aid  organ- 
izations throughout  the  United 
States  and  Canada  are  urged  to 
send  representatives  to  this  con- 
ference, and  others  interested  in 
Mutual  Aid  are  invited.  Write  for 
information  to  H.  L.  Swartzen- 
druber.  111  Marilyn  St.,  Goshen, 
Ind.;  Samuel  Wenger,  Paradise, 
Pa.;  or  Howard  Raid,  Bluffton,  O. 

NURSES  FOR  MEXICO 

Two  nurses  are  needed  for  the 
community  hospital  in  Cuauhtemoc, 
Chihuahua,  Mexico,  a town  in  which 
the  Conference  has  a hospital, 
school,  church,  and  agricultural 
projects.  At  present  VS  workers  in 
the  hospital  include  four  nurses  and 
the  administrator.  An  additional 
nurse  is  needed  by  April  and  anoth- 
er by  July.  Since  the  hospital  serves 
Old  Colony  Mennonites  as  well  as 
Mexicans,  it  is  helpful  for  nurses  to 
know  Low  German.  Write  to  Board 
of  Christian  Service,  722  Main, 
Newton,  Kan. 

THE  ANGEL’S  MESSAGE 

A letter  from  Dr.  and  Mrs.  P.  J. 
Pankratz,  missionaries  in  Taiwan, 
appeared  in  a recent  issue  of  News- 
week: “Please  use  the  same  beau- 
tiful cover  again  next  Christmas. 
Thanks  for  helping  to  bring  ‘Glory 
to  God  in  the  highest,  and  on  earth 
peace,  good  will  toward  men.’  Sure- 
ly the  world  will  become  better  as 
this  good  news  becomes  a personal  ' 

message  to  every  individual.”  | 

LITERATURE  FOR  AFRICA  J 

Irena  Liechty,  Berne,  Ind.,  mis-  ' 

sionary  in  Africa,  reports  that  the 
Congo  Inland  Mission  press  is  oper- 
ating to  capacity  in  trying  to  help  ^ 
meet  the  hunger  of  the  people  for  , 
something  to  read.  All  memorial  I 
gifts  to  C.I.M.  are  used  for  Chris-  . 
tian  literature  unless  otherwise  des-  ' 
ignated. 

ITINERATION  POSTPONED 

Janet  Soldner,  Berne,  Ind.,  on  fur- 
lough from  Cachipay,  Colombia, 
will  spend  several  months,  begin- 
ning Feb.  1,  at  the  Presbyterian  , 
Mission  Hospital  in  Frenchburg,  j 
Ky.,  to  prepare  for  further  work  I 
in  obstetrics  in  South  America.  She 
will  therefore  not  be  free  for  itin- 
eration as  was  indicated  earlier. 
{continued  on  page  79) 


FEBRUARY  10,  1959 


THE 


MfNNONITE 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
MAN  LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIST 


Leicsnd  Harder— URBANIZATION  OF  THE  MENNONITE  CHURCH 
MENNONITE  CENTRAL  COMMITTEE  REPORT 


editorials 


in  this  issue 


ARTICLES 

A DEFINITE  AIM 

By  Herbert  R.  King  83 

URBANIZATION  IN  THE 
MENNONITE  CHURCH 

By  Leland  Harder  84 

PEACE  OF  MIND  MAY  BE  BLINDING  85 

SEMINARIO  BIBLICO  MENONITA 86 

MCC  ANNUAL  MEETING  REPORT 87 

THE  PERIL  OF  PRIDE  88 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  82 

Mennonite  Youth 

EIRENE  89 

THAT  SOUTH  AMERICAN  SLANT 

By  Stephen  Fretz  90 

OUR  SCHOOLS  92 

MCC  NEWS  NOTES  93 

JOTTINGS  94 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  96 


MOVING  OUT  OF  SECLUSION  A significant  change  has 
been  gradually  but  surely  taking  place  in  our  churches  and 
communities.  Instead  of  continuing  to  live  in  islands  of  seclusion, 
we  have  been  pushing  out  into  a world  of  bristling  activity  and 
a world  of  need.  Several  articles  in  this  issue  point  this  up  clearly. 

We  are  moving  out  of  our  sheltered  rural  communities  into 
the  thronging  cities.  But  we  have  also  been  moving  into  other 
lands  and  needy  spots  throughout  the  world  with  our  desire  to 
serve  “In  the  Name  of  Christ.”  We  rejoice  in  the  new  religious 
centers  that  are  being  established.  We  are  grateful,  too,  for  the 
splendid  work  through  the  Mennonite  Central  Committee  by 
which  we  can  bring  the  love  of  God  by  our  deeds  as  well  as  by 
our  words. 

But  every  opportunity  has  its  inherent  dangers.  In  moving 
out  from  these  sheltered  isles  there  is  danger  of  being  swallowed 
up  by  too  much  adaptation  to  the  world  about  us,  until  our  light 
becomes  only  a feeble  flicker.  The  strength  of  the  close-knit 
fellowship  is  broken  and  we  have  not  always  known  how  to  form 
new  Christian  bonds.  On  the  other  hand  these  new  opportunities 
are  a challenge  to  let  the  gospel  light  shine  all  the  brighter  be- 
cause of  the  surrounding  darkness,  and  to  portray  the  true 
Christian  spirit  and  attitude  to  so  needy  a world. 


of  things  to  come 

Jan.  18-Feb.  11 — Christian  Ministry  Em- 
phasis 

Feb.  11 — Ash  Wednesday;  Lent  begins 
Feb.  1 3 — Universal  Day  of  Prayer 
”eb.  21-22 — West.  Dist.  Men's  Work- 
shop, Buhler,  Kan. 

Feb.  22-Mar.  1 — Brotherhood  Week 

March  8 — Conference  Sunday 

March  17 — West.  Dist.  Women's  Meeting 

March  22 — Palm  Sunday 
March  29 — Easter 

April  23-26 — Central  Dist.  Conference, 
Goshen,  Ind. 

April  30-May  3 — Eastern  Dist.  Conf., 
Schwenksville,  Pa. 

May  7 — Ascension  Day 

May  10 — Festival  of  the  Christian  Home 

May  1 7 — Pentecost 

May  27-31 — Pacific  District  Conference, 
Dallas,  Oregon 

June  18-21 — Northern  Dist.  Conf.,  Salem- 
Zion  Church  (North),  Freeman,  S.  D. 
Aug.  5-12 — Ministers'  and  Church  Work- 
ers' Retreat,  Camp  Friedenswald, 
Mich. 

Aug.  12-20 — General  Conference,  Bluff- 
ton,  Ohio 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor,  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 

J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Asst.:  Esther  Groves. 
Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  6 


LENT— SPIRITUAL  RENEWAL  The  word  “Lent”  comes 

from  the  old  English  word  “lenten,”  meaning  spring,  with  special 
reference  to  the  “lengthening”  of  the  days.  Christians  early  ' 
have  made  use  of  this  spring-like  awakening  in  adapting  it  to  ] 
the  spiritual  awakening  and  preparation  for  the  Easter  season.  - 
Lent  consists  of  the  forty  days,  not  including  Sundays,  before  I 
Easter.  It  begins  with  Ash  Wednesday,  which  this  year  falls  * 
on  February  11.  During  this  season  there  is  an  introspective  I 
mood  as  we  carefully  take  stock  of  our  religious  resources,  and  • 
in  real  penitence  seek  to  enter  more  deeply  into  the  sacred  1 
fellowship  of  our  Lord.  It  is  a time  to  study  again,  thoughtfully  1 
and  prayerfully,  the  teachings,  life,  death,  and  resurrection  of  / 
Jesus  Christ,  our  Saviour  and  Lord.  I 

The  first  three  Sundays  in  particular  carry  the  mood  of  I 
penitence,  when  we  face  frankly  our  sins  and  repent  in  deep  I 
humility  and  sincerity,  seeking  God’s  forgiveness.  The  fourth  2 
Sunday  is  more  of  a day  of  gratitude  and  rejoicing  for  such  f 
forgiveness,  while  the  fifth  Sunday  is  known  as  Passion  Sunday.  ■ 
During  the  closing  period  of  Lent,  interest  centers  in  the  final  ff 
events  of  Christ’s  earthly  life.  E 

Whether  or  not  Lent  will  make  any  difference  to  us  depends  ■ 
both  upon  our  pastors  and  ourselves.  The  minister  can  lead  hisE 
people  into  deeper  spiritual  experiences  by  strong  Christ-cen- 1 
tered  sermons.  As  individuals  we  can  give  ourselves  to  prayer  Mi 
and  penitence  and  meditation,  pondering  the  gifts  and  means* 
of  grace,  and  the  sacred  teachings  of  our  Lord  as  they  affect  ■ 
our  daily  lives.  W 


THE  MENNONITE  J 


82 


How  important  for  the  one  who 
runs  a foot  race  to  concentrate 
upon  his  goal,  striving  to  win;  or 
the  hunter  to  have  a steady  aim, 

I shooting  at  his  mark;  or  the  farm- 
er to  have  his  flag  across  the  fleld 
toward  which  he  plows.  In  the  same 
way  the  Christian  should  have  a 
‘ goal:  to  know  Christ  more  fully,  to 
^ experience  His  power,  and  to  be- 
I come  spiritually  mature. 

I To  achieve  this  goal,  the  Apostle 
! Paul  planned  to  forget  the  past, 

consider  the  present,  and  stretch 
out  in  the  future  toward  the  pur- 
pose God  intended  for  him  (Phil. 
3:13-14). 

Past 

Many  people  live  only  in  the  past, 

I perhaps  boasting  about  past  accom- 
I plishments.  The  Apostle  Paul  stated 
1 that  if  anyone  were  able  to  boast, 

I he  surely  would  be  able  to  because 
1 he  was  a full-blooded  Jew  with  full 
* rights,  obedient  to  the  law,  and  zeal- 
i ous  for  God.  However,  when  God 
apprehended  Paul  on  the  way  to 
Damascus,  God  showed  him  that  all 
I the  things  of  which  he  could  boast 
were  as  rubbish. 

Regardless  of  our  past,  our  back- 
ground, or  our  accomplishments,  we 
have  nothing  to  boast  of,  for  we 
, were  in  sin  and  in  the  way  of  death 
until  we  met  Christ.  “But  after  that 
the  kindness  and  love  of  God  our 
t Saviour  toward  man  appeared,  not 
: by  works  of  righteousness  which 
I we  have  done,  but  according  to  his 
mercy  he  saved  us,  by  the  washing 
• of  regeneration,  and  renewing  of  the 
i Holy  Ghost;  which  He  shed  on  us 
1 abundantly  through  Jesus  Christ 
I our  Saviour;  that  being  justified  by 
-J  his  grace,  we  should  be  made  heirs 
I according  to  the  hope  of  eternal 
life”  (Titus  3:4-7).  Our  genuine 
goodness,  then,  comes  only  through 
I faith  in  Jesus  Christ. 

While  some  may  wish  to  boast  of 
their  own  attainments,  others  may 
be  living  in  the  depths  of  regret  and 
despair,  always  wishing  they  could 
I go  back  in  their  life  and  start  over 
! again.  Certainly  • the  Apostle  Paul 
could  have  lived  in  constant  re- 
- morse;  no  doubt  there  were  times 
’ when  he  thought  of  the  part  he  had 
in  the  death  of  Stephen  as  he  took 
1 care  of  the  clothes  of  the  murder- 
' ers.  But  Paul  lived  above  remorse 
and  self-pity  because  Christ  had  re- 
newed his  heart  and  mind. 

The  story  is  told  of  Major  Gen- 


A 

Definite 

Aim 


Herbert  R.  King* 


eral  William  F.  Dean  who,  though 
captured  and  tortured  by  the  enemy 
in  North  Korea,  did  not  become  a 
victim  of  brainwashing  nor  did  he 
divulge  any  secrets,  because  he  re- 
fused to  pity  himself.  To  those  of 
us  vvho  may  be  living  in  self-pity, 
the  Holy  Spirit  speaks  to  us  through 
the  pen  of  the  Apostle  Paul  as  He 
exhorts  us  to  forget  the  past,  ex- 
amine our  present  relationship  with 
God,  accept  His  forgiveness  extend- 
ed to  us,  and  press  forward  to  grow 
in  Christ. 

Present 

How  our  hearts  are  warmed  as 
we  fellowship  with  Christians  who 
rejoice  and  praise  God  for  His  pre- 
cious presence,  and  who  share  bless- 
ings which  they  have  experienced 
from  the  reading  of  the  Word  of 
God!  Experiences  reveal  spiritual 

*Graee  Mennonite  Church,  Albany,  Oregon 


growth  and  a stability  which  will 
carry  them  through  on  the  uneven 
course  of  life. 

On  the  other  hand,  that  which 
brings  heartache  to  a pastor  is  the 
indiiference  of  Christians  who  seem 
content  to  remain  in  their  present 
spiritual  condition.  These  people 
have  no  desire  to  feed  themselves 
from  the  Word;  they  feel  no  need 
for  prayer  or  for  exercising  their 
faith  in  Christian  service.  Oh,  the 
pitiful  condition  of  these  Christians 
who  feel  they  “have  arrived”  and 
are  at  the  top  of  the  ladder  of  spir- 
itual growth  and  experience! 

Dear  Christian  friend,  if  this  is 
your  condition,  you  have  become 
stagnant  and  a stench  in  the  nos- 
trils of  God,  and  you  are  in  the 
throes  of  a living  death.  Pray  the 
prayer  of  David,  as  found  in  Psalm 
139:23-24:  “Search  me,  O God,  and 
know  my  heart:  try  me,  and  know 
my  thoughts:  and  see  if  there  be 
any  wicked  way  in  me,  and  lead  me 
in  the  way  everlasting”;  now  press 
on  into  the  future  of  ,this  year. 

Future 

Modern  business  always  lives  in 
the  future,  constantly  hoping  for 
better  days.  By  the  same  token  that 
“progress  is  the  greatest  product 
of  business,”  so  we  as  Christians 
are  to  look  and  live  in  the  future. 
Again  the  Apostle  Paul  gave  us 
sound  advice  when  he  said,  “See 
then  that  ye  walk  circumspectly, 
not  as  fools,  but  as  wise,  redeeming 
the  time,  because  the  days  are  evil” 
(Eph.  5:15-16).  Walking  is  in  our 
experience,  for  we  do  much  of  it: 
life  is  one  step  after  another. 

Christian  friends,  make  the  fol- 
lowing also  your  objective  in  this 
year:  to  know  our  Lord  and  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ  more  fully,  and  to 
grow  into  spiritual  manhood  in 
Christ,  delving  into  His  Word  to 
better  know  His  will.  As  we  know 
His  will,  let  us  do  it  and  serve  our 
Lord  and  Master  devotedly,  and  be- 
ing aware  of  the  evil  about  us,  give 
our  Christian  testimony  faithfully 
to  counteract  that  evil  until  the  re- 
turn of  our  blessed  Lord. 

“Ye  therefore,  beloved,  seeing  ye 
know  these  things  before,  beware 
lest  ye  also,  being  led  away  with 
the  error  of  the  wicked,  fall  from 
your  own  steadfastness.  But  grow 
in  grace,  and  in  the  knowledge  of 
our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ” 
(2  Peter  3:17-18a). 


r February  10,  1959 


83 


Urbanization 
in  the 

Mennonite  Chnrch 


MENNONITISM  as  a way  of  life 
has  long  been  identified  with 
agriculture  as  a means  of  liveli- 
hood and  the  open  country  as  a 
place  of  residence.  Although  orig- 
inally the  Mennonites  were  driven 
into  rural  isolation  by  persecution, 
agriculture  came  to  be  interpreted 
as  part  of  Mennonite  doctrine,  inso- 
far as  it  “aided  in  their  cultural 
and  religious  isolation  from  the  sur- 
rounding world. In  the  United 
States  especially,  Mennonites  have 
been  predominantly  a rural  farm 
people.  Winfield  Fretz  reports  that 
80%  of  the  members  of  the  (Old) 
Mennonite  Church  are  farmers.* 
S.  F.  Pannabecker  reports  that  48% 
of  the  members  of  the  General  Con- 
ference are  supported  by  farming.* 
When  the  impact  of  modem  ur- 
banism was  beginning  to  be  felt 
in  the  Mennonite  brotherhood,  lead- 
ers began  to  be  more  articulate  in 
the  felt  relationship  between  rural 
residence  and  farming  on  one  hand 
and  the  conservation  of  Mennonit- 
ism  on  the  other.  Two  Mennonite 
periodicals  in  particular  have  em- 
phasized this  theme.  The  Menno- 
nite Community  and  Mennonite 
Life.  In  the  first  issue  of  the  former 
(1947),  Guy  Hershberger  proposed 
to  promote  “a  new  and  better  pat- 
tern, a community  with  an  improved 
agriculture  based  on  the  sound  Men- 
nonite traditions  of  the  past.”  In 
the  first  issue  of  the  latter  (1946) 
Winfield  Fretz  stated  that  “The  fu- 
ture of  society  must  have  its  hope 
in  the  rural  community,”  which  is 
the  place  where  “Christian  ideals, 
moral  values,  and  standards  of  con- 
duct and  behavior  of  the  highest 
type  will  be  produced  and  main- 
tained.” 

Meanwhile,  the  trend  has  been  in 


the  opposite  direction.  It  is  a mat- 
ter of  common  observation  that  a 
major  characteristic  of  this  cen- 
tury has  been  the  moving  of  our 
people  from  farm  and  country  to 
town  and  city  and  nonagricultural 
pursuits. 

Those  who  regret  this  trend  and 
regard  the  city  as  a new,  gigantic 
Sodom  and  Gomorrah  generally 
overlook  the  fact  that  the  great 
spiritual  movements  of  history  have 
been  city-born  and  have  grown  in 
opposition  to  more  primitive  forms 
of  rural  religions.  (See  Bergel’s 
chapter,  “Urban  Religion”  in  Urban 
Sociology).  Jesus  was  bom  in  a 
town  but  crucified  in  a city.  Paul 
missioned  chiefiy  in  cities.  Christi- 
anity spread  from  city  to  city  and 
reached  the  rural  hinterland  later. 

In  our  own  brotherhood,  Paul 
Peachey  has  done  us  a real  service 
by  reminding  us  that  the  historical 
roots  of  the  Mennonite  Church  were 
urban  rather  than  rural.  In  a paper 
entitled  “Early  Anabaptists  and  Ur- 
banism,” read  at  the  Mennonite  Cul- 
tural Conference  in  1955,  Peachy 
said  that  “Mennonites  must  be  told 
simply  and  bluntly  that  not  every- 
thing that  is  rural  is  for  that  rea- 
son Christian:  in  the  closed  or  semi- 
closed  Mennonite  rural  community, 
ethnic  factors  are  a constant  threat 
to  the  spiritual  impulse  as  the  con- 
stitutive djmamic  of  community.” 
He  then  suggested  the  very  inter- 
esting hypothesis  that  inasmuch  as 
the  essence  of  normative  Menno- 
nitism  is  the  creation  of  a volun- 

by  Leland  Harder 
of  the  faculty  of 
Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary 


tary  religious  community,  the  urban 
environment  provides  a more  con- 
genial setting  for  an  effective  Men- 
nonite church  than  the  rural.  In  the 
light  of  studies  such  as  this,  the 
contrast  between  a pious  country- 
side and  the  irreligious  city  disap- 
pears. 

In  the  General  Conference  Menno- 
nite Church,  the  cutting  edge  of 
evangelism  and  church  extension  is 
primarily  those  cities  to  which  our 
folks  have  been  moving  and  in 
which  new  churches  have  been  be- 
gun— Fresno,  Sioux  Falls,  Hunting- 
don Valley,  Denver,  Santa  Fe 
Springs,  Topeka,  Kansas  City,  Mark- 
ham, Liberal,  Elkhart,  Fort  Wayne, 
Washington,  D.  C.,  Toronto,  Sud- 
bury, Regina,  Edmonton,  Vancouv- 
er, etc. 

For  the  sake  of  a quick,  visual 
grasp  of  the  trend.  Charts  I and  II 
have  been  prepared  (opposite  page), 
showing  membership  trends  for  177 
U.  S.  churches  of  the  General  Con- 
ference. “Open  Country  Churches” 
are  those  located  outside  of  any 
incorporated  or  unincorporated  set- 
tlement of  fifty  or  more  people. 
“Town  Churches”  are  those  located 
in  incorporated  or  unincorporated 
places  of  between  50  and  4,999  per- 
sons. “City  Churches”  are  those  lo- 
cated in  places  of  5,000  or  more  per- 
sons. The  number  of  churches  in 
these  three  categories  as  of  1955 
was  79,  65,  and  33,  respectively. 
Total  membership  of  the  three 
groups  of  churches  was  13,419; 
15,038;  and  6,552,  respectively.  It 
will  be  noted  that  although  there 
are  still  more  open  country  church- 
es in  the  Conference  than  in  either 
of  the  other  two  categories,  there 
are  considerably  more  members  in 
combined  town-city  churches.  Chart 
I shows  that  as  recently  as  1925,  the 
membership  of  churches  in  the  open 
country  group  exceeded  that  of  the 
town  category;  while  although  the 
membership  in  the  city  churches 
has  always  been  lowest  of  the  three 
categories,  it  has  had  a consistent 
although  slow  increase  from  1900 
to  the  present.  Since  most  of  the 
new  city  churches  Listed  above  have 
come  into  existence  since  1955,  the 
city  church  graph  will  show  a 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church. 
Entered  at  North  Newton,  Kansas,  post  office  as  second  class  matter.  Acceptance  for  mailing  at  special  rate  of  postage:  section  1103,  Act 
of  Oct.  3,  1917.  Authorized  Jan.  22,  1910.  Subscriptions  $2.50;  foreign  $3.00.  Mail  subscriptions  and  payments  to  Mennonite  Publication 
Office,  North  Newton,  Kan.,  or  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan.  Address  manuscripts  for  publication  to  J.  N.  Smucker,  Editor,  THE  MENNONITE, 
Woodward  Place,  Goshen,  Ind.  Pottmatten:  change  of  address  Form  3579  to  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan. 


84 


THE  MENNONITE 


CHART  I {left): 
Total  membership 
in  Open  Country 
Churches,  Town 
Churches,  and  City 
Churches,  in  Five 
Year  Intervals, 
1900-1955,  for  177 
U.  S.  churches.  Gen- 
eral Conference 
Mennonite  Church. 

CHART  II  {right) : 
Percentage  of  To- 
tal Membership  in 
Open  Country 
Churches,  Town 
Churches,  and  City 
Churches,  in  Five 
Year  I nt  erv  als, 
1900-1955,  for  177 
U.  S.  churches,  Gen- 
eral Conference 
Mennonite  Church. 


CIV  Cburobes 


marked  change  upward  in  the  un- 
charted current  five-year  interval, 
1955-1960. 

The  period  represented  by  the 
charts  has  been  labeled  by  S.  F. 
Pannabecker  as  the  third  of  three 
periods  characterizing  the  General 
Conference  Mennonite  Church  in 
its  100  year  history.  The  first  of 
these,  from  1860  to  1875,  he  calls 
the  “separation  from  society”  pe- 
riod. The  second,  from  1875  to  1895, 
is  the  “transition”  period.  And  the 
third,  beginning  with  1895,  is  the 
“acceptance  into  society”  period.  The 
first  period  is  evident  in  the  dis- 


tinction which  was  normally  made 
between  Mennonite  rural  settle- 
ment and  non-Mennonite  town  or 
city.  Some  churches  even  legislated 
against  residence  in  towns  and  cities 
and  nonagricultural  pursuits.  The 
second  period  is  noted  as  the  begin- 
ning of  town  residence.  He  includes 
no  reference  to  the  location  of 
churches  in  relation  to  these  pe- 
riods, but  it  would  be  apparent  that 
the  first  period  is  the  one  in  which 
open  country  churches  is  the  chief 
pattern;  the  second,  the  transition 
to  town  churches,  and  the  third  the 
emergence  of  the  city  church  as  the 


type  which  will  become  modal. 

Whether  this  trend  will  mean  the 
demise  of  Mennonite  doctrine  and 
practice,  as  some  suspect,  or  the 
revival  of  the  “spiritual  impulse  as 
the  constitutive  dynamic  of  commu- 
nity” as  Peachy  hypothesizes,  re- 
mains to  be  seen.  But  of  the  trend 
itself  toward  urbanization  in  the 
Mennonite  Church,  there  can  be  no 
doubt. 

/H.  S.  Bender,  MENNONITE  ENCYCLO- 
PEDIA, II,  304. 

2MENNONITE  ENCLCLOPEDIA,  II,  304. 
^Unpublished  doctoral  dissertation,  Yale 
University,  1941. 


Peace  of  Mind  May  Be  Blinding 


There  is  a peace  of  mind  which 
is  empowering  and  overjoying, 
and  there  is  a peace  of  mind  which 
is  blinding  and  paralyzing.  Profes- 
sor Moffatt  gives  this  translation 
of  Jesus’  reminder  to  His  disciples: 
“And  if  your  very  light  turns  dark, 
then — ^what  a darkness  it  is!” 

John  Newman  was  captain  of  a 
slave-ship  between  Africa  and  the 
slave-markets.  On  these  journeys 
on  the  high  seas  he  experienced 
such  peace  of  mind  that  he  record- 
ed in  his  diary  that  he  had  never 
known  sweeter  hours  of  communion 
with  God,  and  twice  on  Sunday  he 


read  the  church  liturgy  with  his 
crew — while  packed  in  the  hold  of 
his  ship  in  indescribable  squalor 
were  scores  of  human  beings  cre- 
ated in  the  image  of  God  and  pre- 
cious to  Him  beyond  computation. 

Once  a college  church  in  Virginia, 
attended  by  students  of  a nearby 
seminary,  held  enough  slaves, 
who  were  rented  out  on  Christmas 
Day,  to  pay  the  salary  of  the  min- 
ister. How  deep  can  darkness  be? 

And  our  children’s  children  as 
they  read  a history  of  our  own  do- 
ings will  echo,  “How  deep  can  dark- 
ness be?”  When  we  dropped  the 


first  atomic  bomb  on  Hiroshima,  a- 
mong  the  one  hundred  thousand 
fatalities  were  probably  twenty 
thousand  babies  and  children. 

Year  by  year  we  appropriate  bil- 
lions for  atomic  and  hydrogen  weap- 
ons as  ominous  threat  of  massive 
retaliation.  And  in  prison  death 
chambers  periodically  we  resort  to 
the  ancient  law  of  eye  for  eye,  life 
for  life,  in  the  execution  of  crim- 
inals. Probably  nine  Christians  out 
of  ten  in  the  United  States  worship 
God  in  segregated  churches. 

Then — what  a darkness  it  is! 

— Kirby  Page 


February  10,  1958 


85 


Below  the  equator 
is  an  inter-Mennonite 
seminary  which 
is  an  unusual  school 

Seminario 

Biblico 

Menonita 


IN  URUGUAY,  South  America,  a 
country  with  rolling,  grassy 
plains,  about  the  size  of  North  Da- 
kota, is  a seminary  operating  in 
two  languages — German  and  Span- 
ish— and  supported  by  two  Menno- 
nite  Conferences — the  (Old)  Menno- 
nite  Church  and  the  General  Con- 
ference Mennonite  Church. 

To  visit  this  interesting  school, 
one  must  travel  to  the  southeastern 
coast  of  Latin  America.  There  in 
Montevideo  (Uruguay’s  capital  as 
well  as  chief  city  and  port)  is  a 
long  two-story  cement-walled  build- 
ing. On  one  side  of  it  is  a Menno- 


nite Central  Committee  office  and 
staff  quarters.  On  the  other  is  the 
Seminario  Biblico  Menonita. 

If  we  arrive  after  classes  are 
over,  we  will  have  opportunity  to 
meet  the  members  of  the  staff.  Each 
church  conference  supplies  two  fac- 
uilty  families,  we  learn,  and  shares 
expenses  equally. 

From  the  (Old)  Mennonite  Church 
are  President  and  Mrs.  Nelson  Lit- 
willer  (he  teaches  classes  in  orien- 
tation, homiletics,  and  Bible  as  well 
as  acting  as  president,  business 
manager,  and  public  relations  man; 
she  is  housemother,  and  supervises 
kitchen  and  dining  room),  and  Dan- 
iel and  Eunice  Miller  (Daniel  is  pro- 
fessor of  New  Testament,  Christian 
education  courses,  supervises  prac- 
tical work  and  the  library;  Eunice 
has  until  recently  directed  the  cho- 
rus and  given  piano  lessons). 

Representing  the  General  Con- 
ference Mennonite  Church  are  La- 
veme  and  Harriet  Rutschman  (he 
teaches  Old  Testament  and  theol- 
ogy, and  edits  the  Seminary  Bulle- 
tin; Harriet,  mother  of  five,  gives 
private  piano  lessons)  and  Ernst 
and  Ruth  Harder  (Ernst  teaches 
church  history,  homiletics,  philos- 
ophy, Bible;  the  Harders  have  four 
children). 

In  addition,  Julia  Campos  and 
Anna  Rindsinsky  teach  Spanish  and 
music  respectively.  Seminary  cook 
is  Maria  Penner  of  the  Femheim 
Colony,  and  Anita  Dyck  is  part- 
time  secretary  to  the  president. 

Of  course  we  want  to  see  the 
school  itself.  We  stop  briefly  in  the 
library,  housed  in  the  building’s  top 
story;  tour  the  chapel,  classrooms, 
dining  room,  and  kitchen  on  the 
main  floor;  and  look  into  the  stu- 
dent living  quarters  in  the  base- 
ment. 

“What  courses  of  study  are  of- 
fered,” we  ask,  “and  where  do  the 
students  come  from?” 

The  students  tell  us  that  their 
homes  are  in  Uruguay,  Paraguay, 
Brazil,  and  Argentina.  Most  of  them 
are  from  German  speaking  colo- 
nies; however  there  are  also  two 
Spanish  students.  Many  take  part 
in  evangelistic  work.  One  former 
student,  Kornelius  Isaak,  lost  his 
life  in  missionary  effort  while  try- 
ing to  win  the  hostile  Moro  Indians 
of  the  Paraguayan  Chaco. 

This  year  there  were  three  class 
groups,  representing  the  number  of 
years  the  seminary  has  served  in 


Montevideo:  six  third-year  students, 
eight  second-year  students,  and 
twelve  first-year  students.  Night 
classes,  offered  in  both  German  and 
Spanish,  enrolled  sixteen  more. 

The  seminary  plans  in  the  next 
school  term  to  offer  several  cours- 
es of  study:  the  Theology  Curricu- 
lum, leading  to  either  a Bachelor 
of  Theology  or  Licentiate  in  The- 
ology, for  preparation  of  ministers, 
teachers,  and  missionaries;  the 
Christian  Workers’  course  for 
church  workers;  and  a one  year 
course  of  study  for  laymen.  Degree 
requirements  are  similar  to  those 
of  leading  South  American  seminar- 
ies. 

“Is  it  true  that  the  school  is  go- 
ing to  move?”  we  ask.  “Why  is  this 
necessary?” 

We  learn  that  the  Argentine  Con- 
ference of  the  (Old)  Mennonite 
Church  has  a Bible  Institute  in  Bra- 
gado,  roughly  125  miles  southeast  of 
Argentina’s  capital,  Buenos  Aires. 
The  plan  is  to  merge  the  Bragado 
Bible  Institute  with  the  Seminario 
Biblico  Menonita,  thus  bringing 
about,  in  the  words  of  President 
Litwiller,  “a  better  stewardship  of 
money  and  teaching  talent”  and  “a 
greater  spiritual  contribution  to  the 
life  and  culture  of  South  America.” 
The  larger  school  will  continue  to 
be  administered  by  the  present 
seminary  board,  and  the  two  Men- 
nonite church  conferences  now  sup- 
porting the  school  will  each  con- 
tinue to  provide  teachers  and  half 
of  the  expenses. 

The  new  seminary  building  will 
be  located  in  Buenos  Aires,  which 
is  about  midway  between  Montevi- 
deo and  Bragado.  The  city  is  the 
largest  south  of  the  equator,  and 
seminary  students  will  find  ample 
opportunity  for  practical  city  work. 
The  move  will  not  be  made  over- 
night but  is  part  of  a long-range 
program.  A number  of  places  have 
been  found  in  Buenos  Aires  which 
could  be  used  for  the  seminary 
building,  but  more  financial  sup- 
port is  needed  in  order  to  buy. 

Nelson  Litwiller  in  a July  1958 
announcement  wrote:  “We  solicit 
your  prayers  so  that  this  consoli- 
dated work  may  be  effective” — a 
work  of  training  men  and  women 
to  serve  in  the  church,  a work  of 
nurturing  “warm  Christian  fellow- 
ship, strong  missionary  zeal,  com- 
petent discipleship,  and  fervent  pi- 
ety.” 


86 


THE  MENNONITE 


MCC  Annual  Meeting  Report 


The  task  of  Mennonite  Cen- 
tral Committee  is  a work  of 
faith,  a labor  of  love  rooted  in  the 
faith  of  God,”  commented  Chair- 
man C.  N.  Hostetter  Jr.,  during  the 
opening  session  of  the  1959  MCC 
Annual  Meeting  in  the  Union  Ave- 
nue Mennonite  Church,  Chicago, 
Jan.  16-17. 

Significant  actions  included:  1) 
Inaugurating  a general  review  of 
the  1-W  program;  2)  Approving  a 
total  program  budget  (excluding 
mental  hospitals)  of  5747,752  of 
which  $529,377  is  to  be  raised  by 
constituency  contributions;  3)  Pro- 
viding for  study  of  basis  of  MCC 
membership;  4)  Reaffirming  pol- 
icy of  clearing  with  the  MCC  con- 
stituency any  major  change  in  ex- 
isting programs  or  entrance  into 
new  fields  of  service;  5)  Reorganiz- 
ing the  Voluntary  Service  Advice 
and  Control  Committee  to  be  called 
the  MCC  Voluntary  Service  Advis- 
ory Committee;  6)  Accepting  re- 
sponsibility in  1959  for  furnishing 
sixty  per  cent  of  the  Mennonite 
Mental  Health  Services  budget  (pre- 
viously this  had  been  covered  to- 
tally by  patient  fees). 

Executive  Secretary  William  T. 
Snyder  projected  the  1959  program 
for  the  committee. 

Foreign  Relief  and  Services 

Europe:  The  European  program, 
which  includes  Holland,  France, 
Switzerland,  Greece,  Germany,  and 
Austria,  is  under  the  general  direc- 
tion of  Peter  J.  Dyck.  The  material 
assistance  needed  in  Europe  is  di- 
minishing (with  the  exception  of 
Berlin,  Poland,  and  Austria),  but 
the  interest  our  European  Menno- 
nite brethren  have  shown  in  work- 
ing together  on  programs  of  com- 
mon concern  has  been  heartening. 
This  should  continue  in  the  coming 
year  through  Mennonite  Voluntary 
Service,  the  European  Mennonite 
Bible  School,  Eirene,  and  the  Menno 
Heim  program  in  Berlin. 

Middle  East:  The  terrible  plight 
of  the  Palestinian  refugees,  num- 
bering over  one  million,  is  the  prime 
concern  in  our  Middle  East  pro- 
gram. MCC  work  will  center  in  the 
Hebron- Jerusalem- Jericho  locations. 
From  the  political  standpoint  this 


is  one  of  the  most  difficult  areas  in 
the  world  for  a Christian  witness, 
but  the  aim  will  be  to  proclaim  the 
love  of  Christ  through  sharing. 

Asia:  Asia  is  more  and  more  a 
factor  in  world  affairs  and  it  is  like- 
ly that  the  shift  of  world  influence 
will  continue  to  these  countries  that 
are  struggling  for  an  improved 
standard  of  living  and  independ- 
ence. The  MCC  program  in  Asia 
will  include  a modest  program  of 
assistance  to  the  refugees  on  the 
outskirts  of  Calcutta,  India.  This 
will  consist  principally  of  material 
aid  on  a three-  to  five-year  basis. 
The  Barjora  agricultural  mission 
project  which  we  will  undertake  in 
co-operation  with  the  Brethren  In 
Christ  mission  is  a new  venture. 
The  ongoing  programs  for  Halma- 
hera  and  Timor  will  provide  medi- 
cal and  agricultural  assistance. 

The  program  in  Vietnam  in  early 
1959  will  center  on  material  aid 
through  surplus  commodities,  cloth- 
ing, and  other  goods  for  needy  per- 
sons in  institutions.  The  Vocational 
School  for  Boys  in  Taegu  will  be 
one  of  the  principal  centers  of  our 
efforts  in  Korea  in  1959.  The  Hong 
Kong  refugee  problem  presents  a- 
cute  material  aid  need  requiring 
food,  clothing  and  medical  assist- 
ance. 

South  America:  The  South  Amer- 


ican program  is  under  the  general 
supervision  of  the  Mennonite  Aid 
section  with  the  principal  efforts 
centering  in  Paraguay  where  we 
are  assisting  in  the  rehabilitation  of 
Mennonite  immigrants.  The  experi- 
mental farm  in  the  Chaco  will  be 
expanding  its  ministry  to  the  col- 
onies, assisted  financially  by  the 
J.  A.  Schowalter  foundation.  The 
roadway  from  Asuncion  to  the  col- 
ony in  the  Chaco  is  not  proceeding 
very  rapidly  because  of  many  dif- 
ficulties, and  we  hope  some  of  these 
can  be  removed  during  the  next 
year. 

Peace  Section 

The  Peace  Section  will  have  much 
concern  about  the  legislative  picture 
in  1959  since  this  is  the  year  selec- 
tive service  law  will  be  considered 
for  renewal.  A seminar  on  race  re- 
lations scheduled  in  Chicago  for 
April  17-19,  1959,  will  be  held  at  the 
Woodlawn  Mennonite  Church.  In 
peace  education  and  promotion  we 
plan  to  continue  to  work  with  other 
peace  organizations  including  the 
National  Service  Board  for  Reli- 
gious Objectors,  Church  Peace  Mis- 
sion, Intercollegiate  Peace  Speech 
Association,  and  the  Mennonite  In- 
tercollegiate Peace  Fellowship  of 
Mennonite  and  Affiliated  Colleges. 

Peace  Section  activities  abroad 


A recent  filmstrip  de- 
picting the  types  and 
general  locations  of 
MCC  services  around 
the  world  is  IF  YOU 
HAVE  LOVE,  a sev- 
enteen-minute color 
filmstrip  with  33 Ys 
rpm  record  and  script. 
The  filmstrip  may  he 
ordered  from  the  Au- 
dio Visual  Library, 
Mennonite  Publication 
Office,  720  Main,  New- 
ton, Kansas. 


February  10,  1958 


87 


are  in  the  Far  East,  Africa,  and 
Europe.  The  Far  East  program 
thus  far  has  been  confined  to  Japan. 
However,  contacts  are  also  being 
made  in  Korea. 

Eirene  (International  Service  for 
Peace)  is  a voluntary  service  unit 
for  conscientious  objectors  in  Eur- 
ope. Eirene’s  first  project  is  located 
in  Morocco,  North  Africa.  Because 
of  our  experience  with  the  draft, 
working  with  the  government  on 
CO  problems,  and  because  of  our 
experience  with  peace  service  activ- 
ities, the  MCC  Peace  Section  Euro- 
pean Committee  has  been  able  to 
make  a significant  contribution  to 
the  Eirene  program. 

Voluntary  and  1-W  Service 

The  Voluntary  Service  program 
in  1959  will  provide  service  outlets 
for  volunteers  who  desire  to  min- 
ister in  the  name  of  Christ  to  the 
physically  handicapped  and  mental- 
ly disturbed  as  well  as  those  who 
are  suffering  from  environmental 
limitations  that  present  problems 
of  malnutrition,  disease,  and  limit- 
ed educational  opportunities.  The 
possibilities  of  other  significant 
types  of  service  will  be  checked 
with  the  hope  that  a unit  may  be 


I.  THE  PERIL  OF 

(This  is  the  first  in  a series  of  sev- 
en brief  considerations  of  the  Seven 
Deadly  Sins.  They  are  condensations 
from  a series  of  sermons  yreached 
by  Robert  W.  Hartzler  at  the  Eighth 
Streert  Mennonite  Church,  Goshen, 
Indiana. — Ed.) 

IN  THE  list  of  “seven  deadly  sins” 
designated  by  Gregory  the  Great 
back  in  the  sixth  century,  pride 
leads  all  the  rest.  Centuries  of 
Christian  experience  has  confirmed 
the  insight  of  that,  of  all  sins,  pride 
is  the  most  pernicious,  the  most 
devastating. 

What  is  pride?  It  has  been  defined 
as  the  excessive  and  inordinate  love 
of  self.  Pride  is  man  insisting  that, 
at  least  in  his  own  bailiwick,  he  is 
sovereign,  thus  denying  that  God  is 
sovereign.  It  is  man  insisting  upon 
his  own  way,  demanding  that  life 
come  to  him  on  his  own  terms  rath- 
er than  on  God’s  terms,  claiming 
the  right  to  be  the  architect  of  his 
own  future  at  some  small  point. 


opened  in  the  northwestern  United 
States  as  well  as  in  western  Can- 
ada. Investigation  will  be  made  for 
the  possibility  of  establishing  a VS 
unit  in  an  area  of  interracial  ten- 
sion, as  well  as  the  possibility  of 
expanding  the  VS  program  in  Haiti. 

The  1-W  program  will  provide 
contact  with  1-W  men  while  in  serv- 
ice by  continuing  the  Denver  unit 
through  1959,  strengthening  the  unit 
life  at  the  Evanston  1-W  unit,  and 
considering  how  the  concentrations 
of  1-W  men  at  Topeka,  Kansas; 
Wooster,  Ohio;  and  Los  Angeles, 
Calif.,  might  be  assisted.  It  will  also 
hold  several  area-sponsored  work- 
shops for  the  purpose  of  helping 
people  who  are  sponsoring  the  1-W 
unit.  A filmstrip  for  1-W  orientation 
to  serve  as  a primary  tool  for  pre- 
senting alternative  1-W  assignments 
to  the  men  is  planned. 

Mennonite  Mental  Health  Services 

1959  is  bringing  to  MMHS  grad- 
ual changes.  One  of  these  is  decen- 
tralization. The  Akron  staff  of 
MMHS  has  been  reduced.  Another 
result  of  the  decentralization  is 
more  growth  of  firm  roots  in  the 
institution’s  community.  This  is 
manifested  ‘by  greater  representa- 


tion on  the  part  of  the  community 
on  local  boards  and  increased  local 
financial  contributions.  The  hospi- 
tals are  also  becoming  more  aware 
of  the  needs  of  the  community. 

The  growth  of  the  Mental  Health 
program  requires  personnel  in  ad- 
ministration and  in  the  counseling 
profession.  This,  in  turn,  requires 
increased  interest  in  their  prepara- 
tion and  education.  We  must  study 
the  means  to  accomplish  this  end. 

Brook  Lane  Farm  (Md.)  has  fre- 
quently operated  beyond  rated  ca- 
pacity. Improvements  of  present 
facilities  are  in  prospect.  Kings 
View  (Calif.),  having  enlarged,  will 
be  engaged  in  solicitation  to  remove 
current  debts.  In  Prairie  View 
(Kan.)  the  census  is  picking  up.  The 
name  of  Oaklawn  Psychiatric  Cen- 
ter (Ind.)  indicates  the  direction  of 
thinking  of  the  local  board  in  the 
east  central  area  in  providing  coun- 
seling services  in  addition  to  hos- 
pital service. 

The  general  prospect  in  Menno- 
nite Mental  Health  Services  is  one 
of  much  activity,  moderate  expan- 
sion, improved  therapeutic  program, 
and  greater  community  participa- 
tion. 


PRIDE 


Pride  is  life  turning  upon  “I”  “me” 
“mine.”  Whenever  there  is  anything 
which  one  insists  upKjn  as  the  price 
of  living,  anything  which  he  says 
he  has  to  have  no  matter  what, 
he  is  saying  in  effect:  “Here,  God, 
is  the  story:  You’ve  got  to  give  me 
this  or  I won’t  co-operate.  I’ve  got 
to  have  my  way  before  You  can 
have  Yours.”  And  this  is  pride. 

The  Bible  fully  recognizes  the  fol- 


The  Seven  Deadly  Sins 


ly  of  pride.  In  it  we  are  told  that 
God  will  oppose  the  proud  but  will 
give  grace  to  the  humble.  In  Prov- 
erbs we  encounter  the  familiar 
teaching,  “Pride  goeth  before  de- 
struction and  a haughty  spirit  be- 
fore a fall.”  Jesus  exalted  meekness 
and  humility  as  a characteristic 
mark  of  those  who  would  inherit 
the  kingdom. 


Certain  specific  consequences  are 
said  to  come  to  the  proud  person. 
For  one  thing,  it  is  said  that  he  Ccin 
never  be  at  rest  since  he  is  always 
threatened  by  the  loss  of  that  in 
which  he  takes  pride.  The  one  who 
delights  in  his  success  must  give 
himself  to  exaggerated  effort  to 
maintain  or  enhance  his  success, 
etc.  For  another  thing,  pride  in- 
vites adversity.  The  one  who  has 
made  a fetish  of  good  health  is  laid 
low  by  illness  and  for  him  this  is  a 
calamity,  whereas  for  another  it 
might  have  been  a normal  part  of 
life.  And  beyond  this,  pride  invites 
error.  The  judgment  of  the  proud 
man  is  warped  by  the  fact  that  he 
must  take  into  account  himself  in 
every  matter. 

If  there  is  pride  among  us,  then 
it  is  to  be  overcome.  But  how?  Only 
by  living  close  to  God,  by  prayer 
and  devotion,  by  constant  seeking 
after  the  will  of  God,  by  trust  in 
God  rather  than  trust  in  self.  In 
these  lies  release. 


88 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  Youth 


Unit  leader  Hans  de  Jonge  vnth  native  children 


\ Eirene  unit  members  enjoy  lamb  roast  with  Moroccan  farmer. 


Eirene 


I bet  you  thought  you’d  never 
know  any  Greek!  But  regardless  of 
that  fact,  here  it  is,  plain  as  day. 

If  you  are  a young  man  interested 
in  witnessing  the  love  of  God  by 
service  to  people  in  need.  . . 

If  you  are  a Christian  pacifist 
wishing  to  work  positively  toward 
brotherhood  and  good  will.  . . 

If  you  would  like  to  participate 
in  international  Christian  service 
for  peace,  working  side  by  side  with 
young  men  of  other  churches  and 
nationalities.  . . 

Then  you  may  be  interested  in 
Eirene,  the  Greek  word  for  peace. 

In  the  North  African  country  of 
Morocco,  where  there  are  both 
modem  farms  and  wooden  plows, 
new  homes  and  goatskin  tents, 
where  political  tensions  are  more 
common  than  uncommon,  there  is 
a unique  team  with  a unique  mis- 
sion. It  serves  in  Oulmes,  a typical 
Moroccan  village  of  impoverished 
farmers  living  in  straw  or  mud 
brick  huts  vidthout  sanitation  facil- 
ities. 

The  team  of  young  men  — two 
French,  two  American,  and  one 
Dutch  — represents  four  churches : 
Dutch  Reformed,  Roman  Catholic, 
Mennonite,  and  Brethren.  The  team 
is  united  by  one  goal:  Christian 

service  for  peace. 

In  a land  of  irregular  rainfall, 
unfertilized  soil,  and  primitive  farm- 
ing techniques,  Christian  service 
takes  the  form  of  agricultural  im- 
provement projects.  Already  the 
five-man  team  has  helped  farmers; 
to  build  simple  cattle  shelters  and 
plans  to  introduce  better  pastures 
and  hay  production  for  cattle,  and 
future  services  in  the  area  of  poul- 
try and  gardening.  The  next  step 
just  now  will  be  participation  in 
the  government’s  “Operation  Plow- 
ing’’: the  team  will  help  measure 


February  10,  1958 


89 


out  land  and  demonstrate  horse- 
drawn  equipment. 

In  addition,  team  members  dem- 
onstrate good  will  in  all  other  ways 
possible — and  this  includes  learning 
the  Arab  language.  The  important 
thing  is  to  put  across  the  idea  that 
the  project  has  no  political  objec- 
tives but  is  a product  solely  of  love 
and  brotherhood,  as  implied  by  its 
name,  Eirene. 

The  idea  of  international  Chris- 
tian service  for  peace  had  its  birth 
when  the  Continuation  Committee 
of  the  Historic  Peace  Churches  and 
the  International  Fellowship  of  Rec- 
onciliation were  challenged  in  1957 
to  undertake  peace  service  in  North 
Africa.  Within  the  year  two  church 
organizations  saw  their  way  clear 
to  organize  and  begin  such  serv- 
ice: the  Mennonite  Central  Com- 

mittee and  the  Brethren  Service 
Commission.  Officially,  they  stated, 
the  purpose  of  Eirene  is  to  provide 
“a  channel  through  which  young 
men  in  various  countries  can  ren- 
der a voluntary  service  as  Christian 
pacifists  in  places  of  need,  and  par- 
ticularly in  places  of  tension  where 
Christian  love  can  contribute  to  rec- 


onciliation.” While  Eirene’s  program 
provides  alternative  service  for 
conscientious  objectors,  its  partici- 
pants are  not  limited  to  those  draft- 
ed but  include  any  young  man  who 
is  a Christian  pacifist  and  who 
wishes  to  serve  people  in  need. 

There  is  no  end  to  areas  of  need 
and  tension:  cities  like  Berlin  and 
Hong  Kong,  countries  like  Jordan 
and  Korea,  places  like  hospitals  and 
refugee  camps,  and  any  area  where 
there  is  political  unrest,  extremes 
of  poverty  and  wealth,  and  an  un- 
derdeveloped economy  or  sickness 
and  disease.  These  are  the  places  to 
which  Eirene  can  witness. 

In  the  minutes  of  a 1958  Con- 
sultative Council  Meeting  for  Ei- 
rene, a summary  of  a report  by 
Richard  Hertzler  says:  “People  in 
need  and  people  in  tension  are 
usually  very  skeptical  of  those  who 
offer  to  help.  Even  missionaries 
have  often  opened  the  door  to  the 
merchant  and  soldiers.  Words  are 
usually  useless  in  places  of  tension. 
Only  deeds  really  count — unselfish 
deeds  and  sacrifices  for  the  needy 
brother.  One  can  serve  unselfishly 


only  if  he  is  a servant  of  Christ. 
Christian  service  alone,  done  in 
love,  can  abolish  suspicion,  tension, 
and  hatred.” 

This  has  been  Eirene’s  mission  to 
Oulmes,  an  area  of  political  ten- 
sion (the  local  government  changed 
hands  twice  in  1958),  poverty,  and 
disease.  Already  the  team  has 
proved  to  the  community  the  un- 
political nature  of  its  work  and 
aims,  and  is  making  friendships. 

Meanwhile  Eirene’s  program  is 
not  going  unnoticed  by  other  peace 
groups,  especially  those  in  Germany 
where  there  is  no  government-rec- 
ognized alternative  service  pro- 
gram. It  is  hoped  that  a project  in 
Germany  would  lead  to  recognition 
of  Eirene  as  an  organization  which 
can  sponsor  alternative  service 
work  for  German  pacifists.  The 
same  type  of  program  might  be 
possible  for  England,  Ireland,  or 
the  Netherlands. 

'This  is  the  word,  the  work,  and 
the  witness  of  Eirene. 

— Material  based  on  1958  minutes 
of  Consultative  Council  Meeting  for 
Eirene. 


Straight  from  the  pen  of  Stephen  Fretz  comes 

That  South  American  Slant 


Hi,  Everyone! 

This  has  been  the  most  different 
year!  On  the  day  school  opened, 
.Sept.  2,  we  left  Newton,  Kansas. 
“We”  included  my  parents  (J.  Win- 
field and  Marguerite  Fretz),  two 
brothers,  my  little  sister,  and  my- 
self. My  older  brother  stayed  in  the 
east  to  attend  college  and  the  rest 
of  us  headed  for  Washington,  D.  C., 
where  my  father  had  some  business 
to  finish  up.  He  had  received  a 
grant  to  do  a year’s  study  on  the 
problem  of  colonization,  and  our 
destination  was  South  America. 

I thought  it  would  be  great  not 
to  have  to  go  to  school  for  a whole 
year.  I soon  discovered,  however, 
that  carrying  your  school  books 
with  you  and  studying  with  your 
parents  as  teachers  while  traveling 
in  cars,  planes,  trains,  and  boats, 
and  in  temporary  living  arrange- 


ments such  as  hotels,  is  not  so 
much  fun  as  one  might  think. 

After  finishing  up  in  Washing- 
ton, D.  C.,  we  drove  to  Florida. 
Here  we  left  our  car  at  my  aunt 
and  uncle’s  home  and  made  plans 
to  fiy  from  Miami  to  Puerto  Rico. 

Puerto  Rico  is  hilly  and,  at 
that  time  of  the  year,  very  green. 
From  there  we  flew  to  Trinidad,  in 
the  West  Indies.  It  was  very  hot 
and  sultry,  and  we  had  to  sleep 
under  mosquito  nets.  We  stayed  two 
days  with  our  cousins,  who  are  mis- 
sionaries on  the  Island. 

From  Trinidad  we  fiew  to  Rio  de 
Janeiro  with  only  one  stop  at  Ba- 
lem,  Brazil.  The  big  event  here  was 
a trip  to  Sugar  Loaf  Mountain. 
Dad,  my  little  brother,  and  I went 
up  by  cable  car.  The  floating  “bas- 
ket” attached  to  large  cables  is  a 
little  frightening  as  you  leave  the 


ground  and  slowly  climb  out  over 
the  beautiful  bay  and  finally  reach 
the  1300  foot  summit.  One  can  see 
much  of  Rio  from  the  top. 

We  flew  from  Rio  to  Montevideo, 
Uruguay,  with  stops  at  Sao  Paulo, 
South  America’s  second  largest  city, 
and  at  Puerto  Alegre.  After  five 
days  in  Uruguay  we  took  an  over- 
night boat  ride  across  the  Rio  de 
La  Plata  to  Buenos  Aires,  Argen-  ’ 
tina,  which  is  S.  A.’s  largest  city.  ! 
This  was  our  first  ship  experience,  j 
After  about  a week  in  Argentina,  :j 
where  we  visited  a mission  station 
about  125  miles  west  of  Buenos 
Aires,  we  boarded  a river  boat  for  j 
a four  and  a half  day  ride  up  the  j 
winding  Parana  and  Paraguay  riv- 1 
ers  to  Asuncion,  Paraguay,  where  | 
we  planned  to  live  for  most  of  our  | 
time  in  South  America.  ii 

Paraguay  is  an  old  country  with  | 


90 


THE  MENNONITE 


an  interesting  history.  Asuncion,  the 
capital,  was  established  in  1537, 
which  is  82  years  before  the  pil- 
grims came  to  North  America.  Only 
the  main  streets  in  the  city  are 
paved,  the  rest  are  cobblestone  and 
dirt.  The  city  does  not  yet  have  a 
public  water  and  sewage  system. 
People  who  do  not  have  their  own 
wells  must  buy  water  from  neigh- 
bors or  from  men  who  come  around 
with  donkey  drawn  carts  with  old 
oil  drums  full  of  water. 

One  sees  many  very  old  and  some 
new  cars  as  well  as  two-wheeled 
carts  pulled  by  oxen  or  two  or 
three  skinny  horses.  The  oxen  have 
their  yokes  fastened  to  their  heads 
instead  of  their  necks.  All  of  Par- 
aguay has  only  about  fifty  miles 
of  black-top  highway  outside  of 
Asuncion. 

Several  cross-country  gravel  roads 
are  now  being  built,  such  as  the 
Trans-Chaco  road  from  Asuncion 
in  a northwestern  direction,  through 
the  Mennonite  colonies  to  Bolivia. 
We  visited  this  road  as  far  as  it 
was  built,  which  was  sixty  kilom- 
eters or  about  thirty-seven  miles. 
The  road  is  being  built  with  the 
help  of  U.  S.  machinery,  men,  and 
money.  Eleven  Paxmen  are  work- 
ing on  the  road.  It  will  be  over  250 
miles  long  when  completed. 

The  seasons  in  Paraguay  are  ex- 
actly opposite  of  those  in  the  States. 
December,  January,  and  February 
are  the  summer  months;  and  June, 
July,  and  August  are  the  winter 
months.  In  the  summer  it  gets  up 
to  115  degrees  and  in  the  winter  it 
very  seldom  gets  below  freezing. 
We  usually  study  only  in  the  morn- 
ing because  it  gets  quite  hot  here 
in  the  afternoons. 

The  Paraguay  River,  the  main 
river,  divides  the  country  into  two 
parts:  Eastern  Paraguay  where  95 
per  cent  of  the  people  live,  and  the 
Gran  Chaco,  which  is  mostly  Indian 
and  cattle  country.  The  Indians  are 
very  poor  and  live  by  hunting,  fish- 
ing, and  begging.  Only  one  tribe, 

I the  Moros,  are  not  peaceful.  Last 
• fall  the  Moros  killed  a Mennonite 
.•  missionary  who  came  to  talk  to 
f them  and  bring  them  food. 

The  main  products  of  Paraguay 
are  beef,  leather,  and  lumber.  There 
i5  are  also  many  fruits,  vegetables, 
and  fiowers.  Right  now  pineapples 
are  plentiful  and  cheap.  My  brother 
bought  one  for  six  cents  and  ate  it 
all  because  he  said  it  was  cheaper 


and  better  than  a candy  bar  or  a 
bottle  of  pop. 

All  elementary  schools  have  class- 
es only  in  the  morning  for  nine 
months  of  the  year.  The  children 
all  wear  a uniform  to  school.  The 
girls  wear  a kind  of  white  apron 
and  the  boys  a white  smock  over 
blue  shorts.  High  schools  in  the 
colonies  also  meet  only  in  the  morn- 
ing. Students  graduate  from  high 
school  at  grade  ten,  which  is  com- 
parable to  the  completion  of  the 
junior  year  in  the  states. 

The  main  items  of  food  are  beef, 
rice,  and  mandioca  (a  substitute  for 
potatoes).  Mandioca  has  the  shape 
of  a sweet  potato  but  is  white  and 
kind  of  stringy.  The  bread  here  has 
quite  a hard  crust.  The  national 
drink  is  a tea  made  from  yerba 
leaves,  a tree  which  is  grown  in 
Paraguay.  Most  Paraguayans  drink 
a cup  or  two  of  hot  tea  called  mate 
when  they  rise  early  in  the  morn- 
ing. In  midmoming  and  midafter- 
noon they  again  drink  the  tea,  but 
this  time  cold.  It  is  then  called  tar- 
rare. 

People  do  not  knock  at  doors  or 
ring  bells  when  they  call  on  each 
other,  but  stand  outside  and  clap 
their  hands  until  someone  answers. 
This  is  probably  because  the  Para- 
guayan homes  are  built  so  that 
everything  is  open. 

Practically  all  fruit  and  vegeta- 
bles are  sold  on  a door-to-door  basis 
or  at  open  street  markets.  Women 
do  all  the  selling.  It  is  very  seldom 
that  you  see  men  at  the  market. 
The  women  raise  many  of  the 
things  in  their  own  gardens  or  little 
farms.  Then  they  take  it  to  market 
either  on  their  heads  or  in  large 
baskets  or  on  donkeys  which  they 
ride.  If  it’s  a donkey  that  they  use, 
then  everything  is  stuffed  into  two 
heavy  sacks  on  either  side  of  the 
saddle. 

We  hope  to  leave  Paraguay  for 
home  in  May  and  go  by  way  of  the 
Pacific  coast,  visiting  places  of  in- 
terest in  Chile,  Peru,  Ecuador,  and 
Bolivia.  We  may  also  stop  at  Ha- 
vana, Cuba,  and  Panama  City  on 
our  way  to  Miami,  Florida.  It  will 
be  good  to  get  into  our  own  car 
and  drive  on  good  highways  and 
eat  hamburgers  and  hot  dogs  once 
more  as  we  head  for  “home,  sweet 
home.” 

Sincerely  yours, 

Stephen  Fretz 


First  Class  Mail 

Approximately  140  young  people 
in  Mountain  Lake,  Minn.,  from 
Bethel,  Gospel,  and  First  Menno- 
nite churches,  attended  the  ban- 
quet held  in  the  First  Church  on 
New  Year’s  Eve. 

As  master  of  ceremonies,  Glen 
Harder  held  attention  with  quick 
wit  and  humor.  He  introduced  guest 
speaker  Vincent  Harding,  associate 
pastor  of  the  Woodlawn  Church, 
Chicago,  who  spoke  in  connection 
with  the  theme  of  the  service 
“Christian  Youth  in  a Divided 
World.”  After  a short  singspiration 
and  musical  numbers,  a watch  night 
service  concluded  the  evening. 

Pastor  Ben  Sawatzky  led  the 
candlelight  service,  and  140  candle 
lights  beamed  as  hearts  and  hands 
were  joined. 

— Joyce  Klassen,  First  Mennonite 
youth  reporter 

Note:  Send  news  items  from  your 
local  youth  groups  promptly  and 
directly  to  Youth  Editor,  3003  Ben- 
ham  Ave.,  Elkhart,  Ind.  — Ed. 

Manuals  for  Leaders 

Christian  Fellowship  is  the  title 
of  a new  booklet  which  is  now  a- 
vailable  to  youth  leaders.  This  is 
the  first  of  a series  of  four  resource 
manuals  which  are  being  prepared 
by  the  Young  People’s  Union.  Writ- 
ten by  Gordon  Dyck  and  William 
Gering,  it  contains  helpful  ideas 
for  fellowship  needs  in  the  local 
church.  The  manual  discusses  top- 
ics such  as  fellowship  in  the  local 
young  people’s  group  . . . with  mem- 
bers away  from  home  . . . with 
neighboring  churches  ...  in  the 
YPU  . . . with  other  races  ...  in 
the  home  ...  in  boy-girl  relation- 
ships . . . through  recreation  . . . 
in  leisure  time  activities  ...  in  cre- 
ative arts. 

Christian  Fellowship  can  be  or- 
dered from  our  Conference  book- 
stores or  from  the  Youth  Office, 
722  Main,  Newton,  Kansas.  The 
price  is  $1.00. 


Additional  1959  Prayer  Calendars 
may  still  be  gotten  through  request. 
Mail  your  orders  to  the  Youth  Of- 
fice, 722  Main  Street,  Newton,  Kan. 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  sea  ion  IS  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People's  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  Ju03 
Benham  Avenue,  Elkhart,  Indiana. 


February  10,  1958 


91 


our  schools 

MUSEUM  ANNEX  COMPLETED 

The  Museum  Annex  on  the  Bethel 
College  campus,  built  immediately 
west  of  Alumni  Hall,  home  of  the 
Kauffman  Museum,  has  been  com- 
pleted. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Charles  Kauff- 
man have  been  busily  occupied  the 
past  few  weeks  rearranging  the 
displays  to  take  advantage  of  the 
better  facilities  for  showing  the 
priceless  museum  collections. 

The  glass  showcases  with  smaller 
historical  artifacts  and  the  mission 
collections  from  Africa,  India,  and 
China  have  all  been  moved  into  the 
Annex  as  well  as  the  musical  in- 
struments, costumes,  and  American 
Indian  collections.  Farm  imple- 
ments and  tools  have  been  placed 
in  better  groupings  in  the  main 
buildings. 

Plans  also  call  for  the  installa- 
tion of  more  adequate  heat  in  Alum- 
ni Hall. 

ATTEND  CONFERENCE 

Dr.  H.  A.  Fast  and  two  students, 
Alvin  Penner  and  George  Unger, 
went  to  St.  Louis  to  attend  sessions 
of  conferences  on  Homes  and  Hos- 
pitals sponsored  by  the  General 
Conference  Board  of  Christian  Serv- 
ice, the  Mennonite  Association  of 
Homes  and  Hospitals,  and  the  Na- 
tional Protestant  Association  of 
Homes  and  Hospitals,  held  Jan.  27- 
30. 

SEMINARY  DEPUTATION 

Extensive  plans  for  Mennonite 
Biblical  Seminary  group  deputation 
teams  are  well  under  way,  stated 
Professor  Marvin  Dirks.  These 
.-groups  will  be  on  tour  for  about 
len  days  over  the  Easter  season, 
visiting  churches  in  Oklahoma  and 
Kansas. 

FACULTY  ADDED 

Professors  teaching  classes  at 
Associated  Mennonite  Biblical  Sem- 
inaries in  the  spring  semester,  who 
did  not  teach  during  the  fall  sem- 
ester, are  Harold  S.  Bender  (Men- 
nonite History),  Andrew  R.  Shelly 
(Church  Administration  and  Pol- 
ity), Don.  E.  Smucker  (Christian 
Ethics),  and  Jesse  N.  Smucker 
(Principles  of  Preaching). 


As  of  Jan.  28,  funds  received 
through  the  “winter  mail  campaign” 
have  totaled  $10,422.95.  The  vision 
of  $56,000.00  is  maturing! 


PLAY  PRESENTED 

Freeman  Junior  College  presented 
The  Egg  and  I based  on  the  Betty 
MacDonald  book,  on  Feb.  5 and  6. 
The  cast  included:  Deanna  Pan- 

kratz,  Clara  Glanzer,  Marlyn  Frie- 
sen,  Patsy  Janzen,  Mario  Ortman, 
Evelyn  Unruh,  Erwin  Gross,  Cora 
Miller,  Clark  Graber,  Kenneth 
Kehn,  Phillip  Thames,  Calvin  Hofer, 
Dianne  Waltner,  Blanche  Brock- 
mueller,  Harriet  Mueller,  Arlyss  Ho- 
fer, Arlen  Miller,  DeLayne  Graber, 
Winifred  Kaufman,  Vernetta  Buse- 
man,  Sharon  Westegard,  and  Mari- 
lyn Glanzer.  Assisting  Miss  Kauf- 
man are  Dianne  Waltner,  assistant 
director;  Fern  Kleinsasser,  prompt- 
er; and  Jerry  Tieszen,  stage  man- 
ager. 

RECENT  SPEAKERS  AT  FJC 

John  Gaeddert,  pastor  of  the  Be- 
thesda  Church,  Henderson,  Neb., 
spoke  in  chapel  the  morning  of  Jan. 
19.  He  was  attending  sessions  of 
the  Northern  District  Business  Com- 
mittee, held  on  the  campus.  Plans 
were  made  for  the  annual  District 
Conference  to  be  held  in  the  Salem- 
Zion  Church  the  latter  part  of  June. 

Dr.  Philip  H.  Harden,  president 
of  Wessington  Springs  Junior  Col- 
lege, who  is  active  in  the  work  of 
Gideon  International,  spoke  in  Jan- 
uary on  the  Bible  distribution  activ- 
ities of  that  organization.  The  new- 
est area  of  their  work  is  the  distri- 
bution of  testaments  to  young  peo- 
ple in  elementary  and  secondary 
public  schools. 

VOLUNTEER  REPORTS 

The  Freeman  Junior  College  fac- 
ulty and  staff  held  their  January 
meeting  on  the  19th.  Dorothy  Im- 
hoff,  instructor  of  music,  described 
the  work  carried  on  by  Dr.  Martin 
Palmer  and  his  staff  at  the  Insti- 
tute of  Logopedics  near  Wichita, 
Kan.,  where  Miss  Imhoff  spent  the 
summer  in  VS.  She  told  of  the 
unique  methods  employed  in  work 
with  cerebral  palsy,  aphasia,  and 
stroke  victims,  as  well  as  with  vic- 
tims of  other  speech  and  hearing 
defects.  The  work  of  the  Institute 
was  recently  described  in  the  Jan. 
3 Saturday  Evening  Post. 

PURVES  TO  SPEAK 

John  Purves,  director  of  admis- 
sions at  Bluffton  College,  will  speak 
to  the  Student  Christian  Association 
on  Feb.  11  concerning  the  Chris- 
tian and  mental  health. 


RECEPTION  HELD 

The  Bluffton  College  faculty  held 
a formal  reception  at  8:30  p.m.  in 
Founders  Hall  on  Feb.  4.  This  is  a 
traditional  affair  to  help  students, 
particularly  newcomers,  become  ac- 
quainted with  the  faculty  and  other 
students. 

After  playing  several  games,  a 
parody  of  the  operetta  H.M.S.  Pina- 
fore was  presented,  in  which  fac- 
ulty members  played  the  charac- 
ters. Refreshments  were  then 
served. 

NEW  SEMESTER 

The  first  semester  of  the  1958-59 
school  year  at  Bluffton  College  was 
consummated  the  week  of  Jan.  26 
with  final  examinations.  The  ma- 
jority of  the  students  returned  to 
their  homes  for  a short  vacation. 
Orientation  for  new  students  was 
held  Feb.  2.  Classes  were  resumed 
Feb.  4. 

Twelve  students  who  did  not  at- 
tend during  this  past  semester  have 
registered  for  the  second  semester: 
Donna  Born,  Robert  Hilton  Edinger, 
Harold  Garverick,  Sandra  Strothe- 
ide,  James  Joel  Kendall,  Helen  Mc- 
Clain, Dorothy  Jane  Micha,  Rodney 
Allen  Mulvania,  Barry  Quimper, 
Dortha  Rodebaugh,  Dorla  Worvel, 
and  Bashir  Michael  Odeh  (Jordan). 

STUDY  MISSION  WORK 

Canadian  Mennonite  Bible  College 
students  share  in  the  responsibility 
on  the  mission  fields  of  our  Confer- 
ence as  they  gather  in  groups  every 
Tuesday  to  learn,  to  discuss,  and  to 
pray  for  the  missionaries  and  their 
work.  The  needs  of  the  missionary 
were  considered  this  week.  Each 
student  is  asked  to  write  at  least 
one  letter  a term  to  one  of  the 
workers  on  the  field  of  which  he  is 
a prayer-helper.  This  contact  with 
different  fields  serves  to  make  mis- 
sions and  the  missionary  more  real 
to  us  and  is  a means  whereby  we 
may  serve  in  a small  way. 

Larry  and  Jessie  Kehler,  mis- 
sionaries at  Matheson  Island  in 
northern  Manitoba,  were  remem- 
bered in  a special  way  recently.  The 
group  of  ten  students  who  visited 
them  early  in  January  were  in 
charge  of  the  program,  and  slides 
were  shown.  George  Neufeld,  in 
speaking  of  the  people,  emphasized 
the  difficulty  of  living  a Christian 
life. 


92 


THE  MENNONITE 


LECTURE-RECITAL 

Nicolas  Slonimsky,  composer,  pi- 
anist, author,  and  lecturer,  comes 
to  Memorial  Hall,  Bethel  College, 
Feb.  12,  as  the  third  number  in  this 
season’s  Memorial  Hall  Series. 

Slonimsky  has  been  described  as 
a “one-man  conservatory — he  plays 
the  music,  he  writes  it,  he  lectures 
on  it,  and  he  conducts  it.”  As  author 
and  editor  he  has  written  a number 
of  solid  books  on  musical  subjects. 

MCC  news  and  notes 

TRANS-CHACO  ROADWAY 

PARAGUAY  — For  the  past  nine 
months  the  Trans-Chaco  Roadway 
project  has  made  little  progress. 
Unusually  heavy  and  prolonged 
rains,  seeming  loss  of  interest  on 
the  part  of  the  governments,  and 
discouraged  technicians  have 
brought  about  a crisis  situation 
which  seriously  threatened  the  fu- 
ture of  the  undertaking. 

However,  the  outlook  brightened 
perceptibly  when  William  T.  Snyder 
and  Robert  Miller  from  MCC,  Ak- 
ron, met  Jan.  22  in  Washington 
with  Mr.  Rollin  Atwood,  Director 
of  the  Office  of  Latin  American  Af- 
fairs, for  a frank  discussion  of  the 
problem.  Mr.  Atwood  assured  them 
that  “the  roadway  will  be  finished 
somehow.”  He  encouraged  MCC, 
both  from  the  Akron  and  the  Asim- 
cion  end,  to  “keep  interest  alive  in 
the  Trans-Chaco  Roadway.”  With 
the  possible  addition  within  the  next 
year  of  an  engineering  construction 
unit  which  would  include  U.  S.  army 
engineers,  the  work  will  proceed 
more  aggressively. 

Frank  Wiens,  MCC  director  in 
South  America,  will  encourage  the 
Paraguayan  government  and  the 
ranchers  to  keep  on  supporting  the 
project.  MCC  and  the  Mennonite 
colonies,  of  course,  continue  to  be 
strongly  interested,  because  they 
feel  that  the  economic  development 
of  the  Chaco  depends  on  the  road. 

CHRISTMAS  BUNDLES 

Letters  and  reports  are  pouring 
in  from  relief  workers,  telling  of 
joy  and  good  wiU  created  by  the 
distribution  of  more  than  25,000 
colorful  Christmas  bundles  to  needy 
children  throughout  the  world  in 
1958.  No  doubt  North  American 
families  and  children  who  donated 
bundles  and  enclosed  their  names 
and  addresses  will  be  getting  per- 


sonal thank-you  letters  from  grate- 
ful recipients. 

Two  kinds  of  bundles  were  dis- 
tributed last  year  — regular  and 
tropical.  If  you  participated  in  this 
good  will  gesture,  here’s  where  your 
bundle  may  have  landed:  Jordan: 
4,510  regular;  Hong  Kong:  4,500 

regular;  Korea:  4,002  regular;  Aus- 
tria: 3,478  regular;  Vietnam:  2,671 
regular  and  837  tropical;  Germany: 
2,188  regular;  Java:  784  tropical; 
Taiwan:  760  regular;  Paraguay: 

469  regular  and  280  tropical; 
France:  399  regular;  Greece:  118 
regular;  England:  42  regular. 
CHRISTMAS  1959 

Already  we  think  of  next  Christ- 
mas and  how  we  can  make  more 
children  happy  by  contributing  to 
MCC’s  simple  but  unique  Christ- 
mas cheer  program.  A brochure  giv- 
ing information  on  bundle  prepa- 
ration is  now  being  distributed.  Both 
regular  and  tropical  bundles  are 
again  requested.  'They  must  arrive 
at  one  of  the  MCC  clothing  depots 
by  July  1,  accompanied  by  a con- 
tribution of  $1  per  bundle. 

A worker  from  Vietnam  writes: 
“Gratefulness  shone  in  each  pair  of 
shy,  dark  eyes  as  the  bundles  were 
distributed.  To  get  a brightly  col- 
ored towel  full  of  exciting  surprises 
from  America  means  much  to  those 
who  have  little.” 

WITNESS  TO  GOVERNMENT 

Esko  Loewen,  former  CPS  ad- 
ministrator and  a member  of  the 
General  Conference  Mennonite 
Peace  Committee  (Western  Dis- 
trict), is  representing  MCC  Peace 
Section  in  Washington,  Jan.  26-30, 
at  the  hearings  on  H.R.  2260,  a bill 
to  extend  until  July  1,  1963  the  in- 
duction provisions  of  the  Universal 
Military  Training  and  Service  Act. 
Reports  indicate  that  the  Armed 
Services  Committee  is  trying  to 
secure  passage  of  the  biU  immedi- 
ately. Hearings  are  short,  never- 
theless they  provide  an  opportunity 
for  a witness  to  government  on  the 
Christian  peace  position. 

MDS  UNITS  ALERTED 

On  Jan.  23  MCC  headquarters 
received  a call  from  Mr.  Robert 
Pierpont,  director  of  Red  Cross  Dis- 
aster Services  (Eastern  Area),  in- 
forming MCC  of  emergency  situa- 
tions in  Ohio  and  Pennsylvania  be- 
cause of  flooding,  ice- jammed  riv- 
ers. Scores  of  lives  were  lost  and 
thousands  left  homeless  before  the 
waters  receded. 


It  is  situations  like  these  that 
Mennonite  Disaster  Service  seeks 
to  relieve.  Local  units  were  alerted 
immediately  of  the  emergency. 

NEW  PAX  PROJECT 

LIBERIA  — Five  Paxmen  have 
arrived  in  Toumata,  Liberia,  join- 
ing a LeToumeau  sponsored  mis- 
sion project  in  Toumata,  where 
they  will  assist  in  mechanical  main- 
tenance, agriculture,  lumbering,  and 
the  church  program.  On  the  water 
from  Dec.  5 to  Jan.  14,  they  crossed 
the  Atlantic  abocird  the  LeToumeau 
vessel  Lizzie  Lorimer.  Unit  leader 
Paul  Delagrange  (Wood burn,  Ind.) 
reports  enthusiastic  reactions  of  the 
new  unit  to  service  in  Liberia.  Posi- 
tive motivation,  interesting  work, 
fellowship  with  a fine  Christian 
family,  good  accommodations,  and 
ample  food  are  responsible  for  this 
favorable  reaction. 

RELIEF  WORKER  REPORTS 

Mary  Ellen  Shoup,  relief  worker 
from  the  (Old)  Mennonite  Church, 
who  has  just  arrived  at  Akron,  Pa., 
after  twelve  years  with  MCC  in 
France,  is  speaking  in  Mennonite 
churches  on  her  way  home  to  Los 
Angeles,  Calif. 

While  in  France,  Miss  Shoup 
helped  to  open  the  Valdoie  Chil- 
dren’s Home  and  was  its  director 
since  that  time.  Speaking  French 
fluently,  she  has  become  intimately 
acquainted  with  French  Mennonites. 
SERVICE  IN  PUSAN 

Mabel  Brunk,  assistant  professor 
of  nursing  at  Goshen  College 
School  of  Nursing,  is  seiiling  from 
San  Francisco  the  first  part  of  Feb- 
mary  for  Pusem,  Korea,  where  she 
will  serve  three  years  under  MCC. 
She  will  be  working  at  the  Pusan 
Charity  Hospital  and  teaching  at 
the  University  of  Pusan  School  of 
Nursing.  The  Pusan  Charity  Hos- 
pital serves  orphaned  and  aban- 
doned children.  After  the  children 
have  been  treated,  they  are  placed 
in  nearby  orphanages. 

into  the  beyond 

Mrs.  Menno  Ewert,  member  of 
the  Johannestal  Church  of  Hills- 
boro, Kansas,  was  bom  April  24, 
1905,  and  departed  this  life  Dec.  21, 
1958. 

John  A.  Bartel,  member  of  the 
Johannestal  Church,  Hillsboro,  Kan- 
sas, was  bom  March  21,  1884,  and 
departed  this  life  January  13,  1959. 


February  10,  1959 


93 


jottings 

KINGSLEYS  SPEAK  ON  TIMOR 

First  Church,  Bluffton,  Ohio:  We 
appreciated  having  the  Leonard 
Kingsley  family,  Berne,  Ind.,  with 
us  on  Jan.  11.  They  gave  an  inter- 
esting report  of  their  three  years 
on  the  island  of  Timor  in  Indonesia, 
assisting  with  agricultural  prob- 
lems under  MCC.  The  slides  shown 
gave  a clear  picture  of  the  people 
and  their  needs.  We  plan  a series 
of  Family  Church  nights  starting 
on  Feb.  12  and  continuing  for  eight 
weeks.  On  March  22  Ellis  Graber, 
pastor  of  Zion  Mennonite  Church, 
Souderton,  Pa.,  will  give  four-pre- 
Easter  messages.  Jan.  25  the  Bluff- 
ton  College  a cappella  choir  pre- 
sented their  first  concert  of  the  sea- 
son. During  the  year  we  have  lost 
ten  members  through  death  and 
eleven  by  transfer;  ten  were  re- 
ceived through  baptism  and  seven- 
teen by  letter.  At  the  annual  meet- 
ing there  was  a unanimous  vote  to 
complete  the  second  story  of  the 
educational  building.  All  prelimi- 
nary work  was  done  when  the  build- 
ing was  erected;  only  the  inside 
finishing  remains  to  be  done.  Work 
will  start  soon.  In  one  paragraph 
of  the  report  given  by  Pastor  Jacob 
Friesen  he  says:  “In  1959  the  one 
event  that  promises  to  be  a once- 
in-a-lifetime  experience  for  our 
church  and  the  Mennonite  churches 
of  this  area  is  the  coming  General 
Conference  Centennial  session  in 
August.” — Corr, 

PASTOR  INSTALLED 

Hopefield  Church,  Moundridge, 
Kan:  Steven  Wayne  was  bom  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Reuben  Schrag  of 
near  Little  River  on  Nov.  1,  1958. 
Rickey  Rene  was  born  to  Mrs.  and 
Mrs.  Mervin  Schrag  of  Moundridge 
■on  Dec.  2,  1958.  On  Nov.  28  at  7:30 
the  P.  K.  Dirksens  showed  pictures 
of  their  mission  work  in  Arizona 
among  the  Hopi  Indians.  The  mis- 
sion society  sponsored  Mary  Schrag 
as  speaker  on  Nov.  30.  She  took 
us  with  her  on  a day’s  visit  to  the 
general  hospital  in  India  where  she 
worked  as  a nurse.  The  Young 
People’s  Organization  of  the  church 
enjoyed  a Christmas  banquet, 
served  by  the  Ladies’  Mission  So- 
ciety, at  the  parsonage  on  Dec.  6. 
O’Ray  Graber  presented  the  ban- 
quet address,  “The  Face  That 
Stopped  the  Clock.”  On  Jan.  1 at 
7:30  a taffy  pull  was  enjoyed  by 
the  young  people  at  the  Bethel  Col- 
lege Shelter  House.  Due  to  ex- 
tremely cold  weather  and  hazard- 
ous roads,  our  installation  services 
for  Pastor  H.  B.  Schmidt,  which 


had  been  scheduled  for  Jan.  4,  were 
postponed  to  Jan.  11.  Ed  Stucky 
opened  with  prayer  and  Scripture 
reading,  after  which  he  received 
Pastor  and  Mrs.  H.  B.  Schmidt  and 
Forrest  Goering  as  new  members 
of  our  church.  After  a number  of 
special  music  by  a ladies’  sextette, 
Albert  Gaeddert  delivered  the 
morning  message,  which  was  fol- 
lowed by  the  installation  ceremony 
and  a number  of  special  music.  Aft- 
er the  close  of  the  service  a fel- 
lowship dinner  was  served  in  the 
church  basement.  Jan.  12,  the  min- 
isters of  the  Western  District  Con- 
ference were  invited  to  a VS  meet- 
ing. On  Jan.  18,  the  C.  E.  held 
their  annual  business  meeting 
which  was  followed  by  the  films 
Tell  Me  the  Old,  Old  Story,  The 
Prodigal’s  Return,  and  Broken 
Mask. — Mrs.  Sam  Stucky,  corr. 

GERMAN  STUDENT  SPEAKS 

First  Church,  Beatrice,  Neb.:  The 
young  people  of  our  church  had  a 
Watch  Night  service  on  New  Year’s 
Eve.  The  annual  church  and  hos- 
pital business  meetings  have  been 
held.  The  Youth  Fellowship  had 
their  annual  banquet  Jan.  2.  Guest 
speaker  was  Oskar  Wedel  from 
Germany,  who  is  a student  at  our 
seminary.  Our  Senior  Youth  Fel- 
lowship is  helping  to  support  him. 
Mr.  Wodel  spent  the  weekend  in 
this  community  and  spoke  at  our 
Senior  C.  E.  meeting.  Special  em- 
phasis was  laid  on  Prayer  by  the 
pastor  at  our  first  family  night 
service  in  1959.  The  relief  cannery 
was  in  this  community  the  latter 
part  of  January.  The  new  year 
brings  with  it  new  obligations  and 
opportunities;  may  we  use  them  to 
His  honor  and  glory. — Margaret  Al- 
brecht, corr. 

DIMES  DEDICATED 

Inman  Church,  Inman,  Kan.:  J. 
K.  Siemens,  administrator  of  the 
Sunshine  Home  in  Buhler,  brought 
us  the  morning  message  Nov.  30  in 
the  absence  of  Pastor  Ben  Rahn, 
who  was  speaking  at  the  dedica- 
tion service  of  the  First  Church  in 
Clinton,  Okla.  ’Thanksgiving  morn- 
ing a special  presentation  and  dedi- 
cation of  dime  cards  by  the  Junior 
S.  S.  was  held.  The  dimes  totaled 
$96  to  be  used  for  medicine  in  over- 
seas work  through  MCC.  The  Jr. 
C.  E.  members  as  their  project 
brought  caps  and  scarfs  to  their 
Christmas  peirty.  They  again  sold 
all-occasion  and  Christmas  greeting 
cards  to  raise  funds.  The  Jr.  S.  S. 
Dept,  brought  knee-length  socks  for 
relief,  and  the  laymen  gave  socks 
and  handkerchiefs  to  those  at  the 
Union  Rescue  Mission  in  Wichita. 
Missionary  Augusta  Bauman  was 
guest  speaker  at  Women’s  Fellow- 


ship at  the  Dec.  meeting.  Jonathan 
Carlson  directed  the  mixed  choir  in 
the  Christmas  cantata  The  Nativity 
Song  on  Dec.  21.  The  Junior  and 
Intermediate  Choirs  went  caroling 
on  their  practice  night;  the  young 
people,  sponsored  by  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Wilbur  Wiens  and  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
LaVeme  Neufeld,  caroled  on  Christ- 
mas Eve.  Oskar  Wedel,  a student 
at  the  seminary  from  Luebeck, 
Germany,  spoke  to  us  Dec.  28. 

CONSTRUCTION  AT  GULFPORT 

Hebron  Church,  Buhler,  Kan.: 
On  the  evening  of  Nov.  16  the  Mis- 
sion Workers  sponsored  as  guest 
speakers  the  missionaries  W.  C. 
Voths  who  reported  on  their  work 
in  Japan  and  Formosa.  Early  in 
Dec.,  D.  L.  Regier  and  P.  R.  Loh- 
rentz,  along  with  three  members  of 
the  Buhler  Church,  enjoyed  a week 
of  construction  work  at  the  Gulf- 
port V.  S.  and  Mission  unit.  Dur- 
ing the  worship  service  on  the  last 
Sunday  of  Dec.,  Delton  Franz,  pas- 
tor of  the  Woodlawn  Church  in 
Chicago,  gave  an  interesting  re- 
port on  his  trip  through  the  South. 
Mrs.  Katherine  Braeul,  our  oldest 
member,  passed  away  Jan.  2.  In 
spite  of  her  age  and  failing  eye- 
sight Mrs.  Braeul  attended  church 
quite  regularly.  Our  guest  speak- 
er for  a series  of  meeting  Jan.  18- 
23  was  Roland  Goering,  pastor  of 
the  Halstead  Church.— Corr. 

REPORT  ON  1958 

Bethel  Church,  Inman,  Kan.:  On 
New  Year’s  Day  Pastor  P.  T.  Neu- 
feld reported  a membership  of  345. 
Of  these,  11  were  added  through 
baptism  and  5 by  letter  during  1958. 
There  were  four  deaths;  fourteen 
members  entered  marriage;  and 
nine  children  were  bom,  " one  of 
which  was  stillborn.  The  record  S. 

S.  attendance  was  424,  and  the  av- 
erage for  the  year  was  358.  Pastor 
Neufeld  also  reported  that  this 
spring  it  will  be  forty  years  that 
he  served  the  congregation,  first 
as  minister  £md  later  as  elder.  Since 
he  has  reached  retirement  age,  he  j 
asked  for  release  from  responsi- 
bilities as  church  leader  by  July  1,  ' 
1959.  The  Charity  Society  had  an  ■ 
all-day  work  meeting  under  the 
leadership  of  Mrs.  J.  T.  Pauls.  The 
George  A.  Regehrs  had  a short 
Thanksgiving  service  and  open 
house  in  the  church  basement  Jan. 

11,  commemorating  their  fiftieth 
wedding  anniversary. — Corr.  i 

MEN’S  BROTHERHOOD  BANQUET  < 

United  Church,  Rosthern,  Sask.:  J 

The  Men’s  Brotherhood  banquet 
took  place  in  the  church  basement  £ 
Dec.  10,  with  Christmas  decorations,  i.! 
a turkey  dinner  served  by  the  young  ‘ 
people,  and  a program  which  in-  * 


94 


THE  MENNONITE 


eluded  German  and  English  Christ- 
mas songs  led  by  Elmer  Richert,  a 
reading  by  Frank  Letkeman,  a duet 
by  Joyce  and  Jeanette  Williams,  and 
a message  brought  by  Mr.  Berg  of 
Waldheim.  On  the  evening  of 
the  24th  the  church  was  filled  to 
capacity  at  the  Christmas  program, 
led  by  John  R.  Dyck.  Afterwards 
young  people  went  caroling.  Junior 
and  senior  choirs  brought  special 
singing  at  the  Christmas  morning 
service  Dec.  25;  Paul  Hesse  brought 
an  inspiring  English  message  and 
J.  C.  Schmidt  the  German  message. 
Dec.  26  we  also  had  church  service. 
A voluntary  program  the  evening 
of  Dec.  31  consisted  of  duets,  quar- 
tets, recitations,  music,  readings, 
and  testimonies  by  young  and  old. 
A German  message  was  brought 
by  P.  Koop  and  the  English  mes- 
. sage  by  J.  C.  Schmidt.  Robert,  son 
of  Pastor  and  Mrs.  J.  C.  Schmidt, 
brought  an  inspiring  English  mes- 
sage New  Year’s  morning,  and  J.  C. 
Schmidt  brought  the  German  mes- 
sage. Prayer  Week  was  observed 
Jan.  4-9,  with  three  speakers  and 
a session  of  prayer  each  evening. 
Jan.  14  the  annual  all-day  Brother- 
hood meeting  was  held.  Some  new 
officers  were  elected,  and  the 
budget  for  1959  was  set  at  $13,200. 
— Mrs.  John  F.  Goertzen,  corr. 

ANNUAL  FESTIVAL 

United  Church,  Wolf  Point, 
Mont:.  On  Oct.  26  our  annual  Har- 
vest and  Mission  Festival  was  held 
with  the  Bernard  Thiessens,  mis- 
sionaries to  Japan,  and  the  Mal- 
colm Wengers,  missionaries  to  the 
Indians  at  Busby,  Mont.,  as  special 
speakers.  Also  the  film  Home  Front 
was  shown.  Oct.  26-Nov.  2 we  had 
our  Missionary  Emphasis  Week 
with  the  Bernard  Thiessens  and 
Anna  Lutke,  missionary  to  Africa, 
as  speakers.  Pictures  of  their  work 
were  shown  each  night.  Oct.  30  the 

i : film  TJve  Man  Who  Forgot  God 
I was  shown.  Nov.  10-14,  Teacher 
- Training  Institute  was  held  with 
s Ellen  Kaare  and  Mrs.  Traux,  child 
le  evangelism  directors,  as  instructors. 
;>  Nov.  26,  Communion  service  was  ob- 
1 served  and  six  new  members  were 

ii  received:  Mr.  and  Mrs.  George  E. 
Schmidt,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Charles 

'A  Isle,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Frank  Hue- 
;'l  bert.  Nov.  30  was  Family  Night, 
)s|  during  which  the  film  The  Call  of 
L I the  Cheyenne  was  shown.  Dec.  10 
(,  1 our  annual  church  business  meeting 

Iwas  held.  The  S.  S.  Christmas  pro- 
gram was  given  Christmas  Eve. 
Christmas  Day  and  New  Year’s  Day 
services  were  conducted  by  our 
pastor.  Dec.  30,  our  Helping  Hand 
'V  Mission  Society  invited  all  the  ladies 
:;5  of  the  church  to  a Christmas  pro- 
gram. — Corr. 


Use  Short  Words! 

It  is  surprisingly  noticeable  and 
frequently  exasperating  to  listen  to 
the  exploitation  of  bombastical  lan- 
guage in  expressing  the  simplest 
ideas  when  the  same  thoughts  could 
be  equally  well  clarified  by  the  em- 
ployment of  monosyllables. 

If  your  audience  consisted  of  rhe- 
torical geniuses,  the  practice  of 
phrasemongering  might  easily  be 
justifiable;  but  since  there  are  many 
among  the  ordinary  assemblies  who 
are  definitely  unsophisticated,  and 
some  are  decidedly  illiterate,  such  a 
procedure  should  not  be  tolerated 
under  any  circumstances. 

When  a public  speaker  attempts 
to  impress  his  hearers  with  a con- 
cept of  his  imagination,  it  is  un- 
questionably logical  that  he  utilize 
as  a vehicle  of  transmission  the 
simplest  and  most  readily  compre- 
hended style  of  English. 

When  a fantastical  elocutionary 
form  of  language  is  employed  in 
the  elucidation  of  a simple  truth, 
the  recipient  invariably  fails  to 
grasp  the  import  of  the  fact  be- 
cause the  thought  is  enveloped  in  a 
camouflage  of  rhetoric  that  inevit- 
ably conceals  the  objective  under 
consideration. 

There  are  numerous  instances 
when  many  of  your  readers  have  a 
vocabulary  limited  to  the  local  dia- 
lect of  the  community  in  which  they 
reside;  under  such  circumstances  the 
practice  of  resorting  to  colloquial 
expressions  might  even  be  allow- 
able. 

The  avoidance  of  polysyllables 
and  high-powered  phraseology  will 
also  greatly  alleviate  the  strain  on 
the  respiratory  and  articulatory  or- 
gans of  the  speaker  and  thus  reduce 
to  a minimum  the  physical  effort  re- 
quired. 

A statement  may  be  etymological- 
ly correct,  philologically  grand,  giv- 
en with  a clear  enunciation  and 
proper  diction,  but  utterly  fail  in 
comprehensibility  on  the  part  of  the 
listener  because  it  reveals  nothing 
to  him  except  the  display  of  the 
declamatory  ability  of  an  oratorical 
linguist. 

Notwithstanding  the  further  argu- 
mentation which  might  be  present- 
ed, giving  additional  considerations 
for  the  contentions  of  this  discus- 
sion, nevertheless  may  it  suffice  to 
express  the  aggregate  with  the  sim- 
ple statement:  Use  Short  Words. 

— Ed  Miller 


CONFERENCE  NOTES 
(continued  from  last  page) 
the  city  because  of  the  relocation 
of  Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary  to 
Elkhart,  Ind.,  the  present  member- 
ship is  fifty,  approximately  half 
Negro  and  half  white.  Pastor  of 
the  church  is  Delton  Franz  with 
Vincent  Harding  associate  pastor. 

Among  the  many  activities  of  the 
church  is  a strong  children’s  pro- 
gram. Last  summer  seventy  chil- 
dren participated  in  day  camps  at 
Dan  Ryan  Woods.  Twenty  children 
spent  two  weeks  on  farms  with 
Mennonite  families  in  South  Da- 
kota, Iowa,  Indiana,  and  Illinois. 

Enrollment  in  the  Sunday  school 
is  242,  of  whom  214  are  children 
under  high  school  age.  Some  goals 
are  the  establishment  of  better  and 
more  frequent  church  school-home 
relationships,  continuance  of  teach- 
er training,  class  meetings  besides 
the  regular  Sunday  morning  pe- 
riods, and  the  acquisition  of  more 
religious  books  on  the  children’s 
level  and  encouragement  of  such 
reading. 

REMEMBER  OUR  VETERANS 

On  Dec.  21,  1958,  Mrs.  Rodolphe 
Fetter  of  our  Lame  Deer,  Mont., 
mission  field  observed  her  86th 
birthday.  She  is  still  very  active 
and  interested  in  what  is  going  on, 
not  only  on  the  Montana  mission 
field,  but  in  the  world.  Her  dream 
now  is  to  finish  the  biography  of 
her  husband.  Dr.  Rodolphe  Fetter, 
which  is  a large  undertaking  be- 
cause Dr.  Fetter  did  the  work  of  a 
giant  in  putting  the  Cheyenne  lan- 
guage into  writing,  building  up  word 
books,  grammars,  and  translating 
Scriptures  into  Cheyenne.  Mrs.  Fet- 
ter has  been  active  on  the  mission 
fields  in  Oklahoma  and  Montana 
for  62  years. 

It  is  in  place  that  we  remember 
our  veteran  mission  workers  wheth- 
er they  are  on  the  field  or  in  the 
seclusion  of  the  home.  We  think 
also  of  Sister  P.  W.  Fenner,  who 
with  Brother  Fenner  has  given  her 
best  years  to  India;  Sister  Clara 
Kuehny,  who  also  served  in  India; 
Sister  J.  B.  Ediger,  who  with  her 
husband  ministered  on  our  Chey- 
enne and  Arapaho  fields  in  Okla- 
homa; Brother  and  Sister  H.  J. 
Brown,  who  served  in  China,  and 
others.  Let  us  not  forget  these  who 
have  given  their  best  years  in  the 
cause  of  our  Lord  on  the  mission 
fields. 


February  10,  1959 


95 


conference  notes 

LOOKING  TO 
GENERAL  CONFERENCE 

In  this  year  of  our  Lord  1959,  by 
the  grace  of  God,  we  plan  to  meet 
in  the  triennial  sessions  of  our  Gen- 
eral Conference  Mennonite  Church, 
convening  at  Bluffton,  Ohio,  Aug- 
ust, 12-20.  Since  our  conference  was 
first  organized  in  1860,  the  coming 
sessions  are  designated  as  the  Cen- 
tennial Sessions  to  inaugurate  the 
celebration  of  our  Centennial  Year. 


For  many  months  committees  have 
been  planning  not  only  for  the  reg- 
ular business  sessions  but  also  for  a 
proper  observance  of  the  Centen- 
nial. Invitations  have  gone  out  to 
other  Mennonite  and  affiliated 
groups  to  send  fraternal  delegates. 
It  is  hoped  that  European  and  South 
American  Mennonites  will  also  be 
officially  represented. 

The  conference  theme  is  “Our 
Foundation — Jesus  Christ”  (1  Cor. 
3:11).  The  choice  of  this  theme 
voices  the  earnest  desire  that  these 
conference  sessions  shall  be  so 
truly  Christ-centered  and  Christ- 
exalting  that  we  may  be  knit  into 
one  great  working  fellowship  of 
faith  and  love,  with  the  crucified 
and  risen  Saviour  present  in  our 
midst,  and  that  we  may  be  found 
doing  the  Lord’s  work  in  the  Lord’s 
way.  Let  us  individually  and  as 
congregations  prepare  ourselves  for 
General  Conference  through  heart 
searching  and  repentance,  through 
praise  and  prayer,  and  through  re- 
newed devotion  and  dedication. 

— Erland  Waltner 
CENTENNIAL  PLANS 

Robert  Kreider,  conference  plan- 
ning chairman,  told  committee 
groups  at  a meeting  in  Founders 
Hall  on  the  Bluffton  College  cam- 
pus Jan.  23  that  from  1000  to  1500 
delegates  and  visitors  are  expected. 
The  eleven  major  committees  which 
met  that  evening  functioned  last 
year  when  the  Central  District  Con- 
ference was  held  in  Bluffton. 


Founders  Hall  on  the  Bluffton 
College  campus  will  be  the  scene 
for  all  major  meetings  of  the  con- 
ference, which  will  welcome  to 
Bluffton  the  largest  group  of  vis- 
itors in  its  history.  Since  the  pop- 
ulation of  the  town  is  approximate- 
ly 2500,  many  facilities  in  sur- 
rounding towns  will  be  used.  In  ad- 
dition to  Founders  Hall,  meetings 
will  be  held  at  Bluffton  High  School, 
the  First  Mennonite  Church,  and 
other  college  buildings. 

Eldon  Graber,  chairman  of  the 
program  committee  for  the  confer- 
ence, pointed  out  at  the  meeting 
that  the  major  emphasis  of  the  pro- 
gram will  be  the  Centennial  Anni- 
versary. Aug.  16  will  be  designated 
as  Centennial  Sunday.  At  3:00  p.m. 
and  again  at  7:30  p.m.,  a great 
pageant  of  the  church  will  be  en- 
acted at  Founders  Hall. 

Another  major  anniversary  em- 
phasis will  be  given  on  the  opening 
day  of  the  conference,  Aug.  12,  when 
Franklin  H.  Littell,  authority  on 
Anabaptist  history,  will  approach 
the  anniversary  topic  in  the  light  of 
his  studies. 

Serving  on  the  general  committee 
under  Dr.  Kreider  are  Pastor  Waldo 
Flickinger,  Francis  Niswander,  and 
Willis  Amstutz  of  the  Ebenezer 
Church;  Pastor  Sylvan  Lehman  of 
First  Church,  Lima;  Pastor  Ernest 
Bohn,  S.  W.  Steiner,  and  Mrs.  Le- 
Roy  Lemley  of  the  Grace  Church; 
Pastor  Jacob  Friesen  and  Mrs.  Ezra 
Moser  of  First  Church,  Bluffton; 


Robert  Kreider,  'planning  chairman 


Pastor  J.  P.  Suderman,  Hiram  Koh- 
li,  and  Mrs.  Clarence  Schneck  of 
St.  John’s;  and  Dr.  L.  L.  Ramseyer 
and  Carl  Lehman  of  Bluffton  Col- 
lege. Committee  chairmen  from  the 
participating  churches  include  Mrs. 
Ezra  Moser,  Food  Service;  G.  T. 
Soldner,  Reception  and  Lodging; 
Leland  Basinger,  Ushers  and  Park- 
ing; Eugene  Kohli,  Maintenance 
and  Equipment;  Earl  Lehman,  Mu- 
sic; Mrs.  Hiram  Kohli,  Decorating; 
Mrs.  Herbert  Kindel,  Registration 
and  Administration;  Paul  King, 
Special  Services;  Delbert  Gratz, 
Tours  and  Historical  Exhibits;  Mrs. 
Ralph  Sommer,  Children’s  Pro- 
gram; Mrs.  Sidney  Steiner,  Pub- 
licity. 

FIFTH  ANNIVERSARY 

Bibel  und  Pflug,  a biweekly  pe- 
riodical in  the  German  language, 
has  completed  its  fifth  year  of  pub- 
lication in  Brazil.  After  much  pre- 
liminary planning,  definite  plans 
for  this  publication  were  formulat- 
ed in  1952  when  Fritz  Kliewer,  col- 
ony leaders,  MCC  representatives  in 
South  America,  and  others  met  in 
Asuncion,  Paraguay. 

The  first  editor  was  Fritz  Klie- 
wer, whose  services  terminated 
with  his  sudden  death  in  June,  1956. 
Since  Dr.  Kliewer’s  death  the  work 
has  been  carried  on  by  Julius  Le- 
giehn  and  Peter  Klassen.  One  of 
the  goals  always  before  the  editor 
is  that  the  paper  shall  serve  the 
interests  of  all  Mennonites  in  South 
America. 

Bibel  und  Pflug,  having  success- 
fully operated  for  five  years,  has 
expressed  appreciation  for  financial 
aid  from  the  Conference.  A Lino- 
type machine  was  contributed  by 
Mennonite  Men.  An  advisory  com-  : 
mittee  composed  of  representatives 
of  the  Boards  of  Education  and 
Publication,  Missions,  and  Christian  j 
Service  helps  to  frame  editorial  pol- 
icy. 

PROGRESS  AT  WOODLAWN 

Twenty-one  members  were  added 
to  the  membership  of  Woodlawn 
Mennonite  Church  in  Chicago  dur- 
ing 1958,  according  to  the  annual  P 
report  of  the  church.  Although  a 
number  of  persons  transferred  I 
their  membership  when  they  left 

(continued  on  page  95) 


FEBRUARY  17,  1959 


THE  MENNOKITE 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
MAN  LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIST 


in  this  issue 

COVER 

"Christ  of  St.  John  of  the  Cross"  by  Dali 
Courtesy  of  the  Glasgow  Art  Gallery 
and  Museum 


ARTICLES 

INCONSISTENT  CHRISTIANS 

By  David  C.  Auckland  99 

THE  CHALLENGE  OF  CHURCH 
EXTENSION 

By  John  F.  Enns  100 

PEACEMAKERS  IN  THE  PACIFIC 

By  Paul  Peachey  102 

THE  WRONG  OF  ENVY 

By  Robert  Hartzler  103 

DIFFICULTIES  IN  OUR  WITNESSING 
By  H.  A.  Driver  103 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  98 

Mennonite  Men 

STEWARDSHIP  AND  THE 

MINISTER'S  SALARY  104 

ABOUT  THE  BUDGET  104 

Mennonite  Youth 

THERMOMETERS  AND  THERMOSTATS 

By  John  H.  Neufeld  105 

WHAT  IT'S  LIKE  IN  MCC 

VOLUNTARY  SERVICE  106 

OUR  SCHOOLS  108 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  109 

JOTTINGS  109 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  112 


of  things  to  come 

"eb.  21-22 — West.  Dist.  Men's  Work- 
shop, Buhler,  Kan. 

Feb.  22-Mar.  1 — Brotherhood  Week 
March  8 — Conference  Sunday 
March  17 — West.  Dist.  Women's  Meeting 
March  22 — Palm  Sunday 
March  29 — Easter 

April  23-26 — Central  Dist.  Conference, 
Goshen,  Ind. 

April  30-May  3 — Eastern  Dist.  Conf., 
Schwenksville,  Pa. 

May  7 — Ascension  Day 

May  10 — Festival  of  the  Christian  Home 

May  1 7 — Pentecost 

June  10-14 — Pacific  District  Conference, 
Barlow,  Oregon 

June  18-21 — Northern  Dist.  Conf.,  Salem- 
Zion  Church  (North),  Freeman,  S.  D. 
Aug.  5-12 — Ministers'  and  Church  Work- 
ers' Retreat,  Camp  Friedenswald, 
Mich. 

Aug.  1 2-20 — General  Conference,  Bluff- 
ton,  Ohio 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor,  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 

J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Asst.:  Esther  Groves. 
Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  7 


editorials 

CONTRASTS  AT  THE  CROSS:  1.  SELFISHNESS  VS.  SACRI- 
FICE During  the  Lenten  season  as  our  thoughts  are  cen- 

tered upon  the  cross,  we  see  glaring  contrasts.  Some  of  these 
will  be  considered  on  the  editorial  page  until  Easter.  This  week 
we  consider  the  contrast  of  selfishness  and  sacrifice. 

One  of  the  reasons  the  Jewish  leaders  were  determined  to 
silence  Jesus  was  because  they  were  thinking  about  their  own 
standing.  His  pure  life  and  teaching  put  them  in  an  unfavorable 
light  before  the  people.  They  loved  praise  and  privilege  and 
their  own  pet  theories  so  much  that  anyone  who  threatened  their 
standing  could  not  be  tolerated. 

Pilate  is  another  example  of  selfishness.  At  one  point  in  the 
trial,  convinced  Jesus  was  innocent,  he  was  ready  to  release 
Him.  Then  came  the  threat  that  he  would  lose  his  standing 
with  Caesar  if  he  allowed  Jesus  to  remain.  That  touched  Pilate 
at  a vulnerable  spot — he  did  not  want  to  lose  his  position — 
so  he  was  ready  to  sacrifice  an  innocent  man.  What  we  see  in  the 
Jewish  leaders  and  in  Pilate  is  too  much  evident  in  us  also. 

How  such  selfishness  contrasts  with  the  sacrifice  on  the 
cross!  All  His  life  Jesus  had  been  giving  to  others,  and  when 
they  demanded  His  life.  He  gave  that  also.  Here  was  the  com- 
plete sacrifice  for  the  sins  of  the  whole  world.  He  spared  not 
himself  but  freely  gave  His  own  life  that  we  might  be  for- 
given and  have  fulness  of  life  in  Him. 

Calvary’s  mournful  mountain  view; 

There  the  Lord  of  glory  see, 

Made  a sacrifice  for  you, 

Dying  on  the  accursed  tree. 

GREAT  EXPECTATIONS  You  may  be  interested  week  by 
week  to  note,  under  the  head  “Looking  Toward  General  Con- 
ference,” what  various  people  are  expecting  this  summer  at 
Bluffton,  Ohio.  Every  one  interested  in  the  coming  conference 
should  have  a sense  of  expectancy  and  high  hope. 

But  that  such  hopes  might  be  realized  depends  somewhat 
upon  our  own  spiritual  preparation.  Blessings  flow  into  hearts 
prepared  for  them.  Opportunities  are  crystallized  into  actualities 
where  hearts  are  ready  and  prepared  for  advancement  in  the 
cause  of  Christ. 

You,  dear  reader,  have  a part  in  making  the  coming  General 
Conference  the  power  of  God  it  should  be.  Your  prayers  can 
ascend  for  all  board  and  committee  members,  and  all  having 
a responsibility  in  the  actual  forming  and  presenting  of  the 
program.  You  can  inform  yourself  of  the  vital  matters  to  be 
presented  by  following,  in  the  coming  issues  of  THE  MENNO- 
NITE, such  concerns  as  will  be  presented  by  the  boards. 

Dedicated  leaders,  well-planned  presentation  of  the  work,  the 
vision  of  the  various  boards,  an  informed  and  prayerful  group 
in  attendance — all  this  will  give  the  Holy  Spirit  an  opportunity 
to  instruct  and  empower  us  at  the  Bluffton  Conference  in  August. 


98 


THE  MENNONITE 


I INCONSISTENT 
CHRISTIANS 


> A LL  OF  humanity  seems  to  be 
i\  plagued  with  the  undesirable 
habit  of  being  inconsistent.  The 
average  person  of  the  world,  who 
makes  no  profession  of  saving  faith 
in  Jesus  Christ  as  Saviour,  is  not 
exempt  from  it.  Undoubtedly  it  is 
» a result  of  our  sinful  nature. 

In  the  case  of  the  Christian,  how- 
ever, the  price  of  inconsistency  is 
somewhat  higher.  He  speaks  of  his 
faith  in  Jesus  Christ;  he  claums  to 
desire  to  live  up  to  the  teachings  of 
the  Bible.  He  speaks  of  the  time 
when  he  was  “bom  again”  (John 
3:3)  and  made  a “new  creature” 
(2  Cor.  5:17)  in  Christ  Jesus.  Such 
claims,  to  the  unsaved  person,  are 
somewhat  ridiculous,  and  he  imme- 
diately seeks  a life  that  proves  these 
claims — and  rightly  so.  Inconsisten- 
cy in  such  a case  can  be  nearly  dis- 
astrous. 

Yet  we  discover  that  the  church 
was  never  free  from  this  sinful 
habit.  In  Galatians  2:11-14  an  inci- 
dent in  the  early  church  is  recorded 
that  reveals  this  fact.  Let  us  be- 
hold it  briefly. 

, Peter’s  Inconsistency 

The  act  of  Peter  is  recorded  in 
Galatians  2:12.  “For  before  that  cer- 
tain came  from  James,  he  did  eat 
with  the  Gentiles:  but  when  they 
were  come,  he  withdrew  and  sepa- 
rated himself,  feauing  them  which 
were  of  the  circumcision.” 

But  wherein  did  Peter’s  inconsist- 
ency arise?  The  book  of  Acts  re- 
veals that  Peter,  from  the  day  of 
Pentecost,  preached  fervently  that 
faith  in  the  crucifled,  resurrected 
Christ  was  all  that  was  necessary 
for  one  to  be  saved,  be  he  Jew  or 
Gentile.  He  again  had  this  impressed 
upon  his  mind  in  Acts  10,  in  the 
case  of  Cornelius,  where  through 
faith  in  Jesus  Christ,  the  Gentiles 
also  could  be  saved.  This  he  knew 
and  fervently  declared. 

But  Paul,  in  writing  about  this  in- 
cident at  Antioch,  shows  us  that 
though  Peter  believed  faith  in  Jesus 


Christ  alone  was  enough  to  save 
the  Gentiles  as  well  as  the  Jews, 
he  acted  as  though  he  did  not.  When 
the  Jews  from  Jerusalem  came  up 
to  Antioch,  Peter  ceased  eating  with 
the  Gentiles. 

Lest  we  be  too  hard  on  Peter, 
let  us  behold  our  actions.  We  say 
that  a person  without  Jesus  CSirist 
is  bound  for  an  eternal  hell,  but  do 
we  act  as  though  this  were  true? 
We  say  it  is  imperative  that  we 
obey  the  commands  of  the  Bible, 
God’s  Word  — but  do  we?  Peter 
feared  the  zealous  Jews;  we  feeir 
the  hostile  mob.  Indeed,  all  must 
plead  guilty. 

Results  of  Inconsistency 

Many  of  us  would  be  inclined  to 
say,  “But  that  was  such  a minor 
mistake  on  the  part  of  Peter.”  Yet 
there  is  no  such  thing  as  a minor 
inconsistency.  Our  adversary,  the 
devil,  is  a master  at  making  moun- 
tains out  of  molehills. 

The  result  of  Peter’s  action  was 
twofold.  Verse  13  tells  us:  “And 
the  other  Jews  dissembled  likewise 
with  him;  insomuch  that  Barnabas 
also  was  carried  away  by  their  dis- 
simulation” (hypocrisy).  Peter,  we 
are  told,  caused  others  to  stumble 
by  his  actions. 

The  second  result  is  seen  in  verse 
14b:  “Why  compellest  thou  the  Gen- 
tiles to  live  as  do  the  Jews?”  We 
have  good  reason  to  believe  that  the 
“compelling”  was  not  by  word  of 
commandment  from  Peter  but  be- 
cause of  Peter’s  actions.  When  the 
Gentiles  were  not  accepted  of  him, 
they  thought  they  were  not  accept- 
ed of  God  on  the  basis  of  faith  in 
Christ  alone.  They  therefore  felt 
compelled  to  live  as  do  the  Jews. 

Our  inconsistencies  have  the 


David  C.  Auckland 
pastor  of  Bethel  Church 
Perkasie,  Pennsylvania 


same  twofold  effect.  Others  stumble 
and  are  compelled  to  do  things  not 
in  keeping  with  the  Scriptures  be- 
cause of  our  inconsistent  actions. 

Inconsistency  Rebuked 

Paul’s  rebuke  of  Peter  begins  in 
the  middle  of  verse  14  and  probably 
continues  through  the  end  of  the 
chapter.  Many  would  undoubtedly 
accuse  Paul  of  being  narrow-mind- 
ed and  unloving.  Such  accusation 
only  reveals  a lack  of  understand- 
ing of  the  gospel  message  and  love. 
If,  as  the  New  Testament  clearly 
declares,  there  is  only  one  way  of 
salvation,  and  if  all  men  are  lost 
apart  from  faith  in  Jesus  Christ,  the 
very  nature  of  the  case  demands 
that  we  protect  this  precious  mes- 
sage from  error  and  misunderstand- 
ing. If  we  truly  love  the  souls  of 
both  saved  and  lost  men,  we  \vill 
rebuke  when  necessary.  Paul  did. 

The  results  of  this  rebuke  were 
gratifying.  The  issue  weis  settled, 
as  far  as  Peter  was  concerned,  and 
he  could  still  speak  of  Paul  as 
“our  beloved  brother”  (2  Peter  3: 
15). 

The  art  of  giving  and  receiving 
rebuke  in  love  is  all  but  a lost  one 
in  the  Christian  church.  We  say  we 
love  each  other,  but  do  we  mani- 
fest that  love?  The  person  who  says 
he  is  too  loving  ever  to  give  or 
take  rebuke  is  like  the  parent  who 
says  that  he  loves  his  children  too 
much  to  discipline  them. 

Beloved,  let  us  remember  that 
there  is  no  such  thing  as  a small 
inconsistency.  Let  us  continually  re- 
mind ourselves  that  satan  will  use 
our  mistakes  to  his  advantage,  lead- 
ing others  astray.  Let  us  not  for- 
get that  rebuke  from  a brother  out 
of  a heart  of  concern  ought  to  be 
heeded,  not  ignored.  Then  too, 
there  are  times  when  we  should 
resort  to  such  action,  unpleasant 
though  it  may  be. 

May  God  grant  that  we  may  see 
and  put  into  practice  this  New  Tes- 
tament principle. 


February  17,  1959 


99 


The  Challenge  of 
Church  Extension 


John  F.  Enns* 


IN  THE  RECENT  past,  Mennonite 
community  life  was  relatively 
static.  Today  Mennonite  commu- 
nity life  is  dynamic,  changing,  a 
mixture  of  the  old  and  the  new.  The 
barriers  of  isolation  are  crumbling, 
permitting  easy  movement  to  urban- 
industrial  centers.  The  National 
Council  of  Churches  noted  this 
trend  in  their  urgent  statement  on 
church  extension: 

“We  firmly  believe  that  the  ne- 
cessity for  strengthening  and  ex- 
panding the  work  of  the  church 
was  never  more  pressing  than  it  is 
today  and  that  the  opportunity  for 
accomplishing  this  was  never  great- 
er. The  necessity  reveals  itself  in 
the  continued  and  increased  mobil- 
ity of  our  population.  Illustrative  is 
the  sheer  immensity  of  the  task  of 
keeping  an  up-to-date  membership 
list  and  all  members  actively  relat- 
ed to  the  church  when  more  than 
half  of  them  change  their  place  of 
residence  each  decade.” 

A current  tabulation  of  General 
Conference  Mennonite  membership 
receiving  The  Mennonite  points  to 
a significant  number  of  families 
residing  outside  of  Mennonite  com- 
munities. A spot  check  of  the  sig- 
nificance of  the  tabulation  was 
made,  using  Kansas  cities  as  a test 
case. 

The  tabulation  attempted  to  find 
out  the  number  of  nonresident  mem- 
bers in  various  localities  where 
there  is  a concentration  of  two  or 
more  mailings  of  The  Mennonite 
and  to  determine  the  over-all  Con- 


*Graduate student,  Univ.  of  Chicago 


ference  membership  in  this  cate- 
gory. 

Nonresident  membership  mailings, 
thus  defined,  were  1,780,  represent- 
ing approximately  44,500  members 
or  12%  of  our  Conference  member- 
ship. No  attempt  has  been  made  to 
calculate  a margin  of  error  and  to 
account  for  such  a margin  in  the 
above  findings.  These  may  be  con- 
sidered as  displaced  Mennonites — 
migrants  to  urban-industrial  cen- 
ters. Of  the  projected  nonresistant 
mailings,  approximately  1,065  go  to 
cities  of  10,000  or  larger,  or  60% 
of  the  total  nonresident  member- 
ship. 

No  comparable  figure  is  avail- 
able for  past  years,  enabling  us  to 
determine  the  extent  and  accelera- 
tion of  this  migration.  In  all  prob- 
ability, the  majority  represents  first 
generation  migration.  Such  a study 
of  the  membership  is  fundamental 
in  the  interpretation  and  under- 
standing of  membership.  If  the  as- 
sumptions are  indicative,  28%  of 
the  current  generation  membership 
are  migrating,  with  an  approximate 
loss  of  21%  to  the  church  member- 
ship. 

In  the  light  of  Max  Weber’s  state- 
ment that  Christianity  in  every  era 
of  its  major  inner  and  outer  expan- 
sion has  been  urban,  the  situation 
is  disconcerting.  Where  industrial- 
ization has  developed,  there  appears 
to  be  arrested  development.  This 
may  be  illustrated  in  Illinois,  where 
progressing  institutional  instability, 
told  in  terms  of  the  rise  and  fall  of 
membership,  based  on  the  large  per- 


centage of  nonresident  membership, 
is  apparent.  If  the  nonresident  mem- 
bership reflects  loss  of  membership 
by  transfer  to  other  churches,  the 
possible  numerical  projection  is  a- 
larming.  The  need  of  ministering 
to  the  nonresident,  the  bulk  of 
whom  have  moved  to  industrial- 
urban  areas,  is  urgent  in  view  of 
the  rapid  course  of  migration. 

In  the  Kansas  City  study  pre- 
sented to  the  Western  District  in 
1954,  the  writer  estimated  that  over 
90%  represented  first-generation  mi- 
grants to  the  city.  The  rate  of  mi- 
gration acceleration  is  approximate- 
ly five  times  that  of  the  natural  in- 
crease per  100  members  in  the  Con- 
ference. Probably  this  trend  will 
accelerate  rather  than  abate. 

One  notes  the  great  emphasis  and 
concern  of  various  denominations 
for  the  growing  urban  population. 
Shall  the  General  Conference  Men- 
nonite Church  be  less  farsighted, 
less  precise  in  its  planning,  or  less 
effective  in  ministering  to  this  mi- 
grant membership  and  the  new  un- 
churched suburbia  in  which  many 
of  them  live? 

The  ministry  required  to  meet 
these  increased  demands,  necessi- 
tates not  only  co-operation  on  a lo- 
cal church  and  district  level  but 
organized  co-operation  across  con- 
ference lines,  representative  in  part 
of  the  wide  distribution  of  non- 
resident membership.  Action  cannot 
be  applied  by  churches  whose  rela- 
tions to  their  nonresident  member- 
ship is  still  more  incoherent  than 
is  their  internal  organization  for 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  *weeks  of  July  A and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church. 
Entered  at  North  Newton,  Kansas,  post  office  as  second  class  matter.  Acceptance  for  mailing  at  special  rate  of  postdge:  section  1 103,  Act 
of  Oct.  3,  1917.  Authorized  Jan.  22,  1910.  Subscriptions  $2.50;  foreign  $3.00.  Mail  subscriptions  and  payments  to  Mennonite  Publication 
Office,  North  Newton,  Kan.,  or  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan.  Address  manuscripts  for  publication  to  J.  N.  Smucker,  Editor,  THE  MENNONITE, 
Woodward  Place,  Goshen,  Ind.  Postmasters:  change  of  address  Form  3579  to  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan. 


100 


THE  MENNONITE 


ministering  to  them.  Responsibility 
for  definite  geographical  areas,  es- 
pecially urban-industrial  areas  at- 
tractive to  Mennonite  migration,  ob- 
viously necessitates  joint  measures 
by  co-operating  churches  and  Dis- 
tricts. This  requires  some  confer- 
ence or  inter-Mennonite  agency  to 
arrange  polity,  to  execute  measures, 
and  to  give  guidance  and  continu- 
ity. The  Church  of  the  Brethren 
has  set  a desirable  pattern  in  its 
ministry  to  the  nonresident  mem- 
bers. 

The  possibilities  of  church  exten- 
sion and  ministering  to  the  non- 
resident are  shown  in  figures  on 
several  states,  all  of  which  have 
significant  Mermonite  population. 
(Membership  figtu^s  given  are  tak- 
en from  the  1957^8  Conference 
Hemdbook.  I am  indebted  to  the  Na- 
tional Coimcil  of  Churches  for  sta- 
tistics on  non-Mennonite  member- 
ship in  these  states.) 

Illinois,  with  2,200  (General  Con- 
ference Mennonite s,  is  57.9% 
churched.  The  Negro  population  of 
nearly  700,000,  or  about  8%  of  the 
total  population,  has  a heavy  con- 
centration in  Cook  County,  where 
over  500,000  live.  Roman  Catholic 
membership  approximates  that  of 
protestant  membership.  Four  rural 
counties  are  more  than  70%  un- 
churched: Gallatin,  Hardin,  Pope, 
and  Pulaski.  Though  Conference 
membership  represents  only  .03  of 
1%  of  the  population,  opportunities 
for  church  extension  are  numerous. 
Approximately  15%  of  the  member- 
ship may  be  classified  as  nonresi- 
dent, with  the  largest  concentra- 
tion in  the  Chicago,  Evanston,  and 
Peoria  areas. 

Indiana,  with  2,260  Conference 
members,  is  distressingly  un- 
churched, with  the  situation  quite 
general  throughout  the  state  (56.4% 
or  2,218,935, ■ are  churched).  Confer- 
ence membership  represents  .05  of 
1%  of  the  churched  population.  The 
percentage  of  the  unchurched  well 
exceeds  our  membership  and  offers 
cause  for  meditation.  Nonresident 
membership  is  approximately  14% 
of  the  total  and  is  present  in  numer- 
ical strength  in  Decatur,  Indianapo- 
lis, and  Fort  Wa3me.  These  might 
well  become  nuclei  for  future  Con- 
ference church  extension. 

Kansas,  with  over  12,000  mem- 
bers, represents  a stronghold  of  the 


Conference,  and  in  one  county  (Mc- 
Pherson) the  predominant  church 
group.  Here,  too,  the  unchurched 
population  is  about  half  the  total 
population.  Three  counties:  Linn, 

Greeley,  and  Stanton,  are  less  than 
30%  churched  and  are  predominant- 
ly protestant  counties.  Twenty-one 
other  counties  are  less  than  40% 
churched.  Obviously  the  need  for 
church  extension  presents  itself  in 
surrounding  communities  and  coun- 
ties bordering  our  Mennonite 
churches. 

Nebraska,  with  1,700  members, 
represents  an  open  mission  field. 
Other  small  denominations  are  fre- 
quently represented,  such  as  As- 
semblies of  God,  the  7th  Day  Ad- 
ventists, Friends,  etc.  While  53.4% 
are  churched,  some  extremes  exist. 
For  example.  Banner  County  is  only 
5.9%  churched,  while  Platte  County 
is  87.9%  churched.  The  imchurched 
counties,  however,  are  rather 
sparsely  settled.  Brown  County  has 
the  largest  population  of  the  im- 
churched counties  with  more  than 
5,000,  of  which  4,000  are  unchurched. 
Can  the  need  be  greater?  Confer- 
ence membership  represents  .03  of 
1%  of  the  church  population.  The 
nonresident  membership  of  approxi- 
mately 16%  is  concentrated  in  per- 
ipheral towns  and  in  Omaha  and 
Lincoln.  These  cities  are  relatively 
unchurched  and  represent  a real 
opportunity. 

Minnesota  has  fewer  Conference 
members  (1,700),  and  may  well  be 
called  the  Lutherland  of  America. 
The  unchurched  picture  is  better, 
but  five  counties  have  60%  or  more 
unchurched.  A large  number  of 
nonresident  members  reside  in  the 
Twin  Cities;  this  is  indicative  of  a 
definite  need  for  church  extension. 

Ohio,  with  over  2,600  members, 
is  comparable  to  Indiana  as  to 
churched  and  unchurched  popula- 
tion. Conference  membership  is  in 
about  the  same  proportion  to  the 
state  population.  The  usual  national 
pattern  of  Roman  Catholic  strength 
in  urban  areas  obtain  in  Youngs- 
town and  Cleveland.  Nonresident 
membership  is  high — approximately 
18%.  This  is  rather  scattered,  with 
groupings  about  Columbus,  Cleve- 
land, and  peripheral  towns  near 
Mennonite  communities. 

Pennsylvania,  with  over  4,0(X) 
members,  represents,  possibly,  the 


most  industrial-urban  influence  and 
environment.  Nonresident  member- 
ship is  over  18%  of  the  total.  Con- 
siderable difficulty  was  incurred  in 
attempting  to  define  nonresidency 
because  of  the  numerous  churches 
and  their  proximity  to  urban  areas. 
It  is  common  knowledge  that  there 
are  more  Mennonites  (of  all  branch- 
es) in  Pennsylvania  than  in  any 
other  state  in  America.  But  their 
numbers  are  especially  significant 
in  rural  areas  with  specialized 
farming.  The  state  is  53.9% 
churched.  Of  the  numerous  cities 
represented  in  the  nonresident 
study,  Bethlehem  had  the  largest 
number  of  nonresidents. 

South  Dakota,  with  over  2,500 
members,  is  one  of  the  more 
churched  states  in  the  Union.  Yet 
it  has  27,380  unchurched  people, 
41.6%  of  the  total  population.  Non- 
residency is  at  a minimum,  ap- 
proximating 6%.  This  is  bunched 
around  peripheral  towns,  and  Sioux 
Falls,  and  Huron. 


February  17,  1959 


101 


Peacemakers  in  the  Pacific 


Paul  Peachey* 

Dec.  6 two  travel  parties, 
V_/ bound  for  the  Philippines,  left 
Tokyo.  One  was  the  president  of  the 
Philippines,  Carlos  P.  Garcia,  ac- 
companied by  Mrs.  Garcia  and  their 
entourage,  returning  from  a six- 
day  state  visit  to  Japan.  The  other 
was  Reiji  Oyama,  a lone  young 
protestant  minister,  going  to  the 
Philippines  on  a six-month  goodwill 
and  evangelistic  tour.  Different  as 
the  circumstances  of  these  two  jour- 
neys were  outwardly,  they  both  had 
to  do  with  the  same  basic  prob- 
lem, the  legacy  of  bitterness  left 
by  cruel  Japanese  soldiers  in  their 
occupation  of  the  Philippines  dur- 
ing the  late  war. 

President  Garcia  came  to  Japan 
to  return  the  visit  made  by  a Japan- 
ese prime  minister,  Nobusuke  Ki- 
shi,  to  his  country  last  year.  Thus 
thirteen  years  after  the  end  of  the 
war  there  has  been  a full  exchange 
of  state  visitors.  Where  Kishi  was 
received  in  the  Philippines  with 
considerable  coolness,  coming  as  he 
did  as  the  symbol  of  the  former 
aggressor,  the  Japanese,  seeking 
reconciliation,  poured  the  full  pow- 
er of  gracious  Japanese  entertain- 
ment on  their  visitors.  The  results 
seemed  mutually  gratifying,  and  the 
departing  guests  left  with  promises 
of  aid  and  commitments  of  friend- 
ship. 

In  a nationwide  radio  and  TV 
hook-up.  President  Garcia  had  stat- 
ed upon  arrival  that  the  “bitterness 
of  former  years  is  being  washed 
away  by  compassion  and  forgive- 
ness. . . . Time,  the  great  healer,  has 
been  at  work.  . . . Rather  than  pro- 
longed recriminations,  the  present 
time  calls  for  sincere  determination 
and  redoubled  efforts  that  such  a 
holocaust  (the  late  war)  may  never, 
never  be  repeated.”  Later,  in  an  un- 
precedented address  to  the  Japanese 
Diet,  he  stated  at  one  point,  “It  is  a 
happy  coincidence  that  my  trip  is 
being  made  close  to  the  Christmas 
season,  which  in  my  country  and 
the  rest  of  Christendom  is  the  sea- 


*MCC Peace  representative,  Japan 


son  for  reconciliation,  for  forgiving 
and  forgetting.” 

The  departure  of  Reiji  Oyama 
was  accompanied  by  no  such  outer 
pomp  and  publicity,  though  consid- 
erable publicity  had  been  given  to 
his  mission  in  some  churches,  and 
some  hundreds  of  Christians  were 
pledged  to  support  him  in  prayer. 
Further,  at  a public  meeting  at- 
tended by  about  150  people  he  was 
commissioned  for  his  work  by  the 
laying  on  of  hands. 

Who  is  Reiji  Oyama  and  what  is 
his  mission?  A seventeen-year  old 
cadet  in  the  Japanese  army  at  the 
end  of  the  war,  Reiji  Oyama  be- 
longs to  the  generation  of  Japanese 
youth  who  were  once  devoted  fa- 
natically to  the  national  ideal,  only 
to  have  their  world  of  faith  come 
crashing  down  in  the  Japanese  de- 
feat. A year  later,  as  a freshman 
at  Waseda  University,  his  interest 
in  English  led  him  to  an  English 
Bible  class.  From  there  he  drifted 
one  night  into  an  evangelistic  meet- 
ing where,  despite  his  determina- 
tion to  the  contrary,  he  found  him- 
self coming  forward  to  accept 
Christ.  Soon  he  launched  evange- 
listic work  among  his  fellow  stu- 
dents, and  then,  following  gradua- 
tion, he  followed  the  call  into  the 
Christian  ministry  and  entered  Tok- 
yo Theological  Seminary.  A congre- 
gation grew  out  of  his  student  work. 

Meanwhile,  another  Japanese  min- 
ister named  Omori,  who  had  for- 
merly labored  in  China,  made  a 
visit  to  Formosa  and  returned  to 
Japan  with  a vision  to  send  ten 
Japanese  missionaries  to  that  is- 
land. With  a circle  of  interested 
friends  he  was  able  to  found,  in 
August,  1956,  the  Japan  Evangel- 
ical Overseas  Mission  (JEOM).  One 
of  the  men  whose  help  he  solicited 
was  Reiji  Oyama,  whom  he  invited 
to  pray  especially  for  someone  to 
go  also  to  the  Philippines.  Feeling 
himself  indispensable  in  his  own 
work,  Reiji  Oyama  did  not  realize 
that  he  would  be  called  upon  to  an- 
swer his  own  prayer,  but  this  is  the 


way  the  Holy  Spirit  worked. 

Brother  Oyama  goes  to  the  Phil- 
ippines on  a preaching  and  survey 
mission  of  five  or  six  months  dura- 
tion, on  which  he  will  be  accom- 
panied by  a native  evangelist.  Feel- 
ing against  the  Japanese  is  still 
strong  enough  that  organizational 
sponsorship  was  difficult  to  arrange, 
and  so  the  Filipino  evangelist  is 
assuming  the  responsibility  him- 
self. The  significance  of  this  ven- 
ture of  faith  was  pointed  out  by 
the  executive  secretary  of  the 
JEOM  (the  sending  group  from  the 
Japanese  end),  Tsyuoshi  Tadenu- 
ma,  when  he  said,  “For  one  of  us 
Japanese  to  go  to  the  Philippines 
is  almost  more  daring  than  for  an 
American  to  try  to  go  to  Red  China 
and  expect  to  do  missionary  work, 
because  of  the  intense  hatred  of 
the  Japanese  by  the  Filipinos.  Broth- 
er Oyama  is  even  aware  of  the  pos- 
sibilities of  losing  his  life  in  this 
venture  of  faith.” 

In  a chill  world  where  conflicts 
are  often  renewed  and  fronts  hard- 
ened, the  gestures  of  Garcia,  the 
president,  and  Oyama,  the  evange- 
list, are  both  heartening.  But  what 
a commentary  on  human  nature 
that  we  see  the  “sense”  and  the 
necessity  of  reconciliation  only  aft- 
er our  conflicts!  Furthermore,  why 
is  it  that  so  often  Christians  break 
out  in  words  and  deeds  of  reconcili- 
ation only  after  it  is  declared  to  be 
the  policy  by  political  leaders?  One 
has  only  to  think  of  the  rash  of 
church  pronouncements  on  desegre- 
gation since  the  Supreme  Court 
took  action.  Or,  on  the  other  hand, 
of  the  ready  acceptance  of  iron  cur- 
tains when  official  policy  says  they 
are  there.  Should  the  day  come 
when  war  would  be  “officially”  out- 
lawed, one  could  readily  anticipate 
the  flood  of  ecclesiastical  renuncia- 
tions of  war  that  would  follow.  To 
be  sure,  our  hands  are  often  tied. 
But  even  when  we  make  allowance 
for  this,  why  must  these  things  be 
so?  And  why  must  they  be  so  in  our 
own  petty  personal  or  community 
or  church  quarrels?  We  sometimes 
make  peace  when  we  have  to,  not 
before. 

We  salute  Reiji  Oyama  and  his 
Filipino  colleague  in  this  bold  act 
of  faith.  “May  their  tribe  increase!” 
Let  us  pray  for  them.  And  let  us 
pray  God  for  similcir  daring  in  oth- 
er sore  spots  where  only  reconcili- 
ation can  heal. 


102 


THE  MENNONITE 


II.  THE  WROXG  OF  EI^VY 


The  second  of  the  “seven  dead- 
ly sins”  as  listed  by  Gregory 
the  Great  nearly  1,500  years  ago,  is 
envy.  Envy  is  defined  as  that  dis- 
pleasure which  is  occasioned  by  ob- 
serving the  prosperity  and  advan- 
tages enjoyed  by  other  persons.  It 
is  sometimes  considered  to  be  ap- 
proximately the  same  as  jealousy. 

Envy  appeared  early  in  human 
history.  Cain  envied  the  prosperity 
of  his  brother  Abel  and  slew  him 
for  it.  The  jealousy  between  Sarah 
and  Hagar,  wives  of  Abraham, 
forced  their  husband  to  separate 
them.  Envy  and  jealousy  were  the 
themes  when  Joseph,  with  his  gran- 
diose dreams  and  big  plans  and 
favored  place  in  his  father’s  heart, 
aroused  his  brothers  against  him. 
But  this  sordid  story  of  a great 


flaw  in  human  character  does  not 
end  with  Biblical  characters — the 
pages  of  modern  newspapers  are 
peopled  with  individuals  just  like 
them,  and  the  lurid  stories  to  which 
envy  gives  birth  sell  many  a news- 
paper today. 

The  virulent  power  of  envy  and 


The  Seven  Deadly  Sins 


jealousy  is  suggested  by  the  fact 
that  the  single  biggest  threat  to  all 
the  material  and  spiritual  progress 
the  world  has  made  in  all  its  his- 
tory comes  from  the  rivalry  of  two 
political  ideologies,  which  may  e- 
rupt  at  any  time,  destroying  ene- 


mies and  destroying  us  as  well. 
Moreover,  envy  is  the  uncompro- 
mising foe  of  love,  and  it  makes 
miserable  the  person  who  gives  way 
to  it. 

Why  are  men  envious  of  one  an- 
other, glad  when  another  goes 
wrong,  or  depressed  at  another’s 
success?  The  explanation  is  to  be 
found  in  the  same  inordinate  self- 
love  which  also  fuels  pride. 

Clearly,  the  envious  life  is  not  the 
life  God  meant  His  people  to  live. 
In  the  abandonment  of  self  that 
comes  in  commitment  to  Christ,  in 
the  honest  love  for  one’s  fellow  men 
which  loss  of  one’s  own  fears  makes 
possible — by  these  can  envy  be  laid 
aside. 

— Robert  W.  Hartzler,  pastor  of 
Eighth  Street  Church,  Goshen,  Ind. 


Difficulties  in  our  Witnessing 


WHAT  provision  has  God  made 
for  reaching  the  whole  world 
with  the  gospel?  He  has  commis- 
sioned men!  Everyone  who  has  a 
personal  experience  with  Jesus 
Christ  has  been  commissioned  to 
participate  in  telling  the  gospel. 

God  calls  some  to  overseas  as- 
signments where  they  may  work 
with  other  Christians  in  an  organi- 
zation and  thus  are  challenged  if 
not  required  to  put  forth  honest 
day-by-day  service.  Those  who  re- 
main at  home  are  more  likely  to 
serve  on  an  individual  basis  and 
without  an  organization  or  fellow 
worker  to  guide  or  challenge  them. 

What  are  some  difficulties  in 
home  missionary  ministry  or  daily 
personal  witness?  First,  I believe, 
is  idolatry.  An  idol  is  that  which 
becomes  a God,  having  priority  in 
one’s  life.  Our  vocations  become  our 
gods.  Certainly  it  is  honorable  for 
us  to  study  to  improve  ourselves 
and  be  the  best  teacher,  foreman, 
doctor,  or  salesman  possible,  but 
this  must  never  be  at  the  expense 
of  fellowship  with  the  Lord.  Chris- 
tian vocation  is  a means  to  an  end 
and  never  an  end  in  itself.  Is  your 
vocation  aiding  or  hindering  your 
Christian  witness? 

Another  difficulty  is  busyness. 
Laziness  is  obviously  a sin,  but 
busyness  can  be  a sin  as  well.  Ac- 


tivities can  be  a blessing,  but  there 
is  real  danger  in  being  ruled  by 
activities  rather  than  by  the  spirit 
of  God  in  our  lives.  Have  we  had 
time  to  counsel  with  a weaker  broth- 
er in  Christ,  or  witness  to  a non- 
Christian  associate,  or  even  have 
daily  personal  fellowship  with  the 
Lord?  If  not,  we  have  been  too 
busy. 

There  are  two  kinds  of  activities 
in  which  we  get  involved.  One  is  a 
busy  vocation  or  business.  Family, 
devotional  life,  Christian  service, 
and  so  on,  are  neglected.  Both  home 
and  overseas  missionaries  have  this 
problem.  Real  planning  and  self- 
discipline  are  necessary  in  order  to 
organize  your  life  in  proper  per- 
spective. 

The  other  is  religious  activity.  We 
become  so  busy  doing  things  for 
the  Lord  that  we  neglect  our  fel- 
lowship with  the  Lord.  I believe  it 
is  a tool  of  satan  to  get  us  to  be- 
lieve that  running  with  the  throttle 
wide  open  is  a mark  of  spirituality. 
We  will  always  see  far  more  work 
to  do  than  we  can  possibly  accom- 


by  Harvey  A.  Driver 
executive  secretary 
Congo  Inland  Mission 


plish;  therefore  we  must  seek  spe- 
cial discernment  as  to  what  the 
Lord  wants  us  to  do. 

A third  difficulty  is  materialism, 
an  obsession  to  have  so  many 
things.  “If  anyone  loves  the  world, 
love  for  the  Father  is  not  in  him.” 
Worldliness  is  not  just  participa- 
tion in  certain  pastimes  and  amuse- 
ments that  some  church  leaders 
have  decided  are  sinful;  it  is  an  at- 
titude— a self-indulgent  attitude  of 
the  heart  and  mind  toward  material 
things  and  all  of  life’s  relationships. 
To  love  the  world  means  to  love 
material  things  for  themselves,  fail- 
ing to  realize  that  they  are  gifts  of 
God  to  be  used  to  honor  Him. 

I know  many  Christians  who  have 
honestly  intended  to  serve  in  their 
church,  or  do  personal  witnessing, 
or  support  missionaries,  but  they 
have  waited  until  their  business 
gets  going  or  their  debts  are  re- 
duced or  until  the  children  are  old- 
er, and  by  then  the  sin  of  material- 
ism has  such  a hold  on  them  that 
they  have  no  time  or  money  for 
the  Lord. 

If  you  are  encountering  these  dif- 
ficulties, there  is  hope  for  you;  for 
there  is  no  problem  beyond  yielded- 
ness  to  the  Lordship  of  Christ.  Let 
us  make  a total  commitment  of 
life  and  possessions  to  Him  and  live 
in  daily  fellowship  with  Him. 


February  17,  1959 


103 


Mennonite  men 

Stewardship  and 
the  Minister’s  Salary 


During  the  last  generation  or 
two,  most  of  our  Conference 
churches  have  changed  from  an  un- 
paid to  a paid  ministry.  This  has 
brought  about  many  changes  in  cus- 
toms and  traditions.  One  has  been 
the  concept  of  a more  or  less  closed 
community  church  to  a more  open 
service-  and  mission-minded  church, 
from  a part-time  ministry  to  a more 
full-time  ministry;  from  a lay  min- 
istry to  a trained  ministry.  With 
this  change  in  ministry,  the  average 
lay  member  has  been  led  to  a fuller 
concept  of  Biblical  stewardship,  and 
undoubtedly  most  of  our  member- 
ship accept  the  fact  that  man  is 
meant  to  be  a steward  of  time,  tal- 
ent, property,  and  other  material 
gifts  that  God  endows. 

Most  church  members,  however, 
stm  fall  short  of  both  a true  con- 
cept and  workable  practical  appli- 
cation of  Biblical  stewardship,  and 
especially  in  ministerial  support.  We 
readily  accept  the  fact  that  the  min- 
ister is  a called  servant  of  God  and 
expect  him  to  serve  us  whenever  we 
have  need  of  him,  both  in  joyous 
and  sorrowful  occasions,  but  some- 
how we  cannot  accept  our  full  re- 
sponsibility toward  his  financial 
support. 

In  a recent  survey,  a Conference 
committee  established  some  start- 
ling and  informative  facts.  The 
questionnaire  in  this  survey  was 
sent  to  all  ministers  of  the  General 
Conference  Mennonite  Church,  and 
139  ministers  in  the  States  and  38 
ministers  in  Canada  responded.  This 
survey  indicates  that  39%  of  our 
churches  pay  their  minister  a sal- 
ary of  $2700  or  less  annually;  47% 
pay  a salary  of  $2700  to  $3600;  and 
only  14%  pay  a salary  of  more  than 
$3600.  The  highest  salary  was  $4800 
annually.  The  study,  which  was 
made  during  the  first  half  of  1958, 
indicated  that  25%  of  those  receiv- 
ing between  $3000  and  $3600  have 


outside  work,  and  that  a total  of  81 
of  the  139  reporting,  have  outside 
employment. 

It  can  be  pointed  out  that  many 
small  churches  find  it  difficult  to 
support  a full-time  minister,  but  on 
the  other  hand  many  congregations 
that  have  memberships  of  200  or 
more  members  are  paying  inade- 
quate salaries  to  their  minister.  This 
is  a sad  commentary  on  the  short- 
sightedness of  the  lay  membership. 
When  the  minister  is  paid  an  inade- 
quate salary,  he  is  forced  to  live  in 
economic  insecurity  or  seek  supple- 
mental emplo3Tnent.  A two-job  min- 
ister is  usually  overworked  and  can- 


About  the  Budget 

At  the  Winnipeg  conference 
held  in  Aug.,  1956,  Mennonite 
Men  adopted  a budget  of  $23,000.  Of 
this  figure  $17,000  was  designated 
for  the  Paraguay  Road  Project  and 
$6000  for  Boys’  Work  and  the  gen- 
eral treasxary. 

At  the  time  the  executive  board 
of  Mennonite  Men  met  at  Newton, 
Kan.,  Dec.  1,  a total  of  only  $7660 
had  been  contributed.  Of  this  a- 
mount,  $5761  has  been  designated 
for  the  Paraguay  Roadway  and  the 
balance  for  Boys’  Work  and  the 
general  treasury.  Undoubtedly  some 
contributed  funds  for  the  Roadway 
Project  have  been  channeled  di- 
rectly to  MCC  or  perhaps  through 
the  conference  Board  of  Christian 
Service  and  therefore  are  not  re- 
fiected  in  the  above  figure. 

Budget  goal  for  triennium  Aug. 

O O 

O O 

irT  o' 

— 


not  minister  to  the  needs  of  his  con- 
gregation as  effectively  as  he  should. 
Neither  can  a minister  who  is  har- 
assed by  economic  insecurity  serve 
with  tranquility. 

As  we  look  at  the  problem  of  the 
minister’s  salary  from  the  stand- 
point of  stewardship,  it  probably 
can  be  said  that  there  is  a close  cor- 
relation between  a given  congrega- 
tion’s concept  of  stewardship  and 
the  salary  it  pays  its  minister.  It 
would  seem  that  devoted  and  re- 
sponsible men  should  look  at  the 
salary  of  the  minister  very  seriously 
and  realistically. 

In  this  modem  day  we  demand 
fuUy  treuned,  educated  ministers 
and  expect  them  to  serve  with  dig- 
nity and  understanding,  but  we  fail 
to  see  the  obligations  we  as  laymen 
have  to  them  in  many  ways.  It 
surely  behooves  Mennonite  Men  to 
face  this  matter  of  Christian  stew- 
ardship more  seriously,  emd  par- 
ticularly as  it  relates  to  the  salary 
of  the  minister. 

Is  your  church  supporting  your 
minister  with  a decent  living  sal- 
ary? 


A little  mental  arithmetic  quickly 
indicates  that  considerably  over  two 
years  have  passed  since  the  1956 
conference  and  less  than  one-third 
of  the  budget  goal  has  been  reached. 
If  this  goal  is  to  be  met  by  the  time 
the  Bluffton  conference  convenes, 
many  more  local  Mennonite  Men’s 
groups  will  need  to  be  at  work. 

The  last  word  from  Paraguay  has 
been  that  the  road  building  endeav- 
or has  progressed  rather  slowly  and 
with  difficulty  due  to  unfavorable 
working  conditions.  In  regard  to 
Boys’  Work,  the  committee,  which 
consists  of  Menno  Schrag,  Clinton 
Kaufman,  Ozzie  Goering,  and  Erwin 
Goering,  reports  good  interest.  At 
the  present  time  approximately 
twelve  churches  have  organized 
Boys  Clubs  with  an  enrollment  of 
about  500  boys. 


1,  1956— Aug.  1,  1959 


o o 

o o 

o 

o'  CO 

CN  CN 


O 

O 

ifT 


Editor:  Richard  F.  Graber,  AAoundridge,  Kan,  Dec.  31,  1958 — $7,370 


104 


THE  MENNONITE 


What's  the  difference? 


Mennonite  youth 


Thermometers  and  Thermostats 


Around  most  of  our  homes  we 
could  find  some  sort  of  ther- 
mometer, recording  the  temperature 
of  its  surroundings.  If  it  gets  colder 
the  mercury  drops;  if  it  becomes 
very  warm,  the  mercury  rises  to  a 
great  height.  A thermometer  is  con- 
* tinually  on  the  move,  fluctuating  up 
and  down,  acting  as  a mirror  of  its 
environment  and  what  goes  on  in  it. 

In  some  homes,  factories,  and 
other  institutions,  the  heating  sys- 
tem is  connected  with  another  de- 
^ vice  called  a thermostat.  The  func- 
tion of  the  thermostat  is  entirely 
different  from  that  of  a thermom- 
eter. The  work  of  the  thermostat 
is  to  change,  to  alter,  to  rectify  a 
condition  within  its  environment — 
to  change  conditions  in  such  a way 
that  they  will  come  up  to  a certain 
stcindard  which  has  been  previously 
set  on  the  device  by  someone.  A 
thermostat  does  not  adjust  or  re- 
adjust itself;  it  tries  to  change  its 
environment  to  conform  to  its 
standard. 

Paul  says  in  Rom.  12:2,  “Do  not 
be  conformed  to  this  world  but  be 
transformed  by  the  renewal  of  your 
mind.”  Whether  we  realize  it  or  not, 
all  people  are  serving  in  the  capac- 
ity of  either  a thermometer  or  a 
thermostat. 

Most  people  serve  as  human  ther- 
mometers. They  clearly  reflect  the 
environment  in  which  they  live.  In 
fact,  they  serve  as  looking  glasses 
for  anyone  who  wants  to  know 
what  the  environment  is  like.  Even 
many  Christian  young  people  are 
still  a reflection  of  their  environ- 
ment. If  their  surroundings  change, 
then  they  will  also  change.  A ther- 
' mometer  functions  on  the  basis  of 
the  majority  effect.  It  does  not  re- 
cord the  temperature  at  the  floor 
level;  neither  does  it  record  the 
temperature  at  the  ceiling.  Instead, 


it  reveals  the  average  or  majority 
effect  of  the  environment.  Young 
people  also  reflect  average  stand- 
ards, activities,  and  pursuits  within 
their  surroundings. 

If  the  fad  for  boys  is  ducktails, 
black  leather  jackets,  and  jack 
boots,  then  the  majority  will,  like 
a thermometer,  follow  suit.  If  it  is 
customary  for  high  school  students 
to  smoke,  then  the  human  ther- 
mometers also  light  up.  If  society 
flocks  to  the  theaters,  the  human 
thermometers  cannot  but  follow. 
Society,  the  gang,  the  environment, 
control  them  entirely.  If  we  as 
Christian  young  people  simply  con- 
form to  this  world,  then  we  are 
acting  as  human  thermometers. 
Then  we  have  chosen  to  have  so- 
ciety and  its  standards  (which  are 
constantly  changing)  dictate  to  us 
what  we  are  to  do. 

The  Bible  does  not  approve  of  a 
thermometer  personality.  God  says, 
“Come  out  from  them  and  be  sep- 
arate” and  “Do  not  be  conformed 
to  this  world  but  be  transformed.” 

That  is  precisely  why  Jesus  Christ 
came  into  this  world:  to  live,  teach, 
die,  and  rise  so  that  we  no  longer 
have  to  be  thermometers.  He  says, 
“Ye  must  be  bom  again.”  He  has 
come  to  transform  us.  Can  a Chris- 
tian serve  as  a thermometer?  Haird- 
ly!  Rather  we  are  called  by  God  to 
be  thermostats  in  this  world. 

Demiel  was  a thermostat.  Though 


by  John  H.  Neufeld 
president  of  the 
British  Columbia  TPU 
in  an  address  given  at 
recent  General  Meeting 
of  the  British  Columbia 
Mennonite  Youth  Organization 


he  lived  in  an  environment  of  roy- 
alty and  nobility,  he  did  not  go 
along  with  everything  that  was 
done.  Joseph  was  a thermostat.  He 
had  been  sold  into  the  land  of 
Egypt.  Apparently  some  members 
in  his  society  condoned  immorality. 
But  he  did  not  conform.  When  he 
was  tempted  by  Potiphar’s  wife  he 
said,  “How  . . . can  I do  this  great 
wickedness  and  sin  against  God?” 
We  also,  by  faith  in  Jesus  Christ, 
have  been  transformed  by  the  re- 
newal of  our  minds.  God  has  e- 
quipped  us  to  function  as  thermo- 
stats for  Him.  Instead  of  falling 
and  rising  like  the  mercury  in  a 
thermometer,  we  are  to  change,  to 
rectify  off-standard  conditions  in 
the  world.  The  standard  of  thermo- 
stat Christians  is  set  by  Jesus 
Christ.  His  standards  are  very  high 
—in  fact,  they  are  so  high  that 
society  as  such  will  never  attain 
them.  He  has  given  us  His  stemd- 
ards  in  His  Word.  After  we  have 
permitted  Christ  to  flU  our  lives 
with  His  standards,  by  the  working 
of  the  Spirit  and  the  Word,  then  we 
may  never  again  revert  to  a ther- 
mometer status. 

If  you  are  a thermostat,  you  will 
no  longer  reflect  society’s  methods, 
pursuits,  interests,  enjoyments,  or 
futilities.  Instead,  you  will  with  the 
help  of  God  be  able  to  change  the 
environment  in  which  you  live  and 
work  and  play. 

At  times  we  as  young  people  are 
dissatisfied  with  the  dominant  at- 
titudes even  within  our  own  church- 
es. Perhaps  we  notice  the  lack  of 
concern  on  the  part  of  some  church 
members  for  the  work  of  the  Lord. 
Are  we  going  to  reflect  that  atti- 
tude? We  cannot.  We  are  not  ther- 
mometers but  thermostats.  With 
God’s  help  and  guidance  we  can 
change  these  conditions  so  that  the 


4 


February  17,  1959 


105 


atmosphere  will  again  be  alive  with 
spiritual  fire. 

We  are  to  have  a positive,  chang- 
ing infiuence  rather  than  a negative 
one.  Then  you  and  I will,  as  Christ 
says,  be  a salt  and  light  in  the  earth. 
The  Apostle  says,  “This  is  your 
reasonable  service.”  In  other  words, 


What  It’s  Like  in 

by  Susan  Krahn* 

There  are  approximately  140  vol- 
unteers serving  in  twenty-two  MCC- 
sponsored  VS  projects  currently. 
Most  people  understand  and  appre- 
ciate what  motivates  these  Chris- 
tian young  people  to  enter  VS,  but 
few  know  much  about  the  physical 
environment  in  which  they  serve  or 
the  actual  duties  they  perform  from 
day  to  day. 

A group  of  Akron  MCC  members 
visited  four  VS  units  vnth  the  spe- 
cific purpose  of  seeing  volunteers  in 
action  and  becoming  better  ac- 
quainted with  the  institutions  in 
which  their  units  are  located.  This 
is  the  first  of  several  reports  that 
describe  what  they  found. 

OUR  FIRST  destination  was  Lau- 
rel, Maryland,  where  one  of  the 
units  of  the  Children’s  Center  of 
the  District  Training  School  is  lo- 
cated. The  Children’s  Center  is  an 
organization  which  is  responsible 
for  the  care,  treatment,  education, 
and  rehabilitation  of  the  mentally 
retarded  of  the  District  of  Colum- 
bia. It  operates  on  government 
funds. 

Driving  up  the  tree-lined  pathway 
to  the  administration  building,  we 
noted  with  pleasure  that  various 
other  buildings  belonging  to  the 
institution  were  scattered  here  and 
there  in  a wooded,  park-like  area, 
almost  like  a summer  camp. 

J.  Webster,  assistant  superintend- 
ent of  the  school,  welcomed  us  and 
proceeded  to  tell  us  something  about 
the  institution.  There  are  950  resi- 
dents at  Forest  Haven  (the  official 
name  of  the  school) ; completion  of 
the  current  construction  program 
will  enable  them  to  accommodate 
a total  of  1200.  The  chronological 
age  of  the  inmates  ranges  from 

*MCC  Information  Service,  Akron,  Pa. 


it  makes  sense  for  a Christian  to 
be  a thermostat.  It  does  not  make 
sense  for  a Christian  to  serve  as  a 
thermometer  when  he  himself  has 
been  changed  and  equipped  for  the 
work  of  a thermostat. 

May  we  be  challenged  by  the 
words  of  St.  Paul:  “Do  not  be  con- 


MCC Voluntary 


seven  months  to  seventy-seven 
years,  some  individuals  actually 
spending  a lifetime  at  the  institu- 
tion. The  range  in  IQ  is  from  70 
downward. 

We  learned  that  one  out  of  every 
forty-four  children  is  bom  retard- 
ed; one-fifth  of  those  retarded  are 
institutionalized.  Most  cases  admit- 
ted at  Forest  Haven  are  brought  in 
by  the  Department  of  Welfare.  Pa- 
rental interest  in  the  children  and  a 
sense  of  responsibility  for  them 
are  usually  lacking,  which  means 
that  the  institution  must  also  meet 
their  need  for  affection  and  secu- 
rity. 

At  the  school  the  children  are 
divided  into  four  major  categories: 
educable,  trainable,  chronic  custo- 
dial, and  infirmary.  Mr.  Webster 
pointed  out  that  the  important 
thing  in  helping  these  children  is 
to  treat  them  as  if  they  are  normal. 
They  need  to  be  loved,  taught,  and 
disciplined  like  any  others,  al- 
though this  demands  infinite  pa- 
tience. 

He  spoke  very  highly  of  his  dedi- 
cated, co-operative  staff  and  the 
contribution  our  VSers  are  making. 
In  fact,  when  told  that  several  new 
volunteers  were  on  the  way,  he  was 
in  somewhat  of  a dilemma  as  to 
where  to  place  them.  It  seemed  the 
various  department  heads  were  all 
requesting  Mennonite  workers  and 
he  wasn’t  getting  enough  to  go 
round. 

This  was  gratifying  information, 
but  now  we  were  eager  to  see  some 
of  them  on  the  job.  We  were  taken 
to  the  nursery,  where  we  were  in- 
troduced to  the  head  of  the  nursery 
floor,  Mrs.  R.  Collins,  a woman  with 
a very  positive  attitude  to  her  work. 
She  summoned  VSer  Lorene  Cob- 
lentz,  who  together  with  her  hus- 


formed  to  this  world  but  be  trans- 
formed.” Let  us  then  be  thermostat 
Christians  who  are  fulfilling  God’s 
purposes  in  our  own  lives,  in  our 
churches,  in  our  youth  fellowships, 
and  as  well  as  in  the  world  about 
us — a world  longing  to  see  God’s 
standards  in  God’s  people. 


Service 


band  is  serving  a two-year  term  at 
this  institution.-  Lorene  conducted 
us  through  the  scrupulously  clean, 
well-heated  rooms,  picked  up  a child 
here  and  there  along  the  way,  and 
explained  that  her  work  was  wash- 
ing, dressing,  feeding,  and  playing 
with  these  youngsters.  The  moment 
we  paused  anywhere  the  children 
would  crowd  around,  grasping  at 
buttons  and  handbags,  their  vacant 
expressions  and  empty  smiles  a- 
rousing  a mixture  of  pity  and  dis- 
tress in  their  visitors.  'The  acrid 
smell  of  toilet  odors  and  disinfect- 
ant pervaded  the  rooms,  but  our 
cheerful  guide  seemed  oblivious  to 
all  unpleasantness  as  she  led  us  on, 
stopping  only  to  say  a friendly  word 
or  pat  some  youngster  on  the  back 
as  we  passed  by. 

She  conducted  us  to  a classroom 
where  VSer  Elaine  Landes  was  in 
charge  of  a music  class.  The  lesson 
was  on  rhythm,  a record  player 
providing  suitable  music.  Elaine 
told  us  that  there  might  be  as  many 
as  ten  or  twelve  children  in  one 
class,  but  a great  deal  of  emphasis 
is  placed  on  individual  work  as  well. 
The  children  are  capable  of  learn- 
ing, though  it  may  be  a discourag- 
ingly  slow  process. 

Though  there  was  no  time  left  to 
visit  the  other  unit  members,  we 
had  seen  enough  to  be  profoundly 
impressed.  Hundreds  of  unfortunate 
persons  have  been  granted  asy- 
lum in  this  government  institution 
and  are  being  given  compassionate 
care.  Inevitably  the  question  arises: 
why  is  not  the  church  blazing  the 
trail  in  ministering  to  the  needs  of 
these  afflicted,  often  unloved  and 
rejected  individuals?  Several  Men- 
nonite young  people  are  pointing 
the  way,  as  they  perform  their  la- 
bor of  love  in  the  name  of  Christ. 


106 


THE  MENNONITE 


Pax:  Great  Life^^ 

Jim  Juhnke  of  Lehigh,  Kan., 
thinks  Pax  is  “a  great  life.”  Sta- 
tioned at  Frankfurt,  Germany,  he 
is  secretary  to  Ray  Kauffman,  the 
director  of  European  Pax  Services. 
His  duties  include  preparing  and 
mailing  correspondence,  working 
out  sailing  arrangements  for  the 
twenty-nine  Paxmen  who  will  be 
terminating  their  service  this  sum- 
mer, and  helping  to  take  charge  of 
the  office  in  the  absence  of  the  di- 
rector. Paxmen  in  Europe  are  be- 
ginning to  look  forward  to  and  pre- 
pare for  the  Pax  Peace  Conference 
to  be  held  in  March  at  Leopoldstein, 
an  old  castle  in  the  Austrian  Alps, 
at  which  the  speakers  will  be 
French  pacifist  Andre  Trocme  and 
MCC  workers  including  Peter  Dyck 
and  Erwin  Goering. 

Jim  appreciates  getting  to  know 
German  family  life  and  spent  the 


Christmas  vacation  with  the  pastor 
and  his  family  at  Weierhof.  Among 
other  things,  he  got  better  acquaint- 
ed with  the  German  language,  a 
“must”  for  all  Paxmen  in  Germany. 

Paxmen  are  concerned  about  the 
Berlin  crisis  and  they  feel  that  the 
type  of  witness  the  Pax  program 
can  make  is  badly  needed.  Whether 
it  be  houses  for  refugees,  better 
methods  for  the  Greek  farmer,  or 
maintenance  work  in  a children’s 
home,  Paxmen  are  doing  a signifi- 
cant work  in  volunteering  their 
help. 

More  subtle  but  nonetheless 
real  is  the  spiritual  need  being  met 
by  Paxmen.  To  the  European  Men- 
nonite  pastor,  the  German  govern- 
ment official  who  visits  the  project, 
or  the  despondent  refugee,  the  Pax- 
man  is  living  an  example  of  a bet- 
ter way  of  life,  a way  of  sacrifice 
and  service  motivated  by  the  love 
of  Christ. 


Peace  Conference  at  the  U.  N. 


Calling  all  college  students: 

March  12  is  the  day  when  Menno- 
nite  students  from  all  across  the 
country  will  converge  on  New  York 
for  a three-day  peace  seminar  at 
the  United  Nations.  This  seminar  is 
the  tenth  annual  conference  of  the 
Intercollegiate  Peace  Fellowship,  an 
organization  of  peace  clubs  in  nine 
Mennonite  and  affiliated  colleges. 

IPF’s  purpose  is  to  provide  stim- 
ulation and  cross-fertilization  of 
ideas  between  Mennonite  college 
peace  groups  and  to  promote  a pos- 


itive peace  witness  to  non-Menno- 
nite  groups. 

The  purpose  of  the  coming  sem- 
inar is  to  give  a new  international 
dimension  and  solid  content  to  our 
thinking  and  peace  witness.  Includ- 
ed in  the  three-day  program  will 
be  a tour  of  the  United  Nations 
headquarters,  observations  of  ses- 
sions of  the  U.  N.,  talks  by  U.  N. 
personnel,  and  group  discussions. 
Particular  emphasis  will  be  given 
to  the  problems  and  implications 
of  world  disarmament  and  peaceful 


What  About  Atomic  Energy? 

NTERRUPTED  stream  of  con- 
sciousness: 

“Amazing,  isn’t  it!  That  students 
from  Mennonite  colleges  should 
choose  topics  like  world  disarma- 
ment and  atomic  energy  for  dis- 
cussion at  a peace  conference.  . . . 
Are  these  the  same  Mennonites  that 
have  been  living  noninvolvement 
for  the  last  who-knows-how-many 
years?  Are  we  breaking  with  tra- 
dition? . '.  . or  are  we  taking  a step 
toward  the  original  purpose  of  the 
Anabaptists,  the  purpose  of  wit- 
nessing through  conversation  . . . 
involvement  ? 

“I’m  wondering  if  I can  change 
in  myself  the  results  of  the  last 
fourteen  years  . . . years  of  orienta- 


tion to  the  fact  that  atomic  meant 
only  destruction,  chaos,  and  murder. 

. . . Can  I grasp  the  fact  that  a- 
tomic  energy  is  another  physical 
phenomenon,  bursting  with  poten- 
tial? . . . that  ^oe  have  pairts  to  play 
in  this  world?  . . . responsibility  to 
meet  it  on  the  highest  spiritual  and 
intellectual  level?  . . . Can  we  do 
this  and  still  run  away  from  any- 
thing that  has  political  overtones 
and  scientific  complications?  . . . 

“Who  was  it?  Dr.  Arthur  Walt- 
ner,  I think  (He’s  a Bethel  College 
grad,  now  teaching  nuclear  physics 
courses  at  North  Carolina  State 
College.)  . . . Reporting  on  the  Sec- 
ond International  Conference  on  the 
Peaceful  Uses  of  the  Atom,  held  at 


Pax:  Challenge^ ^ 

Pax  offers  a variety  of  experi- 
ences to  young  men.  Paul  Roth  of 
Carlock,  111.,  who  has  been  in  the 
Belgian  Congo  for  a year,  is  doing 
everything  from  accompanying  mis- 
sionaries testing  schools  to  build- 
ing a parsonage  and  remodeling  a 
church  with  a caved-in  roof. 

A challenge  is  always  before  the 
Paxer.  Paul  was  again  reminded  of 
this  when  he  visited  the  Sunday 
morning  worship  service  in  a dia- 
mond mining  camp.  After  the  serv- 
ice he  began  playing  with  one  of 
the  little  boys.  In  a few  minutes  he 
found  himself  surrounded  by  about 
fifty  others,  their  parents  in  the 
background.  He  felt  a little  like  a 
monkey  in  a cage,  but  realized  a- 
new  the  opportunity  for  the  Paxer 
in  every  situation  to  witness  to  the 
Africans  of  the  love  of  Christ  to 
all  men. 


uses  of  atomic  energy.  Arrange- 
ments for  the  seminar  are  being 
made  with  the  assistance  of  the 
Seminar  Co-ordinator  of  the  Qua- 
ker Program  at  the  United  Na- 
tions. Elmer  Neufeld,  Chicago,  111., 
is  serving  as  dean. 

All  interested  students  at  Men- 
nonite colleges  are  welcome.  Reser- 
vations and  travel  arrangements 
should  be  made  with  the  peace  club 
in  your  college.  If  attending  a non- 
Mennonite  school,  write  to  Melvin 
Schmidt,  Box  22,  N.  Newton,  Kan. 


Geneva,  Switzerland,  last  Septem- 
ber, he  said:  ‘The  participation  in 
a conference  of  this  magnitude  is 
indeed  a stimulating  experience.  It 
is  good  to  see  that  scientific  in- 
quiry can  draw  people  together  who 
are  of  such  diverse  cultural  and 
political  backgrounds.  It  is  good  to 
see  that  where  science  is  concerned 
there  are  no  iron  or  bamboo  cur- 
tains.’ 

“It  made  me  think.  ...  Do  we 
have  roles  of  Christian  witness  to 
play  in  this  drama?  . . .” 

— M.  T. 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsorecs 
by  the  Young  People's  Union  ot  the  Generali 
Conterence.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  3003 
Benhom  Avenue,  Elkhart,  Indiana. 


February  17,  1959 


107 


our  schools 

MOVE  TO  NEW  DORM 

An  event  of  historical  significance 
took  place  at  Canadian  Mennonite 
Bible  College  when  thirty-six  girls 
said  a final  farewell  to  “good  old 
146  Furby  dorm”  and  moved  into 
the  fine  new  student  residence  on 
the  campus.  I.  I.  Thiessen  chal- 
lenged the  students  to  dedicate  their 
individual  rooms  to  the  Lord. 

Quarters  for  married  students  are 
in  the  basement,  and  the  boys’  wing 
is  almost  completed.  A second  mov- 
ing day  will  possibly  take  place 
within  a week  or  so. 


An  invitation  to  Canadian  Menno- 
nite Bible  College  to  share  in  an 
evening  of  fellowship  and  fun  was 
extended  by  the  Mennonite  Breth- 
ren Bible  College  recently.  A'  one- 
act  drama  was  the  main  feature  of 
the  evening,  followed  by  “twenty 
questions,”  limch,  a testimony  meet- 
ing, and  a short  message  by  Harold 
Janz,  student  president  of  M.B.B.C. 

FORENSICS 

Bethel  College  students  taking 
part  in  the  annual  Kansas  State 
Teachers  College  (Pittsburg)  For- 
ensic Tournament  were  Melvin 
Goering,  Arlan  Kaufman,  Robert 
Shellenberger,  Robert  Rich,  Don 
Hofer,  Kenneth  Lohrentz,  Roy  Voth, 
and  Charles  Flowers.  Participating 
in  the  oratorical  division  of  the 
tournament  were  Charles  Flowers 
and  Robert  Rich.  Entered  in  ex- 
temporaneous speaking  were  Rob- 
ert Shellenberger  and  Melvin  Goer- 
ing. All  participated  in  debate.  The 
tournament  included  some  thirty- 
eight  colleges  and  universities. 


The  annual  Julius  and  Olga 
Stucky  Peace  Oratorical  Contest 
was  held  Feb.  16  in  the  college 
chapel.  The  winner  of  the  local  con- 
test is  eligible  to  participate  in  the 
state  peace  oratorical  contest  to  be 
held  March  7 at  Tabor  College, 
Hillsboro,  Kansas. 


Bluffton  College  took  part  in  the 
Purdue  Novice  Debate  Tournament 
Feb.  14.  Participating  were  thirty- 
nine  schools  from  Indiana,  Ken- 
tucky, Michigan,  Illinois,  Wisconsin, 
Ohio,  and  Washington,  D.C.  The  two 
affirmative  teams  were  Arthur  Lan- 
dis and  Marvin  Dirks,  and  Robert 


Hamman  and  Paul  Selman;  the  two 
negative  teams  were  Jim  Glenn  and 
Bernard  WindmiUer,  and  Martha 
Gratz  and  Robert  E.  Steiner. 

FJC  RECEIVES  GIFTS 

An  additional  $1,000  was  received 
by  Freeman  Junior  College  from 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Adolph  Preheim  for 
the  Preheim  Lecture  Fund,  initiated 
by  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Earl  Rose  in  1955. 
Interest  which  accrues  is  designated 
for  securing  well  qualified  speakers 
for  special  lectures  on  subjects  of 
general,  religious,  historical,  philo- 
sophical, and  scientific  interest, 
which  emphasize  spiritual  values 
without  sacrificing  scholarship. 

Another  gift  recently  received 
was  $100  from  the  Schowalter 
Foundation.  The  money  is  to  be 
used  for  the  support  of  peace  edu- 
cation. 

LOAN  FUNDS 

Bethel  College  has  been  allocated 
$2,476  by  the  U.  S.  Commissioner 
of  Education,  Lawrence  G.  Der- 
thick,  for  the  establishment  of  a 
National  Defense  Student  Loan  Pro- 
gram, according  to  an  announce- 
ment from  Pres.  D.  C.  Wedel.  These 
loan  funds  were  authorized  by  the 
National  Defense  Education  Act 
signed  by  the  President  last  Sept.  2. 
Altogether  federal  funds  totaling  $6 
million  were  allocated  to  1,227  col- 
leges and  universities  in  all  49 
states,  the  District  of  Columbia, 
Hawaii,  and  Puerto  Rico. 

Fifty  per  cent  of  each  student 
loan  would  be  cancelled  for  five 
years  of  full-time  teaching  in  a pub- 
lic elementary  or  secondary  school, 
at  the  rate  of  10  per  cent  for  each 
year  of  such  service. 

SERVICE  CQNFERENCE 

The  two-day  service  conference 
on  the  Freeman  campus  Jan.  27-28 
gave  students  and  other  young  peo- 
ple from  the  community  an  excel- 
lent opportunity  to  learn  more  a- 
bout  the  Christian  service  program 
of  both  the  General  Conference 
Mennonite  Church  and  the  Menno- 
nite Central  Committee.  Leo  Dried- 
ger  and  Merril  Raber  spent  the 
time  in  personal  consultation  with 
young  people  interested  in  short- 
and  long-term  Voluntary  Service, 
Pax,  and  1-W  service.  The  number 
of  those  who  indicated  definite  in- 
terest was  gratifying:  the  total 

response  was  better  than  in  any 
previous  year. 


PROF  CONDUCTS  CHOIR  FEST 

Professor  Russel  A.  Lantz  con- 
ducted the  aU-city  choir  festival  of 
the  Toledo  public  schools  on  Sun- 
day, Feb.  8.  An  orchestra  and  three 
hundred  singers  were  chosen  from 
five  Toledo  high  schools.  Professor 
Lantz  has  been  appointed  chairman 
of  the  Middle-West  District  of  the 
Ohio  Music  Teachers  Association,  a 
state-wide  organization  of  private 
teachers. 

ARTICLES  PRINTED 

In  a recent  issue  of  the  Menno- 
nite Quarterly  Review  two  profes- 
sors of  the  Associated  Mennonite 
Biblical  Seminaries  had  articles 
printed.  The  articles  were  “Baltha- 
sar Hubmair  and  the  Beginnings  of 
Swiss  Anabaptism”  by  John  Howard 
Yoder  and  “Pilgram  Marpeck's  Two 
Books  of  1531”  by  William  Klassen. 

NEW  SEMINARY  BUILDING 
OCCUPIED  AT  GOSHEN  COLLEGE 

Academic  and  administrative  ac- 
tivities officially  began  Jan.  26  as 
Goshen  College  students  and  faculty 
gathered  in  the  new  seminary  build- 
ing on  the  Goshen  College  campus 
for  the  opening  chapel  service,  con- 
ducted by  President  Paul  Mininger. 

Although  some  parts  of  the  inte- 
rior of  the  seminary  building  have 
not  yet  been  completed,  classrooms 
and  offices  are  entirely  complete, 
and  seminary  classes  are  meeting 
regularly.  Five  classrooms  and 
eleven  offices  fill  one  wing.  Across 
the  main  lobby  is  a large  library  and 
reading  room,  and  beyond  are  rooms 
for  the  Mennonite  Historical  Libra- 
ry, the  archieves  of  the  (old)  Menno- 
nite Church,  library  offices,  and  re- 
search facilities.  A small  chapel, 
seating  150  persons,  is  located  on 
the  south  edge  of  the  seminary 
building. 

mutual  aid  placement 

PERSONNEL  WANTED 

Housekeeper  — Rural  Mennonite 
family  in  South  Dakota  needs  house- 
keeper for  two  adults  beginning 
April  15.  Inquire:  Placement  Serv- 
ice, 722  Main,  Newton,  Kansas  (No. 
P 260). 

into  the  beyond 

Mrs.  Emma  Stoltz,  member  of  the 
Topeka  Mennonite  Church,  Topeka, 
Indiana,  was  born  December  1,  1875, 
and  passed  away  December  25,  1958. 


108 


THE  MENNONITE 


MCC  news  and  notes 

NEWS  FROM  INDONESIA 

Doctor  Returns 

Glenn  Hoffman,  M.D.  (Maytown, 
Pa.)  returned  to  the  U.  S.  after  al- 
most four  years  of  service  in  Indo- 
nesia. His  last  two  years  were  spent 
in  Halmahera,  an  isolated  outer  is- 
land with  a population  of  some 
100,000,  which  had  been  without  a 
doctor  for  seven  yeeirs.  He  reopened 
the  sixty-bed  hospital  in  the  town 
of  Tobelo,  which  serves  an  area  of 
more  than  50,000  persons.  Two 
nurses  and  three  agricultural  work- 
ers comprised  the  rest  of  the  unit. 

Commenting  on  the  impact  MCC 
workers  are  making  on  this  island. 
Dr.  Hoffman  said  the  group  has 
gained  the  wholehearted  respect  of 
the  local  people,  aimong  whom  dis- 
honesty prevails  even  within  the 
leadership  of  the  church. 

The  Church  of  Halmahera  was 
founded  by  Dutch  missionaries  in 
1866.  It  expanded  rapidly,  and  when 
Indonesian  independence  brought  a- 
bout  the  expulsion  of  the  mission- 
aries in  1950,  it  left  an  immature, 
leaderless  group  of  35,000  Christians 
to  fend  for  themselves.  Deplorable 
spiritual  apathy  set  in,  but  the 
group  of  MCC  workers  that  ar- 
rived in  early  1957  decided  it  was 
more  advisable  to  work  within  the 
framework  of  the  existing  church 
than  to  operate  independently. 

Dr.  Hoffman  emphasized  repeat- 
edly the  unique  opportunity  MCC 
faces  in  Halmahera.  Dutch  mission- 
aries cannot  return;  others  are  not 
acceptable  to  the  Church;  but  the 
doors  are  wide  open  to  MCC.  Its 
workers  can  be  a tremendous  Chris- 
tian witness  to  these  people  as  they 
perform  their  practical  services  in 
a spirit  of  dedication  and  commit- 
ment. 

On  the  island  of  Java  the  Men- 
nonite  church  is  growing  and  shows 
encouraging  increase.  Dr.  Hoffman 
reported. 

He  suggested  three  ways  in  which 
we  can  support  the  work  in  Indo- 
nesia: keep  on  supporting  the  Jav- 
anese and  Chinese  Christian  church- 
es; spread  Christian  witness  through 
medical  services  (There  is  a wide- 
open  field  medically.  Government 
jobs  are  available  for  foreign  doc- 
tors who  are  willing  to  serve  in  re- 
mote areas.  Transportation  and 
wages  in  U.  S.  funds  are  provid- 
ed.) ; support  the  literature  program. 


There  is  a great  dearth  of  (Christian 
reading  material. 

Evaluation  by  New  Worker 
Clarence  Rutt,  M.D.  (New  Hol- 
land, Pa.),  who  succeeded  Glenn 
Hoffman  as  director  of  the  medical 
program  on  the  island  of  Halma- 
hera writes:  “My  first  impressions 
of  the  MCC  efforts  at  Tobelo  are 
very  good.  It  is  clear  that  the  peo- 
ple of  the  town  and  community  have 
accepted  us  and  our  work.  I think  it 
highly  significant  that  our  efforts 
are  by  the  invitation  of  £ind  in  co- 
operation with  the  church.  . . .” 

Inter-Unit  Fellowship 
Christmas  found  representatives 
from  every  branch  of  the  MCC  pro- 
gram in  Indonesia  assembled  at 
Pakis  for  a day  of  pleasant  fellow- 
ship and  fruitful  sharing.  (Halma- 
hera-medical  and  agricultural;  Ti- 
mor-agricultural; Java:  Pakis-medi- 
cal,  Pati-educational,  Djakarta-liai- 
son).  Such  occasions  are  doubly 
meaningful  to  the  workers  because 
they  occur  so  infrequently. 

PAX  MEN  ASSIST  AT  SCHOOL 

GERMANY  — According  to  the 
Pax  Newsletter  a new  Pax  project 
was  launched  Feb.  2 at  Weierhof 
in  the  Palatinate,  Germany.  Three 
men  began  remodeling,  moving, 
landscaping,  and  construction  work 
at  the  private  Mennonite  boarding 
school  which  is  located  there. 

The  school  was  reopened  recently 
when  U.  S.  military  forces  which 
had  occupied  the  building  for  more 

jottings 

NEW  MINISTER  LICENSED 

First  Church,  Normal,  III.:  The 
young  people  of  our  church  had 
their  annual  holiday  banquet  Dec. 
30.  Guests  were  from  Danvers, 
Washington,  Flanagan,  and  Mead- 
ows. Kenneth  Imhoff  was  the  speak- 
er. The  annual  business  meeting 
was  held  Jan.  11  after  a basket  din- 
ner. Alvin  Mohr  was  re-elected 
chairman;  Aldine  Combs,  sec.;  Rob- 
ert Kaufman,  treas.;  and  Jake 
Reeser,  trustee.  Leon  Schmucker 
has  been  re-elected  S.  S.  supt.,  and 
Mrs.  Karl  Ernst,  primary  supt.  Jan. 
25,  the  Eldon  Rupp  Memorial  of 
altar  ware,  given  by  his  family,  was 
dedicated  at  our  church.  Eldon  was 
maintenance  director  at  Mennonite 
Hospital  for  thirty-five  years  and 
had  served  as  head  usher,  trustee, 
and  treasurer  of  our  church.  Dr. 


than  ten  years  were  withdrawn. 
Richard  Hertzler,  well  known  among 
German  Mennonites  for  the  active 
role  he  has  played  in  refugee  aid 
and  resettlement  programs,  has 
been  appointed  administrator  of  the 
school. 

The  men  are  commuting  from  En- 
kenbach  to  Weierhof  the  first  few 
weeks  (a  half  hour  drive).  Later 
they  will  take  up  residence  at  Weier- 
hof, and  the  unit  wiU  be  expanded 
to  eight  men.  Dave  Gingerich  (Chap- 
pel,  Neb.)  is  unit  leader. 

PERSONNEL 

Akron  — the  following  persons 
joined  headquarters  staff  in  Janu- 
ary: Dorcas  Myers  (Greencastle, 

Pa.),  assistant  in  housekeeping; 
Gertrude  Wiebe  (Altona,  Man.),  sec- 
retary in  Personnel  Office;  Paul 
Gross  (Freeman,  S.  D.),  assistant 
in  1-W  Office;  Jack  Neufeld  (Mor- 
den,  Man.),  director  of  MCC  Sum- 
mer Service  program. 

Haiti — Leo  Ulrich  (Roanoke,  111.), 
who  joined  the  VS  program  in  No- 
vember, 1958,  transferred  from  Na- 
tional Institutes  of  Health,  Md.,  to 
Haiti,  Jan.  24.  He  will  assist  in  ag- 
ricultural projects  at  the  mission- 
farm  co-operative  in  Petit-Goave. 

Indonesia  — Ruth  Hartzler,  R.N. 
(Goshen,  Ind.),  left  for  Java  via 
Europe,  sailing  from  New  York  Feb. 
To.  She  will  join  the  medical  unit 
at  Pakis,  nortdi  central  Java,  to  as- 
sist in  the  hospital  and  clinic  pro- 
gram. 


and  Mrs.  Merle  Schwartz,  who  are 
living  in  Normal  while  on  furlough, 
spoke  at  our  evening  service  Jan. 
25.  Bobby  and  Judy  Schwartz  were 
guest  speakers  at  the  young  peo- 
ple’s meeting  the  same  evening. 
The  Friendship  Circle  of  the  Men- 
nonite church  was  host  this  year  to 
the  annual  All-church  Fellowship 
supper  Jan.  27  at  the  N.  C.  H.  S. 
Cafeteria.  Dr.  Harold  Martin  of  the 
Second  Presbyterian  Church  in 
Bloomington,  who  recently  took  a 
world  tour,  spoke  and  showed  pic- 
tures on  “The  Church  in  a World  of 
Revolution.”  Jan.  18,  Ronald  Ropp, 
one  of  our  members  and  a ’58  grad- 
uate of  Bluffton  College,  was  li- 
censed as  a minister  in  an  impres- 
sive ceremony  here.  Ronald  is  cur- 
rently serving  as  assistant  to  the 
pastor  at  Bluffton,  Ohio. — Mrs.  Al- 
ma Galloway,  corr. 


February  17,  1959 


109 


EXCHANGE  STUDENT  SPEAKS 

JOHANNESTAL  CHURCH,  HILLSBORO, 

Kan.:  On  Christmas  Eve  the  Jr. 
Dept,  of  the  S.  S.  presented  a pro- 
gram and  brought  school  supplies 
for  a white  gift  service.  Pastor  and 
Mrs.  Lester  Hostetler,  Sugaxcreek, 
Ohio,  spent  Christmas  vacation  with 
their  children.  Pastor  and  Mrs.  Esko 
Loewen.  Brother  Hostetler  brought 
a message  on  Dec.  28.  At  the  annual 
business  meeting.  Pastor  Loewen 
was  asked  to  serve  another  three 
years  as  pastor.  The  Youth  Fellow- 
ship joined  the  young  people  of  the 
neighboring  churches  for  a Watch 
Night  party  and  services  at  the 
Suncrest  School.  Due  to  weather 
conditions,  church  services  were  not 
held  Jan.  4.  Grandpa  Jacob  Ewert, 
oldest  church  member,  observed  his 
89th  birthday  on  Jan.  4.  Prayer 
services  were  observed  Jan.  11,  14, 
and  16,  with  members  reading 
themes  and  leading  in  discussion. 
The  pastor  is  giving  catechetical 
instruction  to  four  young  people. 
Jan.  18,  Klaus  Sowa,  German  ex- 
change student  from  Wuppertal  at- 
tending Bethel,  was  guest  speaker 
at  the  Youth  Fellowship  meeting. — 
Mrs.  Wm.  Brandt,  corr. 

RECEIVE  GIFT 

Waters  Fellowship,  Copper  Cliff, 
Ont.:  Beginning  in  October,  Sun- 
day school  is  preceding  the  worship 
service.  We  were  happy  to  have  P. 
K.  Regier  here  to  show  pictures  of 
South  America  and  to  lead  us  in  a 
service  of  Holy  Communion  on  Nov. 
5 and  6.  Nov.  16,  Pastor  Buckworth 
of  the  local  Baptist  Church  and  our 
pastor  exchanged  pulpits  in  the  eve- 
ning. The  Ladies’  Fellowship  had 
their  Christmas  program  and  din- 
ner on  Dec.  15,  with  eighteen  ladies 
from  the  community  as  guests.  Dec. 
23  the  Young  People  had  a tobog- 
ganing and  caroling  party  togeth- 
er with  the  Baptist  Y.  P.  On  Dec.  21 
the  S.  S.  presented  its  Christmas 
program.  Earl  Meyers,  pastor  at 
Markstay,  Ont.  (OM),  presented  a 
fine  program  of  music  and  painting 
for  the  C.  E.  on  Dec.  28.  A watch 
night  service  was  held  to  see  the 
New  Year  in,  recreation  and  devo- 
tions preceding  the  midnight  hour. 
The  community  is  much  relieved  to 
see  an  end  to  the  INCO  strike,  a- 
greement  having  been  reached  with 
the  union  shortly  before  Christmas. 
Gratefully  received  by  the  Fellow- 
ship was  a gift  of  $1,000  from  the 
Ontario  Conference  of  United  Men- 
nonite  Churches.  A program  where- 
by Bibles  may  be  earned  was  in- 
stituted by  the  S.  S.,  children  receiv- 
ing them  if  certain  standards  of 
attendance  and  memorization  are 
met. — Corr. 


ANNUAL  ELECTIONS 

CONGERVILLE  CHURCH,  CONGERVILLE, 
III.:  Mr.  and  Mrs.  P.  W.  Oyer  ob- 
served their  fiftieth  wedding  anni- 
versary at  an  informal  reception 
held  Jan.  11  at  the  church.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Oyer  were  married  Jan.  5, 
1909,  in  the  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
J.  B.  Schertz  at  Eureka  by  Pastor 
Andrew  Schrock.  They  have  made 
their  home  in  Congerville  since 
1934.  Our  annual  business  meeting 
was  held  Jan.  18.  Among  those  e- 
lected  were  Ray  Engel,  chm.;  War- 
ren White,  sec.;  Richard  Daniel, 
treas.;  Delbert  Walter,  trustee;  An- 
gela Irons,  organist;  Kenneth  Cross, 
chorister;  Ann  Keidel,  deaconess. — 
Lucile  Miller,  corr. 

CHURCH  TO  BE  DEDICATED 

Burrton  Church,  Burrton,  Kan.: 
Elizabeth  Goertz,  former  mission- 
ary to  China,  spoke  at  our  annual 
Missionary  Festival  Nov.  23.  Other 
speakers  during  Nov.  and  Dec.  were 
Paul  Vogt,  Gideons  member;  Don 
Kaufman,  psychiatric  aide.  Prairie 
View  Hospital;  and  Harold  Regier, 
seminary  student.  At  our  baptism 
service  Jan.  11  (the  first  service 
held  in  our  new  sanctuary),  ten  new 
members  were  welcomed  into  our 
fellowship,  including  one  by  letter: 
Vernon  Neufeld  (letter),  Mrs.  Mar- 
lene Neufeld,  John  Gray,  Mrs.  De- 
loris  Gray,  Mrs.  Esther  Hook,  Ar- 
ils Hook,  Deloris  Nitengale,  Paula 
Ratzlaff,  Gary  Dick,  and  Dennis 
Dick.  The  annual  business  meeting 
was  held  Jan.  18.  Relief  canning 
took  place  Feb.  2 at  Hesston.  Our 
church  building  is  nearing  comple- 
tion. Walter  H.  Dyck,  Aberdeen, 
Idaho,  will  preach  the  dedication 
sermon  on  March  15. — Mrs.  Peter 
T.  Klassen,  corr. 

MITTEN  TREE 

First  Church  of  Christian,  Mound- 
ridge,  Kan.:  The  week  of  Nov.  30, 
J.  J.  Enz  of  Mennonite  Biblical 
Seminary  conducted  meetings.  Esko 
Loewen  spoke  on  “Social  Concerns 
of  the  General  Conference,”  to  the 
adult  study  group  Dec.  7.  Pastor 
Miller  has  chosen  for  the  main 
theme  of  our  Wed.  night  Bible 
study,  “The  Great  Men  of  God.” 
Dec.  21  the  adult  choir,  under  the 
direction  of  Harvey  Hiebert,  and 
Mrs.  Marvin  Goering,  organist,  pre- 
sented a Christmas  program.  An 
instrumental  group  of  high  school 
students  also  contributed  to  the  pro- 
gram. The  S.  S.  gave  a Christmas 
program  Dec.  24.  For  a Christmas 
mission  project,  the  elementary  S.  S. 
dept,  had  a mitten  tree,  with  72 
pairs  of  mittens. — Mrs.  Eli  Stucky, 
corr. 

AFTER-SERVICE  FELLOWSHIP 

WooDLAWN  Church,  Chicago,  III.: 
The  Woodlawn  Church  has  begun  a 


series  of  Wed.  evening  discussions 
on  “Studies  in  the  Christian  Faith 
and  the  Task  of  Church  Evange- 
lism” led  by  Pastors  Delton  Franz 
and  Vincent  Harding.  The  meetings, 
extending  to  Easter,  are  in  prepa- 
ration for  the  Chicago-wide  Evange- 
lism Campaign.  On  Christmas  Sun- 
day four  new  members  joined  the 
church;  by  transfer  of  membership, 
Mrs.  Rosalie  Bracey;  by  baptism, 
Mrs.  Pauline  Dobbs  and  Mrs.  Susie 
Robertson;  and  as  associate  mem- 
ber, Dr.  Mildred  Rosenberger.  Pas- 
tor Vincent  Harding  and  Iris  Rob- 
inson announced  their  engagement 
on  Christmas  Day.  A daughter,  Iris 
Renee,  was  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Elmer  Neufeld  on  Jan.  2.  On  Jan. 

4,  the  Women’s  Fellowship  was  in 
charge  of  a coffee  hour  after  the 
morning  worship  service.  Attend- 
ing were  visitors  from  the  commu- 
nity, students,  church  members; 
people  from  India,  Norway,  Ger- 
many, Formosa — people  of  every 
race  and  many  tongues  sharing  in 
fellowship  such  as  only  Christians 
can  know.  A coffee  hour  is  being 
planned  for  the  first  Sunday  of  each 
month  after  the  worship  service. 

On  Jan.  9 at  the  annual  business 
meeting,  Elmer  Neufeld  was  re- 
elected as  church  chairman,  and 
John  Bertsche  and  Mrs.  Rosalie 
Bracy  were  elected  as  deacon  and 
trustee  respectively.  The  high  school 

5.  S.  class,  'The  Conquerors,  par- 
ticipated in  the  morning  worship 
service  on  Youth  Sunday,  Jan.  25, 
giving  an  impressive  presentation 
of  the  pageant  Cross-Bearing.  They 
also  assisted  in  leading  worship, 
ushering,  taking  the  offering,  and 
serving  Communion.  A carload  of 
volunteers  went  to  Pekin,  Rl.,  Jan. 
27  to  help  with  MCC  meat  canning 
for  relief. — Mrs.  John  Bertsche,  corr. 

CHOIR  PROGRAM 

First  Church,  Paso  Robles,  Calif.: 
New  Year’s  Eve  the  young  people 
viewed  the  film  The  Crucifiocion.  The 
young  married  group  had  a progres- 
sive dinner  Jan.  3.  'The  annual  C.  E. 
business  meeting  was  held  Jan.  4. 
On  Jan.  25,  the  young  C.  E.  group 
held  a snow  trip  to  Yosemite  Na- 
tional Park.  We  are  enjoying  a new 
organ  which  the  church  has  pur- 
chased. We  had  the  Pacific  Bible 
Institute  Choir  from  Fresno  with 
us  Feb.  8. — Clara  Hirschler,  corr. 

GUEST  SPEAKERS 

Grace  Church,  Lansdale,  Pa.:  Uni- 
versal Bible  Sunday  was  observed 
Dec.  14.  Some  very  old  Bibles  were 
brought  for  display.  A Christmas 
cantata  was  given  by  the  Junior 
Choir  under  the  direction  of  Mrs. 
Alice  Seasholtz  the  evening  of  the 
same  Sunday.  The  cantata  was  also 
given  at  the  Home  for  the  Aged  at 


I 10 


THE  MENNONITE 


Frederick.  Dr.  B.  E.  Ewing,  Supt. 
of  the  Pa.  Temperance  League, 
spoke  Dec.  21.  In  the  evening  the 
S.  S.  presented  a Christmas  pro- 
gram. The  Bluffton  College  Gospel 
Team  brought  a message  in  word 
and  song  Dec.  28.  William  Chegwin 
spoke  in  the  evening.  Brother  Cheg- 
win holds  services  in  the  basement 
of  our  church  on  Sunday  mornings 
for  our  Spanish  speaking  friends. 
Stanley  Shenk  from  Souderton 
spoke  at  the  Watch  Night  Service 
on  New  Year’s  Eve.  Vernon  Neufeld, 
Princeton  Seminary  student,  brought 
the  message  Jan.  4,  and  Raymond 
Saxe,  professor  at  Philadelphia  Col- 
lege of  the  Bible,  brought  the  eve- 
ning message.  We  had  an  exchange 
of  pulpits  Jan.  11.  Howard  Habeg- 
ger  spoke  to  the  Bethany  and  Flat- 
land  congregations,  while  Wilmer 
Denlinger  brought  the  message  to 
our  congregation  and  had  charge  of 
Communion.  The  Men’s  Brother- 
hood held  a father  and  son  banquet 
Jan.  27.  Howard  Habegger,  supply 
pastor,  showed  missionary  travel 
pictures. — Ruth  P.  Am,  corr. 

BUSINESS  REPORTS 

Vineland  United  Church,  Vine- 
land,  Ont.:  The  annual  business 
meeting,  held  Jan.  24-25,  showed  a 
budget  of  over  $11,000  for  the  year 
1958.  The  church  has  a membership 
of  345;  64  persons  are  over  60  years 
of  age;  19  births  and  1 death  were 
reported.  S.  S.  supt.  John  N.  Har- 
der, reported  that  200  members  are 
enrolled  in  14  classrooms.  An  at- 
tempt will  be  made  to  accommodate 
a nursery  class  for  the  three-year- 
olds.  The  S.  S.  treasurer  reported  a 
total  income  of  $1,836.  H.  H.  Epp 
reported  on  the  Old  Folks’  Home, 
which  has  28  German-speaking  and 
17  English-speaking  guests. — Herta 
Fran  sen,  corr. 

MEN  REMODEL  CHURCH 

First  Church,  Madrid,  Neb.:  On 

Jan.  29  fire  destroyed  the  modern- 
ized dairy  bam  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Pete  Regier  Jr.  Pastor  eind  Mrs. 
B.  H.  Janzen  are  attending  the 
monthly  County  Ministerial  Meet- 
ings which  benefit  the  churches  in 
our  county.  After  the  Jan.  25  eve- 
ning services  we  had  a birthday 
social  and  gifts  for  our  pastor.  We 
are  meeting  in  the  church  basement 
while  the  laymen  and  our  pastor 
are  remodeling  the  church.  Cush- 
ioned ceiling  tile,  new  paint  for  the 
walls,  and  basement  steps  built  in- 
side have  been  completed.  Children 
of  grade-school  age  in  our  church 
had  a S.  S.  party  in  Jan.,  and  the 
Mission  Society  met  at  the  Refior 
home.  “Generosity”  was  our  study 
theme,  and  layettes  for  Africa  were 
cut. — Mrs.  Herman  Regier,  corr. 


conference  notes 

(continued  from  the  last  page) 

ANABAPTIST  RESEARCH 

A committee  known  as  Taeuferak- 
ten-Kommission  at  present  is  work- 
ing in  Heidelberg,  'Germany.  Its 
purpose  is  to  collect,  microfilm, 
copy,  and  secure  rare  Mennonite 
historical  documents  in  European 
countries  for  a permanent  record 
of  the  history  of  the  Mennonite 
church,  copies  to  be  kept  in  the  var- 
ious historical  libraries.  The  His- 
torical Committee  of  the  Board  of 
Education  and  Publication  of  the 
Conference  has  for  the  past  sev- 
eral years  made  annual  contribu- 
tions to  this  project,  and  Dr.  Cor- 
nelius Krahn  of  North  Newton, 
Kansas,  is  a member  of  this  com- 
mittee. 

CURRICULUM  TRANSLATED 

Walter  D.  Unrau,  manager  of 
Mennonite  Publication  Office,  re- 
ports that  the  German  translation 
of  several  quarters  of  primary  mate- 
rials of  the  new  Living  Faith  Grad- 
ed Series  are  at  the  press.  Several 
quarters  are  in  process  at  the  pub- 
lication office  and  wiU  be  ready  for 
the  printer  in  two  weeks.  Activity 
sheets  for  one  year  also  have  been 
received  from  the  translator,  Cor- 
nelia Lehn,  and  will  be  processed 
as  rapidly  as  possible. 

WRITERS’  CONFERENCE 

A writers’  conference  has  been 
scheduled  for  June  17-19  at  New- 
ton, Kan.,  by  the  Editorial  Com- 
mittee of  the  Board  of  Education 
and  Publication.  Plans  were  formu- 
lated by  a committee  composed  of 
D.  C.  Wedel,  Amelia  Mueller,  Wil- 
lard Claassen,  Walter  D.  Unrau,  and 
Maynard  SheUy.  Workshops  will 
feature  juvenile  fiction,  news  and 
publicity,  sermons,  poetry,  and  lec- 
tures in  Elements  of  Writing  and 
Interpretation  of  Curriculum.  More 
detailed  information  will  be  re- 
leased later. 

MISSIONARIES  IN  1958 

The  General  Conference  Menno- 
nite Church  in  1958  sent  twenty- 
eight  missionaries  and  Paxmen  to 
foreign  fields  and  to  American  In- 
dians. A folder  with  the  pictures  of 
these  workers,  giving  their  home 
and  field  address,  has  been  prepared 
by  the  Board  of  Missions.  The  folder 
also  lists  all  the  missionaries  now 
on  the  field.  A supply  will  be  sent 
to  each  congregation,  but  additional 
copies  may  be  obtained  from  the 


board  office  at  722  Main,  Newton, 
Kan. 

AGRICULTURAL  MISSIONS 

When  missionaries  see  the  spir- 
itual need  of  people  in  foreign  coun- 
tries they  begin  to  teach  and  evan- 
gelize; when  they  see  their  physical 
needs  they  provide  medical  care; 
and  when  they  see  their  material 
needs  they  try  to  improve  their  ag- 
riculture. Agriculture  is  the  most 
recent  emphasis  given  to  missions, 
and  it  is  a much  needed  emphasis. 

Arnold  Regier  of  Mountain  Lake, 
Minn.,  who  with  his  wife  and  chil- 
dren is  stationed  at  Mutena  with 
the  Congo  Inland  Mission,  reports 
on  various  aspects  of  agricultural 
missions:  “The  soil  here  at  Mutena 
and  southwest  of  here  has  good  ag- 
ricultural possibilities.  Banga,  Ny- 
anga,  and  Tshikapa  are  in  very 
sandy  soil,  as  is  Charlesville,  but 
the  latter  is  well  placed  for  trans- 
portation, and  the  forest  soil  a- 
round  Charlesville  has  a higher  or- 
ganic matter  content.  During  the 
last  month  a lot  of  cotton  has  been 
trucked  from  this  area  to  Tshikapa. 

“At  Charlesville  I saw  the  need 
for  fencing  around  school  gardens. 
Gardens  without  fences  do  not  teach 
the  boys  the  value  of  working  the 
ground  to  eat  and  live  better. 

“Mr.  (Elmer)  Dick  and  I have 
made  some  tentative  plans  on  a 
chicken  project.  We  think  we  should 
have  about  forty  or  fifty  hens  which 
would  give  us  enough  hatching 
eggs.  We  would  hatch  and  raise 
chicks  to  six  weeks,  vaccinate  them, 
and  sell  them  to  the  natives.  Eggs 
are  in  demand  here  at  Mutena.  Med- 
ical and  schoolboys  buy  so  many 
of  them  to  substitute  for  meat  that 
we  have  a hard  time  getting  enough 
for  ourselves. 

“At  present  I am  saving  rough 
lemon  seeds  which  I want  to  plant 
for  grafting  stock  for  oranges.  Al- 
though there  are  some  citrus  fruit 
trees  in  the  villages  they  could  have 
many  more. 

“As  far  as  future  agricultural 
work  is  concerned  here,  I would 
like  to  spend  much  of  my  time  with 
our  churches  and  schools  in  the 
villages,  working  in  the  gardens 
and  schools  in  the  daytime  and  help- 
ing Elmer  Dick  with  evangelistic 
work  in  the  evenings.” 

1 1 I 


February  17,  1959 


conference  notes 

LOOKING  TO 
GENERAL  CONFERENCE 

I am  eagerly  awaiting  the  time 
of  General  Conference  at  Bluffton, 
Ohio,  so  that  I might  receive  new 
inspiration  from  challenging  mes- 
sages of  Conference  leaders  and 
speakers  and  from  the  Christian 
fellowship  which  we  share  with 
each  other,  uniting  us  in  the  love 
and  work  of  Christ. 


I am  looking  forward  to  becom- 
ing more  familiar  with  the  work 
the  boards  of  our  Conference  are 
carrying  on  and  the  immense  scope 
of  work  entrusted  to  our  Confer- 
ence, especially  in  the  areas  of 
Missions  and  Christian  Service. 

With  real  anticipation  I am  look- 
ing forward  to  our  Conference  to 
make  new  acquaintances  and  renew 
old  friendships.  To  meet  the  re- 
turned and  outgoing  missionaries 
of  our  Conference  always  gives  me 
a renewed  appreciation  for  mis- 
sions and  the  spiritueil  needs  of  the 
world. 

I am  expecting  the  General  Con- 
ference to  be  a time  of  spiritual 
refreshment,  so  that  our  souls,  our 
congregations,  and  our  Conference 
might  be  strengthened  in  the  things 
of  the  Spirit.  May  the  Lord’s  bless- 
ing and  guidance  be  upon  our 
gathering  at  Bluffton. 

Robert  M.  Landis 
Zion  Hill,  Pa. 

FAITH  AND  LIFE  RADIO 

Faith  and  Life  radio  speakers  for 
the  first  two  weeks  of  February 
were  P.  A.  Wedel,  2-7,  and  members 
of  the  Tabor  Mennonite  Church, 
9-14.  Talks  the  last  two  weeks  of 
February  will  be  given  by  D.  C. 
Wedel,  16-21,  and  Elbert  Koontz, 
23-28. 

This  twice-daily.  Conference- 
sponsored  program  on  station  KJ- 
RG,  Newton,  Kan.,  is  a service  to 
the  community  in  which  its  central 


offices  are  located.  Waldo  Kauf- 
man is  the  director.  Congrega- 
tions, church  organizations,  and  in- 
dividuals may  send  contributions  to 
Faith  and  Life  Radio,  722  Main, 
Newton,  Kan. 

CHURCH  EXTENSION 

Church  Extension  Services,  Inc., 
a newly  organized  Conference  serv- 
ice is  proving  to  be  useful  to  con- 
gregations in  the  United  States  and 
Canada.  Recently  A.  J.  Richert, 
director,  and  other  executives  dis- 
cussed plans  with  Peter  Sawatzky, 
who  called  in  the  Newton  office  in 
the  interests  of  church  extension  in 
Canada,  and  particularly  in  Saska- 
toon, Sask.,  where  he  is  pastor  of 
the  Mayfair  Mennonite  Church. 

A pamphlet.  Introducing  Church 
Extension  Services,  Inc.,  which  ex- 
plains its  function,  also  includes 
a concise  listing  of  investment  pos- 
sibilities by  individuals.  Write  to 
Church  Extension  Services,  Inc.,  722 
Main,  Newton,  Kansas. 
MISSIONARIES  REPORT 

Colombia — From  the  Arthur  Kei- 
sers  comes  the  encouraging  mes- 
sage that  the  growth  of  churches  in 
Colombia,  although  not  startling,  is 
steady.  There  have  been  166  bap- 
tisms to  date. 

Vemelle  Yoder,  who  has  been 
teaching  in  Cachipay,  has  moved  to 
La  Mesa  and  will  teach  in  the  mis- 
sion school  there.  Teaching  and 
living  with  her  is  Berta  Correa,  a 
native  Colombian. 

Africa — At  Kandala  in  the  Bel- 
gian Congo  it  has  become  custom- 
ary to  have  weddings  during  the 
Christmas  vacation.  Peter  Falk 
reports  nine  Christian  weddings 
took  place  last  Christmas. 

India — Never  a dull  moment  in 
the  Sewa  Bhawan  Hospital  in 
Jagdeeshpur,  but  there  must  be 
many  a weary  one.  According  to 
missionary  nurse  Anne  Penner,  hos- 
pital doctor  Joe  Duerksen  spends 
twelve  hours  a day  and  more  trying 
to  see  each  of  the  110  inpatients, 
the  twenty  to  forty  outpatients,  do- 
ing diagnostic  procedures  by  X ray 
and  physical  examinations,  perform- 
ing minor  surgery  at  the  rate  of 
sixteen  cases  per  week,  and  major 
surgery  at  the  rate  of  fourteen.  Be- 
sides the  doctor  shortage,  there  is 
also  a nurse  shortage. 

Taiwan — The  church  in  Taipei  is 


taking  great  strides  in  self-support 
and  self-government,  according  to 
Hugh  and  Janet  Sprunger.  Although 
the  church  is  not  yet  organized,  an 
advisory  committee  has  been 
formed  to  assist  in  the  program  of 
the  church.  The  people  attending 
the  services  are  giving  freely. 

NEW  WCV  COMMITTEE 

The  Committee  on  Women  in 
Church  Vocations  confirmed  the  call 
of  Hedy  Sawadsky,  Vineland,  Ont., 
as  promotional  secretary  of  WCV 
at  a meeting  in  Newton,  Kan.,  Feb. 
6.  Hedy  is  a junior  at  Mennonite 
Biblical  Seminary,  Elkhart,  Ind.  She 
will  take  her  new  position  begin- 
ning June  1.  Marion  Keeney  Pre- 
heim  is  the  present  promotional 
secretary. 

One  of  the  main  items  of  discus- 
sion at  the  committee  meeting  was 
the  commissioning  for  members  of 
Women  in  Church  Vocations  who 
have  completed  their  training  and 
are  entering  service.  A commission- 
ing service  was  worked  out  by  the 
committee  and  will  be  presented  to 
the  Committee  on  the  Ministry  for 
final  approval. 

Other  points  of  business  were 
concerned  with  placement  for  wom- 
en church  workers,  promotional 
plans,  the  General  Conference  trien- 
nial, relationship  to  the  seminary, 
and  the  future  vision  of  the  pro- 
gram. 

The  committee  was  reorganized 
with  Marvin  Ewert  and  Mrs.  O’Ray 
Graber  re-elected  chairman  and 
secretary  respectively,  and  Mrs.  Rus- 
sell Mast  newly  chosen  cis  vice- 
chairman.  Others  present  at  the 
meeting  were  Margaret  Ens,  Marion 
Keeney  Preheim,  Hedy  Sawadsky, 
Elmer  Ediger,  Peter  Sawatzky,  and 
Wilfred  Unruh.  Members  of  the 
committee  not  present  were  Pauline 
Jahnke,  Margaret  Voght,  and  H.  N. 
Harder. 

TO  NEW  PASTORATE 

Kenneth  Shelly  has  accepted  a 
call  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Apos- 
tolic Mennonite  Church,  Trenton, 
Ohio,  beginning  April  1.  Brother 
Shelly,  who  is  a member  of  the 
Education  Committee  of  the  Cen- 
tral District,  has  served  the  Pu- 
laski Mennonite  Church,  Pulaski, 
Iowa,  since  1954. 

(continued  on  page  111) 


FEBRUARY  24,  1959 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
MAN  LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIST 


irist  entering  Jerusalem"  by  Tintoretto 


To  Thee,  before  Thy  passion, 
They  sang  their  hymns  of 
praise; 

To  Thee,  now  high  exalted. 
Our  melody  we  raise. 


CONFERENCE  SUNDAY,  MARCH  8 


in  this  issue 

COVER 

Photo  by  Three  Lions 

ARTICLES 

BETTER  THAN  MILITARY  CONSCRIPTION 


By  Esko  Loewen  115 

A CALL  TO  PRAISE,  PRAYER, 

AND  INTERCESSION  116 

ISLANDS  OF  HOPE  IN  A SEA  OF  DESPAIR 

By  Delton  Franz  119 

ANGER’S  ERROR 

By  Robert  Hartzler  120 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  114 

Mennonite  Youth 

TOK 

By  Birdie  Preheim  121 

LEADERSHIP  CLINIC 

By  Dianne  Waltner  122 

WANT  A MEMORY?  123 

OUR  SCHOOLS  124 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  125 

JOTTINGS  126 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  128 


of  things  to  come 

Feb.  22-Mar.  1 — Brotherhood  Week 
March  8 — Conference  Sunday 
March  17 — West.  Dist.  Women's  Meeting 
March  22 — Palm  Sunday 
March  29 — Easter 

April  23-26 — Central  Dist.  Conference, 
Goshen,  Ind. 

April  30-May  3 — Eastern  Dist.  Conf., 
Schwenksville,  Pa. 

May  7 — Ascension  Day 

May  10 — Festival  of  the  Christian  Home 

May  1 7 — Pentecost 

May  20 — Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary 
alumni  meeting. 

May  22 — Baccalaureate,  Mennonite  Bib- 
lical Seminary 

May  23 — Commencement,  Mennonite  Bib- 
lical Seminary 

June  10-14 — Pacific  District  Conference, 
Barlow,  Oregon 

June  18-21 — Northern  Dist.  Conf.,  Salem- 
Zion  Church  (North),  Freeman,  S.  D. 
Aug.  5-12 — Ministers'  and  Church  Work- 
ers' Retreat,  Camp  Friedenswald, 
Mich. 

Aug.  1 2-20 — General  Conference,  Bluff- 
ton,  Ohio 

Oct.  24-27 — West.  Dist.  Conference 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor,  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 

J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Asst.:  Esther  Groves. 
Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  8 

1 14 


editorials 

CONTRASTS  AT  THE  CROSS:  2.  CRUELTY  VERSUS  GEN- 
TLENESS What  cruelty  breaks  forth  at  the  cross ! The  mob 
is  mocking  Jesus  and  crying  out  for  His  death.  His  kindness 
and  helpfulness  to  all  in  need  seems  forgotten  as  the  crowd  is 
caught  up  in  a frenzy  of  cruelty  toward  a lone  individual. 

The  cruel  Jewish  leaders  were  bent  on  destrojdng  the  life 
that  was  an  open  rebuke  to  their  selfishness  and  greed.  How 
crude  and  cruel  their  method  of  trying  to  silence  the  One  who 
was  fearless  in  rebuking  wrong  wherever  it  was  found. 

The  hardened  Roman  soldiers  were  doing  what  they  were 
ordered  to  do.  To  them  it  was  a matter  of  grim  routine.  Their 
calloused  natures  could  inflict  the  most  horrible  cruelty,  perhaps 
without  a qualm. 

But  we  see  more  than  cruelty  around  the  cross;  we  see  sub- 
lime gentleness.  Christ’s  hands,  lacerated  with  sharp  nails,  had 
been  raised  in  blessings  upon  the  people.  His  feet,  so  cruelly 
pierced  with  spikes,  had  humbly  walked  where  there  was  need. 

Even  now  His  gentle  voice,  that  had  spoken  so  lovingly  of 
the  goodness  of  God,  speaks  kindly  to  His  mother.  His  earnest 
entreaty  to  His  friend  John  to  care  for  His  mother  would  long 
be  cherished.  His  kindness  toward  His  enemies  seemed  impos- 
sible. His  tender  words  to  the  thief  will  never  be  forgotten. 

The  same  two  forces  we  see  at  the  cross  are  still  at  work  in 
the  world  today.  Cruelty  seems  like  an  unresistible  monster  as 
it  grinds  its  victims  to  death.  But  gentleness  has  God  on  its  side 
and  is  by  far  the  stronger  of  the  two. 

OBSETTVING  conference  SUNDAY  In  the  pages  of 
this  issue  you  'will  find  interesting  and  helpful  suggestions  to 
make  Conference  Sunday  (March  8)  a time  when  the  minds 
and  hearts  and  resources  of  our  people  are  united  in  the  work 
of  the  Kingdom. 

Conference  Sunday  affords  an  opportunity  to  unite  our  minds 
around  the  great  work  that  is  being  carried  on  through  the 
various  boards  and  departments  of  the  entire  church.  Being 
properly  informed  is  of  great  importance — informed  on  what 
are  the  needs  of  the  world,  what  are  the  resources  of  the  church 
in  meeting  such  needs,  what  is  already  being  done,  and  what  is 
being  planned.  To  be  properly  informed  should  kindle  interest 
and  enthusiasm  for  further  work. 

Conference  Sunday  can  unite  our  hearts  in  a bond  of  Christian 
love  that  compels  us  to  move  forward  in  His  service.  An  aware- 
ness of  need  and  the  opportunities  before  us  should  unite  our 
hearts  in  the  spirit  of  our  Lord,  who  went  about  doing  good. 

Conference  Sunday  can  help  us  unite  our  resources,  both  spir- 
itual and  material,  for  the  great  tasks  about  us.  With  everyone 
helping  in  the  work  of  the  Kingdom,  much  can  be  accomplished. 

May  every  church  in  our  Conference  feel  anew  the  responsi- 
bilities and  opportunities  that  confront  us,  and  in  the  spirit  of 
prayer  and  the  unity  of  mind  and  heart  and  resources  may  we 
prove  ourselves  faithful  to  Him  who  has  never  broken  faith 
with  us. 


THE  MENNONITE 


A statement  of  position  to  the  United  States  House  of  Representatives 
Committee  on  Armed  Services  concerning  H.  R.  2260, 
a bill  to  extend  the  induction  authority  of  the  universal  military  training 
and  service  act,  and  for  other  purposes 

Better  Than  Military  Conscription 


Presented  to  this  committee  at  the 
public  hearing  January  30,  1959, 
Washington,  D.  C.,  on  behalf  of  the 
Mennonite  Central  Committee,  Ak- 
ron, Pennsylvania: 

I AM  Esko  Loewen,  pastor  of  the 
Johannestal  Mennonite  Church 
at  Hillsboro,  Kansas.  I appear  as 
representative  of  the  Mennonite 
Central  Committee,  speaking  for 
the  Mennonite  and  affiliated  church- 
es of  the  United  States.  We  have  re- 
quested this  opportunity  in  order 
to  express  to  you  our  deep  convic- 
tion that  the  existing  legislation 
authorizing  conscription  for  mili- 
tary service  should  be  terminated. 

In  submitting  this  statement  to- 
day I continue  the  witness  of  oth- 
ers, my  co-religionists,  who  in  past 
years  have  testified  before  this  Com- 
mittee. From  the  days  of  the  Refor- 
mation 439  years  ago  my  people 
have  sacrificed  their  homes,  their 
material  resources  and,  even,  their 
lives  in  a steadfast  witness  against 
militarism  and  violence.  They  have 
persistently  sought  other  means 
whereby  conflict  and  force  could  be 
met  constructively  by  love  and  rec- 
onciling suffering.  Their  testimony 
has  been  prompted  by  the  call  and 
gospel  of  Jesus  Christ. 

Beginning  in  1683  many  of  my 
people  found  here  the  liberty  which 
they  had  sought  in  vain  in  other 
lands.  In  their  behalf  I want  to 
express  our  gratitude  to  this  Com- 
mittee and  to  Congress  for  their 
recognition  of  religious  freedom  and 
their  desire  to  provide  adequately 


for  those  who  because  of  religious 
training  and  belief  cannot  take  up 
arms.  We  assume  that,  if  conscrip- 
tion is  continued,  the  present  provi- 
sion for  conscientious  objectors  will 
not  be  abridged. 

While  grateful  for  this  provision 
I come  before  this  Committee  with 
a grave  concern  and  a heavy  heart. 
For  I see  in  the  continuation  of  this 
present  legislation  the  gradual  ac- 
ceptance within  the  life  of  my  coun- 
try of  a principle — conscription  and 
militarism  — which  historically  has 
been  disastrous  to  every  great  na- 
tion that  has  followed  this  course. 
Particularly  in  this  age  of  world- 
wide change,  when  peoples  of  the 
world  seek  leadership  and  nations 
of  the  world  look  for  a guiding 
light,  to  see  my  own  country’s 
course  dictated  by  fear,  following 
the  half-truth  of  peace  by  power, 
gives  cause  for  grave  concern. 

Our  Lord  said,  “They  that  take 
the  sword  shall  perish  with  the 
sword.”  This  truth  remains  a vivid 
judgment.  Is  it  not  time  that  this 
nation  give  heed  to  this  and  launch 
forth  in  a bold  turn  to  new  ways 
and  means  of  using  her  resources? 

Our  church’s  world-wide  program 
of  relief  and  service,  motivated  by 
compassion  for  those  in  need,  has 
brought  us  to  find  hosts  of  people 
who  long  for  new  and  creative 
leadership,  a leadership  which 
would  move  them  and  us  away  from 
militarism  and  war.  Their  picture 
of  the  United  States  and  its  gigan- 
tic power  structure  causes  them  to 
question  the  motives  of  our  nation. 


They  abhor  Communism,  but  they 
also  seriously  question  our  good 
will. 

I believe  the  assumptions  under- 
lying the  proposed  legislation  are 
false  for  the  following  reasons: 

• Conscription  itself  contributes 
to  the  corrosion  of  those  liberties 
which  our  nation  desires  to  pre- 
serve. 

• Our  seeking  security  in  mili- 
tary strength  engenders  mistrust 
and  fear  among  those  whom  we 
would  win  and  preserve  as  friends. 

We  propose  instead  that  some  of 
the  vast  human  and  material  re- 
sources now  devoted  to  an  elusive 
military  security  be  turned  into 
constructive  projects  of  service  for 
the  benefit  of  all  men. 

There  are  two  choices  before  us: 
we  can  beat  our  plowshares  into 
swords  and  prepare  for  war,  or  we 
can  beat  our  swords  into  plow- 
shares and  prepare  for  peace.  Sure- 
ly the  members  of  this  most  power- 
ful legislative  body  in  the  world, 
the  United  States  Congress,  who 
personally  hold  to  our  constitution- 
al concepts  of  law  and  government, 
should  do  all  within  their  strength 
to  eliminate  these  dangers  of  mili- 
tarism and  warfare;  they  should 
seek  to  strengthen  our  spiritual 
powers  and  resources.  This  is  the 
true  strength  of  any  nation. 

Therefore,  we  appeal  that  you  do 
not  recommend  an  extension  of 
peace-time  conscription  nor  the  a- 
doption  of  any  form  of  universal 
military  training  or  service. 


February  24,  1959 


115 


Conference  Sunday,  March  8:  A Call  To 


Prayer,  Praise,  and 


Intereession 


We  praise  God  for  the  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  every  country,  leading 
leading  men  to  our  common  Father  through  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ. 

the  church  teaches,  seeks  to  transform,  and  baptizes,  it  is  continually 
renewed  and  strengthened. 


/'  vNE  HUNDRED  years  ago  con- 
secrated  leaders  within  the 
Mennonite  Church  felt  led  by  the 
Spirit  of  God  to  call  into  being  a 
fellowship  of  congregations  for  a 
specific  purpose.  This  union  was  to 
have  a five-fold  objective.  Briefiy 
stated,  these  objectives  were: 

To  ESTABLISH  MORE  FIRMLY  and  tO 
deepen  the  basic  Christian  faith. 

To  PERPETUATE  AND  MAKE  FRUITFUL 

great  principles  of  our  Mennonite 
heritage. 

To  PROVIDE  A WORKING  BASIS  for 
co-operation  in  serving  God’s  king- 
dom. 

To  PROVIDE  INCREASING  OPPORTUNI- 
TIES for  co-operation  in  the  work  of 
Christian  missions,  education,  liter- 
ature, relief,  hospitals,  deaconess 
work,  mutual  aid,  and  a service  of 
peace  and  love. 

To  PROMOTE  “the  UNITY  OF  THE 
Spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace,”  look- 
ing toward  a world  fellowship  of 
Mennonites,  active  and  united  in 
Christian  service. 

Having  reached  this  important 
landmark  in  our  history,  it  affords 
us  a vantage  point  to  gain  a clear 
perspective  of  what  God  has 
wrought  within  this  century  of  time. 
His  Spirit  has  been  active  in  and 
through  human  instruments  to  ac- 
complish His  purpose. 

Laying  aside  all  prejudice  and 
every  desire  for  personal  honor, 
what  better  time  than  this  to  sin- 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church. 
Entered  at  North  Newton,  Kansas,  post  office  as  secand  class  matter.  Acceptance  for  mailing  at  special  rate  of  postage:  section  1103,  Act 
of  Oct.  3,  1917.  Authorized  Jan.  22,  1910.  Subscriptions  $2.50;  foreign  $3.00.  Mail  subscriptions  and  payments  to  Mennonite  Publication 
Office,  North  Newton,  Kan.,  or  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan.  Address  manuscripts  for  publication  to  J.  N.  Smucker,  Editor,  THE  MENNONITE, 
Woodward  Place,  Goshen,  Ind.  Postmasters:  change  of  address  Form  3579  to  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan. 


116 


THE  MENNONITE 


cerely  and  honestly  search  our 
hearts  that  each  one  may  answer 
the  question  before  God  and  self: 
What  contribution  have  I made  and 
am  I making  today  to  attain  these 
five  objectives  in  Christian  effort 
and  service? 

This  is  a call  to  our  churches  to 
make  Sunday,  March  8,  a special 
day  of  prayer,  praise,  and  inter- 
cession. On  this  day  let  us  specially 
seek  the  unity  of  the  Spirit  in  the 
bond  of  peace.  In  unity  there  is 
strength,  and  in  the  knowledge  that 
246  other  churches  are  praying  for 
the  same  things,  are  thanking  God 
for  blessings  common  to  us  all,  and 
are  interceding  at  the  Throne  of 
Grace  for  the  same  worthy  causes 
for  which  we  labor  together.  A fel- 
lowship such  as  this  can  do  miracles. 

Observing  March  8 as  a special 
day  of  prayer  in  all  our  churches, 
let  us  unite  in  the  spirit  of  a true 
Christian  Brotherhood. 

Missions 

Let  Us  Pray: 

That  the  Voluntary  Service  and 
short-term  workers  among  the  In- 
dian Americans  really  confront 
young  people  with  the  claim  of 
Christ  on  their  lives. 

That  the  church  may  go  for- 
ward in  spite  of  political  unrest 
and  uncertain  conditions  in  the  Bel- 
gian Congo  and  other  parts  of  Af- 
rica. 

Let  Us  Praise  God: 

That  Huldah  Myers  joins  the 
group  of  missionaries  in  Cachipay, 
Colombia,  after  a brief  term  of  lan- 
guage study  in  Costa  Rica. 

That  Edilma  Guitterez  can  be- 
gin her  course  in  nurse’s  training 
after  having  taught  in  the  school 
at  Cachipay,  Colombia,  for  several 
years. 

That  Yamada  San  in  Japan  could 
be  ordained  as  a Christian  minister 
who  will  probably  serve  the  church 
in  Kobe. 

That  in  India  the  national 
CHURCH  will  assume  the  financial 
obligation  for  the  evangelistic  work 
in  our  mission  area  after  the  end 
of  1959. 

That  the  Woodlawn  Church  in 
Chicago  has  a vision  for  evange- 
listic outreach. 

Let  Us  Intercede: 

For  Paul  Boschman  in  Japan; 
Eldon  Claassen,  son  of  Curt  Claassen 
in  India;  Paul  Bergen,  son  of  Menno 
Bergen  in  Mexico;  and  Alice  Bach- 


ert,  Barranquilla,  Colombia,  all  of 
whom  need  physical  healing  to  be 
able  to  resume  their  ordinary  activ- 
ities. God  is  able. 

Christian  Service 

Let  Us  Pray: 

For  the  new  group  of  Pax  boys 
who  have  arrived  in  Vietnam  to  be- 
gin service  in  the  medical  and  re- 
lief program.  Later  they  may  assist 
in  the  construction  of  a new  lepro- 
sarium. 

That  the  emergency  situation 
resulting  from  the  terrible  problem 
of  chronic  poverty  and  starvation 
may  further  be  eased.  The  MCC 
hopes  to  recruit  Mennonite  young 
people  of  India  to  assist  in  the  re- 
lief program. 

That  4,000  orphans  can  be  fed 
with  1,600  loaves  of  bread  baked 
daily  with  surplus  flour  from  the 
United  States. 

For  the  good  response  to  an  ap- 
peal for  clothing  sent  to  Europe. 
Workers  in  the  field  inform  us  that 
they  can  use  all  the  good  and  new 
clothes  congregations  will  provide 
as  well  as  all  the  meat  which  is 
being  made  available  through  the 
meat  canning  projects  in  our  church- 
es. 

For  the  new  feeding  center  for 
200  Moslem  children  in  Beirut  and  a 
second  feeding  center  which  is  be- 
ing developed. 

For  the  greatly  improved  condi- 


ABOVE:  Part  of  our  demonstration 
of  love  and  witness  to  the  gospel  is 
the  concern  for  man’s  physical  wel- 
fare. Here  Dr.  Ronald  Brown  exam- 
ines a Formosan  child  in  a cast. 


BELOW:  Home  for  many  refugees 
in  crowded  Hong  Kong  is  a small 
boat  or  sampan.  But  even  here  the 
ministry  of  relief  can  reach  under- 
nourished, sick  people  with  material 
aid. 


Photo  courtesy  of  CARE 


February  24,  1959 


117 


General 


' Luoma  Photos 

The  teaching  'program  of  the  church  involves  supplying  Sunday  school  and 
vacation  Bible  school  materials  for  children  of  all  ages.  This  is  a tremen- 
dous task,  but  it  is  being  achieved  and  has  produced  some  fine  materials. 


TiONs  in  our  hospital  work  in  Cuauh- 
temoc, Mexico,  and  the  more  ef- 
fective health  program  that  can  be 
carried  out  as  the  result  of  a better 
hospital  service. 

For  the  twelve  Mission  Paxmen 
who  have  crossed  two  seas  to  be  of 
service  on  our  Mission  fields  of  For- 
mosa, India,  Africa,  and  Japan,  as 
well  as  the  twenty-three  General 
Conference  Paxmen  serving  in  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  world  under  the 
direction  of  the  MCC.  Also  we  praise 
God  for  the  eighteen  young  people 
in  long-term  Voluntary  Service  in 
the  States,  Mexico,  and  Canada. 

Education  and  Publication 

Let  Us  Pray: 

For  our  Bible  schools,  colleges, 
AND  SEMINARY  that  they  may  be 
used  of  God  in  the  preparation  of 
our  youth  for  effective  service  in 
the  many  and  varied  fields  which 
are  open  to  young  people. 

That  the  Lord  may  lay  His  hand 
on  young  men  and  call  them  into 
His  service  as  ministers  of  the  gos- 
pel. The  present  need  for  more  min- 
isters qualified  and  willing  to  give 
prayerful  consideration  to  a call 
from  churches  whose  pulpits  are 
vacant  is  a great  challenge  to  earn- 
est and  consecrated  young  men  in 
our  congregations. 

I That  the  recent  study  confer- 

j ENCE  on  evangelism  bear  fruit  so 
that  a wholesome  and  fervent  zeal 
' for  evangelistic  outreach  permeates 
our  churches,  that  many  be  brought 
to  the  knowledge  of  salvation  and 
be  won  to  Christ  and  His  service. 
Let  Us  Praise  God: 

For  the  printed  word,  by  which 
untold  showers  of  blessings  are 
poured  out  upon  our  homes  to  exert 
its  quiet  but  powerful  influence  on 
children,  youth,  and  adults  in  our 
Christian  homes. 


For  our  church  papers,  edited  and 
prepared  with  great  care  that  we 
may  be  informed  of  the  things  God 
has  wrought  in  the  far  outreaches 
of  missions,  relief.  Voluntary  Serv- 
ice, as  well  as  through  the  spiritual 
ministry  of  pastors  and  other  Chris- 
tian workers  in  our  congregations 
in  the  home  land. 

That  the  tremendous  work  of 
WRITING  and  publishing  graded 
materials  for  our  children  in  the 
Sunday  schools  is  going  forward  so 
that  it  is  already  available  for  the 
first  two  age  groups  and  more  is 
soon  to  follow. 

For  the  open  doors  and  unprece- 
dented opportunities  held  out  to 
our  young  people  for  consecrated 
service  reaching  around  the  world. 
At  no  other  time  in  history  have  so 
many  of  our  young  people  found  it 
possible  to  serve  in  numerous  coun- 
tries in  the  name  of  Christ  as  an 
outreach  of  an  arm  of  love  of  broth- 
erhood and  Christian  fellowship. 

A compositor  readies  type  for  print- 
ing a paper  'which  'will  be  read  in 
Mennonite  homes  across  the  coun- 
try. 


Photo  by  Ken  Hiebert 


Let  Us  Pray: 

For  the  sessions  of  the  General 
Conference  in  1959.  It  is  no  small 
thing  that  God  has  granted  us  100 
years  in  which  to  labor  in  His  vine- 
yard till  the  work  of  proclaiming 
the  Good  News  of  salvation  has  en- 
circled the  world.  From  a small  be- 
ginning the  program  of  our  Men- 
nonite church  has  grown  and  ex- 
panded under  the  guidance  and 
blessings  of  God  into  many  areas 
of  service.  New  doors  of  service 
and  opportunities  are  ever  opening 
if  we  are  but  ready  to  enter.  The 
urgent  and  troubled  times  of  our 
day  beckon  us  on  to  work  while  it  is 
day,  for  the  night  cometh  when  no 
man  can  work. 

For  the  Centennial  year,  that 
it  may  be  a time  of  penitent  heart- 
searching to  see  where  we  as  a 
church  have  failed  and  thus  receive 
new  visions  of  grounds  yet  to  be 
claimed,  so  that  the  kingdom  of 
this  world  can  truly  become  the 
kingdom  of  the  Lord  and  of  His 
Christ. 

Let  Us  Praise  God: 

I^HAT  WE  ARE  STILL  LIVING  IN  THE 
DAYS  OF  GRACE  and  that  we  can  still 
serve  God  according  to  the  free- 
dom of  our  conscience,  when  in 
many  lands  this  freedom  has  been 
lost. 

For  our  farflung  Christian  fel- 
lowship of  sister  churches  in  the 
States,  Cemada,  Mexico,  South 
America,  and  in  our  mission  lands. 

Let  Us  Intercede: 

For  each  other  that  we  may  lay 
aside  every  selfish  motive  which 
hinders  God  to  accomplish  His 
great  purpose  in  the  individual,  in 
the  church,  and  in  the  world. 

At  the  Throne  of  Grace  and 
seek  that  unity  of  the  spirit  which 
erases  all  boundaries  of  North  and 
South,  East  and  West,  so  that  the 
prayer  of  Jesus  may  be  answered: 
“that  they  may  aU  be  one.” 

For  ourselves  that  “this  mind 
be  in  us  which  was  also  in  Christ 
Jesus,”  for  only  thus  can  we  find 
the  will  of  God  for  our  lives. 

That  the  day  set  aside  as  Con- 
ference Sunday  be  truly  observed 
as  a day  of  prayer  by  all  our 
churches,  so  that  the  full  potential 
of  the  day  may  be  reached  and  may 
be  used  by  the  Spirit  of  God  to  the 
glory  of  His  name  and  the  salva- 
tion of  the  souls  of  man! 


118 


THE  MENNONITE 


Islands  of  Hope 
in  a Sea  of  Despair 


Delton  Franz* 

The  south  has  been  referred 
to  as  a “sea  of  despair”  in  re- 
cent years.  The  evils  of  segrega- 
tion have  made  the  Southland  a 
very  dismal  picture  in  the  eyes  of 
the  world.  Yet  it  must  be  recog- 
nized that  there  are  islands  of  hope 
in  this  sea  of  despair. 

SAVED  not  the  same  as  SAFE 

As  we  left  Montgomery,  Alabama, 
with  its  throbbing  sensitivity  to  a 
new  hope  for  the  Negro  people,  we 
journeyed  to  another  island  of  hope 
in  a sea  of  despair  in  Georgia. 
Koinonia  Farm  has  been  a quiet 
and  yet  unusual  testimony  to  the 
power  of  love  in  the  face  of  hos- 
tility. Here  families  have  been  liv- 
ing together  on  a large  farm,  work- 
ing and  improving  the  soil  as  peace 
loving,  law-abiding  citizens.  But 
they  were  more  than  peace  loving 
and  law-abiding.  They  were  Chris- 
tians! Not  only  in  word  and  speech, 
but  in  truth  and  deed.  Because  they 
were  committed  to  the  Christian 
faith,  their  farm  was  not  restrict- 
ed to  any  race.  As  long  as  people 
came  with  the  sincere  intention  of 
sharing  in  the  work  and  in  the 
Christian  purpK)ses  of  Koinonia, 
anyone  was  welcome. 

With  the  racist  tensions  mount- 
ing following  the  Supreme  Court 
decision  to  end  segregated  school- 
ing Koinonia  farm  families  became 
the  target  of  the  hatreds  and  vio- 
lence of  Macon  County  citizens. 
Their  roadside  markets  were 
bombed  and  burned.  Bullets  pene- 
trated their  buildings  and  narrowly 
missed  individuals.  Being  boycotted 
and  bombed  did  not,  however,  de- 
stroy this  Christian  fellowship 
(koinonia).  Our  twentieth  century 
churches  could  well  take  a lesson 
from  this  fellowship  of  Christians 
to  whom  the  Christian  way  of  life, 
carried  out  in  practice  by  accept- 


*Pastor, Woodlawn  Church,  Chicago.  This 
is  the  second  articie  in  a series,  the  first 
appearing  in  the  January  6 issue. 


ing  all  men  as  brothers  in  Christ, 
has  meant  suffering,  danger  and 
hardship.  As  Clarence  Jordan, 
founder  of  the  farm,  stated,  “Being 
‘saved’  isn’t  necessarily  the  same  as 
being  ‘safe.’  ” 

What  about  law  enforcement? 
Why  haven’t  the  lawbreakers  been 
arrested?  The  sheriff  himself  en- 
courages and  participates  in  the 
violence!  We  often  fail  to  realize 
that  the  evils  of  prejudice  and  sin 
do  not  stop  with  the  common  citi- 
zen. Those  to  whom  law  and  order 
have  been  entrusted  also  become 
enslaved.  And  quoting  from  Ro- 
mans 13  will  not  change  the  pic- 
ture. 

Communion  Across  Class  and  Race 

The  extremes  in  class  and  eco- 
nomic status  are  not  limited  to  the 
white  race.  Upon  arriving  at  At- 
lanta, Georgia,  one  was  made  aware 
of  a different  set  of  problems  con- 
fronting the  Negro  people.  Here, 
for  many  who  have  established 
themselves  as  middle-class  and  even 
upper-class  citizens,  the  effects  of 
complacency  were  very  real.  To 
Benjamin  Mays,  Negro  president  of 
Morehouse  College,  it  seemed  some- 
what doubtful  that  the  bus  boycott 
of  Montgomery,  Ala.,  with  all  of 
the  fervor  and  devotion  of  the 
church  people  behind  it,  could  ever 
be  repeated  in  Atlanta.  If  we  be- 
lieve in  the  equality  of  all  men  we 
recognize  that  all  are  subject  to 
the  same  temptations  as  well  as 
the  same  virtues. 

We  were  made  to  wonder,  after 
walking  into  a Negro  church  serv- 
ice in  Atlanta  and  receiving  a warm 
welcome  to  take  part  in  the  Com- 
munion service,  whether  these  same 
Negro  brethren  would  have  re- 
ceived the  same  warm  welcome 
should  they  have  come  unannounced 
to  visit  one  of  our  Mennonite 
churches  in  Kansas  or  Pennsyl- 
vania. Christ’s  prayer  at  the  Last 
Supper,  “that  they  all  might  be 
one”  (John  17),  seems  especially 


necessary  for  our  observances  of 
the  Lord’s  Supper — a time  when  we 
as  Mennonites  have  emphasized  the 
importance  of  being  “right”  v/ith 
our  brothers.  Our  prejudices  may 
aiso  be  a way  of  denying  our  Lord. 
Inasmuch  as  we  have  denied  our 
Negro  brother  a place  in  our  fel- 
lowship, we  have  also  denied  Christ 
that  place.  And  so,  as  we  leave  the 
Communion  service  with  our  breth- 
ren in  Atlanta,  we  ask,  “Lord,  is  it 
I?”  As  we  approach  the  Lenten 
Season,  the  time  in  which  we  re- 
member especially  Christ’s  exam- 
ple, when  He  washed  the  feet  of 
the  brethren,  we  recognize  that  we 
cannot  escape  this  question. 

Nonsense  ...  It  Means  Death! 

A final  stop  was  made  at  the 
Highlander  Folk  School  near  Mont- 
eagle,  Tennessee.  At  this  place  of 
retreat  in  the  mountains  of  Ten- 
nessee, people  of  all  races  find  a 
place  where  they  can  come  together 
in  conversation.  We  realized  more 
and  miore  how  important  such 
places  are  to  people  of  the  South 
. . . islands  of  hope  in  a sea  of 
despair.  This  need  becomes  even 
more  crucial  when  one  recognizes 
that  not  even  in  the  churches  of 
the  South  do  Christians  find  a place 
of  refuge  and  fellowship,  where  to- 
gether as  light  and  dark  skinned 
brothers  they  can  accept  each  other 
as  the  brothers  God  made  them. 

Thus,  in  spite  of  the  intimidations 
of  white  racists,  including  the  state’s 
governor,  who  attempted  to  indict 
the  Folk  School  as  a “Communist 
training  center,”  brave  leaders  car- 
ry on  a program  whereby  the  il- 
literate and  underprivileged  Negro 
is  given  a chance  to  learn  and  to 
grow. 

To  this  island  of  hope  are  invited 
speakers  and  leaders  in  the  cause 
of  brotherhood  and  human  under- 
standing, to  give  new  inspiration 
and  hope  to  those  who  gather  here 
from  their  sea  of  despair. 


February  24,  1959 


119 


One  such  recent  speaker  was  Harry  Gol- 
den, who  has  given  a piercing  and  forth- 
right interpretation  of  the  racial  problem. 

“What  do  they  mean  when  they  talk 
about  racial  segregation?  Do  you  think  they 
mean  a Negro  child  going  or  not  going  to 
a white  school?  Nonsense.  Nonsense.  . . . 
It  means,  my  friends,  death.  D-E-A-T-H. 
That  is  what  it  means.  Nine  Negro  women 
die  in  childbirth  in  the  South  to  every  one 
white  woman  who  dies  in  childbirth.  That 
is  what  segregation  means.  ...  It  means 
death.  These  are  the  authentic  figures:  tu- 
berculosis, which  is  eleventh  as  a cause  of 
death  among  the  whites,  is  second  as  a 
cause  of  death  among  the  Negroes.  That  is 
what  it  means.  Racial  segregation!  Do  you 
know  what  an  evil  that  is?  It  involves  peo- 
ple who  die  when  they  shouldn’t  be  dying. 
That  is  what  segregation  is.  Don’t  let  them 
kid  you  about  the  social  classes.  'The  Negro 
is  not  intruding  when  he  moves  into  a better 
neighborhood.  He  is  escaping;  he  is  escap- 
ing from  death.” 

The  five  men  from  the  Woodlawn  Church, 
Chicago,  who  made  the  trip  south.  From  left 
to  right:  Pastor  Delton  Franz,  Elmer  Neu- 
feld,  Ed  Riddick,  Glen  Boese,  Pastor  Vincent 
Harding. 


III.  ANGER’S  ERROR 


I 


N THE  classic  order  of  the  seven  person  attempts  to  hurt  another; 


deadly  sins,  anger  comes  third, 
after  pride  and  envy.  In  ancient 
listings  it  is  sometimes  called 
wrath  or  ire.  Modern  preachers  are 
inclined  to  bracket  with  it  intoler- 
ance, and  even  impatience,  thus 
making  it  represent  a focus  of  re- 
sentments against  others. 

A capacity  for  anger  is  a char- 
acteristic mark  of  human  nature 
everywhere.  Testimony  to  this  fact 
may  be  found  in  all  the  literature 
of  the  world,  beginning  with  the 
Bible  and  continuing  right  down  to 
the  present  day.  Moses  slew  the 
Egyptian  taskmaster  in  anger,  and 
Peter  in  wrath  cut  off  the  soldier’s 
ear.  So  commonplace  is  anger  that 
many  attempt  to  defend  the  “right- 
eousness” of  it.  Yet  the  truth  is  that 
quite  an  indictment  may  be  brought 
against  it. 

For  one  thing,  anger  is  blind.  It 
shuts  its  eyes  to  reason  and  under- 
standing. The  ordinary  restraints 
which  are  the  mark  of  civilization 
are  cast  off  in  anger.  In  wrath  one 


he  uses  language  of  which  he  can- 
not be  proud;  all  considerations  of 
decency  and  respectability  are 
thrown  out  the  window.  Anger  is 
blind. 

Like  envy,  anger  is  the  foe  of 
love.  It  sets  up  barriers,  the  cross- 
ing of  which  requires  the  most  ma- 
ture and  informed  love.  It  tends 


The  Seven  Deadly  Sins 


to  provoke  others  to  wrath.  In  the 
home  it  teaches  children  that  the 
adult  way  to  react  to  unpleasant- 
ness is  to  become  angry. 

Anger  leads  to  exaggerated  re- 
sponses to  situations  which  are  un- 
acceptable to  it.  Murder  may  result 
through  wrath  stirred  by  the  most 
trifling  offense.  And,  incredibly, 
even  wars,  involving  the  slaughter 
of  thousands,  have  been  sparked 
by  anger. 


Anger  is  the  antithesis  of  toler- 
ance. All  who  have  been  a part  of 
the  Christian  tradition  have  some 
sort  of  appreciation  for  the  place 
of  respect  for  other  persons.  The 
rights  of  others,  whether  they  be 
of  minority  or  majority  groups, 
must  be  honored.  But  anger  is  dis- 
respect. It  is  evidence  of  a readi- 
ness to  cast  aside  all  consideration 
of  the  views  of  others. 

Jesus’  idea  of  the  way  a person 
should  react  to  those  situations 
which  usually  cause  anger  in  us  is 
that  love  and  good  will  should  dom- 
inate. Love  your  enemies.  Over- 
come evil  with  good.  Impossible? 
Not  impossible  but  surely  difficult. 
Angry  people  are  warmakers,  fear- 
makers,  hatemakers,  divisionmak- 
ers.  But  those  who  are  able  to  meet 
provocative  situations  with  love 
are  peacemakers  — and  therefore 
“sons  of  God.” 

— Robert  W.  Hartzler,  pastor  of 
Eighth  Street  Church,  Goshen,  Ind. 


120 


THE  AAENNONITE 


Mennonite  youth 


From  a summer  in  Chicago  comes  this  story  about 

TOK 


by  Birdie  Preheim* 

As  I GAZE  out  of  the  window  of 
our  third  story  apartment  I 
see  people  walking  down  Woodlawn 
Avenue,  children  playing  on  the  con- 
crete, some  boys  arguing.  I see  peo- 
ple, people,  and  more  people.  My 
mind  murmurs,  “What  are  they  do- 
ing on  Woodlawn  Avenue?  What  am 
I doing  in  the  ‘big  wicked  city’?.  . . 
I with  my  co-workers  in  the  tall 
narrow  apartment  building  num- 
bered 4606;  the  rest  of  the  world, 
a world  of  dark  strangers,  is  out- 
side my  door.” 

I’m  still  looking  out  of  my  win- 
dow and  all  of  a sudden  I notice  a 
thin  little  fellow  trying  to  defend 
himself  by  swinging  his  fists  at  a 
larger  bully.  Soon  a buddy  comes 
by  and  the  attacker,  finding  him- 
self outnumbered,  makes  an  escape. 
I wonder  whether  I’ll  ever  again 
see  that  skinny  little  victim  whose 
jacket  was  too  small  and  whose 
shoes  were  too  big.  Will  he  be  one 
of  the  children  coming  to  Bible 
school?  Somehow  I yearn  for  the 
chance  to  help  him  feel  the  kind- 
ness of  a friend  and  the  love  of 
God.  . . . 

Here  I am  again,  dreaming  as  I 
stare  out  the  third  story  window 
into  the  streets  that  seem  almost 
like  home  by  now,  and  I remember 
Tok,  the  little  lad  I saw  fighting 
beneath  my  window  almost  six 
weeks  ago.  Today  Tok  is  my  friend. 
He  was  so  hungry  for  the  love  and 
understanding  of  an  adult  that  as 
soon  as  he  could  realize  that  I as  a 
Bible  school  teacher  had  time  to 
listen  to  him  and  to  talk  to  him — 
as  soon  as  he  knew  that  I’d  try  to 
understand  him — we  became  friends. 


‘Graduate  of  Freeman  Junior  College, 
now  studying  home  economics  at  South 
Dakota  State.  She  spent  last  summer  in 
VS  in  Chicago. 


He  soon  told  me  his  secret  am- 
bitions. He  was  going  to  join  the 
gang  and  be  the  best  stealer,  fight- 
er, and  killer!  He  proudly  told  me 
of  several  fights  he’d  already  expe- 
rienced. I listened  with  sympathy 
to  all  his  ambitions;  I wondered 
why  he  felt  he  had  to  prove  his 
strength  in  such  a manner.  Was  it 
because  he  was  so  small  for  his 
age?  That  really  isn’t  his  fault.  He 
probably  never  had  the  proper  food 
to  make  a boy  grow  healthy  and 
strong.  Was  it  because  he  had  no 
father  nor  mother?  Tok  has  been 
cared  for  by  a sweet  old  lady  ever 
since  he  was  several  months  old. 
She  has  been  a mother  to  him;  of 

Photo  by  S.  F.  Pannabecker 


course,  that  is  not  the  same  as  real 
parents. 

I ponder  on  the  effects  of  the 
school.  The  2,000  other  children  in 
school  mean  that  Tok  does  not  get 
very  much  attention.  It  probably 
seems  to  him  that  being  rough  and 
tough  is  the  only  way  to  be.  Tok 
needs  to  be  recognized.  This  is  the 
way  he  plans  to  do  it — by  being  the 
best  stealer,  fighter,  and  killer.  Will 
he  really  carry  out  his  dreams?  No 
doubt  he  is  well  on  his  way  toward 
these  goals.  Almost  every  child  in 
the  crowded  block  is  pretty  good  at 
swiping  candy  from  a counter,  and 
they  are  pretty  skillful  in  cheating. 

What  kind  of  a chance  do  these 
kids  have?  Now  they  struggle  with 
each  other.  All  is  fair;  every  child 
has  to  work  at  gaining  his  hold. 
But  when  he  gets  out  of  his  Negro 
community,  how  fair  will  it  be? 
Maybe  being  the  best  stealer,  fight- 
er, and  killer  seems  like  success 
within  reach. 

My  thoughts  go  on  . . . Tok’s  goal 


February  24,  1959 


12J 


is  to  be  the  best.  Why  can’t  he  be 
the  best  worker  for  Christ?  With 
determination  to  be  the  best,  he 
could  do  so  much.  He  and  all  the 
other  Toks  could  bring  to  God  glory 
more  enormous  than  the  city.  But 
how?  Before  we  can  see  these  boys 
become  workers  for  Christ,  they 
must  first  have  workers  for  Christ 
witnessing  to  them.  This  depends 
upon  all  the  churches,  it  depends 


Leadership  Clinic 

Dianne  Waltner 

Hats,  hats,  hats,  everywhere  you 
looked.  As  one  entered  the 
room  at  the  first  meeting  of  the 
Northern  District  Leadership  Clinic, 
one  was  startled  to  see  everyone 
down  on  the  floor  folding  newspa- 
pers into  cocked  hats.  Certainly  this 
did  not  fit  any  stylized  concept  of 
a conference,  i.e.,  lectures,  lectures, 
and  more  lectures!  And  as  the  clinic 
progressed  it  became  obvious  that 
at  no  point  was  it  going  to  lapse 
into  a lecture  session  and  the  thirty 
young  leaders  who  had  come  for 
training  found  themselves  actively 
learning. 

Where 

The  clinic,  held  at  Henderson, 
Neb.,  on  Jan.  30-31  was  a venture 
of  faith  by  the  Northern  District 
YPU.  The  idea  of  bringing  the 
young  people  together  in  midyear — 
a difficult  undertaking  because  of  the 
distances  involved — was  conceived  at 
Northern  District  Conference  last 
June.  The  executive  committee  pre- 
sented a recommendation  that  a 
Youth  Rally  be  held  midyear,  and 
the  idea  was  adopted  by  an  enthusi- 
astic majority.  From  this  nucleus 
grew  the  plans  for  a two-day  ses- 
sion which  could  include  a leader- 
ship clinic. 


upon  Christian  volunteers,  it  de- 
pends on  us! 

I gaze  into  the  future  and  I see 
Tok.  What  is  he  doing?  Is  he  the 
best  killer?  I wish  I could  see  a 
clear  picture,  but  I can’t — the  pic- 
ture is  blurred;  it  isn’t  finished.  The 
finished  picture  depends  on  our 
movements.  We  will  paint  the  final 
picture  of  Tok  and  many  other  Toks 
on  Woodlawn  Avenue. 


After  considerable  pre-planning  by 
the  executive  committee,  the  host 
fellowship,  and  clinic  leaders,  and 
after  a few  minor  hitches  such  as 
the  eastern  delegation’s  missing  a 
train  in  Chicago,  the  clinic  was  un- 
der way. 

Who 

The  leadership  clinic  was  com- 
posed of  three  sessions  which  took 
in  various  aspects  of  youth  work. 
Leaders  were  Bill  Block  and  Peter 
Kehler,  seminary  students  with  pre- 
vious experience  in  this  type  of 
work,  and  the  trainees  were  thirty 
young  local  leaders  representing 
Mountain  Lake,  Minn.;  Freeman, 
S.  D.;  Bloomfield,  Mont.;  and  Hen- 
derson and  Madrid,  Neb. 

How 

The  Friday  evening  meeting  was 
devoted  to  exploring  and  evaluating 
the  aims  of  the  local  YPU  and  the 
needs  of  our  youth.  To  deal  with 
these  questions  the  leaders  made 
use  of  group  dynamic  techniques,  in 
this  case,  buzz  groups  to  foster  in- 
dividual participation.  Later  the 
group  evaluated  the  use  of  paper 
hats  as  a presociad  activity  or  ice- 
breaker activity.  They  also  dis- 
cussed the  values  and  possibilities 


of  buzz  groups  in  local  planning 
and  programming.  The  evening  was 
concluded  with  a worship  service 
presented  via  slides  and  a tape  re- 
corder. 

Evaluated  Activity 

When  the  group  reconvened  Sat- 
urday morning,  the  first  item  on 
the  agenda  was  an  evaluation  of 
the  worship  experience  of  the  pre- 
vious evening.  It  pointed  up  effec- 
tively the  value  of  audio-visual  ma- 
terials for  programming.  Various 
ways  in  which  such  materials  might 
be  used  were  discussed  and  evalu- 
ated. The  major  portion  of  the  ses- 
sion was  given  to  demonstration  of 
the  technique  of  role-playing.  Each 
trainee  became  actively  involved 
during  this  session  and  small 
groups  enthusiastically  presented 
spontaneous  role-plays. 

The  final  meeting  of  the  clinic  was 
given  almost  entirely  to  program- 
ming, with  the  group  again  subdivid- 
ing and  actually  planning  programs 
which  they  could  share  and  use  in 
their  individual  youth  fellowships. 
It  was  also  a place  in  which  they 
could  incorporate  some  of  the  nu- 
merous ideas  by  which  they  had 
been  stimulated  during  previous 
meetings. 

Climax 

And  as  Peter  Kehler  closed  the 
leadership  clinic  with  a challenge 
to  the  group,  all  felt  that  they  had 
been  led  to  a new  understanding  of 
the  problems  of  youth  and  leader- 
ship and  had  been  stimulated  to- 
ward a stronger  witness  for  Christ 
through  the  YPF. 

But  the  original  intention  of 
getting  many  Northern  District 
youth  together  midyear  was  not 
forgotten.  Beginning  Saturday  after- 
noon, a Youth  Rally  for  all  Nor- 
thern District  young  people  was 
held.  The  outstanding  features  of 
the  rally  were  a fellowship  hour, 
a banquet  centered  around  the 
theme  “Christ  for  the  World,”  and 


Northern  District  YPU  Leadership  Clinic.  Left  to  right,  program  planning,  role  playing,  informal  discussion. 


122 


THE  MENNONITE 


a public  musical  program  in  the  eve- 
ning. The  host  church  did  an  out- 
standing job  of  plcmning  both  an 
enjoyable  social  and  a beautiful  ban- 
quet. The  banquet  was  held  in  the 
local  high  school  auditorium.  The 
evening  program  featured  a mass 
choir  of  young  people  attending  the 


See  it  first  with  visual  aids 

Want  a Memory? 

Would  you  like  to  do  something 
this  summer  that  you  will  remem- 
ber the  rest  of  your  life?  Something 
that  you  will  remember  with 
warmth  because  of  the  service  and 
witness  you  gave — remember  with 
pleasure  because  of  the  friends  you 
made — above  all,  remember  with 
gratitude  because  of  the  spiritual 
benefits  received  ? 

Voluntary  summer  service  can 
give  you  these  memories  if  you  will 
give  yourself,  a summer,  and  your 
dedication  to  helping  those  in  need 
as  your  witness  to  God’s  love.  There 
are  opportunities  throughout  the 
United  States  and  Canada  to  serve 
in  many  and  varied  ways:  teaching 
Bible  school  to  Hopi,  Navajo,  Chey- 
enne, and  Arapaho  children  in  sev- 
eral states;  helping  with  church 
work  in  cities  like  Chicago  or  Kan- 
sas City,  or  in  rural  areas  like 
mountainous  Paint  Rock,  North  Car- 
olina, and  the  irrigated  desert  of 
Eloy,  Arizona. 

Summer  service  is  not  only  wit- 
ness and  not  only  service:  it  is  also 
learning.  You  can  learn  something 
about  human  nature,  the  ills  of 
body  and  mind — most  of  all,  of  the 
power  of  love — as  you  serve  people 
in  need:  mental  patients,  delin- 

quents, invalids,  perhaps  in  a unit 
in  Saskatchewan.  You  can  experi- 
ence firsthand  the  problems  that 
grow  out  of  race  prejudice  at  Gulf- 
port, Mississippi,  or  Koinonia,  Geor- 
gia. You  can  practice  skills  that  you 
have  already  begun  to  develop  at 
the  same  time  that  you  serve  oth- 
ers: nature  study,  supervision  of 
recreation,  cooking,  sewing,  handi- 
crafts, farm  work,  maintenance, 
teaching,  gardening,  carpentry,  and 
counseling. 


The  .ViENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsoreo 
by  the  Young  People  s Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  3003 
Benhom  Avenue,  Elkhart,  Indiana. 


clinic  and  rally,  and  half  a dozen 
special  numbers  representing  var- 
ious churches  of  the  Northern  Dis- 
trict. John  Gaeddert,  host  pastor,  di- 
rected the  mass  choir,  which  fur- 
nished the  major  part  of  the  pro- 
gram. Approximately  100  young  peo- 
ple of  the  district  attended  the  youth 


More  than  anything  else,  how- 
ever, summer  service  is  learning 
that  Christ’s  gospel  is  true  for  ‘you, 
that  God’s  love  abides  in  us  only  as 
we  love  in  deed  and  truth. 

If  you  would  like  to  see  some  of 
the  areas  of  Voluntary  Service  in 
which  General  Conference  Menno- 
nite  units  will  participate  this  sum- 
mer, consider  a summer  service 
worship  program  for  your  youth 


rally  and  banquet. 

As  the  group  again  dispersed  and 
traveled  back  to  their  own  youth  fel- 
lowships, they  carried  with  them  a 
renewed  zeal  for  the.  work  of  their 
own  group  and  a more  united  feel- 
ing with  other  young  people  of  the 
Northern  District  Conference. 


group,  and  write  for  a set  of  VS 
slides.  Voluntary  Service  Projects, 
a set  of  color  slides  with  script,  is 
available  in  the  United  States  from 
the  Audio  Visual  Library,  Menno- 
nite  Publication  Office,  720  Main, 
Newton,  Kan.  The  Challenge  of  Vol- 
untary Service  is  a set  of  color 
slides  with  script  available  in  Can- 
ada from  the  Visual  Aids  Library, 
Mennonite  Bookstore,  Rosthem, 
Sask.  Give  several  choices  of  dates. 


In  Quiet  Kneeling 

Hush!  . . . the  Night  Voice  is  calling 
From  many  stars; 

Moving  from  sphere  to  sphere 
It  falls  to  earth 

Upon  a waiting  ear  ...  in  quiet  kneeling. 

Wait!  . . . we  who  would  hurry  on 
Through  time  and  space; 

Far  reaches  of  the  heart  are  calling 

For  the  voice  which  falls 

Upon  a waiting  ear  ...  in  quiet  kneeling. 

Lord!  . . . in  all  our  rush  to  serve, 

IV e ask  for  help; 

For  godly  fear,  that  we  might  hear 
Thy  constant  voice 

Upon  our  waiting  ears  ...  in  quiet  kneeling. 

Jesus  Christ!  . . . thou  key  to  true  eternity. 

Lead  us  to  thee! 

Thou  who  did’ St  hear  through  cries  and  tears 
The  Triumphant  Voice 

Upon  thy  waiting  ear  ...  in  stillness  kneeling. 

— Roy  H.  Vogt 


February  24,  1959 


123 


our  schools 

SEMINARY  LECTURES 

Eugene  A.  Nida,  Ph.D.,  Secretary 
of  Translations  of  the  American 
Bible  Society,  has  been  invited  by 
the  joint  Administrative  Committee 
of  Associated  Seminaries  to  give  a 
series  of  lectures  on  March  5-6, 
1959.  Dr.  Nida’s  topic  will  be  “Com- 
municating the  Gospel.”  This  series 
will  inaugurate  the  annual  joint 
lectureships  being  planned  by  the 
Associated  Seminaries. 

Dr.  Nida  is  one  of  the  foremost 
linguists  in  the  United  States,  spe- 
cializing in  the  study  of  languages 
and  dialects  of  primitive  peoples, 
for  many  of  whom  no  printed  part 
of  the  Bible  has  yet  appeared.  The 
work  that  Dr.  Nida  does  includes 
field  surveys,  linguistic  research, 
the  checking  of  manuscripts  of  new 
translations,  and  the  writing  of 
books  and  articles  on  languages, 
anthropology,  and  the  science  of 
meaning. 

In  order  to  carry  on  these  many 
phases  of  work  in  the  Translation 
Department,  Dr.  Nida  has  traveled 
to  more  than  sixty  countries  in  Eu- 
rope, Asia,  Africa,  and  Latin  Amer- 
ica, where  he  has  worked  with  trans- 
lators on  linguistic  problems  of 
more  than  thirty-five  languages.  In 
addition  Dr.  Nida  is  the  author  of 
several  books,  the  most  recent  of 
which  is  Customs  and  Cultures'. 
Anthropology  for  Christian  Mis- 
sions, published  by  Harpers  in  1954. 


Eagi-iit  -1.  2\  tda 


SMUCKER  TO  SPEAK 

Donovan  E.  Smucker,  Director  of 
Inner  City  Work  in  the  Department 
of  Church  Extension  of  the  Chicago 
Presbytery,  will  be  the  speaker  of 
the  annual  Bethel  College  Bible 
Week,  March  15-20,  as  announced  by 
the  office  of  the  president. 


Donovan  E. 
Smucker 


Brother  Smucker  has  been  associ- 
ated with  the  Mennonite  Biblical 
Seminary  a number  of  years  and  is 
well  known  in  Mennonite  circles  as 
a speaker  at  peace  and  youth  ral- 
lies. A graduate  of  Bluffton  Col- 
lege, he  has  since  been  granted  the 
B.  D.  degree  by  Princeton  Theo- 
logical Seminary  and  the  M.  A.  and 
Ph.  D.  degrees  by  the  University  of 
Chicago.  Mrs.  Smucker  is  the  for- 
mer Barbara  Claassen  of  Newton. 
She  is  wen  known  as  a writer  of 
juvenile  fiction,  being  the  author  of 
Henry’s  Red  Sea  and  Cherokee  Run. 

The  Bethel  College  Bible  Week  is 
facilitated  by  the  Hartzler  Founda- 
tion, set  up  by  Dr.  J.  E.  and  the 
late  Mamie  Yoder  Hartzler. 

FOLK  FESTIVAL 

A two-day  folk  festival  featuring 
afternoon  programs  of  home  crafts 
and  industries,  an  evening  meal  of 
traditional  Mennonite  dishes,  and  a 
stage  program  of  dialect  plays  and 
skits  will  be  held  March  6-7  on  the 
Bethel  College  campus. 


BIBLE  WEEK  MESSAGES 

The  annual  Bible  Week  at  Cana- 
dian Mennonite  Bible  College,  which 
is  a time  of  concentrated  Bible  study 
and  discussion  was  held  recently. 
Erland  Waltner,  president  of  the 
seminary  at  Elkhart,  was  the  main 
speaker.  The  first  epistle  of  Peter 
was  considered  in  six  sessions.  Our 
hope,  our  holiness,  our  house,  our 
witness  in  a hostile  society,  our  re- 
sponse to  suffering,  and  our  internal 
relationship  were  the  main  themes. 
In  his  concluding  remarks  Brother 
Waltner  pointed  out  that  the  cross 
of  Christ  was  throughout  the  entire 
epistle  the  background  for  Peter’s 
message.  Two  evening  services 
were  devoted  to  devotional  themes; 
“Come  Unto  Me”  (Matt.  11:28-30), 
and  “Ladder  of  Joy”  (1  John  1:1-4). 
“Sharing  God’s  Word  with  others  is 
my  greatest  joy.”  said  Dr.  Waltner. 

The  second  speaker  was  I.  I.  Frie- 
sen,  who  spoke  about  the  gospel 
message,  repentance,  faith,  the  Holy 
Spirit,  and  the  church,  as  these  re- 
late to  evangelism.  In  his  final  mes- 
sage he  drew  attention  to  the  find- 
ings of  the  Evangelism  Conference 
held  in  Goshen.  Bible  Week  is  truly 
a highlight  in  our  college  year;  it 
is  a means  of  learning  to  love  God’s 
Word  more  and  a source  of  spirit- 
ual growth. 


Talents  and  opportunities  go  to- 
gether in  the  work  of  God’s  King- 
dom. Pastor  Groening,  who  spoke 
to  various  individuals  at  Canadian 
Mennonite  Bible  College  regarding 
mission  work,  drew  attention  to  the 
fact  that  talents  must  be  dedicated 
and  opportunities  taken.  He  re- 
viewed mission  opportunities  for 
the  students,  impressing  them  with 
the  number  of  open  doors  that  the 
Conference  has  for  willing  workers. 


New  features  of  this  year’s  fes- 
tival are  demonstrations  of  hog 
butchering  and  butter  churning  as 
it  was  done  on  the  farm  in  grand- 
pa’s day.  Displays  of  various  chums 
and  pioneer  tools  and  utensils  will 
remind  this  generation  of  life  in  the 
“good  old  days.” 

The  evening  program  will  feature 
college  and  community  casts  in  Low 
German,  Swiss  German,  and  High 
German  dramatic  presentations.  A 
committee  is  planning  an  evening 
meal  which  will  include  dishes  pop- 
ular with  Mennonites  of  Russian, 
Swiss,  and  Prussian  background. 


STUDENTS  ENTER  TOURNEY 

Nine  Freeman  students  partici- 
pated in  the  Inter-State  Academy 
Debate  Tournament  at  Edgerton, 
Minn.,  Feb.  13.  Darla  Albrecht,  Vir- 
ginia Ortman,  Carol  Preheim,  and 
Loren  Preheim  entered  the  “A”  di- 
vision; Flora  Schrag,  Mavis  Pre- 
heim, Judy  Senner,  Kenny  Graber, 
and  Terry  Vogler,  the  “B”  division. 

SENIOR  ENSEMBLE  CONCERT 

The  Senior  Ensemble,  directed  by 
Dorothy  Imhoff,  gave  a short  con- 
cert of  sacred  music  at  the  Salem- 
Zion  Church  near  Freeman  on  Sun- 
day morning,  Feb.  1.  Members  of 


124 


THE  MENNONITE 


the  group  are  Virginia  Ortman, 
Charleen  Waltner,  Darla  Albrecht, 
Carol  Preheim,  Marvis  Prehetm, 
Mary  Ratzlaff,  Jerral  Becker,  Ron- 
nie Preheim,  Loren  Preheim,  Doyle 
Preheim,  and  Delmar  Wipf. 
CONCERT 

A Mid-Winter  Music  Concert  will 
be  presented  at  Founders  Hall, 
Bluffton  College,  on  Wednesday  eve- 
ning, Feb.  25,  to  which  the  public 
is  invited.  The  Bluffton  College  band 
and  orchestra,  under  the  direction 
of  Earl  Lehman,  and  the  Choraliers 
and  Men’s  Octet,  led  by  Mrs.  Jack 
Purves,  are  combining  their  talents 
for  this  performance. 

MCC  news  and  notes 

FROM  MCC  WORKER’S  DIARY 

INDIA — A team  of  four  workers  is 
laying  the  foundation  for  the  devel- 
opment of  an  MCC  sponsored  relief 
and  rehabilitation  project  among 
the  refugees  of  Calcutta.  More  than 
200,000  displaced  persons  live  on  the 
pavements  around  railway  stations 
or  in  transit  camps  near  the  city, 
waiting  to  be  rehabilitated.  A page 
from  Mrs.  Helen  Benedict’s  diary 
gives  a glimpse  of  the  need: 

“.  . . Chinese  Nationalist  brought 
wife  of  Nationalist  already  deport- 
ed by  the  Communists  to  Formosa 
to  make  application  for  loan  from 
Church  World  Service.  She  has  six 
children,  six  years  and  under,  and 
is  anxious  to  join  her  husband.  (She 
got  to  Formosa  but  her  husband 
was  ill,  taken  to  the  hospital,  and 
died  before  the  children  saw  him). 

“Hindu  mother  of  seven  seeks 
milk  powder  for  family  and  hus- 
band suffering  from  ulcers  and  un- 
able to  work.  It  is  a vicious  circle 
— sick,  no  work,  no  money,  no  food 
for  family,  worry,  ulcers,  sick,  etc. 

“Anglo-Indian  woman  whose  hus- 
band has  an  advanced  case  of  T.  B. 
came  for  medicine. 

“Father  of  nine,  out  of  work, 
came  for  some  food  promised  ear- 
lier. (We  paid  his  fare  to  another 
town  where  he  secured  employ- 
ment and  is  now  sending  money 
home.) 

“On  to  a coffee  party  in  order  to 
talk  to  some  American  wives  about 
our  work.  Heard  during  conversa- 
tion, We  used  to  be  able  to  save 
$500  a month  but  we  can’t  any  more 
because  the  income  tax  is  so  high.’ 
What  a contrast!’’ 


SCF  RETREAT 

The  cabinet  members  of  the 
Bluffton  College  Student  Christian 
Association  held  their  semester  re- 
treat at  Mara- Alva  House  Feb.  8. 
An  inspirational  message  was  pre- 
sented by  Dr.  Eldon  Graber.  In  ad- 
dition to  making  minor  changes  in 
the  constitution,  the  members  re- 
viewed the  objectives  and  goals  a- 
dopted  at  the  fall  retreat.  For  de- 
votions each  member  recited  the 
Bible  verse  which  was  most  mean- 
ingful to  him,  explaining  why  he 
chose  that  particular  verse.  Singing, 
discussion,  and  lunch  concluded  the 
retreat. 


CWS  ANNUAL  MEETING 

The  annual  meeting  of  Church 
World  Service  was  held  in  Atlantic 
City  Feb.  5-6.  Because  MCC  was 
invited  to  send  representatives  to 
the  meeting,  William  T.  Snyder  and 
Robert  Miller  attended. 

Their  purpose  in  going  was  to  be- 
come more  fully  acquainted  with 
the  program  of  CWS,  particularly 
the  material  aid  aspect.  The  Chris- 
tian Rural  Overseas  Program  of 
CWS  parallels  our  Mennonite  pro- 
gram, and  our  work  touches  in  some 
areas  such  as  the  Middle  East,  Ko- 
rea, and  India.  It  is  helpful,  there- 
fore, for  MCC  to  keep  abreast  of 
what  the  larger  agencies  are  doing. 

One  of  the  highlights  of  the  CWS 
meeting  was  Willard  Jones’  pres- 
entation of  the  Arab  refugee  prob- 
lem. 

TRAINEE  CONFERENCE 

The  annual  Mennonite  Trainee 
Conference  was  held  Feb.  6-8  at  the 
First  Mennonite  Church,  Berne,  Ind. 
Thirty-four  young  people  from  eight 
countries:  France,  Germany,  Neth- 
erlands, Switzerland,  Luxembourg, 
Paraguay,  Uruguay,  and  Japan  are 
spending  a year  with  Mennonite 
families  and  institutions  currently. 
February  marks  half-time  of  their 
stay  and  is  the  occasion  for  a grand 
reshuffle.  Each  trainee  spends  six 
consecutive  months  at  two  differ- 
ent homes;  an  attempt  is  made  to 
vary  the  geographic  location  and 
type  of  home  as  much  as  possible. 

Pauline  Jahnke,  in  charge  of  the 
Trainee  Program,  explains  the  pur- 
pose of  the  February  get-together 
as  follows:  “I  feel  the  confer;ence 
gives  the  trainees  a chance  to  share 


the  experiences  of  their  first  half 
year  in  America.  It  is  a time  of 
thoughtful  evaluation  before  em- 
barking on  their  second  assign- 
ment.’’ 

The  three-day  conference  consist- 
ed largely  of  informal  study  and 
discussion  sessions.  Paul  Bender, 
former  MCC  worker  in  Holland  who 
has  done  research  on  Student -Train- 
ee exchange,  gave  an  interpretative 
talk  on  “Understanding  Our  Cul- 
tures,’’ and  led  in  the  discussion 
following.  Noah  G.  Good,  former 
Pax  pastor,  presented  a series  of 
Bible  studies.  Four  trainees  spoke 
on  “How  Gain  the  Greatest  Value 
from  the  Experiences  Here’’  and 
“How  Can  My  Experiences  Here  Be 
Helpful  Upon  My  Return  Home.’’ 

A sincere  vote  of  thanks  is  ex- 
tended to  the  Berne  community  and 
Gordon  Neuenschwander,  pastor  of 
First  Mennonite  Church,  for  their 
hospitality  and  helpfulness. 

RELIEF  OFFICE  REPORTS 

Shipment  to  Paraguay:  The  first 
miscellaneous  shipment  of  relief 
goods  to  Paraguay  under  the  new 
shipping  agreement  went  to  port  in 
Philadelphia,  Jan.  28.  The  terms  of 
the  agreement  are  that  $50,000 
worth  of  relief  goods  will  be  allowed 
to  enter  Paraguay  duty  free  annual- 
ly. The  U.  S.  government  will  pay 
ocean  freight,  the  Paraguayan  gov- 
ernment for  Inland  transportation. 

Included  in  the  shipment  are  thir- 
ty used  sewing  machines,  750  lep- 
rosy and  500  Christmas  bundles,  a 
hammer  mill,  generating  plant,  den- 
tist’s chair,  projector  and  screen, 
tractor  parts,  and  hospital  supplies. 

Another  vehicle,  a Chevrolet  sta- 
tion wagon,  has  been  purchased  for 
Paraguay  and  will  be  sent  to  the 
Asuncion  MCC  Center  in  March.  A 
Ford  pickup  was  sent  to  the  Chaco 
experimental  farm  in  January. 

Shipment  to  Jordan:  A large,  mis- 
cellaneous shipment  is  also  going  to 
Jordan.  It  consists  of  new  and  used 
clothing,  bedding  and  school  sup- 
plies. Relief  Office  has  been  notified 
by  Washington  that  another  400,000 
lbs.  of  flour  are  available  for  Jor- 
dan. Arrangements  are  being  made 
to  ship  the  flour  in  March. 

Meat  Shipments:  Also  going  out 
this  month  are  a number  of  meat 
shipments.  Vietnam  and  Austria 
will  receive  200  cases  each,  Korea 
350  cases,  and  473  cases  will  be 
shipped  to  Germany  directly  from 
Canada. 


February  24,  1959 


125 


into  the  beyond 

Verdi  Bixel  was  born  April  29, 
1899,  and  passed  away  Nov.  19, 
1958.  He  was  a member  of  Bethel 
Community  Church,  Santa  Fe 
Springs,  California. 

Wesley  Delzell  was  born  No- 
vember 2,  1873,  and  died  December 
21,  1958.  He  was  a member  of  the 
Pulaski,  Iowa,  Mennonite  Church. 

Lizzie  Schindler  was  bom  March 
2,  1867,  and  died  December  23,  1958, 
a member  of  the  Pulaski,  Iowa, 
Mennonite  Church. 

Mrs.  Kathe  Warkentin  (nee  Will- 
msen),  of  Reedley,  California,  and 
member  of  the  First  Mennonite 
Church,  Reedley,  was  bom  August 
21,  1881,  and  died  February  3,  1959. 

Lynn  A.  Rhoads,  infant  daughter 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Maurice  Rhoads  of 
the  Comins  Mennonite  Church, 
Comins,  Michigan,  was  bom  Janu- 
ary 23,  1959,  and  died  the  following 
day. 

Mrs.  Persis  Amstutz,  age  88, 
widow  of  P.  A.  Amstutz,  Pandora, 
Ohio,  died  January  22,  1959.  She 
was  a charter  member  of  the  Grace 
Mennonite  Church,  Pandora. 

jottings 

PRAYER  SERVICE 

Springfield  Church,  Pleasant  Val- 
ley, Pa.:  Our  adult  C.  E.  held  a 
Watch  Night  service  Dec.  31.  The 
film  on  the  life  of  Jim  Vaus  was 
shown.  The  young  folks  went 
Christmas  caroling  to  shut-ins  and 
older  folks.  Our  church  has  pur- 
chased and  installed  a new  organ. 
A special  service  of  dedication  was 
planned  for  Feb.  1.  The  World  Day 
<of  Prayer  service  was  held  Feb.  13, 
.at  which  time  a native  of  India, 
Karlapudy  Devassahayam,  profes- 
sor of  church  history  and  New  Tes- 
tament at  the  United  Lutheran 
Church  Seminary  in  Rajahmundy, 
India,  was  the  speaker. — Mrs.  Ralph 
Koehler,  corr. 

HOGS-FOR-HAITI  PROJECT 

First  Church,  Mountain  Lake, 
Minn.:  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  D.  Har- 
der were  honored  with  an  open 
house  on  their  sixtieth  wedding  an- 
niversary Dec.  22.  The  Bethel  and 
Gospel  churches  joined  us  at  the 
New  Year’s  Eve  banquet  and  Watch 
Night  service  for  young  people. 
Vincent  Harding  from  Chicago  was 
the  speaker.  Universal  Prayer  Week 
was  observed  with  three  services 
Jan.  4-6.  Jan.  18  the  young  people 
of  First  Presbyterian  Church  in- 


vited our  young  people  to  supper 
and  a discussion  by  the  pastors 
dealing  with  Presbyterian  and  Men- 
nonite doctrines.  A young  married 
couples’  fellowship  has  been  organ- 
ized and  met  Jan.  19.  Catechism 
class  began  Jan.  4,  with  eighteen 
young  people  enrolled.  The  follow- 
ing children  were  dedicated  Jan. 
18:  Garry  Lee  Johnson,  Lois  Eliza- 
beth Wiebe,  Carol  Annette  Harder, 
and  Joy  Aline  Buller.  The  Book  of 
Revelation  is  being  studied  at  the 
adult  Bible  class  on  Wed.  The  men 
of  our  church  have  taken  on  a 
“Hogs  for  Haiti”  project.  A total 
number  of  twenty-four  head  will  be 
trucked  to  Miami,  and  from  there 
flown  to  Haiti.  Marlin  Pankratz, 
who  has  served  one  year  at  Haiti, 
told  of  the  work  there.  He  was  mar- 
ried to  Wilda  Garberick  at  Elkhart, 
Ind.,  Feb.  7.  They  will  return  to 
Haiti  for  another  year  of  service 
under  MCC. — Mrs.  Sam  A.  Quiring. 

MCC  WORKERS  SPEAK 

Topeka  Church,  Topeka,  Ind.:  Nov. 
9 the  Leonard  Kingsleys  of  Berne 
showed  slides  and  told  of  work  on 
the  island  of  Timor,  Indonesia.  The 
annual  W.M.S.  Thank  Offering  Serv- 
ice was  held  Nov.  16.  Milo  Yoder  of 
Middlebury  spoke  and  showed  col- 
ored slides  on  a trip  to  Russia  for 
the  heifer  project.  A series  of  five 
filmstrips  and  Bible  studies  on  the 
life  of  Christ  were  held.  Melvin 
Gingerich  of  Goshen  spoke  and 
showed  slides  Nov.  30,  telling  of 
MCC  work  in  the  Far  East.  Dec.  7 
a hymn  festival  was  held  here  with 
the  six  area  Conference  churches. 
Marvin  Dirks  directed  the  combined 
choirs  and  the  congregational  sing- 
ing. The  Choralaires  of  Ligonier 
presented  a Christmas  concert  Dec. 
14.  A Christmas  program,  “Come 
Sing  About  Christmas,”  and  a White 
Gift  service  was  held  Christmas 
Eve.  Mary  Ellen  Shoup,  MCC  work- 
er in  France  for  several  terms, 
spoke  and  showed  slides  of  her 
work  at  the  Children’s  Home  at 
Valdoie,  France.  Harvey  Driver, 
Executive  Secretary  for  the  C.I.M., 
spoke  at  Missions  Day  services  Jan. 
25.  Recent  new  arrivals  were  a son, 
Kevin  Ray,  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Floyd 
Lambright  Nov.  15;  a daughter, 
Kim  Rene,  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kyle 
Cunningham  Nov.  24;  a daughter, 
Kimberly  Jean,  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
William  Hochstetler  Dec.  9. — Opal 
King,  corr. 

J.  R.  DUERKSEN  INSTALLED 

Willow  Creek  Church,  Paso  Ro- 
bles, Calif.:  Thanksgiving  we  had 
morning  services  with  a message  by 
M.  J.  Galle  and  a carry-in  supper  in 
the  evening.  Louis  John  Claassen 
and  ^Marjorie  Scovell  were  married 
Sept  26.  A little  girl,  Linda  Arnette, 


was  born  to  Wesley  and  Ethella 
(King)  Claassen  Nov.  28.  Holy  Com- 
munion was  observed  Nov.  23.  We 
had  a nice  morning  Christmas  serv- 
ice Dec.  25  and  a S.  S.  program  in 
the  evening.  The  Young  People’s 
C.  E.  had  a gathering  in  the  church 
on  New  Year’s  Eve.  New  Year’s 
services  were  well  attended.  Ger- 
hard Dueck  was  elected  deacon  for 
a term  of  six  years  and  Mrs.  W.  N. 
Claassen  was  re-elected  trustee  at 
the  annual  business  meeting.  Jan. 
4 the  church  had  a musical  program 
and  a short  program  of  apprecia- 
tion for  the  loving  service  of  our 
supply  pastor,  M.  J.  Galle.  We  are 
happy  that  J.  R.  Duerksens,  former 
missionaries  to  India,  have  come  to 
live  and  work  among  us  in  answer 
to  our  call.  He  was  installed  Jan. 
11  by  M.  J.  Galle.  The  heads  of  the 
different  departments  of  the  church 
spoke  words  of  welcome  at  a noon 
get-acquainted  dinner.  The  Young 
People’s  C.  E.  had  the  first  in  a 
series  of  three  programs  on  “The 
Tabernacle  in  the  Wilderness”  on 
Jan.  25.  Glee  Cooper,  leader  of 
Child  Evangelism  in  San  Luis  Obis- 
po Co.,  gave  instructive  talks  on 
the  subject.  The  adult  C.  E.  had 
their  business  meeting  Jan.  25. 

WORK  NIGHTS 

Bethel  Community  Church,  San- 
ta Fe  Springs,  Calif.:  We  were  re- 
cently privileged  to  have  with  us 
some  of  our  missionaries:  the  D.  W. 
Van  Nattons,  Frank  Mannings,  and 
Marion  Allens,  all  from  Africa.  Mrs. 
Allen  was  guest  speaker  at  the 
Women’s  Missionary  Fellowship 
Jan.  12.  Our  Christmas  piogram, 
‘"The  Message  of  the  Bells,”  was 
presented  by  the  S.  S.  and  youth 
choir  Dec.  21.  After  a fellowship 
dinner  Jan.  11,  we  held  our  annual 
church  meeting.  Officers  were  in- 
stalled Jan.  25.  That  evening  we 
had  a combined  service  sponsored 
by  the  Youth  C.  E.  The  men’s  quar- 
tet from  the  Calvary  Baptist  Church 
of  Whittier  presented  the  program. 
We  have  work  nights  on  Tues.  and 
every  Sat.  for  the  men,  and  are 
looking  forward  with  anticipation 
to  the  dedication  of  our  new  church 
in  March. — Edith  Huser,  corr. 

PASTOR  RESIGNS 

Pulaski  Church,  Pulaski,  Iowa: 
Harold  Ratzlaff  spoke  Nov.  3 on 
missions  in  India.  A filmstrip  on 
Why  We  Have  Thanksgiving  was 
shown  Nov.  27  with  a fellowship 
supper  preceding.  A food  shower 
was  given  the  pastor  and  family. 
Dec.  7 was  church  night  with  a 
supper  and  film.  Let’s  Keep  Christ- 
mas, adapted  from  a sermon  by 
Peter  Marshall.  The  Mary-Martha 
Circle  prepared  fruit  boxes  for  the 


126 


THE  MENNONITE 


sick  and  shut-ins  for  Christmas.  We 
regret  the  loss  of  two  members: 
Lizzie  Schindler,  Dec.  23,  and  Wes- 
ley Delzell,  Dec.  21.  The  Christmas 
program  was  held  Dec.  24.  The  Jr. 
Dept,  of  our  S.  S.  decorated  a mit- 
ten tree  for  MCC.  The  annual  meet- 
ing of  the  church  was  held  Dec.  29, 
during  which  time  the  pastor  re- 
signed. Jan.  11  a fellowship  supper 
was  held,  followed  by  a musical  pro- 
gram by  the  young  people.  A 
baby  girl  was  bom  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Roger  Augspurger.  We  are  looking 
forward  to  having  the  Evangeliers 


conference  notes 

(continued  from  the  last  page) 

RELIEF  FOR  BOLIVIA 

There  is  evidence  of  hardship  and 
actual  hunger  in  the  two  Mennonite 
settlements  in  Bolivia,  South  Amer- 
ica. One  colony  settled  there  in 
1954,  the  other  in  1957,  with  eight 
families  added  in  1958.  In  the  more 
recently  settled  colony,  twenty-five 
families  live  in  seventeen  homes. 

The  people  are  anxiously  await- 
ing opportunity  to  get  land  cleared 
so  they  can  start  producing.  They 
will  probably  be  self-supporting  in 
a year  or  two.  The  Government  Su- 
pervised Credit  men  are  sympa- 
thetic to  the  Mennonites  and  will 
do  all  they  can  to  help  them  with 
finances  for  land  purchasing,  ma- 
chinery, and  other  basic  needs,  but 
at  present  these  people  need  help. 

The  Board  of  Christian  Service 
has  sent  $200  from  its  emergency 
relief  budget  to  Bolivia  for  emer- 
gency food  needs.  Only  as  regular 
contributions  are  sent  to  the  Board 
can  there  be  a response  to  emer- 
gencies as  they  come  to  the  atten- 
tion of  the  church.  Contributions 
for  relief  should  be  sent  to  Board 
of  Christian  Service,  General  Con- 
ference Mennonite  Church,  722  Main 
Street,  Newton,  Kansas. 

ATTENTION  YOUNG  MEN! 

The  1-W  and  VS  Committee  of  the 
Board  of  Christian  Service  makes 
the  following  recommendations  to 
men  wishing  to  serve  their  country 
and  their  Lord  as  conscientious  ob- 
jectors: 

• Wait  till  age  twenty  before  en- 
tering service. 

• Complete  all  possible  education 
before  service  because  added  pre- 


in our  midst  soon. — Elise  Bachman. 
RATZLAFFS  SPEAK 
Friedensfeld  Church,  Turpin, 
Okla:.  New  Year’s  Eve  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Paul  Ediger  and  Pastor  and 
Mrs.  Levi  Koehn  sponsored  a party 
and  watch  night  service  for  the 
young  people.  The  young  people  of 
the  Church  of  God  were  also  invit- 
ed. We  had  our  annual  business 
meeting  Jan.  1.  Jan.  11  the  young 
people  had  charge  of  the  C.  E.  pro- 
gram. The  Men’s  Fellowship  met 
Jan.  12.  Jan.  18  Pastor  and  Mrs. 
Harold  Ratzlaff  and  Mary  Ann  were 


paredness  will  help  you  find  better 
placement,  and  added  maturity  will 
help  you  contribute  more  meaning- 
fully during  your  service. 

• Seek  counsel  from  your  pastor  or 
peace  counselor  before  applying  for 
service  placement.  This  is  to  an- 
ticipate problems  and  help  evaluate 


conference  stewardship 

JANUARY  31,  1958,  AS  COMPARED 


with  us.  Bro.  Ratzlaff  gave  the 
morning  message  and  Mrs.  Ratzlaff 
gave  a talk  to  the  children.  Instal- 
lation service  for  those  elected  at 
the  annual  meeting  was  held  in 
connection  with  the  morning  wor- 
ship service.  Missionary  Ratzlaff 
also  showed  a film  of  the  mission 
work  in  India  the  eve  of  Jan.  25. 
Harry  Jantz,  a Gideon  representa- 
tive, gave  the  morning  message. 
World  Day  of  Prayer  on  Feb.  13 
was  a joint  meeting  with  the  vari- 
ous churches  at  the  Forgan  Metho- 
dist Church. — Corr. 


service  opportunities. 

• There  is  no  objection  to  married 
men  in  1-W  service.  Married  couples 
have  made  exceptionally  good  con- 
tributions in  the  past.  There  are 
many  service  opportunities  in  Men- 
nonite congregations  at  several  1-W 
locations. 


TO  JANUARY  31,  1959 


ooooooooooo 
— cMO'^m'Or^coO'O 


MISSIONS 


5.6%  1958 
7.5%  1959 


5.2%  1958 
8.9%  1959 


5.7%  1953 
5.6%  1959 


6.5%  1958 
13.2%  1959 


CHRISTIAN  SERVICE 


EDUCATION  AND  PUBLICATION 


'illllllllllllllllllllllll 

BUSINESS  ADMINISTRATION 


BUDGET 


$670,000 

$700,000 


$193,500 

$177,600 


$ 70,000 
$ 75,400. 


$ 26,500 
$ 41,500 


Receipts  to  Jan.  31 


1959  Budget 


February  24,  1959 


127 


conference  notes 

LOOKING  TOWARD 
GENERAL  CONFERENCE 

Some  time  ago  I happened  to 
come  across  the  words,  “not  lilies, 
but  principalities.”  The  accompany- 
ing thoughts  suggested  that  it  is 
possible  to  become  so  engrossed  in 
admiring  the  accomplishments  of 
the  church  (observing  lilies)  that 
we  forget  to  tangle  with  the  issues 
of  the  day. 


Surely  we  will  want  to  rejoice  in 
the  things  God  has  accomplished 
among  us  during  the  last  three 
years — and  we  certainly  have  much 
to  rejoice  about!  But  maybe  we  are 
called  not  only  to  rejoice  but  also 
to  engage  in  the  struggle  with 
“principalities  and  powers  in  high 
places.”  As  we  look  forward  to 
Bluffton  our  hope  is  that  it  may  be 
a time  when  we  buttress  established 
endeavors,  forge  new  frontiers,  and 
sweep  aside  the  lethargy  that  has 
dogged  our  steps. 

May  God  use  these  sessions  to  en- 
large our  vision,  equip  us  for  the 
battle,  and  send  us  headlong  to  the 
very  back  yard  of  the  satanic 
stronghold.  Abe  M.  Wiebe 

MDS  MEETING 

Area  leaders  of  Mennonite  Disas- 
ter Service  met  with  the  Co-ordinat- 
ing Committee  in  Chicago  Feb.  12- 
13  to  discuss  common  concerns  and 
ways  of  effective  service.  Some  of 
the  reports  given  were  on  radio 
communications  and  on  civil  de- 
fense. A mock  operation  was  fea- 
tured, demonstrating  a practice 
disaster  operation. 

Mennonite  Disaster  Service  is  an 
inter-Mennonite  community  organi- 
zation. Division  into  areas  is  made 
geographically,  with  a contact  man 
in  each  congregation.  In  case  of 
disaster,  the  leader  of  that  area 
contacts  men  in  the  various  church- 
es and  organizes  a unit  to  assist  in 
whatever  way  possible  those  strick- 
en. 

(continued  on  page  127) 


ARE  YOU  PLANNING  TO  ATTEND  THE  CONFERENCE? 

If  you  are  one  of  the  thousand  or  more  visitors  and  delegates  who  will 
attend  the  triennial  conference  and  centennial  observances  of  the  General 
Conference  Mennonite  Church  at  Bluffton,  Ohio,  on  August  12-20,  you 
are  requested  to  fill  out  the  form  below  and  mail  it  to:  G.  T.  Soldner, 
Lodging  Chairman,  438  West  Elm  Street,  Bluffton,  Ohio.  This  includes 
both  those  who  are  arranging  for  lodging  with  friends  or  relatives,  and 
those  who  would  like  to  make  reservations  for  lodging.  All  who  plan  to 
attend  at  all,  either  part-time  or  full-time,  should  fill  out  and  send  in  an 
application  form.  Additional  forms  may  be  secured  from  Brother  Soldner 
at  the  address  above. 


APPLICATION  FOR  LODGING  RESERVATION 

Name Address 

Congregation Dist.  Conf 

Traveling  by:  Car. . . . Train. . . . Bus. . . .Plane. . . . Car  & Trailer. . . . 

Date  of  Arrival Time  of  Arrival 

If  by  train,  plane,  or  bus,  do  you  wish  to  be  met  at: 

Lima:  What  railroad Findlay:  What  Railroad 

Airport Airport 

Bus  Station 

Number  of  accommodations  requested: 

Couples....  Children....  Young  People....  Men....  Women.... 

Staying  for  entire  session? or,  what  nights? 

Have  you  made  arrangements  to  stay  with  relatives  or  friends? 

If  so,  with  whom? 

Address  

Lodging  will  be  provided  in: 

Mennonite  and  non-Mennonite  homes  in  Bluffton-Pandora-Lima  area 
Bluffton  College  dormitories 

Ohio  Northern  University  dormitories  (Ada,  12  miles) 

Findlay  College  dormitories  (Findlay,  18  miles) 

Motels  (5  to  15  miles) ; Lima  hotels  (if  needed) 

A lodging  fee  of  $2.00  per  person  per  night  will  be  asked  in  non- 
Mennonite  homes  and  in  dormitories.  Breakfast  and  linens  will  be 
included  in  dormitories.  Transportation  to  Ada  and  Findlay  will  be 
provided  for  those  who  do  not  have  their  own. 

Are  you  willing  to  accept  lodging  as  the  committee  can  best  grant? 
Have  you  a particular  need? If  so,  what  is  it? 


Are  you  willing  to  share  accommodations  with  others? 

Reservations  will  be  made  on  a “First  Come,  First  Served”  basis. 

ALL  RESERVATIONS  SHOULD  BE  MADE  NOT  LATER  THAN 
JULY  1,  1959. 

Address  all  communicationsto:  G.  T.  Soldner,  Lodging  Chairman, 

438  W.  Elm  Street,  Bluffton,  Ohio 


MARCH  3,  1959 


"Christ  washing  St.  Peter's  feet"  by  Ford  Madox  Brown 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
MAN  LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIST 


VOLUNTARY  SERVICE 


in  this  issue 

COVER 

Photo  by  Three  Lions 


ARTICLES 

WORK  WITHOUT  PAY? 

By  Albert  Goeddert  131 

THE  WHY'S  OF  VOLUNTARY  SERVICE  132 
FOURTEEN  YEARS  OF  CHALLENGE 

By  Leo  Driedger  133 

THE  CHURCH  AND  VOLUNTEERS 

By  Ben  Rohn  134 

SERVICE  AT  HOME  135 

WEEK-END  WORK  CAMPING 
^OR  CHURCHES 

By  H.  B.  Schmidt  135 

DEJECTION'S  SIN 

By  Robert  Hortzler  136 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  130 

Mennonite  Youth 

SUMMER  SERVICE  IN  1959  137 

LONG  TERM  SERVICE  138 

THE  UNWANTED 

By  Peter  Kehler  139 

REFLECTIONS  140 

OUR  SCHOOLS  141 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  142 

JOTTINGS  143 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  144 


of  things  to  come 

March  8 — Conference  Sunday 

March  1 7 — West.  Dist.  Women's  Meeting 

March  22 — Palm  Sunday 

March  29 — Easter 

April  23-26 — Central  Dist.  Conference, 
Goshen,  Ind. 

April  30-May  3 — Eastern  Dist.  Conf., 
Schwenksville,  Pa. 

May  7 — Ascension  Day 

May  10 — Festival  of  the  Christian  Home 

May  17 — Pentecost 

May  20 — Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary 
alumni  meeting. 

May  22 — Baccalaureate,  Mennonite  Bib- 
lical Seminary 

May  23 — Commencement,  Mennonite  Bib- 
lical Seminary 

June  10-14 — Pacific  District  Conference, 
Barlow,  Oregon 

June  18-21 — Northern  Dist.  Conf.,  Salem- 
Zion  Church  (North),  Freeman,  S.  D. 

Aug.  5-12 — Ministers'  and  Church  Work- 
ers' Retreat,  Camp  Friedenswald, 
Mich. 

Aug.  12-20 — General  Conference,  Bluff- 
ton,  Ohio 

Oct.  24-27 — West.  Dist.  Conference 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor,  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 

J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hortzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Asst.:  Esther  Groves. 
Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  9 


editorials 

CONTRASTS  AT  THE  CROSS:  MALICE  VERSUS  FORGIVE- 
NESS With  malice  in  their  hearts,  the  enemies  of  Jesus 
sought  a ruthless  revenge.  With  their  prejudiced  minds  they 
desired  only  to  do  away  with  Him.  Their  bitter  and  vindictive 
hearts  demanded  His  destruction  that  His  words  and  life  might 
be  completely  silenced.  For  His  life  was  an  open  rebuke  to  their 
narrowness  and  sinfulness.  They  hated  being  exposed  for  what 
they  were.  Their  malicious  design  against  His  life  was  their 
way  of  trying  to  save  themselves. 

What  a contrast  in  the  supreme  forgiveness  of  Jesus.  In  His 
heart  there  was  no  trace  of  malice,  only  compassion  and  a de- 
sire for  their  forgiveness.  The  tender  prayer  from  the  cross, 
“Father,  forgive  them,”  is  a summary  of  His  gospel — the  Good 
News  of  F'orgiveness  for  all  people. 

But  His  boundless  forgiveness  was  not  only  toward  His  im- 
mediate crucifiers.  It  reaches  out  to  embrace  the  whole  world 
and  all  time.  It  includes  us.  He  ever  longs  to  forgive,  if  we  will 
accept.  His  great  mission  on  earth  was  to  show  how  we  might 
be  forgiven  and  become  the  children  of  God.  Humbly,  penitently, 
gratefully,  we  accept  His  wondrous  forgiveness. 

ONE  GREAT  HOUR  OF  SHARING  Millions  of  church- 
goers will  make  special  contributions  on  March  8,  in  their  in- 
dividual churches  in  the  1959  “One  Great  Hour  of  Sharing.” 
The  more  than  eleven  million  dollars  expected  will  be  used  by 
denominational  and  interdenominational  programs  of  emergency 
relief  and  continuing  assistance  for  victims  of  need  throughout 
more  than  forty  countries  overseas. 

A portion  of  the  funds  received  by  this  United  Appeal  will 
defray  the  costs  of  processing,  shipping,  and  distributing  mil- 
lions of  pounds  of  clothing  donated  by  individuals  and  churches. 
Nearly  a million  dollars  will  be  used  to  continue  the  “Share  Our 
Surplus”  program,  by  which  for  less  than  a dollar,  300  pounds 
of  food  can  be  distributed. 

One  Great  Hour  of  Sharing  is  a united  program  to  make 
possible  the  needy  service  of  relief  for  men,  women,  and  children 
suffering  from  floods,  fires,  earthquakes,  and  other  disasters, 
also  those  uprooted  and  suffering  from  war  and  aggression,  the 
ill,  the  underprivileged,  and  the  undernourished.  This  assistance 
is  given  without  question  of  race,  color,  or  creed. 

OUR  SERVICE  PROGRAM  This  week’s  MENNONITE  is 
a special  service  issue.  In  it  you  will  find  something  of  the  his- 
tory of  our  service  program  and  its  future  aims  and  objectives. 
Various  types  of  service  opportunities  are  listed,  as  well  as  some 
impressions  of  those  who  recently  have  engaged  in  these  service 
programs.  We  hope  you  will  read  of  the  work  with  deep  interest, 
and  consider  seriously  the  opportunities  open  to  us. 

We  are  saved  to  serve.  To  simply  sit  back  to  enjoy  our  own 
salvation  without  rendering  what  service  we  can  for  others  is 
a selfish,  unredemptive  type  of  religion.  God’s  children  take  on 
God’s  concern  for  His  other  children.  All  can  have  some  part  in 
this  great  program  of  Christian  service. 


130 


THE  MENNONITE 


Work 

Without 

Pay 


Albert  Gaeddert* 


The  CHRISTIAN  life  is  giving 
up  something,  and  doing  it  so 
as  to  help  others.  To  high  school 
teen-agers  it  often  seems  very  nec- 
essary to  earn  money  in  the  sum- 
mer; it  seems  necessary  to  buy  a 
car.  But  is  it  so  necessary?  Would 
it  be  more  helpful  to  you,  actually, 
if  you  decided  to  help  others  who 
are  in  great  need? 

Have  you  ever  thought  of  life  in 
that  way?  That  it  might  do  more 
good  to  spend  a summer  not  earn- 
ing money  for  the  things  that  you 
now  want,  but  to  spend  the  time 
giving  your  services  to  those  who 
need  your  help? 

Some  likely  cannot  do  this;  they 
may  need  to  earn  money  during  the 
summer  to  be  able  to  go  to  college; 
and  that  is  good.  But  there  are 
other  less  “good”  reasons  for  want- 
ing to  earn  money;  and  often  they 
are  quite  selfish  reasons  when  you 
think  about  it  carefully. 

What  do  we  really  place  first  in 
our  life?  If  we  are  very  honest  with 
ourselves,  don’t  we  all  have  to  con- 
fess that  we  all  are  troubled  with 
placing  the  big  “I”  first?  What  / 
want,  what  is  “good”  for  me,  what 
I need — don’t  these  things  usually 
come  ahead  of  the  needs  of  others? 
Don’t  we  usually  get  the  words  of 
Jesus  mixed  up  a bit  when  He  said; 
“Seek  ye  first  the  Kingdom”? 

In  addition  to  this,  we  should 
think  about  questions  like:  What  do 
I want  most  in  life?  Do  I want  to 

‘Pastor.  Hoftnungsau  Church.  Inman,  Ks. 


get  all  I can  for  myself?  or  do  I 
want  to  give  all  I can  to  enrich  life 
for  others  as  well  as  for  myself? 
Am  I going  to  let  the  big  “I”  and 
“me”  come  first  in  my  life,  or  do 
I want  to  concern  myself  with  the 
rendering  of  service  to  those  in 
need?  You  see,  this  is  all  so  much 
a part  of  the  question:  Do  I really 
want  to  be  a follower  of  Jesus?  He 
said  himself  that  He  came  not  to 
be  ministered  unto,  but  to  minister! 
Is  this  what  I want  to  write  over 
the  aim  and  goal  of  my  life? 

What  has  all  this  to  do  with  giv- 
ing some  time  to  the  church  and  to 
the  Kingdom  or  with  Voluntary 
Service?  Just  this:  it  all  fits  closely 
together.  If  Christ  and  the  church 
and  the  Kingdom  do  not  enter  into 
the  making  of  our  decisions  for  our 
life,  then  where  do  they  come  in? 

There  are  real  advantages  to  be 
gained  from  a period  of  Voluntary 
Service,  where  you  work  without 
pay:  (1)  You  go  into  the  work,  not 
with  the  thought  of  what  you  can 
get  from  it  for  yourself,  but  what 
you  can  give  to  it. 

(2)  You  are  giving  up  something 
for  the  sake  of  something  or  some- 
one else.  'Think  of  the  life  of  Jesus; 
think  of  all  He  gave  up,  leaving 
heavenly  glories  with  God  in  order 
to  come  down  to  minister  to  us! 
The  greatest  things  in  life  are  those 


for  which  we  give  up  a lot  in  order 
to  get  them.  You  may  be  giving  up 
the  possibility  of  buying  a car,  but 
you  may  be  in  for  the  richest  expe- 
rience in  your  life  by  giving  several 
months  or  a year  to  the  work  of 
the  church,  the  Kingdom,  Christ’s 
work! 

(3)  For  this  period  of  time  that 
you  decide  to  give  to  Voluntary 
Service,  you  free  yourself  from  a 
lot  of  things — need  for  money  to 
keep  up  with  the  rest,  thinking  of 
earning  enough  to  have  “good 
times,”  etc — and  you  can  concen- 
trate on  giving  your  services  to 
those  who  need  your  services:  the 
sick,  the  underprivileged,  the  needy. 

(4)  You  are  about  to  become  a 
part  of  a group  where  you  are  all 
experiencing  the  same  thing;  a com- 
mon desire  to  give  of  yourself,  to 
serve  together  because  you  feel  this 
is  the  will  of  God  for  your  life.  And 
this  can  become  a very  rich  fellow- 
ship indeed! 

(5)  Most  of  all,  this  frees  you  to 
put  into  practice  some  of  the  teach- 
ings of  Jesus  when  He  talked  a- 
bout  “Seek  ye  first  the  Kingdom” 
“what  ye  have  done  unto  tlie  least 
of  these  my  brethren”  “Go  and  do 
thou  likewise”  (the  final  words  of 
the  Good  Samaritan  story). 

We  say  that  we  want  to  follow 
Christ.  Do  we  really  mean  it? 


March  3,  1959 


The  Why’s  of  Voluntary  Service 


WHEN  the  General  Conference 
Mennonite  Church  planned  a 
Voluntary  Service  program  for  its 
young  people  and  adults,  it  had  as 
its  general  objectives: 

• To  teach  Christians  the  impli- 
cations of  discipleship  by  making 
them  aware  of  their  responsibility 
and  involving  them  with  people  in 
need. 

• To  provide  channels  of  Chris- 
tian service  for  young  people  where- 
by they  are  challenged  to  contrib- 
ute a period  of  time  at  some  cost  to 
themselves. 

o To  provide  a means  of  testify- 
ing more  widely  to  the  gospel  and 
its  way  of  love  and  nonviolence. 

• To  provide  projects  that  will 
help  alleviate  human  need,  tension. 


and  spiritual  confusion,  and  which 
will  use  able  workers  in  service  re- 
spectable to  those  served,  the  work- 
er, and  our  church. 

• To  provide  through  Voluntary 
Service  an  opportunity  to  gain  a 
fuller  realization  of  the  soul-sick 
world  and  a clearer  understanding 
of  the  “good  news,”  with  the  hope 
that  more  individuals  will  be  con- 
strained by  the  love  of  Christ  to 
give  themselves  to  full-time  minis- 
try or  missionary  service. 

A Voluntary  Service  Committee 
has  been  created  to  provide  crea- 
tive planning  and  guidance,  to  serve 
as  an  advisory  committee  of  the 
Board  of  Christian  Service,  and  to 
represent  the  concerns  of  districts 
and  YPU  in  general  VS  program 


and  planning. 

The  projects  themselves  are  de- 
signed to  supplement  mission  and 
other  long-term  programs  of  the 
Conference,  to  open  new  mission 
opportunities,  to  use  various  talents, 
and  to  provide  good  leadership. 

Conference  Districts  are  encour- 
aged to  establish  short-  and  long- 
term units.  The  Conference  assists 
in  this  by  providing  information  on 
methods,  helping  to  plan  and  or- 
ganize projects,  furnishing  public- 
ity, and  procuring  personnel. 

The  entire  Conference  VS  pro- 
gram complements  the  MCC-VS  pro- 
gram in  that  it  provides  mission- 
related  projects  and  projects  for 
persons  with  limited  amounts  of 
time  or  with  continuing  responsi- 
bilities in  the  home  community. 

For  the  volunteer,  this  means  op- 
portunities for  spiritual,  social,  and 
emotional  growth.  It  means  there 
are  available  to  him  organized  chan- 
nels through  which  he  can  serve 
others.  He  has  opportunity  for  an 
internship  experience  in  Christian 
service  with  guidance  through  lead- 
ership and  group  participation,  and 
an  opportunity  to  participate  more 
fully  in  the  church’s  witness  and 
program.  In  addition,  there  is  the 
enjoyment  of  warm  Christian  fel- 
lowship as  he  works,  worships,  and 
plays  with  others,  and  there  are 
ways  in  which  he  can  become  aware 
of  and  use  personal  abilities.  Above 
all,  doors  are  opened  to  him,  that 
he  may  develop  a growing  concep- 
tion of  his  responsibility  to  the 
church  and  to  Christ. 

Volunteer  with  portable  organ 
and  migrant  children  in  New  York 
enjoy  singing  together 

Photo  by  Lew  Merrim  from  Monkmeyer 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church. 
Entered  at  North  Newton,  Kansas,  post  office  as  second  class  matter.  Acceptance  for  mailing  at  special  rate  of  postage:  section  1103,  Act 
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132 


THE  MENNONITE 


Photo  by  Pannabecker 


A volunteer  participates  in 
recreation  time  at  a 
vacation  Bible  school  sponsored  by 
Woodlawn  Church,  Chicago 


Fourteen  Years 
of  Challenge 


Leo  Driedger 


IT  IS  14  years  since  we  started 
our  first  General  Conference 
Mennonite  Summer  Service  unit. 
This  was  in  1946.  Since  then  al- 
most 700  young  people  have  served 
in  General  Conference  Summer 
Service  alone.  The  areas  from  which 
most  of  the  volunteers  came  were: 
Kansas  211,  Saskatchewan  96,  South 
Dakota  67,  and  Minnesota  43.  The 
largest  number  of  volunteers  in  any 
one  year  was  86.  All  of  this  does 
not  include  our  young  people  serv- 
ing through  the  Mennonite  Central 
Committee  or  in  Conference  long- 
term projects. 

The  first  Summer  Service  unit  of 
nine  volunteers  was  opened  in  Chi- 
cago in  1946.  Since  that  time,  115 
of  our  men  and  women  have  served 
in  Chicago  alone.  The  following 
year,  in  addition  to  the  Chicago  unit 
three  more  were  opened:  the  Mon- 
tana mission  field,  Rosthern  Youth 
Farm,  and  a traveling  Youth  Team. 
Further  units  were  opened  as  the 
years  went  by,  so  that  last  year 
there  were  sixteen.  Some  units  be- 
sides Chicago  which  have  had  large 
numbers  of  volunteers  are  Montana, 
North  Battleford,  Sask.  (77),  Ari- 
zona (71),  Rosthern  (59),  and  Camp 
Friedenswald  ( 54 ) . 

Another  new  area  of  service  o- 
pened  up  to  our  young  men  when 
two  went  to  the  Congo,  Africa,  mis- 
sion field  in  Missions  Pax  in  1955. 
Since  that  time  we  have  also  opened 
places  in  Formosa,  India,  and  Ja- 
pan, where  service  is  possible  for 
two  or  three  years.  At  present  there 


are  twelve  men  serving  in  this  great 
Missions  Pax  venture. 

A third  phase  of  service  in  our 
General  Conference  Mennonite  serv- 
ice program  came  in  1957  when  we 
began  to  send  volunteers  into  long- 
term Voluntary  Service.  The  first 
unit  was  at  Gulfport,  with  Arizona, 
Mexico,  Chicago,  Philadelphia,  Ros- 
them,  and  Montana  following.  Al- 
though Conference  long-term  VS  is 
only  two  years  old,  twenty-eight 
persons  have  served.  At  present 
there  are  eighteen  serving.  This 


again  does  not  include  the  many 
who  are  serving  under  MCC-VS. 

We  have  begun  in  a little  way, 
and  God  has  blessed  in  a big  way. 
It  is  our  prayer  that  God  may  con- 
tinue to  bless  the  work  we  do  in 
His  name.  We  have  our  rewards  in 
loving  the  helpless,  teaching  Christ’s 
needy  children,  seeking  transforma- 
tion of  lives  by  the  power  of  God. 
God  has  found,  redeemed,  and  chal- 
lenged us  so  that  we  must  give  of 
ourselves,  for  our  Saviour  and  Mas- 
ter gave  His  life  also. 


Indian  American  girl  and  boy,  two  of  the  many  children  living  near  our 
Cheyenne,  Arapaho,  and  Hopi  churches,  where  short-  and  long-term  volun- 
teers work. 


March  3,  1959 


133 


The  Church  and  Volunteers 


Ben  Rahn* 


VOLUNTARY  Service — for  whom 
is  it  and  how  do  we  promote 
it?  Is  it  only  for  the  young  man 
who  must  make  a choice  concern- 
ing military  service?  Is  it  only  for 
young  people  who  volunteer  a pe- 
riod of  time  in  Christian  service? 
Or  is  it  a place  where  both  younger 
and  older  people  can  devote  a pe- 
riod of  their  life  in  service  for  the 
Lord? 

Many  of  us  cannot  go  away  as 
missionaries  or  full-time  servants, 
but  in  VS  many  of  us  could  enter 
into  service  for  at  least  a period 
of  time.  We  may  have  a wrong 
conception  of  Voluntary  Service, 
thinking  that  it  applies  to  young 
people  alone.  I am  firmly  convinced 
that  there  is  a place  in  Voluntary 
Service  for  adults,  even  retired 
couples  and  others  who  can  also 
give  a period  of  time. 

Sometimes  there  is  the  danger  of 
expecting  more  from  young  people 
than  adults  are  willing  to  sacrifice. 
There  are  adults  who  cannot  per- 
sonally go  themselves,  but  would 
it  be  fantastic  to  suggest  that  these 
adults  should  instead  consider  giv- 
ing the  net  profit  of  a year’s  earn- 
ings to  the  support  of  the  Lord’s 
work?  This  is  precisely  what  the 
young  person  is  doing  who  goes 

*Pastor,  Inman  Church,  Inman,  Kan. 


for  a year  or  so  into  Voluntary 
Service,  Pax,  etc. 

We  need  to  foster  the  spirit  of 
togetherness  and  mutual  responsi- 
bility in  this  great  work  by  lending 
a helping  hand  in  financial  aid  for 
the  expenses  entailed  by  the  young 
person  who  offers  his  or  her  serv- 
ice. The  entire  congregation  and 
not  only  the  immediate  family 
should  feel  this  responsibility.  (We 
are  not  speaking  of  salary,  which 
the  young  person  does  not  expect.) 
Mennonite  Men  and  women’s  organ- 
izations could  well  consider  spon- 
soring young  people  who  volunteer 
for  a period  of  service,  by  assuming 
the  necessary  expenses  encountered 
by  those  who  go.  This  also  serves 
to  give  the  young  person  the  assur- 
ance of  support  and  interest  on  the 
part  of  his  church.  On  the  other 
hand,  the  congregation  itself  will 
automatically  feel  a part  in  what 
this  young  volunteer  is  doing. 

Another  excellent  way  of  promot- 
ing Voluntary  Service  is  taking 
young  people  to  visit  mission  fields 
and  other  areas  where  our  Confer- 
ence serves.  A church  could  even 
arrange  lo  take,  if  distance  per- 
mits, those  who  volunteer  to  their 
place  of  service.  In  doing  so,  have 
other  young  people  go  along.  A 
group  could  also  volunteer  to  get 


the  young  person  after  his  period 
of  service  and  thus  attend  any  clos- 
ing activities. 

One  particular  church  has  for 
some  time  had  this  type  of  project. 
A few  years  ago  this  church  took  a 
caravan  of  young  people  to  our 
Conference  mission  station  in  Ari- 
zona, and  a truckload  of  supplies, 
purchased  by  these  young  people  as 
one  of  their  projects,  was  taken  to 
the  new  mission  school.  While  on  the 
field  these  young  people  participat- 
ed in  programs,  and  the  mission- 
aries arranged  a fellowship  meal 
in  which  young  people,  missionaries, 
and  Indians  shared. 

A few  years  later  another  trip 
was  taken  to  our  Oklahoma  mission 
field.  Again  the  young  people  gave 
programs  and  joined  in  recreation 
with  the  Indian  young  people.  The 
same  church  is  currently  planning 
to  take  a caravan  of  young  people 
to  Gulfport,  Mississippi,  where  they 
anticipate  spending  a few  days  in 
working,  giving  programs,  and  join- 
ing in  recreation  with  the  Negro 
young  people  and  the  congregation. 

The  financing  of  these  trips  is 
shared  by  the  young  people. 
This  method  of  promotion  is  bound 
to  create  a real  interest  for  service 
in  the  lives  of  these  young  people 
who  had  the  privilege  of  making  a 
personal  visit  to  the  mission  field. 
Nothing  will  create  a greater  inter- 
est than  personal  participation.  In- 
cidentally, all  these  arrangements 
were  and  are  made  through  the 
central  offices  of  our  Conference 
and  the  workers  on  the  field. 

Voluntary  Service  is  one  of  the 
greatest  challenges  that  we  have. 
No  other  project  will  bring  forth 
more  full-time  Christian  workers 
than  this  project.  We  need  to  chal- 
lenge young  people  to  consider 
spending  some  period  of  time  in 
this  type  of  work.  The  congrega- 
tion at  home  should  feel  it  their 
solemn  duty  toward  their  young 
people  to  offer  interest  and  finan- 
cial assistance  thus  fostering  a spir- 
it of  togetherness,  so  that  all  in  the 
congregation  feel  a part  of  this 
great  program  of  Christian  service. 

Volunteer  measures 
soap  box  racers  under 
construction  at  Boys’  Village, 
Smithville,  Ohio 


134 


THE  MENNOMTE 


Service  at  Home 


Photos  by  Waltner 


Each  summer,  Mennonite  families 

in  Illinois,  Indiana,  and 

South  Dakota  adopt  for  two  weeks 

children  from  the  Woodlawn 

Mennonite  Sunday  School.  The 

“parents”  and  their  church 

pay  the  youngsters’  trainfare  . . . 


The  children  take  part  in 
family  devotions,  and  in  one  way  or 
another,  learn  what  difference 
it  makes  to  be  a Christian. 


The  girls  learn  what  a 
Christian  mother  is  like,  and 
the  boys  come  back 
arguing  which  kind  of  tractor 
is  best,  depending  on  which  kind 
their  host  parents  had  . . . 


Week-end  Work  Camping  for  Churches 


H.  B.  Schmidt* 


There  is  need  for 
the  kind  of  service  that 
young  people  and  adults 
can  give  who 
have  one,  two,  or  more 
days  available  to  serve 
those  in  need. 


“For  I was  an  hungred,  and  ye 
gave  me  meat:  I was  thirsty,  and  ye 
gave  me  drink:  I was  a stranger, 
and  ye  took  me  in:  naked,  and  ye 
clothed  me:  I was  sick,  and  ye  vis- 
ited me:  I was  in  prison,  and  ye 
came  unto  me.  . . . Verily  I say  unto 
you,  ‘Inasmuch  as  ye  have  done  it 
unto  one  of  the  least  of  these  my 
brethren,  ye  have  done  it  unto  me’  ” 
(Matt.  25:35,  36,  40). 


*Pastor,  Hopefleld  Church,  Moundridge, 
Kan. 


Throughout  all  the  ages  there 
have  been  people  who  needed 
spiritual  and  material  help  and 
there  have  been  those  who  were 
looking  for  opportunities  to  help 
the  needy  and  thereby  show  their 
love  to  their  Lord  and  Master  Jesus 
Christ.  Week-end  work  camps  offer 
wonderful  opportunities  to  give  ex- 
pression to  our  love  for  others  and 
to  Jesus  Christ. 

As  in  anything  else,  week-end 
work  camps  require  a certain  a- 
mount  of  preparation.  First  you 


March  3,  1959 


135 


must  find  people  that  are  willing  to  leave  their  work  at  home 
and  that  are  eager  to  help  others.  As  a rule  this  is  not  too 
difficult  if  a real  need  is  presented.  Then  you  must  find  a place 
where  you  can  serve.  Not  all  people  in  need  of  help  are  willing 
to  accept  it,  but  there  are  always  those  who  welcome  help. 

Some  of  the  places  where  help  might  be  needed  are:  mission 
stations,  mission  churches,  rescue  missions,  schools,  hospitals, 
homes  for  aged,  homes  where  there  is  sickness,  homes  where 
disaster  of  some  kind  has  struck,  etc. 

In  helping  others  one  should  never  separate  the  material  and 
spiritual  help,  because  they  belong  together.  All  who  helped  to 
paint  the  front  part  of  the  Union  Rescue  Mission  (Wichita, 
Kan.)  will  remember  the  good  time  they  had  in  painting  but 
will  also  remember  the  fellowship  around  the  table  with  people 
of  other  churches  and  schools,  staff  members  of  the  Mission, 
and  men  that  came  to  the  Mission  to  seek  help.  Other  week- 
end work  projects  that  will  be  remembered  by  those  who  had 
a part  in  them  are  hauling  firewood  for  sick  families,  digging 
up  garden  spots,  repairing  roofs,  putting  up  fences,  etc.,  for 
widows  and  other  needy  people. 

Words  will  never  be  able  to  express  the  feelings  and  the 
thoughts  that  go  through  the  minds  of  those  that  help  and  are 
helped.  Perhaps  the  greatest  joy  goes  to  those  permitted  to 
help.  Paul  reminds  us  never  to  grow  weary  in  well-doing,  for 
in  due  season  we  shall  reap  if  we  faint  not.  Week-end  work 
camping  offers  a wonderful  opportunity  for  well-doing.  It  is  an 
experience  in  which  all  of  us  can  have  a part;  it  is  an  act  of 
love  that  no  one  will  ever  regret. 


IV.  DEJECTION’!^  SIX 


DEJECTTION  is  the  fourth  of  the 
seven  deadly  sins.  Sometimes 
referred  to  as  sloth,  this  evil  has 
been  a recognized  factor  in  human 
downfall  from  earliest  times. 

Dejection  is  the  “don’t  care”  at- 
titude toward  life.  It  has  been  de- 
scribed as  the  sin  which  “believes 
in  nothing,  cares  for  nothing, 
seeks  to  know  nothing,  interferes 
with  nothing,  enjoys  nothing,  loves 
nothing,  hates  nothing,  finds  pur- 
pose in  nothing,  lives  for  nothing, 
and  remains  alive  only  because 
there  is  nothing  for  which  it  would 
die.” 

The  genesis  of  dejection  may  be 
found  in  the  individual’s  failure  to 
reach  the  goals  of  his  life.  In  our 
day  many  aspire  to  absurdly  im- 
probable achievements,  particular- 
ly with  respect  to  the  acquisition  of 
property.  The  failure  to  come  even 
close  to  realizing  these  ambitions 
may  result  in  dejection.  And  dejec- 
tion always  brings  with  it  serious 
consequences. 

For  one  thing,  it  reduces  a man 


to  a limp  shadow  of  what  he  could 
be  and  ought  to  be.  It  is  aspiration 
and  hope  which  provide  backbone, 
but  dejection  takes  all  this  away. 
Judas,  who  hanged  himself,  typi- 
fies those  overcome  with  dejection. 

Again,  dejection  has  a most  del- 
eterious effect  upon  others  round 
about.  How  do  you  like  to  be  with 


The  Seven  Deadly  Sins 

the  person  whose  glum  outlook 
chills  every  spontaneous  joy  which 
may  arise? 

Then,  dejection  cuts  a man  off 
from  the  sources  of  personal  spir- 
itual renewal.  When  you  suspect 
that  nothing  matters,  you  will  not 
take  seriously  even  the  voice  of  God 
when  it  comes  to  you. 

But  the  sin  of  dejection  is  par- 
ticularly out  of  place  in  the  Chris- 
tian, who  ideally  is  characterized 
by  two  opposite  qualities — concern 


and  hope.  He  cares  what  happens 
in  the  world:  whether  the  battle 
goes  to  the  right  or  wrong,  which 
political  philosophy  prevails,  wheth- 
er discrimination  is  practiced  any- 
where on  earth.  He  cares  what  hap- 
pens in  the  church,  the  community, 
the  nation,  and  the  world.  He  cares 
what  choices  others  make. 

And  he  has  hope,  believing  that 
life  is  headed  somewhere,  that  it 
has  purpose,  and  that  he  can  affect 
its  outcomes  by  his  own  effort.  Con- 
cern and  hope  join  in  asserting  that 
dejection  does  not  belong,  that  it  is 
an  alien  intruder  on  the  human 
scene,  a falsifier,  a misleader,  a 
destroyer. 

Many  have  been  lifted  out  of  the 
depths  of  sloth  and  despair,  as  out 
of  bondage  to  other  sins,  by  learn- 
ing to  know  Jesus  Christ.  For  those 
having  needs  at  this  point,  be  it 
said  that  there  is  no  other  way  by 
which  one  may  lastingly  escape  the 
shackles  of  dejection. 

— Robert  W.  Hartzler,  pastor  of 
Eighth  Street  Church,  Goshen,  Ind. 


136 


THE  AAENNONITE 


Mennonite  Youth 

Summer  Service  in  1959 


The  average  man  or  woman  is 
expected  to  live  about  seventy 
years.  Did  you  ever  sit  down  to  cal- 
culate how  you  wanted  to  spend 
seventy  summers? 

We  would  like  to  challenge  you 
to  give  one  of  these  summers  to 
service  this  year.  Almost  700  volun- 
teers have  given  a summer  in  the 
Conference  Summer  Service  pro- 
gram, many  serving  at  the  same 
place  two  or  three  times  because 
they  felt  new  leadings  of  God  in 
vision  and  faith.  It  is  possible  that 
by  serving  in  a city  or  on  an  Indian 
mission  field  or  in  a hospital,  you 
will  come  to  see  more  clearly  what 
God  wants  you  to  do  at  the  same 
time  that  you  give  love  and  help  to 
those  who  need  it. 

Summer  service  units  open  to 
volunteers  this  summer  are  located 
in  eleven  states,  two  provinces,  and 
three  countries; 

Missions 

Arizona:  Mission  work  among  the 
Hopi  and  Navajo  Indians  at  Hote- 
villa,  Moencopi,  and  Oraibi;  teach- 
ing Bible  school,  repair,  painting, 
recreational  leadership;  3 men  and 
6 women;  May  28-June  26. 

Colombia,  S.  A.:  Staying  with 

missionaries  on  a foreign  mission 
field  and  working  with  Latin  Amer- 
ican people;  teach  English,  carpen- 
try, gardening,  sewing,  fruit  farm- 
ing; 2 men  and  2 women;  June  1- 
August  31. 

Eloy,  Arizona:  Work  with  mi- 

grants at  the  Friendly  Corner  Mis- 
sion; DVBS  teaching,  handicraft, 
playground  activities;  2 people; 
May  22-June  9. 

Montana:  Cheyenne  Indian  mis- 
sion field  with  stations  at  Busby, 
Lame  Deer,  Ashland,  and  Birney; 
work  as  retreat  counselors,  Bible 
school  teachers,  assistants  in  church 
work;  2 men  and  3 women;  June  1- 
June  26. 

Oklahoma:  Indian  mission  church- 


es at  Clinton,  Hammon,  Soiling, 
and  Canton;  Bible  school  teaching, 
serve  as  counselors  and  recreation- 
al workers;  12  men  and  women; 
June  1-June  26. 

Paint  Rock,  N.  C.:  Church  work 
in  the  Southern  Highland  and 
Smoky  Mountains;  teaching  DVBS, 
children’s  work;  2-4  men  and  wom- 
en; June-July. 

Cities 

Chicago.  III.:  Work  with  Negro 
people  in  the  Woodlawn  Church 
community;  day  camping,  vacation 
Bible  school,  crafts,  visitation,  rec- 
reation with  children;  2 men  and  3 
women;  June  23-July  31. 

Fresno,  Calif.:  New  suburban 

church  community  in  the  heart  of 
American  life;  community  service, 
organized  recreation,  Bible  school 
teaching,  community  survey,  chil- 
dren’s hour;  2 men  and  2 women; 
June  15-July  17. 

Kansas  City,  Kan.:  New  Menno- 
nite church  in  the  heart  of  the  city; 
teach  church  school,  crafts,  nature 
study,  recreational  supervision;  2 
men  and  2 women;  June  6-July  3. 

Lancaster,  Pa.:  Mennonite  church 
in  Lancaster  only  several  miles 
from  MCC  Headquarters;  day 
camping,  work  with  children,  Bible 
school  teaching;  1 couple;  July-Aug. 

Communities 

Gulfport,  Miss. : Work  mostly  with 
Negro  people  in  this  typically  South- 
ern town;  community  center  work, 
counselors  for  retreat,  Bible  school 
teaching,  recreational  activities;  2 
men  and  5 women;  June  9- August  7. 

Koinonia,  Ga.:  Communal  farm 
at  Americus  in  the  Deep  South;  a 
group  of  people  living  out  the  Ser- 
mon on  the  Mount;  work  in  pecan 
industry,  farm  work,  maintenance; 
5 people;  June- August. 

Institutions 

North  Battleford,  Sask.:  Govern- 
ment hospital  for  mentally  ill  with 


several  thousand  patients  in  what 
used  to  be  historical  Indian  coun- 
try; . regular  attendant  wages, 
monthly  unit  fee  of  $10;  ward  aides, 
deputational  work,  help  in  church 
services;  8 men  and  8 women;  May 
1-September  30. 

Youth  Farm,  Rosthern,  Sask.: 
Two  children’s  homes,  two  homes 
for  mentally  ill,  and  one  invalid 
home  on  a former  government  ex- 
perimental farm  are  operated  by 
the  Saskatchewan  Mennonite  Youth 
Organization;  men  help  on  farm, 
work  with  patients,  retreat,  chil- 
dren’s work;  2 men  and  5 women; 
any  periods  of  time  June-September. 

Camps 

Camp  Friedenswald,  Cassopolis, 
Mich.:  The  Central  District  retreat 
grounds  near  a beautiful  wooded 
lake;  cooks,  counselors,  lifeguards, 
recreational  and  craft  leaders;  6 
men  and  6 women;  any  periods  of 
time  from  June  1-September  7. 

Camp  Mennoscah,  Murdock,  Kan.: 
Western  District  camp  and  retreat 
grounds  at  Murdock,  Kansas;  camp 
secretary,  counseling,  assistant 
cooks,  craits,  recreation,  music 
work;  6 people;  July  1-August  8. 

Camp  Men-O-Lan,  Quokertown, 
Pa.:  The  Eastern  District  camp  and 
retreat  grounds;  counseling;  assist- 
ant cooks,  craft  and  recreation  lead- 
ership; 8 people;  July- August. 

Camp  Sholom,  Muskoka,  Ont.: 
The  Ontario  Hebrew  Mission  has  a 
camp  for  Jewish  families;  a cook, 
two  kitchen  helpers,  a handy  man, 
repair,  teaching;  6 people  needed; 
July-August. 

Teen-age  Work  Camp:  Place  not 
yet  determined  but  may  be  in  Cen- 
tral District  area.  Last  two  years 
it  was  in  South  Dakota  and  Idaho; 
clean  up,  beautify  grounds,  possible 
building,  plot  trails;  10  fellows  and 
10  girls,  16-18  years  old;  $1  a day 
fee  for  room  and  board;  3 weeks  in 
July  or  August. 


March  3,  1959 


137 


There  are  many  and  varied  opportunities  for 

Long-term  Service 


WILL  you  give  a year  of  your 
life  to  a cause  that  is  worthy? 
perhaps  two  or  three?  If  you  will, 
you  can  do  something  of  value  for 
those  who  need  your  help  and  for 
Christ  and  His  Kingdom. 

There  are  at  present  three  areas 
in  which  long-term  volunteers  can 
serve:  Voluntary  Service  (United 

States,  Canada,  Mexico);  Missions 
Pax  (overseas),  and  Church  Relat- 
ed Vocations  (United  States  and 
Canada). 

Voluntary  Service 

(One-  or  two-year  service  approved 
for  1-Ws) 

Chicago,  III.:  Work  at  the  Wood- 
lawn  Church  area  in  a completely 
Negro  community.  Service  needs  are 
teaching  children  and  adults,  main- 
tenance, church  work,  and  play  su- 
pervision. A typical  city  church  mis- 
sion. Housing  facilities  available 
next  to  the  church  and  community 
needs. 

Gulfport,  Miss.:  Work  with  people 
in  a Negro  community.  Teachers, 
recreational  workers,  house  visita- 
tion, and  construction  help  are  need- 
ed. Activity  centers  around  a com- 
munity center  in  the  city,  and  liv- 
ing quarters  are  at  Camp  Landon 
several  miles  out  of  town. 

Mexico:  Agricultural,  hospital, 
church,  and  school  work  is  centered 
around  Cuauhtemoc,  Chihuahua. 

Photo  courtesy  of  MCC 


Needs  include  nursing,  hospital  ad- 
ministration, teaching,  and  agricul- 
tural farming.  A ministry  to  Old 
Colony  Mennonites  and  Mexican 
people  living  in  the  country  and  in 
towns  and  villages. 

Montana:  A mission  ministry  to 
the  Cheyenne  Indians  in  the  vil- 
lages of  Lame  Deer,  Busby,  and 
Ashland  on  the  Montana  reserva- 
tion. Help  needed  for  the  caring  of 
orphan  and  delinquent  children  as 
well  as  recreation  supervision.  Close 
co-operation  with  missionaries  there. 

Philadelphia,  Pa.:  Work  in  the 
Negro  section  of  the  slums  of  this 
city  has  just  begun.  Maintenance, 
play  supervision,  and  teaching  are 
needed  to  build  a church  witness. 
Workers  stay  in  the  heart  of  this 
transient  community  where  Negroes 
from  the  South  are  flowing  in. 

Rosthern,  Sask.:  The  young  peo- 
ple of  Saskatchewan  own  and  oper- 
ate what  used  to  be  a government 
experimental  farm  near  Rosthern. 
On  it  are  an  invalid  home,  two  chil- 
dren’s homes,  and  two  homes  for 
the  mentally  ill.  Help  is  needed  in 
general  and  dairy  farming,  nurs- 
ing, care  for  children  and  invalids. 
Volunteers  stay  and  work  with  some 
thirty  or  more  Mennonite  workers. 

Northern  Saskatchewan:  North- 

ern Saskatchewan  has  numerous 
schools,  Indian  reserves,  health  and 


social  work  centers  where  Chris- 
tian help  is  needed.  Nurses,  teach- 
ers, children’s  workers,  and  social 
workers  are  needed.  Mostly  white 
and  some  Indian  people  would  be 
served. 

Missions  Pax 

(Two-  and  three-year  service  ap- 
proved for  1-Ws) 

Congo,  Africa:  Work  at  the  dif- 
ferent mission  stations  of  the  Con- 
go Inland  Mission  doing  mainte- 
nance construction,  mechanical,  and 
agricultural  work.  Usually  two  men 
stay  at  a station,  working  with  the 
missionaries  and  African  nationals. 

Formosa:  Men  work  with  the 

medical  mobile  unit  of  our  General 
Conference  mission  work.  The 
truck,  equipment,  and  supplies  have 
to  be  taken  care  of  while  the  doctor, 
nurses,  and  Bible  women  work  in 
the  surrounding  villages. 

India:  Work  in  the  General  Con- 
ference Mennonite  mission  field  con- 
sists of  maintenance,  general  re- 
pair, carpentry,  and  mechanical 
work.  This  helps  to  relieve  mission- 
aries for  other  work  that  needs  to 
be  done.  Men  stay  at  the  different 
stations  with  the  missionaries  and 
nationals. 

Japan:  Teaching  English  Bible  to 
Japanese,  teaching  missionary  chil- 
dren on  our  Japan  mission  field, 
and  general  repair  and  mainte- 
nance. This  is  one  of  the  most  mod- 
ern countries;  the  Japanese  are  a 
learned  people.  Men  stay  with  the 
missionaries  at  the  different  mis- 
sion stations. 

Church  Related  Vocations 

( One  or  more  years  of  service  ap- 
proved for  1-Ws  — earn  regular 
wages) 

Arizona:  Work  in  regular  govern- 
ment jobs  on  the  reservation  near 
mission  stations  to  help  along  with 
the  work  there,  perhaps  on  week 
ends.  Nurses,  doctors,  and  elemen- 
tary and  high  school  teachers  are 
needed  near  Moencopi,  Hotevilla, 
and  Oraibi  stations.  Salaries  are 
$3,500  and  up,  and  government 
housing  is  excellent. 


There  are  construction 
activities  in  several  countries  which 
need  dedicated  Christian  workers 


138 


THE  MENNONITE 


Chicago:  Work  in  regular  schools, 
hospitals,  industry,  business,  etc., 
and  stay  in  some  of  the  buildings 
in  the  Woodlawn  mission  church 
area.  Earn  regular  city  wages  and 
help  along  with  the  church  and  Ne- 
gro community  programs  to  boost 
the  work  there. 

Montana:  Work  in  government 
jobs  near  our  Indiem  reservation 
missions  earning  regular  salaries 
and  giving  spare  time  to  help  with 
the  mission  work.  Elementary  and 


The  Unwanted 


IN  A GREAT  LAND  that  boasts 
of  freedom  and  equality,  and 
that  spends  millions  of  dollars  to 
help  people  in  other  countries  be 
“free,”  it  seems  almost  paradoxical 
to  speak  of  some  of  its  own  people 
as  unwanted.  Yet  in  the  “land  of 
freedom”  nearly  eighteen  million 
people  are  seeking  freedom  but  can 
not  find  it.  They  are  unwanted,  not 
because  they  have  broken  some 
moral  code  but  because — their  skin 
i.'  of  a different  color. 

Many  Negroes  are  poor  and  live 
under  squalid  conditions,  not  be- 
cause they  are  lazy  but  because  they 
are  the  last  to  be  hired  and  are 
given  the  menial  tasks.  A Negro 
engineer  may  work  in  an  office,  but 
he  is  not  wanted  in  the  residential 
area  of  the  city.^  A Negro  sales- 
man, with  an  annual  gross  income 
of  five  million,  is  forbidden  by  law 
to  use  the  term  “realtor.”^  Of  the 
seventy-seven  private  hospitals  in 
Chicago,  only  one  has  a Negro  sur- 
geon on  the  staff.3  Only  a few  of 
these  hospitals  accept  Negro  pa- 
tients, even  though  22%  of  Chica- 
go’s population  is  Negro.^  A doctor 
listed  in  Who’s  Who  in  America  re- 
ceived an  invitation  to  a state  an- 
niversary banquet,  but  when  it  was 
discovered  by  the  sponsoring  agency 
that  he  was  a Negro,  a telegram 
was  sent  to  him  stating  that  there 
had  been  a mistake  and  he  should 
not  come.5 

In  other  cities  Negroes  must  have 
police  protection  as  they  go  about 
their  business  or  go  to  school.  They 
are  forbidden  by  law  to  buy  homes 
in  the  better  sections  of  the  city 
and  must  be  content  to  live  in 


high  school  teachers  and  nurses  are 
needed.  Housing  in  the  villages  of 
Lame  Deer,  Busby,  and  Ashland. 

Oklahoma:  This  is  not  reserva- 
tion territory  so  a Christian  could 
get  any  job  near  the  mission  work 
in  Soiling,  Clinton,  Hammon,  and 
Canton  and  help  along  where  pos- 
sible. Missionaries  serve  a number 
of  out-stations  which  could  be 
served  by  a couple  on  week  ends. 
Elementary  and  high  school  teach- 


ers are  especially  needed. 

Saskatchewan:  Schoolteachers  are 
needed  to  teach  in  public  schools 
in  Northern  Saskatchewan,  earning 
regular  salaries  $3,500  and  up.  A 
Christian  teacher  association  cre- 
ates fellowship,  discussion,  and  find- 
ing ways  of  service  such  as  start- 
ing a Sunday  school  class,  recrea- 
tional work  with  community  peo- 
ple, sewing  clubs,  storytelling  hours, 
etc.  Opportunities  for  nurses  to 
work  in  hospitals. 


Photo  by  VValtner 


Two  boys  with 
bat  and  ball 
spell  fun — 
ability  counts, 
not  color. 


cramped  quarters  and  old  homes. 
Most  of  their  schools  are  crowded, 
the  buildings  are  poor,  and  the  e- 
quipment  inadequate.  Their  “free- 
dom” is  measured  out  to  them  in 
the  parks  and  beaches,  hotels  and 
hospitals,  and  even  in  schools  and 
churches.  They  are  told  in  no  un- 
certain terms,  “Go  away.  We  don’t 
want  you.” 

In  order  to  be  true  to  the  Great 
Commission  the  General  Conference 
felt  that  it  must  speak  to  this  need. 
Through  its  Voluntary  Service  pro- 
gram it  is  ministering  to  the  Negro 
people  in  Chicago,  Philadelphia,  and 
Gulfport,  Mississippi. 

In  Gulfport  the  General  Confer- 
ence owns  the  Christian  Community 
Center.  Here  the  children  are  taught 
crafts  and  guided  in  outdoor  and 
indoor  activities.  Bible  classes  are 
held  every  Wednesday  night.  In 


summer  there  is  the  retreat  pro- 
gram at  Camp  Landon.  In  winter 
our  VS’ers  are  active  in  the  Bible 
teaching  program  in  the  Negro  pub- 
lic schools.  In  Philadelphia  the  pro- 
gram consists  of  Sunday  school  and 
directed  activities  during  the  week. 
In  Chicago  the  VS’ers  help  in  both 
the  Grace  and  Woodlawn  churches. 
Working  with  the  children  in  the 
Sunday  school,  weekday  classes  and 
recreation,  they  seek  to  help  the 
boys  and  girls  find  Christ  as  their 
Saviour  and  Friend. 

The  young  people  in  Voluntary 
Service  are  the  “letters”  of  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  to  the  Negro  stat- 
ing that  he  is  wanted.  Your  sig- 
nature is  requested. 

— Peter  Kehler 


^-*Life,  42:151-158,  March  11,  1957. 
^Commonweal,  66:79.  April  26,  1957.. 


March  3,  1959 


139' 


vs  Reflections 

WE  OFTEN  say,  “It  takes  all 
kinds  of  people  to  make  a 
world.”  In  a city  as  large  as  Phila- 
delphia, one  meets  many.  There  is 
Whitie,  a small  blonde  girl  with 
bony  hands  who  eats  lunch  with  us; 
Gregory,  a seven-year-old  boy  who 
wants  to  go  to  school  but  needs 
someone  to  take  him  for  his  vac- 
cinations: Betty,  a seventeen-year- 
old  girl  who  must  provide  food  and 
rent  money  for  the  family  and 
needs  help  in  locating  employment; 
and  Lester,  a colored  boy  who  needs 
someone  to  take  him  to  the  free 
dental  clinic  as  his  mother  is  too 
busy.  There  is  Horace,  a shiny, 
bright  Negro  boy,  who  takes  our 
old  papers  to  sell  for  a few  pen- 
nies’ spending  money;  Malcolm, 
who  is  shy,  stutters,  and  needs  a 
friend  and  help  with  his  home- 
work; Ida,  ninety- two  years  young, 
who  now  has  memories  of  a birth;^ 
day  dinner  with  her  friends;  and 
Debbie,  the  cry  baby,  who  no  longer 
cries  while  with  us,  as  she  knows 
she  is  loved. 

The  Bible  injunctions,  “Feed  the 
hungry,  clothe  the  naked,  love  one 
another,”  have  taken  on  new  mean- 
ing. We  have  gained  new  under- 
standing of  the  purpose  of  the 
church,  the  need  for  more  full-time 
lay  workers,  and  how  lay  workers 
could  be  serving  more  effectively  in 
their  local  churches. 

— Erwen  and  Ruth  Graber 
Long-term  VS,  Philadelphia 

TO  MY  surprise,  the  people  (Koi- 
nonia  Farm,  Americus,  Ga.)  I 
■was  to  help  were  a community  of 
‘Christians  putting  into  practice  the 
teachings  of  Jesus.  They  were  paci- 
fists and  truly  showed  love  to  all. 
As  you  know,  this  is  very  hard  in 
the  segregated  South.  Despite  all 
persecutions,  they  stood  firm  on 
Jesus’  commandments.  This  uplift- 
ed my  Christian  life. 

I went  there  thinking  I would  be 
helping  them,  but  I came  back  hav- 
ing learned  the  meaning  of  Christ’s 
command,  “Love  your  enemies, 
bless  them  that  curse  you,  do  good 
to  them  that  hate  you,  and  pray  for 
them  which  despitefully  use  you, 
and  persecute  you”  (Matt.  5:44). 

, — Marvin  Kehler 

Summer  Service,  1958 


He  was  thin,  ragged,  and  dirty. 

His  shoestrings  were  unkempt, 
his  shoes  had  probably  never  seen 
shoe  polish.  The  clothes  he  wore 
plus  a small  bundle  of  things  were 
undoubtedly  his  sole  possessions. 
His  torn  coat  and  trousers  scarcely 
seemed  enough  to  warm  his  frail 
body.  Beneath  his  oversized  cap,  his 
eyes  were  barely  visible. 

As  the  days  wore  on,  he  seemed 
even  more  unlovely.  Let  someone 
else  take  care  of  him,  I thought; 
there  are  more  important  and  love- 
ly people  to  care  for  in  this  hos- 
pital. Then  it  happened.  One  day  I 
realized:  God  made  him,  God  loves 
him,  can  I love  less  than  my  Mas- 
ter? Am  not  I just  as  unlovely  in 
my  Master’s  eyes — and  yet  He  does 
not  shun  me.  I prayed  for  forgive- 
ness; I prayed  that  my  own  heart 
might  share  God’s  love  with  others, 
especially  the  unlovely — 

“And  whatsoever  ye  do,  do  it 
heartily,  as  to  the  Lord,  and  not 
unto  men”  (Col.  3:23). 

— Esther  Unruh 

Long-term  VS,  Mexico 

Before  last  summer,  “Saskatch- 
ewan” meant  something  hard 
to  spell.  Now  . . . There  were  those 
two  weeks  spent  working  at  the 
crippled  children’s  home  (Youth 
Farm,  Rosthern),  learning  to  be  pa- 
tient and  loving  when  there  was 
little  response  to  patience  and  love 
. . . learning  to  smile  and  talk  even 
when  the  job  at  hand  suggested 
nothing  but  unpleasantness  . . . 
finding  the  value  of  reward  in  the 
smallest  hint  of  recognition  from  a 
child  with  whom  communication  is 
impossible. 

Then  followed  three  weeks  of 
teaching  Bible  school:  learning  to 
accept  the  responsibility  and  au- 
thority that  pupils  give  to  a teach- 
er; reading,  speaking,  playing,  and 
making  friends  with  children  I 
would  probably  never  see  again; 
living  with  families  whose  simplic- 
ity of  life  shamed  me.  For  the  first 
time,  I was  being  a giver  and  un- 
derstander after  twenty  years  of 
receiving  and  being  understood. 

For  the  next  four  weeks,  in  the 
kitchen  of  the  fifty-bed  Invalid 
Home,  we  peeled  bushels  of  pota- 
toes, picked  tubfuls  of  peas,  cooked 


reservoirs  of  soup,  and  baked  mil- 
lions (it  seemed)  of  loaves  of 
bread.  I learned  to  be  sensitive  to 
the  tastes  and  feelings  of  old  peo- 
ple whose  only  world  was  their  bed- 
room and  whose  only  goal  was  a 
life  beyond  this  life. 

The  end  of  August  marked  the 
end  of  my  summer.  It  was  painful- 
ly unfinished,  yet  strangely  com- 
plete in  itself  and  always  to  stand 
out  as  a highpoint  of  experience, 

— Muriel  Thiessen 

Summer  Service,  1958 

YOU  WILL  never  be  quite  the 
same  for  having  gone  into  Vol- 
untary Service.  What  will  change 
you?  Perhaps  the  greatest  reason 
for  the  change  will  be  your  com- 
mitment to  becoming  involved — in- 
volved with  people  who  are  quite 
different  from  any  you  have  ever 
known  before,  involved  in  an  every- 
day family  relationship  with  a unit 
of  workers,  involved  with  the  con- 
cerns and  joys  of  a group  of  your 
“brothers  in  Christ”  albeit  they  may 
be  migrant  workers,  mountain  folk, 
dark-skinned  city  dwellers,  or  crip- 
pled children.  For  I know  now  that 
you  cannot  live  with  neople  for  a 
summer  and  only  give  your  talents. 
You  must  share  the  best  that  is  in 
you,  even  as  they  share  with  you. 
In  a unit  of  workers  who  “bear  one 
another’s  burdens  because  of  love” 
there  exists  the  highest  kind  of  kin- 
ship. This  can  happen  when  you 
dare  to  share  the  lives  of  those  with 
whom  you  work.  It  may  mean  be- 
coming so  involved  that  it  will  in- 
fiuence  your  whole  life,  and  it  will 
be  one  of  the  most  meaningful  ex- 
periences you  will  ever  have. 

— Dianne  Waltner 

Summer  Service  in  Chicago 

YY^^ORKING  with  those  who  are 
W less  fortunate  than  we  has 
made  me  more  appreciative  of 
things  we  have.  As  you  work  with 
needy  people  there  is  a joy  that 
you  receive  only  as  you  “do  it  unto 
others.”  Working  in  VS  has  re- 
vealed to  me  that  service  in  the 
name  of  Christ  has  greater  signifi- 
cance and  new  meaning. 

This  experience  has  given  me  a 
greater  concern  for  all  mankind. 
It  has  opened  my  eyes  to  responsi- 
bilities which  confront  a Christian’s 
life.  The  contacts  with  people  of 
another  race  have  been  most  chal- 
lenging. Service  for  Christ  is  essen- 


140 


THE  AAENNONITE 


tial  in  making  one’s  life  more  mean- 
ingful, joyous,  and  victorious. 

— Eldeen  Stucky 

Long-term  VS,  Gulfport 

V S work  with  the  Cheyenne  Indi- 
ans in  Montana  was  a real  mis- 
sionary life  experience.  There  were 
problems,  language  and  custom  bar- 
riers, racial  discrimination,  and  a 
knowledge  that  what  you  have  tried 
to  do  might  only  have  raised  a 
curiosity. 

Above  all  these  things  though, 
there  were  many  times  of  encour- 
agement, joy,  and  spiritual  blessing 
which  surpassed  all  the  problems. 
Twentieth  century  conveniences 
were  rather  scarce;  however  twen- 
tieth century  sin  was  just  as  bold 
as  in  our  big  cities. 

I shall  always  remember  with 
what  patience  and  love  the  mis- 
sionaries went  about  their  daily 
tasks.  Years  have  been  spent  learn- 
ing to  love  and  appreciate  these 
people  that  God’s  message  may  find 
an  entrance  into  hearts.  To  me  it 
is  a tremendous  example  of  deter- 
mination and  love  expressed  in 
Christ-centered  lives. 

— Edward  Senner 

Summer  Service,  1958 

I AM  happy  today,  not  because  of 
any  particular  accomplishments, 
nor  because  I have  been  looking  for 
happiness,  but  because  I did  many 
of  those  things  today  which  I be- 
lieve to  be  my  duty. 

I wasn’t  as  happy  yesterday  be- 
cause I did  not  make  the  best  use 
of  my  time  (I  failed  to  make  the 
calls  which  might  have  brought 
happiness  to  others). 

I can’t  get  away  from  four  words: 
“The  Lord  is  faithful”  (2  Thess. 
3:3).  He  promises,  and  does  what 
He  promises.  That’s  why  God  is 
happy! 

No,  it  is  not  my  faithfulness  that 
commends  me  to  God.  “.  . . the  life 
which  I now  live  ...  I live  by  the 
faith  of  God,  who  loved  me.  . . .” 
Lord,  grant  me  a humble,  sin- 
cere, constant  love  to  'Thee  and  oth- 
ers who  need  Thee.  Help  me  to  ‘toe 
the  line,’  doing  Thy  will.  Amen. 

— Pastor  Walter  Dyck 

Idaho  Teen-age  Workcamp,  1958 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People's  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  3003 
Benhom  Avenue,  Elkhart,  Indiana. 


our  schools 

ACHIEVEMENT  DAYS 

The  annual  three-day  Freeman 
Community  Achievement  Days  ac- 
tivities were  again  held  on  campus 
in  Pioneer  Hall  Feb.  9-11.  Exhibits 
of  agricultural  products,  handi- 
crafts, foods  (baked  and  canned), 
handmade  clothing,  and  fancywork 
were  judged  by  teams  of  judges 
from  the  State  College  of  Agricul- 
ture. The  three  days  were  climaxed 
by  a banquet  at  which  sweepstake 
honors  were  awarded  in  all  depart- 
ments. Arlan  Ortman,  instructor  in 
Industrial  Arts  at  Freeman  College, 
was  awarded  sweepstake  honors  in 
the  handicraft  division.  A citizen 
award  was  presented  to  Mrs.  Ben 
J.  Schrag,  Freeman  graduate,  for 
her  work  as  teacher  of  mentally  re- 
tarded children. 

WINNER  VISITS  CAPITAL 

A free  three-day  trip  to  Pierre  to 
watch  the  State  Legislature  in  ac- 
tion and  to  visit  executive  depart- 
ments of  the  South  Dakota  govern- 
ment was  the  award  won  by  Judy 
Senner  for  being  the  top  ranking 
girl  in  the  State  in  an  essay  contest 
sponsored  by  the  Daily  Republic  of 
Mitchell  in  an  effort  to  stimulate 
interest  in  good  government. 

SERVICE  PROGRAMS 

Leo  Driedger  (Board  of  Christian 
Service),  Merrill  Raber  (MCC-VS), 
and  Merle  Epp  (MCC-Pax)  were  on 
the  Blutfton  College  campus  Feb. 
25-26,  speaking  in  chapel  both 
mornings  and  presenting  a program 
the  evening  of  the  25th.  In  addi- 
tion they  counseled  with  students 
concerning  Voluntary  Service  and 
Pax  opportunities. 

MATH  WORKSHOP 

A workshop  on  Mathematics  in 
elementary  and  secondary  schools 
was  held  in  Founders  Hall  on  the 
Bluffton  College  campus  Feb.  28. 
The  workshop  was  co-sponsored  by 
Bluffton  College  and  Bluffton  Pub- 
lic School.  An  address  entitled 
“New  Teaching  Approaches  to  Ele- 
mentary Mathematics”  was  given 
by  Dr.  B.  H.  Gundlach,  Professor 
of  Mathematics,  Bowling  Green 
University.  The  purpose  of  the 
workshop  was  to  emphasize  basic 
understandings  of  arithmetical  con- 
cepts by  use  of  visual  aids,  demon- 
stration classes,  and  workshop 
groups. 


EXCHANGE  STUDENT  PROJECT 

The  Bethel  College  campus  fund- 
raising campaign  for  the  Wupper- 
tal student  exchange  project  was 
conducted  recently  to  finance  a Ger- 
man student  from  the  Wuppertal 
Pedagogische  Akademie  at  Bethel 
College.  The  campaign  opened 
with  talks  by  Ted  Zerger,  Bethel 
representative  at  Wuppertal  last 
year,  and  Klaus  Sowa,  the  current 
Wuppertal  representative  at  Beth- 
el. 

OPERA  TO  BE  GIVEN 

Cosi  Fan  Tutte,  comic  opera  by 
Mozart,  has  been  chosen  as  the 
major  musical  production  to  be  giv- 
en later  in  spring.  Chosen  for 
leading  roles  in  this  opera  are 
Elaine  Banman,  Rosalie  Voth,  Judy 
Gaeddert,  Don  Peters,  Arlo  Kasper, 
and  Gerald  Dyck. 

PEACE  CONFERENCE 

Fifteen  Bethel  students  plan  to 
attend  the  annual  Inter-Collegiate 
Peace  Conference  sponsored  by 
Mennonite  and  Affiliated  Colleges 
and  to  be  held  March  12-14  at  the 
United  Nations  headquarters  in 
New  York.  The  theme  for  this 
year’s  conference  is  “Problems  of 
World  Disarmament  and  Peaceful 
Uses  of  Atomic  Energy.” 

MATH  CONTEST 

Thirty-seven  mathematicians  from 
Kansas  Conference  Colleges  and 
Tabor  College  participated  in  the 
Kansas  Conference  Mathematics 
Contest  held  at  Bethel  College. 
Bethel  students  participating  were 
Nabil  Khabbaz,  George  Dick,  Gerald 
Schrag,  Albert  Habegger,  and  Ted 
Zerger.  Entered  as  a team  from 
Bethel  were  Khabbaz,  Dick,  and 
Schrag.  The  examination  used  in 
the  contest  was  prepared  by  the 
University  of  Kansas.  Results  of 
the  contest  will  await  the  grading 
of  papers  by  the  University  math 
department. 


Officers  of  the  Student  Christian 
Fellowship  elected  Feb.  13  are 
pres.,  Melvin  Goering;  v.  pres.,  Lou- 
ise Friesen;  sec.,  Phyllis  Collier; 
treas.,  Kenneth  Lohrentz. 

STUDENTS  MOVE 
Recently  the  male  resident  stu- 
dents of  Canadian  Mennonite  Bible 
College  moved  from  temporary  liv- 
ing quarters  in  the  gymnasium  into 
the  new  student  residence.  There 
are  now  thirty-seven  girls,  twenty- 
five  boys,  and  seven  married  couples 
residing  in  the  dormitory. 


March  3,  1959 


14] 


MCC  news  and  notes 


BUNDLES  FOR  THE  BOAT  PEOPLE 


More  than  50,000  fisherfolk  live  on  boats  around  Hong  Kong.  Now  that 
nearby  Red  China  forbids  them  to  fish  in  waters  where  the  boat  people 
have  fished  for  years,  they  have  a hard  time  making  a living.  Some  must 
sell  their  fishing  tackle  and  boats  to  keep  alive.  MCC  workers  distributed 
Christmas  bundles  to  the  children  through  Oriental  Boat  Mission  and 
Baptists  Boat  Mission.  Above,  Joseph  Smucker  (corner,  right)  from  Go- 
shen, Ind.,  and  John  Epp  (extreme  right)  of  Whitewater,  Kan.,  supervise 
distribution  in  boat  chapel. 


MDS  ANNUAL  MEETING  REPORT 

At  the  MDS  Annual  Meeting  in 
Chicago  Feb.  12-13,  more  than  thir- 
ty representatives  of  local  Menno- 
nite  Disaster  Service  units  discussed 
the  role  of  Mennonite  churches  in 
Canada  and  the  U.  S.  in  times  of 
such  emergency.  Total  attendance 
was  over  fifty,  including  strong 
Canadian  representation. 

Devotions  conducted  by  Wilbert 
Loewen  and  a message  by  guest 
speaker  David  Derstine  Jr.,  “The 
Good  Samaritan  Lives  On,”  set  the 
tone  of  the  meeting.  Christians  are 
true  neighbors  only  if  they  make  a 
spiritual  impact  on  communities  as 
well  as  helping  them  physically. 
They  must  be  more  than  angels  of 
mercy — they  must  share  their  faith 
in  God. 

Suggestions  for  making  MDS  con- 
tributions more  effective  included: 
(1)  Preparing  a pamphlet  for  dis- 
tribution among  disaster  victims 
while  help  is  given.  The  text  will 
contain  a brief  history  of  MDS  and 
an  interpretive  statement  of  our 
Christian  motives  for  helping.  (2) 
Producing  a filmstrip,  based  on  ac- 
tual experiences,  to  inform  Menno- 
nite constituencies  how  MDS  oper- 
ates. (3)  Investigating  radio  com- 
munication possibilities  in  local 


areas.  (4)  Setting  up  definite  geo- 
graphic lines  so  that  units  know  for 
which  areas  they  are  responsible. 
(5)  Utilizing  the  services  of  women 
more  fully  in  preparing  meals,  pro- 
viding nursing  care,  cleaning  up 
homes.  (6)  Training  both  men  and 
women  in  first  aid.  (7)  Providing 
lay  leaders  who  can  handle  men  and 
equipment,  meet  with  national  of- 
ficers, direct  the  work  along  clear 
lines  without  militarizing.  Some 
training  along  technical  lines  is  es- 
sential. Most  important  is  dedica- 
tion to  the  cause  of  Christ,  because 
MDS  is  more  than  social  service. 

To  demonstrate  what  an  MDS 
group  should  do  when  word  of  a dis- 
aster has  been  received,  Kansas  rep- 
resentatives led  by  Harry  Martens 
conducted  a mock  operation  with 
the  whole  group.  The  practical  dem- 
onstration was  very  educational. 
Participants  felt  it  provided  some- 
thing tangible  to  take  home  to  their 
local  units. 

Three  new  officers  were  elected 
as  members  of  the  Mennonite  Dis- 
aster Service  Co-ordinating  Com- 
mittee. They  are  Dale  Rufenacht, 
Archbold,  Ohio,  chairman;  Ray- 
mond Hess,  Souderton,  Pa.,  vice 
chairman;  L.  L.  Swartzendruber, 
Greenwood,  Del.,  secretary. 


AMAS  CONFERENCE  IN  MARCH 

The  fifth  annual  conference  of 
the  Association  of  Mennonite  Aid 
Societies  will  be  held  in  Chicago 
March  5-6.  The  theme  of  the  con- 
ference is  “New  Horizons  for  Men- 
nonite Mutual  Aid.” 

Mennonite  Indemnity  Inc.,  the 
risk  resharing  corporation  estab- 
lished by  the  Mennonite  Mutual  Aid 
Societies  of  the  United  States  and 
Canada,  will  report  on  its  first  year 
of  operation.  MCC  helped  bring  this 
re-insurance  corporation  into  being 
and  remains  close  to  it  through 
board  membership. 

SEMINAR  ON  RACE  RELATIONS 

Plans  for  the  Seminar  on  Race 
Relations  are  progressing  satisfac- 
torily, reports  Jess  Yoder,  secretary 
of  the  planning  committee.  The 
Seminar  will  be  held  April  17-18  at 
the  Woodlawn  Mennonite  Church, 
Chicago,  111.  Appointment  of  dele- 
gates who  wiU  represent  the  vari- 
ous Mennonite  church  groups  at  the 
Seminar  is  under  way.  Total  repre- 
sentation will  be  approximately  fif- 
ty persons. 

Panels,  discussions,  and  presenta- 
tion of  papers  have  been  scheduled 
for  this  period  of  study  and  search- 
ing. Ralph  Abernathy,  associate  of 
Martin  Luther  King  in  the  inter- 
racial work  in  Montgomery,  Ala- 
bama, will  speak  Friday,  April  17. 

into  the  beyond 

Mrs.  John  Wiens  (Frieda  Scho- 
walter),  member  of  the  Beatrice 
Mennonite  Church,  Beatrice,  Neb., 
was  born  December  18,  1898,  and 
departed  this  life  January  4,  1959. 

John  J.  Penner,  member  of  the 
Beatrice  Mennonite  Church,  Beat- 
rice, Nebraska,  was  born  November 
20,  1887,  and  departed  this  life  Jan- 
uary 17,  1959. 

Mrs.  Karolina  Harms,  member  of 
the  Herold  Church,  Bessie,  Okla- 
homa, was  born  October  1,  1890,  and 
departed  this  life  February  8,  1959. 

Ida  C.  OberholtzeRj  Willow  Grove, 
Pennsylvania,  and  member  of  the 
Hereford  Mennonite  Church,  Bally, 
Pennsylvania,  was  born  February  7, 
1879,  and  died  February  8,  1959. 

Cornelius  P.  Goertz,  resident  of 
the  Home  for  the  Aged,  Hillsboro, 
Kansas,  and  member  of  the  First 
Mennonite  Church,  Hillsboro,  was 
born  April  6,  1879,  and  died  Febru- 
ary 8,  1959. 


142 


THE  MENNONITE 


jottings 

FAREWELL  FOR  THIESSENS 

Emmaus  Church,  Whitewater, 
Kan.;  Olin  Krehbiel  was  the  speak- 
er at  special  meetings  Jan.  18-23. 
The  theme  of  Prayer  was  followed 
for  the  evening  services.  The  top- 
ics: The  Way  of  Revival,  Isa.  55; 
Two  Natures  in  Conflict,  Rom.  7: 
1-25;  Jabez,  a Man  of  Prayer,  1 
Chron.  4:9,10;  Paul  Prays  for  the 
Church,  Eph.  3:14-21;  Two  Prayer 
Parables,  Luke  18:1-14;  Christ 
Prays  for  Us,  John  17:1-26;  Lord, 
Teach  Us  to  Pray,  Luke  11:1-13. 
For  the  morning  Bible  study  we 
studied  1 Thessalonians.  Special 
music  at  some  of  the  evening  serv- 
ices was  given  by  some  of  the  neigh- 
boring churches.  Bro.  Krehbiel  sang 
a solo  one  evening;  a ladies’  sextet 
from  Zion  Church,  men’s  quartet 
from  the  Swiss  Church;  the  Thies- 
sen  brothers’  quartet,  men’s  chorus; 
and  a solo  by  Novalis  Toews,  “The 
Lord’s  Prayer”  followed  the  ser- 
mon, “Lord,  Teach  Us  to  Pray.”  The 
eve  of  Jan.  25  was  a farewell  serv- 
ice for  the  Bernard  Thiessens.  Or- 
lando Waltner  was  the  speaker. 
Pastor  Amstutz  made  introductory 
remarks,  Mrs.  Wilbert  Wiebe  and 
Mrs.  Gus  W.  Regier  represented  the 
two  mission  societies.  Bernard  and 
Ruby  Thiessen  spoke  and  at  the 
close  passed  out  prayer  cards.  We 
will  miss  the  Thiessens. — Corr. 

OBSERVE  PRAYER  DAY 

Immanuel  Church,  Delft,  Minn.: 
Jan.  4,  Robert  Kampars  and  fam- 
ily, missionaries  to  India,  were  with 
us  for  the  morning  worship  service 
in  the  absence  of  our  pastor.  The 
Church  Board  met  at  the  home  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry  Unruh  Jan.  12 
to  plan  and  organize  for  the  coming 
year.  Jan.  28,  Ben.  J.  Nickel  was 
with  us.  The  next  day  Mission  So- 
ciety members  sang  for  the  resi- 
dents of  the  Home  for  the  Aged  in 
Windom,  also  in  Mountain  Lake. 
Jan.  31,  our  pastor’s  wife,  Mrs.  W. 
McDowell,  was  taken  ill  and  spent 
about  five  days  in  the  local  hos- 
pital. Feb.  1,  Merle  Christiansen  of 
the  American  S.  S.  Union  spoke  to 
us  and  showed  slides  of  the  work. 
Feb.  6,  Pastor  and  Mrs.  Homer 
Moutett  of  the  “Go  Ye”  Mission  of 
Okla.,  spoke  to  us  in  the  evening. 
Feb.  11  a film.  The  Silent  Witness, 
was  shown  in  the  school  auditorium 
in  place  of  the  religious  release 
time  classes.  The  theme  was  in 
keeping  with  the  World  Day  of 
Prayer,  Feb.  13,  which  was  observed 
in  the  Bethel  Church.  Many  local 
churches  co-operated  in  this  service. 
— Mrs.  P.  B.  Pankratz,  corr. 


CHRISTIAN  WORKERS  SPEAK 

Butterfield  Church,  Butterfield, 
Minn.:  Our  Jan.  C.  E.  program  was 
in  charge  of  D.  L.  Nultemeier,  pas- 
tor of  the  Assembly  of  God  Church 
of  Mountain  Lake.  Gilbert  Esau 
spoke  at  the  devotional  youth  serv- 
ice Jan.  18.  Three  work  days  were 
held,  with  a number  helping  to  im- 
prove the  church  interior.  Our 
young  people  sponsored  an  evening 
of  social  activity  at  the  local  high 
school  auditorium  Jan.  24.  The  fol- 
lowing evening  Evelyn  Regier,  mis- 
sionary to  Japan,  spoke  and  showed 
colored  slides  to  the  Women’s  Mis- 
sionary Society.  “Go  Ye”  mission 
director  Homer  Mouttet  had  charge 
of  the  Wed.  evening  service  Feb.  4. 
Prayers  are  solicited  for  Herbert 
Linscheid,  one  of  our  members  who 
has  recently  suffered  a light  stroke. 
— Corr. 

SCHOOL  OF  PEACE 

Bethel  College  Church,  North 
Newton,  Kan.;  Family  fellowship 
and  Watch  Night  services  were  a- 
gain  held  Dec.  31.  The  annual  busi- 
ness meeting  was  conducted  New 
Year’s  Day.  A service  of  installa- 
tion for  deacons  took  place  Jan.  18, 
and  for  newly  elected  church  of- 
ficers Jan.  25.  Pastor  Russell  Mast 
began  a class  in  catechism  instruc- 
tion Jan.  10.  A Bible  study  course 
is  being  offered  this  year  to  supple- 
ment the  more  general  course  of  a 
year  ago.  The  School  of  Missions 
began  Jan.  11  and  continued  for 
four  additional  Sunday  evenings, 
with  separate  classes  for  children. 
Topics  discussed  were:  Jan.  11,  Dr. 
Hussein  Wahab  of  Wichita,  “The 
Mohammedan  Faith  in  the  Middle 
East  Today”;  Jan.  18,  Dr.  Willard 
Kaufman  of  Moundridge  and  for- 
mer relief  worker  in  Middle  East, 
spoke  and  showed  slides;  Jan.  25, 
Dr.  C.  Krahn  presented  an  illus- 
trated lecture,  “Our  Neighbors  to 
the  North”;  Feb.  1,  Dr.  Harley  J. 
Stucky,  “The  History  of  Christi- 
anity in  the  Middle  East”;  Feb.  8, 
Dr.  Fast  was  in  charge  of  a panel 
discussion  on  Mexico.  The  School  of 
Peace  follows:  Feb.  15,  divergent 
views  of  the  dangers  resulting  from 
nuclear  tests  as  presented  by  Teller, 
Pauling,  and  Schweitzer,  Feb.  22,  a 
panel  discussion  in  which  youth  an- 
swer the  questions  and  problems 
confronting  them  in  a nuclear 
world;  March  1,  the  film  “Alterna- 
tives” will  be  shown.  Our  pastor 
began  an  interesting  series  of  ser- 
mons Feb.  1 on  the  general  topic: 
“The  Pilgrimage  of  Faith.” — Corr. 
HOME  BUILDERS  MEET 
CoMiNS  Church,  Comins,  Mich.: 
Our  church  is  located  one  block  off 
the  main  highway  in  Comins,  Mich. 
Our  pastor  is  Archie  Kliewer.  A 


number  of  people  from  Fairview  at- 
tend here  also.  The  parsonage  is  lo- 
cated in  Fairview  where  the  pastor, 
wife  Ledora,  and  four  small  sons 
live.  Rollen  Stutesman  is  S.  S.  su- 
perintendent and  Martha  Laymen 
heads  the  primary  department.  Win- 
tertime finds  many  of  our  young 
people  away  at  school,  but  we  still 
have  about  fifteen  active  teen-agers 
in  the  YPU.  The  Homebuilders 
Class  met  at  the  home  of  Lowell 
and  Mary  Troyer  at  McKinley  for 
a social  hour  and  election  of  offic- 
ers. The  Yomar  class  had  their 
annual  fish  fry  at  the  Comins  com- 
munity building.  We  finished  a 
study  of  the  book  of  Revelation  at 
Bible  Study  and  Prayer  Meeting  on 
Wednesday  evenings  and  will  select 
a new  study.  Brent  Rhoads,  small 
son  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harold  Rhoads, 
is  in  the  Alpena  hospital.  Frank 
Tomai  is  home  from  Brazil,  South 
America,  to  visit  his  family  and 
get  acquainted  with  his  twin  sons 
bom  on  Christmas  Eve. — Corr. 

people 

who  loved.  . . 

COALS  OF  FIRE  by  Elizabeth 
Hershberger  Bauman 
These  are  stories  of  people 
who  believed  that  love  does 
no  ill  to  its  neighbor.  Because 
they  lived  their  love,  they 
nursed  sick  refugees  and 
gave  them  warm  coats.  Be- 
cause they  lived  their  love, 
they  sat  behind  jail  bars  with- 
out Bibles,  or  were  beheaded 
or  drowned.  They  lived  and 
died  heaping  Coals  of  Fire. 
$2.00 

ARMED  WITH  COURAGE  by 

May  McNeer  and  Lynd  Ward 
An  excellent  book  of  biog- 
raphies written  for  children 
from  Grade  5 to  Grade  9. 
Vividly  written  to  hold  the 
interest  of  juniors  and  dem- 
onstrate traits  of  character 
worth  imitating.  Such  persons 
as  Florence  Nightingale, 
George  Washington  Carver, 
Albert  Schweitzer  and  others  | 
appear  in  this  book.  $2.50 

Available  from  MENNONITE 
BOOKSTORES 

Rosthern,  Sask.;  Berne,  Ind.; 
Newton,  Kan.  ! 


March  3,  1959 


143 


conference  notes 

LOOKING  TOWARD 
GENERAL  CONFERENCE 

Three  years  ago  at  Winnipeg, 
many  of  us  believed  this  was  the 
greatest  Conference  we  ever  had. 
We  will  never  forget  the  warm 
hospitality,  or  singing  in  the  Ger- 
man language  with  our  Canadian 
brethren  of  “Faith  of  Our  Fathers.” 
We  are  reminded  that  our  ancestors 
not  many  generations  removed  had 
experiences  which  also  made  the 
song  quite  meaningful. 

As  we  at  General  Conference 
celebrate  our  centennial  commem- 
oration on  August  16,  may  our 


minds  be  filled  with  gratitude  and 
thanks  to  those  Mennonites  who 
preceded  us  on  this  blessed  North 
American  continent,  and  to  Him  in 
whom  they  trusted  so  implicitly. 
Their  simple  trusting  faith  proved 
for  us  the  religious  and  economic 
benefits  which  we  today  enjoy. 

As  we  prepare  for  our  Confer- 
ence, let  us  review  the  Conference 
goals  set  three  years  ago,  and  each 
determine  the  sufficiency  of  our 
individual  contributions  for  the 
objectives  announced.  May  the  in- 
:spiration  we  receive  cause  us  to 
conduct  our  business  with  Christian 
dignity.  Finally,  may  we  leave 
both  thankful  and  happy  that  it  is 
our  privilege  to  represent  the  Men- 
nonite  Church  and  the  faith  of  our 
fathers. 

i Walter  Yoder 

Bloomington,  111. 

ONE  GREAT  HOUR  OF  SHARING 

March  8 has  been  designated  by 
Church  World  Service  for  the  1959 
One  Great  Hour  of  Sharing  united 
appeal  for  overseas  relief  and  re- 
construction. Many  American  Prot- 
estant denominations  will  be  sup- 
porting this  drive. 

The  much-needed  funds  will 
bring  assistance  to  persons  in  dis- 
tress around  the  world — men,  wo- 
men and  children  suffering  from 


floods,  earthquakes  and  other  dis- 
asters; those  uprooted  and  suffer- 
ing from  war  and  aggression;  the 
ill,  underprivileged,  and  under- 
nourished. 

Mennonite  churciies  may  also 
wish  to  make  Mar-.h  8 a Sunday  of 
special  relief  em^  basis.  MCC  con- 
tributions are  used  in  more  than 
twenty-five  countries  to  provide 
food,  clothing,  medical  care,  and 
agricultural  and  vocational  assist- 
ance to  people  in  need.  Offerings 
may  be  forwarded  to  the  Board  of 
Christian  Service,  722  Main,  New- 
ton, Kan. 

MINISTERS  TO  MEET 

The  Western  District  Ministers’ 
Conference  will  be  held  March  16-17 
at  the  Bethel  College  Church,  North 
Newton,  Kan.  “Factors  Determining 
the  Tenure  of  a Minister”  will  be 
discussed  from  a layman’s  point  of 
view  by  Menno  Schrag  and  from  a 
minister’s  point  of  view  by  Irvin 
Richert.  Donovan  Smucker  of  Chi- 
cago will  present  a message  on  both 
afternoons  of  the  conference.  “A 
Minor  Prophet”  will  be  the  Bible 
study  topic  discussed  by  L.  R.  Am- 
stutz. 

Sessions  begin  at  10:30  in  the 
morning  and  2:00  in  the  afternoon. 

SURGERY  SUCCESSFUL 

Word  was  received  by  the  Board 
of  Missions  Feb.  19  that  Paul 
Boschman  of  Petaigan,  Sask.,  mis- 
sionary in  Japan,  is  recovering  after 
submitting  to  major  surgery  Jan. 
29.  The  operation  was  performed  by 
a famous  medical  professor  at  the 
Kyoto  University  of  Medicine  in 
Osaka,  Japan. 

The  Boschmans  are  grateful  for 
the  prayers  offered  in  their  behalf 
by  friends  at  home  as  well  as  by 
the  churches  of  Japan. 

$56,110  FOR  RELIEF 

General  Conference  Mennonite 
churches  in  Kansas  and  Oklahoma 
contributed  $56,110.53  to  Mennonite 
Central  Committee  in  the  CROP 
drive  in  1958.  Christian  Rural  Over- 
seas Program  is  an  interdenomina- 
tional religious  collection  agency 
working  on  a community-wide  basis 
together  with  major  Christian  re- 
lief agencies.  All  funds  designated 
for  MCC  are  used  to  support  the 
foreign  relief  and  service  program. 


CHURCH  IN  SOCIETY 


Carl  Ens,  Saskatoon  teacher,  speaks 
on  gamhling  at  the  Church  and  Its 
Witness  in  Society  Conference  held 
in  Winnipeg,  uan.  9-11.  From  left 
to  right,  seated:  John  J.  Enns, 

crown  prosecutor,  Winnipeg  police 
court;  Hugo  Hildehrandt,  director, 
Ailsa  Craig  Boys  Farm;  Jack  F. 
Janzen,  Rosthern  physicmn-surgeon; 
David  P.  Neufsld,  chairman,  Cana- 
dian Board  of  Christian  Service. 
Conference  papers  were  presented 
on  the  biblical  basis  for  the  Chris- 
tian task,  the  church  in  economics, 
peace,  and  political  action;  and  o- 
pened  for  study  and  discussion  such 
areals  as  the  Sabbath,  mass  media, 
criminal  treatment,  juvenile  delin- 
quency, alcohol  and  drugs,  mental 
illness,  gambling,  legal  problems, 
sex.  Sponsored  by  the  Canadian 
Board  of  Christian  Service,  the  con- 
ference was  held  on  the  Canadian 
Mennonite  Bible  College  campus. 
Papers  and  findings  can  be  pur- 
chased bound  for  $2.00  from  Frank 
Epp,  Altona,  Manitoba,  or  Board  of 
Christian  Service,  722  Main,  New- 
ton, Kan. 

LEADERSHIP  EDUCATION 

Two  demonstration  schools  are 
being  planned  in  General  Confer- 
ence Mennonite  churches.  Sponsored 
by  the  Church,  Home,  and  Commu- 
nity Committee  of  the  Board  of  Ed- 
ucation and  Publication  in  co-opera- 
tion with  the  Western  District  Con- 
ference, the  first  will  be  held  in  the 
Beatrice,  Neb.,  community  March 
8,  with  Mrs.  Galen  Koehn,  North 
Newton,  Kan.;  Mrs.  Carl  Voth,  New- 
ton; Mrs.  James  Waltner,  Goessel, 
Kan.;  Gerald  Schmidt,  Wichita, 
Kan.;  and  Maynard  Shelly,  Newton, 
as  leaders.  April  19  is  the  date  set 
for  a similar  demonstration  school 
at  First  Mennonite  Church,  Hutch- 
inson, Kan.,  with  First  Mennonite 
Church,  Pretty  Prairie,  participat- 
ing. 


MARCH  10,  1959 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
MAN  LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIST 


Christ  at  Gethsemane 


in  this  issue 

COVER 

Photo  courtesy  of  Toledo  Museum  of  Art 


ARTICLES 

HOLY,  HOLY,  HOLY 

By  Harold  Thiessen  147 

MENNO-HEIM  148 

ORDINATION  OF  TAKASHI  YAMADA 

By  Paul  Boschman  149 

IS  THE  CHURCH  HIGH  SCHOOL 
NECESSARY? 

By  Elmer  Richert  150 

THE  HARM  OF  AVARICE 

By  Robert  Hartzler  151 

DEPARTMENTS: 

EDITORIALS  146 

THE  READER  SAYS  152 

FILM  REVIEW  152 

Mennonite  Youth 

SHALL  I REMAIN  A MENNONITE? 

By  George  E.  Janzen  153 

beat — OR  BURDENED?  154 

VOLUNTARY  SERVICE: 

RETROSPECT  AND  PROSPECT  155 

OUR  SCHOOLS  156 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  157 

JOTTINGS  158 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  160 


of  things  to  come 

March  17 — West.  Dist.  Women's  Meeting 

March  22 — Palm  Sunday 

March  29 — Easter 

April  19 — Mennonite  Men's  Chorus  Fes- 
tival, Memorial  Hall,  North  Newton, 
Kan.,  at  2:30  p.m. 

April  23-26 — Central  Dist.  Conference, 
Goshen,  Ind. 

April  30-May  3 — Eastern  Dist.  Conf., 
Schwenksville,  Pa. 

May  3 — Mennonite  Song  Festival,  Me- 
morial Hall,  North  Newton,  Kan., 
at  2:30  p.m. 

May  7 — Ascension  Day 

May  1 0 — Festival  of  the  Christian  Home 

May  17 — Pentecost 

May  20 — Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary 
alumni  meeting. 

May  22 — Baccalaureate,  Mennonite  Bib- 
lical Seminary 

May  23 — Commencement,  Mennonite  Bib- 
lical Seminary 

June  10-14 — Pacific  District  Conference, 
Barlow,  Oregon 

June  18-21 — Northern  Dist.  Conf.,  Salem- 
Zion  Church  (North),  Freeman,  S.  D. 

Aug.  5-12 — Ministers'  and  Church  Work- 
ers' Retreat,  Camp  Friedenswald, 
Mich. 

Aug.  1 2-20 — General  Conference,  Bluff- 
ton,  Ohio 

Oct.  24-27 — West.  Dist.  Conference 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor,  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 

J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Asst.:  Esther  Groves. 
Layout  Consuitant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  10 


editorials 

CONTRASTS  AT  THE  CROSS:  SIN  VERSUS  HOLINESS 
At  the  cross  we  see  the  sharp  contrast  between  black  sin  and 
divine  holiness.  The  whole  range  of  sins  culminates  in  a final 
mighty  attempt  to  triumph  over  the  holiness  of  God. 

They  are  not  only  the  sins  limited  to  the  small  group  re- 
sponsible for  the  tragedy  at  the  cross;  they  represent  the  sins 
of  the  whole  world  in  their  ugliest,  blackest  form  and  power. 
But  our  sins  are  there  too,  as  we  consciously  or  unconscious- 
ly turn  against  the  Christ  and  His  way  of  life  for  us.  We  crucify 
Him  anew  as  we  allow  our  sins  to  grow  and  thrive  in  our  selfish 
hearts.  How  our  sins  hurt  God! 

But  above  this  blackness  of  sin  shines  the  white  light  of  the 
Holiness  of  God.  The  spotless  Lamb  of  God,  to  whom  sin  is  far 
more  terrible  than  to  any  of  us,  not  only  becomes  the  victim 
of  our  sins,  but  bears  them  in  His  own  Being  as  He  gives  His 
life  that  we  might  be  forgiven  and  reconciled  to  God.  His  one 
great  desire  is  to  make  us  also  holy.  To  make  this  possible.  He 
took  upon  himself  our  sins.  At  what  great  cost  was  our  redemp- 
tion achieved! 

Here  the  King  of  all  the  ages. 

Thron’d  in  light  ere  worlds  could  be. 

Robed  in  mortal  flesh  is  dying. 

Crucified  by  sin  for  me. 


SHOULD  WE  HAVE  OUR  OWN  HIGH  SCHOOLS?  In 
this  issue  one  of  our  Canadian  educators  makes  a good  case  for 
the  Christian  high  schooi.  It  is  interesting  to  note  that  there  is 
a growing  interest  throughout  our  Conference  in  this  problem 
of  high  school  education  for  our  youth.  Some  feel  that  having 
our  own  schools  is  the  answer  to  many  of  the  problems  in  con- 
nection with  the  moral  and  spiritual  training  of  our  young  peo- 
ple. Others,  equally  sincere,  are  convinced  that  this  is  not  the 
best  solution;  that  to  shield  our  youth  in  church  high  schools 
and  then  send  them  out  into  the  world  puts  them  at  a dis- 
advantage. 

But  many  are  convinced  that  the  advantages  of  having  our 
own  schools  in  preference  to  the  public  schools,  far  outweigh 
the  disadvantages.  Others  feel  uncertain,  and  claim  this  is  just 
another  example  of  our  attempted  exclusiveness;  that  the  home 
and  church  should  build  sturdy  characters  so  that  our  youth 
could  stand  true  and  be  a real  help  to  others  of  the  community 
who  may  not  have  had  such  opportunities. 

If  our  readers  have  decided  opinions  on  this  question,  or  have 
some  first-hand  experience  to  share,  we  would  be  glad  to  hear 
from  you.  You  may  wish  to  share  your  concerns  and  convictions 
with  our  other  readers.  Perhaps  you  could  help  find  the  right 
solution — or  does  the  proper  solution  vary  in  different  com- 
munities ? 


146 


THE  MENNONITE 


Holy,  Holy,  Holy 


ISAIAH  was  a young  man  when 
he  entered  the  temple  to  wor- 
ship God  as  was  customary  for 
him  and  his  family.  Yet,  strangely 
enough,  one  day  God  talked  with 
him  personally,  convincing  him  that 
there  was  a greater  need  than  just 
attending  the  sacrifice.  Isaiah  dis- 
covered he  was  a man  with  unclean 
lips,  that  he  needed  cleansing.  An 
angel  took  a coal  from  the  altar  to 
touch  and  cleanse,  and  all  the  an- 
gels sang  of  God,  “Holy,  holy,  holy.” 
To  the  young  man  this  meant  re- 
spect and  reverence,  and  he  bowed 
his  head. 

Respect  and  reverence — two  words 
which  in  our  joy  of  freedom  and 
individuality  we  have  neglected.  Yet 
these  words  mark  us  as  Christian 
gentlemen  and  women,  forging  the 
bonds  of  true  self-respect,  which  is 
a gift  of  God.  Respect  and  rever- 
ence? Well,  let  us  see. 

Take  respect  and  reverence  for 
the  law,  for  example.  There  are 
such  things  as  law-abiding  citizens 
— but  how  easy  it  is  to  slip  by  a 
Stop  sign  at  the  intersection.  How 
we  laugh  at  the  caricature  of  po- 
licemen. How  many  times  we  read 
that  some  law-enforcement  agency 
has  been  “bought.”  How  many  GI’s 
in  Korea  went  over  to  the  opposi- 
tion because  they  did  not  know 
what  they  stood  for.  Paul  was 
thinking  of  respect  for  law  when 
he  wrote  to  the  Roman  Christians 
what  perhaps  even  they  were  tempt- 
ed to  forget:  “Be  subject  to  the 

higher  powers,  for  they  are  or- 
dained of  God.” 

Or  take  respect  and  reverence 
for  the  school  and  teacher,  for  an- 
other example.  The  teacher  is  in  a 
position  of  great  responsibility,  but 
do  we  know  how  many  have  re- 
signed because  there  was  no  respect 
on  the  part  of  the  pupils  or  their 
parents?  The  Blackboard  Jungle  is 
a story  of  classroom  anarchy  such 
as  to  be  a great  and  sad  disgrace 
to  our  country.  It  is  true  that  teach- 


ers are  not  infallible,  but  they  do 
not  fear  correction.  But  respect  is 
something  else  again.  We  don’t 
want  to  get  back  to  the  rigid  dis- 
ciplinarianism  of  another  century; 
our  belief  in  progress  and  freedom 
have  come  too  far  for  that.  Yet 
somewhere  and  somehow  we  need 
to  learn  to  honor  those  at  whose 
feet  we  sit  to  gain  knowledge.  How 
priceless  a gift  from  God  is  our 
mind!  Therefore  we  respect  those 
who  have  the  privilege  of  training 
it. 

Then  there  is  respect  and  rever- 
ence in  the  home.  Are  parents  and 
children  friends?  Good.  We  are 
moving  away  from  the  unmerciful 
discipline  that  used  to  be.  But  can 
we  afford  to  give  no  training  at 
all?  Because  we  parents  have  let 
our  children  get  away  with  any- 
thing, we  have  lost  the  right  to 
respect.  It  must  be  regained  at  any 
cost.  Children  are  unhappy  without 
it — they  want  to  know  what  is  cor- 
rect and  what  is  not.  We  must  say 
with  courage  which  is  based  on  un- 
derstanding: “This  is  what  is  to  be 
done,  I would  like  you  to  do  it.  I 
expect  it  of  you.”  The  fifth  com- 
mandment states  that  we  shall  hon- 
or our  parents,  that  our  days  may 
be  long.  Honor  between  parents 
and  children — how  precious  a bless- 
ing it  is,  and  how  beautiful  the 
home  which  has  it. 

Now  one  more — respect  and  rev- 
erence for  God  and  God’s  house.  We 
come  together  to  worship  each 
week,  yet  how  often  the  church  is 
not  regarded  as  a sacred  place.  This 
does  not  mean  that  we  cannot  greet 
each  other  in  a friendly  manner 
and  even  pass  the  time  of  day  nor 
that  our  baby  never  cries  in  church. 


by  Harold  Thiessen 
pastor,  Zion  Church 
Donnellson,  Iowa 


These  are  a part  of  our  informal 
Mennonite  way,  and  a minister  ap- 
preciates them  because  he  knows 
his  congregation’s  families  are  pres- 
ent. But  when  there  is  whispering 
and  giggling,  when  we  deliberately 
let  other  things  distract,  or  try  to 
draw  the  attention  of  our  neighbors 
to  what  we  are  doing,  then  we  need 
to  stop  and  think  what  we  are 
doing. 

Sometimes  of  course,  it  is  hard 
for  a minister  to  keep  vitally  in- 
teresting to  all  the  age  levels  in  his 
church  all  of  the  time.  Perhaps  we 
might  suggest  to  those  who  are 
younger  that  they  read  quietly  from 
their  Sunday  school  papers  or  a 
children’s  religious  book.  Especially 
during  prayer,  should  there  be  no 
whispering  and  shuffling  around. 

Interestingly,  even  we  adults  are 
able  to  remain  perfectly  quiet  for 
a half-hour  or  full-hour  TV  pro- 
gram. It  is  harder  in  church  be- 
cause we  must  work  at  it  harder. 
Do  we  really  listen?  Are  there 
some  old  and  true  ideas  presented 
which  have  been  tried  in  the  cru- 
cible of  our  own  life,  and  it  gives 
us  satisfaction  to  hear  it  again? 
Are  there  some  new  ideas  offered, 
different  to  our  pattern  of  thinking, 
yet  telling  of  God’s  goodness,  and 
Jesus’  supreme  love?  Has  the  Holy 
Spirit  been  given  the  opportunity  to 
work  this  day  in  our  heart  through 
prayer  and  worship  and  the  sing- 
ing of  hymns?  Young  and  old  to- 
gether can  learn  how  to  show  more 
adequately  the  respect  and  rever- 
ence due  God  and  His  house.  When 
Jesus  was  twelve  years  of  age.  He 
was  in  the  temple  “doing  the  Fa- 
ther’s business.”  It  is  our  business 
too. 

“Holy,  holy,  holy,”  sang  the  an- 
gels, to  a race  of  people  who  for- 
get sometimes,  but  who  are  unhap- 
py and  uncomfortable  until  it  has 
learned  the  secret  of  respect  and 
reverence  — for  law,  instruction, 
home,  and  God. 


March  10,  1959 


147 


The  Berlin  Mennonite  Church  thanks  all  who 
have  made  contributions  to 

Menno-Heim 


Dear  fellow  believers 

and  Friends; 

Now  it  has  become  a fact:  the 

Berlin  Mennonite  Church,  within  the 
merciless  sea  of  houses  of  our  af- 
flicted city,  has  received  its  own 
home  in  Berlin-Lichterfelde,  Pro- 
menadenstr.  15b.  Yearly  worries 
about  the  house  rent  and  the  favor 
of  the  house  owner  are  thereby 
taken  from  us;  and  the  tedious  ne- 
gotiations of  the  church  as  well  as 
the  manifold  exertions  of  the  world- 
wide brotherhood,  but  especially  of 
the  International  Mennonite  Relief 
Agency,  have  thereby  come  to  an 
end.  On  December  17,  1958,  accord- 
ing to  the  communication  received 
from  the  District  Court  of  Berlin- 
Lichterfelde,  the  Berlin  Mennonite 
Church  was  entered  in  the  real 
estate  register  as  the  owner  of 
Menno-Heim.  Thus  the  right  time 
has  ''•>me  for  us  to  thank  all  those 
who  have  contributed. 

Above  all  we  thank  the  Lord  God 
for  the  great  gift,  which  has  been 
blessed  so  visibly.  Our  desire  and 
our  promise  is  to  administer  the 
property  entrusted  to  us  to  His 
honor  and  service. 

For  us,  the  Menno-Heim  is  the 
house  of  God  — but  not  only  for 
us  in  the  West  Sector  of  our  divid- 
ed and  fenced-in  city,  but  also  for 
all  our  members  on  the  other  side 
of  the  Iron  Curtain.  When  they 
stay  in  the  Menno-Heim  over  the 
week  end,  they  are  strengthened 
and  settled  in  their  faith  through 
worship  services,  church  services, 
and  Holy  Communion.  In  this  home, 
relatives  and  friends  from  the  East 
and  the  West  may  greet  one  an- 
other. 

Here  we  have  retreats  of  several 
weeks  for  mothers  and  children. 
Here  our  youth  meets.  In  the  after- 
noons and  evenings  well-attended 


speeches  are  delivered.  Busy  hands 
are  active  in  the  sewing  room.  The 
doctor  cares  for  the  sick;  and  old 
and  young  meet  regularly  to  hear 
God’s  Word.  Truly  no  day  passes 
during  which  the  value  of  this  home 
with  its  selfless  helpers  is  not  con- 
firmed anew,  the  more  so  since  No- 
vember 1,  1958,  when  our  own  pas- 
tor, Elder  Gerhard  Hein,  came  to 
live  with  us. 

Many  visible  proofs  of  love  have 
come  to  us  from  our  Mennonite 
brotherhood  and  beyond  it,  for 
which  we  now  have  a special  rea- 
son to  be  thankful.  All  the  contribu- 
tions which  we  have  received  have 
not  only  helped  us  a step  further, 
but  now  also  help  us  to  look  into 
the  future  with  confidence. 

Our  church’s  history  of  more  than 
seventy  years  is  not  only  a piece  of 
the  past  which  we  gladly  recall  at 
such  an  occasion,  but  it  is  at  the 
same  time  a heritage  and  a legacy 
for  the  future  for  which  we  are  re- 
sponsible. So  often  we  ask  our- 
selves here  in  Berlin  if  we  still 
have  the  inner  power  and  passion 
of  our  forefathers,  who  in  faith 
took  risks  in  order  to  help  brothers 
in  need.  But  one  thing  we  know: 
our  own  strength  is  insufficient  if 
God  is  not  our  help,  and  we  can 
only  stand  if  brothers,  who  support 
us  energetically,  stand  behind  us. 

In  our  world-wide  brotherhood  we 
have  found  such  brothers,  with 
whom  we  are  united  in  the  Inter- 
national Mennonite  Relief  Agency, 
at  present  in  Weierhof  (Pfalz),  and 
the  organizations  which  belong  to 
it,  like  Mennonite  Central  Commit- 
tee, Akron  (U.S.);  Stichting  voor 
bijzondere  Noden,  Amsterdam  (Hol- 
land); and  the  Mennonite  churches 
and  their  relief  organizations  in 
Germany.  In  their  solidarity  with 
us  through  many  years  they  have 


helped  us  mainly  through  their  fi- 
nancial contributions  to  acquire 
Menno-Heim. 

But  many  new  brothers  out  of 
the  circle  of  the  ecumenical  church, 
like  the  World  Council  of  Churches 
in  Geneva,  as  also  the  Home  Mis- 
sion and  the  Relief  Organization  of 
the  Evangelical  Church  in  Ger- 
many, Berlin  section,  have  let  us 
know  that  they  were  willing  to 
share  our  work  and  concerns.  That 
is  a great  gain  for  us  which  we 
cannot  value  highly  enough.  It  is  a 
simple  matter  of  fact  that  an  inner 
power  dwells  within  every  volun- 
tary gift,  which  may  also  change 
money  into  manifold  blessedness.  A 
gift  of  this  type  is  like  a good  seed 
which  is  sown  into  the  ground  and 
brings  forth  fruit  one  hundredfold. 

Because  we  have  now  experienced 
this  anew  as  in  the  past,  we  do  not 
want  to  neglect  to  greet  all  our 
brothers  and  friends  who  have 
made  contributions  with  a special 
thank  you.  In  the  face  of  this  pub- 
lic witness  of  world-wide  brotherly 
love,  we  would  like  to  exclaim 
thankfully  with  the  words  of  2 Cor- 
inthians 8:3-5: 

“For  they  gave  according  to  their 
means,  as  I can  testify,  and  beyond 
their  means,  of  their  own  free  will, 
begging  us  earnestly  for  the  favor 
of  taking  part  in  the  relief  of  th  * 
saints — and  this,  not  as  we  expect- 
ed, but  first  they  gave  themselves 
to  the  Lord  and  to  us  by  the  will 
of  God.’’ 

We  keep  the  doors  of  Menno- 
Heim  open  for  all  who  want  to 
come  to  us.  May  the  Lord  bless  the 
home  and  its  new  Pastor  and  all 
who  pass  in  and  out  of  it.  The  Lord 
bless  this  gift,  which  we  have  re- 
ceived, and  all  givers. 

United  in  the  Lord,  we  greet  you 
all  heartily!  Your  thankful  Berlin 
Mennonite  Church, 

Elder  Dr.  Ernst  Crous,  Goet- 
tingen, Honorary  President 
Elder  Erich  Schultz,  President 
Elder  Gerhard  Hein,  Pastor 
Wilhelm  Kohnert,  Vice  Pres. 
Curt  Claassen,  Treasurer 
Karl  Harder,  Secretary 
Erika  Claassen,  Deaconess 
(Translated  hy  David  Janzen) 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Educarion  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church. 
Entered  at  North  Newton,  Kansas,  post  office  as  second  class  matter.  Acceptance  for  mailing  at  special  rate  of  postage;  section  1103,  Act 
of  Oct.  3,  1917.  Authorized  Jan.  22,  1910.  Subscriptions  $2.50,-  foreign  $3.00.  Mail  subscriptions  and  payments  to  Mennonite  Publication 
Office,  North  Newton,  Kan.,  or  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan.  Address  manuscripts  for  publication  to  J.  N.  Smucker,  Editor,  THE  MENNONITE, 
Woodward  Place,  Goshen,  Ind.  Postmasters:  change  of  address  Form  3579  to  720  Main,  Newton,  Ken. 


148 


THE  MENNONITE 


Peter  Voran  hands  new  Bible  to  Takashi  Yamada  at 


the  ordination  service  at  Nichinan,  Japan. 
Photos  by  Paul  Boschman  and  Ray  Reimer 


Laying  on  of  hands:  from  left  to  right:  Paul  Bosch- 
man, Robert  Ramseyer,  Stuneharu  Oshima,  Peter 
Voran,  Peter  Derksen,  Verney  Unruh. 


Ordination  of  Takashi  Yamada 


WE  WANT  to  go  to  Nichinan 
for  the  ordination  on  January 
4.  Brother  Yamada  is  one  of  our 
Kobe  church  members  and  the  first 
one  to  be  ordained  into  the  min- 
istry in  the  Kyushu  Mennonite 
Church,”  said  brother  Abe  at  a post- 
Christmas  fellowship. 

“How  are  you  going?  I was  at 
the  train  station  last  night  and  the 
Kyushu-bound  trains  were  so  crowd- 
ed that  people  were  getting  in  and 
out  of  the  windows  and  standing 
shoulder  to  shoulder;  so  I am  not 
sure  I am  going  if  I have  to  stand 
for  twenty  hours,”  remarked  an- 
other member. 

Two  members  of  the  Kobe  Men- 
nonite Church  (600  miles  from 
southern  Kyushu)  did  take  the 
train,  and  brother  Abe,  delayed  be- 
cause of  a cold,  took  the  plane  the 
following  day. 

Led  by  a local  lay  member,  the 
ordination  service  opened  with  the 
hearty  singing  of  “All  Hail  the  Pow- 
er of  Jesus’  Name.”  Visitors  had 
come  from  all  six  stations. 

Immediately  below  the  pulpit 
were  seated  brother  Takaski  Ya- 
mada and  his  attractive  bride  of 
one  month,  the  principal  of  the  local 
kindergarten.  Seven  years  ago  he 
had  found  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  as 
his  personal  Saviour.  Previous  to 
coming  to  Nichinan  as  pastor  of 
the  Aburatsu  Mennonite  Church 
two  and  a half  years  ago,  he  gained 
valuable  experience  as  lay  leader 
of  the  Kobe  Church. 


Going  into  the  ministry  meant 
real  sacrifices.  He  was  the  oldest  in 
the  family  and  therefore  the  bread- 
winner. It  meant  giving  up  a well- 
paid  job  at  a shipping  company 
and  accepting  the  call  of  the  Lord 
with  a salary  of  less  than  $30,  some 
of  which  would  have  to  support  the 
family.  But  the  Lord  has  abundant- 
ly blessed  his  ministry,  and  even 
now  a good  number  in  the  audience 
were  singing  the  praises  of  the 
Lord  because  of  this  man’s  min- 
istry. 

Brother  Peter  Derksen  gave  the 
challenge  and  charge  both  to  the 
local  congregation  and  to  Brother 
Yamada,  speaking  from  the  text 
1 Timothy  3:1-7.  Brother  Peter 
Voran  performed  the  ordination, 
followed  by  the  laying  of  hands  by 
all  elders  present,  ordaining  imme- 
diately both  as  pastor  and  elder. 
With  evident  joy  and  deep  sincerity 
and  humility,  the  ordained  brother 
gave  a heart-warming  response 
when  in  part  he  said, 

“The  most  urgent  need,  which  is 
above  all  others  for  Japan,  is  the 
gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  who  was 
crucified  on  the  cross  of  Calvary 
for  us  Japanese  as  well  as  for  the 
whole  world.  It  is  only  by  grace 
through  the  redemption  of  Christ 
I was  saved;  it  was  only  the  grace 

by  Paul  Boschman 
missionary  to  Japan 


of  God  that  called  me  to  this  won- 
derful ministry  of  preaching  the 
Word  of  God  and  our  Lord  and 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ.  At  this  occa- 
sion of  special  blessing  I would  like 
to  thank  God  for  His  infinite  love 
and  to  express  my  hearty  gratitude 
for  our  loving  missionaries  . . . 
sent  to  us  by  the  churches  in  Can- 
ada and  America  out  of  their  love 
for  the  Lord  and  also  us  Japanese. 
. . . Though  I am  nothing  but  a poor 
heathen  vessel,  the  One  who  is 
working  in  me  is  mighty,  and  I am 
wiiling  to  labor  and  strive  accord- 
ing to  His  work  for  the  rest  of  my 
life.” 

Preceding  the  ordination  service, 
representatives  from  all  over  the 
prefecture,  from  as  far  away  as 
Kobe  and  Tokyo,  had  come  togeth- 
er for  the  fourth  annual  All  Jap- 
anese Fellowship  Conference  {Sei- 
kai,  or  Holy  Meeting)  planned  and 
directed  by  a national  committee. 
The  speaker  was  Pastor  Oshima  of 
Fukuoka,  who  effectively  and  clear- 
ly presented  messages  on  the  work 
of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

The  registrar’s  notebook  showed 
that  guests  came  from  various 
walks  of  life.  Of  the  eighty-three 
registered,  twenty-five  were  office 
workers,  fourteen  laborers,  thir- 
teen teachers,  eighteen  students, 
four  housewives,  two  pastors,  and 
seven  unemployed  (note  the  absence 
of  farmers). 

Praise  God  for  the  church  in 
southern  Japan. 


March  10,  1959 


149 


Is  the  Church  High  School 
Necessary? 


As  ONT:  who  is  closely  connect- 
ed with  the  church  high  school, 
it  is  quite  obvious  that  my  reply 
would  take  on  the  affirmative  note. 
I am  convinced  of  the  necessity  of 
this  type  of  school  for  several  rea- 
sons. 

First  of  all,  I would  say  that  it  is 
necessary  because  it  aids  the  church 
in  carrying  out  its  primary  task. 
This  has  been  stated  in  various 
ways;  one  pictures  the  church’s  pri- 
mary task  as  threefold:  to  preach 
the  gospel  (evangelism),  to  teach 
the  gospel,  and  to  train  the  heart, 
mind,  and  body  of  young  people  to 
continue  the  work  of  preaching  and 
teaching. 

Certainly  none  would  question  the 
possibilities  and  also  the  effective- 
ness of  an  evangelism  emphasis  at 
the  high  school  level.  Then  too,  we 
could  hardly  think  of  a more  con- 
venient place  or  age  level  to  begin 
the  teaching  of  the  great  beliefs 
and  doctrines  of  the  Christian 
church.  In  order  that  the  first  two 
responsibilities  might  be  fulfilled, 
the  church  needs  to  educate  talent. 
The  high  school  is  there  to.  aid  the 
young  people  in  assessing  and  edu- 
cating their  talents.  Furthermore, 
the  church  high  school  realizes  that 
educated  talent  which  is  not  dedi- 
cated talent  is  not  acceptable  to 
Christ.  In  view  of  this  there  is  the 
continuing  challenge  to  commitment 
and  dedication. 

I realize  that  when  we  say  that 
the  church  high  school  is  necessary, 
we  are  saying  that  the  home  and 
the  church  together  with  the  col- 
leges are  not  fulfilling  the  entire 
task.  It  is  not  my  intention  to  criti- 
cize any  of  these  agencies  by  say- 
ing that  their  program  is  inade- 
quate. Also,  we  are  aware  that 
communities  differ  greatly  in  their 
program  scope.  Rather  I would  like 
to  say  that  it  is  necessary  for  peo- 
ple in  our  day  to  utilize  every  pos- 


sible Christian  avenue  in  the  train- 
ing of  young  people.  The  necessity 
of  working  together  in  the  spirit 
of  Christian  unity  is  our  only  solu- 
tion. 

Our  schools  in  America  have  been 
relegated  to  a somewhat  stepsister 
relationship.  I do  not  appreciate  the 
terms  “church-related  school”  or 
“school  working  in  co-operation 
with  the  church.”  All  schools  should 
be  considered  a vital  organic  part 
of  the  working  church.  They  are 
the  church  in  one  part  of  its  activ- 
ity- 

There  are  areas  in  which  the 
church  high  school  can  make  a 
unique  contribution.  First  of  all, 
the  church  high  school,  more  than 
any  other  institution,  can  be  used 
as  an  effective  tool  in  building 
church  loyalty.  There  are  many  val- 
id criticisms  of  denominationalism 
as  it  exists  today.  In  spite  of  this, 
the  church  as  we  know  it  seems  to 
be  the  only  practical  solution.  Our 
own  Conference  was  called  into  be- 
ing in  order  that  mission  outreach 
might  become  more  effective.  Or- 
ganization is  so  basic  today  that 
even  those  who  pride  themselves  in 
being  nondenominational  are  not 
really  so  unless  they  are  antide- 
nominational. 

It  is  difficult  to  estimate  how 
many  potential  Mennonite  church 
members  have  attached  themselves 
to  other  church  groups  during  the 
past  few  decades.  It  is  inevitable 


by  Elmer  Richert 
principal,  Rosthern 
Junior  College 
Rosthern,  Saskatchewan 


that  circumstances  would  cause 
some  young  people  to  join  other 
fellowships.  Others  have  left  out  of 
conviction  (this  can  be  appreciat- 
ed), but  many,  and  this  is  sad,  have 
left  out  of  ignorance. 

Personally,  I stand  as  one  who 
was  on  the  verge  of  leaving  the 
Mennonite  church  on  the  basis  of 
ignorance.  As  a young  fellow  just 
out  of  high  school  (not  a church 
school),  I attended  an  interdenom- 
inational Bible  school  and  learned 
what  other  groups  were  doing  and 
believed.  Later  on,  as  a student  in 
the  city,  I became  a weathercock  for 
the  differing  winds  of  doctrinal  em- 
phasis. It  was  only  after  se  "_ral 
crisis  experiences  in  my  thinking 
(aided  by  information)  that  I final- 
ly woke  up  to  the  fact  that  there 
was  really  nothing  wrong  with  be- 
ing a Mennonite  Christian.  In  fact, 
there  were  many  things  which  were 
right  about  it. 

From  that  time  on,  it  has  been 
my  conviction  that  it  is  the  duty 
of  the  Mennonite  church  high  school 
to  present  clearly  and  boldly  the 
Christian  gospel  as  understood  by 
the  Mennonite  church.  It  is  also  our 
duty  to  challenge  young  people  with 
the  many  avenues  of  Christian  serv- 
ice which  may  be  entered.  Our 
Mennonite  heritage  must  be  under- 
stood to  be  appreciated;  our  present 
church  practices  must  be  explained 
in  order  that  they  may  become  more 
meaningful;  and  our  future  must 
be  presented  as  that  which  will  do 
great  things  for  God  with  the  help 
of  those  who  are  now  young. 

A few  months  ago  Time  maga- 
zine carried  a brief  article  about 
the  fact  that  the  Seventh-day  Ad- 
ventists have  the  most  vigorous 
mission  outreach  of  any  church, 
proportionately  speaking.  Last  sum- 
mer this  same  magazine  commented 
on  the  fabulous  increase  in  mem- 
bership as  well  as  activity  of  the 


150 


THE  MENNONITE 


Evangelical  Lutheran  church  over 
the  last  decade. 

There  is  very  little  doubt  in  my 
mind  that  their  extensive  school 
systems  contribute  to  their  vigor. 
They  not  only  sponsor  church  high 
schools  but  have  grade  schools  as 
well.  The  Evangelical  Lutheran 
Church  has  14,600  elementary 
schools  in  operation  in  the  U.S. 

With  reference  to  church  loyalty, 
some  of  you  recall  the  results  of  a 
study  that  were  published  in  this 
paper.  The  figures  are  so  unbeliev- 
able that  I hesitate  to  use  them 
again.  The  Seventh-day  Adventists 
claim  that  94%  of  young  people  that 
attend  their  schools  remain  loyal  to 
their  church,  but  96%  of  young  peo- 
ple that  attend  other  schools  are 
lost  to  their  church. 

AS  A SECOND  unique  contribu- 
tion of  church  high  schools,  I 
would  like  to  mention  the  over-all 
“plus”  which  such  schools  seek  to 
give.  The  entire  environment  is 
geared  toward  those  things  which 
are  wholesome.  The  teachers  have 
Christian  character.  There  is  em- 
phasis on  character  building  in  all 
aspects  of  school  life.  The  music 
that  is  cultivated  is  superior.  There 
is  opportunity  to  rub  shoulders  with 
young  people  of  the  same  faith. 
Generally  these  young  people  come 


V.  THE  HARM  OF 

Avarice  stands  fifth  among  the 
seven  deadly  sins.  In  the  Ten 
Commandments,  where  it  is  for- 
bidden, it  is  called  covetousness.  It 
may  be  thought  to  be  greediness,  or 
lust  after  the  things  of  this  world. 
These  three  words  — greed,  cov- 
etousness, avarice  — are  among  the 
ugliest  in  the  English  language.  So 
ugly,  in  fact,  that  we  have  devised 
other  more  acceptable  terms  with 
which  to  cloak  the  ideas  for  which 
these  words  stand  — such  terms  as 
thrift,  or  enterprise,  for  example. 

The  extent  to  which  our  western 
world  is  caught  in  the  grip  of  ava- 
rice may  be  seen  from  the  fact  that 
most  people  believe  their  major 
problems  to  be  material  ones  — how 
to  get  a new  house,  car,  furnace, 
etc.,  or  simply  how  to  get  more 
money.  The  harm  of  this  avarice 
is  enormous. 

For  one  thing,  it  causes  a person 


from  many  separated  areas,  and  in 
this  way  horizons  are  broadened. 
By  means  of  these  many  influences 
and  experiences  interest  is  awak- 
ened in  those  things  which  can  lead 
to  the  more  abundant  life  that 
Christ  would  have  us  live. 

In  closing  I would  like  to  make 
readers  aware  of  a few  facts; 

• There  are  approximately  500 
young  people  in  General  Conference 
Mennonite  high  schools  in  Canada 
today.  This  is  not  counting  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  Mennonite  students 
who  are  enrolled  in  the  inter-Men- 
nonite  high  school  in  Clearbrook, 
B.  C.  (enrollment  500)  or  in  non- 
denominational  schools.  (I  am  una- 
ware of  the  United  States  situation 
and  so  am  quoting  Canadian  fig- 
ures.) This  in  itself  points  to  the 
fact  that  many  parents  believe  that 
the  church  high  school  is  a neces- 
sity. It  is  in  these  high  schools  that 
large  numbers  of  future  lay  mem- 
bers are  being  taught. 

• We  can  expect  that  this  num- 

ber will  increase,  for  at  least  two 
reasons:  (1)  More  young  people 

are  seeking  high  school  education 
than  ever  before.  Church  high 
schools  can  anticipate  a share  of 
the  increase.  (2)  The  world  is  mak- 
ing increasing  inroads  into  our  Men- 
nonite homes.  Besides,  modem  so- 


AVARICE 

to  be  misled  as  to  what  matters  in 
life.  Avarice  never  leads  a man  to 
confront  the  issue  of  this  relation- 
ship to  Jesus  Christ,  but  only  dis- 
tracts him  away  from  that  issue.  At 
every  crucial  point  it  minimizes  the 
spiritual,  magnifies  the  material. 

Again,  avarice  consumes  energies 

The  Seven  Deadly  Sins 

which  ought  to  be  used  for  other 
purposes.  In  fact,  it  takes  almost  all 
a person’s  energies,  leaving  none 
for  recreation,  fellowship,  doing 
good  deeds,  and  the  like. 

Then,  avarice  separates  a man 
from  God.  Jesus  taught,  “You  can- 
not serve  God  and  mammon” — the 
latter  being  the  god  of  avarice. 
The  qualities  of  life  required  to 
serve  God  are  simply  not  compat- 


ciety seriously  disrupts  family  life. 
These  two  factors  are  combining  to 
influence  parents  to  look  to  the 
church  high  school  to  hold  the  fort 
for  them. 

We  need  to  be  reminded  at  all 
times  to  keep  a balanced  program 
in  our  church.  To  put  our  empha- 
sis on  missions  and  to  neglect  our 
schools  will  throw  our  program  out 
of  balance.  To  reverse  this  would 
also  be  futile.  It  is  my  conviction 
that  our  Conference  could  benefit 
in  the  future  from  a greater  empha- 
sis on  the  church  high  school. 

My  Prayer  Today 

Dear  God,  forgive  me  that  I did  not 
take 

A ‘precious  'yesterday  to  make 
A grieving  soul  feel  s'weet  serenity 
By  sharing  solace  you  have  given 
'me. 

Dear  God,  I thank  you  for  the  won- 
drous gift 

Of  eager  conscience,  which  will 
guide  and  lift 

Me  through  this  new-born  day  vnth 
love-filled  heart. 

And  help  me  constantly  to  do  my 
‘part. 

— Bertha  R.  Hudelson 


ible  with  those  required  to  serve 
mammon. 

And  further,  avarice  always 
makes  its  victims  miserable,  caus- 
ing them  to  experience  an  insa- 
tiable hell  of  craving  for  this  and 
that,  craving  which  cannot  possibly 
be  satisfied,  because  the  more  it  is 
satisfied  the  more  it  grows. 

How  shall  we  escape  the  power- 
ful pull  of  avarice?  The  only  an- 
swer is  to  be  found  in  Jesus  who 
taught,  “Blessed  are  those  who  hun- 
ger and  thirst  for  righteousness.” 
We  need  to  learn  to  lust  after  right- 
eousness, rather  than  after  the 
things  of  this  world.  This  suggests 
at  once  the  narrow,  difficult  way.  It 
can  be  followed  only  as  we  learn  to 
know  Him  who  is  “the  God  of  all 
righteousness.” 

— Robert  W.  Hartzler,  pastor  of 
Eighth  Street  Church,  Goshen,  Ind. 


March  10,  1959 


151 


the  reader  says 

Dear  editor: 

“We  won’t  take  it  sitting  down,” 
and  before  that  colloquialism  cools 
off,  we  shall  continue  in  the  ver- 
nacular by  saying  that  we  take  our 
pen  in  hand  to  write  a few  lines  in 
regard  to  that  article  on  page  95, 
middle  part.  The  Mennonite  for 
Feb.  10,  about  where  preachers  are 
told  to  use  short  words. 

We  grant  you  that  our  congrega- 
tions are  “ordinary  assemblies,”  and 
that  if  they  are  definitely  unsophis- 
ticated,” that  is  as  it  should  be.  But 
we  wish  to  be  shown  one  that  is 
“decidedly  illiterate.” 

We  had  several  very  fine  teachers 
who  taught  us  many  principles  for 
effective  communication  of  thought: 
(1)  How  to  listen  to  conversation, 
debate,  lectures,  sermons;  (2)  How 
to  read  for  enrichment  and  infor- 
mation; (3)  How  to  speak  logical- 
ly and  pleasantly;  (4)  How  to  write 
with  precision  and  originality.  The 
fundamental  emphasis  was  always 
on  the  correct  choice  of  words. 

It  is  the  inescapable  duty  of  the 
person  who  speaks  or  writes  to 
search  diligently  for  the  words  that 
convey  the  author’s  idea  with  crys- 
tal clarity.  Sometimes  these  words 
may  be  of  the  simplest,  sometimes 
they  demand  that  we  stand  on  our 
mental  tiptoes.  Words  are  rich 
treasures.  Thank  you,  teachers,  for 
showing  us  how  to  use  the  rare, 
sparkling  jewels  of  expression  in 
among  the  prosaic  terms  needed  in 
this  business  of  earning  our  daily 
bread  and  speaking  in  meetings.  . . . 

Ministers  are  responsible  for  en- 
riching the  vocabulary  of  their 
church  members.  Many  of  us  would 
agree  that  we  have  become  more 
articulate  because  our  minister  had 
a facile  conomand  of  at  least  two 
languages,  and  made  frequent  allu- 
sions to  Latin,  Greek,  and  Hebrew 
terms.  There  is  a universal  lan- 
guage of  the  soul  that  needs  few 
word  symbols,  but  there  is  also  a 
vocabulary  of  the  church  and  the 
laity  should  not  be  denied  a knowl- 
edge of  it,  nor  need  the  clergy  as- 
sume that  we  are  incapable  of  com- 
prehending it.  Granted  that  it  is 
evil  to  use  unfamiliar  words  for 
ulterior  motives,  we  still  maintain 
that  many  sermons  suffer  from 
over-simplification,  unlovely  illustra- 
tions, and  the  unpoetic  construction 


of  a climax.  Sermons  should  sound 
beautiful.  Only  words  can  fashion 
thought.  They  can  imbue  us  with 
the  desire  to  be  part  of  that  great 
congregation  who  will  hear  that 
which  “ear  hath  not  yet  heard.” 

But  now  we  are  listening  from 
the  pews.  And  since  we  are  not 
walking  on  streets  paved  in  pure 
gold  but  on  utilitarian  asphalt  base, 
may  we  once  more  use  the  language 
of  the  street.  (It,  too,  is  lovely,  but 
not  for  the  pulpit.)  We  know  the 
man  who  writ  that  article  talked 
too  big  on  purpose.  He  just  wanted 
to  show  up  the  guy  who  is  a show- 
off  with  his  fancy  talk.  That  is  the 
loud  brass  St.  Paul  means  in  1 Cor- 
inthians 13.  We  knowed  the  writer 
since  he  was  a youngster.  He’s  an 
O.  K.  preacher  in  our  books. 

Philosophically  yours. 

Two  Pew  Occupants 
(Names  withheld  on  request) 

Dear  sir: 

I enjoyed  reading  the  writing  in 
the  Feb.  10  issue  of  The  Menno- 
nite, “That  South  American  Slant” 
by  a Stephen  Fretz.  Would  like  to 
see  more  by  him.  — Sam  Eigsti 

Dear  editor: 

This  is  not  written  in  any  criti- 
cism of  Leland  Harder’s  chart  in 
the  recent  Mennonite  (Feb.  10),  nor 
the  article  he  has  in  the  late  Re- 
porter. 

This  situation  has  been  a burden 
to  me  for  quite  some  time.  Men- 
nonites  came  here  from  Sacramento 
a few  years  ago  and  tried  to  start 
a work  here,  but  they  have  all 
moved  back  to  Oregon  and  given 
it  up.  Yet  there  is  great  need  of  a 
real  work  to  be  done  here.  Church- 
es here — yes.  Busy — yes.  But  condi- 
tions are  getting  worse. 

I am  wondering  if  the  answer  to 
the  whole  question  does  not  lie  in 
a few  statements  from  the  Bible: 
first,  2 Chron.  7:14;  second,  2 Cor. 
6:14-16.  God  has  never  worked  ef- 
fectively through  a mixed  multi- 
tude. (Ex.  12:38,  Num.  11:4-6,  Neh. 
13:3).  The  church  today  is  not  a- 
ware  of  her  condition  or  the  time 
on  God’s  clock.  When  I speak  of  the 
church,  I frankly  say  “we.” 

John  A.  Hilty 
Roseville,  Calif. 


film  review 

LIFE  OF  JOSEPH,  series  of  five 
filmstrips:  JOSEPH  SOLD  INTO 

EGYPT,  JOSEPH’S  DREAMS  COME 
TRUE,  FROM  PALACE  TO  PRIS- 
ON, JOSEPH  MAKES  HIMSELF 
KNOWN,  THE  FAMILY  UNITED. 
Filmstrip  with  record;  filmstrips 
each  $5j  records,  $3;  entire  set  in 
box  $27.90.  Available  through  Men- 
nonite Bookstores  in  Rosthern,  New- 
ton, Berne. 

The  committee  looked  at  two  of 
the  five  filmstrips.  They  were  unan- 
imously agreed  that  this  would  be  a 
fine  series  for  use  in  our  churches. 
The  committee  was  impressed  with 
the  use  of  live  characters  for  the 
various  scenes  depicted  in  the  film- 
strips and  with  the  way  in  which 
the  filmstrips  followed  closely,  the 
biblical  account,  very  little  material 
being  added,  and  was  also  im- 
pressed with  the  skill  with  which 
underlying  ideas  are  com  .nunicated. 

The  guide  which  accompanies 
each  filmstrip  gives  suggestions  for 
various  ways  in  which  the  film- 
strips can  be  used.  Issues  are  raised 
which  groups  can  discuss.  Separate 
issues  are  raised  for  the  junior  age, 
junior  high  age,  and  the  senior  high. 

RUSSIA,  16  mm.,  sound,  color,  24 
minutes.  International  Film  Foun- 
dation, 1 East  42nd  St.,  New  York 
17,  New  York,  Rental,  $10.00. 

Here  is  a report  of  Russia  in 
terms  of  its  people  and  the  life  they 
live.  Life  under  the  tsars  and  life 
under  the  Communists  are  com- 
pared to  show  that  for  the  bulk  of 
the  people  there  has  been  no  im- 
provement. Though  religion  has 
been  discouraged,  we  see  it  surviv- 
ing in  many  scenes.  Though  farms 
have  been  collectivized,  peasants  are 
more  interested  in  working  on  their 
small  family  plots  than  in  the  larg- 
er fields.  The  educational  system 
offers  one  way  of  escape  from  pov- 
erty, for  those  who  become  scien- 
tists and  technicians  may  some  day 
be  rich. 

In  a day  when  we  characterize 
Russia  by  its  political  leaders,  here 
we  have  a chance  to  meet  the  peo- 
ple of  Russia  themselves.  It  is  a 
helpful  reminder  to  see  that  these 
people  are  human. 

On  the  whole  this  report  is  ob- 
jective. Authentic  Russian  music 
brightens  this  documentary  film. 


152 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  youth 


Last  Sunday  was  Conference  Sunday.  Did  it  prompt  loyalties — and  questions? 


WE  ARE  living  in  an  ecumen- 
ical age.  We  celebrate  the 
death  and  burial  of  most  of  the 
narrow-mindedness  and  crass  intol- 
erance of  ages  past.  There  are  few 
groups  today  who  insist  that  they 
only  are  God’s  redeemed  people. 
Even  most  Mennonites  can  now 
recognize  spiritual  brothers  among 
Presbyterians,  Methodists,  and  An- 
glicans. Denominationalism  is  de- 
emphasized  also  on  the  mission 
fields,  and  rightly  so,  because  the 
divisions  of  Christendom  have  never 
ceased  to  confuse  non-Christian  peo- 
ples. 

How  often  has  the  hand  said  to 
the  foot,  “I  have  no  need  of  you!” 
How  often  we  have  mercilessly 
sliced  up  the  body  of  Christ  with 
the  knives  of  our  own  selfish  preju- 
dices! Moreover,  the  Christian 
church  has  been  guilty  of  exceed- 
ingly wasteful  duplication  of  effort 
as  each  denomination  went  its  own 
way.  God  has  graciously  granted 
us  to  see  the  error  in  all  this. 

And  yet  I insist  on  calling  myself 
a Mennonite.  What  justification 
have  ! for  doing  so?  Had  Paul  lived 
in  the  sixteenth  century,  would  he 
not  have  extended  his  list  of  “un- 
worthy” appellations  in  1 Cor.  l;llf 
to  include  also  the  name  of  Menno 
Simons?  Might  he  not  have  said, 
. . it  has  been  reported  to  me 
. . . that  there  is  quarreling  among 
you.  . . . What  I mean  is  that  each 
one  of  you  says,  T belong  to  Paul’ 
or  T belong  to  Apollos’  ...  or  T 
belong  to  Menno’  or  T belong  to 
Christ.’  Is  Christ  divided?  Was  Paul 
— was  Menno — crucified  for  you?” 
So  often  we  have  disregarded  this 
crucial  Pauline  exhortation.  Many, 
on  the  other  hand,  refuse  to  be  giv- 
en any  other  label  except  “Chris- 
tian.” 


Shall 

I 

Remain 

a 

Mennonite? 

by  George  E.  Janzen 


I have,  for  myself,  preferred  the 
designation  “Christian”  to  “Menno- 
nite.” My  gospel  is  Christ,  not  Men- 
no. However,  not  for  a moment 
does  this  indicate  a lack  of  appre- 
ciation for  the  contribution  Menno 
made  to  the  “rediscovery”  of  Christ. 
And  certainly  there  are  many  con- 
tributions. But  rather  than  enumer- 
ating these  and  offering  them  as 
the  reasons  justifying  my  remain- 
ing a Mennonite  I should  like  to  at- 
tempt to  establish  a broader  base 
from  which  to  work. 

The  suggestion  is  that  there  is 
little  justification  for  being  a Men- 
nonite without  the  unambiguous  af- 
firmation that  I am  first  of  all  a 
Christian.  Menno  was  first  of  all  a 
Christian,  and  unless  I am  also,  I 
am  not  even  a Mennonite!  The  one 
justifying  reason  for  remaining  a 
Mennonite  is  the  firm  belief  that 


Menno  made  a vital  contribution 
to  the  understanding  of  Christ 
which  must  not  be  lost.  His  insights 
have  contributed  to  give  the  total 
Christian  message  a more  complete 
expression. 

But  it  seems  the  height  of  ar- 
rogance to  insist  that  God  blessed 
the  Mennonites  with  the  world’s 
only  complete  expression  of  the 
Christian  faith.  Even  if  one  be- 
lieves that  Mennonitism  is  its  full- 
est expression  (which  can  be  ques- 
tioned), one  may  never  assume  that 
it  is  its  complete  expression.  De- 
nominations are  so  often  reaction- 
ary groups  of  people.  They  are  re- 
actionary because  someone  else  is 
omitting  something  which  they  see 
vital.  And  since  every  group  is 
composed  of  fallible  men,  we  must 
recognize  that  no  one  group  has  a 
monopoly  on  truth.  Each  learns 
from  and  contributes  to  the  other. 

I am  a Mennonite,  then,  because 
I can  contribute  to  other  men’s 
understanding  of  Christ.  I am,  at 
the  same  time,  constantly  on  the 
lookout  for  things  other  men  can 
contribute  to  my  understanding  of 
Christ.  Christian  truth  comes 
through  the  whole  Christian  com- 
munity. I am  happy  to  have  others 
retain  their  denominational  labels 
provided  that  they  recognize  this 
also.  Each  group  can  daily  remind 
the  other  that  there  exist  other  di- 
mensions to  the  gospel  message.  If 
men  were  not  fallible,  this  might 
not  have  to  be.  As  it  is,  I hardly 
have  another  choice.  In  the  final 
analysis,  how  can  I escape  a label? 
If  I reject  the  Mennonite  label,  I 
shall  soon  have  another.  But  I 
preach  the  truth  I have  found  in 
the  name  of  Christ,  and  not  in  the 
name  of  my  denominational  found- 
er, for  first  of  all  I am  a Christian. 


March  10,  1959 


153 


Mennonite  churches  of  Ontario  hold 
workshop  of  youth  and  peace  committees 

Beat--or  Burdened? 


reported  by  Henry  H.  Epp 

The  place  was  the  Mennonite 
Church  at  21  George  St.  in 
Waterloo.  The  time  was  Feb.  14 
and  15.  The  theme  was  “Christian 
Discipleship  — The  Way  of  the 
Cross.”  C.  J.  Dyck  (Ph.D.  candi- 
date, University  of  Chicago)  was 
the  guest  speaker  at  the  workshop. 
Message  themes  were:  “The  Great 
Opportunity”  “The  Great  Dilem- 
ma” “The  Great  Conversation” 
“The  Strength  of  the  Church”  and 
“You  Are  Not  Your  Own.”  One  of 
the  questions  pointed  up  was:  “Is 
our  generation  beat  or  burdened?” 
According  to  an  international 
magazine,  “there  is  a pack  of  odd 
balls  who  celebrate  booze,  dope, 
sex,  and  despair  and  go  by  the  name 
of  Beatniks.”  C.  J.  Dyck  said  that 
these  and  others  like  them,  with  no 
faith  in  anything  or  anyone,  with 
no  code  of  ethics  and  no  conscience, 
and  with  no  ambition  to  work  con- 
structively, represent  the  beat  gen- 
eration of  our  day. 

In  the  terminology  of  Christians 
there  is  yet  another  group  that 
lacks  a positive  witness.  This  is  the 
generation  of  lukewarm  who  claim 
a restful  faith  that  requires  noth- 
ing active,  a cheap  faith  that  re- 
quires no  cleansing,  and  a faith  that 
is  rooted  to  traditions  and  mores 
instead  of  received  from  heaven. 
Who  then  are  the  burdened? 
They  are  those  “called  to  being.” 
Their  life  has  received  content, 
meaning,  and  direction  from  an  en- 
counter with  God.  Remember  what 
happened  to  Samuel  and  to  Matthew 
when  / AM  called  them? 

These  people  receive  with  the 
“call  to  be”  the  “call  to  do.”  Being 
transformed  from  the  condition  of 
sin  and  the  sins  of  omission,  they 
become  rooted  into  a relationship 
with  Christ  that  bears  the  fruit  of 
discipleship. 

The  “call  to  doing”  is  a challenge 
to  totally  live  a transformed  life. 
This  call  addresses  itself  to  all  are- 


as of  life  and  gives  to  your  voca- 
tional calling  a new  dimension  and 
unnumbered  opportunities. 

Who  then  are  the  burdened? 

They  are  those  “bought  with  a 
price”  and  “loved  with  a Love.” 
Having  been  loved  and  purchased, 
they  now  live  under  a compulsion 
to  pay  the  price  of  faithful  disciple- 
ship and  loving. 

Take  my  yoke  upon  you.  . . . 

O For  a Thousand  . . . 

Your  first  reaction  was  right.  It 
starts  out  as  a hymn.  We  sang  this 
hymn  during  the  workshop.  The 
question  is:  Why  do  we  want  the 
impossible  thousand  tongues  with 
which  to  praise  God  when  He  has 
given  us  thousands  of  other  items 
whereby  we  can  make  practical 
expression  of  gratefulness  and 
thanks? 

The  executive  of  the  Ontario 
Young  People’s  Organization  is 
thankful  to  the  local  groups  for 
their  vital  efforts  and  for  the  par- 
ticipation in  providing  for  the  bud- 
get. During  this  year  we  again  want 
to  support  our  church  schools;  we 
will  contribute  toward  Mennonite 
Pioneer  Missions  and  Foreign  Mis- 
sions as  well  as  pay  toward  the 
support  of  two  Paxmen. 

The  young  people  were  chal- 
lenged to  be  faithful  stewards  and 


Cornelius  J.  Dyck  addressing  youth 
meeting 


as  church  members  to  share  in  the 
task  of  the  church.  Some  of  us  may 
talk  as  if  we  had  a thousand 
tongues;  now  let  us  live  sharing  the 
thousand  blessings  we  have  received 
to  glorify  God. 

Peace  Concerns 

The  purpose  of  the  peace  com- 
mittee meeting  with  the  youth 
workshop  was  “to  explore  the  pos- 
sibilities of  local  peace  committees 
conducting  workshops  in  their  own 
congregations.”  It  seems  that  most 
of  us  are  “not  tremendously  inter- 
ested in  war  as  long  as  there  is 
peace!”  In  terms  of  workshop  re- 
sponse: “there  was  a great  deal  of 
interest,  and  future  meems  of  co- 
operation were  developed.  Most  of 
us  realized  that  much  study  and 
discussion  is  necessary  in  order  for 
us  to  be  better  disciples  in  a chang- 
ing world.” 

As  its  immediate  task,  the  peace 
committee  saw  the  need  to  develqp 
and  sponsor  local  workshops.  With- 
in several  weeks  the  committee  will 
make  available  a variety  of  peace 
literature  to  local  groups.  The 
thought  is  to  start  with  small 
groups  of  young  people  who  are 
willing  to  go  through  with  an  in- 
tensive study  of  the  doctrine  of 
peace  and  its  implications  for  our 
living  today. 

Unless  we  are  blind,  it  must  be 
obvious  to  all  of  us  that  no  one 
week  end  of  mountaintop  experi- 
ences in  a workshop  will  ever  over- 
come the  lethargy  within  our 
churches  and  even  less  the  blood 
and  tears  of  the  world.  The  chal- 
lenge is  that  every  congregation 
raise  up  from  their  midst  a core  of 
consecrated  Christian  young  people 
who  promise  Christ  that  they  want 
to  make  peace  a way  of  life  under 
the  cross. 


Ontario  youth  who  attended  the 
ivorkshop 


154 


THE  MENNONITE 


Voluntary  Service:  Retrospect  and  Prospect 


The  follounng  experiences  were  re- 
corded by  VSers  after  their  summer 
service  in  1958; 

Short  Term  Mission  Work 

The  desire  to  be  a missionary  has 
been  a part  of  me  since  early  child- 
hood. This  year  for  the  first  time  I 
felt  that  I could  take  a definite  step 
in  this  direction — as  a Voluntary 
Service  worker.  Voluntary  Service 
always  appeared  to  me  to  be  short- 
term mission  work.  Therefore  it 
was  with  much  enthusiasm  that  I 
entered  into  Voluntary  Service  at 
Camp  Mennoscah. 

One  of  the  most  impressive  things 
about  my  work  was  meeting  so 
many  new  and  wonderful  people. 
This  in  itself  seemed  to  point  in  the 
direction  of  mission  work,  for  I 
have  never  before  met  and  worked 
with  such  a variety  of  people,  and 
I enjoyed  every  minute  of  it. 

I shall  always  thank  the  Volun- 
tary Service  program  for  giving  me 
the  opportunity  to  work  as  I did 
this  summer.  Kay  Ann  Schrag 

Service  and  Growth 

One  of  the  most  meaningful  ex- 
periences in  my  life  was  the  time  I 
found  myself  in  Chicago  working 
with  a group  of  people  who  called 
themselves  Mennonites.  I was  the 
only  one  of  our  Voluntary  Service 
group  that  was  not  thus  called.  I 
soon  discovered  that  working  with 
them  was  not  only  interesting  and 
challenging  but  also  enjoyable. 

I was  impressed  with  the  way 
the  program  was  organized  and  by 
the  leadership  given  it  by  the  Wood- 
lawn  Mennonite  Church.  Part  of 
our  program  included  a week  of 
orientation  in  which  we  were  given 
information  concerning  the  back- 
ground and  the  present  trends  and 
conditions  of  the  neighborhood,  and 
were  also  given  some  helpful  hints 
on  good  teaching  along  with  some 
specific  teaching  methods.  During 
this  time  I heard  discussions  in 
which  .various  Mennonite  beliefs 
were  discussed.  This  gave  me  a 
greater  understanding  of  this  group 
and  helped  me  to  see  what  makes 
this  group  different  from  any  other 
religious  group. 

I think  that  the  plan  of  Volun- 
tary Service  summer  workers  is 
good.  During  this  time  one  is  able 


to  do  a work  in  which  he  can  feel 
that  he  is  being  of  service  to  God. 
It  is  a time  when  one  can  enrich 
his  own  spiritual  life.  It  is  also  val- 
uable because  it  is  a time  when  one 
makes  new  friends  and  learns  to 
love  and  to  appreciate  people  who 
have  somewhat  different  back- 
grounds. Dolores  Oiler 

A Way  to  Say  ‘Thank  you’ 

So  many  of  us  call  ourselves 
Christians  and  thank  the  Lord  for 
His  love,  which  did  not  shrink  from 
sacrificing  His  Son  so  that  we  might 
be  in  fellowship  with  Him  and  be 
His  children.  This  love  and  grace 
we  accept  so  freely — yet  what  sac- 
rifice do  we  give  of  ourselves,  our 
time,  our  effort,  and  our  money  to 
show  our  thankfulness  and  willing- 
ness to  serve  in  His  kingdom?  We 
know  we  should  at  all  times  serve 
our  Lord  and  yet  we  do  well  to  set 
aside  a time  for  Voluntary  Service 
— a time  we  dedicate  ourselves  to 
making  an  all-out  effort  to  serve 
God  and  man.  “Inasmuch  as  ye 
have  done  it  unto  one  of  the  least 
of  these  my  brethren,  ye  have  done 
it  unto  me”  (Matt.  25:40). 

This  special  service  has  also  its 
special  blessings.  We  get  the  inner 
joy  of  having  served  unselfishly. 
We  see  other  Christians  at  work 
and  often  they  portray  humble  gra- 
ciousness, a bearing  with  the  short- 
comings of  others  instead  of  con- 
demning the  weak,  a serving  beyond 
the  first  and  second  mile.  It  is 
through  them  and  the  actual  serv- 
ice we  render  that  our  eyes  may  be 
opened  to  unnoticed  opportunities 
in  our  own  communities. 

Voluntary  Service  acts  as  a tonic 
to  invigorate  us  in  our  own  spir- 
itual life.  Since  the  services  are 
manifold,  both  spiritual  and  phys- 
ical, workers  from  all  walks  of  life 
can  be  used.  Anna  Wiens 

Love  Makes  a Difference 

Consider  yourself  for  just  a mo- 
ment an  unloved,  unwanted  child. 
Your  parents  don’t  live  with  you 
because  they  feel  no  concern  for 
you.  The  only  place  to  spend  your 
free  time  is  in  the  streets.  Growing 
up  will  become  ever  harder  for  you 
because  the  color  of  your  skin  is 
society’s  mark  against  you.  Does 
this  situation  leave  room  for  men- 


tal and  spiritual  growth? 

In  my  experience  as  a VSer  I 
have  come  in  contact  with  just  such 
people.  Through  observations  one 
can  definitely  see  what  difference 
the  love  of  Christ  can  make  in  the 
hearts  of  individuals  who  have 
been  touched  by  it.  What  better 
way  to  bring  knowledge  of  God’s 
concern  and  love  than  through 
Christian  witness?  This  seems  just 
the  situation  for  a person  to  whom 
religious  training  and  well-balanced 
home  life  have  been  “taken-for- 
granteds”  since  childhood.  What 
value  their  witness  could  hold  in  a 
community  such  as  Gulfport,  for 
instance! 

One  thing  I noticed  about  work 
with  the  colored  people  of  Missis- 
sippi was  that  the  VSers  are  con- 
stantly looked  upon  as  examples. 
With  the  correct  infiuence,  their 
lives  can  be  enriched  and  channeled 
into  service  for  the  Master. 

Lois  Heidebrecht 


Youth  Group  Sets  Budget 

The  West  Abbotsford  Mennonite 
young  people  accepted  a budget  of 
$2,000,  an  increase  of  $650  over 
last  year,  for  1959  at  the  annual 
business  meeting  Jan.  10.  This  a- 
mount  will  be  used  to  support  for- 
eign missionaries,  the  mission 
camp  at  Oosta  Lake  in  northern 
B.  C.,  the  Sumas  Sunday  School 
Mission,  and  other  projects. 

A new  constitution  for  the 
church’s  youth  fellowship  was  ac- 
cepted and  put  into  operation.  'The 
following  are  now  members  of  com- 
mittees: Executive;  Menno  Epp, 
chm.;  Mary  Nickel,  sec.;  George 
Bartsch,  treas.;  Christian  Endeavor: 
Victor  Sawatzky,  Frieda  Wiebe,  Ly- 
dia Epp,  Helen  Krueger;  Faith  and 
Life;  Bill  Wiebe,  Doreen  Dueck, 
Annie  Epp,  Vic  Neuman;  Service: 
Jack  Nickel,  Helmuth  Peters,  Agnes 
Dueck,  Frank  Sawatzky;  Fellow- 
ship; Jake  Wiebe,  Walter  Wiebe, 
Susie  Epp,  Anne  Dyck. 

— Canadian  Mennonite 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People's  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  SOOS 
Benham  Avenue,  Elkhart,  Indiana. 


March  10,  1959 


155 


our  schools 

CHRISTIAN  LIFE  WEEK 

Bluffton  College’s  annual  Chris- 
tian Life  Week  is  being  held  March 
8-11.  This  year’s  speaker  is  J.  Her- 
bert Fretz,  pastor  of  the  Salem 
Church,  Freeman,  S.  D.  Prior  to 
1953  his  pastorate  was  Deep  Run 
Church  in  Bedminster,  Pa.  Brother 
Fretz  and  his  wife,  Helen  Habegger 
Fretz,  are  both  Bluffton  graduates, 
and  he  is  also  a graduate  of  West- 
minster Seminary,  Philadelphia. 

Christian  Life  Week  is  geared 
primarily  for  college  students,  un- 
like Bible  Lecture  Week  in  the  fall, 
which  is  intended  for  the  general 
public  also.  Pastor  Fretz  will  speak 
in  Ramseyer  Chapel  twice  daily, 
Monday  through  Wednesday.  On 
Sunday  morning  he  will  speak  to 
the  college  students’  Sunday  school 
class  at  First  Mennonite  Church 
and  at  the  student  College  Church 
service  on  Sunday  evening.  The 
Wednesday  evening  meeting  will  in- 
clude a Communion  Service. 

His  topics  are;  March  8,  “Man 
Alive,”  Luke  5:10,  and  “Simon,  Son 
of  John,”  Matt.  16:16,  17;  March  9, 
“Living  Sacrifices,”  Rom.  12:1,  2, 
and  “Falling  Rocks,”  Luke  22:61, 
62;  March  10,  “My  Friends,”  John 
15:14,  and  “What’s  in  a Name?” 
Mark  16:7;  March  11,  “Fishing  for 
Sheep,”  John  21:3,  17,  and  “A  Text 
to  Live  By,”  Gal.  2:20. 

DUO-PIANISTS 

Bill  and  Pat  Medley,  duo-pianists, 
will  appear  on  the  Bluffton  College 
campus  on  Thursday,  March  12,  at 
8:30  p.m.  in  Ramseyer  Chapel.  In 
order  to  present  a more  perfect 
concert,  they  transport  tvvo  of  their 
own  Baldwin  concert-grand  pianos 
in  a special  van.  No  strangers  to 
the  Bluffton  campus,  their  first  per- 
formance was  given  two  years  ago. 

In  their  effort  to  make  musical 
fun  for  everyone,  the  young  hus- 
band-and-wife  two-piano  team  play 
for  all  kinds  of  music  lovers.  The 
Medleys  will  play  selections  by 
Bach,  Rachmaninoff,  Milhaud,  Aren- 
sky, Saint-Saens,  Poulenc,  and 
Riegger  during  their  concert. 

MINISTERS'  COURSE 

Meeting  and  becoming  acquaint- 
ed with  the  twenty-eight  ministers 
from  Conference  churches  who  are 
taking  the  ministers’  course  offered 
by  Canadian  Mennonite  Bible  Col- 


lege, is  proving  to  be  a fine  expe- 
rience for  other  students.  “We  have 
gained  new  insights  into  the  joys  as 
well  as  the  hardships  of  the  min- 
istry,” writes  student  Edna  Krue- 
ger. “As  those  who  may  possibly 
become  leaders  in  church  work 
when  we  have  finished  our  studies, 
we  feel  a special  kinship  with  these 
spiritual  leaders  who  have  been  ac- 
tive in  the  ministry  for  some  time.” 

Martin  Goerzen,  one  of  the  min- 
isters, related  in  Chapel  interesting 
experiences  which  he  had  during 
the  time  spent  among  the  Menno- 
nites  of  Northern  Alberta. 

PAXMAN  SPEAKS  AT  C.M.B.C. 

The  needs  of  Paxmen  around  the 
world  were  remembered  when  Earl 
Schmidt  told  of  his  experiences  in 
Nepal  and  Europe.  Som.e  200  slides 
made  the  areas  of  need  more  real 
to  us.  We  were  especially  mindful 
of  those  who  have  left  our  midst 
to  do  mission  Pax  work  in  the  re- 
cent past. 

DEBATE  TOURNEY 

Bethel  College  was  represented 
by  three  debate  teams  at  the  For- 
ensic Tournament  held  at  Texas 
Christian  University  Feb.  20-21.  The 
two  teams  in  the  senior  division 
qualified  for  the  elimination  rounds, 
the  team  of  Robert  Rich  and  Rob- 
ert Shellenberger  winning  five  and 
losing  one  rouir',  with  the  team  of 
Arlan  Kaufman  and  La  Verne 
Stucky  winning  four  and  losing  two 
rounds.  Rich  and  Shellenberger 
were  among  the  three  teams  with 
a record  of  five  wins  and  one  loss 
in  the  preliminaries.  The  teams 
did  not  advance  in  the  elimination 
rounds,  but  members  were  granted 
medals  for  fifth  place. 

Bethel  was  represented  in  the 
junior  division  by  Kenneth  Loh- 
rentz  and  Don  Hofer.  A total  of 
twenty-six  schools  were  represent- 
ed. The  Bethel  delegation  was  ac- 
companied by  Harley  J.  Stucky,  de- 
bate coach. 

CHORALE  TOUR 

The  Bethel  Chorale,  directed  by 
D.  H.  Suderman,  embarked  on  a 
spring  concert  tour  between  quar- 
ters Feb.  28-March  8.  The  tour  took 
the  Chorale  to  Mountain  Lake, 
Minn.,  for  two  concerts,  to  Worth- 
ington, Minn.,  to  the  Freeman-Ma- 
rion,  S.  D.,  area,  and  to  Henderson 
and  Beatrice,  Neb. 


MARK  TWAIN  IMPERSONATION 

TV  star  Hal  Holbrook  comes  to 
memorial  Hall,  Bethel  College, 
Tuesday,  March  10,  in  a solo  show, 
“Mark  Twain  Tonight.”  Holbrook 
has  been  impersonating  Mark 
Twain  since  1955.  He  can  now  quote 
the  great  humorist  for  four  hours 
without  repeating  himself.  While 
Sam.uel  Langhorne  Clemens,  famil- 
iarly known  as  Mark  Twain,  died 
in  1910,  it  is  still  true  as  he  pro- 
phetically stated  at  one  time,  that 
“the  report  of  my  death  has  been 
grossly  exaggerated.”  He  is  still 
vigorously  alive  in  the  affections  of 
people  everywhere. 

AUXILIARY  ANNIVERSARY 
CELEBRATED  WITH  SCHMECKFEST 

The  Freeman  Junior  College 
Women’s  Auxiliary  celebrates  its 
tenth  anniversary  this  year.  Dur- 
ing the  past  ten  years  they  have 
been  of  inestimable  help  to  the 
school.  Donating  literally  thousands 
of  work-hours,  they  have  earned 
over  $31,000  to  pay  for  campus 
improvements.  Besides  these  cash 
donations  they  have  done  much 
food  processing,  painting,  cleaning, 
and  repair  work  themselves.  At 
present  they  are  remodeling  and 
enlarging  the  Pioneer  Hall  kitchen. 
To  help  finance  the  project,  they 
are  planning  a Schmeckfest — a sort 
of  Mennonite  smorgasbord,  where 
they  will  serve  some  of  the  tradi- 
tional old  European  dishes  which 
the  three  ethnic  Mennonite  groups 
in  South  Dakota  used  to  make. 

On  March  13,  their  anniversary 
date,  they  have  invited  all  friends 
in  the  community  to  a feast  which 
will  include  traditional  foods  of 
Low  German,  Swiss,  and  Hutterisch 
origin.  The  following  items  (spell- 
ing approximates  local  dialect  pro- 
nunciation) will  be  served:  Gruene 
Schauble  Zup;  Portzilke;  Pluma 
Moos;  Zwieback;  Bona  Berrogi; 
Hallupse;  Nalles  Nicki;  Krumbera 
Maga;  Krumbera  Pankucha;  Druck- 
ene  Bona;  Mak  Kucha;  Kutja; 
Russiche  Kucha;  Sauerkraut;  Taem- 
pffleisch;  Worsch;  Krapfien;  Fleisch 
Kuechle;  and  Roggenbrot. 

During  the  meal  there  will  be 
recorded  German  music  by  the 
Oberkirchen  Children’s  Choir,  the 
Robert  Shaw  Chorale,  and  others. 
At  eight  o’clock  there  will  be  a 
talent  program  in  the  main  audi- 
torium. All  income  will  be  used  for 
the  kitchen  project. 


156 


THE  MENNONITE 


FIELD  TRIPS 

Dorothy  Imhoff,  director  of  the 
Freeman  College  band,  took  some 
of  the  band  members  to  the  Univer- 
sity of  South  Dakota  for  a band 
clinic.  After  a day  of  clinical  in- 
struction and  demonstrations  of 
techniques,  they  were  the  guests 
at  a concert  by  the  University  band. 

The  Academy  American  History 
Class,  accompanied  by  Adeline  Bar- 
tel and  John  Ewert,  spent  a day  at 
Pierre,  where  they  watched  the 
state  legislature  in  action  and  vis- 
ited various  governmental  depart- 
ments. 

MCC  news  and  notes 

PETER  DYCK  TO  VISIT  HERE 

EUROPE— Peter  J.  Dyck,  MCC 
director  in  Europe,  will  return  to 
North  America  for  five  or  six  weeks 
in  early  spring  to  attend  several 
meetings  and  visit  Canadian  and 
American  churches  for  the  purpose 
of  interpreting  the  longer  term  ob- 
jectives of  the  East-West  program 
and  giving  a realistic  appraisal  of 
the  present  situation. 

ROAD  MACHINERY  HUMS  AGAIN 

PARAGUAY  — “After  patiently 
waiting  almost  four  months,  Trans 
Chaco  machinery  began  to  bite  into 
the  dirt  to  build  the  awaited  road 
of  Paraguay,”  reports  Paxman 
James  Plummer  (Kitchener,  Ont.). 
“During  the  first  weeks  the  ma- 
chines were  almost  constantly  work- 
ing in  mud  and  at  times  it  became 
exasperating  to  see  more  machines 
stuck  than  moving.  Gradually,  as 
the  ground  became  drier,  construc- 
tion pace  increased.  . . . We  have 
been  pushing  to  complete  the  road 
to  the  first  major  river  crossing 
approximately  Km.  90.  Rain  has 
again  hampered  us  recently  . . . 
previously  we  had  built  about  7% 
miles  of  partially  completed  road.” 

VOCATIONAL  GRADUATES 

KOREA  — Twenty-three  orphan 
boys  composed  the  first  graduating 
class  of  the  Mennonite  Vocational 
School  in  graduation  exercises  held 
Feb.  12,  1959.  Dr.  Koe,  chairman  of 
the  Board  of  Trustees,  and  three 
MCC  workers.  Principal  Kenneth 
Brunk,  Korean  Director  J.  M.  Klas- 
sen,  and  Agriculturist  Leland  Voth 
spoke.  Special  music  was  provided 
by  a soloist  from  Taegu,  a senior 


SCHOOL  RELATIONSHIPS 

The  February  Freeman  Junior 
College  faculty  meeting  featured  a 
panel  discussion  by  a group  of  busi- 
nessmen. Glen  Waltner,  banker; 
Alfred  Haar,  farm  implement  deal- 
er; Dr.  Dennis  Epp,  local  physician; 
and  President  John  Ewert,  moder- 
ator, considered  the  question  of  how 
to  foster  better  school-main  street 
relationships  which  would  be  mu- 
tually beneficial.  The  frank  and 
profitable  discussion  continued  dur- 
ing the  social  hour  when  refresh- 
ments prepared  by  one  of  the  home- 
making classes  were  served. 


boys’  quartet,  and  the  school  choir. 

Mennonite  Vocational  School  was 
founded  by  MCC  in  1953  to  provide 
vocational  and  academic  training 
for  teen-age  orphan  boys,  many  of 
v/hom  lost  their  parents  during  the 
Korean  war.  Graduates  must  leave 
the  school  to  find  jobs.  MCC  is  pro- 
viding a temporary  hostel  in  Taegu 
and  will  assist  them  with  food  and 
clothing  for  one  year. 

Korean  Birthdays 

Did  you  know  that  Feb.  19  is  the 
Korean  New  Year?  Koreans  con- 
sider this  their  birthday,  when 
everyone  becomes  a year  older,  ac- 
cording to  Margaret  Wiens,  R.N., 
former  relief  worker  at  the  Pusan 
Children’s  Charity  Hospital.  MCC 
nurses  have  introduced  the  Ameri- 
can birthday  party  custom  to  the 
hospital.  Margaret  comments, 
“What  a pleasure  to  see  all  those 
happy  faces.  Perhaps  never  before 
had  anyone  cared  whether  they  had 
a birthday  or  not.” 

BIENENBERG  BIBLE  SCHOOL 

SWITZERLAND — A program  giv- 
en in  the  Basel  Mennonite  church 
Feb.  22  marked  the  termination  of 
another  Bienenberg  Bible  School 
year.  Peter  Dyck,  European  MCC 
director  who  served  as  an  instruc- 
tor, writes:  “A  number  of  young 
people,  and  some  not  so  young,  have 
definitely  accepted  Christ  as  their 
Saviour  and  want  henceforth  to 
live  for  Him.  'Two  of  these  young 
people  said  that  they  had  first  real- 
ized how  empty  their  lives  were 
when  they  went  to  America  as 
trainees  and  saw  the  church  life 
there.  Upon  returning  to  Europe, 


they  were  determined  to  do  some- 
thing about  it.  They  came  to  Bienen- 
berg not  only  to  study  but  hoped 
that  here  they  would  meet  Christ.” 

CHICKS,  PIGS  FOR  PETIT-GOAVE 

HAITI — Poultry  Project:  In  Jan- 
uary, 600  Rhode  Island  Red  chicks 
arrived  at  Ferme  Centrale,  co-oper- 
ative farm  at  Petit-Goave  where 
two  VS  men  are  currently  serving 
their  1-W  term.  Donated  by  Heifer 
Project,  Inc.,  with  air  transporta- 
tion provided  by  International  Co- 
operation Administration  (Point 
IV),  these  chicks  spell  the  begin- 
ning of  a new  self-help  project  for 
Haitian  farmers. 

Ferme  Centrale  assumes  responsi- 
bility for  care,  feeding  and  vaccina- 
tion of  the  chicks  until  they  are 
ready  for  distribution  to  local  farm- 
ers. Each  farmer  will  get  a pair 
for  cross  breeding  with  his  own 
flock.  Some  chicks  will  remain  at 
the  co-operative  farm,  their  eggs  to 
be  used  for  hatching  purposes. 
Church  World  Service  has  prom- 
ised $1,000  toward  the  project. 

Hog  Project:  The  year-old  hog 
project,  which  experienced  a seem- 
ing setback  last  fall,  is  again  going 
strong.  Outbreak  of  disease,  ath- 
ropic  rhinitis,  made  it  necessary  to 
slaughter  the  entire  herd  of  150. 
However,  workers  report  that  valu- 
able experience  was  gained  in 
slaughtering  procedure,  curing  and 
preservation  of  pork,  and  market- 
ing. No  financial  loss  has  been  in- 
curred. 

The  Mennonite  community  of 
Mountain  Lake,  Minn.,  home  of 
VSer  Marlin  Pankratz  who  recently 
returned  from  Petit-Goave,  has  pro- 
vided hogs  to  replace  the  original 
shipment. 

VS  ORIENTATION  SCHOOL 

PERSONNEL— The  first  MCC-VS 
orientation  school  of  the  new  year 
was  held  at  Akron  headquarters, 
Feb.  17-March  2.  A dedication  serv- 
ice for  ten  outgoing  workers  con- 
cluded the  two-week  preparatory 
ments  are:  National  Institutes  of 

period.  Volunteers  and  their  assign- 
Health,  Bethesda,  Md.,  John  Hex'r, 
Don  Slaubaugh,  Gary  Epp,  and  Nev- 
in  Steiner;  Boys’  Village,  Smithville, 
Ohio,  Marlin  and  Wilda  Pankratz; 
Kings  View  Hospital,  Reedley,  Cal., 
Dennis  and  Faye  Ratzlaff;  Prairie 
View  Hospital,  Newton,  Kan.,  Vera 
Lou  Yoder;  unassigned,  Mary  Rem- 
pel. 


March  10,  1959 


157 


jottings 

GINGERICH  SPEAKS 

Deep  Run  Church,  Bedminster, 
Pa:.  On  Jan.  13  we  were  privi- 
leged to  have  as  our  speaker  Mel- 
vin Gingerich,  who  spoke  on  his 
work  as  a peace  missionary  in  Ja- 
pan. An  inspiring  concert  was  pre- 
sented Jan.  18  by  the  North  Penn 
Choir.  A Bible  Study  Class  was 
started  recently.  Our  pastor  is  the 
leader  of  a study  of  1,  2,  and  3 John, 
along  with  discussion  and  study  of 
selected  portions  in  the  book  Studies 
in  Church  Discipline,  prepared  by 
the  Conference.  The  Young  Men  and 
Women’s  Bible  Class  held  a ban- 
quet Jan.  10.  Pastor  Boyer  is  in- 
structing a catechism  class  which 
started  Feb.  7.  Deep  Run  is  partici- 
pating in  a series  of  Lenten  serv- 
ices with  neighboring  churches;  the 
first  service  was  held  Feb.  11  at 
our  church.  On  Feb.  22  the  Penn- 
ridge  High  School  Chorus  present- 
ed a program.  The  Youth  Fellow- 
ship sponsored  a Valentine  Party 
Feb.  14  and  a carry-in  supper  and 
service  project  on  Feb.  28.  Deep 
Run  was  in  charge  of  the  Vesper 
Service  at  the  Frederick  Home  for 
the  Aged  on  Feb.  15.  The  women 
of  the  church  were  invited  to  par- 
ticipate with  neighboring  churches 
in  a World  Day  of  Prayer  Service. 
— Doris  Moyer,  corr. 

RECEPTION 

First  Church,  Chicago,  III.:  Paul 
N.  Mc’Elfresh,  son  of  Brother  and 
Sister  Paul  R.  Mc’Elfresh,  of  First 
Church  of  Chicago,  and  Ceil  McVey 
of  Roseland,  111.,  were  married  in 
Atlanta,  Ga.,  on  Dec.  31,  1958.  A 
reception  and  shower  was  held  for 
the  newlyweds  in  First  Church  on 
Jan.  18,  at  which  time  Pastor  Coon 
asked  the  Lord  in  prayer  to  bless 
this  marriage  and  these  two  young 
people. — Corr. 

CONGREGATIONAL  MEETING 

First  Church,  Wadsworth,  Ohio: 
On  Dec.  14  a congregational  meet- 
ing called  to  present  a brochure 
made  up  by  the  Building,  Sanctu- 
ary, Sunday  School,  and  Activities 
committees,  and  to  see  slides  of  the 
proposed  new  church  and  educa- 
tional units  from  a model  made  by 
the  architect.  The  architect’s  prelim- 
inary drawings  were  accepted  with 
some  changes,  one  being  to  have 
three  aisles  instead  of  two.  Plans 
are  for  construction  to  begin  this 
year.  Our  Stewardship  Plan  will  be 
in  effect  for  the  next  three  years. 
On  Jan.  5 our  annual  business  meet- 
ing was  held.  Officers  elected  are: 
deacon,  Manford  Kilmer;  trustee 
(1  yr.),  Blake  Lowe;  trustee  (4  yrs.) 


Russel  Welday;  treasurer,  Ira 

Shoup;  flower  representative,  Mrs. 
Neuenschwander;  church  corres- 

pondent, Mrs.  Wm.  Stratton;  Memo- 
rial Home  committee  member.  Will 
K.  Stover;  Building  Committee 
member,  E.  D.  Schneider.  Reports 
showed  increased  attendance  in 
both  S.  S.  and  worship  services,  as 
well  as  in  the  finances  of  all  treas- 
uries. Jan.  19  a son  was  born  to 
the  Richard  Gilberts,  and  a daugh- 
ter to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Robert  Beck  on 
Jan.  21. — Mrs.  Wm.  R.  Straiton, 
corr. 

NEW  FIELDS  OF  SERVICE 

Spring  Valley  Church,  Newport, 
Wash.:  On  Jan.  1 our  church  elec- 
ed  officers  for  the  coming  year. 
The  special  instruction  class  for 
adults  met  for  the  first  time  Jan. 
4.  Every  Wed.  evening  we  meet  for 
the  Hour-of-Power.  Our  young  mar- 
ried couples  are  organizing  them- 
selves into  an  auxiliary  of  our 
church,  meeting  in  homes.  The 
young  people  are  launching  out  into 
a new  field  of  service,  undertaking 
to  conduct  a brief  service  in  the  Old 
People’s  home  once  a month.  Wes 
Van  Nattan  was  with  us  Feb.  11. 
The  Day  of  Prayer  was  observed 
Feb.  13  in  the  Seventh-day  Adven- 
tist Church,  Newport. — Mrs.  J.  W. 
Riffel,  corr. 

CHALLENGE  TO  SERVICE 

First  Church,  Reedley,  Calif.:  Our 
annual  church  meeting  was  held 
Dec.  11,  and  the  newly  elected  of- 
ficers were  installed  Jan.  4.  The 
Junior  Choir,  under  the  direction  of 
Mrs.  Aaron  Epp,  presented  “The 
Story  of  Silent  Night’’  on  Dec.  21. 
The  combined  choirs  of  Community 
Church  of  Fresno  and  First  Menno- 
nite  Church  of  Reedley  presented 
Handel’s  Messiah  here  Dec.  14  and 
in  the  Fresno  Church  the  following 
Sunday  afternoon,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Roy  Reimer.  Cornelius  Wall, 
pastor  of  the  Grace  Church  of  Reed- 
ley, conducted  a German  service  in 
our  church  Dec.  26.  Our  young  peo- 
ple went  to  Camp  Gains  at  Lake 
Sequoia  for  a winter  retreat  and  a 
New  Year’s  Eve  Watch  Night  serv- 
ice. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry  Laemmlen 
gave  us  several  reports,  in  word  and 
pictures,  of  their  work  in  Paraguay 
in  the  field  of  experimental  farm- 
ing. Their  testimony  was  a chal- 
lenge to  all  young  people  to  spend 
one  or  two  years  in  volunteer  Chris- 
tian service.  Pastor  Epp  preached  a 
series  of  sermons  on  the  Ten  Com- 
mandments, closing  this  series  with 
a sermon  on  the  New  Command- 
ment (John  13:34,  35).  Marie  Foth, 
escapee  from  Russia,  a missionary 
in  Austria,  at  present  in  America, 
gave  a graphic  picture  of  the  suf- 


fering, privation,  and  hardship  the 
people  of  Europe  experienced  as  a 
result  of  war.  During  the  month  of 
Feb.  our  Bethel  College  Fellowship 
Committee  is  soliciting  contributions 
for  the  college.  The  drive  was  cul- 
minated by  a banquet  on  Feb.  21 
with  Pres.  D.  C.  Wedel  as  guest 
speaker. — Reinhold  Ewy,  corr. 

VOLUNTARY  LABOR  GIVEN 
TO  NEW  ADDITION 

West  Swamp  Church,  Quakertown, 
Pa.:  Our  S.  S.  Christmas  program 
was  held  Dec.  21,  at  which  time 
White  Gifts  were  presented.  The 
total  amount  of  the  gifts  was 
$886.56.  The  Youth  Fellowship  spon- 
sored Christmas  caroling,  and  the 
Youth  Choir  sang  for  sick  and  shut- 
ins.  Letters  and  greetings  to  our 
congregation  from  our  missionaries 
were  received  at  the  Christmas  sea- 
son. Many  individuals  were  also  re- 
membered by  them.  One  is  thrilled 
to  realize  the  faithfulness  of  our 
missionaries  in  writing  to  the  home 
folks  when  we  at  home  think  we 
are  “too  busy”!  This  year  our  an- 
nual business  meeting  was  held  in 
the  evening,  to  give  more  people 
the  opportunity  of  attending.  We 
are  grateful  to  God  for  all  who  have 
faithfully  served  in  their  church 
work,  and  we  especially  appreciate 
the  services  of  our  faithful  pastor 
and  his  wife,  the  Arthur  S.  Rosen- 
bergers,  also  the  contribution  the 
senior  and  youth  choirs  are  making 
in  bringing  added  inspiration  to 
our  worship  services.  We  also  thank 
God  for  those  who  have  been  healed 
and  for  His  loving  care  for  all.  Mel- 
vin Gingerich,  who  spent  two  years 
in  peace  work  in  Japan,  spoke  and 
showed  pictures  Jan.  15.  ’The  build- 
ing of  the  addition  to  our  church  is 
progressing  nicely.  Much  voluntary 
labor  has  been  contributed  by  men 
of  the  church.  We  look  forward  to 
the  time  when  we  can  occupy  our 
much  needed  S.  S.  rooms.  The  wom- 
en of  our  church  joined  with  neigh- 
boring church  women  in  observing 
World  Day  of  Prayer  on  Feb.  13  in 
the  United  Church  of  Christ  of 
Spinnerstown.  A children’s  service 
was  held  after  school  hours  in  the 
St.  John’s  Lutheran  Church,  Spin- 
nerstown. Our  pre-Easter  services 
will  be  held  March  15-18. — Corr. 

SURVEY,  ANNUAL  MEETING 

Bethel  Deaconess  Hospital  School 
OP  Nursing,  Newton,  Kan.:  Olga 
Krazinski  and  Mrs.  Norrine  Major 
of  the  National  League  of  Nursing 
conducted  a survey  of  the  Bethel 
Deaconess  Hospital  School  of  Nurs- 
ing Feb.  16-21.  Miss  Krazinski  is 
assistant  director  of  the  department 
of  diploma  and  associate  degree 
programs  and  Mrs.  Major  is  di- 


158 


THE  MENNONITE 


rector  of  the  school  of  nursing  and 
nursing  service  at  Western  Penn- 
sylvania Hospital  in  Pittsburgh.  The 
surveyors  spent  the  first  day  of  the 
visit  reviewing  reports  and  records 
of  the  school.  Several  days  were 
spent  in  conference  with  the  fac- 
ulty of  the  school,  nursing  service 
personnel,  and  members  of  the  stu- 
dent body.  National  accreditation  of 
schools  of  nursing  was  initiated  by 
the  National  League  for  Nursing  in 
1955.  The  authority  to  operate  a 
school  is  granted  by  a state  board, 
with  national  accreditation  consti- 
tuting a mark  of  superior  quality 
in  the  program.  The  school  at  Beth- 
el Deaconess  Hospital  was  granted 
provisional  accreditation  in  July, 
1957,  when  the  application  for  ac- 
creditation was  sent  in  and  ap- 
proved, and  this  continued  until  a 
survey  visit  could  be  made. 

Ted  E.  Claassen  of  Newton  and 
J.  H.  Ediger  of  Inman  are  the  new 
members  elected  to  the  board  of 
directors  at  the  annual  business 
meeting  of  the  Bethel  Deaconess 
Hospital  Association  on  Feb.  24.  H. 
J.  Dyck  of  Elbing  was  re-elected. 
Claassen  and  Ediger  are  replacing 
S.  J.  Goering  and  H.  E.  Suderman. 
Suderman  declined  nomination,  but 
in  view  of  over  fifty  years  of  mer- 
itorious service  on  the  board,  he 
was  voted  to  the  status  of  honor- 
ary board  member.  At  an  organiza- 
tional meeting  of  the  board  follow- 
ing the  business  meeting,  H.  J.  Dyck 
was  re-elected  president:  Gerhard 
Zerger  of  Moundridge,  vice  presi- 
dent; Sam  Regier  of  North  New- 
ton, secretary;  and  Otto  Sommer  of 
Newton,  treasurer.  The  annual  re- 
port of  the  hospital  showed  that 
3,119  patients  had  been  cared  for 
during  1958,  with  about  56  per  cent 
coming  from  Newton  and  vicinity, 
and  43  per  cent  from  other  places 
in  Kansas.  Services  provided  to  pa- 
tients were  valued  at  $437,421.61, 
of  which  about  3.5  per  cent  was  giv- 
en as  free  service.  During  the  year 
the  hospital  received  $17,490.60  in 
cash  donations,  and  $20,518.72  for 
building  improvements  and  new 
equipment. 

The  report  for  the  home  for  aged 
told  of  caring  for  80  different  per- 
sons during  the  year,  with  67  resi- 
dents at  the  close  of  the  year.  Serv- 
ices valued  at  $94,267.36  were  ren- 
dered, of  which  $7,126.52  or  about 
7.6  per  cent  was  given  as  charity. 
The  home  for  aged  received  $3,- 
916.08  in  cash  donations.  It  was  re- 
ported that  $10,000  had  been  paid 
on  the  debt  on  the  home,  with 
$43,500  still  remaining  to  be  paid. 
The  school  of  nursing  graduated  21 
students  during  the  year  and  pres- 
ently has  61  enrolled.  The  school  of 


medical  technology  graduated  its 
first  two  students  during  the  year, 
and  at  the  close  of  the  year  had  one 
student  enrolled,  with  two  begin- 
ning February.  The  report  of  the 
school  of  nursing  and  the  cost  of 
this  program  received  considerable 
discussion  by  the  members  and  dele- 
gates. The  board  was  asked  to 
make  plans  for  the  continuation  of 
the  school  and  provide  means  to 
support  it  financially.  The  report  of 
the  hospital  administrator  also 
called  attention  to  the  needs  for 
providing  additional  space  in  the 
hospital,  and  for  remodeling  certain 
parts  of  the  present  building.  He 
reported  that  the  board  hhd  en- 
gaged the  services  of  an  architect 
and  had  appointed  a planning  com- 
mittee who  were  initiating  a study 
of  the  present  hospital  services  and 
facilities,  and  laying  plans  to  meet 
the  needs  for  more  space  and  better 
services. 

COUNSELING 

Mennonite  Hospital,  Bloomington, 
III.:  Dr.  R.  Elizabeth  Brown  of 
the  Department  of  Psychological 
Counseling  at  Illinois  State  Normal 
University  discussed  the  techniques 
of  counseling  with  the  teaching 
staff  of  the  Mennonite  Hospital 
School  of  Nursing  in  Bloomington 
at  their  monthly  meeting  on  Feb. 
23.  Romeyn  Oyer,  R.N.,  Carol  Hie- 
ser,  and  Barbara  Manchester,  jun- 
iors in  the  Mennonite  Hospital 
School  of  Nursing,  participated  in 
a special  recruiting  tea  sponsored 
by  the  Tazewell  County  Medical  So- 
ciety in  the  First  Methodist  Church, 
Pekin,  111.,  Feb.  10.  Mrs.  Maude 
Swartzendruber,  R.N.,  Director  of 
Education  at  the  School  of  Nurs- 
ing, attended  a meeting  at  the  In- 
diana University  Medical  Clinic  in 
Indianapolis,  Ind.,  for  the  directors 
of  all  schools  of  nursing  affiliating 
in  pediatrics,  on  Feb.  16. 

MISSIONARY  SPEAKER 

Swiss  Church,  Alsen,  N.  D.:  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  William  Unruh  became 
the  parents  of  a boy  bom  Jan.  21, 
and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Alvin  Bartel  the 
parents  of  a boy  on  Jan.  22.  Verna 
Janz,  missionary  on  furlough  from 
Morocco,  Africa,  spoke  and  showed 
slides  Jan.  28  and  Feb.  1.  The  Al- 
sen High  School  Trio  presented  the 
music.  Feb.  3 the  Ladies’  Mission 
Society  had  a duet  by  Mrs.  Walter 
Scott  and  Mrs.  Henry  Peters,  a talk 
and  slides  by  Miss  Janz,  and  a duet 
by  Mrs.  Henry  Schmiess  and  daugh- 
ter Nola.  Miss  Janz  also  spoke  at 
the  Cavalier  County  Ministerial  As- 
sociation at  our  church  Feb.  2.  The 
film  Going  Steady  was  shown  in  our 
church  Feb.  5 by  Pastors  Pritchard 
and  Hanson. — Mrs.  F.  Feil,  corr. 


MEN  GO  TO  GULFPORT 

Inman  Church,  Inman,  Kan.:  The 
laymen  sponsored  H.  B.  Schmidt  at 
a workshop  in  Jan.  Disaster  needs 
were  presented:  what  has  been  done 
and  where  we  have  many  more  op- 
portunities to  be  of  physical  and 
spiritual  assistance.  J.  K.  Siemens 
brought  us  a challenging  message 
on  meeting  temptations  on  Jan.  11. 
P.  K.  Regier,  who  made  an  exten- 
sive trip  through  South  America 
last  summer,  was  with  us  Jan.  18. 
In  the  morning  he  spoke  on  “The 
Plight  of  a Disinherited  People,” 
and  in  the  evening  he  gave  us  an 
illustrated  lecture  on  mission  fields 
in  Colombia  and  the  different  col- 
onies of  Mennonites.  Menno  Doerk- 
sen,  LaVerne  Neufeld,  Henry  Doerk- 
sen,  and  Pastor  Rahn  drove  to  Gulf- 
port, Miss.,  to  work  at  our  mission 
station. — Corr. 

GIVE  PROGRAM  AT  MISSION 

Tabor  Church,  Newton,  Kan.:  Dec. 
13  the  young  people  enjoyed  a 
Christmas  banquet.  Dec  14  was  a 
Christmas  cantata.  Stars  Over 
Bethlehem.  Dec.  24  the  S.  S.  chil- 
dren’s Christmas  program  was  giv- 
en and  an  offering  received  for 
Goodwill  Christmas  Bundles.  Guest 
speakers  have  been  Esko  Loewen 
from  the  Johannestal  Church  Dec. 
26,  and  Oskar  Wedel  from  Ger- 
many, a student  at  our  Seminary, 
Dec.  28.  Jan.  1 the  annual  business 
meeting  was  held.  Week  of  prayer 
services  were  held  Jan.  11-13.  Jan. 
18,  Frank  Classen  from  the  Union 
Rescue  Mission,  Wichita,  spoke.  Jan. 
22  a group  from  our  church,  includ- 
ing the  men’s  chorus,  was  in  charge 
of  the  program  at  the  Union  Rescue 
Mission.  Jan.  25  W.  F.  Unruh 
showed  pictures  of  Western  Dist. 
Conf.  activities.  Feb.  1 the  West 
Zion  Youth  Fellowship  (Mound- 
ridge) joined  our  YPU  for  supper 
and  a workshop  program  worked 
out  with  slides  and  tape  recorder. 
The  mixed  choir,  men’s  and  ladies’ 
choruses  and  the  junior  choir  are 
preparing  an  Easter  program.  The 
young  people  are  planning  a proj- 
ect night  to  repair  church  hymnals. 
Plans  are  under  way  to  build  a par- 
sonage.— Mrs.  Jake  J.  Goerzen,  corr. 

mutual  aid  placement 

WORK  WANTED 

Hospital  Position — Young  man  with 
B.A.  and  accounting  experience  in- 
terested in  working  experience  in 
Mennonite  hospital.  Married.  Offer 
good  references.  Contact:  Mutual 

Aid,  722  Main,  Newton,  Kansas  (No. 
P 261). 


March  10,  1959 


159 


conference  notes 

LOOKING  TOWARD 
GENERAL  CONFERENCE 

“Looking  Toward  General  Con- 
ference” (held  at  Bluff  ton,  Ohio,  in 
August  of  this  year)  is  a joy  to  me 
as  I feel  that  every  conference  is 
a mountain  top  experience  and 
makes  me  more  conscious  of  our 
oneness  in  Christ,  and  the  oneness 
that  we  should  share  with  one  an- 
other. 

I feel  that  our  first  and  chief 
conference  aim  should  be  spiritual: 
to  honor  Christ  as  the  head  of  the 
church,  to  praise  and  glorify  the 
Triune  God,  to  strive  always  to 
do  His  will  and  to  be  led  by  the 
Spirit  to  promote  His  work,  based 
on  the  unquestionable  truth  of  the 
Bible  as  our  guide  and  constant 
text  for  all  of  our  activities. 


Christ  referred  to  “My  Father’s 
Business.”  In  the  work  of  the 
church  and  Conference  we  also 
have  some  business  to  do.  Christ 
also  said,  “Render  therefore  unto 
Caesar  the  things  which  are  Cae- 
sar’s; and  unto  God  the  things  that 
are  God’s.”  Thus  we  have  a Chris- 
tian obligation  to  our  government, 
to  our  community,  and  to  our 
church.  And  the  business  interest 
in  the  working  of  the  church  must 
be  promoted  to  His  praise  and  the 
welfare  of  souls  in  a united  way. 

I feel  that  Paul  in  1 Tim.  8.12 
gives  us  the  text  of  which  every 
speaker  and  worker  of  and  at  the 
conference  should  remember,  that 
we  may  be  mindful  of  our  faith, 
knowing  and  making  our  faith 
known:  “Lay  hold  on  eternal  life, 
whereunto  thou  art  also  called.” 
Certainly  we  believe  that  we  have 
been  called;  let  us  remain  true  to 
the  faith  in  which  we  have  been 
called,  and  with  the  parting  re- 
quest of  Christ,  “Go  ye  into  all  the 
world.”  How  can  we  go  into  the 
world  without  education,  without 


our  schools,  our  churches,  the  pub- 
lication of  our  faith?  Without  the 
Christian  concern  for  the  needy 
that  can  only  be  learned  at  the  foot 
of  the  cross  in  response  to  God’s 
grace  in  Christ,  in  a surrendering 
gratitude  to  the  Father  above? 
Let’s  go  into  the  world  from  this 
conference  as  Christian  stewards, 
with  the  good  faith  of  our  fathers. 

— Isaac  P.  Tieszen 

SEND  CHRISTMAS  BUNDLES 

Christmas  Bundle  folders  are  now 
available.  Get  a copy  from  your 
pastor  and  decide  now  what  you 
can  do  to  gladden  the  heart  of  a 
child  next  Christmas. 

The  Christmas  Bundle  project  is 
an  excellent  channel  for  Christians 
in  a land  of  material  abundance  to 
express  their  gratitude  by  sharing 
their  blessings  with  people  in  other 
countries.  Preparing  bundles  can  be 
a family  affair  in  which  all  mem- 
bers experience  the  meaning  of  giv- 
ing in  the  name  of  Christ  to  a 
cause  that  will  help  to  bring  good 
will. 

Bundles  should  be  prepared  ac- 
cording to  instructions  given  in  the 
folder  and  should  reach  MCC  cen- 
ters before  July  1 in  order  to  insure 
arrival  at  their  destination  by 
Christmas.  A dollar  accompanying 
a bundle  will  purchase  a New  Tes- 
tament and  cover  shipping  costs. 
Regular  cash  support  to  the  relief 
program  is  urged.  For  additional 
folders  write  to  Board  of  Christian 
Service,  General  Conference  Men- 
nonite  Church,  722  Main,  Newton, 
Kansas,  or  to  your  nearest  MCC 
center. 

RATZLAFFS  ARRIVE  IN  INDIA 

Word  has  been  received  by  the 
Board  of  Missions  office  that  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Harold  Ratzlaff  and  daugh- 
ter Mary  Ann  have  arrived  at  Bom- 
bay, India.  Of  Buhler,  Kansas,  the 
Ratzlaffs  are  beginning  their  third 
term  of  missionary  service  in  India. 

WESTERN  DISTRICT 
WOMEN  TO  MEET 

The  spring  meeting  of  the  West- 
ern District  Women’s  Missionary 
Organization  will  be  held  March  17 
in  the  First  Mennonite  Church, 
Hillsboro,  Kan.  The  morning  session 
begins  at  9:30;  worship  service, 
“Lest  We  Let  Them  Slip,”  led  by 


Mrs.  Arnold  Nickel;  address,  “Edu- 
cation, a Mission  of  the  Church”  by 
Mrs.  Mary  Becker  Valencia;  ad- 
dress: “Women  in  the  Changing 
East”  by  Orlando  Waltner.  After  a 
noon  sack  lunch,  the  afternoon  ses- 
sion will  open  at  1:30:  worship  serv- 
ice, led  by  Mrs.  Levi  Koehn;  ad- 
dress: “Some  Observations  of  Our 
Colony  Women  in  Paraguay”  by 
Sister  Theodosia  Harms;  address: 
“She  Kneels  to  Rise”  by  Mrs.  Ed- 
win Weaver. 

A nursery  will  be  provided  for 
preschool  children. 

INVESTMENT  OPPORTUNITY 

The  General  Conference  Menno- 
nite Church  now  has  two  depart- 
ments qualified  to  accept  loan  funds. 
The  most  recently  organized  is 
Church  Extension  Services,  Inc.  Per- 
sons interested  in  helping  to  estab- 
lish new  churches  in  the  Confer- 
ence are  urged  to  invest  their  sav- 
ing for  this  purpose.  For  details  on 
procedure  write  to  Church  Exten- 
sion Services,  Inc.,  722  Main  St., 
Newton,  Kansas. 

NEW  ADDRESS 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Vernon  Sprunger, 
who  were  on  loan  to  the  Congo 
Protestant  Council  at  Leopoldville, 
Belgian  Congo,  for  six  months,  have 
returned  to  the  mission  station  at 
Mukedi.  Their  address  is  Mukedi- 
Idiofa,  Belgian  Congo,  Africa. 

GERMANTOWN  CHURCH 
CALLS  PASTOR 

Verle  H.  Holsteen  has  assumed 
pastoral  duties  in  the  Germantown 
Mennonite  Church  in  Philadelphia. 
He  has  been  a student  at  Eastern 
Baptist  Theological  Seminary  in 
Philadelphia. 

NEW  VENTURE 

Hulda  Myers,  missionary  in  Co- 
lombia, South  America,  is  teaching 
at  Cachipay  this  year.  She  recently 
returned  from  Costa  Rica  where 
she  spent  several  months  in  inten- 
sive study  of  the  Spanish  language. 
Previously  she  taught  at  Bogota. 

The  Mission  this  year  is  co-operat- 
ing with  the  Ibague  Normal  School 
at  Ibague,  Colombia,  a Presbyterian 
institution,  to  train  national  work- 
ers for  our  mission  schools.  At 
present  there  are  two,  one  at  Cach- 
ipay and  one  at  La  Mesa. 


MARCH  17,  1959 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
MAN  LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIST 


in  this  issue 


editorials 


COVER 

"The  Crucifixion”  by  Lucas  Cranach 
the  elder 

Photo  courtesy  of  The  Art  Institute  of 
Chicago 

ARTICLES 

THE  BIBLE  AND  OUR  DAILY  PROBLEMS 


By  Harold  Buller  163 

PARAGUAY  REVISITED 

By  C.  A.  DeFehr  164 

MENNONITE  DELEGATION  VISITS 
CANADIAN  PRIME  MINISTER 

By  C.  J.  Rempel  167 

LUST  THAT  DESTROYS 

By  Robert  Hartzler  168 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  162 

Mennonite  Youth 

JAPAN'S  STUDENTS 

By  Robert  L.  Ramseyer  169 

GUIDED  TOUR 

By  Susan  Krahn  170 

OUR  SCHOOLS  172 

MCC  NEVYS  AND  NOTES  173 

JOTTINGS  174 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  176 


of  things  to  come 

March  17 — West.  Dist.  Women's  Meeting 

March  22 — Palm  Sunday 

March  29 — Easter 

April  19 — Mennonite  Men's  Chorus  Fes- 
tival, Memorial  Hall,  North  Newton, 
Kan.,  at  2:30  p.m. 

April  23-26 — Central  Dist.  Conference, 
Goshen,  Ind. 

April  25-26 — Laymen's  Retreat,  Camp 
Mennoscah 

April  30-May  3 — Eastern  Dist.  Conf., 
Schwenksville,  Pa. 

May  3 — Mennonite  Song  Festival,  Me- 
morial Hall,  North  Newton,  Kan., 
at  2:30  p.m. 

May  7 — Ascension  Day 

May  1 0 — Festival  of  the  Christian  Home 

May  17 — Pentecost 

May  20 — Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary 
alumni  meeting. 

May  22 — Baccalaureate,  Mennonite  Bib- 
lical Seminary 

May  23 — Commencement,  Mennonite  Bib- 
lical Seminary 

June  10-14 — Pacific  District  Conference, 
Barlow,  Oregon 

June  18-21 — Northern  Dist.  Conf.,  Salem- 
Zion  Church  (North),  Freeman,  S.  D. 

Aug.  5-12 — Ministers'  and  Church  Work- 
ers' Retreat,  Camp  Friedenswald, 
Mich. 

Aug.  12-20 — General  Conference,  Bluff- 
ton,  Ohio 

Oct.  24-27 — West.  Dist.  Conference 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor,  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 

J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Asst.:  Esther  Groves. 
Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  11 


CONTRASTS  AT  THE  CROSS:  HATE  VERSUS  LOVE 
The  two  powerful  forces  of  hate  and  love  are  in  constant  con- 
flict. In  what  sharp  contrast  we  see  them  around  the  cross.  The 
cruel  and  malicious  hate  of  the  enemies  of  Jesus  comes  to  its 
final  climax.  It  will  go  to  any  length  to  accomplish  its  purpose. 
The  enemies  of  Jesus  had  been  exposed,  their  selfish  and  shal- 
low motives  made  evident.  Instead  of  repenting,  they  became 
angry  and  full  of  hate.  This  unrestrained  hate  seemed  to  con- 
quer and  overcome  its  opponent,  at  least  for  the  time  being. 

But  meeting  this  force  of  hate  head-on,  was  the  stronger  force 
of  forgiving  love.  See  it  stream  from  the  cross  as  Jesus  prays 
for  the  forgiveness  of  His  enemies.  See  it  in  its  beauty,  provid- 
ing for  the  grief-stricken  mother.  Love  would  not  be  conquered 
or  thwarted  by  the  full  power  of  hate,  for  love  is  stronger  than 
hate.  The  whole  universe  as  well  as  the  heart  of  man  was  cre- 
ated to  respond  to  and  be  moved  by  the  power  of  love.  Love  will 
triumph  over  hate  for  it  has  God  on  its  side.  Love  is  the  very 
heart  of  the  gospel  which  Jesus  came  to  reveal  to  men. 

That  love  reaches  down  to  us  today.  Its^  power  has  been  fully 
demonstrated  at  the  cross.  It  is  made  available  to  us  in  every 
need  and  in  every  situation.  How  slow  we  are  in  believing  in  it 
completely  and  in  building  our  lives  upon  it. 

When  we  really  believe  that  love  is  the  strongest  force  in  the 
universe,  there  will  dawn  a new  day. 

0 power  of  Love,  all  else  transcending 
In  Jesus  present  evermore, 

1 worship  Thee  in  homage  bending 
Thy  Name  to  honor  and  adore; 

Yea,  let  my  soul  in  deep  devotion, 

Bathe  in  Love’s  mighty  boundless  ocean. 

SOUTH  AMERICAN  PROGRESS  The  report  of  South 

American  brethren  as  found  elsewhere  in  this  issue  has  a note 
of  encouragement.  Over  the  period  of  ten  years  notable  progress 
has  been  made.  In  spite  of  hardships  and  discouragements,  our 
neighbors  to  the  South  have  stayed  by  the  difficult  task  of  carv- 
ing new  communities  out  of  the  Chaco  hinterland.  It  has  been 
pioneering  work  of  real  merit. 

We  should  keep  ourselves  informed  of  this  struggle  to  gain 
a foothold  in  a new  world.  In  our  life  of  modem  conveniences 
and  appliances  we  may  find  it  somewhat  difficult  to  imagine 
what  life  would  be  Like  without  the  electrical  aids  upon  which 
we  have  come  to  depend  so  heavily.  Perhaps  we  are  depending  on 
them  too  heavily — so  much  so  that  we  are  somewhat  out  of 
touch  and  out  of  sympathy  with  the  real  struggles  of  simple 
living. 

God  has  been  good  to  us.  But  He  loves  others  just  as  much 
as  He  does  us.  He  desires  to  make  plain  to  us  how  we  can  actually 
show  that  we  love  our  neighbors  as  we  love  ourselves,  not  only 
in  South  America,  but  everywhere  around  the  world. 


162 


THE  MENNONITE 


How  does  one  use  the  Bible  for  help? 

The  Bible  and  our  Daily  Problems 


Harold  Buller* 


1CAME  to  my  catechism  class  a 
few  weeks  ago  all  ready  to 
teach  a lesson  on  the  Bible.  But  it 
occurred  to  me  that  it  would  prob- 
ably be  wise  to  find  out  first  of  all 
what  questions  were  in  the  minds 
of  my  class  members.  So  I asked 
that  each  one  write  down  a ques- 
tion about  the  Bible  that  he  would 
like  to  see  answered.  To  my  sur- 
prise, four  out  of  nine  questions 
were  almost  identical.  One  said, 
“How  can  we  get  the  answers  from 
the  Scriptures  for  our  daily  lives 
if  we  do  not  understand  it?’’  An- 
other question  reads,  “People  often 
say  that  in  the  day  of  trouble  they 
look  in  the  Bible  to  see  what  God 
wants  them  to  do.  How  can  you  do 
this?  How  do  you  know  where  to 
look?” 

How  does  one  use  the  Bible  for 
help  in  answering  one’s  daily  prob- 
lems? First  of  all,  there  are  sev- 
eral things  we  need  to  understand 
about  the  Bible  if  we  want  to  use 
it  correctly. 

The  Bible  is  not  a book  with  an 
index  to  our  problems.  Instead,  it 
deals  with  life  and  problems  as 
they  arose  in  the  lives  of  people 
and  simply  records  these,  often  in 
a historical  sequence  or  in  writings 
of  moral  teachings  and  sermons. 

The  Bible  was  written  in  the  dis- 
tant past  within  a cultural  frame- 
ivork  that  we  sometimes  need  to 
understand  to  know  just  what  is 
being  said.  We  should  not  be  dis- 
couraged when  the  Bible  is  not 
immediately  clear  to  us. 

The  Bible  is  the  history  of  God 
seeking  man,  of  God  trying  to  lead 
man  to  salvation  and  godly  living. 
If  we  understand  this  we  will  n.o 
longer  attach  ourselves  to  only  one 
passage  that  happens  to  suit  us  and 
disregard  everything  else.  Rather 
we  will  interpret  passages  in  the 


*Pastor.  First  Church.  Beatrice,  Neb. 

March  17,  1959 


light  of  each  other  and  seek  to  see 
where  stumbling  man  most  fully 
grasped  the  great  revelation  of 
God’s  truth. 

The  Bible  is  not  a book  that  has 
been  glossed  over,  varnished  and 
garnished,  but  presents  people  just 
as  they  are  with  all  their  sin.  The 
Bible,  as  also  the  Christian  faith, 
is  not  afraid  of  sin.  This  means 
that  we  may  read  the  Bible  calmly 
in  spite  of  our  own  sin,  seeking 
within  the  Scripture  God’s  answer 
to  our  sin. 

The  Bible  presents  to  us  the  truths 
that  man  has  learned  about  God 
throughout  the  centuries.  These 
truths  were  arrived  at  under  the 
difficult  circumstances  of  daily  life. 
We  may  be  certain  that  they  will 
apply  meaningfully  to  our  expe- 
rience also. 

Now  then  let  us  look  at  some 
things  we  need  to  do  ourselves  if 
we  wish  to  find  answers  to  our 
problems  within  the  Scriptures. 

• We  need  to  want  to  know  God’s 
truth.  We  will  not  find  it  if  our 
minds  are  already  closed  to  it. 

• We  need  to  understand  that 
the  Christian  faith  is  not  a religion 
of  magic  or  of  mechanical  ways  of 
salvation.  Neither  can  we  wisely  use 
the  Bible  as  a book  of  magic  which 
we  open  at  random  and  then  expect 
it  to  speak  specifically  to  our  prob- 
lem as  when  we  insert  a coin  into 
a scale  in  order  to  find  out  how 
much  we  weigh  and  what  our  fu- 
ture holds  for  us. 

• We  need  to  get  a translation 
we  can  understand.  If  the  King 
James  Version  or  a German  Bible 
speaks  most  clearly  to  you,  then 
use  it.  Otherwise  do  not  hesitate 
to  purchase  and  to  use  one  or  more 
of  the  many  newer  translations  of 
the  Scriptures. 

• We  do  well  to  get  and  use 
some  helps,  but  do  not  depend  on 
them  to  explain  everything.  Rather, 


read  the  Bible  itself  until  it  be- 
comes meaningful. 

• Read  frequently  for  a broader 
view  as  one  would  read  a novel  in 
order  to  get  the  whole  story,  or  as 
one  would  read  an  entire  letter 
from  some  person  in  order  to  get 
the  full  view  of  what  this  person 
wants  to  say.  Later  one  may  go 
back  for  details. 

• Read  regularly  for  specific 
guidance,  taking  shorter  passages 
and  seeing  if  there  is  anything  in 
such  a passage  that  is  meaningful 
to  us  as  something  we  believe  God 
would  like  to  have  us  know.  Do  not 
leave  a passage  of  Scripture  too 
quickly  if  it  seems  obscure,  but 
reread  it  until  you  find  at  least 
something  that  you  can  understand 
and  take  with  you. 

• Keep  a little  notebook  on  the 
things  you  read,  taking  down  ideas 
and  thoughts  you  receive  from  the 
Bible  that  apply  to  your  own  life 
or  experience.  This  will  preserve 
for  you  in  a more  permanent  way 
the  things  that  God  reveals  to  you 
and  will  make  these  more  useful  at 
a later  date. 

• As  you  read  the  Bible,  take 
time  to  think  about  your  life  or 
your  problem  in  the  light  of  what 
you  already  know  and  understand 
about  God  and  His  will  for  man. 

• Always  remember  to  ask  God 
to  send  His  Holy  Spirit  to  help  you 
understand. 

The  Bible  is  a book  that  brings 
us  into  the  very  presence  of  God  if 
we  read  it  sincerely.  We  may  not 
always  know  what  passage  to  turn 
to  in  order  to  read  something  that 
will  speak  specifically  to  our  prob- 
lem. But  if  we  come  into  the  pres- 
ence of  God  through  His  Word 
when  we  need  to  make  a decision, 
the  Bible  will  help  us  to  think  God’s 
thoughts  about  life  as  they  relate 
to  our  problems. 


163 


Sitting  down  and  reading  the  Bi- 
ble keeps  us  from  hurrying  pell- 
mell  into  a decision  on  some  prob- 
lem while  we  are  in  a state  of  pan- 
ic. As  we  come  into  the  presence 
of  God  through  the  Scriptures,  we 
are  close  to  Him  who  is  now,  who 
always  was,  and  who  always  will 
be.  We  become  surrounded  by  Him 
and  our  thoughts  rise  up  to  Him 
who  is  eternal  and  everlasting.  Un- 
der these  circumstances  we  have 
time  to  make  our  decision.  We  do 


not  need  in  fear  to  do  the  first 
thing  that  occurs  to  us. 

When  we  stop  and  take  time  out 
to  read  the  Bible,  we  begin  to  “tune 
in  on  God.”  Under  those  circum- 
stances God  will  be  able  to  speak 
to  us  directly  as  well  as  through 
the  Bible.  When  we  come  into  the 
presence  of  God,  cutting  off  all 
other  channels  of  communication 
with  other  sources  for  a period  of 
time,  we  give  God  a chance  to 
speak  to  us  by  the  power  of  His 


Holy  Spirit. 

Perhaps  most  of  what  has  been 
said  here  can  be  summed  up  as  fol- 
lows: If  we  want  the  Bible  to  be 
useful  to  us  in  answering  our  daily 
problems,  we  need  to  read  the  Bible 
regularly  so  that  God  can  give  us 
the  foundation  for  our  answers  even 
before  the  problems  come.  Under 
those  circumstances  we  will  not 
need  to  ask,  “Where  shall  I look?” 
Instead  we  will  say,  “What  has  God 
already  told  me?” 


Paraguay  Revisited 


C.  A.  DeFehr,  Winnipeg,  Man., 
spent  almost  two  years  in  MCC 
service  in  South  America  in  1947- 
48,  when  more  than  2000  Mennonite 
war  refugees  from  Europe  immi- 
grated to  Paraguay.  He  served  as 
resettlement  director  and  helped 
establish  the  two  new  colonies,  Neu- 
land  and  Volendam.  The  Mennonite 
Central  Relief  Committee  (MCRC) 
of  Western  Canada  asked  Brother 
DeFehr  to  revisit  the  Paraguayan 
colonies  in  1958,  particularly  to  e- 
valuate  what  progress  had  been 
made  in  Neuland  and  Volendam 
during  this  first  ten-year  period  and 
to  see  what  prospects  Mennonites 
in  Paraguay  have  for  a successful 
future.  A summary  of  Brother  De- 
Fehr’s  report  follows: 

General  Impressions 

The  new  highway  from  Filadel- 
fia  to  Neu-Halbstadt  as  well  as  a 
number  of  other  well-built  roads 
certainly  are  impressive  in  com- 
parison to  the  roads  used  earlier, 
half  of  which  were  Indian  trails. 

The  villages  also  present  a more 
becoming  picture  with  better  homes, 
fruit  and  shade  trees,  more  land 
broken  and  under  cultivation.  Most 
farmers  have  more  and  better  ma- 
chinery and  they  are  striving  to 
improve  their  breeds  of  livestock. 
We  noticed  some  of  the  farmers 
plowing  their  land  after  the  crops 


had  been  harvested.  This  helps  to 
retain  moisture  and  makes  planting 
possible  right  after  rain,  which  is 
very  important  in  the  Chaco.  The 
MCC-sponsored  Experimental  Farm 
has  been  a great  help  in  producing 
suitable  seeds,  grasses,  vegetables, 
and  fruit  trees. 

The  colonies  in  co-operation  with 
MCC  have  decided  to  build  a men- 
tal hospital  in  Filadelfia.  $15,000  is 
to  be  raised  for  this  project,  50%  by 
MCC  and  50%  by  the  colonies.  Dr. 
Marlene  Haenel  from  Germany,  who 
is  directing  the  mental  health  pro- 
gram of  the  colonies,  will  be  in 
charge  of  the  hospital. 

About  forty  miles  of  the  Trems- 
Chaco  roadway  have  been  complet- 
ed from  Asuncion  toward  the  Cha- 
co. This  stretch  affords  ample  proof 
of  the  importance  of  the  finished 
highway.  Trade  has  developed  and 
six  buses  travel  daily  to  Asuncion. 
Colony  Neuland 

A new  highway  almost  100  miles 
in  length  links  the  central  points 
of  the  colonies  with  Rail  Station 
Kilometer  145.  Whereas  forty  to 
fifty  vehicles  were  formerly  re- 
quired to  transport  goods  from  Neu- 
land (in  the  Chaco)  to  the  station, 
one  truck  is  now  doing  the  job. 


Many  roads  have  been  improved 
with  a bulldozer,  and  water  holes 
have  been  dug. 

Neu-Halbstadt,  the  center  of  Neu- 
land, serves  the  surrounding  villages 
with  its  hospital,  school,  store,  and 
partially  developed  industry.  We 
found  an  oilmill,  also  a large  ware- 
house; creamery  and  cheese  fac- 
tory which  started  operating  re- 
cently; .palosanto  plant  costing  a- 
bout  $7,000  (not  operating  for  about 
a year  as  there  is  no  sale  for  the 
oil);  co-op  with  several  buildings, 
serving  the  people  of  the  colonies; 
a comparatively  well-built  hospital 
with  thirty  beds  filled  most  of  the 
time,  including  Indian  patients;  old 
folks  home  next  to  the  hospital; 
high  school,  not  quite  completed  as 
planned,  with  some  classrooms 
temporarily  set  up  in  the  dormi- 
tories (there  are  forty  students  in 
the  high  school  and  six  attend  the 
pedagogy  classes  in  Filadelfia) ; brick 
and  shingle  plant  (in  Neu-Halbstadt 
there  is  good  clay  for  brick  mak- 
ing, and  although  the  plant  is  pri- 
vately owned,  it  has  been  a great 
help  in  building  up  the  colony); 
cattle  range  (through  lack  of  knowl- 
edge there  were  some  losses  here).  | 

The  Committee  of  Reference  and 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church.  l 
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164 


THE  MENNONITE 


Council  has  an  account  out  of  which 
old  and  disabled  people  and  women 
who  are  alone  are  given  support.  In 
i the  colony  there  are  140  single  wom- 
en and  widows.  Of  these  about  one 
^ quarter  receive  annuity  from  Ger- 
many because  they  have  lost  their 
husbands  in  the  last  war.  The  breth- 
ren of  the  com.mittee  gave  heart- 
felt thanks  for  the  untiring  help 
received  from  the  brethren  in  Can- 
ada during  the  year.  From  the  Dol- 

• lar  Loan  Account,  an  account  of  ap- 
proximately $10,000  set  up  by 

■ MCRC,  loans  can  be  made  to  pur- 
chase cattle,  machinery,  and  other 
farm  equipment  which  settlers  need 
but  are  unable  to  buy. 

The  result  of  ten  years’  work  can 

* be  seen.  Actually  the  first  five  years 
were  very  difficuit  because  of  insuf- 

' ficient  farm  machinery  and  equip- 
, ment.  There  is  hope  for  the  growth 
of  the  colonies  through  the  Trans- 
^ Chaco  Highway,  which  will  help 

them  to  transport  their  produce 
fresh  and  consequently  to  receive 
better  prices.  There  is  also  hope 

- for  oil,  which  would  provide  much 
opportunity  for  work. 

On  the  other  hand  the  future  is 
questionable  due  to  constant  emi- 
gration. In  1950  there  were  2472 
« people  in  Colony  Neuland,  which 

would  normally  mean  about  3000 
♦ persons  today.  However,  at  present 
there  are  1700  persons  in  the  col- 
ony. The  German  Consul  has  ex- 
pressed himself  to  Oberschulze 
Peter  Derksen  (administrator)  as 
follows:  “Tell  your  people  to  have 
patience  another  two  or  three  years. 
••  Future  prospects  for  Paraguay  are 

bright,  and  they  scarcely  will  find 
better  opportunities  in  other  coun- 
tries.” 

Colony  Volendam 

- The  first  days  in  Volendam  (east 
of  the  Paraguay  River)  were  spent 

^ seeing  the  villages,  industries,  hos- 

pital, school,  livestock,  and  wheat 
fields.  We  also  visited  the  two  vil- 
lages, No.  14  and  15,  that  have  been 
deserted.  In  the  beautiful  orchards 

- of  these  villages  much  fruit  was 
lying  on  the  ground.  Nobody  want- 

^ ed  it  for  all  had  enough  of  their 
own. 

The  main  income  for  these  peo- 
ple until  1958  was  lumber.  This 
seems  to  have  been  the  most  profit- 
, able  project  at  first,  since  the  land 
was  virgin  forest  and  fanning  de- 
" veloped  rather  slowly.  After  ten 

years  it  is  evident  that  more  farm- 


Top  to  bot.:  old  road;  new  road  toward  Filadelfia;  Pax  road  builder'. 


,^\arch  17,  1959 


165 


ing  should  be  done;  however  many 
people  still  prefer  the  lumber  busi- 
ness. There  the  money  comes  in 
daily,  whereas  a farmer  has  to  wait 
six  months  in  some  cases. 

Because  there  are  big  swamps 
which  are  under  water  during  the 
rainy  season,  the  farmers  decided 
to  plant  rice.  The  ordered  machines 
arrived  late  so  that  only  140  acres 
could  be  planted.  Of  these,  115  acres 
could  be  harvested,  bringing  in  103 
tons  of  rice.  Next  year  the  colony  is 
planning  to  plant  500  acres.  With  an 
average  crop  of  one  ton  per  acre 
they  could  expect  a total  of  500  tons, 
worth  about  $35,000. 

Wheat  was  also  tried  as  a private 
undertaking  but  again  the  machines 
arrived  late  and  the  wheat  was 
planted  in  unprepared  land.  The 
result  was  four  to  five  bushels  per 
acre.  The  colony  hopes  that  wheat 
growing  will  improve,  for  they  have 
had  good  results  on  campland  with 
fertilization.  They  have  also  decided 
that  every  farmer  must  raise  one 
hectare  (2%  acres)  corn  for  export. 
Thereby  the  colony  would  have  e- 
nough  for  a ship  load,  and  the  farm- 
ers would  get  a better  price  for 
their  corn.  There  is  an  experimen- 
tal farm  here  also.  They  are  trying 
to  develop  a profitable  perennial 
plant.  This  undertaking  is  develop- 
ing slowly  as  work  is  done  on  a 
small  scale. 

At  present  the  colony,  as  such, 
has  a herd  of  1290  cattle,  double  the 
number  it  owned  five  years  ago. 
There  is  plenty  of  pasture,  and  four 
horsemen  are  employed  to  look  aft- 
er the  animals  and  prevent  theft. 
These  men  could  take  care  of  an 


Above:  administration  building,  and 
below:  girls’  dormitory,  both  at 

Zentral-Schule,  Paraguay. 


even  larger  herd.  The  people  of  the 
colony  own  over  5000  herd  of  cattle 
privately. 

Volendam  has  a new,  well-planned, 
$17,000  hospital  with  kitchen,  dining 
room,  and  laundry.  The  colony  is 
very  thankful  for  the  good  support 
they  have  received  in  building  this 
hospital. 

The  co-op  undertaking  shows 
great  development.  Last  year  it  was 
especially  concerned  with  helping  to 
raise  living  standards.  A general 
depression  has  weakened  the  co-op 
considerably,  however,  so  that  profit 
went  down  appreciably  in  1958  com- 
pared with  1957. 

With  the  resignation  of  two  Can- 
adian teachers,  the  classes  of  the 
high  school  are  partly  without  in- 
structors, so  that  this  year  thei-e  are 
only  three  classes  with  twenty- 
seven  students.  Next  year  they  ex- 
pect to  have  four  classes.  Thirteen 
villages  have  combined  to  operate 
four  schools  with  a total  of  seven 
teachers  and  130  pupils.  There  is 
great  need  for  at  least  one  high 
school  teacher. 

After  the  exchange  rate  was  sta- 
bilized, the  Dollar  Loan  Account 
has  come  into  full  use,  the  borrowed 
monies  coming  in,  except  in  a few 
old  cases. 

I have  more  hope  than  ever  be- 
fore for  the  future  of  Volendam,  ex- 
cept for  the  constant  drain  of  emi- 
gration. One  experience  by  way  of 
example:  During  my  visits  to  the 
villages  and  farms  I expressed  my- 
self favorably  on  the  progress  I 
noticed,  and  asked  a villager:  “What 
else  do  you  need?”  He  replied,  “I 
have  everything,  and  also  much  to 
thank  God  for,  but  I must  go  to 
Canada.”  Upon  my  question, 
“Why?”  he  replied:  “My  wife’s  rel- 
atives in  Canada  repeatedly  write 
for  us  to  come,  and  now  my  wife’s 
only  wish  is  Canada,  and  I have  to 
go  if  I don’t  want  to  separate  from 
my  family.” 

Volendam  can  report  progress  in 
all  areas  except  the  lumber  busi- 
ness. This  always  meant  cash  money 
for  the  farmer  and  the  colony,  with- 
out which  they  thought  they  could 
not  manage.  It  seems  that  a num- 
ber of  settlers  spent  too  much  time 
there,  and  not  enough  on  their 
farms.  The  standstill  of  the  lumber 
business  will  force  them  to  spend 
more  time  and  effort  in  land  clear- 
ing and  planting.  The  lumber  busi- 
ness should  be  regarded  as  a side 


line.  It  is  important  that  this  change 
take  place  very  soon,  and  to  en- 
courage the  farmers,  short  term 
credit  for  land  clearing  and  pur- 
chase of  farm  machinery  could  be 
extended. 

Colony  Friesland 

This  colony,  east  of  the  Paraguay 
River,  was  established  in  1937  when 
a group  left  the  Chaco  to  settle 
across  the  river.  There  are  three 
classes  and  thirty  students  in  the 
high  school  this  year.  They  have 
two  students  in  Femheim,  and  two 
in  Asuncion  who  are  training  for 
the  teaching  profession.  As  of  last 
year,  the  high  schools  in  the  Men- 
nonite  colonies  are  accredited,  and 
students  may  enter  the  tenth  class 
in  the  Academy  of  Asuncion.  At  the 
next  Teachers  Conference  a decision 
will  be  reached  on  requesting  the 
School  Board  of  Asuncion  to  give 
credit  for  the  pedagogy  students  in 
the  colonies.  The  School  Board  of 
Friesland  is  thankful  for  the  help 
received  and  asks  that  they  may 
be  remembered  in  the  future,  espe- 
cially the  students  in  Fernheim  and 
Asuncion. 

The  colony  has  realized  that  lum- 
ber hauling  to  the  river  port  is  not 
profitable  for  the  farmers,  and 
therefore  is  planning  to  enlarge  the 
rice  plantation.  The  leadership  of 
the  colony  is  requesting  the  Dollar 
Loan  Account,  such  as  MCRC  has 
given  the  Volendam  Colony,  to  help 
them  in  land  clearing  work.  The 
clearing  of  one  hectare  costs  about 
$100. 

General  Conclusions 

In  spite  of  a difficult  beginning, 
repeated  grasshopper  plagues,  and 
constant  emigration,  the  colonies  in 
Paraguay  have  made  comparatively 
good  progress.  With  regard  to  the 
future  the  most  influential  factors 
currently  strike  one  as  being  the 
completion  of  the  'Trans-Chaco  road- 
way, the  prospects  of  finding  oil 
in  the  Chaco,  and  a stabilized  cur- 
rency such  as  the  country  has  en- 
joyed the  past  two  years. 

Land  prices  have  risen  steeply, 
indicating  that  Chaco  prospects  are 
becoming  increasingly  brighter.  Liv- 
ing standards  are  still  low  because 
income  is  so  small.  It  is  hoped  that 
the  million  dollar  loan  will  help 
remedy  this  problem.  As  for  us  in 
North  America,  we  should  not  draw 
back  until  the  colonies  can  help 
themselves.  — MCC 


166 


THE  MENNONITE 


Canadian  Mennonite  Peace  Delega- 
tion, left  to  right:  David  N.  Neu- 
feld,  David  P.  Reimer,  J.  B.  Martin, 
J.  M.  Penner,  Elven  Shantz,  E.  J. 
Swalm,  and  C.  J.  Rempel. 


Mennonite  Delegation  Visits 
Canadian  Prime  Minister 


SEVEN  representatives  of  the 
newly  formed  Historic  Peace 
Church  Council  of  Canada  met  with 
Prime  Minister  John  G.  Diefenbaker 
on  February  16  to  present  a state- 
ment of  their  concerns.  At  the  as- 
surance of  the  prayers  of  our  peo- 
ple on  his  behalf,  the  prime  min- 
ister said,  “Thank  you,  thank  you 
very  much,’’  and  expressed  appre- 
ciation for  the  brief  presented  to 
him:  “I  have  been  very,  very  deeply 
touched.  . . .’’ 

At  the  outset  of  the  discussions 
following  the  reading  of  the  brief, 
the  prime  minister  pointed  out  that 
all  privileges  and  considerations 
which  had  ever  been  given  to  the 
Mennonite  people  were  always  up- 
held by  the  Conservative  govern- 
ment. Three  times  he  reiterated  that 
the  provisions  for  their  freedom 
and  respect  for  their  conscience  is 
a policy  which  is  changeless. 

The  prime  minister  showed  con- 
siderable knowledge  of  Mennonites 
and  our  beliefs  and  customs,  hav- 
ing been  in  Mennonite  areas  in 
western  Canada.  He  spoke  appre- 
ciatively of  our  efforts  in  relief  and 
other  fields  of  service,  and  said  that 
in  the  event  of  a nuclear  attack,  the 
scope  for  assistance  would  be  so 
tremendous  that  there  would  be 


ample  room  for  the  type  of  contri- 
bution which  our  people  have  ren- 
dered. He  assured  the  delegation  of 
an  open  door  at  any  time  for  any 
concerns  we  may  have. 

The  representatives  felt  that  the 
prime  minister  appreciated  the  dele- 
gation, that  he  knows  Mennonite 
problems  and  concerns,  and  that  he 
asks  to  be  supported  in  prayer  that 
he  can  do  the  things  which  are 
right. 

Following  is  the  text  of  the  brief 
as  presented: 

The  Right  Honourable 
John  George  Diefenbaker 
Prime  Minister  of  Canada 
Ottawa,  Canada 
Honourable  Sir: 

The  historic  peace  churches  of 
Canada,  namely:  Mennonites,  Breth- 
ren in  Christ  (Tunker),  Society  of 
Friends  (Quaker),  and  the  Church 
of  the  Brethren  have  enjoyed  resi- 
dence in  our  Dominion  for  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  years.  We  are  thank- 
ful to  God  for  our  country,  the  un- 
derstanding attitude  of  our  govern- 
ment, and  their  strong  effort  to  pro- 
mote peace  among  all  nations. 

It  has  been  the  happy  privilege 
of  our  representatives  to  meet  per- 
sonally in  an  official  capacity  your 


two  immediate  predecessors.  We 
cherish  this  opportunity  of  assuring 
you,  our  present  prime  minister,  of 
our  prayer  on  your  behalf.  May  the 
blessing  of  God  rest  upon  you  and 
the  government  of  Canada. 

Historically,  as  peace  churches, 
whose  number  exceeds  60,000  mem- 
bers, we  have  a biblical  background 
and  deep-rooted  conviction  against 
active  participation  in  war.  We  be- 
lieve the  New  Testament  teaches 
us  the  way  of  love  as  embodied  in 
the  personal  example  of  Jesus 
Christ  and  that  discipleship  means 
following  Plim  regardless  of  the 
cost.  We  are  indeed  grateful  to  our 
government  for  honouring  our  con- 
victions and  granting  to  us  the  free- 
dom of  conscience  and  religious  lib- 
erty which  enables  us  to  worship 
Almighty  God  according  to  our  un- 
derstanding of  His  Word. 

These  privileges  we  have  enjoyed 
since  our  church  fathers  came  to 
this  country  in  1790.  During  this 
time,  legislation  in  Canada  has  con- 
sistently respected  the  convictions 
of  all  our  groups,  including  those 
that  came  during  the  intervening 
years. 

During  World  War  One,  the  Gov- 
ernment kindly  granted  to  our  men 
indefinite  postponement  from  mil- 


March  17,  1959 


167 


itary  service.  During  World  War 
Two  opportunity  was  given  to  our 
men  to  serve  in  projects  of  national 
importance  under  civilian  supervi- 
sion. This  gave  to  us  fitting  oppor- 
tunity for  a positive  expression  of 
our  conviction.  Simultaneously  our 
brotherhood  rallied  its  resources  to 
develop  and  support  foreign  relief 
projects  in  war-tom  countries,  ren- 
dering our  service  under  the  slogan 
“In  the  name  of  Christ,”  thereby 
helping  the  needy  regardless  of 
race  or  creed.  This  relief  effort  is 
still  in  operation  in  Europe,  South 
America,  the  Middle  East,  the  Far 
East,  and  other  needy  areas  of  the 
world. 

We  firmly  believe  that  a consist- 
ent peace  testimony  is  based  upon  a 
personal  faith  in  God’s  redemption 
wrought  by  Christ’s  shed  blood  on 
the  cross.  We  believe  a peace  testi- 
mony cannot  be  confined  to  emer- 
gencies only,  but  must  be  an  inte- 
gral part  of  our  lives.  We  therefore 
encourage  our  young  people  to  serve 
their  Lord  and  humanity  in  some 
type  of  Christian  service  with  the 
result  that  many  serve  for  periods 
of  from  three  months  to  two  years 
in  T.B.  sanatoriums,  mental  hos- 


pitals, remote  outposts,  schools  of 
correction,  and  in  other  areas 
where  service  is  considered  difficult 
and  unattractive. 

We  will  continue  to  seek  ways 
and  means  to  serve  our  country  and 
fellow  men  in  relief  work  at  home 
and  abroad  or  to  engage  in  work 
of  national  importance  such  as  hos- 
pitals, mental  institutions,  and  re- 
lated services.  In  the  provinces 
where  our  people  reside.  Disaster 
Service  Units  are  organized  and  per- 
sonnel is  being  trained  to  be  ready 
for  immediate  action  in  case  of  dis- 
aster of  local  or  national  scope. 
Considerable  voluntary  service  has 
already  been  given  through  this 
channel. 

We  come  to  you  with  but  one  re- 
quest. In  the  unfortunate  event  of 
a national  emergency  which,  in  the 
view  of  the  Canadian  government 
demands  taking  inventory  of  man- 
power, that  our  leaders  be  given 
the  privilege  for  consultation  with 
proper  government  officials  as  to 
ways  in  which  we  might  utilize  our 
contributions  in  manpower  and  re- 
sources to  their  greatest  potential 
value  to  our  country  within  the 


VI.  LUST  THAT  DESTROYS 


IN  THE  listing  of  the  seven  dead- 
ly sins  which  we  have  been  fol- 
lowing, lust  stands  sixth.  As  the 
term  is  used  in  this  listing,  sexual 
lust  is  meant,  although  “lust”  may 
mean  inordinate  and  passionate  de- 
sire for  anything  else,  such  as  fame 
or  riches. 

Now  to  be  sure,  not  all  interest 
in  sex  is  lust.  There  is  a normal 
and  quite  wholesome  fascination 
with  this  area  of  life  upon  which 
we  do  not  pronounce  judgment  so 
long  as  it  is  properly  disciplined 
and  managed.  It  is  excessive  and 
inordinate  interest  in  sex  which  is 
lust. 

Many  persons  do  not  know  what 
to  think  concerning  right  attitudes 
toward  sex.  Those  who  take  their 
cue  from  the  world  around  us 
think  the  highest  pleasures  of  life 
are  physical  and  that  lust  is  the 
most  desirable  of  conditions.  Such 
persons  will  find  this  view  con- 


firmed in  the  Kinsey  reports,  in 
the  conversation  of  many  social 
groups,  and  in  the  reading  of  pop- 
ular novels.  But  the  church  believes 
that  lust  is  a destroyer. 

Lust  is  a destroyer  because  it 
blinds  its  victims  to  all  other  val- 
ues. No  loyalty  takes  precedence 

The  Seven  Deadly  Sins 

over  it.  No  obligation  or  duty  equals 
it.  'The  victim  of  lust  soon  becomes 
coarsened  with  gross  tastes  and  no 
appreciation  for  the  delicacies  of 
love. 

Lust  is  a destroyer  because  it  in- 
evitably hurts  other  people.  It  is 
followed  not  with  love  as  a motive, 
but  with  the  service  of  self  as  its 
goal.  Not  being  tender  and  sensi- 
tive toward  another,  but  only  de- 
manding and  arrogant,  it  is  sure  to 
yield  a fruit  of  bitterness. 


framework  of  law  and  with  our 
peace  testimony.  We  are  not  seek- 
ing safety  that  avoids  danger  and 
sacrifice,  but  we  cannot  have  any 
part  in  the  taking  of  human  life. 

We  trust  our  religious  convictions 
will  continue  to  be  understood  in 
the  future  as  it  has  been  in  the 
past.  We  hope  our  Government  will 
always  respect  the  conscience  of 
minority  groups  and  individuals. 

May  the  blessing  of  God  be  upon 
the  parliament  of  Canada  and  may 
He  grant  to  you,  our  prime  min- 
ister, wisdom  and  courage  to  dis- 
charge your  many  duties  as  chief 
executive  of  our  country. 

Respectfully  submitted:  C.  W. 

Lowen,  Winnipeg,  Man.,  Evangelical 
Mennonite  Brethren;  J.  B.  Martin, 
Waterloo,  Ont.,  Mennonite  Confer- 
ence; David  N.  Neufeld,  Rosemary, 
Alta.,  General  Conference  Menno- 
nites;  J.  M.  Penner,  St.  Anne,  Man., 
Church  of  God  (Holdeman) ; David 
P.  Reimer,  Giroux,  Man.,  Evangel- 
ical Mennonites;  C.  J.  Rempel, 
.Kitchener,  Ont.,  Mennonite  Breth- 
ren; Elven  Shantz,  Kitchener,  Ont., 
Stirling  Ave.  Mennonite;  E.  J. 
Swalm,  Durtoon,  Ont.,  Brethren  in 
Christ  (Tunker).  — C.  J.  Rempel 


Further,  lust  is  a destroyer  be- 
cause it  erodes  one’s  own  self- 
respect.  And  none  of  us  can  get 
along  without  our  self-respect.  The 
difficulties  involved  in  making  a 
contribution  to  life  are  so  substan- 
tial that  the  person  who  lacks  this 
vital  strength  can  only  fail. 

The  purpose  of  the  church  is  to 
help  people  troubled  with  this  sin 
to  develop  their  capacity  for  true 
love,  believing  that  as  this  is  done 
sex  will  be  brought  into  right  rela- 
tionship with  the  rest  of  life.  To 
develop  this  capacity,  spiritually 
sick  persons  need  to  discover  and 
explore  the  love  of  God.  This  will 
mean  personal  discipline — in  prayer 
and  meditation,  in  worship,  in  re- 
organizing one’s  human  relation- 
ships — and  finally  in  controlling 
one’s  mind  and  body. 

— Robert  W.  Hartzler,  pastor  of 
Eighth  Street  Church,  Goshen,  Ind. 


168 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  youth 


Japan’s  Students 

Robert  L.  Ramseyer^ 


CHRISTIANITY  is  very  good, 
but  I have  no  time  for  it  now. 
After  graduation  I would  like  to  be- 
come a Christian.”  These  are  the 
words  of  one  Japanese  student,  but 
they  typify  the  attitude  of  miany. 
They  have  heard  enough  of  Christi- 
anity to  know  that  it  is  a good 
thing,  but  they  do  not  really  know 
what  the  gospel  is  and  will  not  take 
the  time  to  find  out.  It  becomes  our 
task  to  present  Christ  in  such  a way 
that  they  can  see  Him  and  see  their 
own  need  for  Him  now. 

Student  evangelism  has  been  car- 
ried on  at  Miyazaki  University  for 
a number  of  years.  Soon  after  the 
first  General  Conference  Mennonite 
missionaries  arrived,  they  began  an 
English  Bible  class  in  one  of  the 
university  classrooms.  In  April,  1958, 
largely  as  a result  of  the  work  done 
in  this  class,  the  Miyazaki  Univer- 
sity Student  Christian  Association 
was  formed  by  the  Christian  stu- 
dents at  the  University.  There  are 
now  between  fifteen  and  twenty 
Christian  students  participating. 

The  group  was  formed  with  two 
stated  purposes;  to  strengthen  the 
faith  of  the  Christian  students 
through  Bible  study  and  prayer  to- 
gether, and  to  carry  the  gospel  of 
Jesus  Christ  to  the  other  students 
of  the  university.  In  order  to  carrj' 
out  these  objectives  the  association 
carries  on  numerous  activities. 

At  present  I am  serving  as  ad- 
visor to  this  group  and  am  teaching 
a Bible  class  at  the  university  once 
each  week.  This  class  is  taught  in 
both  English  and  Japanese  to  in- 
terest non-Christian  students  who 
want  to  learn  English.  This  involves 
considerably  more  time  in  prepara- 
tion than  an  ordinary  Japanese 
class  would  and  also  tends  to  dis- 


*Missionary to  Japan 


courage  some  students  who  want  to 
study  the  Bible  but  are  not  inter- 
ested in  English.  As  interest  grows 
we  hope  that  we  can  divide  the 
class  and  have  one  class  in  each 
language. 

The  students  also  hold  an  early 
morning  prayer  meeting  each  week. 
Here  they  gather  in  an  unheated 
classroom  early  in  the  morning  to 
read  the  Bible,  sing  hymns,  and 
pray  together  before  going  to  their 
first  classes. 

In  addition  to  these  activities,  the 
group  has  sponsored  evangelistic 
meetings  in  a large  university  hall. 


distribution  of  Bibles  among  the 
students  by  the  Gideons,  a tract 
rack  in  the  student  union,  a special 
Christmas  worship  service,  and  fel- 
lowship meetings  from  time  to  time. 

This  is  a heavy  undertaking  for 
a handful  of  students  with  busy 
academic  schedules,  but  God  has 
filled  them  with  His  Spirit  and  is 
using  them  for  Him.  Within  the 
last  year  various  churches  within 
the  city  have  reported  that  the 
number  of  university  students  at- 
tending services  and  actively  seek- 
ing the  Lord  has  begun  to  rise. 

Student  evangelism  of  course  has 


Student  prayer  group  at  Miyazaki  University,  Japan.  (Robert 
Ramseyer  at  left). 


Part  of  Miyazaki  University,  Japan 


March  17,  1959 


169 


many  problems.  Students  are  quite 
willing  to  listen  to  the  gospel,  but 
they  are  not  easily  led  to  the  Lord. 
Many  more  profess  interest  only  in 
the  problems  of  day-to-day  existence 
and  their  concern  goes  little  further 
than  a successful  job  after  gradua- 
tion. Another  problem  which  has 
hampered  our  own  personal  work 
has  been  the  fact  that  we  are  lo- 
cated several  miles  from  the  uni- 
versity and  are  not  readily  avail- 
able for  counseling.  For  the  ma- 
jority of  students,  walking  is  their 
only  means  of  transportation. 

Now  God  has  led  us  to  the  pur- 
chase of  a small  plot  of  land  next 


This  is  the  second  of  a series  of 
articles  describing  MCC  sponsored 
VS  projects — the  physical  environ- 
ment and  the  contribution  our  young 
people  are  making. 

WE’RE  BOUND  for  an  institu- 
tion known  as  Junior  Village, 
situated  in  Washington,  D.  C.  This 
institution  was  originally  estab- 
lished in  1948  to  provide  temporary 
shelter  for  dependent  children  but 
today  it  provides  long-term  care  as 
well  for  children  who  cannot  be 
placed  elsewhere.  Rows  of  cottages 
along  either  side  of  the  road  com- 
prise the  institution  and  give  a vil- 
lage aspect. 

William  Stone,  the  director  of 
Junior  Village,  received  us  cordial- 
ly and  proceeded  to  answer  a host 
of  questions.  We  learned  that  chil- 
dren are  referred  to  the  institution 
by  the  Women’s  Bureau  of  the  Po- 
lice Department  and  the  Child  Wel- 
fare Division  whenever  a home  situ- 
ation becomes  impossible.  Only  Dis- 
trict of  Columbia  children  are  ad- 
mitted, with  35%  remaining  at  Jun- 
ior Village  less  than  a month,  65% 
less  than  three  months.  Two-thirds 
return  to  their  homes,  one-third  are 
placed  in  institutions  and  foster 
homes  or  remain  at  the  Village. 
Older  children,  especially  teen-agers 
who  have  experienced  repeated  fail- 
ure in  foster  homes,  are  almost  im- 


to the  university,  and,  God  willing, 
we  hope  someday  to  have  a small 
center  for  student  evangelism  there. 
Such  a center  would  have  a read- 
ing room  where  Christian  books 
and  magazines  would  be  available, 
a place  for  counseling  and  personal 
work  to  lead  students  to  a decision 
for  Christ,  and  a place  for  Bible 
classes  and  evening  evangelistic 
meetings  for  students. 

Student  evangelism  is  full  of 
challenge  and  promise  and  we  look 
forward  to  the  day  when  many 
more  will  come  into  fellowship  with 
God  in  Christ  Jesus.  In  the  history 


possible  to  place  elsewhere  and  may 
stay  at  the  Village  until  eighteen 
or  twenty-one  years  of  age. 

The  program  of  Junior  Village 
is  extensive.  A school  offers  instruc- 
tion from  the  nursery  level  through 
junior  high.  A few  teen-agers  at- 
tend the  nearest  public  high  school. 


Junior  Village  children, 
Washington,  D.  C. 


but  truancy  and  an  active  dislike 
of  school  constitute  major  problems. 
Some  vocational  training  by  way  of 
mechanics,  gardening,  and  the  cul- 
inary arts  is  provided,  but  Mr. 
Stone  feels  it  is  inadequate  for  ado- 
lescents who,  upon  being  discharged 
from  the  institution,  will  be  on  their 
own.  Medical  care  and  recreational 
facilities  are  also  provided.  The 
children  live  in  cottages  with  coun- 
selors who  serve  as  substitutes  for 
parents.  Unfortunately  the  enroll- 
ment increases  far  more  rapidly 
than  the  facilities. 

Mr.  Stone  and  VS  unit  leader 
Leon  McElmurry  (Hesston,  Kan.) 


of  the  Christian  church,  and  espe- 
cially in  the  church  in  Japan,  God 
has  used  young  people  as  pioneers. 
Much  of  the  progress  in  the  church 
and  in  pioneer  evangelism  has  been 
led  by  consecrated  young  Chris- 
tians. We  believe  that  God  can  and 
will  use  these  young  Christians  of 
today,  also,  to  perform  His  will  in 
this  country. 

These  Christian  students  need  the 
prayers  of  all  of  us  that  they  may 
stand  firm  in  Christ  in  a world  that 
is  seeking  to  make  them  fall.  May 
God  help  us  to  support  them,  may 
He  keep  them  from  falling,  and 
may  He  use  them  for  himself. 


outlined  the  duties  and  activities  of 
the  VS  unit.  The  girls  are  particu- 
larly helpful  in  the  nursery  with 
preschoolers.  'They  serve  as  teach- 
ers, train  the  children  in  personal 
habits,  play  with  them,  and  help 
maintain  a tranquil,  orderly  atmos- 
phere. 'The  fellows  work  mainly 
with  the  older  boys — getting  them 
to  help  in  general  maintenance 
duties  and  organizing  games  and 
recreational  activities,  especially 
during  weekends.  They  perform  a 
variety  of  other  duties  as  well  and 
Mr.  Stone  commented  particularly 
on  their  patience  and  their  concern 
for  the  welfare  of  the  children. 

We  discovered  that  many  other 
volunteers  beside  Mennonite  VSers 
assist  at  this  project,  mostly  non- 
residents who  tutor  individual  chil- 
dren, conduct  craft  classes,  take 
youngsters  to  their  home  for  parties 
and  dinners,  and  so  forth.  In  1957 
a total  of  43,000  hours  of  voluntary 
service  were  put  in  at  Junior  Vil- 
lage. 

When  one  sees  these  tousle-head- 
ed  youngsters,  their  mixed-up  world 
in  some  measure  set  right  by  the 
warmth  and  security  they  are  of- 
fered at  an  institution  like  Junior 
Village,  one  again  senses  a rebuke. 
If  the  government  is  doing  all  this, 
how  much  more  ought  the  church 
to  be  doing.  Thank  God  for  Chris- 
tian volunteers  who  by  their  serv- 
ice are  awakening  our  social  con- 
science and  opening  our  eyes  to 
need. 

From  Junior  Village  we  went  to 
Bethesda,  Md.  (suburb  of  Washing- 
ton, D.  C.l,  to  look  up  the  VS 
group  at  the  National  Institutes  of 


Guided  Tour 

of  MCC  VS  units'  with  Susan  Krahn 


170 


THE  MENNONITE 


Health,  the  leading  research  center 
of  the  U.  S.  Public  Health  Depart- 
ment. We  were  welcomed  by  Wil- 
lard W.  Maginnis,  chief  of  the  Pa- 
tient Activity  Section,  and  met  with 
staif  members  to  discuss  the  role  of 
the  volunteer  who  comes  to  NIH 
as  a normal  control  patient.  Why 
is  he  needed?  What  is  his  function? 
Does  he  derive  satisfaction  from 
his  work?  Does  he  feel  he  is  mak- 
ing a contribution  to  society?  Is 
being  a “guinea  pig”  frightening 
or  actually  dangerous?  Is  life  at 
NIH  too  soft? 

We  learned  that  volunteers  are 
definitely  needed  to  conduct  re- 
search in  areas  such  as  heart  con- 
ditions, mental  illness,  metabolism, 
and  others.  Young  people  with 
healthy  bodies  and  healthy  minds 
provide  as  nearly  perfect  specimens 
as  possible  for  testing  normal  re- 
actions. Comparing  and  analyzing 
these  with  the  reactions  of  sick 
people  under  identical  circumstances 
may  cast  light  on  casual  factors  of 
disease  and  provide  clues  for  pre- 
vention or  more  effective  cure.  Ac- 
cording to  Dr.  K.  W.  Chapman,  as- 
sociate director  of  the  Clinical  Cen- 
ter, this  is  a tremendous  contribu- 
tion and  should  not  be  underesti- 
mated. 

For  example,  55%  of  the  hospital 
beds  in  this  country  are  occupied 
by  people  with  some  form  of  men- 
tal illness.  About  half  of  these  can 
be  classified  in  the  broad  category 
of  schizophrenia.  Suppose,  as  is 
quite  possible,  a metabolism  factor 
is  involved  in  10%  of  schizophrenia 
cases.  This  could  be  dealt  with  by 
adding  something  to  the  diet,  like 
iodine  is  added  to  salt.  Successful 
treatment  would  mean  new  Life  for 
thousands  of  individuals.  But  the 
only  way  doctors  can  determine 
what  this  “something”  is,  is  by 
painstaking  research — testing,  meas- 
uring, and  evaluating.  Volunteers 
may  be  put  on  special  diets,  get 
drug  injections,  or  have  blood  seim- 


National  Institutes  of  Health, 
Bethesda,  Md. 


pies  withdrawn,  but  while  these 
tests  may  cause  temporary  discom- 
fort, they  are  not  hazardous. 

Dan  C.  Voth,  another  Summer 
Service  volunteer  who  extended 
his  time  at  NIH  to  a full  year,  par- 
ticipated in  a study  called  unester- 
field  fatty  acid  (UFA)  and  its  role 
in  energy  metabolism.  He  describes 
his  experience  as  follows: 

“The  experiment  began  at  10 
a.m.  I had  no  breakfast  and  only  a 
light  supper  the  evening  before.  A 
needle  was  inserted  in  an  artery 
of  my  right  arm  to  obtain  blood 
samples.  As  radio-active  UFA  was 
injected  intravenously  into  my  left 
arm,  the  first  blood  sample  was 
taken.  For  the  next  hour,  I lay  and 
breathed  into  a special  rubber  bag 
which  trapped  my  expired  air. 
Blood  and  air  samples  were  collect- 
ed once  every  hour  till  8:30  that 
night  when,  for  the  first  time  in 
24  hours,  I was  allowed  to  eat. 
Three  more  blood  and  air  samples 
were  taken:  just  after  eating,  at 

2:30  a.m.,  and  just  before  breakfast 
the  next  day. 

“The  procedures  weren’t  painful 
and  I never  felt  that  I was  in  dan- 
ger. I would  say  that  the  most  un- 
comfortable aspect  of  the  experi- 
ment was  the  24-hour  fast.” 

A little  later  we  met  with  the  en- 
tire VS  group  (currently  eleven 
men)  in  a lounge  on  the  eighth 


fioor.  Questions  revealed  that  a 
number  of  the  fellows  were  having 
difficulty  in  recognizing  the  signifi- 
cance of  their  contributions  at  NIH. 
A few  expressed  their  need  to  do 
something  more  tangible,  entailing 
hand  labor  and  physical  exertion; 
spare  time  hung  heavy  on  the  hands 
of  others. 

However,  in  the  fruitful  discus- 
sion that  followed,  it  became  clear 
to  all  of  us  that  a mature  attitude 
refuses  to  be  defeated  by  the  seem- 
ing unproductiveness  of  the  mo- 
ment, so  long  as  the  long  range 
goal  is  constantly  in  view.  In  a 
sense  NTH  is  a test  of  resource- 
fulness, and  the  best  way  to  com- 
bat boredom  and  defeatism  is  to 
fill  one’s  time  with  useful  sideline 
activities.  NIH  has  excellent  edu- 
cational and  recreational  facilities. 

In  June  the  entire  unit  will  dis- 
perse for  temporary  reassignment 
in  Summer  Service  units  elsewhere. 
They  will  be  replaced  by  a special 
NIH  summer  unit  which  provides 
openings  for  approximately  thirty- 
four  interested  young  people  (both 
men  and  women)  to  serve  in  this 
worthy  and  demanding  project.  For 
further  information  write  to  Sum- 
mer Service,  MCC,  Akron,  Penna. 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People's  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  3003 
Benham  Avenue,  Elkhart,  Indiana. 


March  17,  1959 


171 


our  schools 

mCHERT  ELECTED  PRESIDENT  OF  ROSTHERN  JUNIOR  COLLEGE 


Elmer  Richert,  who  has  served  in 
the  capacity  of  principal  of  Ros- 
thern  Junior  College  the  past  four 
years,  was  unanimously  elected  as 
president  by  the  board  of  directors 
on  Feb.  20.  Mr.  Richert  will  take 
on  his  new  duties  April  1. 

A native  of  the  Waldheim  com- 
munity, Mr.  Richert  received  the 
Bachelor  of  Education  degree  at 
the  University  of  Saskatchewan. 
His  wide  experience  in  educational 
circles,  in  Mennonite  churches,  and 
as  leader  of  the  Saskatchewan  Men- 
nonite youth  organization,  makes 
him  well  qualified  for  the  new  posi- 
tion. At  the  college  he  has  been 


teaching  mathematics  and  science, 
and  has  taken  an  active  part  in 
sports. 

Because  this  is  the  first  time  the 
college  board  of  directors  has  called 
a president,  the  duties  of  Mr.  Rich- 
ert were  outlined  only  in  broad 
terms  at  the  recent  meeting.  He 
will  be  relieved  of  a good  part  of 
his  teaching  load  so  that  he  will 
have  more  time  for  administrative 
duties.  The  college  has  seen  good 
progress  under  Mr.  Richert’s  leader- 
ship as  evidenced  by  the  fact  that 
the  college  has  an  enrollment  of 
168  students  this  year,  the  second 
largest  in  the  school’s  history. 


SEMINARY  STUDENTS  TO  GIVE  EASTER  PROGRAMS 


NEW  PIANO  DEDICATED 

A new  grand  piano,  bought  with 
funds  donated  by  music  loving 
friends  of  Canadian  Mennonite  Bi- 
ble College,  was  dedicated  to  the 
Lord  in  a chapel  service  recently. 
The  president  expressed  his  appre- 
ciation for  the  tireless  efforts  of 
Mr.  Wiebe  and  the  music  society  in 
this  project.  Mr.  Wiebe  remarked 
that  we  cannot  dedicate  the  instru- 
ment itself;  we  must  dedicate  our- 
selves and  our  talents  in  its  use.  A 
music  recital  in  which  piano  and 
voice  students  participated  was  held 
on  Wednesday  evening. 


ANNUAL  PRAYER  DAY 

The  faith  and  life  committee  of 
Canadian  Mennonite  Bible  College 
invited  students  and  faculty  to  take 
part  in  the  annual  prayer  day  on 
Feb.  27.  The  afternoon  and  evening 
were  set  aside  for  prayer  for  our 
immediate  concerns  at  college,  for 
church  and  Conference,  for  govern- 
ment and  world  needs,  and  for  our 
witness  in  the  world  in  the  areas 
of  children’s  work,  city  missions, 
MCC,  and  foreign  missions.  The 
day  drew  to  our  attention  our  inter- 
cessory obligation  toward  the 
church  and  the  world. 


BETHEL  BANQUET 

“Never  was  a Christian  liberal 
arts  college  education  more  crucial 
than  now,”  said  Dale  Lund,  presi- 
dent of  Bethany  College  at  a Bethel 
College  banquet  in  the  First  Men- 
nonite Church,  Newton,  Feb.  27. 

Dr.  Lund  decried  the  trend  toward 
specialization,  indicating  that  it  has 
already  become  more  difficult  for 
man  to  retain  his  humanity.  He 
pointed  out  that  even  the  broadly 
educated  person  may  still  be  a ship 
without  a rudder  unless  he  has  a 
deeply  committed  faith.  “As  Chris- 
tian colleges  we  believe  in  our  stu- 
dents and  are  interested  in  what 
they  may  become.  We  believe  in 
love,  forgiveness,  and  a second 
chance.  Thus  what  may  seem  to  be 
our  weakness  in  dealing  with  stu- 
dents is  really  our  strength.” 

OUTSTANDING  STUDENTS 

At  the  South  Dakota  High  School 
Band  Festival  held  on  the  Augus- 
tana  College  campus  at  Sioux  Fails 
recently,  Loren  Preheim,  Freeman 
Academy  senior,  was  selected  from 
twenty-five  applicants  as  second 
chair  cornetist.  Selection  was  on  the 
basis  of  musicianship. 

Academy  principal  Gerhard  Buh- 
ler  announces  that  Warren  Kehn, 
member  of  last  year’s  Freeman 
Academy  senior  class,  received  a 
Certificate  of  Merit  from  the  Na- 
tional Scholarship  Corporation  for 
potential  for  college  achievement 
by  distinguished  performance  on 
nationwide  selection  tests.  This 
puts  him  into  the  finalist  competi- 
tion, winners  of  which  will  be 
granted  four  year  scholarships. 

Academy  debaters  ranked  third  in 
the  Inter-State  Academy  Debate 
Tournament  at  Edgerton,  Minne- 
sota. Superior  individual  ratings 
were  won  by  Virginia  Ortman,  Dar- 
la Albrecht,  and  Loren  Preheim. 

VOTHS  SPEAK 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  C.  Voth,  mis- 
sionaries who  have  been  active  in 
China,  Japan,  and  Formosa,  spent 
several  days  at  Canadian  Mennonite 
Bible  College.  Brother  Voth  de- 
scribed the  success  of  evangelistic 
work  in  China  and  the  actual  clos- 
ing of  the  doors  there.  Slides  of  the 
work  in  Taiwan  were  shown  in  an 
evening  meeting.  Mrs.  Voth  told  of 
typical  experiences  of  a missionary 
wife  and  mother,  emphasizing  that 
daily  dedication  and  trust  in  God 
are  essential  in  a missionary’s  life. 


Above  are  the  Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary  students  who  will  give 
Easter  programs  in  churches  in  Kansas  and  Oklahoma  during  the  Easter 
season,  March  20  to  30.  The  group  mil  divide  into  three  smaller  groups 
for  most  of  the  tour.  First  row,  left  to  right:  Professor  Marvin  Dirks, 
Virginia  Claassen,  Catherine  Snyder,  Mrs.  Harold  Regier,  Wanda  Lehmam, 
Mrs.  Vern  Preheim,  Hedy  Sawadsky.  Second  row:  William  Block,  Leonard 
Wiebe,  Martha  Giesbrecht,  George  E.  Janzen,  Muriel  Thiessen,  Peter 
Kehler,  Vern  Preheim.  Third  row:  Bruno  Epp,  George  Janzen,  Oskar 
Wedel,  Peter  Neufeld,  Harold  Regier,  Marvin  Zehr,  Peter  Fast,  Abe  Krause. 


172 


THE  MENNONITE 


MCC  news  and  notes 

GINGERICH  SPEAKS  AT 
SENATE  HEARING 

WASHINGTON — A statement  on 
the  Mennonite  peace  position  was 
presented  to  the  U.  S.  Senate  Armed 
Services  Committee  by  Melvin  Gin- 
gerich  at  the  public  hearing  March 
3,  1959.  The  hearing  was  on  H.R. 
2260,  the  bill  to  extend  until  July  1, 
1963,  the  induction  provisions  of  the 
Universal  Military  Training  and 
Service  Act. 

On  Jan.  30  Esko  Loewen  spoke  on 
behalf  of  the  Mennonites  when  the 
House  of  Representatives  Armed 
Services  Committee  conducted  hear- 
ings on  the  same  bill. 

Brother  Gingerich,  managing  ed- 
itor of  the  Mennonite  Encyclopedia 
and  director  of  research  of  the  Men- 
nonite Research  Foundation,  served 
as  MCC  peace  representative  to  Ja- 
pan from  1955-1957.  A copy  of  his 
statement  is  available  from  MCC 
Peace  Section  on  request. 

HOME  FROM  MIDDLE  EAST 

AKRON — Associate  Executive  Sec- 
retary Orie  Miller  arrived  home 
March  5 from  a three  and  one-half 
m.onth  commissioner  trip  for  the 
Eastern  Mennonite  Mission  Board 
that  took  him  to  mission  stations 
and  churches  throughout  Africa.  He 
also  paid  an  MCC  visit  to  the  Le- 
Toumeau  project  in  Liberia  where 
five  Paxmen  have  been  stationed 
since  January.  In  Europe  he  stopped 
at  the  Agape-Verlag  publishing 
project  in  Basel,  Switzerland,  and 
other  MCC  units. 

MENNONITE  IN  ATHENS 

GREECE — A 65-year-old  lady  who 
is  possibly  the  only  Mennonite  re- 
siding in  Athens,  Greece,  wrote  a 
letter  to  a friend  in  America  with 
the  request  that  American  Menno- 
nites be  informed  of  her  existence. 
Mrs.  Helen  Maximos,  daughter  of  a 
certain  Hamm  in  Chortiza,  Russia, 
grew  up  in  a Mennonite  home,  mar- 
ried a Greek  from  Odessa,  and  fled 
to  Greece  with  him  in  1919. 

The  friend,  a former  Church  of 
the  Brethren  relief  worker  in 
Greece,  writes  that  Mrs.  Maximos 
is  a well  educated  woman  who 
speaks  Russian,  German,  French, 
and  English  fluently.  However,  she 
has  suffered  much  and  is  getting 
on  in  years.  By  teaching  a few  Eng- 
lish classes  for  Greek  children  she 
manages  to  earn  a meager  living. 


SPONSOR  AN  ORPHAN 

KOREA  AND  JORDAN— Picture 
your  child  turned  out  on  the  street 
— no  food  to  eat,  no  place  to  go, 
haunted  by  the  loss  of  parents  and 
home.  Perhaps  a neighbor  comes  a- 
long,  pities  him,  and  takes  him  to 
an  orphanage.  But  there  are  thou- 
sands of  children  like  him,  and 
there  is  not  enough  money  or  per- 
sonnel to  provide  adequate  care  for 
them  all.  Perhaps  he  grows  up  on 
the  streets,  begging,  stealing,  hid- 
ing. 

The  image  is  not  a pretty  one, 
yet  it  is  stark  reality  for  countless 
children  in  the  world  today.  Did 
you  know  that  for  $10  a month  you 
can  give  new  meaning  to  the  exist- 
ence of  one  of  these  hapless  young- 
sters? Your  regular  contribution 
will  provide  food,  clothing,  shelter, 
and  an  education.  Your  interest  and 
concern  will  give  him  the  much 
needed  assurance  that  someone 
cares  for  him  personally.  Language 
barriers  cannot  stop  love. 

Under  the  MCC  orphan  support 
plan  you  may  individually,  as  a 
Sunday  school  class,  or  organiza- 
tion, sponsor  an  orphan.  There  are 
two  projects  to  choose  from. 

At  the  Mennonite  Vocational 
School  in  Korea  approximately  200 
boys,  twelve  to  eighteen  years  of 
age,  receive  vocational  and  academic 
training.  Your  $10  may  convert  a 
Korean  street  waif  into  a useful 
citizen.  If  you  prefer  to  help  an 
Arab  child,  you  may  adopt  one  of 
the  35  youngsters  (mostly  boys) 
at  the  Hebron  Mennonite  Orphan- 
age in  Jordan. 

More  than  thirty  sponsors  are 
needed  immediately.  When  you  in- 
dicate your  willingness  to  support 
an  orphan,  you  will  receive  a pic- 
ture and  case  history  of  the  boy 
who  becomes  your  charge.  Channel 
all  communications  through  MCC 
Relief  Office,  Akron,  Pa. 

BERLIN  CITY  COUNCIL  ASSISTS 
IN  REFUGEE  MAINTENANCE 

GERMANY  — The  MCC  refugee 
home  in  Berlin  receives  approxi- 
mately sixty-eight  cents  per  refu- 
gee per  day  from  the  Berlin  Senat 
(city  council).  In  addition,  the  Sen- 
at provided  all  the  furnishings  for 
the  home  at  the  outset.  For  Christ- 
mas, each  child  received  a bag  of 
sweets  and  a coupon  worth  about 
$3.50  to  purchase  clothing. 

Minimum  floor  space  and  food 
rations  for  refugees  have  been  care- 


fully specified  by  the  Senat.  At  the 
MCC  home  this  means  that  six  to 
ten  people  must  share  a room,  an 
arrangement  that  frequently  causes 
problems.  It  also  means  that  MCC 
and  government  surplus  foods  have 
to  be  supplemented  by  other  vari- 
eties to  meet  the  required  standard. 

“Our  refugees  come  from  various 
social  strata  and  professions.  Some 
are  polite  and  well-mannered  while 
others  are  coarse  or  even  uncouth. 
Many  are  in  very  poor  health,” 
comments  Director  David  Janzen. 
“The  greatest  wish  these  people 
have  is  for  a room  or  two  for 
themselves.  The  Senat  has  a num- 
ber of  large  apartment  blocks  where 
each  family  gets  one  room  and  a 
number  of  families  will  share  a 
common  kitchen.  But  the  available 
space  is  so  limited  that  even  those 
with  means  may  have  to  remain  in 
a refugee  camp  for  three  years.” 

A Cross  Is  Made 

(An  Easter  Phantasy) 

Some  time,  perhaps. 

Before  that  fateful  day  in  Golgotha, 
A group  of  men. 

With  viciousness  not  too  well  hidden 
In  their  smirking  countenances. 
Approached  our  Master; 

Carrying  two  freshly-hewn  logs. 
And  an  assortment  of  primitive 
woodworking  tools. 

They  said,  in  effect, 

“You  are  a carpenter. 

Make  us  a cross.” 

The  Sinless  One,  all-knowing, 
sensed  their  evil  purposes. 

He  set  to  work,  with  heavy  heart. 
Realizing  full  well  that  this  was 
to  be  His  cross. 

He  shaped  it  carefully,  for  on  it 
was  to  hang 

The  Perfect  One,  the  Innocent 
Lamb. 

He  built  it  strong,  for  on  it  was  to 
hang 

The  weight  of  all  the  sin  of  all 
mankind. 

Of  every  age  and  generation. 

And  was  there  shadow  of  ill-feeling 
in  His  soul 

As  He  delivered  the  finished  product 
to  His  crucifiers? 

Ah,  no! 

A God-like  smile,  and  a deathle."<s 
prayer, 

“Father,  forgive  them,  for  they 
know  not  what  they  do.” 

— Edwin  C.  Graber 


March  17,  1959 


173 


jottings 

SING  AT  JAIL 

Grace  Church,  Enid,  Okla.;  Our 
relief  offering  on  Christmas  Eve 
was  $106.50.  Jan.  18  our  church  de- 
cided to  take  part  in  the  Laymen’s 
Organization  with  Nate  Sharp,  a 
converted  Jew,  as  speaker.  The 
meetings  are  being  held  March  8-15. 
Pastor  A.  J.  Unruh,  has  accepted 
for  another  year.  Jan.  15  a son, 
Carlon  Ronney,  arrived  at  the  home 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clayton  Koehn. 
Jan.  27  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Leland  Unruh 
and  daughter  Debra  met  with  a 
head-on  collision  near  Fairfield.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Unruh  were  hurt  very 
seriously,  however  Leland  is  to  go 
home  soon.  Debra  was  not  hurt. 
Our  Men’s  Chorus  is  singing  every 
Monday  evening  at  the  county  jail 
during  Feb.  Some  of  our  members 
have  been  putting  up  a ceiling  in 
the  church  basement,  and  ladies 
helped  with  the  painting. — Corr. 
MISSION  SOCIETY  PROGRAM 
Herol©  Church,  Bessie,  Okla.:  Mrs. 
Ben  Harms,  who  suffered  from  a 
lengthy  illness,  passed  away  Feb.  8 
in  the  Sentinal  Hospital.  The  fu- 
neral service  was  held  Feb.  12.  We 
are  glad  that  the  last  work  on  the 
improvements  for  our  church  has 
now  been  done  by  our  brethren. 
Jan.  22  was  an  all-day  special  meet- 
ing of  the  Mission  Society.  There 
was  a grocery  shower  for  Mrs.  Her- 
bert Dalke  on  this  day,  her  birth- 
day. She  gave  an  interesting  talk 
about  her  work  among  the  Indians 
of  the  Clinton  area.  Feb.  15  was  a 
Mission  Society  program  in  the  in- 
terest of  our  mission  field  in  Mex- 
ico. The  Norman  Bartels  were 
guest  speakers.  Feb.  22  to  March  1 
there  were  revival  services  with 
Albert  Unruh  of  Enid.  — Mrs.  Mar- 
garet Horn,  corr. 

NEW  CHURCH  MEETS  AT  YWCA 
Topeka  Church,  Topeka,  Kans.:  A 
review  of  the  past  year  at  our  an- 
nual meeting  held  recently  showed 
several  significant  events  as  high- 
lights of  the  year.  Early  in  1958, 
with  the  help  of  the  Western  Dis- 
trict, we  made  a down  payment  on 
a parsonage  which  is  serving  as  a 
meeting  place  on  Sundays  as  well 
as  a home  for  the  pastor  and  fam- 
ily. Our  Missions  Sunday  and  week 
end  in  June,  with  the  Paul  Bosch- 
mans  as  our  guests,  was  a high 
point  in  the  year  for  us.  Having  our 
first  vacation  Bible  school  last  June 
with  a number  of  children  from  the 
community  represented  another  step 
forward.  Since  September  we  have 
met  in  the  parsonage  for  Sunday 
services  with  a monthly  fellowship 
meal  at  noon.  Beginning  Feb.  22  we 


are  meeting  in  the  YWCA  assembly 
room  for  our  Sunday  services.  Ba- 
bies born  in  recent  months  include 
Eric  Paul  to  Dale  and  Kathy  Klas- 
sen,  and  William  David  to  Roland 
and  Mary  Duerken. — Corr. 

LENTEN  SERVICES 

Upper  Milford  Church,  Zionsville, 
Pa.:  Jacob  Hiestand  suffered  a heart 
attack  and  is  resting  in  the  North 
Penn  Hospital.  World  Day  of  Prayer 
services  were  held  here  Feb.  13, 
sponsored  by  the  church  women  of 
Zionsville.  The  speaker  was  Mrs. 
Daniel  Habegger.  On  Feb.  14  the 
pastor  and  his  family  moved  into 
our  new  parsonage.  All  willing  help- 
ers joined  in  the  moving.  Open 
house  and  dedication  will  be  held 
in  April  or  May.  Our  Communion 
service  will  again  be  held  on  Good 
Friday  evening.  Lenten  Services 
are  held  every  Sunday  morning  and 
evening  during  Lent.  On  March  29 
we  will  have  the  Bluffton  College 
Choir  with  us.  Union  Lenten  Serv- 
ices will  be  held  the  last  three 
Tuesday  evenings  of  Lent,  with  the 
churches  of  the  community  partici- 
pating.— Mrs.  John  Rheinhart,  corr. 

LEADERSHIP  TRAINING 

First  Church,  Sugarcreek,  Ohio: 
When  the  annual  business  meeting 
of  the  church  was  held,  the  pastor 
reported  the  following  statistics: 
nine  Rosebud  Services  for  babies 
bom  to  members  of  the  congrega- 
tion; ten  new  members  received; 
one  wedding  performed;  two  fu- 
nerals conducted.  Our  church  is  par- 
ticipating in  a Leadership  Training 
School  sponsored  by  the  Ministerial 
Association.  “Teaching  Adults’’  will 
be  a course  taught  by  Lester  Hos- 
tetler; Mrs.  Ernest  Raber,  Jr.,  will 
instruct  in  “Teaching  Kindergarten 
Children.’’  J.  E.  Hartzler  of  Goshen, 
Ind.,  will  be  with  us  for  pre-Easter 
Services  March  8-13.  The  Bluffton 
A Cappella  Choir  will  be  here 
March  20.  The  brick  work  on  the 
new  sanctuary  is  almost  completed. 
It  is  hoped  that  everything  will  be 
completed  by  May  1,  so  that  dedi- 
cation services  may  take  place 
sometime  in  May.  The  young  people 
took  part  in  a Community  Youth 
Program  on  Feb.  8.  Bob  Detweiler 
of  Orrville,  Ohio,  spoke  on  “Dare 
We  Live  in  the  Household  of  God?” 
Pastor  and  Mrs.  Harold  D.  Thieszen 
became  the  parents  of  a daughter, 
Barbara  Ann,  born  Dec.  20. — Mrs. 
Ernest  Gross,  corr. 

REWARDING  PROJECT 

Eden  Church,  Inola,  Okla.:  About 
a week  before  Christmas  a group 
of  our  ladies  made  the  usual  month- 
ly visit  to  the  Mental  Hospital  at 
Vinita.  This  time  instead  of  just 
the  usual  cookies  and  favors,  some 
prettily  decorated  packages  of 


homemade  treats  were  taken  and 
distributed  among  the  patients  the 
ladies  were  privileged  to  entertain. 
Hospital  supervisors  report  that 
due  to  these  visits  from  various 
groups,  not  one  patient  felt  neglect- 
ed at  Christmas  time.  Just  seeing 
the  look  of  genuine  pleasure  and 
appreciation  on  the  faces  of  the 
patients,  heretofore  forgotten  peo- 
ple, is  ample  reward  for  our  effort. 
Our  community  was  saddened  by 
the  sudden  death  of  a faithful  mem- 
ber of  our  church,  John  Golbek. 
He  suffered  a heart  attack  on  Dec. 
3.  Verna  Jantz  is  home  on  furlough 
from  the  mission  field  in  Morocco. 
She  is  presently  visiting  churches 
in  Oklahoma.  We  are  truly  thankful 
that  God  has  lent  Brother  Regier 
the  necessary  health  and  strength 
to  carry  on  the  ministry  in  our 
church  until  such  time  as  the  Lord 
sends  us  a full-time  minister.  At 
the  Young  People’s  Christmas  Ban- 
quet, Samuel  Stevenson  of  the  Ino- 
la Baptist  Church  was  guest  speak- 
er.— Mrs.  W.  T.  F.,  corr. 

MISSIONARIES  WRITE 

First  Church,  Aberdeen,  Idaho: 
Esther  Wiebe  sailed  for  India  from 
New  York  aboard  the  Queen  Eliza- 
beth on  Jan.  27.  She  writes  as  fol- 
lows: “Soon  after  arriving  in  Deck 
C,  Room  50,  the  steward  brought  in 
a huge  handful  of  letters.  . . . How 
wonderful  is  the  love  of  God  as  it  is 
shed  abroad  through  your  hearts. 

. . . The  trip  has  been  so  pleasant 
thus  far.  . . . The  water  sounds 
rough.  So  I went  on  deck  and  it 
is  quite  reassuring.  It  is  fairly 
smooth.”  Pastor  Dyck  and  three 
other  members  of  our  church  at- 
tended the  Mid-Year  Committee 
Session  of  the  Pacific  District  Conf. 
at  Portland,  Ore.,  in  Jan.  Paul 
Boschman,  Japan,  underwent  sur- 
gery for  ulcers  on  Jan.  29.  Follow- 
ing are  excerpts  from  a letter  writ- 
ten by  LaVerne  the  following  day: 
“A  famous  doctor  from  Kyoto  did 
the  operating.  . . . Before  an  opera- 
tion they  always  have  prayer  and 
that  was  very  much  appreciated. 
. . . The  doctor  says  ...  so  far 
everything  is  normal.”  The  King’s 
Daughters  met  Feb.  3 with  their 
husbands  for  a potluck  supper  fel- 
lowship, and  Swiss  Travel  film.  The 
Retreat  Program  Planning  Com- 
mittee is  busy  planning  for  retreats 
this  coming  summer.  This  Commit- 
tee was  in  charge  of  an  evening 
program  at  the  Faith  Memorial 
Church  in  Filer  on  Feb.  15. — Corr. 

FILMS  SHOWN 

WooDLAWN  Church,  Warroad, 
Minn.:  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ray  Stewart 
celebrated  their  fifty-first  wedding 
anniversary  Jan.  11.  A film,  Mr. 
Jenkins,  was  shown  Jan.  23,  also 


174 


THE  MENNONITE 


a children’s  film,  Dynamite.  Feb. 

8 Pastor  and  Mrs.  Geisbrecht,  from 
Ontario,  were  here  and  brought  the 

* morning  and  evening  message.  Pas- 
tor and  Mrs.  Ortmann’s  son  Elmer 
is  in  the  hospital.  Also  on  our  sick 
list  have  been  Mikael  Harder,  John 
H.  Janzen,  Mrs.  Nick  Fast,  and 
Mrs.  Ed.  Unruh.  Pastor  Ortmann 
showed  films  Feb.  20:  Hidden  Povj- 
er,  Happiness,  and  Rapture. — Mrs. 
Nick  Fast,  corr. 

YODER  SPEAKS 

Hereford  Church,  Bally,  Pa.:  Har- 

- ry  Yoder,  assistant  to  the  president 
at  Bluffton  College,  has  given  inter- 
esting discourses  on  four  different 
evenings,  Feb.  11-15.  He  based  his 

- messages  on  the  book  of  John  using 

the  following  sub-topics:  “When 

Life  Becomes  Light”  “Light  for  the 
Living”  “The  Comforting  Light” 
and  “The  Continuing  Light.”  He 
also  reported  on  Bluffton  College 
and  he  visited  members  in  the  in- 
terest of  the  college.  March  8,  Ver- 

-<  non  Stoop  Jr.  spoke  on  “Jesus  in  a 
Home.”  On  March  15,  George  K. 

' Ludwig  spoke  on  “Jesus  in  the 

Temple.”  March  22,  Kenneth  Kline 
will  speak  on  “Jesus  in  an  Upper 
I Room.”  On  Palm  Sunday  we  will 

observe  baptism  and  reception  of 
new  members,  and  our  Communion 
service  will  be  on  April  5.  The 
Young  People’s  S.  S.  class  will  have 
charge  of  the  Easter  dawn  service. 
March  23,  the  teachers,  officers, 

- members  of  Board  of  Christian  Ed- 
ucation, and  their  families  will  have 
a covered  dish  meal  in  the  church. 
Former  pastor  Wilmer  S.  Shelly 
will  speak.  Ida  C.  Oberholtzer,  was 
buried  this  past  week.  Our  S.  S. 

• rooms,  pastor’s  study,  and  base- 
ment are  all  being  repainted  by  our 
members. — Mae  Latshaw,  corr. 

into  the  beyond 

^ Arthur  Bergman,  of  Wichita, 
Kansas,  and  charter  member  of  the 
< Lorraine  Avenue  Mennonite  Church, 
Wichita,  was  bom  March  20,  1893, 
^ and  died  February  13,  1959. 

Ella  (Ewert)  Warkentin,  wife 
of  Henry  Warkentin,  of  Lehigh, 

- Kansas,  and  member  of  the  Lehigh 
Mennonite  Church,  was  born  May 

^ 17,  1894,.  and  died  in  Texas  while 

, visiting  her  daughter,  December  28, 
' 1958. 

Mrs.  Helena  Engbrecht  (nee 
Deckert),  of  Marion,  South  Dakota, 
<*  and  member  of  the  Bethesda  Men- 
nonite Church,  Marion,  was  born 
March  17,  1865,  and  died  February 
4,  1959. 


conference  notes 

(continued  from  page  176) 

INFORMATION  ON  VS 

Attractive  folders  outlining  the 
work  of  MCC  and  General  Confer- 
ence Mennonite  summer  service  and 
Voluntary  Seiwice,  and  Conference 
long-term  VS  and  Missions  Pax 
have  been  mailed  to  all  peace  and 
service  representatives,  pastors, 
schools,  and  Conference  students  in 
non-Mennonite  colleges  and  univer- 
sities. Individuals  who  have  not  re- 
ceived a copy  through  these  chan- 
nels may  write  to:  Board  of  Chris- 
tian Service,  722  Main,  Newton, 
Kan. 

SAMUEL  HSEEH  IN  CHICAGO 

Samuel  Hsieh  of  Taiwan,  with 
whom  many  churches  became  ac- 
quainted while  he  was  a student  at 
Bethel  College  and  through  itinera- 
tion in  Canada  and  the  United 
States,  is  continuing  his  studies  at 
McCormick  Theological  Seminary  in 
Chicago.  He  completed  his  work  at 
Bethel  College  the  fall  quarter  of 
1958.  After  he  completes  his  studies 
in  the  United  States,  Brother  Hsieh 
plans  to  return  to  Taiwan  to  serve 
his  people. 

101  HYMNS  IN  GERMANY 

Erwin  C.  Goering,  executive  sec- 
retary of  Mennonite  Voluntary 
Service  in  Germany,  reports  from 
Kaiserslautern  that  the  supply  of 
101  Hymns  which  the  Twentieth 
Century  Sunday  School  Class  of  the 
Bethel  College  Church  donated  to 
MVS,  were  gratefully  received. 
’These  editions,  especially  useful  for 
camps,  retreats,  and  other  group 
functions,  are  used  at  workers’ 
camps  where  young  people  from 
more  than  twenty  countries  share  a 
service  experience. 

Brother  Goering  frequently  re- 
ceives letters  from  former  MVS 
workers,  commenting  on  the  con- 
tribution these  books  made  to  their 
camp  life.  Workers  feel  that  the 
songs  they  sing  together  highlight 
their  stay  at  camp. 

RADIO  COMMITTEE  MEETS 

The  philosophy  on  the  use  of 
radio  by  Mennonites  has  been  stud- 
ied by  the  Conference  Radio  Com- 
mittee at  recent  meetings.  A paper 
for  the  study  of  the  committee  was 
prepared  by  Maynard  Shelly,  in 
which  he  considered  the  potential 
of  radio,  its  limitations,  and  its 
present  status.  Some  ideas  the  pa- 


per enlarged  on  were  that  radio 
must  be  a part  of  the  church’s  pro- 
gram, its  methods  must  be  in  keep- 
ing with  the  Christian  message  and 
purpose,  and  the  broadcaster  must 
know  his  audience. 

PEACE  CONFERENCE 

“The  Word  of  God  in  the  Nuclear 
Age”  is  the  theme  of  the  third  Na- 
tional Church  Peace  Mission  Con- 
ference which  will  be  held  at  Evan- 
ston, 111.,  April  20-23.  The  Church 
Peace  Mission  was  set  up  in  1950 
by  protestant  groups  interested  in 
the  cause  of  peace.  Its  purpose  is  to 
bring  together  Christians  who  de- 
sire to  witness  against  war  and 
want  the  church  to  speak  to  the 
same  effect.  MCC  serves  as  the 
sponsoring  agency  for  the  Menno- 
nite constituencies. 

Fifty  delegates  have  been  allocat- 
ed to  the  Mennonite  churches.  J. 
Harold  Sherk,  NSBRO  executive 
secretary,  has  been  appointed  MCC 
Peace  Section  representative. 

The  four  main  topics  to  be  dis- 
cussed are:  “Theological  and  Bib- 
lical Basis  for  Christian  Peace  Ac- 
tion” “Christian  Dynamic  for  Social 
Change”  “Christian  Faith  and  Inter- 
national Politics”  and  “Christian 
Peace  Strategy  and  Nuclear  Weap- 
ons.” 

THE  GOSPEL  FOR  HOPIS 

Orlando  Waltner,  acting  executive 
secretary  for  the  Board  of  Missions, 
upon  returning  from  a tour  of  the 
mission  stations  of  Arizona  to  orient 
himself  regarding  the  witness  of 
the  General  Conference  Mennonite 
Church  to  the  Hopi  Indians,  made 
the  following  observations  of  that 
field. 

The  apparently  quiet  Indian  vil- 
lages on  the  mesas  of  Arizona  are 
in  reality  battlegroimds. 

In  their  underground  kivas  In- 
dians are  increasingly  observing 
rounds  of  religious  ceremonials. 
Dances,  feasts,  and  initiations  into 
religious  circles  are  desperate  at- 
tempts to  win  the  loyalty  and 
strength  of  Indian  youth  for  the  an- 
cestors’ religion. 

But  in  the  same  villages  in  the 
Christian  circles  of  church  and 
home  is  a growing  desire  to  have 
the  gospel  break  through  the  mud 
and  stone  circles  of  ceremonial  re- 
ligions. While  Christ  is  today  knock- 
ing on  the  trap  doors  of  the  Indian 
kivas,  the  dancing  and  singing  un- 
derground becomes  louder  and 
more  intense. 


March  17,  1959 


175 


conference  not^s 

LOOKING  TOWARD 
GENERAL  CONFERENCE 

As  we  look  forward  to  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  to  be  held  this  next 
summer,  there  are  two  questions 
that  we  as  individuals  or  churches 
might  ask  ourselves.  First,  what 
can  I expect  of  the  General  Con- 
ference? Second,  what  can  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  expect  of  me? 

To  the  first  question  we  might 
answer  that  we  expect  the  confer- 
ence to  be  a spiritual  blessing  for 
us,  that  we  expect  to  renew  ac- 
quaintances and  meet  new  friends, 
that  we  expect  to  observe  beauties 
of  nature  as  we  travel  to  the  con- 
ference, and  so  forth. 


As  we  consider  the  second  ques- 
tion we  are  aware  that  as  a mem- 
bership, we  have  a responsibility 
to  our  conference  organization.  We 
are  reminded  of  the  traveler,  many 
years  ago,  who  came  to  a church 
in  France  and  discovered  that  no 
provision  had  been  made  for  lights 
in  that  church.  Upon  inquiry  he  was 
told,  “Wait  and  see.”  That  evening 
he  saw  the  parishoners  coming, 
■each  one  carrying  a lighted  lamp 
and  placing  that  lamp  on  the  pro- 
vided stand  as  the  person  was  seat- 
ed in  the  church.  The  light  of  that 
church  was  dependent  on  the  qual- 
ity and  quantity  of  the  lamps  that 
had  been  brought. 

Spiritually  speaking,  I believe 
this  applies  to  our  individual  church- 
es and  also  to  our  General  Confer- 
ence. The  quality  of  our  light  will 
be  bright  as  we  seek,  and  obey, 
God’s  will.  It  will  be  very  dim  if 
self-will  becomes  apparent  at  con- 
ference sessions.  Our  responsibility 
is  then  that  we  allow  the  Lord  to 
cleanse  our  lamps  (lives)  and  join 
with  others  to  give  an  effective  posi- 
tive testimony  for  our  Lord. 

Daniel  G.  Regier 

CAMP  LEADERS  WORKSHOP 

A camp  leaders’  workshop  will 
be  held  May  1-3  for  church  repre- 


sentatives desiring  to  learn  about 
camp  programming  and  for  those 
who  hope  to  serve  some  day  in  the 
camp  program.  Sponsored  by  the 
Camp  Friedenswald  committee  of 
the  Central  District,  the  workshop 
will  be  held  at  Camp  Friedenswald, 
Shavehead  Lake,  R.  D.  3,  Cassopo- 
lis,  Michigan.  For  information  write 
to  Daniel  J.  Graber,  Route  1,  Bo.x 
64,  Goshen,  Ind. 

ADMISSION  TO  CONFERENCE 

Churches  or  felDwships  wishing 
to  be  received  into  membership  in 
the  General  Conference  Mennonite 
Church  at  the  August  sessions 
should  make  application  as  soon  as 
possible.  Application  blanks  may  be 
obtained  from  the  secretary  of  the 
Church  Unity  Committee,  L.  E. 
Troyer,  Meadows,  111. 

ARTHUR  THIESSEN  RETURNS 

Arthur  Thiessen,  medical  mission- 
ary in  India  for  more  than  si.x 
years,  arrived  on  furlough  in  the 
United  States  March  7.  Dr.  Thies- 
sen’s  first  stopover  is  Peoria,  111., 
to  join  his  wife  and  three  daughters 
who  returned  in  December  and  are 
staying  with  Mrs.  Thiessen’s  par- 
ents, Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carl  Martig. 

Beginning  the  middle  of  March 
the  Thiessens  will  spend  several 
weeks  in  North  Newton,  Kansas, 
visiting  Dr.  Thiessen’s  parents,  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  John  Thiessen,  who  also 
were  missionaries  in  India  until 
1949.  The  Arthur  Thiessens  will 
make  their  home  while  on  furlough 
in  the  Chicago  area,  where  Dr. 
Thiessen  expects  to  take  special  re- 
fresher courses  in  medicine. 

In  India  Dr.  Thiessen  is  in  charge 
of  the  medical  department  of  the 
Bethesda  leprosy  home  and  hospital 
at  Champa,  M.  P.,  where  five  hun- 
dred leprosy  patients  receive  care. 
Dr.  Thiessen  specializes  in  restora- 
tion therapy,  enabling  patients  to 
regain  the  use  of  their  hands  and 
feet. 

Besides  the  hospital  and  home, 
the  leprosarium  operates  a dairy 
farm  which  supplies  milk  and 
grows  rice  and  vegetables  for  the 
patients.  At  present  a new  wing  is 
being  added  to  the  P.  A.  Penner 
Memorial  Hospital  and  a two-unit 
hostel  of  modern  design  for  lep- 
rosy boys  was  recently  completed. 
A hostel  for  girls  was  built  earlier. 

In  addition  to  the  leprosy  hos- 
pital, there  is  a general  hospital  at 


Champa,  where  Drs.  Harvey  and 
Ella  Bauman  are  in  charge.  Another 
hospital  operated  by  the  Conference 
in  India  is  located  at  Jagdeeshpur, 
M.  P.,  and  is  in  charge  of  Dr.  Joe 
Duerksen  of  Newton,  Kansas. 

R.N.  ARRIVES  IN  INDIA 

A happy  welcome  by  co-workers 
awaited  Esther  Wiebe  of  Aberdeen, 
Idaho,  when  she  arrived  in  India 
early  in  March  for  her  second  term 
of  service.  Before  returning  to  her 
nursing  duties  at  Jagdeeshpur,  M.  P,. 
Miss  Wiebe  will  probably  spend 
several  months  learning  the  Uriya 
language  to  better  equip  herself  for 
communication  with  patients  in  the 
hospital  and  especially  in  the  vil- 
lages where  she  will  work  in  the 
public  health  program.  Most  of  the 
women  served  through  the  public 
health  program  in  the  villages  do 
not  know  Hindi,  the  official  lan- 
guage of  the  country,  which  all 
missionaries  learn  during  their  first 
term  in  India. 

MISSIONARY  PASSAGE 

$700,000  of  the  $994,440  Confer- 
ence budget  for  1959  is  designated 
for  missions.  Alone  to  transport 
missionaries  to  and  from  their 
fields  of  service  is  expected  to  take 
$40,000.  Budget  projects  for  mis- 
sions include  such  items  as  liter- 
ature, radio,  school  equipment,  hos- 
pital supplies,  cost  of  language 
school,  and  many  others.  For 
churches  or  individuals  who  prefer 
to  earmark  their  contributions  for 
specific  purposes  rather  than  leav- 
ing it  to  the  discretion  of  the  Board, 
the  Missions  office  has  prepared  a 
list  of  budget  projects.  This  list 
may  be  obtained  by  writing  to 
Board  of  Missions,  722  Main,  New- 
ton, Kansas. 

POLIO  IN  TAIWAN 

Word  has  been  received  in  the 
Board  of  Missions  office  that  the 
young  son  of  Hugh  and  Janet 
Sprunger,  missionaries  in  Taiwan, 
has  contracted  polio. 

Please  pray  for  the  parents  as 
the  extra  demand  of  exercising  the 
child’s  limbs  is  made  on  their  al- 
ready heavily  scheduled  time,  and 
that  they  may  keep  trusting  the 
Lord  and  remain  confident  that  His 
grace  is  sufficient  for  all  things. 

( continued  on  page  175  > 


march  24,  1959 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
MAN  LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIST 


in  this  issue 

COVER 

"The  Resurrection"  by  Mathias  Grunewald 
Photo  courtesy  of  Unterlinden  Museum 


ARTICLES 

AN  EASTER  MEDITATION 

By  Earl  Saizman  179 

THE  GOOD  SAMARITAN  LIVES  ON 

By  David  Derstine  Jr 180 

MENNONITES  IN  BOLIVIA 

By  J.  W.  Fretz  181 

SEMINARY  BOARD  MEETS  182 

THE  POWER  OF  THE  RESURRECTION 

By  W.  Harley  King  183 

THE  SIN  OF  GLUTTONY  183 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  178 

Mennonite  Men 

SERVICE  IN  GULFPORT  184 

Mennonite  Youth 

PRAYER  FOR  EASTER  185 

YOKES  AND  YOUTH 

By  Aaron  J.  Epp  186 

OUR  SCHOOLS  188 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  188 

JOTTINGS  189 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  192 


of  things  to  come 

March  29 — Easter 

March  30-April  4 — Faith  and  Life  Radio 
speakers:  staff  and  members  of  the 
Board  of  Christian  Service. 

April  19 — Mennonite  Men's  Chorus  Fes- 
tival, Memorial  Hall,  North  Newton, 
Kan.,  at  2:30  p.m. 

April  23 — W.  D.  Council  of  Committees, 
First  Church,  McPherson,  Kan. 

April  23-26 — Central  Dist.  Conference, 
Goshen,  Ind. 

April  25-26 — Laymen's  Retreat,  Camp 
Mennoscah 

April  30-May  3 — Eastern  Dist.  Conf., 
Schwenksville,  Pa. 

May  3 — Mennonite  Song  Festival,  Me- 
morial Hall,  North  Newton,  Kan., 
at  2:30  p.m. 

May  7 — Ascension  Day 

May  1 0 — Festival  of  the  Christian  Home 

May  1 7 — Pentecost 

May  20 — Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary 
alumni  meeting. 

May  24 — Baccalaureate,  Mennonite  Bib- 
lical Seminary 

May  25 — Commencement,  Mennonite 
Biblical  Seminary 

May  29 — Commencement  Day,  Freeman 
Junior  College  and  Academy 

June  10-14 — Pacific  District  Conference, 
Barlow,  Oregon 

June  18-21 — Northern  Dist.  Conf.,  Salem- 
Zion  Church  (North),  Freeman,  S.  D. 

Aug.  5-1  2— Ministers’  and  Church  Work- 
ers' Retreat,  Camp  Friedenswald, 
Mich. 

Aug.  12-20 — General  Conference,  Bluff- 
ton,  Ohio 

Oct.  24-27 — West.  Dist.  Conference 

THE  MENNONITE 

Editor,  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 

J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 

Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 

J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Asst.:  Esther  Groves. 

Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  12 


editorials 

CONTRASTS  AT  THE  CROSS:  DEFEAT  VERSUS  VICTORY 

The  day  of  the  crucifixion  of  our  Lord  did  not  seem  like  “Good 
Friday”  to  His  followers;  to  them  it  was  “Black  Friday.”  His 
enemies  had  seemingly  won  out  completely.  Death  was  their 
decisive  winning  weapon.  The  triumph  of  sin  seemed  final.  Mil- 
itary might  was  after  all  stronger  than  love — so  it  seemed. 

What  a heartbroken  group  of  disciples  that  made  their  way 
slowly  and  sadly  from  the  last  awful  scene.  Their  high  hopes 
for  the  Kingdom  were  dashed.  Their  leader  was  slain.  The  cause 
to  which  they  had  given  their  allegiance  seemed  to  end  in  com- 
plete failure.  Was  there  ever  a day  so  black  with  despair  as 
that  Friday  of  the  crucifixion  of  Christ? 

Then  on  Sunday  morning  came  the  startling,  shattering  news. 
The  triumph  of  sin  was  not  complete  after  all!  Out  of  apparent 
defeat  came  joyous  victory!  Wrong  cannot  win  permanently 
over  right.  “Truth  crushed  to  earth  shall  rise  again.”  Military 
might  is  not  the  ultimate  force.  Love  is  stronger  than  hate. 
Victory  lies  on  the  side  of  God. 

Here  was  complete  victory  over  SIN;  for  sin  had  done  its 
worst  and  was  now  completely  defeated.  Sin  does  not  have  the 
final  word.  It  need  not  dominate  and  shackle  our  lives.  There 
is  One  stronger  who  can  set  us  free  from  its  bonds.  Through 
Christ  the  most  hideous  and  powerful  sin  can  be  defeated.  Here 
is  hope  for  us  all. 

Here  is  victory  over  SUFFERING.  When  we  are  called  upon 
to  suffer  keenly  we  are  apt  to  cry  out,  “0  God,  why?”  Suffering 
seems  to  snuff  out  joy  and  victory.  But  from  that  “Good  Friday” 
there  comes  good  news:  suffering  does  not  have  the  last  word. 

It  is  not  a final  destructive  force  grinding  out  our  lives.  Out  of 
the  bitterest  suffering  there  can  come  victory,  so  that  even  the 
suffering  can  be  turned  to  good.  The  suffering  of  Christ  avails 
for  us,  and  in  the  fellowship  of  His  suffering  we,  too,  may  be 
conquerors.  Suffering  can  be  used  to  enrich  our  spiritual  lives 
and  to  contribute  to  our  spiritual  growth. 

Here  at  the  cross  we  see  victory  over  DEATH.  Life,  eternal 
life,  will  not  be  defeated  by  what  we  call  death.  Life  in  Christ 
is  eternal  and  death  cannot  touch  it.  So  death  is  not  as  final 
as  it  seems,  for  life  in  Christ  is  victorious  and  will  triumph  over 
death.  What  comfort  we  can  draw  from  this  great  truth!  The 
life  in  Him  will  not  die,  it  will  live  eternally,  for  Life,  not  death, 
has  the  final  word. 

Victory  over  SIN,  over  SUFFERING,  and  over  DEATH — the 
three  greatest  enemies  of  man — is  assured  through  the  fact  of 
Easter  morning.  Thus  Black  Friday  becomes  Good  Friday,  for 
what  good  news  we  have!  We  are  on  the  overcoming  side.  We 
are  more  than  conquerors  through  Him  who  loved  us  and  gave 
himself  for  us.  This  is  glorious  victory : “God  hath  raised  up  the 
Lord,  and  will  raise  up  us  also  by  His  own  power.” 

The  strife  is  o’er,  the  battle  done. 

The  victory  of  life  is  won; 

The  song  of  triumph  has  begun.  j 

Alleluia ! I 

THE  MENNONITE  ! 


178 


This 

is  eternal  life 


Earl  Salzman* 

There  are  many  happy  days 
in  the  Christian  calendar,  but 
perhaps  the  happiest  of  all  is  East- 
er. Nothing  but  a shout  is  sufficient 
for  a text  for  Easter — it  is  a day 
of  joy  and  victory.  All  through  the 
Old  Testament,  the  Prophets,  and 
Psalms  we  find  a note  of  hope,  but 
it  is  a rather  distant  hope.  But  on 
Easter  morning  we  find  the  tomb 
empty,  the  bands  of  death  burst 
asunder;  there  is  a positiveness. 
“The  Lord  is  risen”.  . . “We  have 
seen  the  Lord,”  the  disciples  declare 
over  and  over  again.  “He  is  risen  as 
He  said.” 

Students  of  the  Bible  are  often 
surprised  to  find  so  little  reference 
to  any  kind  of  immortality  in  the 
Old  Testament.  Only  a longing  here 
and  there — and  in  most  cases  this 
involves  a crude  or  vague  concep- 
tion of  immortality.  By  Jesus’  time, 
faith  in  eternal  life  had  become 
very  strong.  The  Sadducees  denied 
it,  but  the  Pharisees  taught  it  zeal- 
ously. Yet  they  believed  it  simply 
as  a continuation  of  life  after  this 
life,  given  as  a reward  for  keeping 
the  law.  But  when  Jesus  spoke  of 
eternal  life.  He  put  a new  and  great- 
er meaning  into  the  old  content.  It 
was  as  if  Jesus  had  said,  “You  are 
mistaken  in  your  understanding  of 
eternal  life.  It  isn’t  length  but 
depth;  not  quantity  but  quality; 
not  something  conferred  on  you 
hereafter  but  a kind  of  life  to  be 
lived  here  and  now  and  forever, 
simply  because  such  a life  is,  in  the 
nature  of  the  case,  indestructible.” 

A YOUNG  mcui  came  running  to 
Jesus  and  said,  “Good  Master, 
what  good  thing  shall  I do,  that  I 
may  have  eternal  life?”  He  had  the 
idea  that  eternal  life  is  the  survival 
after  death  given  as  a reward  for 
the  faithful.  Jesus  said,  “Go  sell  all 
you  have  and  give  to  the  poor.” 
Jesus  is  trying  to  teach  him  that 
eternal  life  begins  here  and  now. 

‘Pastor,  Flanagan  Church,  Flanagan,  111. 

March  24,  1959 


It  is  a quality  of  existence  that  is 
expressed  by  love  and  generosity 
and  not  simply  a reward  in  the  fu- 
ture. It  is  a life  of  noble,  gentle, 
loving  character  so  valuable  that  it 
must  live  on  after  death.  That  is 
the  meaning  of  eternal  life. 

“This  is  life  eternal,  that  they 
might  know  thee  the  only  true  God, 
and  Jesus  Christ,  whom  thou  hast 
sent.”  The  word  is  something  more 
than  to  grasp  with  the  intellect. 
It  is  to  recognize,  respond  to,  ap- 
preciate and  be  like.  That  is  the 
heart  of  eternal  life — to  know,  love, 
appreciate,  be  like  God  and  Jesus 
Christ. 

ALI'TTLE  earlier  Jesus  had  said, 
“I  am  come  that  they  might 
have  life,  and  that  they  might  have 
it  more  abundantly.”  His  supreme 
work  was  to  bring  God  into  man’s 
life  so  as  to  make  a new  kind  of 
character.  All  who  opened  their 
hearts  to  Him  came  to  feel  the 
throb  of  that  new  life.  Paul  came  to 
know  it  when  he  said  “If  any  man 
be  in  Christ,  he  is  a new  creature” 
“For  to  me  to  live  is  Christ.”  Read 
the  lives  of  such  saints  as  Augus- 
tine, Francis  of  Assisi,  John  Wesley, 
Menno  Simons,  David  Livingstone. 
Eternal  life  possessed  them  as  they 
learned  to  know,  love,  and  serve 
God  through  Jesus  Christ. 

You  yourself  have  come  to  know 
Him,  have  come  to  feel  the  pulse  of 
the  new  life  full  and  free  that  you 
know  is  deathless.  Eternal  life  is  a 
kind  of  noble  life.  Men  who  have 
this  do  not  aimlessly  question  the 
survival  of  life  after  death.  They 
cannot  prove  it,  they  assume  it. 
Indeed  they  feel  that  eternal  life 
has  already  begun  in  themselves; 
hence  death  to  them  is  no  more 
than  a transition  in  the  history  of 
the  soul.  Notice,  Jesus  says  “This 
is  life  eternal,”  not  “this  will  he” 
but  “this  is.”  It  is  a present  reality, 
not  a future  reward,  and  the  other 
world  begins  in  this  one. 


Eternal  life  is  fellowship  with 
God,  and  ChristUke  living  begins 
now  and  goes  on  forever.  “He  that 
heareth  my  word,  and  believeth  on 
him  that  sent  me,  hath  (not  will 
have)  everlasting  life.”  Life  shall 
not  come  into  condemnation  but  is 
already  passed  from  death  into 
life.  As  we  fellowship  with  God  and 
share  His  kingdom  work,  we  have 
the  eternal  life  He  came  to  bring. 
It  does  not  mean  we  are  living  in 
some  otherworldly  existence,  pious- 
ly waiting  to  get  into  that  other 
distant  world,  but  it  means  a com- 
mitment to  eternal  values  of  truth 
and  love  of  Christlike  character. 
John  says,  “We  know  that  we  have 
passed  from  death  unto  life,  because 
we  love  the  brethren.  He  that  lov- 
eth  not  his  brother  abideth  in 
death.”  This  concept  puts  meaning 
and  purpose  into  this  life  here  and 
now,  not  a strange,  vague  life  that 
may  come  sometime. 

IT  IS  easy  to  become  bewildered 
in  trying  to  trace  the  details  of 
the  resurrection.  Our  abiding  proof 
of  the  resurrection  is  the  existence 
of  the  Christian  church.  Out  of  that 
upper  room  they  came,  going  over 
all  the  world  declaring  their  con- 
viction, “He  Lives,  He  lives.  He  is 
risen.”  Every  church  steeple,  every 
sanctuary,  and  every  cross  on  the 
altar  bears  witness  that  Jesus  lives 
today. 

The  story  of  the  Risen  Lord 
speaking  to  the  troubled  hearts  of 
the  disciples  on  the  road  to  Emmaus 
is  a direct  challenge  to  us  across 
the  ages.  It  seems  too  much  that 
Christ  should  have  died  for  ordi- 
nary people  like  us.  It  is  natural 
that  we  should  be  humble;  but  it 
is  also  natural  that  we  should  rise 
to  the  high  estate  to  which  we  are 
called.  It  is  natural  that  we  should 
begin  this  very  day  to  be  worthy  of 
eternal  life,  to  lay  hold  on  those 
values  which  are  immortal  because 
they  are  akin  to  the  spirit  of  the 
Risen  Christ. 

This  to  me  is  the  great  inspira- 
tion of  Easter  morning — an  inspira- 
tion that  has  value  for  me  in  the 
life  I live  now.  Easter  becomes  real 
when  We  not  only  look  back  to  the 
open  tomb,  not  only  look  forward 
to  the  open  skies  after  death,  but 
look  into  the  open  heart  that  Jesus 
Christ  may  be  risen  in  us.  May  we 
say  with  the  great  Apostle.  “I  live; 
yet  not  I,  but  Christ  liveth  in  me.” 


179 


The  Good  Samaritan  Lives  On 


David  Derstine  Jr* 

IN  THE  familiar  story  of  the 
Good  Samaritan,  Jesus  refers  to 
three  types  of  people:  those  who 
are  beaten  up,  those  who  pass  up, 
and  those  who  pick  up.  In  this  ac- 
count Jesus  points  out  that  there  is 
a law  by  which  we  must  live — the 
law  of  love. 

“What  must  I do  to  inherit  eter- 
nal life?”  asked  the  lawyer.  Jesus 
answered,  in  effect,  “It  is  not  a 
question  of  how  much  good  work 
you  do  in  your  community  or  in 
your  church:  the  important  thing 
is:  do  you  love  God?  Are  you  a 
committed  disciple?  And,  do  you 
love  your  neighbor?  If  you  love  God 
and  your  neighbor  you  will  live.” 
The  man  then  asks,  “But  who  is 
my  neighbor?”  I think  the  lawyer 
was  sincere.  The  question  which  he 
really  posed — a question  that  should 
be  asked  by  every  human — was, 
“How  far  does  my  responsibility 
go?” 

Jesus  then  unfolded  a most  inter- 
esting scene.  A man  on  the  Jericho 
road  was  attacked  by  thieves.  In 
addition  to  being  robbed  he  was 
badly  beaten  and  left  for  dead.  A- 
long  comes  a priest.  Surely  this 
man  will  stop;  but  without  even 
giving  first  aid  he  goes  on  his  way. 
The  second  man,  a Levite,  stops, 
looks  at  the  man,  pities  him.  But 
he,  too,  moves  on,  leaving  the  man 
half -dead,  broken,  bleeding,  helpless. 

Then  the  Samaritan  appears,  an 
unknown  man  of  another  nation. 
Jesus  said,  “He  was  filled  with  com- 
passion” for  one  who  was  suffer- 
ing. Instead  of  looking  for  excuses 
to  bypass  the  suffering  man,  the 
Samaritan  is  moved  to  action:  he 
stops  to  help  this  brother  in  dis- 
tress, pours  wine  upon  his  wounds 
to  keep  down  inflammation  and  oil 


*Pastor.  Menn.  Church,  Blooming  Glen, 
Pa.  From  an  address  given  at  the  Menno- 
nonite  Disaster  Service  annual  meeting, 
Chicago,  Feb.  12,  1959. 


to  insure  healing,  binds  up  his 
wounds,  sets  him  upon  a beast, 
takes  him  to  the  inn,  and  pays  the 
bill. 

Jesus  turns  to  the  lawyer  and 
says,  “You  asked  me  ‘Who  is  my 
neighbor?’  I have  told  you  a story. 
Now  you  tell  me,  who  do  you  think 
was  neighborly?”  Unhesitatingly 
the  lawyer  replied,  “He  who  showed 
mercy.” 

Today,  too,  we  see  people  who 
are  beaten  up.  I suppose  most  of 
us  have  at  one  time  or  another 
been  on  the  scene  of  a disaster.  I 
recall  the  flood  disaster  in  eastern 
Pennsylvania  in  August,  1955.  The 
rains  came.  Rivers  and  streams 
overflowed  their  banks.  In  a mat- 
ter of  hours  many  bridges  were 
washed  away.  In  the  course  of  one 
night  a swift  current  of  water 
swept  through  towns  in  the  valley 
taking  along  houses  and  animals 
and  people.  Death  and  destruction 
were  everywhere.  I shall  never  for- 
get one  of  the  first  sights  I saw — 
mud  being  shoveled  out  of  windows 
on  the  first  floor,  the  second  floor, 
the  third  floor.  Amid  all  the  rubble 
and  ruin  we  saw  faces  — empty 
faces,  dazed  faces,  hopeless  faces. 

There  were  people  in  our  area,  in 
Mennonite  churches  too,  who 
shrugged  their  shoulders  and  made 
excuses  for  not  going  to  the  rescue. 
They  were  too  busy,  weren’t  feeling 
too  well,  ready  to  go  on  vacation, 
it  was  too  far  away.  Here  were  pro- 
fessing Christians  who  passed  them 
up.  But  there  were  others  who  laid 
aside  everything  and  went  to  the 
disaster  scene. 

Come  and  Gone 

I suppose  every  one  of  our  Men- 
nonite Disaster  Units  is  noted  for 
being  on-the-spot  and  eager  to  serve 
no  matter  how  difficult  the  task. 
We  have  been  known  for  our  ef- 
ficient organization  and  operation. 
We  have  received  good  publicity,  we 


have  been  called  heroes,  we  have 
been  honored.  But  have  we  really 
left  a spiritual  impact  upon  those 
whom  we  have  helped?  Can  it  be 
that  we  are  nothing  more  than  “an- 
gels of  mercy  — helicopter  style” 
dropping  in  on  those  who  have  suf- 
fered tragedy,  and  then,  when  the 
cleaning  up  operations  have  ended, 
taking  off  for  home,  never  to  be 
seen  or  heard  of  again? 

How  well  have  we  been  able  to 
share  our  faith  with  disaster  vic- 
tims? Have  we  been  able  to  get 
across  to  them  the  reasons  for  our 
service?  Do  they  know  us  as 
committed  followers  of  Christ  and 
His  love? 

Continued  Contact 

I should  like  to  suggest  three 
areas  which  would  enable  us  to 
give  a spiritual  message  to  the  in- 
dividuals or  communities  in  which 
we  work:  (1)  The  family  plan — 

the  disaster  volunteer,  perhaps  with 
his  family,  could  call  upon  the  fam- 
ilies he  has  helped.  Keep  in  touch; 
visit  with  them  and  share  your  con- 
victions and  ideals.  (2)  The  church 
plan — visit  your  new  friends  as  a 
brotherhood  or  invite  the  disaster 
community  to  an  annual  anniver- 
sary service  in  your  church.  There 
may  be  a possibility  of  a summer 
Bible  school  in  the  community.  This 
doesn’t  mean  we  must  throw  our 
faith  at  them.  (3)  The  community 
organization  plan  — some  of  you 
might  belong  to  community  service 
clubs.  What  have  you  done  as  a 
Christian  in  helping  your  local  club 
relate  to  a similar  organization  in 
the  disaster  community?  This  could 
well  be  the  beginning  of  continued 
friendship. 

We  must  know  what  the  law  of 
God  really  is.  We  must  be  neigh- 
bors. Past  generations  have  been 
faithful  in  passing  on  to  us  a living 
faith;  now  as  Good  Samaritans,  let’s 
share  it! 


tHE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church. 
Entered  at  North  Newton,  Kansas,  post  office  as  second  class  matter.  Acceptance  for  mailing -at  special  rate  of  postage:  section  1103,  Act 
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Office,  North  Newton,  Kan.,  or  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan.  Address  manuscripts  for  publication  to  J.  N.  Smucker,  Editor,  THE  MENNONITE, 
Woodward  Place,  Goshen,  Ind.  Postmasters:  change  of  address  Form  3579  to  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan. 


180 


THE  MENNONITE 


OVER  the  past  five  years  two 
Mennonite  colonies  have  been 
established  in  Bolivia.  Tres  Palmas, 
meaning  three  palms,  is  the  name 
of  the  first  colony  established  by 
six  families  from  the  Fernheim  Col- 
ony, Paraguay,  in  January  1954.  It 
now  consists  of  twelve  families. 
The  second  colony  was  established 
in  1957  on  land  adjacent  to  Tres 
Palmas.  It  consists  of  twenty-five 
families  coming  from  the  Menno 
Colony  in  the  Chaco.  The  colonies 
are  not  well  organized  either  reli- 
giously or  economically.  Nicolai 
Kroeker,  a farmer  and  lay  preach- 
er, is  serving  both  colonies  as  spir- 
itual leader.  Services  are  held  on 
alternate  Sundays  at  each  colony. 

Those  families  migrating  to  Bo- 
livia were  in  search  of  a way  of 
improving  their  economic  condition. 
Some  of  them  expressed  a strong 
desire  to  operate  as  free  enterprise 
farmers  without  the  compulsory  co- 
operation necessary  in  the  Para- 
guayan colonies.  None  of  the  thirty- 
seven  families  now  in  Bolivia  were 
among  the  more  successful  farm- 
ers in  Paraguay.  After  several  ex- 
ploratory trips  to  Bolivia  by  dele- 
gations of  investigators,  a decision 
was  reached  to  “try  Bolivia.” 

This  country  is  trying  to  attract 
about  5000  farm  families  into  the 
Santa  Cruz  area  in  order  to  increase 
agricultural  production.  Special  in- 
ducements are  being  offered  to  im- 
migrants who  come  to  Bolivia.  A- 
mong  such  inducements  two  have 
been  of  special  interest  to  the  Men- 
nonites.  One  is  the  guarantee  of 
religious  freedom,  including  exemp- 
tion from  military  service  and  con- 
trol of  schools;  the  other  is  finan- 
cial assistance  in  the  form  of  super- 
vised credit  somewhat  comparable 
to  programs  in  North  America, 
formerly  known  as  Farm  Security 
Administration,  and  now  known  as 
Farmers  Home  Administration.  The 
credit  is  intended  to  help  new  col- 
onists with  money  for  temporary 
food  needs  until  they  begin  produc- 
ing their  own,  with  capital  for  ma- 
chinery and  livestock,  and  with  crop 
loans. 

Frank  Wiens,  South  American  Di- 
rector of  MCC  activities,  accompan- 
ied me  to  Bolivia.  This  was  fortu- 
nate since  he  had  worked  for  U.  S. 
Point  Four  as  colonization  advisor 
for  a year  and  a half  out  of  the 
La  Paz,  Bolivia,  office  and  was  thus 
familiar  with  the  Santa  Cruz  area. 


Mennonites 

in 

Bolivia 


J.  W.  Fretz 


This  area  is  considered  the  most 
fertile  agricultural  spot  in  Bolivia. 

The  Tres  Palmas  colony  has  had 
the  advantage  of  five  years’  work 
and  experience  plus  a good  deal  of 
assistance  from  supervised  credit. 
Most  of  the  twelve  families  are  thus 
rather  well  established,  considering 
the  usual  struggles  of  a new  colony. 
The  Canadian  Colony,  however,  is 
having  considerable  difficulty.  The 
families  came  out  of  the  Chaco  with 
very  little  or  no  money;  they  have 
not  received  the  credit  which  they 
had  been  promised  and  for  this  rea- 
son they  have  not  all  been  able  to 
move  on  to  their  land,  clear  and 
plant  it.  Seventeen  of  the  twenty- 
five  families  are  on  their  own  land 
but  have  not  been  able  to  clear  and 
plant  as  much  as  they  need  to.  The 
eight  most  recently  arrived  families 
are  still  without  land  and  are  living 
in  temporary  quarters. 

Mr.  Wiens  and  I spoke  to  the 
Supervised  Credit  representatives  in 
Santa  Cruz  about  these  problems 
and  received  a most  sympathetic 
hearing.  They  asked  us  for  our 
recommendations,  expressed  a will- 
ingness to  do  all  they  could,  and 
said  the  Mennonites  were  without 
a doubt  the  best  colonists  since  they 
were  experienced  farmers,  exceed- 
ingly hard  workers,  and  developed 
a diversified  type  of  family  farm. 
This,  they  felt,  is  exactly  what  Bo- 
livia needed.  I appealed  to  the 
Board  of  Christian  Service  for  a 
financial  contribution  and  it  was 
promptly  sent.  The  contribution 
plus  private  contributions  and  the 
hope  of  government  credit  will 
help  to  bridge  the  temporary  strug- 
gle. 

Each  of  the  villages  has  a school. 
For  the  past  two  years  the  Fern- 
heim Colony  furnished  a teacher  to 
the  Tres  Palmas  group,  which  has 


about  fifteen  children.  The  Canadi- 
an Colony  has  forty-eight  school 
children.  Families  in  this  colony 
are  quite  large.  Spiritually,  there  is 
much  room  for  growth.  Many  of 
these  colonists  were  not  active  in 
religious  matters  in  Paraguay.  Ev- 
ery person  we  talked  to — and  we 
talked  to  representatives  of  almost 
every  family — were  agreed  that  the 
climate  here  was  more  favorable 
than  in  Paraguay.  They  felt,  too, 
the  proximity  to  markets  was  an 
asset.  On  the  whole,  optimism 
seemed  to  prevail  and  there  were 
no  regrets  in  having  moved  to  Bo- 
livia. Several  women  expressed  the 
deep  desire  to  have  a larger  num- 
ber of  families. 

Susan  Hiebert  from  Steinbach, 
Manitoba,  who  served  for  several 
years  in  the  Menno  Colony  in  Par- 
aguay, has  come  to  Bolivia  and 
opened  a small  clinic-hospital.  She 
is  serving  both  Bolivians  and  Men- 
nonites and  looks  upon  her  work  as 
a missionary  challenge. 

As  in  many  parts  of  South  Amer- 
ica, there  are  vast  numbers  of  rural 
families  that  seldom  see  a priest 
although  they  think  of  themselves 
as  Roman  Catholics.  In  the  absence 
of  organized  religion  they  develop 
and  devise  both  forms  of  worship 
and  systems  of  belief  that  are  a 
mixture  of  faith,  idolatry,  and  su- 
perstition. Moral  practices  that  are 
considered  shocking  to  the  devout 
evangelical  Christian  are  accepted 
as  quite  normal  by  these  poor,  un- 
educated, and  spiritually  unenlight- 
ened people.  The  Tres  Palmas  com- 
munity has  been  diligently  search- 
ing for  a schoolteacher  with  a mis- 
sionary interest  to  serve  both  Men- 
nonites and  Bolivians. 

As  we  visited  with  the  families 
in  their  homes  and  worshiped  with 
them  in  their  Sunday  service,  I had 


The  Jacob  and  John  Neufeld  fam- 
ilies, Bolivia. 


March  24,  1959 


181 


long  thoughts  about  the  different 
way  God  works  in  the  lives  of  all 
of  us.  Here  were  people  with  the 
same  names,  the  same  backgrounds, 
the  same  basic  interests,  singing 
the  same  hymns,  uttering  the  same 
prayers,  and  having  the  same  long- 
time goals  of  Mennonites  every- 
where. They  came  here  to  a new 
country  not  authorized  by  a con- 

Seminary 
Board  Meets 

WHILE  a fuller  report  will  ap- 
pear in  the  Mennonite  Bib- 
lical Seminary  Bulletin,  we  give 
here  a few  highlights  of  the  meet- 
ing of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of 
Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary,  held 
March  4-5.  Meeting  at  this  time  en- 
abled Board  members  also  to  at- 
tend the  first  series  in  the  Associ- 
ated Mennonite  Biblical  Seminaries 
lectureship,  presented  this  year  by 
Eugene  Nida,  translations  secretary 
of  American  Bible  Society.  Dr. 
Nida’s  lectures  struck  at  the  key 
purpose  of  Mennonite  Biblical  Sem- 
inary: “Communication  of  the  Gos- 
pel.” 

President’s  Report.  President 
Waltner  reported  on  progress  dur- 
ing the  first  year  of  operation  at 
Elkhart,  on  faculty  operations, 
plant  development,  and  other  as- 
pects of  getting  started  in  the  new 
program  of  seminary  education. 
Special  mention  was  made  of  the 
three  primary  areas  of  co-operation 
in  the  Associated  Seminaries  pro- 
gram: the  joint  library,  joint  class- 
es, and  the  Institute  of  Mennonite 
Studies. 

Dean’s  Report.  Dean  Pannabecker 
reported  on  the  curriculum,  stating 
that  the  turnover  to  the  new  course 
of  studies  is  satisfactory  and  that 
the  joint  class  work  with  Goshen 
College  Biblical  Seminary  is  work- 
ing well.  He  referred  to  a two-year 
study  on  curriculum  being  conduct- 
ed by  the  Associated  Mennonite 
Biblical  Seminaries.  Total  enroll- 
ment was  reported  as  58,  and  men- 
tion was  made  of  two  summer 
school  sessions. 


ference,  not  sponsored  by  a colony 
or  a congregation.  They  came  as  a 
group  of  seeking  individuals — seek- 
ing for  a better  and  a more  mean- 
ingful way  of  life.  They  do  not  con- 
sider themselves  religious  or  spir- 
itually pious,  and  yet  I can’t  help 
think  that  God  may  be  using  these 
new  colonists  in  a new  country  to 
expand  the  Kingdom.  The  common 


Spiritual  Life  and  Deputation 
Plans.  Chairman  Marvin  J.  Dirks 
pointed  to  the  daily  chapel  periods 
as  a very  vital  part  of  the  life  of 
the  school.  Weekly  prayer  meetings 
alternate  between  an  all-school  func- 
tion and  smaller  groups.  Professor 
Dirks  announced  plans  for  a depu- 
tation trip  to  Iowa,  Kansas,  and 
Oklahoma  during  the  Easter  recess. 

Practical  Work.  Director  of  Prac- 
tical Work  Leland  Harder  referred 
to  the  policy  of  the  seminary  that 
all  students  participate  in  practical 
work.  He  listed  the  places  students 
serve  and  what  they  do,  saying, 
“In  all  these  ways,  the  practical 
work  experience  is  not  only  a means 
of  practical  internship,  but  also  a 
genuine  opportunity  to  minister  and 
serve  for  Christ’s  sake.” 

Library.  Librarian  Magdalen  Frie- 
sen  reported  on  the  development  of 
our  library  in  the  context  of  the 
library  arrangements  of  Associat- 
ed Mennonite  Biblical  Seminaries, 
went  into  details  as  to  the  inner 
workings  of  the  three  libraries  and 
reported  two  major  gifts  of  books. 
By  gift  and  purchase  there  were 
765  acquisitions  thus  far  this  aca- 
demic year. 

Institute  of  Mennonite  Studies. 
Director  C.  J.  Dyck  reported  for 
this  research  arm  of  the  Associated 
Seminaries,  speaking  of  present  ac- 
tivities and  future  plans.  He  made 
special  reference  to  the  first  meet- 
ing of  the  advisory  council  of  the 
Institute  of  Mennonite  Studies,  held 
in  Elkhart  Jan.  3 and  announced 
that  a seminar  is  being  sponsored 
on  June  18  on  the  Elkhart  campus. 

Business  Office.  Business  Manager 
C.  J.  Dyck  gave  full  reports  of  the 
business  and  financial  operations  of 
the  seminary,  referring  to  the  sale 
of  Chicago  properties  and  giving, 
special  attention  to  the  business 
operations  at  Elkhart.  He  noted 
that  $30,000  had  been  paid  on  the 


man,  the  little  people,  the  unimpor- 
tant people  who  are  lost  in  the  col- 
onies at  home,  seem  to  be  chal- 
lenged by  the  new  situations  and 
often  emerge  as  leaders  of  other 
men  in  the  new  colonies.  “God 
moves  in  mysterious  ways  His  won- 
ders to  perform.” 

Thus  far  no  church  is  organized. 
All  the  people  worship  together. 


bank  loan  in  December  and  that 
$210,000  still  remains  to  be  paid. 

Building  Committee.  Chairman  S. 
F.  Pannabecker  said  that  the  basic 
building  operations  are  completed. 
He  listed  a number  of  questions 
still  to  be  settled,  upon  which  the 
Board  took  action.  Buildings  are  in 
full  operation  and  are  proving  sat- 
isfactory. 

Public  Relations.  Director  A.  R. 
Shelly  reported  briefly  on  publicity 
church  visitations  and  other  phases 
of  work  and  reported  on  stu- 
dents. He  announced  that  the  April 
issue  of  Mennonite  Life  will  feature 
the  Associated  Mennonite  Biblical 
Seminaries,  and  that  a 16mm.  color 
sound  film  is  being  produced  by 
William  Zehr  entitled  This  Day. 

Finance  Committee.  Chairman  A. 
R.  Shelly  reported  on  the  fund  rais- 
ing program  during  the  past  years 
with  special  reference  to  1958.  He 
stated  that  the  Lord  has  blessed 
and  that  more  and  more  of  our 
people  are  catching  the  vision  of 
the  need  for  sacrificial  sharing. 
Since  the  Elkhart  accounts  were 
opened  Nov.  1,  1956,  $406,471  has 
been  contributed.  Of  this  amount, 
42%  was  in  amounts  of  $99  and 
less;  20%  was  in  amounts  of  $100 
to  $999,  and  38%  was  in  amounts  of 
$1,000  and  over.  During  1958,  church 
giving  reached  an  all-time  high. 

Mention  was  made  that  1959  is  a 
very  crucial  year  for  the  seminary 
financially,  and  that  although  the 
total  goal  was  not  reached,  more 
was  given  during  January  and  Feb- 
ruary than  last  year. 

The  Board  of  'Trustees  met  in  an 
atmosphere  of  humble  gratitude 
and  deep  commitment,  remember- 
ing the  ways  the  Lord  had  led.  As 
He  has  led  in  the  past.  President 
Rosenberger  said,  so  we  go  on  with 
confidence  in  this  work  to  which 
He  has  called  us. 

—A.  R.  Shelly 


182 


THE  MENNONITE 


The  Power  of  the  Resurrection 


IT.  Harley  King* 

WHAT  has  Easter  come  to  mean 
to  us  this  year?  Does  the  res- 
urrection of  Christ  mean  all  it 
might?  Consider  what  it  meant  to 
the  Apostle  Paul.  He  never  outlived 
the  wonder  of  Christ’s  atoning  sac- 
rifice for  sin.  Yet  Paul  saw  clearly 
that  unless  Christ  had  risen  from 
the  dead  all  faith  was  futile — all 
was  lost.  He  had  met  Him  face  to 
face  on  the  Damascus  road;  it  was 
this  experience  which  wrought  such 
an  amazing  revolution  in  his  life. 
To  the  Apostle,  the  Resurrection 
was  the  miracle  of  miracles:  a stu- 
pendous creative  act  of  God.  In  his 
great  prayer  for  the  believers  (Eph. 
1:19-20)  he  yearns  that  they  might 
know  “what  is  the  exceeding  great- 
ness of  his  power  to  us-ward.” 

Why  did  the  thought  of  Christ’s 
resurrection  so  captivate  Paul’s 
thought  and  imagination?  To  raise 


*Pastor,  Hanston  Church.  Hanston,  Kan. 


one  from  the  dead  was  no  new  mir- 
acle— Elijah  restored  to  life  the 
widow’s  son;  Christ  raised  the 
daughter  of  Jairus  and  also  Laza- 
rus. But  Christ  arose  from  the  dead 
possessing  a glorified  body,  no  more 
subject  to  death,  unhindered  by  the 
material  world.  A God  who  could 
work  such  a miracle  was  able  to  do 
for  believers  abundantly  above 
what  they  could  ask  or  think,  ac- 
cording to  the  power  working  in 
them. 

The  same  almighty  power 
which  raised  Christ  from  the  dead 
has  quickened  those  who  were  dead 
in  trespasses  and  sins  (Eph.  2:1). 
That  power  has  also  “raised  us  up 
together,  and  made  us  sit  together 
in  heavenly  places  in  Christ  Jesus” 
(2:6).  Through  faith,  the  power  of 
God  which  wrought  the  miracle  of 
the  Resurrection  may  be  ours  also. 
This  is  realized  only  in  full  surren- 
der to  God,  in  willing  to  be  but  the 


VII.  THE  SIX  OF  GLUTTONY 


Gluttony,  the  last  of  the  seven 
deadly  sins,  may  be  the  one  of 
which  the  reader  thinks  he  is  not 
guilty.  Others  may  eat  too  much, 
but  it’s  a rare  individual  who  thinks 
he  himself  does.  But,  alas,  gluttony 
refers  to  more  than  food,  including 
as  it  does  the  excessive  consump- 
tion of  all  goods  and  services.  Glut- 
tonous consumption  of  food  and 
drink  is  common,  but  scarcely  more 
common  than  gluttonous  consump- 
tion of  manufactured  goods,  gad- 
gets, machinery,  and  the  like.  And 
equally  common  is  the  gluttonous 
consumption  of  services — entertain- 
ment, medical  attention,  beauty 
parlor  services,  and  many  other 
personal  ministries  involving  the 
services  of  other  people. 

This  is  not  to  deny  the  good  that 
is  in  all  the  abundance  which  God 
has  provided.  Properly  used,  this 
abundance  fosters  the  growth  of 
the  human  spirit.  But  the  vicious 
circle  of  consumption  for  consump- 


tion’s sake  can  destroy. 

For  one  thing,  consider  how  glut- 
tony destroys  all  sense  of  the  valu- 
able. The  glutton  buys  a book  to 
read  and  discard.  Serviceable  cloth- 
ing must  be  discarded  because  it 
has  ceased  to  be  fashionable.  The 
innumerable  gadgets  for  living  are 
tossed  aside  as  they  become  obso- 
lete. Historical  traditions  seem  like 


The  Seven  Deadly  Sins 

nothing  because  “you  can’t  eat  tra- 
ditions.” The  spiritual  is  “imprac- 
tical” and  religion  “doesn’t  pay.” 
Gluttony  destroys  the  true  value  of 
things. 

What’s  more,  gluttony  misses  the 
very  blessing  for  which  it  reaches, 
namely,  the  enjoyment  of  life. 
There  comes  quickly  bondage  to 
gluttony,  when  a man  must  have 
everything  and  is  made  miserable 


instrument  of  His  glory.  As  we  be- 
gin to  realize  this  fact  and  by  faith 
lay  claim  to  this  promise,  astound- 
ing things  will  begin  to  happen  and 
the  work  of  God  will  go  forward. 

Are  we  ready  to  yield  ourselves 
to  Him,  body  and  soul  and  spirit? 
Are  we  ready  to  use  His  power  for 
His  glory  in  the  salvation  of  souls? 
If  so,  we  are  ready  to  be  nothing 
that  Christ  may  be  everything,  and 
then  we  shall  be  “strengthened 
with  all  might,  according  to  his 
glorious  power,  unto  all  patience 
and  longsuffering  with  joyfulness” 
(Col.  1:11).  And  we  shall  begin  to 
know  “what  is  the  exceeding  great- 
ness of  his  power  to  us-ward  who 
believe,  according  to  the  working 
of  his  mighty  power,  which  he 
wrought  in  Christ,  when  he  raised 
him  from  the  dead,  and  set  him  at 
his  own  right  hand  in  the  heavenly 
places”  (Eph.  1:19-20). 

The  Workers  Exchange 


because  he  cannot  have  everything. 

And  gluttony  is  particularly  of- 
fensive from  the  Christian  point  of 
view  because  it  is  so  crassly  self- 
centered.  It  knows  nothing  what- 
ever of  consideration  for  others  but 
is  always  ready  to  satisfy  itself 
at  the  expense  of  others. 

We  have  not  described  the  seven 
deadly  sins  and  enumerated  their 
perils  for  the  purpose  of  pronounc- 
ing judgment.  Rather,  our  hope  is 
that  some  may  be  led  through  this 
to  a fresh  recognition  of  their  need 
for  Jesus  Christ.  Only  Christ  can 
deliver  men  from  sin — whether  the 
sin  be  gluttony,  pride,  envy,  anger, 
dejection,  avarice,  or  lust.  Before 
this  list  none  can  but  acknowledge 
himself  to  be  guilty  and  recognize 
in  his  guilt  his  own  vast  need  for 
Christ.  We  each  need  a Saviour;  we 
need  to  be  redeemed;  we  need  the 
forgiveness  which  Christ  offers. 

— Robert  W.  Hartzler,  pastor  of 
Eighth  Street  Church,  Goshen,  Ind. 


March  24,  1959 


183 


Mennonite  men 

Service  at  Gulfport 


Last  December,  five  men  in  a 
station  wagon  filled  with  tools 
headed  south  one  thousand  miles 
toward  Gulfport,  Miss.  They  were 
A.  B.  Froese,  P.  R.  Lohrentz,  Ray- 
mond Siemens,  Eldo  Regier,  and 
D.  L.  Regier,  all  from  the  Buhler, 
Kan.,  community.  Mostly  farmers, 
they  had  left  home,  field,  and  busi- 
ness work  behind  for  one  week  to 
give  voluntary  service  in  Gulfport. 
The  men  noted  as  the  miles  passed 
that  farm  buildings  were  getting 
smaller  and  less  modern  and  that 
the  climate  was  getting  milder.  As 
they  drove  through  Mississippi,  they 
observed  with  curiosity  this  state 


Looking  Toivard  Bluffton 

IT  IS  not  too  early  to  start  think- 
ing about  attending  the  General 
Conference  to  be  held  at  Bluffton 
Aug.  12-20.  Since  our  conference 
was  organized  in  1860,  this  confer- 
ence session  has  been  designated 
as  the  Centennial  Sessions,  signify- 
ing the  approaching  one-century 
mark  of  conference  history.  Local 
committees  in  the  Bluffton  area 
have  been  at  work  for  some  time 
already,  preparing  for  those  who 
will  attend. 

Without  a doubt,  a large  per- 
centage of  ministers  are  planning 
to  attend  these  Centennial  Sessions 


Leadership  Conference 

Mennonite  Men  of  the  west- 
ern District  Conference  held 
their  fifth  annual  Leadership  Con- 
ference at  the  Buhler  Rural  High 
School  in  Buhler,  Kansas.  This 
workshop-type  conference  was  held 
Feb.  21-22  and  was  designed  to  gen- 
erate interest  and  inspiration  for 
the  leaders  of  the  local  brother- 
hoods. Pastor  Waldo  Kaufman 
served  as  co-ordinator  of  the  pro- 
gram and  led  in  the  worship  serv- 
ices of  all  sessions.  The  messages 
and  discussion  periods  centered  a- 
round  the  general  themes  of  stew- 
ardship, program,  and  service.  Pe- 


which  has  a population  of  48% 
Negro  and  52%  white,  a per  capita 
income  of  around  $700,  and  the 
strongest  segregation  tradition  in 
the  South. 

Arriving  on  a Sunday,  the  men 
plunged  into  the  task  of  remodel- 
ing a barracks  into  an  apartment 
for  a Voluntary  Service  couple  on 
Monday  morning.  They  did  Ccirpen- 
try,  plumbing,  and  whatever  was 
needed;  material  was  furnished  by 
the  Conference.  The  men  were  ham- 
pered slightly  by  lack  of  the  right 
kind  of  tools  for  every  job,  since 
they  did  not  know  beforehand  all 
that  they  would  need  to  do.  In 


— but  how  about  the  laymen?  The 
conference  definitely  needs  the  sup- 
port of  the  devoted  laboring,  busi- 
ness, and  professional  men  of  our 
churches,  and  every  man  interested 
in  the  work  of  the  church  needs  the 
inspiration  and  fellowship  that 
these  sessions  of  conference  will  af- 
ford. Conference  time  is  a time  of 
spiritual  growth  and  a source  of 
renewed  interest  in  the  work  of 
Christ  and  His  Church.  So  this  year, 
let  us  as  Mennonite  Men  not  mere- 
ly plan  to  send  our  pastor  to  con- 
ference; let  us  go  with  him  to  share 
in  this  deep  spiritual  experience. 


riods  of  group  recreation  were  ob- 
served between  sessions  and  before 
retiring  for  the  night.  Also,  whole- 
some times  of  fellowship  were  ex- 
perienced by  all  those  in  attend- 
ance at  mealtime,  etc. 

This  conference,  indeed,  proved 
to  be  a mountain  top  experience 
and  was  a source  of  inspiration  for 
all  the  men  who  took  time  from 
their  busy  everyday  routine  of  life 
to  attend.  Undoubtedly  this  confer- 
ence wiU  help  to  build  better  pro- 
grams and  projects  for  the  local 
brotherhoods  whose  leaders  attend- 
ed. 


spite  of  such  inconveniences  as 
having  to  run  uptown  to  have  pipes 
threaded,  in  one  week  they  had  laid 
flooring,  built  kitchen  cabinets, 
nailed  on  sheetrock  for  room  par- 
tions  and  stripped  it,  and  done  most 
of  the  plumbing.  By  the  end  of  the 
week  the  barracks  had  turned  into 
a home  with  living  room,  kitchen, 
bathroom,  and  bedroom. 

Before  leaving  for  home,  the 
men  took  time  for  some  deep-sea 
fishing  on  the  Gulf.  In  the  evenings 
the  five  Kansans  were  saddened  by 
what  they  saw.  One  of  the  men 
comments:  “The  colored  people  are 
not  exactly  slaves  any  more  but 
they  are  next  to  it.  We  were  told 
that  in  some  instances  they  are 
kept  away  from  the  poUs.  They  are 
not  seen  in  front  of  business  places 
or  stores.  They  are  used  for  un- 
skilled work. 

“The  Negroes  see  that  they  are 
underprivileged,  and  they  try  to 
lose  themselves  in  the  world.  Night 
clubs  are  many;  there  are  beer 
joints  on  all  corners,  and  houses  of 
vice.  Bartenders  pay  off  the  law 
once  a month  so  that  they  can  sell 
liquor  openly  in  a dry  state.” 

Orlo  Kaufman,  director  of  the 
work  at  Gulfport,  took  the  men  to 
see  the  Community  Center.  They 
had  questions,  to  ask:  “Who  owns 
this  place?  Why  such  an  old  un- 
painted building?”  The  director  an- 
swered, “We,  the  General  Confer- 
ence Mennonite  Church,  own  the 
place  and  building.  The  Center  can 
buy  only  as  much  as  we  supply  it 
with  funds.” 

All  in  all,  the  men  felt,  there  was 
great  opportunity  for  work  and  wit- 
ness in  Gulfport.  One  of  the  men 
said,  “The  whole  group  benefited 
from  the  experience  . . . more  work 
of  this  nature  should  be  encour- 
aged. I would  suggest  that  Menno- 
nite Men  organizations  encourage 
and  sponsor  such  projects.  The  Mis- 
sion Board  could  provide  for  more 
of  this  type  of  voluntary  service 
by  men.  Many  of  us  Mennonites 
are  so  busy  with  working  for  our- 
selves that  we  may  miss  some  of 
the  richest  experiences  we  Ccin  have 
“ in  serving  the  needy  with  our  time 
and  money  in  the  name  of  Christ.” 
(Jan.  11-15,  Pastor  Ben  Rahn,  Men- 
no  Doerksen,  Henry  Doerksen,  and 
LaV erne  Neufeldt,  of  Inman  Church, 
Inman,  Kan.,  also  worked  at  Gulf- 
port.) 

Editor:  Richard  F.  Graber,  Moundridge,  Kan. 


184 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  youth 


Prayer  for  Easter 

God, 

We  are  so  surrounded  with  the  beauty 
And  magnificence  of  this  season 

That  it  is  only  natural  to  give  thanks  from  the  depths  of  our  souls. 

We  thank  Thee  for  the  churches  in  which  we  will  worship  next  Sunday, 
Tor  our  homes,  our  schools,  our  jobs. 

For  the  capacity  for  friendship  and  love. 

We  thank  Thee  for  the  fact  of  a living  Lord 
Who  showed  Thee  to  us. 

And  with  our  thanks  we  would  ask  Thee  to  give  us 
Ambitions  that  are  bent  to  Thy  love. 

Standards  that  meet  with  Thy  approval, 

Ideals  that  harmonize  with  those  fesus  taught. 

God, 

Sometimes  we  go  all  out  to  give  honor  to  Thee — 

We  want  things  beautiful  and  magnificent 
And  then  we  say,  "This  is  dedicated  to  God.” 

But  teach  us  also  to  realize  the  greater  greatness 
Of  patience  and  empathy. 

Of  taking  time  out  to  listen. 

Of  giving  up  something  in  order  to  give. 

Teach  us  to  know  the  strength 
Of  personality  which  is  dedicated  to  Thee. 

And  with  these  requests  we  would  ask  Thee  to  forgive  us 
For  acting  as  if  we  were  centers  of  the  universe, 

For  becoming  so  involved  with  second-rate  things. 

For  slighting  time  spent  alone  with  Thee. 

God, 

We  are  surrounded  by  the  newness  of  life  that  has  not  grown  old 
Since  the  first  Easter  when  fesus  illustrated  it. 

We  ask  Thee  to  awaken  in  us 
A rededicated  response  to  Thy  love. 

Amen. 


March  24,  1959 


185 


Yokes  for  Youth 


by  Aaron  J.  Epp* 


Those  who  receive  The  Menno- 
nite  found  a thought  provoking 
cover  on  the  Jan.  27  issue.  It  is  a 
picture  of  a girl  in  deep  thought. 
I wondered  why  it  wasn’t  a picture 
of  a girl  with  a beaming  face.  Spec- 
ulation can  lead  us  on  an  endless 
trail.  But  then,  I still  like  to  think 
that  youth  is  serious.  Youth  waints 
to  know,  wants  to  do  what  is  right. 
The  molding  of  character  is  today 
rather  than  tomorrow.  Too  often 
we  are  slow  and  allow  a shock  to 
awaken  us  to  this  fact. 

There  is  a text  for  this  article  in 
the  Lamentations  of  Jeremiah,  3:27. 
“It  is  good  for  a man  that  he  bear 
the  yoke  in  his  youth.”  In  other 
words,  it  is  good  to  bear  a yoke 
when  you  are  young.  Hard  to  be- 
lieve? 

Yoke  can  mean  various  things.  It 
can  refer  to  discipline — work  that 
is  irksome,  compulsory,  and  pain- 
ful. On  the  other  hand,  Matthew 
11:29-30  reads,  “Take  my  yoke  upon 
you  and  learn  of  me.”  This  speaks 
of  a yoke  of  service  and  obligation 
to  Jesus  Christ.  The  figure  is  taken 
from  farm  life.  If  an  ox  is  not  bro- 
ken in  when  it  is  young  it  will 
never  be  worth  much  for  the  plow. 

Together  with  mention  of  his 
yoke,  Jesus  gives  an  invitation: 
■“Come  unto  me,  all  ye  that  labour 
and  are  heavy  laden,  and  I will 
give  you  rest.”  To  those  who  are 
burdened  with  legal  requirements 
of  professed  religion,  to  those  whose 
hearts  are  heavy  with  doubt  and 
fear  and  guilt,  Jesus  gives  this  gra- 
cious call. 

The  people  to  whom  Jesus 
spoke  were  already  wearing  a 
yoke — the  yoke  of  the  law.  Jesus 
proposes  an  exchange  of  yokes.  The 
rabbis  themselves  referred  to  their 
religion  as  the  yoke  of  the  law. 
Now  Jesus  speaks  of  a voluntary 
yoke:  Take! 

We  all  agree  that  we  need  some- 


*Pastor. First  Church.  Reedley,  Calif. 


thing,  someone,  to  which  or  with 
whom  we  can  identify  ourselves. 
The  carefree  life  is  not  free  from 
care,  the  reasons  being  that  our 
nature  is  made  for  loyalty.  The  soul 
of  man  is  always  given  in  alle- 
giance, for  it  is  incomplete  in  it- 
self. Jesus  pleads  that  life  should 
be  given  to  God  by  faith.  So  this 
yoke  becomes  a yoke  of  faith — of 
personal  allegiance  to  Christ.  Jesus 
gives  release  from  the  yoke  of  me- 
chanical religion  and  in  its  place 
gives  humility,  that  there  may  be 
pardon  and  peace.  He  says  in  es- 
sence, My  yoke  is  that  men  should 
be  humble,  meek,  loving,  and  ten- 
derhearted. Do  this,  and  it  will  not 
only  give  you  peace,  it  will  shape 
your  whole  life. 

It  is  good  for  a person  to  bear 
Christ’s  yoke  in  his  youth  because 
it  saves  that  person  from  snares. 
There  are  many  of  us  today  who 
can  speak  of  the  grace  of  God  in 
our  life,  but  must  recall  tragedies 
of  our  youth  because  we  failed  to 
take  this  yoke  upon  ourselves  then. 
A devotion  to  Jesus  Christ  keeps 
us  from  giving  devotion  to  that 
which  is  less  than  Christ. 

It  is  good  for  a person  to  bear 
Christ’s  yoke  in  his  youth  because 
it  gives  him  a longer  time  in  which 
to  serve  the  Lord.  If  we  have  the 
conviction  that  God  is  true,  we  want 
to  be  with  God  after  death;  would 
it  not  stand  to  reason  that  we  would 
want  to  serve  Him  as  long  and  as 
much  as  possible?  The  earlier  we 
take  this  yoke  upon  ourselves,  the 
better  we  will  become  established 
in  things  of  God. 

Discipline  is  a second  yoke 
that  belongs  to  us.  A disci- 
plined young  person  becomes  an 
adult  who  knows  how  to  live.  'This 
is  not  true  because  young  people 
are  bad,  but  it  is  true  because  we 
all  need  training  in  order  to  de- 
velop and  grow  into  sound  char- 
acter. Too  much  is  at  stake.  Youth 
can  go  right  or  wrong,  and  the 


course  is  dependent  upon  the  yoke 
that  is  accepted  and  placed  upon 
them.  Discipline  is  the  handmaiden 
of  order.  Simply  to  say:  “Take  the 
yoke  of  Christ,  and  all  'will  be  well,” 
is  irresponsibility  on  my  part.  To 
say:  “Take  the  yoke  of  Christ  upon 
you  and  receive  the  discipline  of 
life,”  is  essential  for  the  develop- 
ment of  the  whole  man. 

I am  personally  persuaded  that 
youth  is  as  good  and  as  bad  as 
ever.  His  potential  for  good  or  evil 
are  ever  before  him.  There  is  an 
interesting  statement  on  an  Assyri- 
an tablet  dating  back  to  2800  b.  c.: 
“Our  earth  is  degenerating  in  these 
latter  days.  There  are  signs  that 
the  world  is  speedily  coming  to  an 
end.  Children  no  longer  obey  their 
parents.  . . .” 

Self-denial  is  a yoke  that  comes 
with  discipline.  The  efforts  needed 
in  forming  right  habits  are  a yoke. 
The  subordination  of  the  present  to 
the  future,  the  lower  to  the  higher, 
the  human  to  the  divine,  is  a yoke. 
Discipline  is  not  the  most  favored 
word  in  our  world.  We  talk  of  free- 
dom. We  delight  in  self-expression. 
We  believe  self  should  be  freed 
from  inhibitions.  Yes — but  all  this 
too  has  discipline  as  a lowest  com- 
mon denominator.  And  what  is 
more,  discipline  is  the  Christian 
way.  Ironically  enough,  many  of 
the  very  people  who  readily  admit 
the  necessity  of  discipline  in  science, 
art,  or  education,  object  to  it  in 
Christianity. 

Finally,  there  is  a yoke  of  ex- 
ternal circumstances.  Many  who 
have  had  hard  times  when  young 
have  come  to  worth,  later  on,  be- 
cause of  those  same  hard  times.  We 
must  keep  in  mind,  however,  that 
external  circumstances  have  not  in 
themselves  any  worth.  We  must 
make  the  decision  as  to  what  we 
are  going  to  do  with  circumstances. 
From  these  experiences  can  come 
good.  From  suffering  can  come  un- 
derstanding and  growth.  'Those  who 
are  strong  to  suffer  are  also  strong 
to  serve.  From  sacrifice  comes  great- 
er union  with  Christ.  It  all  depends 
how  we  interpret  our  circumstances. 

In  the  time  of  Jeremiah,  many  of 
the  young  people  were  carried  into 
captivity.  I believe  it  is  to  them 
that  he  said,  “It  is  good  for  a man 
that  he  bear  the  yoke  in  his  youth.” 
It  seems  so  difficult  to  say  that  the 
yoke  of  affliction  is  good,  and  yet  it 


186 


THE  MENNONITE 


is  this  that  had  made  men  humble, 
weaning  them  from  the  world. 

But  how  do  we  bear  the  yoke  so 
that  it  is  really  good  for  us  to  bear 
it?  In  verse  28  of  Lamentations  is 
one  answer:  when  we  sit  alone  and 
keep  silence.  In  other  words,  when 
we  do  not  run  to  and  fro  with  our 
complaints,  aggravating  our  calam- 
ities and  quarreling  with  God’s  acts 
concerning  us.  In  verse  30  is  an- 
other answer:  when  we  are  meek 
towards  those  who  are  the  instru- 
ments of  our  trouble,  when  we  are 
of  a forgiving  spirit.  If  tribulation 
works  patience,  patience  will  work 


First  Class  Mail 

To  THE  editor  of  the  Mennonite 
and  those  associated  with  its 
publication: 

This  letter  is  merely  a thank  you. 
I have  been  a reader  of  The  Men- 
nonite for  quite  a few  years  now, 
although  it  has  only  been  recently 
that  I have  really  gleaned  from  it. 
I’ve  been  a member  of  the  General 
Conference  Mennonite  Church 
(Deep  Run  Congregation)  now  for 
about  ten  years  and  didn’t  realize 
until  just  recently  how  much  I have 
come  to  appreciate  the  General 
Conference  scope. 

I was  rummaging  in  our  cellar 
and  came  across  a stack  of  old 
Mennonites  and  browsed  through 
them.  As  it  turned  out,  I carried  a 
huge  stack  up  to  my  room  where 
I could  delve  into  them  more  ex- 
tensively. I started  with  issues  dat- 


Six Thousand  Serve  God  and 

Since  the  beginning  of  the  1-W 
program  in  the  United  States  seven 
years  ago,  6,000  men  have  served 
as  1-W  conscientious  objectors  to 
military  training.  Pennsylvania, 
Ohio,  Indiana,  and  Kansas  furnish 
fifty  per  cent  of  the  total  men  en- 
tering alternative  service.  The  one 
in  3,000  registering  as  a CO  now  is 
a considerably  smaller  percentage 
than  during  World  War  'Two. 

In  June,  1958,  statistics  showed 
1,813  men  in  1-W.  Forty-nine  faiths 
were  represented,  and  of  these, 
1,174  were  Mennonite  and  Brethren 
in  Christ.  In  the  seven-year  period 
of  our  present  drafting  program,  45 


experience,  and  experience  will 
work  a hope  that  makes  not  a- 
shamed. 

Someone  has  said:  “It  is  the  very 
nature  of  every  belief  that  it  costs 
you  something.’’  A worldly  person, 
for  example,  is  a person  who  be- 
lieves in  this  world,  and  he  or  she 
does  not  mind  paying  for  it.  Such 
persons  will  pay  almost  any  price  to 
purchase  such  a corruptible  crown. 
They  believe  in  the  thing  and  there- 
fore they  pay  for  it.  When  we  are 
unwilling  to  pay  for  a thing,  it 
means  that  we  have  ceased  to  be- 
lieve in  it. 


ed  in  the  year  1951 — which  is  not 
too  far  back,  but  I spent  the  entire 
afternoon  at  this  task  and  have 
been  spending  many  of  my  evenings 
at  it  since  then.  It  is  amazing  to 
me  how  much  I got  out  of  these 
issues.  At  the  time  they  were  print- 
ed, I was  still  a young  adolescent 
and  did  not  have  the  breadth  to  ap- 
preciate many  of  the  articles.  Now 
with  the  addition  of  a few  years 
and  little  more  experience  in  the 
work  of  the  church — via  one  year  at 
Bluffton  College  and  a year  of  VS 
at  Prairie  View  Hospital — I feel  a 
bit  closer  to  the  work  of  our  church. 

Although  I am  merely  scanning 
these  issues,  I have  separated  quite 
a few  of  them  which  I plan  to  read 
thoroughly.  I would  recommend 
that  other  young  people  do  this. 
At  the  time  these  issues  were  print- 


Country 

men  were  recorded  as  having  no 
church  affiliation,  while  during  the 
war  period  there  were  776. 

According  to  Wilfred  Unruh, 
Board  of  Christian  Service,  128  men 
represent  the  General  Conference 
Mennonite  Church  in  the  1-W  pro- 
gram, 101  serving  in  the  United 
States  and  27  overseas.  Thirteen 
are  serving  under  the  Voluntary 
Service  and  Pax  programs  of  the 
church,  while  43  are  in  MCC  Volun- 
tary Service,  Pax,  or  on  the  staff 
at  MCC  headquarters,  making  a 
total  of  56  in  church-related  posi- 
tions. 'The  church  is  encouraging 
this  trend  to  church-related  1-W. 


These  are  the  three  yokes  I have 
been  speaking  of:  the  yoke  of 

Christ,  the  yoke  of  discipline  and 
restraint,  and  the  yoke  of  external 
circumstances.  Saying  it  in  another 
way:  give  yourselves  completely  to 
Jesus  Christ  in  all  that  He  asks  of 
you.  Accept  discipline  as  a means 
for  building  of  character.  Interpret 
difficult  circumstances  as  such 
which  youth  can  bear  and  which 
can  make  later  life  more  meaning- 
ful. The  interesting  and  startling 
thing  about  this  is  that  the  yokes 
that  fit  youth  fit  all  of  us!  These 
are  the  yokes  that  make  men  free. 


ed,  we  were  too  young  really  to 
know  what  was  going  on.  Now  that 
we  are  a little  wiser,  it  would  be  of 
inestimable  value  to  go  back  and 
search  through  the  back  issues  of 
The  Mennonite.  Thereby  you  can 
see  actual  existences  of  today  in 
their  dreaming,  planning,  and  grow- 
ing stages.  I was  especially  inter- 
ested in  the  issues  before,  during, 
and  after  the  establishment  of 
Prairie  View  Hospital. 

I would  certainly  like  to  add  my 
small  voice  to  those  of  people  who 
receive  a tremendous  blessing 
through  the  publication  of  The  Men- 
nonite. 

It  is  also  quite  interesting  to  see 
the  format  as  it  changes  and  e- 
volves  over  a period  of  years. 

Sincerely, 

Shirley  Moyer,  Pipersville,  Pa. 


Price  of  Peace 

French  conscientious  objectors, 
who  have  hitherto  faced  the  possi- 
bility of  repeated  prison  sentences, 
may  be  in  for  a slightly  happier 
future.  As  a result  of  a campaign 
organized  by  the  pacifist  periodical, 
Liberte,  seven  of  the  nine  COs 
who  have  served  five  or  more  years 
have  been  released,  among  them 
one  who  has  spent  nine  years  in 
prison.  More  than  100  men  are  still 
in. 

(from  Fellowship') 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People’s  Union  of  the  GeneroP 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  3003 
Benhom  Avenue,  Elkhart,  Indiana. 


March  24,  1959 


187 


our  schools 

SCIENCE  SEMINAR 

Ronald  Rich  and  Arnold  Wedel 
of  the  science  faculty  of  Bethel 
College  spent  March  3 at  Pretty 
Prairie  High  School  giving  popular 
addresses  on  science  subjects  and 
discussing  vocational  aspects  of  sci- 
ence. Rich,  who  teaches  chemistry 
and  astronomy  at  Bethel,  spoke  to 
the  Pretty  Prairie  students  on  “The 
Life  on  Other  Worlds”  and  demon- 
strated the  Geiger  Counter  and  a 
new  Field  electron  emission  micro- 
scope. He  also  discussed  satellites 
and  space  travel.  Wedel,  teaching 
in  the  area  of  mathematics,  spoke 
on  the  number  system  of  mathe- 
matics. In  the  afternoon  the  dis- 
cussion centered  upon  vocational 
opportunities  and  space  problems. 

MUSEUM  ANNEX  DEDICATED 

More  than  500  visitors  from  New- 
ton and  the  surrounding  area  vis- 
ited the  Kauffman  Museum  at  the 
occasion  of  the  dedication  of  the 
Museum  Annex  and  the  open  house 
following  this  ceremony.  Claude 
Rhoades,  president  of  the  Newton 
Chamber  of  Commerce,  spoke  on 
behalf  of  the  Chamber  which  a 
year  ago  conducted  a financial  drive 
to  build  the  Annex.  The  Museum 
Annex,  immediately  west  of  the 
museum  proper,  is  equipped  with 
skylights,  forced  air  heating,  and 
fiuorescent  lighting.  The  museum 
artifacts  have  been  rearranged  to 
display  all  items  to  much  better  ad- 
vantage. 

CHAPELS 

William  Unrau,  pastor  of  the 
Bethany  Church  of  Freeman,  spoke 
at  the  March  4 chapel  service  at 
Freeman  Junior  College.  He  pre- 
sented a panorama  of  problems 
from  the  current  American  scene, 
concluding  that  we  live  in  a con- 
fused world,  but  that  God  under- 
stands and  loves  it  nevertheless. 
If  we  are  to  do  the  best  for  this 
world,  we  too  need  to  understand 
and  love  it. 

The  Bethel  College  Chorale  gave 
a short  chapel  concert  while  they 
were  in  the  Freeman  community. 


The  Yankton  College  Wind  En- 
semble, directed  by  J.  L.  Weed, 
was  featured  at  the  winter  quar- 
ter student  entertainment  program 
March  2. 


PEACE  FELLOWSHIP  CONFERENCE 

Seventeen  Bluffton  College  stu- 
dents attended  the  annual  Inter- 
collegiate Peace  Fellowship  Confer- 
ence held  at  the  United  Nations 
headquarters  in  New  York  City 
March  12-14.  The  theme  this  year 
was  “Problems  of  World  Disarma- 
ment and  Peaceful  Uses  of  Atomic 
Energy.” 

March  12  the  students  were  taken 
on  a guided  tour  of  the  United  Na- 
tions building,  and  a special  brief- 
ing by  the  Atomic  Energy  agency 
and  a visit  to  the  Trusteeship  Coun- 
cil meeting  followed.  The  next  day 
more  United  Nations  meetings  were 
attended,  and  there  was  opportu- 
nity to  visit  the  missions  of  U.  N. 
delegates  from  various  countries 
and  discuss  with  them.  A seminar- 
type  discussion  began  Saturday’s 
activities,  followed  by  a business 
meeting  and  evaluation. 

Dean  of  the  conference  was  El- 
mer Neufeld,  who  was  the  Peace 
Emphasis  speaker  at  Bluffton  Col- 
lege this  spring.  C.  N.  Hostetter  Jr., 
president  of  Messiah  College,  is  ad- 
visor to  the  International  Peace  Fel- 
lowship. A Schowalter  Fund  grant 
of  $1000  has  been  divided  among 
member  colleges  of  the  Interna- 
tional Peace  Fellowship  on  the  basis 
of  total  enrollment  and  distance 
from  New  York,  for  travel  ex- 
penses. 

CHOIRS  TOUR  EAST 

The  Bluffton  College  Choir  is 
making  a spring  tour  through  east- 
ern Ohio,  Pennsylvania,  and  New 
York  March  17-30.  Thirty-seven 
members  from  the  regular  concert 
choir  of  eighty  are  making  the  trip 
with  their  director.  Professor  Earl 
Lehman.  The  repertoire  consists  of 
anthems  from  the  classical  school, 
current  literature,  spirituals,  and 
selected  hymns.  The  accompanist  is 
Doris  Liechty;  also  appearing  with 
the  group  will  be  a trumpet  and 
trombone  duet  by  Paul  Krouskop 
and  James  Miller;  a fiute  and  clari- 
net duet  by  Ann  Stauffer  and  Nan- 
cy Amstutz;  solos  by  Beth  Clemens, 
and  vocal  ensembles. 

INTERNATIONAL  SUPPER 

An  International  Supper  Party 
was  held  in  the  Founders  Hall  gym- 
nasium at  Bluffton  College  on 
March  7.  The  party  was  sponsored 
by  four  campus  organizations  under 
the  Student  Christian  Association. 


MCC  news  and  notes 

PSYCHIATRIC  NURSING 
PROGRAM  GROWS 

Prairie  View  Hospital  psychiatric 
nursing  program  continues  to  grow. 
In  addition  to  the  class  in  the  New- 
ton community  for  nurses  interest- 
ed in  the  human  relations  aspect 
of  nursing,  another  six  months  class 
is  being  conducted  in  Wichita  by  the 
Prairie  View  director  of  nursing, 
Elsie  Martin,  R.N.  Several  of  the 
Wichita  hospitals  are  also  taking 
their  psychiatric  student  affiliate 
group  to  Prairie  View  for  a day’s 
workshop  once  each  quarter. 

The  most  important  aspect  of  the 
Prairie  View  psychiatric  nurses’ 
training  program  is  the  one  year  in- 
service  training.  The  hospital  is 
able  to  take  three  to  five  nurses  at 
one  time  for  this  purpose.  There  is 
an  opening  in  such  a training  posi- 
tion currently,  and  again  several 
during  the  summer  months.  This 
program  is  designed  not  only  for 
psychiatric  nursing  but  to  help  in 
the  human  relations  aspect  of  gener- 
al nursing.  Those  interested  should 
write  to  the  Director  of  Nursing, 
Prairie  View  Hospital,  Box  356, 
Newton,  Kan. 

AMAS  CONFERENCE 

“New  Horizons  for  Mennonite 
Mutual  Aid”  was  the  theme  of  the 
fifth  annual  conference  of  the  As- 
sociation of  Mennonite  Aid  Societies 
held  in  Chicago,  March  5-6.  Grant 
Stoltzfus,  instructor  at  Eastern 
Mennonite  College,  served  as  devo- 
tional speaker.  His  series  of  five 
talks  on  the  nature  of  mutual  aid 
and  man’s  search  for  fellowship  in 
all  of  life  will  be  available  in  print- 
ed form  from  Howard  Raid,  AMAS 
secretary-treasurer,  Bluffton  Col- 
lege, Bluffton,  Ohio. 

Discussion  at  the  conference  cen- 
tered on  the  problems  growing  out 
of  increasing  urbanization  and  the 
need  to  think  creatively  about  the 
application  of  mutual  aid  principles 
to  more  complex  economic  situa- 
tions. At  the  fellowship  dinner,  C. 
L.  Graber  spoke  on  the  prophetic 
vision  of  mutual  aid  and  pointed 
out  that  Christians  need  each  other 
increasingly  in  working  out  prob- 
lems that  are  becoming  too  great 
for  the  individual. 

AMAS  reported  participation  of 
five  new  societies  within  the  last 
year.  The  association,  which  was 


188 


THE  MENNONITE 


formed  five  years  ago  is  open  to  all 
Mennonite  and  Brethren  in  Christ 
aid  associations  which  endeavor  to 
serve  their  constituencies  as  Chris- 
tian organizations.  Mennonite  In- 
demnity Inc.,  the  first  Mennonite 
risk  resharing  corporation,  report- 
ed on  its  first  year  of  operation.  The 
organization  is  serving  a definite 
need  and  continues  to  show  growth. 

WORKER  MAKES  NEW  CONTACTS 

YUGOSLAVIA— A two-week  visit 
to  Yugoslavia  by  Austrian  MCC  Di- 
rector Irene  Bishop  gives  reason  for 
optimism,  as  far  as  MCC  relations 
with  that  country  are  concerned. 
Earlier  attempts  to  open  relief  chan- 
nels to  Yugoslavia  were  rebuffed 
when  the  government  insisted  all 
bulk  relief  shipments  must  be  sent 
via  their  Red  Cross  without  con- 
trol over  actual  distribution.  Indi- 
vidual parcel  service  was  permit- 
ted, but  since  this  is  a relatively 
costly  and  time-consuming  proce- 
dure, it  is  not  feasible  for  large- 
scale  assistance. 

Late  1957  a new  development 
took  place  when  the  Yugoslav  Red 
Cross  agreed  to  distribute  fifty  bales 
of  baby  and  children’s  items,  to  be 
followed  by  an  MCC  inspection  visit. 
Miss  Bishop’s  two-week  trip  was 
the  result  of  this  agreement.  She 
reports  a cordial  reception  through- 
out. 'The  Red  Cross  had  given  the 
MCC  bales  to  orphanages,  babies’ 
and  children’s  homes  in  four  of  the 
six  Yugoslav  states.  She  visited 
these  institutions,  was  greeted 
warmly  by  staff  members,  and  to 
her  surprise  found  the  MCC  sticker 
“In  the  name  of  Christ’’  tacked  up 
in  several  offices  in  company  with 
portraits  of  Tito! 

Dr.  Olga  Milosevic,  General  Sec- 
retary of  the  Yugoslav  Red  Cross, 
wrote  later  “.  . . we  do  hope  that 
during  your  visit  to  children’s 
homes  and  institutions  in  our  coun- 
try you  were  satisfied  with  the  way 
the  received  goods  were  distributed. 
We  would  be  grateful  if  your  organ- 
ization could  continue  shipments  to 
the  Yugoslav  Red  Cross.’’ 

Miss  .Bishop  also  fellowshiped 
with  Yugoslav  Christians  in  Za- 
greb and  Belgrade,  spoke  with 
Brother  Horak,  President  of  the  Bap- 
tist Union  in  Yugoslavia,  and  ob- 
tained names  of  needy  families  who 
will  receive  private  packages  of 
clothing.  For  the  time  being  she 
suggests  that  MCC  continue  to  help 
on  the  present  basis. 


HOSPITAL  COMPLETED 

VIETNAM — An  eighteen-bed  hos- 
pital for  cases  other  than  leprosy 
has  been  completed  on  the  lepro- 
sarium compound  of  the  Christian 
and  Missionary  Alliance  at  Banme- 
thuot.  An  MCC  medical  center  was 
established  on  the  compound  in 
1955.  Workers  have  been  giving  the 
local  tribespeople  general  medical 
assistance  on  the  compound  and  by 
means  of  regular  mobile  clinics.  The 
hospital  will  enable  them  to  provide 
better  care  for  seriously  ill  pa- 
tients, although  the  additional  work- 
load will  necessarily  curtail  village 
clinic  service  somewhat. 

Built  by  Paxmen  with  Vietna- 
mese helpers  and  financed  by  MCC, 
the  hospital  was  opened  officially 
the  end  of  January.  The  need  for  it 
was  so  great  that  patients  were  ad- 
mitted for  treatment  months  before 
the  building  was  completed.  A 
heavy  responsibility  rests  on  the 
MCC  nurses  who  are  currently  serv- 
ing without  the  assistance  of  a full- 
time physician.  They  report  that  a 
doctor  miraculously  “happened  to 
be  around”  each  time  an  emergency 
situation  came  up  in  the  past. 

Native  clinic  helpers  are  being 
trained  in  bedside  nursing  and  sim- 
ple procedures,  although  they  are 
hampered  by  their  limited  educa- 
tional background. 

PRESIDENT  EISENHOWER  PRAISES 
OVERSEAS  RELIEF  MINISTRY 

President  Eisenhower  has  given 
his  personal  endorsement  to  the 
appeals  of  religious  organizations 
for  funds  with  which  to  sustain 
their  world-wide  ministries  to  ease 
the  suffering  of  the  homeless,  hun- 
gry, and  destitute  abroad.  In  iden- 
tical messages  to  Protestant,  Cath- 
olic, and  Jewish  agencies  the  Presi- 
dent said: 

“The  overseas  relief  programs  of 
our  religious  organizations  consti- 
tute a major  portion  of  America’s 
private  aid  to  people  in  need  around 
the  world.  For  the  hungry,  the 
homeless,  the  sick,  and  for  all  who 
require  a helping  hand,  these  pro- 
grams are  a faithful  source  of  life 
and  hope.  With  gifts  of  food,  cloth- 
ing, medicines,  and  assistance  of 
every  kind,  our  citizens  are  able  to 
express  their  individual  concern  for 
the  welfare  of  their  neighbors  a- 
broad.  It  is  a heart  warming  tradi- 
tion and  an  incalculable  force  for 
good.” 


jottings 

BIBLE  READING 

Immanuel  Church,  Downey,  Cal.: 
At  the  beginning  of  the  year  Bible 
reading  schedules  were  distributed 
to  the  congregation  to  enable  any- 
one to  read  through  the  Bible  in  a 
year.  A new  Bible  study  class  for 
young  parents  who  are  now  mem- 
bers was  started  in  Jan.  and  is 
taught  by  Pastor  Albert  Epp.  Jan. 
25  the  Fuller  gospel  team,  “The 
Ambassadors,”  presented  us  with 
musical  numbers  and  a message. 
Many  young  people  attended  the 
Los  Angeles  Christian  Endeavor 
Rally  held  in  our  church  Feb.  1. 
Bruce  Kurrle  gave  an  inspiring 
message  and  challenged  youth  to 
give  their  lives  for  Christian  serv- 
ice. The  Calvary  Men’s  Quartet 
served  with  a selection  of  song. 
Nine  new  members  were  received 
by  letter  into  the  fellowship  of  the 
church  Feb.  8.  Paul  Sukau  and 
Loretta  Lepp  were  united  in  mar- 
riage Feb.  14.  A Missionary  Con- 
ference will  be  held  March  18-22. 
— Mrs.  Leonard  Kliewer,  corr. 

FAREWELL  FOR  MISSIONARIES 

Buhler  Church,  Buhler,  Kan.: 
Feb.  8 our  church  observed  Church 
Loyalty  Day  in  connection  with  a 
farewell  for  our  beloved  mission- 
aries, Harold  and  Ruth  Ratzlaff 
and  daughter  Mary  Ann.  They  took 
part  in  the  morning  message.  The 
Bethel  Chorale  under  the  direction 
of  David  H.  Suderman  presented 
a concert  of  sacred  music.  Our 
prayers  accompany  the  Ratzlaffs  as 
they  return  to  India  for  their  third 
term.  At  present  the  Shelton  Allens, 
missionaries  in  Japan,  are  with  us. 
She  is  the  former  Arlene  Friesen 
from  our  church.  Feb.  16  she  spoke 
to  the  Mission  Helper  Sew  Society, 
who  presented  her  with  a shower  of 
clothes  for  the  daughter  born  on 
furlough.  An  Inman-Buhler  Com- 
munity Chorus  has  been  organized. 
The  Easter  cantata.  The  Lord  of 
the  Eastertide,  will  be  given  Easter 
Sun.  evening.  March  5 the  spring 
missionary  program  was  held 
with  Mary  Schrag  as  speaker.  Feb. 
21  the  Western  Dist.  Men’s  Work- 
shop was  held  in  Buhler  High 
School.  Brother  Earl  Salzman  will 
be  here  for  pre-Easter  services  Mar. 
22-25. — Mrs.  N.  D.  Esau,  corr. 
SPECIAL  MEETINGS  IN  APRIL 
Flatland  Church,  Quakertown, 
Pa.:  The  main  feature  of  our 

Thanksgiving  Day  service  was  the 
film  Forward  with  Christ,  a joint 
service  with  Bethany  Church.  The 
Christmas  cantata,  The  Great  Light, 
was  presented  Dec.  14.  The  Bluff- 


March  24,  1959 


189 


ton  College  Gospel  Team,  with  Jane 
Herstine  (member  of  our  church) 
as  speaker,  presented  a program 
Dec.  29.  Howard  Habegger,  supply 
pastor  at  Grace  Church,  Lansdale, 
preached  here  Jan.  11  while  Pas- 
tor Wilmer  Denlinger  had  charge 
of  the  communion  service  at  Grace 
Church.  At  our  yearly  business 
meeting  Jan.  12  those  elected  were: 
deacon,  Clarence  Kooker;  trustee, 
Victor  Fluck;  S.  S.  supt.,  Oscar 
Frei;  asst,  supt.,  Ralph  Laux;  D.V. 

B. S.  supt.,  Mrs.  Clarence  Kooker.  In 
the  evening  Bible  study  hour,  Jan. 
27,  we  began  a study  of  the  Book 
of  Daniel.  Dec.  31  our  adult  C.  E. 
Society  and  Youth  Fellowship  held 
a combined  Watch  Night  service. 
Flatland  had  charge  of  the  Vesper 
service  at  the  Mennonite  Home, 
Frederick,  Pa.,  Feb.  1.  Special 
meetings  will  be  held  April  12-14 
with  Frank  Ward,  the  new  pastor 
of  Eden  Church,  Schwenksville,  as 
speaker.  At  a congregational  meet- 
ing Nov.  23,  it  was  decided  that  all 
worship  services  will  be  held  in  the 
morning. — Mrs.  Franklin  Milz,  corr. 

HARDING  SPEAKS 

Hoffnungsau  C h u r c Inman, 
Kan.:  Nov.  23  Mr.  and  Mrs.  P.  P. 
Penner  observed  their  twenty-fifth 
wedding  anniversary  with  open 
house.  Pastor  Gaeddert  brought  the 
message  on  Thanksgiving  Day.  Dec. 
14  missionary  Harold  Ratzlaff 
showed  pictures  of  their  work  in 
India.  The  Christmas  Eve  program 
was  given  by  the  Jr.  S.  S.  Dept. 
Christmas  Day  ten  children  were 
consecrated  to  the  Lord.  Christmas 
second  holiday,  Oskar  Wedel  from 
Germany,  now  student  at  our  Sem- 
inary, was  the  guest  speaker.  Three 
new  homes  were  established  in 
Dec.:  Leroy  Schmidt  and  Vickie 
Hayes,  Dec.  19;  Lorene  Epp  and 
Vern  Graber,  Dec.  20;  and  Dale 
Gaeddert  and  Judy  Enns,  Dec.  21. 
New  Year’s  Day  message  was 
brought  by  Pastor  Gaeddert.  Jan.  11 
W.  F.  Unruh  showec  an  MCC  film- 
strip telling  the  story  of  relief  and 
Pax  today.  The  week  of  Jan.  11 
Pastor  Gaeddert  spoke  on  the  Faith 
and  Life  radio  program.  Jan.  18 

C.  J.  Dyck  brought  the  morning 

message  and  in  the  evening  told 
the  story  of  the  Seminary  in  pic- 
ture and  word.  New  babies  blessed 
the  following  homes:  Kimberlee 

Allison,  born  Nov.  27  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Larry  Dick;  William  Edward, 
bom  Dec.  21  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ver- 
non Flaming;  Lori  Michelle,  bom 
Jan.  29  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Arlo  Buller. 
At  our  special  mission  services  Feb. 
5-8,  guest  speaker  Vincent  Harding 
spoke  on:  “Co-workers  with  God’’ 
“The  Church  Task  Today’’  “The 
Jericho  Road’’  “The  Story  of 


Woodlawn  Church”  and  his  own 
story,  and  “Home  Missions  and 
Race.”  He  also  spoke  at  the  Broth- 
erhood meeting,  and  the  young  peo- 
ple’s banquet.  Leo  Driedger  spoke 
recently  on  “Can  Laymen  Work  in 
Kingdom  Work?” — Kathryn  Klas- 
sen,  corr. 

CHURCH  DEDICATION 

First  Church,  Clinton,  Okla.: 
The  young  people  meet  monthly 
and  exchange  invitations  with 
neighboring  Mennonite  churches. 
They  sponsored  a chili  supper  Feb. 
20  for  the  public.  The  Mission  Cir- 
cle meets  twice  every  month;  ar- 
ticles made  were  sold  at  public  auc- 
tion in  Oct.,  preceded  by  a chicken 
dinner.  Proceeds  of  nearly  $1,000 
were  divided  for  missions,  church 
building,  and  to  replenish  material 
for  1959.  Oct.  8 the  Gerald  Bergens, 
missionaries  to  Brazil,  shared  a 
film  of  their  work.  Our  new  church 
house  was  dedicated  to  the  Lord 
on  Nov.  3 i.  Speakers  were  Levi 
Koehn  and  Ben  Rahn.  A week  of 
special  meetings  began  Nov.  30 
with  J.  J.  Regier  as  speaker.  A 
reception  for  the  Norman  Bartels, 
new  missionaries  at  the  Hammon 
Indian  Station,  Hammon,  Okla.,  was 
held  Jan.  9.  Our  church  and  the 
Herold  Church,  Bessie,  Okla.,  were 
hostesses.  S.  S.  officers  and  teachers 
were  elected  in  Sept.,  and  the  an- 
nual church  meeting  was  held  in 
Dec. — Mrs.  Gus  Nickel,  corr. 

NEW  OFFICERS  ELECTED 

First  Church,  Geary,  Okla.:  'The 
first  communion  service  in  1959 
was  observed  Jan.  11.  The  annual 
church  business  meeting  was  held 
Jan.  11..  'The  following  officers  were 
elected:  church  sec.,  Otto  Krehbiel; 
trustee,  Harvey  Base;  Mennonite 
Aid  Plan,  Harry  Coil;  correspon- 
dent, Mrs.  H.  C.  Zwiacher.  Pastor 
Hege  gave  his  report  for  the  year, 
along  with  a challenging  talk.  Plans 
were  made  for  church  activities  to 
interest  young  people  and  to  en- 
courage families  in  the  community 
to  become  acquainted  with  church 
families.  Bible  Study  and  Prayer 
meetings  resumed  in  Jan.  with 
study  of  the  Gospel  of  John.  They 
had  been  discontinued  during  Pas- 
tor Hege’s  hospitalization,  and  con- 
valescence.— Corr. 

CONFERENCE  PLANS 
First  Church,  Bluffton,  Ohio: 
The  Bluffton  Businessmen’s  Asso- 
ciation at  a recent  meeting  dis- 
cussed how  the  Bluffton  business 
community  can  assist  with  hospi- 
tality for  the  1500  persons  who  will 
visit  here  in  August  during  the 
triennial  general  conference.  The 
meeting  was  held  in  a local  store. 
Robert  Kreider,  general  chairman 
of  the  conference  planning  commit- 


tee, outlined  plans  for  housing  and 
feeding  the  visitors.  P.  K.  Regier, 
executive  secretary,  attended  a 
meeting  in  Bluffton  to  assist  in 
planning.  The  meeting  was  held  in 
Ramseyer  Chapel  and  attended  by 
the  eleven  committees  who  are 
making  plans  to  provide  facilities. 
Brother  Regier  answered  questions 
of  committee  chairmen  concerning 
duties  of  the  committees.  The  eleven 
committees  involve  approximately 
seventy  persons  from  local  Confer- 
ence: First  and  Ebenezer,  Bluffton; 
Grace  and  St.  John,  Pandora;  First, 
Lima. 

STRIKE  OVER 

Waters  Church,  Copper  Cliff, 
Ont.:  There  was  rejoicing  in  the 
Sudbury  area  when  the  three-month 
strike  against  the  International 
Nickel  Co.  ended  a few  days  before 
Christmas.  This  strike  caused  many 
hardships,  but  the  financial  needs 
of  the  church  were  met  by  generous 
donations  from  southern  Ontario 
churches.  A Christmas  program  was 
given  by  the  S.  S.  children  on  Dec. 
21.  The  young  people  of  the  church 
had  a tobogganing  party  Dec.  23, 
followed  by  carol  singing  in  the 
district.  The  annual  business  meet- 
ing was  held  Jan.  10:  church  coun- 
cil, Isaac  Klassen,  Henry  Thiessen, 
Ervin  Albrecht;  organist,  Mrs.  Dan 
Forbeck;  librarian,  Mary  Jacobson; 
C.  E.  com.,  Paul  Martin,  Mahlon 
Bast,  and  Don  Forbeck.  'ITie  ladies 
of  the  church  were  guests  of  the 
Lively  Baptist  Ladies  on  Feb.  9. 
Pastor  Menno  Ediger  and  the 
Misses  Mary  Jacobson  and  Erna 
Martin  attended  a youth  conference 
at  Waterloo,  Feb.  13-14. — Mrs. 
Thomas  Martin,  corr. 

MCC  CANNING 

New  Hopedale  Church,  Meno, 
Okla.:  The  P.  K.  Dirksens  were 
with  us  Jan.  18.  They  showed  pic- 
tures and  told  of  the  work  in  the 
Arizona.  On  Feb.  1 communion  was 
observed,  and  a fellowship  meal 
at  noon.  In  the  afternoon  was  a 
farewell  service  for  the  Harold 
Ratzlaffs.  Mary  Ann  told  of  their 
trip,  Ruth  spoke  on  what  they  were 
leaving  behind  and  what  they  were 
looking  forward  to,  and  Harold 
gave  us  some  impressions  he  re- 
ceived of  the  church  in  America  as 
he  visited  the  congregations  in  var- 
ious communities.  Feb.  8 W.  F.  Un- 
ruh gave  an  informative,  illustrat- 
ed lecture  of  our  Conference  work 
and  MCC  service.  The  MCC  Canner 
was  set  up  in  Deer  Creek  this  year, 
and  seventeen  beefs  were  slaught- 
ered on  the  J.  B.  Barkman  farm. 
Mary  Ellen  Shoup  showed  pictures 
and  told  of  the  work  in  the  Valdoie 
French  Children’s  Home,  on  Feb. 
17.  Special  services  were  held 


190 


THE  MENNONITE 


March  1-6  with  Arnold  Nicker  pas- 
tor of  the  Eden  Church  Mound- 
ridge,  Kan. — Mrs.  H.  J.  Becker, 
corr. 

CHORALE  TO  SING 

Hanston  Church,  Hanston,  Kan.; 
P.  K.  Regier  was  our  Christian  Life 
Speaker  for  a series  of  meetings  in 
Nov.  Union  Thanksgiving  Services 
were  held  in  the  Methodist  Church 
with  our  pastor,  W.  Harley  King, 
as  speaker.  Western  District  Field 
Secretary  K.  Unruh  showed 

slides  on  the  progress  of  extension 
work,  Dec.  8.  The  annual  Christmas 
program  was  given  Christmas  Eve. 
The  Community  Christmas  Cantata, 
The  Song  and  The  Star,  was  given 
Dec.  28.  A series  of  prayer  meet- 
ings Dec.  28-31,  was  held  in  var- 
ious community  churches,  the  last 
being  held  in  our  church  Dec.  31. 
Afterwards  the  Young  People’s  Fel- 
lowship and  the  Kings  had  open 
house  for  the  congregation  at  the 
parsonage.  The  annual  business 
meeting  was  held  Jan.  11.  The 
Young  People’s  Fellowship  met  Feb. 
22  in  Dodge  City  for  fellowship 
and  study  of  the  Hopi  Indians  of 
Arizona.  The  Men’s  Fellowship  met 
March  1 in  the  parsonage  for  devo- 
tions and  the  annual  business  meet- 
ing. The  Bethel  College  Chorale 
group  will  sing  in  the  grade  school 
auditorium  at  11  a.m.  on  Good  Fri- 
day.— Mrs.  E.  E.  Hirschler,  corr. 

UNION  LENTEN  SERVICES 

Zion  Church,  Donnellson,  Iowa: 
A Star  in  the  STcy,  a Christmas  can- 
tata, was  presented  by  the  choir 
Dec.  28.  The  Bluffton  College  Gos- 
pel Quartet  gave  a sacred  program 
Dec.  30.  At  the  annual  congrega- 
tional meeting  Jan.  5,  Walter 
Sprenger  was  elected  chairman; 
Ivan  Krebill,  deacon;  Delbert  Kol- 
ler,  trustee.  The  Father-Son  ban- 
quet held  Feb.  18  was  well  attend- 
ed; guest  speaker  was  Warren  Ken- 
dall of  Burlington,  Iowa.  A number 
of  ladies  attended  the  World  Day 
of  Prayer  Service  Feb.  13  at  West 
Point.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  P.  Galle  ob- 
served their  sixtieth  wedding  anni- 
versary Feb.  19.  Union  Lenten  serv- 
ices began  Feb.  22  with  services 
in  the  Presbyterian  Church;  J.  S. 
Gohde  of  the  E.  and  R.  Church  was 
the  speaker. — Corr. 

SAWATZKY  INTERIM  PASTOR 

Bethel  Church,  Mountain  Lake, 
Minn.:  . Fourteen  members  of  the 
catechism  class  and  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Wesley  Ratzlaff  gave  their  testi- 
mony Feb.  22.  Upon  request  of  these 
young  people  and  their  parents, 
they  were  baptized  and  received 
into  church  fellowship  March  1. 
Pastor  Walter  Gering  officiated  be- 
fore leaving  for  his  new  duties  in 
Elkhart,  Ind.,  ecirly  in  April.  Broth- 


er Ben  Sawatzky,  returned  mis- 
sionary from  India,  will  remain 
with  us  as  interim  pastor  until  June 
1.  The  congregation  is  looking  for- 
ward to  the  pre-Easter  services  with 
our  local  pastor  as  speaker.  A 
Homebuilders  Fellowship  has  been 
organized  in  our  church.  Subiects 
of  common  interest  are  discussed 
by  the  young  married  couples  and 
parents  of  children.  Plans  are  being 
made  for  a monthly  service  at  the 
Sioux  City  Gospel  Mission.  The 
Bethel,  First,  and  Gospel  church 
groups  will  alternate,  having  charge 
of  the  service  on  the  first  Thurs. 
of  each  month. — Mrs.  David  H. 
Fast,  corr. 

into  the  beyond 

Daniel  Goertz  was  bom  April  12, 
1896,  and  passed  away  March  7, 
1959.  He  was  a member  of  the  Jo- 
hannestal  Mennonite  Church,  Hills- 
boro, Kansas. 


conference  notes 

(continued  from  page  192) 

NINE  ACCEPTED 

In  its  session  on  March  13,  the 
executive  committee  of  the  Board 
of  Missions  was  again  aware  that 
the  Spirit  of  God  continues  to  keep 
His  church  as  the  mission  to  the 
world.  To  young  people  comes  the 
deep  sense  of  God’s  call  to  confront 
men  with  the  claims  of  Christ  upon 
every  person.  From  among  the  ap- 
plicants for  mission  service,  the 
Board  accepted  nine  young  people. 

PASTOR  RESIGNS 

Ellis  Graber,  pastor  of  Zion  Men- 
nonite Church,  Souderton,  Pa.,  an- 
nounced in  an  open  letter  to  his 
congregation  that  he  is  terminating 
his  pastorate  at  Souderton  on  May 
24  to  accept  a charge  at  Union  Con- 
gregational Church,  St.  Louis  Park, 
Minn. 


conference  stewardship 

February  28,  1958,  as  compared  to  February  28,  1959 


MISSIONS 


!1.3%  1958 
13.0%  1959 


o o 

00  O' 


o 

o 


BUDGET 


$670,000 

$700,000 


CHRISTIAN  SERVICE 


9.3%  1958 
14.1  % 1959 


$193,500 

$177,600 


EDUCATION  AND  PUBLICATION 


15.1%  1958 
7.6%  1959 


$ 70,000 
$ 75,400 


BUSINESS  ADMINISTRATION 


9.7%  1958 
14.7%  1959 


$ 26,500 
$ 41,500 


Receipts  to  Feb.  28  Budget 


March  24,  1959 


197 


conference  notes 

LOOKING  TO 
GENERAL  CONFERENCE 

In  times  past  God  had  His  an- 
cient people  come  together  from  all 
over  the  land  to  meet  at  the  temple 
in  Jerusalem  for  the  great  festivals. 
These  were  occasions  of  joy  and 
praise,  fellowship  and  worship,  as 
well  as  times  of  heart  searching  as 
they  brought  their  gifts  and  offered 
their  sacrifices  for  sin.  Such  large 
gatherings  were  an  inspiration,  for 
they  revealed  the  seal  of  the  people 
for  the  things  of  God  and  their 
unity  and  oneness. 


What  was  true  of  those  gather- 
ings is  in  our  minds  as  we  look  to 
conference  time.  We  anticipate  spir- 
itual enrichment  and  joy  over  the 
triumphs  that  God  has  wrought 
during  the  past  three  years.  Per- 
haps there  will  be  some  heart 
searching  because  of  our  failures  in 
certain  areas  of  the  work.  But  may 
we  come  as  a people  united  in 
Christ,  in  prayer,  in  zeal,  and  in 
purpose  that  God’s  will  may  be 
done  in  the  planning  and  the  activ- 
ities of  the  next  triennium. 

Mrs.  Olin  A.  Krehbiel 
CENTENNIAL  PROGRAM 

Eldon  Graber,  who  is  serving  as 
chairman  of  the  program  commit- 
tee for  the  thirty-fifth  triennial 
meeting  of  the  General  Conference 
Mennonite  Church,  to  be  held  in 
Bluffton  August  12-20,  has  an- 
nounced that  the  preliminary  pro- 
gram is  completed  for  publication. 

According  to  Dr.  Graber,  a very 
important  phase  of  the  conference 
program  will  be  the  Centennial  as- 
pects, which  will  highlight  the  100 
years  since  the  founding  of  the 
Conference  in  Iowa  in  1860.  A cen- 
tennial banner  is  being  prepared 
and  will  be  displayed  in  Founders 
Hall,  where  the  major  portion  of 
the  meetings  will  be  held. 

On  March  21  the  Pageant  Com- 
mittee met  in  Bluffton  to  discuss 


pageant  details.  Script  has  been 
written  by  Maynard  Shelly,  New- 
ton, Kansas,  and  music  composed  by 
Harold  Moyer,  Goshen,  Indiana. 
Two  performances  will  be  given 
Sunday,  August  16. 

Also  highlighting  centennial  as- 
pects will  be  two  addresses  by 
Franklin  H.  Littell,  Anabaptist 
scholar  and  author  of  the  book  The 
Free  Church,  published  in  both  Eng- 
lish and  German.  These  addresses 
will  be  given  on  the  opening  day  of 
the  conference,  August  12. 

The  conference  sermon  of  Erland 
Waltner,  president  of  Mennonite 
Biblical  Seminary  and  Conference 
president,  will  be  given  during  the 
first  regular  morning  session  on 
August  13. 

Men’s  Brotherhood,  Young  Peo- 
ple’s Union,  and  Women’s  Mission- 
ary Association  (auxiliary  organi- 
zations of  the  Conference)  will 
meet  simultaneously  in  different 
places  on  August  14  and  15. 

Provision  has  been  made  for 
twenty  discussion  groups  which  will 
meet  four  different  times  during  the 
conference.  Elmer  Ediger,  adminis- 
trator of  Prairie  View  Hospital,  is 
in  charge  of  discussion  leaders. 
Each  of  the  twenty  groups  will 
have  a leader,  an  assistant  leader 
and  a recorder.  Elmer  Neufeld, 
Chicago,  is  chairman  of  the  record- 
ers. Questions  discussed  at  the  four 
meetings  will  center  around  each  of 
the  four  conference  boards:  Busi- 
ness Administration,  Missions, 
Christian  Service,  and  Education 
and  Publication. 


Eldon  Graber,  -program  committee 


CALLING  ALL  NURSES 

A real  challenge  comes  to  all 
nurses  qualified  to  serve  in  the 
Voluntary  Service  program  in  Mex- 
ico. The  Board  of  Christian  Service 
is  anxious  to  receive  applications 
for  work  in  the  community  hospital 
at  Cuauhtemoc,  Chih.  Urgently 
needed  is  a nurse  to  begin  duties  in 
April,  and  another  will  be  needed 
to  replace  a member  of  the  staff  in 
July.  Rush  your  application  or  in- 
quiry to  Board  of  Christian  Service, 
722  Main,  Newton,  Kan. 

COMMITTEES  OPERATE 
IN  MANY  AREAS 

Various  items  were  dealt  with 
when  three  committees  of  the  Board 
of  Education  and  Publication  met 
in  March.  Such  items  as  coverage, 
content,  and  philosophy  of  church 
papers  were  discussed  by  the  asso- 
ciate editors  of  The  Mennonite  as 
they  met  with  the  editor,  J.  N. 
Smucker,  in  Elkhart,  Ind.,  March  6. 

On  March  10  the  Committee  on 
Educational  Institutions  met  at 
Newton,  Kan.  Topics  discussed  were 
Conference  and  institutional  giving, 
relationship  of  the  Conference  to 
its  educational  institutions,  nursing 
education  as  related  to  the  college 
curriculum,  and  National  Christian 
College  Day  1959  and  1960.  The  sur- 
vey of  college  plans  for  1958-1976 
was  studied.  Representatives  of 
Conference-related  schools  form  the 
committee. 

The  Visual  Aids  Committee  met 
at  Newton,  Kan.,  March  11  to  dis- 
cuss the  procedure  of  operation  of 
the  Audio  Visual  Library  in  the 
Publication  Office.  Conference 
boards  will  continue  to  deposit  vis- 
ual aids  in  the  Library. 

ON  FURLOUGH 

Mary  Schrag  of  Pretty  Prairie, 
Kan.,  will  be  taking  courses  in  pub- 
lic health  nursing  and  supervision 
at  the  University  of  Colorado  School 
of  Nursing  in  Denver  March  23-June 
5.  A registered  nurse.  Miss  Schrag 
spent  six  years  in  Conference  mis- 
sion in  India  and  will  be  returning 
to  the  field  probably  in  fall. 

The  Albert  Jantzens  are  on  fur- 
lough from  the  Hopi  Indian  Mission 
in  Arizona.  Their  address  is  tem- 
porarily General  Delivery,  Phoenix, 
Arizona. 

(continued  on  page  191) 


Spring  bursts  today, 

For  Christ  is  risen  and  all  the  earth’s  at  play. 


Flash  forth,  thou  sun. 

The  rain  is  over  and  gone,  its  work  is  done. 
Winter  is  past. 

Sweet  spring  is  come  at  last,  is  come  at  last. 
Uplift  thy  head 

O pure  white  lily  through  the  winter  dead. 
All  herds  and  flocks 

Rejoice,  all  beasts  of  thickets  and  of  rocks. 
Sing,  creatures,  sing, 

Angels  and  men  and  birds,  and  everything.  . . . 

From  An  Easter  Caro!  by  Christina  G.  Rossetti 

I 

I 


MENNONITE 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
MAN  LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIST 


MARCH  31,  1959 


in  this  issue 

ARTICLES 

THE  LAW  OF  THE  LORD 

By  George  G.  Dick  195 

FROM  WICHITA  TO  JERUSALEM 

By  Mrs.  Harold  Ratzloff  196 

A PEACE  WITNESS 

By  Melvin  Gingerich  197 

LITERATURE  FOR  CONGO 

By  Levi  Keidel  199 

CITY  STREETS  200 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  194 

Mennonite  Youth 

PAX,  CONGO,  AND  ME 

By  Fremont  Regier  201 

VISIT  TO  A VILLAGE  202 

SUMMER  SERVICE  WITH  MCC 203 

OUR  SCHOOLS  204 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  204 

JOTTINGS  206 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  208 


of  things  to  come 

April  6-1  1 — Faith  and  Life  Radio  speaker: 
Irvin  Richert 

April  19 — Mennonite  Men's  Chorus  Fes- 
tival, Memorial  Hall,  North  Newton, 
Kan.,  at  2:30  p.m. 

April  23 — W.  D.  Council  of  Committees, 
First  Church,  McPherson,  Kan. 

April  23-26 — Central  Dist.  Conference, 
Goshen,  Ind. 

April  25-26 — Laymen's  Retreat,  Camp 
Mennoscah 

April  30-May  3 — Eastern  Dist.  Conf., 
Schwenksville,  Pa. 

May  3 — Mennonite  Song  Festival,  Me- 
morial Hall,  North  Newton,  Kan., 
at  2:30  p.m. 

May  7 — Ascension  Day 

May  10 — Festival  of  the  Christian  Home 

May  17 — Pentecost 

May  20 — Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary 
alumni  meeting. 

May  24 — Baccalaureate,  Mennonite  Bib- 
lical Seminary 

May  25 — Commencement,  Mennonite 
Biblical  Seminary 

May  29 — Commencement  Day,  Freeman 
Junior  College  and  Academy 
June  10-14 — Pacifrc  District  Conference, 
Barlow,  Oregon 

June  18-21 — Northern  Dist.  Conf.,  Salem- 
Zion  Church  (North),  Freeman,  S.  D. 
West.  Dist.  Retreats,  Camp  Mennoscah: 
July  6-11 — Junior  High  I 
July  13-18 — Junior  High  II 
July  20-25 — Fresh  Air  Friendship  Cp. 
July  27-Aug.  1 — High  School  I 
Aug.  3-8 — High  School  II 
Aug.  29-30 — Family  (under  age  45) 
Sept.  5-7 — Family  (senior  age] 

Aug.  5-12 — Ministers'  and  Church  Work- 
ers Retreat,  Camp  Friedenswald, 
Mich. 

Aug.  12-20 — General  Conference,  Bluff- 
ton,  Ohio 

Oct.  24-27 — West.  Dist.  Conference 

THE  MENNONITE 

Editor,  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 

J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Asst.:  Esther  Groves. 
Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  13 


editorials 

WE  ARE  WITNESSES!  In  one  of  Jesus’  post-resurrection 
appearances  He  confers  upon  His  followers  the  responsibility  of 
being  His  witnesses.  They  are  to  “preach  repentance  and  forgive- 
ness of  sins”  as  made  possible  through  His  death  and  resurrec- 
tion. 

Preaching  repentance  may  not  seem  very  difficult ; at  least  not 
as  long  as  we  try  to  show  how  important  it  is  for  other  people 
to  repent.  It  may  even  give  us  a feeling  of  righteousness  to 
denounce  the  sins  of  others  and  threaten  them  with  dire  re- 
sults if  they  do  not  repent. 

But  a true  witness  can  proclaim  only  what  he  has  experi- 
enced himself.  How  we  all  need  to  repent,  again  and  again! 
How  much  we  need  His  forgiveness  time  after  time!  This  per- 
sonal repentance  and  sense  of  forgiveness  now  enables  us  to 
prove  to  others  how  repentance  is  possible  and  how  the  great 
forgiving  love  of  God  can  work  its  healing  power. 

A witness  is  one  who  knows  what  he  is  talking  about,  not 
simply  passing  on  second-hand  information.  To  share  the  need 
of  repentance  and  the  hope  of  forgiveness,  these  experiences 
must  be  vividly  real  to  us  personally.  We  must  love  as  He  loves 
and  be  willing  to  forgive  as  He  forgives.  Change  of  heart  in 
others  comes  when  they  sense  a change  in  ourselves.  The  for- 
giveness of  God  becomes  real  when  they  sense  our  own  forgive- 
ness of  other’s  faults.  How  the  world  needs  such  witnesses. 

NUCLEAR  GIANTS  AND  ETHICAL  INFANTS  We  are 
doing  marvelous  things  in  nuclear  development.  We  can  send 
miniature  planets  into  orbit  not  only  around  our  world  but 
around  the  sun.  Our  ballistic  missiles  are  super-deadly.  Our 
appropriations  for  continued  production  and  tests  are  fantastic. 
We  are  planning  to  meet  the  “Berlin  Crisis”  with  a show  of 
devastating  power.  We  are  nuclear  giants  and  want  the  world 
to  take  note  of  it. 

Would  that  we  were  spiritual  giants  instead!  But  in  this 
realm  we  are  mere  infants  who  can  scarcely  stand  on  their 
feet,  let  alone  walk  with  sure  step.  We  say  “In  God  We  Trust” — 
but  we  don’t  really;  we  trust  in  our  nuclear  weapons,  for  they 
seem  so  much  surer  and  stronger  than  God! 

If  all  who  say  they  believe  in  God  would  really  put  their  full 
trust  and  confidence  in  Him  instead  of  in  nuclear  powers,  then 
God  could  show  us  something  of  His  power  and  might.  He 
would  have  a different  method  of  solving  the  “Berlin  Crisis” 
as  well  as  all  other  crises.  He  is  waiting  to  give  us  the  wisdom 
and  power  to  use  His  means,  as  soon  as  we  have  grown  enough 
to  be  entrusted  with  them. 

This  is  not  a time  to  lean  back  in  ease  and  self-comfort ; this 
is  a time  to  be  actively  in  earnest  about  our  religion!  This  is 
not  a day  for  hugging  our  tiny  denominational  doctrines;  this 
is  a day  to  launch  out  on  great  convictions.  May  God  forgive 
our  feeble  efforts  and  awaken  us  to  the  desperate  need  of  the 
world  for  His  gospel  of  love  lived  in  flesh  and  blood.  May  we 
cease  being  mere  spiritual  infants  and  start  growing  up  in  Him ! 


194 


THE  MENNONITE 


The  Law  of 


George  G.  Dick* 

Psalm  19:7:  “The  law  of  the  Lord 
is  perfect,  converting  the  soul.” 

The  word  “law”  is  used  in  var- 
ious ways  in  the  Bible.  In  this 
Psalm  it  conveys  the  idea  of  being 
the  essence  of  the  will  of  God.  This 
is  often  minimized  in  our  day.  It 
seems  as  though  people  must  think 
in  terms  of  either  “authoritarian- 
ism” or  complete  “rationalism.”  The 
inner  awareness  of  the  “law”  wit- 
nessing to  the  person  and  the  per- 
son in  turn  witnessing  to  this  expe- 
rience, is  a thing  often  frowned  on. 

Yet  the  greatest  value  of  the 
Bible  is  that  it  witnesses  to  that 
which  God  has  done  in  human 
hearts.  In  many  instances,  we  lose 
the  essence  of  the  experience  when 
we  emphasize  a word  or  phrase. 
The  emphasis  must  always  be:  what 
did  God  intend  to  reveal  through 
this  experience? 

The  psalmist’s  conclusion  is  that 
“the  law  of  the  Lord  is  perfect.” 
What  is  our  inner  experience  con- 
cerning this  conclusion?  Do  we  be- 
lieve that  the  will  of  God  for  us  is 
perfect?  Is  it  perfect  for  the  day  in 
which  we  are  living?  Will  it  fit  into 
life  in  2000  A.D.  if  there  be  a time 
like  that?  Do  we  believe  that  this 
universe  of  which  we  are  a part  is 
a “universe”  or  do  we  inwardly  be- 
lieve it  is  “chaos”?  Or  have  we  so 
divided  life,  faith,  and  pursuit  of 
happiness  that  we  have  come  to 
feel  there  may  be  order  in  some 
phases  of  life  but  it  isn’t  possible 
in  all  areas  of  life?  I think  that  our 
inner  awarenesses,  which  God  has 
created  and  to  which  He  gi\es  life, 
heartily  agree  with  the  psalmist. 
The  universe  is  the  projection  of  the 
energy  of  God  into  space,  fully  in 
keeping  with  His  love,  standards, 
and  purposes.  Therefore  we  can 
confidently  also  say,  “The  law  of 
the  Lord  is  perfect.” 

'The  psalmist  goes  further:  he 

adds  “converting  the  soul.”  Few  in 
our  day  would  deny  that  at  least 
some  people  ought  to  be  converted. 
Others  would  say  that  all  people 


*Pastor,  Bethel  Church,  Winton,  Calif. 

March  31,  1959 


the  Lord 


ought  to  be  converted.  A few  might 
be  arrogant  enough  to  feel  that  all 
but  they  ought  to  be  converted. 
The  psalmist,  who  had  been  through 
some  hectic  experiences  such  as 
stealing,  lying,  cursing,  murder  and 
open  rebellion,  knew  what  he  was 
saying  when  he  added  the  phrase 
“converting  the  soul.” 

Jesus  summed  up  the  Old  Testa- 
ment revelation  in  these  words: 
“ ’Thou  Shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God 
with  all  thy  heart,  and  with  all  thy 
soul,  and  with  all  thy  mind.’  This  is 
the  first  and  great  commandment. 
And  the  second  is  like  unto  it,  ‘Thou 
shalt  love  thy  neighbor  as  thy- 
self.’ On  these  two  commandments 
hang  all  the  law  and  the  prophets” 
(Matt.  22:37-40).  The  converting 
power  is  of  God;  the  coverage  is 
all-inclusive,  Godward,  self-ward, 
and  manward.  It  is  not  enough  to 
be  converted — conversion  must  go 
on  and  on.  As  new  light  comes 
through  to  us  and  we  enter  into 
that  light,  new  phases  of  conver- 


sion enter  into  our  experience.  This 
I believe  is  what  the  Apostle  Paul 
meant  when  he  said  “changed  from 
glory  to  glory.”  It  is  a witness  to 
the  working  of  God  in  the  soul.  To 
many  people  this  has  become  and 
remained  a mere  dogma.  They  have 
never  experienced  the  “converting 
of  the  soul.” 

Modern  mankind,  as  man  in  the 
past,  is  plagued  with  nonconversion 
or  partial  conversion,  the  first  group 
living  more  or  less  on  an  animal 
level  and  the  other  group  content 
to  live  in  egocentric  escapism.  The 
revelation  of  God  in  Jesus  Christ  is 
the  fullest  unveiling  that  has  come 
to  man.  Here  we  have  an  insight 
into  the  Being  of  God,  which  is  on 
the  Son  basis.  It  is  not  merely  wit- 
ness to  the  acts  of  God,  but  Act 
and  Actor  are  one. 

To  His  will  and  purpose  we  must 
continuously  be  converted.  As  new 
light  comes,  new  opportunities  of 
service  open,  new  situations  arise; 
we  must  be  made  ready  to  enter 
in.  This  inner  preparation  is  not 
the  entering  in  of  a foreign  power 
but  the  life-giving  Spirit  by  whom 
we  were  made  and  after  whom  we 
were  patterned.  In  this  experience 
and  continuation  of  this  experience, 
we  witness  to  the  psalmist’s  conclu- 
sion that  “the  law  of  the  Lord  is 
perfect,  converting  the  soul.” 


Sonnet  to  Faith 

Forget,  dear  Friend,  the  melancholy  air 

Deep  seated  in  the  sold  of  darkling  night. 

And  watch  the  morning,  vacant  of  despair. 

Describe  on  earth  its  God  inspired  light. 

Forget  the  pain  that  rankles  in  the  heart 

And  plls  the  soul  with  rays  of  shudd’ring  gloom; 

Undaunted  truth  of  heaven  shall  impart 

The  power  to  break  the  seal  upon  thy  tomb. 

Forget  to  fear  uncompromising  death; 

The  flower  lives  again  within  the  seed; 

Inspire  thy  deed  with  love’s  eternal  breath 

And  God  shall  shape  thy  life  instilling  creed. 

In  him  who  lives  in  love’s  eternal  day, 

God’s  faith  resides  impervious  to  decay. 

— Harold  Duller 


195 


From  Wichita  to  Jerusalem 


Mrs.  Harold  Ratzlaff* 


And  when  they  had  prayed, 
and  laid  their  hands  on  them, 
they  sent  them  away”  (Acts  13:3). 
In  like  manner  we  felt  blessed  when 
approximately  thirty-five  relatives 
and  friends  sacrificed  a night  of 
sleep  in  order  to  see  us  off  to  India 
at  the  Wichita  airport  on  the  16th 
of  February. 

Boarding  the  plane,  we  hardly  had 
time  to  fasten  our  seat  belts  before 
we  roared  off  into  the  darkness.  It 
was  the  first  time  we  had  been  on 
a plane,  and  as  we  soared  into  the 
air,  I found  myself  repeating,  “If 
I take  the  wings  of  the  morning, 
and  dwell  in  the  uttermost  parts 
of  the  sea;  even  there  shall  thy 
hand  lead  me,  and  thy  right  hand 
shall  hold  me”  (Ps.  139:9-10).  This 
verse  became  ours  for  the  next 
week. 

In  the  darkness  of  the  plane  (for 
the  other  passengers  were  sleep- 
ing) we  tried  to  orient  ourselves 
to  our  surroundings,  inside  and  out- 
side. We  rode  over  a few  brief 
“waves,”  and  almost  before  we 
knew  it  we  were  in  Kansas  City, 
then  Chicago,  where  we  changed  to 
a TWA  nonstop  flight  to  New  York. 
On  boarding  the  plane  and  finding 
our  seats,  we  again  noted  the  light- 
ed signs  in  front:  “No  smoking. 
Fasten  your  seat  belts.”  This  now 
became  routine  procedure  on  as- 
cending and  descending,  and  in 
rough  weather.. 

About  8:45  a.m.,  the  stewardess 
came  down  the  aisle  announcing, 
“Time  for  breakfast,”  and  she  hand- 
ed each  of  us  a small  pillow!  This 
provided  a firm  base  on  which  to 
set  our  breakfast  tray.  Breakfast 
was  quite  substantial,  and  all  was 
dainty  and  convenient.  We  were 
now  soaring  at  19,000  feet,  far  a- 


*Missionary to  India 


bove  the  clouds  so  that  we  couldn’t 
see  below.  Later  the  pilot  called 
over  the  intercom,  “Wake  up,  you 
sleepy-heads.  We’ll  be  in  New  York 
in  fifteen  minutes.”  It  seemed  un- 
believable! As  we  descended  to 
Idlewild  Airport,  the  pilot  explained 
various  sights. 

We  had  an  eight  hour  wait  for 
our  big  jump — on  the  jet — so  we 
drove  out  to  make  a tour  of  the 
United  Nations  Building.  Our  guide 
was  a beautiful  Indian  woman  who 
wanted  to  crawl  into  one  corner  of 
our  suitcases  when  she  learned  we 
would  soon  be  in  her  homeland. 

By  6:30  p.m.  (EST)  we  were  on 
board  the  Pan  American  Jet  Clip- 
per, flight  No.  114.  We  were  as- 
signed seats  No.  ABC  on  the  left 
of  the  aisle.  As  we  passed  through 
the  Deluxe  section  on  the  way  to 
our  Economy  section,  we  noted  that 
there  were  only  two  seats  on  each 
side  of  the  aisle,  with  plenty  of  knee 
space.  Economy’s  greatest  difference 
is  less  space,  which  is  not  a serious 
inconvenience  as  the  trip  is  a mat- 
ter of  hours.  Waiting  with  our  belts 
fastened,  we  noted  the  individual 
overhead  lights,  air  vents,  and  ta- 
bles for  eating  and  writing.  Under 
each  seat  was  a life  jacket;  soon 
the  stewardess  came  in  to  demon- 
strate its  use  and  to  brief  us  on 
other  safety  meeisures. 

Now  we  were  ready  and  engines 
roared.  But  then  everything  was 
turned  off ; soon  the  pilot  an- 
nounced, “There  will  be  a delay  of 
a couple  of  hours.  You  will  be  given 
your  dinner  in  the  airport  dining 
room.  You  should  take  all  your 
hand  luggage  with  you.”  We  all  de- 
planed. While  we  were  eating,  an 
officer  reported  that  the  engine 
trouble  was  more  serious  than  at 
first  thought,  and  the  plane  would 
not  leave  until  4 a.m.  The  entire 


group  was  taken  for  a few  hours 
of  sleep  to  a luxurious  hotel — a 
welcome  rest. 

By  3;  30  a.m.  we  were  on  board 
again,  and  a half  hour  later  the 
jet  taxied  down  the  runway.  'The 
noise  of  the  engines  was  terrific  as 
we  gained  speed  and  were  aloft. 
One  could  feel  the  tilt  of  the  plane 
as  it  gained  altitude  rapidly.  Later 
the  noise  lessened,  and  aiter  that 
there  was  only  a steady  swishy 
sound,  almost  less  than  in  other 
planes.  We  continued  climbing  until 
a height  of  37,000  feet  had  been 
reached.  Way,  way  down  one  could 
see  clouds  and  occasional  patches 
of  blue,  probably  the  ocean.  Al- 
though we  were  flying  at  the  rate  of 
600  miles  per  hour,  it  was  the  most 
perfect  traveling  we  have  ever  ex- 
perienced. 

We  were  served  breakfast;  then 
almost  everybody  was  lulled  to 
sleep.  Five  hours  later  the  pilot 
announced  we  were  over  Ireland.  It 
was  clear  and  we  could  see  the 
land  looking  like  islands  of  sand. 
The  broad  shadow  of  the  jet  stream 
was  plainly  visible  on  the  land. 
Lunch  was  now  served,  and  seven 
hours  after  leaving  New  York  we 
landed  in  Paris.  The  change  in  air 
pressure  was  noticeable  in  all 
planes,  but  especicilly  m the  jet,  and 
each  plane  served  gum  before  take- 
off and  before  descending. 

We  now  had  to  set  our  watches 
hours  ahead  — we  were  having  a 
short  day!  In  the  hour  and  a half 
we  were  in  Paris,  we  were  not  al- 
lowed outside  the  airport.  Then  the 
flight  continued  as  far  as  Beirut, 
Lebanon.  Enroute  there  we  had  a 
delay  of  almost  three  hours  in 
Rome,  waiting  for  a plane  from 
London  to  make  connections.  While 
waiting  in  the  air  terminal,  Harold 
entertained  himself  by  carrying 
around  a four-and-a-half-month-old 
baby,  thus  giving  the  mother  a rest. 

On  the  way  from  Rome  to  Beirut, 
we  had  a beautiful  view  of  large, 
billowy  white  clouds  like  huge 
mounds  of  freshly  fluffed  cotton. 
Above  us  the  sun  was  shining 
brightly.  We  descended  through  the 
clouds  to  land  at  Beirut  eleven 
hours  after  leaving  Paris. 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church. 
Entered  at  North  Newton,  Kansas,  post  office  as  second  class  matter.  Acceptance  for  mailing  at  special  rate  of  postage:  section  1103,  Act 
of  Oct.  3,  1917.  Authorized  Jan.  22,  1910.  Subscriptions  $2.50;  foreign  $3.00.  Mail  subscriptions  and  payments  to  Mennonite  Publication 
Office.  North  Newton,  Kan.,  or  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan.  Address  manuscripts  for  publication  to  J.  N.  Smucker,  Editor,  THE  MENNONITE, 
Woodward  Place,  Goshen,  Ind.  Postmasters:  change  of  address  Form  3579  to  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan. 


196 


THE  MENNONITE 


Here  we  were  met  by  Arnold 
Dietzel  of  Menno  Travel  Service, 
who  had  made  arrangements  for 
our  Holy  Land  tour.  Also  at  the 
airport  was  my  cousin,  Frank  Re- 
gier,  who  teaches  in  the  American 
University  in  Beirut.  We  had  ex- 
pected to  spend  a night  in  this  city, 
but  due  to  our  delay  in  New  York, 


we  were  again  on  our  way  to  Jeru- 
salem in  a short  time.  This  last 
stretch  of  two  hours  was  made  in  a 
two-motor  plane.  None  of  us  had 
been  airsick  on  the  way — and  it  was 
the  first  time  I’d  crossed  the  At- 
lantic without  missing  a meal  or 
losing  one! 

When  we  landed  in  Jerusalem,  we 


had  been  on  the  way  only  forty- 
seven  hours  since  we  left  Wichitei, 
Kansas.  Now  we  were  looking  for- 
ward to  a good  rest  and  then  three 
and  a half  days  in  the  Holy  Land. 

“Bless  the  Lord,  O my  soul.  O 
Lord  my  God,  thou  . . . who  walketh 
upon  the  wings  of  the  wind  . . . 
art  very  great.” 


A statement  to  the  United  States  Senate  Committee  on  Armed  Services 
presented  at  public  hearings  March  3,  Washington,  D.  C. 
by  Melvin  Gingerich  on  behalf  of  the  Mennonite  Central  Committee 

A Peace  Witness 


Mr.  chairman  and  members 
of  the  Committee.  My  name  is 
Melvin  Gingerich  and  I live  in  Go- 
shen, Indiana,  where  I am  manag- 
ing editor  of  The  Mennonite  Ency- 
clopedia and  director  of  research 
of  the  Mennonite  Research  Founda- 
tion. I appear  before  you  in  behalf 
of  the  Mennonite  Central  Commit- 
tee, organized  in  1920,  the  service 
agency  of  approximately  160,000 
Mennonites  and  related  groups  in 
the  United  States.  Recently  I served 
two  years  in  the  Orient  as  a rep- 
resentative of  this  Committee. 

Along  with  our  Canadian  affili- 
ates, our  organization  in  1958  had 
497  workers  in  26  countries  around 
the  globe,  ministering  to  under- 
privileged peoples  . . . including 
refugee  groups,  because  we  are  con- 
vinced that  our  Christian  faith  must 
find  expression  in  deeds  of  love  and 
mercy.  As  a church  body  we  have 
believed  since  our  beginning  in  1525 
that  Christ  commanded  His  dis- 
ciples to  return  good  for  evfi..  Con- 
sequently our  consciences  have  not 
allowed  us  to  support  programs  of 
war  or  violence,  and  thus  we  have 
been  deeply  concerned  for  the  prin- 
ciple of  religious  liberty  and  free- 
dom of  conscience,  suffering  perse- 
cution and  fieeing  from  one  coun- 
try to  another  rather  than  accept- 
ing a program  that  prohibited  the 
free  exercise  of  conscience. 

We  are  deeply  grateful  for  the 
liberty  that  we  have  enjoyed  in 
America.  . . . We  have  confidence 


that  the  present  Congress  will  con- 
tinue to  make  provisions  for  con- 
scientious objectors  to  war  if  mil- 
itary conscription  should  be  re- 
newed. 

WE  NEVERTHELESS  FEEL 
constrained  to  speak  words  of 
warning.  History  seems  to  teach  us 
that  they  who  place  their  trust  in 
and  eventually  take  up  the  sword 
will  finally  perish  with  the  sword. 
In  1957  I heard  the  great  historian 
Arnold  Toynbee  say  in  a public 
address  in  Tokyo  that  his  conclu- 
sion .after  a lifetime  of  study  is 
that  the  great  civilizations  of  his- 
tory fell  because  none  of  them 
learned  how  to  deal  with  the  prob- 
lem of  war.  The  warning  of  the 
Bible  against  placing  our  trust  in 
horsemen  and  chariots,  meaning 
military  strength,  is  applicable  to 
America. 

What  appears  to  us  to  be  the 
almost  feverish  preoccupation  with 
American  military  superiority 
frightens  many  of  our  friends  a- 
broad  and  makes  them  wonder  if 
our  national  motto  is  not  “In  a 
conscripted  army,  H-bombs,  and 
guided  missiles  we  trust.”  Reading 
our  American  periodicals  abroad,  I 
came  to  understand  why  state- 
ments by  our  military  leaders  such 
as  those  to  the  effect  that  we  have 
demonstrated  our  capability  of 
striking  “any  target  on  the  face  of 
the  earth”  are  interpreted  as  boast- 
ful declarations  of  confidence  in 


military  power  and  even  produce 
fear  among  our  potential  friends. 
This  trust  in  military  power,  the 
seeming  growth  of  influence  of  the 
military  in  our  political  and  nation- 
al life,  the  apparent  acceptance  of 
peacetime  conscription  by  a great 
number  of  people  as  the  inevitable 
fate  of  America,  and  the  military 
indoctrination  of  the  young  men  in 
the  armed  services  alarms  us  and 
causes  us  to  fear  that  a spirit  is 
developing  in  America  which  will 
eventually  greatly  restrict  all  our 
freedoms,  including  religious  liber- 
ty, as  has  nearly  always  happened 
when  militarism  became  a power- 
ful force  in  any  nation’s  life. 

It  is  for  this  reason,  as  well  as 
others,  that  we  are  appearing  be- 
fore you.  . . . 

IT  IS  NOT  our  intention  to  mini- 
mize the  problems  America  faces 
in  preserving  freedom.  As  a church 
committee  we  have  heard  the  tragic 
stories  of  thousands  of  refugees 
who  fled  from  arecis  where  freedom 
no  longer  fexisted  and  thus  we  know 
something  of  the  nature  of  totalitar- 
ianism. We  do  not  ask  you  to  ac- 
cept as  a national  policy  the  love 
ethnic  of  the  Way  of  the  Cross 
when  the  majority  of  Americans 
may  not  be  prepeired  spiritually  to 
love  their  enemies  and  to  refrain 
from  returning  evil  for  evil.  Nor 
do  we  presume  to  give  you  advice 
in  the  area  of  military  strategy. 
We  wish  primarily  to  register  our 


March  31,  1959 


197 


concern  that  the  actions  of  Con- 
gress shall  reflect  a deep  under- 
standing of  all  aspects  of  the  moral 
and  spiritual  strength  of  the  na- 
tion, for  it  is  in  these  that  genuine 
security  resides. 

In  this  connection  we  are  remind- 
ed of  the  warning  issued  by  Russel 
Davenport  in  his  great  book  The 
Dignity  of  Man  (a  book  which  Hen- 
ry Cabot  Lodge  Jr.  said  could 
“change  the  whole  course  of  human 
history”),  which  stresses  that  the 
crisis  of  the  West  is  a spiritual 
and  a moral  one.  Davenport  wrote, 

“Indeed,  the  entire  thesis  of  those 
who  place  their  primary  faith  in 
military  power  collapses  as  soon  as 
one  turns  to  the  pronouncements  of 
the  great  prophets  of  the  Commu- 
nist doctrine.  From  Marx  to  Stalin, 
those  prophets  have  been  unani- 
mous in  their  affirmation  that  com- 
munism can,  and  will  capture  men’s 
minds.  In  the  eyes  of  its  leadership, 
at  any  rate,  the  real  power  and 
hope  of  the  Communist  movement 
lies  in  the  very  thing  that  Ameri- 
cans tend  to  discount — that  is  to 
say,  in  the  ideology.” 

His  book  comes  to  the  conclusion 
that  in  many  areas  of  the  world 
we  are  losing  the  battle  for  the 
minds  of  men  precisely  because  we 
cannot  carry  on  a vigorous  cam- 
paign for  freedom  since  we  no 
longer  understand  its  spiritual  bas- 
is and  have  even  accepted  much  of 
the  secular  materialism  of  that  part 
of  the  world  that  has  rejected  free- 
dom. This,  we  believe,  is  a correct 
analysis  and  causes  us  great  con- 
cern. If  America  is  to  be  strong, 
this  problem  must  receive  our  great- 
est attention. 

Adlai  Stevenson’s  recent  speech 
concerning  “the  condition  of  sur- 
vival” quoted  at  length  in  the  edi- 
torial of  Life  magazine  (Feb.  9) 
makes  a similar  point.  Mr.  Steven- 
son speaks  of  our  “paralysis  of 
will,”  of  the  truth  which  “the  men 
of  the  Western  world  once  be- 
lieved,” of  our  commitment  to 
“mass  pleasures,”  of  the  fact  that 
we  spend  more  on  “drink  and  tran- 
quilizers” than  any  other  nation  has 
ever  spent,  that  we  seem  to  be  giv- 
ing ourselves  to  “the  clattering, 
cluttering  tyranny  of  internal  aim- 
lessness and  fuss,”  and  finally  he 
calls  us  back  to  the  days  when  our 
concern  was  not  with  what  we  owed 
to  ourselves  but  rather  with  “what 
man  owes  to  God  and  his  neighbor” 

198 


which  was  then  a “common  theme 
of  public  discourse.” 

We  have  been  impressed  too  with 
the  words  of  Vice-president  Nixon, 
who  recently  said  when  he  intro- 
duced the  documentary  film  M.  D. 
International,  which  explains  the 
work  of  American  doctors  aroimd 
the  world: 

“In  this  day  of  great  concern 
with  weapons  in  our  search  for  se- 
curity and  peace,  this  program  doc- 
uments a power  some  of  us  often 
overlook.  It  is  the  forceful  good  that 
lies  in  the  basic  brotherhood  of 


man.  In  my  travels  around  the 
world  I’ve  often  observed  how  a 
hand  outstretched  in  friendship,  a 
heart  full  of  good  will,  can  do  more 
to  win  the  affectionate  support  of 
people  than  all  the  guns  in  our 
arsenal.” 

My  experience  as  I observed  our 
own  young  people  and  other  volun- 
tary ambassadors  of  good  will  at 
work  in  Japan,  Korea,  Formosa, 
Vietnam,  India,  Pakistan,  and  the 
Middle  East  confirmed  these  obser- 
vations of  our  vice-president.  The 
Mennonite  Central  Committee 
would  agree  with  him  that  “through 
their  humane  work  they  are  mak- 
ing a positive  contribution  to  peace.” 
One  wonders  what  would  happen  if 
there  would  be  sent  to  the  corners 
of  the  earth  by  voluntary  agencies 
many  thousands  of  young  Ameri- 
cans, encouraged  by  ample  scholar- 
ships that  would  train  them  in 
meeting  the  needs  of  the  underpriv- 
ileged areas  of  our  globe,  in  correct 
approaches  to  strange  cultures,  and 
in  technical  assistance  skills. 

We  along  with  you  are  especially 
concerned  for  those  people  some- 
times referred  to  as  the  “uncommit- 
ted nations”  living  in  that  area 
where  most  of  the  people  of  the 
earth  reside  and  where  is  going  on 
one  of  the  greatest  revolutions  of 


all  times — the  great  “Asian  Revolu- 
tion.” The  Communists  have  prom- 
ised these  people  that  which  they 
want  desperately — peace,  and  vidth 
it  the  opportunity  to  achieve  the 
social  and  economic  progress  that 
will  enable  them  to  have  doctors, 
hospitals,  schools,  good  roads,  and 
other  advantages  they  see  other 
parts  of  the  world  enjoying.  The  re- 
sult is  that  the  Communists  are 
looked  upon  by  many  as  the  party 
of  peace  in  our  day  and  we  of  the 
West  are  regarded  as  the  follow- 
ers of  a religion  that  blesses  and 
sanctifies  violence.  I remember  one 
occasion  when  a group  of  Japanese 
high  school  teachers  expressed  a- 
mazement  at  the  close  of  my  ad- 
dress because  they  had  never  before 
heard  a Westerner  oppose  Commu- 
nism and  advocate  peace  in  the 
same  speech. 

Having  given  several  hundred  ad- 
dresses followed  by  discussion  pe- 
riods before  thousands  of  Orientals 
in  four  Far  Eastern  countries,  I 
can  testify  that  we  have  a tremen- 
dous job  ahead  of  us  in  interpret- 
ing the  better  and,  we  trust,  the 
true  America— an  America  deeply 
interested  in  establishing  under- 
standing and  good  will  among  these 
uncommitted  peoples  who  should 
be  on  the  side  of  freedom  in  this 
great  struggle  for  minds  of  men. 

We  who  have  uneasy  consciences 
because  of  the  disproportionate 
share  of  our  tax  money  which  is 
going  into  military  expenditures  in 
contrast  to  that  which  is  going  into 
nonmilitary  foreign  aid  would  be 
most  happy  to  see  the  Senate  ex-  i 
plore  new  and  dynamic  ways  in 
which  our  surplus  foods  and  our ' 
technical  skiUs  could  be  used  to 
wage  peace  in  our  world.  To  tip 
the  balances  in  this  direction,  the 
Mennonite  Central  Committee  be- 
lieves that  discontinuing  compul- 
sory military  service  would  demon- 
strate to  doubting  peoples  that  we  ^ 
have  no  aggressive  purposes. 

In  summary,  we  are  witnessing 
against  military  conscription  be- 
cause we  believe  it  produces  a false 
sense  of  security  in  military  power; 
because  conscription  tends  to  pro- 
mote militarism  with  all  its  attend-  * 
ant  evils;  and  because  conscription 
helps  to  divert  American  thought  i 
and  resources  from  a program  of  ' 
waging  peace  by  nonmilitary  means 
among  all  our  potential  friends  a-  I 
round  the  globe. 

II 

THE  MENNONITE  ! 


Literature  for  Congo 

Levi  Keidel* 


I RECENTLY  returned  from  a 
six-week  1700  mile  trip  through 
. Central  Congo  in  the  interest  of 
Christian  literature  distribution  in 
1 the  Tshiluba  language  area. 

Little  was  it  realized  when  the 
inter-mission  Tshiluba  regional  lit- 
erature committee  was  formed  in 
August  of  1957  and  I was  asked  to 
serve  as  chairman,  that  the  task 
would  develop  into  one  of  such 
magnitude,  or  that  our  combined 
outreach  would  touch  so  many  peo- 
ple. 

At  subsequent  annual  meetings 
we  agreed  upon  new  types  of  lit- 
erature which  were  needed,  made 
assignments  for  their  preparation, 
read  and  approved  manuscripts  for 
publication,  and  divided  the  print- 
ing jobs  between  the  mission  press- 
es. Integrated  plans  for  writing, 
publication,  distribution,  and  finance 
have  done  much  toward  achieving 
an  aggressive  program  of  Chris- 
tian literature. 

As  we  made-  considerable  prog- 
ress in  literature  production,  it  was 
becoming  increasingly  evident  that 
our  common  problem  was  that  of 
distribution.  At  the  1958  annual  con- 
ference of  the  American  Presbjderi- 
an  Congo  Mission,  an  invitation  was 
issued  to  visit  all  their  stations  dur- 
ing ’58-’59  school  year  “for  study 
and  advice  on  bookshops  and  liter- 


*Missionary to  Belgian  Congo 


ature  selling.”  The  C.I.M.  request- 
ed that  the  itinerary  be  extended  to 
include  our  five  stations  which  use 
the  Tshiluba  language. 

Trevor  Shaw,  who  is  responsible 
for  the  colorful  religious  monthlies 
currently  being  published  in  four  of 
Congo’s  chief  languages,  requested 
to  send  along  Kabeya  Noa,  African 
editor  of  the  Tshiluba  magazine 
Sankai.  This  capable  journalist  flew 
to  central  Congo  and  met  me  at 
Luebo  on  Nov.  7.  Here  we  began 
the  tour,  traveling  in  the  “Bible 
Wagon,”  a 1956  Chevy  carryall  with 
a large  book  cupboard  mounted  on 
its  side. 

Our  itinerary  took  us  to  eighteen 
mission  stations  staffed  by  136  mis- 
sionaries, serving  an  area  of  80,000 
square  miles  populated  by  about 
three  million  people.  Our  activities 
included  literature  fairs,  sales  dem- 
onstrations, counseling  with  heads 
of  station  departments  and  mission- 
ary groups,  and  speaking  to  stu- 
dent bodies,  teachers,  medical  per- 
sonnel, women,  girls  in  station 
compounds,  out-village  evangelists 
and  church  leaders. 

Some  of  the  more  immediate  re- 
sults include  cupboard  literature 
cash  sales  of  $340  (plus  perhaps 
half  again  that  amount  in  orders 
left  for  books  on  the  fair  display 
tables),  concrete  plans  for  the  lo- 
cation, stocking  and  financing  of 
station  bookstores,  accelerated  dis- 


tribution by  employing  church  lead- 
ers in  colportage  work,  and  perhaps 
4,000  new  monthly  buyers  of  San- 
kai magazine. 

Much  of  the  success  of  the  trip 
must  be  attributed  to  the  dedicated, 
tireless  ministry  of  Sankai  editor 
Kabeya  Noa.  I have  never  met  an 
African  with  greater  vision  for  the 
future  of  his  people,  greater  spir- 
itual devotion,  or  more  fearless  dec- 
laration of  his  convictions.  He  is 
certainly  God’s  chosen  man  for  the 
task.  With  Sankai  circulation  mov- 
ing past  10,000  copies  monthly,  he 
could  become  one  of  Congo’s  most 
powerful  figures. 

As  we  tossed  tracts  from  the  car 
windows  and  sold  literature  at  a 
few  of  the  larger  centers  along  the 
way  he  said,  “Somebody  ought  to 
be  doing  this  work  all  the  time. 
We’ll  plan  our  next  trip  for  six 
months  instead  of  six  weeks.  We’ll 
have  a three-ton  truck  loaded  with 
literature  following  along  behind 
us,  and  we’ll  stop  and  sell  at  every 
one  of  these  centers.”  Many  of  you 
have  made  gifts  to  Sankai.  You 
would  be  thrilled  to  meet  its  editor 
and  tremendously  heartened  to  see 
the  impact  his  publication  is  mak- 
ing upon  the  spiritual  and  cultural 
welfare  of  Central  Congo’s  peoples. 

It  was  spiritually  refreshing  to 
meet  God’s  many  dedicated  talent- 
ed missionaries  who  are  living  daily 
lives  of  victorious  witness  for  Jesus 


March  31,  1959 


199 


Christ  It  was  a rare  experience  to 
meet  all  strata  of  Congo  society— 
from  progressive  elite  of  xirban 
centers  to  knife-carrying,  nude,  can- 
nibal tribes  of  the  bush  country.  It 
was  challenging  to  meet  a few  of 
the  thousands  who  love  the  Lord 
Jesus,  who  are  leading  the  emerg- 
ing Congo  Church,  whose  lives  lit- 
erature can  touch  and  mould,  and 
who  can  reach  by  their  evangelistic 
witness  the  hundreds  of  thousands 
yet  in  spiritual  darkness.  As  Ka- 
beya  said,  “Everyone  wants  prog- 
ress. Everyone  wants  to  learn.  If 


City  Street 


The  street,  walled  by  three- 
story  brick  row  houses,  was  the 
quietest  it  had  been  all  week.  Only 
the  occasional  one-way  rumble  of 
cars,  a few  trucks,  and  the  familiar 
switch  and  grind  of  the  trolley 
broke  the  early  Sunday  morning 
stillness.  Like  its  inhabitants,  the 
street  seemed  to  doze  as  the  sun 
came  up. 

Suddenly  sleep  was  at  an  end.  A 
man  was  running  down  the  street; 
after  him  chased  another  man 
brandishing  a strap.  There  were 
cries  of  “Help!  Help!”  as  heads 
popped  out  of  bedroom  windows  up 
and  down  the  block.  A woman 
yelled,  “Call  the  police!”  In  no  time 
at  all,  four  bright  red  police  cars 
had  appeared.  Both  men  were 
picked  up,  the  cars  roared  away, 
and  the  street  relaxed  once  more. 

This  is  the  city  street  in  Phila- 
delphia where  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Erwen 
Graber,  long-term  Voluntary  Serv- 
ice workers,  and  their  three  chil- 
dren live,  work,  and  play.  The 
mixed-race  neighborhood  is  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  all-white  First  Men- 
nonite  Church,  north  of  the  city’s 
heart.  The  Grabers’  home,  known 
as  Friendship  House,  is  one  unit 
of  a ninety-year-old  row  house. 
Next  door  is  a furniture  store,  a- 
cross  the  street  is  a taproom,  and 
nearby  are  a secondhand  furniture 
place  and  a drugstore. 


we  fail  to  get  books  into  their  hands 
there  will  be  a big  reaction  from 
the  Africans.” 

Can  you  sense  with  us  the  note 
of  urgency — the  thrill  of  unclaimed 
challenge?  Should  not  literature  be 
instrumental  in  keeping  African 
hearts  on  fire  for  God  as  well  as 
our  own?  With  75  per  cent  of  Con- 
go’s school  age  population  literate, 
should  it  not  be  a chief  vehicle  in 
evangelizing  the  masses? 

Pray  for  us  that  by  God’s  grace, 
1959  will  be  Congo’s  biggest  year 
for  Christian  literature. 


Most  of  the  week  the  street  is 
full  of  activity  and  noise— hucksters 
with  horse  and  wagon  selling  po- 
tatoes, apples,  cabbages:  the  clang- 
ing trolley,  the  sirens  of  police  cars 
or  ambulance  or  fire  alarm,  the 
roar  of  cars  and  trucks,  and  the 
shouts  of  voices  raised  in  violent 
argument. 

There  is  not  much  civic  pride. 
Mrs.  Graber  writes  that  “streets 
are  littered  with  papers,  there  are 
too  many  bars  . . . women  are  in 
danger  on  the  streets  alone  at 
night,  many  purse  snatchings  occur 
until  one  realizes  it  is  better  not  to 
carry  a purse  at  all,  the  school  is 
much  below  par  in  material  taught 
as  the  main  job  for  teachers  is  that 
of  discipline.”  It  is  a community  in 
transition,  and  those  who  resent 
change  resent  the  Negroes  who  are 
moving  in.  As  a result  there  has 
been  tension  and  low  morale.  Many 
whites  have  chosen  to  leave  and  to 
close  their  churches  and  build  else- 
where rather  than  open  their  fel- 
lowship to  Christians  of  other  races. 

Here  in  this  community  Curtis 
Bedsworth,  pastor  of  the  First  Men- 
nonite  Church,  began  a witness  to 
the  love  of  God  for  every  person. 
'The  Erwen  Grabers  are  supplement- 
ing this  witness  as  they  and  Pastor 
Bedsworth  work  toward  the  accom- 
plishment of  several  goals. 

One  goal  is  that  of  sowing  the 


seed  by  telling  gospel  stories  to 
Negro  children.  The  Gospel  Bus 
can  reach  about  two  thousand  Phil- 
adelphia children  every  week,  and 
it  is  usually  crowded  with  young- 
sters of  every  age.  Storytelling  and 
worship  are  held  inside  the  bus 
while  Erwen  informs  adults  out- 
side what  is  going  on. 

As  young  people  from  Eastern 
District  churches  have  participated 
in  the  progreim  (the  work  in  Phil- 
adelphia is  sponsored  by  Eastern 
District  Conference  organizations: 
Peace  and  Service,  Missions,  and 
Youth),  a second  goal  has  grown 
out  of  the  first:  to  interest  youth 
in  becoming  missionaries  and  Chris- 
tian workers.  Young  people  are  vol- 
unteering a day  over  the  week  end 
or  a week  during  the  summer  vaca- 
tion to  teach  on  the  Gospel  Bus, 
and  interest  increases  with  partici- 
pation. 

Then  there  is  the  aspect  of  recon- 
ciliation between  races.  Mrs.  Graber 
writes:  “By  the  love  of  Christians 
one  for  another  regardless  of  race 
. . . the  barrier  may  be  broken 
down.  If  all  white  people  could  ex- 
perience the  thrill  of  holding  a 
cuddly  Negro  child  and  of  loving  it, 
knowing  that  it  is  just  as  precious 
and  innocent  as  any  white  child, 
hatred  could  hardly  continue  to  ex- 
ist.” Reconciliation  cam  be  brought 
about  when  Christians  learn  to 
know  each  other. 

Another  area  of  witness  is  that 
of  the  Christian  family  living  in  a 
city  community.  For  the  Grabers 
this  involves  dedicated  dally  living, 
loving  community  relationships,  and 
evangelistic  teaching.  Eveingelism 
at  Friendship  House  includes  a 
"Tuesday  evening  Bible  Club,  which 
two  Bible  College  students  teach, 
and  the  beginnings  of  a teen-age 
Bible  Club  on  Monday  evenings,  in 
charge  of  the  Grabers. 

In  everything  there  are  problems 
and  challenges.  There  is  the  un- 
disciplined child,  the  incoherent 
drunk,  the  indifferent  teen-ager,  the 
old  resident  who  will  not  love  the 
new  resident — and  there  are  also 
those  who  respond,  in  whose  heairts 
the  seed  falls  onto  ready  ground. 
If  these  “bring  forth  fruit  with  pa- 
tience,” the  city  street  may  itself 
change  from  a place  of  prejudice, 
tension,  and  violence,  to  a highway 
for  our  God. 


Reconciliation  between  races  on  a 


200 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  youth 


Pax,  Congo,  and  Me 


by  Fremont  Regier 


The  Congo  is  more  to  me  now 
than  the  beating  of  drums  in  a 
strange  faraway  land  inhabited  by 
even  stranger  people.  I used  to 
think  of  a foreign  missionary  as  a 
man  dressed  in  a white  suit  and 
white  helmet,  standing  under  a 
palm  tree  in  the  steaming  jungle 
with  a Bible  under  his  arm  while 
he  taught  weird  looking  natives 
Bible  stories;  or  perhaps  as  a nurse 
going  about  among  people  almost 
all  of  whom  were  infested  with 
huge  open  sores,  or  little  children 
with  terribly  distended  stomachs. 

I’ve  learned  that  missionaries  are 
more  than  white  cork  helmets  and 
Bible  stories,  and  Africans  more 
than  weird,  infested,  and  bewitched 
natives.  I learned  this  through  a 
marvelous  opportunity  we  Menno- 
nites  have — ^Pax. 

Now  the  Congo  is  a vital,  living 
land  to  me — not  a place  of  photo- 
graphic dreams  but  reality  itself. 
From  imder  those  romantic  white 
helmets  (most  of  them  are  khaki 
colored!)  pours  very  real  sweat — 
sweat  because  the  missionary  is 
working  hard  at  his  job.  Be  it  truck 
driving,  building,  mechanics,  med- 
iccil  work,  teaching,  or  agricultural 
extension,  he  is  going  about  his 
work  as  we  do  here;  every  type 
of  work  is  a method  of  reaching 
the  goal  of  evangelism.  Of  course 
at  the  same  time  there  are  also 
those  who  are  out  under  the  pcilms 
preaching  the  gospel.  Or,  as  a liv- 
ing symbol  of  the  advancement  of 
modem  missions,  they  are  teaching 
in  Bible  institute,  preparing  Afri- 
cans to  become  spiritual  leaders  of 
their  people. 

I observed  and  felt  some  of  the 
tremendous  needs  agricultural  work 
presents  among  a people  who  know 
and  practice  practically  nothing  in 
the  realm  of  animal  science,  but 
who  at  the  same  time  suffer  from 


lack  of  protein  in  their  diet.  The 
soil  of  the  plains  is  now  poor,  and 
the  rich,  organic  forest  soil  is  rap- 
idly being  depleted,  exhausted,  and 
eroded  away.  If  the  Chris- 
tian community  is  to  become  self- 
supporting  and  the  people  are  to 
have  a balanced  diet,  these  agricul- 
tural problems  must  be  explored  in 
co-operation  with  government  of- 
ficials. The  plains  must  be  made 
to  produce — not  rank  coarse  un- 
palatable grass — but  grass  that  will 
produce  poimds  of  protein-laden 
meat  on  grazing  animals.  The  fer- 
tile forest  soil  must  be  conserved 
to  produce  garden  crops  for  hu- 
man consumption. 

The  conception  I had  of  an  agri- 
cultural missionary  was  even  more 
vague  than  my  missionary  concept 
as  a whole  before  my  experience 
there.  Now  I know  much  better  the 
problems  and  how  better  to  train 


myself  for  this  work.  Also  of  great 
importance  is  the  added  incentive 
one  receives  to  study  when  he 
knows  just  what  he  studies  for. 

Even  more  important  was  learn- 
ing to  work  vnth  people  and  not 
for  people.  I learned  of  a few  of 
the  problems  that  a missionary 
faces  in  creating  an  indigenous 
church  that  will  stand  secure  on  its 
own  feet  if  and  when  the  too-much- 
celebrated  white  man  must  leave.  I 
experienced  the  joy  of  gained  con- 
fidence and  deep  comradeship  of 
people  who,  when  I learned  to  know 
them,  became  much  more  than 
“natives.” 

It’s  hard  to  put  in  words  all  two 
such  years  can  do  for  a person  in 
preparing  him  for  missionary  work 
because  feelings  don’t  easily  ex- 
press themselves  in  words.  And 
feeling  is  what  I experience  when- 
ever I think  of  Congo. 

And  how  did  all  these  blessings 
come  to  me?  Through  Pax— a word 
which  has  come  to  mean  more  to 
me  than  peace  cimong  nations.  It 
is  peace  with  our  fellow  man,  stem- 
ming from  the  peace  of  God  which 
we  can  help  bring  to  restless  souls 
by  giving  ourselves  and  our  time  in 
Pax  service. 


March  31,  1959 


201 


MGO  volunteer  with  Wiltwyck  boys 


Visit  to  a Village 


Mention  New  York  City,  and 
images  of  skyscrapers,  the 
stock  market.  United  Nations,  and 
Rockefeller  Center  come  to  mind. 
Less  happy  thoughts  are  those  of 
the  city’s  crime  record  and  its  no- 
torious juvenile  delinquents.  Knif- 
ings, beatings,  rape,  and  murder, 
frequently  committed  by  teen-age 
gangs,  confront  the  city  with  a prob- 
lem that  defies  an  easy  solution. 

Wiltwyck  School  for  Boys,  locat- 
ed ninety  miles  north  of  the  city 
on  the  bank  of  the  Hudson  River, 
represents  a redemptive  approach 
Sensing  the  need  for  preventive 
measures,  private  individuals  have 
collected  funds,  appointed  a board 
of  directors,  and  opened  a special 
school  away  from  the  city  atmos- 
phere. Boys  who  are  constantly  get- 
ting into  trouble  and  appear  to  be 
heading  for  a life  of  crime  are 
brought  here  for  remedial  treat- 
ment. 

We  were  cordially  welcomed  by 
Walter  I.  Johnson,  resident  director, 
while  Anna  Jo  Trost,  one  of  our 
volunteers,  smiled  hello  from  the 
switchboard  in  the  adjoining  office. 
After  arranging  for  an  interview 
with  Mr.  Johnson  later  in  the  day, 
we  left  with  VSer  Barbara  Yoder 
for  a tour  of  the  premises.  One  of 
the  boys  proudly  conducted  us 
through  the  buildings.  We  saw  the 
crafts  shop,  gymnasium,  stock 
room,  bam,  billy  goat,  hospital  fa- 


cilities, and  staff  quarters. 

At  noon  we  assembled  in  the  huge 
dining  room  for  lunch.  At  each  long 
table  a counselor  supervised  his 
noisy  charges.  Suddenly  there  was 
a hush,  and  then  a raucous  chorus 
broke  out  with  “Happy  birthday  to 
you’’  interspersed  with  lusty  cheers 
at  the  end  of  each  line.  What,  a- 
gain?  This  time  the  singing  was 
even  more  hearty  as  a popular 
counselor’s  birthday  was  remem- 
bered. 

In  the  interview  with  Mr.  Johnson 
we  gathered  some  pertinent  fact 
about  the  school.  Wiltwyck  is  both 
a school  and  an  institution.  As  a 
school  it  is  subsidized  by  New  York 
City  and  staffed  by  the  city  school 
board.  As  an  institution  it  is  sup- 
ported by  private  donors  and  char- 
itable funds;  a staff  of  profession- 
ally trained  social  workers  look 
after  the  boys  outside  of  school 
hours.  There  are  approximately  100 
boys  with  a live-in  staff  of  from 
forty  to  fifty.  All  the  boys  come 
from  New  York  City  and  are  ad- 
mitted on  the  recommendation  of  a 
psychiatrist.  While  the  child  is  at 
Wiltwyck,  social  workers  in  the 
city  work  with  the  home  situation. 

A VS  unit  of  seven  is  serving  at 
Wiltwyck  currently.  Untrained  vol- 
unteers obviously  cannot  give  pro- 
fessionalized services,  but  they  can 
perform  a host  of  necessary  duties 
which  do  not  require  specialized 


training.  The  girls  fill  secretarial 
positions  and  help  in  the  institu- 
tion’s activity  program.  The  men 
assist  in  construction  of  buildings, 
drive  the  school  vehicles,  take  care 
of  the  farm  project,  and  help  or- 
ganize the  recreational  program. 

A significant  contribution  has 
been  the  group’s  participation  in 
religious  activities  at  Wiltwyck. 
They  have  taken  part  in  chapel 
services,  taught  Sunday  school 
classes,  read  Bible  stories  to  the 
children  at  bedtime,  and  conducted 
summer  vacation  Bible  schools. 

In  a recent  article  for  an  MCC 
publication,  Mr.  Johnson  wrote:  “Of 
great  importance  to  the  rehabilita- 
tion of  our  children  is  the  fact  that 
the  Mennonites  give  their  services 
without  monetary  gain.  To  most  of 
the  children,  it  is  at  first  incompre- 
hensible that  anyone  would  want  to 
contribute  so  much  for  so  little.  In 
learning  that  people  can  work  for 
the  enjoyment  they  experience  in 
contributing  their  services  and  that 
the  inner  satisfaction  derived  can 
be  payment  enough,  our  children 
can  find  a new  world  of  meaningful 
values  suddenly  before  their  eyes. 

“During  these  nine  years  the 
Mennonite  Central  Committee  has 
with  a high  degree  of  selectivity 
sent  to  us  not  only  young  people 
of  the  highest  caliber  but  also  those 
whose  interest  in  the  work  has  been 
notably  high.  Our  staff  has  found 
working  with  them  both  pleasant 
and  fruitful.’’ 

Before  we  left,  we  were  invited 
to  tea  at  the  home  of  one  of  the 
head  counselors.  A spirit  of  good- 
will and  fellowship  pervades  this 
home  and  makes  the  visitor  feel 
instantly  at  ease.  One  feels  that 
this  spirit  must  carry  over  into  the 
staff-pupil  relationship  as  well. 

The  visit  to  Wiltwyck  has  been 
enlightening.  We  have  seen  a group 
of  workers  coming  to  grips  with  the 
problem  of  the  city’s  socially  mal- 
adjusted children.  We  have  recog- 
nized our  sins  of  omission,  for 
should  not  these  children  be  first 
and  foremost  the  Christian’s  con- 
cern? “Bear  ye  one  another’s  bur- 
dens and  so  fulfill  the  law  of 
Christ.” 

For  further  information  on.  Vol- 
untary Service  units  this  summer, 
write  to:  Summer  Service,  Menno- 
nite Central  Committee,  Akron,  Pa. 

— Susan  Krahn 


202 


THE  MENNONITE 


Challenges  for  igsg 


Summer 


Service  With  MCC 


Did  you  know  that  198  young 
people  served  in  twenty  projects 
in  the  MCC  Summer  Service  pro- 
gram last  year?  Perhaps  you  were 
one  of  these  volunteers.  If  so,  you 
will  have  experienced  the  joy  of 
sharing  Christ  in  a practical  way 
with  your  fellow  men.  Or  possibly 
you  are  one  of  those  who  wanted 
to  go  but  didn’t. 

Men  are  called  “to  be  glad  instru- 
ments of  God’s  love  in  this  imper- 
fect world,’’  says  Albert  Schweitzer. 
All  men?  Certainly  all  Christians, 
for  it  is  they  who  have  experienced 
the  love  of  God!  As  summer  again 
approaches,  new  service  opportu- 
nities challenge  youth  to  respond 
to  the  call. 

If  you  are  a prospective  volunteer 
remember  that  the  significance  of 
your  contribution  is  the  impact  of 
your  Christian  work  and  witness. 
You  will  be  glad  that  there  is  a 
variety  of  locations  and  jobs  to 
choose  from  in  order  that  you  may 
serve  most  effectively.  A tour  of 
several  representative  projects  wUl 
give  you  an  idea  of  some  of  the 
possibilities. 

Clearwater  Sanatorium 

Perhaps  you  would  like  to  go 
north.  Five  himdred  miles  north  of 
Winnipeg,  at  The  Pas  (pronounced 
The  Pah),  Manitoba,  is  Clearwater 
Sanatorium  with  Indian  and  Eski- 
mo patients.  'This  is  beautiful  coun- 
try with  its  stony  tundra,  lakes 
and  evergreens.  But  it  is  needy 
country  also,  presenting  many  op- 
portunities for  service,  for  it  is  one 
of  the  northernmost  points  of  civ- 
ilization. 

Outposts  in  the  north  country  de- 
pend upon  The  Pas  for  medical  aid 
and  communications.  If  you  are  a 
nurse  or  could  serve  as  a depend- 
able orderly  or  aide,  and  if  you  have 
an  adventurous  spirit,  this  the  real 
place  for  you. 

Migrant  Camps 

Or  perhaps  you  like  teaching.  A 
demanding  job  awaits  you  in  this 
field  as  weU. 

Near  Hamilton,  N.  Y.,  or  in  neigh- 


boring Waterville  you  can  work  with 
migrants.  You  can  learn  to  know 
these  people  who  make  their  living 
by  following  the  cash  crop  harvests 
along  the  eastern  seaboard. 

You  can  share  in  the  fellowship 
of  Bible  study  and  prayer  meetings. 
You  can  break  dovm  barriers  by 
picking  beans  together.  Did  you 
ever  notice  the  openness  that  de- 
velops between  fellow  workers?  Did 
you  ever  discuss  the  questions 
“What  am  I?’’  “Where  am  I going?’’ 
under  those  circumstances? 

The  challenge  of  the  work  with 
migremts  is  great.  Giving  your  time 
and  concern  for  these  underpriv- 
ileged persons  \vill  prove  truly  re- 
warding. Fifteen  volunteers  served 
in  these  units  Isist  summer  and  there 
are  openings  for  a larger  number 
this  year. 

Camp  Paivika 

Could  the  mountains  of  the  Pa- 
cific Coast  lure  you?  There  is 
greater  bait  than  these. 

Have  you  the  patience  to  work 
\vith  a crippled  child  until  he  can 
take  his  first  step  or  eat  his  first 
mouthful  unaided?  Imagine  the 
thrill  of  his  first  success.  You  can 
share  it  with  him  for  it  has  been 
your  joint  project.  Perhaps  you  can 
help  a child  with  a paralyzed  leg 
learn  to  swim.  You  may  need  to 


spend  hours  in  the  water  with  him, 
teaching  him  to  kick. 

The  lure  of  the  mountains  is  great 
but  the  lure  of  children  who  need 
your  patience  and  love  at  Camp 
Paivika  in  California  is  greater.  Ten 
volunteers  are  needed  there  this 
summer. 

How  About  You? 

These  and  many  other  opportu- 
nities are  yours  for  participating  in 
MCC  Summer  Service  throughout 
North  America.  Last  year  eighty- 
eight  volunteers  in  Canada  worked 
in  tuberculosis  sanatoriums,  gener- 
al hospitals,  mental  institutions,  and 
at  Ailsa  Craig  Boys  Farm.  In 
America,  110  young  people  served 
in  crippled  children’s  camps,  mi- 
grant camps,  health  centers,  state 
mental  hospitals,  schools  for  dis- 
turbed children,  and  the  National 
Institute  of  Health.  But  200  individ- 
uals is  only  a fraction  of  the  total 
number  who  served  as  glad  instru- 
ments of  God’s  love. 

What  are  your  plans  for  this 
summer?  People  in  every  sector  of 
the  U.  S.  and  Canada  need  physical 
and  spiritual  help.  Summer  Service 
offers  a wide  variety  of  ways  in 
which  you  can  serve.  For  further 
information  vmte  to  Summer  Serv- 
ice, Mennonite  Central  Committee, 
Akron,  Pa. 


Forty  Volunteers  So  Far  For  Conference  Service 


The  Voluntary  Service  and  1-W 
Committee  met  at  Newton,  Kan., 
March  12-13.  A report  on  a unit 
study  of  1-W  projects  at  Denver, 
Colo.,  and  Evanston,  111.,  by  Albert 
Gaeddert,  H.  B.  Schmidt,  and  Wil- 
fred Unruh,  was  thoroughly  dis- 
cussed and  plans  drawn  up  for  more 
effective  service. 

Long-term  VS  projects  were  re- 
viewed and  possibilities  for  new 
projects  evaluated.  At  this  time  the 
1959  summer  service  program  is 
being  launched,  and  Leo  Driedger 
reported  forty  applications  already 
received  for  this  summer.  A VS 


alumni  rally  is  being  planned  for 
all  who  have  served  in  the  Confer- 
ence program  or  under  MCC,  to  be 
held  in  the  Newton  area  in  spring. 

Operating  under  the  Board  of 
Christian  Service,  members  of  the 
committee  are  Peter  Ediger,  Gor- 
don Dyck,  Peter  Kehler,  Albert 
Gaeddert,  John  Bertsche,  Harry 
Martens,  H.  B.  Schmidt,  William 
Stauffer,  and  David  Schroeder. 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsorec# 
by  the  Young  People's  Union  of  the  Generof 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  3003 
Benham  Avenue,  Elkhart,  Indiana. 


March  31,  1959 


203 


our  schools 

SCIENTIST  TO  LECTURE 

Arthur  W.  Waltner,  professor  of 
physics  at  North  Carolina  State 
College,  Raleigh,  is  coining  to  Beth- 
el College  April  2-3  to  give  a series 
of  lectures  on  nuclear  energy  and 
to  report  on  last  fall’s  Geneva  Con- 
ference on  the  Peaceful  Uses  of 
Atomic  Energy.  Dr.  Waltner’s  visit 
here  is  sponsored  by  the  “Visiting 
Scientist  Program  in  Physics,” 
financed  by  a grant  from  the  Na- 
tional Science  Foundation. 

A member  of  the  Raleigh  faculty 
since  1948,  Waltner  writes  his  own 
textbooks,  which,  however,  are  al- 
most obsolete  before  they  are  off 
the  press.  He  has  been  elected  a 
Fellow  of  the  American  Physical 
Society  in  recognition  of  his  re- 
search and  publication. 

Dr.  Waltner  is  being  scheduled 
for  a 10  a.m.  lecture  and  another 
presentation  at  7:30  p.m.  on  April 
2;  and  a 7:30  p.m.  lecture  on  April 
3.  These  lectures  will  be  open  to  the 
public. 

MATH  CONTEST  WINNERS 

Beiiiel  students  placed  first  and 
second  in  the  individual  ratings  in 
the  Kansas  Conference  Intercollegi- 
ate Mathematics  contest  and  the 
Bethel  team  led  the  field  of  eleven 
colleges  taking  part  in  the  contest, 
according  to  the  math  department 
of  the  University  of  Kansas,  which 
had  prepared  and  graded  the  con- 
test examination.  Individual  first 
place  winner  was  George  J.  Dick, 
while  second  place  was  won  by  Na- 
bil  Khabbaz. 


MCC  news  and  notes 

MCC  PROVIDES  HOT  MEALS 


Two  hundred  undernourished  Mus- 
lim children  receive  a hot  meal  daily 
at  the  Aisha  Bakhar  feeding  center, 
sponsored  hy  the  Mennonite  Cen- 
tral Committee,  in  Beirut. 


TRAVELING  PLAY 

The  Bluflfton  College  dramatics 
department  has  selected  Cry,  the 
Beloved  Country  as  this  year’s  trav- 
eling play.  This  is  an  adaptation 
of  the  novel  by  Alan  Paton.  Profes- 
sor Dale  Dickey  will  direct  the  per- 
formance. 

The  cast  consists  of  James  Weav- 
er, Gary  Yoder,  Carton  K.  Steiner, 
Gary  Sprunger,  Patricia  Gross, 
and  Mary  Margaret  Youngkman. 
Each  actor  will  play  more  than  one 
character  during  the  three  acts.  The 
play  will  be  produced  in  church 
chancels  without  properties.  Cos- 
tuming will  be  limited  to  essentials. 

The  story  concerns  a man’s  search 
for  his  son  in  Johannesburg,  South 
Africa,  and  the  existing  social  and 
racial  problems  there. 

BIBLE  CLASS  FIELD  TRIPS 

The  members  of  the  senior  Bible 
class  of  Freeman  Junior  College 
and  instructor  Leola  Schultz  attend- 
ed services  at  St.  Joseph  Cathedral, 
a Catholic  parish;  St.  John  Baptist 
Church,  a colored  congregation;  and 
the  Assembly  of  God  Church  at 
Sioux  Falls  on  March  15  as  part  of 
an  effort  to  acquire  knowledge  and 
understanding  of  other  denomina- 
tions and  forms  of  worship. 

PEACE  CLUB  REPRESENTED 

Two  members  of  the  Freeman 
Junior  CoUege  Peace  Club  attended 
the  annual  Intercollegiate  Peace 
Conference  at  the  United  Nations 
Headquarters  in  New  York.  They 
also  visited  with  Edward  Ries, 
Standard  Oil  Company  geologist 
and  Freeman  Junior  College  grad- 
uate. 


MENNONITE  AID 

CHICAGO — A review  of  the  total 
South  American  program  was  the 
major  item  of  discussion  at  the 
Mennonite  Aid  Section  Meeting  in 
Chicago,  March  19.  Subjects  dis- 
cussed were  the  programs  in  Para- 
guay, Uruguay,  Brazil,  and  Argen- 
tina. C.  A.  Defehr,  Winnipeg,  Man., 
reported  on  his  1958  visit  to  South 
America  and  the  progress  he  had 
noted  after  a ten-year  interval.  Re- 
quests for  assistance  from  new 
Mennonite  settlements  in  Bolivia 
and  in  British  Honduras  were  also 
under  consideration. 


PASSION  SUNG 

'The  annual  Passion  program  was 
presented  recently  at  Canadian 
Mennonite  Bible  College.  The  Pas- 
sion according  to  St.  Luke  attribut- 
ed to  J.  S.  Bach  was  performed  by 
the  a cappella  and  the  oratorio 
choirs.  The  Passion  is  thought  to 
have  been  written  in  Bach’s  youth. 
Conductor  George  Wiebe  said  that 
he  hoped  that  this  somewhat  easier 
composition  would  prove  to  be  the 
introduction  to  the  appreciation  of 
Bach’s  two  more  difficult  works, 
the  Passions  according  to  St.  Mat- 
thew and  St.  John.  Chief  soloists  4 
were  Vernon  Neufeld  as  the  evan- 
gelist, Abe  Peters  as  Jesus,  and 
Lydia  Boese,  who  sang  several  so- 
prano arias. 

STUDENT  COUNCIL  ELECTION 

New  members  of  the  1959-60  < 

Bluffton  College  Student  Council  ‘ 

were  recently  elected  by  the  student 
body.  Ronald  Lora,  Frances  Maug- 
er,  and  Glenn  Snyder  were  chosen 
from  next  year’s  senior  class.  The 
future  council  president  will  be  e- 
lected  from  these  three.  Represent- 
ing next  year’s  junior  class  will  be 
Ted  Berkey,  Mary  Jo  DiUer,  and 
Doris  Liechty.  Sophomore  delegates 
include  Barbara  McDowell,  Dan 

Pannabecker,  Walter  Sprunger. 

COMMENCEMENT  ] 

Dr.  L.  L.  Ramseyer,  president  of  i 
Bluffton  College,  has  announced  j 

that  this  year’s  commencement 
speaker  will  be  Dr.  Thomas  E. 
Jones,  retired  president  of  Earlham 
College  at  Richmond,  Indiana.  Com- 
mencement wiU  be  held  on  Monday, 
June  8,  in  Founders  Hall. 


These  recommendations  grew  out 
of  the  meeting:  (1)  That  the  Men- 
nonite colonies  in  the  Chaco  be 
urged  to  move  toward  mechaniza- 
tion of  agriculture  where  profitable; 

(2)  That  priority  be  placed  on  the 
completion  of  the  'Trans-Chaco  j 
Roadway;  (3)  That  the  situation  of  | 
the  Old  Colony  Mennonites  in  Brit- 
ish Honduras  be  investigated  with 
a view  toward  meeting  their  emer-  , 
gency  needs;  (4)  'That  we  favor  a 
Pax  team  going  to  Bolivia  for  ag-  | 
ricultural  extension  work  among 
the  Mennonite  and  other  smaller  ! 
colonies. 


204 


THE  MENNONITE  | 


KOREAN  MENNONITE  SUNDAY  SCHOOL  GROWS  FAST 


Fifteen  months  ago,  when  a Sunday  school  was  begun  at  the  Mennonite 
Vocational  school  in  Korea,  for  children  of  teachers  and  surrounding 
village  children,  there  were  twenty  children  and  five  teachers.  Today  this 
same  Sunday  school  has  an  enrollment  of  261,  with  twenty-seven  teachers, 
most  of  whom  are  our  orphan  boys.  The  teachers  meet  one  evening  a 
week  to  prepare  their  lesson  together,  under  the  guidance  of  a faculty 
member. 

The  children  all  come  eagerly  on  Sunday  mornings,  sometimes  one  or 
two  hours  early.  After  opening  exercises  they  divide  into  sixteen  classes 
according  to  age.  A total  of  440  children  attended  this  Sunday  school  in 
1958,  but  only  261  were  registered  on  the  official  roll. 

Sponsors  of  Korean  orphans  who  send  $10  a month  to  the  school  have 
enabled  us  to  establish  the  Sunday  school.  Their  contributions  make  this 
plus  service  possible. — Mrs.  Joanne  Voth,  MCC,  Korea. 


AMBASSADOR  VISITS  MCC 

AKRON — “The  Mennonite  settler 
in  Paraguay  is  like  a school  for  our 
people.”  This  is  what  Dr.  Juan 
Plate,  Ambassador  to  the  U.  S. 
from  Paraguay,  had  to  say  about 
the  approximately  12,000  Menno- 
nites  who  live  in  the  Chaco  and 
other  rural  areas  of  Paraguay. 

The  ambassador,  accompanied  by 
his  wife,  three  children,  and  several 
friends,  were  week-end  guests  of 
MCC  March  14.  Mutual  interests  in 
Paraguay  prompted  MCC’s  invita- 
tion, although  the  visit  was  infor- 
mal in  nature. 

Of  particular  interest  to  his  hosts 
were  the  ambassador’s  comments  on 
Mennonite  settlers  in  Paraguay.  He 
listed  as  outstanding  their  Chris- 
tian way  of  living,  their  honesty,  in- 
dustry, peaceful  attitudes,  and  their 
friendliness.  As  a former  bank  pres- 
ident, Dr.  Plate  appreciates  Men- 
nonite immigrants  for  being  men 
who  meet  their  obligations.  They 
have  the  confidence  of  bankers, 
businessmen,  and  industrial  leaders, 
he  said.  The  ambassador  stated  that 
the  Mennonites  raise  the  best  qual- 
ity of  cotton  produced  in  Paraguay. 
They  also  grow  castor  beans  for  ex- 
port, the  product  being  widely  used 
for  fuel  in  lighter-than-air  craft. 

Asked  to  comment  on  the  rela- 
tionship between  the  United  States 


and  South  American  countries,  the 
ambassador  said  that  both  the 
Americas  are  going  in  the  same  di- 
rection and  that  the  good  neighbor 
policy  was  never  practiced  more 
strongly  than  it  is  today.  He  feels 
that  settlers  such  as  the  Mennonites 
who  have  gone  to  his  country  have 
done  much  to  push  forward  this 
understanding  and  friendship. 

BARON  VON  BLOMBERG  VISITS 

AKRON — An  unusual  visitor,  Bar- 
on Frary  von  Blomberg  from  Hamp- 
ton, N.  H.,  visited  Akron  MCC  head- 
quarters March  13.  The  baron,  a 
native  American  who  acquired  the 
title  when  he  was  adopted  by  a 
German  baroness,  has  spent  a life- 
time in  international  relations, 
often  as  advisor  to  royalty.  He 
feels  that  his  calling  as  a Chris- 
tian is  to  minister  to  the  “up-and- 
outers,”  a group  he  finds  much 
neglected. 

In  his  work  overseas  he  has  fre- 
quently come  into  contact  with 
Mennonite  relief  workers,  and  dur- 
ing the  Suez  crisis  he  was  instru- 
mental in  procuring  a difficult  Jor- 
dan visa  for  Relief  Director  J.  N. 
Byler. 

AIR  BASE  DONATES  HUTS 

MOROCCO — Six  portable  frame 
huts  are  being  dismantled  and 
moved  from  the  American  Air  Base 
in  Morocco  to  the  tiny  village  of 


Oulmes  for  use  by  Eirene. 

During  his  recent  trip  to  Moroc- 
co, Milton  Harder,  executive  secre- 
tary of  Eirene,  arranged  for  the 
transaction  with  the  American 
Embassy.  The  buildings  have  been 
donated  to  the  Eirene  team  for  use 
in  Oulmes  in  conjunction  with  a 
government  farm  project.  One  of 
the  huts  will  be  used  as  a youth 
and  recreation  center  for  the  vil- 
lage, another  for  the  new  chicken 
project,  the  rest  for  various  pur- 
poses on  the  government  farm.  The 
American  Embassy  also  gave  the 
team  a large  box  of  garden  seeds 
for  distribution  among  local  farm- 
ers who  are  willing  to  take  care  of 
a garden. 

Eirene  is  the  international  serv- 
ice organization  established  for 
Christian  COs  in  1957.  The  Menno- 
nite member  of  the  pioneer  team, 
Mast  Stoltzfus  (Elverson,  Pa.),  has 
completed  his  term  of  service  and 
is  expected  to  arrive  in  Akron  mid- 
April.  He  has  been  replaced  by  an- 
other Pax  man,  Donald  Oesch  from 
Kalispell,  Mont. 

PERSONNEL 

Two  Canadian  nurses,  Tina  Letke- 
man  (Graysville,  Man.)  and  Irma 
N.  Dyck  (Yarrow,  B.  C.),  sailed 
from  San  Francisco  March  11  and 
expect  to  arrive  in  Korea  for 
Easter.  They  will  assist  in  hospitals 
in  the  city  of  Taegu.  Also  on  the 
same  ship  were  two  Delavan,  111., 
Pax  men,  Elton  E.  Sutter  and  Allen 
D.  Litweiler.  The  are  going  to  the 
Mennonite  Vocational  School  near 
Taegu,  to  assist  in  the  agricultural 
program  of  the  school  and  adjoin- 
ing farm. 

Elnora  Weaver,  R.N.  (Gulliver, 
Mich.),  left  New  York  City  March 
14  for  a three-year  assignment  in 
Vietnam.  She  will  assist  in  hospital 
and  clinic  work  first  in  Banme- 
thuot,  later  in  Saigon. 

into  the  beyond 

Jacob  N.  Baughman,  eldest  mem- 
ber of  the  Normal  Mennonite 
Church,  Normal,  Illinois,  went  to  be 
with  the  Lord  February  17,  1959. 
He  was  well  past  97  years  of  age, 
having  been  bom  July  8,  1861. 

Mrs.  H.  R.  (Anna)  Regier  of  the 
First  Mennonite  Church,  Newton, 
Kansas,  was  bom  March  22,  1889, 
and  passed  away  March  23,  1959. 


March  31,  1959 


205 


jottings 

S.  S.  DEBATE 

United  Church,  Toronto,  Ont.: 
The  annual  business  meeting  of 
our  church  was  held  Jan.  18.  An 
important  matter  under  discussion 
was  the  plan  to  complete  the  in- 
terior of  our  church  building.  Pas- 
tor William  Dick  was  hospitalized 
Feb.  13  and  underwent  surgery  for 
the  treatment  of  a back  ailment. 
We  give  due  thanks  to  God  for  the 
successful  recovery  he  is  now  mak- 
ing. Andrew  R.  Shelly  was  guest 
speaker  at  our  Spiritual  Life  Con- 
ference Feb.  20-22.  He  rendered  six 
messages  and  showed  some  illus- 
trated slides  on  Sun.  eve  after  his 
message.  The  Christian  Education 
Committee  planned  a parent-teach- 
er meeting  for  March  8.  A debate, 
“Resolved,  Our  Sunday  School  Is 
Obsolete,”  was  the  main  item  of  the 
evening. — Mary  Fransen,  corr. 
FIFTEEN  STUDENTS  CAPPED 
Mennonite  Hospital  School  op 
Nursing,  Bloomington,  III.:  Four- 
teen prospective  students  took  the 
pre-entrance  psychological  tests 
Feb.  21.  The  tests  were  adminis- 
tered again  on  March  14.  Capping 
Service  for  the  fifteen  preclinical 
students  was  held  March  8 at  the 
Mennonite  Church  in  Normal,  111. 
Wesley  Jantz  was  the  speaker. 
Class  members  are  Ruth  Baugh- 
man, Joan  Bresnider,  Virginia  Dun- 
can, Miriam  Gierman,  Sue  Hardy, 
Jeanette  Hillis,  Carolyn  Lunde, 
Rosemary  Milam,  Janis  Nafziger, 
Chloe  Neuenschwander,  Dorris 
Payne,  Gene  Ann  Roth,  Charmaine 
Simmons,  Virginia  Stalter,  and 
Mary  Woolley.  Jan.  26,  the  preclin- 
ical students  began  their  nursing 
course  proper  at  the  School  after 
completing  their  first  semester 
studies  at  Illinois  State  Normal 
University. 

MISSIONARY  SPEAKERS 

Stirling  Avenue  Church,  Kitchen- 
er, Ont.:  Mrs.  Eugene  Langs,  77, 
of  Preston,  Ont.,  passed  away  at  the 
South  MemoHal  Hospital  on 
20.  The  Vesper  Circle  quilted  and 
sewed  shirts  for  relief  on  Feb.  17. 
They  also  made  flags  for  the  Tyro 
Boys.  On  March  17  the  Bon  Accord 
group  of  First  Church  will  be  the 
guests  of  the  Vesper  Circle.  Orley 
Swartzentruber,  missionary  on  fur- 
lough from  France,  was  the  guest 
speaker  at  the  Homemaker’s  Meet- 
ing on  Feb.  21.  On  Feb.  19  the  Wom- 
en’s Missionary  As.^ociation  quilted 
a relief  quilt,  woiked  on  several 
others,  and  made  articles  for  the 
Sunbeam  Home.  Our  missionary  to 
Colombia,  Alice  Bachert,  is  ill  at 
this  time.  On  March  16  the  ladies 


of  Olivet  Evangelical  United  Breth- 
ren Church  were  the  guests  of  the 
WMA.  Plans  are  being  made  to  en- 
tertain shut-ins  the  latter  part  of 
April.  For  the  past  several  weeks 
we  have  been  inspired  in  our  serv- 
ices by  missionaries  from  various 
fields.  On  Feb.  15  Frank  Kline  of 
Yeotmal  Seminary,  India,  was  our 
guest  speaker.  On  the  following 
Sunday  Don  McCammon,  mission- 
ary to  Japan,  was  the  speaker.  Dr. 
King,  secretary  for  the  Mission  to 
Lepers,  spoke  in  our  evening  serv- 
ice. In  the  Brotherhood  Meeting  on 
Feb.  23  the  theme  was:  “How  may 
Christian  laymen  give  leadership 
in  a local  extension  mission  Sunday 
school?”  Speakers  were  Joseph  R. 
Leis,  superintendent  of  the  Dickie 
Settelement  Sunday  School,  and 
Henry  H.  Epp,  minister  of  the  Un- 
ited Church,  Waterloo. — E.  A.  Web- 
er, corr. 

EASTER  PLAY 

Hutterthal  Church,  Freeman,  S. 
D.:  We  were  glad  to  have  Kenneth 
Trosper  from  Rawlings,  Wyo.,  and 
Osamu  Kawasaki  from  Tokyo,  Ja- 
pan, both  students  at  Freeman  Jun- 
ior College,  take  part  in  our  Young 
People’s  Program.  The  young  peo- 
ple are  planning  to  present  the 
Easter  play  St.  Claudia.  They  have 
been  giving  programs  at  the  Yank- 
ton State  Hospital  each  month  for 
the  past  year  and  are  continuing 
again  this  year.  Dorothy  Imhoff, 
instructor  at  Freeman  Junior  Col- 
lege, is  our  new  choir  director.  The 
Bethel  College  Chorale  has  been 
giving  several  concerts  in  this  com- 
munity.— Mrs.  Norman  G.  Hofer, 
corr. 

EVENING  SERVICES  BEGUN 

Warden  Church,  Warden.  Wash.: 
The  ladies  of  our  church  have  or- 
ganized a Ladies  Chorus  and  sing 
for  morning  worship  services  one 
Sunday  each  month.  We  also  have 
a men’s  quartet  and  Junior  Choir, 
each  singing  different  Sundays  of 
the  month.  At  Wednesday  prayer 
meetings  we  are  studying  Revela- 
tion. On  Feb.  13  our  church,  togeth- 
er with  the  Assembly  of  God  and 
Congregational  churches  of  Warden, 
had  part  in  the  World  Day  of 
Prayer  services.  In  the  evening 
Wesley  Van  Nattan,  missionary  to 
Africa,  spoke  and  showed  slides.  We 
have  started  having  Sunday  evening 
services.  Feb.  22  the  mission  soci- 
ety met  for  a program  and  social 
hour.  Several  families  brought  oth- 
er families  as  guests.  The  women 
met  Feb.  26  to  make  quilts  and 
children’s  pajamas  for  relief.  Mrs. 
Leo  Janzen  gave  sketches  on  some 
of  the  missionaries  in  the  Congo. 
Our  society  is  studying  the  mission- 
aries in  the  Congo  for  our  mission 


study  this  year. — Mrs.  M e n n o 
Boschman,  corr. 

SERIES  ON  SEVEN  CHURCHES 

Butterfield  Church,  Butterfield, 
Minn.:  We  have  been  blessed  by 
our  pastor’s  recent  series  of  mes- 
sages on  the  letters  to  the  seven 
churches  as  recorded  in  Rev.  2 and 
3.  Our  Feb.  C.  E.  program  was  i 
jointly  in  charge  of  Robert  Schroed- 
er  of  Madelia  and  our  pastor,  Peter 
Tschetter.  The  former  spoke  on 
Vision,  and  the  latter  showed  col- 
ored slides  pertaining  to  Mission. 
Our  young  people  held  a devotional  : 
service  Feb.  15.  On  the  following  | 
Sun.  morning,  layman  Don  Piersen  Jj 
of  Triumph  revealed  the  work  of 
the  Gideons  International.  Our  C.  E. 
Society  sponsored  a showing  of  the 
Easter  film.  The  Miracle  of  Love, 
on  March  8. — Corr. 


CHOIR  FESTIVAL 

United  Church,  Vineland,  Ont.:  j 

Feb.  1-6  Frank  Sawatzky  conducted  1 
a series  of  evangelistic  meetings  in  ! 
our  church.  He  also  served  in  the 
Hamilton,  Port  Rowan,  and  Niag- 
ara Mennonite  churches.  Nicholas 
Schmidt  and  Nicholas  Fransen  ex- 
changed pulpits  in  Feb.  March  1 j 
choir  directors  and  members  of  the  I 
Niagara  Peninsula  took  part  in  the  | 
music  directors’  course  held  over  I 
the  week  end  in  the  St.  Catharine’s  ' 
Church.  George  Wiebe,  music  di- 
rector of  the  C.M.B.C.,  Winnipeg,  i 
was  in  charge.  The  course  ended 
with  a song  festival  at  Virgil  with  | 
all  district  choirs  participating.—  j 
Herta  Fransen,  corr.  | 

RATZLAFFS  IN  INDIA  | 

Lorraine  Ave.  Church,  Wichita, 
Kan.:  A group  of  friends  met  at 
the  Wichita  airport  to  wish  the 
Harold  Ratzlaff  family  God-speed 
as  they  flew  for  India.  We  have 
since  been  notified  of  their  safe 
arrival  at  Bombay,  India,  one  week  ' 
after  leaving  Wichita.  Friendship  ; 
Circle  ladies  met  at  the  home  of 
Mrs.  Dale  Stucky  with  Mrs.  Harry 
Biddle  as  speaker.  Our  choir  and 
pastor  provided  KFBI  Sunday  wor- 
ship services  for  the  five  Sundays 
of  March.  A fellowship  supper  was 
enjoyed  by  many  Feb.  8.  Wilfred 
Unruh,  associate  secretary  of  the 
Board  of  Christian  Service,  was 
guest  speaker.  The  young  people 
were  host  to  the  youth  of  the  St. 
Pauls  A.  M.  E.  church  at  a supper 
Feb.  15.  Ted  Dohery,  Nigerian  stu- 
dent at  Bethel  College,  was  the 
speaker.  The  choir  presented  The 
Seven  Last  Words  on  Palm  Sunday 
at  a vesper  service. — Corr. 

WEDDING 


Normal  Church,  Normal,  III.:  On 
Jan.  31  Robert  D.  Reeser  and  Myrna 
Trimper  were  married  at  the  Nor-  j 


206 


THE  MENNONITE 


mal  Mennonite  Church.  They  are 
at  home  in  Chicago  where  Bob  is 
doing  his  1-W  assignment. — Corr. 

CITY-WIDE  MEETINGS 

Grace  Church,  Dallas,  Ore.:  We 
were  greatly  blessed  through  the 
ministry  of  Hyman  Appleman  and 
his  musician  assistant,  Johnny  Bi- 
sagno,  in  two  weeks  of  city-wide 
meetings.  Our  church  won  the  Sun- 
day school  attendance  contest  held 
the  last  Friday  evening  of  the  evan- 
gelistic campaign.  Dr.  Appleman 
brought  us  the  morning  message 
Feb.  8.  Pastor  Burkholder  is  con- 
ducting a pre-baptismal  class  on 
Saturday  mornings.  Wesley  Van 
Nattan,  who  with  his  wife  and  fam- 
ily serve  in  Tanganyika,  East  Af- 
rica, was  with  us  March  1.  Frank 
Kliewer,  the  oldest  member  of  our 
church,  passed  away  on  Jan.  9.  He 
served  as  church  treasurer  for  many 
years. — Mrs.  E.  A.  Flaming,  corr. 

PANEL  DISCUSSIONS 

East  Swamp  Church,  Quakertown, 
Pa.:  Our  Young  People’s  Fellowship 
conducted  a panel  discussion  in  Feb. 
Questions  were  based  on  problems 
Christian  yoimg  people  face  today. 
The  panel  included  the  pastor,  dea- 
cons, Sunday  school  teacher,  and 
YPF  advisor.  They  also  visited  con- 
valescent homes  and  other  shut-ins 
on  Feb.  22  with  singing,  prayer,  and 
testimony.  The  Junior  C.  E.  cele- 
brated its  forty-first  anniversary 
March  1 with  a program  of  recita- 
tions and  musical  numbers.  Mar- 
garet Slotter  of  Grace  Church, 
Lansdale,  gave  a fine  fiannelgraph 
lesson.  The  Intermediate  C.  E.  en- 
acted an  Easter  play.  At  The  Cross, 
at  their  March  meeting.  Our  pas- 
tor’s messages  during  March  were 
on  the  theme  of  Dinner,  beginning 
with  “Christ  at  a Sinner’s  Dinner.’’ 
Brother  David  Auckland  of  Bethel 
Church,  Perkasie,  spoke  at  a pre- 
Easter  service  March  26. — Corr. 

GOSPEL  TEAM  SINGS 

Apostolic  Church,  "Dienton,  Ohio: 
On  the  first  Sunday  of  Lent,  forty 
members  of  the  '\^ite  Shrine,  as 
guests  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Marion 
Augspurger,  worshiped  with  us.  The 
choir  sang  special  music  for  this 
service.  March  8 the  Bluffton  Col- 
lege Gospel  Team  brought  the 
morning  message  in  word  and  song. 
Sonia  Gingrich,  freshman  at  Bluff- 
ton  and  a member  of  our  church, 
served  as  accompanist.  Cheryl  Wien- 
berg  and  her  girl  scout  troop  also 
worshiped  with  us.  Members  of  the 
Men’s  Brotherhood,  Mennonite 
League,  and  Mennonite  Christian 
Service  have  spent  the  past  severEil 
months  in  remodeling  and  redeco- 
rating the  church  parsonage.  On 
April  5 we  are  having  a congrega- 


tional dinner  in  the  church  fellow- 
ship rooms  in  honor  of  Pastor  and 
Mrs.  J.  E.  Amstutz,  who  have  so 
faithfully  served  us  for  the  past 
forty  years. — Frieda  Zigler,  corr. 
UNION  SERVICES 

West  Zion  Church,  Moundridge, 
Kan.:  Jan.  18  Fern  Koehn  and  Roy 
Horn  were  married  in  our  church. 
Feb.  13  our  church  united  with  the 
churches  in  the  vicinity  for  World 
Day  of  Prayer.  Feb.  19  Mrs.  Jake 
Bartel  of  Hillsboro  showed  colored 
pictures  of  Alaska  in  keeping  with 
the  program  at  our  Women’s  Mis- 
sionary meeting.  Feb.  22  Eden’s 
Men’s  Chorus  and  Mixed  Choir 
gave  a program  in  our  church.  Feb. 
22  a daughter  was  bom  to  Pastor 
and  Mrs.  Harris  Waltner.  March  1 
W.  F.  Unruh  spoke  about  the  work 

conference  notes 

(continued  from  bock  page) 

MOVE  TO  YEOTMAL 

Kenneth  Bauman  has  been  ap- 
pointed to  instruct  in  the  Union 
Biblical  Seminary  at  Yeotmal,  In- 
dia, midway  between  Bombay  and 
Calcutta.  He  and  his  wife  Mary  ar- 
rived in  India  in  1954,  and  since 
completing  language  study  have 
worked  in  Korba.  Mrs.  Bauman’s 
home  is  at  Lansdale,  Pa.  Kenneth 
is  the  son  of  Doctors  Harvey  and 
Ella  Bauman,  who  are  in  charge  of 
the  general  hospital  at  Champa.  A 
brother,  Albert  Bauman,  instructs 
in  pharmacy  at  Christian  Medical 
College,  Vellore,  South  India. 

The  Yeotmal  Seminary,  where 
young  people  of  the  India  Confer- 
ence train  for  church  vocations,  is  a 
union  seminary,  the  General  Con- 
ference Mennonite  Church  also  hav- 
ing representation  on  its  board  of 
directors.  Besides  supplying  one 
member  of  the  teaching  staff,  sup- 
port is  given  to  the  seminary’s  bud- 
get. Martha  Burkhalter  of  Berne, 
Ind.,  who  will  be  returning  on  fur- 
lough this  summer,  has  been  on  the 
teaching  staff  there  during  her  last 
term  in  India. 

THIESSENS  ARRIVE  IN  JAPAN 

The  Bernard  Thiessen  family  ar- 
rived in  Japan  March  8 after  a 
stormy  voyage  across  the  Pacific. 
Though  the  ship  pitched  and  rolled 
from  the  strong  winds,  they  felt 
the  Lord’s  protection  throughout. 
The  Thiessens  will  spend  a short 
while  in  language  study  in  Kobe 
before  returning  to  the  mission  sta- 
tion at  Miyazaki  City,  Kyushu. 


of  our  W.  D.  Conf.,  also  showed 
pictures.  March  15-20  our  church 
joined  other  churches  for  union 
services.  Vincent  Harding  of  Chi- 
cago was  the  speaker;  his  topic, 
“The  Challenge  of  the  Cross.”  April 
5 our  mixed  chorus  will  sing  at  the 
Beatrice  Mennonite  Church. — Mrs. 
Elisabeth  Bartel,  corr. 

CANTATA  TO  BE  GIVEN 
Salem-Zion  Church,  Marion,  S.  D.: 
A number  of  our  young  people  at- 
tended the  Leadership  Clinic  at  Hen- 
derson, Neb.,  in  Jan.  The  Women’s 
Missionary  Society  met  March  5 to 
roll  bandages  and  make  quilt  tops. 
'The  Bethel  College  Chorale  present- 
ed a concert  March  6.  On  March  27 
The  Seven  Last  Words  was  given 
by  our  choir.  Communion  service 
will  be  held  April  5. — Corr. 


BIBLE  SCHOOL  WORKSHOPS 

The  education  committee  of  the 
Western  District  Conference  has 
announced  plans  for  three  vacation 
Bible  school  workshops  to  be  held 
in  April.  All  who  teach  in  vacation 
Bible  schools,  weekday  church 
schools,  or  Sunday  schools;  youth 
and  C.  E.  leaders;  and  interested 
parents  should  attend.  Address  in- 
quiries to  Mrs.  Carl  Voth,  903  Kan- 
sas Ave.,  Newton,  Kan. 

The  first  workshop  will  be  held 
at  Kismet,  Kan.,  April  4,  registra- 
tion beginning  at  9:00  a.m.  Lead- 
ers for  the  age  level  work  groups 
in  the  morning  will  be  Mrs.  Robert 
Goering,  Amelia  Mueller,  and  D.  C. 
Wedel.  In  the  seminars  for  teach- 
ers in  the  afternoon,  the  same  lead- 
ers will  discuss  “How  Learning 
Takes  Place”  “Missions  and  the 
Child’s  World”  and  “Worship.” 

A similar  workshop  is  planned  for 
the  Bethel  College  Church,  North 
Newton,  April  11.  The  age  level 
work  groups  will  be  led  by  Mrs. 
Robert  Goering,  Mrs.  Lester  Ewy, 
Mrs.  James  Waltner,  and  Gerald 
Schmidt;  and  the  teacher  seminars 
will  be  conducted  by  Mrs.  Herbert 
Miller,  Mrs.  Carl  Voth,  and  Mrs. 
Lloyd  Spaulding. 

An  Oklahoma  workshop  is  sched- 
uled for  April  24  at  Hydro,  to  be 
held  in  connection  with  the  church 
workers’  conference.  Mrs.  Eric 
Goering,  Mrs.  Carl  Voth,  and  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Harry  Martens  will  be  in 
charge  of  the  work  groups  as  well 
as  seminars  for  teachers. 


! March  31,  1959 


207 


conference  notes 

LOOKING  TOWARD 
GENERAL  CONFERENCE 

The  sessions  of  our  General  Con- 
ference as  a rule  are  times  of  re- 
viewing the  past  and  planning  for 
the  future.  As  we  come  to  Bluffton 
in  August  of  this  year  to  evaluate 
the  achievements  of  the  last  trien- 
nium,  we  will  ask  ourselves:  in 

how  far  have  we  reached  the  elev- 
en goals  which  we  set  for  ourselves 
for  the  future  at  Winnipeg?  What 
progress  has  our  Seminary  made 
since  its  relocation  to  Elkhart, 
which  was  decided  upon  at  the  last 
conference? 


Beside  this,  the  year  of  1959  is  a 
year  of  special  significance  for  us, 
since  in  it  we  are  looking  back  on 
a century  of  progress  in  that  sec- 
tion of  God’s  kingdom  which  He 
has  entrusted  to  us.  How  has  the 
work  started  by  a group  of  men 
with  vision  grown  from  a small  be- 
ginning into  a large  fellowship,  ac- 
tive in  the  mission  field  as  well  as 
in  the  fields  of  education,  publica- 
tion, and  Christian  service? 

As  we  think  of  this,  the  coming 
-conference  should  be  for  all  of  us 
a time  in  which  we,  with  deep-felt 
gratitude  for  the  blessings  of  the 
past,  dedicate  ourselves  anew  to 
God  and  the  task  assigned  to  us. 

John  Wickert 
Vineland,  Ont. 


RACE  CONFERENCE 

The  Woodlawn  Mennonite  Church, 
Chicago,  will  host  a conference  on 
race  April  17-19.  “Christ,  the  Menno- 
nite Churches,  and  Race”  is  the 
theme  for  the  conference  sponsored 
by  Mennonite  Central  Committee. 
Delegates  from  all  branches  of  the 
Mennonite  denomination  in  Canada 
a.nd  the  United  States  are  expected 
to  attend.  Ralph  Abernathy,  a co- 
worker of  Martin  Luther  King, 
from  Montgorpery,  Ala.,  will  be  the 
guest  speaker,  and  the  evening 
meeting  on  April  17,  at  which  he 
will  speak,  is  open  to  the  public. 
{continued^  on  page  207) 


ARE  YOU  PLANNING  TO  ATTEND  THE  CONFERENCE? 

If  you  are  one  of  the  thousand  or  more  visitors  and  delegates  who  will 
attend  the  triennial  conference  and  centennial  observances  of  the  General 
Conference  Mennonite  Church  at  Bluffton,  Ohio,  on  August  12-20,  you 
are  requested  to  fill  out  the  form  below  and  mail  it  to:  G.  T.  Soldner, 
Lodging  Chairman,  438  West  Elm  Street,  Bluffton,  Ohio.  This  includes 
both  those  who  are  arranging  for  lodging  with  friends  or  relatives,  and 
those  who  would  like  to  make  reservations  for  lodging.  All  who  plan  to 
attend  at  all,  either  part-time  or  full-time,  should  fill  out  and  send  in  an 
application  form.  Additional  forms  may  be  secured  from  Brother  Soldner 
at  the  address  above. 


APPLICATION  FOR  LODGING  RESERVATION 

Name Address 

Congregation Dist.  Conf 

Traveling  by:  Car. . . . Train. . . . Bus. . . .Plane. . . . Car  & Trailer. . . . 

Date  of  Arrival Time  of  Arrival 

If  by  train,  plane,  or  bus,  do  you  wish  to  be  met  at: 

Lima:  What  railroad Findlay:  What  Railroad 

Airport Airport 

Bus  Station 

Number  of  accommodations  requested: 

Couples....  Children....  Young  People....  Men....  Women.... 

Staying  for  entire  session? or,  what  nights? 

Have  you  made  arrangements  to  stay  with  relatives  or  friends? 

If  so,  with  whom? 

Address  

Lodging  will  be  provided  in: 

Mennonite  and  non-Mennonite  homes  in  Bluffton-Pandora-Lima  area 
Bluffton  College  dormitories 

Ohio  Northern  University  dormitories  (Ada,  12  miles) 

Findlay  College  dormitories  (Findlay,  18  miles) 

Motels  (5  to  15  miles) ; Lima  hotels  (if  needed) 

A lodging  fee  of  $2.00  per  person  per  night  will  be  asked  in  non- 
Mennonite  homes  and  in  dormitories.  Breakfast  and  linens  will  be 
included  in  dormitories.  Transportation  to  Ada  and  Findlay  will  be 
provided  for  those  who  do  not  have  their  own. 

Are  you  willing  to  accept  lodging  as  the  committee  can  best  grant? 
Have  you  a particular  need? If  so,  what  is  it? 


Are  you  willing  to  share  accommodations  with  others? 

Reservations  will  be  made  on  a “First  Come,  First  Served”  basis. 

ALL  RESERVATIONS  SHOULD  BE  MADE  NOT  LATER  THAN 
JULY  1,  1959. 

Address  all  communications  to:  G.  T.  Soldner,  Lodging  Chairman, 

438  W.  Elm  Street,  Bluffton,  Ohio 


APRIL  7,  1959 


THE  MENNONITE 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
MAN  LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIST 


Waldemar  Janzen— THE  CHURCH  AND  MENTAL  ILLNESS 


in  this  issue 


COVER 


Photo  by  Woltner 


ARTICLES 

WHAT  IS  YOUR  LIFE? 

By  Peter  Tschetter  

THE  CHURCH  AND  MENTAL  ILLNESS 

By  Waldemor  Janzen  

ARE  WE  CONSISTENT?  

EMERGENCY  RELIEE  IN  BEIRUT 

By  Alice  Snyder  

RELIEE  AND  REHABILITATION  

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  


21  1 

212 

213 

214 

215 

210 


Mennonite  Youth 


LEARNIN' 

By  Ruth  Ann  Liechty  217 

LOOKING  BACK  ON  LAST  SUMMER  218 

OUR  SCHOOLS  219 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  220 

JOTTINGS  222 

CONEERENCE  NOTES  224 


of  things  to  come 

April  13-18 — Faith  and  Life  Radio  speak- 
er: P.  T.  Neufeld 

April  1 9 — Mennonite  Men’s  Chorus  Fes- 
tival, Memorial  Hall,  North  Newton, 
Kan.,  at  2:30  p.m. 

April  23 — W.  D.  Council  of  Committees, 
First  Church,  McPherson,  Kan. 

April  23-26 — Central  Dist.  Conference, 
Goshen,  Ind. 

April  25-26 — Laymen's  Retreat,  Camp 
Mennoscah 

April  30-May  3 — Eastern  Dist.  Conf., 
Schwenksville,  Pa. 

May  3 — Mennonite  Song  Festival,  Me- 
morial Hall,  North  Newton,  Kan., 
at  2:30  p.m. 

May  7 — Ascension  Day 

May  10 — Festival  of  the  Christian  Home 

May  1 7 — Pentecost 

May  20 — Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary 
alumni  meeting. 

May  24 — Baccalaureate,  Mennonite  Bib- 
lical Seminary 

May  25 — Commencement,  Mennonite 
Biblical  Seminary 

May  29 — Commencement  Day,  Freeman 
Junior  College  and  Academy 

June  10-14 — Pacific  District  Conference, 
Barlow,  Oregon 

June  18-21 — Northern  Dist.  Conf.,  Salem- 
Zion  Church  (North),  Freeman,  S.  D. 

July  4-8 — Canadian  Conference,  Clear- 
brook,  B.  C. 

Aug.  5-12 — Ministers'  and  Church  Work- 
ers’ Retreat,  Camp  Friedenswald, 
Mich. 

Aug.  1 2-20 — General  Conference,  Bluff- 
ton,  Ohio 

Oct.  24-27 — West.  Dist.  Conference 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor,  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 

J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Asst.:  Esther  Groves. 
Layout  Consultant;  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  14 


editorials 

THOSE  CONFERENCE  GOALS 

1.  Every  member  a personal  witness 

2.  Every  congregation  seeking  a mission  outpost 

3.  Fifteen  new  congregations  by  1959 

4.  Every  member  a tither 

5.  Every  church  supporting  every  board 

6.  A voluntary  service  worker  from  every  congregation 

7.  Every  pastor  prayerfully  seeking  a new  recruit  for  the 
ministry 

8.  A strong  spirit-controlled  seminary  program  receiving 
whole-hearted  support 

9.  Trained  personnel  and  adequate  facilities  for  the  teaching 
program 

10.  Reaching  at  least  one  unevangelized  tribe  with  the  gospel 

11.  Every  member  knowing  Christ  “and  the  power  of  his 
resurrection,  and  the  fellowship  of  his  suffering,  being 
made  conformable  to  his  death” 

These  goals,  adopted  at  the  Winnipeg  Conference,  have  ap- 
peared at  various  times  on  the  editorial  page  and  in  articles 
elsewhere.  Now  as  we  again  approach  the  time  for  another 
conference,  we  do  well  to  give  thoughtful  attention  to  the 
goals  to  see  whether  we  have  made  satisfactory  progress  in 
an  honest  effort  to  achieve  them. 

It  may  be  noted  that  the  goals  fall  into  two  general  cate- 
gories: those  which  are  strictly  personal,  and  those  which 
apply  to  the  church  or  a group.  , 

Those  with  the  personal  emphasis  deal  with  witnessing, 
tithing,  seeking  new  recruits  for  the  ministry,  and  the  last 
one  and  the  most  searching  of  all:  knowing  Christ  and  enter- 
ing into  His  fellowship. 

Those  goals  applying  to  the  group  deal  with  establishing 
mission  centers,  supporting  our  Boards,  sending  out  VS  work- 
ers, encouraging  Christian  education,  and  reaching  unevan- 
gelized fields. 

If  each  individual  were  to  check  seriously  how  far  he  has 
attained  the  personal  goals,  and  seek  to  approach  them  as 
nearly  as  possible,  it  would  create  a strong  spiritual  atmos- 
phere for  the  coming  conference  at  Bluffton.  Likewise,  if  each 
pastor  were  to  check  carefully  to  see  how  far  he  has  succeed- 
ed with  his  church  goals,  he  might  be  stirred  to  greater  ef- 
fort toward  attaining  them. 

The  Bluffton  Conference  will  be  largely  what  those  who 
will  attend  it  are  in  themselves.  Proper  preparation  goes  much 
further  than  preparing  the  program  or  providing  facilities 
for  handling  visitors.  It  is  a deeper  preparation  in  which 
each  individual  checks  his  life,  not  only  with  the  goals  set 
forth,  but  also  with  Christ’s  expectation  of  him.  To  assemble 
as  a prepared  people  will  give  God  an  opportunity  to  work 
mightily  among  us  and  with  us.  May  the  cause  of  Christ  and 
the  work  of  His  church  not  be  hindered  because  we  have 
failed  to  prepare  ourselves,  but  let  us  all  make  ourselves 
fully  available  to  Him. 


210 


THE  MENNONITE 


What  Is  Your  Life? 


How  shall  we  measure  our  lives — or  find  true  life? 


From  cover  to  cover,  the  Bible 
deals  primarily  with  life.  These 
sacred  pages  can  give  us  the  only 
true  meaning  of  the  word.  The 
Scriptures  tell  us  what  was 
Christ’s  mission  here  upon  earth: 
“I  am  come  that  they  might  have 
life,  and  that  they  might  have  it 
more  abundantly”  (John  10:10). 

If  you  were  to  be  asked,  “What 
is  life?”  what  would  your  answer 
be?  To  the  young,  life  would  ap- 
pear to  be  something  long  and  gay; 
to  them  life  is  a curve  in  the  road 
that  begins  at  birth  and  ends  at 
death.  To  the  aged,  life  is  very 
short  because  they  are  keenly  aware 
of  the  fact  that  so  little  can  be 
done  in  a lifetime  and  that  death 
will  soon  be  upon  them. 

Length  of  Life 

How  then  can  we  measure  life? 
What  dimensions  will  measure  it? 
Can  we  measure  its  length  with  a 
string?  Would  the  length  of  that 
string  determine  the  effectiveness  of 
a life  here  on  earth?  Methuselah 
lived  to  be  969  years  old;  he  is  men- 
tioned in  the  Bible,  and  his  age  is 
about  all  that  can  be  said  about 
him. 

Abraham  reached  the  age  of  175 
years,  and  in  that  comparatively 
short  time  accomplished  much  more 
than  Methuselah.  Abraham  was  the 
father  of  the  Hebrew  nation;  God 
promised  to  multiply  his  seed  until 
it  could  not  be  numbered.  The  ef- 
fects of  that  life  are  still  felt  today. 

Moses  lived  to  be  120  years,  and 
God  certainly  allowed  much  to  be 
accomplished  in  that  life  span.  So- 
cially, he  rose  from  the  home  of  a 
slave  to  the  palace  of  a king.  He 
was  educated  by  man  and  God;  he 
led  a strange  people  without  revolt 
to  the  promised  land;  Moses  was  a 
prophet,  statesman,  law  giver,  and  a 
poet,  for  he  wrote  Deut.  32  and  33 
and  Psalm  90. 

Paul  lived  to  be  some  sixty  odd 
years,  and  into  this  life  were 
crammed  effective  missionary  trips. 


leading  souls  to  the  saving  knowl- 
edge of  Jesus  Christ,  and  establish- 
ing churches.  He  too  wrote  a part 
of  the  Bible  that  is  a tremendous 
help  to  a dying  world. 

Jesus  Christ  lived  to  be  only 
thirty-three  years,  but  into  that 
time  was  planned  and  perfected  the 
will  of  God  that  He  should  die  and 
shed  His  blood  for  the  sins  of  the 
world.  His  work  here  on  earth  was 
completed  in  a very  short  time. 

No,  we  definitely  cannot  measure 
life  by  its  length. 

Breadth  of  Life 

Can  we  measure  life  like  a board 
— by  its  breadth?  Is  the  index  to 
life  its  extent  of  influence?  Is  life 
measured  in  terms  of  domination? 
Alexander  the  Great  ruled  the 
world,  then  wept  because  there  were 
no  more  worlds  to  conquer.  Hitler 
ran  roughshod  over  Europe,  held 
millions  in  an  iron  grip,  and  failed. 
Stalin  and  Mussolini  did  the  same, 
and  Communism  is  trying  to  do 
likewise,  but  shall  also  eventually 
fail.  We  definitely  cannot  measure 
life  by  its  breadth. 

Height  of  Life 

Can  life  be  measured  by  its 
height?  Can  its  greatness  be  meas- 
ured by  how  high  man  climbs  in 
life?  Can  it  be  measured  by  the  a- 
mount  of  his  yearly  income?  the 
popularity  rating  he  attains?  the 
extent  of  his  prestige?  or  his  fame? 
Goliath’s  height,  both  physically 
and  nationally,  is  well  known — but 
what  was  it  to  little  David?  The 
rich  man  and  Lazarus  are  a picture 
of  life  in  extreme  measures.  The 
thought  of  measuring  life  by 
height  in  riches  certainly  is  heart- 
breaking, for  a soul  cried  out  in 
hell  because  of  it.  The  last  call  from 

By  Peter  Tschetter 
Pastor,  Butterfield  Church 
Butterfield,  Minnesota 


hell  by  such  a one  was  a call  to 
repent.  Again  and  again  we  can 
say  No — life  cannot  be  measured  by 
Its  length  nor  its  breadth  nor  its 
height. 

Depth  of  Life 

There  is  another  dimension  that 
gives  the  clue:  in  the  Bible  man  is 
measured  by  depth.  When  a storm 
strikes  at  plants,  they  become  more 
deeply  rooted.  A life  is  like  a build- 
ing: everything  depends  on  the 
foundation.  Life  begins,  then,  with 
a true  foundation.  If  you  plant  a 
tree  it  will  grow;  but  plant  a post 
and  it  will  decay,  proving  that  there 
must  be  life. 

Man  says  life  is  a battle,  an 
empty  dream,  a long  tragedy,  a 
dusty  corridor.  Authors  may  belit- 
tle the  natural,  physical  life,  because 
it  is  filled  with  complexities;  but  life 
that  is  life  indeed  is  another  matter. 
There  can  be  no  knowledge  of  life 
apart  from  knowing  Him  who  said, 
“I  am  . . . the  life,”  (John  14:6).  The 
mission  of  Christ’s  life  was  to  seek 
and  to  save  that  which  was  lost 
(Luke  19:10).  His  message  still  is: 
“He  that  hath  the  Son  hath  life; 
and  he  that  hath  not  the  Son  of 
God  hath  not  life”  (1  John  5:12). 

We  have  existence,  but  that  is 
not  that  which  the  Lord  calls  life. 
We  have  His  plan  for  life  when  we 
draw  nigh  to  Him  and  have  fellow- 
ship with  Him.  Life  is  received 
through  Christ,  for  we  read  we  are 
“made  nigh  by  the  blood  of  Christ” 
(Eph.  2:13).  Christ  also  said  that 
not  everyone  that  saith,  “Lord, 
Lord,”  shall  enter  into  the  life  of 
the  kingdom  of  God. 

In  John  3:36  we  are  plainly  told 
what  we  need  to  know  concerning 
life:  “He  that  believeth  on  the  Son 
hath  everlasting  life:  and  he  that 
believeth  not  the  Son  shall  not  see 
life;  but  the  wrath  of  God  abideth 
on  him.” 

Let  Christ  give  you  life  in  the 
New  Birth  today,  and  you  will  real- 
ly know  what  life  is. 


April  7,  1959 


211 


The  Church 
and  Mental  Illness 

W aldemar  Janzen* 


The  Christian  church  has  al- 
ways had  a concern  for  the 
sick,  but  due  to  lack  of  knowledge 
of  the  nature  of  mental  diseases, 
the  mentally  sick  have  often  been 
excluded  from  this  concern.  The 
last  half  century  has  been  a time 
of  tremendous  advance,  bringing  us 
the  awareness  that  mentally  sick 
people  are  sick  people  and  need  to 
be  treated  as  such. 

This  same  increased  knowledge 
has  made  us  realize  that  mental 
diseases  are  not  limited  to  a few 
“raving  maniacs”  or  “lunatics,”  but 
that  the  question  of  mental  health 
or  sickness  confronts  large  numbers 
of  people  in  all  walks  of  life  to  a 
greater  or  lesser  extent.  In  fact, 
it  is  often  quite  impossible  to  draw 
any  sharp  distinction  between 
health  and  sickness. 

Another  consideration  is  a theo- 
logical one.  Due  largely  to  the  in- 
fluence of  Platonic  philosophy  on 
Christian  thinking,  man  has  been 
considered  by  Christians  as  a com- 
posite being,  made  up  of  body  and 
soul,  the  former  sinful  and  the  lat- 
ter divine.  More  thorough  biblical 
studies  have  led  Bible  expositors 
to  conclude,  however,  that  this  is 
not  the  biblical  view  of  man.  While 
the  Bible  speaks  of  body  and  soul, 
this  is  only  a functional  classiflca- 
tion  denoting  different  emphases 
within  the  human  personality,  which 
is  one,  created  by  God.  God  has 
created  the  whole  man  and  is  inter- 
ested in  his  redemption  as  a total 
personality.  Therefore  the  church, 
too  cannot  limit  its  ministry  to  one 
sphere  of  human  life  only,  namely 
the  sphere  of  the  soul,  but  must 
minister  to  the  whole  person.  That 

^Faculty,  Canadian  Menn.  Bible  College 


involves  a concern  not  only  for  his 
spiritual  and  bodily  health  but  also 
for  his  mental  health. 

Avenues  of  Ministry 
To  the  Mentally  Sick 

The  church  extends  a healing 
ministry  to  those  suffering  mentally 
in  three  ways:  through  the  pastor, 
through  the  congregation,  and 
through  special  services  such  as 
conference  boards,  mental  hospitals 
operated  by  the  church,  distribu- 
tion of  materials  on  mental  health, 
helping  in  the  training  of  person- 
nel for  work  with  the  mentally  sick. 

The  Pastor. 

If  we  realize  that  only  a small 
percentage  of  the  millions  of  people 
suffering  mentally  are  found  within 
mental  hospitals,  we  will  easily  see 
there  is  much  mental  sickness  and 
suffering  all  around  us.  Since  the 
minister  is  that  person  in  the  church 
who  by  his  very  position  gets  into 
contact  with  the  inner  life  of  his 
people  and  with  the  intimate  fam- 
ily situations  in  his  flock,  he  will  be 
one  of  the  first  to  notice  mental  suf- 
fering, if  he  is  alert,  informed,  and 
concerned.  Therefore  he  has  a spe- 
cial duty  to  help. 

He  can  render  such  help,  first, 
by  understanding.  While  others  will 
criticize  the  mentally  suffering  per- 
son, find  him  odd,  a pessimist,  a 
nuisance,  bothersome,  lacking  in 
faith,  or  even  demon-possessed,  the 
understanding  minister  will  look 
deeper,  try  to  see  the  dynamics  in- 
volved in  making  his  parishioner 
the  way  he  is,  and  let  the  person 
feel  that  at  least  one  man  under- 
stands him. 

Second,  the  minister  can  help  the 
mentally  sick  through  counseling. 
Every  intelligent  minister  can  ren- 


der some  help  to  a mentally  suffer- 
ing person  simply  by  listening  to 
the  story  of  that  person  and  dis- 
cussing his  difficulties  with  him. 
Special  training  in  psychology  and 
counseling  is  important.  Above  all, 
the  minister  must  know  enough  a- 
bout  psychology  and  psychiatry  to 
be  able  to  discern  where  he  himself 
can  undertake  to  help  a suffering 
parishioner  and  where  he  should 
refer  him  to  someone  else  who  is 
more  competent  to  do  so. 

The  third  important  aspect  of  the 
minister’s  service  is  in  keeping  up 
contacts  between  a mentally  sick 
church  member  and  the  congrega- 
tion. If  the  sick  person  is  not  hos- 
pitalized, the  minister  may  have  to 
interpret  this  person’s  otherwise 
strange  behavior  to  the  congrega- 
tion and  prevent  the  other  members 
of  the  congregation  from  abandon- 
ing the  sick  person  to  himself  at  a 
time  when  he  needs  the  support  of 
the  Christian  fellowship  most.  If  a 
church  member  is  admitted  to  a 
mental  hospital,  it  is  important  that 
the  pastor  be  the  connecting  link 
between  patient  and  congregation. 
Often  the  greatest  tragedy  in  a 
mental  hospital  is  the  great  number 
of  patients  who  have  been  “written 
off”  by  their  relatives,  but  also  by 
their  church.  A person  in  a mental 
hospital  remains  a church  member. 

Last,  the  minister  serves  the 
mentally  sick  person  by  continuing 
to  be  his  minister.  He  remains  the 
spiritual  guide  for  healthy  and  sick. 
Even  if  the  mentally  sick  member 
of  his  flock  remains  hospitalized 
and  has  little  or  no  chances  of  re- 
covery, he  still  needs  support  and 
food  for  his  spiritual  life. 

Besides  his  services  to  the  patient 
himself,  the  minister  can  do  much 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church. 
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212 


THE  MENNONITE 


I 


for  the  patient’s  family.  Often  fam- 
ilies do  not  know  what  attitude  to 
take  toward  a mentally  sick  mem- 
ber. Should  they  consider  him  espe- 
cially sinful?  Should  they  hush  up 
his  illness  before  the  outside  world? 
Should  they  seek  advice  from  a psy- 
chiatrist? Should  they  discuss  the 
sick  person’s  problems  with  him 
openly,  or  act  as  if  nothing  were 
wrong  with  him?  Is  mental  illness 
incurable,  contagious,  etc.?  The 
minister  is  in  a position  to  help 
the  family  greatly  by  interpreting 
to  them  the  nature  of  the  case  and 
by  suggesting  helpful  attitudes  and 
courses  of  action. 

The  Congregation. 

The  work  of  the  pastor  and  the 
congregation  should  be  done  hand 
in  hand,  of  course.  Often  the  pastor 
will  take  the  leadership  in  showing 
the  way  to  his  flock. 

Since  many  mental  diseases  affect 
a person’s  relationship  with  reality, 
with  his  family,  and  with  society 
generally,  the  Christian  congrega- 
tion is  in  an  especially  favorable 
position  for  extending  a healing 
ministry  to  the  mentally  ill.  It  can 
provide  a warm  fellowship  in  which 
an  attitude  of  love  and  forgiveness 
prevails.  In  such  a fellowship  the 
sick  person  is  not  considered  odd 
or  especially  sinful,  but  is  accepted 
in  love  and  understanding  in  spite 
of  his  mental  difficulties  and  the 
effects  of  them  on  his  personality. 
Conversely,  a critical  and  condemn- 
ing attitude  on  the  part  of  the 
congregation  increases  the  sick 
member’s  dilemma  greatly. 

If  hospitalization  of  the  mentally 
sick  person  becomes  necessary,  the 
healing  function  of  the  congrega- 
tion becomes  a supporting  one.  A 
mentally  sick  person  has  many 
more  chances  of  recovery  if  he 
knows  that  his  home  church  prays 
for  him,  thinks  of  him,  suffers  with 
him,  and  . — above  all  — is  willing 
to  welcome  him  back  as  a member 
coming  home,  not  as  a semi-crim- 
inal released  from  a semi- jail. 

When  the  patient  is  released  and 
returns,  the  church  can  help  him  to 
regain  his  place  by  taking  him  into 
its  fellowship.  Since  there  exists 
much  prejudice  against  persons 
with  a mental  hospital  record,  the 
congregation  may  have  great  op- 
portunities in  assisting  the  returned 
patient  in  flnding  a job. 

Just  as  the  minister’s  healing 
help  extends  beyond  the  sick  person 


to  his  family,  the  church’s  help  also 
is  needed  there.  It  will  be  manifest 
in  two  areas:  first,  the  family  must 
not  be  avoided  or  considered  out  of 
the  ordinary  because  one  member 
has  been  mentally  sick.  Second, 
mutual  aid  and  material  help  are  in 
place  here,  just  as  in  the  case  of 
physical  illness. 

Special  Services. 

The  larger  church  beyond  the 
local  congregation  is  able  to,  and 
should,  provide  more  specialized 
services  for  the  mentally  sick.  Men- 
nonite  Central  Committee,  for  ex- 
ample, is  operating  three  mental 
hospitals  and  is  providing  person- 
nel for  other  institutions  through 
Voluntary  Service.  Plans  are  under 
way  to  establish  other  mental  hos- 
pitals. 

The  question  may  arise  whether 
the  church  should  not  leave  this 
area  to  the  government  or  other 
agencies.  While  the  church  at  pres- 
ent will  hardly  be  in  a position  to 
duplicate  government  and  profes- 
sional services,  there  is  a distinc- 
tive contribution  which  it  has  to 
make  by  providing  healing  services 
in  a Christian  atmosphere  by  Chris- 
tian personnel.  Such  endeavors  will 
also  stimulate  study  of  mental  ill- 
ness in  the  light  of  the  Christian 
faith  and  thus  help  to  integrate  our 
Christian  thinking  with  our  ap- 
proach to  so  vital  an  area  as  that 
of  mental  health.  A mental 
hospital  operated  by  the  church 

Are  We  Consistent? 

Mennonites  are  well  known  for 
good  land,  good  farming,  nonresist- 
ance, mutual  aid,  disaster  service. 

In  the  past  generation  of  farm- 
ing, great  changes  have  taken  place, 
some  good,  some  bad.  Modern  sci- 
ence has  brought  out  many  new 
things — synthetics,  plastics,  poison 
sprays,  devitalized  foods. 

Can  we  conscientiously  uphold 
our  belief  when  we  hold  the  dove 
of  peace  in  one  hand,  and  with  the 
other  hand  we  spray  our  fruits, 
vegetables,  and  grain,  which  are 
used  for  human  consumption,  with 
poison?  The  same  holds  true  in 
feeding  livestock.  We  use  concen- 
trates, antibiotics,  hormones,  and 
tranquilizers. 

Let  us  not  kid  ourselves.  When 
these  things  are  practiced  on  our 
grains  and  livestock,  we  must  real- 


misses  the  distinctive  Christian  con- 
tribution unless  the  staff,  including 
the  psychiatrists,  consists  of  dedi- 
cated Christian  workers. 

Avenues  Toward  Prevention 
Of  Mental  Illness 

The  causes  of  mental  diseases 
are  as  varying  and  complicated  as 
those  of  physical  sickness.  “Mental 
sickness’’  is  not  one  disease  in  the 
list  of  pneumonia,  tonsilitis,  and 
scarlet  fever,  but  it  denotes  a large 
group  of  diseases,  each  of  which 
has  its  own  causes,  symptoms,  and 
proghosis.  Some  of  these  are  of  a 
physical  nature,  such  as  a virus  in- 
fection, hereditary  factors,  or  a 
brain  tumor.  Others  have  no  known 
physical  cause  and  may  be  consid- 
ered as  psychogenic,  i.e.,  of  mental 
origin.  Of  this  latter  group  the 
causes  must  often  be  sought  in  in- 
fancy and  childhood  development. 

Proper  guidance  by  p a re  n t s 
teachers,  and  others  could  possibly 
prevent  or  correct  some  beginnings 
on  the  road  to  mental  illness.  Our 
colleges  are  offering  courses  in  men- 
tal hygiene.  On  the  whole,  however, 
the  church’s  contribution  to  the 
prevention  of  mental  illness  will 
be  an  indirect  one,  as  the  church 
seeks  to  further  wholesome  living, 
proper  group  fellowship,  education 
of  parents,  teacher  training,  min- 
ister training,  and  community  or- 
ganizations or  national  organiza- 
tions devoted  to  the  prevention  of 
mental  illness. 


ize  that  whatever  is  put  on  a plant 
will  also  be  in  the  fruit  or  vege- 
table, and  the  same  is  true  of  live- 
stock. It  will  be  in  the  meat  that 
we  consume. 

What  has  happened  to  our  nat- 
ural way  of  farming  and  living? 
Why  not  build  up  our  soil  the  way 
nature  builds  soil? 

Are  we  consistent?  Greed  has 
played  a big  part  in  our  overpro- 
duction, and  a good  many  of  our 
people  are  following  these  recom- 
mendations. Why  not  raise  high 
quality  and  not  quantity?  We  are 
called  the  richest  nation  on  earth, 
and  with  all  our  abundance,  we  are 
the  poorest  fed.  If  we  are  against 
war,  then  let  us  be  consistent  by 
not  feeding  our  neighbor  poisoned 
food. 

— John  Boehr,  Bluff  ton,  Ohio 


April  7,  1959 


213 


Emergency  Relief 
in  Beirut 

Alice  Snyder,  MCC  worker  in  Lebanon 


Years  ago  I saw  an  unforget- 
table picture  of  a small  CKinese 
boy  crying  and  holding  an  empty 
bowl  and  chopsticks.  Most  of  us 
cannot  remain  indifferent  to  the 
suffering  of  a child.  When  the  ap- 
peal comes  to  help  children  who 
are  innocent  victims  of  strife,  we 
are  usually  quick  to  respond. 

Such  an  appeal  came  from  Leb- 
anon this  past  summer,  where  many 
families  had  their  normal  lives  and 
homes  disrupted  by  the  sudden  out- 
break of  violence  in  this  small  Mid- 
dle East  country.  Controversy  came 
to  a head  partly  because  of  accusa- 
tions that  foreign  powers  were  in- 
terfering in  political  affairs  of  the 
country,  and  partly  because  of 
strong  feelings  between  religious 
groups.  As  violence  and  terrorism 
increased,  lines  between  the  Chris- 
tians and  Muslims  became  more 
sharply  drawn.  Christian  families 
who  lived  in  a predominantly  Mus- 
lim area  had  to  leave  their  homes 
suddenly  and  find  lodging  elsewhere. 
The  same  was  true  of  Muslim  fam- 
ilies. In  some  cases  the  father  and 
wage  earner  was  killed,  and  many 
could  not  go  to  work  for  months. 
Hardships  resulting  from  the  fight- 
ing continued  for  a long  time. 

At  this  time  the  Lebanon  Emer- 
gency Committee  was  set  up  with 
MCC  as  a member.  Upon  the  rec- 
ommendation of  this  committee,  we 
decided  to  open  a feeding  center 
in  the  Aisha  Bakkar  district  of  Bei- 
rut, which  is  entirely  Muslim.  Ada 
Stoltzfus  left  her  work  in  Jordan 
to  come  to  Beirut  and  launch  the 
project.  As  fighting  was  still  going 
on  there  were  many  obstacles  to  be 
overcome,  and  it  took  considerable 
time  until  meals  could  actually  be 
served.  This  area  has  its  own  wel- 
fare committee,  including  a doctor, 
and  he  selected  the  200  undernour- 
ished children,  from  five  to  eight 
years  of  age,  who  were  to  receive 
a hot  meal  every  day.  There  has 


been  very  good  co-operation  between 
the  Aisha  Bakkar  committee  and 
MCC  and  they  provided  most  of  the 
necessary  equipment,  including  suit- 
able rooms,  rough  wooden  tables 
and  benches,  plates,  cups  and 
spoons. 

Let  us  call  at  the  center  today 
at  12:30.  There  are  no  fair-haired 
children  here.  Youngsters  with  black 
eyes  and  black  hair,  not  always 
freshly  combed  and  washed,  are 
crowding  and  stumbling  over  each 
other  in  their  haste  to  get  in.  Local 
helpers  try  to  keep  order  and  teach 
them  some  manners,  such  as  the  use 
of  a spoon,  which  is  new  to  many 
of  them.  An  American  housewife 
might  say  the  kitchen  does  not 
have  essential  equipment,  but  two 
kerosene  stoves  set  on  the  floor,  two 
large  kettles,  and  a few  pans  is  all 
that  is  needed  to  cook  a hot  meal 
for  200  children. 

The  menus  vary,  but  staple  foods 
are  rice,  dried  beans,  macaroni, 
fresh  vegetables,  olive  oil,  and 
bread.  These  with  some  meat,  milk, 
and  fresh  fruits  make  very  nourish- 
ing meals.  The  Lebanese  diet  is  con- 
sidered different  from  ours.  Olives 
are  grown  locally;  and  olive  oil  is 
used  in  cooking.  Bread  is  a very  im- 
portant part  of  the  diet.  The  native 
bread  looks  like  a large  pancake,  is 
slightly  puffy  and  hollow,  and  sep- 
arates into  two  layers,  which  makes 
it  ideal  for  a sandwich.  Broken  into 
pieces  it  serves  as  an  edible  scoop 
for  other  foods.  Milk  is  not  drunk 
in  liquid  form  but  is  made  into  le- 
ben  or  lebne,  similar  to  yoghurt. 

We  have  been  serving  hot  meals 
in  the  Aisha  Bakkar  area  since 
Sept.  16.  Dec.  10  we  opened  a second 
distribution  center  in  another  area 
of  Beirut.  Most  of  the  people  in  this 
area  are  Assyrians,  a Christian 
group  who  fled  from  Iraq  after 
World  War  One.  Many  have  still 
not  been  nationalized,  cannot  obtain 
work  permits,  and  therefore  can 


do  only  day  labor.  Most  of  them 
could  not  obtain  work  this  summer, 
so  they  are  very  poor.  They  could 
not  make  any  contribution  toward 
operating  a feeding  center,  so  in- 
stead of  undertaking  all  the  ex- 
penses connected  with  this  kind  of 
a project  we  decided  to  give  the 
school  children  a noon  lunch  of 
bread,  cheese,  and  fruit  or  halawi, 
which  is  a nourishing  sweet.  One 
hundred  and  ninety  children  from 
four  to  ten  years  of  age  come  six 
days  a week  to  receive  their  noon 
lunch. 

The  old  people  in  the  Assyrian 
district  are  a very  needy  group 
also,  so  we  decided  to  help  all  those 
over  sixty-five  years  of  age.  They 
receive  flour  once  a month  and 
cheese  every  week.  I wish  you  could 
see  these  old  people  in  their  rags, 
many  of  them  quite  stooped  and 
feeble,  and  accept  personally  their 
gratitude  for  this  bit  of  help.  We 
are  being  given  about  300  pounds 
of  powdered  whole  milk  by  the  local 
Red  Cross,  so  the  mothers  of  small 
babies  receive  milk  powder  weekly. 

Because  of  high  import  duty  we 
have  not  been  able  to  obtain  any 
MCC  supplies  except  flour.  This  re- 
striction has  now  been  lifted  and  we 
hope  to  have  MCC  meat  for  use  in 
these  centers  soon. 

This  Assyrian  district  has  been 
poor  a long  time,  but  the  people 
have  lost  more  than  their  land  and 
possessions.  In  the  fourth  and  fifth 
centuries  they  were  a strong  mis- 
sion group.  Their  missionaries  took 
the  gospel  as  far  as  India  and 
China.  Persecution  drove  them 
back,  and  they  finally  settled  in 
communities  of  their  own  and  en- 
joyed their  own  culture  and  reli- 
gion. Things  went  fairly  well  with 
them  until  persecution  in  Iraq 
forced  them  to  flee.  Some  of  them 
are  looking  for  a better  spiritual 
life  and  would  like  to  study  the 
Bible.  I believe  it  is  in  our  power 
to  help  them  by  giving  them  the 
Scriptures  in  their  language,  and 
making  other  literature  available  to 
them  which  they  can  translate  into 
Syrian.  Very  few  homes  have  Bibles. 

Christ  commanded  us  to  feed  the 
hungry,  not  only  our  friends  but 
also  our  enemies.  In  Beirut  we  are 
feeding  those  who  have  always 
considered  Christians  as  enemies,  as 
well  as  those  who  are  in  need  of 
Christian  fellowship.  Only  God 
knows  what  the  harvest  will  be 


214 


THE  MENNONITE 


What  we  are  doing  and  can  do  in 

Relief 
and 

Rehabilitation 

Photo  courtesy  of  CARE 


Anyone  reading  about  relief 
kitchens  for  Beirut,  Christmas 
bundles  for  Korea,  bedding  for 
Bedouins,  and  vitamins  for  Viet- 
nam, might  conclude  that  relief  is 
a handout  program  of  material  aid. 

But  there  is  more  to  relief  than 
material  aid  in  the  Mennonite  Cen- 
tral Committee  program  carried  on 
by  General  Conference  Mennonite 
churches  through  their  Board  of 
Christian  Service.  One  essential  ele- 
ment is  people — workers  and  Pax- 
men.  There  are  now  147  General 
Conference  Mennonites  engaged  di- 
rectly in  relief  and  rehabilitation. 
It  is  the  people  who  ensure  that 
this  is  not  a handout  program  but 


a demonstration  of  love,  that  mate- 
rial aid  also  becomes  spiritual  aid, 
and  that  everything  given  reflects 
the  Giver. 

The  second  element  in  our  relief 
program  is  the  material  aid  itself. 
In  1958,  Mennonite  Central  Commit- 
tee relief  shipping  in  pounds  was  as 
follows  (the  figures  below  repre- 
sent only  MCC  shipments  and  do 
not  include  accommodation  ship- 
ments for  other  organizations,  per- 
sonal effects,  etc.). 

Major  relief  needs  have  shifted 
from  Europe  to  Asia,  and  work  is 
concentrated  in  Jordan,  Korea,  Hong 
Kong,  Indonesia,  and  Berlin.  In 
Europe  our  follow-up  is  concentrat- 


ed on  East-West  relations  with  Rus- 
sian Mennonites,  Pax  construction, 
Christian  community  centers,  and 
youth  projects. 

The  third  essential  element  of  re- 
lief and  rehabilitation  is  financial 
support.  Over  half  of  the  Board  of 
Christian  Service’s  1959  budget  of 
$177,600  goes  for  foreign  relief.  All 
Conference  giving  goes  through 
this  Board.  Special  relief  aid  is 
given  to  mission  fields  when  needed, 
as  for  the  Indian  famine  or  For- 
mosan typhoon  repair.  In  the  West- 
ern District,  many  members  give 
through  the  annual  MCC  CROP 
drive,  the  funds  of  which  go  to  MCC 
through  this  Board.  Canadian  mem- 


Shoes,  Soap,  etc. 

MCC  Clothing, 

MCC  Food  U.  S.  Government  Surplus  Food  Total 


Country 

1957 

1958 

1957 

1958 

1957 

1958 

1957 

1958 

Austria  

. . 103,294 

133,497 

88,283 

28,943 

87,075 

26,858 

278,652 

189,298 

England  

87 

87 

Formosa  .... 

. . 15,145 

4,549 

6,600 

15,145 

11,149 

France  

. . 12,456 

3,027 

3,187 

14,816 

226,006 

241,649 

17,843 

Germany  .... 

. . 40,873 

57,772 

53,709 

61,222 

257,000 

190,130 

351,852 

309,124 

Greece  

533 

7,484 

8,364 

7,484 

8,897 

Holland  

2,951 

2,951 

Hong  Kong  . . 

. . 1,489 

95,835 

19,548 

1,489 

115,383 

Indonesia  ... 

. . 6,056 

14,794 

5,816 

6,056 

20,610 

Jordan 

. . 142,879 

134,407 

17,600 

8,800 

200,000 

1,020,000 

360,479 

1,163,207 

Korea  

. 183,213 

109,793 

104,136 

122,908 

2,207,618 

2,285,131 

2,494,967 

2,517,832 

Lebanon  .... 

9,900 

9,900 

Vietnam  .... 

. . 29,906 

55,340 

34,540 

91,894 

92,000 

65,446 

239,234 

535,398 

609,546 

312,890 

378,811 

2,977,699 

3,614,119 

3,826,257 

4,602,477 

April  7,  1959 


215 


bers  give  most  of  their  relief  and 
refugee  contributions  through  their 
provincial  inter-Mennonite  organiza- 
tions. 

In  the  past  four  years,  cash  con- 
tributions for  relief  by  General 
Conference  Mennonite  churches  in 
the  U.  S.  have  run  as  follows: 


1955  $53,931.88 

1956  60,172.82 

1957  69,886.17 

1958  43,050.64 


The  greater  giving  in  1956-57  re- 
flects the  Hungarian  crisis  and  sud- 
den stream  of  Hungarian  refugees. 
Yet  1958’s  giving  is  far  too  low, 
considering  that  in  that  year  there 
was  a typhoon  in  Formosa  which 
hit  our  hospital  there,  a famine  in 
India,  more  refugees  than  ever 
crowded  into  Hong  Kong,  and  con- 
tinuing urgent  needs  in  Jordan, 
Lebanon,  Korea,  and  other  coun- 
tries. 

It  is  the  cash  contributions  which 
save  the  lives  of  starving  families, 
provide  medical  help  for  the  dis- 
eased and  dying,  and  send  food, 
clothing,  and  blankets  to  homeless 
widows  and  orphaned  children.  If 
the  contributions  are  not  there,  help 
cannot  come. 

Our  relief  program  also  includes 
rehabilitation  aid.  In  Mexico  and 
South  America  we  are  assisting  our 
brethren  with  the  building  of  the 
Trans-Chaco  Roadway,  with  agri- 
cultural experimentation,  leprosy 


mission  work,  immigration  move- 
ments, long-term  credit,  and  hospital 
services. 

The  Mission  and  Christian  Serv- 
ice Boards  co-operate  in  our  work 
in  Mexico  with  the  Mennonite  set- 
tlers there.  Relief  workers  serve  in 
a regional  hospital  and  in  agricul- 
tural experimentation.  Though  prog- 
ress is  slow,  there  are  signs  of  the 
working  of  the  Spirit  of  God.  As 
we  are  able,  we  will  reach  out  to 
the  Mexican  nationals  also. 

Thus  your  relief  and  rehabilitation 
dollar  goes  for  these  things: 

• Support  for  foreign  relief  and 
service  workers  overseas  who  dis- 
tribute food  and  clothing  and  per- 
form services  “in  the  name  of 
Christ.” 

• Purchasing,  processing,  and 
shipping  food,  clothes,  and  other 
material  aid  products. 

• Handling  costs  and  distribution 
of  U.  S.  government  surplus  food 
products.  ($1.00  makes  it  possible  to 
distribute  approximately  300  pounds 
of  U.  S.  government  surplus  food 
valued  at  about  $25.00.) 

• Emergency  relief  or  rehabilita- 
tion needs. 

• Supporting  self-help  projects 
such  as  sewing  and  other  trade 
projects,  agricultural  work,  medical 
aid. 

• Purchasing  badly  needed  food 
items  not  contributed  such  as  sugar, 
multi-purpose  food,  cocoa,  syrup. 


pudding  powders,  pork  and  beans, 
baby  food. 

• Rehabilitation  projects  for  ref- 
ugee resettlement,  including  agri- 
cultural assistance,  reconstruction 
aid,  Trans-Chaco  Roadway  construc- 
tion, leprosy  care. 

Suggestions  for  special  relief  proj- 
ects include:  projects  in  Self-Help 
Folder  (available  from  Board  of 
Christian  Service,  722  Main,  New- 
ton, Kansas) ; funds  for  projects  in 
special  countries;  Pax:  $75  to  $100 
per  month  per  fellow  (you  may  des- 
ignate specific  Paxman  or  country) ; 
Missions  Pax:  as  above  but  work- 
ing with  our  missionaries  in  Congo, 
India,  Formosa,  and  Japan;  Mexico 
program:  agricultural  services  and/ 
or  hospital  services;  special  relief 
fund  for  unknown  emergencies; 
South  America;  Trans-Chaco  Road- 
way; government  surplus  foods; 
clothing:  new  and  used  clothes  ($5 
will  process  and  distribute  sixty 
pounds  of  contributed  clothing); 
Christmas  bundles;  orphan  support: 
Jordan  and  Korean  orphans  sup- 
ported at  $10  a month;  school  sup- 
plies; vitamins  for  the  needy;  and 
Bibles. 

Contributions  to  special  drives  do 
not  eliminate  the  necessity  for  reg- 
ular support  through  the  relief  of- 
ferings of  your  congregation.  May 
we  learn  to  give  sacrificially  to  help 
our  neighbor  (Luke  10:36, 37)  who 
needs  us. 


Photo  courtesy  of  CARE 


216 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  youth 


Learnin’ 

in  Newfoundland  today  as  told  by  Ruth  Ann  Liechty^ 


The  setting  is  Twillingate,  an 
isolated  island  off  the  northern 
shore  of  Newfoundland.  In  the 
course  of  a day,  a month,  a year, 
many  scenes  take  place  in  the  life 
of  a Voluntary  Service  worker.  Let 
me  share  some  scenes  in  my  life. 

The  scene  is  the  two-room  school 
up  the  road.  Forty-three  very  live 
but  lovable  first-to-third  graders 
come  each  day  for  a “bit  of  learn- 
in’ ’’ — some  willingly  and  some  un- 
willingly. First  thing  each  morning 
the  children  listen  eagerly  to  a 
Bible  story,  learn  Bible  verses,  or 
sing  songs  about  Jesus.  “That’s 
some  nice,  teacher!”  the  children 
respond  to  a flannelgraph  story. 
“He  loves  me,  too.  He  loves  me, 
too,”  chant  childish  voices  as  they 
sing  of  God’s  love  and  care. 

The  three  R’s  take  up  most  of  the 
day.  “I’m  in  Grade  1 now,”  beams 
young  Cecil,  hugging  his  first  read- 
er. Will  we  be  able  to  instill  in  him 
a thirst  for  knowledge  so  that  he 
will  burst  the  bounds  of  the  time- 
deepened  educational  rut?  This  is 
the  challenge  for  the  Newfoundland 
teacher. 

Besides  frequent  stoking  of  the 
coal  stove,  teacher  must  also  try  to 
ease  the  pain  of  a “bad  head,”  retie 
a loose  ribbon,  settle  a quarrel, 
listen  to  the  latest  fish  story,  and 
keep  a reasonable  amount  of  order 
in  a crowded  classroom.  Discour- 
agements are  offset  by  the  knowl- 
edge that  we  are  needed  here.  At 
the  end  of  the  day  we  pray,  “Thank 
you  God,  for  patience — please  give 
me  more  tomorrow.” 

"Ruth  Ann  Liechty  from  Berne,  Ind.,  is 
currently  serving  a two-year  VS  term  in 
Newfoundland.  She  is  one  of  the  Aug., 
1958,  group  of  nineteen  volunteers,  the 
largest  number  on  record  to  leave  for 
the  island  at  one  time.  Total  voluntary 
personnel  on  the  island  numbers  thirty- 
two. 

Ruth  Ann  writes;  “I  appreciate  MCC 
news  in  the  various  publications  we  re- 
ceive. I am  glad  to  be  a part  of  this 
organization  which  I feel  really  expresses 
the  spirit  of  Christ.” 


The  scene  is  the  neighbor’s  home. 
In  response  to  the  warm  invitation: 
“Come  over  tonight,  and  bring  your 
music”  (violin),  we  spend  a happy 
evening  visiting  and  knitting,  sing- 
ing familiar  hymns,  playing  check- 
ers— all  the  time  getting  to  know 
each  other,  becoming  good  friends. 
There  is  a lunch — a cup  of  tea, 
homemade  bread,  and  blueberry 
jam,  other  good  things.  We  say 
good-night  and  think,  “Have  we 
shown  them  that  Christ  provides 
the  best  way  of  life?” 

The  scene  is  at  home — home  here 
with  a local  family.  This  is  the  acid 
test.  Is  our  Christianity  good  in 
the  necessary  daily  details  of  life? 
Tired  and  irritated  at  times,  can  we 


Above:  schoolhouse  and  two  stu- 
dents. Below:  Newfoundland  har- 
bor. 


still  show  love?  Discouraged  and  a 
bit  lonely,  do  we  have  joy  and 
peace?  Discussing  the  day’s  news, 
helping  with  the  dishes,  going  to 
the  shop  for  a tin  of  milk  or  a 
“drop  of  oil,”  do  we  show  meek- 
ness and  gentleness?  Are  we  con- 
sistent in  our  standards?  “But 
thanks  be  to  God,  which  giveth  us 
the  victory  through  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.” 

The  scene  is  at  Aunt  Susie  and 
Uncle  Peter’s,  a dear  couple  who’ve 
“adopted”  the  Mennonites,  and  at 
whose  home  we  gather  each  week 
for  unit  meeting.  We  laugh  togeth- 
er, sing  together,  worship  and  pray 
together,  and  share  each  other’s 
burdens.  The  next  outing  is  planned. 
Aunt  Susie  serves  a good  “drop  of 
tea”  and  lunch.  Then  back  to  our 
homes,  refreshed,  encouraged,  chal- 
lenged. 

The  scene  is  on  the  way  home 
from  the  “meetin’  ” up  in  the  school. 
The  majestic  hills  and  rocks,  the 
bay,  the  uninterrupted  light  of  the 
nearby  moon  and  stars  all  draw 
one’s  thoughts  to  the  Maker  of  this 
beauty  — our  Commissioner.  It  is 
natural  to  meditate  and  pray.  One’s 
heart  overfiows  with  the  satisfac- 
tion of  serving  God — and  people. 
Sacrifice?  No,  NO!  It  is  joy,  privi- 
lege, “life  more  abundantly.” 

Photos  courtesy  of  MCC 


April  7,  1959 


217 


Looking  Back  on  Last  Summer 


Sweet  Land  of  Liberty 

A kindergarten  class  of  small  col- 
ored children  was  singing  in  Bible 
school  at  Gulfport,  Mississippi.  Time 
had  come  in  the  singing  period  for 
the  children  to  choose  favorites.  Al- 
most each  day  one  of  the  children 
would  request  the  singing  of  “My 
Country  ’Tis  of  Thee.”  With  bright, 
beaming  eyes  and  pretty,  white 
teeth  showing  through  a joyous 
smile  they  would  sing  the  song  as 
loudly  and  beautifully  as  possible. 
Each  day  we  sang  that  song  I had 
to  stop  singing;  I had  a miserable 
feeling  each  time  they  sang,  “sweet 
land  of  liberty.”  They  were  so  young 
and  innocent.  I wondered  if  they 
would  still  sing  that  phrase  in  all 
sincerity  after  they  knew  the  mean- 
ing of  the  words. 

As  I entered  the  bus  depot  and 
saw  the  sign  “Absolutely  No  Col- 
ored People  Allowed,”  when  I saw 
the  drinking  fountains:  one  for 

whites,  the  other  for  colored,  that 
strain,  “sweet  land  of  liberty,”  kept 
singing  in  my  mind.  Those  little 
children  seemed  to  stand  at  my  side. 
These  signs  hurt  me,  but  what  will 
they  do  to  that  Bible  school  class 
when  they  know  what  it  means? 

Are  we  surprised,  then,  when  we 
read  an  essay  by  a young  colored 
girl  who  answers  the  question, 
“What  should  Hitler’s  punishment 
have  been  if  he  had  lived?”  with, 
“Hitler  should  have  been  given  the 
worst  punishment  possible  — give 
him  a black  skin  and  make  him 
live  in  America.” 

What  are  you  doing  to  help  this 
kindergarten  class  and  others  like 
it  to  sing  with  real  meaning,  “sweet 
land  of  liberty,  of  thee  I sing”? 

Ardis  Fliginger 

Freeman,  S.  D. 

A Sunday  in  Oklahoma 

Beside  me  sat  Diane,  black- 
haired, black-eyed,  and  full  of  five- 
year-old  energy.  The  summer  be- 
fore, while  I taught  Bible  school, 
her  energy  had  been  almost  uncon- 
trollable. But  she  had  grown  up  a 
bit  in  one  year.  On  this  Sunday 
afternoon  the  rays  of  the  sun 


streamed  through  the  windows  of 
the  little  Mennonite  church  on  the 
edge  of  a small,  hot,  dusty  town 
in  Oklahoma.  The  two  of  us  sat 
together  waiting  for  the  service  to 
begin. 

Although  only  a few  people  were 
present,  the  service  started,  and  I 
left  Diane  in  order  to  play  the 
pump  organ  for  the  song  service.  I 
was  almost  surprised  to  find  her 
still  in  her  place  as  I returned.  Did 
she  know  this  was  a very  special 
service?  Had  the  meaning  of  what 
was  to  take  place  been  explained 
to  her  at  home? 

Another  girl  (twelve  years  old), 
her  father,  and  her  grandmother 
were  sitting  in  the  front  pew.  At 
the  appointed  time  in  the  service 
they  were  asked  the  usual  ques- 
tions, and  then  given  the  rite  of 
baptism.  Diane  became  a little  rest- 
less (or  perhaps  I was  afraid  she 
might  leave  the  service),  so  I gave 
her  paper  and  pencil. 

Gradually  more  people  entered 
the  church  and  found  places.  Sounds 
of  the  voices  of  Diane’s  friends 
playing  on  the  lawn  around  the 
church  drifted  in.  Her  girl  friend 
entered,  sat  beside  us  for  a few 
minutes,  and  left  again.  Other  chil- 
dren also  came  . . . and  went.  On 
other  occasions  these  disturbances 
would  have  attracted  Diane’s  atten- 
tion enough  to  cause  here  to  leave 
the  service.  But  not  today. 

The  long  service  continued  as  the 
minister  lifted  the  snowy  white 
cloth  covering  the  elements  on  the 
communion  table.  The  words  of 
blessing  were  spoken  and  the  ele- 
ments distributed.  We  as  a fellow- 
ship of  believers  partook. 

As  Diane  looked  on,  I wondered 
what  she  was  thinking.  Of  the 
stories  of  Jesus  heard  during  Bible 
school? 

Would  our  two  weeks’  service  be 
of  value  to  her? 

I do  not  know  what  passed 
through  her  mind.  As  the  service 
was  ending  the  little  girl  asked, 
“What  was  that  you  drank?”  and 
“Was  it  good?” 

Virginia  Claassen 
Whitewater,  Kan. 


Call  to  the  Desert 

One  whole  month  in  the  desert! 
That  sounded  like  it  might  be  the 
loneliest  month  of  my  life. 

After  having  been  there  one 
month  plus  an  extra  two  weeks  (be- 
cause it  was  so  enjoyable)  it  seemed 
that  the  word  desert  didn’t  do  it 
justice.  Certainly  Arizona  isn’t  as 
rainy  as  some  other  states — perhaps 
one  of  the  driest.  But  there  is  beau- 
ty, much  beauty,  in  God’s  creation 
in  Arizona,  illustrated,  for  instance, 
in  the  beautiful  colors  and  forma- 
tions of  the  sand  and  rocks. 

As  to  its  being  lonely,  it’s  far 
from  it!  There  is  so  much  to  be 
done.  And  to  me  it  was  very  inter- 
esting. When  one  gets  acquainted 
with  the  red-skinned,  sun-tanned 
people  with  their  black  hair  and 
dark  eyes,  one  realizes  we  are  very 
selfish  if  we  do  not  try  to  give  them 
the  gospel. 

We  know  there  are  those  who 
would  be  willing  to  follow  Christ, 
but  for  these  children  it  could  mean 
having  to  leave  home.  They  did  not 
choose  to  be  born  into  non-Christian 
homes;  neither  was  it  our  doing  to 
be  born  to  Christian  parents,  but 
God  gave  us  this  blessing.  Let  us  be 
thankful  enough  to  serve  Him  in 
any  way  and  at  any  price  to  further 
His  kingdom. 

Irma  Neufeld 
Inman,  Kansas 

Two  weeks  of  vacation  Bible 
school  at  Eloy,  Arizona,  seeing  the 
needs  of  people  who  have  not  had 
the  opportunities  we  take  for  grant- 
ed, gave  me  a new  determination 
to  spend  my  time  and  talent  reach- 
ing out  with  the  gospel  and  gave 
me  insight  into  everyday  mission- 
ary living. 

The  work  assigned  to  me  was 
that  of  teaching  a class  of  white 
and  colored  preschool  children. 
What  a cute  bunch!  Coming  from 
different  kinds  of  homes,  they  need- 
ed to  know  that  “God  is  love.” 
Several  times  a week  classes  were 
conducted  in  surrounding  camps  for 
those  children  who  could  not  or 
would  not  attend  Sunday  school 


218 


THE  MENNONITE 


and  vacation  Bible  school. 

For  Bible  study,  stories,  singing, 
and  handwork  we  gathered  under  a 
huge  palm  or  cottonwood  tree.  I 
was  surprised  to  see  young  moth- 
ers with  their  babies  come  to  learn 
more  about  this  Saviour  the  chil- 
dren were  learning  about.  In  the 
ladies’  Bible  class  and  quilting 
party,  a new  convert  and  a Roman 
Catholic  Spanish  lady  asked  ques- 
tions, seeking  to  know  Christ. 

I will  always  be  grateful  for  this 
privilege  of  serving  the  Lord  and 
the  training  I received  there. 

Leona  Driedger 
Waldheim,  Sask. 

Three  Exciting  Weeks 

Those  three  exciting  weeks  at 
teen-age  work  camp  now  seem  like 
a dream. 

Our  main  purpose  was  to  work. 
We  cleaned  up  dry  limbs  lying  on 
the  ground,  picked  up  dead  trees, 
and  tried  to  clean  out  dead  trees 
still  standing.  We  made  showers 
for  our  own  use.  We  built  two 
cabins  and  dug  a trail  about  twenty 
inches  wide  and  fifteen  hundred 
feet  long.  Above  camp  on  the  hill- 
side, a place  for  worship  services 
was  cleared  and  a pulpit  erected. 
The  cross  on  a nearby  hill  was 
painted  white. 

The  play  field  was  cleared  of 
sagebrush  and  thistles.  On  the 
camp  site  we  leveled  a place  to 
play  volleyball  and  badminton.  Aft- 
er work  and  recreation,  we  were 
glad  to  sack  in  when  the  time  came. 
At  camp  and  in  the  Aberdeen 
homes,  we  always  had  good  food. 

The  location  was  wonderful  for 
hiking.  We  all  hiked  up  a small  hill 
to  the  cross,  but  the  first  real  hike 
one  Saturday  took  three  girls  and 
six  men  to  Sheep  Creek  Peak,  The 
next  Saturday  six  climbed  Sheep 
Mountain  while  some  of  the  rest 
went  horseback  riding.  The  high- 
light of  the  recreation  was  a twen- 
ty-mile two-day  hike. 

On  days  we  planned  to  go  swim- 
ming it  usually  rained  or  was 
cloudy,  but  we  went  anyway.  Along 
the  way  we  waded  in  cold  mountain 
streams,  swam  in  two  cold  lakes, 
and  saw  many  beautiful  sights,  one 
of  the  prettiest  being  a waterfall. 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsorec 
by  the  Young  People's  Union  of  the  Genero' 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  3003 
Bei'iham  Avenue,  Elkhart,  Indiana. 


We  had  devotions  every  morning 
and  evening,  led  by  a different  cabin 
each  day,  alternating  between  the 
boys’  and  girls’  cabins.  Some  of  the 
thoughts  brought  out  in  the  devo- 
tions will  stick  with  me  throughout 
my  life. 

Each  evening  we  had  good  pro- 
grams. We  discussed  different  re- 
ligions, 1-W  service,  and  had  a na- 
ture study.  We  visited  a Mormon 
church  and  a Baptist  church.  One 
day  we  gave  a program  in  the  Aber- 
deen church. 

Eva  Hiebert 
Newport,  Wash. 

NOTE:  This  year’s  teen-age  work 
camp  will  he  held  at  Elkhart,  In- 
diana, dressing  up  the  new  campus 
of  Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary, 
July  25-Aug.  10. 

our  schools 

HONOR  ROLL 

Thirty-seven  students  are  listed 
on  the  honor  roll  for  the  winter 
quarter  at  Bethel  College,  accord- 
ing to  Dean  P.  E.  Schellenberg. 

Freshman  who  achieved  a grade 
point  average  of  3.50  or  above  or 
midway  between  ‘A’  and  ‘B’  are 
David  Janzen,  Robert  Rich,  Mary 
Ann  Claassen,  Joleen  Klassen,  Hel- 
en Louise  Goering,  Caryl  Smith, 
Harold  Loewen,  Kenneth  Lohrentz, 
Joan  Claassen,  Alfred  Habegger, 
and  Duane  Friesen. 

Sophomores  who  achieved  the  re- 
quired grade  point  average  of  3.60 
or  above  are  Rosalie  Bartel,  Har- 
riet Jost,  Sara  Penner,  Harry  D. 
Neufeld,  Ronald  Friesen,  Doris 
Janzen,  Marie  Voth,  Arnold  Emer- 
son Wiens,  Dorothy  Harms,  Anna 
Kreider,  George  Dick,  and  Emma 
Preheim. 

Juniors  listed  are  Robert  Shellen- 
berger,  Rosalie  Voth,  Roger  Sie- 
bert,  Judy  Gaeddert,  Nabil  Khab- 
baz,  Emil  Kreider,  and  Anita  Fast. 

Seniors  on  the  honor  roll  are 
Melvin  Schmidt,  Eldon  Schmidt, 
Alvin  Dalke,  Maynard  Janzen,  John 
D.  Unruh  Jr.,  Stanley  Pankratz, 
and  Clayton  Peters. 

EDITORS  CHOSEN 

Co-editors  for  the  1960  Bluffton 
College  annual  have  been  chosen. 
John  Gundy  and  Phyllis  Bixler  will 
work  together  to  produce  next 
year’s  Ista.  Ted  Berkey  has  been 
selected  as  business  manager. 


This  Summer 

Announcing:  YPU  Retreat. 

Where:  Camp  Friedenswald, 
Cassopolis,  Mich. 

When:  From  supper,  Aug.  5, 

through  breakfast  Aug.  12,  1959. 

Speakers:  Frank  Epp,  editor  of 
the  Canadian  Mennonite,  and  David 
Schroeder,  recent  graduate  of  the 
University  of  Hamburg  and  newly 
appointed  faculty  member  of  Can- 
adian Mennonite  Bible  College. 

Topic:  Evangelism  and  YOUth. 

Cost:  $19.25  total  cost  for  seven 
days  board  and  room;  $3.00  regis- 
tration. 

Start  planning!  Registration 
blanks  will  appear  in  coming  issues 
of  Mennonite  Youth. 


With  the  beginning  of  the  spring 
quarter,  March  9,  a new  staff  has 
taken  over  the  editorship  of  the 
Collegian,  Bethel  student  newspa- 
per. Doris  Janzen  is  the  new  editor, 
with  Norma  Tschetter  and  John 
Long,  serving  as  associate  editors. 
Warren  Kennedy  is  the  new  busi- 
ness manager. 

APRIL  CALENDAR 

Bluffton  College  activities  during 
the  month  of  April  will  include  the 
Carmen  and  Don  Jose  concert  on 
April  7;  Board  of  'Trustees  meeting 
and  graduate  record  examination 
for  seniors,  April  8;  A Cappella 
Choir  programs  at  Topeka  and 
Berne,  Ind.,  April  12-13;  Mission 
Emphasis  period,  April  14-16;  col- 
lege play.  Cry,  the  Beloved  Country, 
April  19 ; college  play,  Shakespeare’s 
Comedy  of  Errors,  April  21-25. 


into  the  beyond 

Henry  A.  Ratzlaff,  member  of 
the  First  Mennonite  Church,  New- 
ton, Kansas,  was  bom  August  30, 
1879,  and  departed  this  life  after  a 
lingering  illness  on  February  9, 
1959. 

Mrs.  John  Brader  (nee  Mary 
Kunkel),  of  Reedley,  California, 
and  member  of  the  First  Mennonite 
Church,  Reedley,  was  born  Septem- 
ber 15,  1886,  and  died  March  15, 
1959. 


April  7,  1959 


219 


MCC  news  and  notes 

DEPUTATION  TOUR 

AKRON — Peter  J.  Dyck  arrived 
in  Akron  March  25  to  begin  his 
scheduled  deputation  tour  of  Amer- 
ican and  Canadian  churches.  The 
purpose  of  his  visit  is  to  interpret 
long-term  objectives  of  the  MCC 
East-West  program  in  light  of  the 
present  situation. 

The  following  itinerary  has  been 
planned;  March  25-26,  Akron;  March 
27-April  1,  Saskatoon  (home);  April 
2-19,  western  Canada;  April  21, 
Reedley,  Calif.;  April  22,  Upland, 
Calif.;  April  24-26,  Kan.;  April  27, 
Kalona,  Iowa;  April  28,  Mountain 
Lake,  Minn.;  April  29,  eastern 
Ohio;  April  30,  Archbold,  Ohio; 
May  1-2,  Chicago,  MCC  meetings; 
May  3,  Goshen,  Ind.;  May  4-7,  east- 
ern Canada;  May  8,  return  to  Eur- 
ope. 

A joint  meeting  of  the  Mennonite 
Central  Relief  Committee  of  west- 
ern Canada  and  the  Canadian  Board 
of  Colonization  will  be  held  in  Sas- 
katoon, April  2.  H.  S.  Bender  and 
Peter  Dyck  will  be  there  to  repre- 
sent MCC  and  discuss  the  East-West 
program. 

MENTAL  HEALTH  CONFERENCES 

ELKHART  — Mental  health  con- 
ferences continue  to  be  held  for  the 
MCC  constituency  in  the  east-cen- 
tral area.  Their  purpose  is  to  stim- 
ulate interest  in  the  field  of  mental 
health,  to  speak  to  problems  that 
arise,  to  share  information  about 
the  developing  program  of  the  Oak- 
lawn  Psychiatric  Center,  and  to  get 
constituency  viewpoint  on  what  the 
nature  of  the  development  at  Elk- 
hart should  be.  It  is  hoped  that  con- 
ferences of  this  nature  will  be  held 
periodically  throughout  the  whole 
course  of  development  and  opera- 
tion of  the  center.  April  meetings 
will  be  held  in  three  of  the  four 
states  of  the  area.  Time  and  place 
of  these  meetings  are: 

April  7,  Zion  Church,  Archbold, 
Ohio:  for  MCC  constituent  churches 
in  western  Ohio.  All  interested  per- 
sons are  welcome.  Program  leaders 
will  include  Prof.  Carl  Smucker  of 
Bluffton  College;  Delmar  Stahly, 
co-ordinator  of  MCC  mental  hos- 
pitals; Lester  Rich  and  Erie  Sauder, 
members  of  the  Oaklawn  board  of 
directors;  and  Robert  Hartzler, 
chairman  of  the  board. 

April  llf,  Fairview  Mennonite 


Church,  Fairview,  Mich.:  similar 

conference  for  all  MCC  constituent 
churches  in  Michigan. 

April  21,  Olive  Church,  Elkhart, 
Ind.:  similar  conference  for  all 
Hoosier  MCC  constituent  churches. 

The  Oaklawn  administration, 
which  is  in  charge  of  the  confer- 
ence programs,  has  drawn  on  a 
wide  variety  of  leaders  for  assist- 
ance. In  addition  to  those  mentioned 
earlier,  Paul  Miller,  Dr.  H.  Claire 
Amstutz,  and  Dr.  E.  P.  Minninger 
have  taken  active  part  in  a number 
of  programs. 

The  most  recent  mental  health 
conference  was  held  in  Orrville, 
Ohio,  March  17.  Ministers  and  rep- 
resentatives from  different  Menno- 
nite groups  participated  and  showed 
keen  interest  in  the  new  MCC  hos- 
pital. 

RELIEF  COMMITTEE  MEETS 

KANSAS — Keen  interest  and  good 
attendance  at  the  March  23  annual 
meeting  of  the  inter-Mennonite  Kan- 
sas Relief  Committee  indicate  that 
Kansas  Mennonites  continue  to  be 
strong  supporters  of  the  MCC  relief 
program.  The  meeting  was  held  at 
the  First  Mennonite  Church  in  New- 
ton. 

An  address  on  the  MCC  relief 
program  in  light  of  current  world 
needs  was  given  by  Robert  Miller, 
Associate  Director  of  MCC  Relief 
Section,  Akron.  Mrs.  Selma  Lin- 
scheid.  Supervisor  of  the  North 
Newton  MCC  relief  Center,  report- 
ed on  the  1958  relief  contributions 
of  canned  food,  clothing,  and 
Christmas  bundles.  G.  R.  Gaeddert, 
organizer  of  Kansas  MCC-CROP 
(CROP — Christian  Rural  Overseas 
Program)  this  year,  gave  a report 
on  the  1958  program  and  presented 
plans  for  the  1959  campaign.  Kan- 
sas Mennonites  contributed  $72,918.- 
25  to  MCC  through  CROP  in  1958, 
as  compared  to  $56,050.89  in  1957. 

‘NONRESISTANCE’  IS 
PAX  CONFERENCE  THEME 

AUSTRIA  — A stimulating  pro- 
gram and  excellent  attendance  were 
reported  for  the  March  11-16  semi- 
annual Pax  Peace  Conference  held 
at  Schloss  Leopoldstein,  a renovat- 
ed seventeenth  century  castle  in  the 
Austrian  Alps. 

Fifty-four  Paxmen  representing 
seven  European  countries  and  Mo- 
rocco, Algeria,  and  Jordan  partici- 
pated in  the  four  day  study  of  non- 
resistance  and  its  implications  for 


Ten  thousand  pounds  of  candy 
packed  in  one-pound  tins  was  given 
to  MCC  by  Hungarian  Co-ordinated 
Relief  for  distribution  in  Austria. 
The  original  donor  of  the  candy  is 
Sinke  Manufacturing  Company  of 
Chicago.  MCC  is  sharing  the  candy 
with  various  agencies  who  are  help- 
ing to  distribute  it  among  orphans 
and  children  of  poor  families.  A 
worker  comments:  “In  the  case  of 
most  children,  this  was  the  first 
time  in  their  life  that  they  had  more 
than  one  small  piece  of  candy  of 
their  own.” 


present  day  living.  Pax  matrons, 
speakers,  and  guests  brought  the 
average  daily  attendance  to  approx- 
imately seventy  persons. 

Speakers  were  Andre  Trocme,  ex- 
ecutive secretary  of  IFOR;  Peter 
Dyck,  director  of  MCC  Europe; 
Clarence  Bauman,  European  MCC 
peace  representative;  and  Erwin 
Goering,  Mennonite  Voluntary  Serv- 
ice director. 

In  addition  to  Bible  studies  and 
lectures,  there  was  strong  emphasis 
on  group  participation.  Paxmen 
took  part  in  panel  discussions,  gave 
book  reviews,  debated  on  the  topic, 
“Our  Responsibility  to  the  State,” 
and  presented  the  historical  skit 
Faithful  Unto  Death. 

European  Pax  Director  Ray  Kauff- 
man comments;  “This  was  the  first 
experience  for  most  of  the  fellows 
to  study  nonresistance  at  such 
length.  We  made  an  effort  before 
conference  to  emphasize  prepara- 
tion— I believe  with  good  results. 
We  wish  to  express  sincere  appre- 
ciation to  the  MCC  and  our  church- 
es at  home  for  making  this  confer- 
ence possible.” 


220 


THE  MENNONITE 


KOREAN  FAMILY  HOMELESS 

A week  or  two  ago,  while  we  were 
working  on  our  yard,  we  heard  an 
explosion  just  below  our  hill.  We 
all  rushed  over  to  the  side  of  the 
hill  and  peered  down.  Black  smoke 
was  rising  from  one  of  the  straw 
thatched  cottages  immediately  be- 
low. People  were  running  hither  and 
thither  screaming  and  calling  for 
the  police. 

After  waiting  about  five  minutes 
and  seeing  that  nothing  was  being 
done,  I asked  Ahn,  our  interpreter, 
to  help  me  investigate  the  situation. 
We  ran  down  the  hill  and  back 
through  the  narrow,  winding  alleys 
until  we  came  to  the  house  in  ques- 
tion. People  were  milling  about, 
talking  about  someone  being  killed 
in  the  house. 

We  entered  the  smoke-filled  build- 
ing, found  the  limp  form  of  a man, 
dragged  him  out  and  assessed  his 
injuries.  He  was  unconscious  and 
covered  with  blood  from  an  open 
gash  on  his  forehead.  His  face  was 
terribly  mutilated  and  one  of  his 
eyes  was  blown  out.  We  re-entered 
the  hut,  found  a blanket,  rolled  him 
onto  it,  and  dragged  him  to  the 
Presbyterian  Mission  Hospital. 

By  that  time  police  with  guns  on 
their  backs  had  caught  up  to  us  and 
began  questioning  us  on  what  we 
had  done  to  this  man.  It  took  a 
while  to  make  it  clear  to  them  that 
we  had  not  caused  this  man’s  in- 
juries but  that  instead  we  were  try- 
ing to  help  him. 

A week  later  I visited  this  man 
in  the  hospital.  He  was  half-con- 
scious and  the  doctors  thought  that 
he  would  recover.  They  had  re- 
moved the  eye  completely,  repaired 
the  broken  nose,  stitched  the  gash 
on  the  head,  and  dressed  his  burns. 

His  wife,  with  a two-month-old 
baby  on  her  back,  was  with  him  and 
from  her  we  pieced  together  a some- 
what incoherent  story.  She  had  been 
away  selling  persimmons.  Her  hus- 
band had  been  at  home  alone  and 
had  tried  to  soften  persimmons  by 
heating  them  over  a carbide  gas 
flame.  Something  went  wrong  and 
the  whole  thing  exploded. 

The  man  is  thirty-one  years  old 
and  has  a family  of  four  children. 
They  have  had  to  move  out  of  their 
house  and  are  now  one  more  of  the 
many  homeless  and  destitute  fam- 
ilies in  Korea.  The  plight  of  these 
hapless  families  is  the  concern  of 
Christians  everywhere. 


A CHILD  RAISED  ON  TEA 

“How  long  relief?”  is  a question 
all  of  us  find  ourselves  asking  on 
occasion.  Two  MCC  workers  relate 
experiences  which  indicate  that 
there  is  still  a great  deal  of  pov- 
erty and  sickness  in  the  world.  Let 
us  thank  God  that  ours  is  the  priv- 
ilege to  give,  in  order  to  relieve 
suffering. 

The  mother  placed  her  little 
daughter  on  the  examining  table. 

“How  old  is  she — about  one  year?” 

No,  a little  over  three  years,  we 
discover.  Her  weight,  fifteen  pounds 
— ten  pounds  less  than  our  own  six- 
teen-month old  son. 

She  was  a veritable  encyclopedia 
of  vitamin  deficiency  diseases:  the 
eye  spots  and  lusterless  conjunctivae 
of  vitamin  A deficiency,  the  skin 
changes  and  swelling  of  lack  of 
vitamin  B,  rickets  from  inadequate 
vitamin  D,  and  so  on  through  the 
gamut. 

When  questioned  about  her  diet, 
we  found  it  was  mostly  tea.  She 
had  probably  had  no  milk  since  she 
was  weaned  from  her  mother.  She 
was  almost  too  weak  to  cry. 

On  top  of  nutritional  needs  were 
infected  eyes,  skin  rash,  diarrhea, 
worms,  and  whooping  cough.  Admit- 
tedly, this  is  one  of  the  more  se- 
vere cases,  but  this  story  could  be 
repeated  several  times  for  each 
clinic  day. 

With  hospitalization,  prop)er  med- 
ications, a rounded  diet,  and  good 
nursing  care,  the  response  is  almost 
always  very  gratifying.  As  a final 
measure,  when  the  children  return 
home  they  are  given  milk  powder 
“donated  by  the  people  of  the  Unit- 
ed States  of  America,”  or  cards 
which  entitle  them  to  return  to  the 
clinic  each  Thursday  to  receive  an 
allotted  portion  of  milk. 

It  is  little  ones  like  these  that 
MCC  seeks  to  help.  Your  generous 
support  enables  the  work  to  con- 
tinue and  grow. 

mutual  aid  placement 

A brotherly  service  for  the  upbuilding  of 
the  church  community  through  a mutually 
helpful  agency  providing  free  services  in 
the  interest  of  placement  or  re-location. 

Farm  Wanted 

Young  Mennonite  couple  would 
like  to  rent  farm  in  central  Kansas 
area  by  August  1.  Can  provide 
some  machinery.  Good  references 
offered.  Contact;  Mutual  Aid  Serv- 
ices, Inc.,  722  Main,  Newton,  Kan. 


audio  visual  library 

NEW  JAPAN  MISSION  FILM 

A brand  new  16mm.  sound  film  in 
color,  The  Miyazaki  Story,  will  soon 
be  available.  Filmed  by  William 
Zehr,  the  picture  depicts  present 
day  Japan’s  people,  culture,  and  re- 
ligion, and  the  growth  of  evangel- 
ical churches  under  the  leadership 
of  General  Conference  Mennonite 
missionaries,  Japanese  pastors  and 
lay  leaders. 

Forty-five  minutes  in  length,  the 
film  will  be  previewed  this  spring 
and  early  summer  at  district  con- 
ferences across  the  country.  The 
first  showing  will  be  at  the  Central 
District  Conference,  home  district 
of  the  script’s  authors,  missionaries 
Robert  and  Alice  Ruth  Ramseyer. 

The  Miyazaki  Story  can  be  booked 
after  July  1.  More  than  one  print 
will  be  available  for  showing  in 
both  the  United  States  and  Canada. 
Write  to  the  Audio  Visual  Library, 
Mennonite  Bookstore,  720  Main, 
Newton,  Kansas,  if  in  the  United 
States;  or  to  the  Visual  Aids  Li- 
brary, Mennonite  Bookstore,  Ros- 
them,  Saskatchewan,  if  in  Canada. 
Give  several  choices  of  dates.  Rent- 
al: freewill  offering  or  contribu- 

tion. 

SERIES  ON  O.  T.  PROPHETS 

The  Story  of  the  Prophets,  a 
series  of  ten  color  filmstrips,  each 
with  33  1/3  rpm.  record  and  script, 
help  to  make  Old  Testament  proph- 
ets real  personalities  to  those  who 
view  the  filmstrips,  as  well  as  give 
some  insight  into  the  times  in 
which  the  prophets  lived.  Renting 
for  $2.00  each,  the  filmstrips  are: 
Frontiersmen  of  Faith,  Amos  — ■ 
God’s  Angry  Man,  Hosea — Prophet 
of  God’s  Love,  Micah — Prophet  of 
the  Common  Man,  The  Vision  of 
Isaiah,  Isaiah — Statesman  for  God, 
Jeremiah — the  Reluctant  Rebel,  Eze- 
kiel— Man  of  Visions,  The  Prophet- 
Poet  of  the  Exile,  and  In  the  full- 
ness of  Time  (prophecies  concern- 
ing the  coming  of  the  Messiah). 

The  filmstrips  can  be  used  with 
Sunday  school  lessons  or  Bible 
study,  and  the  script  includes  sug- 
gestions for  follow-up  discussion. 
Write  to  the  Audio  Visual  Library, 
Mennonite  Bookstore,  720  Main  St., 
Newton,  Kansas. 

ALTERNATIVES 

Youth  groups,  youth  counselors, 
and  pastors  will  want  to  consider 


April  7,  1959 


221 


the  new  film  Alternatives  for  use 
at  young  people’s  meetings.  The 
16mm.  color  sound  film,  24  minutes 
in  length,  shows  the  provisions  Con- 
gress has  made  for  objectors  to  mil- 
itary service  and  the  wide  range  of 
ways  in  which  they  can  serve.  The 
film  was  planned  so  that  it  could  be 
used  in  high  school  programs  as 
well  as  church  meetings,  presenting 
the  Christian  pacifist  viewpoint  in 
an  interesting  way  to  those  who  are 
not  familiar  with  it. 

Rental  is  freewill  offering  or  con- 
tribution, and  should  cover  the 
three-dollar  minimum  service 
charge.  Write  to  the  Audio  Visual 
Library,  Mennonite  Bookstore,  720 
Main  Street,  Newton,  Kansas,  giv- 
ing choice  of  dates. 

jottings 

FAREWELL  FOR  PASTOR 

Pulaski  Church,  Pulaski,  Iowa: 
March  8 we  enjoyed  the  message 
in  word  and  song  of  the  Evangel- 
airs  from  111.  March  10  about  twen- 
ty traveled  to  the  Eicher  Church  to 
meet  the  men  of  the  other  three 
Iowa  Mennonite  churches  for  a 
Brotherhood  banquet.  March  22  we 
had  a farewell  supper  for  Pastor 
Kenneth  Shelly  and  family,  who 
took  up  their  new  charge  at 
Trenton,  Ohio,  April  1.  Easter  Sun- 
day our  youth  sponsored  a sunrise 
service.  'The  choir  presented  a can- 
tata, and  we  observed  Communion. 
— Corr. 

PASTOR  RESIGNS 

Burns  Church,  Burns,  Kan.:  In 
Dec.  at  our  annual  meeting  Wm. 
Goertzen  was  elected  as  our  new 
deacon.  Pastor  G.  M.  Peters  re- 
signed, effective  in  June,  to  enter 
the  Seminary  at  Elkhart,  Ind.  Wil- 
fred Unruh  spoke  at  the  Jan.  18 
C.  E.  program  on  Christian  Serv- 
ice. Feb.  1 W.  F.  Unruh  gave  an  il- 
lustrated lecture  on  Conference 
work.  Feb.  8 Roy  Holloman  spoke 
on  the  Evil  of  Liquor.  Jan.  13  we 
had  our  annual  combined  World 
Day  of  Prayer  service.  Jan.  19  was 
a fellowship  supper,  proceeds  going 
for  much  needed  church  pews.  The 
united  Youth  Fellowship  group  has 
elected  as  youth  leaders  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Jonas  Stucky.  Holy  Week  guest 
speakers  were:  P.  T.  Neufeld,  Wal- 
do Kaufman,  Arnold  Nickel. — Mrs. 
Albert  Hiebert,  corr. 

MISSION  FESTIVAL 
First  Church,  Halstead,  Kan.: 
Nov.  18  missionary  Harold  Ratzlaffs 
of  India  conducted  the  morning 
service  and  showed  slides  of  their 


work  in  the  evening.  Don  Wismer, 
pastor  of  the  Denver  congregation, 
also  spoke.  The  Union  Service  of 
the  Mennonite,  Methodist,  and  Pres- 
byterian churches  was  held  Thanks- 
giving morning  at  the  Methodist 
Church,  at  which  time  our  adult 
choir  presented  the  music.  The 
church  choir  presented  their  Christ- 
mas cantata.  The  Holy  Advent,  in 
the  Garden  Twp.  Church  and  on 
Dec.  21  in  our  church.  Dec.  31  the 
Orlo  Kaufmans,  who  direct  mission 
work  among  Negroes  at  Camp  Lan- 
don,  Gulfport,  Miss.,  conducted  the 
services  in  our  church.  The  Christ- 
mas Eve  service  was  given  by  S.  S. 
children.  The  evening’s  offering  will 
help  purchase  a motorcycle  for  our 
mission  station  in  Japan.  The  New 
Year’s  Eve  Watch  Night  service  be- 
gan with  a dinner,  at  which  Edwin 
Stucky  of  Moundridge  spoke. — Jen- 
nie E.  Baumgartner,  corr. 

TROVER  BRINGS  MESSAGES 

First  Church,  Hillsboro,  Kan.:  Be- 
ginning March  15,  Lehigh,  Friedens- 
tal,  Brudertal,  Johannesthal,  and 
Hillsboro  churches  had  union  meet- 
ings at  the  Friedenstal  Church  with 
Lotus  Troyer  of  Meadows,  111.,  as 
speaker.  Conrad  Browne,  director 
of  Koinonia  Farm,  Americus,  Ga., 
gave  an  interesting  report  of  their 
problems  in  our  church  March  11. 
The  annual  Bethel  College  Fellow- 
ship dinner  was  held  March  12.  The 
Adult  Bible  Class  is  studying  the 
Book  of  Amos.  World  Day  of 
Prayer  met  in  our  church  Feb.  13. 
Family  nights  on  Wednesday  eve- 
nings are  well  attended.  We  ob- 
served communion  March  26.  Our 
quarterly  business  meeting  takes 
place  March  30.  Junior  grades 
prepared  eight  leper  bundles.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Knaak  observed  their 
fortieth  wedding  anniversary  with 
open  house.  We  have  had  three  wed- 
dings in  our  church  in  1959:  Dar- 
lene Hiebert  and  Bob  Stratman, 
Feb.  7;  LaVerne  Funk  and  George 
Schierling,  Feb.  27;  Mrs.  D.  J.  Klas- 
sen  and  H.  D.  Flaming,  March  1. 
Recent  births:  January:  Kay  Lynn 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Maries  Preheim; 
Lori  Michelle  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Arlo 
Buller;  February:  Jeanette  Ann  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Willis  Penner;  Kelly 
David  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Loren  Green- 
ing; Julianna  Elizabeth  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Charles  Penner. — Mrs.  Jac.  E. 
Klassen,  corr. 

MINISTERS’  COURSES 

Saskatoon  Ministers’  Courses  were 
held  March  3-5  at  the  First  Church, 
Saskatoon.  Elder  J.  J.  Nickel  ex- 
pounded on  the  Sermon  on  the 
Mount,  ascribing  to  it  a “shaking  of 
the  world’s  conscience,”  to  the 
Beatitudes  a manifestation  of 


Christ’s  Being  in  each  declaration. 
We  all,  he  summarized,  “with  open 
face  beholding  . . . are  changed  into 
the  same  image  from  glory  to  glo- 
ry. . .”  (2  Cor.  3:18).  Brother  Nick- 
el was  asked  to  prepare  his  expo- 
sition of  the  Sermon  on  the  Mount, 
as  well  as  of  other  parts  of  the 
Bible,  for  publication.  Brother  G. 
Lohrenz  of  C.  M.  B.  College,  Win- 
nipeg, spoke  on  “The  Minister  and 
His  Message”  “Hints  for  the  Min- 
ister of  Today”  “Personal  Work” 
and  “Mennonite  History.”  His  lec- 
tures were  clear,  simple,  precise, 
and  a very  practical  help,  especial- 
ly for  our  lay  ministry.  Otto  Dried- 
ger  spoke  on  social  welfare  work 
in  which  he  is  engaged  and 
A.  Voth  gave  three  lectures. 
In  the  capacity  of  a Christian  doc- 
tor he  gave  helpful  enlightenment 
towards  evaluating  moral  stand- 
ards and  for  subsequent  counseling 
in  respect  to  juvenile  conduct,  ex- 
tramarital and  marital  relations. 
Chairman  H.  T.  Klaassen  led  in 
discussion  after  each  presentation. 
Speakers  for  the  evening  service  on 
Tuesday  were  Norman  Bergen  and 
Otto  Driedger.  On  Wednesday  eve- 
ning J.  J.  Nickel  and  G.  Lohrenz 
served  with  messages.  A stand  was 
taken  by  the  ministers  in  regard 
to  the  relaxation  of  Saskatchewan 
liquor  laws. 

PRE-EASTER  SERVICES 

Deep  Run,  Bedminster,  Pa.:  On 

March  1 Pastor  Boyer  led  the  serv- 
ice at  the  Frederick  Home  for  the 
Aged.  March  12  the  Women’s  Mis- 
sionary Society  held  its  monthly 
meeting,  and  Shirley  Moyer  present- 
ed a talk  on  her  year  of  Voluntary 
Service  at  Prairie  View  Hospital, 
Newton,  Kan.  March  17  a prepar- 
atory service  was  held  as  a means 
of  preparation  for  Holy  Commun- 
ion, which  was  observed  March  22. 
Deep  Run  joined  with  neighboring 
churches  for  two  Good  Friday  Serv- 
ices. An  Easter  Sunrise  Service  was 
held  on  Easter  morning,  followed 
by  breakfast  in  the  church  base- 
ment. On  March  21,  our  annual 
Church  Fellowship  Dinner  was  held. 
— Doris  Moyer,  corr. 

SCHOOL  OF  MISSIONS 

First  Church,  Allentown,  Pa.: 
The  School  of  Missions  program 
was  discussed  at  evening  services 
during  Feb.  At  the  Feb.  22  session, 
the  Jacob  Solts  spoke  and  showed 
slides  on  missions  in  Costa  Rica, 
where  their  son  David  is  in  the 
service  of  the  Latin  American  Mis- 
sion. They  had  just  returned  from 
a six-weeks  trip  to  that  country. 
The  fifty-fourth  anniversary  of  the 
Women’s  Missionary  Society  was 
celebrated  the  same  evening.  The 


222 


THE  MENNONITE 


last  session  of  the  School  of  Mis- 
sions was  on  Feb.  28,  when  Rich- 
ard Ratzlaff  of  the  Church  of  the 
Good  Samaritan  told  us  of  the 
problems  that  arise  in  starting  a 
Mennonite  church  in  the  outlying 
district  of  Philadelphia.  Feb.  25  J. 
Herbert  Fretz  of  Freeman,  S.  D., 
gave  an  illustrated  talk  on  Pales- 
tine. In  our  church  expan- 
sion program,  building  plans  have 
been  approved  and  the  financial 
campaign  is  moving  ahead  vigor- 
ously.— Corr. 

TALK  ON  COLOMBIA 

Emmanuel  Church,  Moundridge, 
Kan.:  Our  Women’s  Missionary  So- 
ciety observed  the  eighteenth  anni- 
versary of  its  organization  Feb.  3. 
A fellowship  meal  was  served  after 
church  which  Dr.  Hector  Valencia, 
on  furlough  from  duties  as  mis- 
sionary teacher  in  a Presbyterian 
school  in  Bogota,  Colombia,  S.  A., 
told  of  some  of  the  customs  of  that 
country  and  some  of  the  women’s 
projects  there.  After  his  interest- 
ing message,  our  men’s  chorus  sang 
two  numbers.  The  offering  was  giv- 
en to  the  mission  in  Colombia. — 
Mrs.  Ormand  Koehn,  corr. 

EASTER  CANTATA 

Bethel  Church,  Hydro,  Okla.;  A 
special  business  meeting  was  held 
Jan.  31,  and  a second  call  was  ex- 
tended to  Paul  Isaak  to  serve  as 
our  pastor  for  another  year,  which 
he  accepted.  We  took  part  in  World 
Day  of  Prayer  services  at  Cedar 
Christian  Church.  A cantata  under 
the  direction  of  Mrs.  Isaak  was 
given  at  Easter.  Our  young  Mission 
Workers  met  Feb.  10.  Doll  cradles, 
toys,  and  games  are  made  for  our 
project. — ^Wilfred  Ewy,  corr. 

REPORT  ON  BASEL  PROJECT 

First  Church,  Beatrice,  Neb.:  At 
our  Jan.  18  C.  E.  program,  the 
Kenneth  Hieberts  showed  slides  and 
reported  on  the  Christian  educa- 
tional publishing  project  in  Basel, 
Switzerland.  Feb.  1 the  young  peo- 
ple of  the  pastor’s  class  assisted 
with  the  morning  worship  service. 
The  C.  E.  from  the  Jansen  Church 
rendered  an  inspirational  program 
in  our  church  that  evening.  We  plan 
to  go  to  their  church  in  April.  Two 
trainees,  Erika  Standhartiger  and 
Pieter  Kuperus,  are  spending  six 
months  in-  our  community.  Agnetha 
Friesen,  missionary  to  Africa  who 
is  home  on  furlough,  has  served 
' our  church  on  various  occasions. 
I We  enjoyed  a musical  worship  serv- 
I ice  when  the  Bethel  College  Chorale 
I was  in  our  midst.  E.  G.  Kaufman 
held  pre-Easter  services  in  our 
church  March  22-27.  His  topic  was 
“Sin  'That  Helped  Crucify  Jesus.” — 
Margaret  Albrecht,  corr. 


MUSIC  PROGRAMS 

Grace  Church,  Enid,  Okla.:  A son, 
Gregory  Lynn,  arrived  March  2 at 
the  home  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kenneth 
Schmidt  Sr.  On  March  15  the  Chor- 
aleers  from  the  Okla.  Bible  Acad- 
emy at  Meno  gave  us  a wonderful 
program.  March  26  we  had  our 
spring  Communion  service.  Inter- 
Mennonite  Good  Friday  Service  took 
place  at  the  North  M.  B.  Church. 
March  27,  a group  from  the  Elk- 
hart Biblical  Seminary  gave  a sa- 
cred program.  March  31,  Ross  Good- 
all  from  Canada  was  with  us  to 
tell  of  the  work  among  the  Jewish 
people. — Corr. 

COLLEGE  GRADS  MEET 

First  Church,  Upland,  Calif.:  Feb. 
15  D.  C.  Wedel,  president  of  Bethel 
College,  filled  the  pulpit.  In  the  aft- 
ernoon, graduates,  former  students, 
and  friends  of  Bethel  and  Bluffton 
colleges  met  in  the  social  hall.  Dr. 
Wedel  spoke  and  informal  discus- 
sion followed.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ferd 
Wiens  were  elected  as  chairmen  for 
the  following  year.  (Dr.  and  Mrs. 
Paul  Albrecht  served  as  chairmen 
the  past  year.)  Slides  and  moving 
pictures  of  people  and  events  of  the 
church  life  of  the  past  year  were 
shown.  March  9 several  S.  S.  teach- 
ers completed  a six-weeks  course 
with  the  Pomona  Valley  Leadership 
Training  Institute.  Ninety  churches 
of  the  area  participated.  March  12 
the  Serving  Others  Circle  met  for 
a monthly  business  meeting  with 
Mrs.  I.  T.  McFadden  presiding.  Mrs. 
Alfred  Habegger  of  Los  Angeles, 
who  has  spent  many  years  in  mis- 
sionary work  in  Montana,  was  guest 
speaker.  A recent  Circle  project  is 
the  purchase  of  new  living  room 
carpeting  for  the  parsonage.  Mr. 


and  Mrs.  Dan  Dettweiler,  who  have 
visited  and  taken  fiowers  to  many 
sick  people  (88  bouquets  and  visits 
in  1958),  are  themselves  now  con- 
fined to  their  home  and  on  the 
sick  list.  New  arrivals:  Jan.  12, 

Meladi  Jae,  a daughter  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Stuart  McLaughlin;  Jan.  17, 
a son,  Brian  Eugene,  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Jack  Glick. — Corr. 

Hutterthal  Church,  Carpenter, 
S.  D.:  'The  ordination  and  commis- 
sioning of  Vernon  Duerksen  as  min- 
ister and  elder,  and  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Alfred  Stucky  as  missionaries  was 
witnessed  by  relatives  and  friends 
March  8.  Vernon  and  Mrs.  Stucky 
are  children  of  Pastor  and  Mrs.  Ed- 
ward Duerksen.  Frank  Harder  of 
Grace  Bible  Institute  spoke  on  “The 
Responsibilities  in  the  Sacred  Call- 
ing,” with  text  taken  from  Acts 
20:17-31.  Olin  Krehbiel  of  the  Salem 
Mennonite  Church,  Freeman,  S.  D., 
spoke  on  “Blessings  in  the  Preach- 
ing to  All  Tribes  and  Nations,”  with 
text  from  Acts  26:13-23.  Baby  Mark 
Allen  Stucky  was  also  dedicated  to 
the  Lord.  The  Alfred  Stuckys 
left  March  10  for  Mexico  to  do 
linguistic  work  under  the  Wycliffe 
mission  board.  The  Vernon  Duerk- 
sens  are  residing  in  Omaha,  where 
Vernon  is  a field  representative  for 
Grace  Bible  Institute.  James  Val- 
ley, a Christian  Academy  in  this 
area,  presented  us  with  a program 
March  15.  The  program  consisted 
of  instrumental  and  vocal  music, 
two  readings,  and  a talk  by  super- 
intendent Walter  Siemen.  Good  Fri- 
day evening,  the  Christian  Helping 
Hands  of  our  church  presented  a 
program.  Vernon  Buller  of  the  Mt. 
Olivet  Church  in  Huron  was  the 
speaker. — Mrs.  Jim  Gross,  corr. 


the  bridge  is  love 

what  is  the  Christian  attitude  to  race  and  color  discrimination? 
What  is  the  responsibility  of  wealthier  nations  toward  the  poorer? 
What  must  Christians  think  of  nuclear  war  and  what  must  they  do 
about  it? 

This  journalistic  account  of  one  man's  travels  poses  these  questions 
earnestly  and  humbly.  Hans  de  Boer  is  not  expounding  theories  but 
reporting  facts.  As  he  lived  with  men  in  South  Africa,  India,  Japan, 
Australia,  and  elsewhere,  he  was  faced  with  these  questions  again 
and  again.  The  Bridge  Is  Love  is  a book  you  can  profitably  put  on 
your  reading  list — a book  that  will  make  you  think.  $4.50. 

Order  from  Mennonite  Bookstores  in 

Berne,  Indiana;  Rosthern,  Saskatchewan;  720  Main,  Newton,  Kansas 


ORDINATION 


April  7,  1959 


conference  notes 

LOOKING  TOWARD 
GENERAL  CONFERENCE 

From  Aug.  12  to  20,  we  expect  to 
see  the  results  of  a lot  of  work  on 
the  part  of  many  people,  and  the 
attainment  of  goals  set.  We  expect 
to  experience  a transfer  of  inspira- 
tion, from  “Our  Foundation  . . . 
Jesus  Christ”  to  His  messengers. 
His  people — delegated  to  do  His 
work  here  and  throughout  the 
world. 


We  are  looking  forward  to  Chris- 
tian fellowship  with  those  we  know 
and  those  we  hope  to  learn  to  know 
from  all  parts  of  the  United  States 
and  Canada.  In  addition,  we  will  be 
scanning  the  crowd  for  at  least  a 
few  representatives  from  such 
places  as  India,  South  America, 
Europe,  and  our  American  Indian 
fields.  We  will  hear  personally  from 
missionaries  home  on  furlough  and 
retired  missionaries,  whose  hearts 
and  interests  will  always  be  in  their 
work,  be  it  present  or  past. 

The  accomplishments  and  events 
of  our  church  will  be  reviewed  in 
pageantry.  This  history  which  we 
are  helping  to  make  in  our  own 
day — how  will  it  appear  a hundred 
years  hence? 

The  week  we  spend  together  on 
the  campus  of  one  of  our  sister 
colleges,  and  her  surrounding  com- 
munities— will  it  link  us  together 
into  a closer  bond  with  each  other 
and  Christ?  Esther  Schrag 

McPherson,  Kan. 

VERNON  SPRUNGERS  ON 
EMERGENCY  FURLOUGH 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Vernon  Sprunger, 
missionaries  in  the  Belgian  Congo, 
Africa,  have  returned  to  Bluffton, 
Ohio,  on  an  emergency  furlough. 
Mrs.  Sprunger  was  advised  by  doc- 
tors in  Africa  to  return  to  the  Unit- 
ed States  for  immediate  surgery. 
The  Sprungers  were  in  the  fourth 
year  of  their  fourth  term  of  service 
with  the  Congo  Inland  Mission. 


SERVICE  OPPORTUNITIES 
IN  MEXICO 

Talking  in  the  classroom  and 
studying  out  loud  are  some  of  the 
things  to  which  an  American  teach- 
er must  become  accustomed  when 
he  is  teaching  in  Mexico.  Roderick 
Huebert  of  North  Lima,  Ohio,  serv- 
ing as  a 1-W  in  the  Conference  Vol- 
untary Service  program,  teaches 
high  school  three  half  days  a week 
in  Cuauhtemoc,  Chih.  Besides  the 
high  school  schedule,  he  teaches 
grades  four,  five,  and  six  two  after- 
noons a week  in  a private  school. 
Here  the  challenge  lies  in  teaching 
without  textbooks.  Studying  Span- 
ish takes  up  most  evenings. 

There  are  at  present  seventeen 
workers  in  Mexico,  serving  under 
the  Board  of  Christian  Service  and 
the  Board  of  Missions. 

TENSION  EASES  IN  COLOMBIA 

Gerald  Stucky  reports  from  Co- 
lombia, S.  A.,  that  the  political  at- 
mosphere is  much  improved.  An 
able  statesman  has  replaced  the 
former  dictator,  and  while  religious 
liberty  has  not  yet  been  proclaimed, 
the  tenseness  has  eased.  There  is 
still  direct  religious  persecution  in 
some  places,  but  in  the  Cachipay 
and  Bogota  areas  where  the  Con- 
ference carries  on  its  mission  work, 
the  situation  is  considerably  im- 
proved. 

Up  to  250  people  attend  the  three 
organized  churches  in  the  area,  and 
meetings  are  held  in  several  other 
locations  as  well.  In  general,  in- 
terest in  the  gospel  is  increasing  in 
the  area,  and  the  churches  are 
showing  active  interest  in  self-sup- 
port and  in  building  their  own 
church  buildings. 

MISSIONARY  TO  PARAGUAY 

The  Board  of  Missions  has  ap- 
pointed B.  Theodore  Friesen  as  a 
teacher  in  Paraguay.  He  will  teach 
science  and  mathematics  in  the 
Zentral  Schule  (high  school)  in 
Neuland  Colony,  a school  operated 
by  Mennonites  of  the  colony.  Broth- 
er Friesen  will  leave  for  Paraguay 
in  April.  He  is  the  son  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Abe  Friesen  of  Rosthern,  Sask. 

WORKING  IN  MUD 

Mud  and  broken  machines  fre- 
quently greet  road  builders  in  the 
Paraguayan  Chaco  when  they  ar- 


rive at  their  place  of  operation  after  i 
a thirty-two  mile  trip,  which  takes 
an  hour  when  roads  are  dry  and 
several  hours  in  rain. 

Jim  Plummer  of  Waterloo,  Ont., 
MCC  Paxman  with  the  Chaco  road 
construction  project,  reports  that 
the  first  few  weeks  after  resuming 
operations,  they  were  constantly 
working  in  mud  and  sometimes 
more  machines  were  stuck  than  1 
moving.  Machinery  needing  a com- 
plete overhaul  frequently  must  do 
with  a temporary  repair  job  with 
the  limited  parts  available. 

People  in  the  Chaco  very  much 
need  the  road  now  under  construc- 
tion. You  can  help  by  contributing 
to  this  project  through  the  Board 
of  Christian  Service,  722  Main, 
Newton,  Kan.,  or  through  the  or- 
ganization of  Mennonite  Men  in 
your  district. 

INCREASING  ENROLLMENT 

By  1967,  college  enrollm*ent  is  ex- 
pected to  have  increased  by  more 
than  100  per  cent.  In  the  next  eight- 
een years,  93  per  cent  more  General 
Conference  Mennonite  young  people 
will  be  attending  college  than  in 
1959.  Since  more  than  half  of  the 
church’s  young  people  attend  Con- 
ference-related colleges,  the  increase 
in  enrollment  in  Conference  schools 
is  expected  to  be  proportionate. 

Of  the  4,393  Conference  homes 
represented  by  the  response  to  the 
College  Plan  Survey  conducted  by 
Maynard  Shelly  for  the  Board  of 
Education  and  Publication,  3,142 
homes  recorded  7,547  children  under 
eighteen  years  of  age.  Of  these, 
parents  indicated  that  4,828,  or  63.9 
per  cent,  will  enroll  in  colleges  in 
the  next  ten  to  eighteen  years; 
2,398,  or  31.7  per  cent,  may  attend 
college;  and  321,  or  4.3  per  cent,  are 
not  expected  to  attend. 

CURRICULUM  MATERIALS 
IN  GERMANY 

Translators  working  with  MCC’s 
Agape  Verlag  in  Switzerland  have 
expressed  appreciation  of  and  in-  ' 
terest  in  the  German  translation  of 
Kindergarten  II  leaflets  published 
by  Faith  and  Life  Press,  Newton, 
Kan.  Gerhard  Reimer  reports  that 
these  materials  will  be  displayed  at 
several  summer  Bible  school  work- 
shops in  Germany  this  summer. 


^vtTbt^ 


APRIL  14,  1959 


THE  MENNONITf 


k nj  OT^^ER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 

maKi  lay  than  that  is 


LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIST 


Ernest  J.  Bohn— WHO  DO  YOU  SAY  I AM? 
Henry  Poettcker— MARK’S  PICTURE  ALBUM 


in  this  issue 

COVER 

Photo  by  Luoma 

ARTICLES 

WHO  DO  YOU  SAY  I AM? 

By  Ernest  Bohn  

MARK'S  PICTURE  ALBUM 

By  Henry  Poettcker  

WE  VISIT  CHARLESVILLE 
By  Mrs.  John  E.  Zook 
CONSCIENTIOUS  OBJECTION 
IN  GERMANY 

By  Clarence  Bauman 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  

THE  READER  SAYS  

Mennonite  Youth 

THE  BEST  PART  OF  EUROPE 

WAS  WORKCAMP  

THREE  SUMMER  PROJECTS 

OUR  SCHOOLS  

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  . 

JOTTINGS 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  

of  things  to  come 

April  19 — Mennonite  Men's  Chorus  Fes- 
tival, Memorial  Hall,  North  Newton, 
Kan.,  at  2:30  p.m. 

April  20-25 — Faith  and  Life  Radio  speak- 
er; Harris  Waltner 

April  23 — W.  D.  Council  of  Committees, 
First  Church,  McPherson,  Kan. 

April  23-26 — Central  Dist.  Conference, 
Goshen,  Ind, 

April  25-26 — Laymen's  Retreat,  Camp 
Mennoscah 

April  30-May  3 — Eastern  Dist.  Conf., 
Schwenksville,  Pa. 

3 — Mennonite  Song  Festival,  Me- 
morial Hall,  North  Newton,  Kan., 
at  2:30  p.m. 

May  7 — Ascension  Day 

10 — Festival  of  the  Christian  Home 
May  17 — Pentecost 

May  20 — Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary 
alumni  meeting. 

May  24 — Baccalaureate,  Mennonite  Bib- 
lical Seminary 

May  25 — Commencement,  Mennonite 
Biblical  Seminary 

May  29 — Commencement  Day,  Freeman 
Junior  College  and  Academy 
June  10-14 — Pacific  District  Conference, 
Barlow,  Oregon 

June  14 — Northern  District  Male  Chorus 
Festival,  Sioux  Falls,  South  Dakota 
June  18-21 — Northern  Dist.  Conf.,  Salem- 
Zion  Church  (North),  Freeman,  S.  D. 
July  4-8 — Canadian  Conference,  Clear- 
brook,  B.  C. 

Aug.  5-12 — Ministers'  and  Church  Work- 
ers' Retreat,  Camp  Friedenswald, 
Mich. 

Aug.  1 2-20 — General  Conference,  Bluff- 
ton,  Ohio 

Oct.  24-27 — West.  Dist.  Conference 


227 

228 
229 


231 

226 

232 


233 

235 

236 
236 
238 
240 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor,  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 

J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Carnelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Asst.:  Esther  Groves. 
Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  15 


editorials 

SEEDTIME  BEFORE  .HARVEST  In  this  season  of  the  ' 
year  every  farmer  and  gardener  realizes  the  importance  of  seed  } 
sowing.  The  soil  is  properly  prepared,  the  seed  is  selected,  each  , 
after  its  kind,  and  carefully  planted  in  its  proper  season.  Then 
nature  takes  over,  and  the  gradual  process  of  growth  begins,  1 
to  be  completed  in  the  full  development  of  the  plant.  This  is  a 1 
universal  law  of  nature. 

In  the  spiritual  realm  the  same  law  holds;  to  obtain  a good 
harvest  there  must  first  be  sown  the  proper  seed.  We  cannot 
expect  to  reap  what  we  do  not  sow.  Nor  have  we  a right  to  * 
expect  full-grown  fruitage  immediately  after  the  sowing.  First 
the  blade,  then  the  ear,  then  the  full  corn  in  the  ear. 

Yet  how  often  we  long  for  spiritual  fruit  in  our  lives  as  a 
finished  product  instead  of  a growth.  We  desire  peace  of  mind, 
security,  happiness,  love,  faith,  hope;  but  we  may  have  com-  ’ 
pletely  neglected  planting  and  cultivating  the  seeds  necessary 
to  produce  these  desired  fruits.  True,  we  are  born  anew  as  we 
enter  the  Kingdom,  but  following  this  new  birth  we  grow  within 
the  Kingdom — if  we  plant  the  proper  seeds.  The  Christian 
graces  are  not  handed  to  us  in  neatly  done-up  packages,  but  are 
the  result  of  sowing  the  proper  seeds  and  giving  God  a chance 
to  give  the  increase. 

How  we  disregard  this  universal  law  in  our  national  life!  We 
want  ireace  among  nations,  but  instead  sow  the  seeds  of  war, 
suspicion,  hate,  fear,  selfishness.  We  continue  the  military  draft 
to  instruct  our  young  men  in  the  ways  of  war.  We  build  more 
terrible  nuclear  weapons  and  missiles,  but  stamp  our  letters 
with  the  slogan,  “Pray  for  Peace.” 

In  this  season  of  seedtime,  may  we  be  as  wise  as  the  farmer, 
and  realize  that  we  reap  what  we  sow;  and  that  unless  we  sow 
the  proper  seed  we  cannot  expect  a harvest  of  good  will. 

NEWSPAPERS  AND  LIQUOR  ADS  We  cannot  help  but 
be  distressed  when  we  note  the  great  number  of  magazines  and 
newspapers  that  flaunt  cleverly  devised  liquor  advertisements 
before  us.  We  feel  sad  as  we  see  more  magazines  join  these  ranks. 
The  liquor  interests  have  been  using  strong  high-pressure  tactics 
to  get  into  the  weekly  community  newspapers  as  well. 

But  here  we  find  a heartening  note.  From  a survey  just  re-  . 
cently  completed,  we  find  that  in  the  U.  S.  A.  a total  of  2,033 
community  newspapers  still  refuse  to  accept  any  liquor  adver- 
tisements. In  six  states  more  than  half  of  all  local  weekly  news- 
papers are  free  from  alcoholic  beverage  advertising,  while  34% 
of  the  local  papers  in  fifteen  states  are  dry.  Texas  leads  with  246 
weekly  newspapers  that  will  not  accept  alcoholic  advertising.  » 
Illinois  has  158  dry  weeklies,  Iowa  131,  Kansas  126,  Indiana  and 
Ohio  each  91,  Pennsylvania  75.  Even  wine-famous  California 
reports  thirty  weeklies  free  from  such  advertising. 

So  while  we  deplore  the  policies  of  the  many  national  maga- 
zines and  large  dailies  that  accept  liquor  ads,  let  us  pass  along 
a word  of  encouragement  and  appreciation  to  our  community  < 
weekly  newspaper  editors  for  their  stand  against  this  trend. 


226 


THE  MENNONITE 


Who  Do  You  Say  I Am? 


Human  beings  are  so  made  that 
they  cannot  always  be  keyed 
up  to  high  pitch  in  their  thinking 
and  hving.  But  we  have  learned 
that  when  we  put  forth  special  ef- 
forts periodically  that  they  can  be 
very  conducive  to  spiritual  growth. 
Christians  who  put  forth  such  ef- 
forts receive  something  which  en- 
ables them  to  live  their  Christian 
lives  on  a higher  plane. 

One  of  the  periodical  efforts  we 
can  put  forth  in  a special  way  is 
when  we  approach  the  climax  of 
the  Christian  year:  the  death  and 
resurrection  of  our  Lord,  when  we 
give  thought  to  Him  who  is  the 
very  core  of  our  Christian  faith. 
May  we  then  give  thought  to  a 
very  personal  question  that  Jesus 
put  to  His  disciples  in  the  latter 
part  of  His  ministry,  when  one  day 
He  was  alone  with  them  in  a se- 
cluded spot  at  Caesarea  Phihppi. 
He  asked  them,  “Who  do  you  say 
I am?” 

What  would  the  disciples  reply 
in  answer  to  such  a question  di- 
rected so  pointedly  at  them?  It  was 
easy  enough  to  repeat  what  others 
had  been  thinking  and  saying  about 
Him.  But  Jesus  wanted  their  own 
personal  convictions  of  himself. 
Would  they  express,  after  having 
been  with  Him  almost  day  and  night 
for  over  two  years,  what  He  in  His 
own  soul  knew  himself  to  be?  It  is 
the  answer  which  people  will  give 
out  of  their  own  personal  experi- 
ence about  which  Jesus  is  most 
concerned.  For  Jesus  was  not  in- 
terested in  a religion  to  which  we 
merely  subscribe  verbally.  “Not 
every  one  who  says  to  me,  ‘Lord, 
Lord,’  shall  enter  the  kingdom  of 
heaven.” 

It  seems  that  when  Jesus  had  put 
the  first  question  to  them  earlier: 
“Whom  do  men  say  that  I am?” 
(Mark  8:28),  He  was  not  satisfied 
with  their  report.  Apparently  the 
answer  given  placed  Him  in  the 
category  of  great  men,  but  nothing 
more.  So  it  was  with  great  satis- 
faction that  He  heard  the  answer 
of  Peter,  the  spokesman  for  the 
twelve:  “You  are  the  Christ,  the 


Son  of  the  living  God.” 

An  answer  to  Jesus’  question 
needs  to  be  made  by  all  His  modern 
disciples  on  the  basis  of  their  per- 
sonal experience  with  Him.  Our  in- 
dividual answers  will,  no  doubt,  not 
be  given  in  exactly  the  same  words. 
But  each  one  of  us,  as  we  have 
made  a study  of  the  Gospels  which 
impart  much  to  us  of  the  essential 
points  and  teachings  of  Jesus’  life, 
will  have  formulated  some  definite 
convictions  of  Him.  Sometimes  the 
things  which  have  impressed  us  are 
also  helpful  to  others.  The  writer 
would  like  to  state  the  thoughts 
that  have  come  to  him  as  he  has 
meditated  anew  the  life,  the  death, 
and  the  resurrection  of  One  whom 
men  once  knew  as  Jesus  of  Naza- 
reth. 

In  the  first  place,  as  I read  His 
words.  He  will  not  let  me  rest  with 
what  I am.  As  long  as  I know  One 
like  Him,  I cannot  permit  myself 
to  be  satisfied  with  myself.  It  is 
true  that  He  says  many  things 
which  are  comforting  and  healing 
to  my  soul,  but  He  also  says  many 
things  that  ■wiU  not  let  me  be  com- 
placent. For  example,  note  a few  of 
His  teachings  to  all  would-be  dis- 
ciples: never  cherish  anger  in  your 
heart;  love  your  enemies;  do  not 
lay  up  treasure  on  earth  but  seek 
first  the  kingdom  of  God;  do  not 
set  any  limit  to  forgiveness;  and 
“Be  ye  therefore  perfect,  even  as 
your  Father  which  is  in  heaven  is 
perfect.”  How  can  I be  satisfied  with 
myself  when  I read  His  words?  No 
other  one  has  spoken  so  disturbing- 
ly to  my  soul. 

In  the  second  place,  when  I con- 
sider what  Jesus  taught  as  a way 
of  life,  it  appeals  to  my  moral  sense 
as  the  most  common  sense  truth. 
There  have  been  those  who  have 
thought  of  His  teachings  as  coming 


by  Ernest  ].  Bohn 
pastor,  Grace  Church 
Pandora,  Ohio 


from  an  idealist  who  did  not  take 
into  consideration  the  hard  and 
practical  world  in  which  we  live. 
But  we  observe  that  those  who  have 
scoffed  at  the  principles  He  taught, 
have  unfailingly  missed  the  good 
life  they  were  seeking. 

When  men  have  gotten  together 
after  a war  to  determine  the  terms 
of  peace,  as  they  thought  in  accord 
with  a practical  world,  disregarding 
the  principles  of  Jesus,  they  did  not 
succeed  in  making  peace,  but  unwit- 
tingly prepared  for  another  war. 
With  Jesus,  the  principle  of  love 
was  the  basic  thing  in  the  universe, 
the  most  practical  and  realistic 
course  to  pursue  in  all  the  varied 
human  relationships.  When  we  dis- 
regard His  principles,  we  are  im- 
practical. 

A third  conviction  is  that  Jesus  is 
the  true  norm  of  aU  that  we  judge 
as  good.  It  is  no  accident  that  when 
men  have  been  most  akin  to  the 
spirit  of  Jesus  in  their  lives,  they 
have  captured  the  world.  Therefore 
when  we  read  of  the  lives  of  Francis 
of  Assisi,  David  Livingstone,  Wil- 
fred Grenfell,  Kagawa,  and  scores 
of  others  like  them,  we  feel  that 
something  genuinely  good  and 
Christlike  has  been  refiected  in  their 
lives.  It  is  this  type  of  goodness 
whenever  foimd  in  the  lives  of  men 
that  has  been  a challenge  for  peo- 
ple around  the  world  to  be  more 
earnest  and  consecrated  Christians. 

Finally,  and  above  all,  I see  in 
Jesus  the  Christ  or  Messiah.  He  was 
much  more  than  eui  ethical  teacher. 
As  I meditate  on  His  life  and  teach- 
ings, the  way  He  met  death,  the  re- 
newed faith  in  Him  by  His  disciples 
after  His  resurrection,  I cannot 
help  but  feel  that  God  came  so  com- 
pletely into  His  life  that  the  Word 
became  flesh.  So  utterly  was  He  in 
tune  with  the  Father,  that  as 
through  a crystal  clear  window 
there  shines  for  us  to  behold  the 
suffering  love  of  God.  Here  I see 
a love  which  suffered  for  my  sins. 

I feel  that  it  is  a love  of  which 
the  height  and  depth  I cannot  com- 
prehend nor  completely  duplicate  in 
my  life.  But  I do  feel  assured  that 
as  I respond  to  this  love  with  faith 
as  much  as  I am  humanly  capable 
of  doing,  I have  found  forgiveness 
of  my  sins  and  a new  strength  and 
attitude  toward  life.  So  when  I 
ponder  Jesus’  question  in  my  heart, 

I think  of  Him  as  the  true  Life- 
giver,  in  a word — the  Saviour. 


April  14,  1959 


227 


Let  us  take  a fresh  look  at  Jesus  Christ  in 

Mark’s  Picture  Album 


Henry  Poettcker* 

The  family  album  is  always  an 
interesting  book.  Here  are  both 
portraits  and  candid  shots  which 
tell  a whole  story  at  a glance.  In 
the  Bible  we  have  a book  like  a 
family  album.  The  author  of  that 
book  has  succeeded  admirably  in 
presenting  a few  pictures  of  Jesus 
which  give  a whole  life’s  story. 
Come  with  me  to  see  some  of  those 
pictures — more  than  that,  to  see 
what  impressions  the  writer  had 
which  determined  the  choice  of  the 
snapshots  he  included.  I’m  turning 
to  the  Gospel  of  Mark.  I note: 
Mark  emphasizes  that  Jesus 
came  for  a purpose. 

Look  at  those  first  snapshots. 
There  is  John  the  Baptist,  that 
strangely  clad  figure,  stem  of 
countenance,  fiery  of  speech,  pur- 
posive in  his  actions.  He  was  a 
forerunner,  preparing  the  way. 
Purpose!  See  Jesus  coming  to  the 
Jordan  for  baptism — identification, 
dedication,  submission,  and  obedi- 
ence. “Thus  it  behooves  us  to  ful- 
fill all  righteousness.”  Or  look  at 
that  picture  in  the  desert  during  the 
temptation.  Here  were  choices  to 
make — choices  in  keeping  with  the 
purpose  for  which  God  sent  Him. 
Despite  temptations  and  allure- 
ments, the  victory  was  won  and 
angels  came  to  minister  to  Him. 

Look  further  at  the  Preacher  be- 
side the  lake,  in  the  boat,  in  the 
house,  in  the  temple,  out  in  the 
field,  or  in  the  courtyard.  Or  pic- 
ture the  Healer,  ministering  to  the 
needs  of  the  sick,  comforting  the 
sorrowing,  not  just  to  be  doing 
something  — no,  every  picture  re- 
veals the  purpose  underlying  His 
coming. 

Let  us  look  at  another  group: 


*President-elect,  Canadian  Mennonite  Bible 
College,  Winnipeg,  Man. 


Mark  indicates  that  Jesus  worked 
with  a will. 

How  untiring  He  was  throughout 
the  span  of  His  ministry,  particu- 
larly the  Galilean  ministry  as  Mark 
presents  it  to  us.  If  there  is  one 
impression  that  we  receive  here,  it 
is  that  Jesus  is  a Man  of  Action. 
What  a drama  unfolds  before  our 
eyes ! Straightway  — immediately  — 
then — after  this;  these  terms  recur 
constantly.  And  how  could  it  be 
otherwise  in  view  of  the  purpose 
for  which  Jesus  came?  Someone 
has  said:  “In  the  whole  Gospel,  the 
course  of  events  is  described  as 
holy  history.  Only  those  events  in 
the  life  of  Jesus  are  mentioned 
through  which  it  becomes  manifest 
that  God  is  at  work,  and  the  author 
never  fails  to  point  out  that  each 
single  incident  is  in  the  service  of 
a comprehensive  plan.”  That  deter- 
mines the  choice  of  the  snapshots. 
Jesus  had  much  to  do  in  the  short 
while  in  which  He  labored.  And  so 
He  preached  and  taught  with  a will. 

Mark  further  depicts  Jesus  as  the 
Servant  who  suffered. 

The  church  to  which  Mark  writes, 
to  whom  he  sends  these  snapshots, 
is  to  know  that  the  fate  of  believ- 
ers is  established  on  historical  e- 
vents  which  took  place  from  the 
days  of  the  Baptist  to  the  Resur- 
rection of  the  Lord.  If  the  first 
pictures  show  Him  in  the  limelight, 
it  becomes  evident  soon  that  there 
is  growing  opposition  to  Him.  More 
than  that,  enmity  grows,  and  on 
three  definite  occasions  Mark  shows 
us  the  Master  informing  His  dis- 
ciples that  He  must  suffer  and  die. 
Do  you  see  Jesus  with  that  look  of 
compassion,  that  desire — so  much 
desiring  men  to  understand,  and 
yet  having  to  suffer  so  intensely  be- 
cause people  refused  to  recognize 
Him?  Into  such  a situation  the  Son 


of  Man  came  to  give  His  life  as  a 
ransom  for  many. 

Mark  maintains  that  even  in  this 
suffering  servant  role,  Jesus  ap- 
pears as  the  superior  One.  \ 

His  entry  into  Jerusalem  was 
symbolically  triumphant.  His  cleans- 
ing of  the  temple  showed  that  re- 
ligious practice  is  not  an  end  in  | 
itself.  Picture  the  disputations.  The 
Gospel  writer  wishes  to  show  us  that  ! 
Jesus  does  not  approach  His  end 
with  an  attitude  of  fatalism,  but 
rather  because  He  loved  God  for 
having  planned  salvation  in  such  a 
way.  Jesus’  love  was  not  motivated 
by  a selfish  desire  but  by  the  de- 
sire to  help  His  fellow  men.  Here 
are  pictures  of  the  Last  Supper,  the 
Garden,  and  Golgotha.  Every  vivid 
detail  stands  out  and  supports  the 
impressions  given  earlier:  that 

Jesus  came  for  a purpose,  that  He  , 
worked  with  a will,  that  He  bore 
His  suffering  as  a Servant,  and  that 
in  all  He  appears  as  Victor  over  evil. 

Look  at  that  snapshot  right  near 
the  end.  To  those  who  are  sad,  fear- 
ful, and  full  of  dread  for  the  fu- 
ture comes  a young  man  in  a white 
robe.  “Do  not  be  amazed;  you  seek 
Jesus  of  Nazareth,  who  was  cruci-  S 
fied.  He  has  risen,  he  is  not  here; 
see  the  place  where  they  laid  him. 
But  go,  tell  his  disciples  and  Peter 
that  he  is  going  before  you  to 
Galilee;  there  you  will  see  him,  as 
he  told  you.” 

Let  us  close  the  album  here.  As 
we  ponder  what  we  have  seen,  may 
we  ask  whether  in  a small  way  our 
lives  might  show  what  Jesus’  life 
showed:  purpose,  determination,  re- 
demptive suffering,  and  victory. 
“And  they  went  forth  and  preached 
everywhere,  while  the  Lord  worked  -■ 
with  them  and  confirmed  the  mes-  | 
sage  by  the  signs  that  attended  it. 
Amen.” 


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228 


THE  MENNONITE  ' 


We  Visit  Charlesville 


WELCOME  to  Charlesville. 

Would  you  like  to  visit  the 
medical  department  while  you  are 
here?  We  are  right  in  the  middle 
of  a busy  morning’s  work,  so  this 
is  a good  time  to  see  it. 

If  you  cam  imagine  yourself  in 
Congo  for  a few  minutes,  we  will 
show  you  around.  The  red  brick 
building  in  the  foreground  is  the 
Dispensaire,  which  also  serves  as 
operating  room,  doctor’s  office, 
pharmacy,  laboratory,  and  for  in- 
jections, treatments,  etc.  Behind  it 
is  the  porch  where  the  patients  sit 
to  wait  for  their  medicines.  It  is 
just  time  for  the  evangelist  to  be- 
gin this  morning’s  service.  He  leads 
them  in  simple  worship  and  later 
talks  to  some  who  want  to  know 
more  about  the  gospel.  'The  three 
buildings  behind  us  and  the  little 
grass  huts  are  our  hospital. 

Let’s  visit  a few  of  the  patients. 
Here  is  a boy  named  Tshibuabua. 
He  can  tell  you  an  interesting  story 
that  is  all  too  common  here: 

“My  home  is  Kabambai  village.  I 
went  to  the  mission  school  there  un- 
til I finished  the  fourth  grade,  and 
then  I rode  a bike  every  day  to 
Mbau  to  finish  the  fifth  grade.  I 
like  school  so  I took  the  exams  to 
go  to  the  sixth  grade.  I passed  and 
they  sent  me  to  Nyanga  station. 
It  was  far  from  my  home,  and  a- 
mong  a different  tribe,  but  I want- 
ed to  finish  seventh  grade  so  that 
I could  go  into  the  Moniteur  school 
to  be  a teacher.  I worked  hard  and 
got  good  grades.  But  then  the  doc- 
tor told  me  I had  tuberculosis,  so 
now  I am  here  at  the  hospital  get- 
ting treatment.  I feel  better  now, 
and  I hope  I can  go  to  school  again 
someday,  but  I will  be  too  old  to 
go  to  sixth  grade  again.” 

One  of  our  most  serious  prob- 
lems here  is  tuberculosis.  It  is  strik- 
ing so  many  of  the  young  people 
and  children,  and  often  whole  fam- 
ilies. Without  X ray  it  is  hard  to 
catch  cases  early  enough.  We  treat 
them  for  five  to  six  months  with 
drugs,  vitamins,  and  milk,  and  try 
to  teach  a little  hygiene.  This  dis- 
ease is  increasing  rapidly,  and  it 
is  hard  to  see  fine,  young,  ambitious 
fellows  go  down  under  a disease 
that  blights  their  whole  lives. 

Here  is  Kabeya,  a patient  on 
whom  we  operated  for  strangulated 
hernia.  Our  most  common  operative 

‘Missionary  to  the  Belgian  Congo,  Africa 

April  14,  1959 


Mrs.  John  E.  Zook* 


procedure  here  is  hemiorraphy,  and 
many  people  who  have  had  this  are 
spreading  the  news  that  one  can  be 
cured  by  being  “split  open.” 

“I  had  this  sickness  for  a long 
time  in  the  village,”  says  Kabeya, 
but  the  Ngangabuka  wa  ku  musoko 
(village  doctor)  was  making  very 
powerful  medicine  to  rub  on  my 
disama  (pain).  One  day  when ’I 
was  coming  back  from  the  forest, 
the  spirits  caught  me  and  got  into 
my  side,  ’The  pain  was  so  bad  I 
thought  I was  dying.  ’The  chief 
sent  me  to  the  hospital  with  four 
men  to  carry  me.  We  had  to  go  for 
three  days,  and  I had  great  fear, 
because  no  man  from  our  village 
had  ever  eaten  the  white  man’s 
Buanga  (medicine).  But  the  white 
man  cut  out  my  pain,  and  now  I 
can  already  walk  again,  even 
though  I am  as  weak  as  a baby.” 
Here  is  another  young  man  who 
had  an  operation,  though  for  a dif- 
ferent reason.  Doesn’t  he  look 
happy?  He  accepted  Christ  as  his 
Saviour  this  last  week,  and  even 
though  he  still  has  a lot  of  pain,  he 
is  like  a different  person.  He  fell 
into  an  elephant  trap,  and  several 
long  spikes  pierced  his  legs  and 
buttocks.  He  is  really  lucky  to  be 
alive.  Now  he  can  thank  God  for 
saving  his  life  and  for  giving  him 
New  Life  in  His  Son. 

When  he  returns  to  his  village  he 
will  be  able  to  enroll  in  a catechism 
class  to  learn  about  the  Bible  and 
be  baptized.  He  is  fortunate  to  come 
from  a village  where  there  is  an 
evangelist  so  that  he  can  receive 
help  in  his  Christian  walk.  Some 
must  go  back  into  heathen  villages 


where  they  have  no  fellowship  with 
other  Christians.  It  is  hard  for 
them  to  know  what  is  right  and 
what  is  wrong.  For  those  who  can 
read  it  is  a little  better,  for  they 
have  their  Bible. 

Here  is  a lady  who  is  in  our 
“sitter’s  camp.”  'The  women  come 
in  about  one  to  two  months  before 
their  baby  is  bom  so  that  they  will 
be  here  when  the  moment  comes. 
They  usually  walk  here  with  enough 
food  on  their  head  to  last  for  the 
time,  and  they  walk  home  again 
after  the  baby  is  bom.  This  is  Ka- 
lube: 

“I  came  from  a village  that  is 
far  up  the  river,  where  there  is  no 
mission.  I have  had  four  babies  in 
the  village,  and  each  time  I had  a 
long,  hard  delivery.  Three  of  them 
were  dead,  and  my  other  baby  died 
of  malaria  this  last  year.  I hope 
that  the  doctor  can  help  me  to  have 
a good  baby.  One  woman  from  our 
village  came  here  to  have  her  baby 
and  she  gets  medicine  for  it  in  the 
clinic,  and  he  is  strong  and  healthy. 
If  God  helps  me,  I want  to  have  a 
healthy  baby  too.” 

The  maternity  work  here  is  grow- 
ing rapidly  since  we  have  had  a 
vehicle  to  go  out  into  the  villages 
to  hold  prenatal  and  baby  clinics. 
Women  who  have  had  babies  here 
pass  the  word  along,  too,  and  more 
and  more  are  beginning  to  come 
in  for  delivery.  Village  deliveries 
are  very  primitive  and  many  babies 
die.  There  are  many  more  who  die 
with  malaria  in  thetr  first  few  years 
of  life.  But  because  we  go  out  to 
them  with  medicine  and  clothes  for 
the  children,  they  are  seeing  the 


229 


difference  between  those  who  care 
and  those  who  do  not.  These  people 
want  children  badly  but  have  so 
little  means  to  care  for  them.  They 
are  glad  to  come  here  once  they  see 
that  it  really  helps  the  children. 

Let’s  stop  in  this  house  to  visit 
Mputa.  She  is  a little  girl  who  came 
with  meningitis  several  weeks  ago. 
See  how  she  is  trying  to  learn  to 
feed  herself  again.  She  was  partial- 


ly paralyzed  for  awhile,  but  now 
she  looks  much  better.  She  is  the 
only  child  of  her  parents,  who  ac- 
cepted Christ  while  they  were  here 
with  her.  Now  they  can  go  home 
with  their  child  still  alive  and  as  a 
Christian  family.  Such  a change  in 
the  lives  of  those  whom  the  gospel 
reaches  makes  the  work  all  abun- 
dantly worthwhile. 

There  is  Mushiya,  one  of  our 


The  Miyazaki  Story 


JAPAN,  land  of  the  rising  sun — 
bridge  between  East  and  West — 
land  of  ancient  culture  and  modem 
industry, 

of  peaceful  gardens  and  smoking 
factories, 

of  sumo  and  baseball, 
of  shrines  and  office  buildings — 
Japan,  land  of  contrasts!” 

With  these  words  the  new  docu- 
mentary film  on  Japan  opens.  The 
Miyazaki  Story,  produced  by  the 
General  Conference  Board  of  Mis- 
sions, will  be  shown  to  audiences 
for  the  first  time  at  district  confer- 
ences this  spring. 

In  the  space  of  forty-five  minutes 
you  will  be  drawn  from  our  west- 
ern culture  to  a land  in  which  we 
began  our  mission  endeavors  early 


in  1951,  only  eight  years  ago.  You 
will  enjoy  the  beauty  of  Japan — 
its  majestic  mountains,  rough  sea 
coast,  and  oriental  gardens.  You 
will  be  given  a new  appreciation 
for  its  people  and  begin  to  under- 
stand conditions  under  which  Japan 
has  existed  for  centuries.  You  will 
respect  the  character  of  a people 
who  live  in  a population  density 
twenty-three  times  that  of  the  Unit- 
ed States  or  240  times  that  of  Can- 
ada! (Only  fifteen  per  cent  of  the 
land  on  the  four  major  islands  of 
Japan  is  arable.) 

You  will  be  amazed  at  the  mix- 
ture of  modern  industry  with  an- 
cient patterns  of  life.  Impressive 
railroad  systems,  modern  cities,  and 
rural  electrification  are  linked  with 
ox-drawn  carts,  hand-harvested  rice, 
and  primitive  superstitions.  You 
will  marvel  at  Japan’s  industrious- 
ness exemplified  in  the  fact  that  in 
ten  years  after  World  War  Two 
she  completely  rebuilt  her  cities,  of 
which  80-90%  had  been  destroyed. 
You  will  also  be  profoundly  im- 
pressed with  Japan’s  educational 
system.  All  her  people  are  literate, 
and  her  universities  are  filled  with 
the  finest  of  her  students. 

But  The  Miyazaki  Story  is  not 
only  for  entertainment  and  cultur- 
al enlightenment.  This  color  film 
has  been  made  for  the  purpose  of 
giving  you  a better  understanding 
of  our  own  mission  work  in  Japan. 
One  person  out  of  200  in  Japan  is  a 
member  of  a Christian  church.  In 
1949  our  Board  of  Missions  asked 
W.  C.  Voth  to  visit  Japan  on  his 
way  home  from  China.  Out  of  his 
report,  given  to  the  Freeman,  S.  D., 
General  Conference  session  in  1950, 


little  orphans.  Her  pretty  dress 
came  from  a Ladies’  Mission  So- 
ciety in  America.  Let’s  also  stop 
and  visit  the  baby  clinic  as  you 
leave.  The  babies  in  their  shirts  and 
blankets  from  the  women  in  Amer- 
ica are  so  sweet  and  clean,  and 
look  so  different  from  the  children 
we  see  in  the  villages. 

We  must  say  goodbye  — but  visit 
us  again. 


came  the  challenge  to  begin  a new 
work.  A half  year  later  our  first 
missionaries  set  foot  on  the  soil  of 
“the  land  of  the  rising  sun.” 

Today  we  have  a staff  of  twenty 
workers  in  Miyazaki  prefecture, 
which  is  at  the  southern  end  of  the 
southernmost  island  of  Kyushu. 
Miyazaki  is  mostly  a rural  area 
with  over  a million  people.  Here 
you  will  see  the  Lord  working 
through  dedicated  missionaries  and 
newly  established  churches.  Tent 
meetings,  children’s  work,  cottage 
Bible  classes,  personal  visitation, 
work  with  students,  radio,  litera- 
ture, and  many  other  methods  are 
being  used  to  reach  Japan  for 
Christ. 

Under  the  direction  of  the  Mis- 
sions Film  Committee,  The  Miya- 
zaki Story  was  produced  on  the  field 
in  co-operation  with  the  mission- 
aries. The  script  is  written  by  Rob- 
ert and  Alice  Ruth  Ramseyer,  mis- 
sionaries on  the  field,  and  photog- 
raphy is  by  William  Zehr. 

Watch  for  The  Miyazaki  Story  to 
be  shown  at  your  district  confer- 
ence. It  can  be  booked  by  churches 
after  July  1 (see  last  week’s  issue 
of  The  Mennonite) . — Willard  Wiebe 


230 


THE  MENNONITE 


j 


Conscientious  Objection  in  Germany 


Clarence  Bauman* 


IN  MAY,  1956,  the  German  Bundes- 
haus  decided  that  the  political 
situation  obligated  Germany  to 
muster  a defense  force  of  500,000 
men  to  meet  NATO  requirements. 
The  ruling  political  party  (the 
Christian  Democratic  Party,  pre- 
dominantly Catholic)  maintains  that 
German  reunification  can  be  accom- 
plished only  through  adequate  Ger- 
man rearmam.ent  adding  weight  to 
the  military  influence  of  the  West- 
ern powers.  In  order  to  guard  the 
peace  effectively,  West  Germany 
must  have  a standing  army  com- 
parable in  strength  to  the  Volks- 
polizei  of  the  East  Zone.  Despite 
atomic  weapons,  these  man-power 
forces  are  thought  necessary. 

The  Bundesrepublik  witnessed  an 
increasing  wave  of  opposition  to 
the  compulsory  military  draft  law. 
Though  this  opposition  reflects  deep- 
rooted  religious  convictions,  these 
have  never  been  completely  distinct 
from  the  people’s  concern  over  the 
tragedy  of  their  divided  country  and 
the  increasing  pressure  of  Russian 
occupation  in  the  East  Zone.  The 
minority  parties  (particularly  the 
Social  Democratic  Party)  insist  that 
postwar  democratic  Germany  shall 
not  reflect  a resurge  of  power  pol- 
itics in  her  foreign  relations.  This 
party  has  taken  the  lead  in  defend- 
ing the  conscientious  objector  posi- 
tion with  an  appeal  to  the  postwar 
democratic  constitution  of  the  Ger- 
man Republic.  The  constitution,  sim- 
ilar to  that  of  Western  countries, 
contains  the  following  wording:  “It 
is  the  duty  of  state  authority  to  re- 
spect and  protest  the  basic  dig- 
nities of  man.  The  German  people 
commit  themselves  to  inviolable  and 
inalienable  human  rights  as  the 
basis  of  human  brotherhood,  peace, 
and  righteousness  in  the  world,” 
and  in  the  fourth  article:  “No  one 
may  be  compelled  against  his  con- 
science to  render  military  service 
implying  the  use  of  weapons.” 
This  party  argues  that  any  war 
against  the  East  implies  a “brother 
war,”  that  is,  a civil  war,  which 
neither  can  be  just  nor  can  con- 


*MCC  European  peace  representative 

April  14,  1959 


tribute  to  the  reunification  of  the 
divided  country.  In  view  of  these 
factors,  the  German  draft  law  pro- 
vided full  exemption  for  conscien- 
tious objectors  upon  condition  that 
such  persons  on  the  basis  of  con- 
science refuse  participation  not  only 
in  a “brotherhood  war”  but  also  in 
the  use  of  weapons  between  any 
national  states  and  for  this  reason 
oppose  all  military  service  implying 
the  use  of  arms. 

Since  the  beginning  of  recruit- 
ment in  February,  1957,  a steady 
flow  of  applications  of  conscientious 
objectors  has  been  directed  to  the 
government.  As  of  October  8,  1958, 
the  Bonn  Verteidigungsministerium 
has  recognized  520  CO’s,  rejected 
256,  and  tabled  358  further  appli- 
cations. This  means  that,  at  the 
time  of  writing,  the  number  of  con- 
scientious objectors  in  Germany 
stands  roughly  at  760.  Approximate- 
ly 50%  of  these  are  Evangelisch, 
7%  Roman  Catholic,  and  6%  Jeho- 
vah’s Witnesses.  Four  Mennonite  and 
two  Baptist  CO’s  have  been  recog- 
nized to  date.  Popular  magazines 
and  newspapers  have  erroneously 
published  various  low  figures  for 
CO  applicants  as  propaganda  in- 
tended to  influence  public  opinion 
against  both  the  pacifist  cause  and 
the  platform  of  the  Social  Demo- 
cratic Party. 

However,  of  the  100,000  men  re- 
cruited in  1957,  3.500  applications 
for  conscientious  objection  had  been 
received  and  registered  during  the 
first  month  of  conscription  by  the 
central  pacifist  organization  known 
as  “Zentralstelle  fiir  Recht  und 
Schutz  der  Kriegsdienstverweiger- 
et.”  It  is  not  known  how  many  of 
the  21,000  deferrals  would  likewise 
fall  into  this  category  since  it  is 
known  that  persons  intending  to 
apply  for  conscientious  objection 
are  advised  to  apply  rather  for 
physical  exemption  or  deferral  on 
some  other  basis. 

The  Deutsches  Mennonitisches 
Friedenskomitee  (DMF)  is  one  of 
various  peace  groups  represented  on 
the  Zentralstelle  which  neigotiates 
objector  affairs  with  the  German 


government  as  does  the  National 
Service  Board  for  Religious  Object- 
ors in  the  United  States.  Professor 
F.  Siegmund-Schultze,  who  has  done 
more  than  anyone  else  for  German 
recognition  of  objectors,  is  president 
of  the  Zentralstelle.  Men  register- 
ing as  objectors  are  examined  by 
twelve  regional  committees,  and,  if 
their  claims  are  recognized,  they 
are  to  be  assigned  to  civilian  service. 

After  debating  various  drafts  of 
an  alternative  service  law  for  nearly 
two  years,  it  is  hoped  that  the  pro- 
posed bill  will  be  passed  and  come 
into  effect  by  spring,  1959.  In  its 
present  form  the  draft  proposes 
that  the  objector  be  granted  rights 
and  privileges  equal  to  those  of 
men  in  the  fighting  forces,  that  the 
government  offer  an  acceptable 
form  of  alternative  service,  estab- 
lishing camps  to  provide  projects 
in  land  reclamation,  disaster  serv- 
ice, health,  welfare,  and  charitable 
services.  The  length  of  the  term  of 
service  to  be  rendered  shall  equal 
that  of  enlisted  men  with  an  option 
of  either  twenty-one  months  in  one 
unit  or  at  various  intervals.  Financ- 
ing CO  placements  through  private 
organizations  is  to  be  subsidized 
through  a grant  from  the  govern- 
ment. A remuneration  of  approxi- 
mately DM  2.50  per  day  will  cor- 
respond to  that  of  the  lowest  rank 
in  the  army. 

Personal  preferences  are  to  be 
respected  in  placement,  and  some 
thought  has  been  given  to  the  ad- 
visability of  training  certain  of  the 
conscientious  objectors  as  peace 
workers  at  the  Buckeburg  Freund- 
schaftsheim.  A special  training 
course  is  to  be  provided  for  leaders. 
Objectors  will  not  be  required  for 
Luftschutz  (Civil  Defense).  Private 
agencies  are  to  be  licensed  for  giv- 
ing Mternative  service  employment 
in  as  far  as  they  meet  government 
requirements,  are  open  to  govern- 
ment inspection,  render  worthwhile 
peace  and  constructive  efforts  for 
the  public  benefit,  and  assume  full 
responsibility  for  conscientious  ob- 
jectors employed. 

Through  the  joint  concern  of  the 


231 


Historic  Peace  Churches  (Brethren, 
Friends,  Mennonites)  and  the  Inter- 
national Fellowship  of  Reconcilia- 
tion, a voluntary  service  project 
known  as  Eirene  (“Peace”  in 
Greek)  has  been  established  in 
Morocco,  an  area  of  economic  need 
and  political  tension.  Eirene  pro- 
vides service  opportunities  for  both 
Christian  conscientious  objectors 
and  volunteers  not  subject  to  the 
draft. 

Although  this  is  not  a solution 
for  all  nominally  religious  objec- 
tors in  Germany,  a distinct  witness 
opportunity  is  provided  for  a selec- 
tive group  as  in  the  European  Pax 
Services  with  possibilities  for  fur- 
ther expansion.  At  present  the  Ei- 
rene program  is  supported  by  the 
Mennonite  Central  Committee  and 
the  Brethren  Service  Commission, 
but  it  is  hoped  that  before  long 


the  reader  says 

Gentlemen: 

I cannot  help  but  convey  my 
thoughts  prompted  by  the  article 
appearing  in  the  March  10  issue  of 
The  Mennonite  under  the  heading 
“Shall  I Remain  a Mennonite?” 

At  one  time  in  my  life  I belonged 
to  two  other  denominations,  both 
of  which  classify  themselves  as 
Christian.  We  read  the  same  Bible, 
attended  Sunday  school  and  church, 
participated  in  church  functions, 
and  I belonged,  as  the  saying  goes. 
That  is,  until  I moved  to  another 
section  of  the  country  and  came  in 
rather  close  contact  with  our  Men- 
nonite people  and  their  church. 
Gradually  I sensed  that  there  was 
something  a bit  different  in  their 
approach  to  the  problem  of  every- 
day living.  I unconsciously  began  to 
have  a certain  respect  for  these 
fine  people. 

Then  it  happened.  I purchased  a 
house  from  one  of  the  members 
who  refused  to  take  so  little  as  one 
bit  of  paper.  In  fact  he  handed  me 
the  deed  and  said  I should  go  to 
the  bank  and  see  the  whole  trans- 
action through  myself  as  he  was 
going  to  be  rather  busy  for  the  next 
few  days.  What  manner  of  man  was 
this  who  handed  over  the  deed  to 
his  house  without  so  much  as  a 
scrap  of  paper  between  us? 

This  story,  while  true,  has  been 
denied  by  those  of  other  faiths  as 


other  Christian  organizations,  par- 
ticularly European,  will  participate 
actively.  Eirene  is  to  provide  an 
opportunity  for  young  men  of  var- 
ious countries  to  render  voluntary 
service  as  Christian  pacifists  in 
areas  of  need  and  political  tension 
as  a witness  to  the  reconciling 
power  of  Christian  love.  It  is  hoped 
that  European  governments  will 
acknowledge  this  precedent  as  a 
service  worthy  of  recognition  in  lieu 
of  military  service.  Serious  consid- 
eration is  being  given  to  the  possi- 
bility of  establishing  a similar  proj- 
ect within  the  German  Bundesre- 
publik. 

Until  the  alternative  service  law 
becomes  effective,  it  is  too  early  to 
know  the  extent  to  which  German 
Mennonites  wiU  take  their  position 
as  conscientious  objectors  under  the 
provisions  of  the  new  law. 


almost  impossible.  The  transaction 
was  based  purely  upon  faith  be- 
tween us  two.  About  two  years 
later  I chanced  to  attend  morning 
services  and  was  immediately  taken 
up  with  the  Mennonites’  straight- 
forward approach  in  Simday  school 
to  the  problems  confronting  them 
in  their  thoughts  and  in  their  ev- 
eryday lives.  I found  they  were  no 
different  than  I in  that  they  had 
the  same  worries,  the  same  mis- 
givings; but  they  were  not  afraid 
to  approach  their  problems  in  a 
truthful,  honest  manner.  They  did- 
n’t look  for  answers  they  would 
have  liked  to  hear  but  were  seek- 
ing the  truth  as  best  a small  group 
can.  I found  this  same  condition 
existing  from  Sunday  on  through 
the  week  till  the  following  Sunday. 
'They  were  seekers  of  the  truth,  and 
once  they  made  up  their  mind  that 
this  or  that  way  was  the  right  way, 
they  lived  that  truth  every  single 
day  of  the  week. 

Several  years  later  I too  asked 
to  join  along  with  my  brothers  and 
was  delighted  and  humbled  when 
accepted.  I am  a different  person 
today  for  the  fact  of  trying  to  live 
as  Menno  Simons  intended  when  he 
laid  down  the  first  rules  for  his 
followers.  Today  I live  my  faith 
daily;  I try  to  practice  what  I 
preach  to  others;  I am  infiuenced  in 
my  daily  life  as  never  before  by  my 


Mennonite  church  affiliations. 

Today  I firmly  believe  in  God  the 
Father  and  in  Jesus  Christ  His  only 
begotten  Son.  My  children  received 
adult  baptism  and  they  too  are  fol- 
lowing the  ways  of  the  church  as 
never  before. 

I am  proud  but  humble  in  my 
associations  with  all  people  but 
particularly  with  my  Mennonite 
brethren,  for  it  is  they  who  showed 
me  the  light  and  the  way  of  the 
Lord. 

Yes,  I for  one  will  always  be  a 
Mennonite. 

Robert  E.  Kleppinger 
Fairfield,  Pennsylvania 

Wierdensestraat  7 Almelo 
Holland. 

March  7,  1959 
Dear  Youth  Editor: 

In  “Mennonite  Youth”  of  Febru- 
ary 10  I found  a picture  of  Hans 
de  Jonge,  working  in  Oulmes,  North 
Africa,  with  the  Eirene  team. 

As  Hans  de  Jonge  has  been  a 
practicing  lawyer  at  the  Almelo 
law  courts,  I had  this  number  of 
“Mennonite  Youth”  circulated  a- 
mong  the  judges  of  the  court  and 
among  his  colleagues  here. 

Everybody  was  much  impressed 
by  the  Christian  testimony  which  he 
gives  with  American  support  in 
that  country  where  Christian  love 
and  understanding  is  even  more 
needed  thaji  material  help. 

'The  interest  was  all  the  greater 
as  the  president  of  our  court  as 
well  as  one  of  the  judges  are  them- 
selves Mennonites. 

I thought  it  well  to  teU  you  this; 
after  aU  it’s  rather  curious  that  the 
waves  of  the  Message  from  Oulm4s 
are  mirrored  back  by  the  U.S.A.  to 
this  country.  It’s  something  like  the 
radio  messages  mirrored  by  the 
moon  and  received  on  earth  where 
they  originally  started  from! 

Y.  W.  Kranenburg 

Board  of  Education  and  Publication 
American  Baptist  Convention 
Editor:  The  Mennonite 

(We  exchange  papers).  Just 
wished  to  congratulate  (31eorge  E. 
Janzen  for  his  excellent  insights  ex- 
pressed on  page  153  of  the  March 
10  issue. 

Rose  S.  Grono 
Editor,  The  High  Call, 
Junior  Hi  Topic 


232 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  youth 

You’ll  see  what  I mean  . . . 

The  Best  Part 
of  Europe 
Was  Work  Camp 


by  Joyce  Musselman* 

The  other  evening  I went  to  a 
friend’s  birthday  party.  It  was 
the  usual  crowd,  aU  laughing  and 
talking  at  the  same  time.  Between 
gobbles  of  food  the  conversation 
bounced  from  topic  to  topic,  eventu- 
ally hitting  on  the  European  tour 
Gerry  and  I took  last  summer. 

At  first  talk  centered  airound, 
“Then  there  was  the  time  in  Milan 
when  our  guide  was  so  terrific  in 
interpreting  The  Last  Supper  by  da 
Vinci  that  we  aU  left  in  tears”  or 
“Do  you  remember  the  night,  Ger, 
when  we  went  for  that  horse  and 
buggy  ride  in  Rome  and  . . .”  or 
“The  night  we  were  in  Lucerne, 
Switzerland,  we  decided  to  take  a 
walk  down  by  the  lake  . . , 


‘Member  of  1958  MCC  student  tour  in 


Somewhere  along  there  Ger  said, 
“I  remember  one  time  at  work  camp 
a Catholic  family  sent  us  a bunch 
of  chickens.  All  the  kids  wanted  to 
taste  southern  fried  chicken,  so  I 
had  to  fry  them.  That  was  a job, 
let  me  tell  you.” 

Work  camp?  That  was  the  best 
part  of  the  whole  summer.  You 
can’t  live  with  forty  kids  from 
twelve  different  countries  without 
leaving  a different  person. 

I got  assigned  to  Berlin.  So  was 
Edna  Ruth  Karber  and  Ruthie  Buh- 
ler.  We  were  all  excitement  on  that 
long  ride  from  Frankfurt,  anxiety 
while  waiting  the  two  hours  to  get 
our  visas  cleared  at  the  border,  fear 
when  all  the  passports  were  O.K’D 
but  mine  (I  had  visions  of  becoming 
a forgotten  American  in  a lonely 
prison  cell),  shyness  when  we 


Europe. 


England  . . . the  Netherlands  . . . France  . . . Svntzerland  (Mennonite  Bible  School,  Basel)  . . . Germany 


April  14,  1959 


233 


bread  and  cof¥ee,  we’d  gather  in 
groups  and  share  information  on 
the  home  date  patterns,  church 
practices,  school  customs,  ways  of 
celebrating  Christmas,  birthdays, 
and  graduations.  And  every  time 
you  went  back  to  work  you  had  the 
funny  feeling  that  what  you  thought 
about  the  Dutch  or  the  Germans  or 
the  Danish  before  hadn’t  been  based 
on  facts  at  all. 

One  Saturday  Allan  announced 
that  the  recreation  committee  had 
planned  a shopping  trip  to  East 
Berlin.  We  were  all  a httle  fearful 
as  we  rode  the  S.  Bahn,  remember- 
ing the  stories  we’d  heard  about 
how  people  went  into  the  Sector 
and  never  returned.  Once  there  we 
were  all  eyes  as  we  absorbed  the 
street  scenes,  especially  Stalinallee. 
Our  usually  noisy  group  was 
strangely  silent  as  they  blended  with 
the  stillness  of  the  yellow  buildings 
— except  for  Blaise  who  kept  repeat- 
ing, “It  is  all  so  very  interesting,” 
or  Luis,  who  scampered  around  like 
a chipmunk,  taking  forbidden  pic- 
tures. * 

Our  East  German  money  wasn’t 
much  good,  for  we  were  allowed  to 
buy  only  a few  items  in  paper  and 
wood,  but  then  we  hadn’t  really 
come  to  buy.  We’d  come  to  expe- 
rience the  fear  that  kept  this  area 
of  the  city  so  quiet  and  lonely,  to 
see  the  gigantic  square  where  pub- 
lic demonstrations  were  conducted, 
to  view  the  store  windows  flUed 
with  merchandise  that  didn’t  sell, 
to  look  past  the  beautiful  facade  of 
Stalinalle  to  the  ruins  of  a back 
street,  to  notice  the  roses  growing 
in  front  of  the  Ministry  of  War. 

Roses  in  front  of  the  Ministry  of 
War.  'There  was  something  stremge 
about  that  scene,  something  that 
left  you  cold  and  slightly  cynical, 
for  those  roses  were  yellow,  tinged 
in  pink.  Peace  roses  in  front  of  the 
Ministry  of  War.  How  ironic.  How 
discouraging.  How  hopeful,  for  just 
as  surely  as  you  had  seen  the  re- 
sults of  war,  God  was  promising 
that  someday  the  Ministry  of  War 
would  be  a ruin  and  the  Peace  rose 
would  stiU  be  blooming,  a symbol  of 
“Peace  on  earth,  good  will  to  men.” 

That’s  why  I said  to  the  kids, 
“You  know,  when  it’s  all  said  and 
done,  you’ll  remember  work  camp 
longer  than  any  other  phase  of  the 
trip.” 


Work  campers  worked  . 

climbed  out  of  the  bus  and  met  the 
strange  faces  who  had  come  to  wel- 
come us. 

In  a few  days  all  hesitancy  had 
disappeared;  the  discussions  that 
made  the  whole  experiment  in  in- 
ternational living  outstanding  had 
begun.  Meals  were  a riot.  Each  per- 
son was  asking  for  food  in  his  own 
language,  with  one  exception.  We 
all  learned  early  to  thank  and  ask 
with  the  German  “Dank-a”  and 
“Bitta”  (my  spellings). 

We’d  get  up  at  6:45  to  the  sing- 
ing of  the  kitchen  crew,  breakfast 
at  7:00,  to  shovels  at  7:30.  Our 
project  was  landscaping  for  t'ne 
German  Red  Cross,  which  was  build- 
ing a new  hospital  for  diabetic  ref- 
ugees. Landscaping  was  a fancy 


. . . and  then  discussed 

name  for  clearing  away  bomb  rub- 
ble that  had  settled  and  settled  and 
settled.  And  when  you  got  stiff  and 
sore  from  wielding  a shovel  or  a 
pick,  you  moved  to  cleaning  bricks. 
The  work  was  hard;  you  got  blis- 
ters and  sore  muscles,  and  the  sat- 
isfaction that  comes  from  doing 
something  for  once  that  was  un- 
selfish and  worthwhile.  In  fact,  you 
rarely  thought  of  that  sore  back 
because  you  were  too  busy  arguing 
with  Allan,  a Cambridge  student, 
over  the  pronunciation  of  the  word 
“tomato,”  or  sharing  Atie  from  Hol- 
land’s pleasure  in  a Mozart  sym- 
phony, or  laughing  with  the  others 
at  Spanish  Luis’  pretending  he  was 
Julius  Caesar. 

During  the  second  breakfasts  of 


234 


THE  MENNONITE 


1 


JVor/cers  are  needed  for  the  following 

Three  Summer  Projeets 


WORKERS  are  needed  for  the 
following  three  summer  proj- 
ects sponsored  by  the  Mennonite 
Central  Committee.  These  are  ur- 
gent needs  to  be  met  in  the  name 
of  Christ.  For  further  information 
or  application  blanks  write  to:  Sum- 
mer Service,  Mennonite  Central 
Committee,  Akron,  Pennsylvania. 

Institute  of  Logopedics,  Wichita, 
Kansas,  June  15  to  August  15. 

One  of  the  most  unique  educa- 
tional institutions  in  the  world  to- 
day stands  on  forty  acres  of  rolling 
land  that  used  to  be  a wheat  field 
near  Wichita,  Kan.  The  two-million- 
dollar  Institute  of  Logopedics  teach- 
es approximately  300  handicapped 
children  to  talk.  Many  of  them  are 
also  learning  to  sit,  walk,  and  play 
for  the  first  time  in  their  lives. 

The  Institute  is  a charitable  non- 
profit corporation.  Students  come 
from  all  over  the  U.  S.  and  from 
foreign  countries.  The  school  was 
founded  by  Martin  F.  Palmer  twen- 
ty-two years  ago.  Dr.  Palmer  be- 
lieves that  one  out  of  every  fifty 
children  born  today  has  defects  so 
severe  that  he  can  never  learn  to 
talk  and  lead  a useful  life  without 
expert  instruction. 

The  Institute  is  constructed  as  a 
village  of  160  individual  apart- 
ments, where  children  can  live  with 
a housemother  or  their  parents. 
Our  unit  is  living  in  one  of  these 
apartments  and  does  its  own  cook- 
ing and  housekeeping.  Our  work  is 
primarily  assistance  in  classrooms. 

Each  evening  some  time  is  spent 
in  recreation  with  the  children,  and 
we  relieve  some  housemothers  dur- 
ing the  noon  hour.  We  also  babysit 
with  some-  of  the  children  so  that 
their  parents  have  some  free  time. 
Parents  v^dth  a severly  handicapped 
child  are  kept  very  busy  and  have 
little  opportunity  to  get  away. 

Many  of  the  children  have  many 
other  handicaps  besides  their  speech 
problems.  Some  are  suffering  from 
aphasia,  cerebral  palsy,  hearing 
losses,  loss  of  sight,  encephalitis. 


and  various  psychological  problems. 

The  aim  of  the  Institute  is  to  help 
all  children  and  adults  take  their 
place  with  us  in  this  speaking 
world. 

Hastings  State  Hospital,  Hastings, 
Minnesota,  June  16  to  August  29. 

More  than  ten  million  Americans 
— one  in  every  sixteen — now  suffer 
from  some  mental  disorder.  More 
persons  are  hospitalized  today  be- 
cause of  mental  illness  than  for 
polio,  cancer,  heart  disease,  tuber- 
culosis, and  all  other  diseases  com- 
bined. 

Most  state  hospitals  are  under- 
staffed. This  is  alarming  because 
chances  for  recovery  are  so  great 
and  opportunities  for  staff  workers 
therefore  so  significant.  Where  the 
best  and  latest  treatment  is  avail- 
able, up  to  70%  of  all  patients  ad- 
mitted are  eventually  discharged  as 
improved  or  recovered. 

So  for  the  Christian  young  per- 
son seeking  to  spend  a summer  use- 
fully in  service  to  God  and  man, 
here  is  a wide-open  challenge  in  the 
realm  of  mental  health. 

Hastings  State  Hospital,  located 
about  ten  miles  southeast  of  St. 
Paul,  serves  close  to  1500  patients. 
The  grounds  have  numerous  trees 
and  large  lawns  with  cottages  in 
rows  on  different  levels  of  a hill- 
side. 

Persons  participating  in  the  unit 
will  serve  as  psychiatric  aides.  That 
is  a rather  professional  sounding 
title,  but  -it  is  actually  possible  for 
you  to  render  a significant  service 
as  an  aide  even  though  you  may  be 
untrained. 

Summer  service  with  migrants  in 
New  York,  June  24  to  August  22. 

The  migrant  work  of  MCC  sum- 
mer units  in  New  York  is  located 
in  the  Hamilton  and  Waterville 
communities  southeast  of  Utica. 
MCC  units  have  served  the  agricul- 
tural migrant  laborer  in  this  area 
since  1948. 

The  project  is  carried  on  in  co- 


operation with  the  migrant  com- 
mittees of  Oneida  and  Madison 
counties  and  is  affiliated  with  the 
Migrant  Ministry  of  the  New  York 
State  Council  of  Churches.  This 
local  committee  is  composed  of  vol- 
unteer protestant  Christians  who 
are  concerned  about  the  plight  of 
the  agricultural  migrant. 

Each  summer  there  are  approxi- 
mately 5000  migrant  workers  (a- 
bout  one-sixth  of  the  migrants  in 
the  state  of  New  York)  within  Mad- 
ison and  Oneida  counties.  For  the 
most  part,  these  are  Negroes  from 
the  states  of  Florida,  Georgia,  and 
Alabama,  who  come  to  harvest 
beans,  peas,  and  potatoes. 

During  the  course  of  the  summer 
the  two  service  units  work  with  ap- 
proximately 1000  of  these  migrants. 
Each  unit  may  visit  from  seven  to 
twelve  different  camps.  The  purpose 
of  this  work  has  been  outlined  by 
the  Migrant  Ministry  as  follows: 

• To  seek  to  lead  these  persons 
to  the  knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ 
and  spiritual  regeneration  of  their 
lives.  To  give  them  a sense  of  be- 
longing to  the  church,  the  total 
Christian  family. 

• To  encourage  and  assist  these 
persons  to  grow  physically,  men- 
tally, morally,  socially,  and  spirit- 
ually, so  that  they  may  become  in- 
creasingly able  to  take  their  right- 
ful places  as  citizens  in  a democ- 
racy. 

• To  educate  resident  communi- 
ties to  help  these  persons  to  become 
integrated  into  the  life  of  the  com- 
munity, and  to  help  the  migrants 
to  understand  and  accept  their  re- 
sponsibility. 

• To  be  concerned  with  the  rele- 
vance and  application  of  Christian 
principles  and  Christian  ethics  to 
the  agricultural  economy  in  which 
the  migrants  live  and  work. 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
bv  the  Young  People's  Union  of  the  General 
Conference,  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  3003 
Benhom  Avenue,  Elkhart,  Indiana. 


April  14,  1959 


235 


our  schools 

MISSIONARY  EMPHASIS 

Speakers  for  Bluffton  College 
Missionary  Emphasis  services  this 
year  are  James  Bertsche  and  Arthur 
Thiessen.  Beginning  April  14,  both 
will  address  the  student  body  dur- 
ing the  regular  morning  chapel  pe- 
riod and  lead  House  Devotions  in 
the  evening.  On  Wednesday  Pastor 
Bertsche  will  speak  in  chapel  and 
to  the  Ethics  class.  Dr.  Thiessen 
will  speak  at  the  meeting  of  the 
Student  Christian  Association  that 
evening.  Pastor  Bertsche  will  give 
the  closing  speech  at  the  Thursday 
morning  chapel  service.  They  will 
also  be  available  for  counseling 
with  students  at  designated  times. 

Both  speakers  have  served  in  the 
mission  field  and  are  now  home  on 
furlough.  Brother  Bertsche  has 
served  two  terms  as  missionary  in 
the  Belgian  Congo.  He  is  presently 
engaged  in  deputation  work  for  the 
Congo  Inland  Mission  and  resides 
in  Pettisville,  Ohio.  Dr.  Thiessen  is 
on  furlough  from  his  first  term  as 
a missionary  doctor  in  India. 

ANNUITY  GIFT 

Bluffton  College  was  the  recipient 
of  another  substantial  annuity  gift 
this  past  week.  Amos  Schumacher, 
former  Pandora  resident  and  now 
at  the  Mennonite  Memorial  Home 
in  Bluffton,  presented  the  college 
with  a $6,500  annuity  gift.  With 
previous  gifts  made  on  the  annuity 
plan,  Amos  Schumacher  has  a total 
of  $16,500  in  annuity  investments 
with  the  college. 

The  college  has  encouraged  this 
type  of  program,  since  it  gives  the 
donor  a steady  source  of  income  as 
long  as  he  needs  it  at  the  same 
time  that  the  donor  expresses  his 
Interest  in  the  work  of  the  college. 
Interest  is  paid  on  annuities  dur- 
ing the  lifetime  of  the  donor,  or  the 
donor  and  one  other  person. 

FACULTY  WAITERS 

Faculty  members  of  Bluffton  Col- 
lege again  served  as  waiters  at  the 
evening  meal  in  the  dining  hall  on 
April  8.  It  has  become  the  custom 
to  contribute  to  the  drive  for  Ko- 
rean relief  and  International  Chris- 
tian University  in  the  form  of  tips 
given  to  the  faculty  waiters. 

Donations  to  relief  for  Korea  will 
be  given  through  MCC.  The  money 


will  help  to  support  orphanages, 
combat  tuberculosis  and  sleeping 
sickness,  and  provide  food  and 
clothing  for  adults  as  well  as  chil- 
dren. International  Christian  Uni- 
versity in  Tokyo,  Japan,  is  a joint 
undertaking  of  fourteen  major 
church  groups  in  the  United  States 
and  Canada.  Several  Bluffton  Col- 
lege graduates  have  been  members 
of  the  faculty  of  this  international 
and  interracial  university,  and  one 
present  Bluffton  student,  John 
Hung,  was  formerly  a student 
there. 

ALUMNI  PROJECT 

Each  year  members  of  the  Free- 
man Junior  College  Alumni  Associa- 
tion select  an  area  of  school  activ- 
ity which  needs  improvement  or 
assistance.  This  becomes  their  proj- 
ect for  the  year.  Among  such  proj- 
ects in  recent  years  have  been  re- 
furnishing the  library,  leveling  and 
graveling  the  Pioneer  Hall  parking 
area,  and  supplying  funds  for  sci- 
ence and  physics  equipment. 

At  the  annual  banquet  last  spring 
it  was  the  consensus  of  alumni  opin- 
ion that  the  most  immediate  and 
worthwhile  contribution  would  be  a 
project  directed  toward  liquidation 
of  a $7,500  debt.  Officers  of  the  as- 
sociation are  making  direct  appeals 
to  alumni  members,  former  stu- 
dents, and  friends,  and  they  hope 
that  there  will  be  a wide  response. 
Alumni  officers  are:  pres.,  Edwin  P. 
Graber;  vice-pres.,  Glenys  Ortman; 
sec.,  Mrs.  Calvin  Waltner;  treas., 
Erwin  R.  Gross. 

VARIED  CHAPEL  PROGRAMS 

Chapel  activities  recently  includ- 
ed a talk  on  “Willingness  to  Serve” 
by  Gerhard  Buhler,  instructor  and 
Academy  principal;  remarks  by 
Elma  Waltner,  who  does  profes- 
sional writing  for  numerous  reli- 
gious publications  and  art  and 
crafts  magazines,  and  who  effec- 
tively illustrated  her  talk  with  some 
of  her  art  work;  and  Hugo  Mierau, 
Freeman,  who  gave  a Lenten  mes- 
sage entitled  “The  Silence  of  Jesus.” 
Based  on  the  trial  of  Jesus  as  re- 
corded in  Mark  15,  his  message 
emphasized  the  power  of  the  silent 
suffering  love  of  Jesus. 

As  part  of  a student  sponsored 
program,  three  youngsters  from 
Mrs.  Ben  Schrag’s  class  for  retard- 
ed children  participated.  Their  fine 
performance  was  a remarkable 
demonstration  of  what  can  be  done 


for  and  by  such  children.  Mrs.  i 
Schrag  was  presented  the  Citizens  | 
Award  earlier  this  year  for  her  ^ 
work  with  exceptional  children.  Al- 
though she  conducts  the  class  in  | 
her  own  home,  it  is  a part  of  the  ! 
Freeman  Public  School  system. 

William  Voth,  who  was  a mis-  j 
sionary  in  China  before  the  war  ; 
and  organized  General  Conference 
Mennonite  mission  work  in  Japan  I 
and  Formosa  since  the  war,  spoke  | 
in  Freeman  Junior  College  chapel 
March  25.  He  reminded  his  listen- 
ers that  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ 
is  entrusted  to  us  to  spread  to  oth- 
ers. We  are  witnesses  for  or  against 
Christ  through  our  word  and  our  ! 
life,  he  concluded.  Mrs.  Voth  also 
visited  at  the  college.  Their  sons, 
Leland  and  Stanley,  are  both  for- 
mer instructors  at  Freeman. 

MATH  TEST 

Five  Freeman  Academy  students 
are  participating  in  the  fourth  an- 
nual High  School  Mathematics  Test 
at  the  University  of  South  Dakota 
April  18:  Corene  Mierau,  Orville 

Ortman,  Kenny  Graber,  Karen  Gra- 
ber, and  Albert  Waltner.  George 
Nachtigal,  mathematics  instructor, 
wall  accompany  them.  | 

MCC  news  and  notes 


RACE  RELATIONS  SEMINAR 


CHICAGO — Ralph  D.  Abernathy, 
pastor  of  First  Baptist  Church  in 
Montgomery,  Ala.,  wall  be  guest  1 
speaker  at  a public  meeting  Friday 
evening,  April  17,  in  the  Woodlawm 
Mennonite  Church,  Chicago,  111. 

The  meeting  is  scheduled  as  part 
of  the  April  17-18  Seminar  on  Race 


236 


THE  MENNONITE 


Relations  which  will  be  attended  by 
approximately  fifty  Mennonite 
church  delegates.  Jess  Yoder,  sec- 
retary' of  the  Seminar  planning 
committee,  reports  that  the  appoint- 
ment of  most  delegates  has  been 
confirmed.  He  also  announces  that 
a literature  display  featuring  books 
on  race  will  be  set  up  by  Ed  Rid- 
dick of  Woodlawn. 

The  First  Baptist  Church,  where 
Brother  Abernathy  has  served 
since  1952,  was  severely  bombed 
during  the  Montgomery  bus  boy- 
cott because  of  the  stand  church 
and  pastor  took  for  freedom  and 
equal  opportunity  for  all.  Ralph 
Abernathy  is  an  associate  of  Mar- 
tin Luther  King  in  the  interracial 
work  in  Montgomery  and  has  re- 
cently been  elected  chairman  of  the 
Executive  Board  of  the  Montgom- 
ery Improvement  Association. 
TENTH  GROUP  OF 
TRAINEES  TO  COME 

EUROPE  — The  European  Selec- 
tion Committee  (Peter  Dyck,  Erwin 
Goering,  Milton  Harder,  and  Doreen 
Harms,  with  Elmira  Kliewer  sitting 
in)  met  March  6 to  examine  the 
student  and  trainee  applications 
received  during  the  last  several 
months  and  to  recommend  to  Akron 
those  persons  who  should  be  given 
the  opportunity  of  going  to  Amer- 
ica. Thirty-eight  trainees  were  rec- 
ommended and  the  names  of  seven 
interested  in  attending  Mennonite 
colleges  submitted  to  the  various 
colleges. 

Akron  has  approved  the  trainee 
appointments.  Final  acceptance  of 
foreign  students  rests  with  the  Men- 
nonite colleges.  A breakdown  of  the 
thirty-eight  prospective  trainees  fol- 
lows: Germciny  18,  the  Netherlands 
14,  Switzerland  3,  France  2,  Greece 
1.  Several  candidates  from  South 
America  and  possibly  the  Far  East 
may  be  included  later. 

This  will  be  the  tenth  group  of 
trainees  to  come  to  America.  In 
1957  Paul  Bender,  then  serving  in 
Heerewegen,  the  Netherlands,  made 
a study  of  this  program.  His  find- 
ings were  encouraging.  Understand- 
ing between  North  American  com- 
munities and  churches  and  those  of 
the  trainees’  countries  is  growing  as 
a result  of  this  project,  hence  MCC 
is  interested  in  continuing  and  en- 
larging the  program. 

Sponsors  are  needed,  as  usual,  to 
provide  homes  for  these  trainees 
for  their  first  six  month  period  in 


the  U.S.  Most  families  who  have 
participated  in  this  program  have 
found  the  experience  meaningful 
and  rewarding.  Interested  persons 
should  write  to  MCC,  Akron,  Pa., 
by  May  1. 

SECOND  MEETING  WITH 
RUSSIAN  BAPTISTS  PLANNED 

AKRON — Russian  Baptist  leaders 
will  be  coming  to  the  United  States 
in  August  to  meet  with  the  Baptist 
World  Alliance  in  Rochester,  N.  Y. 
MCC  hopes  to  make  arrangements 
to  meet  with  these  leaders  as  a con- 
tinuation of  the  1956  fellowship, 
when  a delegation  of  five  Russian 
Baptists  met  with  a representative 
group  of  Mennonites  in  Chicago. 
SCHOOL  PROJECT 

NEPAL  — “Nearly  100  new  stu- 
dents registered  for  the  coming 
school  year,  bringing  the  total  up 
to  160  students,”  reports  Paxman 
Dean  Wyse  from  Ampipal,  Nepal. 
“We  had  to  build  a porch  along  one 
side  of  the  school  to  accommodate 
the  crowd.  It  shows  that  people 
have  confidence  in  us  here,  that  we 
are  giving  their  children  as  good 
an  education  as  can  be  had  in  this 
country.” 

A team  of  five  Paxmen  serves 
with  the  international  United  Mis- 
sion to  Nepal  in  its  hospital  and 
school  construction  program.  Wyse 
is  stationed  at  a mountain  mis- 
sion outpost  where  he  is  head  car- 
penter for  a Community  Service 
Program  and  has  supervised  the 
building  of  a dispensary  and  a 
school. 

The  development  of  the  school 
project  is  encouraging.  Especially 
significant  is  the  changed  attitude 
of  several  high  caste  men,  who  a 
year  ago  led  a half-hearted  political 
demonstration  against  the  Mission. 
This  year  they  are  registering  their 
boys  for  school. 

Other  villages  in  the  district  are 
requesting  schools,  but  these  can- 
not be  started  because  there  simply 
are  no  teachers.  Realizing  that  the 
only  way  to  get  teachers  is  to  train 
them  locally,  the  mission  director 
has  started  a teacher  training 
school  for  four  students  who  will 
be  placed  in  villages  next  fall.  An- 
other missionary  and  his  family 
have  arrived  at  the  outpost  to  help 
develop  the  agricultural  aspect  of 
the  project. 

CLINICS  FOR  JAVA 

Dr.  Herbert  Friesen  reports  a 
total  of  45,445  clinic  visits  in  1958 


for  the  four  Javanese  Mennonite 
clinics  which  MCC  is  helping  to 
operate  in  the  Pakis  area.  Milk 
distribution  continues  to  be  a much 
needed  program  and  is  carried  out 
on  a large  scale.  However,  it  is  still 
limited  to  families  with  very  small 
children,  pregnant  women,  and  T.B. 
patients. 

RELIEF  SALE 

Proceeds  from  the  Central  Illi- 
nois Inter-Mennonite  Relief  Sale  ex- 
ceeded $4,600,  including  about  $500 
profit  realized  from  the  lunch  stand 
operated  by  the  women  of  the 
churches  of  the  area.  The  sale  was 
a joint  project  of  some  twenty-five 
Mennonite  churches  of  central  Illi- 
nois. 

About  800  people  gathered  at  the 
Angus  Association  Sale  Barn  at 
Congerville,  111.,  March  21  to  buy 
the  more  than  400  items  donated 
for  the  cause  of  MCC  relief.  Items 
sold  included  livestock,  new  and 
used  household  items,  farm  machin- 
ery, hand-made  rugs,  quilts,  fancy 
work,  and  many  miscellaneous  ar- 
ticles. One  hammer  brought  $30 
and  a dozen  cream  puffs  auctioned 
off  at  $25,  giving  some  idea  of  the 
enthusiasm  exhibited  by  those  pres- 
ent. 

Proceedings  began  shortly  after 
10  a.m.  with  a devotional  period  led 
by  Roy  Bucher  of  Metamora,  scrip- 
ture and  prayer  by  Milo  Nussbaum 
of  Morton,  and  special  music  by  a 
men’s  quartet  from  the  Metamora 
Church.  Then  the  auctioning  began. 
A second  ring  was  started  about 
halfway  through  the  six-hour  period 
and  the  last  gavel  was  brought 
down  about  4 p.m.  Leafiets  describ- 
ing the  work  of  the  MCC  relief  pro- 
gram were  distributed  to  those  pres- 
ent throughout  the  day. 

mutual  aid  placement 

Doctor  Wanted— McClusky,  North 
Dakota,  offers  a fine  location  for 
a medical  doctor.  Full  information 
about  this  opportunity  for  an  in- 
tern or  practicing  doctor  may  be 
secured  from  Charles  C.  Buller,  Box 
216,  McClusky,  North  Dakota. 

into  the  beyond 

David  B.  Unruh,  member  of  the 
West  Zion  Church,  Moundridge, 
Kansas,  was  bom  October  17,  1883," 
and  passed  away  March  19,  1959. 


April  14,  1959 


237 


jottings 

MDS  MEETING 

Wayland  Church,  Wayland,  Iowa: 
March  8,  a regional  meeting  of 
Mennonite  Disaster  Service  was  held 
at  the  Eureka  Church  near  Way- 
land  to  discuss  “Ways  of  Improving 
Service  at  a Disaster.”  March  12, 
church  delegates  and  pastors  met 
at  Sugarcreek  Fellowship  Hall  to 
discuss  further  organization  to  in- 
strument a Home  for  the  Aged  in 
this  vicinity.  Delegates  elected  to 
represent  our  congregation  pertain- 
ing to  the  Home  for  the  Aged  are 
C.  E.  Roth,  Jacob  E.  Graber,  Harold 
Rixe,  and  Kenneth  Peterson.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Joseph  Good  celebrated 
their  golden  wedding  anniversary 
with  open  house  on  Feb.  24.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Ed  Eicher  observed  their 
fifty-ninth  wedding  anniversary  on 
Feb.  14.  Recently  the  Evangelaires, 
a Mennonite  men’s  quartet  from 
central  111.,  presented  an  outstand- 
ing program  in  message  and  song. 
'The  Community  Chorus  under  the 
direction  of  Roger  Mazwell,  local 
music  instructor,  presented  a pro- 
gram March  23.  Various  churches 
here  participated  in  Holy  Week 
services.  Communion  was  observed 
Thurs.  evening,  March  26  at  the 
Methodist  Church.  Special  Easter 
services  were  held  March  29  with 
receptian  of  new  members. — Nellie 
M.  Wittmer,  corr. 

SCHWARTZES  SPEAK 
Carlock  Church,  Carlock,  III.:  A 
mothers’  roolh  at  the  rear  of  the 
church  is  nearing  completion.  Dr. 
and  Mrs.  Merle  Schwartz  and  fam- 
ily showed  pictures  and  told  of  the 
mdeical  work  in  the  Congo,  Feb.  1. 
A large  crowd  attended  the  Family 
Night  dinner  and  program  Feb.  25. 
The  program  consisted  of  hynrm 
singing  and  pictures  shown  by  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Arthur  Baum  of  their  re- 
cent trip  to  Europe.  Harry  Yoder 
was  here  in  the  interests  of  Bluff- 
ton  Colleg  ' and  brought  the  morn- 
ing n.essagc  Marcn  1.  'Twelve  new 
members  have  been  received  into 
the  church  membership,  six  by  let- 
ter and  six  by  baptism.  Easter 
services  included  Thurs.  eve  candle- 
light Communion,  union  Good  Fri- 
day service,  young  people’s  Easter 
breakfast,  and  Sun.  evening  Easter 
program  given  by  the  cradle  roll 
dept,  and  junior  and  senior  choirs. 
TALK  ON  ORAIBI 
Lehigh  Church,  Lehigh,  Kan.: 
Jan.  11,  our  Men’s  Fellowship  had 
their  annual  business  meeting  and 
election.  At  the  morning  wor- 
ship service,  the  P.  K.  Duerksens 
brought  the  message  and  showed 


slides  of  their  work  in  Oraibi,  Ariz. 
Feb.  5 the  Men’s  Fellowship  served 
a sausage  and  pancake  supper. 
March  13,  they  were  guests  of  the 
men  of  the  Johannestal  Church. 
March  15-20  Hillsboro  and  Lehigh 
churches  had  pre-Easter  evening 
services  at  the  Friedenstal  Church. 
Lotus  Troyer  from  Meadows,  111., 
was  the  speaker.  March  17  the  West- 
ern Dist.  Women’s  Missionary  meet- 
ing was  held  at  the  First  Church  in 
Hillsboro.  March  22,  a group  from 
Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary  gave 
a program.  On  Good  Friday  morn- 
ing we  observed  Holy  Communion. 
April  5 was  pulpit  exchange  Sunday 
in  our  area. — Mrs.  William  Hiebert. 
RECEPTION  FOR  THIESSENS 
Bethel  Church,  Inman,  Kan.: 
Our  pastor  visited  church  members 
in  Topeka  and  Kansas  City  on  a 
recent  weekend.  John  Thiessen  has 
preached  a few  Sundays  when  our 
pastor  was  away.  A pulpit  exchange 
brought  Curt  Boese  to  us  on  a Sun. 
in  Feb.  Our  S.  S.  attendance  rec- 
ord was  raised  with  a record  at- 
tendance of  401.  The  Men’s  Broth- 
erhood met  recently  with  Milton 
Huxman  of  Hutchinson  as  speaker. 
They  decided  to  serve  breakfast  at 
the  men’s  retreat  at  Mennoscah 
when  they  meet  in  April.  Our  con- 
gregation revised  the  church  con- 
stitution to  enlarge  our  council  from 
seven  to  twelve  members.  The 
Church  Board  arranged  a reception 
for  returned  missionaries  Dr.  and 
Mrs.  Arthur  'Thiessen  and  children 
from  India,  with  a program  after 
which  refreshments  were  served — 
J.  H.  Ediger,  corr. 

“CHURCH  IN  SPACE  AGE” 

First  Church,  Madrid,  Neb.:  Wayne 
Mark  was  bom  March  23  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Harold  Doerksen.  The  Mis- 
sion Society  had  a guest  night  Feb. 
5 at  Mrs.  P.  A.  Regier’s  home,  and 
met  March  5 at  Mrs.  Roy  Krause’s 
home.  Our  pastor’s  wife,  Mrs.  B. 
H.  Janzen,  is  again  able  to  attend 
church  after  a fall  in  which  she 
broke  her  left  wrist  and  shoulder. 
Feb.  sermons  by  our  pastor  dealt 
with  “The  Gates  of  the  Church  in 
the  Space  Age.”  A union  temper- 
ance meeting,  with  Neb.  director 
Jim  Sloane  as  speaker,  was  held  in 
our  church  March  22. — Corr. 
SUNRISE  SERVICE 
Fisrt  Church,  Wadsworth,  Ohio: 
'The  twenty-fourth  annual  Sunrise 
Service  opened  our  Easter  Day  serv- 
ices. Virgil  Gerig,  pastor  of  the 
Oak  Grove  Church,  Smithville,  Ohio, 
presented  the  meditation.  Break- 
fast was  served  by  the  Willing 
Workers  Class,  and  two  worship 
services  were  held.  Ten  members 
were  taken  into  our  fellowship  on 
Good  Friday:  Bob  Baker,  Max  Be- 


heydt,  John  Hosmer,  Steve  Kelle- 
man,  and  Glenda  Riggenbach  by 
baptism;  by  renewal  of  covenant, 
Mrs.  Ellen  Howell;  by  letter  of 
transfer,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Paul  Klas- 
sen  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Howard  C. 
Ludwick.  “The  Glory  of  the  Cross” 
was  the  theme  of  the  Lenten  Serv- 
ices March  1-4  by  Henry  N.  Harder, 
First  Church,  Normal,  lU.  The 
Bluffton  A Cappella  Choir  concert 
was  presented  on  March  20.  Ruth- 
ann  Dirks  and  Abie  Mast,  choir 
members,  were  welcome  guests  in 
their  home  church.  On  April  5 the 
Junior  S.  S.  held  a family  fellow- 
ship with  Bible  stories  acted  out 
by  the  children,  family  activities, 
and  refreshments.  Lester  Hostet- 
ler spoke  to  the  Junior  S.  S.  on 
Easter  morning.  The  Building  Com-  , 
mittee  has  hired  a Supt.  of  Con- 
struction whose  duties  will  begin 
May  1. — Mrs.  Wm.  R.  Straiten,  corr. 
KOINONIA  EXPERIENCES 
Inman  Church,  Inman,  Kans.: 

C.  Conrad  Browne,  from  the  Koino- 
nia  Farm  near  Americas,  Georgia, 
on  March  9 shared  with  us  some  of 
the  experiences  they  have  had  to 
undergo  because  of  their  religious 
convictions.  Koinonia  Farm  has 
suffered  much  violence  and  boycot- 
ting from  white  people  because  of 
the  peaceful  interracial  life  and  tes- 
timony lived  on  the  farm.  Pastor 
Rahn  and  three  members  who  had 
traveled  to  Gulfport  to  work  at  our 
mission  station  there,  reported  and 
showed  pictures  of  their  work  proj- 
ect as  well  as  sharing  their  observa- 
tions and  experiences  enroute,  and 
concerning  race  problems  in  the 
South.  'The  messages  brought  us 
on  Holy  Week  by  Arnold  Epp,  New- 
ton, helped  to  enrich  our  lives  and 
prepare  us  for  a deeper  apprecia- 
tion of  Easter  through  our  Risen 
Lord.  The  Men’s  Brotherhood  spon- 
sored a ten-hour  course  in  First  Aid 
with  Mrs.  Thora  Fry  as  instructor. 
Vernon  Lohrentz,  Elkhart,  Ind., 
brought  us  the  Easter  morning  mes- 
sage. The  Lord  of  the  Eastertide,  , 
a cantata,  was  presented  on  Easter 
evening  by  an  eighty-five-voice  choir 
from  the  Inman  and  Buhler  com- 
munities under  the  direction  of  Leo 
Friesen. — Corr. 

HARDING  SPEAKS 
First  Church  of  Christian,  Mound- 
ridge,  Kan.:  The  Tabor  quartet,  or-  . 
ganized  in  1937  and  composed  by 
Eldon  Schmidt,  Rudy  Woelk,  Jake 
Schmidt,  and  Harvey  Wedel,  pre- 
sented a musical  program  to  our  ■ 
adult  study  group  and  to  the  adult 
group  from  the  West  Zion  Church, 
who  were  our  guests.  'The  West 
Zion  younger  Endeavor  group  were  » 
also  guests  of  our  Juniors  and  In- 
termediates and  presented  a pro- 


238 


THE  MENNONITE 


Ready  For  Rescue 

How  fast  can  a Mennonite  Disas- 
ter Service  rescue  unit  swing  into 
action? 

ITie  answer  came  in  a dramatic 
“dress  rehearsal’’  at  Hesston,  Kan- 
sas, when  at  10:25  p.m.,  April  2,  a 
rescue  unit  leader  began  placing 
the  first  of  eight  key  phone  calls  to 
men  on  his  list.  Same  of  the  men 
were  already  in  bed,  others  had 
just  arrived  home  after  visits,  still 
others  were  at  home  watching  TV. 
The  message  was  simply,  “Please 
report  to  the  plant  (Hesston  Man- 
ufacturing Co.)  for  an  emergency 
practice!”  Four  minutes  later  the 
eight  men  on  the  leader’s  list  had 
been  called. 

At  10:34  p.m.  the  first  man  re- 
sponding to  the  emergency  call  had 
arrived.  One  minute  later  the  sta- 
tion wagon  ambulance  driver  pulled 
up.  Emergency  equipment  prepared 
in  advance,  including  first  aid  sup- 
plies, was  brought  out  and  readied. 
By  10:37  p.m.,  just  twelve  minutes 
after  the  first  phone  call  had  begun, 
fourteen  Mennonites  — Mennonite 
Brethren,  General  Conference  Men- 
nonite, (Old)  Mennonite,  and 
Church  of  God  in  Christ,  Mennonite 
— were  present  and  ready  to  go.  In 
case  of  a real  disaster,  help  would 
have  been  on  the  way  within  min- 
utes of  the  call  for  action. 

The  Rescue  Unit  of  Mennonite 
Disaster  Service  in  Kansas  consists 

gram.  We  were  privileged  to  have 
Vincent  G.  Harding,  associate  pas- 
tor of  the  Woodlawn  Church,  Chi- 
cago, as  guest  speaker  for  our  Un- 
ion Passion  Week  services.  He 
spoke  on  the  general  theme,  “The 
Challenge  of  the  Cross,”  with  ser- 
mons on  “'The  Shadow  of  the 
Cross”  “The  Shape  of  the  Cross” 
“Enemies  of  the  Cross”  “The  Call 
of  the  Cross”  “The  Empty  Cross” 
and  “Taking  Up  the  Cross.”  ’The 
West  Zion  Church  joined  with  our 
church  to  hear  C.  Conrad  Browne, 
co-founder  of  Koinonia  Farm,  speak 
on  the  race  question  in  the  South. 
'The  religious  play  The  Robe  of  the 
Galilean  was  presented  by  our 
Youth  Fellowship  March  22,  and 
again  for  the  Sunrise  Easter  pro- 
gram and  breakfast  for  young  peo- 
ple of  the  West  Zion  and  our  church 
on  Easter  morning.  At  the  Easter 
worship  service.  Pastor  Miller  de- 
livered the  last  of  his  series  of  Len- 
ten sermons  entitled  “The  Sign  of 
His  Presence.” — Corr. 


of  about  twenty  farmers,  mechan- 
ics, factory  workers,  and  housewives 
from  the  Hesston,  Kansas,  area 
who  have  taken  first  aid  training 
for  rescue  work.  The  meeting  place 
is  Hesston  Manufacturing  Com- 
pany, Annex  One,  where  first  aid 
supplies,  blankets,  stretchers, 
sheets,  and  medical  supplies  are  lo- 
cated. 

'Two  men  have  been  designated 
as  contact  men  who,  when  noti- 
fied of  any  disaster  in  the  area, 
will  phone  the  Rescue  Team  for  im- 
mediate action.  Four  of  the  team 
members  have  station  wagons, 
which  can  be  used  as  ambulances 
on  the  disaster  scene.  In  a matter 
of  about  twenty  minutes  from  the 
time  the  men  are  called,  from  two 
to  four  station  wagon  ambulances 
with  five  or  six  men  and  women  in 
each  are  ready  to  leave  for  any 
point  in  Kansas. 

Any  disaster  area  which  has  been 
struck  by  tornado,  fire,  storm,  or 
bombing  needs  transportation  and 
help  for  getting  the  sick  and  the 
dying  to  the  hospitals.  This  unit  has 
been  set  up  so  that  men  can  dig 
out  the  unfortunate,  put  them  on 
stretchers,  and  carry  them  by  sta- 
tion wagon  to  safety.  If  there  are 
women  on  the  team,  they  help  by 
comforting  the  sick  en  route  or  by 
taking  care  of  children. 

About  thirty  Kansas  area  MDS 


men  saw  this  trial  run  of  the  Dis- 
aster Rescue  Unit  after  a meeting 
in  the  Hesston  Mennonite  Church 
on  plans  for  Mennonite  Disaster 
Service  in  1959.  Since  Kansas  is  a 
central  place  of  tornado  activity, 
such  help  is  most  essential.  Up  to 
now  MDS  has  done  mostly  clean-up 
work,  usually  done  a day  or  two 
after  the  disaster,  as  after  the  El 
Dorado  tornado  last  June.  The  Res- 
cue Unit  is  to  minister  immediately 
to  those  who  need  to  be  carried  out 
of  destruction  to  receive  help.  A 
possibility  of  expanding  spiritual 
services  this  year  is  that  of  having 
a Counselor  Director.  It  is  easy  to 
become  so  overwhelmed  with  the 
physical  destruction  that  spiritual 
needs  are  not  met.  Certain  minis- 
ters will  be  designated  to  look  espe- 
cially for  opportunities  of  spiritual 
service,  possibly  in  hospitals  visit- 
ing those  who  are  injured,  contact- 
ing the  ministerial  alliance  of  the 
city  to  see  whether  help  is  needed, 
and  perhaps  also  working  along- 
side doctors  in  a spiritual  way. 

'This  counseling  service  was  one 
of  a number  discussed  for  two  and 
a half  hours  in  the  Hesston  meet- 
ing. A thorough  review  of  pro- 
cedures to  be  followed  in  alerting 
and  activating  volunteers  was  giv- 
en, and  discussion  centered  about 
organization  and  methods  of  meet- 
ing emergency  disaster  needs.  Spe- 
cial attention  was  given  to  rescue 
and  counseling  services.  The  “dress 
rehearsal”  of  the  rescue  unit  cli- 
maxed the  evening’s  meeting. 


Wanted:  Christian  Investments 

We  Need 

$25,000  in  investments  within  six  months. 

We  Offer 

Interest  rates  of  3 ’A  and  4%  on  all  investments;  3V2  % on  invest- 
ments of  five  to  ten  years;  4%  on  money  invested  ten  years  or  more. 
Certificates  of  investment  on  all  money  you  invest. 

Desirable  security  on  all  investments,  including  real  estate  first 
mortgages,  sound  character  loans,  and  the  backing  of  the  Board 
of  Christian  Service. 

We  Invite  You 

To  inquire  about  our  investment  plans. 

To  compare  your  service,  when  money  is  invested  soundly  in  the 
program  of  the  church,  with  merely  commercial  gain. 

To  send  us  your  check  or  money  orders  for  a sound,  Christian  in- 
vestment in  the  brotherhood  of  the  church. 

To  write  to  MUTUAL  AID  SERVICES,  722  Main  Street,  Newton,  Kan. 


April  14,  1959 


239 


conference  notes 

LOOKING  TOWARD 
GENERAL  CONFERENCE 

Through  a maze  of  organizational 
affairs — that’s  how  some  persons 
will  look  to  General  Conference. 
With  the  growth  of  our  co-operative 
activities,  we  are  developing  a com- 
plex organizational  structure — with 
the  rules  of  constitutions  and  by- 
laws, a hierarchy  of  boards  and 
committees,  trained  executive  and 
promotional  secretaries,  with  volu- 
minous reports  and  baffling  budgets 
presented  and  discussed  according 
to  proper  parliamentary  procedures. 


In  looking  to  General  Conference, 
I trust  that  we  shall  always  be 
able  to  see  beyond  these  organiza- 
tional matters.  That  we  shall  al- 
ways see  them  as  merely  tools  for 
our  use.  That  our  conference  of- 
ficers shall  not  be  unduly  encum- 
bered by  them.  'That  the  man  who 
comes  from  his  plowing  in  Kansas 
shall  not  be  frustrated  by  these 
complexities.  That  our  business  ses- 
sions themselves  might  somehow 
be  transformed  into  group  experi- 
ences of  shared  work  and  worship. 
That  we  shall  realize  that  our 
g’rowth  before  God  is  not  measured 
by  organizational  success. 

Let’s  take  time  to  share  and  fel- 
lowship informally  ...  to  sing 
great  hymns  together  ...  to  wor- 
ship our  common  Lord  who  walked 
the  dusty  paths  of  Palestine  in  utter 
simplicity,  healing  those  of  broken 
body  and  spirit. 

Elmer  Neufeld 

CONFERENCE  DISPLAYS 

The  social  room  of  Bluffton  Col- 
lege’s Founders  Hall  will  be  used 
by  the  Boards  and  institutions  of 
the  General  Conference  for  educa- 
tional exhibits  and  displays.  In 
charge  of  this  project  is  a special 
committee  appointed  by  Conference 
executives.  Groups  that  are  not  of- 
ficially related  to  Conference  Boards 
that  wish  to  participate  in  the  ex- 


hibit program  should  make  applica- 
tion before  June  1 to  P.  K.  Regier, 
722  Main  Street,  Newton,  Kansas. 

PEACE  PLAYS  BIBLIOGRAPHY 

The  Board  of  Christian  Service 
has  prepared  a bibliography  of 
peace  plays,  including  a listing  of 
available  and  recommended  peace 
plays,  information  about  play  books 
for  inspection,  descriptions  of  seven 
Mennonite-authored  plays,  and  aids 
for  amateur  productions.  Copies  of 
this  bibliography  may  be  had  from 
the  board  office,  722  Main,  Newton, 
Kansas. 

CHRISTIAN  SERVICE  NEWS 

Copies  of  Christian  Service  News, 
the  quarterly  report  of  current  ac- 
tivities of  the  Board  of  Christian 
Service,  have  been  sent  to  peace  and 
service  representatives  in  Confer- 
ence congregations.  Other  persons 
interested  may  write  for  a copy  to 
the  Board  of  Christian  Service,  722 
Main,  Newton,  Kansas. 

CIM  BOARD  TO  MEET 
IN  NEW  PREMISES 

'The  Congo  Inland  Mission  Board 
v/ill  meet  for  the  first  time  in  its 
new  premises  in  Elkhart,  Ind.,  April 
13  and  14.  Consultation  and  plan- 
ning of  mission  work  in  the  Belgian 
Congo,  Africa,  is  regularly  carried 
on  twice  a year  by  the  associated 
Mennonite  bodies  forming  this 
board:  General  Conference  Menno- 
nite Church,  Evangelical  Mennonite 
Brethren,  and  Evangelical  Menno- 
nite Church. 

Representing  the  Conference  on 
the  Congo  Inland  Mission  Board 
are  S.  F.  Pannabecker,  John  Suder- 
man,  and  Andrew  Shelly.  The  exec- 
utive secretary  is  Hajvey  A.  Driver. 

TYPEWRITER  VERSUS  NEEDLE 

Touring  villages  in  India,  mis- 
sionary Helen  Kornelsen  of  Wat- 
rous,  Sask.,  finds  that  a typewriter 
has  more  functions  than  one.  When 
the  crowd  becomes  too  large  as 
nurse  Esther  Wiebe  (Aberdeen, 
Idaho)  ministers  to  sick  villagers, 
Helen  gets  out  her  typewriter  and 
soon  at  least  a good  share  of  the 
crowd  has  come  to  watch  her.  While 
many  come  only  to  watch  proceed- 
ings, as  many  as  a hundred  in  one 
morning  receive  cholera  injections. 
In  many  Indian  villages  the  only 
care  villagers  get  is  when  mission- 
aries come. 


HYMN  CONTEST 

To  encourage  greater  interest  in 
hymns,  the  General  Conference 
Mennonite  Church  is  sponsoring  a 
hymn  contest  in  connection  with  its 
Centennial  Celebration,  which  is  to 
be  held  at  Bluffton,  Ohio,  August 
12-22,  1959. 

This  year  the  contest  will  be  the 
writing  of  a lyric  (text).  It  is  hoped 
these  contests  will  continue  from 
year  to  year,  when  there  will  also 
be  a contest  of  the  music. 

The  contest  is  open  to  all  who 
wish  to  submit  a text  to  one  of  the 
several  tunes  listed  below.  First, 
second,  and  third  prizes  of  $25,  $15, 
and  $10  are  offered.  Following  are 
contest  regulations: 

® A text  to  be  composed  to  one  of 
the  following  hymn  tunes:  1)  Wom- 
it  Soli  Ich  Dich  Wohl  Loben,  2) 
Mit  Freuden  Zart,  3)  Ringe  Recht, 
4)  Regent  Square  (numbers  511, 
512,  563,  and  402  in  the  Hymnary). 

• Hymn  texts  to  be  typewritten  or 
clearly  written  in  ink,  with  indica- 
tion of  hymn  tune  used. 

• Each  text  to  be  submitted  under 
an  assumed  name  written  at  the 
top  of  the  page.  The  author’s  real 
name  and  address,  along  with  the 
assumed  name,  to  be  enclosed  in  a 
separate  envelope. 

• Each  contestant  shall  send  an 
entry  fee  of  $1.00. 

• Manuscripts  to  be  submitted  not 
later  than  June  1,  1959,  to: 

Hymn  Contest 
722  Main  Street 
Newton,  Kansas 

• All  hymns  become  the  property 
of  the  Contest  Committee,  and  no 
texts  will  be  returned. 

• The  h3unns  to  be  judged  by  the 
Hymn  Society  of  America,  and  their 
decision  in  all  cases  is  final. 

Following  are  some  general  prin- 
ciples which  will  be  used  as  a basis 
of  selection: 

— Poetic  quality  of  the  text,  and  its 
appropriateness  to  the  chosen 
hymn  tune. 

— The  correct  use  and  stress  of 
words  in  the  given  meter. 

— A text  which  recognizes  the  holi- 
ness and  majesty  of  God,  and 
avoids  the  trite  and  familiar. 

— A text  which  has  universal  con- 
notations, but  still  appropriate  to 
the  centennial,  without  being  too 
specific  or  obvious. 


APRIL  21 


1959 


in  this  issue 

Cover 

Photo  by  Luoma 

ARTICLES 

THE  CROSS  AND  THE  RESURRECTION 


By  Albert  Goeddert  243 

GOD'S  GOOD  EARTH 

By  William  Stauffer  244 

CONFERENCE  CENTENNIALS 

By  C.  Krahn  245 

USED  CLOTHING  DRIVE  246 

MOBILE  CLINIC  IN  THE  MOUNTAINS  247 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  242 

Mennonite  Men  248 

Mennonite  Youth 

WITH  CHRIST  ON  CAMPUS  249 

OUR  SCHOOLS  252 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  252 

JOTTINGS  254 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  256 


of  things  to  come 

April  23 — W.  D.  Council  of  Committees, 
First  Church,  McPherson,  Kan. 

April  23-26 — Central  Dist.  Conference, 
Goshen,  Ind. 

April  25-26 — Laymen's  Retreat,  Camp 
Mennoscah 

April  27-May  2 — Faith  and  Life  radio 
speaker;  Walter  Neufeld 

April  30-May  3 — Eastern  Dist.  Conf., 
Schwenksville,  Pa. 

May  3 — Mennonite  Song  Festival,  Me- 
morial Hall,  North  Newton,  Kan., 
at  2:30  p.m. 

May  7 — Ascension  Day 

May  10 — Festival  of  the  Christian  Home 

May  17 — Pentecost 

May  20 — Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary 
alumni  meeting. 

May  24- — Baccalaureate,  Mennonite  Bib- 
lical Seminary 

May  25 — Commencement,  Mennonite 
Biblical  Seminary 

May  29 — Commencement  Day,  Freeman 
Junior  College  and  Academy 

May  29-31 — Missions  Conference,  Sas- 
katoon, Sask. 

June  10-14 — Pacific  District  Conference, 
Barlow,  Oregon 

June  14 — Northern  District  Male  Chorus 
Festival,  Sioux  Falls,  South  Dakota 

June  18-21 — Northern  Dist.  Conf.,  Salem- 
Zion  Church  (North),  Freeman,  S.  D. 

July  4-8 — Canadian  Conference,  Clear- 
brook,  B.  C. 

Aug.  5-12 — Ministers'  and  Church  Work- 
ers’ Retreat,  Camp  Friedenswald, 
Mich, 

Aug.  1 2-20 — General  Conference,  Bluff- 
ton,  Ohio 

Oct.  24-27 — West.  Dist.  Conference 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor,  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors; 

J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Asst.:  Esther  Groves. 
Layout  Consultant;  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  16 


editorials  f 

BRINGING  THE  BIBLE  TO  THE  PEOPLE  The  General 
Report  of  the  American  Bible  Society  for  1958  makes  fascinat-  j 
ing  reading.  As  the  agency  for  fifty-five  denominations,  its  "work 
can  scarcely  keep  up  -with  demands  and  opportunities. 

In  the  United  States  alone  a record  of  9,188,978  copies  of  the  | 
Scriptures  were  distributed  in  1958.  This  included  such  outlets 
as  migrants  who  move  across  America  with  the  crops;  the 
ministry  to  Indians,  where  all  needed  Scriptures  are  furnished  || 
in  Government  Boarding  Schools ; patients  in  hospitals  and  , 
prisoners  in  institutions;  40,000  international  students  studying  I 
in  the  U.  S. ; weekday  released-time  classes ; the  Armed  Forces ; 
and  also  the  distribution  by  volunteer  workers  in  various  com-  I 
munity  projects.  j 

The  distribution  of  Bibles  overseas  keeps  growing.  In  Latin  ' 
America  alone  3,374,399  volumes  were  distributed.  In  Europe 
the  American  Bible  Society  co-operates  with  local  Bible  Societies. 
There  is  renewed  interest  in  France.  In  the  Middle  East  a re- 
vision of  the  Arabic  Bible  is  under  way.  In  Africa,  Scriptures  are 
distributed  in  twenty-seven  languages.  In  India  opportunities 
for  Scripture  distribution  are  staggering:  the  whole  Bible  is  ’ 
available  in  twenty-four  languages,  the  New  Testament  in  forty 
additional  languages,  and  Gospel  portions  in  fifty-seven  more.  | 
An  effort  is  made  to  supply  a Bible  in  every  Christian  home.  i 

Important  distributions  are  also  made  in  Thailand,  in  the 
Philippines,  and  out  of  Hong  Kong.  In  Japan  last  year  the  circu- 
lations of  Scriptures  was  1,886,395.  In  a non-Christian  country  ' 
where  almost  everyone  old  enough  can  read,  the  Bible  is  be- 
coming the  book  of  the  people. 

Besides  all  this  work  of  distribution  around  the  world,  the 
American  Bible  Society  sent  out  to  the  Blind  a total  of  61,396 
volumes  and  Talking  Book  records. 

There  are  increasing  demands  made  upon  the  Bible  Society.  i 
Forty-seven  million  persons  are  born  into  the  world  every  year;  J 
literacy  is  rising;  the  value  of  the  dollar  is  decreasing.  Here  is  I 
a great  interdenominational  work  of  tremendous  influence  a-  | 
round  the  world.  It  is  worthy  of  our  generous  support.  j 

SHOULD  NUCLEAR  TESTS  BE  DISCONTINUED?  On 
March  26,  Senator  Hubert  H.  Humphrey  of  Minnesota  submitted  , 
a resolution  to  the  United  States  Senate  calling  upon  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Senate  to  “continue  to  negotiate  for  an  international  ] 
agreement  for  the  suspension  of  nuclear  weapons  tests,”  and 
suggesting  that  the  President  submit  to  the  Soviet  Government 
the  contents  of  the  resolution  and  ask  that  it  also  be  transmitted 
to  the  Soviet  people,  so  that  leaders  and  people  alike  might  know  ^ 
of  the  desire  of  the  American  people  for  an  effective  and  reliable 
agreement  for  the  discontinuance  of  nuclear  weapon  tests. 

In  the  preface  to  the  resolution.  Senator  Humphrey  states  that  j 
an  agreement  to  discontinue  such  tests  would  ease  world  ten- 
sions and  be  a significant  step  toward  the  control  and  reduction 
of  armaments.  We  sincerely  hope  this  resolution  receives  the  - 
attention  and  action  it  deserves. 


242 


THE  MENNONITE  ^ 


The  Cross  and  the  Resurreetion 


i 

I 


Albert  Gaeddert* 

\ 

Two  of  the  outstanding  events 
in  history  have  had  their  an- 
niversary observances:  Good  Friday 
and  Easter.  In  the  church  year  they 
are  richly  observed,  as  rightly  they 
should  be,  for  they  are  two  of  the 
I main  foci  of  the  Christian  faith. 

The  two  are  close  together  in 
time  with  only  one  day  between, 
while  in  the  nature  of  the  events 
they  are  quite  opposite  from  one  an- 
other. It  is  quite  beside  the  point  to 
argue  which  of  the  two  is  of  greater 
signficance,  for  both  are  necessary 
and  essential  parts  of  the  program 
of  God.  Both  the  cross  and  the  res- 
urrection are  essential  for  the  Chris- 
tian life:  the  cross  is  the  crowning 
act  of  God  in  the  program  of  re- 
deeming man  and  reconciling  man 
unto  himself;  while  the  resurrec- 
tion is,  as  Paul  says,  the  victory 
and  triumph  of  life  over  sin  and 
death. 

The  cross  is  the  symbol  most 
widely  used  by  the  Christian 
church.  Altars  inside  the  church  of- 
ten have  placed  upon  them  the  cross 
in  the  center;  worship  centers  are 
built  around  the  cross;  and  tall 
steeples  wear  the  cross  on  their 
pinnacles.  Its  upright  beam  is 
symbolic  of  the  vertical  communi- 
cation of  God  with  man:  of  man’s 
earnest  desire  to  reach  God  and  of 
God’s  grace  coming  down  to  meet 
man’s  need.  'The  horizontal  beam 
speaks  of  the  boundless  love  of  God 
stretched  forth  to  encompass  man 
in  His  outreach  of  love,  and  it  sym- 
bolizes also  the  outreach  of  love 
(Agape)  and  concern  of  the  follow- 
er of  Christ  for  his  fellow  men. 

The  cross  is  also  at  once  the  pic- 
ture of  man’s  inhumanity  to  man 
and  of  the  forgiving  love  of  God. 
Here  man  is  at  his  worst:  his  bigo- 
try, his  closed  mind  dead  set  against 
any  attempt  to  understand,  his  en- 
vy and  jealousy  whipped  up  to  an 
uncontrolled  frenzy  of  hate.  His  bas- 
er self  takes  over  and  is  not  satisfied 


‘Pastor,  Hoffnungsau  Church,  Inman,  Kan. 

April  21,  1959 


until  he  has  done  away  with  Him 
in  whom  was  truth  and  love  and 
understanding  personified.  Here  re- 
venge and  hatred  and  wickedness 
won  out,  and  forgiveness,  out-going 
love,  and  the  will  of  God  was  put  to 
death,  close  upon  the  prayer  of  for- 
giveness uttered  by  the  One  who 
was  nailed  to  the  Cross,  “Father, 
forgive  them,  for  they  know  not 
what  they  do.’’ 

The  cross  is  the  expression  of  love 
that  goes  all  the  way,  that  is  ready 
to  forgive  in  the  face  of  the  vilest 
wrong,  that  does  not  exert  any 
effort  to  save  itself  but  is  ready  to 
go  all  the  way  to  save  others.  Here 
is  love  at  its  highest  and  deepest, 
its  widest  and  broadest:  here  is  the 
climax  of  love! 

At  the  same  time,  here  is  also 
darkness  at  its  darkest.  The  sun 
hid  its  face  from  the  ugly  spec- 
tacle. Discouragement  must  have 
been  at  its  zenith  for  those  who 
were  followers  of  Christ.  It  must 
have  seemed  that  the  bottom  had 
dropped  out,  and  that  all  hopes 
were  shattered.  The  expression 
made  by  the  two  who  went  to  Em- 
maus  expresses  the  frustration  of 
His  followers:  “We  hoped  it  was 
he  which  should  redeem  Israel.” 
That  day  and  the  day  following 
must  have  been  the  very  essence 
of  the  triumph  of  evil  and  the  de- 
feat of  all  that  was  good. 

But  under  God,  this  could  not  be 
the  end.  Sin  and  death  are  not  the 
last  words  with  God.  “In  him  was 
life,  and  that  life  was  the  light  of 
men,”  says  John.  “The  Light  still 
shines  in  the  darkness,  and  the 
darkness  has  never  put  it  out”  (J.  B. 
Phillips).  John  wrote  this  after 
Easter,  and  how  very  real  must 
have  been  this  triumph  of  Life! 
Darkness,  sin,  death,  and  the  grave 
— all  these  were  not  the  final  word! 
On  Easter  Sunday  came*the  victory 
of  life  over  death,  the  triumph  of 
good  over  evil!  Here  was  the  break- 
ing forth  of  a power  stronger  than 
any  other  force!  While  it’s  true  that 


sin  has  a mighty  grip,  and  can  en- 
slave a person  beyond  the  power 
of  his  own  will  to  break,  yet  here 
is  manifest  a power  far  greater  and 
more  powerful  than  sin.  The  bonds 
of  sin  dissolve  before  the  mighty 
rays  of  love  and  life  that  break  the 
bonds  of  death  and  burst  forth  to 
life! 

Death,  which  has  a way  of  put- 
ting to  an  end  the  physical  powers 
of  man,  was  here  made  captive  and 
was  overcome  by  life.  Death  is  no 
longer  the  end — life  is  the  final  out- 
come for  the  believer.  'The  Apostle 
fairly  bursts  forth  with  the  triumph- 
ant victory  call:  “O  death  where  is 
thy  sting?  O grave  where  is  thy 
victory?  . . . but  thanks  be  to  God, 
who  gives  us  the  victory  through 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.” 

We  have  again  observed  the  an- 
niversary of  these  two  great  events 
in  history.  Have  we  seen  the  strug- 
gle here  involved?  Have  we  caught 
their  meaning? 


A Prayer 

Lead,  Thou  gentle  Jesus, 
Through  our  periled  way. 

Light  our  faltering  footsteps 
Lest  we  go  astray. 

Keep  our  thoughts,  dear  Jesus, 
Pure  from  spot  or  blight’. 

Let  Thy  love  pervading 
Be  our  sole  delight. 

When  the  storm  of  trial 
Would  o’erwhelm  with  pain, 

Jesus,  walk  beside  us. 

Comfort  and  sustain. 

Faith  and  hope  are  given 
From  Thy  stores  of  grace; 

Jesus,  Thou  art  with  us 
In  our  commonplace. 

— Harold  Duller 


243 


God’s 


Good 


Earlh 


William  Stauffer 


WHAT  is  happening  to  the  rest 
of  America  is  also  happening 
to  us.  Our  communities  and  church- 
es are  no  longer  more  or  less  closed, 
isolated,  divorced  from  the  world  as 
they  may  have  been  a generation 
or  two  ago.  We  are  in  the  midst  of 
an  agricultural  and  social  revolu- 
tion so  close  to  us  that  we  can’t 
see  the  woods  for  the  trees. 

Our  Mennonite  young  folks  are 
leaving  our  communities  and  farms 
almost  in  the  same  proportions  eis 
is  the  case  among  other  groups,  and 
they  are  settling  in  our  cities  and 
suburbs.  The  vocation  decides  the 
location.  In  most  of  our  cities  they 
are  quite  scattered,  and  we  have 
waited  too  long  to  effectively  bring 
them  together.  Our  awakening  to 
the  need  and  the  opportunities  on 
the  home  front  have  come  none  too 
soon.  Home  missions  in  our  Con- 
ference is  moving  out  of  the  step- 
child stage,  and  along  with  church 
extension  promises  to  be  one  of  the 
most  fruitful  fields  of  endeavor  in 
the  years  immediately  ahead. 

In  the  midst  of  all  this  change 
and  turmoil,  let  us  not  overlook 
those  who  remain  on  the  land.  We 
farmers  are  now  only  about  10% 
of  the  population.  But  let’s  not  for- 
get that  we  are  the  envy  of  the 


rest  of  the  world.  In  Russia  it  takes 
50%  of  the  population  to  farm, 
and  they  would  give  their  right 
arms  to  equal  our  ten.  I recently 
saw  John  Strom’s  color  pictures  of 
present  day  China.  It  takes  most  of 
their  teeming  millions  to  keep  them 
from  starving,  while  10%  of  us  glut 
the  market  even  after  we  have 
eaten  more  than  is  good  for  us. 
Surplus  is  a problem,  but  it  is  noth- 
ing compared  to  what  scarcity  would 
be.  What  is  it  worth  to  an  economy 
like  ours  to  have  10%  and  less  so 
abundantly  provide  for  all? 

Of  course,  we  are  creating  other 
problems.  At  the  rate  at  which  we 
are  removing  land  permanently 
from  production  through  highways, 
airports,  subdivision,  schools,  fac- 
tories, and  at  the  rate  we  are  care- 
lessly using  so  much  of  the  rest 
of  our  land,  our  growing  popula- 
tion and  increased  wants  are  bound 
to  catch  up  with  us. 

It  is  my  observation  that  Menno- 
nites  are  harder  to  convince  of 
stewardship  responsibilities  than 
many  others.  This  is  a rather  seri- 
ous indictment,  and  I make  it  sober- 
ly and  thoughtfully.  Maybe  Bishop 
McConnell  was  right  when  he  said 
that  it  is  true  that  the  meek  shall 
inherit  the  earth  but  that  the  trou- 
ble begins  when  the  meek  start 
inheriting.  Maybe  Kermit  Eby  was 
right  when  he  recently  said  to  a 
friend  that  the  Anabaptists  were 
able  to  withstand  and  seemingly 
thrive  on  persecution,  hardship,  dep- 
rivation, and  ridicule,  but  that  there 
is  one  thing  which  their  followers 
can’t  seem  to  stand  and  that  is  re- 
spectability. 

Mennonites  occupy  some  of  the 
best  land  in  America.  We  have  be- 
come landed  and  wealthy.  Perhaps 
we  are  too  well  off  to  be  much  con- 
cerned with  a genuine  sense  of  stew- 
ardship of  God’s  earth.  We  have  the 
reputation  of  being  among  the  best 
farmers  in  the  country.  However, 
we  don’t  farm  nearly  so  well  as  our 
reputation  implies.  We  have  suc- 
ceeded in  covering  many  poor  prac- 
tices with  an  abundance  of  manure. 

The  Bible  says,  “In  the  beginning 
God  created  the  heaven  and  the 
earth.’’  In  the  beginning  all  was 


God’s.  He  created  man  and  com- 
manded him  to  dress  and  to  keep 
the  holy  earth,  to  “be  fruitful,  and 
multiply,  and  replenish  the  earth,’’ 
Moses  spoke  freely  of  the  abundance  ; 
of  the  Promised  Land.  But  he  also 
reminded  the  Israelites  of  what 
would  overtake  them  if  they  failed  ( 
to  exercise  a proper  stewardship,  i 
The  Chosen  People  lived  well  for 
years.  In  Solomon’s  day  there  was 
luxury  and  abundance.  But  their 
careless  denuding  of  the  mountains  )| 
of  Lebanon  ultimately  resulted  in  a 
desolation  just  as  the  prophets  had  ; 
warned.  The  return  of  the  Jews  to  | 
the  Holy  Land  is  doomed  to  fail- 
ure for  the  simple  reason  that  there  I 
is  no  top  soil  with  which  to  feed  t 
them.  j 

As  I think  of  what  I have  seen  in  | 
Mennonite  agriculture,  I think  of  1 
our  Conference  budget.  If  we  were  , 
to  take  the  total  budget  and  divide  ! 
that  amount  by  the  acreage  of  our  j 
Mennonite  farms,  and  then  tax  each  I 
landholder  or  occupier  with  a pro-  j 
portionate  amount  we  would  really  ■ 
raise  the  roof!  As  a matter  of  fact, 
however,  we  are  giving  more  than  j' 
that  would  add  up  to,  in  plant  food  • 
and  salt  in  the  form  of  wind  and  ;j 
water  and  soil  erosion  to  the  Gulf 
of  Mexico  annually.  One  lake  was  j 
tested  in  the  heart  of  some  of  the 
richest  Mennonite  agricultural  land, 
in  America.  Since  it  was  built,  the 
erosion  of  plant  food  alone  per  acre 
in  the  watershed  has  amounted  to 
$4.64  deposited  in  the  bottom  of  the 
lake  annually.  Multiply  that  amount  i 
by  our  total  acreage  and  see  what  j 
we  carelessly  throw  away!  j 

It  is  much  later  than  we  think. 

As  a people  who  proclaim  that  the 
Bible  is  our  rule  of  life  in  faith  and 
practice,  is  it  not  high  time  that  we 
consider  the  whole  Bible?  I believe 
that  the  church  and  her  leadership 
is  most  at  fault  in  not  proclaiming 
from  the  pulpit  that  anyone  who  is 
a poor  or  careless  steward  of  God’s  || 
holy  earth  is  guilty  of  sin  as  griev-  | 
ous  in  the  eyes  of  God  as  are  many 
of  the  sins  which  we  have  so  eager- 
ly denounced.  If  all  of  this  is  of 
little  concern  to  us,  it  will  be  of  first 
concern  to  our  children  or  children’s  ( 
children — for  sheer  survival! 


t 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church. 
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244 


THE  MENNONITE 


We  are  approaching  three 

Conference  Centennials 


Cornelius  Krahn* 


The  years  1959  and  1960  mark 
significant  milestones  in  the 
history  of  a number  of  Mennonite 
conferences.  One  hundred  years  ago 
John  Holdeman  in  Ohio  started  a 
church  within  the  Mennonite  broth- 
erhood which  has  grown  to  a sub- 
stantial conference  and  has  found 
followers  in  Kansas,  Manitoba,  and 
other  places.  The  Church  of  God  in 
Christ,  Mennonite,  as  it  is  called, 
has  an  active  missionary  program 
and  can  look  back  on  a hundred 
years  of  witness  and  make  plans 
for  the  future. 

It  will  be  a hundred  years  ago 
in  1960  that  a revival  among  the 
Mennonites  in  Russia  caused,  among 
other  things,  the  founding  of  the 
Mennonite  Brethren  and  later  the 
Krimmer  Mennonite  Brethren 
churches.  During  these  hundred 
years  they  have  growm  and  spread 
in  Russia  and  North  and  South 
America  and  have  a large  mission- 
ary program  in  various  countries. 

It  was  also  a hundred  years  ago 
that  Mennonites  of  America,  at  that 
time  primarily  of  Swiss  and  South 
German  backgrounds,  awakened 
and  began  activities  to  promote  the 
cause  of  Christ  and  the  church 
more  effectively.  The  zeal  and  the 
testimony  of  the  Anabaptists  of 
the  sixteenth  century  had  in  Europe 
already  been  exchanged  for  with- 
drawal and  life  in  seclusion.  The 
challenge  of  the  day  a hundred 
years  ago  made  some  leaders  and 
congregations  realize  that  they  had 
to  unite  in  order  to  promote  and 
spread  the  gospel  at  home  and  a- 
broad. 

The  Beginning 

John  H.  pberholtzer  started  work 
along  these  lines  in  Pennsylvania. 
Daniel  Hoch  started  similar  work 
in  Ontario.  The  newly  arrived  Men- 
nonites from  South  Germany  in 
West  Point,  Iowa,  and  other  groups 
felt  the  need  for  a union  of  like- 
minded  congregations  to  strength- 


*Faculty,  Bethel  College;  Director,  Men- 
nonite Historical  Library;  Editor,  MEN- 
NONITE LIFE. 


en  Christian  efforts.  They  took  in- 
itial steps  along  these  lines  in  1859. 

On  May  28  and  29,  1860,  a few 
congregations,  under  the  leadership 
of  John  H.  Oberholtzer  and  Chris- 
tian Schowalter,  met  and  organized 
a conference.  They  formed  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  of  the  Mennonite 
Church  of  North  America,  an  effort 
to  bring  Mennonite  congregations 
together  on  a common  basis  in  or- 
der to  make  Christian  witness  more 
effective.  Among  their  more  ambi- 
tious resolutions  was  one  stating 
that  all  branches  of  Mennonites 
should  extend  to  each  other  the 
hand  of  fellowship  regardless  of 
minor  differences. 

Training  Messengers 

The  main  reason  for  this  need  for 
fellowship  was  the  realization  that 
the  churches  had  a responsibility 
to  promote  the  gospel  and  that  each 
group  and  congregation  alone  was 
unable  to  accomplish  this  task.  They 
realized  the  need  for  a better 
trained  ministry  and  the  responsi- 
bility to  send  out  missionaries.  This 
led  them  to  establish  the  first  Men- 
nonite Conference  school  in  Wads- 
worth, Ohio,  in  1863.  During  the 
existence  of  this  school,  many  Chris- 
tian workers  were  prepared  and 
sent  out.  Mission  work  among  In- 
dian Americans  and  in  India  was 
soon  started.  Since  then  this  work 
has  spread  and  there  is  hardly  any 
Mennonite  group  or  congregation 
today  that  does  not  have  an  out- 
reach program. 

Another  area  in  which  new  ef- 
forts were  developed  in  addition  to 
education  and  missions  was  in  the 
realm  of  publication.  John  Ober- 
holtzer himself  started  the  first 
Mennonite  church  paper  in  America 
when  he  published  the  Religidser 
Botschafter  (Religious  Messenger) 
in  1852.  He  also  published  a booklet 
to  help  Sunday  school  teachers  in 
their  work.  The  Sunday  school,  now 
taken  for  granted,  was  introduced 
to  the  Mennonites  a hundred  years 
ago  and  was  only  reluctantly  ac- 


cepted in  many  circles. 

Challenge  of  Our  Day 

When  the  various  Mennonite 
groups  and  conferences  observe 
their  centennials,  they  will  not  do 
so  with  pride  in  what  they  have 
achieved  and  the  feeling  of  how 
much  more  fully  they  do  God’s  will 
than  their  forefathers,  but  with  hu- 
mility and  realization  of  how  much 
has  been  left  undone  to  this  day. 
Our  forefathers,  in  their  day  of 
isolation,  pioneering,  and  limited 
facilities,  may  have  done  relatively 
more  than  we  do  in  our  day  with 
our  awakened  conscience,  unlimited 
possibilities  and  facilities,  and  com- 
parative prosperity.  We  cannot  com- 
memorate without  feeling  gratitude 
toward  those  who  have  transmitted 
to  us  a rich  Christian  heritage,  and 
without  determination  to  apply  it 
more  fuUy  in  our  daily  life  as  in- 
dividuals, churches,  and  conferences. 

The  General  Conference  Menno- 
nite Church  for  a number  of  years 
has  been  preparing  for  the  observ- 
ance of  its  centennial.  A special 
Centennial  Committee  is  working 
in  a number  of  areas.  The  centen- 
nial will  be  commemorated  on  Aug- 
ust 16,  1959,  during  Sunday  school 
discussion  and  in  worship  services 
in  all  congregations.  At  the  Con- 
ference sessions  at  Bluffton  this 
Sunday  will  be  the  climax,  starting 
with  the  Centennial  Sunday  wor- 
ship and  Sunday  school  classes.  In 
the  afternoon  the  centennial  pag- 
eant will  be  presented  in  Founders 
Hall  of  Bluffton  College.  Parallel 
to  it  will  be  a lecture  dealing  with 
the  centennial  theme.  This  same 
program  will  be  repeated  in  the 
evening.  Choirs  will  help  make 
this  a challenge  and  worthwhile 
experience. 

Let  us  prepare  ourselves  for  these 
commemorations  in  a special  way, 
so  that  God  will  be  able  to  reveal 
to  us  through  Jesus  Christ  and  His 
Word  more  fully  His  forgiving 
grace  and  the  tasks  that  lie  before 
us  as  Christians. 


April  21,  1959 


245 


Used  Clothing  Drive 


In  1958  nearly  243  tons  of  used 
clothing  were  contributed  to  MCC. 
Since  the  need  has  not  diminished, 
1959  presents  further  opportunities 
for  sharing.  Children  are  still  rag- 
ged, hungry,  and  homeless;  thou- 
sands still  die  from  malnutrition,  ex- 
posure, and  disease.  Providing  cloth- 
ing for  the  poor  is  one  way  in  which 
Mennonite  churches  can  relieve  suf- 
fering. Clean,  serviceable  garments 
given  in  compassion  to  Arab  refu- 
gees, Korean  orphans,  Hong  Kong 
mothers,  and  countless  others,  tell 
of  the  love  of  Christ. 

Mrs.  Robert  D.  Fisher  tells  of  a 
used  clothing  drive  in  Iowa  City: 

IT  ALL  STARTED  one  day  at  one 
of  our  regular  WMSA  meetings. 
We  were  discussing  the  used  cloth- 
ing drive  that  MCC  was  sponsoring, 
and  the  article  in  the  Women’s  Ac- 
tivities Letter  concerning  the  need 
for  used  garments.  What  could  our 
small  group  do?  We  had  all  been 
contributing  used  clothing  when- 
ever we  had  any  of  our  own  to 
bring. 

Our  group  has  only  four  sewing 
machines,  so  while  four  women  sew 
the  remainder  quilt  comforters.  In 
one  day’s  work  we  don’t  have  much 
to  show  for  our  labors — perhaps 
four  dresses  and  a finished  comfort- 
er. Could  we  do  more  by  staging  a 
clothing  drive  in  the  city  and  proc- 
essing this  clothing  for  relief?  We 
decided  to  try  it,  so  the  following 
article  was  sent  to  the  Press  Citizen 
to  appear  twice: 

“A  drive  to  collect  used  cloth- 
ing for  overseas  relief  has  been 
launched  locally  by  the  Iowa 
City  unit  of  the  Women’s  Mis- 
sionary and  Service  Auxiliary 
of  the  Menn.  Church.  Clothing 
with  at  least  six  months  wear 
is  being  accepted  from  6:30  to 
8:00  p.m.  this  week  and  next 
week  at  the  Mennonite  Church, 
614  Clark  St.  The  church  group 
will  pick  up  clothing  at  homes 
if  the  donors  call  6138.  Articles 
of  clothing  will  be  sent  through 
the  channels  of  the  church  re- 
lief organization,  the  Menno- 
nite Central  Committee.” 

We  also  bought  a $1  advertise- 


ment on  station  KXIC  which  gave 
the  same  information.  The  ad  paid 
for  one  announcement,  but  it  was 
repeated  three  times  at  no  extra 
cost.  WSUI  also  gave  the  same  an- 
nouncement once  or  twice  without 
charge. 

Two  women  were  asked  to  be  at 
the  church  each  evening  during  the 
hours  specified — and  then  clothing 
began  to  pour  in.  At  6138,  the  home 
of  our  evening  president,  numerous 
calls  came  in  as  well.  Station  wag- 
on loads  of  boxes  v/ere  collected  and 
brought  to  the  church. 

The  next  regular  meeting  was 
spent  in  going  through  some  of  the 
boxes — sorting,  mending,  making  de- 
cisions. Clean  and  serviceable  things 
were  packed  into  big  boxes.  ’Those 
needing  repair  were  piled  up  sepa- 
rately and  the  women  spent  the  day 
mending  by  machine  and  by  hand. 
Some  lovely  garments  came  in  with- 
out buttons — the  owner  had  evident- 
ly cut  them  all  off  before  sending 
the  clothes.  This  meant  sewing  on 
new  ones.  Some  clothes  needed 
washing,  others  needed  dry  clean- 
ing, shoes  needed  polishing.  A box 
was  started  for  the  Salvation  Army 
and  another  for  the  Press  Citizen, 
which  had  advertised  for  soft  cot- 
ton rags.  There  was  also  a pile 
that  we  felt  would  make  a good 
bonfire — there  was  too  much  evi- 
dence of  moth  infestation. 

A letter  was  sent  to  MCC  head- 
quarters to  inquire  if  a truck  could 
come  and  pick  up  the  clothing.  To 


our  surprise  a telegram  came  in 
reply  stating  that  the  MCC  truck 
was  leaving  on  its  customary  route 
and  would  stop  by  the  following 
Tuesday  or  Wednesday.  A special 
meeting  was  called  Monday  eve- 
ning. More  clothes  had  arrived  in 
the  meantime  and  the  presidents 
were  overjoyed  to  see  so  many 
women  turn  out. 

Sorting,  m.ending,  pressing,  shoe- 
shining  continued.  About  fifty  gar- 
ments had  been  taken  to  be  dry 
cleaned  (not  pressed).  When  the 
manager  discovered  where  they 
were  going,  he  did  the  work  below 
cost  and  hung  each  garment  on  a 
hanger  that  it  should  not  become 
wrinkled.  When  the  evening  was 
over,  we  had  732  pounds  of  used 
clothing,  including  a big  box  of 
shoes,  ready  for  shipping. 

On  Wednesday  morning  the  truck 
arrived  and  picked  up  our  boxes, 
leaving  us  to  refiect  on  the  value 
of  our  efforts.  Having  spent  a term 
in  relief  work  myself  in  connection 
with  clothing  distributions,  I could 
see  in  my  mind  groups  of  poverty 
stricken  people  coming  to  look  at 
the  coats,  suits,  dresses,  and  chil- 
dren’s garments  we  had  collected, 
and  I knew  it  was  worth  every  bit 
of  work  and  expense  that  had  been 
involved.  We  may  think  we  have 
given  liberally  in  this  drive,  but  we 
could  give  again  and  again  and 
still  be  rich  compared  to  those  who 
will  receive  these  garments. 

Editor’s  Note:  Clothing  continued 
to  pour  in  at  the  Iowa  City  Menno- 
nite Church  for  days.  The  WMSA 
contributed  almost  half  a ton  of 
serviceable  garments  to  MCC  all 
told.  —MCC 


Faith-filled  Heart 

Refuse  to  let  the  many  cares  of  day 
Subdue  your  spirit,  make  you  cringe  and  fret, 

But  think  of  Christ,  the  wise  words  He  would  say 
To  bring  serenity;  make  you  forget 
The  big  and  little  things  that  irk,  and  press 
Upon  you  as  the  hours  pass  by.  Perhaps 
He  quietly  would  raise  His  hand  to  bless  you 
With  new  strength  that  prudently  enwraps 
A timid  soul  and  keeps  it  strong  enough 
To  meet  life’s  problems  with  courageous  mind. 

Although  the  path  be  steep,  exhausting,  rough, 

Christ’s  unseen  presence — understanding,  kind — 

Smooths  your  harsh  way,  helps  you  to  do  your  part 
By  challenging  each  care  with  faith-filled  heart. 

— Bertha  R.  Hudelson 


246 


THE  MENNONITE 


Alvm  T.  Friesen  (left)  and  Taiwanese  dentist,  Mr.  Avoy  (right),  serving  Amis  people. 


Mobile  Clinic  in  the  Mountains 


UP  AND  DOWN  the  long,  moun- 
tainous island  of  Taiwan  (For- 
mosa) goes  a mobile  clinic  which 
is  an  arm  of  the  Mennonite  Chris- 
tian Hospital  at  Milun,  Hualien.  At 
times  the  clinic  travels  by  train,  at 
others  it  follows  rough  roads  and 
fords  rivers  in  a four-wheel-drive 
Dodge  Power  Wagon  truck,  and  at 
still  other  times  clinic  staff  and  sup- 
plies move  by  foot  over  steep  and 
slippery  trails,  skirting  any  land- 
slide, to  reach  remote  mountain 
villages  that  the  sick  may  have 
help. 

The  mobile  clinic  generally  con- 
sists of  a doctor,  a nurse,  a dentist, 
an  interpreter,  and  clinic  leader- 
MCC  worker  Roy  Habecker.  When- 
ever possible,  doctors  are  Menno- 
nite Christian  Hospital  personnel 
(Peter  J.  Pankratz  and  Alvin  T. 
Friesen  served  on  trips  in  1958) ; 
when  these  are  not  available,  doc- 
tors are  borrowed  from  other  mis- 
sion groups  or  other  places.  Tai- 
wanese nurses  interpret  for  the  pa- 
tients in  Japanese  or  the  tribe’s  lan- 
guage. The  dentists  are  Taiwanese 
also,  as  are  the  interpreters,  who 
can  speak  English,  Japanese,  Chi- 
nese, and  Taiwanese. 

In  the  first  three  months  of  1958, 
the  mobile  clinic  worked  along  Tai- 
wan’s southeastern  coast,  reaching 
Amis  tribes  people.  It  stayed  one 
to  two  days  in  each  village,  dis- 
pensing worm  treatment  and  treat- 
ing tuberculosis,  skin  diseases,  ane- 
mia, and  minor  complaints. 

After  April  the  clinic  returned  to 


Hualien  because  there  was  no  mon- 
ey to  continue.  When  Church  World 
Service  helped  out  with  funds  and 
some  medicines,  the  work  resumed 
for  a few  weeks.  Now  the  mobile 
clinic  charges  a fee  of  about  six 
cents  in  U.  S.  currency  for  every 
patient  examined,  which  helps  a 
little.  In  the  budget  submitted  to 
the  Board  of  Missions  for  1959,  the 
mobile  clinic  has  requested  funds 
which,  if  made  available  through 
our  giving,  will  insure  a good  mo- 
bile clinic  in  1959. 

In  May  the  clinic  went  to  Orchid 
Island  (see  August  12  issue  of  The 
Mennonite)  to  do  medical  and  evan- 
gelistic work  among  the  most  prim- 
itive of  all  Taiwanese  tribes.  All  six 
of  the  island’s  villages  were  visited, 
and  about  half  of  the  population  ex- 
amined and  treated. 

This  past  summer  and  fall  the 
clinic  worked  among  Amis  and  Ta- 
roka  tribes  in  Hualien  County, 
driving  out  from  Milun  in  the  truck 
after  giving  advance  notice  of  the 
visit.  Before  examining  patients  in 
the  local  protestant  church  (where 
there  is  more  room  to  work)  or  in 
a Christian’s  home,  a short  serv- 
ice is  held,  with  team  members  tak- 
ing turns  preaching. 

Altogether,  forty-seven  villages 
were  visited  in  1958  in  Hualien  and 
Taitung  counties,  and  the  mobile 
clinic’s  doctors  examined  and  treat- 
ed 8,159  patients.  'This  does  not  in- 
clude the  dental  work  done. 

On  one  occasion,  while  the  truck 
was  being  repaired,  the  mobile  clin- 


ic used  a doctor’s  four-wheel-dirve 
jeep  station  wagon.  There  had  been 
a great  deal  of  rain  and  roads  were 
rough  and  muddy.  Covering  the 
jeep’s  distributor,  clinic  personnel 
drove  it  across  rivers  when  neces- 
sary, until  the  last  river  they  had 
to  cross  proved  just  too  much  and 
the  vehicle  quit  running.  Eventually 
a passing  truck  driver  hauled  out 
the  jeep  with  a strong  rope.  An- 
other wait  till  things  dried  off,  and 
tha  clinic  was  on  its  way  home. 

Relief  distribution  is  also  a part 
of  the  mobile  clinic  leader’s  respon- 
sibility. Milk  feeding  stations  a- 
mong  the  tribes  villages  receive  U.S. 
surplus  milk  powder,  and  needy  peo- 
pel  are  given  new  and  used  clothing, 
soap,  garden  seeds,  school  supplies, 
Christmas  bundles,  vitamins,  fiour, 
baby  layettes,  new  bedding,  mate- 
rial, and  meat  from  Taiwan 
Church  World  Service  and  the 
Mennonite  Central  Committee. 
Grateful  tribes  people,  who  are 
quite  poor,  have  on  occasion  shown 
their  gratitude  by  bringing  a gift  of 
chicken,  oranges,  or  beans,  even 
though  it  is  a sacrifice  for  them  to 
give. 

“These  people  are  wonderful  to 
work  with  and  are  appreciative  of 
the  help  we  are  able  to  give  them,’’ 
says  Roy  Habecker.  “We  wish  to 
pass  their  thankfulness  and  grati- 
tude on  to  all  who  have  helped 
make  possible  these  distributions  to 
the  needy  of  Taiwan.  . . . All  that 
we  do,  we  seek  to  do  in  the  name 
of  Christ  and  to  the  glory  of  God.” 


April  21,  1959 


247 


Mennonite  men 

Paraguay  Road  Project 


The  roadway  project  through  the 
Chaco  of  Paraguay,  which  General 
Conference  Mennonite  Men  are 
supporting,  is  a co-operative  ven- 
ture involving  several  government 
and  church  agencies.  At  present 
MCC  has  eleven  Paxmen  working 
on  the  project,  and  the  Mennonite 
colonies  of  Paraguay  are  support- 
ing three  men.  Of  the  eleven  Pax- 
men  working  under  MCC,  five  are 
from  General  Conference  Mennonite 
churches.  These  men  are  Anton 
Braun,  Altona,  Man.;  James  Plum- 
mer, Waterloo,  Ont.;  Virgil  Claassen, 
Delbert  Wiebe,  and  Delmar  Wiebe, 
all  of  Whitewater,  Kan. 

The  U.  S.  Technical  Assistance 
Administration  for  Latin  America 
has  charge  of  the  over-all  adminis- 
tration of  the  project.  This  U.  S. 
governmental  agency  is  furnishing 
several  technical  assistants,  a sur- 
veying crew,  and  nearly  all  of  the 
road  building  machinery.  The  Par- 
aguayan government  is  furnishing 
ten  skilled  men  and  about  one  hun- 
dred Paraguayan  soldiers. 

Road  construction  was  begun  at 
the  Asuncion  end  of  the  project  (it 
will  be  over  two  hundred  and  fifty 
miles  in  length  when  completed). 
Two  factors  have  hampered  the 
progress  of  the  work  greatly.  The 
first  of  these  is  lack  of  repair  parts 
for  the  machinery,  which  frequently 
breaks  down.  This  difficulty  has 
been  remedied  to  a large  extent  by 
the  ordering  of  $50,000  worth  of 
parts  from  the  United  States,  so 

Hogs  For  Haiti 

Mennonite  Men  of  the  First  Men- 
nonite Church  of  Mountain  Lake, 
Minnesota,  were  responsible  for  a 
recent  shipment  of  hogs  to  the  is- 
land of  Haiti.  A loan  of  twenty-one 
hogs,  consisting  of  eight  female  and 
two  male  Poland  China,  and  nine 
female  and  two  male  Duroc  Jersey, 
were  included  in  the  shipment. 
These  hogs  were  transported  by 
Heifer  Project,  Inc.,  to  Miami, 
Florida,  and  from  there  they  were 
flown  to  Haiti  by  planes  provided 
by  the  United  States  government 


that  now  breakdowns  can  be  read- 
ily repaired.  The  second  factor  that 
has  caused  considerable  delay  is 
the  inclement  weather.  Continued 
rains  have  inundated  much  of  the 
fiat  swampy  land  in  the  roadway 
area.  Since  the  land  is  very  fiat, 
the  water  does  not  drain  and  con- 
sequently must  evaporate  away. 
Efforts  are  being  made  to  secure 
two  large  draglines  that  could  be 
used  very  advantageously  under 
these  wet  conditions. 

For  the  past  four  months,  very 
little  work  on  the  project  was  done 
because  of  excessive  rain.  During 
the  time  the  Paxmen  could  not  work 
on  the  roadway  project,  they  were 
assisting  in  local  mission  and  insti- 
tutional projects  in  Asuncion.  This 
served  to  encourage  and  keep  up 
the  morale  of  Paxmen  since  it  gave 
them  something  worthwhile  to  do 
while  roadbuilding  was  bogged 
down. 

Very  recently  the  road  machinery 
has  again  started  to  roll.  The  first 
week  of  operation  after  the  long 
delay,  a report  indicated  that  more 
machinery  was  stuck  in  the  mud 
than  was  moving;  however,  prog- 
ress is  slowly  being  made. 

At  present,  sixty  kilometers  (ap- 
proximately 37  miles)  of  the  road 
have  been  graded.  The  crews  are 
now  pushing  to  complete  the  road 
to  the  first  major  river  crossing  at 
Kilometer  90,  or  about  fifty-five 
miles  from  the  Asuncion  end. 


under  the  Point  Four  Program. 

The  island  of  Haiti,  which  lies 
in  the  Caribbean  Sea  between  Cuba 
and  Puerto  Rico,  has  an  area  of 
approximately  ten  thousand  square 
miles  and  a population  of  over  three 
million  people.  The  annual  per  cap- 
ita income  of  this  island  is  $35 — 
the  lowest  in  the  Western  Hem- 
isphere. 

MCC  is  sponsoring  a special  proj- 
ect for  the  improvement  of  pork 
production  in  Haiti.  This  is  being 
accomplished  by  teaching  native 


farmers  improved  methods  of  swine 
sanitation  and  production,  and  by 
supplying  improved  U.  S.  breeds.  It 
now  takes  a minimum  of  three 
years  to  produce  a hog  of  market 
weight  in  Haiti  as  compared  to  an 
average  of  six  months  for  the  farm- 
ers in  the  United  States  com  belt. 

The  inspiration  for  this  project 
was  brought  to  the  attention  of 
these  Northern  District  men  by 
Marlin  Pankratz,  who  is  a member 
of  their  church  and  who  recently 
returned  from  Haiti  after  a term 
in  Voluntary  Service. 


Soil  Conservation 

Mennonites  in  general  come  from 
a background  of  rural  life  and 
should  be  concerned  about  soil  and 
water  conservation.  It  is  somewhat 
strange,  however,  that  Mennonite 
people  and  Mennonite  feirmers  in 
particular  have  been  rather  slow  in 
accepting  soil  conservation  philoso- 
phy and  practices.  Considerable 
thinking  and  educational  work  has 
been  done  on  this  subject  in  recent 
years  in  our  Brotherhoods,  and 
perhaps  we  as  Mennonites  are  be- 
ginning to  see  our  responsibility  as 
stewards  of  the  soil  somewhat  clear- 
er than  we  have  in  the  past,  but 
much  more  thinking  and  work  needs 
to  be  done  in  this  area. 

William  Stauffer,  former  pastor 
of  the  First  Mennonite  Church  of 
Sugarcreek,  Ohio,  and  a farmer  of 
that  community,  is  well  known  for 
his  profound  belief  in  conserving 
natural  resources  and  his  inspiring 
lectures  on  soil  conservation,  not 
only  in  Mennonite  circles  but  a- 
mong  other  groups  throughout  Ohio 
and  surrounding  states.  Elmer  H. 
Goering  of  Moundridge,  Kansas,  is 
also  very  much  interested  in  soil 
and  water  conservation  and  con- 
siders it  a Christian  duty  to  con- 
serve the  resources  God  has  given 
us  in  the  good  earth.  He  has  pre- 
pared a set  of  slides  on  soil  and 
water  conservation  which  he  is 
ready  to  show  in  Western  District 
Conference  churches  as  a Christian 
service.  Mr.  Goering  is  available 
to  give  his  program  in  Men’s  Broth- 
erhood meetings  or  other  church 
groups.  He  may  be  contacted  by 
addressing  a letter  to  Elmer  H. 
Goering,  Moundridge,  Kan. 


248 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  youth 


With  Christ  on  Campus 


You  are  about  to  visit  five  cam- 
puses— three  in  the  States  and 
two  in  Canada — which  are  support- 
ed and  operated  by  the  General 
Conference  Mennonite  Church.  The 
questions  which  are  being  answered 
might  be  phrased  something  like 
this:  What  is  the  nature  of  the 
Christian  organization  on  your  cam- 
pus? Is  it  important  in  the  life  of 
the  school?  Is  it  responded  to  and 
worked  through?  Does  it  witness  to 
Christ  ? 

CANADIAN  MENNONITE 
BIBLE  COLLEGE 
Winnipeg,  Manitoba 

The  student  assembly  of  Cana- 
dian Mennonite  Bible  College  is  the 
one  over-all  student  organization  to 
which  all  students  belong  when, 
at  registration,  the  student  activity 
fee  is  paid.  The  assembly  is  gov- 
erned by  a council  consisting  of 
student  president,  vice-president, 
secretary,  and  chairmen  of  the 
Faith  and  Life,  Fellowship,  Service, 
and  Missions  committees.  This 
council,  together  with  its  faculty 
advisor.  President  I.  I.  Friesen, 
meets  every  two  weeks  (or  more 
often  if  necessary)  and  attempts 
to  co-ordinate  all  student  activities 
in  such  a way  as  to  promote  a 
spiritually  and  socially  healthy  at- 
mosphere at  college. 

The  executive,  consisting  of  presi- 
dent, vice-president,  and  secretary, 
is  in  charge  of  arranging  Saturday 


evening  prayer  meetings  at  the 
school  and  deals  with  any  matters 
of  urgency  that  may  arise. 

The  Missions  Committee,  whose 
responsibility  it  is  to  promote  in- 
terest in  missions,  organizes  regu- 
lar Tuesday  noon  prayer  meetings 
which  particularly  stress  reports  of 
and  prayers  for  various  mission 
fields.  This  past  year  they  have 
also  organized  several  group  visits 
to  mission  fields — Matheson  Island, 
Manigotagen  in  Northern  Manitoba, 
and  the  city  mission  station  at 
Brandon,  Manitoba. 

Every  Wednesday  our  chapel 
service  is  sponsored  by  students 
under  the  leadership  of  the  Faith 
and  Life  Committee.  This  commit- 
tee is  concerned  about  promoting  a 
deeper  devotional  life  among  stu- 
dents. With  this  in  mind,  they  plan 
for  an  annual  prayer  day,  and  try 
to  encourage  personal  devotional 
periods. 

Our  Fellowship  Committee  plans 
and  directs  social  and  recreational 
activities,  which  for  a student  body 
of  just  under  a hundred  includes 
everybody. 

The  Service  Committee’s  main 
concern  is  that  students  receive  op- 
portunity to  witness  to  others.  It 
organizes  children’s  hour  groups  in 
local  churches,  sponsors  singing 
groups  to  various  institutions,  has 
arranged  for  regular  services  of 
song  and  personal  witness  at  the 
city  rescue  mission  on  Saturday 


nights,  and  recently  selected  a 
choir  to  record  music  especially  for 
radio  programs. 

These  activities,  together  with 
those  directed  by  the  Literary  and 
Music  committees  plus  our  regular 
class  hours  and  studies,  make  col- 
lege life  busy  and  challenging.  We 
trust  that  our  education  here,  be  it 
silent  study,  practical  service  to  oth- 
ers, devotional  experience,  or  recre- 
ational fellowship,  will  truly  be  in 
Christ  who  is  our  foundation. 

— Helen  Letkeman 

FREEMAN  JUNIOR  COLLEGE 
Freeman,  South  Dakota 

Christian  Youth  Volunteers  of 
Freeman  Junior  College,  as  the 
name  implies,  is  an  organization 
which  consists  of  young  Christians 
who  have  volimteered  to  serve  and 
witness  for  Christ  in  some  special 
way  during  the  school  year.  Mem- 
bership is  open  to  any  student,  col- 
lege or  academy,  who  desires  to 
give  time  and  talents  to  Christ. 
There  are  no  membership  fees;  the 
only  requirement  is  a statement  of 
one’s  commitment  to  Christ,  the 
capacities  in  which  one  would  be 
willing  to  serve,  and  a promise  to 
attend  meetings  faithfully  and 
prayerfully.  This  year  there  are 
approximately  sixty-five  members, 
which  is  50%  of  the  entire  student 
body. 

C.Y.V.  is  organized  on  a three- 
fold emphasis:  Faith  and  Life, 

Fellowship,  and  Service.  Last  year 
a Peace  Commission  was  added  as 
an  experiment.  However,  as  it  was 
felt  that  both  groups  would  func- 
tion better  separately,  the  Peace 
Club  is  a separate  organization  this 
year  as  it  has  been  in  other  years. 
The  three  committees  are  each  re- 
sponsible for  the  planning  of  cer- 
tain programs  and  projects,  and 
these  are  carried  out  with  the  help 
of  other  volunteers. 

The  Faith  and  Life  Commission 
is  responsible  for  planning  pro- 
grams for  Mennonite  churches  in 
the  surrounding  areas  as  well  as 
in  some  distant  communities,  such 


The  C.M.B.C.  student  council  consists  of  (left  to  right) 
Clarence  Epp,  Service  Committee;  Jake  Friesen,  Fellow- 
ship Committee;  Helen  Letkeman,  secretary;  I.  I.  Friesen, 
faculty  advisor;  Waldemar  Regier,  president;  Edward 
Goertzen,  vice-president;  Anne  Neufeld,  Missions  Commit- 
tee; and  Henry  Dueck,  Faith  and  Life  Committee. 


April  21,  1959 


249 


as  Huron,  S.  D.;  Henderson,  Neb.; 
and  Mountain  Lake,  Minn.  A 
special  effort  is  being  made  to  wit- 
ness to  non-Mennonite  churches  in 
our  community. 

The  Fellowship  committee  has 
charge  of  several  socials  a year  and 
a picnic  at  the  end  of  the  school 
year. 

Deputation  work  in  the  Old  Peo- 
ple’s Homes  in  Marion  and  Freeman 
and  the  weekly  noon  prayer  meet- 
ings fall  to  the  Service  Depart- 
ment. Once  a month  the  group  has 
its  own  meetings  for  discussions 
and  special  programs.  The  three 
commissions  rotate  in  planning 
these  programs. 

With  the  money  received  from 
offerings,  the  organization  carries 
out  a yearly  project.  Sometimes 
money  is  sent  to  a mission  or  some 
other  worthy  cause,  or  used  for 
something  which  will  improve  the 
spiritual  life  of  the  school. 

Officers  elected  for  this  year  are: 
pres.,  Clara  Glanzer,  Dolton,  S.  D., 
member  of  the  Hutterthal  Church; 
vice-pres.,  Ronald  Preheim  of  the 
Salem  Church,  Freeman,  S.  D.  sec.- 
treas.,  Mary  Ratzlaff,  Springfield, 
S.  D.,  member  of  the  Friedensburg 
Church.  Miss  Leola  Schultz  is  the 
faculty  advisor.  This  fall  when  the 
Y.P.U.  Council  Meeting  was  held 
at  the  Salem  Church,  Cora  Miller 
represented  the  C.Y.V.  organization. 

By  v/itnessing  to  others  through 
deputation  work,  by  working,  dis- 
cussing and  praying  together,  the 
volunteers  have  a wonderful  oppor- 
tunity to  grow  in  Christian  faith 
and  fellowship,  and  in  that  way 
help  to  maintain  Christian  attitudes 
and  ideals  on  our  campus  and  in 
our  communities. -Fern  Kleinsasser 

BLUFFTON  COLLEGE 
Bluffton,  Ohio 

The  Student  Christian  Association 
plays  a very  important  role  in  cam- 
pus activities  at  Bluffton.  It  is  the 
largest  organization,  with  a mem- 
bership of  over  200.  Its  purpose,  as 
worded  in  the  constitution,  is  as  fol- 
lows: 

The  Student  Christian  Association  of 
Bluffton  College  strives  to  initiate,  pro- 
mote, and  co-ordinate  all  students  and 
faculty  members,  basing  it  upon  a com- 
mon loyalty  to  Jesus  Christ.  Within  each 
member  we  endeavor  to  bring  about  a 
deeper  personal  relationship  with  God 
through  a program  of  faith  and  action. 
We  strive  to  influence  the  spread  of  the 
Christian  way  of  life  among  all  peoples. 

There  are  four  clubs  or  commis- 
sions which  are  affiliated  with  the 
S.C.A.:  the  Gospel  Team,  Peace 


Club,  International  Relations  Club, 
and  the  Recreation  Club.  S.C.A. 
meetings  and  commission  meetings 
are  held  on  alternate  Wednesday 
evenings  all  through  the  school 
j'^ear.  Each  club  has  its  own  pro- 
gram of  activities,  deputations,  and 
projects.  Perhaps  one  of  the  most 
far-reaching  is  the  Gospel  Team, 
which  sponsors  vocal  quartets  trav- 
eling to  Conference  churches. 

The  S.C.A.  cabinet  consists  of  sev- 
enteen individuals:  the  presidents 
of  each  club,  the  S.C.A.  executive, 
two  faculty  advisors,  and  the  chair- 
men of  seven  committees  described 
as  follows. 

The  Devotional  Committee  is  re- 
sponsible for  devotions  at  each  cab- 
inet meeting  and  for  the  College 
Church  service  each  Sunday  eve- 
ning at  6:00.  Planning  the  programs 
for  the  S.C.A.  meetings  during  the 
entire  year  is  the  Program  Com- 
mittee, which  chose  for  its  theme 
this  year,  “Our  Task — To  Build.” 
Meetings  have  been  centered  on 
three  subdivisions  of  this  theme: 
building  a better  self,  a better  cam- 
pus, and  a better  world. 

The  Social  Action  Committee 


sponsors  projects  for  World  Uni- 
versity Service,  International  Chris- 
tian University,  and  clothing  drives 
for  relief.  The  Workcamp  Commit- 
tee investigates  possibilities  of  serv- 
ice in  needy  areas  and  then  plans 
week-end  projects  for  aid  in  con- 
struction or  clean-up. 

The  Conference  and  Membership 
Committee  stages  the  membership 
campaign  early  in  the  fall  of  each 
year  and  encourages  participation 
in  YM-YWCA  conferences.  The  So- 


cial Committee  is  in  charge  of  cul- 
inary plans  for  S.C.A.-sponsored  ac- 
tivities. The  Publicity  Committee  is 
in  charge  of  informing  the  student 
body  of  all  S.C.A.  programs  and 
functions  by  making  posters  and  an- 
nouncements. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  school 
year,  the  S.C.A.  sponsors  a mixer 
for  all  students  and  faculty. 

Each  fall  the  cabinet  has  a re- 
treat at  Camp  Friedenswald.  This 
is  a time  of  thought,  planning,  and 
gaining  inspiration  for  the  duties 
and  activities  of  the  coming  year. 
Between  semesters,  a one-day  re- 
treat is  held,  during  which  the  cab- 
inet evaluates  the  past  semester 
and  reviews  goals. 

The  S.C.A.  sponsors  the  handbook 
which  is  sent  to  all  new  students 
each  summer.  This  little  book  is  im- 
portant in  introducing  Bluffton  Col- 
lege to  students  who  will  be  coming 
to  it  for  the  first  time.  Other  activ- 
ities include  the  S.C.A.  banquet  in 
late  spring  at  which  new  officers 
are  installed;  the  operation  of  a 
used  book  exchange;  participation 
in  the  freshman  orientation  pro- 
gram; and  representation  on  var- 


ious college  committees. 

The  Student  Christian  Association 
is  a vital  part  of  Bluffton  College. 
Its  influence  permeates  a great 
many  of  the  activities  which  are  a 
part  of  our  campus  life.  It  is  our 
prayer  that  this  organization  will 
continue  to  deepen  personal  rela- 
tionship to  Christ.  — Doris  Liechty 

ROSTHERN  JUNIOR  COLLEGE 
Rosthern,  Saskatchewan 

(Rosthern  Junior  College,  located 


Some  of  the  members  of  the  S.C.A.  cabinet  are  (left  to  right) 
Jeannie  Hughes,  Bob  McCrory,  Lois  Shutt,  Carl  Smucker  (fac- 
ulty), Shirley  Burry,  Nancy  Mill  (vice-president),  Elizabeth  Leh- 
man, Phyllis  Bixler,  Bill  Earley  (treasurer),  Doris  Liechty  (sec- 
retary), and  Don  Hostetler  (president). 


250 


THE  MENNONITE 


D.  C.  Wedel,  president  of  Bethel  College,  addressing  Rosthern  students. 


in  Rosthern,  Saskatchewan,  consists 
of  grades  nine  through  twelve — 
which  in  the  States  would  be  the 
equivalent  of  college  freshman.  The 
Bible  school,  formerly  operated  sep- 
ai'ately,  is  now  the  Bible  depart- 
ment of  the  college.) 

One  of  the  main  advantages  of 
attending  a school  such  as  Rosthern 
Junior  College  is  the  Christian  ed- 
ucation and  fellowship  we  receive 
here.  Every  school  day  is  opened 
by  a fifteen  minute  chapel  period. 
After  lifting  our  voices  in  a hymn 
of  praise  to  our  Creator,  one  of  the 
teachers  gives  us  a message  from 
God’s  Word.  Occasionally  special 
speakers  are  invited  for  chapel. 

Evening  devotions  are  part  of  our 
schedule.  After  supper  one  of  the 
students  reads  a portion  of  Scrip- 
ture and  we  pray  the  Lord’s 
Prayer.  Then  too,  there  is  time  al- 
lotted for  personal  devotions  every 
evening.  These  quiet  moments  stand 
out  as  highlights  that  help  us  grow 
to  spiritual  maturity. 

Wednesday  night  is  prayer-meet- 
ing night,  arranged  by  the  Faith 
and  Life  Committee.  Ministers 
from  surrounding  churches  are  in- 
vited. Occasionally  slides  depict- 
ing life  on  our  mission  fields  are 
shown.  In  prayer  session,  in  which 
all  students  are  invited  to  take  part, 
we  remember  a particular  mission 
field  each  week. 

The  Service  Committee  arranges 
several  voluntary  singing  groups  to 
visit  the  aged  and  infirm.  Groups 
go  to  the  Youth  Farm  (near  Ros- 
them)  as  well  as  to  older  folks  in 
town.  The  college  presents  annual 
Christmas  and  Easter  programs  for 
students,  parents,  and  friends. 

For  our  Christian  Emphasis  Week 
this  year,  the  special  speaker  was 
Peter  Sawatzky,  pastor  of  the  May- 
fair  Mennonite  Church  in  Saska- 
toon. He  conducted  morning  chapel 
periods  as  well  as  regular  evening 
services.  —Renata  Balzer 

BETHEL  COLLEGE 
North  Newton,  Kansas 

The  Student  Christian  Fellowship 
is  the  over-all  organization  on  the 
Bethel  College  campus  whose  duty 
it  is  to  provide  an  organized  chan- 
nel through  which  students  may 
express  their  common  concern  for 
a high  quality  of  Christian  life  on 
the  campus,  as  well  as  a program 
of  active  service  both  on  and  off 
campus. 


In  order  to  get  results  in  these 
areas  of  endeavor,  the  S.C.F.  is 
subdivided  into  three  commissions: 
Campus  Faith  and  Fellowship, 
Christian  Service  and  Outreach,  and 
Peace  and  World  Order. 

The  Campus  Faith  and  Fellow- 
ship commission  concerns  itself  spe- 
cifically with  worship  and  fellow- 
ship on  the  campus.  It  has  responsi- 
bility for  breakfast  devotions,  chap- 
el programs,  Sunday  evening  meet- 
ings, dormitory  devotions,  etc. 

The  Service  and  Outreach  Com- 
mission, under  the  leadership  of 
Robert  Shellenberger,  is  the  largest 
commission  of  the  organization  with 
approximately  seventy-five  mem- 
bers. This  commission,  besides  plan- 
ning programs  for  chapel  and  bi- 
weekly commission  meetings,  is  ac- 
tive in  off-campus  projects  which 
take  students  to  surrounding  com- 
munities and  states. 

This  year,  in  co-operation  with 
the  Wichita  Council  of  Churches, 
the  commission  initiated  a service 
project  among  unchurched  Amer- 
ican Indians  living  in  Wichita.  Serv- 
ices were  held  each  Sunday  morn- 
ing. Under  the  direction  of  the  Wich- 
ita Council,  and  'with  the  help  of 
Bethel  students,  a dwelling  was  re- 
stored and  redecorated  for  purposes 
of  worship. 

The  commission  sponsors  sing- 
ing groups  in  old  folks’  homes  and 
hospitals  of  the  area.  These  serv- 
ices are  rendered  every  Sunday 
morning.  Another  unique  project  is 
recreation  leadership  at  Prairie 
View  Hospital  on  Saturday  after- 
noons. Sunday  evenings  are  spent 
giving  inspirational  programs  in 
surrounding  churches  under  the  di- 
rection of  the  Deputation  Commit- 
tee, which  also  sponsors  a yearly 
gospel  team  tour  in  neighboring 
states. 


'The  purpose  of  the  Peace  and 
World  Order  Commission  of  S.C.F. 
is  to  promote  interest  and  creative 
thought  and  action  in  various  areas 
of  peace  witness. 

This  year,  attempts  have  been 
made  to  fulfill  this  purpose  in  var- 
ious ways.  Panel  discussions  have 
been  held  in  commission  meetings, 
and  some  of  these  pemels  have  been 
sent  out  to  various  churches  in  the 
surrounding  area.  One  area  in  which 
the  commission  pioneered  was  send- 
ing a panel  discussion  to  a non- 
Mennonite  group,  in  this  case,  a 
Baptist  student  group  at  Kansas 
University.  The  panel  presented  a 
history  of  the  Mennonites  and  their 
view  of  the  pacifist  position.  Films 
relating  to  peace  have  also  been 
sent  to  surrounding  churches,  along 
with  several  peace  club  members  to 
lead  in  the  discussion  afterwards. 

One  of  the  major  events  of  the 
year  was  preparation  for  the  Inter- 
collegiate Peace  Fellowship  confer- 
ence in  New  York  at  the  United  Na- 
tions Headquarters. 

The  Student  Christian  Fellowship 
cabinet  was  composed  this  year  of 
Melvin  Schmidt,  pres.;  Arlin  Claas- 
sen,  vice-pres.;  Vinette  Graber,  sec.; 
and  Harry  Neufeld,  treas.  'The  cab- 
inet functions  as  co-ordinator  for 
activities  of  the  commissions,  and 
as  a contact  group  with  the  na- 
tional Y.M.  and  Y.W.C.A.  Major 
projects  undertaken  by  the  S.C.F. 
as  a whole  include  sponsoring  the 
annual  Christian  Life  Week,  the 
Voluntary  Service  promotional  week 
when  representatives  from  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  Mennonite  Church 
and  MCC  come  to  our  campus. 

— Melvin  Schmidt 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People’s  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  3003 
Benham  Avenue,  Elkhart,  Indiana. 


April  21,  1959 


251 


our  schools 

COMMENCEMENT  SPEAKER 

The  faculty  of  Mennonite  Biblical 
Seminary  is  pleased  to  announce 
that  Paul  H.  Eller,  president  of 
Evangelical  Theological  Seminary  at 
Naperville,  111.,  will  be  the  com- 
mencement speaker  for  this  year. 
Commencement  exercises  are  sched- 
uled for  Monday,  May  25,  at  10:00 
a.m.,  and  will  be  held  in  the  Church 
of  the  Brethren  in  Elkhart. 

Other  spring  activities  leading  up 
to  commencement  include  the  an- 
nual spring  retreat  at  Camp  Frie- 
denswald  on  May  2,  with  seminary 
seniors  as  honored  participants;  a 
seminary  communion  service  on 
May  15;  senior  chapel  on  May  22; 
the  senior-alumni  dinner  the  eve- 
ning of  May  22;  and  the  baccalau- 
reate service  on  Sunday  afternoon. 
May  24,  at  3:00  p.m.,  at  the  Breth- 
ren Church,  for  which  President  Er- 
land  Waltner  will  give  the  message. 
CHOIR  TOUR 

Once  again  the  Freeman  Junior 
College  Choir  is  on  tour,  this  year’s 
itinerary  taking  them  to  churches 
in  North  Dakota,  Canada,  and  Min- 
nesota, from  April  11-19. 

MCC  news  and  notes 

KOREANS  COME  FOR  FLOUR 

In  Korea,  more  than  in  any  other 
country,  needs  can  be  attributed  di- 
rectly to  the  devastating  effects  of 
war.  Hostilities  did  not  cease  until 
the  fall  of  1952.  That  same  winter, 
however,  the  first  MCC  workers 


COMIC  OPERA  IN  MAY 

The  popular  comic  opera  Cosi  Fan 
Tutti  (Women  Are  Like  That)  by 
Mozart,  will  be  presented  by  a Beth- 
el College  cast  in  two  performances 
May  8 and  9 in  Memorial  Hall,  ac- 
cording to  James  W.  Bixel,  head 
of  the  college  music  department. 

Major  roles  will  taken  by  Rosalie 
Voth,  Don  Peters,  and  Gerald  Dyck, 
all  of  whom  sang  leading  roles  in 
the  opera  two  years  ago,  and  Elaine 
Banman,  Arlo  Kasper,  and  Judy 
Gaeddert.  While  the  opera  was  ori- 
ginally written  in  Italian,  the  Eng- 
lish version  will  be  sung.  James  W. 
Bixel  directs  the  production. 


Recent  Bethel  campus  activities 
included  a Business  Club  banquet 
on  April  14  with  Ross  Beach,  pres- 
ident of  the  Kansas  State  Chamber 
of  Commerce,  as  speaker;  and  a 
college  Work  Day  on  April  17. 

VS  IN  VIETNAM 

Gordon  Brockmueller,  former 
Freeman  student  who  recently  re- 
turned from  two  years  with  Inter- 
national Voluntary  Service  in  Viet- 
nam, gave  an  interesting  report  of 
his  agricultural  demonstration  work 
in  that  country  when  he  spoke  in 


moved  in  and  began  making  food 
and  clothing  distributions. 

Today  numerous  rehabilitation 
projects  supplement  the  relief  pro- 
gram but  the  need  for  material  aid 
has  not  diminished.  In  1958  MCC 
shipped  a total  of  2,517,832  pounds 


chapel  April  2.  Before  returning  to 
the  States,  he  took  a trip  around 
the  world  and  visited  VS  imits  in 
many  areas. 

SPRING  TERM  STARTS  QUIETLY 

The  spring  term  at  Canadian 
Mennonite  Bible  College  began  on 
April  1,  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  ap- 
proximately half  of  the  students 
were  absent  due  to  the  two-week 
a cappella  choir  tour.  Several  in- 
structors were  ill  and  several  in 
Alberta  with  the  choir.  Quiet 
reigned  in  the  halls,  classes,  dining 
hall,  and  residence.  “We  didn’t 
realize  that  only  the  noisy  ones  had 
gone  on  tour,”  someone  said.  Mon- 
day morning  at  6:00  a.m.  the  sing- 
ers were  joyously  welcomed  back 
and  classes  resumed  in  normal  fash- 
ion. 

Seventy-four  students  have  regis- 
tered for  the  final  three-months’ 
term  of  this  year.  Of  this  number 
three  were  not  with  us  during  the 
fall  and  wdnter  quarters.  Approxi- 
mately twenty  of  those  who  attend- 
ed classes  here  during  the  winter 
months  have  not  returned.  Seven 
students,  natives  of  British  Colum- 
bia and  Alberta,  spent  the  Easter 
recess  on  the  campus. 


of  food  and  clothing  to  Korea,  more 
than  to  any  other  country. , 

Before  each  distribution,  an  MCC 
worker  speaks  a few  words  through 
an  interpreter  about  the  origin  of 
the  food  items,  about  MCC  and 
about  Christ.  He  also  tells  them 
that  none  of  the  items  may  be  sold 
or  exchanged. 

In  this  distribution  each  recipient 
got  five  pounds  of  flour  per  mem- 
ber in  the  family.  In  the  photo  at 
left,  MCC  worker  Joe  Smucker 
(Goshen,  Ind.)  is  lifting  a tub  con- 
taining fifty  pounds  of  flour  onto 
the  head  of  a Korean  lady.  Notice 
the  baby  on  her  back.  Ahn  Bu  Yong, 
an  interpreter,  leans  over  the  desk 
and  marks  off  the  names  of  the 
recipients.  MCC  trucker  Mr.  Paak 
is  on  the  extreme  left  facing  the 
camera. 

ORPHANS  RECEIVE 
CHRISTMAS  BUNDLES 

Last  Christmas,  MCC  workers 
and  interpreter  at  Saigon,  Vietnam, 
assisted  in  the  distribution  of  800 


252 


THE  MENNONITE 


Christmas  bundles  at  the  Due  Anh 
Orphanage  grounds  after  a highly 
colorful  program  given  by  the  or- 
phans. 

The  program  consisted  of  vari- 
ous performances  of  Vietnamese 
and  Laotian  background.  An  inter- 
esting historical  theatrical,  The  Two 
Sisters  Trung,  gave  the  audience  a 
glimpse  into  early  Chinese-Vietna- 
mese  customs  and  relations.  Even 
to  those  foreigners  not  understand- 
ing the  Vietnamese  language,  a 
high  degree  of  interest  was  main- 
tained from  the  superb  costuming 
and  acting. 

Following  the  orphans’  presenta- 
tion, Margaret  Metzler,  (Old)  Men- 
nonite  missionary,  told  the  Christ- 
mas story  to  the  children  in  their 
language,  attempting  to  give  them 
an  idea  of  Christmas’  origin  and 
meaning.  For  many  it  was  a first 
experience  in  hearing  of  the  Christ 
child. 

Two  hundred  and  forty  of  the  chil- 
dren, ranging  in  age  from  ten  to 
sixteen  years,  received  Vietnamese 
New  Testaments  with  their  bundles. 
Gratefulness  shone  in  each  set  of 
shy,  dark  eyes  as  the  bundles  were 
distributed.  To  get  a brightly  col- 
ored towel  full  of  exciting  surprises 
from  America  means  much  to  those 
who  have  little. 

MMHS  MEETS  AT  KINGS  VIEW 

REEDLY — Action  by  the  Menno- 
nite  Mental  Health  Services  Board 
on  items  discussed  at  the  April  3-4 
semiannual  meetings  in  Kings  View 
Hospital,  Reedley,  Calif.,  included; 
approving  a master  plan  for  devel- 
opment of  facilities  and  program 
of  Brook  Lane  Farm,  for  submis- 
sion to  MCC;  approving  Kings  View 
Hospital’s  signing  an  agreement 
with  Fresno  State  College  establish- 
ing an  intern  training  program  for 
clinical  psychologists  at  Kings 
View;  and  establishing  a six  mem- 
ber subcommittee  to  work  on  a plan 
for  assisting  graduate  students  in 
mental  health  disciplines.  This  com- 


mittee shall  discover  and  encourage 
interested  students,  assist  them  in 
qualifying  for  scholarships  and 
grants,  and  initiate  a program  of 
financial  aid  dependent  on  avail- 
ability of  funds. 

Considerable  time  was  spent  in 
discussion  of  the  church’s  role  in  the 
operation  of  mental  hospitals.  Each 
hospital  reported  a distinctive  explo- 
ration of  the  prospects  of  meeting 
certain  patient  needs  with  a chap- 
laincy program.  Also,  ways  are  be- 
ing sought  to  bring  insights  from 
the  clinical  program  to  ministers  of 
the  churches,  possibly  by  way  of  a 
chaplaincy  outreach  from  the  hos- 
pital. 

The  next  MMHS  meeting  will  be 
held  in  Kansas  on  the  Prairie  View 
Hospital  grounds.  An  entire  day 
will  be  devoted  to  questions  invol- 
ving the  interrelationships  between 
our  Christian  faith  and  our  hospital 
program. 

MCC  VISITS 

AKRON  — Executive  secretary 
William  T.  Snyder  is  planning  to 
go  on  an  extended  commissioner 
trip  to  the  Far  East  May  9 - July  20 
to  review  the  MCC  program  in  India, 
Vietnam,  Hong  Kong,  Indonesia, 
Korea,  and  Japan.  He  will  visit  MCC 
units  in  Europe  and  the  Middle  East 
briefly  en  route.  One  of  the  primary 
purposes  of  the  trip,  in  addition  to 
planning  for  the  future,  is  the  trans- 
ferring of  executive  secretary  re- 
sponsibilities from  Orie  Miller  to 
William  Snyder. 

An  administrative  visit  to  South 
America  by  associate  executive  sec- 
retary Orie  O.  Miller  will  take  place 
almost  simultaneously.  May  15  - 
July  7.  Brother  Miller  will  make  a 
general  review  of  the  MCC  program 
in  South  America  and  assist  the 
Mennonite  colonies  in  planning  the 
use  of  the  second  half  of  the  mil- 
lion dollar  Smathers  Loan.  A brief 
visit  to  Haiti,  British  Honduras,  Bo- 
livia, and  possibly  Peru  is  included 
in  his  itinerary. 

During  the  absence  of  both  men, 
C.  N.  Hostetter,  Jr.,  chairman  of  the 
MCC,  will  serve  as  acting  secretary. 

RENOVATIONS  UNDER  WAY 

GERMANY — The  three  members 
of  the  new  Pax  unit  which  opened 
at  Weierhof,  Germany,  last  Febru- 
ary are  busy  tearing  up  old  warped 
floors  in  buildings  of  the  former 
Mennonite  boarding  school. 

The  school  was  founded  in  1867  by 
concerned  Mennonite  leaders  and 


had  the  support  of  German,  Dutch, 
and  Russian  Mennonites.  'Through 
the  years  it  increased  in  size  and 
importance,  its  enrollment  register- 
ing 250  during  peak  years.  Classes 
corresponding  to  our  grades  five  to 
thirteen  were  taught  at  the  school. 

In  1936  the  government  appro- 
priated the  school  and  the  Menno- 
nites lost  their  right  of  ownership 
and  administration.  After  the  war, 
when  the  area  became  French  oc- 
cupation zone,  the  French  army 
moved  into  the  buildings.  After  the 
French  came  the  Americans,  who 
occupied  the  buildings  but  paid  rent 
for  the  facilities.  In  1958  the  U.  S. 
Department  of  Defense  returned 
the  school  to  the  German  Menno- 
nites. 'The  keys  were  handed  to 
them  Dec.  10. 

The  school  is  expected  to  reopen 
on  a small  scale  in  April.  It  will 
expand  as  existing  facilities  are 
made  usable  again,  largely 
through  the  efforts  of  Paxmen.  The 
whole  complex  includes  a large 
number  of  faculty  houses,  a huge 
main  school  building,  a large  class- 
room building,  a gymnasium  built 
by  the  army,  another  gymnasium 
and  auditorium  building,  a large 
athletic  field,  and  several  tennis 
courts. 

Arrangements  have  been  made 
for  the  three  Paxman  to  live  on 
the  campus  and  take  meals  with 
German  families.  The  men  find  this 
arrangement  “terrific”  for  learning 
the  language  and  getting  in  on  the 
life  of  the  community  and  church. 
They  report  that  the  church  at 
Weierhof  is  the  largest  Mennonite 
church  in  the  Palatinate  and  one  of 
the  most  active  in  South  Germany. 

“EASTER  EGGS”  ARRIVE 

GREECE — “Easter  Eggs”  A ship- 
ment of  1,800  White  Rock  hatching 
eggs,  donated  by  three  Mennonite 
hatcheries  in  Lancaster  County,  Pa., 
and  flown  to  Greece  over  the  East- 
er week  end,  have  arrived  at  their 
destination. 

The  MCC-Pax  agricultural  team  in 
Tsakones  received  1,300  of  these 
eggs  for  their  self-help  poultry  proj- 
ect. Unit  leader  Ernest  Jantzen  (Ply- 
mouth, Neb.)  reports  that  the  in- 
cubators were  empty  in  anticipation 
of  the  shipment;  1,200  chicks  had 
been  hatched  and  distributed  among 
Greek  farmers  earlier. 

Paxman  Daniel  Bert  (Newburg, 
Pa.)  is  in  charge  of  the  poultry 
project.  The  feed  mixing  and  other 


April  21,  1959 


253 


chores  that  go  with  it  keep  him 
more  than  busy.  To  enable  one  of 
the  villagers  to  take  over  the  feed 
mixing  eventually,  matron  Orpha 
Zimmerly  (Orrville,  Ohio)  is  teach- 
ing him  arithmetic!  She  is  also 
teaching  English  to  several  others, 
besides  carrying  on  her  housekeep- 
ing and  first-aid  duties. 

The  remaining  500  eggs  of  the 
Easter  shipment  went  to  the  Inter- 
Church  team  at  lonnina,  where  Pax- 
men  Paul  Wengert  (Chambersburg, 
Pa.)  and  his  international  co-work- 
ers also  conduct  self-help  projects 
among  poor  Greek  villages. 

The  two  Greece  Pax  units  spent 
Easter  together,  commencing  with  a 
sunrise  service  on  a hill  near  Tsa- 
kones,  followed  by  an  egg  fry  and 
a morning  spent  outdoors.  Two  men 
from  Panayitsa  made  the  trip  to 
Tsakones  by  mule,  a leisurely  nine- 
hour  journey.  They  returned  the 
same  way  next  day. 

jottings 

FAMILY  NIGHT 

Onecho  Church,  Colfax,  Wash.; 
The  quarterly  Family  Night  met 
for  a carry-in  dinner  to  hear  guest 
speaker  Mrs.  Van  Nattan,  mission- 
ary to  Tanganyika.  Bro.  Van  Nat- 
tan  spoke  at  the  morning  service. 
The  Homebuilders  Fellowship  meets 
the  first  Fri.  of  the  month  in  var- 
ious homes.  It  assisted  the  Women’s 
Missionary  Society  by  rolling  band- 
ages and  cutting  quilt  blocks.  Pas- 
tor and  Mrs.  P.  D.  Unruh  spent  the 
week  of  March  8-15  at  Filer,  Idaho, 
conducting  evangelistic  meetings. 
Mrs.  Unruh  had  flannelgraph  sto- 
ries for  the  children  each  evening. 
Sun.  evening  services  have  recently 
been  revised  to  accommodate  all 
age  groups.  'The  young  people  are 
using  the  International  C.  E.  topics; 
the  young  married  folks,  child  evan- 
gelism material;  and  the  older  ad- 
ults are  making  an  intensive  study 
of  Christian  witnessing,  using  R.  A. 
Torrey’s  book.  These  meet  twice  a 
month.  Every  other  Sun.  Pastor 
Unruh  is  giving  a course  on  “Right- 
ly Dividing  the  Word  of  'Truth,’’  or 
“God’s  Plan  for  the  Ages.”  Our  at- 
tendance has  tripled  with  this  new 
venture.  The  Carl  Notchelfers,  mis- 
sionaries on  furlough  from  Japan, 
filled  the  pulpit  in  Pastor  Unruh’s 
absence  March  15.  Peter  Penner 
challenged  us  to  wake  up  to  “work 
while  it  is  yet  day”  with  his  in- 
spirational chalk-talk  recently. — 
Corr. 


MUSIC  PROGRAMS 

Bethel  Church,  Hydro,  Okla.:  Our 
choir  presented  the  cantata  The 
Gospel  Song  of  Easter  under  the 
direction  of  Mrs.  Paul  Isaac  and 
Mrs.  Larry  Lee  (pianist).  We  took 
part  in  union  services  in  Hydro  on 
Good  Friday.  An  all-church  choir 
sang  “The  Old  Rugged  Cross.”  The 
Corn  Gospel  Team  gave  an  inspir- 
ing message  in  song  March  8.  This 
team  travels  all  over  Okla.,  pre- 
senting a program  in  some  church 
every  Sun.  evening.  March  25  six 
students  from  Mennonite  Biblical 
Seminary  sang  a group  of  Easter 
selections.  The  message  was  brought 
by  Abe  Krause. — Wilfred  Ewy,  corr. 
FILM  SHOWN 

Salem  Church,  Munich,  N.  D.: 
We  have  always  had  services  in 
spite  of  much  snow  and  cold  weath- 
er. The  losing  side  of  the  young 
people’s  group  in  Christmas  card 
selling  gave  a banquet  to  the  win- 
ning side  Feb.  15.  Then  at  8:00  ev- 
eryone was  invited  to  see  the  film 
The  Silent  Witness.  Mumps  and 
measles  have  made  their  rounds  in 
the  community,  cutting  down  the  at- 
tendance in  the  Jr.  S.  S.  Dept,  con- 
siderably some  Sundays.  — Mrs. 
Lewis  Dick,  corr. 

PLANS  FOR  NEW  CHURCH 

Church  of  the  Good  Samaritans, 
Richboro,  Pa.;  We  will  always 
hold  fond  memories  for  our  old 
meeting  place  at  1407  Huntingdon 
Pike,  Huntingdon  Valley,  Pa.  How- 
ever we  thank  the  Lord  that  a ten 
acre  plot  of  ground  in  Richboro, 
Pa.,  will  be  the  site  for  our  new 
church  building.  For  the  present 
we  will  hold  sessions  in  the  Rich- 
boro elementary  school.  One  Sat. 
recently  the  ladies  helped  clean  a 
temporary  parsonage  for  the  pastor 
and  his  family.  They  had  a day  of 
fellowship  together  as  well  as  work, 
finding  it  a joy  to  help  those  we 
love.  Our  children  brought  us  an 
excellent  Easter  program,  the  last 
event  in  our  old  meeting  place. 
Communion  was  also  held  Easter 
Sun.  morning.  We  thank  God  for 
the  last  three  years  together  as  a 
church  learning  about  our  blessed 
Lord  and  Saviour. — Corr. 

SPEAKERS  FROM  CANADA 

Woodland  Church,  W a r r o a d, 
Minn.:  Donald  Fasts  are  the  proud 
parents  of  a son,  Craig  Donald,  born 
Feb.  21.  The  Ladies’  Aid  brought 
old  and  new  clothing  at  their  re- 
cent meeting.  Those  on  the  sick 
list  in  March  were  Mrs.  Ted  Mit- 
terling,  Mrs.  Anna  Krahn,  who  had 
surgery  at  the  local  hospital,  and 
Mrs.  Fred  Vytlacial.  James  Krahn, 
Lawrence  Fast,  and  Sam  Mitter- 
ling  left  for  Minneapolis  where  they 
will  serve  two  years  in  1-W  service 


in  the  Glenwood  Mental  Hospital. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mark  Gripp  of  Can- 
ada were  our  guest  speakers  for 
three  services  on  Good  Friday  and 
Sat.  eve,  also  three  sessions  on 
Easter  Day.  Mrs.  Gripp  brought 
stories  and  flannelgraph  talk  for 
the  children;  they  also  brought  spe- 
cial numbers  in  song  through  the 
meetings.  Pastor  Ortman  had  a call 
from  their  son  Elmer  at  Detroit, 
Mich.,  telling  them  he  had  surgery 
and  was  getting  along  as  well  as 
could  be  expected.  The  musical 
Henry  Classens  from  Carrick,  Can- 
ada, were  with  us  April  1,  and 
brought  us  a message  in  songs. — 
Mrs.  Nick  Fast,  corr. 

EASTER  CANTATA 

United  Church,  Vineland,  Ont.: 
The  following  nine  children  partic- 
ipated in  a child  dedication  service 
on  Palm  Sunday:  Marilyn  and  Don- 
ald Penner,  Sharon  and  Shirley 
Enns,  Louise  and  Edwin  Friesen, 
Lillian  Hamon,  Esther  and  Linda 
Block.  March  22  the  Young  People’s 
Society  sponsored  a film  depicting 
family  worship  techniques.  March 
29  the  church  was  filled  to  capacity 
in  the  evening  for  the  rendition  of 
the  Easter  cantata  The  Nazore^ie 
by  J.  S.  Witty.  The  choirs  of  the 
United  Mennonite  and  Mennoniie 
Brethren  churches  were  combined 
for  the  program,  and  were  direct- 
ed by  Ernest  Reimer.  Soloists  were 
Mrs.  Helmut  Harder  and  Magda- 
len Friesen,  soprano;  Anne  Koop 
and  Caroline  Epp,  contralto;  Peter 
Martens,  baritone;  and  Jacob  Enns, 
tenor.  Peter  Klassen,  recently  ar- 
rived from  Brazil,  was  guest  speak- 
er at  the  Sunday  morning  service 
at  our  church.  — Herta  Fransen, 

JANTZEN  ORDAINED 

Herold  Church,  Bessie,  Okla.: 
March  6 our  Junior  Mission  Work- 
ers gathered  in  the  church  base- 
ment for  their  first  meeting  under 
the  direction  of  Mrs.  Louis  Horn 
and  other  helpers.  March  11  pastor 
and  Mrs.  Walter  Gomez  of  the 
Mexican  Militant  Mission  presented 
to  us  the  work  in  the  neighboring 
country  of  Mexico.  March  25  our 
seminary  brought  a program.  March 
31  Grace  Bible  Institute  presented 
a program,  and  on  April  5 the 
O.B.A.  Choir  brought  a concert.  The 
evening  of  Easter  Sun.,  our  Youth 
Fellowship  brought  a special  pro- 
gram of  the  betrayal,  suffering,  cru- 
cifixion, resurrection,  ascension,  and 
return  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in 
song,  a poem,  and  Scripture  read- 
ing. Feb.  21  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Leo  Bul- 
ler  held  a praise  and  thanksgiving 
service  for  their  twenty-fifth  wed- 
ding anniversary.  Among  those 
present  was  Glenda  June,  the  first 
grandchild,  born  Jan.  24  to  Mr.  and 


254 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mrs.  Ronald  Buller.  April  12  was 
the  ordination  of  Herbert  Jantzen, 
member  of  our  church,  as  elder  by 
the  new  Calvary  Mennonite  Church 
in  Liberal,  Kan.  He  will  also  be- 
come a charter  member  there. 
Pastor  Tschetter  spoke  and  offici- 
ated at  the  ordination  service. — 
Mrs.  Margaret  Horn,  corr. 

HABEGGER  ACCEPTS  CALL 

Grace  Church,  Lansdale,  Pa.:  On 
Feb.  1 Howard  Habegger  announced 
his  acceptance  of  our  call  to  be- 
come our  spiritual  leader  and  pas- 
tor. Union  Lenten  services  with  the 
Schwenkfelder,  Evangelical  United 
Brethren,  and  our  church  began 
Feb.  11  and  continued  on  Wednes- 
day evenings  the  remainder  of  the 
Lenten  season.  The  ordination  of 
Brother  Alvin  Zeiset  to  the  office  of 
evangelist  of  the  Eastern  District 
Conference  was  held  in  our  church 
Feb.  15.  Pastor  Robert  M.  Landis 
(Eastern  District  Conference  presi- 
dent) took  part  in  this  service.  Feb. 
26  and  March  1,  Herbert  Fretz  of 
Freeman,  S.  D.,  showed  pictures 
and  spoke  on  his  trip  to  the  Holy 
Land.  Susan  Krahn,  who  served  as 
MCC  Pax  Matron  in  Germany  and 
Austria  1955-57,  showed  slides  of 
that  work  at  the  March  meeting  of 
the  Ladies’  Missionary  Society.  On 
March  8 the  following  children 
were  consecrated:  Lisa  Jane  Clem- 
mer,  Lois  Wright  Detwiler,  Mark 
Jonathan  Fretz,  Mary  Alice  Miller, 
Glenn  Duane  Rittenhouse,  and  Dan- 
iel Kent  Souder.  The  Bluffton  Col- 
lege A Cappella  Choir  presented  a 
concert  of  sacred  music  on  Palm 
Sunday.  Vernon  Neufeld  was  the 
guest  speaker  in  the  absence  of  our 
pastor  at  the  Easter  Communion 
services. — ^Ruth  P.  Arn,  corr. 
SPECIAL  SERVICES 

SUMMERFTELD  CHURCH,  SUMMER- 
FIELD,  III.:  Wesley  Jantz,  pastor  of 
the  Roankoe  Mennonite  Church 
near  Eureka,  111.,  was  with  us  for 
a series  of  pre-Easter  services 
March  22-25.  His  sermon  subjects 
were  “Jesus  Is  Coming”  “The 
Signs  of  His  Coming”  “At  His  Com- 
ing” “Waiting  for  His  Coming,”  and 
his  messages  were  much  appreciat- 
ed. Good  Friday  union  service  was 
held  in  the  St.  John’s  Church  of 
Christ.  Our  pastor  brought  the  mes- 
sage, based  on  the  question,  “What 
will  you  do’ with  Jesus?”  The  Easter 
morning  service  consisted  of  a mu- 
sic program  given  by  our  Adult 
Choir  and  the  beginners  and  pri- 
mary pupils,  followed  by  Holy  Com- 
munion. That  evening  a sound  film. 
Miracles  of  Love,  was  shown.  On 
Wed.  evenings  are  our  choir  prac- 
tices and  Bible  study  meetings.  The 
Mary  Martha  Mission  Society  meets 
monthly  on  the  first  Thurs. — Corr. 


conference  notes 

(continued  from  the  last  page) 

NURSES’  DORM  FOR  TAIWAN 

Funds  contributed  by  the  Joint 
Commission  on  Rural  Reconstruc- 
tion, a government  organization, 
and  matched  by  contributions  from 
interested  people  are  building  a dor- 
mitory for  nurses  in  Hualien,  Tai- 
wan. A one-story  building  was 
planned,  but  lower  costs  and  addi- 
tional contributions  have  made  pos- 
sible a second  story,  which  will  ac- 
commodate nurses  when  the  much 
needed  nursing  school  opens. 

The  General  Conference  Menno- 
nite Church  stations  two  medical 
doctors  and  five  nurses  in  Taiwan. 
Besides  medical  personnel,  there  are 
in  other  missionary  service  two 
couples  and  two  single  missionaries. 
Another  missionary  family  is 
scheduled  to  leave  for  Formosa 
this  summer. 


MISSION  BRIEFS 

Mrs.  Vernon  Sprunger,  who  re- 
turned to  the  United  States  from 
the  Belgian  Congo  last  month,  had 
surgery  at  Billings  Hospital,  Chi- 
cago, on  March  23.  Within  a 
week  she  was  able  to  be  up  and 
was  regaining  strength.  The 
Sprungers’  address  for  the  present 
is  1500  W.  72  Place,  Chicago  36  (an 
apartment  in  the  First  Mennonite 
Church  parsonage). 

Glen  D.  Graber  from  Taichung, 
Taiwan,  has  requested  books  on 
Mennonite  history  and  doctrine  or 
contributions  for  such  books.  These 
and  other  Mennonite  publications 
and  periodicals  are  to  be  placed  in 
a central  library.  Cash  contribu- 
tions may  be  sent  to  the  Board  of 
Missions,  722  Main  Street,  Newton, 
Kansas.  'Those  wishing  to  donate 
books  or  subscribe  to  periodicals 
should  communicate  with  Glen 
Graber  at  P.  O.  Box  205,  Taichung, 
Taiwan,  before  mailing  these. 


conference  stewardship 

March  31,.  1958,  as  compared  to  March  31,  1959 


ooooooooooo 


MISSIONS 


18.8%  1958 
19.3%  1959 


14.9%  1958 
20.6%..  1959 


18.4%  1958 
11.2%  1959 


14.2%  1958 
17.8%  1959 


22.1%  1958 
4.2%  1959 


CHRISTIAN  SERVICE 


EDUCATION  AND  PUBLICATION 


BUSINESS  ADMINISTRATION 


YOUNG  PEOPLE’S  UNION 


BUDGET 


$670,000 

$700,000 


$193,500 

$177,600 


$ 70,000 
$ 75,400 


$ 26,500 
$ 41,500 


$ 7,450 

$ 7,400 


Receipts  to  March  31 


lllllllllllll  1959  Budget 


April  21,  1959 


255 


conference  notes 

LOOKING  TOWARD 
GENERAL  CONFERENCE 

As  we  look  toward  conference  .we 
will  also  be  “looking  unto  Jesus,  the 
author  and  finisher  of  our  faith.’’ 
As  we  do  this,  the  purpose  of  our 
conference  as  implied  by  our  confer- 
ence theme  will  be  attained;  “Our 
Foundation — Jesus  Christ.”  When 
we  look  unto  Jesus  we  shall  ex- 
perience what  the  Psalmist  speaks 
of,  “They  looked  unto  Him  and  were 
lightened,  and  their  faces  were  not 
ashamed.”  Isaiah  beheld  the  glory 
of  God  and  then  said,  “Woe  is  me!” 
Thomas  beholding  the  risen  Lord 
said,  “My  Lord  and  my  God.”  The 
three  disciples  on  the  mountain  top 
came  to  the  place  where  they  “saw 
no  one  save  Jesus  only.” 

In  the  light  of  such  experiences 
the  things  of  this  world  grow 
strangely  dim. 


As  we  prayerfully  look  unto  Jesus 
and  the  conference,  self  and  self- 
centered  ambitions  will  be  in  the 
background.  The  conference  commit- 
tees will  get  their  work  done.  The 
conference  chairman  will  accom- 
plish his  task  with  joy  in  the 
strength  of  the  Lord.  Our  founda- 
tions will  be  established,  the  place 
of  our  tent  shall  be  enlarged,  the 
curtains  of  our  habitation  shall  be 
stretched.  New  fields  and  new  areas 
of  work  shall  be  occupied.  Thus  the 
work  of  the  Conference,  which  is 
the  work  of  the  Lord,  will  be  done. 

Yes  Lord,  establish  Thou  the  work 
of  our  hands.  H.  E.  Dester 

STUDENTS  PROMOTE  BUDGET 

The  Board  of  Missions  of  the  Ca- 
nadian Conference  is  sponsoring 
three  students  from  Canadian  Men- 
nonite  Bible  College  to  accompany 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jake  Giesbrecht,  mis- 
sionaries on  furlough  from  India, 
when  they  itinerate  in  Alberta  and 
British  Columbia  churches.  The  pur- 
pose is  to  stimulate  interest  in  mis- 
sions and  to  encourage  people  to 
help  the  church  meet  its  financial 
obligations  in  the  missions  program. 


NEW  MISSIONARIES 


John  Howard  Bauman  of  Blufifton, 
Ohio,  and  his  wife,  Ruth  Helen  (Gil- 
liom)  Bauman  of  Berne,  Indiana, 
will  leave  this  summer  or  fall  for 
India,  where  Dr.  Bauman  will  teach 
at  Vellore  Medical  College  as  a Gen- 
eral Conference  Mennonite  mission- 
ary. Their  desire  is  to  heal  others 
and  to  make  use  of  such  contact 
to  tell  them  of  and  show  them  the 
inner  peace  and  joy  that  come  to 
a Christian. 

TEACHERS  NEEDED 

The  Mennonite  Mission  School  at 
Oraibi,  Ariz.,  has  some  vacancies 
beginning  with  the  1959-60  school 
year.  Teachers  must  have  a four 
year  degree  to  meet  state  teaching 
requirements.  There  are  many  op- 
portunities to  assist  in  the  church 
and  mission  program. 

Send  your  application  to:  Board 
of  Missions,  722  Main  Street,  New- 
ton, Kansas. 

RELIEF  DIRECTOR  REPORTS 

Peter  J.  Dyck,  European  director 
of  MCC’s  foreign  relief  and  services 
program,  returned  to  the  U.S.  the 
end  of  March  for  a six-week  depu- 
tation tour  of  Mennonite  churches. 
He  will  report  on  the  MCC  East- 
West  program  and  its  long  term 
objectives  for  re-establishing  ties 
with  Mennonites  in  the  Soviet  Union 
and  other  Eastern  countries.  Vari- 
ously estimated  as  numbering  40- 
50,000,  Mennonites  in  Russia  today 
are  widely  scattered  and  have  no 
established  churches.  The  re-es- 
tablishment of  vital  church  rela- 
tionships and  the  reunification  of 
split  families  are  major  concerns  of 
North  American  Mennonites. 

Brother  Dyck’s  Kansas  itinerary 
is  as  follows:  Friday,  April  24— 
Hillsboro;  Sunday,  April  26,  a.m. — 
Eden  Mennonite  Church,  Mound- 
ridge;  afternoon — Hesston  Menno- 
nite Church,  Hesston;  eve. — First 
Mennonite  Church,  Newton. 


WRITERS’  CONFERENCE 

James  M.  Flanagan,  associate 
editor  of  The  Christian  Evangelist, 
will  speak  to  interest  groups  on  ar- 
ticles and  nonfiction  at  the  writers’ 
conference  planned  for  June  17-19 
by  the  Board  of  Education  and 
Publication. 

One  series  of  interest  group  talks 
will  be  given  on  church  news  and 
publicity,  the  speaker  to  be  selected. 
J.  N.  Smucker,  editor  of  The  Men- 
nonite, will  discuss  sermon  and 
devotional  writing.  “Making  Your 
Writing  Readable”  is  the  topic  of 
Christine  Miller,  instructor  in  Eng- 
lish and  Speech  at  Bethel  College; 
Elaine  Rich,  editor  of  Breaking 
Bread  Together,  will  discuss  poetry; 
and  Elizabeth  Showalter,  editor  of 
Words  of  Cheer  and  curriculum 
writer,  will  cover  juvenile  fiction. 

The  Board  of  Education  and 
Publication  recognizes  the  need  for 
Christians  to  communicate  the 
gospel  clearly  and  effectively,  and 
for  this  reason  sponsors  frequent 
periods  for  the  training  of  Chris- 
tian writers.  All  who  have  occa- 
sion to  do  some  writing,  as  a min- 
ister, teacher,  correspondent  for  a 
church  paper,  committee  secretary, 
book  reviewer,  or  contributor  to 
church  papers,  and  who  want  to 
reach  other  people  with  ideas  or 
facts,  can  find  help  at  a writers’ 
conference.  The  conference  wiU  be 
held  at  the  Bethel  College  Menno- 
nite Church,  North  Newton,  Kansas. 

Registration  fee  is  $3.50.  Room 
and  board  will  be  available  on  the 
Bethel  College  campus  for  a nomi- 
nal price.  'Through  the  C.  E.  Kreh- 
biel  Writers’  Fund,  several  travel 
scholarships  in  a limited  amount 
are  available.  Application  should 
be  made  in  writing  to  the  Board  of 
Education  and  Publication,  722 
Main  Street,  Newton,  Kan.  Appli- 
cants are  encouraged  to  submit  a 
manuscript  for  each  workshop  in 
which  enrolled. 

BOARD  MEMBER  TO  EDC 

August  Epp  of  Newton,  Ksm., 
member  of  the  Board  of  Business 
Administration,  will  attend  the 
Eastern  District  Conference  in  the 
interests  of  the  General  Conference 
Mennonite  Church  and  Church  Ex- 
tension Services,  Inc.,  April  30  to 
May  2. 

(Continued  on  page  255) 


APRIL  28,  1959 


THE  MENNONITE 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
MAN  LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIST 


In  this  issue 


COVER 

Photo  by  Luomo 

ARTICLES 

TRUTHS  LEARNED  AT  HOME 

By  Mrs.  Howard  Raid 259 

MY  BEST  FOR  MY  CHILDREN 

By  V,  Raymond  Edman  260 

OUR  TOTAL  CHURCH  CURRICULUM 

By  Paul  R.  Shelly 261 

AN  UNFORGETTABLE  TRIP 264 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  258 

Mennonite  Youth 

THE  REAL  ENEMY 

By  J.  William  Anderson  265 

RAW  MATERIAL  FOR  A PROGRAM  266 

DRAMA— CONGO  STLYE  267 

OUR  SCHOOLS  267 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES 269 

JOTTINGS  270 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  272 


cf  things  to  come 

April  30-May  3 — Eastern  Dist.  Conf., 
Schwenksville,  Pa. 

May  3 — Mennonite  Song  Festival,  Me- 
morial Hall,  North  Newton,  Kan., 
at  2;30  p.m. 

Ma>  4-9 — Faith  and  Life  radio  speaker: 
Philip  A.  Wedel 
May  7 — Ascension  Day 
.May  10 — Festival  of  the  Christian  Home 
May  17 — Pentecost 

May  20 — Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary 
alumni  meeting. 

May  24 — Baccalaureate,  Mennonite  Bib- 
lical Seminary 

May  25 — Comm'encement,  Mennonite 
Biblical  Seminary 

May  29 — Comme.  cement  Day,  Freeman 
Junior  College  and  Academy 
May  29-31 — Missions  Conference,  Sas- 
katoon, Sask. 

June  10-14 — Pacific  District  Conference, 
Barlow,  Oregon 

June  14 — Northern  District  Male  Chorus 
Festival,  Sioux  Falls,  South  Dakota 
June  18-21 — Northern  Dist.  Conf.,  Salem- 
Zion  Church  (North),  Freeman,  S.  D. 
July  4-8 — Canadian  Conference,  Clear- 
brook,  B.  C. 

West.  Dist.  Retreats,  Camp  Mennoscah: 
July  6-11 — Junior  High  I 
July  13-18 — Junior  High  II 
July  20-25 — Fresh  Air  Friendship  Cp. 
July  27-Aug.  1 — High  School  I 
Aug.  3-8 — High  School  II 
Aug.  29-30 — Family  (under  age  45) 
Sept.  5-7 — Family  (senior  age) 

Aug.  5-12 — Ministers'  and  Church  Work- 
ers' Retreat,  Camp  Friedenswald, 
Mich. 

Aug.  12-20 — General  Conference,  Bluff- 
ton,  Ohio 

Oct.  24-27 — West.  Dist.  Conference 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor,  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors; 

J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Asst.:  Esther  Groves. 
Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  17 


editorials 


NATIONAL  FAMILY  WEEK  Every  year  in  May,  many 
churches  in  the  United  States  and  Canada  observe  National 
Family  Week,  coming  this  year  on  the  ■week  of  May  3-10.  Fam- 
ilies are  urged  to  face  their  Christian  faith  within  their  homes, 
and  to  this  end  many  churches  conduct  special  programs  de- 
signed to  strengthen  the  religious  life  of  the  family.  Christian 
teaching  in  the  home  and  an  emphasis  on  the  biblical  basis  of 
the  family  will  receive  special  attention. 

The  observance  of  National  Family  Week  as  such  began  in 
1941,  when  it  was  felt  that  the  emphasis  on  “Mother’s  Day” 
should  be  broadened  to  include  the  whole  family. 

In  the  effort  to  know  God’s  will  and  seek  to  do  it  within  the 
family  there  will  be  needed  forgiveness,  love,  acceptance,  prayer, 
worship,  and  Bible  reading.  The  observance  of  the  family  altar, 
a time  when  the  whole  family  meditates  upon  the  Word  of  God 
and  prays  together,  is  a most  important  aid. 

Whatever  strengthens  the  spiritual  life  of  the  home,  strength- 
ens the  ability  of  the  children  to  stand  true  to  the  great  spiritual 
teachings  of  the  Bible  and  the  church.  It  is  a heritage  we  owe 
to  our  children. 

Local  churches  and  pastors  will  find  various  ways  and  means 
of  directing  the  thoughts  of  the  community  to  the  value  of  the 
Christian  home,  and  ways  by  which  a stronger  Christian  family 
life  may  be  developed. 


GREAT  EXPECTATIONS  We  hope  readers  are  following 
the  little  column,  “Looking  Toward  General  Conference.”  Various 
individuals  are  stating  their  expectations  and  hopes  for  the  com- 
ing Bluffton  Conference,  August  12-20. 

It  is  good  to  expect  great  things  from  God  through  this  Con- 
ference. Without  such  a sense  of  expectancy  we  are  really  not 
prepared  for  the  blessings,  awaiting  us.  But  to  hope  and  pray  for 
a great  experience  of  insight,  inspiration,  and  fellowship  will 
prepare  us  for  the  outpouring  of  the  Spirit  of  God. 

Naturally  there  'will  be  various  motives  that  lead  people  to 
make  the  trip  with  its  accompanying  expense  and  block  of  time. 
Some  may  plan  this  merely  as  their  vacation.  Others  delight 
most  in  meeting  friends  not  seen  for  some  time.  Some  enjoy  the 
high  spirit  of  Christian  fellowship.  Some  will  attend  for  the 
first  time  to  see  what  it  is  all  about.  Others  will  have  a genuine 
interest  in  what  is  really  being  accomplished  by  the  churches 
and  the  Conference. 

But  the  primary  motive  should  go  deeper.  We  should  expe- 
rience a hunger  and  thirst  for  God  and  His  will  for  us.  We  feel 
the  need  of  spiritual  re-enforcement  to  meet  the  tensions  of  the 
day.  We  have  a real  desire  to  share  Christ  with  others  and  to 
help  where  there  is  need.  When  this  deeper  motive  dominates  us 
and  absorbs  all  the  other  motives,  we  may  expect  great  blessings 
for  ourselves,  and  a Conference  of  mighty  spiritual  power  to  be 
felt  throughout  the  world. 

The  success  of  the  Conference  is  largely  dependent  upon  the 
spiritual  preparation  and  expectation  of  the  individuals  attending. 


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258 


THE  MENNONITE 


Truths  Learned  At  Home 


Mrs.  Howard  Raid 


“Train  up  a child  in  the  way  he 
should  go,  and  when  he  is  old  he 
will  not  depart  from  it”  (Proverbs 
22:6). 

Fortunate  indeed  are  we  who 
have  been  permitted  by  the 
grace  of  God  to  grow  up  in  a Chris- 
tian home.  Some  of  us  need  to  be- 
come parents  ourselves  before  we 
realize  how  much  our  own  parents 
have  meant  to  us  in  our  childhood, 
youth,  and  early  maturity.  “Honor 
thy  father  and  thy  mother”  (Exo- 
dus 20:12). 

As  a parent  with  a teen-age  daugh- 
ter, I realize  again  in  a new  way 
what  we  owe  to  our  parents.  May  I 
share  a few  of  the  great  lessons 
which  I learned  from  my  parents 
as  I was  growing  up? 

Always  put  God  and  the  church 
first  in  life.  We  are  God’s  highest 
creation  and  made  in  His  own  like- 
ness. We  are  to  honor  and  serve 
Him.  Our  first  allegiance  is  to  God, 
and  we  are  to  join  ourselves  to 
Christ  and  His  church.  We  should 
take  an  active  part  in  the  work  of 
the  church  and  its  organizations 
and  carry  our  share  of  the  respon- 
sibilities. We  are  to  give  generous- 
ly, enthusiastically,  and  sincerely  of 
our  time  and  talents  and  money. 

Character  is  of  utmost  value. 
There  is  no  substitute  for  good  char- 
acter: it  is  basic.  We  are  to  order 
each  act  of  our  lives  in  the  light 
of  the  principles  that  underlie  right 
conduct,  with  a resolve  to  do  the 
right,  always,  at  all  costs.  We 
should  decide  what  is  right  and  not 
be  afraid  to  stand  up  and  speak  out 
against  the  wrong.  It  is  when  a per- 
son meets  the  gray  patches — where 
right  seems  to  shade  off  into  wrong 
— that  real  strength  of  character 
comes  out. 

God  has  an  intention  or  plan  for 
e'/ery  life.  We  are  likely  to  be  rest- 
less until  we  have  found  our  place 
within  the  realm  of  that  intention. 


When  we  have  found  God’s  plan 
for  our  lives,  we  are  to  study  and 
prepare  and  use  our  talents  and  fit 
ourselves  into  His  plan,  improving 
ourselves  each  day  as  we  go  along 
life’s  way.  If  we  fail  to  fulfill  His 
plan,  our  share  of  life’s  work  is  left 
undone. 

Work,  so  far  from  being  a curse, 
is  one  of  God’s  greatest  blessings 
to  man.  Do  each  task  as  unto  Him. 
As  we  take  cheerfulness  and  eager- 
ness with  us  into  our  work,  we  will 
have  satisfaction  and  happiness.  We 
must  be  good  stewards,  do  our  work 
well,  whatever  work  our  hands  and 
minds  have  found  to  do.  As  we  do 
an  honest  day’s  work  each  day,  it 
will  bring  its  own  reward  in  the 
satisfaction  which  that  gives  us. 

We  are  to  be  thankful  for  life’s 
blessings.  Never  fail  to  say  “Thank 
you,  God”  many  times  a day.  God’s 
blessings  to  us  daily  are  without 
measure  and  without  merit  on  our 
part.  “My  cup  runneth  over.”  Al- 
ways tell  God  about  your  feelings 
of  gratitude  and  give  expression  to 
thankfulness  in  every  act. 

The  wise  person  economizes,  the 
foolish  person  wastes.  “Waste  not, 
want  not”  is  a motto  of  which  we 
were  often  reminded.  We  are  to  be 
thrifty  and  conserve  the  many  re- 
sources which  are  ours.  We  are  to 
leave  the  world  better  than  we 
found  it  and  richer  for  our  having 
lived. 

The  time  we  are  allotted  for  this 
life  is  a gift  from  God.  We  are  to 
give  an  account  of  how  we  spent 
the  hours  of  each  day.  So  we  are  to 
make  the  very  best  use  of  our  time 
and  never  waste  precious  minutes. 
Also,  we  were  taught  to  be  prompt; 
being  late  is  stealing  someone  else’s 
time. 

We  are  to  respect  the  property  of 
others.  Some  things  belong  to  oth- 
ers and  some  things  to  us.  At  times 
when  we  need  to  use  the  things 
which  belong  to  others,  we  are  to 


do  so  with  the  utmost  care,  and 
treat  other’s  property  as  our  own. 
We  are  to  respect  the  privacy  of 
each  person,  and  be  considerate  of 
those  about  us. 

We  must  realize  the  obligation  of 
our  duties.  When  we  assume  a duty, 
we  put  a responsibility  upon  our- 
selves and  we  are  to  do  our  very 
best  to  perform  that  duty  to  the 
best  of  our  abilities. 

As  children  and  youth  we  are 
to  have  a deep  respect  for  older 
people.  We  must  remember  that 
our  parents,  teachers,  pastors,  and 
all  who  are  in  authority  are  older 
than  we  and  have  had  many  more 
experiences  in  living  than  we  have 
had.  They  have  many  things  to 
teach  us,  and  we  are  wise  if  we 
learn  from  them.  Little  acts  of 
thoughtfulness  and  kindness  on  our 
part  bring  much  joy  to  our  elders 
as  well  as  to  ourselves. 

As  we  grew  older,  we  were  often 
advised  to  establish  and  own  our 
own  homes,  to  place  our  roots  deep 
in  the  community  where  we  chose 
to  carry  on  life’s  work,  join  a 
church  and  carry  our  share  of  re- 
sponsibility in  the  church  and  com- 
munity, and  make  our  lives  a bless- 
ing to  others.  “The  influence  of  my 
life  is  my  strongest  sermon”  is  a 
quotation  we  often  heard  spoken 
in  our  home. 

So  let  us  who  are  growing  youth 
honor  and  respect  our  parents  and 
elders  and  heed  their  teachings  and 
good  examples.  “Children,  obey 
your  parents  in  the  Lord;  for  this 
is  right”  (Ephesians  6:1). 

As  parents,  let  us  in  all  serious- 
ness teach  and  admonish  our  chil- 
dren to  hold  fast  to  the  things 
which  are  eternal.  We  want  to  bring 
up  our  children  in  the  faith  and 
conviction  that  we  are  molding 
these  lives  not  merely  for  a few 
earthly  years  but  for  all  time  and 
eternity.  What  a tremendous  re- 
sponsibility! 


April  28,  1959 


259 


My  Best  For  My  Children 


V.  Raymond  Edman* 


Faith  in  the  saviour  is  the  great- 
est contribution  any  parent  can 
make  to  his  children. 

Greater  than  fame  and  better 
than  money,  even  more  important 
than  education,  is  giving  to  each 
child  the  gift  of  faith.  That  gift  will 
be  enlarged  and  strengthened  as 
he  goes  onward;  and  all  of  life  will 
be  sweeter,  stronger,  and  better  for 
it. 

How  can  I do  my  very  best  for 
my  children? 

The  best  method  is  to  teach  them 
by  precept  and  practice.  By  seeing 
the  Lord  Jesus  in  you  they  will 
come  to  love  Him,  trust  Him,  and  to 
obey  Him. 

Your  conduct  will  be  the  most 
obvious  factor  to  them.  Actions  al- 
ways speak  louder  than  words.  In 
his  love  and  admiration  for  his  par- 
ents, the  little  child  learns  early 
whether  he  is  loved  or  not.  As  he 
grows  older,  his  big  eyes  observe 
what  is  done;  and  he  correlates  his 
observations  with  the  instruction 
given  to  him. 

Intuitively  the  child  understands 
practical  Christianity  in  action.  His 
response  will  first  be  imitation  of 
what  he  sees  and  hears;  but  imita- 
tion can  soon  become  a living  real- 
ity. He  will  believe  what  we  believe. 
He  will  walk  and  talk  as  we  do.  It 
will  be  easy  for  him  to  believe  in 
the  Saviour  for  having  seen  Him  in 
father  and  mother. 

Christian  character  will  be  as  ap- 
parent to  our  children,  younger  and 
older,  as  to  others;  perhaps  more 
so.  Before  they  learn  to  read  the 
ABC’s  they  read  character.  Intui- 
tively they  understand  adults  much 
better  than  we  give  them  credit. 
Integrity,  honesty,  honor,  unselfish- 
ness, courage  in  the  face  of  great 


*Pres.,  Wheaton  College,  Wheaton,  111. 


difficulties  — such  character  traits 
are  deeply  impressed  upon  young 
plastic  minds.  The  children  will  see 
Christ  in  our  character,  and  will 
share  the  confidence  that  others 
have  in  us.  They  will  be  proud  of 
mother  and  dad,  and  of  the  Saviour. 

Our  conversation  can  show  forth 
the  Lord  Jesus.  Little  folk  have  big 
ears  as  well  as  big  eyes.  They  com- 
prehend the  intent  as  well  as  the 
content  of  our  talk.  They  will  make 
mental  note  of  our  appreciation  and 
helpfulness  for  others;  and  con- 
trariwise of  unkind  and  unfair  criti- 
cism. Our  kindness  and  considera- 
tion for  others  in  what  we  say  and 
what  we  do  can  teach  them  of  Him 
who  went  about  doing  good  to  all. 

Consistency  is  a jewel,  and  no- 
where does  it  sparkle  more  bright- 
ly than  in  the  Christian  home.  At 
the  family  altar  we  can  teach  chil- 
dren about  Christ  as  we  read  the 
Bible;  but  even  more  impressive 
to  them  will  be  their  seeing  Christ 
in  us.  They  will  note  what  we  say 
and  do  in  Sunday  school  and  church, 
and  will  compare  that  with  our  at- 
titude and  actions  in  the  home.  Con- 
sistency in  our  words  and  our  works 
will  be  evidenced  by  the  standards 
that  we  maintain  in  the  Lord’s 
house  and  on  His  day,  and  in  the 
carefulness  with  which  we  do  His 
work  as  laity  or  clergy.  Your  faith 
in  the  Saviour  will  be  conveyed  to 
the  children  by  your  faithfulness  to 
them  and  to  the  Lord,  by  your  fa- 
therly care  and  concern.  To  me  it 
has  always  been  challenging  and 
encouraging  to  remember  that  in 
days  dark  and  foreboding,  Noah’s 
sons  followed  their  godly  father 
even  into  the  ark.  That  action  must 
have  seemed  somewhat  foolish  to 
them,  as  it  certainly  was  to  the 
worldlings  round  about;  but  they 
had  learned  to  trust  God  because 


they  trusted  their  father. 

'The  future  of  your  children  de- 
pends so  largely  upon  their  faith  in 
Christ.  Christian  conduct,  character, 
conversation,  and  consistency  will 
pay  big  dividends  in  the  life  of 
every  child. 

A family  altar  with  its  open  Bible 
and  bended  knees  for  the  whole 
family,  the  happy  home,  the  at- 
tendance of  all  the  family  at  Sun- 
day school  and  church — all  these 
make  for  a wholesome  outlook  on 
life  by  the  children,  and  the  estab- 
lishment of  standards  that  will  go 
with  them  throughout  life.  Correc- 
tion that  is  constructive,  co-opera- 
tion that  is  cheerful,  harmony  that 
is  helpful — such  are  the  memories 
the  children  will  carry  with  them 
when  they  leave  our  homes  and  go 
into  their  place  of  service  and  use- 
fulness. 

From  her  heart  out  of  more  than 
fifty  years  of  experience  of  leading 
little  orphan  boys  and  girls  to  the 
Saviour,  the  late  Amy  Carmichael 
of  South  India  wrote  this  earnest 
prayer: 

Father,  hear  us,  we  are  praying, 
Flear  the  words  our  hearts  are 
saying. 

We  are  praying  for  our  children. 

Keep  them  from  the  powers  of  evil. 
From  the  secret,  hidden  peril. 

From  the  whirlpool  that  would  suck 
them. 

From  the  treacherous  quicksand, 
pluck  them. 

From  the  worldling’s  hollow  glad- 
ness. 

From  the  sting  of  faithless  sadness. 
Holy  Father,  save  our  children. 
Through  life’s  troubled  waters  steer 
them. 

Through  life’s  bitter  battle  cheer 
them. 

Father,  Father,  be  Thou  near  them. 
Read  the  language  of  our  longing. 
Read  the  wordless  pleadings 
thronging. 

Holy  Father,  for  our  children. 

And  wherever  they  may  bide. 

Lead  them  Home  at  eventide. 

— National  Sunday  School  Assoc. 


THE  AAENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church. 
Entered  at  North  Newton,  Kansas,  post  office  as  second  class  matter.  Acceptance  for  mailing  at  special  rate  of  postage:  section  1103,  Act 
of  Oct.  3,  1917.  Authorized  Jan.  22,  1910.  Subscriptions  $2.50;  foreign  $3.00.  Mail  subscriptions  and  payments  to  Mennonite  Publication 
Office,  North  Newton,  Kan.,  or  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan.  Address  manuscripts  for  publication  to  J.  N.  Smucker,  Editor,  THE  MENNONITE, 
Woodward  Place,  Goshen,  Ind.  Postmatters:  change  of  addrots  Form  3579  to  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan. 


260 


THE  MENNONITE 


How  do  we  determine  whether  our  curriculum  is  adequate? 
Does  the  kind  of  curriculum  a church  uses  make  a difference? 
What  kind  of  curriculum  does  our  Conference  offer? 


Our  Total 
Church  Curriculum 


Paul  Shelly"^ 


During  the  Christmas  vacation 
I traveled  with  a quartet  and 
speaker  of  the  Bluffton  College  Gos- 
pel Team  as  we  visited  ten  church- 
es of  the  Central  District  Confer- 
ence. The  speaker  for  the  group  was 
interested  in  making  contacts  in 
these  churches  for  the  District 
Young  People’s  Union.  I was  inter- 
ested in  making  contacts  regarding 
our  total  church  curriculum. 

The  word  curriculum  can  be  used 
in  two  different  ways.  We  usually 
use  the  word  to  refer  to  curriculum 
materials.  In  using  the  word  in  this 
way  we  think  of  the  materials 
which  are  used  by  the  teacher  and 
the  pupils. 

The  other  definition  of  curriculum 
is  that  it  includes  all  the  experi- 
ences of  the  person  being  taught  as 
these  experiences  are  used  by  the 
teacher  to  achieve  certain  goals. 
This  definition  of  curriculum  applies 
to  all  the  experiences  of  the  person 
both  within  the  actual  program  of 
the  group  as  well  as  in  all  other  re- 
lationships of  life.  In  this  article  we 
will  be  using  curriculum  in  both  of 
these  ways. 

The  words  total  church  also  need 
defining.  We  think  of  the  word  total 
to  include  all  of  the  functions  of 
the  church.  We  also  think  of  total 
to  refer  to  all  age  groups  from  the 
time  a person  is  born  until  he  enters 


*Faculty,  Bluffton  College;  member,  Board 
of  Education  and  Publication 


the  fullness  of  life  with  Christ  at 
death. 

Our  also  needs  defining.  In  think- 
ing of  materials  it  may  be  well  to 
think  of  these  materials  which  we 
provide  as  a General  Conference 
Mennonite  Church.  As  we  consider 
our  in  relation  to  the  larger  mean- 
ing of  the  word  curriculum,  we  are 
thinking  of  the  total  program  of  our 
General  Conference  Mennonite 
Church  on  the  local,  district,  and 
General  Conference  level. 

Does  the  kind  of  curriculum  a 
church  uses  make  a difference? 

Denominations  feel  that  it  is  im- 
portant for  their  churches  to  use 
materials  provided  by  them.  There 
are  three  reasons  for  this.  If  a de- 
nomination believes  that  God  has 
revealed  himself  to  the  group  in  a 
particular  way,  the  only  way  that 
persons  can  respond  to  God’s  rev- 
elation is  through  the  curriculum — 
using  the  word  with  its  broader 
meaning.  If  America  is  interested 
in  helping  others  to  respond  to  the 
way  of  life  it  believes  in,  it  will  not 
use  materials  produced  by  commu- 
nists in  its  public  schools.  A denom- 
ination, too,  that  feels  it  has  a mis- 
sion to  perform  will  be  concerned 
about  being  ambassadors  within  a 
particular  frame  of  reference. 

Denominations  feel  it  is  impor- 
tant for  their  churches  to  use  ma- 
terials provided  by  them  because  it 
is  only  in  this  way  that  they  can 


produce  them  financially.  Third, 
these  materials  help  to  create  a 
spirit  of  fellowship  and  offer  a 
means  to  interpret  the  over-all  pro- 
gram. It  is  through  the  curriculum 
as  broadly  conceived  that  we  learn 
about  our  mission  program,  our  re- 
lief program,  our  institutions,  and 
our  beliefs. 

The  American  Baptist  Church 
made  a study  of  the  churches  that 
used  their  materials  and  those  who 
did  not  use  their  materials.  They 
discovered  that  the  churches  that 
used  their  materials  were  more 
evangelistic,  supported  American 
Baptist  missions  to  a much  greater 
degree,  and  also  supported  the  on- 
going program  of  the  denomination 
to  a much  greater  extent. 

How  do  we  determine  whether 
our  curriculum  is  adequate? 

Some  churches  choose  their  cur- 
riculum material  by  criteria  that 
are  not  valid.  Just  because  mate- 
rials are  adequate  for  another  de- 
nomination does  not  mean  that 
they  will  be  adequate  for  us  any 
more  than  the  fact  that  one  college 
is  adequate  for  one  person  makes 
it  adequate  for  another  person.  Just 
because  the  materials  are  described 
in  an  attractive  way  does  not  mean 
that  these  materials  are  the  kind 
which  will  meet  our  needs.  Adver- 
tisements in  this  area,  as  in  all 
areas,  may  be  misleading. 

Just  because  the  materials  are 


April  28,-1959 


261 


priced  at  a lower  level  does  not 
mean  that  this  is  the  kind  of  mate- 
rial we  will  want  for  our  churches. 
We  are  concerned  about  the  best  in 
other  areas  of  life  and  should  cer- 
tainly be  concerned  about  the  best 
as  we  plan  to  interpret  the  Chris- 
tian faith  to  our  groups. 

The  following  are  nine  questions 
that  we  should  ask  as  we  think  of 
the  curriculum  in  our  churches. 

Does  the  curriculum  accept  the 
Bible  as  the  inspired  Word  of  God 
and  interpret  it  in  the  light  of  the 
revelation  of  Jesus  Christ?  There 
are  many  materials  which  do  not 
take  this  approach  to  the  Bible. 
This  question  is  a vital  one. 

Does  the  curriculum  present  the 
TOTAL  GOSPEL^  the  personal  and  the 
social  aspects  of  it?  When  Jesus 
came  to  His  home  town  in  Naza- 
reth, He  read  from  Isaiah  61  as  He 
pointed  out  that  His  mission  was 
to  preach  the  gospel  and  also  to 
help  those  who  were  in  need.  This 
is  the  gospel!  This  is  the  good  news! 
Many  materials  stress  only  one  as- 
pect of  the  gospel. 

Does  the  curriculum  accept  the 
BASIC  TRUTHS  of  the  Christian  faith? 


There  are  materials  that  take  a 
liberal  approach  to  Christian  truths. 
There  are  materials  that  overem- 
phasize some  of  the  parts  of  the 
Christian  truth.  For  example,  mate- 
rials produced  by  the  Assemblies  of 
God  would  emphasize  speaking  in 
tongues.  It  is  important  to  have 
materials  which  stress  the  basic 
Christian  truths  without  overempha- 
sizing certain  aspects  of  our  faith. 

Does  the  curriculum  include 

OUR  DISTINCTIVE  DENOMINATIONAL  BE- 
LIEFS? I believe  that  this  item  be- 
longs here  as  the  fourth  issue.  I be- 
lieve too,  however,  that  it  cannot  be 
separated  from  the  first  three  is- 
sues. Much  of  the  material  from 
other  groups  fails  at  this  point.  Our 
curriculum  needs  to  include  ideas 
such  as  the  authority  of  the  Bible, 
baptism  on  confession  of  faith,  dis- 
cipleship,  and  nonresistance. 

Does  the  curriculum  apply  bib- 
lical TRUTHS  to  the  lives  of  those 
who  are  taught?  Some  materials 
stress  primarily  the  importance  of 
a knowledge  of  biblical  content. 
This  is  important!  Yet,  we  are  in- 
terested that  persons  find  the  mean- 
ing of  biblical  truths  for  their  own 


daily  lives  so  that  they  are  able  “to 
walk  even  as  He  walked”  in  addi- 
tion to  knowing  facts  contained  in 
the  Bible. 

Does  the  curriculum  cover  all 

THE  AIMS  OF  CHRISTIAN  EDUCATION? 

The  General  Conference  Mennonite 
Church  has  worked  out  twelve  ob- 
jectives for  Christian  education.  We 
need  to  be  careful  that  all  of  the 
areas  are  covered  in  the  total  cur- 
riculum of  the  church. 

Does  the  curriculum  fit  the  age 
GROUP  for  which  it  is  intended?  We 
realize  how  important  this  is  in 
other  areas  of  life.  We  know  that 
persons  have  different  needs  and 
interests  at  various  ages.  It  is  im- 
portant that  the  curriculum  meets 
the  needs  of  each  age  group. 

Does  the  curriculum  keep  in 
MIND  both  the  content  of  the  Chris- 
tian faith  and  the  person?  Some 
materials  go  into  each  of  these  ex- 
tremes but  not  both.  The  gospel 
must  be  communicated  to  persons. 
Thus,  the  content  of  the  Christian 
faith  must  always  be  related  to  per- 
sons. The  curriculum  dare  not  neg- 
lect either  the  gospel  or  the  person 
with  whom  the  gospel  must  be 
shared. 


262 


THE  MENNONITE 


Does  the  curriculum  provide  for 
THE  TOTAL  NEEDS  of  all  agOS  With 
a minimum  of  overlapping?  A cur- 
riculum should  meet  all  the  needs 
of  a particular  age  group.  It  should 
also  meet  the  needs  progressively 
of  the  growing  person.  A person  in 
high  school  participates  in  many 
activities  in  the  church.  As  we  think 
of  this  person,  we  must  ask  the 
question  whether  the  curriculum 
covers  all  the  items  that  should  be 
covered  for  him.  The  other  ques- 
tion must  also  be  raised,  whether 
the  curriculum  builds  on  what  the 
person  learned  in  junior  high  school 
and  prepares  him  for  the  experi- 
ences he  will  meet  out  of  high 
school. 

What  does  the  General  Confer- 
ence Mennonite  Church  offer  in  the 
area  of  curriculum? 

There  is  room  for  both  humility 
and  thankfulness  as  we  think  of 
what  our  Conference  offers  us — 
humility,  for  there  is  much  that 
still  needs  to  be  done,  and  thank- 
fulness for  what  has  been  accom- 
plished through  God’s  grace. 

The  purpose  of  this  article  is  not 
to  list  in  detail  the  materials  that 
are  offered  but  to  suggest  the  areas 
and  to  list  briefly  what  is  being 
done.  More  details  will  be  given  on 
some  of  these  items  in  subsequent 
articles. 

Sunday  School.  We  have  available 
the  uniform  series  for  juniors,  in- 
termediates, young  people,  and 
adults  in  English  and  for  adults 
in  the  German.  We  now  have 
available  our  new  Living  Faith 
Graded  series  for  nursery,  kinder- 
garten I and  kindergarten  II  in 
English,  and  kindergarten  I and 
kindergarten  II  in  the  German.  The 
new  primary  graded  material  will 
be  ready  this  fall  both  in  English 
and  in  German. 

Catechism.  We  have  available 
catechisms  in  both  the  English  and 
the  German,  with  the  Canadian 
Conference  publishing  an  English- 
German  Catechism  this  summer. 
We  have  two  workbooks  available 
to  be  used  by  pastors  in  working 
with  those  who  are  preparing  for 
church  membership. 

Junior  Groups.  Several  units  are 
available.  (We  tend  to  forget  what 
is  available  in  some  of  these  areas 
and  need  to  be  reminded.) 

Youth  Groups.  Materials  are  made 
available  to  youth  groups  every 


other  month.  A youth  manual  is 
also  available  and  manuals  for  the 
various  commissions  are  being  pre- 
pared. 

Summer  Bible  School.  Our  Sum- 
mer Bible  School  material  is  avail- 
able with  our  own  mission  units 
in  grades  three  to  eight. 

Retreats.  Work  has  been  done  in 
the  area  of  retreats,  thinking  par- 
ticularly of  curriculum  in  the  broad 
sense:  that  which  the  retreats 

should  be  accomplishing  in  relation 
to  the  total  church  program. 

Women’s  Missionary  Societies. 
Materials  have  been  provided  for 
these  groups  by  the  Conference 
Women’s  organization. 

Music.  Music  also  plays  a vital 
role  in  our  curriculum,  and  The 
Mennonite  Hymnary,  the  Handbook 
to  the  Mennonite  Hymnary,  and 
The  Youth  Hymnary  are  a part  of 
our  total  curriculum. 

Special  Units.  The  one  special  unit 
available  is  Youth  and  Christian 
Love.  Other  units  are  being  worked 
on. 


Night  had  fallen,  but  a full  moon 
made  a bright  path  over  the  rough 
stone  road.  A few  minutes  more 
and  the  missionary  would  be  home. 
The  light  from  his  flashlight  cast 
a beam  into  the  shadows  as  he 
walked  along.  Just  a bit  ahead, 
across  the  river  and  beside  the 
bridge,  was  a poor  little  shack.  A 
faint  light,  perhaps  from  a candle, 
shone  through  the  cracks  in  the 
mud  wall.  The  sparkle  of  moonlight 
through  the  trees  and  the  beauty 
of  the  night  hid  the  misery  of  the 
poor  dwelling  with  a cloak  of  semi- 
darkness. 

Then  out  of  the  darkness  came 
the  sound  of  music  ...  voices  raised 
in  singing  hymns  of  praises  to  God. 
There  was  the  low  voice  of  the  fa- 
ther, the  higher  voice  of  the  moth- 
er, and  the  clear  piping  tones  of 
small  children,  all  blended  together. 
The  missionary  paused  to  listen  a 
moment.  It  was  joyful  singing.  He 
could  hear  the  sweet  voices  of  little 
George  and  William,  only  four  and 
five  years  old,  rising  above  the  oth- 
ers. Occasionally  he  could  hear 


Boys’  Clubs.  A manual  is  avail- 
able for  groups  interested  in  start- 
ing Mennonite  Boys’  clubs. 

The  Mennonite  and  Der  Bote. 
These  papers  which  enter  our  homes 
each  week  are  the  foundation  of 
our  total  curriculum. 

Junior  Messenger  and  Der  Kin- 
derbote.  Weekly  papers  for  the  chil- 
dren also  are  a constant  part  of 
our  curriculum. 

Audio-visual  Aids.  We  have  an  in- 
creasing number  of  materials  in  our 
audio-visual  library.  These,  too,  play 
a part  in  the  total  curriculum. 

What  is  the  goal  of  our  total 
church  curriculum? 

We  need  to  keep  in  mind  that  our 
task  is  to  be  ministers  of  reconcilia- 
tion. “God  . . . hath  committed  unto 
us  the  word  of  reconciliation.”  All 
that  we  do  in  the  church  in  all  of 
the  organizations  must  be  related 
to  this  central  task  of  helping  per- 
sons to  respond  to  God’s  redeeming 
love  through  Christ  and  to  become 
reconciled  with  God  and  to  live  as 
reconciled  children  of  God. 


three-year-old  Samuel  too,  as  well 
as  James,  who  is  a bit  older.  'Then 
he  moved  on,  his  heart  touched  by 
what  he  had  heard. 

The  next  evening  the  parents  who 
lived  in  that  poor  house  were  in 
prayer  meeting  in  Cachipay.  After- 
ward, as  they  rode  home  over  the 
bumpy  lane  in  the  mission  jeep,  the 
missionary  commented  on  his  de- 
light in  having  heard  the  family 
sing  so  joyously  the  night  before. 

“Oh,  yes,”  replied  the  parents, 
“it’s  that  sometimes  there  isn’t  e- 
nough  to  eat  for  supper,  and  the 
children  are  still  hungry  and  crying 
for  more  food.  So  we  begin  to  sing 
hymns,  and  they  join  with  us  hap- 
pily and  forget  their  misery.” 

By  singing  praises  to  God,  they 
forget  their  hunger!  They  did  not 
complain,  but  they  praised  Him. 
How  much  more  should  we,  in  the 
midst  of  the  great  bountifulness  of 
God’s  blessing  poured  out  upon  us, 
raise  our  voices  in  unending  praise 
and  thanksgiving  to  Him. 

“Songs  of  praises  I will  ever  give 
to  Thee.”  — Mrs.  Arthur  Reiser 


Hymns  in  the  Night 


April  28,  1959 


263 


An  Unforgettable  Trip 


In  1951,  Dr.  and  Mrs.  John  R. 
Schmidt  went  to  Paraguay  to  launch 
a leprosy  mission  program  under 
the  threefold  sponsorship  of  MCG, 
American  Leprosy  Mission,  and  the 
Mennonite  colonies. 

Today  the  project  is  firmly  estab- 
lished. A central  clinic  is  located 
at  Kilometer  81,  but  most  of  the  pa- 
tients are  treated  in  their  homes. 
Several  Mennonite  young  men  assist 
Dr.  Schmidt  in  this  work  by  look- 
ing up  the  patients  and  their  con- 
tacts (persons  who  come  in  fre- 
quent contact  with  the  patient),  giv- 
ing them  medicine,  and  reporting 
any  complications  at  Kilometer  81. 
Dr.  Schmidt  accoynpanies  the  young 
men  at  various  times  so  as  to  see 
all  patients  and  contacts  every  six 
months  to  a year.  In  the  following 
report  he  describes  his  experiences 
during  one  of  these  trips. 

The  trips  I make  with  the  men 
are  never  the  same,  cind  my  last 
one  was  the  kind  one  never  forgets. 

We  planned  to  leave  Wednesday 
noon.  After  an  early  lunch  we  were 
on  our  way  on  horseback  to  see 
eleven  patients — a round  trip  of 
forty  miles.  We  found  six  of  the 
first  seven  patients  at  home  as  well 
as  a good  70%  of  their  contacts. 
We  had  planned  to  go  home  by  a 


1.  Start  the  day  with  devotions 
and  plan  the  day  in  that  light. 
Ten  minutes  can  go  a long  way. 

2.  Work  swiftly  but  never  hur- 
riedly — • calmly,  steadily.  Con- 
centrate on  the  task  at  hand,  yet 
think  while  you  work,  of  your 
work  and  life.  Phil.  4:8. 

3.  Do  your  work  well  but  learn  to 
skim.  You  aren’t  asked  to  be 
perfect,  just  not  ashamed. 

4.  Live  surrendered  to  interrup- 
tions— use  them. 

5.  Make  quick  tidy-up  rounds  of- 
ten. Ten  minutes  here,  too,  go  a 

long  way. 

6.  Know  your  limitations.  Learn 
to  say  “no”  when  necessary.  Know 
what  you  can  and  cannot  do. 


different  route,  but  since  the  one 
patient  we  did  not  see  was  to  be 
back  with  his  family  the  next  day, 
we  promised  to  return. 

It  was  now  near  6 p.m.,  cloudy, 
looking  like  rain  and  getting  dark. 
My  young  man  had  arranged  for 
lodging  at  a Paraguay  home  in  the 
area,  but  when  we  got  there  the 
man  had  been  called  to  Asuncion. 
We  were  told  to  go  to  the  neighbor 
but  he  turned  us  down. 

Sometimes  we  stay  in  open  camp 
on  such  occasions,  but  since  it  look- 
ed like  rain  we  went  to  the  next 
place.  Here  we  found  an  open  door. 
Like  all  families  in  this  area  they 
were  poor,  but  gave  us  their  best. 
They  cooked  a local  tea  for  us  and 
gave  us  galletas,  hard,  dry  biscuits. 
We  visited  awhile,  then  went  to  bed. 

In  the  meantime  it  had  started  to 
rain  and  continued  to  do  so  all 
night.  We  had  four  more  patients 
to  look  up  but  the  rain  had  con- 
verted every  creek  into  a raging 
stream,  making  it  impossible  for  us 
to  continue.  Since  the  people  where 
we  stayed  were  so  poor  we  decided 
to  start  for  home. 

We  couldn’t  return  the  way  we 
had  come  because  there  was  a river 
which  we  knew  was  now  impossible 
to  cross.  By  going  a southern  route 


7.  Learn  how  to  hurry  when  neces- 
sary, but  remain  calm  and  se- 
rene. 

8.  Make  use  of  modem  conve- 
niences, ways,  grocery  stores, 
moderately  according  to  circum- 
stance. Keep  the  needy  world 
in  mind. 

9.  Pray  as  you  work — about  your 
work. 

10.  Use  your  Bible,  hymnary,  and 
helps  on  the  kitchen  cabinet. 
They  do  not  slow  you  down  but 
speed  you  up! 

11.  Read  your  Bible  each  day. 

12.  Pray  each  day. 

13.  Thank  God  for  opportunity. 

— 'Twila  Hilty  Garber 


we  would  come  to  a bridge.  After 
three  hours  of  riding  we  came  to  a 
usual  looking  lake  (after  such  a 
rain)  crossed  by  some  woods  with 
an  opening  where  oxcarts  drive 
through.  My  partner  rode  ahead  in 
water.  When  he  came  to  the  woods, 
his  horse  suddenly  lost  footing  but 
managed  to  swirl  back  in  deep  wa- 
ter. My  partner  swung  himself 
off  the  saddle  immediately,  but  hung 
on  to  the  stirrup  for  a minute,  al- 
ways a tense  moment. 

Then  I saw  a path  through  the 
woods  on  one  side  and  suggested 
we  take  that.  He  led  his  horse,  but 
I thought  I would  be  smart  and  ride 
to  keep  my  boots  from  filling  with 
water,  though  my  feet  were  wet 
through  and  through.  As  my  part- 
ner took  the  side  path,  water  up  to 
his  hips,  the  ground  suddenly  slip- 
ped away  from  under  him.  He  got 
hold  of  a limb  and  began  to  crawl 
across,  leading  the  horse  after  him. 
Well,  that  was  enough  to  get  me  off 
my  horse,  too.  I stood  in  the  water, 
waiting  for  my  partner  to  get  across 
the  ravine. 

His  horse  tried  to  swim,  but  land- 
ed with  legs  straddled  over  a log 
which  apparently  was  used  by  pe- 
destrians to  cross  the  stream  on 
better  days.  Seeing  the  horse  was 
helpless  and  that  my  partner  could 
not  manage  alone,  I tied  my  horse, 
straddled  across  as  best  I could  and 
helped  pull  the  horse  up  a steep 
bank,  we  of  course  being  in  deep 
water,  too.  I thought  the  horse  was 
surely  a goner,  because  he  lay  there 
as  though  he  were  ready  to  die. 
With  repeated  effort  we  would  get 
him  half  way  up  the  bank  and  then 
he  would  fall  back.  Finally  we 
kicked  him  and  started  him  through 
brush  and  trees  with  saddle  under 
water,  only  eyes  and  ears  sticking 
out.  This  time  he  got  through  and 
up  the  bank  further  up. 

Then  we  tried  to  get  my  horse 
through  another  area  but  to  no 
avail.  My  partner  went  under  in 
the  search  but  returned  unharmed. 
At  last  we  sent  my  horse  along  the 
deep  path  where  the  first  found 
safety  and  before  long  we  were  on 
our  way  again. 

All  this  time  rain  continued  to 
fall  but  we  didn’t  have  to  worry 
about  getting  wetter  than  we  were. 
'The  rest  of  the  trip  was  cold  but 
we  soon  reached  home,  thankful 
that  we  were  safe. 


Practical  Christian  Housekeeping 


264 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  youth 


The 

Real 

Enemy 

An  oration  dealing  with 
problems  related  to 
the  use  of  alcohol 


by  J.  William  Anderson, 
winner  of  Oregon’s  IQ58 
intercollegiate  oratorical 
contest,  and  second-place 
winner  in  the  national 
contest  held  in  Washington, 
D.  C.,  last  August 


Explain  something  to  me, 

Christian  Temperance  Worker. 
Explain  the  grounds  on  which  you 
fight  your  dreaded  enemy.  Tell  me 
how  you  prove  to  the  farmer  grow- 
ing hops,  to  the  foreman  in  the 
brewery,  or  to  the  clerk  behind  the 
liquor  counter,  that  what  he’s  doing 
is  wrong.  He  knows  it’s  not  a sin 
to  drink;  not  a sin  against  God,  nor 
against  his  fellow  man,  nor  against 


himself.  How  do  you  intend  to  con- 
vince him  otherwise? 

After  all,  doesn’t  the  Psalmist  in- 
clude it  in  his  praise  to  God  for  His 
gifts  to  man:  “Wine  that  maketh 
glad  the  heart  of  man,  and  oil  to 
make  his  face  to  shine,  and  bread 
which  strengthened  man’s  heart’’ 
(Ps.  104:15)?  Wasn’t  King  Lemuel 
in  Proverbs  advised  to  “give  strong 
drink  unto  him  that  is  ready  to 
perish,  and  wine  unto  those  that  be 
of  heavy  hearts,’’  to  “let  him  drink, 
and  forget  his  poverty,  and  remem- 
ber his  misery  no  more”  (Prov.  31: 
6-7)?  And  didn’t  St.  Paul  advise 
Timothy  to  “use  a little  wine  for 
thy  stomach’s  sake  and  thine  often 
infirmities”  (1  Tim.  5:23)?  We 
know  they’re  not  all  talking  about 
fresh  grape  juice! 

How  then  can  the  Christian 
church  stand  on  scriptural  grounds 
to  renounce  the  use  of  alcohol? 
Wouldn’t  those  who  are  already  an- 
tagonistic toward  the  church,  like- 
wise be  antagonistic  toward  its 
scriptural  dictates? 

Come  now,  take  off  your  white 
ribbon.  Cease  this  useless  fight  a- 
gainst  man’s  privilege  to  drink  if 
he  so  chooses.  . . . 

“But  wait!” 

A voice  cries  out  from  behind  me, 
and  another  and  another,  until 
there’s  a great  chorus,  crying  out 
as  one  voice,  “Wait  . . . wait!”  I 
turn  to  see  who  would  interrupt 
me,  but  I see  nothing  but  a vast 
gray  mist  from  which  the  voices 
emerge.  Then  one  voice  issues  forth 
and  takes  on  the  misshapen  form 
of  a twisted,  dirty  man,  old  before 
his  time — a staggering,  stumbling 
relic  of  the  streets,  with  the  stench 
of  too  much  alcohol  permeating  his 
very  being,  crying,  “Wait  . . . wait!” 

I turn  away  in  disgust,  “Wait  for 
what,  old  man?  Why  should  we 
listen  to  you?  We’re  not  of  your 
kind.  We’re  young  and  healthy,  not 
old  and  diseased!”  And  the  man 
falls  back,  to  be  swept  away  in  the 
current  of  the  gutter,  like  520,000 
others,  never  to  be  seen  again,  his 
warning  unheeded. 

Another  voice  takes  on  form  and 


emerges  from  the  fog;  a woman 
with  a baby  in  her  arms  and  two 
crying  children  hanging  to  the  tat- 
tered hem  of  her  faded  dress.  Her 
face  is  scarred,  but  with  scars  far 
deeper  than  just  the  tom  skin  of 
her  cheek  — a mind  and  body, 
scarred  by  the  constant  abuses  of 
a drunken  husband.  And  she,  cry- 
ing out  for  the  200,000  alcohol- 
ruined  homes  she  represents,  cries 
above  the  rest,  “Wait  . . . wait!” 

Still  the  clamor  from  the  fog 
continues,  and  I cry  back,  “Let  us 
alone.  We  can’t  enjoy  the  pleasures 
of  our  drinking  if  you  insist  upon 
annoying  us  so!” 

But  the  clamor  only  increases, 
and  another  figure  steps  forth.  This 
time  it  is  a young,  good-looking 
man,  yet  a man  whose  mind  is  slow- 
ly being  eaten  away  by  the  ravages, 
not  of  alcohol,  but  of  a disease  that 
has  come  from  his  intemperance. 
He,  as  he  is  led  away,  like  190,000 
others,  cries  back,  half-crazed, 
“Wait  . . . wait!” 

I begin  to  tire  from  the  parade 
of  useless  exceptions  who  would  try 
to  blame  “drink”  for  their  down- 
fall and  not  their  own  inherent 
weakness,  their  own  intemperance. 

Then  beyond  the  rabble  of  voices, 
I hear  another  sound,  not  the  sound 
of  a human  voice,  but  that  of  a 
modem,  high-powered  automobile, 
racing  at  high  speed,  careening 
from  the  mist.  'There’s  an  anguished 
scream  of  steaming  brakes,  a pause, 
and  a rending  crash  of  metal,  and 
glass,  and  concrete.  'Then  silence. 

The  vehicle  that  only  moments 
before  had  been  the  beautiful,  sleek, 
swift  product  of  the  latest  of  De- 
troit’s engineering  ingenuity  lies  up- 
side-down in  the  middle  of  the 
highway,  tom  and  twisted  beyond 
recognition.  Flames  begin  to  lick 
out  from  the  gasoline-soaked  inte- 
rior, and  with  the  flames,  a woman 
trapped  inside,  screams  out  in  pain 
and  fear.  The  flames  reach  the 
tank,  and  in  a blinding  flash,  the 
woman’s  fear  and  pain  are  over. 

Then  I notice  another  figure  ly- 
ing in  the  ditch  at  the  side  of  the 
road.  I msh  to  his  side  and  kneel 


April  28,  1959 


265 


beside  him.  In  the  heavy,  fog-laden 
air,  above  the  stench  of  warm  hu- 
man blood,  there  is  the  odor  of  the 
drinks  that  had  made  the  evening 
so  gay,  but  so  dulled  his  judgment 
that  he  did  not  realize  that  he  could 
not  control  his  car. 

Here  had  been  a man  of  distinc- 
tion, a man  of  good  health  and  pros- 
perity, a man  who  had  loved  and 
provided  amply  for  his  family,  who 
had  gone  to  church  regularly,  and 
followed  unfailingly  a life  of  mod- 
eration. . . . 

Yet  in  an  instant,  he  and  his  wife 
had  become  two  more  additions  to 
the  list  of  20,000  “alcohol-flavored” 
traffic  deaths  anticipated  this  year. 
A life  of  moderation? 

Then  the  light  shifts,  and  I see 
the  face  of  the  man  for  the  first 
time.  I am  sickened  with  what  I 
see,  for  the  face  on  the  dead  man 
. . . is  mine!  My  own  body  de- 
stroyed, my  wife  dead,  my  children 
homeless. 

Then  it  is  that  I know.  “There’s 
no  need  to  explain,  Christian  Tern- 


Raw  Material  for 

Have  you  been  scratching  for 
lively  discussion  topics  in  your 
young  people’s  meetings?  At  the 
Alberta  Youth  Workshop  in  Febru- 
ary, Frank  Epp,  editor  of  the  Can- 
adian Mennonite,  gave  a series  of 
talks  which  manufactured  sparks. 
Here  are  some  of  the  things  he 
said : 

We  as  young  people  must  stop 
drifting — into  jobs,  into  church, 
into  marriage.  Christ  wished  His 
disciples  either  cold  or  hot  but  not 
lukewarm.  We  must  weigh  the 
issues  before  us,  count  the  cost, 
make  rational  decisions,  and  then 
stick  to  our  decisions.  And  this 
takes  discipline.  . . . What  is  the 
standard  of  discipline  in  your  com- 
munity? How  much  and  what  kind 
of  discipline  do  we  need  to  apply 
to  ourselves  ? 

Youth  seek  Christian  fellowship — 
we  would  agree  on  that.  But  are  we 
drifting  to  the  place  where  “the 
disk  jockeys  are  our  philosophers, 
the  rock  and  roll  artists  our  kings, 
and  the  song  writers  our  law  giv- 
ers”? Do  we  find  ourselves  to  be 
more  comfortable  in  the  code  of 
ethics  that  “it’s  good  because  every- 


perance  Worker.  'This  is  your 
proof.” 

There  may  be  no  evil  spirits  in 
the  glass,  but  death  and  poverty 
and  disease  swim  within  it.  There 
may  be  no  sin  in  the  act  of  drink- 
ing itself,  but  wanton  murder  and 
destruction  lies  submerged  in  the 
unconscious,  unknowing  release  of 
inhibitions;  complete  oblivion  in  the 
unwarranted  self-confidence  impart- 
ed by  it.  There  may  be  no  literal 
condemnation,  scripturally,  of  drink- 
ing, but  with  drunkenness  and  its 
attendant  social  evils,  we  have  no 
alternative  but  total  abstinence! 

Here  then  is  our  real  task.  Go 
beyond  pinning  white  ribbons  just 
to  the  women  of  the  church.  Tie  in 
one  great  bond  all  peoples.  Go  be- 
yond taking  temperance  tracts  only 
to  the  destitute  in  the  gutter.  First 
provide  for  young  minds  a realistic 
education  in  the  social  deterioration 
and  destruction  that  is  consistently 
the  result  of  even  the  most  mod- 
erate use  of  alcohol.  Go  beyond  us- 
ing biological  object  lessons  to  scare 


a Program 

one  is  doing  it”?  Mennonite  youth 
need  to  adopt  a positive  stand  in 
the  problem  of  leisure  time  and 
what  to  do  with  it.  . . . How  can 
this  be  done  in  your  youth  group,  on 
Sunday  evenings,  in  your  church, 
your  high  school? 

Youth  seek  Christian  recreation. 
Yes — but  are  we  swept  along  in  the 
mad  scramble  for  thrills?  Are  we 
on  the  verge  of  finding  out  that  the 
four-day  work  week  is  not  sufficient 
to  recover  from  the  three-day  week 
end?  Time  for  recreation  is  God 
given.  Your  church — perhaps  your 
local  YPU — must  be  prepared  to 
offer  a program  that  is  attractive, 
that  has  intelligent  leadership,  and 
that  is  based  on  a sound  standard. 
Paul  came  right  out  and  "said  it 
when  he  wrote  a letter  to  the  Cor- 
inthians: “Do  all  to  the  glory  of 

God.” 

Youth  seek  Christian  courtship. 
(Use  1 Thess.  4:4,  Matt.  19:4-5.) 
Marriage  is  not  meaningful  unless 
there  is  a spiritual  foundation.  Can 
God’s  plan  be  fulfilled  in  your  stand- 
ards of  dating,  courtship,  engage- 
ment, marriage? 

What  constitutes  the  strength  of 


men  away  from  drink.  Give  them 
instead,  a glimpse  of  social  trag- 
edy: skid-row  derelicts,  broken 

homes,  social  disease,  crime,  and 
the  broken  body  and  homeless  chil- 
dren of  the  would-be  moderate  so- 
cial drinker.  Save  them  from  be- 
coming just  another  pathetic  figure 
on  some  Sunday  evening  pulpit  sta- 
tistic. 

Let’s  work  together,  you  and  I, 
to  battle  the  Real  Enemy,  not  the 
bottle  and  what  it  contains,  but  the 
ignorance  of  the  mind  that  turns 
to  that  bottle  for  release  from  its 
tensions,  that  knows  no  greater  re- 
lease than  self-destruction,  no  high- 
er joy  than  momentary  pleasure, 
no  greater  goal  than  complete  ob- 
livion. Offer  them  instead,  an  abun- 
dant life,  with  freedom  from  them- 
selves and  a trust  in  Someone  far 
greater.  Then  and  only  then,  can 
we  completely  defeat  our  Real 
Enemy! 

— From  the  Union  Signal,  reprinted 
by  permission 


personality  that  we  want  and  need? 
Authorities  of  the  church  and  of 
the  educational  world  have  said 
that  they  think  young  people  are 
getting  soft — morally  weak.  If  this 
is  true,  what  can  we  do?  Will  the 
making  of  firm,  Christian  decisions 
help?  What  about  an  honest-to- 
goodness  reconsideration  of  Chris- 
tian discipline?  Timothy  was  young 
too  when  Paul  wrote  to  him,  “Be 
strong  in  the  grace  that  is  in 
Christ  Jesus”  (2  Tim.  2:1), 

Would  you  like  to  incorporate 
Bible  study  along  with  your  discus- 
sion meeting?  Here  are  some  sub- 
topics  which  could  be  worked  into 
various  themes: 

Personal  Responsibility:  Genesis 
4:9-10;  Ezekiel  18:20;  Matthew  5: 
14-16;  Romans  14:7,  14:13;  Ephe- 
sians 4:25;  James  4:17;  1 John  3:17. 

Responsibility : Deuteronomy  4 : 9, 
6:7,  31:12-13;  Proverbs  22:6;  Ephe- 
sians 6:4;  2 Timothy  1:5. 

Thoughtfulness  and  Respect  for 
Others:  Matthew  7:12;  Mark  12: 
29-31;  John  15:12;  Romans  13:9-10; 
Galatians  5:13;  Philippians  1:9; 
1 Thessalonians  4:9;  1 John  2:10. 


266 


THE  MENNONITE 


Civic  Righteousness:  Proverbs  11: 
11,  14:34. 

Freedom  from  Carelessness:  Prov- 
erbs 19:2,  20:12,  22,  21:5;  Matthew 
7:12;  Luke  6:31;  Acts  19:36;  2 Peter 
1:4-7;  Romans  12:11. 

Forethought:  Proverbs  22:3,  24: 
27;  Luke  12:33-34. 

Temperance  and  Self-control : 
Proverbs  20:1,  22:24,  23:20,  23:29-33; 
Ecclesiastes  10:17;  Isaiah  28:7; 


Drama  — 

Congo  Style 

! 

I by  Sadie  Dyck 

As  the  shadows  lengthened  at 
1,  Nyanga  one  evening.  I saw  many 
I little  brown  forms  slipping  from 
' behind  one  tall  palm  tree  to  an- 
other. Little  did  I realize  that  these 
small  African  children  were  on 
their  way  to  the  same  play  prac- 
tice that  I was. 

The  boys  in  my  class  had  been 
asked  to  dramatize  the  story  of 
Joseph  at  the  next  yoimg  people’s 
meeting.  It  was  not  time  to  begin 
the  practice,  but  since  Africans  love 
to  dramatize  and  never  seem  to  get 
weary  of  practicing,  the  play  start- 
ed early.  The  actors  had  no  play 
books — not  even  a piece  of  paper. 
The  whole  script  had  been  worked 
out  by  two  Christian  African  teach- 
ers. 

I followed  every  move,  action,' 
and  expression  of  these  gifted  boys 
as  they  put  heart  and  soul  into  the 
play. 

Then  I heard  something  behind 
me.  As  I turned  around  I saw  count- 
less little  brown  fuzzy  heads  peer- 
ing in  through  the  church  windows 
to  watch  the  performance.  The  next 
time  I looked  around,  these  eager 
children  were  sitting  on  the  wide 
j window  sills  of  the  Nyanga  church 
with  their  feet  dangling  in.  Pres- 
ently I heard  faint  thuds  as  the 
children  jumped  off  the  sill  and 

♦ April  28,  1959 


Luke  21:34;  Romans  13:13,  14:21; 
2 Peter  1:4-7;  Matthew  5:21-22; 
Habakkuk  2:5. 

Good  Manners:  Luke  6:31;  Ro- 
mans 12:10;  1 Corinthians  13:5; 
Titus  2:7;  1 Peter  3:8. 

Freedom  from  Selfishness:  Ha- 

bakkuk 2:5-6;  Proverbs  28:25. 

Freedom  from  Stubbornness: 
Psalm  32:9,  78:8;  Isaiah  48:4. 


onto  the  cement  floor.  They  filled 
one  bench  after  another.  Occasion- 
ally they  got  so  engrossed  in  the 
drama  that  they  forgot  the  circum- 
stances under  which  they  had  be- 
come spectators  and  they  would 
burst  out  laughing  or  sigh  or  hold 
their  breath  as  the  acting  dictated. 

I was  entertained  by  watching 
both  the  actors  and  the  audience. 
The  latter  had  come  knowing  that 
this  was  only  one  of  many  prac- 
tices and  that  on  Sunday  the  final 
performance  would  6e  given.  But 
they  came,  regardless,  to  enjoy,  to 
watch,  and  to  marvel  at  that  which 
was  going  on  before  their  very  eyes. 

The  play  needed  no  advertising. 
These  little  people  who  had  watched 
so  intently  went  home  and  raved  to 
their  families  and  friends  about  the 
wonderful  play  that  was  to  be  pre- 
sented in  church  a few  days  hence. 
And  when  Sunday  afternoon  came, 
people  fiocked  to  the  church. 

Although  the  language  was  for- 
eign to  me,  I had  no  trouble  follow- 
ing the  story.  Our  Africans  are 
clever  actors.  They  take  the  biblical 
stories  and  translate  them  into  the 
language  of  their  everyday  life.  For 
example,  when  Joseph’s  brothers 
told  their  father  of  the  tragic  death 
of  their  brother,  Jacob  threw  him- 
self on  the  floor  weeping  and  wail- 
ing as  Africans  do  when  bereaved. 
To  indicate  passage  of  time  spent 
journeying  from  one  place  to  an- 
other, the  players  walked  slowly 
out  of  the  building  and  then  after 
ten  or  fifteen  minutes  re-entered  to 
continue  the  story  for  their  still 
spellbound  audience. 

When  Pharaoh  promoted  Joseph, 
we  read  in  the  Bible  that  he  made 
him  to  ride  in  a chariot.  Since  our 
people  have  no  wagons  of  any  de- 
scription, they  used  two  bicycles 
beautifully  decorated  with  flowers 


Freedom  'from  Pride:  2 Samuel 
22:28;  Psalm  10:2;  Proverbs  3:7, 
11:2,  16:18,  21:4,  26:12;  Isaiah  5:21; 
Matthew  23:12;  Romans  12:16;  1 
Corinthians  8:2. 

Wisdom  and  Good  Judgment:  1 
Kings  3:9;  Proverbs  3:6,  8:11; 

James  1:5;  3:17. 

Patience:  Ecclesiastes  7:8;  Luke 
21:19;  Romans  5:3-4,  12:12;  He- 
brews 10:36;  James  1:4. 


and  branches.  The  attendants  grace- 
fully assisted  Pharaoh  and  then 
Joseph  in  mounting  the  bicycles  and 
then  majestically  ushered  them 
down  the  long  aisle  of  the  church 
. . . . And  the  curtain  fell  before  the 
breathless  onlookers. 


Christmas  Bundles 


IT’S  THEIR  FACES!  Can  you  re- 
alize that  such  a comparatively 
small  deed  as  preparing  one  Christ- 
mas bundle  has  an  effect  like  the 
one  shoum  in  this  picture!  Christ- 
mas plans  on  our  part  NOW  will 
mean  Christmas  for  children  a- 
round  the  world  next  December. 
Bundles  should  be  prepared  accord- 
ing to  instructions  given  in  folders 
which  can  be  received  from  the 
Board  of  Christian  Service,  722 
Main,  Newton,  Kansas.  July  1 is 
the  date  when  all  bundles  should 
be  at  MCC  centers  at  Waterloo, 
Ont.;  North  Newton,  Kansas;  or 
Akron,  Pa.  A dollar  accompanying 
each  bundle  will  purchase  a New 
Testament  and  cover  shipping 
costs. 

The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  Is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People's  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  3003 
Benham  Avenue,  Elkhart,  Indiana. 

267 


I; 


our  schools 

ADDITIONS  TO  FACULTY 

J.  Harold  Moyer,  son  of  Mrs.  J. 
F.  Moyer  of  North  Newton  and  now 
on  the  faculty  of  Goshen  College, 
Goshen,  Ind.,  has  been  named  as- 
sistant professor  of  music  at  Bethel 
College,  according  to  President  D. 
C.  Wedel. 

Mr.  Moyer  was  graduated  from 
Bethel  College  in  1949.  George 
Peabody  College  for  Teachers 
granted  him  the  M.A.  degree  in 
1951,  and  the  State  University  of 
JTowa  the  Ph.D.  degree  in  1958. 

Before  going  to  Goshen  College 
in  1957,  Moyer  had  taught  at  Free- 
man Junior  College  and  directed 
the  instrumental  music  program  at 
the  Kansas  Boys  Industrial  School, 
Topeka. 

While  at  Topeka  he  composed  the 
Kansas  Centennial  Symphony, 
“Song  of  Kansas,”  to  be  played  to 
the  narration  of  a 4-stanza  poem 
“Kansas,”  found  by  Moyer  in  the 
collections  of  the  Kansas  State  His- 
torical Library.  As  his  Ph.D.  dis- 
sertation, Moyer  composed  “Sym- 
phony No.  1.” 

Mrs.  Moyer  is  the  former  Rose- 
mary Linscheid  of  Freeman,  S.  D., 
also  a Bethel  graduate.  The  Moy- 
ers have  a daughter,  Janet  Ruth. 

Mrs.  Bonnie  Klassen  Royer,  R.N., 
has  joined  the  faculty  of  the  Bethel 
Deaconess  Hospital  School  of  Nurs- 
ing in  the  capacity  of  Instructor  of 
Nursing  Arts. 

Mrs.  Royer  graduated  from  the 
local  school  of  nursing  in  1954,  and 
received  the  Bachelor  of  Science  in 
Nursing  degree  from  Bethel  Col- 
lege the  following  year.  She  has 
been  employed  in  hospitals  in  Ha- 
waii and  California  and  had  pre- 
viously served  as  head  nurse  at  the 
Bethel  Deaconess  Hospital. 

Mrs.  Royer  will  fill  the  vacancy 
left  by  the  resignation  of  Mrs.  Es- 
ther Unruh. 

FAST  TEMPO 

Nelson  Litwiller,  president  of 
Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary,  Mon- 
tevideo, Uruguay,  writes: 

“I  am  happy  to  report  that  our 
classes  have  begun  with  a record 
attendance.  We  have  forty  full-time 
students  and  quite  a few  more  eve- 
ning students.  It  has  been  a tremen- 
dous job  to  get  organized,  but  after 


three  days  everything  is  running 
smoothly.  In  addition  to  the  four 
full-time  teachers  we  have  had  to 
employ  four  part-time  teachers  and 
a librarian.  I myself  teach  eleven 
hours  in  addition  to  all  my  admin- 
istrative duties,  which  gives  you 
some  idea  of  the  tempo  we  are  in.” 
— Information  Services,  (Old)  Men- 
nonite Church 

SCHOLARSHIP  AWARDS 

During  a special  chapel  service 
twenty-five  Bluffton  College  stu- 
dents received  the  Junior  Pi  Delta 
award  for  high  standards  of  schol- 
arship. They  are:  sophomores  — 
Phyllis  Bixler,  Elizabeth  Clemens, 
Harlene  Hicks,  Charles  Hostettler, 
Kathleen  Kindle,  Doris  Liechty, 
Tom  Lehman;  juniors  — Patricia 
Gross,  Ann  Hilty,  Margaret  Litwil- 
ler, Eugene  Weber,  Marilyn  Weid- 
ner;  seniors — Sandra  Berry,  Charles 
Dillman,  Ladnor  Geissinger,  Lavera 
Hill,  Kathyrn  Little,  Phillip  Locke, 
Joan  Reusser,  Martha  Jo  Ropp,  Ben- 
jamin Rosa,  Jerome  Shenk,  Lois 
Shutt,  Sue  Montgomery  Smith,  Gene 
Van  Orsdall. 

NEW  STUDENT  COUNCIL 

Student  elections  were  held  re- 
cently at  Canadian  Mennonite  Bible 
College.  Those  elected  will  serve 
from  the  spring  term  of  1959  to  the 
beginning  of  the  spring  term  of 
1960.  Outgoing  president  Waldemar 
Regier  conducted  the  meeting.  The 
new  student  council  consists  of 
Menno  Wiebe,  president;  Cornie 
Rempel,  vice-president;  Hilda  Sch- 
roeder,  secretary;  Bernie  Wiebe, 
faith  and  life  chairman;  Louise 
Peters,  fellowship  chairman;  George 
Neufeld,  missions  chairman;  and 
John  Franz,  service  chairman.  Al- 
fred Heinrichs  was  elected  yearbook 
editor  and  Walter  Braun  business 
manager  of  the  yearbook. 

CHAPEL  SERVICES 

A chapel  service  at  Canadian 
Mennonite  Bible  College  was  de- 
voted to  the  relating  of  incidents 
and  blessings  experienced  on  the 
Alberta  tour.  The  choir  sang  sev- 
eral numbers  and  Brother  Poett- 
cker  spoke  on  aspects  of  the  trip. 
One  benefit  that  all  who  participat- 
ed likely  experienced  was  that  the 
Passion  of  our  Lord  became  more 
meaningful  with  each  program  ren- 
dered. 

Recent  visitors  include  Peter 


Dyck,  MCC  director  in  Europe,  and 
Erwin  Schmidt,  minister  of  the 
North  Battleford  Mennonite  Mis- 
sion. 

CHORAL  CONCERTS 

The  State  University  of  South 
Dakota  Choir  appeared  at  Pioneer 
Hall,  Freeman  Junior  College,  on 
April  23.  The  fifty-five  voice  group, 
directed  by  Edgar  Eklof,  sang  selec- 
tions by  Palestrina,  Tschesnokoff, 
and  Gretchaninoff  of  the  early 
church  period,  as  well  as  numbers 
by  such  contemporary  composers  as 
Randall  Thompson,  Darius  Miland, 
Norman  Lockwood,  and  Houston 
Bright.  Choir  numbers  were  inter- 
spersed with  special  selections  by 
soloists  and  vocal  ensembles. 

Freeman  Academy  Sen.  Ensemble 
and  director  Dorothy  Imhoff  toured 
churches  in  North  Dakota  and  Mon- 
tana April  11-17.  The  College  Choir 
gave  its  home  concert  at  Pioneer 
Hall,  April  10,  before  leaving  on 
the  annual  spring  tour  the  follow- 
ing day. 

On  April  10  the  fifty-eight  mem- 
ber Academy  Choir  went  to  Prins- 
burg,  Minn.,  to  participate  in  the 
Inter-Academy  Music  Festival. 

mutual  aid  placement 

FARM  WANTED 

Young  Mennonite  couple  would 
like  to  rent  farm  in  central  Kansas 
area  by  August  1.  Can  provide 
some  machinery.  Good  references 
offered.  Contact:  Mutual  Aid  Serv- 
ices, Inc.,  722  Main,  Newton,  Kan. 

FOR  SALE 

Farm — 320  acres  improved  grain 
farm  in  western  Kansas.  Near  Men- 
nonite church.  Contact  MAPS,  722 
Main,  Newton,  Kansas. 

PERSONNEL  NEEDED 

1-W  Man  or  Couple — Meadows  Men- 
nonite Home,  Meadows,  Illinois, 
needs  maintenance  man.  Approved 
for  1-W.  Pleasant  rural  Mennonite 
community.  Fine  Mennonite  church. 
Contact  Frank  Mitchell,  Meadows, 
Illinois. 

Doctor  Wanted — McClusky,  North 
Dakota,  offers  a fine  location  for 
a medical  doctor.  Full  information 
about  this  opportunity  for  an  in- 
tern or  practicing  doctor  may  be 
secured  from  Charles  C.  Buller,  Box 
216,  McClusky,  North  Dakota. 


268 


THE  MENNONITE 


MCC  news  and  notes 

MDS  FILMSTRIP 

AKRON— At  their  April  8 meet- 
ing in  Elkhart,  Ind.,  members  of 
the  Mennonite  Disaster  Service  Co- 
ordinating Committee  appointed  a 
three-member  committee  to  develop 
an  MDS  filmstrip.  The  committee  is 
i to  begin  immediately  clarifying 
basic  objectives  and  planning  the 
general  pattern.  Wilbert  Loewen, 
Steinbach,  Man.,  will  serve  as  chair- 
man of  the  committee,  assisted  by 
Harry  Martens,  North  Newton, 
Kan.,  and  Jack  Purves,  Bluffton, 
Ohio. 

In  addition  to  working  on  the 
filmstrip,  Wilbert  Loewen  will  be 
spending  six  weeks  in  MDS  summer 
service,  visiting  interested  MDS 
units  and  areas  considering  organ- 
ization. In  view  of  the  great  interest 
manifested  by  organizations  in 
Western  Canada,  the  MDS  Co-or- 
dinating Committee  has  asked  MCC 
to  review  with  these  groups  the  ad- 
visability of  their  being  represent- 
ed on  the  Co-ordinating  Committee. 

RESEARCH 

AKRON— At  the  March  21  MCC 
Executive  Committee  Meeting,  com- 
mittees were  formed  to  conduct  re- 
search in  two  specific  areas — MCC 
; membership  and  the  1-W  program. 

The  MCC  Membership  Study  Com- 
mittee, consisting  of  seven  members 
representing  constituent  conferences 
and  organizations,  will  make  a 
study  of  the  present  basis  of  MCC 
membership  with  a view  to  possibly 
I increasing  the  number  of  represent- 
atives. Committee  members  are  C. 
N.  Hostetter  Jr.,  Grantham,  Pa.; 

I H.  Ernest  Bennett,  Elkhart,  Ind.; 
C.  A.  DeFehr,  Winnipeg,  Man.;  Ted 
Friesen,  Altona,  Man.;  Waldo  Hie- 
bert,  Hillsboro,  Kan.;  Robert  Krei- 
der,  Bluffton,  Ohio;  J.  B.  Martin, 
Waterloo,  Ont. 

An  evaluation  of  the  1-W  program 
will  be  made  by  a nine-member  Re- 
view Committee.  The  suggestion  for 

(such  a review  was  submitted  to 
MCC  Annual  Meeting  by  the  Gen- 
, eral  Conference  Mennonite  Church. 
Appointees  to  this  committee  in- 
clude Atlee  Beachy,  Goshen,  Ind.; 
George  Classen,  Yale,  S.  D.;  Albert 
, M.  Gaeddert,  Inman,  Kan.;  Noah 
Good,  Lancaster,  Pa.;  John  Lapp, 
t Lansdale,  Pa.;  Esko  Loewen,  Hills- 
boro, Kan.;  Orie  O.  Miller,  Akron, 


Pa.;  Wesley  Prieb,  Hillsboro,  Kan.; 
Elbert  Smith,  Lancaster,  Pa.  The 
committee  will  submit  a report  and 
recommendations  to  the  MCC  Ex- 
ecutive Committee,  Peace  Section 
Executive  Committee,  and  1-W  Co- 
ordination Committee  conjointly 
next  fall. 

HOSPITAL  CONSTRUCTION 

PARAGUAY — About  one  mile  out 
of  the  city,  in  West  Filadelfia,  con- 
struction of  the  first  Mennonite 
mental  hospital  in  South  America 
is  well  under  way.  Original  plans 
called  for  a $15,000  project  but  ex- 
tensive revisions  bring  the  total  es- 
timated cost  to  double  that  amount. 
MCC  and  the  Paraguayan  colonies 
are  sharing  the  cost  equally. 

The  first  three  buildings  are  ex- 
pected to  be  ready  for  occupancy  by 
mid-June.  One  is  for  chronic  pa- 
tients, the  other  for  patients  who 
are  not  so  critically  ill  and  have 
more  freedom,  and  the  third — now 
used  as  a warehouse  — will  house 
male  nurses  and  may  also  be  used 
for  therapy. 

A year  ago,  MCC-sponsored  work- 
ers, Dr.  Marlene  Haenel,  a psychi- 
atrist from  Germany,  and  Eliesa- 
beth  Janzen,  R.N.,  from  Canada, 
developed  a mental  health  program 
in  Paraguay.  Dr.  Haenel  will  be  in 
charge  of  the  new  hospital. 

BELGIAN  BARBED  WIRE 

Mennonite  colonists  in  Paraguay 
should  be  receiving  $50,000  worth 
of  barbed  viare  from  Belgium  with- 
in the  next  three  months,  in  time 
for  next  year’s  planting.  The  wire 
represents  the  first  purchase  con- 
tract covered  by  the  Million  Dollar 
Smathers  Loan. 

In  Paraguay  land  is  so  abundant 
that  cattle  simply  run  the  range 
and  farmers  fence  their  planted 
fields,  rather  than  the  cattle  range. 
Director  Frank  Wiens  comments: 
“Although  some  farrners  have  been 
here  since  1927,  there  is  still  a short- 
age of  wire.  This  will  be  a real 
morale  lift  to  the  colony  folks.” 

FAREWELL  SERVICE 

AUS'TRIA — ^The  Ernst  Wyss  fam- 
ily returned  to  their  native  Switzer- 
land March  18  after  a four-year 
ministry  among  Vienna  Mennonites. 
A farewell  service  attended  by  some 
100  persons  was  held  for  them 
March  15. 

During  his  term  of  service.  Broth- 


er Wyss  has  seen  the  work  develop 
from  a handful  of  Mennonites  meet- 
ing for  worship  in  YMCA  facilities 
to  the  establishment  of  an  official 
congregation  worshiping  in  its  own 
chapel. 

Until  Brother  Wyss  is  replaced, 
guest  speakers  will  conduct  the 
Sunday  worship  services.  Brother 

T.  R.  Nickel  from  Reedley,  Calif., 
assisted  for  almost  a month.  Bap- 
tist, Methodist,  and  Lutheran  minis- 
ters from  Vienna  churches  are 
scheduled  for  future  services. 

REFUGEES 

Tliere  are  still  12,587  Hungarian 
refugees  left  in  Austria  as  of  March 
31.  During  the  last  two  weeks  of 
March,  195  were  accepted  by  the 

U. S.A.  and  provided  with  air  trans- 
portation to  this  country.  Most  of 
those  still  remaining  in  camps  are 
“hard  core”  cases. 

MEDICAL  WORK 

INDONESIA  — From  Pakis,  Dr. 
Herbert  Friesen,  who  is  assisting 
in  the  Javanese  Mennonite  hospital 
and  clinic  program,  shares  some 
general  observations: 

“In  my  eight  months  here,  I have 
seen  only  two  intoxicated  people. 
This  to  me  was  always  one  of  the 
most  revolting  aspects  of  medicine 
in  the  States.  'The  lack  of  it  here, 
the  scarcity  of  cars,  and  the  gener- 
ally mildmannered  people  make  for 
quite  a dearth  of  accident  cases.  The 
rarity  of  cursing  and  swearing  is 
also  a pleasant  diversion. 

“And  yet,  one  must  not  be  so 
naive  as  to  overlook  weaknesses  of 
other  sorts.  We  as  Christians  have 
a tremendous  responsibility  here. 
The  Moslems  say  theirs  is  the  reli- 
gion for  the  East,  because  the  peo- 
ple can  go  on  living  pretty  much  as 
they  have  been  and  still  be  good 
Moslems.  And  they  have  succeeded 
well.  The  Christian  church  is  grow- 
ing but  is  still  only  a small  dent  in 
this  mass  of  humanity.” 

into  the  beyond 

The  funeral  of  Mrs.  Kate  Augs- 
purger,  85,  of  Bloomington,  Illinois, 
was  held  March  31  at  the  Beck 
Memorial  Home  with  H.  N.  Harder 
in  charge.  Burial  was  at  Troyer 
Cemetery  at  Carlock,  Illinois.  Mrs. 
Augspurger  was  a sister  of  the  late 
Pastor  Emmanuel  Troyer. 


April  28,  1959 


269 


LITTLE  VISITS  WITH  GOD 


By  Jahsmann  and  Simon 

This  book  of  devotions  for  families  with  young  children  is  recom- 
mended and  used  by  many  parents.  It  involves  the  interest  of 
young  children  and  invites  their  participation  in  family  devo- 
tions. The  informal  variety  of  these  devotions  offers  rich  instruc- 
tion for  older  children  and  adults  as  well.  A popular  best  seller 
for  the  whole  family,  used  in  many  AAennonite  homes.  $3.00. 

Available  from  AAENNONITE  BOOKSTORES  in 

Rosthern,  Saskatchewan;  Berne,  Indiana;  720  AAain,  Newton,  Kan. 


jottings 

S.  S.  CONVENTION 

Gospel  Church,  Mountain  Lake, 
Minn.:  Two  members  of  our  con- 
gregation passed  away  in  January: 
Jacob  H.  Wall  and  Mrs.  John  Fast 
Sr.  A.  T.  Nickel  flew  to  South  Amer- 
ica in  January  to  visit  his  daughter 
and  family,  the  Calvin  Flickingers, 
missionaries  at  Cachipay,  Colombia. 
D.  L.  Nultemeier  was  guest  speaker 
at  a community-wide  pulpit  ex- 
change Sunday  in  January.  Pastor 
Schultz  went  to  Richfleld,  Pa.,  to 
conduct  evangelistic  meetings  Feb. 
1-15.  Ben  J.  Nickel  and  J.  J.  Esau 
brought  the  messages  on  those  Sun- 
days. Homer  Mouttet  also  was  a 
guest  speaker  in  Feb.  A number  of 
our  young  people  attended  the  Lead- 
ership Clinic  at  Henderson,  Neb.  A 
community-wide  S.  S.  convention 
was  held  in  our  church  Feb.  16-17. 
The  men  of  the  church  volunteered 
their  help  in  laying  tile  on  the  base- 
ment floor.  The  young  people  of  our 
church  sponsored  a community-wide 
singspiration  March  15.  The  Mission 
Society  had  a work  day  for  our  pas- 
tor’s wife,  Mrs.  Schultz,  on  March 
17.  August  Ewert  began  a week  of 
pre-Easter  meetings  March  22.  Holy 
Communion  was  held  Good  Friday 
morning.  That  evening  the  church 
choir  sang  the  Easter  Cantata, 
When  Christ  Arose,  before  the  final 
meeting  with  Brother  Ewert.  “Res- 


urrection Realities”  was  the  pas- 
tor’s Easter  Day  message. — Mrs. 
Waldo  Stoesz,  corr. 

CHURCH  TO  BE  REMODELED 

Bethel  Church,  Pekin,  III.:  The 
monthly  meeting  of  the  Illinois 
Mennonite  Ministers  was  held  at 
the  Bethel  Church  on  March  10. 
The  ladies  of  the  Dorcas  Society 
prepared  and  served  the  noon  meal. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Richard  Cook  are  par- 
ents of  a son,  Richard  Gene.  Monica 
Lea  is  the  name  given  to  the  infant 
daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Alan 
Cassen.  A series  of  evangelistic 
meetings  was  held  March  22-26,  led 
by  Melvin  Norquist.  Special  music 
was  presented  each  evening  by  the 
Evangelaires,  members  of  the  Beth- 
el choir,  or  members  of  the  Nor- 
quist Family.  The  Dorcas  Society 
met  March  12  to  hear  about  Hawaii, 
and  make  layettes  for  Africa.  Aus- 
tin Reiser  of  Ashland,  Ohio,  spoke 
at  the  April  1 midweek  Bible  Study 
on  “Modern  Adolescents  and  the 
Good  Life.”  The  YPU  met  at  the 
parsonage  March  29  for  their 
monthly  meeting.  'The  group  is  fol- 
lowing a planned  program  present- 
ed in  the  book,  A Year  of  Junior 
High  Programs  and  Activities.  Rob- 
ert Kreider  brought  the  message 
Easter  morning.  Special  music  was 
presented  by  the  Bethel  church 
choir  and  the  newly  organized  chil- 
dren’s choir.  Directors  of  the  two 
groups  are  Mrs.  S.  T.  Moyer,  Mrs. 
Warren  Miller  anad  Mrs.  Harold 


Crawford.  Pledges  have  been  turned 
in  to  help  in  the  cost  of  remodeling 
the  Bethel  Church.  Pastor  Moyer 
presented  one  of  the  messages  at 
the  united  Good  Friday  services 
sponsored  by  the  Pekin  Ministerial 
Alliance. — Corr. 

VOTHS  SPEAK 

Alexanderwohl  Church,  Goessel, 
Kan.:  Jan.  4 we  were  happy  to 
have  W.  C.  Voths,  who  have  recent- 
ly returned  from  Formosa  and  are 
filling  various  appointments  in  Con- 
ference churches.  Prayer  services 
were  observed  Jan.  14-16,  with  Pas- 
tor P.  A.  Wedel  representing  Gen. 
Conf.  Mennonites  at  our  neighbor 
Springfield  Church.  Jan.  16  the 
Ladies’  Auxiliary  of  the  Hospital 
and  Home  sponsored  a benefit  sup- 
per in  Goessel  High  School,  after 
which  Cornelius  Krahn  of  Bethel 
College  gave  an  illustrated  lecture 
on  “European  Mennonite  Institu- 
tions.” A freewill  offering  and  food 
income  totaled  $312.34.  The  Relief 
Committee  reports  the  following: 
total  pounds  of  clothing,  750;  new 
clothing,  73  pounds;  bedding,  45 
pounds;  soap  fats,  475  pounds.  Our 
church  enjoyed  a fine  program  on 
Palm  Sunday  morning  by  a deputa- 
tion team  from  Mennonite  Biblical 
Seminary  in  charge  of  Marvin 
Dirks;  in  the  evening  our  seventy- 
voice  mixed  choir,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  David  Suderman,  gave  a pro- 
gram of  Easter  music. — Corr. 


270 


THE  AAENNONITE 


SEMINARY  PROGRAM 

Walton  ChurcHj  Walton,  Kan.: 
P.  T.  Neufeld  of  Inman  was  our 
speaker  Feb.  8,  at  installation  serv- 
ices for  our  church  officers.  H.  J. 
Dyck  of  Elbing  preached  Feb.  15 
while  our  pastor,  C.  D.  Boese,  was 
at  the  Bethel  Church  near  Inman. 
Milo  Kauffman  of  Hesston  conduct- 
ed a series  of  meetings  during  the 
last  week  in  Feb.  A group  of  stu- 
dents from  Mennonite  Biblical  Sem- 
inary presented  a program  in  our 
church  March  22,  when  our  young 
people  were  hosts  to  the  young  peo- 
ple from  Bums,  Emmaus,  Grace 
Hill,  and  Zion  Mennonite  churches. 
Members  of  our  Youth  Fellowship 
and  their  sponsors  attended  a pres- 
entation of  The  Messiah  in  Linds- 
borg,  Kan.,  on  Palm  Sun.  Rosebuds 
in  the  pulpit  Feb.  15  honored  two 
new  babies:  Richard  Scott,  son  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lewis  Tieszen;  and 
Barbara  Denise,  daughter  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Ivan  D.  Unruh.  Lorraine 
Janelle,  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
James  Wiebe;  and  Gregory  Lee, 
son  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lee  Ray  Hie- 
bert,  were  similarity  honored  March 
29  and  April  5.  Loren  D.  Reusser 
and  Ted  Pankratz  were  speakers  at 
Easter  sunrise  service  in  Walton 
Methodist  Church.  On  Easter  eve- 
, ning  our  church  presented  the  can- 
tata The  Story  of  Palm  Sunday. — 
Howard  Peters,  corr. 
i PICTURES  ON  PAX 
' Tabor  Church,  Newton,  Kan.:  Feb. 
16  the  Newton  Christian  Business- 
men’s Club  presented  the  program 
at  the  meeting  of  Mennonite  Men. 
Feb.  22  Johnny  Hiebert  showed  pic- 
I tures  and  spoke  about  Pax  work  in 
I Greece.  March  4 the  Tabor  Sewing 
Society  had  as  their  guest  speaker 
j Mrs.  Hector  Valencia.  Pre-Easter 
I services  were  held  March  22-25  with 
! Gideon  Yoder,  pastor  of  the  Burr- 
ton  Church,  as  speaker.  He  spoke 
i on  “The  Nature  of  Man”  “The  Na- 
ture of  Redemption”  “The  Personal 
Commitment  in  the  Context  of  the 
Cross”  and  “Spiritual  Insight  and 
Power  for  Christian  Living.”  March 
30,  supper  was  served  by  the 
three  Sewing  Societies,  followed  by 
a mission  program  with  Menno 
Schrag  as  speaker.  He  also  showed 
pictures  of  South  America.  April 
2 Don  Wismer,  pastor  of  the  Den- 
ver Fellowship,  spoke  in  our  church 
on  “American  Cities — a Great  Open 
Door.”  April  5 Verlin  Bartel  showed 
pictures  taken  in  Europe  last  sum- 
mer on  his  trip  with  the  Mennonite 
Singers,  at  the  Tabor  YPU  meet- 
ing. The  dates  for  the  Tabor  Vaca- 
tion Bible  School  are  June  1-12. 
April  12  the  Bethel  College  Chorale 
t presented  a program  of  sacred  mu- 
sic.— Mrs.  Jake  C.  Goerzen,  corr. 


conference  notes 

(continued  from  the  lost  page) 

MISSIONARIES  ITINERATE 

The  following  itinerary  has  been 
drawn  up  for  the  Albert  Jantzens, 
missionaries  in  Arizona:  Greens- 

burg,  Kan.,  May  13;  Arlington,  Kan., 
May  14;  Hanston,  Kan.,  May  15; 
Colby,  Kan.,  May  17;  Vona,  Colo., 
May  18;  Madrid,  Neb.,  May  19;  Au- 
rora, Neb.,  May  20;  Montana  mis- 
sion stations,  May  20- June  3;  Glen- 
dive, Mont.,  June  3;  Frazer,  Mont., 
June  4;  Lustre,  Mont.,  June  5;  Wolf 
Point,  Mont.,  June  7;  Bloomfield, 
Mont.,  June  7;  Arena,  N.  D.,  June  8; 
Carpenter,  S.  D.,  June  9;  Huron, 
S.  D.,  June  10;  Hitchcock,  S.  D.,  June 
11;  Doland,  S.  D.,  June  12;  Bridge- 
water,  S.  D.,  June  14;  Freeman,  S. 
D.,  June  15  and  16;  Marion,  S.  D., 
June  17;  Northern  District  Confer- 
ence, June  18-21;  Avon,  S.  D.,  June 
22;  Sioux  Falls,  S.  D.,  June  23. 

CIM  BUILDING  DEDICATED 
The  new  building  at  Elkhart,  Ind., 
made  possible  by  the  grace  of  God 
and  the  united  effort  and  steward- 
ship of  many  of  His  children  serv- 
ing together  under  the  organization 

READY  FOR  CONFERENCE  VISITORS 


known  as  the  Congo  Inland  Mis- 
sion, was  dedicated  April  14.  The 
service  opened  with  the  hymn,  “The 
Work  Is  Thine,  O Christ,”  followed 
by  the  invocation  by  H.  H.  Dick. 
After  acknowledgments,  the  litany 
was  read  responsively  by  the  board, 
and  the  act  of  dedication  was  per- 
formed. Dedicatory  prayers  were 
offered  by  missionary  V.  J.  Sprung- 
er  and  board  member  H.  E.  Bert- 
sche.  The  closing  hymn  was  “Take 
My  Life  and  Let  It  Be.” 

Designed  in  three  parts,  the  build- 
ing includes  the  offices  from  which 
the  official  business  of  the  mission 
is  conducted,  a residence  for  the 
host  and  hostess  and  missionaries 
in  transit,  and  a storage  and  pack- 
ing room  for  missionaries. 

The  official  incorporators  of  the 
Congo  Inland  Mission  are  four  con- 
ferences: Central  District  Confer- 

ences of  Mennonites  with  headquar- 
ters at  Morton,  111.;  the  Evangelical 
Mennonite  Conference  with  head- 
quarters at  Fort  Wayne,  Ind.;  the 
Evangelical  Mennonite  Brethren 
with  headquarters  at  Omaha,  Neb., 
and  the  General  Conference  Menno- 
nite Church  with  central  offices  at 
Newton,  Kan. 


Finding  lodging  for  the  1000  to  1500  guests  who  are  expected  to  attend 
the  General  Conference  of  Mennonite  churches  in  Bluffton  Aug.  12-20  is  the 
job  of  the  Reception  and,  Lodging  Committee,  headed,  by  G.  T.  Soldner.  Re- 
quests for  lodging  for  the  summer  conference  were  received  in  Bluffton  as 
early  as  last  January.  Conference  officials  expect  two  guests  from  South 
America  and  a number  from  India. 

Accommodations  for  guests  will  be  provided  by  Mennonite  and  non-Men- 
nonite  homes  in  the  Bluffton-Pandora-Lima  area,  Bluffton  College  dormi- 
tories, Ohio  Northern  University  dormitories  (Ada,  12  miles),  Findlay  Col- 
lege dormitories  (Findlay,  18  miles),  area  motels,  and  Lima  hotels  if 
needed.  A fee  of  two  dollars  vnll  be  charged  per  person  for  each  night  in  a 
non-Mennonite  home  or  in  the  dormitories.  Breakfast  and  linens  will  be  pro- 
vided in  dormitories.  Transportation  to  Ada  and  Findlay  will  be  provided 
for  those  who  do  not  have  their  own.  Lodging  fees  will  be  collected  as 
guests  register.  Guests  will  be  met  at  the  airports  and  bus  and  train  sta- 
tions. 

Applications  for  lodging  should  be  made  not  later  than  July  1.  Reserva- 
tions will  he  made  on  a "first  come  first  served”  basis,  according  to  the 
committee. 


April  28,  1959 


271 


conference  notes 

LOOKING  TOWARD 
GENERAL  CONFERENCE 

Missionaries  need  perspective. 
Isolation  and  preoccupation  with 
another  culture  lay  up  the  stones 
that  may  wall  the  missionary  into 
his  own  compound  of  labor.  The 
confinement  may  be  even  greater 
if  lack  of  time  and  opportunity  for 
reading  keeps  him  from  putting 
windows  in  that  wall. 


As  he  joins,  at  the  General  Con- 
ference, in  the  examination  and 


consideration  of  the  extent  of  the 
mission,  and  the  depth  of  the  chal- 
lenges facing  the  total  church,  it 
should  help  him  to  leap  over  the 
wall  for  a brief  but  important 
glimpse  of  his  own  work  as  but  a 
part  of  the  great  task  Christ  has 
committed  to  us. 

The  missionary  also  needs  the 
fellowship  and  stimulation  of  others 
who  serve  in  the  same  battle  on 
other  fronts.  Hearing  of  God’s 
workings  in  other  lives,  rubbing 
shoulders  with  God’s  men  of  vision, 
sharing  in  defeats  as  well  as  tri- 
umphs should  send  him  back  to  his 
sector  of  the  battle  with  new  zeal 
and  resolve  to  serve,  “enduring 
hardness  as  a good  soldier  of  Jesus 
Chx'ist.’’  — Malcolm  Wenger 

MISSIONS  BRIEFS 

Betty  M.  Quiring  of  Mountain 
Lake,  Minn.,  missionary  teaching 
at  Ecole  Belle  Vue,  a school  for  the 


children  of  missionaries  in  the  Bel- 
gian Congo,  Africa,  will  be  return- 
ing to  the  United  States  May  13  for 
a year’s  furlough. 

At  Concho,  Okla.,  when  mission- 
aries August  and  Esther  Schmidt 
conducted  Palm  Sunday  services, 
more  than  sixty  young  people  re- 
mained for  counseling  after  the 
evening  service.  Some  were  under 
twelve  years  of  age,  others  sixteen 
and  seventeen.  These  Indian  Amer- 
ican young  people  attend  the  gov- 
ernment school  at  Concho,  and  mis- 
sionaries from  the  various  Confer- 
ence mission  stations  alternate  Sun- 
days on  which  they  serve  there. 

Missionaries  Lorraine  Schroeder 
of  Los  Angeles,  Calif.,  and  Leona 
Cressman,  Kitchener,  Ont.,  recently 
vacationed  in  Nepal  and  spent  a few 
days  at  each  of  our  mission  stations 
dia. 

(.continued  on  page  271) 


TA  TUNG  MENNONITE  CHURCH  DEDICATED 


The  Ta  Tung  Mennonite  Church,  a fairly  new  congre- 
gation in  Tapei,  Taiwan  (Formosa) , dedicated  its  church 
building  to  God  on  Feb.  8 with  a service  of  hymns, 
Scripture,  prayer,  special  music,  history  of  the  church, 
and  dedication. 

Last  year  the  congregation’s  first  baptism  was  ob- 
served, and  the  first  vacation  Bible  school  was  held 
last  summer.  The  fellowship  moved  into  the  new  church 
building  the  latter  part  of  July,  and  services  began 
there  the  Sunday  of  August  23. 

Attendance  has  been  increasing,  with  an  average  of 
85  to  90  persons  attending  the  Sunday  morning  services. 


Other  activities  include  Sunday  school,  evangelistic 
services,  women’s  meetings,  English  Bible  classes,  choir 
rehearsals,  cottage  meetings,  and  home  visitation.  The 
church  hopes  to  start  a kindergarten,  expand  the  youth 
work,  initiate  a weekly  prayer  meeting,  increase  visita- 
tion, and  improve  all  services. 

Our  missionaries  attending  the  language  school  at 
Taipei  have  been  helping  with  the  work  of  the  church. 
Much  support  comes  from  interested  Christians,  such 
as  two  seminary  students  Mr.  Paul  Lin,  who  directs 
the  choir,  and  Mr.  Lu;  Mr.  Ch’en  Lim  Chiang,  who  does 
pastoral  work;  and  Miss  Ruth  Ch’en.  Missionaries  Hugh 
and  Janet  Spninger  assist  in  the  work  of  the  church. 


MAY  5,  1959 


THE  MENNONITE 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
MAN  LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIST 


Love  of  our  mothers,  tender 
love. 

The  fount  of  childhood’s  trust 
and  grace. 

Oh,  may  thy  consecration 
prove 

The  wellspring  of  a nobler 
race; 

Love  of  our  mothers,  priceless 
gift. 

Our  grateful  hearts  thy  praise 
uplift. 


in  this  issue 


COVER 

Photo  by  H.  Armstrong  Roberts 


ARTICLES 

OUR  CHRISTIAN  WITNESS 

By  Ernest  J.  Bohn  

MAKING  CHRISTIAN  WILLS 
MEDITATIONS  AT  NIGHT 

By  Twilo  Hilty  Garber  

A TRIBUTE  TO  MOTHERS 
THE  WORK  IS  ONE 
By  Paul  Goering 
RACIAL  TENSIONS 

CENTENNIAL  RETREATS  

BUILDING  AT  BETHESDA 


275 

276 

277 

277 

278 

278 

279 

280 


DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS 


Mennonite  Youth 

CALLING  ALL  HIGH  SCHOOL 
SENIORS,  JUNIORS,  SOPHOMORES  281 
WHEN  YOU  PRAY,  REMEMBER 282 


LEADERS,  LEARNING,  AND 

LEADERSHIP  CLINICS  

OUR  SCHOOLS  

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  

JOTTINGS  

CONFERENCE  NOTES  


273 

283 

284 

285 
288 


cf  things  to  come 

May  7 — Ascension  Day 

10 —  Festival  of  the  Christian  Home 

11- 16 — Faith  and  Life  radio  speak- 
ers: Bethel  Deaconess  Hospital  staff 

May  17 — Pentecost 

May  20 — Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary 
alumni  meeting. 

May  24 — Baccalaureate,  Mennonite  Bib- 
lical Seminary 

May  25 — Commencement,  Mennonite 
Biblical  Seminary 

/y\Qy  29 — Commencement  Day,  Freeman 
Junior  College  and  Academy 
May  29-31 — Missions  Conference,  Sas- 
katoon, Sask. 

June  10-14 — Pacific  District  Conference, 
Barlow,  Oregon 

June  14 — Northern  District  Male  Chorus 
Festival,  Sioux  Falls,  South  Dakota 
June  18-21 — Northern  Dist.  Conf.,  Salem- 
Zion  Church  (North),  Freeman,  S.  D. 
July  4-8 — Canadian  Conference,  Clear- 
brook,  B.  C. 

West.  Dist.  Retreats,  Camp  Mennoscah: 
July  6-11 — Junior  High  1 
July  13-18 — Junior  High  II 
July  20-25 — Fresh  Air  Friendship  Cp. 
July  27-Aug.  1 — High  School  I 
Aug.  3-8 — High  School  II 
Aug.  29-30 — Family  (under  age  45) 
Sept.  5-7 — Family  (senior  age) 

Aug.  5-12 — Ministers'  and  Church  Work- 
ers' Retreat,  Camp  Friedenswald, 
Mich. 

Aug.  12-20 — General  Conference,  Bluff- 
ton,  Ohio 

Oct.  24-27 — West.  Dist.  Conference 

THE  MENNONITE 

Editor,  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 

J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Asst.:  Esther  Groves. 
Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  18 


editorials 

MOTHERS  ARE  HOLDERS  While  emphasis  has  shifted 
someTvhat  from  Mother’s  Day  (observed  this  year  on  May  10), 
to  Family  Life  Week,  'vve  still  ■would  pause  to  pay  tribute  to 
present-day  mothers. 

The  modern  mother  lives  in  a house  of  diiferent  type  than 
did  her  grandmother  before  her.  The  modern  conveniences 
would  baffle  the  mothers  of  a past  generation.  The  many  extra 
activities  of  present-day  mothers  would  seem  strange  to  moth- 
ers of  the  past. 

But,  basically,  the  responsibilities  and  opportunities  of  moth- 
ers are  unchanged.  They  are  still  the  key  figure  to  the  home 
life.  They  create  the  home  atmosphere.  They  are  the  architects 
of  the  family  life.  In  them  lies  the  hope  of  the  future,  since  they 
have  so  great  a part  in  shaping  the  minds  and  destinies  of  the 
coming  generation.  The  men  have  failed  in  the  high  art  of 
making  peace  among  nations ; mothers  can  help  solve  this  prob- 
lem by  the  Christian  training  of  children. 

Not  all  mothers  are  willing  to  assume  their  heavy  responsi- 
bilities in  the  home  and  family.  Some  seek  to  escape  from  these 
obligations  by  various  outside  activities,  hoping  to  find  free- 
dom and  enjoyment  in  some  other  realm.  But  the  true  mother 
knows  she  has  a large  place  in  molding  the  characters  of  her 
children.  She  accepts  her  duties  humbly  and  gratefully,  and 
becomes  the  family  counselor,  comforter,  and  inspirer. 

To  be  sure  there  may  be  moments  of  loneliness  and  times  of 
discouragement.  There  are  days  which  seem  to  hem  her  in  and 
deprive  her  of  the  freedom  and  independence  she  would  enjoy. 
But  for  all  these  high  prices  to  pay  for  good  motherhood,  there 
are  far  greater  rewards,  as  mother’s  love  follows  the  children 
into  manhood  and  womanhood,  having  given  them  the  best 
possible  example  of  a Christian  life  of  faith  and  devotion,  and 
having  implanted  into  their  receptive  hearts  a genuine  love  for 
God  and  their  fellow  men. 

The  mothers,  and  not  the  political  leaders  of  a country,  are 
the  ones  who  shape  the  destinies  of  nations. 

CENTENNIAL  RETREATS  The  week  preceding  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  at  Bluffton,  Ohio,  in  August,  will  be  a time  of 
special  preparation  and  inspiration  for  all  who  can  attend  the 
retreats  at  Camp  Friedenswald  in  southern  Michigan  (see  an- 
nouncement in  this  issue).  These  times  of  spiritual  refreshing 
will  help  set  the  proper  atmosphere  for  the  conference.^ 

Ministers,  Christian  workers,  and  young  people  will  gather 
for  these  special  centennial  retreats  in  a picturesque  natural 
setting  on  the  shore  of  Shavehead  Lake.  Each  group  will  find 
carefully  planned  programs  and  opportunities  for  spiritual  de- 
velopment, for  thoughtful  meditation,  for  inspiring  messages, 
and  for  unhurried  Christian  fellowship.  How  much  better  such 
a prelude  to  General  Conference  than  to  arrive  at  Bluffton,  tired 
out  with  last  minute  preparations  and  the  strains  of  travel. 

A rich  experience  is  anticipated  at  these  retreats  for  all  who 
will  make  the  extra  effort  to  attend. 


274 


THE  MENNONITE 


Our  Christian  Witness 

i 

I 

Ernest  J.  Bohn* 


, 1 E ARE  considering  a matter 

iS  which  is  of  such  vital  impor- 
tance that  we  may  well  say  it  con- 
cerns the  highest  well-being  of  all 
" people  in  the  world.  Our  authority 
for  saying  this  is  based  on  the  life 
and  words  of  Jesus  of  Nazareth, 
whom  we  have  every  good  reason 
! for  believing,  according  to  the  his- 
torical records,  was  of  God,  that 
God  was  in  Him,  that  He  spoke  the 
words  of  God,  and  that  He  was  in- 
deed the  Son  of  God,  being  in  na- 
ture both  human  and  divine. 

Those  who  were  associated  with 
Him  most  closely  and  heard  Him 
speak  and  observed  His  life  came 
firmly  to  believe  that  He  was  more 
than  an  ordinary  human  being,  that 
' he  must  be  “the  Christ,  the  Son  of 
the  living  God.”  After  He  was  put 
I to  a violent  and  horrible  death 
upon  a cross,  and  was  buried  in  a 
tomb.  He  arose  again  the  third  day. 
Then  His  disciples  who  had  known 
! Him  best,  and  who  had  thought 
I after  His  death  that  they  must  have 
j been  mistaken  about  His  divine 
Sonship,  were  doubly  convinced  that 
He  was  the  Christ,  the  Son  of  the 
living  God. 

This  Jesus  did  not  leave  us  any- 
thing in  writing,  but  some  of  His 
disciples  managed  to  report  much 
of  His  miraculous  life  and  some  of 
the  words  that  He  spoke.  We  also 
have  the  witness  of  the  test  that 
I His  teachings  have  been  put  to 
through  all  these  centuries  as  to 
their  truth  and  validity  in  human 
1 experience.  We  believe  He  was  the 
Son  of  God  and  had  the  words  of 
life  which  are  the  answer  to  all 
men’s  needs,  and  that  they  will 
provide  for  the  highest  well-being 
of  all  people. 

Let  us  then  note  some  of  His 
words,  and  how  He  intended  them 
to  meet  the  deep  needs  of  human 
life.  He  had  much  to  say  about  a 
kind  of  life  which  would  be  desired 
above  all  things.  Sometimes  He  re- 
ferred to  it  as  “eternal  life,”  and  at 
other  times  as  the  “abundant  life.” 


*Pastor,  Grace  Church,  Pandora,  Ohio 


The  apostle  John,  who  says  of  Him, 
“In  him  was  life,  and  the  life  was 
the  light  of  men,”  reports  Jesus 
as  saying:  “Whosoever  believeth  in 
him  should  not  perish,  but  have 
eternal  life.”  John  says,  “He  who 
does  not  obey  the  Son  shall  not  see 
life.”  Jesus  taught:  “.  . . he  who 
hears  my  word  and  believes  him 
who  sent  me,  has  eternal  life.”  “For 
the  bread  of  God  is  that  which 
comes  down  from  heaven,  and  gives 
life  to  the  world.”  “The  words  that 
I have  spoken  to  you  are  spirit  and 
life.”  “I  came  that  they  may  have 
life,  and  have  it  more  abundantly” 
(John,  RSV).  Jesus  spoke  much 
about  life. 

What  did  Jesus  mean  when  He 
talked  about  life?  Was  He  thinking 
of  the  future  life  or  life  here  on 
earth?  The  meaning  of  the  term 
is  not  clearly  indicated  in  the  orig- 
inal. When  we  carefully  take  into 
consideration  Jesus’  greatest  con- 
cern as  He  met  people  in  all  sorts 
of  situations  and  with  all  kinds  of 
needs,  we  cannot  help  but  see  that 
Jesus  was  concerned  about  more 
than  just  one  aspect  of  man.  With- 
out question  He  was  concerned  a- 
bout  the  spiritual  aspect,  for  He 
came  into  Galilee,  preaching  and 
saying,  “.  . . the  kingdom  of  God  is 
at  hand;  repent,  and  believe  in  the 
gospel”  (Mark  1:15). 

But  one  is  also  impressed  with 
His  deep  concern  for  physical  needs 
of  all  kinds  as  people  came  to  Him 
singly  and  in  multitudes.  There  were 
the  sick  and  the  diseased,  the  men- 
tally ill  or  demon  possessed,  the 
blind  and  crippled,  and  the  hungry. 
He  tried  to  help  them  all,  seven 
days  a week.  At  one  point  we  read: 
“He  told  his  disciples  to  have  a 
boat  ready  for  him  because  of  the 
crowd,  lest  they  should  crush  him; 

Condensed  from  the 
president’s  message  to 
the  Central  District 
Conference,  Goshen,  Ind. 
April  23,  ig^g 


for  he  had  healed  many,  so  that  all 
who  had  diseases  pressed  upon  him 
to  touch  him.”  When  He  sent  out 
His  twelve  disciples  on  one  occasion 
on  a missionary  tour.  He  instructed 
them  to  likewise  meet  the  varied 
needs  of  people  — spiritual,  mental, 
and  physical. 

Jesus  clearly  was  concerned  about 
the  whole  person,  not  just  one  part. 
To  Him  a human  being  seemed  to 
be  the  synthesis  of  many  elements. 
To  savb  men  He  ministered  to  what- 
ever human  need  was  most  press- 
ing. We  can  conclude  that  Jesus  was 
deeply  interested  in  how  He  could 
help  people  make  life  as  rich  and 
worthwhile  here  on  earth  as  pos- 
sible as  well  as  in  the  life  beyond. 
The  acceptance  of  Jesus’  kind  of 
life  would  be  the  beginning  of  the 
heavenly  life  beyond  this  earth. 

This  was  the  great  commission 
that  He  gave  to  His  disciples  and 
to  His  disciples  for  all  time:  that 
we  all  may  learn  the  true  meaning 
of  life  as  we  learn  to  walk  with 
God,  and  that  we  may  be  witness 
to  this  life  wherever  it  is  possible 
for  us  to  do  so.  We,  too,  are  com- 
missioned to  witness  to  this  life 
which  He  has  given  us,  which  meets 
the  needs  of  the  whole  person. 

Let  us  consider  what  we  have 
done  in  meeting  the  spiritual  needs 
of  people  who  are  seeking  some- 
thing — they  know  not  what.  Like 
the  multitudes  in  Jesus’  day,  they 
are  restless,  floundering  about, 
seeking  for  something  they  have 
not  found.  Has  our  witness  been 
leading  them  to  the  abundant  life? 
How  well  have  we  prepared  our 
young  people  to  be  messengers  of 
the  gospel  of  life?  What  are  we 
doing  to  meet  the  needs  of  those 
who  are  physically  sick,  the  aged, 
the  hungry,  the  naked,  and  those 
who  are  mentally  ill?  All  of  these 
were  aspects  of  the  human  person- 
ality to  which  Jesus  ministered  and 
witnessed  and  to  which  He  has 
commissioned  us  to  do  likewise. 

As  we  inventory  what  we  have 
done  and  consider  what  we  may  do 
further  with  our  united  efforts,  may 
we  have  a greater  vision  of  what 
our  Lord  has  for  us  to  do.  But  we 
will  need  to  do  more  than  see  the 
needs.  May  we  also  have  our  hearts 
open  in  such  manner  that  the  Holy 
Spirit  may  come  upon  us,  that  we 
may  receive  power,  and  truly  be 
His  witnesses. 


May  5,  1959 


275 


Making  Christian  Wills 


Is  making  a will  as  important  as  tithing? 

Does  good  stewardship  extend  to  the  use  of  one’s  material  goods  after  death? 


Through  the  years,  everyone 
accumulates  things,  some  of 
which  have  value.  Most  people  ac- 
cumulate some  wealth,  whether  it 
is  much  or  little.  This  may  come 
through  savings  or  through  invest- 
ments. It  may  be  in  the  form  of 
property,  business,  insurance,  mon- 
ey, or  stocks  and  bonds.  There  is 
now  almost  the  universal  judgment 
that  everyone  should  plan  and  save 
something. 

Stewardship  is  based  on  the  prin- 
ciple that  each  person  is  responsible 
to  use  and  develop  the  resources 
God  had  entrusted  to  him.  God  is  a 
major  partner.  “It  is  he  that  gave 
you  power  to  get  wealth”  (Deut. 
8:18).  Man  is  a very  important 
partner  with  his  labor,  ingenuity, 
and  management.  Both  God  and 
society  depend  upon  his  work  and 
co-operation  for  the  production  of 
wealth.  Man  is  responsible  for  the 
use  of  his  possessions  in  accordance 
with  God’s  will  and  the  best  inter- 
est of  others. 

A Christian  steward  is  responsi- 
ble to  administer  everything  while 
he  lives  and  would  have  no  less 
responsibility  for  what  he  leaves 
behind.  Death  is  the  one  certainty 
of  life  for  which  many  are  not  pre- 
pared. “The  things  you  have  pre- 
pared, whose  then  will  they  be?” 
(Luke  12:20).  Many,  like  the  rich 
fool,  think  that  they  have  ease  and 
security  for  years  ahead,  but  each 
hears  the  summons,  “This  night  is 
your  soul  required  of  you.”  The 
Lord  raises  the  serious  question  as 


to  whom  your  possessions  will  go. 

When  death  comes,  you  can  no 
longer  speak  or  act  with  reference 
to  your  possessions.  God  calls  for 
your  soul,  but  He  does  not  take  over 
and  manage  your  material  posses- 
sions. The  government  steps  in  and 
takes  charge.  The  state  law  pro- 
vides for  the  distribution  of  your 
estate.  The  state  first  takes  its  part 
in  the  form  of  inheritance  taxes, 
which  may  be  a sizable  sum.  It  then 
protects  society  by  paying  all  debts. 
Then  it  distributes  the  balance  a- 
mong  legal  heirs,  according  to  fixed 
law.  The  state  cannot  carry  out 
your  spoken  intentions,  nor  can  it 
consider  the  special  circumstances 
of  your  family.  A fixed  law  cannot 
prevent  inequalities,  injustices,  spe- 
cial needs,  delays,  and  expenses. 

State  laws  provide  that  you  can 
write  a will  that  determines  how 
your  estate  is  to  be  distributed. 
You,  who  have  accumulated  the 
wealth  and  managed  it  while  you 
live,  can  also  say  what  should  be 
done  with  it  when  you  are  gone. 
You  can  show  your  responsibility 
for  your  family  by  dividing  your 
estate  with  fairness  and  justice  and 
also  with  reference  to  each  personal 
need.  Your  will  can  prevent  delays 
and  excessive  expenses  and  taxes. 

You  have  recognized  God  as  a 
partner  in  the  acquiring  of  your 
wealth,  and  also  in  giving  to  the 
Lord’s  work  while  you  live.  Is  God 
not  also  a partner  in  sharing  what 
you  have  accumulated?  A Chris- 
tian’s will  reveals  his  philosophy  of 


life,  reflects  his  character,  and  ex- 
presses his  living  interest  and  faith. 

Why  should  a Christian  remem- 
ber the  church  and  Christian  causes 
in  his  will?  Christians  have  re- 
ceived everything  from  God  and 
most  of  their  spiritual  blessings 
through  the  church.  Many  of  them 
have  ioved  the  church  and  have 
supported  it  faithfully  during  their 
lives.  What  will  happen  when  they 
are  gone? 

What  can  a Christian  do  through 
his  will? 

A Christian  will  can  continue  the 
support  of  the  work  or  project  in 
which  one  has  had  a living  interest. 

A bequest  can  help  a good  cause 
with  a sizable  gift  one  was  not  able 
to  make  while  living. 

A Christian  will  can  extend  one’s 
life  and  money  through  immo-rtal 
Christian  work  after  he  is  gone. 

Christians  without  dependents 
may  find  joy  by  investing  in  some 
Christian  cause  rather  than  leaving 
an  entire  estate  to  the  state  or  dis- 
tant heirs. 

Christians  with  families  may  bless 
them  by  expressing  continued  in- 
terest and  partnership  in  the  church 
and  the  kingdom. 

Christian  bequests,  large  or  small, 
furnish  much  of  the  needed  sup- 
port to  undergird  the  work  of  mis- 
sions, Christian  education  and  ben- 
evolence. 

— Adapted  from  the  “Manual  of 
Suggestions  for  Stewardship  Lead- 
ers” by  Roy  L.  Thorp 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church. 
Entered  at  North  Newton,  Kansas,  post  office  as  second  class  matter.  Acceptance  for  mailing  at  special  rate  of  postage:  section  1103,  Act 
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276 


THE  MENNONITE 


Meditations  at  Night 


IT  WAS  the  end  of  a busy  day.  I 
had  meals  to  get,  dishes  to  wash, 
i children  to  tend,  spring  houseclean- 
I ing  to  do.  It  had  been  a happy  day 
[ in  spite  of  its  busyness,  but  there 
I had  been  an  inner  longing  not  quite 
I satisfied:  I longed  to  read,  medi- 

I tate,  play  the  piano.  At  last  all  were 
in  bed  and  I lay  down  to  sleep 
soundly  for  only  an  hour  and  a 
I half.  Then  the  baby  awakened.  Why 
f should  he  cry  now?  He  so  seldom 
cries  at  night.  I attended  to  his 
^ needs  and  lay  down  to  sleep  again. 
( But  instead  of  sleep,  these  thoughts 
came: 

j “Be  still  and  know  that  I am 
[ God.”  “In  his  law  doth  he  meditate 
day  and  night.” 

“When  peace,  like  a river,  attend- 
eth  my  way. 

When  sorrow  like  sea  biUows  roll; 
Whatever  my  lot.  Thou  hast 
taught  me  to  say, 

■ It  is  well,  it  is  well  with  my  soul.” 
“Thou  wilt  keep  him  in  perfect 
peace,  whose  mind  is  stayed  on 
thee:  because  he  trusteth  in  thee.” 

' “I  wiU  both  lay  me  down  in  peace, 
and  sleep.” 

Then  came  quiet.  I heard  frogs 
\ croaking,  insects  singing,  and  birds 
twittering  occasionally. 

My  heart,  too,  burst  forth  in 
praise.  “I  will  bless  the  Lord  at  all 
I times:  His  praise  shall  continually 
1 be  in  my  mouth.”  “Sing  unto  God, 
ye  kingdoms  of  the  earth:  O sing 


Twila  Hilty  Garber 


praises  unto  the  Lord.” 

The  moon  was  dark  but  I could 
see  the  bright  stars  through  the 
window  all  the  better.  “His  glory 
covered  the  heavens  and  the  earth 
was  full  of  His  praise.”  All  things 
sang  forth  His  praises. 

“Praise  the  Lord;  ye  heavens, 
adore  Him;  Praise  Him,  angels  in 
the  height;  Sim  and  moon,  rejoice 
before  Him,  Praise  Him,  all  ye  stars 
of  light.  Praise  the  Lord,  for  He 
hath  spoken;  Worlds  His  mighty 
voice  obeyed;  Laws  which  never 
shall  be  broken.  For  their  guidance 
He  hath  made.” 

Then  came  thoughts  of  the  com- 
ing day.  “The  Lord  will  give 
strength  unto  his  people.”  “Blessed 
is  the  man  whose  strength  is  in 
thee;  in  whose  heart  are  the  ways 
of  them.”  My  day  would  again  be 
full  with  everyday  interruptions  but 
now  I would  be  able  to  live  serene- 


ly, calmly.  “God  is  faithful,  who 
will  not  suffer  you  to  be  tempted 
above  that  ye  are  able;  but  will 
with  the  temptation  also  make  a 
way  to  escape,  that  ye  may  be  able 
to  bear  it.”  My  housework  would  be 
lighter.  I would  not  be  cross  and 
irritable  with  my  husband  and 
child.  “God  is  faithful  ...  is  able.” 
I would  have  time  to  visit  a shut-in 
tomorrow.  I would  write  a letter  to 
a friend.  I could  trust  Him.  Now  I 
could  thank  Him  for  this  blessed 
hour  to  meditate. 

Then  came  sleep,  sweet  and  rest- 
ful. “God  is  faithful  ...  is  able.” 

I awakened  to  the  beautiful  dawn. 
The  sun  came  up  quietly  and  filled 
the  earth  with  light.  The  birds 
were  singing,  the  dew  lay  softly  on 
the  grass,  and  the  air  was  fresh.  All 
of  God’s  handiwork  sang  forth  His 
praises.  And  so  I,  too,  began  an- 
other day. 


I 

I 

, A Tribute  to  Mothers 


NOW  there  stood  by  the  cross  of 
Jesus  his  mother”  (John  19:25) 
— the  finest  example  of  a mother’s 
love  and  unfailing  care  for  her  chil- 
I dren. 

^ Mary  lived  for  her  Son  Jesus — 
His  entire  earthly  life.  She  did  not 
play  a spectacular  role  in  society 
but  led  a quiet,  deeply  spiritual  life. 
She  “stood  by  His  cross”  through 
His  entire  life.  She  left  her  home- 
land for  Him  when  King  Herod 
sought  to  kill  Jesus  as  an  infant. 

Though  there  were  many  events 
she  did  not  understand,  yet  we  read, 
“Mary  kept  all  these  things,  and 
pondered  them  in  her  heart.”  She 
supported  Him  in  His  ministry  and 
went  with  Him  to  the  cross,  sharing 


His  joys  and  suffering  His  sorrows. 

The  same  is  true  of  our  mothers 
today.  The  feelings  of  most  moth- 
ers are  expressed  in  the  quotation: 
“We  live  again  in  our  children. 
'Their  joys  are  our  joys.  Their  sor- 
rows are  our  sorrows.  In  them  we 
see  our  hopes,  our  convictions,  and 
our  ideals  materialize.” 

We  may  be  sure  our  mothers  do 
hope  for  us  to  live  a fine  Christian 
life  wherever  our  vocation  may  take 
us.  Our  mothers  have  taught  us 
from  our  earliest  youth  fine  Chris- 
tian ideals  and  lived  their  principles 
before  us.  The  finest  tribute  we  can 
give  them  is  to  live  up  to  their 
expectations  for  us. 

“There  stood  by  the  cross  of 


Jesus  his  mother.”  When  nearly 
everyone  had  forsaken  Him,  or  at 
least  stood  afar  off,  there  stood  by 
Him  His  mother.  How  many  times 
when  we  were  facing  trying  expe- 
riences since  early  childhood,  we 
knew  our  mother  stood  by  with  the 
advice,  prayer,  and  encouragement 
which  has  gone  with  us  through 
life  like  a cloud  of  protection  in 
the  heat  of  the  day  and  a guidance 
in  the  dark  of  night. 

What  greater  tribute  can  we  offer 
than  to  resolve  to  join  her  and  to- 
gether stand  by  the  cross  of  Jesus 
for  those  who  look  to  us  for  guid- 
ance? 

Mrs.  Walter  H.  Kliewer 


May  5,  1959 


277 


The  Work  Is  One 


Paul  Goering* 

The  difference  between  Christian 
missions  and  Christian  service 
is  a difference  in  name  and  not  in 
purpose.  In  spirit,  motivation,  and 
purpose  they  are  one  and  the  same. 
The  work  of  our  different  Confer- 
ence Boards  is  not  different  kinds 
of  church  or  kingdom  work  but 
parts  of  our  one  mission  as  a 
church;  to  make  disciples  for  our 
Lord. 

The  various  labels  we  use — mis- 
sions, education  and  publication, 
service,  business  administration 
are  often  misleading.  Or  perhaps 
it  is  that  we  wrongly  interpret  the 
work  of  one  Board  as  the  main 
business  of  the  church  and  the  oth- 
ers as  optional  or  nonessential  i- 
tems,  existing  on  the  fringe  of  king- 
dom work  but  not  really  at  the 
heart  of  it.  Making  disciples  for 
our  Lord  (evangelism)  is  the  ulti- 
mate goal  of  each  Board  and  not 
just  one  of  them. 

Not  only  is  the  work  of  each 
Board  directed  to  the  same  end, 
but  each  is  dependent  on  the  other 
and  can  only  prosper  as  the  others 
grow,  too.  In  what  we  call  mission 

*Pastor.  First  Church,  Upland,  Calif. 


Christians  Facing  Great  Moral 


(This  is  the  first  in  a series  of  short 
articles  planned  by  the  Board  of 
Christian  Service  dealing  xoith  is- 
sues to  face  at  the  Bluffton  Con- 
ference ) . 

The  incidents  of  racial  strife 
such  as  Little  Rock  and  Mont- 
gomery are  but  isolated  incidents 
of  a vast  store  of  ill  will.  In  these 
communities  the  infection  has  bro- 
ken open  because  of  courageous  Ne- 
gro leadership  and  because  it  was 
believed  that  enough  good  will  ex- 
isted among  white  people  that  some 
gains  could  be  made. 

Southern  leaders  would  have  us 
believe  that  the  absence  of  overt 


work,  both  at  home  and  abroad,  we 
depend  on  publications  and  schools. 
God’s  Word  must  be  translated  and 
published,  and  sometimes  the  writ- 
ten message  goes  where  the  spoken 
cannot  reach.  In  a similar  way,  we 
do  not  try  to  give  the  Bread  of  Life 
to  one  whose  stomach  is  empty 
without  also  giving  him  food  for 
his  body. 

The  interrelatedness  of  our  work 
is  readily  seen  in  a few  examples. 
Is  a Paxman  who  maintains  mis- 
sionary vehicles,  builds  schools, 
teaches  young  people,  and  organ- 
izes youth  activities  a missionary 
or  service  worker?  Other  mission- 
aries are  the  first  ones  to  recog- 
nize the  value  of  his  work.  What 
we  call  him  is  secondary  to  the  fact 
that  he  is  contributing  to  our  task 
of  making  disciples. 

Or  take  another  example.  Is  a 
Voluntary  Service  worker  who 
teaches  vacation  Bible  school  doing 
“mission”  work,  education,  or  serv- 
ice? Call  it  what  you  will,  the  ulti- 
mate goal  is  evangelization — mak- 
ing disciples. 

It  should  be  clear  by  now  that 
churches  which  support  only  part 


Issues 

RACIAL  TENSIONS 

tension  is  evidence  that  everyone  is 
satisfied.  'This  is  far  from  the  truth. 
There  is  only  a small  percentage  of 
American  Negroes  who  have  eco- 
nomic security  and  social  status 
and  therefore  are  relatively  con- 
tent. While  these  would  not  jeop- 
ardize their  position  with  a fight 
the  vast  majority  are  not  satisfied. 
The  tensions  are  merely  kept  in 
check.  The  quietness  of  some  areas 
therefore  is  due  to  a feeling  that  ill 
will  and  prejudice  is  still  so  deep 
seated,  and  the  determination  to 
keep  the  Negro  “in  his  place”  so 
strong  that  nothing  could  be  gained 
at  this  time. 

It  is  generally  said  that  it  is  the 


of  our  work  are  lopsided  and  un- 
balanced. No  one  would  try  to 
drive  a car  with  one  wheel  missing, 
but  when  we  fail  to  support  all  our 
committees  and  Boards,  we  are  do- 
ing just  that — trying  to  drive  with- 
out some  of  the  wheels,  and  in 
doing  so  we  make  our  total  cause 
(evangelism)  to  suffer. 

Too  often,  perhaps,  our  “passion 
for  souls”  is  an  emotional  attach- 
ment to  names  or  labels,  narrow 
views,  and  old  ways  of  doing  things. 
New  light  is  breaking  upon  our 
lives  continually,  and  we  should  be 
open  to  a broadening  and  deepen- 
ing vision  of  our  evangelism  task. 

Three  examples  of  new  and  grow- 
ing fields  which  call  for  our  in- 
creased support  are  mental  hos- 
pitals, Mennonite  Disaster  Service, 
and  Voluntary  Seiwice.  These  new 
programs  and  approaches  have 
come  to  us  in  the  plan  and  purpose 
of  God  and  under  the  guidance  of 
the  Holy  Spirit  to  transform  our 
churches  from  static,  conventional, 
comfortable  institutions  and  family 
groups  to  dynamic  communities  of 
committed  Christians.  We  should 
not  view  any  of  these  as  just  serv- 
ice projects  or  nonessential  pro- 
grams. God  has  prepared  us  to  use 
them  for  His  glory.  They  arise  out 
of  our  special  history  and  expe- 
rience, and  from  the  insight  God 
has  given  concerning  His  gospel  of 
redeeming  love. 

— Adapted  from  Worker’s  Exchange 


darkest  before  the  dawn.  In  some 
communities  the  dawn  is  beginning 
to  break,  for  there  has  been  much 
progress  in  racial  good  will  in  the 
past  decade.  In  others  the  darkness 
is  not  yet  at  its  darkest.  In  these 
there  will  be  increased  tension  and 
strife  as  leaders  begin  to  press  for 
first-class  citizenship  for  the  Amer- 
ican Negro.  However,  is  it  not  true 
that  in  all  of  life,  progress  is  made 
only  through  struggle  and  pain? 
Since  these  tensions  are  inevitable 
in  this  present  struggle,  shouldn’t 
we  as  Christians  be  willing  to  share 
in  the  tensions  so  that  Christ’s  pur- 
poses can  be  furthered? 

Orlo  Kaufman 


278 


THE  MENNONITE 


“Come  ye  apart  and  rest  awhile” 


Centennial 

Retreats 


Theme:  “Help  in  ages  past — Hope 
for  years  to  come.” 

Theme  Hymn:  “O  God,  Our  Help  in 
Ages  Past.” 

Progrram 

Three  retreats  will  be  held  simul- 
taneously. These  are;  Ministers  and 
Church  Workers,  Young  People’s 
Union,  and  Missionary.  The  total 
program  is  integrated:  part  of  it  is 
held  in  separate  sessions  and  part 
in  joint  meetings. 

The  main  speaker  for  the  Minis- 
ters and  Church  Workers  retreat 
will  be  Howard  Charles,  professor 
at  Goshen  College  Biblical  Semi- 
nary, who  will  present  a Bible  book 
study.  Morning  prayer  Bible  periods 
will  again  be  held  to  start  the  day 
right.  A lakeside  or  hillside  vesper 
service,  in  which  all  retreats  com- 
bine, will  also  be  held.  Many  com- 
mented on  this  inspirational  fea- 
ture at  Camp  Ames.  Evening  serv- 
ices will  be  combined,  with  each 
division  sponsoring  two  evenings. 
Other  program  details  will  be  an- 
nounced later. 

Basic  Information 

The  dates  are  supper,  August  5,  to 
breakfast,  August  12.  The  place  is 
Camp  Friedenswald,  R.R.  3,  Casso- 
polis,  Mich.  The  camp  site  is  along 
beautiful  Shavehead  Lake,  about 
fifteen  miles  from  Elkhart,  Ind.  Di- 
rections for  reaching  the  camp  will 
be  released  later. 

Total  cost  for  the  seven  days  is 
$19.75.  This  includes  lodging,  meals, 
and  insurance.  Of  this  amount,  $3.75 
is  for  lodging  in  the  cabins.  Those 
who  bring  tents  or  trailers  (which 
are  welcome)  will  pay  $1.00  per 
person  for  lodging.  Children  under 
two  do  not  pay  for  lodging  or  meals. 
Meals  for  children  from  two  to  ten 
years  are  half  price. 


Recreation  is  very  ample,  includ- 
ing softball,  volleyball,  croquet, 
swimming,  boating,  hiking,  and 
leisurely  comtemplation  along  the 
lake  and  hills. 

If  you  have  a registration  form, 
fill  it  out  as  soon  as  possible.  If  you 
do  not  have  one,  write  to  Pastor 
Dan  Graber,  Camp  Friedenswald, 
R.R.  3,  Cassopolis,  Michigan,  giving 
him  your  name  and  address  and  the 
names  and  ages  of  children.  Regis- 
tration cost  is  $3.00  as  in  former 
years.  This  pays  all  expenses  for 
the  retreats. 

If  you  have  any  questions  about 
the  grounds,  write  to  Pastor  Dan 
Graber.  Address  questions  concern- 
ing the  Ministers  and  Church  Work- 
ers Retreat  to:  Andrew  R.  Shelly, 
3003  Benham  Avenue,  Elkhart,  Ind.; 
about  the  Young  People’s  Union  re- 
treat, to:  William  Block,  3003  Ben- 
ham Avenue,  Elkhart,  Ind.;  about 
the  Missionary  retreat,  to:  Orlando 
Waltner,  722  Main  Street,  Newton, 
Kan. 


May  5,  1959 


279 


Building 

at 

Bethesda 


WHERE  shall  we  go?  You  are 
a kind  man.  We  want  to  stay 
here.”  The  two  leprosy  patients, 
who  had  stayed  a whole  day  at  the 
P.  A.  Penner  home  in  order  to  re- 
ceive gifts  of  begged  food  at  meal- 
times, were  in  no  hurry  to  leave. 
They  were  wanted  neither  in  the 
village  nor  anywhere  else.  But  their 
request  made  a place  for  them. 

These  suffers  of  Hansen’s  disease 
could  not  have  envisioned  the  in- 
stitution that  would  grow  from 
their  need.  For  that  matter,  neither 
did  Mennonite  missionary  P.  A.  Pen- 
ner when  he  secured  from  the  vil- 
lage chief  a plot  of  land  unsuited 
for  agriculture  cind  helped  the  two 
beggars  build  a hut.  But  from  this 
simple  beginning  has  grown  Bethes- 
da leprosarium — a colony  of  homes 
and  hospitals  for  sufferers  of  Han- 
sen’s disease.  All  of  this  has  come 
about  chiefly  through  the  support 
of  the  Mission  to  Lepers  (with  head- 
quarters in  London)  and  the  Amer- 
ican Leprosy  Mission,  Inc.  The  gov- 
ernment also  gives  aid,  and  Amer- 
ican Mennonites  send  Christian  staff 
members  and  some  financial  sup- 
port. 

The  program  is  still  growing,  as 
it  must  do  for  a long  time  since  its 
services  are  needed  by  so  many  peo- 
ple. The  leprosarium  has  space  for 
five  hundred  patients;  the  hospital 
for  bed  patients,  which  Ccui  accom- 
modate from  forty-five  to  fifty  pa- 
tients, is  usually  so  crowded  that 
the  least  sick  patient  may  be  dis- 
charged in  order  to  make  a bed 
available  for  a more  acute  case. 

'This  year  three  important  things 
are  happening  at  Bethesda.  One  is 
the  completion  of  a spacious  new 
brick  cattle  bam,  which  wiU  open 
the  way  for  a real  dairy  industry 
in  connection  with  the  Leper  Home. 
Dairying  was  begun  in  1944  to  sup- 
ply patients  with  fresh  milk,  and  it 
also  served  to  train  patients  in 


dairy  techniques  which  would  be 
helpful  to  them  vocationally.  But 
shelter  was  comparatively  make- 
shift. The  new  bam  fills  a long- 
recognized  need. 

The  dairy  herd  has  two  cattle 
lines:  common  black  water  buf- 

faloes, which  are  fair  milk  produc- 
ers and  easy  to  feed;  and  improved 
Indian  cows.  Ordinary  Indian  cows 
are  poor  grade,  run-down  animals; 
the  improved  line  is  the  result  of 
breeding  with  European  cattle. 
There  are  several  cattle  breeding 
centers  in  India. 

The  new  bam,  almost  finished, 
was  the  site  of  one  accident  during 
construction.  Eight  men,  including 
superintendent  Aron  Jantzen,  were 
working  high  up  on  the  scaffolding 
when  the  entire  scaffolding  col- 
lapsed and  all  eight  workers  hurtled 
to  the  ground,  followed  by  some 
bricks.  Aron  Jantzen’s  cork  helmet 
saved  him  when  he  was  hit  on  the 
head  by  a brick,  and  while  all  work- 
ers suffered  bmises  and  scratches, 
and  a couple  of  worker-patients 
were  hospitalized  with  back  injur- 
ies, no  one  was  killed  or  maimed. 

The  dairy  herd  project  and  cattle 
bam  will  be  under  the  supervision 
of  a trained  manager,  who  wiU 
work  with  Bethesda’s  patients  in 
the  enlarged  dairy  program. 

A second  building  project  now 
being  carried  on  is  the  new  hostel 
for  boys.  Up  till  now  there  have 
been  no  suitable  quarters  for  yoimg 
boys  having  Hansen’s  disease,  and 
they  have  been  assigned  to  the 
men’s  cottages.  'The  number  of  chil- 
dren at  Bethesda  is  increasing,  with 
between  fifty  to  seventy-five  chil- 
dren in  residence.  To  create  ade- 
quate facilities  for  boys  (a  girls’ 
residence  already  exists),  a modem 
one-story  building  of  unique  design 
is  going  up.  Constructed  of  brick, 
with  a reinforced  concrete  roof,  the 
rooms  are  set  aslant,  and  open  onto 
a long  veranda.  Living  quarters  for 
approximately  sixty  boys  form  one 
unit,  and  a second  unit,  built  at  an 
angle  to  the  first,  will  provide  kitch- 
en, dining  room,  and  recreation 
room. 

Groundbreaking  occurred  early  in 
December.  On  January  22,  A.  Don- 
ald Miller,  executive  secretary  of 
the  Mission  to  Lepers,  was  present 
to  lay  the  cornerstone.  Government 
officials  also  attended,  and  the  day 
was  a momentous  one  on  Bethes- 
da’s calendar.  At  this  writing  the 


walls  of  the  hostel  are  up,  ready 
for  roofing. 

The  third  important  project  is 
the  P.  A.  Penner  Memorial  addition 
to  the  present  leprosy  hospital.  The 
hospital  has  been  short  on  bed 
space  for  years,  and  the  two  new 
wings,  which  are  being  provided 
by  General  Conference  Mennonites, 
will  not  only  accommodate  more 
patients  but  increase  space  for 
needed  facilities.  Only  one  wing  of 
the  two  proposed  wings  is  now  be- 
ing buUt,  as  funds  have  been  re- 
ceived for  only  this  much  of  the 
project.  This  wing  will  have  sur- 
gical wards  for  men,  a children’s 
ward,  and  doctor’s  office.  Previous- 
ly, Doctor  Arthur  'Thiessen,  who  is 
helping  to  bring  “new”  hands  and 
feet  to  leprosy  patients,  had  to 
make  office  space  in  his  home. 

Mr.  Miller  of  the  Mission  to  Lep- 
ers also  officiated  at  the  ground- 
breaking for  the  P.  A.  Penner  Me- 
morial addition;  the  ceremony  took 
place  Jan.  23,  the  day  after  the 
cornerstone  laying  for  the  boys’ 
hostel. 

The  proposed  second  wing,  for 
which  funds  are  very  much  needed, 
will  accommodate  women  and  girls, 
a nurse’s  office,  and  diet  kitchen. 
General  Conference  Mennonites  will 
wish  to  remember  this  need  as  they 
plan  their  giving  for  1959. 

As  Bethesda  continues  to  grow, 
other  needs  will  rise.  The  future 
may  possibly  hold  such  undertak- 
ings as  a T.B.  ward  for  patients 
having  both  T.B.  and  leprosy;  a 
central  kitchen  to  serve  the  whole 
institution,  replacing  the  present 
improvised  kitchen  facilities;  and  a 
building  where  nearly-well  patients 
can  learn  the  crafts  and  trades 
which  would  support  them  and  their 
families  — carpentry,  weaving,  and 
so  forth. 

In  a land  which  has  perhaps  over 
five  million  leprosy  patients,  and 
where  religion  teaches  that  Han- 
sen's disease  is  the  punishment  of 
the  gods  for  sins  committed  in  this 
lifetime  or  a previous  one,  there  is 
great  need  for  Christian  service  and 
witness.  Bethesda’s  church  and 
Christian  staff  members  are  serv- 
ing both  physical  and  spiritual 
needs,  making  new  converts,  and 
sending  out  Christian  workers,  for 
the  fight  against  leprosy  is  also  the 
revelation  of  God’s  love  for  us  all. 
In  this  fight  and  in  this  revelation 
we,  too,  can  share. 


280 


THE  MENNONITE 


Msnnonite  youth 


calling  all  high  school  seniors^  juniors^  sophomores 


WHAT  are  you  going  to  do  this 
summer?  Work  at  home? 
j away  from  home?  attend  a church 
retreat? 

I If  you  are  a high  school  sopho- 
more,  junior,  or  senior,  this  news 
is  for  you:  you  are  eligible  for 
Voluntary  Service  this  summer,  in 
the  VS  program  of  the  General  Con- 
j ference  Mennonite  Church.  You  can 
1 help  perform  worthwhile  work  for 
I the  church,  fellowship  with  other 
Mennonite  young  people  from 
I churches  across  the  country,  and 
I tour  nearby  points  of  interest — all 
in  two  and  a half  weeks  from  July 
25  to  August  10  at  the  high  school 
age  work  camp  in  Elkhart,  Indiana. 

The  site  of  the  camp  is  the  Men- 
nonite Biblical  Seminary  campus  at 
Elkhart  (northern  Indiana,  ten  miles 
I from  Goshen  College  and  twenty 
I miles  from  beautiful  Camp  Friedens- 
; wald).  The  entire  seminary  campus 


The  metropolis  of  Chicago  is 
about  120  miles  from  Elkhart;  and 
the  Berne  Mennonite  Church,  the 
largest  in  the  Conference,  is  also 
120  miles  distant.  Bluffton  College, 
where  the  thirty-fifth  General  Con- 
ference will  be  held  immediately 
after  the  camp,  is  about  150  miles 
a'way.  The  (Old)  Mennonite  Church 
headquarters  are  located  right  in 
Elkhart. 


has  been  built  in  the  last  year  and 
a half,  and  help  is  needed  in  build- 
ing sidewalks,  plotting  car  parking 
lots,  and  cleaning  all  buildings  for 
the  new  school  session.  A number 
of  days  may  also  be  spent  at  Camp 
Friedenswald  preparing  the  place 
for  camp  sessions. 

Your  schedule  will  include  six 
hours  of  work  a day,  recreation,  dis- 
cussion, worship,  Bible  study,  talks 
by  seminary  professors,  tours  of  Go- 
shen College  and  such  well-known 
Elkhart  industries  as  Miles  Labora- 
tories and  Conn  Industries  (the  lat- 
ter produces  60  per  cent  of  the 
world’s  band  instruments).  There 
are  facilities  at  the  seminary  for 
table  tennis,  shuifleboard,  softball, 
badminton,  etc.,  and  a long  week 
end  at  Camp  Friedenswald  will  in- 
clude boating,  swimming,  and  hik- 
ing. 

Why  not  consider  Voluntary  Serv- 
ice this  summer?  This  may  be  the 
beginning  for  you  of  many  sum- 
mers in  Voluntary  Service — all  of 
them  experiences  you  would  not 
trade  for  anything  else.  Twenty 
campers  are  needed.  The  cost  is 
travel  plus  a dollar  a day  for  meals. 
Several  scholcirships  are  available 
up  to  a dollar  a day,  depending  upon 
the  need,  to  those  who  absolutely 
cannot  come  because  of  financial 
difficulty. 

Your  leaders  will  include  a work 
director,  two  counselors,  and  a cook. 
Your  quarters  will  be  in  the  new 
dormitory  on  the  seminary  campus, 
a building  which  has  a fine  kitchen, 
sitting  room,  and  recreation  room, 
and  which  overlooks  the  spacious 
seminary  campus. 

Apply  for  the  high  school  work 
camp  to:  Leo  Driedger,  Voluntary 
Service,  722  Main  Street,  Newton, 
Kansas. 

To  get  to  the  camp,  come  within 
a twenty-four  period  to  Elkhart  on 
July  25.  Elkhart  is  served  by  the 


following  bus  lines:  ABC  Coach 

Lines,  Greyhound  Lines,  and  Con- 
tinental Tradlways.  The  railway  sta- 
tion is  the  east-west  New  York  Cen- 
tral. 


YPU  Activities 

The  Central  Dist.  YPU  was  look- 
ing forward  to  their  youth  day  dur- 
ing the  Central  District  Conference 
at  Goshen,  Ind.,  last  weekend.  Sat. 
urday,  April  25,  was  the  day,  and  it 
was  filled  with  a business  meet- 
ing beginning  at  2:30  in  the  after- 
noon, a banquet  at  5:30,  a program 
at  7:30  to  which  the  entire  assem- 
bly was  invited,  and  a fellowship 
hour  at  9:15. 

The  big  feature  for  the  evening 
program  was  the  premier  show- 
ing of  Miyazaki  Story,  a Conference- 
produced  film  telling  about  our  mis- 
sion work  in  Japan.  This  year’s 
banquet  speaker  was  Gordon  Dyck, 
senior  at  Mennonite  Biblical  Semi- 
nary. 

The  Northern  Indiana  YPU  and 
the  young  people  from  the  First 
Church  of  Berne  gave  a combined 
youth  choir  prograim  March  8 at 
the  Eighth  Street  Church  in  Goshen, 
Ind.  The  Northern  Indiana  YPU  con- 
sists of  youth  from  Goshen  (Silver 
Street  and  Eighth  Street  churches), 
Elkhart,  Nappanee,  Middlebury, 
and  Topeka. 

Arlene  Hartzler  from  Goshen  di- 
rected the  choir  in  two  anthems: 
He  Is  King  and  Little  Wheel  a-Tum- 
ing,  and  three  hymns:  Holy  Lord, 
Holy  Lord;  Christ,  the  Lord;  and 
Glorious  Things  of  Thee  Are  Spo- 
ken. Each  individual  group  pre- 
sented a special  number:  Topeka,  a 
a vocal  duet;  Elkhart  a vocal  en- 
semble: Eighth  Street  (Goshen), 

piano  solo;  Nappanee,  a comet  solo; 
and  Berne,  a vocal  trio  and  a trum- 
pet trio. 


May  5,  1959 


281 


When  You  Pray, 

Nolan.  . . 

JOHNNY  Funches,  I haven’t  heard 
you  play  the  piano  for  quite  some 
time.  How  about  playing  a piece?” 
“Okay,  Don,”  said  Johnny,  “I’ll 
play  what  I’ve  just  learned.” 

He  played  the  two  new  pieces  and 
then  started  to  play  some  hymns — 
“The  Old  Rugged  Cross”  and  a few 
others. 

Meanwhile  Nolan  had  come  into 
the  center.  He  strolled  over  to  the 
piano  and  leaned  against  the  wall. 
No  one  said  a word. 

After  Johnny  had  finished  play- 


and  Johnnie.  . . 

JOHNNIE  h8is  never  seen  his  fa- 
ther, and  his  mother  was  killed 
in  a nightclub  a number  of  year's 
ago.  Johnnie  is  sixteen  and  has 
never  experienced  family  love.  He 
desperately  needs  understanding. 
But  where  can  he  go?  To  the 
crowded  neighborhood  where  there 
is  only  filth,  hatred,  and  fighting? 
To  the  many  nightclubs  in  his  com- 
munity? Or  can  he  find  love  and 
understanding  among  the  whites 
who  constantly  strive  to  make  him 


and  Evelyn.  . . 

SHE  was  twelve — tall  for  her  age 
and  quiet.  In  the  week  that  we 
had  Bible  school  I learned  that  she 
and  her  brother  lived  with  their 
grandmother.  I didn’t  ask  about  her 
parents — she  didn’t  seem  to  want  to 
say. 

We  packed  a lot  into  that  one 
week.  Through  the  workbooks,  dis- 
cussions, contests,  memory  work, 
and  recesses  we  learned  to  share 
and  work  and  laugh  together.  Some- 
times we  were  completely  united  as 
a group.  Other  times  I noticed  little 
glances  and  actions  which  told  me 
that  Evelyn  didn’t  quite  feel  at 
home  with  the  other  girls.  She  and 
her  brother  would  go  right  home 
after  Bible  school  while  the  others 
stayed  a while  to  talk  and  play. 

Once  at  recess  we  played  “Run 
for  Your  Supper.”  The  game  went 
faster  and  faster  until  we  were 
almost  dizzy  with  the  speed.  We  be- 


Remember 


ing  he  slowly  walked  out  the  door. 
From  Nolan’s  lips  came  these  words, 
“The  best  thing  in  the  world  that 
a guy  can  do  is  give  his  heart  to 
Christ.  I’m  going  to  do  it  some  day.” 
Christ,  at  that  moment,  had  pre- 
sented a golden  opportunity  for  a 
Christian  witness. 

I began  talking  with  Nolan.  We 
talked  about  how  a person  becomes 
a Christian,  how  a Christian  lives, 
what  Nolan’s  friends  might  say  if 
he  became  a Christian,  and  personal 
experiences  of  my  own  in  becoming 


feel  inferior  because  his  skin  is 
black? 

Johnnie’s  story  is  not  unique.  Vol- 
untary Service  workers  are  sure  to 
find  a Johnnie  in  Chicago,  New 
York,  or  in  the  South.  There  are 
many  small  ways  in  which  they 
can  help  him — just  a friendly  smile, 
a joke  to  share,  or  a game  of  Ping- 
pong.  These  are  the  things  that  go 
the  farthest,  and  make  Johnnie  feel 
wanted. 

What  can  we  at  home  do  for 


gan  to  laugh,  and  the  harder  we 
laughed  the  harder  it  was  to  run 
when  our  turns  came.  Finally  we 
just  sat  down  exhausted — hot  and 
happy.  I glanced  at  Evelyn  and  she 
smiled  back,  beaming. 

Five  days  go  fast  when  you’re 
busy.  It  was  Friday  evening  and  al- 
most time  for  the  final  program  to 
start.  Parents  and  relatives  were 
gathering,  talking,  and  slowly  tak- 
ing their  seats  in  the  schoolhouse. 
The  boys  in  the  class  came  in  a fiock 
— each  with  his  hair  slicked  unna- 
turally and  looking  stiff  in  his  Sun- 
day best.  Then  the  girls  came — shy- 
ly tucking  wisps  of  hair  and  brush- 
ing dust  from  their  dresses.  “Where 
is  Evelyn?”  I asked.  “She’s  in  back,” 
they  answered.  “She  doesn’t  want 
to  come.” 

I glanced  at  my  watch.  It  was 
close  to  starting  time.  Evelyn  was 
sitting  almost  hidden  in  a cluster  of 


a Christian  and  living  a Christian 
life.  Nolan’s  head  had  been  hanging 
all  through  our  talk.  Finally  he 
raised  his  head  and  said,  “Thanks, 
Don,  I want  to  think  these  things 
over,”  and  he  left. 

Will  you  pray  that  Nolan  might 
make  a decision  to  accept  Christ, 
and  that  the  many  other  young  peo- 
ple who  visit  the  center  might  also 
be  led  to  think  seriously  about  their 
relationship  to  Christ? 

— Don  Yoder,  1-W 
Gulfport,  Miss. 


Johnnie?  We  can  pray.  Pray  that 
Johnnie  will  find  love,  pray  for  those 
who  work  with  him  that  they  will 
better  understand  him  and  his  prob- 
lems, and  pray  that  we  will  have 
courage  to  erase  the  barb  wire  of 
prejudice. 

The  reward  that  I treasure  most 
highly  is  what  Johnnie  said  when  I 
left;  “Bye,  kiddo,  hope  to  see  ya 
next  summer!” 

— Esther  Schmidt 
North  Newton,  Kansas 


trees — crying.  “I  wanted  to  wear 
my  good  dress  but  she  wouldn’t  let 
me  . . . this  old  thing  ...  I don’t 
want  to  be  seen  with  the  other 
girls.” 

Words  came  to  my  mind,  but  then 
stopped.  I wanted  to  tell  her  that 
a dress  was  unimportant.  It  didn’t 
matter  how  we  looked — ^what  mat- 
tered was  what  we  knew  and  what 
we  were.  I wanted  to  tell  her  that 
she  was  needed  to  help  the  others 
in  the  program.  I wanted  to  say  that 
a person’s  mind  and  heart  were 
much  more  important  to  God  than 
the  way  he  looked.  But  I don’t 
know  what  I said. 

Many  minutes  later  we  walked 
back  to  the  schoolhouse  together. 
“My  eyes  are  probably  red,”  she 
said,  “but  I’ll  look  down  so  the 
people  won’t  notice.” 

— Muriel  Thiessen 
Elkhart,  Indiana 


282 


THE  AAENNONITE 


Learning  by  Doing”  was  the  policy 
followed  at  the  two-day  leader- 
ship clinic  sponsored  by  the  Mani- 
toba Youth  Organization  and  held  in 
Altona  April  2-3.  The  meetings  were 
ably  conducted  by  Bill  Block,  Stein- 
bach,  Man.,  and  a senior  at  Menno- 
nite  Biblical  Seminary,  Elkart.  A 
group  of  approximately  thirty-eight 
young  people  in  leadership  positions 
in  the  various  local  youth  groups 
participated. 

Paul  Peters,  MYO  president,  sug- 
gested 1 Cor.  3:5  “servants  through 
whom  you  believed,”  as  motto  of  the 
meeting.  He  said  that  although  our 
emphasis  would  be  on  methods  we 
must  remember  that  our  aim  in  all 
would  be  to  win  youth  to  a living 
faith  in  Christ.  Bill  Block,  in  intro- 
ducing the  idea  of  the  clinic,  said 
that  all  efforts  as  youth  leaders 
should  aim  to  present  that  “pearl 
of  great  price.”  George  Ens,  who 
presented  a closing  challenge,  men- 
tioned that  youth  work  has  become 
I an  important  phase  of  the  Confer- 
ence program  and  that  a new  ap- 
proach and  methods  must  be  sought 
whereby  young  people  come  to  know 
; Christ. 

After  the  pattern  of  a medical 
clinic,  we  began  with  the  diagnosis. 
I The  feeling  was  general  that  needs 
i and  problems  existed  in  the  youth 
program.  We  discovered  that  in 
many  cases  the  objectives  in  doing 
youth  work  and  the  needs  of  young 
people  were  similar.  For  instance, 
' an  objective  reported  by  most 


our  schools 

CAMPBELL  SOUP  GIFT 

Bluffton  College  received  a check 
of  $5,000  from  the  Campbell  Soup 
j Company  as  a part  of  the  Campbell 
I Soup  Company’s  Aid-to-Education 
Program  for  1959.  This  grant  was 
an  unrestricted  gift  for  any  purpose 
'which  is  considered  worthy  and  ben- 
eficial to  the  college. 

Dr.  Ramseyer,  president  of  the 
I college,  in  expressing  appreciation 
for  this  gift,  indicated  that  it  will 
probably  be  used  in  the  general 
expansion  program  of  the  college. 

In  addition  to  such  grants  to  edu- 
^ cational  institutions,  the  Campbell 
. Soup  Company  grants  fellowships 
I for  graduate  study,  scholarships. 

May  5,  1959 


Leaders^  Learnings 
Leadership  Clinics 


groups  was  stimulating  interest  and 
participation  in  the  church  program; 
it  was  felt  that  one  of  man’s  basic 
needs  was  that  of  participating  in 
a group  function.  The  buzz  group 
method,  in  which  the  group  is  divid- 
ed into  small  groups  of  six  to  dis- 
cuss a problem,  and  brain-storming, 
in  which  the  entire  group  partici- 
pates in  presenting  ideas  as  rapidly 
as  possible,  were  used  and  suggested 
as  methods  to  try  in  a young  peo- 
ple’s meeting.  Open  discussion  was 
used  to  good  advantage  in  our  par- 
ticular group. 

To  consider  related  problems  of 
presenting  Christ  to  young  people 
adequately  and  having  young  people 
present  Christ  to  their  fellow  men, 
each  small  group  was  cisked  to  adapt 
the  role-play  method  to  a specific 
situation.  The  conflict  which  takes 
place  in  the  individual’s  inner  be- 
ing was  dramatized  and  analyzed  by 
the  group.  A second  problem,  that 
of  parent  - teen-age  relationships, 
was  demonstrated  in  the  situation- 
drama  method.  Six  people  presented 
a somewhat  exaggerated  picture  of 
a Mennonite  home  where  the  rela- 
tionship between  parents  and  teen- 


and  makes  matching  gifts  when 
their  employees  who  are  alumni  of 
any  college  or  university  give  gifts 
to  their  alma  mater  ranging  from 
$50  to  $1,000  in  any  one  year.  This 
program  was  established  some 
years  ago  when  the  Board  of  Di- 
rectors of  Campbell  Soup  Company 
recognized  the  importance  of  edu- 
cation to  free  enterprise  and  indus- 
trial growth  in  the  United  States. 

STUDENT  CONFERENCE 

Several  Bluffton  College  students 
attended  the  annual  International 
Student  Conference,  sponsored  by 
the  Council  of  Mennonite  and  Affili- 
atde  Colleges,  on  April  17-19.  This 
year  the  conference  was  held  at 


and 


agers  was  strained.  The  pros  and 
cons  of  these  methods  were  dis- 
cussed and  it  was  decided  that,  with 
caution,  these  ideas  might  be  used 
effectively  in  youth  groups. 

A considerable  time  during  the 
two  days  was  spent  on  making  pro- 
grams in  the  areas  of  service,  faith 
and  life,  and  fellowship.  Group 
criticism  helped  to  point  out  pit- 
falls  and  strong  points  in  program- 
ming. A small  part  of  each  program 
was  presented  by  the  people  respon- 
sible for  its  formulation. 

'The  idea  of  leadership  clinics  is 
relatively  new  in  Canadian  circles. 
Judging  from  comments  made  by 
various  participants  we  might  say 
that  this  method  of  gaining  insight 
has  possibilities.  The  success  of 
the  sessions  was  due  to  a large  ex- 
tent to  Bill  Block,  who  posed 
thought-provoking  questions  regard- 
ing our  policies  in  doing  youth  work 
and  offered  concrete  suggestions  as 
to  how  to  present  a more  effective 
program.  Edna  Krueger 


'’he  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People's  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  3003 
Benham  Avenue,  Elkhart,  Indiana. 


Messiah  College,  Grantham,  Pa. 
Other  schools  participating  are 
Bethel,  Eastern  Mennonite,  Goshen, 
Hesston,  and  Tabor  colleges.  Presi- 
dent Lloyd  Ramseyer  gave  a mes- 
sage on  “The  Unique  Place  of  the 
Christian  College  in  the  Interna- 
tional Student  Program.”  Edna 
Ramseyer  reported  conference  high- 
lights. 

SERENADE  TO  SPRING 

“Serenade  to  Spring,”  a program 
planned  by  the  music  department  of 
Bluffton  College,  was  presented  in 
Founders  Hall  on  May  2.  The  Rec- 
reation Club  sponsored  this  prelude 
to  National  Music  Week,  which  was 
open  to  the  public.  Refreshments 


233 


were  served  after  the  concert. 

Professor  Russell  Lantz,  head  of 
the  music  department,  was  master 
of  ceremonies  for  the  evening  and 
spoke  briefly  about  National  Music 
Week.  Professor  Earl  Lehman  di- 
rected the  A Cappella  Choir,  band, 
orchestra  and  instrumental  ensem- 
bles. Christine  Purves  directed  the 
Choraliers  and  vocal  ensembles. 

WORK  DAYS 

I April  21  was  Clean-up  Day  at 
Bluffton  College,  and  faculty  and 
students  worked  together  to  clean 
up  the  campus.  Bluffton  College 
Work  Day  was  held  April  29.  This 
year  the  students  elected  to  use  the 
money  they  earned  on  Work  Day 
for  the  purchase  of  collapsible 
stands  for  the  tennis  court,  perma- 
nent stands  for  the  baseball  dia- 
mond, and  the  surfacing  of  an  addi- 
tional tennis  court  to  the  rear  of 
Lincoln  Hall.  Carleton  Steiner  and 
Ronald  Lora  supervised  Clean-up 
Day  and  Work  Day,  respectively. 

CHURCH  MUSIC 

The  history  of  church  music  was 
the  subject  of  a series  of  chapel 
programs  conducted  by  the  Chris- 
tian Youth  Volunteers  of  Freeman 
Junior  College.  With  a narrator  to 
give  background  information,  sever- 
al musical  ensembles  sang  songs  to 
illustrate  different  types  of  music 
in  historical  sequence. 

MCC  news  and  notes 

MEAT  CANNING  INCREASE 

AKRON — Response  to  the  1958- 
59  MCC  meat  canning  campaign 
has  been  very  good.  Relief  Office 
reports  an  increase  of  48,000  cans 
over  the  1957-58  season.  The  extra 
supply  means  that  MCC  will  be 
able  to  All  a few  more  of  the  many 
overseas  requests  which  had  to  be 
turned  down  last  year  when  meat 
stocks  were  exhausted.  MCC  wishes 
to  thank  all  contributors  for  their 
generous  participation  and  help  in 
making  this  project  a success. 

The  portable  canner  travelled 
5,600  miles  during  the  Nov.  1 - Feb. 
24  season.  Canning  was  done  fifty 
days  at  twenty-three  places  in  nine 
states  with  207  churches  participat- 
ing. The  largest  joint  project  was  a 
ten-day  canning  session  in  Indiana, 
with  fifty-two  Mennonite  churches 


STUDENT  PASTORATES 
AND  SUMMER  PLANS 

Juniors  and  middlers  at  Menno- 
nite Biblical  Seminary  who  will  be 
taking  summer  pastorates  have 
been  announced  as  follows:  Peter  D. 
Fast  will  be  serving  the  Mennonite 
Church  at  Aberdeen,  Idaho;  Edwin 
Peters,  at  Beatrice,  Neb.;  Peter 
Neufeld  at  Moundridge,  Kan.;  and 
Marvin  Zehr  at  the  Oak  Grove 
Church,  Smithville,  Ohio.  Victor 
Fast,  who  plans  to  enroll  next  fall, 
will  be  assisting  in  the  Mennonite 
Church  at  Reedley,  Calif. 

Leonard  Wiebe  will  be  at  Camp 
Mennoscah,  near  Murdock,  Kan., 
serving  as  camp  director  this  sum- 
mer. Mrs.  Marion  Preheim  begins 
her  work  as  director  of  Christian 
education  at  the  Methodist  Church, 
Goshen,  Ind.,  in  June.  Hedy  Sawad- 
sky  will  be  traveling  in  the  interest 
of  the  organization  Women  in 
Church  Vocations,  visiting  retreats, 
conferences,  and  churches.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Harold  Regier  plan  to  be  in 
Gulfport,  Miss.,  for  summer  service. 

Of  the  members  of  the  seminary 
faculty,  S.  F.  Pannabecker,  J.  J. 
Enz,  William  Klassen,  and  Erland 
Waltner  will  be  teaching  in  sum- 
mer school.  Leland  Harder  contin- 
ues his  graduate  studies  in  Chicago. 
Magdalen  Friesen  and  Marvin  Dirks 
will  be  working  on  campus,  and  An- 
drew Shelly  plans  to  visit  churches 
for  most  of  the  summer. 


around  Elkhart  helping  to  process 
13,740  cans  of  beef,  poultry,  pork, 
and  lard.  All  told,  a total  of  80,541 
cans  were  processed,  about  20,000 
more  than  last  year.  Canner  oper- 
ators were  two  VS  men  ■ — John 
Ruebke  (Pretty  Prairie,  Kan.)  and 
Maurice  Slagel  (Hydro,  Okla.). 

Local  canning  projects  brought  in 
91,564  cans,  about  28,000  more  than 
last  year.  Lancaster  Conference 
processed  39,252  of  these  at  their 
stationary  canner  in  Akron.  Twelve 
other  groups,  including  Kitchener, 
Ont.,  with  16,176  cans,  contributed 
a total  of  49,048  cans. 

This  year’s  increase  is  gratifying, 
but  we  need  to  remind  ourselves 
that  hunger  is  still  rampant  in 
many  parts  of  the  world  and  the 
need  for  food,  especially  high  pro- 
tein meat,  continues  to  be  great. 


Of  the  students  who  are  not  plan- 
ning to  return  to  school  next  year, 
the  following  have  made  their  plans 
known:  the  Bruno  Epp  family  wUl 
be  returning  to  mission  work  in  Par- 
aguay, South  America;  Meutha  Gies- 
brecht  will  return  for  her  second 
term  of  work  in  Japan — this  time 
as  Mrs.  George  E.  Janzen;  the  Peter 
Kehler  family  is  scheduled  to  leave 
for  mission  work  in  Formosa;  Cath- 
erine Snyder  begins  her  duties  as 
youth  worker  in  her  home  church 
at  Kitchener,  Ont.,  working  on  a 
voluntary  service  basis;  Herman 
Walde  and  family  will  be  going  to 
Soiling,  Okla.,  where  he  will  serve 
as  pastor  of  the  Indian  mission 
church;  Oskar  Wedel  plans  to  trav- 
el in  the  states  during  the  summer 
and  then  return  to  school  at  the 
University  of  Hamburg  in  Febru- 
ary; Cornelia  Lehn  and  Muriel 
Thiessen  begin  work  at  the  Confer- 
ence publication  office  in  Newton, 
Kan.,  in  June,  taking  various  edi- 
torial responsibilities. 

NEW  STUDENT  PRESIDENT 

Peter  Neufeld,  from  Inman,  Kan., 
was  elected  as  the  new  president  of 
Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary’s  stu- 
dent body.  He  succeeds  Nicholas 
Dick,  senior  from  Niagara-on-the- 
Lake,  Ont.  Hedy  Sawadsky  (Vine- 
land,  Ont.)  and  Marvin  Zehr  (Grid- 
ley,  111.)  are  serving  as  secretary 
and  treasurer  respectively. 


Korea,  Vietnam,  Jordan,  and  Hong 
Kong  are  some  of  our  chief  recipi- 
ents  and  there  is  no  indication  that  | 
the  need  in  these  countries  is  de-  I 
creasing.  So,  as  we  say  thank  you 
for  your  gifts  in  1958-59,  we  hope  ' 
that  you  are  already  planning  to 
give  this  project  your  enthusiastic 
support  again  next  canning  season.  | 

PRE-PROFESSIONAL  WORKSHOP 

NEWTON  . — More  psychiatrists, 
psychologists,  social  workers,  and  < 
psychiatric  nurses  are  urgently 
needed  to  provide  the  better  men- 
tal health  facilities  the  public  is  de- 
manding. The  question  is:  Where  ^ 
will  they  come  from? 

This  was  the  underlying  premise 
for  an  all-day  pre-professional  work-  ^ 
shop  held  at  Prairie  View  Hospital, 
April  15.  Twenty-two  upperclass  col- 
lege students  and  flve  instructors 


284 


THE  MENNONITE 


were  selected  from  applicants  for 
this  workshop.  Students  came  spe- 
cifically to  explore,  in  a clinical  set- 
ting, the  professional  possibilities  of 
psychiatry,  psychology,  social  work, 
psychiatric  nursing,  and  related 
fields. 

Central  Kansas  colleges  partici- 
pating were  Friends  University, 

I Wichita;  Kansas  Wesleyan,  Salina; 
Marymount  College,  Salina;  Mc- 
Pherson College,  McPherson;  Tabor 
, College,  Hillsboro;  and  Bethel  Col- 
! lege.  North  Newton.  Prairie  View 
staff  members  conducting  the  work- 
shop included  Dr.  Thomas  F.  Mor- 
, row,  medical  director;  Elmer  Edi- 
ger,  administrator;  Dr.  Harold 
Vogt,  clinical  psychologist;  Walter 
i Drudge,  social  worker;  and  Elsie 
I Martin,  R.N. 

The  workshop  was  sponsored  by 
, the  hospital  and  staff  in  line  with 
I the  National  Mental  Health  Week 
emphasis  this  year,  “With  Your 
[ Help,  the  Mentally  111  Can  Come 
j Back.”  The  Patient  Council  of  Prai- 
^ rie  View  served  as  hosts  and  guides 
for  a tour  of  the  hospital. 

I SUMMER  SERVICE  NEEDS 

Special  NIH  Project.  MCC  Sum- 
I mer  Service  announces  the  launch- 
ing of  a new  research  project  at  the 
National  Institutes  of  Health,  Be- 
thesda,  Md.,  beginning  June  22  and 
i continuing  through  July  and  Aug' 
ust.  Openings  for  twelve  girls  to 
participate  in  a series  of  Mental 
Health  tests  are  now  available,  in 
addition  to  the  ten  openings  for 
' women  announced  previously.  Fi- 
nancial arrangements  will  be  the 
same  as  those  of  the  regular  unit — 
$120  a month  plus  maintenance. 

Other  Units.  Ten  men  are  needed 
for  the  regular  summer  unit  at 
NIH,  beginning  June  8 — $120  a 
month  plus  maintenance;  six  psy- 
chiatric aides  for  Minnesota  State 
Hospitals,  beginning  June  18 — $80 
a month  plus  maintenance;  four 
education-recreation  supervisors  for 
Laurel  Children’s  Center,  beginning 
June  11 — VS  financial  basis;  two 
' education-recreation  supervisors  and 
two  DVBS  teachers  for  Wiltwyck 
School  for  Boys,  beginning  June  11 
I — VS  financial  basis;  and  six  edu- 
cation-recreation and  DVBS  super- 
visors for  New  York  migrant 
camps,  beginning  June  23 — VS  fi- 
nancial basis. 

HOSPITAL  AT  BANMETHUOT 

VIETNAM — The  eighteen-bed  gen- 
eral hospital  built  by  Paxmen  on 


the  Christian  and  Missionary  Alli- 
ance leprosarium  compound  at  Ban- 
methuot  is  proving  a real  boon  to 
the  MCC  medical  staff. 

Elfrieda  Neufeld,  R.N.  (Hepburn, 
Sask.),  writes:  “Since  tuberculosis 
is  very  prevalent  in  this  country, 
we  have  set  apart  one  corner  of  our 
hospital  for  T.B.  patients.  They 
have  been  struggling  along  with 
drugs  given  them  to  take  at  home, 
and  they  come  three  times  a week 
for  injections  of  streptomycin.  The 
best  cure  for  T.B.,  of  course,  is  bed 
rest.  We  see  that  bicycling  miles  for 
one  injection  of  a drug  can  undo 
much  of  the  good  this  drug  should 
accomplish.  In  the  hospital  we  can 
make  sure  our  patients  are  on  bed 
rest,  get  their  daily  drugs  and  in- 
jections, and  are  away  from  people 
they  can  infect.” 

An  important  aspect  of  the  work 
is  teaching.  A five-day  old  baby, 
whose  mother  died  at  childbirth, 
was  brought  to  the  hospital  by  rel- 


On  March  10,  four  men  of  the 
Bethesda  Church  of  Henderson, 
Neb.,  started  the  work  of  building 
an  annex  eight  by  ten  feet,  with  a 
tower  about  three  feet  square  and 
eight  feet  high.  On  one  side  a num- 
ber of  shelves  were  built,  which 
were  much  needed  for  Sunday 
school  material.  The  160-pound  bell 
which  was  hung  in  the  tower  will 
be  a great  help  in  calling  the  many 
migrant  workers  in  the  immediate 
neighborhood  for  services.  The  five 
foot  cross  on  the  tower  shows  up 
satisfactorily  when  lit  in  the  eve- 
ning. This  work  was  sponsored  by 
the  Sunday  school  of  the  Bethesda 
Church.  Four  workers,  Adolf  E. 
Friesen,  Harvey  Friesen,  A.  W. 


atives.  Most  babies  like  this  have 
very  little  chance  for  survival  since 
people  do  not  know  how  to  go  about 
preparing  milk  and  food  for  them. 
After  a week  of  instruction  on  how 
to  prepare  powdered  milk  with 
sterile  water  and  how  to  keep  the 
baby  clean,  apprehensive  MCC 
nurses  sent  the  family  home.  A 
week  later  they  came  back  for  more 
powdered  milk,  proudly  displaying 
a healthy  baby  that  had  gained 
eight  ounces. 

PERSONNEL 

On  April  13,  five  Paxmen  left 
Akron  to  begin  two-year  assign- 
ments in  Europe.  They  are  Jon  G. 
Amstutz,  Dalton,  Ohio;  Herman 
Zuercher,  Wooster,  Ohio;  Norman 
Leichty,  Wayland,  Iowa;  Dale  H. 
Linsenmeyer,  Beatrice,  Neb.;  Men- 
no  Hildebrand,  Gretna,  Man.  The 
men  will  be  serving  in  construction 
and  agricultural  development  proj- 
ects. 


Friesen,  and  Ben  Boehr,  finished 
the  annex  in  seven  days.  Our  Con- 
ference mission  workers  at  Friend- 
ly Comer  are  Pastor  and  Mrs.  Glen 
Habegger,  Elsie  Heppner,  and  Re- 
becca Nickel — A.  W.  Friesen. 
WIEBE  BRINGS  MESSAGES 
Bethesda  Church,  Henderson,, 
Neb.  : Willard  Wiebe,  pastor  of  First 
Church,  Mountain  Lake,  Minn.,  was 
our  pre-Easter  speaker  the  week  of 
March  15.  The  choirs  of  our  con- 
gregation brought  special  numbers 
each  evening.  The  Bethel  College 
Chorale  presented  their  program 
March  8 and  also  sang  at  the  local 
hospital.  Freeman  Academy  Ensem- 
ble, under  the  direction  of  Dorothy 
Imhoff,  presented  a program  of  sa- 


May  5,  1959 


285 


cred  music  March  22.  Good  Friday 
morning  our  Chancel  Choir  again 
presented  The  Seven  Last  Words 
of  Christ,  an  annual  rendition,  di- 
rected this  year  by  Harold  Wayne 
Kroeker.  Soloists  were  Mrs.  Carl 
Bott,  Don  Peters,  and  Pastor  Gaed- 
dert.  Recent  guest  speakers  includ- 
ed Willard  Kauffman,  who  conclud- 
ed our  School  of  Missions  with  an 
account  and  slides  of  his  experi- 
ences in  the  Middle  East  while  with 
MCC.  Feb.  8 Cornelius  Krahn 
brought  the  morning  message  and 
spoke  at  Family  Night  services,  us- 
ing “Europe,  Then  and  Now”  as  his 
topic.  William  Block  and  Peter  Keh- 
ler  came  from  the  Seminary  to  lead 
Youth  Rally  and  Clinic,  and  spoke 
at  the  morning  worship  service  Feb. 
1.  In  the  absence  of  Pastor  Gaed- 
dert,  Louis  Goertz  of  the  M.  B. 
Church  brought  the  morning  mes- 
sage Jan.  18.  A new  catechism 
class,  with  an  enrollment  of  forty 
young  people,  is  being  instructed  by 
our  pastor.  Leron  Peters,  serving 
with  MCC  in  Jordan,  has  been  ill 
with  infectious  hepatitis  but  is  re- 
ported back  to  work.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Dan  Mierau  and  daughter  have  re- 
turned from  Meadow  Lark  Home 
near  Newton,  where  they  were  in  VS. 
Recent  weddings  include  Elsie  Sie- 
bert  and  Garry  Friesen,  Feb.  7 ; 
Joan  Epp  and  Robert  Dick,  Feb.  15; 
and  Marcene  Graber  of  Freeman, 
S.  D.,  and  RaGene  Ratzlaff,  April 
3. — Mrs.  D.  P.  Ratzlaff,  corr. 

MISSIONARY  CONFERENCE 

Immanuel  Church,  Downey,  Cal.; 
During  March  we  experienced  bless- 
ings in  overflowing  measure.  March 
13  was  a special  all-church  prayer 
meeting.  March  15  the  film  I Saw 
Borneo  was  shown  as  an  introduc- 
tion to  Arthur  Mauw,  who  was  spe- 
cial speaker  at  our  Missionary  Con- 
ference March  18-22.  Each  evening 
one  of  our  missionary  couples  home 
on  furlough  from  Tanganyika,  East 
Africa,  was  featured.  They  are  the 
Wesley  VanNattans,  the  Marion 
Allens,  and  the  Frank  Mannings. 
After  the  concluding  message, 
“God’s  Miracle  in  Borneo,”  many 
young  people  dedicated  their  lives 
to  Christian  service.  Easter  Sun.  the 
S.  S.  presented  an  Easter  program 
with  Mrs.  Marion  Allen  as  speaker. 
Pastor  Albert  Epp  gave  the  Easter 
message,  “The  Risen  Christ  or  Ris- 
ing Communism,”  during  the  morn- 
ing worship  service.  In  the  evening 
the  Marion  Allens  showed  movies 
of  their  work  in  Africa.  April  5 R. 
L.  Amstutz,  pastor  of  the  Emmaus 
Church,  Whitewater,  Kan.,  filled  the 
pulpit.  New  babies  blessed  the  fol- 
lowing homes:  an  adopted  boy, 

Robert  Dean,  Feb.  4 to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Clarence  Guengerich;  a boy. 


Feb.  23,  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fred 
Schrock;  a boy,  March  6,  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  William  Pugh;  a girl,  Jane 
Elizabeth,  March  10,  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Kenneth  Guengerich.  April  24- 
26  our  church  was  host  to  the  Calif. 
Mennonite  C.  E.  and  S.  S.  Conven- 
tion.— Mrs.  Leonard  Kliewer,  corr. 

TALK  ON  LEPROSY  WORK 

United  Mennonite  Church,  Wolf 
Point,  Mont.:  Feb.  15  Harold  C. 
Etter,  director  and  founder  of  the 
International  Leprosy  Mission, 
showed  pictures  and  told  of  the 
work.  March  1 the  young  people 
with  their  S.  S.  teacher,  Don  Heid- 
ner,  had  a toboggan  party  and  fel- 
lowship hour.  March  1 Vernon 
Duerksen,  field  representative  for 
Grace  Bible  Institute,  challenged  us 
with  the  work  at  Grace  in  word, 
song,  and  picture.  March  15  Johnny 
Reimer,  pastor  of  the  E.  M.  B. 
church,  showed  pictures  of  the  Pas- 
sion Week  and  brought  a special 
number  in  song.  Aaron  Wall  and 
Peter  A.  Fast  both  had  surgery  in 
Great  Falls  hospital.  R.  B.  Thomas 
also  looked  for  medical  help  at 
Great  Falls  due  to  a fall  earlier. 
Dallis  Frederick  and  Ferd  Funk 
were  in  the  local  hospital,  but  all 
are  home  now  and  improving. 
Union  Good  Friday  services  were 
observed  with  the  churches  of  Wolf 
Point  participating.  Special  services 
were  held  in  our  church  from  Good 
Friday  through  April  3,  with  J.  J. 
Esau  as  evangelist.  Easter  Sun.  the 
Gospel  Fellowship  Church  and  our 
church  sponsored  a sunrise  service. 
— Mrs.  Frank  Huebert,  corr. 
COMMITTEES  PRESENTED 
Emmaus  Church,  Whitewater, 
Kan.;  Feb.  18  W.  F.  Unruh  told 
about  different  Conference  commit- 
tees, illustrating  his  talk  with  pic- 
tures. At  our  C.  E.  program  March 
1,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hector  Valencia 
spoke  and  showed  slides  on  Colom- 
bia. They  are  serving  under  a Pres- 
byterian Board,  but  a number  of 
their  pictures  were  from  the  Con- 
ference field  in  Colombia.  March  15 
Eleanor  Entz  presented  the  field 
where  she  will  be  serving  in  Hon- 
duras under  Central  American  Mis- 
sions. The  film  The  Torch  was 
shown.  The  Community  Easter 
Sunrise  Service  was  held  in  our 
church.  John  R.  Dick  from  Grace 
Bible  Institute  was  the  speaker. 
Easter  evening  a group  of  singers 
from  Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary 
gave  a worship  program  in  our 
church.  Two  students  in  the  group, 
Leonard  Wiebe  and  Virginia  Claas- 
sen,  are  from  our  church.  Virginia 
Claassen  plans  to  go  to  Japan  in 
August  to  teach  missionary  chil- 
dren. Pastor  Amstutz  has  been 
preaching  from  the  Gospel  of  John 


every  Sunday  morning  since 
Christmas.  The  eve  of  April  1 Roy 
Hollomon  of  the  Kansas  United  Dry 
Forces  spoke.  April  5,  Theodore  Epp 
from  Lincoln,  Neb.,  spoke. — Corr. 
PASSION  WEEK  SERVICES 
Bethesda  Church,  Marion,  S.  D.; 
Elaine  Hofer  and  Homer  Doell  of 
Neb.  were  married  Jan.  18.  Feb. 
13  Joann  Ihner  and  Eldon  Schmidt 
were  married.  Mrs.  Peter  Engbrecht 
died  at  the  age  of  93;  the  funeral 
was  Feb.  7.  March  5 we  were  privi- 
leged to  have  the  Bethel  College 
Chorale  of  North  Newton,  Kan., 
present  a musical  program.  March 
22  a cradle  roll  program  was  held. 
In  the  evening  the  Passion  Week 
services  began  with  Ralph  Graber 
of  Bethel  Church  bringing  the  mes- 
sage on  “The  Day  of  Acclaim.” 
Mon.  and  Tues.  evenings  Olin  Kreh- 
biel  of  the  Salem-Zion  Church 
brought  messages  on  “The  Day  of 
Authority”  and  “The  Day  of  Con- 
flict.” Wed.,  R.  Russell  of  the  Em- 
manuel Presbyterian  Church  had  a 
message  on  ‘"The  Day  of  Silence,” 
and  on  Thurs.  eve  the  Lord’s  Sup- 
per was  observed.  On  Good  Friday 
and  Easter  our  pastor,  T.  A.  van 
der  Smissen,  brought  the  messages. 
MISSION  RALLY 

Butterfield  Church,  Butterfield, 
Minn.:  Grace  Children’s  Home  rep- 
resentative Austin  Haven  spoke 
March  15.  Pastor  Peter  Tschetter 
brought  festive  messages  on  Good 
Friday  and  Easter.  We  observed  the 
Lord’s  Supper  on  Easter.  A mission 
rally  conducted  by  the  United 
World  Mission  was  held  April  5-8 
in  the  Emmanuel  Church  of  Delft, 
the  north  church,  and  in  our  church. 
Speakers  were  missionaries  Gene 
and  Sandy  Thomas  from  French 
Equatorial  Africa,  Carl  Walter  from 
Bolivia,  and  Roy  Ackerle  from 
Cuba.  Our  April  C.  E.  program  was 
in  charge  of  the  E.  M.  B.  Church  of 
Mountain  Lake.  Two  recent  proj- 
ects have  been  the  cleaning  of  the 
church  and  the  laying  of  runners. 
BERGENS  SPEAK 

Bethel  Lustre  Church,  Frazer, 
Mont.:  The  Norman  Bergens  of  Re- 
gina, Sask.,  conducted  services  Feb. 
15-16.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Vernon  Duerk- 
sen of  Grace  Bible  Institute  were 
in  our  church  March  5.  The  C.  E. 
gave  a choir  and  ensemble  program 
on  Good  Friday  evening.  Walter 
Dirks  of  Black  Creek,  Vancouver, 
B.  C.,  was  guest  speaker.  Brother 
Dirks  held  meetings  March  29-April 
1.  J.  J.  Esau  was  with  us  April  5-7. 
Mrs.  Norma  Staffi,  missionary  to 
Cuba  under  the  United  Missions, 
presented  her  work  in  prisons  there, 
in  word  and  in  pictures  April  5-6. 
The  picture  Cuba  in  Revolution  was 
shown.  Freeman  Academy  Senior 


286 


THE  MENNONITE 


Ensemble  presented  a program 
April  13. — Mrs.  Clarence  Baerg, 
corr. 

NEW  SANCTUARY  DEDICATION 

Bethel  Community  Church,  Santa 
Fe  Springs,  Calif.:  The  Teachers 
[ and  Workers  quarterly  meeting  was 
held  Feb.  8,  following  a noon  lunch. 
The  Marion  Allens,  on  furlough 
from  Africa,  were  with  us  for  both 
I morning  and  evening  services.  D.  C. 
Wedel,  pres,  of  Bethel  College, 
brought  us  a message  at  our  Fam- 
ily Night  Fellowship  Feb.  17.  Pastor 
I Hostetter  gave  a series  of  messages 
at  Wed.  and  Sun.  services  on  events 
of  Holy  Week.  The  Women’s  Mis- 
sionary Fellowship  had  as  their 
■ guest  speaker  March  9 Mrs.  A.  K. 
Wiens,  former  missionary  to  China. 
Dedication  of  our  new  sanctuary 
was  March  22.  Worship  was  held 
I in  the  new  church,  after  which  a 
noon  meal  was  served;  the  dedica- 
i tion  was  held  that  afternoon.  P.  K. 
Regier,  representing  the  Conference, 

I gave  greetings.  Peter  Ediger, 

^ vice  president  of  the  Pacific  Dist. 
Conf.,  gave  the  dedication  sermon 
i on  “The  Faith  that  Builds  the 
' Church.”  May  our  hearts  be  encour- 
aged to  give  ourselves  to  the  Lord 
in  a greater  service.  April  5 our 
first  communion  service  in  the  new 
> sanctuary  was  observed. — Edith  Hu- 
ser,  corr. 

WEEK  OF  MEETINGS 

1 First  Church,  Newton,  Kan.:  At 
an  evening  service  on  Easter  Sun- 
day, the  five  choirs  (primary,  jun- 
ior high,  youth,  church,  and  men’s) 
participated  in  a musical  Easter 
program.  Mrs.  Donovan  Bachman 
directed  the  primary  choir;  the 
other  four  choirs  were  directed  by 
our  new  chorister,  Bro.  Gerhard 
Klaassen  from  Laird,  Sask.,  who 
assumed  his  duties  with  us  the  be- 
ginning of  this  year.  During  Thanks- 
' giving  week  in  November,  Milo 
Kauffman,  author  of  The  Challenge 
of  Christian  Stewardship,  served 
with  six  messages  at  our  Steward- 
ship Conference.  The  Christmas  sea- 
son was  again  celebrated  with  a 
I choir  program  and  a Sunday  school 
program.  The  annual  business  meet- 
ing was  held  Jan.  1,  at  which  time 
the  work  and  the  activities  of  the 
church  were  summarized.  Although 
the  report  was  encouraging,  it  also 
challenged  each  to  serve  more  faith- 
fully in  the  future.  Feb.  3 was  al- 
^ lotted  to  meat  canning.  The  seven- 
' teen  hogs  and  one  beef  yielded  2558 
cans  of  processed  meat  and  fat.  A 
week  of  meetings,  April  19-24,  were 
held  with  Ralph  Weber,  pastor  of 
the  Beatrice  Church,  as  speaker. 
MISSIONARIES  SPEAK 
I First  Church,  McPherson,  Kan.: 
I Jan.  11  Mr.  and  Mrs.  P.  K.  Dirksen, 


missionaries  to  the  Hopi  Indians  in 
Oraibi,  Ariz.,  showed  slides  and 
told  of  their  work.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Willard  Stucky,  who  were  home  on 
two-weeks’  leave  from  Mexico,  gave 
a report  of  their  work  Jan.  22.  Feb. 
1,  the  Bethel  College  Chorale  pre- 
sented a program  of  sacred  music. 
World  Day  of  Prayer  was  observed 
Feb.  13  at  the  Church  of  the  Breth- 
ren. Funeral  Services  for  Reinhold 
Goering  were  held  March  8.  The 
Lord’s  Supper  was  observed  on 
Maundy  Thursday  evening. — Corr. 
LEADERSHIP  COURSE 
Menno  Church,  Ritzville,  Wash.: 
During  Jan.  and  Feb.,  a church 
school  Leadership  'Training  Course 
was  held  at  Ritzville,  promoted  by 
the  Ministerial  Assoc.  The  church 
C.  E.  elected  new  officers,  as  did  the 
choir.  “New  Life”  meetings  were 
held  March  1-6  with  Rudolph 
Schmidt  as  guest  speaker.  March  8 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Phil  Whitman  were 
received  as  new  members.  The 
Washington  YPU  Retreat  Commit- 
tee and  the  C.  E.  and  Sunday  School 
Committee  met  at  the  church  to 
plan  future  activities,  March  20. 
Union  Good  Friday  Services  were 
held  at  the  Philadelphia  Congrega- 
tional Church  with  the  different 
Ritzville  churches  participating.  In 
the  evening  we  had  our  own  Com- 
munion services.  The  choir  present- 
ed the  cantata.  The  Resurrection, 
Easter  Sun.  evening.  April  2,  The 
Quest,  the  latest  Moody  Institute  of 
Science  film,  was  shown. — Mrs. 
Davis  Bauer,  corr. 

CORRECTION 

The  Allen  Funk  family  of  the 
First  Church,  Hillsboro,  are  the 
parents  of  Jeanette  Ann;  and  the 
Willis  Penners  are  the  parents  of 
Sherry  Lynn. 

into  the  beyond 

Otto  Gering,  member  of  the  Sa- 
lem-Zion  Church,  Freeman,  South 
Dakota,  was  born  November  16, 
1879,  and  passed  away  January  26, 
1959. 

Gerhard  H.  Berg,  member  of  the 
Salem-Zion  Church,  Freeman,  South 
Dakota,  was  bom  January  4,  1877, 
and  died  March  3,  1959. 

Mrs.  Marie  Schrag  Waltner,  old- 
est member  of  Salem-Zion  Church. 
Freeman,  South  Dakota,  was  born 
May  25,  1862,  and  died  March  26, 
1959. 

Ralston  G.  Oberholzer,  of  New 
York  City,  and  member  of  the  Here- 
ford Mennonite  Church,  Bally, 
Pennsylvania,  was  bom  June  10, 
1903,  and  died  March  25,  1959. 


conference  notes 

(continued  from  the  last  page) 

SUMMER  VOLUNTEERS  TOTAL  75 

Leo  Driedger,  director  of  the  Vol- 
untary Service  program,  reports 
that  to  date  seventy-five  applica- 
tions have  been  received  for  sum- 
mer service  in  1959.  At  present 
there  still  are  openings  at  Eloy, 
Arizona,  working  with  migrants; 
Montana,  on  the  Indian  mission 
field;  Oklahoma,  in  the  Indian  mis- 
sion churches;  Kansas  City,  Kan., 
teaching  children  and  supervising 
recreation;  Americus,  Georgia,  on 
the  Koinonia  farm;  Rosthern,  Sask., 
work  in  children’s  homes,  homes  for 
mentally  ill,  invalid  homes  on  Men- 
nonite Youth  Farm,  and  DVBS;  and 
Camps  Mennoscah,  Murdock,  Kan.; 
Men-O-Lan,  Quakertown,  Pa.;  Sho- 
lom,  Muskoko,  Ont.;  and  teen-age 
work  camp  at  Elkhart,  Ind. 

NEW  HOME  FOR  WIDOW 
OF  KORNELIUS  ISAAK 

In  Paraguay  people  have  taken 
to  heart  the  words  of  James,  “Re- 
ligion that  is  pure  and  undefiled 
before  God  and  the  Father  is  this: 
to  visit  orphans  and  widows  in  their 
affliction.”  Through  gifts  of  many 
in  the  area  and  in  other  countries 
and  the  labor  of  community  peo- 
ple, a house  has  been  built  for  the 
widow  and  children  of  Kornelius 
Isaak,  who  was  killed  by  Morro 
Indians  while  attempting  to  effect 
mission  work  in  that  tribe  last 
September. 

Jakob  Duerksen,  who  studied  in 
Canada  and  the  United  States  a few 
years  ago,  a close  friend  of  the  late 
Mr.  Isaak,  was  instrumental  in 
bringing  about  this  deed  of  good  will. 

POSITION  ON  RACE 

The  Peace  and  Social  Concerns 
Committee  operating  under  the 
Board  of  Christian  Service,  at  its 
recent  meeting  in  Chicago  drew  up 
a statement  regarding  the  position 
of  the  church  on  the  race  issue. 
This  statement  is  to  be  presented 
to  the  General  Conference  for  adop- 
tion at  its  August  sessions. 

Other  business  of  the  committee 
included  initial  planning  for  a 1962 
Conference-wide  study  conference 
on  the  church  and  society  and  fur- 
ther planning  for  the  publication  of 
Erwin  Hiebert’s  manuscript  on 
Christianity  and  nuclear  warfare, 
which  is  to  be  printed  by  the  time 
the  General  Conference  convenes. 


!'  May  5,  1 959 


287 


conference  notes 

LOOKING  TOWARD 
GENERAL  CONFERENCE 

Each  cover  of  The  Mennonite  re- 
minds us  that  Paul  compared  the 
Christian  church  to  a building. 
Christians,  called  “living  stones” 
by  Peter,  are  the  building  blocks 
that  fit  together  to  form  a holy 
temple  in  the  Lord. 

Solomon’s  temple,  the  first  one, 
was  assembled  without  the  sound 
of  hammer  or  axe  or  any  tool  of 
iron  because  the  stones  were  made 
ready  before  they  were  brought  to 
the  building  site. 

General  Conference  sessions,  with 
delegates  assembling  from  faraway 
places,  in  a sense  symbolize  this 
building  of  a spiritual  temple.  We 
will  meet  to  worship  and  plan,  and 
will  go  forth  to  serve. 


I believe  that  each  person  plan- 
ning to  attend  should  personally 
prepare  before  he  goes,  that  he  may 
take  his  place  in  tlie  spiritual  build- 
ing without  undue  noise  or  costly 
friction.  I believe  that  in  looking 
toward  General  Conference,  we  need 
to  round  off  our  own  sharp  corners 
■of  prejudice.  We  need  to  remove 
the  grating  ridges  of  intolerance. 
We  need  to  smooth  down  the  bumps 
of  our  own  pet  peeves.  If  each  of 
us  is  made  ready  before  we  come 
to  Bluffton,  the  spiritual  temple 
will  be  built  in  symmetry  and  har- 
mony. Grace  G.  Moyer 

Allentown,  Pa. 

FIRST  BAPTISM 
AT  KILOMETER  81 

At  Kilometer  81  in  Paraguay,  one 
of  the  first  fruits  won  for  the  Lord 
through  the  ministry  to  leprosy  pa- 
tients is  Juan  Giminez. 

When  Juan  first  became  ill,  his 
wife  left  him,  taking  two  of  their 
five  children  with  her.  As  the  dis- 
ease progressed,  police  came  and 
took  him  by  force  to  the  state  lep- 
rosy colony,  leaving  his  three  chil- 
dren alone.  Here  he  escaped  on  pre- 


tense of  taking  a month’s  leave  and 
began  a life  of  wandering.  These 
years  he  was  without  home  or  med- 
ical care,  completely  desolate  and 
forsaken,  until  he  heard  of  the  work 
at  Km.  81. 

Now,  seventeen  years  after  he 
was  first  afflicted  with  the  disease, 
Juan  has  received  not  only  medical 
help  for  leprosy  but,  more  impor- 
tant, Jesus  Christ  as  his  Saviour. 
This  first  baptism  took  place  Janu- 
ary 18,  1959,  with  Missionary  Regier 
officiating. 

Today  a radiant  Christian,  Juan 
has  been  helping  those  less  fortun- 
ate than  he,  with  humbleness  of 
spirit  and  with  love.  He  has  gone 
for  a while  to  his  relatives  to  tell 
them  of  the  love  that  saved  him, 
for  he  says,  “They,  too,  need  the 
Saviour.” 

Although  he  cannot  read,  the 
Bible  is  his  faithful  companion. 
He  has  memorized  many  songs 
which  are  sung  at  the  station, 
watching  the  singers  intently  to 
catch  every  word. 

We  are  thankful  for  the  life  and 
testimony  of  Juan  Giminez.  The 
ministry  which  was  the  means  of 
bringing  him  a healthy  body  and 
new  life  is  the  leprosy  work  in 
which  the  American  Leprosy  Mis- 
sion and  Mennonite  Central  Com- 
mittee participate.  Dr.  John  R. 
Schmidt,  who  is  MCC-supported,  is 
in  charge  of  the  program.  Mission- 
ary John  Regier  from  the  Fries- 
land Colony,  Paraguay,  is  partially 
supported  by  the  General  Confer- 
ence Mennonite  Board  of  Missions. 

The  stories  of  other  Christians 
like  Juan  are  told  in  the  new  folder, 
“More  Fruits  of  the  Field,”  put  out 
by  the  Board  of  Missions. 


Juan  Giminez 


NEW  PRIMARY  CURRICULUM 

The  teacher’s  manual  for  year 
one  and  pupil  books  for  two  quar- 
ters of  year  one,  primary,  of  the 
Living  Faith  Graded  Sunday  School 
Series  have  been  received  from  the 
printer  by  Mennonite  Publication 
Office,  Newton,  Kan.  These  mate- 
rials have  been  planned  so  that 
churches  may  begin  using  them 
the  fall  quarter  of  1959,  the  start 
of  the  new  Sunday  school  year. 
Writers  for  year  one  are  Alta  Mae 
Erb  and  Winifred  Erb  Paul.  This 
curriculum  is  prepared  jointly  by 
the  General  Conference  Mennonite 
Church,  Willard  Claassen,  editor; 
and  the  (Old)  Mennonite  Church, 
Paul  Lederach,  editor. 

LEADERSHIP  CLINIC 

A leadership  demonstration  school 
was  held  in  Hutchinson,  Kan.,  April 
19,  in  which  churches  from  Hutch- 
inson and  Pretty  Prairie  participat- 
ed. Sponsored  by  the  education  com- 
mittee of  the  Western  District,  plan- 
ning was  done  by  a subcommittee 
composed  of  W.  F.  Unruh,  Harold 
Buller,  Richard  Tschetter,  Mrs.  Carl 
Voth,  Amelia  Mueller,  and  May- 
nard Shelly. 

The  program  consisted  of  regu- 
lar Sunday  school  sessions  in  the 
morning  in  which  home  church 
teachers  or  guest  leaders  taught 
the  classes  while  visiting  teachers 
observed.  The  message  in  the  wor- 
ship service  was  presented  by  May- 
nard Shelly.  The  afternoon  meet- 
ings consisted  of  evaluation  periods 
in  which  the  experiences  of  the 
Sunday  school  hour  were  discussed. 
Demonstration  teachers  were  Mrs. 
Albert  Nachtigal,  Mrs.  Ronald 
Woelk,  and  Mrs.  James  Rinner; 
guest  leaders  were  Mrs.  Galen 
Koehn,  Mrs.  Carl  Voth,  Mrs.  Harry 
Martens,  Mrs.  O’Ray  Graber,  and 
Maynard  Shelly. 

This  type  of  leadership  education 
was  initiated  by  the  Committee  on 
Church,  Home,  and  Community 
which  operates  under  the  Board  of 
Education  and  Publication.  District 
education  committees  have  been  en- 
couraged to  sponsor  demonstration 
schools  for  the  purpose  of  training 
Sunday  school  teachers  for  more 
effective  service. 

(continued  on  page  287) 


in  this  issue 

COVER 

Art  by  Regier 

ARTICLES 

ABOUNDING  IN  THE  LORD'S  WORK 

By  Robert  M.  Landis  291 

PROGRAM  OF  THE  GENERAL 

CONFERENCE  SESSIONS  292 

CHICAGO  RACE  SEMINAR  294 

TOWARD  MORE  EFFECTIVE  BIBLE  STUDY 

By  Willard  Claassen  295 

WOMEN  IN  CHURCH  VOCATIONS;  I 

By  Marion  Preheim  296 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  290 

Mennonite  Youth 

NEW  YOUTH  WORKER  297 

SO  WHAT  IS  1-W?  298 

LETTER  TO  A VOLUNTEER  299 

OUR  SCHOOLS  299 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  300 

JOTTINGS  301 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  304 


of  things  to  come 


editorials 

PENTECOST  SUNDAY,  MAY  17  Fifty  days  after  the 
Easter  appearance  of  Christ,  a group  of  one  hundred  and  twenty 
followers  were  obeying  Christ’s  parting  command  to  wait  until 
the  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit  came  upon  them. 

Then  something  happened.  As  they  communed  together  and 
prayed,  God  came  to  them  in  a new  way.  Describing  it  after- 
wards they  spoke  of  wind  and  fire  and  the  gift  of  speech.  The 
whole  group  suddenly  met  God  direct  and  recognized  that  the 
Holy  Spirit  was  upon  them  and  working  through  them  in  a new 
way.  They  gave  such  a mighty  and  convincing  witness  that  three 
thousand  converts  were  received.  This  has  been  designated  as 
the  “Birthday  of  the  Church.”  The  group  suddenly  experienced 
a new  presence  and  a new  power. 

It  may  be  so  today.  With  hearts  and  minds  prepared  and 
expectant,  penitent  and  dedicated,  the  Spirit  can  enter  and 
revitalize  and  energize  the  inner  spirit  of  man.  For  He  is  the 
Spirit  of  unity,  of  renewal,  of  reconciliation,  and  of  witness. 

The  power  to  be  fruitful  witnesses,  the  power  to  stand  true  to 
Christ,  the  power  to  lead  a transformed  life — this  power  is  avail- 
able to  all  who  will  accept  Christ. 


May  17 — Pentecost 

May  18-23 — ^Faith  and  Life  radio  speak- 
er: Clayton  Goertzen 

May  20 — Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary 
alumni  meeting. 

May  24 — Baccalaureate,  Mennonite  Bib- 
lical Seminary 

May  25 — Commencement,  Mennonite 
Biblical  Seminary 

May  29 — Commencement  Day,  Freeman 
Junior  College  and  Academy 

May  29-31 — Missions  Conference,  Sas- 
katoon, Sask. 

June  10-14 — -Pacific  District  Conference, 
Barlow,  Oregon 

June  14 — Northern  District  Male  Chorus 
Festival,  Sioux  Falls,  South  Dakota 

June  18-21 — Northern  Dist.  Conf.,  Salem- 
Zion  Church  (North),  Freeman,  S.  D. 

July  4-8 — Canadian  Conference,  Clear- 
brook,  B.  C. 

West.  Dist.  Retreats,  Camp  Mennoscah: 
July  6-1  1 — Junior  High  I 
July  13-18 — Junior  High  II 
July  20-25 — Fresh  Air  Friendship  Cp. 
July  27-Aug.  1 — High  School  I 
Aug.  3-8 — High  School  II 
Aug.  29-30 — Family  (under  age  45) 
Sept.  5-7 — Family  (senior  age) 

Aug.  5-12 — Ministers’  and  Church  Work- 
ers' Retreat,  Camp  Friedenswald, 
Mich. 

Aug.  12-20 — General  Conference,  Bluff- 
ton,  Ohio 

Oct.  24-27 — West.  Dist.  Conference 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor,  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 

J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
I.  Dyck.  Editorial  Asst.:  Esther  Groves. 
Layout  Consultant;  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  19 


Pentecost,  1959,  can  be  a special  day  for  all  of  us.  Prayerful, 
patient,  penitent,  we  expect  His  coming  to  fill  our  hearts  and 
lives  with  a transforming  energy  that  bums  as  the  fire,  that 
cleanses  as  the  wind,  and  that  speaks  in  every  tongue  to  every 
need. 

SOMETHING  NEW  Readers  should  note  with  interest 
the  report  in  this  issue  of  THE  MENNONITE  of  a seminar  on 
“Christ,  the  Mennonite  Churches,  and  Race.”  At  long  last  we 
are  taking  a candid  look  at  the  touchy  race  problem  as  it  affects 
our  society  today.  As  our  obligations  as  a church  on  this  matter 
are  penetrating  into  our  spiritual  concerns,  we  seek  to  find  the 
Christian  solution  instead  of  shutting  our  eyes  to  the  whole 
problem. 

Such  discussions  as  “How  are  Mennonite  churches  fulfilling 
or  failing  to  fulfill  the  gospel  in  race  relations”  and  “Race  as  a 
challenge  to  the  Christian  church”  bring  the  vital  matter  clearly 
into  the  open  where  we  must  frankly  face  it.  To  have  one  of  the 
colored  race  bring  to  our  attention  “The  Task  of  the  Mennonite  I 
Church  in  Establishing  Racial  Unity,”  can  help  us  see  ourselves 
as  others  see  us,  and  with  deep  humility,  face  this  task  with 
spiritual  insight  and  courage.  ^ 

No  longer  dare  we  assume  an  attitude ‘of  indifference  toward 
this  problem,  thinking  it  does  not  concern  us.  It  concerns  every 
follower  of  Christ  and  can  only  be  answered  correctly  in  Christ’s  | 
way.  How  He  desires  that  we  might  ail  be  one  in  Him  without 
dividing  mankind  into  races,  or  classes,  or  nations. 

Let  us  hope  that  a new  day  is  dawning  in  our  churches  in  ' 
which  we  will  assume  our  full  responsibility  as  Christians,  as 
Christ  reveals  to  us  His  concern  for  the  race  problem.  j 


290 


THE  MENNONITE 


“Therefore,  my  beloved  brethren, 
be  ye  stedfast,  unmoveable,  always 
abounding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord, 
forasmuch  as  ye  know  that  your 
labour  is  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord” 
(1  Cor.  15:58). 

The  Apostle,  having  completed 
a masterful  discourse  proving 
the  truth  and  fact  of  the  resurrec- 
tion of  Jesus  Christ  to  some  doubt- 
ing believers  at  Corinth,  succeeds  in 
challenging  Christians  to  a deeper 
faith  in  Christ  and  a continuing 
faithfulness  in  the  service  of  Christ. 

To  abound  in  the  Lord’s  work,  we 
must  continue  building  on  the  one 
and  only  foundation. 

“For  other  foundation  can  no  man 
lay  than  that  is  laid,  which  is  Jesus 
Christ”  (1  Cor.  3:11).  In  our  day 
of  uncertainty,  insecurity,  and 
change,  Jesus  Christ  is  the  Gibral- 
tar, which  cannot  be  moved  but  is 
the  foundation  that  stands  sure.  The 
doctrine  of  Jesus  Christ  is  the  foun- 
dation and  essence  of  our  theology. 
It  is  upon  Him  we  build  our  faith 
and  order  our  lives.  The  church  of 
Jesus  Christ  has  been  the  target 
I of  critics  and  the  battleground  of 
I Satan  ever  since  its  inception.  How- 
I ever  we  have  the  positive  assurance 
' that  the  gates  of  hell  shall  not  pre- 
vail against  it. 

To  abound  in  the  Lord’s  work, 
we  are  laborers  together  with  Him. 

Too  often  we  forget  the  great 
truth  expressed  in  the  hymn:  “The 
work  is  Thine,  O Christ  our  Lord, 
The  cause  for  which  ws  stand;  And 
being  Thine,  ’twill  overcome  Its  foes 
on  every  hand.”  God  is  the  divine 
Architect  who  has  designed  and 
planned  His  work  for  us  in  Jesus 
Christ. 

When  the  disciples  of  Christ  were 
charged  with  the  great  commission, 
“they  went  forth,  and  preached 
everywhere,  the  Lord  working  with 
them”  (Mark  16:20).  We  do  not 
work  alone,  but  the  Lord  is  work- 
i ing  in  and  through  us.  Paul  and 
Peter  had  different  personalities, 
natures,  and  abilities,  but  both 
; preached  the  same  Christ,  who  a- 
lone  could  save  people  from  their 
sins.  To  be  a laborer  with  God  de- 
mands willingness.  God  will  do 
nothing  for  those  who  are  not  will- 
ing to  do  something  themselves.  A 
I spirit  of  self-sacrifice  is  the  requi- 
site for  effective  service  as  we  labor 
together  vidth  Him. 

We  are  laborers  together.  There 
is  weakness  in  diversity,  but  in 


Abounding 


in  the 


Lord’s  Work 


Robert  M.  Landis^ 


unity  lies  strength.  We  need  con- 
stantly to  be  sensitive  to  the  fact 
that  we  belong  to  one  another;  we 
are  members  of  the  body  of  Christ, 
with  differing  gifts,  yet  one  in  the 
Lord.  This  promotes  fellowship, 
which  was  and  is  one  of  the  neces- 
sary pillars  of  the  church. 

To  abound  in  the  Lord’s  work, 
we  need  to  evaluate  the  importance 
of  the  work  of  Christ. 

There  is  nothing  in  the  world  that 
is  more  important  than  presenting 
the  claims  of  Jesus  Christ  to  people 
and  helping  them  to  become  aware 
of  their  spiritual  responsibility  to 
God.  Materialism  has  taken  a firm 
grip  upon  people.  To  build  larger 
and  greater  barns  seems  to  be  the 
thinking  of  our  day. 

Nehemiah,  in  rebuilding  the  walls 
of  Jerusalem,  realized  that  he  was 
engaged  in  the  greatest  work  pos- 
sible, for  he  was  serving  a great 
God.  He  had  totally  and  unreserv- 
edly dedicated  himself  to  this  cause. 
For  the  success  of  any  work  this  is 
essential. 

We  can  demonstrate  to  the  world 
through  our  missions,  service,  and 


Condensed  from  the 
president’s  address 
to  the  Eastern 
District  Conference 


relief  that  we  are  saved  to  serve 
our  neighbors  in  deed  and  in  truth. 
To  be  practical  and  useful,  Chris- 
tianity must  be  shared  with  others 
less  fortunate  in  the  world. 

As  we  abound  in  the  Lord’s  work, 
we  must  possess  a oneness  in  Jesus 
Christ. 

“He  that  is  joined  unto  the  Lord 
is  one  spirit”  (1  Cor.  6:17).  In  Jesus 
Christ  we  lose  our  differences  and 
remove  all  barriers.  Walls  that  sep- 
arate us  are  broken  down,  and  we 
can  no  longer  remain  estranged 
from  one  another. 

Erland  Waltner  in  his  article  in 
The  Mennonite,  “Looking  To  Gen- 
eral Conference,”  sets  the  standard 
for  our  oneness  in  Christ:  “that 

our  conference  sessions  may  be 
Christ-centered,  Christ-exalting,  and 
that  we  may  be  knit  into  one  work- 
ing fellowship  of  faith  and  love, 
with  the  crucified  and  risen  Saviour 
present  in  our  midst,  and  that  we 
may  be  found  doing  the  Lord’s  work 
in  the  Lord’s  way.”  May  this  stand- 
ard be  our  goal  and  pattern. 

To  abound  in  the  Lord’s  work,  we 
need  to  appreciate  the  past,  value 
the  present,  aspire  for  the  future. 

If  we  will  allow  our  thoughts  to 
be  turned  back  to  years  when  our 
forefathers  of  the  faith  labored  so 
faithfully,  we  can  appreciate  what 
they  have  given  to  us  today.  We 
can  say  with  the  Psalmist  “The 
lines  are  fallen  unto  me  in  pleasant 
places;  yea,  I have  a goodly  her- 
itage” (Ps.  16:6). 

This  year  we  are  especially  con- 
scious of  our  Mennonite  heritage 
and  faith  as  we  gather  in  General 
Conference  sessions  at  Bluffton, 
Ohio,  to  celebrate  our  centennial 
anniversary.  Without  a doubt  our 
forefathers,  who  were  giants  of 
faith,  set  the  roots  of  our  faith  very 
deep  and  had  firmly  strengthened 
the  cord^  of  love,  thus  binding  the 
Conference  together  in  a Christian 
fellowship. 

We  dare  not  rest  on  past  success 
nor  glory  in  achievements,  though 
we  thank  God  that  hitherto  He  has 
helped  us.  The  Great  Commission 
is  still  the  Lord’s  command  to  us. 
Our  responsibility  is  to  win  the  lost 
to  Jesus  Christ,  faithfully  holding 
forth  the  Word  of  Life.  Then  our 
labor  will  not  be  in  vain  in  the  work 
of  Christ  and  His  church. 


*Pastor,  Springfield  Church,  Pleasant 
Valley,  Pa. 


May  12,  1959 


291 


Program  of  the 

General  Conference  Sessions 

Theme:  “Our  Foundation  . . . Jesus  Christ’^  [i  Cor.  3:11) 

Founders  Hall,  Bluff  ton,  Ohio,  August  12-20,  1359 


Wednesday,  August  12 
Morning-,  registration  9:00-12:00 
Afternoon  program  at  3:30: 

Chairman — Erland  Waltner 
Devotions — Lloyd  L.  Ramseyer 

Message:  “The  Work  of  the  Holy  Spirit” — Franklin  H. 
Littell 

Evening  program  at  7:30 
Chairman — Walter  Gering 
Devotions 

Welcome  addresses — local  committee  and  host  pastors 
Committee  appointments — Erland  Waltner 
Message:  “Avoiding  Tone  Deafness” — Franklin  H. 
Littell 

Thursday,  August  13 
Morning  session  9:00-12.00: 

Worship 

Conference  sermon — Erland  Waltner 
Official  opening  of  conference  sessions 
EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE 
Report  of  officers: 

President — Erland  Waltner 
Vice  president — I.  I.  Friesen 
Secretary — Walter  Gering 
Executive  Secretary — P.  K.  Regier 
Report  of  Statistician — P.  K.  Regier 
Report  of  Conference  Treasurer— Wm.  L.  Friesen 
Admission  of  New  Churches 
Report  of  Schowalter  Foundation— H.  J.  Andres 
Elections:  Conference  officers,  Program  Com.  members 
Afternoon  session  1:304:30  : 

BOARD  OF  EDUCATION  AND  PUBLICATION 
Chairman — Lloyd  L.  Ramseyer 
Worship — Elmer  Friesen 

Introduction  to  Board  report — Lloyd  L.  Ramseyer 
Report  of  Board  of  Education  and  Publication — ^WiUard 
Claassen  * 

Election  of  Board  members 

Role  play  on  the  selection  of  Sunday  school  curriculum 
Discussion  groups 
Evening  program  7:30-9:00 
Memorial  and  Communion  services 

Friday,  August  14 

Morning  session  9:00-12:00: 

Chairman — Ronald  von  Riesen 
Worship — H.  T.  Klassen 


Discipline  Study  Committee  report — Jacob  T.  Friesen 
Report  on  Christian  higher  education  in  the  General 
Conference — Lloyd  L.  Ramseyer 
Presentation  of  the  completed  Mennonite  Encyclopedia 
— Cornelius  Krahn 

Panel  discussion:  “What  insights  does  the  Anabaptist- 
Mennonite  tradition  have  for  Christian  education 
today?” — D.  C.  Wedel,  chairman;  Jacob  J.  Enz, 
Henry  Poettcker,  George  Dick 
Afternoon  auxiliary  meetings:  Women’s  Missionary 
Association,  Young  People’s  Union,  Mennonite  Men 
5:30-7-30  p.m.:  all-student  picnic  supper  and  fellowship 
Evening  meeting  7:30-9:00: 

Chairman — Lloyd  L.  Ramseyer 
Worship — Menno  Schrag 

Presentation  of  the  Living  Faith  Graded  Sunday  School 
Lessons — Paul  R.  Shelly 

Address:  “Christian  Higher  Education  in  the  Life  of 
the  Church”  (speaker  to  be  selected) 

Saturday,  August  15 
Morning  session  9:00-12:00: 

BOARD  OF  CHRISTIAN  SERVICE 
Chairman — Albert  Gaeddert 
Worship — David  Schroeder 
Introductory  remarks — Chairman 
Address:  “Awakening  to  Human  Need” — H.  A.  Fast 
Address:  “The  Gospel  in  a Desperate  World” — Elmer 
Neufeld 

Secretary’s  report — Leo  Driedger 
Afternoon  session  1:30-4:30: 

Chairman — H.  A.  Fast 

Worship — David  Schroeder 

Secretary’s  report — ^Wilfred  Unruh 

Recommendations  of  the  Board  of  Christian  Service 

Election  of  Board  members 

Discussion  groups 

Evening:  Young  People’s  program: 

Address — Erwin  Goering 
Address — Vincent  Harding 

Sunday,  August  16 

9:30  a.m.^ — Sunday  school 

10:45  a.m. — Worship  services  in  Founders  Hall  and 
First  Mennonite  Church;  speakers — J.  Herbert 
Fretz  and  Roland  Goering 
Afternoon  programs: 

3:00 — Pageant,  “We  Are  Pilgrims”;  Foimders  Hall 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church. 
Entered  at  North  Newton,  Kansas,  post  office  as  second  class  matter.  Acceptance  for  mailing  at  special  rate  of  postage:  section  1103,  Act 
of  Oct.  3,  1917.  Authorized  Jan.  22,  1910.  Subscriptions  $2.50;  foreign  $3.00.  Mail  subscriptions  and  payments  to  Mennonite  Publication 
Office,  North  Newton,  Kan.,  or  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan.  Address  manuscripts  for  publication  to  J.  N.  Smucker,  Editor,  THE  MENNONITE, 
Woodward  Place,  Goshen,  Ind.  Postmasters:  change  of  address  Form  3579  to  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan. 


292 


THE  MENNONITE 


3:00— Illustrated  lecture— Cornelius  Krahn;  music;  high 
school  auditorium 
Evening  programs: 

7:30 — Pageant,  “We  Are  Pilgrims”;  Founders  Hall 
7:30 — Illustrated  lecture  by  S.  F.  Pannabecker;  music; 
high  school  auditorium 

3Ionday,  August  17 

Morning  session  9:00-12:00: 

BOARD  OF  BUSINESS  ADMINISTRATION 
Chairman — Clinton  Kaufman 
Worship — C.  C.  Neufeld 

Report  of  Board  of  Business  Administration — Wm.  L. 
Friesen 

Financial  report  of  Trustees — A.  M.  Lohrentz 
Presentation:  “Our  Concern  for  Ministers  and  Chris- 
tian Workers” — August  Epp 
Presentation:  “Our  Concern  for  Church  Extension” — 
Clinton  Kaufman 

Presentation:  “Our  Concern  for  Loyalty  to  Conference 
Needs  and  Commitments” — C.  J.  Dyck 
Discussion  groups 
Afternoon  session  1:30-4:30: 

Chairman — Clinton  Kaufman 
Worship — Ted  Claassen 
Report  on  discussion  groups 

Panel  discussion  reviewing  concerns  and  leading  to 
emphasis  on  stewardship,  including  wills,  annuities 
— ^Walter  E.  Yoder,  moderator;  Earl  Eymann,  Carl. 
Lehman,  Wm.  Friesen,  Betty  van  der  Smissen 
Board  elections 
Address — Harry  Martens 
Discussion  groups 
Evening  meeting  7:30-9:00: 

Chairman — David  Neufeld 
Worship — H.  N.  Harder 
Introductory  remarks — Chairman 
Special  reports: 

“The  Witness  of  Mennonite  Voluntary  Service  in 
Europe” — Erwin  Goering 

“The  Drama  of  Recovery — South  America” — J.  W. 
Fretz 

Illustrated  report,  “A  World  of  Misery  in  Asia” — 
Joe  Smucker 

Tuesday,  August  18 

Morning  meetings  of  auxiliaries:  Women’s  Missionary 
Association,  Young  People’s  Union,  Mennonite  Men 
Afternoon  session: 

MENNONITE  BIBLICAL  SEMINARY 


Chairman — Arthur  S.  Rosenberger 
Worship 

Report  of  the  President — Erland  Waltner 
Report  of  the  Treasurer — Elmer  Baumgartner 
Report  of  the  Dir.  of  Public  Relations — Andrew  Shelly 
Address:  “Seminary  Training  For  Our  Day” — Amos  E. 
Kreider 

Report  of  South  American  Seminary 

Election 

Evening: 

Mennonite  Men’s  Banquet 

Program  of  Women’s  Missionary  Association  and 
Mennonite  Men 

Wednesday,  August  19 
Morning  sessions  9:00-12:00: 

BOARD  OF  MISSIONS 
Chairman — P.  A.  Wedel 
Worship — Orlo  Kaufman 
Introductory  remarks — Chairman 
Address:  “The  Church  Lives  in  Missions”— Milo  A. 
Rediger 

Board  report — Orlando  A.  Waltner 
Election  of  Board  members 
Afternoon  session  1:30-4:30: 

Chairman — Walter  H.  Dyck 
Worship — Ben  Sawatzky 
Discussion  groups 

American  Bible  Society  report — John  M.  Reimer 
Congo  Inland  Mission — Harvey  Driver 
Message:  “Our  Commitment  for  a New  Time” — ^Andrew 
Shelly 

Presentation  of  missionaries  and  fields 
Evening  program  7:30-9:00: 

Chairman — Lotus  Troyer 

Worship — Peter  Derksen 

“The  Making  of  MaTcoto” — William  Zehr 

Premier  showing  of  the  color  film  Makoto — ^Wm.  Zehr 

Thursday,  August  20 

Morning  session: 

Worship 

Report  of  discussion  groups — Elmer  Ediger,  Elmer 
Neufeld 

Unfinished  business 

Message  of  dedication — Russell  L.  Mast 

Official  Close 

Afternoon: 

Tours 

Special  music  will  be  provided  at  aU  sessions. 


Members  of  Nominating  Committee  Announced 


In  compliance  with  the  provisions  of  the  Constitu- 
tion of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church, 
annoimcement  is  hereby  made  of  the  members  of 
the  Nominating  Committee  which  is  to  serve  for 
the  coming  Triennial  Sessions  at  Bluffton,  Ohio, 
August  12-20,  1959. 

The  procedure  in  setting  up  this  list  is  as  follows. 
Executive  Committees  of  the  district  conferences 
and  Canadian  Conference  were  each  requested  to 
name  a member  for  the  Nominating  Committee  to 
serve  for  the  Bluffton  sessions  of  the  General  Con- 
ference. After  each  of  the  conferences  had  respond- 
ed, the  Executive  Committee  of  the  General  Con- 


ference was  given  an  opportunity  to  ratify  the  list 
and  to  designate  the  chairman  of  the  Nominating 
Committee. 

Members  who  are  to  serve  are:  Central  District, 
Ernest  J.  Bohn,  Pandora,  Ohio;  Eastern  District, 
Claude  Boyer,  Bedminster,  Pa.;  Northern  District, 
T.  A.  van  der  Smissen,  Marion,  S.  D.;  Pacific  District, 
Peter  J.  Ediger,  Fresno,  Calif,  (alternate,  D.  G. 
Regier,  Lynden,  Wash.);  Western  District,  Arnold 
Nickel,  Moundridge,  Kan.;  Canadian  Conference, 
G.  Lohrenz,  Winnipeg,  Man.  T.  A.  van  der  Smissen 
has  been  named  as  convener  cind  chairman  of  the 
Nominating  Committee. — Erland  Waltner,  president 


May  12,  1959 


293 


Chicago  Race  Seminar 


From  Mississippi  to  Canada  and 
Harrisonburg  to  Omaha,  uneasy 
Mennonites  of  seven  conference 
groups  gathered  in  Chicago  for  a 
seminar  on  “Christ,  the  Mennonite 
Church,  and  Race.”  The  fifty  dele- 
gates, Negro  and  white,  were  con- 
vened by  MCC  Peace  Section  and 
met  at  the  Woodlawn  Mennonite 
Church  April  17- /S. 

Throughout  her  American  history 
the  Mennonite  Church  has  been  op- 
posed to  slavery.  But  through  the 
years  her  voice  against  the  unjust 
treatment  of  Negroes  has  been  lost. 
On  occasions  we  have  invited  the 
Negro  into  our  house,  but  not  into 
our  home;  into  our  faith,  but  not 
into  our  fellowship.  Our  mission 
work  among  Negroes  has  often  re- 
fiected  our  pride  and  paternalistic 
motives. 

In  an  open  meeting  Friday  eve- 
ning, Ralph  Abernathy  stated  that 
“If  the  race  problem  is  to  be  solved, 
it  must  be  solved  by  the  Christian 
church.”  Brother  Abernathy,  pastor 
of  the  First  Baptist  Church  of  Mont- 
gomery, Ala.,  was  closely  associated 
with  Martin  Luther  King  in  the 
leadership  of  the  bus  protest  staged 
by  Montgomery  Negroes  in  1955-56. 
He  emphasized  that  the  race  prob- 
lem is  not  basically  a political  prob- 
lem— it  is  a moral  problem.  It  is 
a problem  of  one  group  feeling  su- 
perior to  another.  His  analysis  of 
the  Montgomery  experience  cen- 
tered on  the  nonviolent  response  to 
the  pressures  exerted  by  the  opposi- 
tion. “We  must  never  become  bitter 
toward  those  who  would  destroy 
us,”  he  declared. 

Jacob  Loewen,  professor  at  Tabor 


College,  discussed  the  underlying 
premises  of  the  Christian  gospel — 
that  “all  men  have  sinned  and  come 
short  of  the  glory  of  God,”  that 
all  men  “from  Jerusalem  to  the 
ends  of  the  earth’  are  equally  eli- 
gible to  become  children  of  God,” 
and  that  the  saved  of  all  nations  are 
spiritually  integrated  as  the  body  of 
Christ.  As  another  participant  stat- 
ed, if  we  preach  a whosoever-will 
gospel  we  must  face  the  conse- 
quences and  accept  whosoever 
comes!  A segregated  church  is  not 
a fellowship  and  cannot  realize  the 
spiritual  oneness  of  those  who  are 
in  Christ. 

Woodlawn’s  associate  pastor,  Vin- 
cent Harding,  called  upon  the  Men- 
nonite church — with  its  emphasis 
on  the  way  of  the  cross — to  face 
the  injustices  inflicted  upon  our  Ne- 
gro neighbor.  “For  who  can  walk 
through  Chicago’s  black  ghetto  and 
say:  never  mind  about  your  mis- 
erable, frustrated,  crowded  lives, 
and  your  burning  houses,  we’ll  just 
save  your  burning  souls?  Who  can 
see  this  area  of  a few  miles  where 
over  600,000  Negroes  are  imprisoned, 
and  say:  never  mind  about  the  un- 
scrupulous real-estate  dealers  and 
the  crooked  policemen  with  their 
brutal  ways,  just  accept  the  gospel? 
Who  can  say  that  without  speaking 
blasphemy?  For  a salvation  that 
does  not  deal  with  man’s  condition 
as  he  is,  and  a gospel  that  does  not 
include  concern  for  this  freedom  is 
surely  a perversion  of  the  Good 
News.  It  would  be  opium,  not  good 
news. 

There  are  our  brothers  — dare 
we  leave  them  in  a situation  in 


which  we  would  not  choose  to  be 
ourselves?  Is  that  the  way  of  love?’" 

Throughout  the  seminar  there 
were  reminders  of  the  far-reaching 
repercussions  for  world  evangelism 
of  American  discrimination  and  in- 
justice. J.  D.  Graber,  executive  sec- 
retary of  the  Elkhart  Board  of  Mis- 
sions and  Charities  focused  this 
sharply  in  a final  message  Saturday 
evening:  The  preaching  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church  has  been  negated  by 
her  hypocritical  actions.  The  Asian 
and  African  know  Christianity  as  a 
Western  religion — a religion  which 
has  often  supported  armaments,  nu- 
clear tests,  war,  colonialism,  pater- 
nalism, exploitation,  and  white  su- 
premacy. Communism  and  nation- 
alism exploit  these  failures. 

From  experiences  in  Japan,  Mel- 
vin Gingerich  stated  bluntly  that  a 
missionary  without  a clear  Chris- 
tian attitude  on  race  might  ais  weU 
go  home.  Michael  Badu,  exchange 
student  from  Ghana,  soberly  dis- 
cussed the  growing  strength  of  Mo- 
hammedanism— noting  how  several 
of  his  personal  friends  have  turned 
away  from  Christiantiy.  When  peo- 
ples across  the  world  are  turned 
away  from  Christ  because  of  our 
failure  to  be  truly  Christian,  the 
price  is  bitter  and  tragic  indeed. 

Those  delegates  remaining  at 
Woodlawn  for  Sunday  morning  par- 
ticipated with  the  local  interracial 
congregation  in  a Service  of  Com- 
munion at  the  table  of  our  common 
Lord.  This  was  symbolic  of  the  deep 
spiritual  unity — the  attitudes  of 
heart-searching  confession  and  ded- 
icated commitment  — that  prevailed 
throughout  the  seminar.  Rondo  Hor- 
ton, KMB  minister  from  Boone,  N.C., 
brought  the  morning  message. 
Brother  Horton,  leading  Negro  min- 
ister of  the  Mennonite  churches  in 
that  area,  has  been  a member  of  the 
Mennonite  church  since  1917. 


294 


THE  MENNONITE 


TOWARD  MORE  EFFECTIVE  BIBLE  STUDY 

Willard  Claassen* 


SUNDAY  school  quarterlies,  like 
automobiles,  need  constant  test- 
ing and  remodeling.  As  in  the  case 
of  the  automobile,  the  gasoline  en- 
gine has  been  used  for  a long  time, 
and  the  principle  of  gas  combustion 
motors  has  been  used  in  all  models; 
so  in  the  curriculum,  the  content 
(message)  of  the  gospel  remains 
the  same,  but  life  situations  and  ap- 
plications change.  Thus  we  seek 
new  and  fresh  ways  to  communi- 
cate the  Christian  gospel.  Christian 
educators  say  that  learning  takes 
place  where  content  (message)  of 
the  gospel  and  experience  come  to- 
gether. In  communicating  the  gos- 
pel, our  problem  is  to  relate  it  to 
the  everyday  experiences  of  life. 

Within  the  Conference  pattern  of 
organization,  the  Editorial  Commit- 
tee functioning  under  the  Board  of 
Education  and  Publication  gives 
over-all  guidance  and  direction  to 
the  production  of  our  curriculum 
material.  Several  years  ago  this 
committee  met  with  some  of  the 
present  writers  and  staff  members 
to  discuss  how  we  could  teach  more 
effectively  in  our  Sunday  schools 
through  the  adult  quarterly.  From 
this  and  a previous  meeting  came 
a recommendation  that  we  prepare 
a new  youth  quarterly,  written  from 
cover  to  cover  with  specific  needs 
of  youth  in  mind,  and  that  the 
adult  quarterly  be  revised. 

The  Youth  Bible  Study  Guide  is 
an  entirely  new  publication  slanted 
to  young  people.  The  present  circu- 
lation is  3,725.  We  think  that  if  peo- 
ple knew  the  quality  of  this  quar- 
terly, many  more  Sunday  schools 
would  use  it. 

There  were  a number  of  reasons 
for  revising  our  adult  Sunday 
school  quarterly.  No  big  chcinges 

*Exec.  Sec.,  Board  of  Education  and  Pub- 
lication 


had  been  made  in  many  years,  and 
in  view  of  the  fact  that  curriculum 
materials  should  be  constantly  eval- 
uated, a revision  was  in  order. 

The  names  of  our  Sunday  school 
quarterlies  were  changed.  Basically 
we  are  studying  the  Bible  and  the 
quarterly  is  only  a help.  Therefore 
the  term  “study  guide”  was  pre- 
ferred. The  new  names  are  Adult 
Bible  Study  Guide,  Youth  Bible 
Study  Guide,  Junior  Bible  Study 
Guide,  and  Bibel  Studien  fuer  Er- 
wachsene.  The  quarterly  is  merely 
a guide  to  stimulate  personal  study 
and  help  clarify  understanding  of 
the  Scripture.  If  we  are  to  obey  the 
Bible,  then  we  must  understand 
what  we  are  to  obey.  We  must  know 
what  the  Bible  says  and  what  it 
teaches. 

To  help  students  study  for  them- 
selves, the  RSV  has  been  placed  in 
a parallel  column  alongside  the  KJV 
in  the  print  passage.  Some  people 
have  asked  why  this  was  done.  The 
Board  of  Education  and  Publication 
came  to  this  decision  after  careful 
deliberation.  The  answer  is  that  we 
might  understand  the  Bible  more 
clearly.  Scholars  can  turn  to  the 
original  Greek  text  of  the  New  Tes- 
tament, or  the  Hebrew  text  of  the 
Old  Testament.  Laymen  are  more 
limited;  they  must  turn  to  a com- 
parison of  translations  for  the 
meaning  of  obscure  passages. 

Perhaps  most  noticeable  were  the 
changes  in  the  size  of  the  quarterly 
and  the  format,  that  is,  the  appear- 
ance of  the  printed  page.  One  of  the 
deciding  factors  for  changing  the 
size  of  the  quarterly  was  the  press 
on  which  the  quarterly  is  printed. 
Farmers  who  purchase  a three-  or 
four-plow  tractor  do  not  take  this 
tractor  into  the  field  and  hitch  two 
plows  behind  it  if  they  can  help  it. 
They  use  this  tractor  to  full  capa- 


city. It  makes  just  as  much  sense  to 
use  the  press  to  full  capacity.  By 
juggling  the  size  of  the  pages  a bit, 
we  can  run  a larger  sheet  through 
the  press  and  thus  economize  on 
the  printing  operation. 

After  making  the  change  we 
learned  to  our  satisfaction  that 
many  people  preferred  the  present 
size  of  the  quarterly  to  that  of  the 
former.  The  present  size  fits  easily 
into  a man’s  coat  pocket  or  in  a 
lady’s  purse.  It  fits  the  press  and  it 
fits  the  pocket! 

There  was  also  a change  in  writ- 
ing personnel.  Some  former  writers 
are  still  writing  for  us,  others  may 
write  again  in  the  future.  But  in- 
stead of  using  four  or  five  writers 
as  in  the  past,  we  are  now  using 
one  writer  to  prepare  the  entire 
manuscript  for  the  quarterly.  This 
has  been  done  to  give  unity  and  co- 
herence to  the  lesson  development. 
Formerly,  when  five  writers  wrote 
independently,  that  is  to  say,  with- 
out knowing  what  the  other  person 
was  writing,  we  had  overlapping 
and  even  contradictory  statements. 
Efforts  were  made  to  rectify  this 
in  the  process  of  editing,  but  it  was 
impossible  to  solve  this  problem 
completely  without  rewriting  sec- 
tions of  the  lesson.  By  having  one 
writer,  emphasis  can  be  placed 
where  it  rightfully  belongs  in  the 
lesson.  For  example:  formerly,  the 
person  writing  the  introduction  al- 
ways had  to  prepare  one  typewrit- 
ten page  of  materi^ll  to  fill  the 
section  regardless  of  whether  that 
particular  introduction  deserved  one 
page  or  not.  It  stands  to  reason 
that  the  introductions  for  some  les- 
sons could  be  shorter  them  others. 
Under  the  present  arrangement,  if 
more  space,  attention,  or  emphasis 
needs  to  be  given  to  the  exposition 
of  the  lesson,  one  writer  can  short- 


AAay  12,  1959 


295 


en  the  introduction,  place  the  em- 
phasis where  it  belongs,  and  keep 
unity  and  progressive  development 
throughout  the  lesson. 

Some  people  have  expressed  re- 
gret that  we  no  longer  have  five 
writers.  This  arrangement  did 
have  the  advantage  of  getting  more 
conference  representation  into  one 
publication.  But,  as  indicated  above, 
it  also  created  problems.  Actually, 
under  the  present  method  of  having 
one  writer  at  a time,  we  may  have 
a larger  variety  of  writers  in  the 
end  than  we  had  before,  because  it 
is  a rather  formidable  assignment 
to  prepare  a manuscript  for  an  en- 
tire quarter.  Writers  are  reluctant 
to  accept  this  heavy  assignment, 
and  as  a result  we  are  introducing 


a variety  of  writers.  This  is  good. 
We  are  learning  that  we  have  many 
capable  writers  within  our  brother- 
hood. 

While  the  Bible  study  guides  are 
official  publications  of  the  General 
Conference  Mennonite  Church,  we 
should  understand  that  what  the 
writer  says  is  not  an  official  pro- 
nouncement of  the  church.  He  is  an 
individual  writer  interpreting  the 
Bible  as  he  understands  it,  and  ap- 
plying it  to  the  problems  of  every- 
day living.  We  should  give  him  at 
least  the  same  freedom  we  allow 
our  pastors.  Not  everyone  in  the 
congregation  always  agrees  with 
every  word  the  preacher  says,  but 
we  allow  him  the  freedom  under 
the  guidance  of  the  Holy  Spirit  to 
preach  God’s  Word  as  he  under- 


stands it.  The  writer  asks  for  this 
same  freedom. 

Sometimes  people  ask:  Why 

should  we  use  our  own  quarterlies? 
The  answer  is  that  we  should  use 
them,  first  of  all,  because  they  are 
prepared  specifically  to  meet  our 
peculiar  needs.  My  friend.  Dr.  Hol- 
mes Rolston,  editor-in-chief  for  the 
Presbyterian  Church  of  the  United 
States,  said:  “When  a church  does 
not  use  its  own  materials,  it  cuts 
the  closest  ties  it  has  with  its  de- 
nomination.” Our  materials  inter- 
pret our  program  of  missions,  re- 
lief, and  Christian  education.  The 
materials  are  prepared  by  members 
of  our  own  congregations,  and,  final- 
ly, it  must  be  emphasized  that  in 
these  materials  we  are  teaching  the 
Bible  as  we  understand  it. 


Women  in  Church  Vocations:  I 


Marion  Preheim* 


The  program  Women  in  Church 
Vocations,  under  the  Board  of 
Christian  Service,  was  initiated  Feb- 
ruary 1957.  At  that  time,  upon  the 
recommendation  of  the  1956  Winni- 
peg General  Conference,  the  Com- 
mittee on  Women  in  Church  Voca- 
tions mapped  out  a program  based 
on  the  fourfold  purpose  of  guiding, 
training,  and  placing  women  in 
church  vocations  and  providing  a 
fellowship  for  them. 

Since  the  program  is  so  new,  ques- 
tions arise  as  to  its  purpose  and 
effectiveness  in  serving  the  church 
in  its  recruitment  of  women  church 
workers.  It  is  the  purpose  of  this 
series  of  articles  to  pose  some  of 
those  questions  and  attempt  to  an- 
swer them.  Further  questions  from 
readers  are  welcome.  Address  ques- 
tions and  comments  to  Board  of 
Christian  Service,  722  Main,  New- 
ton, Kansas. 

Why  have  a prognram  such  as  Wom- 
en in  Church  Vocations? 

The  impetus  for  such  a program 
came  from  a realization  that  our 
church  needed  the  potential  woman 
power  within  its  constituency  which 
was  not  being  channeled  into  church 


‘Promotional  Sec,  Women  In  Church 
Vocations 


service.  Many  felt  that  girls  wanted 
to  serve  the  church  full-time  but 
had  no  concrete  means  of  follow- 
ing through  on  their  calling,  such 
as  the  ministry  for  men  or  volun- 
tary service  for  part-time  workers 
provide.  Women  in  Church  Voca- 
tions was  the  outcome  of  this 
searching  for  a means. 

The  prime  reason  for  starting 
with  a recruiting  program  for 
women  lies  in  the  fact  that  the 
greatest  need  within  the  church  is 
for  trained  women  workers.  The 
ministry  serves  as  a channel  for 
men  to  enter  all  types  of  church 
vocations;  Women  in  Church  Voca- 
tions can  serve  as  a channel  for 
women.  However,  the  Board  of 
Christian  Service  aims  toward  a 
vocations  department,  including  re- 
cruitment of  both  men  and  women. 
Women  in  Church  Vocations  ivill 
still  retain  its  distinctive  character 
in  the  larger  program. 

Maintaining  a separate,  distinct 
program  for  women,  even  in  the 
broader  recruitment  program,  is  es- 
sential. In  our  local  churches  both 
men’s  and  women’s  organizations 
are  necessary,  and  it  is  the  same 
with  church  workers.  Women  have 
special  needs  and  interests  that  need 
to  be  considered  in  their  own  pro- 


gram. Of  course,  this  does  not  ex- 
clude contacts  between  programs  as 
in  the  case  of  workers’  conferences, 
promotional  work,  and  so  on. 

What  more  is  this  than  other  wom- 
en are  doing? 

We  recognize  that  everyone  who 
accepts  Christ  should  dedicate  his 
life  to  a Christian  vocation.  In  that 
sense,  the  public  school  teacher  and 
the  teacher  in  a Christian  school  do 
not  differ.  The  difference  lies  only 
in  that  the  latter  woman  dedicates 
her  talents  to  the  work  of  the 
church  wherever  the  church  may 
use  her  and  for  as  long  as  she  feels 
called  to  the  work  of  the  church. 

If  the  nonchurch  worker  can  be 
just  as  dedicated  a Christian,  why 
should  she  not  be  included  in  the 
program  Women  in  Church  Voca- 
tions? 

Broadening  out  to  take  in  all  dedi- 
cated young  women  would  create 
a large  organization  with  fel- 
lowship as  the  main  emphasis 
since  Women  in  Church  Vocations 
could  not  attempt  to  meet  aU  the 
needs  of  its  members.  The  term 
"church”  in  the  organization’s  name 
makes  possible  certain  aims.  How- 
ever fellowship  groups  for  working 
girls  are  envisioned  for  the  future. 


296 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  youth 


Left:  New  Youth 
Worker  Milton 
Harder  ( stand- 

ing) and  Y PU 
President  Harris 
Waltner 


Beginning  in  November  of  1959' 


New  Conference 
Youth  Worker 


WHEN  the  new  Youth  Worker 
of  the  General  Conference 
Mennonite  Church  takes  up  his  du- 
ties in  November  of  this  year,  he 
will  have  a wealth  of  experience 
from  which  to  draw.  He  is  Milton 
Harder,  of  Kaiserslautern,  Germany, 
who  has  been  working  with  young 
people  under  the  Mennonite  Central 
Committee — with  youth  in  German 
churches,  with  conscientious  objec- 
tors in  various  European  countries, 
and  with  young  men  in  an  interna- 
tional peace  project:  Eirene  serv- 
ice in  Morocco. 

Originally  from  Butterfield,  Minn., 
Milton  attended  Mountain  Lake 
(Minn.)  Bible  School  for  two  years 
after  school,  and  graduated  from 
Bethel  College,  North  Newton,  Kan. 
In  the  summer  of  1948  he  started 
out  on  the  MCC-sponsored  European 
student  tour.  More  than  one  ro- 
mance has  fiowered  on  MCC  sum- 
mer tours  to  Europe,  and  it  was 
during  this  summer  that  Milton  met 
a girl  named  Geraldine  Gross,  from 
Doylestown,  Pa.,  and  a Goshen  Col- 
lege graduate,  who  was  later  to  be- 
come his  wife. 

Originally  planning  to  be  in  Eu- 
rope for  three  months,  Milton  stayed 
on  for  three  years,  doing  relief  work 
under  the  Mennonite  Central  Com- 
mittee. For  two  years  he  was  in 
Voluntary  Service,  and  the  third 
year  he  served  as  youth  worker  in 
South  Germany. 

On  his  return  to  the  States  Mil- 
ton  entered  seminary,  taking  two 
years  at  Mennonite  Biblical  Semi- 
nary and  a year  in  between  at  Go- 
shen Biblical  Seminary.  He  and 
Geraldine  were  married  after  his 
first  seminary  year.  During  student 
days  at  college  and  semineo’y,  he 
held  two  pastorates,  one  at  Colby, 


Kan.,  the  other  at  Wayland,  Iowa. 

After  seminary,  Milton  and  Geral- 
dine returned  to  Europe,  where  he 
developed  a community  center  pro- 
gram at  Mennoniten-Haus,  Kaiser- 
slautern, a program  including  youth 
work.  Since  the  Mennonite  World 
Conference  in  August  1957,  he  has 
been  executive  secretary  of  Eirene: 
International  Christian  Service  for 
Peace  (see  the  February  10  issue 
of  The  Mennonite). 

The  Harder  family  continues  to 
live  at  Kaiserslautern,  and  now  in- 
cludes two  small  boys:  Bobby,  five, 
and  Jimmy,  three.  Milton’s  work 
involves  a good  bit  of  traveling, 
both  to  the  Eirene  project  in  Moroc- 
co and  to  various  European  coun- 
tries to  meet  young  men  interested 
in  Christian  pacifism.  In  addition,  he 
served  as  assistant  to  MCC  Euro- 
pean area  director  D.  C.  Kaufman 
and  was  Acting  European  area  di- 
rector for  about  one  year  prior  to 
the  coming  of  Peter  Dyck. 

This  April,  Milton  returned  brief- 
ly to  the  States  when  his  mother 
lost  her  life  in  a tragic  automobile 
accident.  He  is  going  back  to  Kaiser- 


slautern to  continue  in  MCC  work 
until  July,  when  the  family  moves 
back  to  the  U.S.  If  you  attend  the 
triennial  General  Conference  in 
Bluffton,  Ohio,  in  August,  you  will 
have  a chance  to  meet  the  Harders. 
They  expect  to  be  settled  in  Newton, 
Kan.,  by  November,  when  Milton 
takes  up  his  responsibilities  as 
Youth  Worker. 

Milton  Harder  succeeds  former 
Youth  Worker  William  Gering,  who 
has  been  attending  Indiana  Univer- 
sity this  past  year.  In  the  interim 
between  full-time  Youth  Workers, 
Peter  Letkeman  of  Swift  Current, 
sask.,  edited  Youth  Program  Helps, 
and  YPU  president  Harris  Waltner 
assisted  in  the  Youth  Office.- 

The  Youth  Worker  is  employed  by 
the  Board  of  Education  amd  Publi- 
cation of  the  General  Conference 
Mennonite  Church,  with  the  Young 
People’s  Union  contributing  the  ma- 
jor portion  of  his  support.  He  will 
be  working  with  a Committee  of 
Youth  Work  under  the  Board  of 
Education  and  Publication,  in  co- 
operation with  the  cabinet  of  the 
Young  People’s  Union. 


May  12,  1959 


297 


So  What  Is  1-W? 

A detour  around  the  draft? 

Or  a channel  of  Christian  peacemaking 
and  the  spirit  of  mission  at  its  best? 


Young  men  today  who  look  at 
alternative  service  are  going  to 
find  that  there  are  a good  many 
ways  in  which  to  meet  the  require- 
ments of  their  draft  boards  and  at 
the  same  time  make  contributions  to 
peace.  Some  of  these  avenues  of 
1-W  are  tailor-made  for  you.  Consid- 
er the  following  possibilities: 

Overseas  Pax 

Pax  is  a program  for  single 
young  men  who  wish  to  serve  over- 
seas and  who  together  with  their 
families,  their  church,  and  the  Con- 
ference are  willing  to  sacrifice  to 
make  this  service  possible.  In  Pax 
the  1-W  man  serves  for  either  two 
or  three  years,  and  his  work  may 
take  him  to  Africa,  Europe,  the 
Near  East,  the  Far  East,  or  South 
America.  He  does  his  service  under 
the  Mennonite  Central  Committee 
or  under  our  Mission  Board  in  the 
Missions  Pax  program,  and  the 
work  itself  varies  according  to  the 
Paxman’s  skills  and  experience. 
Paxmen  have  served  in  nearly  every 
phase  of  our  overseas  relief  pro- 
pram. Pax  requires  $75  to  $100  per 
month  per  man. 

VS  1-W 

At  present  nearly  one  third  of 
our  1-W  men  are  serving  in  some 
phase  of  our  Voluntary  Service  pro- 
gram in  completing  their  Selective 
Service  requirements.  Many  fine  op- 
portunities are  available:  on  our 

mission  fields,  in  welfare  work,  in 
interracial  community  work,  in  agri- 
cultural and  experimental  work.  To 
serve  in  Voluntary  Service,  men 
should  apply  to  their  VS  Director, 
Board  of  Christian  Service,  722  Main 
Street,  Newton,  Kansas. 

1-W  Mission-Supporting 
In  this  avenue  of  service,  a 1-W 
man  or  couple  pledges  to  tithe  a 
given  amount  each  month  to  a 
chosen  mission  or  service  project. 
He  may  turn  over  his  full  check  or 
a regular  tithe  to  the  Board  of  Mis- 
sions or  Board  of  Christiem  Service, 


retaining  enough  to  barely  meet  liv- 
ing expenses.  This  is  really  a type 
of  voluntary  service,  and  a wonder- 
ful way  to  serve  in  1-W. 

Regular  1-W  Earning  Service 
Many  1-Ws  have  found  meaningful 
service  opportunities  open  to  them 
in  jobs  with  pay  which  render  need- 
ed service.  Men  who  are  willing  to 
serve  in  an  approved  1-W  opening 
near  one  of  our  mission  churches 
like  Denver,  Chicago,  Topeka,  Kan- 
sas City,  and  other  locations  can 
make  a fine  contribution  in  a wide 


variety  of  occupation.*:.  However, 
regular  earning  1-W  carries  with  it 
some  real  dangers:  the  danger  of 
loneliness  in  the  big  city,  the  danger 
of  perverted  stewardship,  the  dan- 
ger of  uncreative  use  of  leisure  time. 
All  men  interested  in  finding  place- 
ment in  regular  1-W  service  ought 
to  meet  with  the  pastor  to  learn 
about  the  pros  and  cons  of  different 
service  opportunities. 

And  when  you’ve  decided,  this 
wiU  be  your  channel  in  which  to 
express  Christian  peacemaking  and 
reconciliation. 


Attention^  Retreaters! 

Do  YOU  KNOW  that  1959  will  be  a year  we  will  tell  our  grandchildren 
about? 

“That  was  the  year  of  the  Centennial  Celebration  of  our  Conference, 
and- — oh,  yes — the  retreat  at  Camp  Friedenswald.  There  we  were,  young 
people  from  Alberta,  Pennsylvania,  California,  Okladioma,  Manitoba,  and 
elsewhere,  listening  to  talks  on  Evangelism  and  Youth  by  Frank  Epp, 
and  then  discussing  them  in  groups.  What  crossfire  of  ideas  and  what 
inspiration!  And  those  early  morning  Bible  studies  with  Dave  Schroeder — 
what  food  that  was!  And  all  the  singing  we  did  at  choir  practices  under 
George  Wiebe,  and  at  the  vespers  and  campfires — a great  experience.  Be- 
sides this,  we  hiked,  swam,  played  ball,  worked  at  crafts,  camped,  and 
ate — and  boy,  could  we  sleep.  That  was  quite  a week  at  Camp  Friedens- 
wald (that  means  peaceful  forest) — why,  I guess  I just  never  will  forget  it.” 
“Wow,  Grandpa,  vx)w\" 

The  retreats  begin  with  supper,  August  5,  and  conclude  with  breakfast, 
August  12.  Registration  is  $3.00,  payable  upon  arrival.  Total  cost  for  the 
seven  days  for  board  and  lodging  is  $19.25. 

— Bill  Block,  YPU  retreat  dean 

If  you  plan  to  attend,  please  send  the  reservation  below  to:  Dan  Graber, 
Camp  Friedenswald,  R.  R.  3,  Cassopolis,  Michigan. 


Registration  For  YPU  Retreat 

Please  register  me  for  the  Young  People’s  Union  retreat  August  5-12 

NAME 

ADDRESS 

I plan  to  arrive  (date) by  car  Q train  Q bus  Q plane  Q 


298 


THE  MENNONITE 


Dear  jane, 

I was  pleased  to  hear  that  you’ve 
chosen  Chicago  for  VS  this  summer. 
You’ll  find  Woodlawn  Church  a 
most  interesting  place  to  work. 

You  will  love  the  Bible  school  chil- 
dren! They  will  really  take  to  you, 
too,  in  their  noisy,  affectionate  way. 
It’s  a good  thing  you’ve  had  so 
much  experience  teaching  Bible 
school  at  home.  Believe  me,  you’ll 
be  glad  for  every  song,  game,  and 
story  in  your  repertoire.  It’s  a real 
challenge,  too,  to  make  the  Twenty- 
third  Psalm  meaningful  to  children 
who  have  never  seen  sheep  or  a pas- 
ture, or  to  explain  the  love  of  the 
' Heavenly  Father  to  children  from 
broken  or  unhappy  homes. 

I hope  you  like  day  camp  as 
much  as  I did.  It’s  so  much  fun  to 
I show  city  kids  how  to  react  to  the 
I great  outdoors.  And  you’ll  get  as 
I big  a bang  as  the  kids  do  out  of 
I hiking,  swimming  in  Lake  Michigan, 

I and  cooking  on  an  open  fire.  The 
enthusiastic  way  they  sing  spirituals 
on  the  day  camp  bus  is  something 
you’ll  never  forget. 

Another  thing  you’U  appreciate  is 
the  chance  to  get  acquainted  with 
the  parents.  You’ll  visit  them  and 
i discover  what  “home”  can  mean  for 

i 

our  schools 

OPERETTA  ABOUT  GRIEG 

The  operetta  Song  of  Norway  will 
be  presented  at  Bluffton  College  on 
June  5 and  6 as  part  of  the  May 
Day  Celebration.  Professors  Dale 
Dickey  and  Earl  Lehman,  and  Mrs. 
Jack  Purves  will  direct  the  perform- 
ance. 

The  musical  is  based  on  the  life 
' of  Edvard  Grieg,  famous  Norwe- 
gian composer.  Marvin  Dirks  Jr. 
will  portray  Edvard  Grieg.  Other 
I male  members  of  the  cast  are  Ber- 
nard Windmiller  as  Rikard  Nor- 
daak;  Jerome  Shenk  as  Count  Peppi 
LeLoup;  Abie  Mast  as  Einar;  John 
Miller  as  Freddy,  the  village  fiddler; 
Norman  Keller  as  Father  Nordaak; 
John  Gundy  as  Gunnar;  Leland  Mil- 
I ler  as  Eric;  James  Miller  as  Henrik 
Ibsen;  James  Glenn  as  Tito,  pro- 
prietor of  a chocolate  shop;  Gary 
Yoder  as  Pisoni,  impressario  of  the 
Royal  Opera;  and  Tom  Lehman  as 
Major  Domo.  Women’s  parts  will  be 
j played  by:  Shirley  Burry  as  Mother 
i Nordaak;  Carolyn  Blosser  as  Moth- 

i'  May  12,  1959 

1 

I 


Letter  to  a Volunteer 


a Chicago  family  on  Woodlawn  or 
46th  Street.  But  as  for  your  unit 
home — let  me  tell  you  it  can  really 
be  wonderful!  We  had  such  fine 
Christian  neighbors  in  our  apart- 
ment house  last  year,  and  our  unit 
fellowship  was  warm  and  meaning- 
ful. Our  discussions  ranged  from 
deep  spiritual  sharing  to  just  plain 
foolishness.  We  loved  keeping  house 
together,  especially  cooking.  We 
came  up  with  some  fantastic  con- 
coctions, because  we  made  it  a point 
of  pride  never  to  throw  away  left- 
overs ! 

There  are  so  many  interesting 
places  you  can  see  for  the  price  of 
bus  or  train  fare:  Art  Institute,  Na- 
tural History  Museum,  Chinatown, 
Planetarium,  Museum  of  Science 
and  Industry,  Grant  Park  concerts. 

It’s  surprising  how  many  friends 
you  can  make  in  six  weeks  of  Vol- 
untary Service.  All  of  us  got  so 
homesick  after  last  summer’s  serv- 
ice, for  each  other  (we  keep  our 
round  robin  letter  flying),  for  the 
children  and  church  people,  and  all 
the  Woodlawn  workers  (we  eagerly 


er  Grieg;  Doris  Liechty  as  Nina  Ha- 
gerup;  Elizabeth  Clemens  as  a coun- 
tess. Students  of  the  Copenhagen 
Conservatory  are  Ann  Stacy  as  El- 
vera;  Miriam  Mitchell  as  Hedwig; 
Miriam  Price  as  Greta;  Nancy 
Myers  as  Mafghareta.  Others  in  the 
cast  are  Phyllis  Bixler  as  Miss  Nor- 
end,  a faculty  member  of  the  Con- 
servatory; Martha  Orwick  as  Miss 
Anders,  a pupil;  Frances  Stemen 
as  Christa;  Janet  Blyer  as  Grima; 
and  Ruth  Ann  Dirks,  Judy  Oyer, 
and  Allene  Kendle  as  three  wait- 
resses. 

MATH  COMPETITION 

Albert  Waltner,  member  of  the 
Freeman  Academy  Senior  Class, 
placed  second  in  the  general  compe- 
tency division  at  a four-state  high 
school  math  competition  held  at  the 
University  of  South  Dakota  April 
18.  He  received  a certificate  of  a- 
ward  and  a Keuffel-Esser  slide 
rule. 

PLAY  FESTIVAL 

The  Inter-Academy  Play  Festival 


read  the  Woodlawn  Visitor  every 
time  it  comes  out). 

Chicago  itself  sort  of  grows  on  a 
person.  At  first,  of  course,  you’ll 
have  a hard  time  getting  used  to 
carrying  door  keys  everywhere, 
hearing  sirens  every  night,  and  find- 
ing your  way  down  to  the  Loop  on 
the  “L”  and  subway.  It  will  be  a 
new  experience  for  you  to  belong  to 
the  minority  race,  too.  Yet  eventual- 
ly you  will  forget  that  it  is  Negro 
children  playing  games  with  you, 
Negro  clerks  selling  you  meat  and 
vegetables,  Negro  Christians  shar- 
ing the  Lord’s  Supper  with  you  in 
church.  And  in  forgetting,  you  wiU 
break  free  from  some  of  the  slav- 
ery of  race  prejudice  and  fear.  As 
far  as  I’m  concerned,  that  was  the 
best  thing  about  my  summer! 

Have  a wonderful  six  weeks  in 
Chicago! 

Your  pal  in  Christ, 

Anna  Kreider 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People's  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  3003 
Benham  Avenue,  Elkhart,  Indiana. 


was  held  on  the  campus  of  Western 
Christian  Academy  at  Hull,  Iowa, 
April  24.  Each  participating  school 
presented  a one-act  play.  A seven 
member  cast  from  Freeman  Acad- 
emy presented  The  Last  Trip  Out. 
The  cast  included  Darla  Albrecht, 
Virginia  Ortman,  Flora  Schrag,  Car- 
ol Preheim,  Mavis  Preheim,  Loren 
Preheim,  and  Terry  Vogler.  Albert 
Waltner  was  the  stage  manager  and 
Miss  Kaufman  directed. 

ELLER  TO  SPEAK 

Paul  H.  Eller,  president  of  Evan- 
gelical Theological  Seminary  in  Na- 
perville, 111.,  will  be  the  1959  com- 
mencement speaker  at  Mennonite 
Biblical  Seminary,  Monday,  May  25, 
at  10:00  a.m.  Dr.  Eller  began  teach- 
ing at  Evangelical  Theological  Semi- 
nary in  1930  and  has  been  president 
of  the  school  since  1955.  He  took 
his  graduate  work  at  the  University 
of  Chicago  and  is  the  author  of  the 
book.  History  of  Evangelical  Mis- 
sions. 

Erland  Waltner,  president  of  Men- 


299 


Paul  H.  Eller 


nonite  Biblical  Seminary,  will  speak 
at  the  baccalaureate  service  Sun- 
day, May  24,  at  3:00  p.m.  Both  serv- 
ices will  be  held  in  the  Church  of 
the  Brethren,  Corner  of  Benham 
and  Wolf  Streets  in  Elkhart. 
Friends  of  the  seminary  are  invited 
to  attend,  and  a special  invitation 
is  extended  to  people  living  in  the 
vicinity  of  Elkhart. 

NEW  NURSING  DIRECTOR 

Miss  Mildred  Harshbarger,  R.N., 
has  been  appointed  Director  of 
Nursing  at  the  Bethel  Deaconess 
Hospital  and  School  of  Nursing,  and 
will  be  taking  up  the  responsibili- 
ties of  this  position  on  August  1. 
She  succeeds  Sister  Hilda  Mueller, 
R.N.,  who  has  served  since  1949. 

Miss  Harshbarger  is  a graduate 
of  the  Bethel  Deaconess  Hospital 
School  of  Nursing,  and  earned  the 
Bachelor  of  Science  degree  in  edu- 
cation at  Ohio  State  University.  She 
received  the  Master  of  Arts  degree 
from  Teacher’s  College  at  Columbia 
University  in  nursing  education  in 
1958. 

She  brings  to  this  position  a back- 
ground of  varied  experience  in 
nursing,  including  general  staff 
nursing,  public  health  nursing,  and 
has  served  both  as  an  instructor  and 
director  in  nursing  education  pro- 
grams. Presently  she  is  Acting  Di- 
rector of  Nursing  Education  at 
White  Cross  Hospital  at  Columbus, 
Ohio. 

STUDENT  COUNCIL  ELECTION 

Wendell  Rempel,  a transfer  stu- 
dent from  Reedley  Junior  College, 
Reedley,  Calif.,  has  been  elected  stu- 
dent council  president  for  next  year 
by  the  Bethel  College  student  body. 
Elected  vice-president  was  Don  A. 
Friesen  of  Dinuba,  Calif.  Students 
also  elected  three  members  to  the 


Student  Court:  Lynette  Goering, 

Franzie  Loepp,  and  Menno  Froese. 
Elected  as  faculty  advisor  to  the 
court  was  J.  W.  Fretz.  Hold-over 
members  of  the  Student  Court  are 
Melvin  Goering,  Karen  Gilchrist, 
Dorothy  Harms,  and  Carol  Jones. 
VISITING  CHOIR 

The  Freeman  Junior  College,  di- 
rected by  LaVera  Schrag  and  ac- 


companied by  the  John  Ewerts, 
were  guests  recently  at  Canadian 
Mennonite  Bible  College.  They  pre- 
sented an  inspiring  program  in  a 
chapel  period.  We  were  able  to  be- 
come acquainted  with  the  various 
members  of  the  group  as  they  vis- 
ited classes,  shared  lunch,  and  chal- 
lenged us  to  several  volleyball 
games. 


MCC  news  and  notes 

REVIEW  COMMITTEE  PLANS 

AKRON — The  1-W  Program  Re- 
view Committee  met  for  the  first 
time  April  28  at  Akron,  Pa.  Election 
of  officers  was  held,  with  John  Lapp 
elected  chairman  and  Esko  Loewen 
secretary.  One  change  in  committee 
membership  has  occurred,  with 
Henry  Ginder,  Manheim,  Pa.,  re- 
placing Elbert  Smith,  Lancaster, 
Pa. 

The  committee’s  planning  for  the 
future  includes: 

• A June  meeting  in  Chicago 
with  representative  1-W  counselors 
and  1-W  men,  the  purpose  being  to 
get  the  evaluation  of  in-service  peo- 
ple. 

• Visitation  of  about  five  units 
this  summer  in  teams  of  two. 

• Preparation  of  a questionnaire 
for  a broad  evaluation  of  1-W  pro- 
gram, to  be  channeled  through  con- 
ference offices. 

• Appointment  of  a subcommittee 
to  meet  with  Selective  Service  in 
September. 

• A second  meeting  of  the  Re- 
view Conunittee  on  September  15. 

Some  of  the  observations  and  con- 
cerns shared  during  the  course  of 
the  meeting  were:  that  the  number 
of  men  in  service  will  continue  to 
be  around  1200  if  past  experinece  is 
indicative;  that  about  30  per  cent  of 
our  1-Ws  are  in  church  service;  that 
50  per  cent  of  our  1-Ws  are  under 
twenty  years  of  age;  that  in  every 
country  where  compulsory  military 
service  has  been  instituted,  the  Men- 
nonite Church  has  lost  its  con- 
science on  war;  that  the  motivation 
of  the  one  serving  needs  to  be  given 
central  consideration — the  worker 
must  have  the  service  vision. 

NATIONAL  CPM  CONFERENCE 

EVANSTON — The  Christian  church 
is  continually  postponing  the  day 
when  it  must  truly  trust  its  gospel 
rather  than  trusting  H-bombs,”  said 


A.  J.  Muste,  leading  pacifist  spokes- 
man, addressing  a session  of  the 
Church  Peace  Mission  Conference 
at  the  First  Methodist  Church  in 
Evanston. 

Twenty  religious  organizations  in 
the  U.S.  and  Canada  comprise  the 
Church  Peace  Mission,  which  called 
the  April  20-23  conference  for  a 
study  of  “The  Word  of  God  in  a 
Nuclear  Age.”  Mennonite  participa- 
tion was  strong,  with  forty-four  rep- 
resentatives from  various  confer- 
ences. 

Speakers  for  the  conference  in- 
cluded Edwin  T.  Dahlberg,  president 
of  the  National  Council  of  Churches 
of  Christ  in  America;  Dr.  Howard 
Schomer,  president  of  Chicago  The- 
ological Seminary;  William  C.  Da- 
vidson, theoretical  physicist  at  the 
Argonne  National  Laboratories; 
and  conference  chairman  Dr.  John 
Oliver  Nelson,  Professor  of  Chris- 
tian Vocations  at  Yale  Divinity 
School. 

“If  we  had  many  more  dedicated 
Christian  people  working  at  the 
problems  of  human  need,  our  gos- 
pel of  repentance  would  be  vastly 
more  powerful  than  any  gospel  of 
military  deterrence,”  claimed  Broth- 
er Dahlberg. 

“No  concern  in  the  church,”  said 
Dr.  Nelson,  “is  more  pressing  and 
specific  than  that  of  relating  the 
gospel  to  the  crisis  of  nuclear  pow- 
er.” 

A conference  statement  is  being 
draifted  and  will  be  released  shortly. 

EMERGENCY  RELIEF  PROGRAM 

BEIRUT — “We  closed  the  Aisha 
Bakkar  feeding  center  April  15,” 
writes  Alice  Snyder,  MCC  worker 
in  Beirut.  “For  six  months  150  to 
200  children  in  the  Moslem  sector 
have  received  a hot  meal  five  times 
a week.  It  is  difficult  to  evaluate 
the  good  that  has  been  accom- 
plished. The  streets  are  still  filled 


300 


THE  MENNONITE 


with  ragged,  dirty  children  who  live 
in  dark  little  hovels,  but  no  doubt 
many  of  them  had  healthier  bodies 
through  the  winter  because  of  the 
extra  food.  We  have  been  told  that 
many  of  them  never  sit  down  to  a 
hot  meal  at  home.” 

A social  evening  was  held  for 
some  25  adults  who  helped  to  oper- 
ate the  feeding  center.  Workers  re- 
port that  a friendly  attitude  toward 
MCC  prevails  among  the  group. 

Distribution  in  the  Assyrian  dis- 
trict will  continue  for  the  time  be- 
ing. Since  the  supply  of  MCC  flour 
is  exhausted,  supplies  will  need  to 
be  purchased  temporarily.  Pow- 
dered milk  is  scarce  also,  limiting 


audio  visual  library 

“We  are  pacifists,  and  it  is  the 
pacifist  conviction  that  a meaning- 
ful life  is  one  that  is  spent  in  signif- 
icant service  to  one’s  fellow  man,” 
says  Don  Murray,  narrator  of  the 
film  Alternatives.  The  first  of  its 
kind  ever  produced,  this  film  will 
help  fill  a serious  gap  in  public  in- 
formation regarding  the  choices  a- 
vailable  to  young  men  who  are  sub- 
ject to  the  draft.  By  providing  more 
adequate  information  to  high  school 
and  college-age  youth,  this  film  will 
enable  young  men  to  make  their 
choices  more  intelligently,  and  it 
will  help  those  who  are  COs  to  find 
their  way  into  the  most  meaningful 
service  available.  The  main  thrust 
of  the  film  deals  with  the  position 
and  work  of  those  qualifying  for 
the  1-0  and  1-W  classifications. 

Live  action  scenes  were  filmed 
on  actual  projects  of  alternative 
service  workers  both  in  the  United 


Don  Murray 


the  amount  that  can  be  distributed 
to  babies  and  children.  Shipments 
of  clothing,  beef,  and  U.S.  surplus 
foods  are  still  being  detained  by 
Lebanon  customs  officials,  although 
workers  have  been  promised  that 
these  commodities  will  be  admitted 
duty  free. 

GIRLS  HOLD  MISSION  SALE 

ASUNCION — Each  Thursday  aft- 
ernoon some  twenty-five  Mennonite 
girls  working  in  Asuncion  assem- 
ble at  the  MCC  home.  Under  the 
supervision  of  Mrs.  Peter  Epp, 
housemother,  they  sew,  knit  or 
crochet  various  items  for  an  annual 
mission  sale.  The  project  is  of 
course  voluntary,  and  has  been 


States  and  abroad.  The  major  part 
of  the  film,  however,  uses  the  film- 
agraph  technique,  which  is  basical- 
ly an  art  technique  utilizing  color, 
line,  movement,  shades,  and  camera 
technique  to  express  the  basic  ideas. 

The  film  was  produced  by  the  Na- 
tional Service  Board  for  Religious 
Objectors,  and  the  script  was  writ- 
ten by  Stanford  Sobel,  who  during 
World  War  Two  served  in  Civilian 
Public  Service  in  Puerto  Rico.  Hoyt 
Griffith,  who  directed  the  live  action 
sequences,  is  also  a CO.  Anyone 
wishing  to  show  this  film  may  write 
to  the  Audio  Visual  Library,  Men- 
nonite Publication  Office,  720  Main, 
Newton,  Kan.,  to  reserve  a date. 

jottings 

INDIA  WORK  PRESENTED 

Bethel  Church,  Marion,  S.  D.: 
J.  R.  Duerksen  conducted  a series 
of  special  meetings  in  our  church 
Nov.  23-28.  On  Dec.  5 missionary 
Harold  Ratzlaff  presented  an  in- 
teresting report  in  picture  and  word 
of  their  work  in  India.  Missionary 
Esther  Wiebe,  while  visiting  her  sis- 
ter Elsie,  Mrs.  Willard  Epp,  also 
spoke  in  our  church,  telling  of  her 
work  in  India.  During  the  winter 
months  Pastor  Ralph  Graber  con- 
ducted midweek  Bible  study  and 
prayer  meeting.  Robert  Engbrecht 
finished  his  1-W  assignment  at  Hal- 
stead, Kan.,  the  first  part  of  Feb.; 
on  Feb.  8 he  married  Joan  Hagen 
of  Hillsboro,  Kan.  August  Ewert 
occupied  the  pupit  in  his  absence. 
On  March  5 we  enjoyed  a musical 
worship  service  when  the  Bethel 
College  Chorale  was  in  our  midst, 
our  church  being  cohost  with  the 


organized  to  provide  the  girls  with 
something  constructive  to  do  in 
their  free  time. 

This  year  the  girls  realized  almost 
$200  in  the  April  sale — a most  en- 
couraging sum.  With  the  money 
they  raise,  the  girls  help  support 
the  Leper  Mission,  Indian  Mission, 
Red  Cross  Hospital,  Mental  Hospi- 
tal, and  other  institutions. 


Peter  Epp  reports  that  Asuncion 
is  getting  modem.  A public  water 
system  is  in  operation  and  the  MCC 
center  is  now  getting  city  water. 
At  present  only  unfiltered  river 
water  is  available,  but  later  in  the 
year  it  will  be  filtered  and  fit  for 
drinking. 


Bethesda  Church.  Our  Mission  So- 
ciety meets  once  a month,  bringing 
supplies  to  be  assembled  into  bun- 
dles for  lepers,  making  two  quilts 
at  each  meeting,  cutting  quilt  blocks 
and  garments  which  are  later  sewn 
for  relief.  Communion  was  observed 
on  Good  Friday.  Easter  Sunday 
Mrs.  Robert  Engbrecht  was  re- 
ceived as  a member  of  our  church 
by  letter. — Corr. 

GAEDDERT  ACCEPTS  CALL 

Bethel  Church,  Mountain  Lake, 
Minn.:  Our  congregation  is  rejoic- 
ing in  the  fact  that  Albert  M.  Gaed- 
dert,  at  present  pastor  of  the  Hoff- 
nungsau  Church  at  Inman,  Kan., 
has  accepted  the  call  to  serve  as  our 
next  minister.  The  date  of  his  com- 
ing is  not  fully  determined.  April 
5,  our  male  chorus  gave  a program 
at  the  First  Church,  to  help  the 
Northern  Dist.  Men’s  Fellowship  in 
their  project.  Our  guest  speaker  on 
April  12  was  Harry  Harder,  who 
presented  through  films  some  of  the 
work  on  the  road  building  project 
in  Paraguay.  The  quarterly  S.  S. 
Workers’  meeting,  with  Don  Flad- 
land  from  Minneapolis  as  guest 
speaker,  was  held  April  13.  Our 
worship  service  on  April  19  was 
conducted  by  members  of  the  new- 
ly organized  Mennonite  Church  at 
Sioux  Falls,  S.  D.,  of  which  Max 
Miller  is  pastor.  April  26  we  were 
favored  with  a concert  presented  by 
Negro  singer  Mrs.  Rosalie  Bracy, 
of  Woodlawn  Mennonite  Church, 
Chicago.  April  28  Peter  J.  Dyck, 
director  of  European  MCC  work, 
spoke  at  a community  meeting  in 
the  First  Church.— Mrs.  D.  H.  Fast. 

MISSION  QUILTS  MADE 

Swiss  Church,  Alsen,  N.  D.:  March 
31  the  Mark  Gripps,  missionaries 
from  Morocco,  presented  music,  pic- 


May  12,  1959 


301 


tures,  and  a message  from  God’s 
Word.  Communion  services  were 
held  April  5.  In  the  evening  Youth 
Fellowship  was  held.  Members  of 
the  Ladies  Mission  Society  met  for 
an  all-day  session  April  9.  Quilts 
were  made  and  layettes  were  cut 
out.  Our  monthly  meeting  and  pro- 
gram was  held  in  the  afternoon. 
Our  regular  Sun.  eve  service  was 
held  April  12. — Corr. 

PETER  DYCK  SPEAKS 

Tiefengrund  Church,  Laird,  Sask:. 
In  a series  of  six  Bible  discourses, 
J.  J.  Nickel  expounded  on  the  Ser- 
mon on  the  Mount,  stressing  espe- 
cially the  Beatitudes.  Feb.  8 David 
Reimer,  manager  of  the  Mennonite 
Book  Store  in  Rosthern,  showed  a 
film.  The  Unfinished  Task.  A.  A. 
Dick  at  another  time  showed  slides 
depicting  mission  work  in  the  Bel- 
gian Congo.  J J.  Janzen  gave  a re- 
port in  our  church  on  the  study 
conference  held  in  Winnipeg  in  Jan- 
uary. A.  E.  Regier  concluded  his 
weekly  expositions  of  the  Epistle  of 
James  before  the  Easter  festivities. 
A special  service  was  held  Wed.  of 
Passion  Week  as  well  as  a Com- 
munion service  the  evening  of  Good 
Friday.  In  the  afternoon  of  that 
day,  the  sermon  was  given  by  Ver- 
ner  Friesen,  who  is  an  instructor  at 
Rosthern  Jr.  College.  P.  J.  Dyck, 
director  of  MCC  in  Europe,  served 
with  a message  on  Easter  Sun.  and 
spoke  about  his  work,  on  Mon.  On 
the  following  Sun.  students  of  C.M. 
B.  College,  together  with  George 
Wiebe  and  Henry  Poettcker  of  the 
staff,  presented  the  Easter  message 
in  word  and  song.  A recent  and 
noteworthy  event  for  us  was  the 
election  of  Walter  Funk  as  our  new 
deacon.  Alfred  Neufeld  is  a volun- 
teer to  go  abroad  as  a Pax  worker. 

CHURCH  DEDICATION 

Burrton  Church,  Burrton,  Kan.: 
The  Ladies’  Missionary  Society 
sponsored  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Shelton  Al- 
len in  a program  Feb.  15.  The  Al- 
lens have  served  in  Japan  under 
the  Far  Eastern  Gospel  Crusade. 
Nearly  400  persons  attended  dedi- 
cation services  for  our  new  church 
March  15.  Walter  Dyck  of  Aber- 
deen, Idaho,  pastor  here  from  1936- 
1940,  gave  the  dedication  message 
on  the  theme,  “I  Will  Build  My 
Church”  (Matt.  16:18).  Other  for- 
mer pastors  taking  part  in  the  serv- 
ices were  A.  H.  Peters  and  Arnold 
Epp.  D.  C.  Wedel  spoke  in  the  morn- 
ing. In  the  evening  musicicuis  from 
ten  churches  gave  a program  of 
music.  Noon  and  evening  meals 
were  served  by  the  women  of  the 
church.  Sara  Ann  Claassen,  of  the 
Hesston  College  faculty,  directed 
the  choir  for  our  dedication  service 
and  served  us  with  music  March  22. 


A deputation  team  from  our  Sem- 
inary gave  a program  in  our  church 
the  evening  of  March  22.  A.  J. 
Dyck  of  Buhler  preached  the  East- 
er sermon  in  the  absence  of  our 
pastor,  Gideon  Yoder.  Easter  Sun. 
evening  the  four  Burrton  churches 
held  a union  service.  A basket  sup- 
per was  given  at  the  church  Wed. 
eve,  April  1.  Roland  Gering  showed 
slides  of  the  1957  Menn.  World 
Conf. — Mrs.  Peter  T.  Klassen,  corr. 

EASTER  SERVICES 

First  Church,  Mountain  Lake, 
Minn.:  A farewell  service  was  held 
March  8 for  the  Robert  Kampers. 
March  8,  sixty  Christmas  bun- 
dles were  dedicated.  Austin  Haven 
from  Grace  Children’s  Home  at 
Henderson,  Neb.,  filled  our  pulpit 
March  15,  while  our  pastor  was  giv- 
ing a week  of  pre-Easter  services 
at  Henderson.  The  local  Bible 
School  gave  their  Easter  program 
in  our  church  March  19.  John 
Harshbarger  shared  impressions 
and  pictures  of  his  relief  work  in 
Europe  at  the  Men’s  Fellowship 
program,  March  20.  Holy  Week 
services  began  March  22  together 
with  Bethel  Church,  with  local  pas- 
tors taking  turns  at  conducting 
them.  A joint  Communion  was  ob- 
served Good  Friday  morning.  Young 
people  from  the  two  Butterfield 
churches  were  invited  to  an  Easter 
sunrise  service,  at  which  Peter 
Tschetter  was  guest  speaker.  The 
church  choirs  gave  an  Easter  can- 
tata March  29.  The  film  He  Lives 
was  shown  at  our  March  C.  E.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Henry  D.  Wall  celebrat- 
ed their  fortieth  wedding  anniver- 
sary April  5.  Kenneth  Ross,  pastor 
of  the  Roaring  Spring,  Pa.,  church 
spoke  to  us  April  5.  Evangelist  Os- 
car C.  Knudson  of  Windom  was 
guest  speaker  at  the  April  Men’s 
Fellowship  meeting.  Milton  Harder 
from  MCC  in  Germany,  came  home 
for  his  mother’s  funeral  April  15 
and  spoke  briefiy  to  the  congrega- 
tion on  April  19.  The  Bible  School 
gave  the  C.  E.  program  on  April 
19. — Mrs.  Sam  Quiring,  corr. 

SANCTUARY  TO  BE  DEDICATED 

First  Church,  Sugarcreek,  Ohio: 
April  5 the  Bluffton  College  Players 
presented  Felicia  Komai’s  adapta- 
tion of  Alan  Paton’s  novel,  Cry,  The 
Beloved  Country.  It  is  a traveling 
play  in  which  six  young  people 
dramatically  portray  life  in  Johan- 
nesburg, South  Africa.  Wm.  Stauf- 
fer brought  the  morning  message 
on  April  5 and  spoke  in  the  interest 
of  the  Council  of  Boards  of  the  Con- 
ference. On  April  12  he  spoke  at 
Salem  Church  at  Dalton,  Ohio.  East- 
er sunrise  services  were  conducted 
by  the  Youth  Fellowship  of  the 
church  with  Claude  Blauch  in 


charge.  Rosebud  services  for  three 
new-born  babies  were  held  recently. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  'Thomas  Maurer  and 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Reno  Stevanus  are 
parents  of  sons,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Loris  Hostetler  the  parents  of  a 
daughter.  Pastor  Harold  Thieszen 
and  John  Althaus  accompanied  elev- 
en young  people  to  the  Young  Peo- 
ple’s Rally  at  Bluffton  College.  The 
new  sanctuary  will  be  completed 
and  fully  furnished  by  June  1,  and 
dedication  services  will  be  held  on 
June  28. — Mrs.  Ernest  Gross,  corr. 

SIXTIETH  ANNIVERSARY 

Second  Church,  Philadelphia,  Pa.; 
The  sixtieth  anniversary  of  the 
founding  of  the  Second  Mennonite 
Church  in  Philadelphia  was  cele- 
brated with  special  services  April 
11-12.  Walter  Dick  of  the  Richland 
Church  was  the  main  speaker  at 
the  dinner  held  on  Sat.  He  also 
preached  at  morning  and  evening 
services  on  Sun.  Special  music  was 
provided  by  William  Matter,  Edith 
Rick,  William  Welte,  and  Irene 
Marshall.  The  committee  on  ar- 
rangements included  Emma  Rees, 
Gertrude  Hunter,  Jacob  Bucher, 
John  Rees,  Kermit  Weiss,  Charles 
Krause,  and  J.  R.  Burkholder. 

into  the  beyond 

Mrs.  Abram  F.  Derksen  (Luella 
M.),  of  Mountain  Lake,  Minnesota, 
and  member  of  the  Bethel  Menno- 
nite Church,  Mountain  Lake,  was 
born  June  16,  1915,  and  entered 
eternal  rest  April  20,  1959. 

Mrs.  John  M.  Harder  (nee  Sarah 
Enns)  of  Butterfield,  Minnesota, 
and  member  of  the  First  Menno- 
nite Church,  Mountain  Lake,  was 
born  February  25,  1897,  and  died 
April  11,  1959. 

mutual  aid  placement 

FARM  WANTED 

Young  Mennonite  couple  would 
like  to  rent  farm  in  central  Kansas 
area  by  August  1.  Can  provide 
some  machinery.  Good  references 
offered.  Contact:  Mutual  Aid  Serv- 
ices, Inc.,  722  Main,  Newton,  Kan. 

PERSONNEL  NEEDED 

Doctor  Wanted — McClusky,  North 
Dakota,  offers  a fine  location  for 
a medical  doctor.  Full  information 
about  this  opportunity  for  an  in- 
tern or  practicing  doctor  may  be 
secured  from  Charles  C.  Buller,  Box 
216,  McClusky,  North  Dakota. 


302 


THE  MENNONITE 


conference  notes 

(continued  from  the  last  page) 

ELIZABETH  SHOWALTER 
TO  SPEAK  AT  CONFERENCE 

Elizabeth  Showal- 
ter  of  Scottdale, 
Pa.,  is  scheduled  to 
speak  at  the  Writ- 
ers’ Conference 
sponsored  by  the 
Board  of  Education 
and  Publication,  at 
N.  Newton,  Kan., 
June  17-19. 

Miss  Showalter  edits  Words  of 
Cheer,  a children’s  story  paper,  and 
The  Christian  Writer  and  writes 
Sunday  school  curriculum  for  Men- 
nonite  Publishing  House,  Scottdale, 
Pa.  At  the  conference  Miss  Sho- 
walter will  conduct  the  workshop  on 
juvenile  fiction. 

Other  workshop  topics  are  Ser- 
mon and  Devotional  Writing,  Poe- 
try, Church  News  and  Publicity,  and 
Articles  and  Nonfiction.  Applica- 
tions may  be  sent  to  the  Board  of 
Education  and  Publication,  722 
Main,  Newton,  Kan. 

CENTRAL  DISTRICT 
CONFERENCE  MEETS 

The  Central  District  Conference 
^ had  its  annual  meeting  at  the 
Eighth  Street  Church,  Goshen,  In- 
diana, April  23-26.  'The  theme  was 
“Power  for  Witnessing.”  District 
I churches  were  well  represented, 
I and  the  large  delegate  body  heard 
P and  acted  upon  various  reports 
I from  committees,  organizations,  and 
institutions. 

7 Erland  Waltner,  president  of  Men- 
nonite  Biblical  Seminary,  gave  three 
inspirational  messages  on  “Christ’s 
I Word  to  the  Churches”  under  the 
i sub-titles:  “When  Love  Wanes” 

“When  Tolerance  Is  Sin”  and  “When 
I a Church  Is  Satisfied.”  Other  ad- 
I dresses  included  president  Ernest 
I Bohn’s  conference  sermon,  “Our 
Witness  as  a Conference”;  Don. 
I Smucker  on  “The  Christian’s  Rela- 
! tion  to  a Complex  Society”;  Paul 
Mininger,  president  of  Goshen  Col- 
lege, on  “The  Church’s  Place  in 
Higher  Education.”  Andrew  Shelly 
pointed  out  “The  Privilege  of  Ste- 
wardship,” and  in  the  Sunday  morn- 
ing service  Paul  Roth,  vice-presi- 
dent, spoke  on  “God’s  Instrument 
of  Unity.”  In  the  Sunday  afternoon 
session,  Ronald  Krehbiel  spoke  on 
“Witness  in  Suburbia,”  and  Dr.  Ar- 


thur Thiessen,  recently  returned 
from  India,  gave  an  enlightening 
presentation  on  the  subject,  “Gen- 
eral Conference  Missions  in  India.” 

Of  special  interest  was  the  pre- 
miere showing  of  the  new  Confer- 
ence film  The  Miyazaki  Story,  a doc- 
umentary film  portraying  the  chal- 
lenge of  missions  in  Japan. 

New  officers  for  the  coming  year 
are;  pres.,  Harry  Yoder;  vice-pres., 
Gordon  Neuenschwander;  sec.,  How- 
ard Gilliom;  treas.,  Theodore  Som- 
mer. The  next  meeting  of  the  Cen- 
tral District  Conference  will  be  in 
Berne,  Indiana. 

FIRST  CIM  DOCTOR  PASSES 

Rudolph  T.  Unruh,  the  first  mis- 
sionary doctor  of  the  Congo  Inland 
Mission,  suffered  a heart  attack  on 
Feb.  17,  died  Feb.  20. 

Dr.  Unruh  sailed  from  New  York 
in  1931  with  the  F.  J.  Enns  family 
and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Vernon  J.  Sprung- 
er.  Before  going  on  to  the  Belgian 
Congo,  he  spent  eight  months  in 
London  studying  at  the  Tropical 
Medical  School  and  five  months  in 
Brussels,  Belgium,  studying  French. 
The  first  part  of  his  term  was  spent 
evaluating  the  needs  of  each  mis- 
sion station  to  determine  the  site 
for  a hospital.  In  1934  a hospital 


was  built  at  Mukedi  Station,  where 
Dr.  Unruh  served  until  1936  when 
he  returned  to  the  United  States  on 
furlough.  In  spite  of  the  lack  of  a 
missionary  nurse  to  assist  him  and 
with  minimum  equipment.  Dr.  Un- 
ruh established  a good  reputation 
for  the  hospital  in  these  few  years. 

Because  he  had  suffered  sun- 
stroke in  1933,  Dr.  Unruh  could  not 
return  to  the  tropics  after  his  fur- 
lough. In  1946  he  began  a medical 
practice  at  Kingsley,  Kan.,  where  he 
remained  until  his  death. 

MISSIONS  BRIEFS 

Former  missionary  Elizabeth 
Goertz  is  receiving  care  at  Bethel 
Deaconess  Hospital,  Newton,  Kan., 
for  a heart  condition.  Miss  Goertz 
returned  from  China  in  1951.  Since 
that  time  she  has  served  in  Mexico, 
at  Brook  Lane  Farm  in  Maryland, 
and  in  the  past  several  years  at  the 
Bethel  Home  for  the  Aged  in  New- 
ton. 

Also  in  Bethel  Deaconess  Hospital 
is  Mrs.  P.  W.  Penner,  formerly  a 
missionary  in  India.  Mrs.  Penner, 
whose  residence  is  in  Hillsboro, 
Kan.,  recently  celebrated  her  eighti- 
eth birthday,  for  which  occasion  the 
women  of  the  church  prepared  a 
special  dinner  in  her  honor. 


NEW  MENNONITE  HIGH  SCHOOL 
DEDICATED  IN  WITMARSUM 

The  Escola  Fritz  Kliewer,  a new 
Mennonite  high  school  in  Witmar- 
sum,  Brazil,  was  dedicated  March 
22.  Seven  classrooms,  a library,  and 
a faculty  room  provide  for  the  113 
students  and  seven  teachers.  This 
school  is  supported  by  a constitu- 
ency of  528  persons.  The  General 
Conference  Mennonite  Church  con- 
tributed $1,000  toward  its  construc- 
tion. Principal  of  the  school  is  G.  E. 
Reimer. 


At  left:  The  prefect  of  Parana  cut- 
ting the  ribbon.  Below:  Escola  Fritz 
Kliewer. 


May  12,  1959 


303 


conference  notes 

LOOKING  TOWARD 
GENERAL  CONFERENCE 

None  of  the  founders  of  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  Mennonite  Church 
will  be  present  at  the  Centennial 
Conference,  but  the  work  that  they 
started  has  gone  on  and  grown 
from  year  to  year.  It  was  started 
by  men  and  women  devoted  to  God 
and  has  continued  in  the  spirit  in 
which  it  was  begun. 

My  first  thought  as  I look  toward 
General  Conference  is  that  God  has 
blessed  the  work  and  that  by  the 
grace  of  God  much  has  been  accom- 
plished during  the  past  100  years. 
My  second  thought  is  how  much 
more  could  have  been  done  if  we 
had  put  forth  more  effort,  and  so 
the  prayer:  “May  God  forgive  that 
we  did  not  do  a better  job.” 


As  we  will  take  inventory  many 
discoveries  will  be  made,  some  that 
are  encouraging  and  some  discour- 
aging. As  we  look  forward  and 
make  plans  for  the  future  let  us  do 
this  in  faith,  led  by  the  Holy  Spirit 
so  that  God  can  pronounce  His 
“Well  done”  upon  the  next  100 
years  that  lie  before  us,  if  He  should 
tarry  that  long.  H.  B.  Schmidt 

NEW  CONGREGATION 

At  Liberal,  Kan.,  a new  congre- 
gation was  organized  in  a special 
charter  service  held  April  12.  The 
new  church  will  be  known  as  the 
Calvary  Mennonite  Church  of  Liber- 
al, Kansas.  Harold  H.  Jantzen  is 
the  pastor  and  was  ordained  elder 
of  the  church  on  the  same  day. 
Twenty-two  people  signed  as  chart- 
er members.  This  number  includes 
those  who  were  formerly  members 
of  the  Pleasant  Valley  Church  at 
Kismet,  which  has  been  dissolved. 
The  new  congregation  meets  in  the 
Seventh-Day  Adventist  Church 
building  at  Liberal  for  the  present. 

{continued  on  page  303) 


ARE  YOU  PLANNING  TO  ATTEND  THE  CONFERENCE? 

If  you  are  one  of  the  thousand  or  more  visitors  and  delegates  who  will 
attend  the  triennial  conference  and  centennial  observances  of  the  General 
Conference  Mennonite  Church  at  Bluffton,  Ohio,  on  August  12-20,  you 
are  requested  to  fill  out  the  form  below  and  mail  it  to:  G.  T.  Soldner, 
Lodging  Chairman,  438  West  Elm  Street,  Bluffton,  Ohio.  This  includes 
both  those  who  are  arranging  for  lodging  with  friends  or  relatives,  and 
those  who  would  like  to  make  reservations  for  lodging.  All  who  plan  to 
attend  at  all,  either  part-time  or  full-time,  should  fiU  out  and  send  in  an 
application  form.  Additional  forms  may  be  secured  from  Brother  Soldner 
at  the  address  above. 


APPLICATION  FOR  .LODGING  RESERVATION 

Name Address 

Congregation Dist.  Conf 

Traveling  by:  Car Train Bus Plane Car  & Trailer 

Date  of  Arrival Time  of  Arrival 

If  by  train,  plane,  or  bus,  do  you  wish  to  be  met  at: 

Lima:  What  railroad Findlay:  What  Railroad 

Airport Airport 

Bus  Station 

Number  of  accommodations  requested: 

Couples Children Young  People....  Men Women 

Staying  for  entire  session? or,  what  nights? 

Have  you  made  arrangements  to  stay  with  relatives  or  friends? 

If  so,  with  whom? 

Address  

Lodging  will  be  provided  in: 

Mennonite  and  non-Mennonite  homes  in  Bluffton-Pandora-Lima  area 
Bluffton  College  dormitories 

Ohio  Northern  University  dormitories  (Ada,  12  miles) 

Findlay  College  dormitories  (Findlay,  18  miles) 

Motels  (5  to  15  miles) ; Lima  hotels  (if  needed) 

A lodging  fee  of  $2.00  per  person  per  night  will  be  asked  in  non- 
Mennonite  homes  and  in  dormitories.  Breakfast  and  linens  vsdll  be 
included  in  dormitories.  Transportation  to  Ada  and  Findlay  will  be 
provided  for  those  who  do  not  have  their  o\vn. 

Are  you  willing  to  accept  lodging  as  the  committee  can  best  grant? 
Have  you  a particular  need? If  so,  what  is  it? 


Are  you  willing  to  share  accommodations  with  others? 

Reservations  will  be  made  on  a “First  Come,  First  Served”  basis. 

ALL  RESERVATIONS  SHOULD  BE  MADE  NOT  LATER  THAN 
JULY  1,  1959. 

Address  all  communications  to:  G.  T.  Soldner,  Lodging  Chairman, 

438  W.  Elm  Street,  Bluffton,  Ohio 


MAY  19,  1959 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
MAN  LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIST 


Cornelius  J.  Dyck  and  Nicholas  Dick— THE  WORD  OF  GOD  IN  THE  NUCLEAR  AGE 


in  this  issue 

COVER 

Photo  by  Luoma 

ARTICLES 

THE  CROSS  OF  CHRIST 

By  Boyd  E.  Bonebroke  307 

THE  WORD  OF  GOD  IN  THE 
NUCLEAR  AGE 
By  Cornelius  J.  Dyck  and 

Nicholas  Dick  308 

WOMEN  IN  CHURCH  VOCATIONS 
By  Marion  Preheim  310 


DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  306 

FILM  REVIEW  310 

THE  READER  SAYS  311 

BOOKMARKS  311 


Mennonite  Men  312 

Mennonite  Youth 

AFTER  THE  MEETING  WAS  OVER  313 


PLEASE  USE  INK 

By  Carol  Ferntheil  314 

OUR  SCHOOLS  316 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  317 

JOTTINGS  318 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  320 


of  things  to  come 

May  22 — Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary 
alumni  meeting. 

May  24 — Baccalaureate,  Mennonite  Bib- 
lical Seminary 

May  25 — Commencement,  Mennonite 
Biblical  Seminary 

May  25-30 — Faith  and  Life  Radio  speak- 
er: Gorman  Wedel 

May  29 — Commencement  Day,  Freeman 
Junior  College  and  Academy 

May  29-31 — Missions  Conference,  Sas- 
katoon, Sask. 

June  10-14 — Pacific  District  Conference, 
Barlow,  Oregon 

June  14 — Northern  District  Male  Chorus 
Festival,  Sioux  Falls,  South  Dakota 

June  18-21 — Northern  Dist.  Conf.,  Salem- 
Zion  Church  (North),  Freeman,  S.  D. 

July  4-8 — Canadian  Conference,  Clear- 
brook,  B.  C. 

West.  Dist.  Retreats,  Camp  Mennoscah: 
July  6-11 — Junior  High  I 
July  13-18 — Junior  High  II 
July  20-25 — Fresh  Air  Friendship  Cp. 
July  27-Aug.  1 — High  School  I 
Aug.  3-8 — High  School  II 
Aug.  29-30 — Family  (under  age  45) 
Sept.  5-7 — Family  (senior  age) 

Aug.  5-12 — Ministers’  and  Church  Work- 
ers' Retreat,  Camp  Friedenswald, 
Mich. 

Aug.  1 2-20 — General  Conference,  Bluff- 
ton,  Ohio 

Oct.  24-27 — West.  Dist.  Conference 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor,  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 

J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
I.  Dyck.  Editorial  Asst.:  Esther  Groves. 
Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  20 


editorials 

THE  SINGING  ORGANIST  At  least  in  one  of  our  church- 
es (there  may  be  many  more)  the  editor  has  observed  the  some- 
what unusual  practice  of  the  organist  joining  heartily  in  the 
singing  of  congregational  hymns  while  accompanying.  But  why 
not?  She  wishes  to  express  her  praise  and  gratitude  along  with 
the  other  worshipers  in  voice  as  well  in  the  organ  accompani- 
ment. 

Perhaps  to  be  a good  organist  requires  such  concentration 
that  it  is  difficult  to  sing  at  the  same  time.  At  least  this  is  the 
explanation  we  suspect  many  organists  would  give  when  asked 
why  they  do  not  sing.  But  the  very  fact  that  the  organist’s 
voice  is  joined  with  the  other  voices,  somehow  inspires  one  to 
sing  more  gladly. 

Occasionally  a minister  is  found  who  announces  the  hymn  but 
does  not  join  in  the  singing.  Yet  it  never  seems  quite  right  to 
have  the  minister  expect  his  flock  to  do  the  singing  while  he 
sits  mutely  by  and  peruses  his  important  notes.  He  may  plead 
that  he  cannot  sing  very  well,  but  at  least  he  could  obey  the 
scriptural  command  and  “make  a joyful  noise.”  He  might  well 
take  example  from  the  singing  organist  and  join  with  the  rest 
of  the  congregation. 

Let  the  people  praise  Thee,  0 God; 

Let  ALL  the  people  praise  Thee. 

THE  MINISTER’S  PLACE  IN  CHURCH  ACTIVITIES 
Everyone  agrees  that  the  minister  should  preach  the  sermon  at 
the  worship  service.  But  what  should  be  his  part  in  other  church 
activities,  such  as  Sunday  school,  prayer  meeting,  Bible  study, 
children’s  meetings,  evening  programs,  and  special  meetings  of 
the  women  and  men?  Should  the  minister  also  be  expected  to 
direct  and  speak  at  these  various  meetings? 

There  are  two  extremes.  On  the  one  hand  is  the  minister  who 
feels  that  he  must  have  an  active  part  in  every  organization  or 
it  will  not  be  properly  done.  Is  he  not  trained  for  these  various 
types  of  work  better  than  any  layman?  Is  it  not  his  job? 

On  the  other  hand  is  the  minister  who  refuses  to  do  anything 
outside  the  preaching  work  of  the  church.  He  shows  little  inter- 
est in  the  Sunday  school,  the  children  and  youth,  or  the  special 
meetings  of  the  church.  Let  the  laity  take  care  of  these  extras 
and  not  burden  the  minister  with  them. 

Both  these  extremes  are  in  error.  The  minister  who  wants  to 
do  everything  himself  is  not  only  taking  himself  too  seriously 
but  is  depriving  the  layman  of  proper  spiritual  development. 
The  minister  who  refuses  to  do  anything  outside  his  preaching 
is  shirking  his  responsibilities  and  opportunities.  Between  these 
two  extremes  lies  the  golden  mean. 

The  minister  should  realize  that  a large  part  of  his  task  is 
to  get  others  to  take  an  active  part  in  church  activities  and 
thus  build  up  a strong  church.  By  wanting  to  do  too  much  him- 
self he  may  be  hindering  rather  than  helping  the  spiritual  growth 
of  his  members.  Spiritual  discretion  and  godly  tact  are  impor- 
tant qualifications  for  any  minister. 


306 


THE  MENNONITE 


The  Cross  of  Christ 


Boyd  E.  Bonebrake"^ 


In  the  Cross  of  Christ  I glory, 
Tow’ring  o’er  the  wrecks  of  time; 
All  the  light  of  sacred  story 
Gathers  round  its  head  sublime. 

' — John  Bowring,  in  The  Mennonite 
Hymnary 

This  poem,  written  in  the  early 
years  of  the  nineteenth  cen- 
tury, expresses  what  we  would  all 
like  to  say  about  that  which  is  near 
^ to  being  the  heart  of  our  Christian 
faith.  We  would  say  with  Christians 
of  every  age  that  at  the  Cross  we 
see  more  distinctly  what  life  is 
really  all  about. 

The  early  church,  while  placing 
perhaps  even  greater  emphasis 
upon  the  resurrection  of  Christ,  saw 
, the  death  of  Jesus  in  the  light  of 
! that  resurrection.  They  understood 
it,  no  more  as  a defeat  of  their 
fondest  hopes  and  dreams,  but  as 
the  fulfillment  of  God’s  will.  Paul 
spoke  of  the  cross  as  the  “power  of 
God  unto  salvation’’  and  as  the 
“wisdom  of  God.” 

Some  of  the  greatest  struggles 
within  the  church  were  over  the 
imderstanding  of  the  Master’s 
death.  The  hymns  of  our  church,  the 
larger  share  of  our  religious  teach- 
ing, and  the  very  mental  picture  of 
Jesus  which  we  carry  with  us,  all 
have  to  do  with  the  cross  of  Christ. 

It  seems  to  be,  if  not  directly  at 
the  center  of  our  faith,  neverthe- 
less near  that  center.  And  it  is  true 
that  here  at  the  cross  we  begin  to 
understand  ourselves,  our  world, 
and  the  Heavenly  Father. 

The  cross  brings  home  the  fright- 
I ening  exhibition  of  what  “good” 

I people,  under  certain  conditions,  are 
I capable  of  doing.  Here  we  begin  to 
understand  ourselves.  To  say  the 
! least,  it  demonstrates  that  we  are 
i sinners. 

The  subtle  temptation  is  to  re- 
‘ strict  the  meaning  of  the  cross  to 
that  first  century.  We  often  forget 
the  possibility  of  our  re-enacting 

♦Peistor,  Deer  Creek  Church,  Deer  Creek, 
Okla. 


that  experience  in  some  shape  or 
form  today.  As  we  treat  the  “least 
of  these,”  so  we  treat  our  Master. 
Every  encounter  with  friend,  loved 
one,  and  neighbor  produces  the  pos- 
sibility of  either  self-forgetful  serv- 
ice or  the  use  of  this  one  for  our 
own  purpose  — which  might  easily 
be  called  crucifixion. 

Our  sinfulness  is  not  all  that  we 
see  at  the  cross.  A faithful  mother 
and  friend  were  there,  exhibiting 
courage  and  love.  True,  on  first  ap- 
pearances little  good  will  be  found 
near  a place  of  execution.  But  on 
closer  scrutiny,  and  with  faith,  it 
is  to  be  found.  It  should  be  said,  for 
the  sake  of  our  self-estimate,  that 
they  were  there  because  of  God’s 
grace. 

Here  at  the  cross  we  begin  to 
understand  our  world  — a world 
estranged  from  God,  a world  lost 
and  dying,  a world  which,  unless  it 
turns  to  the  One  it  crucified,  will 
destroy  itself. 

Here  too,  we  get  a glimpse  of 
that  which  the  world  spirit  demands 
of  its  children;  compromise,  expedi- 
ency, permitting  the  ends  to  justify 


the  means.  We  begin  to  see  what 
happens  to  the  courageous  person 
who  refuses  these  popular  expecta- 
tions, cutting  against  the  grain  of 
prevalent  thought  or  action. 

And,  finally  at  the  cross  we  re- 
ceive a disclosure  of  our  Heavenly 
Father.  Whatever  the  theologian 
may  say  of  the  meaning  of  this 
death  and  its  relation  to  God,  the 
lay  worshiper  does  say  that  some- 
how this  is  God’s  gift.  This  cross 
event,  in  the  light  of  the  resurrec- 
tion and  the  teaching  of  the  early 
church,  gives  us  a saving  under- 
standing of  our  Father  in  Heaven. 
Here  we  are  convinced  that  truth, 
service,  love,  and  participation  must 
all  suffer  to  be  of  worth.  Here  we 
understand  that  God  is  moved  by 
our  needs;  He  suffers;  He  forgives; 
He  accepts. 

“Philip  said  to  him,  ‘Lord,  show 
us  the  Father,  and  we  shall  be  sat- 
isfied.’ Jesus  said  to  him,  ‘Have  I 
been  with  you  so  long,  and  yet  you 
do  not  know  me,  Philip?  He  who 
has  seen  me  has  seen  the  Father; 
how  can  you  say,  “Show  us  the 
Father”?”’  (John  14:8-9). 


Hope  Song 

Life  cannot  last, 

But  Love  shall  live  for  aye; 

Our  light  fades  fast, 

Yet  lives  eternal  day. 

O Death,  that  quells  our  flame  of  human  joy. 
To  God  be  thanks  who  knows  thy  endless  doom. 

Love  shall  be  life  and  heaven  light 
When  thou  art  in  thy  tomb. 

Life  cannot  last. 

But  Love  shall  live  for  aye; 

Our  light  fades  fast. 

Yet  lives  eternal  day. 

Harold  Buller 


- May  19,  1959 


307 


The  Word  of  God  in  the  Nuclear  Age 

Cornelius  J.  Dyck  and  Nicholas  Dick 


ON  APRIL  20  two  hundred  and 
thirteen  pacifists  from  twenty 
groups  and  denominations  met  at 
Evanston,  111.,  for  a three  day  con- 
ference on  peace.  The  East-West 
political  tension  and  suicidal  nu- 
clear strategy  gave  sobriety  and 
urgency  to  every  session.  The  im- 
peratives of  the  Word  of  God  gave 
heart  and  courage.  “We  need,”  said 
chairman  John  O.  Nelson  of  Yale, 
“more  saints.  We  need  to  pray 
more,  we  need  to  commune  more 
with  our  God.  Our  ultimate  witness 
is  not  one  of  strategy  but  of  being.” 
The  forty  Mennonite  delegates 
were  particularly  happy  for  this 
biblical  orientation.  Few  pacifist 
conferences  of  our  generation  have 
been  able  to  say  as  positively  as 
did  Evanston  that  “the  world  stands 
in  desperate  need  today  of  a clear 
Christian  word,  a distinctly  Chris- 
tian contribution.  We  call  for  a re- 
covery of  faith  in  the  leading  of  the 
Spirit.  . . . We  reaffirm  our  com- 
mitment to  the  full  Christian  reve- 
lation in  Jesus  Christ,  His  cross  and 
His  resurrection.” 

This  is  where  the  Anabaptist  peace 
witness  has  traditionally  been  pred- 
icated— not  in  pragmatic  or  specu- 
lative presuppositions  but  in  simple 
obedience  to  the  Word  of  God. 

Mennonites  undoubtedly  do  de- 
serve some  credit  for  having  con- 
sistently pointed  to  the  necessity  for 
this  orientation  again  and  again. 
The  contemporary  renaissance  of 
biblical  studies  deserves  even  more 
credit.  What  was  puzzling,  however, 
was  to  see  so  many  neo-Anabaptists 
sit  through  three  days  of  intense 
and  searching  discussion  about  the 
biblical  answers  to  the  crisis  of  our 
age  without  having  anything  at  all 
to  say.  One  suspects  that  more  than 
modesty  was  involved. 


Having  sounded  the  call  to  bib- 
lical nonresistance  for  so  long  with- 
out much  response,  we  become 
somewhat  nonplussed  when  our  call 
is  finally  heard.  Even  more,  how- 
ever, we  are  feeling  the  difficulty 
of  becoming  theologically  articulate 
in  the  face  of  the  raw  and  brutal 
forces  of  our  age.  It  was  easier  to 
speak  of  nonresistance  in  the  sim- 
ple piety  of  cultural  isolation.  Yet 
this  new  awareness  of  involvement 
with  the  destiny  of  mankind  was 
heartening,  and  prophetic  state- 
ments did  come  from  the  Menno- 
nites. 

IT  WAS  particularly  heartening  to 
find  so  much  oneness  of  mind 
and  faith  across  confessional  bound- 
aries. The  Methodists  outnumbered 
the  Quakers  and  the  Brethren. 
There  were  delegates  from  the 
Evangelical  and  Reformed  Church, 
the  United  Church  of  Canada,  the 
Disciples  of  Christ,  the  Baptists, 
Episcopalians,  Fellowship  of  Recon- 
ciliation, Lutherans,  Congregation- 
alists,  and  others.  The  Word  of  God 
seemed  to  be  saying  more  nearly 
the  same  things  to  each  one  than 
many  had  anticipated.  In  this  grow- 
ing unity,  manifest  in  ecumenical 
encounters  on  many  levels,  lies  a 
very  positive  witness  to  the  recon- 
ciling power  of  Christ. 

There  were,  of  course,  also  real 
differences  in  understanding,  e.g., 
on  the  nature  of  the  Church  and 
the  Kingdom  of  God.  “Can  we,” 
said  a Baptist  delegate  from  Illi- 
nois, “witness  to  peace  at  all  while 
most  of  our  church  members  have 
no  concern  for  the  sin  of  milita- 
rism?” To  this  the  group  replied, 
“It  is  inconceivable  that  the  church 
should  reach  the  settled  decision 
that  some  of  her  members  should 


be  pacifist  and  that  others  should 
participate  in  war.  ...  As  we  must 
reject  the  thought  that  there  are 
several  wills  in  God,  so  we  reject 
the  idea  that  there  are  norms  for 
the  church  different  from  those  that 
hold  for  individual  Christians.” 

In  discussion  of  the  classical  prob- 
lem of  love  and  justice  there  seemed 
to  be  reasonable  agreement  that 
the  two  ought  not  to  be  separated. 
The  primary  concern  of  the  Chris- 
tian, however,  is  not  for  justice  as 
defined  legally  but  for  love  with 
justice  integral  to  it.  The  legal  view 
of  justice  as  the  giving  of  just  des- 
sert for  crime  committed  replaces 
love  with  vengeance  and  violates 
our  understanding  of  the  nature  of 
God  as  both  just  and  loving.  Against 
the  new  pragmatics  it  was  also  stat- 
ed that  “it  is  a deceptive  assump- 
tion that  justice  may  prepare  the 
way  for  love  to  follow.  They  belong 
together.”  It  was  felt  that  the  time 
does  come  repeatedly  when  the 
Christian,  like  Christ,  must  out  of 
love  reject  the  world’s  standards  of 
justice  in  favor  of  the  way  of  the 
cross. 

Thus  there  was  evident  a basic 
theological  and  biblical  orientation. 
One  person  felt  that  Christological 
references  had  been  inadequate, 
possibly  with  some  validity.  The 
intent  of  the  theological  discussion 
and  formulations,  however,  was  to 
be  corrective  rather  than  systemat- 
ically comprehensive. 

Something  of  this  tenor  can  be 
felt  from  the  conference  assertion 
that  “the  Church  and  the  world 
need  the  new  vision  without  which 
the  people  perish.  . . . Against  the 
despair  and  cynicism  which  pervade 
the  whole  world  culture  today  and 
are  manifest  in  its  literature,  its 
art,  and  even  its  theology,  we  de- 


7HE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church. 
Entered  at  North  Newton,  Kansas,  post  office  as  second  class  matter.  Acceptance  for  mailing  at  special  rate  of  postage:  section  1103,  Act 
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Woodward  Place,  Goshen,  Ind.  Postmasters:  change  of  address  Form  3579  to  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan. 


308 


THE  MENNONITE 


Clare  no  Utopia  but  rather  the  ear- 
nest of  triumph  of  the  Kingdom, 
pledged  in  the  resurrection  of  our 
Lord.  While  recognizing  the  inexor- 
ability of  the  moral  law  which  de- 
mands that  penalty  follow  sin,  we 
proclaim  also  the  divine  interven- 
tion which,  when  acted  upon  in  pen- 
itence and  in  faith,  breaks  the  vi- 
cious circle  of  cause  followed  by 
effect.” 

IF  WORD  USAGE  provides  a key 
to  content,  it  soon  became  appar- 
ent that  words  such  as  repentance, 
reconciliation,  suffering,  responsi- 
bility achieved  real  significance  be- 
cause of  their  frequent  use.  Used 
even  more  frequently  was  the  word 
relevant.  The  delegates  seemed  de- 
termined to  make  this  conference 
more  than  an  ivory  tower  conclave 
exuding  sophisticated  but  unreal- 
isitc  and  oversimplified  counsel  to 
the  churches  and  the  nation.  There 
was  real  humility  and  existential 
awareness. 

Sections  two,  three,  and  four  were 
particularly  concerned  with  the 
' problems  of  our  time.  After  calling 
for  a rejection  of  our  materialistic 
' way  of  life,  for  disarmament,  for 
closer  co-operation  with  the  United 
Nations,  and  so  forth,  section  two 
was  led  to  affirm  that  “in  the  final 
analysis  only  God  is  relevant.  To 
I the  degree  that  the  church  as  a 
( community  of  redeemed  people  is  a 
witness  in  the  world  to  the  King- 
dom of  God,  it  too  will  be  relevant. 

I . . . The  test  of  relevance  is  there- 
f fore  not  political  power.” 

Still,  there  seemed  to  be  lacking 
t a full  awareness  of  the  fact  that 
' even  the  greatest  sacrifice  on  the 

I part  of  the  Christian  may  appear  to 
be  not  only  politically  but  also  so- 
cially irrelevant  to  the  immediate 
situation.  The  Christian  answer  to 
the  problems  of  our  day  may  to 
some  be  no  answer  at  all  or  even  a 
betrayal  of  personal  and  national 
self-interest  and  yet  be  most  rele- 
vant iiltimately  in  the  divine  econ- 
omy. Individual  or  national  survival 
is  not  the  absolute  criterion  for 
measuring  the  adequacy  of  the 
Christian  alternative. 

The  findings  of  section  four  were 
^ particularly  heartening.  With  one 
i sentence  it  rejected  the  rising  prag- 
1 matism  holding  that  the  next  war 
will  be  sin  because  of  its  potential 
devastation.  They  affirmed  the  sin 
of  all  war  and  asserted  that  ther- 


monuclear war  merely  “confronts 
us  with  a gross  magnification  of 
all  the  evils  already  associated  with 
armed  conflict.” 

“We  rightly  criticize,”  they  said, 
“the  leaders  of  the  Soviet  Union  for 
saying  that  they  do  not  believe  in 
spiritual  values  and  for  their  reli- 
ance on  violence.  . . . The  United 
States  boasts  that  more  than  100 
million  persons  belong  to  some 
Christian  or  Jewish  congregation, 
and  yet  it  depends  also  on  force  or 
the  threat  of  force.  . . . Does  not  a 
nation  which  professes  such  reli- 
gious faith  have  a greater  respon- 
sibility to  lead  the  world  toward 
life  rather  than  death?” 

Section  four  also  urged  cessation 
of  nuclear  tests,  saying  that  “the 
anonymity  of  those  who  die  (from 
fallout)  does  not  change  the  im- 
morality of  radioactive  contamina- 
tion.” It  urged  that  the  funds  being 
used  for  civil  defense  be  diverted 
to  vigorous  disarmament,  adding 
that  “the  surest  civil  defense  is  to 
abolish  war  and  preparation  for 
war.” 

Even  more  significantly  the  sec- 
tion urged  the  abolition  of  the  mil- 
itary chaplaincy:  “Our  first  alle- 
giance is  to  God,  and  so  those  men 
who  accept  military  duty  ought  to 
be  provided  by  the  church  with  ci- 
vilian religious  ministry  and  coun- 
sel free  of  any  subservient  relation- 
ship to  the  state.” 

Though  the  meetings  were  held 
in  tranquil  Evanston,  an  effort 
was  made  nevertheless  to  reach  the 
public  through  open  evening  meet- 
ings. Howard  Schomer,  new  presi- 
dent of  GTS  at  the  University  of 
Chicago,  sounded  a sober  continen- 
tal note:  we  need  a miracle  to  save 
us  from  nuclear  obliteration  (T.  S. 
Eliot:  This  is  the  way  the  world 
ends,  not  with  a bang  but  a whimp- 
er). More  than  ever  before  it  is  true 
today  that  he  who  takes  the  bomb 
will  perish  by  the  bomb. 

Dr.  Edwin  Dahlberg,  president  of 
the  National  Council  of  Churches 
and  a Baptist  pastor  in  St.  Louis, 
gave  a heart-warming,  statesman- 
like presentation  on  Tuesday  eve- 
ning. He  stressed  missions  particu- 
larly as  the  way  of  Christ  and  of 
peace. 

William  Davidson,  scientist  at  the 
University  of  Chicago  Argonne  Na- 
tional Laboratories,  gave  a tech- 


nical lecture  on  nuclear  physics 
(conventional  fuel  of  any  kind,  to- 
taling the  size  of  five  matches, 
will  heat  about  three  teaspoonsful 
of  water.  The  equivalent  amount  of 
uranium  will  heat  3000  tons  of 
water) . 

Prof.  Alvin  Pitcher  of  the  FTF, 
University  of  Chicago,  a former 
pacifist,  spoke  provocatively  on  the 
bankruptcy  of  pacifism,  charging 
theological  and  political  bankruptcy 
as  well  as  of  faith.  Not  really  faith 
but  fear  drives  the  pacifist  today, 
he  felt.  Though  his  words  struck 
home  here  and  there,  one  had  the 
feeling  that  his  adversary  was  a- 
bout  as  real  as  the  one  faced  by 
Don  Quixote.  Perhaps  he  should 
have  identified  his  image  of  the 
pacifist  more  clearly.  It  was  appar- 
ent that  the  speaker  was  not  really 
aware  of  current  pacifist  thought 
and  literature. 

Dr.  Henry  Hitt  Crane  was  devo- 
tional leader  for  the  conference. 

IT  SEEMS  that  major  church  con- 
ferences inevitably  end  with  a 
conference  message,  whether  any- 
one is  listening  to  it  or  not.  The 
message  drafted  at  Evanston  in 
these  days  is  short  and  is  addressed 
not  to  the  political  order  but  to  the 
churches.  This  was  a Church  Peace 
Mission. 

Probably  the  most  controversial 
part  of  the  message  is  a statement 
taken  from  a provisional  study  doc- 
ument developed  by  a World  Coun- 
cil of  Churches  Commission,  and 
which  said  in  part:  “Every  element 
of  Christian  faith,  hope,  and  ethics 
involved  in  the  Christian  affirma- 
tion stands  in  opposition  to  such 
warfare.  ...  If  all-out  war  should 
occur,  Christians  should  urge  a 
cease  fire,  if  necessary  on  the  en- 
emy’s terms,  and  resort  to  nonvio- 
lent resistance.”  Is  this  not  the  mind 
of  Benedict  Arnold?  The  conference 
message  continues,  “Today  let  the 
church  unequivocally  renounce  war 
and  take  some  decisive  action  to 
break  the  terrible  circle  of  arma- 
ment and  counter-armament  in 
which  the  world  is  trapped.  ...  In 
response  to  faith,  God  will  now,  as 
in  other  times  of  man’s  sinning 
and  despair,  impart  new  light  and 
power  to  his  church  and  his  peo- 
ple. The  church  will  then  be  a 
channel  of  grace  and  renewal  for 
the  world,  and  Christian  citizenship 
will  acquire  new  meaning.” 


May  19,  1959 


309 


Women  in  Church  Vocations:  II 


Marion  Preheim* 

(This  is  the  second  of  a two-ar- 
ticle series  centering  around  ques- 
tions and  answers  on  the  'program 
Women  in  Church  Vocations.) 

Who  are  the  members  of  Women 
in  Church  Vocations  and  what  are 
they  doing? 

Since  this  is  a new  program,  those 
who  are  members  are  mainly  in  the 
training  program.  May  24,  Virginia 
Claassen,  Martha  Giesbrecht,  Cor- 
nelia Lehn,  and  Muriel  Thiessen 
will  be  commissioned  at  Mennonite 
Biblical  Seminary. 

Virginia  Claassen  will  be  leaving 
this  summer  for  a three-to-five 
year  term  in  Japan  as  a teacher  of 
missionary  children.  Martha  Gies- 
brecht, having  already  served  one 
term  as  a missionary  in  Japan,  will 
be  returning  as  Mrs.  George  E. 
Janzen.  George  has  also  been  ac- 
cepted as  a missionary  to  Japan. 

Cornelia  Lehn  and  Muriel  Thies- 
sen will  both  be  employed  by  the 
Board  of  Education  and  Publication. 
Cornelia  will  edit  the  Junior  Mes- 
senger and  the  Kinderbote  and 
translate  new  graded  Sunday  school 


* Promotional  Sec,  Women  In  Church 
Vocations 


material  into  German.  Muriel  will 
serve  as  editorial  assistant  on  The 
Mennonite. 

Other  members  of  Women  in 
Church  Vocations  are  Mary  Epp,  in 
language  school  in  Belgium  enroute 
to  the  Congo;  Loretta  Hilty,  sopho- 
more at  Bluffton  college;  Marion 
Preheim,  Christian  education  senior 
at  Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary; 
Hedwig  Sawadsky,  first  year  stu- 
dent at  Mennonite  Biblical  Semi- 
nary; and  Mariellen  Schellenberger, 
graduate  student  at  Indiana  State 
University.  Justina  Neufeld  and 
Onale  Stucky  Neufeld  are  inactive 
members. 

VlTiat  relation  does  Women  in 
Church  Vocations  hold  to  church 
workers  outside  its  membership? 

Women  in  Church  Vocations  in- 
vite all  church  workers  to  join  its 
program.  Applicants  fulfilling  the 
minimal  requirements  of  the  pro- 
gram, such  as  training,  personal 
qualifications,  age,  etc.,  are  admit- 
ted as  full  members. 

What  are  the  advantages  of  be- 
longing to  Women  in  Church  Voca- 
tions to  a worker  already  in  a 
church  vocation? 

The  main  advantage  is  that  of 


having  fellowship  with  other  church 
workers  and  gaining  new  ideas  and 
inspiration  for  service.  Those  who 
have  a local  group  can  extend  their 
contacts,  thus  benefiting  the  local 
situation  by  broadening  experience. 

In  supporting  the  program,  the 
worker  also  witnesses  to  others  that 
church  vocations  are  vital.  Thus 
the  church  worker  can  multiply  her- 
self by  helping  to  bring  others  into 
the  work  of  the  church. 

How  does  Women  in  Church  Vo- 
cations help  the  member  on  the  job? 

Because  no  actual  workers  are 
on  the  field  as  yet,  comments  on 
this  question  can  be  only  in  prospect 
of  what  Women  in  Church  Voca- 
tions will  be  doing.  Through  the 
promotional  secretary,  members  of 
the  fellowship  will  be  in  contact 
through  regular  newsletters.  Health 
and  pension  coverage  for  the  mem- 
bers will  also  be  handled  through 
the  promotional  secretary.  The 
placement  service  will  be  an  aid 
when  a woman  feels  her  service  in 
one  area  is  done  but  does  not  know 
the  possible  openings  for  a new  po- 
sition. 

The  women  will  have  their  own 
organized  fellowship.  This  is  already 
operating  on  the  student  level.  For 
the  past  two  years  the  student  fel- 
lowship has  held  a week-end  con- 
ference. Activities  will  increase  as 
the  group  grows  larger. 


film  review 

THE  BIBLE  AND  THE  PRESI- 
DENTS. Four  filmstrips  in  color 
on  George  Washington,  Thomas  Jef- 
ferson, Abraham  Lincoln,  Theodore 
Roose'velt.  17  min.  each,  two  rec- 
ords ( each  record  for  two  film- 
strips). Produced  by  Cathedral 
Films  in  collaboration  'with  Ameri- 
can Bible  Society.  Filmstrips  $6 
each,  records,  $3  each;  entire  series 
$25.  Can  be  secured  through  Men- 
nonite Bookstores  in  Newton,  Ros- 
thern,  Berne. 

This  series  of  filmstrips  is  well 
done.  Their  purpose  is  to  show  the 
influence  that  the  Bible  had  in  the 
lives  of  four  presidents.  The  com- 
mittee felt  that  Abraham  Lincoln: 
A Man  and  His  Book  has  a message 
which  would  be  meaningful  in  our 
churches.  The  filmstrip  shows  how 


the  Bible  played  a large  role  in 
Lincoln’s  life,  how  he  used  Bible 
truths  in  speeches  as  he  debated 
with  Douglas,  how  he  found 
strength  in  the  Bible  in  difficult 
times,  and  how  he  used  Bible  truths 
in  his  relations  to  persons.  The 
committee  felt  this  filmstrip  would 
be  meaningful  for  the  junior  age 
on  up. 

The  committee  did  not  have  time 
to  preview  Thomas  Jefferson:  “We 
Hold  These  Truths.”  This  filmstrip 
would  also  meet  a need  in  our 
churches,  though  the  subject  matter 
is  not  as  clear  as  that  on  Lincoln. 
The  filmstrip  shows  how  Jefferson 
discovered  basic  truths  for  the  Dec- 
laration of  Independence  in  the 
Bible,  how  he  practiced  democracy 
himself,  and  how  he  worked  out  a 
harmony  of  the  Gospels. 

The  committee  felt  that  George 
Washington:  Inspiration  to  Great- 
ness, while  in  keeping  with  the  ap- 


proach of  much  of  Protestantism, 
is  not  in  keeping  with  our  approach 
to  the  interpretation  of  the  Bible 
on  the  relationship  of  God  to  the 
world,  and  that  there  is  an  over- 
done nationalistic  - patriotic  ap- 
proach. The  committee  also  had 
some  reservations  on  Theodore 
Roosevelt:  Doer  of  the  Word.  The 
filmstrip  shows  him  overcoming 
physical  handicaps,  teaching  in  a 
mission,  and  championing  social  jus- 
tice. However,  the  committee  felt 
there  were  two  weaknesses  in  the 
filmstrip,  the  major  one  being  the 
interpretation  of  the  Spanish-Amer- 
ican  War.  Teddy’s  slogan,  “Walk 
softly  and  carry  a big  stick,”  was 
inspired  by  a verse  from  Isaiah.  In 
describing  the  battle  of  San  Juan 
Hill,  the  filmstrip  implies  that  Chris- 
tianity inspired  his  courage  in  bat- 
tle. 'The  other  weakness  in  the  film- 
strip is  the  equating  of  activism 
with  Christianity. 


310 


THE  MENNONITE 


the  reader  says 

Dear  Sir: 

I wish  to  thank  you  for  publish- 
ing John  Boehr’s  article  “Are  We 
Consistent?”  (The  Mennonite,  April 
7).  I do  feel  that  we  as  Christians 
need  constantly  to  check  ourselves 
to  see  whether  we  are  consistent  in 
our  witness. 

Living  in  an  area  where  poison 
sprays  are  continually  used,  it  hurt 
me  a great  deal  to  overhear  a 
churchgoer  and  witness  for  Christ 
admit  that  he  had  used  a poison 
spray  on  his  fruit  and  then  har- 
vested it  before  the  required  num- 
ber of  days  were  over — adding  a 
double  hazard  to  the  use  of  sprays. 
He  said  he  could  not  aiford  to  lose 
his  crop.  What  can  a Christian  af- 
ford? 

If  Christians  will  pull  together  on 
the  use  of  nonpoisonous  sprays  and 
organic  fertilizers,  our  witness  will 
stand  the  test,  and  though  we  may 
not  have  oversize  and  puffed-up 
fruit,  the  flavor  will  be  better  and 
' the  keeping  quality  of  the  produce 
will  be  better. 

Let’s  encourage  the  printing  of 
such  articles  and  the  sharing  of 
Christians  with  Christians  their  ex- 
periences in  this  vital  matter  of 
keeping  holy  the  body  temples  we 
< are  given  for  our  days  on  earth. 
Good  health  is  so  important  to  serv- 
ing God  that  we  need  to  give  the 
matter  of  keeping  our  health  more 
thought. 

When  a child  suddenly  breaks  out 
with  terriffic  hives  and  it  is  found 
she  got  them  as  a result  of  the  DDT 
1 in  the  fresh  nectarines  she  ate — 
upon  whom  does  the  guilt  fall?  In 
whatever  way  we  are  serving  the 
public,  let  us  look  to  see  that  we 
serve  in  a Christian  way  and  not 
handing  out  poison. 

Selma  Auemheimer 
Kingsburg,  California. 

Dear  Sir: 

Regarding  an  article  entitled  “Are 
We  Consistent?”  by  John  Boehr, 
j Bluffton,  Ohio,  U.S.A.: 

The  business  of  farming  must  be 
1 approached  with  the  knowledge  that 
j we  will  be  plagued  by  floods  and 
' drought,  hail  and  wind,  sawfly  and 
grasshoppers,  wire  worms  and  cut 
worms,  rusts  and  smuts,  frost  and 
snow,  wild  oats  and  sow  thistles, 
poor  prices  and  poor  or  no  markets. 


and  one  thousand  and  one  other 
problems.  The  farmers  must  be 
able  to  meet  these  problems  and 
look  forward  to  future  years  with 
increased  production. 

To  obtain  answers  to  these  prob- 
lems, we  look  to  our  universities, 
agricultural  colleges,  etc.,  and  adapt 
their  recommendations  and  find- 
ings. If  we  fail  or  ignore  these 
scientific  and  technological  develop- 
ments and  applications,  we  will  be 
forced  off  the  farm  because  of  con- 
sistently low  yields  and  low  income, 
and  someone  who  is  willing  to  adopt 
these  practices  will  take  over  from 
us. 

In  your  article  you  intimate  harm- 
ful effects  of  sprays  on  crops  and 
harmful  effects  of  feed  concentrates, 
antibiotics,  hormones,  and  tranquil- 
izers on  livestock.  There  are  vol- 
umes of  conclusive  scientific  data  to 
prove  that  there  are  no  harmful  ef- 
fects from  using  any  of  the  above 
substances.  I would  venture  to  say 


bookmarks 

THIS  REVOLUTIONARY  FAITH 
by  Floyd  Shacklock.  171  pp..  The 
Friendship  Press,  paper  $1.25. 

After  twenty  years  as  a mission- 
ary in  the  Far  East,  ten  as  profes- 
sor of  missions  at  Drew  Theological 
Seminary,  and  the  added  experience 
as  executive  secretary  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  World  Literacy  and  Chris- 
tian Literature  of  the  National 
Council  of  Churches,  Floyd  Shack- 
lock is  well  qualified  to  write  this 
book  on  the  revolutionary  impact 
of  Christianity  around  the  world. 

He  first  lays  the  foundation  for 
his  concern  by  showing  the  reader 
the  many  forces  that  are  moving 
upon  the  formerly  quiescent  and  un- 
derprivileged peoples  of  the  world. 
Stepping  up  the  tempo,  the  author 
shows  the  revolutionary  character 
of  Christianity  through  its  concerns 
for  health,  education,  freedom,  and 
daily  life. 

Food  and  health  are  not  enough, 
however.  The  returned  Methodist 
missionary,  in  one  of  the  high  points 
of  his  challenging  book,  states  that 
bread  alone  will  not  meet  the  total 
needs  of  these  peoples: 

“Christianity  not  only  has  a doc- 
trine about  bread;  it  goes  on  to  a 


that  by  employing  these  fertilizers, 
hormones,  and  antibiotics,  we  will 
be  increasing  our  agricultural  pro- 
duction by  at  least  80%  and  we 
should  continue  to  work  toward  in- 
creased agricultural  production. 

Greed  does  not  seem  to  enter  into 
the  picture  at  all,  and  definitely  not 
overproduction.  It  has  been  stated 
that  over  half  of  the  world  popula- 
tion goes  to  bed  hungry  every  day 
— it  is  a matter  of  distribution  and 
not  overproduction.  The  problem  of 
surpluses  is  more  a problem  of  un- 
derconsumption and  malnutrition: 
two  thirds  of  the  population  is  sub- 
sisting on  diets  which  are  below 
what  our  present  knowledge  of  nu- 
trition prescribes  for  healthful  liv- 
ing, hence  we  cannot  talk  of  over- 
production and  surpluses.  Scientists 
tell  us  that  to  meet  world  food  de- 
mands we  will  have  to  double  our 
agriculture  production  by  2,000. 

Jac.  G.  Nickel 

Meadow  Lake,  Sask. 


doctrine  about  the  meaning  of 
bread  . . . Democracy  is  concerned 
about  all  its  citizens,  in  order  that 
they  may  enjoy  life,  liberty  . . . 
Communism  makes  many  promises 
for  the  common  people,  but  its  high- 
est goal  is  their  welfare  in  a class- 
less society.  There  it  stops.  Chris- 
tianity goes  far  beyond  these,  for  it 
is  concerned  about  bread  as  a part 
of  the  divine  purpose.  Christianity 
puts  food  into  eternal  perspective 
. . . If  it  fails  to  serve  that  high 
purpose,  the  divine  plan  is  blocked.” 

Chapter  seven  is  devoted  to  the 
delineation  of  the  deeper  hungers 
around  the  world:  hunger  for  peace 
and  unity,  security  in  rapidly  crum- 
bling and  changing  cultures,  and 
the  simple  sense  of  belonging. 
These  hungers  plus  the  recognition 
of  another  revolutionary  force,  the 
march  of  the  underprivileged  to  a 
more  abundant  life,  are  “like  vol- 
canoes with  unpredictable  and  irre- 
sistible possibilities.  Our  time  is 
short,  and  what  we  do  today  will 
make  a great  deal  of  difference  as 
to  the  outcome. 

There  is  hope,  Shacklock  assures 
us.  The  church  is  planted  in  all 
parts  of  the  world.  Her  coming  to 
grips  with  questions  of  social  and 
political  justice  indicate  that  the 
church  is  coming  of  age. 

— Boyd  E.  Bonebrake. 


May  19,  1959 


311 


Mennonite  men 

Men’s  Retreat 


The  Mennonite  Men  of  the  West- 
ern District  Conference  held 
their  seventh  annual  retreat  at 
Camp  Mennoscah  April  25-26.  A 
large  tent  was  erected  to  accommo- 
date the  more  than  seven  hundred 
men  and  boys  from  most  of  the 
district’s  churches. 

The  general  theme  of  the  retreat 
centered  around  the  problems  of 
- agriculture  and  the  difficulties  that 
the  rural  church  faces  in  this  mod- 
ern era.  Elmer  H.  Goering  of 
Moundridge  gave  an  inspiring  ad- 


dress on  soil  conservation  on  Sat- 
urday ev^ing.  On  Sunday  morning 
Brother  John  O.  Schrag  of  McPher- 
son and  president  of  the  General 
Conference  Mennonite  Men  led  in 
the  discussion  of  the  adult  Sunday 
school  lesson.  There  also  were 
classes  for  the  various  age  groups 
of  boys.  Pastor  Irvin  Richert  de- 
livered the  morning  sermon,  speak- 
ing on  the  changing  pattern  of  a 
“way  of  life”  for  Mennonite  people. 
He  indicated  that  the  Mennonite 
church  is  faced  with  the  task  of 


Church  Extension  Services,  Inc. 


ON  November  5,  1958,  Church  Ex- 
tension Services  was  incorpor- 
ated as  a subsidiary  of  the  Board 
of  Business  Administration  of  the 
General  Conference  Mennonite 
Church.  The  Corporation  member- 
ship consists  of  a Board  of  Direc- 
tors and  the  members  of  the  Board 
of  Business  Administration  of  the 
Conference.  Brother  A.  J.  Richert 
serves  as  business  manager  in  the 
office  which  is  located  in  the  Con- 
ference central  offices  at  722  Main 
Street,  Newton,  Kansas. 

The  principal  purpose  of  this  cor- 
poration is  to  organize  and  incor- 
porate a separate  department  with- 
in the  Conference  for  church  ex- 
tension, and  to  establish  a substan- 
tial Church  Building  Revolving 
Fund  that  can  be  used  to  supply 
loan  funds  for  new  church  projects 
of  the  Board  of  Missions  and  to 
mission  committees  of  the  Cana- 
dian and  District  Conferences;  and 
to  loan  funds  to  help  established 
churches  of  the  Conference  to  build, 
remodel,  or  expand  their  church 
facilities  for  more  effective  service 
to  their  membership  and  commu- 
nity. 

To  establish  such  a Church  Build- 
ing Fund,  the  corporation  requests 
that  Conference  churches,  church 
auxiliaries,  as  well  as  individuals. 


make  contributions  and  loans  avail- 
able. Loans,  to  be  of  utmost  help, 
should  be  on  a long  term  of  five-to- 
ten-year  basis  and  in  the  amounts 
of  $100  or  more.  Certificates  will 
be  issued  to  all  agencies  or  indi- 
viduals who  make  loans,  and  inter- 
est on  these  loans  will  be  paid  semi- 
annually at  the  rate  of  3%%  for 
five-year  loans,  and  4%  for  ten-year 
loans.  Contributions  are  always 
welcome  and  should  be  earmarked 
and  sent  to  the  Newton  office. 

Church  Extension  Services,  Inc., 
although  a separate  and  autono- 
mous organization,  is  the  servant  of 
the  Conference,  seeking  to  under- 
gird it  in  its  evangelistic  outreach 
and  in  the  establishing  and  build- 
ing of  new  congregations  and 
churches. 

Its  control  is  vested  in  a board 
of  directors  representing  the  four 
Conference  boards:  Business  Ad- 

ministration, Missions,  Education 
and  Publication,  and  Christian  Serv- 
ice. By  the  nature  of  its  organiza- 
tion, Church  Extension  Service,  Inc., 
will  be  able  to  maintain  also  a close 
working  relationship  with  the  dis- 
trict conferences.  It  will  provide  a 
channel  for  the  investment  and 
managing  of  funds  designated  for 
the  building  of  churches  and  ac- 
quiring of  mission  property  on  the 


changing  from  a predominantly 
rural  to  an  urban  culture  and  phi- 
losophy. 

The  afternoon  program  was  high- 
lighted by  a challenging  message 
by  professor  Harley  J.  Stucky  of 
Bethel  College  on  the  subject,  “Are 
the  Mennonites  Sleeping  through 
the  Agricultural  Crisis?”  He  point- 
ed out  that  because  of  advanced 
technology  and  mechanization,  the 
methods  of  agriculture  are  chang- 
ing so  rapidly  that  the  change  can 
be  referred  to  as  a revolution.  He 
indicated  that  we  as  Mennonite  peo- 
ple need  to  be  alert  to  the  problems 
that  this  rapid  change  is  causing  in 
our  church  life  and  culture. 

This  retreat,  as  other  retreats  in 
past  years,  was  undoubtedly  the 
high  point  of  activity  and  interest 
for  Mennonite  Men  of  the  Western 
District  Conference. 


district  level,  thereby  avoiding  un- 
necessary duplication  and  expense. 

Church  Extension  Services,  Inc., 
provides  a broad  financial  structure 
in  which  Conference-wide  resources 
can  be  put  to  use  where  there  is 
particular  need.  It  is  intended  es- 
pecially that  new  or  isolated  church- 
es shall  be  assisted  through  loans 
where  financial  help  is  not  other- 
wise available. 

The  success  of  Church  Extension 
Services,  Inc.,  will  depend  upon  the 
gifts  and  loans  from  hundreds  of 
dedicated  individuals  throughout  the 
Conference.  Here  is  an  opportunity 
to  make  material  means  serve  spir- 
itual ends.  Instead  of  investing 
your  available  funds  merely  for 
financial  returns,  why  not  place 
them  where  they  also  become  an 
investment  in  the  cause  of  your 
own  Conference? 

Mennonite  Men  throughout  all 
the  churches  of  the  Conference 
could  very  logically  accept  the  chal- 
lenge of  contributing  and  loaning 
funds  to  this  new  corporation.  This 
can  be  done  not  only  by  projects 
within  the  brotherhood  organiza- 
tion but  especially  by  undergirding 
and  pushing  the  project  in  the  total 
church  program.  This  type  of  a 
mission  program  is  within  the  reach 
of  every  layman,  and  an  active  sup- 
port in  church  building  through 
financial  means  will  broaden  the 
vision  of  any  congregation. 


312 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  youth 


After  the  Meeting  Was  Over 


Whew,”  mumbled  Mr.  B.  to 
himself  as  he  was  in  the  habit 
of  doing  since  his  wife  died.  “Sure 
was  hot  in  church  tonight.  . . . 
Well,  this  was  just  the  beginning 
of  the  heat.  . . . Speaker  wasn’t  too 
bad.  But  I’ll  wager  we  haven’t  had 
a guest  speaker  in  five  years  who 
hasn’t  begged  either  people  or  mon- 
I ey  or  time.  . . . Nothing  wrong  with 
' it,  I guess,  except  it  gets  a little 
old  when  a fellow  is  barely  keep- 
ing his  head  above  water.  . . . Not 
too  sure  about  all  this  voluntary 
business.  . . . No,”  he  said  aloud  as 
he  ground  into  second  gear  to  turn 
, into  his  driveway,  “not  too  sure.  ...” 
And  then  he  felt  all  empty  inside, 
wishing  his  wife  were  still  alive  so 
he  could  ask  what  she  thought  a- 
bout  it. 

After  the  meeting  was  over. 
Miss  S.  managed  a smile  for 
I the  people  she  met  and  then  went 
out.  She  had  four  blocks  to  go  and 
it  was  a nice  night  to  walk.  . . . 

1 Well  tomorrow  would  be  another 
^ day.  Her  boss  was  out  of  town  so 
she  would  have  the  office  to  her- 
self. . . . Say,  it  was  just  four  years 
ago  at  the  end  of  May  that  she  had 
started  working  there  — it  was  a 
1 pretty  good  job  for  as  much  school 
as  she  had.  The  regularity  of  pay- 
checks  was  comforting. 

Miss  S.  smiled  and  then  suddenly 
remembered  what  had  been  bother- 
ing her  as  she  had  left  the  church 
....  It  was  all  one  maddening 
circle — the  more  they  talked  about 
Voluntary  Service  the  more  she 
wondered  if  she  should  go,  the  more 
she  knew  the  last  thing  she  would 
do  was  to  give  up  her  job,  the  more 
she  convinced  herself  she  couldn’t 
anyway  because  her  folks  were 
partly  dependent  on  her.  So,  it  was 
I all  very  fine  . . . and  she  would  be 
1 at  work  at  8:00  sharp. 

Miss  S.  walked  slowly  up  the 
: steps  to  her  apartment  and  turned 
her  key  in  the  lock. 

< May  19,  1959 


After  the  meeting  was  over, 
Sam  roared  his  jalopy  out  of 
the  parking  place.  It  was  only  nine 
o’clock  ...  he  would  buzz  down  to 
Jane’s  for  a while  before  going 
home. 

What  a life!  School  would  wind 
up  in  a week.  He  had  the  summer 
down  pat  . . . good  paying  job  at 
the  lumber  yard  . . . plenty  of  over- 
time . . . and  a chance  to  get  tough- 
ened up  besides.  Studying  sure  made 
a guy  soft. 

His  thoughts  turned  to  Jane  a- 
gain  and  he  glowed  inside.  He’d  be 
careful,  though,  not  to  mention  to- 
night’s speaker  this  time.  Jane  had 
some  funny  ideas.  If  he  couldn’t  see 
anything  in  this  VS  business  there 
was  no  reason  Jane  should  fall  for 
it  ...  no  reason  at  all. 

After  the  meeting  was  over, 
Mr,  and  Mrs,  L.  drove  home- 
ward. They  didn’t  say  much  . . . 
they  never  seemed  to  say  much  . . . 
but  then  it  didn’t  seem  necessary. 

Many  minutes  later  Mr.  L.  glided 
the  car  to  a stop.  “Well,  we’re 
home,”  he  said  smiling  at  his  wife. 
But  neither  moved. 

“You  know,  honey,”  Mrs.  L.  said, 
“they’re  about  thirty  years  too  late 
with  all  this  promoting  of  Volun- 
tary Service  opportunities.” 

“I  know,”  Mr.  L.  mumbled  into 
his  chest.  “If  it  wouldn’t  be  so  in- 
sane to  just  up  and  leave  the  store, 
house,  and  church,  I’d  say  let’s 
go.  . . . But  I’m  getting  kind  of 
rusty  in  the  hinges.  ...  I tend  to 
want  to  forget  that.  . . . Wonder  if 
the  idea  hit  any  of  the  youngsters 
in  our  church.  You  know,  if  I found 
out  about  some  kid  being  interested 
I believe  I’d  back  him  up  with  all 
the  money  that  was  needed.” 

“And  if  ‘some  kid’  wasn’t  inter- 
ested?” queried  Mrs.  L. 

“Well,  then  there  just  wouldn’t 
....  Millie,  say  Millie,  I have  an 
idea.  Is  there  such  a thing  as  pocket- 
book  VSers?  Do  you  think  there  is 


such  an  animal?  ....  We  could 
live  on  a minimum  budget  this  sum- 
mer and  allow  a regular  VS  allow- 
ance for  each  of  us  and  then  con- 
tribute what’s  left  to  — well,  what- 
ever you’re  supposed  to  contribute 
to.  We’d  be  sort  of — of — what’s 
the  word  I’m  looking  for?” 
“Vicarious,”  prompted  Mrs.  L. 
“Ya,  vicarious  VSers.  What  say?” 
“Well,  sir,”  answered  Mrs.  L.,  a 
little  breathless,  “I  guess  I vote  aye. 
Always  knew  I married  a genius.” 
“Ho  hum,”  said  Mr.  L.  opening 
the  car  door.  “It  would  take  some 
figuring  and  I’m  much  too  tired  at 
the  moment.  Let’s  call  a business 
meeting  for  7:30  in  the  morning.” 
“Over  the  bacon  and  eggs  and 
coffee,”  said  Mrs.  L.  opening  her 
door.  “Might  be  the  last  bacon  we’ll 
have  for  three  months,  who  knows!” 
“Maybe  four  months,”  laughed 
Mr.  L.  “Say,”  he  said,  suddenly  seri- 
ous, “let’s  ask  God’s  blessing  on 
our  idea.” 

TWO  HOURS  after  the  meeting 
was  over  there  was  light  in  the 
Q’s  basement.  Seventeen-year-old 
Sue  was  poking  around  in  the  ashes 
in  the  fireplace. 

“We’ll  try  to  swing  it  next  sum- 
mer, Susie,”  her  father  was  saying. 
“I  can’t  let  you  go  this  year  and 
then  hire  someone  for  the  summer 
months.  Your  mother  and  I would 
like  you  to  have  a VS  experience 
more  than  anything  else — you  un- 
derstand me,  don’t  you?  I think  I 
can  promise  you  next  summer  off.’' 
“I  know.  Dad.”  Sue  planted  a 
goodnight  kiss  on  her  father’s  bald 
head.  “I  know.  . . . G’night,  Mother.’' 
It  just  wasn’t  right.  Sue  mused  as 
she  went  up  to  her  room.  To  want 
to  go  so  badly  and  just  not  be  able 
to.  . . . 

After  the  meeting  was  over, 
the  minister  drove  the  speaker 
to  the  station,  shook  his  hand,  and 
said,  “I  hope  you  have  a fine  trip 
home.” 

313 


I 


Extra-Special  examination  feature  by  Carol  Ferntheil 

‘‘Please  Use  Ink. . 


PLEASE  use  pen  and  ink,  number 
answers  correctly,  and  use  reg- 
ulation examination  paper.  Objec- 
tive questions.  Answer  briefly. 

1.  When  do  you  plan  to  graduate 

from  high  school?  

2.  Are  you  going  to  college?  .... 

3.  What  career  are  you  seriously 

considering?  

4.  Do  you  like  to  study?  

5.  What  hobby,  if  any,  do  you 

have  ? 

6.  Do  you  have  a regular  schedule 

for  study?  

7.  Are  you  “scared  stiff”  of  exams? 


8.  Do  you  usually  pass  exams? 


9.  Where  do  you  study  for  exams? 


10.  How  many  books  do  you  read 
each  month?  

Essay  questions.  Explain  your  an- 
swers. 

1.  How  do  you  prepare  for  an 
examination  ? 

2.  What  has  high  school  study 
meant  to  you? 

3.  How  do  you  enjoy  spending  your 
leisure  time? 

4.  What  topics  are  included  in  the 
conversation  of  you  and  your 
friends  ? 

5.  How  would  you  learn  something 
about  a subject  in  which  you 
become  vitally  interested? 

The  business  at  hand,  of  course, 
is  passing  examinations.  That’s 
Objective  1.  If  you  are  a high  school 
senior,  it’s  final  exams,  the  big 
obstacle  course  between  you  and 
that  ribbon-tied  diploma.  If  you’re 
in  junior  high  or  high  school,  a 
long  series  of  exams  stand  between 
you  and  that  graduation  march 
down  the  aisle.  It  frightens  you  to 
think  of  answering  all  those  ques- 
tions, and  most  of  all,  doing  all 
that  studying  that  helps  you  answer 
the  questions. 

Objective  1 — Passing  Exams 

If  you  have  a guilty  conscience 
caused  by  improper  study  methods, 
there’s  no  use  telling  you  what  you 


should  have  done.  The  thought  of 
flunking  is  punishment  enough  to 
make  you  resolve  to  do  better  next 
year.  But  right  now,  what’s  the  best 
way  to  use  the  few  days  or  few 
hours  you  have  left  before  exams? 
Study  scientifically. 

Did  you  answer  the  questions  at 
the  beginning  of  this  article? 
Almost  certainly  the  brief  answers 
to  the  objective  questions  were  the 
easiest  to  give.  For  essay  questions, 
you  have  to  know  a lot  of  answers 
and  be  able  to  organize  them  in 
your  thoughts.  This  means  that  if 
you  study  as  if  you  expect  an  essay 
exam,  you’ll  be  ready  for  any  kind 
of  question.  If  you’re  prepared  to 
write  essays  on  all  the  topics  cov- 
ered during  the  semester  in  class, 
you’re  prepared  to  make  A’s.  Once 
you’ve  settled  on  studying  essay 
style,  you  still  have  to  know  how. 
Here’s  how: 

Consult  your  teacher.  Find  out 
just  what  material  the  examination 
will  cover — what  part  of  the  text- 
book, special  lectures,  outside  read- 
ing, exhibits,  field  trips.  Ask  what 
kind  of  exam  it  will  be — objective, 
essay,  or  combination. 

Study  the  teacher.  On  facts,  of 
course,  he  will  expect  exact  knowl- 
edge. But  when  it  comes  to  ideas, 
does  he  want  his  own  ideas  given 
back  to  him  unchanged  in  essay 
questions?  Does  he  expect  you  to 
look  at  everything  from  his  point 
of  view?  . . . Perhaps  he  is  just 
the  opposite  and  insists  on  hear- 
ing your  own  ideas.  Then  you  must 
be  ready  to  put  some  of  these  into 
your  exam  paper.  You’ll  have  to 
think  of  them  while  you’re  prepar- 
ing. There  usually  isn’t  time  while 
working  on  an  exam  to  do  exten- 
sive thinking. 

Collect  your  materials.  Get  to- 
gether, in  the  place  where  you’re 
going  to  study,  everything  you’ll 
need — paper  and  pencil,  textbooks, 
weekly  test  papers,  class  notes,  any 
special  library  books,  reference 
books. 

Plan  a time  to  study.  A time  when 
the  rest  of  the  family  and  the  neigh- 
borhood are  quiet  means  that  there 


are  few  distractions.  After  a heavy 
meal  you’ll  be  sleepy.  Late  at  night 
you’ll  be  tired.  Decide  on  the  best 
time,  and  don’t  let  appealing  invita- 
tions or  amusements  distract  you. 

Choose  a suitable  place.  Make 
yourself  only  reasonably  comfort- 
able. Use  a hard  straight  chair. 
Put  books  or  papers  on  a desk  or 
table.  Use  a bright  light  that  covers 
the  whole  desk. 

Divide  study  time  into  periods, 
and  allow  a certain  section  of  class 
material  for  each  period.  Allow  a 
little  extra  time  for  material  from 
early  in  the  semester,  since  there 
has  been  more  time  to  forget  that. 
But  don’t  spend  so  much  time  on  it 
that  you  can’t  review  all  the  mate- 
rial. Work  rapidly  enough  to  stick 
to  your  schedule. 

Stop  to  think  as  you  go  along. 
After  you  study  some  material  in 
the  book,  look  away  from  the  book 
and  try  to  go  over  it  in  your  mind. 
The  more  you  do  this,  the  more  you 
will  remember.  Keep  reminding 
yourself,  “This  may  be  in  the  ex- 
am. I better  remember  it.” 

Take  rest  periods  in  your  study. 
Stop  for  a glass  of  milk  or  a phone 
call.  Otherwise  you’ll  get  so  tired 
that  nothing  will  register.  Ten  or 
fifteen  minutes’  rest  is  plenty. 

Make  yourself  meet  goals  as  you 
go  along.  Decide  to  finish  reviewing 
the  American  Revolution  before  you 
walk  to  the  drugstore  for  ice  cream. 
Make  yourself  stick  with  the  tenses 
of  verbs  till  you’re  finished,  then 
go  ask  your  brother  if  you  can  use 
his  tennis  racket  Saturday.  Little 
goals  along  the  way  will  help  you 
to  your  big  goal  faster. 

Get  enough  sleep.  If  your  sched- 
ule went  cockeyed,  don’t  you. 

Read  questions  carefully.  Before 
you  write,  be  sure  you  understand 
each  question  and  know  what  kind 
of  answer  is  expected. 

Write  slowly  and  clearly.  Plenty 
of  right  answers  get  “F’s”  for  being 
illegible.  Use  complete  sentences 
that  make  sense. 

Stay  calm  and  collected.  If  you 
feel  you’re  getting  a case  of  last- 
minute  jitters,  give  yourself  a lec- 
ture: “I’ve  studied  as  much  as  I 
can.  I surely  know  enough  to  pass, 
if  not  to  make  an  A.  Getting  scared 
will  do  no  good.”  If  your  first 
glance  at  the  questions  is  enough 


314 


THE  MENNONITE 


to  give  you  cold  shivers,  look  down 
the  list  and  find  one  question  you 
do  know.  Answer  it  slowly,  and  by 
that  time  some  of  the  others  may 
look  easier. 

Objective  2 — Learning  for  Living 

As  much  as  exams  are  dreaded, 
they  do  arrive,  come,  and  go  in  a 
few  hours.  Then  lots  of  examless 
hours  stretch  out  ahead  of  you. 
When  these  hours  follow  final  sen- 
ior exams,  they  cover  years  and 
years,  all  the  rest  of  your  life.  What 
will  you  do  with  them?  That’s 
Objective  2.  Think  you’ll  never  want 
to  study  again?  High  school  has 
prepared  you,  in  some  ways,  for 
commencement  of  life.  But  you’ll 
never  realize  more,  than  when  you 
stand  with  diploma  in  hand,  how 
little  you  really  know. 

You  may  think  you’ll  never  want 
to  study  again,  but  that’s  unlikely. 
In  some  way  or  another,  you’ll  be 
trying  to  learn  something  more  in 
a short  time.  Perhaps  it’s  very  in- 
formally, through  books  you  read. 
Or  it  may  be  a definite  search  for 
skills  needed  in  your  work. 

Now  you’re  no  longer  studying  to 
pass  exams  or  acquire  definite 
skills  required  in  high  school.  You’re 
learning  for  living — something  you 
need  to  know,  or  want  to  know,  or 
just  enjoy.  The  kind  of  learning 
you  do  after  you  get  out  of  school 
j depends  on  your  goal — it  may  be 
one  of  these  or  the  whole  list:  (1) 
to  make  you  a better  worker  in 
your  job,  (2)  to  prepare  yourself 
for  a better  job,  (3)  to  prepare  for 
1 a different  job,  such  as  a girl  study- 
ing homemaking  skills,  (4)  to  learn 
: handicraft  skills  for  a hobby,  such 
as  woodworking  or  weaving  bas- 
kets, (5)  to  learn  recreational 
skills,  (6)  to  make  new  friends,  (7) 
to  study  some  of  the  fine  arts. 

Some  of  you  won’t  go  back  to  a 
regular  high  school  or  college  for 
any  of  these  studies.  According  to 
what  you  want  to  learn  and  how 
much  you  want  to  learn,  you’ll  find 
a way  to  get  the  information.  The 
thing  to  remember  is  that  there  is 
a way  to  study  after  you’re  out  of 
school. 

People.  Maybe  the  man  next  door 
has  a woodworking  shop  in  his 
basement  and  will  teach  you  while 
he  himself  is  working.  Or  a church 
i friend  may  have  quite  a library  of 
/ Bible  study  books  you  may  borrow 
I one  at  a time.  Learning  from  asso- 
1 ciation  with  other  people  is  impor- 


tant, even  though  you  don’t  have 
to  pass  an  exam. 

Libraries.  For  any  subject  in 
which  you’re  vitally  interested,  a 
librarian  will  prescribe  a course  of 
reading — a series  of  books  begin- 
ning with  basic  knowledge  and  ad- 
vancing gradually.  Many  libraries 
organize  “Great  Books’’  courses  in 
which  you  read  some  of  the  world’s 
outstanding  literature  and  discuss 
your  reading  at  weekly  meetings. 
Sometimes  special  interest  and  hob- 
by classes  are  offered  by  libraries. 

Night  schools.  These  may  be  part 
of  a public  school  system  or  a col- 
lege, or  privately  owned  institu- 
tions. If  you  need  credit  for  school- 
work,  this  is  the  best  way  to  get 
it.  You  can  take  courses  without 
credit,  however,  if  you  want  to  do 
it  that  way. 

Correspondence  courses.  ’These  are 
usually  formal  reading-and-exam 
courses.  They  can  be  very  useful  if 
you  live  in  a town  where  other 
classes  are  not  available  or  you 
work  at  hours  that  make  it  impos- 
sible to  attend  other  classes.  Be  sure 
to  take  them  from  an  approved  cor- 
respondence school.  Ask  the  librari- 
ans for  a list  of  approved  schools. 

Church  classes.  Passing  up  that 
Wednesday  night  study  course  on 
the  life  of  Paul?  Or  how  about  the 
week  of  nightly  sessions  for  teach- 
er training?  Some  church  activities 
are  so  familiar  that  they  get  left 
off  the  list  of  after-graduation  study 
possibilities.  Yet  they  are  the  best 
way  of  gaining  Bible  knowledge 
and  skill  as  a workman  for  Christ. 

Company  classes.  Large  compa- 
nies and  stores  are  running  an  in- 
creasing number  of  classes  and 
other  activities  for  their  employees. 
If  you  have  a choice  of  places  to 
work,  you  may  want  to  choose  the 
employer  who  offers  these  oppor- 
tunities. These  can  be  ways  of  im- 
proving your  ability  and  getting 
job  promotions. 

Social-agency  classes.  You  get  no 
academic  credit,  but  you  learn  for 
living.  You  may  learn  a spare-time 
vocation,  such  as  short-story  writing 
or  selling  real  estate.  Or  you  may 
gain  knowledge  in  psychology  to 
improve  your  work  with  other  peo- 
ple. Maybe  you’d  like  to  get  to- 
gether with  other  stamp  collectors. 
Most  anything  can  be  found  in 
informal  adult  education  classes. 
Condensed  from  Youth’s  Christian 
Companion 


After  Eighteen— 
Which  Way? 

Fellows  reaching  their  eight- 
eenth birth  date  run  smack  into 
the  question  of:  “What  do  I do 
next?”  Should  it  be  college,  or  work 
for  dad,  or  should  I go  into  1-W 
and  get  it  over  with  as  soon  as 
possible? 

It  may  not  be  the  same  for  every 
person,  but  after  seven  years’  expe- 
rience with  our  present  1-W  pro- 
gram, we  offer  the  following  recom- 
mendations. 

• Complete  all  the  education  you 
can  before  you  go  into  service.  The 
added  maturity  and  the  additional 
preparation  will  make  your  1-W  ex- 
perience more  meaningful  to  you. 
Then  the  1-W  experience  will  give 
you  a real  contact  with  the  realities 

of  life  outside  the  college  dorm 

good  preparation  for  your  new 
career. 

• Wait  until  twenty-two  or  twen- 
ty-three years  of  age  before  1-W 
service.  Again,  the  experience  of 
1-W  service  will  be  a better  one 
and  the  reasons  for  your  going  v/ill 
be  more  clear  to  you.  There  is  no 
real  reason  for  you  to  go  into  serv- 
ice at  eighteen  or  nineteen  years; 
the  draft  boards  aren’t  drafting 
men  until  after  their  twenty-second 
birthday  anyway. 

• Look  for  opportunities  for 
“church  related  1-W  service.”  This 
type  of  1-W  service  will  make  it  pos- 
sible for  you  to  be  a more  effective 
peacemaker  rather  than  detouring 
around  the  military  draft.  Here  it 
is  helpful  to  check  with  your  pastor 
for  his  suggestions. 

1-W  service  is  like  a lot  of  other 
things  in  life:  if  you  really  want 
to  make  1-W  count  in  your  life, 
then  you  will  need  to  consider  care- 
fully what  the  possibilities  are  and 
how  you  can  best  make  your  life 
count  for  Christ  and  the  cause  of 
peace. 

• — Fred  Unruh 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People's  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  3003 
Benham  Avenue,  Elkhart,  Indiana. 


■ May  19,  1959 


315 


our  schools 

ADDITIONS  TO  STAFF 

David  Schroeder,  who  completed 
his  doctoral  studies  in  Germany  this 
spring  and  arrived  in  Canada  short- 
ly before  Easter,  is  instructing  in 
English  literature,  Christian  family, 
and  philosophy  at  Canadian  Menno- 
nite  Bible  College  this  term.  Since 
Mrs.  Schroeder  and  the  family  are 
in  Saskatchewan  at  present.  Dr. 
Schroeder  is  living  in  residence. 

P.  R.  Harder  has  been  appointed 
business  manager  of  the  college.  A 
member  of  the  Conference  Publish- 
ing Committee,  he  is  from  Amaud, 
Manitoba. 

SEMINARY  APPOINTMENT 

Erland  Waltner,  president  of 
Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary,  has 
announced  the  appointment  of  Har- 
ry E.  Martens  of  North  Newton, 
Kan.,  as  Assistant  to  the  President 
and  Business  Manager  of  the  Semi- 
nary, to  begin  service  Aug.  1.  The 
Board  of  Directors  of  Bethel  Col- 
lege has  granted  Martens  a two- 
year’s  leave  of  absence  from  sim- 
ilar duties  at  the  college  to  make 
this  appointment  with  the  seminary 
possible. 

Martens  comes  to  this  appoint- 
ment eminently  qualified  by  train- 
ing and  experience  in  Christian 
service.  He  graduated  from  Bethel 
College  in  1937  and  in  1940  he  re- 
ceived the  Master  of  Arts  degree 
at  Columbia  University.  In  194344 
he  was  a Regional  Director  in  Civil- 
ian Public  Service,  and  in  1945-46 
he  was  the  Director  of  the  LaPlata 
Relief  and  Reconstruction  Unit  at 
Aibonito.  F'^rto  Rico.  In  1952-53  he 


Harry  E.  Martens 


served  MCC  as  Relief  Commissioner 
in  Europe,  and  in  1954  served  under 
MCC  in  Mexico.  His  promotion  of 
Mennonite  Disaster  Service  and 
other  laymen’s  Christian  service 
activities  in  recent  years  have  given 
him  a wide  acquaintance  and  appre- 
ciation in  various  Mennonite  groups. 

He  has  served  Bethel  College  in- 
termittently since  1937,  being  the 
Business  Manager  from  1946-56  and 
serving  as  Assistant  to  the  Presi- 
dent since  that  time.  He  served 
Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary  1956- 
58  as  Special  Assistant  to  the  Presi- 
dent in  Relocation. 

In  his  new  assignment  as  Assist- 
ant to  the  President,  Martens  will 
work  primarily  in  the  field  of  pub- 
lic relations,  serving  for  the  pres- 
ent together  with  Andrew  R.  Shelly, 
Director  of  Public  Relations.  As 
Business  Manager,  Martens  will  re- 
place Cornelius  J.  Dyck,  who  has 
been  serving  in  this  capacity  on  a 
part-time  basis.  Dyck  will  become 
a full-time  instructor  of  Mennonite 
Biblical  Seminary  in  Historical  The- 
ology and  will  also  serve  as  the 
Director  of  the  Institute  of  Men- 
nonite Studies. 

JOINS  RESEARCH  SOCIETY 

William  Klassen,  professor  of 
New  Testament  and  Greek,  attend- 
ed a meeting  of  the  Chicago  Society 
for  Biblical  Research  on  April  18 
and  was  officially  received  as  a 
member  of  this  organization.  J.  J. 
Enz,  professor  of  Old  Testament 
and  Hebrew,  and  Don.  E.  Smucker, 
part-time  lecturer  in  Christian  eth- 
ics, are  also  members. 

VARIETY  OF  JOBS 

Earnings  for  the  Bethel  College 
Work  Day  April  17  are  reported  at 
$1,702.  Students  and  faculty  mem- 
bers worked  at  a great  variety  of 
jobs  on  farms,  in  stores,  shops,  and 
institutions.  Added  to  the  usual  vvdn- 
dow  washing  were  such  jobs  as 
cleaning  the  gutters  of  Bethel  Dea- 
coness Hospital  and  ringing  pigs’ 
noses  on  a farm. 

This  year’s  income  from  work 
day  has  been  designated  for  the 
hard-surfacing  of  the  street  passing 
Goering  Hall,  the  men’s  dormitory. 
At  present  the  clouds  of  dust  from 
the  street  make  housekeeping  dif- 
ficult. 

COLLEGE  SOCIAL 

A recent  Canadian  Mennonite 
Bibel  College  social  was  built  a- 
round  William  Shakespeare’s  fa- 
mous words,  “One  man  in  his  time 


plays  many  parts.’’  First,  second, 
and  third-year  students  each  pre- 
sented in  a dramatic  way  one  stage 
in  man’s  life. 

C.M.B.C.  STUDENT  PROGRAMS 

Gretna,  Whitewater,  Winnipego- 
sis,  Morris,  and  the  Bethel  Church, 
Winnipeg,  were  visited  by  groups 
of  students.  Jake  Friesen,  represent- 
ing C.M.Y.O.  spoke  on  “Christ 
Needs  You”  to  a youth  group  at 
Winnipegosis.  George  Neufeld  was 
asked  to  present  the  same  topic  at 
Whitewater.  Mr.  Waldemar  Janzen 
and  a quartet  presented  a Jugen- 
dverein  program  in  Gretna.  Miss 
Anna  Dye’"-  missionary  to  Japan, 
showed  h'  .,lides  to  a church  group 
in  Morns.  A trio  served  at  the 
Bethel  Church  evening  program 
with  special  numbers  in  song. 
COLLEGE  MAKES 
INDUSTRIAL  STUDY 

The  business  department  of  Bluff- 
ton  College  has  been  carrying  on 
an  industrial  study  of  the  town  of 
Bluffton  under  the  supervision  of 
Dr.  Howard  Raid  and  in  co-opera- 
tion with  the  Bluffton  Businessmen’s 
Association.  This  project  was  cli- 
maxed May  8-9  with  an  Industrial 
Exhibition  in  Founders  Hall. 

Early  industrial  history  was 
sought  through  elder  residents  of 
the  community,  old  copies  of  the 
Bluffton  News,  the  Allen  County 
Historical  Museum,  correspondence 
with  the  Secretary  of  State,  and 
area  residents  who  searched  their 
barns  and  attics  for  items  manu- 
factured in  Bluffton.  Such  items  as 
the  gravity  cream  separator,  gear 
puller,  wooden  novelties,  and  old- 
time  washing  machines  were  on 
display. 

The  community’s  leading  indus- 
tries of  the  present  day  offered  dis- 
plays showing  the  history  and  prog- 
ress of  their  own  companies.  Local 
merchants  offered  door  prizes  hour- 
ly- 

ART  EXHIBITION 

Darvin  Luginbuhl,  art  instructor 
at  Bluffton  College,  has  had  three 
pieces  of  art  work  accepted  for  ex- 
hibition in  the  Toledo  Area  Artists 
41st  Annual  Exhibition  at  the  Tole- 
do Art  Museum.  The  exhibit  will  be 
open  to  the  public  May  3-24.  His 
entries  were  a graphic  print,  “Boats 
on  the  Sioto,”  a water  color  paint- 
ing, “Rides,”  and  a large  ceramic 
bowl.  Over  one  thousand  articles 
were  entered  but  only  three  hun- 
dred were  accepted  for  exhibition. 


316 


THE  MENNONITE 


ORCHESTRA  FESTIVAL 

The  Bluffton  College  orchestra 
participated  in  a college  orchestra 
festival  at  Taylor  University  May 
9.  Goshen,  Manchester,  and  Ander- 
son colleges  also  co-operated  in  the 
festival. 

Students  taking  part  from  Bluff- 
ton  are  Margaret  Litwiler,  Doris 
Liechty,  John  Miller,  Beth  Clemens 
and  Judith  Hilty,  violinists;  Helen 
Diller  and  Edith  Neufeld  playing 
violas;  Marvin  Dirks,  Jr.  and  Nancy 
Wismer,  cellists;  James  Hahn  on 
the  bass;  Ann  Stauffer  on  the  flute; 
Nancy  Amstutz  on  the  clarinet;  Dan 
Pannabecker  on  the  French  horn; 
and  Merlin  Marshall  on  the  trom- 
bone. 

APPLICATION  FOR  ADMISSION 

More  than  half  the  prospective 
freshman  class  at  Bethel  College 
has  already  made  application  for 
admission,  according  to  Vernon 
Pauls,  Admissions  Counselor. 

According  to  faculty  action,  all 
applicants  who  do  not  rank  in  the 

MCC  news  and  notes 

CLOTHING  DRIVE 

CHICAGO — Meeting  in  Chicago 
April  30,  the  Material  Aid  Advisory 
Committee  recommended  that  an- 
! other  drive  for  good  used  clothing 
be  publicized  for  this  fall  and  that 
the  suggested  eight  cents  per  pound 
contribution  for  processing  be  dis- 
I continued. 

Good  used  and  new  clothing  con- 
tinues to  be  needed  and  appreciated 
in  almost  all  areas  where  MCC  is 
j serving.  Associate  Relief  Director 
Robert  W.  Miller  observed.  Last 
year’s  special  drive  resulted  in  in- 
creased contributions,  but  not  as 
much  as  was  anticipated. 

Other  committee  recommenda- 
tions approved  by  the  MCC  Execu- 
tive Committee  included:  1)  to  re- 
quest funds  for  processing  clothing 
through  regular  relief  giving;  2)  to 
investigate  the  advisability  of  using 
Asian-style  patterns  for  the  pre- 
cutting of  materials  to  be  made 
available  to  sewing  groups;  3)  to 
seek  creative  ways  of  distributing 
.1  increased  amounts  of  government 
I surplus  in  light  of  the  fact  that 
! two  thirds  of  the  world  is  under- 
i nourished  while  the  U.S.  spends 
i millions  to  store  her  excess  food; 
4)  to  reduce  the  material  aid  pro- 


upper half  of  their  senior  class  or 
whose  grades  do  not  average  C-f 
or  better,  must  enter  their  applica- 
tion before  July  15  and  make  ar- 
rangements for  an  interview  with 
the  committee  on  admissions. 

Increasing  enrollments  and  gen- 
eral raising  of  academic  standards 
have  necessitated  a more  selective 
admissions  policy  in  colleges  gen- 
erally. Prospective  students  who  do 
not  present  a sufficiently  high  scho- 
lastic record  will  be  granted  con- 
ditional admission  on  the  basis  of 
strong  motivation. 

ALUMNI  BANQUET 

J.  Marc  Jantzen,  Dean  of  the 
School  of  Education  of  the  College 
of  the  Pacific,  Stockton,  Calif.,  will 
speak  at  the  Bethel  College  alumni 
banquet,  Saturday,  May  23,  as  an- 
nounced by  H.  A.  Fast,  executive 
secretary  of  the  alumni  association. 
Dr.  Jantzen  will  address  alumni 
on  the  subject,  “Don’t  Sell  Bethel 
College  Short.” 


gram  in  Korea  and  Germany  and 
increase  help  to  Indonesia  and  Par- 
aguay. 

It  was  also  felt  since  canned  meat 
is  a unique  Mennonite  contribution 
and  an  excellent  supplement  to  the 
Oriental  rice  diet,  the  MCC  meat 
canning  program  should  continue 
at  about  the  same  level.  About 
170,000  cans  of  meat  were  processed 
for  MCC  during  the  1958  canning 
season. 

Miller’s  review  of  the  MCC  mate- 
rial aid  program  revealed  that  nine 
countries  are  being  reached:  Ger- 

many, Austria,  Jordan,  India,  Ko- 
rea, Hong  Kong,  Vietnam,  Indone- 
sia, and  Paraguay,  with  nearly 
three-fourths  of  the  aid  going  to 
Jordan  and  Korea.  During  the  U.S. 
government  fiscal  year  ending  June 
30,  1959,  MCC  will  have  distribut- 
ed over  four  million  pounds  of  sur- 
plus foods  such  as  commeal,  dry 
milk,  and  flour.  'Twenty-eight  thou- 
sand Christmas  bundles  were  re- 
ceived this  past  year. 

The  Material  Aid  Advisory  Com- 
mittee, made  up  of  fifteen  repre- 
sentatives from  MCC  constituent 
groups,  meets  annually  to  advise 
MCC  Foreign  Relief  and  Services 
on  material  aid  planning  and  to 


check  the  program  for  modifications 
and  omissions.  Present  officers  were 
re-elected:  Esko  Loewen,  Hillsboro, 
Kan.,  chairman;  Boyd  Nelson,  Elk- 
hart, Ind.,  vice-chairman;  Robert 
W.  Miller,  Akron,  Pa.,  recording 
secretary. 

MCC-MISSION  RELATIONSHIPS 

CHICAGO — 'The  relationship  of 
the  MCC  relief  program  to  Menno- 
nite mission  board  activities  was 
discussed  during  the  conjoint  meet- 
ing of  mission  board  secretaries 
and  the  MCC  Executive  Committee 
in  Chicago  May  1. 

Papers  focusing  these  relation- 
ships were  read  by  Henry  Hostetter, 
Brethren  in  Christ;  Orlando  Walt- 
ner,  General  Conference  Mennonite; 
and  Robert  W.  Miller,  Mennonite 
Central  Committee.  William  T. 
Snyder  and  J.  D.  Graber  spoke  con- 
cerning a proposed  emergency  re- 
lief fund. 

As  a result  of  these  discussions 
it  was  decided  that  appeals  for  help 
from  areas  where  a mission  board 
is  at  work  should  be  directed  to 
MCC  through  the  particular  board 
involved  and  that  MCC  should  be 
at  liberty  to  extend  relief  or  carry 
on  a specific  project  without  refer- 
ence to  other  mission  boards. 

Other  items  considered  at  the 
conjoint  meeting  were  the  MCC 
overseas  peace  and  witness  and  in- 
terchurch aid.  It  was  agreed  that 
a peace  witness  in  Japan  should 
continue  with  relationships  between 
MCC  and  the  mission  boards  oper- 
ating in  Japan  to  be  clarified  when 
Paul  Kraybill,  secretary  for  the 
Mission  Board  Continuation  Com- 
mittee, and  William  T.  Snyder  visit 
Japan  in  the  near  future.  Their  find- 
ings will  be  submitted  to  the  indi- 
vidual boards  for  consideration. 
MCC  Peace  Section  was  encouraged 
to  explore  the  possibilities  of  a pre- 
liminary one-year  peace  ministry 
in  Africa  in  co-operation  with  the 
boards  working  there. 

Interchurch  aid  was  defined  as 
primarily  long  range  rehabilitation 
or  assistance  to  some  organized 
church  group  but  not  excluding  im- 
mediate disaster.  'The  mission  board 
secretaries  encouraged  MCC  to  do  a 
limited  amount  of  interchurch  aid  as 
a part  of  the  Mennonite  church’s 
total  participation  in  the  church 
universal,  particularly  where  the 
Mennonite  witness  can  spiritually 
strengthen  and  enrich  other  groups. 


May  19,  1959 


317 


jottings 

CHURCH  TO  BE  REDECORATED 

Spring  Valley  Church,  Newport, 
Wash.:  Our  Mission  Society  recent- 
ly elected  new  officers.  The  soci- 
ety’s purpose  is  to  unite  women  into 
closer  fellowship,  learn  more  about 
our  missionaries,  and  make  and 
send  new  and  used  clothing  for  the 
needy.  The  Home  Makers’  Fellow- 
ship has  a new  project:  redecorat- 
ing the  church.  They  gave  a pro- 
gram May  10  and  showed  the  film 
A Cry  in  the  Night.  The  young  peo- 
ple have  made  and  erected  a sign 
in  front  of  the  church.  Brother  and 
Sister  Toews  announced  the  mar- 
riage of  their  daughter  Ardella 
Ruth  to  Jack  Palmer  of  Paso 
Robles,  Calif.  We  had  a Good  Fri- 
day service,  a sunrise  Easter  serv- 
ice followed  by  a church  breakfast, 
and  an  evening  Easter  program. — 
Mrs.  J.  W.  Riffel,  corr. 

NEW  HOME  FOR  AGED 

First  Church,  Pretty  Prairie, 
Kan.:  Ground-breaking  ceremonies 
for  the  home  for  the  aged  to  be 
known  as  Prairie  Sunset  Home, 
were  held  the  afternoon  of  April 
19.  Construction  of  the  home  in 
Pretty  Prairie  is  to  start  immedi- 
ately. The  church  is  preparing  for  a 
day  of  special  service  on  Aug.  30, 
to  celebrate  the  seventy-fifth  anni- 
versary of  the  church.  Jan.  25  the 
Bethel  College  Ensemble  visited  us; 
Feb.  22,  the  Men’s  Chorus  from  the 
Bethel  Church  of  Inman;  March  30, 
a group  from  Grace  Bible  Institute. 
Feb.  25  Willard  Claassen  discussed 
Conference  S.  S.  material.  March  8, 
farewell  services  were  held  for  the 
Gerald  Bergens,  who  were  return- 
ing to  their  mission  field  in  Brazil 
after  a year’s  furlough.  A program 
on  Disaster  Service  was  sponsored 
by  the  Peace  and  Relief  Committee, 
March  18.  Elmer  Ediger  and  John 
Differ  spoke,  and  a film  on  the  Kan- 
sas City  tornado  was  shown.  An 
Easter  sunrise  service  was  spon- 
sored by  the  church’s  Youth  Fellow- 
ship with  Roland  Goering  as  guest 
speaker.  The  evening  program  in- 
cluded numbers  by  the  choir,  the 
men’s  chorus,  instrumental  ensem- 
ble, and  small  groups.  Arnold  Epp 
spoke  at  the  annual  spring  Bible 
Conf.  held  April  12-15.  Regular  Bible 
study  classes  are  held  each  Wed. 
evening.  The  adult  group  uses 
Studies  in  Church  Discipline  as  a 
guide  for  discussion. — Corr. 
TEACHER  TRAINING 
Bethel  Church,  Waka,  Texas: 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Alvin  Buschman  have 
become  members  by  transfer  of  let- 
ters. New  church  officers  and  S.  S. 


teachers  were  elected  at  the  an- 
nual meeting  in  January.  Some  of 
our  members  participated  in  a 
Teacher  Training  course  held  in  the 
Waka  Church  of  the  Brethren.  After 
completion  of  the  course,  a gradua- 
tion service  was  held  Feb.  22.  At 
our  C.  E.  meeting  in  Feb.,  the  film 
The  Family  Altar  was  shown.  On 
Easter  Sun.  evening  the  Perryton 
Church  joined  us  to  present  an  Eas- 
ter program  of  numbers  from  both 
churches  and  a combined  chorusj 
April  19-24,  special  services  were 
held  each  evening  with  Jake  Ber- 
gen of  Colby,  Kan.,  as  guest  speak- 
er.— Mrs.  Allison  Unruh,  corr. 

S.S.  WORKSHOP 

First  Church,  Hutchinson,  Kan.: 
April  19  we  had  a S.  S.  workshop 
together  with  the  Pretty  Prairie 
Church.  Brother  Shelly,  who  also 
brought  the  message,  and  a few 
others  from  the  Western  Dist.  Edu- 
cation Committee,  were  the  leaders. 
April  12  missionary  Orlando  Walt- 
ners  were  with  us  in  the  afternoon. 
We  met  at  4:00  in  the  church  base- 
ment for  vespers  and  visiting.  At 
6:30  we  went  upstairs,  where  they 
talked  and  showed  pictures.  It  was 
a good  way  to  get  better  acquaint- 
ed with  our  missionaries  and  their 
respective  fields.  In  Feb.  we  had  a 
pancake  supper  with  proceeds  go- 
ing to  missions.  March  23  was  the 
cornerstone  laying  of  our  church. 
It  was  nice  to  have  the  children  tak- 
ing part.  Our  minister  made  some 
appropriate  remarks,  Albert  Gaed- 
dert  brought  the  message,  and  the 
men’s  quartet  sang.  Our  Mission 
Circle  holds  meetings  once  a month, 
with  devotions,  business  discussion, 
offering,  quilting,  checking  relief 
clothing,  getting  Christmas  cards 
ready  to  send  to  the  mission  field, 
or  cutting  quilt  blocks. — Mrs.  J.  H. 
Epp,  corr. 

GOERTZEN  ORDAINED 

Garden  Twp.  Church,  Hesston, 
Kan.:  Our  church  had  the  joy  of 
having  our  pastor,  Clayton  Goert- 
zen,  ordained  as  minister  and  elder 
on  April  19.  Arnold  Epp  of  Newton 
gave  the  charge  to  the  congrega- 
tion. Virgil  Dirks  of  Elbing  gave 
the  charge  to  the  minister  and  per- 
formed the  ordination.  Ralph  Weber 
of  Beatrice,  Neb.,  gave  the  invoca- 
tion. Pastor  Goertzen  is  a graduate 
of  Faith  Seminary,  Philadelphia, 
and  has  been  serving  our  church 
since  Feb.  1958.  The  Lord  has  seen 
fit  to  remove  from  our  midst  our 
aged  member,  John  Neufeld  Sr.  He 
had  reached  the  age  of  91  years  and 
12  days.  He  often  expressed  his 
desire  to  be  with  the  Lord  as  he 
felt  that  his  work  here  was  done. — 
Mrs.  Ferd  Neufeld,  corr. 


NEW  MISSION  SOCIETY 

Salem-Zion  Church,  Freeivian,  S. 
D.:  The  Women’s  Missionary  So- 
ciety sewed  twenty-five  quilts,  sev- 
en baby  quilts,  a doll  quilt,  cut  a 
box  of  quilt  blocks,  and  rolled  band- 
ages on  their  all-day  sewing  meet- 
ing. Girls  of  high  school  age  have 
been  meeting  the  last  few  months 
to  assemble  Christmas  cards  for 
missionaries  in  the  Congo,  to  be 
used  in  schools  and  homes.  The 
girls  plan  to  organize  this  summer 
and  begin  a Jr.  Mission  Society.  On 
April  5,  the  First  Church  of  Sioux 
Falls  presented  the  C.  E.  program 
in  our  church.  'That  same  evening 
some  members  of  the  Jr.  C.  E.  gave 
a program  at  the  Home  for  the 
Aged  in  Freeman.  Various  commit- 
tees are  busy  making  preparations 
for  the  Northern  District  Confer- 
ence, which  convenes  in  our  church 
June  18-21.  New  members  will  be 
taken  into  the  church  on  Pentecost 
Sunday,  May  17.  Daily  Vacation 
Bible  School  will  be  held  June  1-12. 
Freeman  Jr.  College  sang  several 
selections  for  our  morning  worship 
on  April  26. — Corr. 

PLANS  FOR  NEW  HOME 

Eicher  Church,  Wayland,  Iowa: 
Feb.  1 Peter  Quapp,  an  exchange 
student  from  Germany,  told  us  of 
conditions  in  Germany,  giving  us  a 
new  appreciation  of  our  homes, 
churches,  and  communities.  The  in- 
terior of  the  church  was  redeco- 
rated during  Feb.  by  volunteer 
workers  from  the  church.  The  Men’s 
Brotherhood  was  host  to  men  of  the 
other  three  Iowa  churches  at  a ban- 
quet March  10.  Dr.  W.  B.  Brown, 
superintendent  of  the  Mt.  Pleasant 
Mental  Health  Institute,  spoke  of 
his  work,  dealing  with  mental 
health  problems.  Our  church  co-op- 
erated with  five  other  churches  of 
the  community  in  Passion  Week 
services.  The  Good  Friday  evening 
service  held  at  Eicher  and  partici- 
pated in  by  laymen  and  ministers, 
was  a fitting  preparation  for  the 
Easter  morning  services.  A chorus 
from  Bethel  Church  presented  an 
inspiring  program  of  sacred  music 
March  15.  At  the  conclusion  of 
study  by  the  catechetical  class, 
four  young  people  were  received 
into  the  church  by  baptism  on 
Easter  morning,  and  one  was  re- 
ceived by  transfer  of  letter.  The 
church  is  co-operating  with  five 
other  Mennonite  churches  of  the 
community  on  a committee  of  rep- 
resentatives from  each  church  to 
plan  the  building  of  a home  for  the 
aged  in  the  Wayland  community. 
A group  from  the  church  presented 
a program  of  Scripture  and  song 
at  the  Wayland  Church  March  22. 


318 


THE  MENNONITE 


The  adults  have  been  studying  the 
book  of  Mark  at  the  Sunday  eve- 
ning services  during  recent  weeks. 
The  young  people  sponsored  the 
showing  of  the  Martin  Luther  film 
on  Sunday  evening,  April  19.  A num- 
ber from  the  church  attended  the 
Central  District  Conference  held  at 
Goshen,  Ind.,  on  April  2^26. — Corr. 

CANTATA  GIVEN 

First  Church^  Upland,  Calif.;  As 
a highlight  of  the  Easter  season  for 
the  pupils,  on  Mar.  15  the  Junior- 
Intermediate  Dept,  of  the  S.  S.  went 
to  Glendale,  to  Forest  Lawn,  to  see 
the  painting  “The  Crucifixion”  and 
the  stained  glass  window  “The  Last 
Supper.”  Mrs.  Emery  Bailey  is  supt. 
of  the  department.  March  28 
members  and  friends  were  invited 
to  the  wedding  of  Abraham  Donald 
Eitzen  and  Carol  Ann  Scheske.  On 
Palm  Sunday  morning  the  choir 
gave  the  cantata  The  Seven  Last 
Words  by  Heinrich  Schuetz,  Edith 
Cosner  directing  and  Alice  Rose 
Wilson  playing  the  organ  accom- 
paniment. The  solo  parts  of  Jesus 
and  the  two  thieves  were  sung  by 
Bruce  Boshart,  Rupard  Hinton,  and 
Paul  Goering.  In  the  afternoon  of 
March  22  a number  of  our  mem- 
bers attended  the  dedication  serv- 
ices of  the  Bethel  Community 
Church  in  Santa  Fe  Springs.  Our 
church  kitchen  has  a new  refriger- 
ator donated  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Al- 
bert Schmidt.  Holy  Communion  was 
served  April  5.  Our  members  were 
invited  to  Upland  CoUege  April  16 
to  hear  Elton  Trueblood,  a Friend 
(Quaker),  author,  and  lecturer.  The 
red  carpet  is  out  for  you  when  you 
travel  to  southern  Calif,  and  visit 
our  church,  as  a new  wall-to-wall 
red  carpet  has  replaced  the  badly 
worn  old  one  in  the  narthex  of  our 
church.  With  the  walls  and  ceiling 
painted,  it  gives  a fresh  appear- 
ance.— Corr. 

SEMINARY  PROGRAM 

Grace  Hill  Church,  Whitewater, 
Kan.:  Easter  Sunday  morning  wor- 
ship was  in  charge  of  Mennonite 
Biblical  Seminary  of  Elkhart,  Ind. 
— an  inspiration  and  blessing  as 
they  brought  the  message  of  Easter 
in  word  and  song.  The  group  was 
trained  and  directed  by  Marvin  J. 
Dirks.  In  the  evening  the  church 
choir  presented  a cantata.  The 
Easter  Sunrise  Song.  April  7 a Fa- 
ther-Son banquet  was  held,  with 
J.  W.  Nickel,  professor  of  philoso- 
phy and  foreign  languages  at  Beth- 
el College,  as  speaker.  Ross  Goodall 
of  Ontario,  missionary  to  the  Jews, 
spoke  in  our  church  April  10.  April 
12  Don  Wismer  spoke  in  the  inter- 
est of  the  Western  District  Home 
Missions  Committee.  April  14-16  we 


had  special  evening  meetings  with 
L.  R.  Amstutz,  pastor  of  the  Em- 
maus  Church,  bringing  the  mes- 
sages, which  were  an  enrichment  in 
spiritual  blessing  and  fellowship. 
April  17  Homer  Harms  and  Elma 
Funk  were  united  in  marriage  in 
the  Hillsboro  Mennonite  Church. 
Frederick  Stuart  and  Joyce  Voth 
were  united  in  marriage  April  19 
in  our  church. — Mrs.  Dan  Harms. 
MISSIONARY  CONFERENCE 
United  Mennonite  Church,  Vine- 
land,  Ont.:  April  26  a number  at- 
tended the  missionary  conference 
held  that  week  end  at  the  United 
Church,  Garnet  St.,  St.  Catharines, 
with  Sun.  services  at  Eden  Chris- 
tian College,  Niagara-on-the-Lake. 
Among  the  guest  speakers  were 
Martha  Giesbrecht,  missionary  from 
Japan  now  on  furlough;  Delton 
Franz,  city  missionary  from  Chica- 
go; and  Henry  Gerbrandt,  secretary 
of  the  Pioneer  Mennonite  Mission, 
Manitoba,  doing  mission  work  a- 
mong  the  Indians.  Henry  N.  Har- 
der from  Bloomington,  111.,  was 
guest  speaker  at  the  Vineland 
church  May  2.  Arthur  Driedger, 
Leamington,  spoke  at  the  United 
Church  telling  of  present  conditions 
in  West  Germany.  Mr.  Driedger  has 
recently  returned  from  Europe 
after  spending  some  time  in  recon- 
struction work  under  MCC. — Herta 
Fransen,  corr. 

FIRST  AID  CLASSES 
Stirling  Avenue  Church,  Kitchen- 
er, Ont.:  April  24  the  Women’s  Mis- 
sionary Association  entertained  the 
Silver  Lining  Club  of  the  Shut-ins 
Association  of  our  community.  Our 
church  has  begun  a series  of  first 
aid  classes  sponsored  by  the  Dis- 
aster Service  of  the  Council  of  His- 
toric Peace  Churches,  under  the  di- 
rection of  St.  John’s  Ambulance 
Corps.  At  their  meeting  on  April  28 
the  Homemakers  toured  the  local 
Bell  Telephone  Company.  The 
Brotherhood  had  as  their  April 
guest  speaker  Raymond  Kramer, 
pastor  of  St.  Jacobs  Mennonite 
Church.  On  May  5 the  Vesper  Cir- 
cle held  a mother-daughter  evening 
of  fellowship. — Corr. 

FILMSTRIP  SHOWN 

Grace  Church,  Enid,  Okla.:  April 
9 our  Sewing  Circle  met  in  the 
church  basement  to  quilt  and  roll 
bandages.  At  12:15  p.m.  the  same 
day  Carl  Froese  died  of  a heart 
attack.  Sympathy  is  extended  to  the 
family.  On  April  15  our  church 
went  to  Meno  to  hear  the  Epply 
Sisters  from  York,  Pa.  On  April  19 
the  young  people  showed  a film- 
strip, • Frontiersmen  of  Faith.  April 
26  our  C.  E.  program  was  present- 
ed by  pre-teen-agers. — Corr. 


MISSIONARY  SPEAKER 

Bethany  Church,  Kingman,  Kan.: 
Jan.  18,  Mary  Schrag,  missionary 
to  India,  was  a guest  speaker  and 
showed  pictures.  Jan.  11  the  Chris- 
tian Fellowship  group  of  Bethel 
College  presented  a musical  pro- 
gram. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ted  Voran  are 
the  parents  of  a son,  Randal  Jay, 
born  Feb.  12.  'The  Gideons  were 
guests  Feb.  22.  Brother  Crentz  was 
the  guest  speaker  March  1-8.  Ever- 
ett Flickner  and  Sharon  Fallon 
were  married  March  28.  Dan 
Schwartz  fell,  broke  his  leg,  and 
injured  his  hip;  he  is  at  present 
staying  with  his  children.  Gideon 
Albrecht  passed  away  April  22.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Jake  Voran  celebrated 
their  golden  wedding  anniversary 
May  3.  The  congregation  was  in- 
vited to  a program  given  by  children 
and  grandchildren.  Children’s  con- 
secration was  May  10  and  baptism 
May  17. — Mrs.  Dave  Schrag,  corr. 
DEDICATIONS 

West  Abbotsford  Church,  Abbots- 
ford, B.  C.:  The  church  and  Young 
People’s  Fellowship  together  pur- 
chased a station  wagon  for  use  in 
the  Prairie  Chapel  mission  outpost 
of  the  West  Abbotsford  Church  and 
the  Young  People’s  Camp,  Ootsa 
Lake,  700  miles  north  from  here. 
The  wagon  was  dedicated  at  the 
Sunday  school  teachers’  meeting 
April  25.  On  the  Sunday  morning 
following,  the  church  gathered  out- 
side the  addition  to  the  Education- 
al Building,  at  which  time  the  new 
wing  was  officially  opened  for  use 
and  dedicated  to  the  Lord.  A.  A. 
Harder  spoke  the  dedicatory  prayer. 
The  church  choir  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Jascha  Olfert,  participated 
in  the  annual  song  festival  spon- 
sored by  the  British  Columbia  Men- 
nonite Youth  Organization.  'The 
Theme  of  the  Festival  was  “The 
Development  of  Church  Music.” 
Choirs  sang  numerous  selections 
representing  different  periods  of 
the  church.  P.  J.  Dyck,  director  of 
the  MCC  program  in  Europe,  was 
guest  speaker  at  the  Sunday  morn- 
ing worship  service,  April  19. — Corr. 

into  the  beyond 

Mrs.  Ketherine  Weber,  86,  of 
Donnellson,  Iowa,  passed  away 
March  12  and  was  buried  March  15. 
She  was  a member  of  the  Zion 
Mennonite  Church  of  Donnellson. 

Isaak  D.  Klassen,  of  Reedley, 
California,  and  a member  of  the 
First  Mennonite  Church  of  Reedley, 
was  born  February  29,  - 1868,  and 
died  April  29,  1959. 


May  19,  1959 


319 


conference  notes 

LOOKING  TOWARD 
GENERAL  CONFERENCE 

Our  various  district  conferences 
meet  every  year  for  inspiration, 
information,  and  the  transaction  of 
such  business  as  may  be  necessary. 

However  our  General  Conference 
meets  only  once  in  three  years,  and 
this  in  itself  makes  it  more  special. 
The  less  frequently  we  do  anything 
the  more  we  anticipate  such  events. 
So  we  look  forward  to  General 
Conference. 


Because  of  the  three  year  inter- 
val we  see  and  meet  with  many 
people  we  have  not  seen  for  the 
three  years.  The  social  experiences 
with  persons  of  like  faith  and  mind 
are  indeed  rewarding  and  inspiring. 
Our  friendships  we  renew  and 
strengthen  cause  us  to  look  for- 
ward to  General  Conference. 

Our  spiritual  blessings  and  inspi- 
rations, however,  are  our  greatest 
anticipations.  May  the  Lord  reward 
us  when  our  looking  forward  be- 
comes a realization! 

Wilmer  S.  Shelly 
FORMER  MISSIONARY  PASSES 

Pastor  P.  A.  Kliewer,  former  mis- 
sionary to  Cheyenne  Indians  in 
southeastern  Montana,  passed  a- 
way  April  23  after  a life  of  minis- 
try. He  was  bom  in  Gretna,  Mani- 
toba, in  1879,  and  married  Kath- 
erine Ruth  Braun  in  1904.  Previous 
to  missionary  service  Brother  Klie- 
wer taught  school  and  attended 
Bethel  College,  North  Newton,  Kan. 

In  1908  the  Kliewers  went  to 
Montana,  where  they  served  at 
Busby  and  Lame  Deer,  and  built 
and  served  the  Bimey  and  Ashland 
stations. 

Brother  Kliewer  left  the  mission 
field  in  1924  because  of  poor  health, 
serving  the  First  Church  of  Monroe, 
Wash.,  until  1929.  He  was  called  to 
the  pastorate  of  Ebenezer  Church, 
Bluffton,  Ohio,  where  he  ministered 
for  the  next  twelve  years.  In  1941 


he  returned  to  Oregon  to  serve  the 
Grace  Church  at  Albany  until  1949. 

In  1950,  at  the  age  of  seventy, 
P.  A.  Kliewer  helped  in  organizing 
the  United  Church  at  Wolf  Point, 
Mont.,  and  later  returned  to  Mon- 
roe, Wash.,  to  serve  for  two  years 
in  the  Country  Church.  He  then  re- 
tired to  his  home  in  Corvallis,  Ore. 
DISPLAY  SPACE 

Since  display  space  at  the  trien- 
niel  Conference  sessions  for  Con- 
ference Boards  and  institutions  will 
be  limited,  agencies  not  officially 
related  to  the  General  Conference 
Mennonite  Church  wishing  to  dis- 
play materials  should  make  appli- 
cation to  P.  K.  Regier,  722  Main 
Street,  Newton,  Kansas,  before  June 
1.  After  June  1 unassigned  space 
will  be  assigned  to  Conference 
Boards  or  institutions.  (This  notice 
appeared  first  in  the  April  14  issue 
of  this  paper.) 


RELIEF  FOR  TIBETANS 

A Tibetan  Emergency  Fund  has 
been  established  by  Church  World 
Service  to  help  meet  the  needs  of 
destitute  Tibetan  refugees  fleeing 
from  their  homes  to  India  and  other 
neighboring  states.  Immediate  as- 
sistance is  needed  for  more  than 
20,000  reportedly  living  in  dire  cir- 
cumstances in  border  areas. 

“The  violence  of  suppressive  in- 
tervention by  Peiping  in  the  Tibetan 
revolt  has  had  the  same  effect  in 
Asia  that  Moscow’s  suppression  of 
the  Hungarian  revolt  had  for  Eur- 
ope. I deeply  believe  that  we  in  the 
West,  and  particularly  the  churches 
of  the  West,  will  be  tested  in  the 
minds  of  all  our  friends  in  Asia  if 
it  appears  that  our  response  in  re- 
spect to  this  crisis  is  not  commen- 
-surate  with  our  response  to  the 
Hungarian  crisis,”  says  R.  N.  Wilson. 


conference  stewardship 

April  30,  1958,  as  compared  to  April  30,  1959 


MISSIONS 


24.5%  1958 
26.2%  1959 


CHRISTIAN  SERVICE 


18.1%  1958 
26.7%  1959 


22.3%  1958 
17.6%  1959 


17.0%  1958 
21.9%  1959 


25.7%  1958 
16.1  % 1959 


EDUCATION  AND  PUBLICATION 


lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 

BUSINESS  ADMINISTRATION 


llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 

YOUNG  PEOPLE’S  UNION 


00  O' 


BUDGET 


$670,000 

$700,000 


$193,500 

$177,600 


$ 70,000 
$ 75,400 


$ 26,500 
$ 41,500 


$ 7,450 

$ 7,400 


Receipts  to  April  30 


1959  Budget 


ONITE 


MAY  26,  1959 

OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
MAN  LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIST 


REFUGEES— “FORGOTTEN  PEOPLE” 
Mrs.  Herbert  Millei^KINDERGARTEN  INTEREST  CENTERS 


in  this  issue 


COVER 

Photo  courtesy  of  United  Nations 

ARTICLES 

GUEST  IN  THE  HOME 

By  J.  B.  Burkholder  323 

KINDERGARTEN  INTEREST  CENTERS 

By  Mrs.  Herbert  Miller  324 

THE  CHURCH  PAPER  SPEAKS  UP 

By  Maynard  Shelly  326 

REFUGEES— "FORGOTTEN  PEOPLE"  327 
DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  322 

Mennonite  Youth 

AGAPE-VERLAG  329 

A POINT-BLANK  LETTER  331 

S.M.Y.O.  WORKSHOP  331 

OUR  SCHOOLS  332 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  333 

JOTTINGS  335 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  336 


of  things  to  come 

May  29 — Commencement  Day,  Freeman 
Junior  College  and  Academy 

May  29-31 — Missions  Conference,  Sas- 
katoon, Sask. 

June  1-6 — Faith  and  Life  Radio  speak- 
er: Andrew  Shelly 

June  10-14 — Pacific  District  Conference, 
Barlow,  Oregon 

June  14 — Northern  District  Male  Chorus 
Festival,  Sioux  Falls,  South  Dakota 

June  18-21 — Northern  Dist.  Conf.,  Salem- 
Zion  Church  (North),  Freeman,  S.  D. 

July  4-8 — Canadian  Conference,  Clear- 
brook,  B.  C. 

West.  Dist.  Retreats,  Camp  Mennoscah: 
July  6-11 — Junior  High  I 
July  13-18 — Junior  High  II 
July  20-25 — Fresh  Air  Friendship  Cp. 
July  27-Aug.  1 — High  School  I 
Aug.  3-8 — High  School  II 
Aug.  29-30 — Family  (under  age  45) 
Sept.  5-7 — Family  (senior  age) 

Aug.  5-12 — Ministers'  and  Church  Wark- 
ers'  Retreat,  Camp  Friedenswald, 
Mich. 

Aug.  12-20 — General  Conference,  BlufF- 
ton,  Ohio 

Oct.  24-27 — West.  Dist.  Conference 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor,  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 

J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Asst.:  Esther  Groves. 
Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  21 


editorials 

WORLD  REFUGEE  YEAR  The  United  Nations  will 

launch  a World  Refugee  Year  in  June.  This  is  something  in 
which  we  should  all  be  interested,  for  it  is  altogether  possible, 
as  an  article  in  this  issue  of  THE  MENNONITE  suggests,  that 
refugees  throughout  the  world  may  become  forgotten  people. 

Our  interest  was  high  when  those  of  our  own  faith  were 
deeply  involved.  But  we  dare  not  provide  for  only  one  type  of 
refugee  and  lose  interest  in  or  ignore  others.  To  do  so  would 
not  be  pleasing  to  God,  before  whom  all  refugees  are  the  same 
in  their  need  of  love  and  help. 

People  do  not  become  refugees  because  of  their  own  choosing. 
They  are  made  refugees  because  of  the  selfishness  and  con- 
flicts among  nations.  They  are  largely  a result  of  war,  that 
terrible  monster  responsible  for  so  much  of  the  world’s  misery. 
Nations  which  engage  in  war  are  responsible  for  the  care  of 
refugees. 

In  a particular  way,  peace  churches  must  now  demonstrate 
how  Christian  love  will  seek  to  be  of  real  help  wherever  needed. 
The  refugees  are  our  opportunity  to  show  something  of  the 
“power  of  love”  about  which  we  sing.  But  it  takes  more  than 
singing  to  solve  the  problem. 

As  individuals,  churches,  and  conferences,  we  should  put  forth 
renewed  effort  to  show  in  a practical  way  our  love  and  concern 
for  all  God’s  suffering  people,  regardless  of  race,  color,  or  creed. 
We  should  have  a special  interest  in  World  Refugee  Year. 

TEACHING  THE  GREAT  HYMNS  In  a recent  Confer- 
ence address,  a specialist  in  church  music  stressed  the  impor- 
tance of  teaching  great  hymns  to  children.  He  insisted  that  the 
great  hymns  should  be  taught  early  rather  than  much  of  the 
childish  music  now  used. 

The  argument  is  usually  presented  that  children  cannot  un- 
derstand these  fine  hymns  and  that  they  must  be  given  some- 
thing light  and  simple  and  at  a later  age  learn  the  sedate  hymns. 
While  this  may  seem  plausible  up  to  a point,  the  objection  is 
that  if  they  are  not  taught  the  great  hymns  and  learn  to  know 
and  love  them  in  early  youth,  how  can  they  be  expected  sud- 
denly to  know  and  appreciate  them  when  joining  the  church  fel- 
lowship? 

Lasting  impressions  are  made  upon  children.  What  they  learn 
in  early  youth  will  go  with  them  into  adulthood.  If  early  they 
are  taught  the  great  hymns  of  the  church,  even  though  they 
cannot  fully  comprehend  them  (can  we?),  yet  these  hymns  will 
stay  by  them  and  be  a source  of  real  comfort  and  help  to  them 
in  later  years.  When  they  are  in  special  need  of  their  inspiring 
messages,  the  hymns  will  stand  by  them  as  the  familiar  words 
come  to  their  minds  and  speak  to  their  hearts. 

Through  the  Sunday  school  and  Bible  school,  children  can 
learn  to  appreciate  the  great  hymns  as  well  as  the  better  chil- 
dren’s songs,  and  commit  their  great  messages  to  memory  and 
keep  them  stored  in  their  hearts  for  future  guidance  and 
strength. 


322 


THE  MENNONITE 


Guest 
in  the 
Home 


J.  R.  Burkholder^ 


‘‘One  sabbath  when  he  went  to 
i dine  at  the  house  of  a ruler  who 
belonged  to  the  Pharisees,  they  were 
watching  him”  {Luke  14:1). 

There  is  a religious  motto  which 
you  have  doubtless  seen  hang- 
ing in  a home,  which  reads  some- 
. thing  like  this:  “Christ  is  the  head 
of  this  house,  the  unseen  guest  at 
every  meal,  the  silent  listener  to 
every  conversation.” 

* That  seems  to  be  a good  sugges- 
tion— a reminder  that  Jesus  is  in- 
deed present  with  us  in  the  events 
of  daily  living.  No  good  Christian 
would  want  to  Eirgue  with  that  kind 
: of  sentiment.  But  have  you  stopped 
to  think  what  it  might  mean  to  have 
Jesus  as  a guest  in  your  home? 

Luke  14  suggests  some  interesting 
possibilities.  Read  the  chapter,  then 
try  to  translate  it  into  present-day 
terms.  What  would  happen  if  Jesus 
were  our  guest  as  He  was  the 
guest  of  an  unnamed  Pharisee? 

D .he  first  place.  He  might  not 
consent  to  be  our  guest  at  all!  That 
is,  if  we  think  of  ourselves  as  the 
good  people,  the  real  friends  of 
Jesus,  He  might  well  pass  us  by 
and  go  on  to  the  place  where  He 
can  meet  with  those  who  have  had 
; nothing  to  do  with  Him.  In  the 
I Gospels  we  read  frequently  of  His 
i dining  with  the  Pharisees  and  the 
publicans — His  opponents  and  crit- 
ics. He  saw  in  these  dinner  engage- 
ments an  opportunity  for  speaking 


♦Pastor,  Second  Church,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 


directly  to  a man’s  need  in  a way 
that  would  not  be  possible  in  the 
formal  situation  of  the  synagogue 
or  among  the  large  crowds  of  the 
market  place. 

But  let’s  suppose  He  does  con- 
sent to  come  and  be  our  guest  — 
perhaps  because  He  finds  we  are 
not  really  so  far  removed  from  the 
category  of  publican  and  sinner  aft- 
er all!  Before  anyone  can  even  get 
near  the  table  loaded  with  rich 
foods.  He  shocks  us  by  upsetting 
one  of  our  established  traditions. 
He  deliberately  defies  the  customs 
of  the  commimity. 

There  is  no  question  but  that 
Jesus  had  tongues  wagging  and 
busybody  heads  shaking  even  be- 
fore the  dinner  bell  was  rung,  that 
day  at  the  home  of  the  Pharisee. 
He  had  broken  the  Sabbath  rules 
and  healed  a man  with  the  dropsy, 
without  even  getting  anyone’s  per- 
mission! Yes,  He  had  asked,  but 
the  group  was  too  dumbfounded  at 
the  very  thought  to  give  any  kind 
of  reply. 

Put  this  into  contemporary  terms. 
What  would  be  the  present-day  par- 
allel? If  Jesus  were  your  guest, 
would  He  offend  community  mores 
by  bringing  with  Him  a Negro?  or 
a bartender?  or  a prostitute? 

But  the  violation  of  custom  was 
only  the  beginning  of  the  strange 
behavior  of  Jesus,  the  guest  in  the 
home.  J.  B.  Phillips  puts  it  this 
way: 

“Then  he  gave  a little  word  of 
advice  to  the  guests  when  he  no- 
ticed how  they  were  choosing  the 
best  seats. 

“When  you  are  invited  to  a wed- 
ding reception,  don’t  sit  down  in 
the  best  seat.  It  might  happen  that 
a more  distinguished  man  than  you 
has  also  been  invited.  Then  your 
host  might  say,  T am  afraid  you 
must  give  up  your  seat  for  this 
man.’  And  then,  with  considerable 
embarrassment,  you  will  have  to  sit 
in  the  humblest  place.  No,  when 
you  are  invited,  go  and  take  your 
seat  in  an  inconspicuous  place,  so 
that  when  your  host  comes  in  he 
may  say  to  you,  ‘Come  on,  my  dear 
fellow,  we  have  a much  better  seat 
than  this  for  you.’  That  is  the  way 
to  be  important  in  the  eyes  of  all 
your  fellow  guests!  For  everyone 
who  makes  himself  important  will 
become  insignificant,  while  the  man 
who  makes  himself  insignificant 
will  find  himself  important.” 


That  little  “word  of  advice”  was 
the  way  Jesus  dealt  with  pride  and 
self-seeking.  In  an  almost  humor- 
ous manner.  He  put  to  shame  every- 
one who  was  so  concerned  about 
how  they  looked  before  the  public, 
so  taken  up  with  social  ambition 
that  scrambling  for  seats  had  be- 
come a custom. 

But  it  may  not  be  a funny  thing! 
A lady  left  the  church  where  she 
had  been  a member  for  years  be- 
cause she  felt  she  was  placed  in 
the  wrong  seat  at  a certain  func- 
tion. Pride  of  place,  Jesus  claims, 
is  unknown  in  the  Kingdom  of  God. 

The  host  was  probably  grinning 
to  himself  as  Jesus  told  off  the 
social-climbing  guests.  But  sudden- 
ly it  was  his  turn.  Jesus  was  speak- 
ing to  him,  suggesting  that  he 
should  revise  his  guest  list  a bit. 
“Bring  in  the  poor,  the  lame,  the 
crippled,  the  blind;  quit  this  busi- 
ness of  just  trading  banquets  a- 
round  among  your  friends.  This  is 
the  way  to  eternal  life.” 

What  a guest  this  man  was!  First 
He  had  shocked  the  whole  company 
by  the  forbidden  act  of  healing,  then 
He  embarrassed  all  the  guests,  now 
He  was  insulting  the  host.  What 
can  you  do  with  a situation  like 
this? 

One  fellow  thought  he  had  the 
answer.  While  the  others  munched 
their  meal  in  startled  silence,  he 
decided  to  speak  up.  Jesus  had  been 
mighty  personal,  dealing  with  down- 
to-earth  practical  things.  It  was  a- 
bout  time  to  turn  the  conversation 
to  spiritual  things.  Less  dangerous, 
you  know.  'Thus  the  sudden  burst 
of  feigned  piety:  “Blessed  is  he 

that  shall  eat  bread  in  the  kingdom 
of  God.” 

And  now  comes  the  climax.  Jesus 
will  not  be  diverted  into  dull  and 
pious  remarks  about  far-away  is- 
sues. He  takes  the  floor  for  His 
reply.  This  is  the  after-dinner 
speech,  and  the  jokes  are  prominent 
by  their  absence.  Instead,  His  par- 
able goes  to  the  heart  of  the  mat- 
ter. “You,  God’s  chosen  people,  have 
ignored  His  gracious  invitation,  so 
the  fruits  of  the  Kingdom  will  go 
to  the  Gentiles.” 

That’s  the  end  of  the  dinner 
party.  The  Guest  is  on  the  road  a- 
gain.  Invite  Him  in  if  you  will,  but 
be  fairly  warned — Jesus  the  guest 
will  not  leave  your  home  as  He 
finds  it. 


May  26,  1959 


323 


Kindergarten 
Interest  Centers 


Mrs.  Herbert  Miller 

IN  studying  teacher’s  manuals  and 
other  materials  relating  to  effec- 
tive teaching  of  children,  one  fre- 
quently comes  across  the  method  of 
teaching  by  means  of  “interest  cen- 
ters.” The  Kindergarten  II  Teach- 
er’s Manual,  which  is  part  of  the 
Living  Faith  Graded  Sunday  School 
Series,  continues  plans  for  the  ses- 
sion with  the  children  participat- 
ing in  one  of  various  interest  cen- 
ters. Because  of  the  activities  car- 
ried on  in  these  centers,  worksheets 
are  usually  not  provided  when  this 
method  of  teaching  is  used.  'The 
activities  take  the  place  of  work- 
sheets. The  various  activities  in  the 
centers  lead  into  or  prepare  the 
way  for  the  Bible  story,  singing, 
discussion,  and  spontaneous  wor- 
ship which  follow. 

What  Is  an  Interest  Center? 

Basically,  interest  centers  are  cen- 
ters of  activity  to  which  children 
go  when  they  first  arrive  at  their 
room.  In  one  comer  of  the  room  or 
class  space,  books  may  be  arranged 
on  a low  table  or  shelf  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  invite  the  child  to 
stop  and  look  through  a book  or 
listen  to  the  reading  of  a few  pages. 
In  another  comer  blocks  may  be 
set  out  to  encourage  several  chil- 
dren to  build  a house  or  church. 
At  another  place  various  objects  of 
nature  could  be  arranged  on  a 
small  table,  box,  or  piano  bench. 
These  objects,  with  others  which 
children  might  contribute  from 
time  to  time,  would  constitute  the 
nature  center.  If  the  lesson  plans 
suggest  making  a large  poster 
showing  the  many  evidences  of 
beauty  in  God’s  wonderful  world, 
the  materials  for  this  activity  would 
be  placed  on  a table,  ready  to  be 
used  when  the  first  child  arrives. 


Children  may  select  or  be  encour- 
aged to  choose  different  centers  each 
Sunday.  The  materials  and  activity 
of  each  center  are  carefully  related 
to  the  purpose  of  the  session  and 
the  unit.  Informal  activity  is  car- 
ried on  at  each  center  under  the 
guidance  of  the  teacher  or  one  of 
her  assistants.  'The  teacher  guides 
and  gives  significance  to  activities 
through  encouraging  children  in 
Christian  attitudes  and  purposes  as 
they  work,  plan,  and  talk  together. 
Why  Use  Interest  Centers? 

This  is  not  just  play — there  is  a 
purpose  in  it.  That  children  learn 
by  doing  or  by  their  own  participa- 
tion is  one  of  the  underlying  prin- 
ciples of  teaching  by  means  of  in- 
terest centers.  Children  learn  by 
seeing,  hearing,  limited  reasoning, 
and  doing.  They  learn  best  in  situa- 
tions in  which  they  are  accepted  as 
persons  and  permitted  to  think  and 
feel,  to  explore  and  search,  to  reach 
out  and  discover.  The  give-and-take 
builds  a warm  relationship  among 
children  and  between  the  teacher 
and  the  child,  which  is  an  impor- 
tant element  of  good  teaching. 

Children  learn  easily  those  things 
in  which  they  are  interested  and 
which  they  are  able  to  comprehend. 
Interest  centers  serve  as  opportuni- 
ties to  take  the  interest  shown  by 
children  and  to  build  upon  it.  The 
teacher  has  the  opportunity  to  ob- 
serve signs  of  readiness  to  learn 
in  the  child.  Significant  questions 
or  active  interest  are  indications 
that  the  child  is  ready  to  learn 
certain  truths  or  to  receive  guid- 
ance along  certain  lines.  Interest 
can  often  be  stimulated  by  means 
of  an  activity,  discussion,  or  pic- 
ture, thus  helping  prepare  the  mind 
of  the  child  to  receive  needed  under- 


standing of  basic  Christian  tmths. 

Children  tend  to  repeat  actions 
which  give  them  deep  satisfaction. 
It  is  the  responsibility  of  the  teach- 
er to  see  that  the  experiences  in 
the  interest  centers  have  meaning 
and  are  carried  to  a satisfying  con- 
clusion. Any  action  of  a child  which 
is  worthy  of  commendation  and 
shows  growth  should  be  recognized. 
Children  learn  by  doing,  particu- 
larly if  the  doing  brings  with  it 
a sense  of  satisfaction  and  accom- 
plishment. 

Kinds  of  Interest  Centers 

Nature  is  part  of  everyday  living. 
A low  table  containing  objects  of 
nature  which  are  on  the  level  of 
understanding  of  the  five-year-old, 
offers  an  opportunity  to  see  the 
wonders  of  the  world  around  us 
and  to  associate  these  wonders  with 
God.  Growing  things  and  nature 
objects  stimulate  a child’s  desire 
to  know  what,  why,  and  how.  A 
microscope  or  reading  glass  adds 
much  to  the  possibilities  of  explor- 
ing this  area. 

The  block  center  gives  the  child 
opportunity  to  work  with  others  in 
planning  and  building.  Here  chil- 
den  learn  that  they  must  share, 
that  another’s  work  must  not  be 
destroyed  without  permission  and 
that  buildings  can  be  improved.  ' 
While  children  are  growing  in 
knowledge  and  skill,  they  may  be 
guided  in  attiudes  of  kindness,  i 
friendliness,  and  resourcefulness.  ! 

By  means  of  the  housekeeping 
center  the  child  plays  out  home 
life  as  he  experiences  it.  He  takes  i 
care  of  the  needs  of  his  doll  family 
and  at  the  same  time  learns  to  take  ' 
care  of  property,  to  co-operate  with 
others,  and  to  understand  and  ap- 
preciate his  own  home  and  the  con- 
tribution each  member  makes.  He 
realizes  that  the  home  is  part  of 
God’s  plan  for  him. 

In  the  book  and  picture  center,  • 
attractively  arranged  books  and  pic- 
tures invite  children  to  browse  and 
to  learn  by  means  of  the  “eye  gate” 
from  the  msmy  highly  illustrative 
materials  available.  Both  books  and 
pictures  should  be  chosen  careful-  i 
ly  with  the  purpose  of  the  particu-  ^ 
lar  session  in  mind.  In  this  way 
these  materials  will  help  to  bring  | 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every  j 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church.  i 
Entered  at  North  Newton,  Kansas,  post  office  as  second  class  matter.  Acceptance  for  mailing  at  special  rate  of  postage:  section  1103,  Act  i 
of  Oct.  3,  1917.  Authorized  Jan.  22,  1910.  Subscriptions  $2.50;  foreign  $3.00.  Mail  subscriptions  and  payments  to  Mennonite  Publication 
Office,  North  Newton,  Kan.,  or  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan.  Address  manuscripts  for  publication  to  J.  N.  Smucker,  Editor,  THE  MENNONITE,  I 
Woodward  Place,  Goshen,  Ind.  Pethnatlen;  change  of  address  Form  3579  to  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan. 


324 


THE  MENNONITE 


truths  to  children  in  their  range. 

In  the  work  center  children  may 
participate  in  various  creative  activ- 
ities which  relate  to  the  session.  By 
means  of  creative  activities,  the 
child  produces  something  of  his 
own  out  of  existing  materials.  He 
does  not  copy  his  neighbor’s  work, 
but  expresses  his  ideas  in  his  own 
way.  A child  who  has  not  had  the 
opportimity  to  express  himself  in 
this  way  often  has  difficulty  at  first, 
but  he  can  be  helped  by  guided 
discussion  with  the  teacher  and 
others  in  the  group.  The  group  may 
plan  to  work  together  on  a large 
poster  illustrating  God’s  good  gifts 
to  us.  They  may  decide  to  draw 
individual  pictures  of  things  chil- 
dren do  for  others.  Small  gifts  may 
be  made  and  later  taken  to  a shut- 
in  friend.  All  activities  should  have 
real  purpose  and  meaning  to  the 
child. 

During  the  time  spent  in  the  in- 
terest centers,  the  teacher  is  con- 
' stantly  alert.  She  moves  from  group 
to  group,  showing  interest,  offering 
suggestions,  pausing  to  read  a 
short  story  or  to  discuss  a picture 
with  a child.  She  may  share  a cup 
of  tea  at  the  housekeeping  center. 
The  teacher  is  quick  to  see  an  op- 
I portunity  to  use  a Bible  verse,  re- 
call a song,  or  talk  about  God  in 
each  of  these  centers.  She  wiU  en- 
, courage  a child  to  solve  hi?  own 
problems  as  they  arise. 


The  Group  Session 

Following  the  time  spent  in  in- 
terest centers,  the  children  come  to- 
gether as  a group.  This  time  will 
be  spent  in  hearing  and  discussing 
the  Bible  story,  singing,  and  very 
often  a period  of  spontaneous  wor- 
ship. The  experiences  in  the  various 
centers  will  have  prepared  the  way 
for  making  this  time  together  mean- 
ingful. The  activities  in  each  center 
should  have  been  planned  to  bring 
out  the  same  truths  which  will  be 
stressed  in  the  time  when  all  are 
together.  Since  children  this  age 
need  alternating  periods  of  rest  and 
activity,  the  fact  that  they  have 
been  active  the  first  part  of  the 
session  will  prepare  them  for  a 
more  quiet  and  thoughtful  time  to- 
gether. It  is  when  the  teacher  rec- 
ognizes the  characteristics  and  na- 
tural reactions  of  a child  at  a given 
age  level,  and  plans  her  sessions 
taking  these  God-given  characteris- 
tics into  consideration,  that  real 
learning  takes  place. 

Your  Situation 

If  the  space  allotted  your  kinder- 
garten group  is  not  large  enough 
to  set  up  all  the  interest  centers 
simultaneously,  you  may  use  only 
several  on  a given  Sunday,  choos- 
ing the  ones  particularly  fitted  to 
interpret  the  purpose  of  ^e  session. 
The  fact  that  your  class  may  be 
small  need  not  keep  you  from  using 
this  method  of  teaching.  Three  chil- 


Christians Facing  Great  Moral  Issues:  II,  SERVICE 


WITHIN  the  last  two  decades 
service  has  become  a much- 
used  term  in  Mennonite  circles.  Out- 
ward circumstances  such  as  the  en- 
actment of  the  National  Service 
Act  about  twenty  years  ago,  thrust 
upon  the  church  the  necessity  of 
facing  up  to  alternatives.  One  of 
the  terms  which  then  became  a fre- 
quent part  of  the  vocabulary  was 
“alternative  service,’’  a service  ren- 
dered in  lieu  of  another  type  of 
service.  But  here  we  find  ourselves 
using  a term — "service’’ — ^which  has 
not  yet  been  defined. 

Here  is  a word  with  varying  as- 
pects of  meaning.  In  my  thinking, 
two  aspects  of  the  multiple  defini- 
tion of  this  word  apply  to  the  con- 


cept which  we  consider:  “work  done 
for  others’’  and  “helpful  or  friend- 
ly action.’’  To  put  further  meaning 
into  the  term,  the  Christian  concept 
of  love  (agape)  becomes  the  mo- 
tive. The  love  of  God  “constrains’’ 
us  (2  Corinthians  5:14-18)  to  serve, 
to  do  “work  for  others’’  or  to  pro- 
vide “helpful  or  friendly  actions.’’ 
Service  rendered  because  of  out- 
ward compulsions  can  be  done,  even 
so,  as  “helpful  or  friendly  action’’ 
and  can  be  love-motivated.  The  ex- 
tent to  which  this  occurs  depends 
upon  the  individual. 

One  important  aspect  is  left  out, 
however  — the  voluntary  aspect. 
“Voluntary”  (Webster)  is  defined 
as  “brought  about  by  one’s  own  free 


dren,  one  at  the  work  center  ana 
two  at  the  housekeeping  center,  can 
have  a real  learning  experience.  If 
your  class  is  quite  large,  one  assist- 
ant at  each  center  would  be  advis- 
able. Very  often  the  teacher  does 
not  have  the  opportunity  to  choose 
the  space  she  needs,  but  it  is  her 
duty  and  obligation  to  make  the 
best  use  of  the  space  allowed  her. 
Class  space  may  be  found  in  cor- 
ners of  the  main  room,  on  plat- 
forms, or  in  hallways.  Centers  of 
interest  can  be  set  up  using  low 
boxes,  benches,  or  even  chairs 
pushed  together.  If  space  is  limit- 
ed, one  can  remove  some  of  the 
chairs  ordinarily  used  by  the  chil- 
dren. Children  often  prefer  to  stand, 
kneel,  or  even  to  sit  on  the  floor 
while  at  work  on  various  projects. 
If  a large  rug  is  not  available,  a 
large  comforter  or  blanket  may  be 
used  as  a story  rug,  if  the  children 
sit  on  the  floor  during  the  time 
they  are  together.  It  may  be  that 
equipment  will  have  to  be  set  up 
and  put  away  for  each  lesson. 
While  not  ideal,  with  the  use  of  a 
little  ingenuity,  some  attractive 
furnishings  (often  brought  from 
home),  and  a courageous  spirit,  one 
can  teach  effectively  even  xmder 
adverse  circumstemces.  It  is  the  re- 
sponsibility and  privilege  of  a 
teacher  to  create  an  atmosphere 
conducive  to  the  best  teaching  pos- 
sible in  her  particular  situation. 


choice;  intentional;  controlled  by 
the  will.”  In  other  words,  the  ac- 
tion comes  from  individual  initia- 
tive, not  from  outward  compulsion. 

Against  these  definitions  we  could 
well  evaluate  the  service  programs 
of  our  church  and  its  agencies.  To 
what  extent  is  participation  in  1-W 
and  Pax  “love  motivated”  and  the 
service  done  “as  unto  Christ”?  To 
what  extent  is  the  Voluntary  Serv- 
ice participant  motivated  by  agape 
love? 

Where  is  the  “creative  growing 
edge”  in  our  service  “In  the  Name 
of  Christ”?  Let  us  share  with  each 
other  in  this  creative  search  to  find 
the  will  of  God  for  each  of  us. 

Erwin  C.  Goering 


i May  26,  1 959 


325 


The  Church 
Paper 
Speaks  Up 


Maynard  Shelly* 


ONE  of  the  most  colorful  legends 
from  General  Conference  Men- 
nonite  history  is  the  story  of  the 
post  office  wastebasket  that  was 
filled  weekly  with  copies  of  a 
church  paper — this  church  paper.  It 
seems  that  the  addresses,  for  one 
reason  or  another,  left  the  paper 
behind  in  the  post  card  discard. 
Let’s  call  it  history,  because  I am 
sure  it  doesn’t  happen  any  more — 
though  next  week’s  mail  may 
change  my  mind. 

But  it  is  a colorful  legend — color- 
ful because  while  it  tells  us  some- 
thing about  the  quality  of  our 
church  papers,  it  tells  us  much  more 
about  the  people  themselves.  Look 
at  the  person  who  brazenly — or 
meekly — drops  his  religious  journal 
into  Uncle  Sam’s  (or  is  it  Queen 
Elizabeth’s)  little  wicker  without 
taking  it  home.  Here  is  a different 
person.  On  Sunday  he  is  disguised 
under  the  pious  pretense  of  his  Sun- 
day meeting  suit.  But  as  he  leaves 
the  letter  house  without  his  faith 
gazette,  we  see  him  exposed  in  the 
workclothes-emotions  of  rebellion 
and  reaction.  Perhaps  the  latter 
state  is  more  human  and  honest 
than  the  first. 

While  I really  believe  that  only  a 
few  of  our  present  day  Conference 
weeklies  end  up  in  the  public  junk 
mail  bucket,  let’s  just  suppose  it 
did  happen  to  this  issue  of  The 
Mennonite.  And  just  suppose  it 
could  haul  itself  up  to  the  rim  of 
the  chaff  bin  and  speak.  What  do 
you  suppose  it  would  say? 

♦Assoc.  Exec.  Sec.,  Board  of  Education 
and  Publication 


“Friend,  you  hurt  my  feelings 
when  you  dropped  me  in  the  public 
trash.  Don’t  you  know  that  I am 
an  evangelist?  I come  to  talk  to 
you  of  Christ  and  the  great  things 
He  has  done  for  you.  This  isn’t  the 
kind  of  prophet’s  chamber  I was 
expecting,  but  then  I must  admit 
that  you  are  more  honest  than 
those  who  bury  my  brothers  under 
a stack  of  newspapers  at  home. 

“I  am  a little  sad  because  I had 
hoped  we  would  have  some  time  to 
study  the  meaning  of  the  gospel 
for  our  farms  and  cities,  but  I’m 
afraid  you  are  busier  than  I thought. 

“Don’t  you  know  that  I’m  like  a 
letter  from  home?  I was  going  to 
tell  you  about  some  of  our  mis- 
sionaries, our  schools,  and  our  oth- 
er church  work.  I really  thought 
you’d  like  to  know.  It  is  your  work. 

“Maybe  I talk  too  much,  but  I 
did  hope  we  could  sit  down  togeth- 
er on  the  front  porch  and  talk  a- 
bout  Christ  and  the  church  we  love. 
I had  some  new  ideas  and  I wanted 
to  get  your  opinion.  And  you  have 
ideas  that  I would  like  to  hear  too. 
But  it  looks  as  though  we’ll  have  to 
try  some  other  time. 

“Don’t  think  I’m  insulted  by  be- 
ing left  behind  in  the  letter  litter 
when  you  took  the  seed  catalog 
home  instead  of  me.  We  church 
papers  are  servants  and  we  are 
ready  to  do  what  you  want  us  to 
do.  One  of  my  brothers  will  be  a- 
long  next  week  and  I hope  you’ll 
like  him  well  enough  to  use  him 
more  kindly.” 

Let’s  leave  the  letter  office  lobby 
and  see  if  we  can  say  the  same 


thing  in  different  words.  Following 
is  a working  statement  on  a philos- 
ophy for  our  church  papers.  Which 
do  you  think  is  the  clearer  state- 
ment? 

Philosophy  for  Church  Papers 

“The  gospel  is  good  news  about 
God  who  in  Christ  is  reconciling  the 
world  unto  himself.  Through  the 
ministry  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  God 
perfects  our  understanding  of  His 
great  revelation  in  Jesus  Christ  and 
uses  men  to  share  it  with  other 
men.  As  the  gospel  appeared  in  hu- 
man form,  so  it  continues  to  be 
communicated  through  persons  and 
their  deeds  and  words. 

“As  we  are  under  obligation  to 
proclaim  the  gospel  by  all  means, 
so  the  church  paper  is  a human 
agency  used  by  the  Holy  Spirit  in 
God’s  work  of  reconciliation.  The 
church  paper  should  be  personal  in 
the  sense  that  it  gives  expression  to 
the  fruit  of  the  minds,  souls,  and 
hands  of  those  who  contribute  to  it. 
Thus  the  church  paper  can  be  used 
by  the  Holy  Spirit  to  witness,  teach, 
motivate,  and  build  the  Christian 
fellowship. 

“The  church  paper  uses  all  the 
potentials  of  its  medium  to  make 
the  message  of  Christ  understood. 
It  testifies  to  its  devotion  to  Christ 
not  only  through  the  printed  word; 
but  through  its  design,  visual  mate- 
rial, and  craftsmanship  it  speaks  of 
its  Christ-centeredness.  Though  it 
seeks  to  be  understood,  the  church 
paper  also  seeks  to  understand  both 
the  content  of  the  gospel  and  the 
nature  of  a man  for  whom  the  gospel 
is  intended.  The  church  paper  par- 
ticipates in  the  affairs  of  the  world 
and  through  its  activity  gives  a 
witness  to  its  concept  of  the  Chris- 
tian vocation. 

“The  church  paper  reports  on  the 
ministry  of  the  church,  but  is  not 
content  until  it  has  enlisted  the 
active  participation  and  support  of 
its  readers.  The  church  paper  leads 
the  way  by  participating  actively 
in  the  shaping  of  the  program  of 
the  church.  In  all  of  this  the  church 
paper  seeks  no  power  for  itself,  but 
seeks  to  be  a servant. 

“Through  its  news  reports  and 
the  sharing  of  human  information 
on  life  and  death,  the  church  paper 
builds  the  Christian  fellowship.  It 
seeks  to  overcome  those  barriers  of 
intellect,  spirit,  and  language  which 
divide  the  Christian  brotherhood.” 


326 


THE  MENNONITE 


Ref ugees-~‘^‘^For gotten  People^^ 


When  thousands  of  Mennonite 
refugees  in  Europe  were  seek- 
ing asylum  after  World  War  Two, 
North  American  Mennonites 
worked  arduously  to  assist  them  in 
every  way  possible.  MCC  workers 
distributed  food  and  clothing; 
leading  brethren  from  the  U.S.A. 
and  Canada  helped  clear  the  way 
for  emigration  or  resettlement  but 
most  important  of  all,  local  church 
members,  conscious  of  the  need  and 
eager  to  help,  pitched  in  with  gen- 
erous financial  assistance  and  fer- 
vent prayers.  These  refugees  were 
our  brethren — and  had  not  many  of 
us  been  through  similar  experiences 
ourselves  ? 

This  personal  identification  with 
suffering,  this  persistent  and  whole- 
hearted concern  about  people,  is 
needed  more  than  ever  in  our  pres- 
ent day.  In  Christ  all  men  are 
brothers,  so  we  dare  not  sit  back 
and  relax  in  the  comfort  and  se- 
curity of  our  homes,  neither  know- 
ing nor  caring  that  there  are  still 
I more  than  two  million  refugees  in 
the  free  world  today.  Does  only  the 
suffering  of  white  men,  or  perhaps 
only  of  Mennonites,  touch  us?  Can 
we  ignore  the  wretched  plight  of 
the  refugee  in  Hong  Kong  or  India 
or  Jordan? 

In  June  the  United  Nations  will 
launch  a World  Refugee  Year,  in 
^ accordance  with  a resolution 
passed  by  fifty-nine  nations  at  the 
Thirteenth  UN  General  Assembly, 
Dec.  5,  1958.  As  governments  seek 
to  heighten  general  awareness  of 
the  refugee  problem  and  give  in- 
creased assistance  to  resettlement 
and  integration  efforts,  let  us  be 
quick  to  rally  to  the  cause.  Good 
will  and  charity  will  not  suffice. 
Genuine  interest,  personal  prayer, 
and  sacrifical  giving  will  be  neces- 
sary. 

j World  Refugee  Picture 

The  U.S.  Committee  for  Refugees 
I has  released  a breakdown  of  the 
' world  picture: 

• In  Austria,  Germany,  Greece 
and  Italy,  30,000  refugees  who  are 


strangers  to  the  countries  in  which 
they  have  found  asylum,  are  still 
in  camps,  some  for  more  than  a 
decade. 

e There  are  upwards  of  100,000 
unsettled  “out-of-camp”  refugees  in 
Austria,  Belgium,  France,  Germany, 
Greece,  Italy,  Netherlands,  Turkey, 
and  the  Middle  East. 

• In  Hong  Kong,  one  million  ref- 
ugees from  the  Chinese  mainland 
are  living  under  severely  over- 
crowded and  poverty-stricken  con- 
ditions. In  addition,  60-70,000  Chi- 
nese have  taken  refuge  in  nearby 
Macao. 

• In  Tunisia  and  Morocco,  at 
least  170,000  Algerian  refugees  are 
living,  for  the  most  part,  in  un- 
speakably primitive  conditions. 

• There  are  9,500  European  ref- 
ugees still  remaining  in  Communist 
China,  who  are  being  resettled 
through  Hong  Kong  at  the  rate  of 
2,500  per  year. 

o In  addition  there  are  Tibetan 
refugees  in  Nepal  and  India;  Chi- 
nese refugees  in  Thailand,  Vietnam, 
and  Laos;  Jewish  refugees  from 
Egypt;  and  literally  millions  of  per- 
sons displaced  within  such  lands  as 
India,  Pakistan,  Korea,  and  Viet- 
nam because  of  war,  population 
shifts  and  political  events. 

What  Is  Needed 

Immediate  needs  for  many  ref- 
ugees continue  to  be  food,  clothing. 


shelter,  and  medical  care.  More 
important  in  the  long  run  are  work 
opportunities,  resettlement  assist- 
ance, aid  for  school  and  hospital 
construction,  vocational  training, 
small  business  loans — in  short,  the 
chance  to  become  self-supporting. 
What  We  Can  Do 
At  the  March  21  Executive  Com- 
mittee Meeting,  MCC  pledged  to 
support  the  promotion  of  World 
Refugee  Year.  Here  are  some  of 
the  things  the  U.S.  Committee  for 
Refugees  has  suggested  the  Amer- 
ican government  might  do:  grant 
ten  million  in  government  funds  be- 
yond the  present  budget  for  ref^ 
ugee  programs;  allocate  additional 
supplies  of  surplus  commodities  for 
distribution;  permit  admission  of 
refugee  orphans  under  adequate 
agency  safeguards  without  limita- 
tions as  to  origin,  time,  or  numbers; 
and  ask  voluntary  agencies  to  raise 
twenty  million  over  normal  cam- 
paign goals  from  the  American  peo- 
ple, on  behalf  of  refugees  during 
World  Refugee  Year. 

Sins  of  Omission 
Concerned  leaders  have  pointed 
out  two  areas  in  which  the  West, 
particularly  the  U.S.,  has  been 
guilty  of  neglect.  Robert  E.  Van 
Duesen,  spokesman  for  the  National 
Lutheran  Council,  said  in  Washing- 
ton recently:  “We  feel  it  is  time  to 
close  the  European  refugee  camps 


Refugee  quarters  after  a fire  in  Korea.  Photo  courtesy  of  MCC. 


May  26,  1959 


327 


and  this  can  only  be  done  by  mak- 
ing provision  to  take  our  share  of 
the  ‘hard  core’  cases,  those  who  for 
one  reason  or  another  cannot  sup- 
port themselves.”  Church  groups 
and  voluntary  agencies  have  ex- 
pressed their  willingness  to  sponsor 
such  cases  and  provide  the  needed 
assistance.  The  U.S.  Committee 
shares  this  concern  and  recom- 
mends that  the  American  program 
for  World  Refugee  Year  make  pro- 
visions for  the  admission  of  20,000 
refugees  a year  beyond  existing  quo- 
tas, including  a reasonable  num- 
ber of  difficult-to-resettle  cases  hav- 
ing U.S.  sponsorship. 

The  second  error  is  the  West’s 
failure  to  take  more  seriously  the 
refugee  problems  of  the  Far  East. 


Maternity  Work 
in  the  Congo 


Merle  and  Dorothy  Schwartz* 

IN  THE  Congo  Inland  Mission’s 
early  days  of  work,  medical  serv- 
ices were  found  to  be  very  neces- 
sary. As  soon  as  confidence  was 
established  in  medical  workers,  ab- 
normal maternity  cases  were  often 
brought  in.  Nurses  had  small  ma- 
ternity wards  built — usually  grass 
huts  with  mud  fioors,  primitive  in 
the  extreme.  But  regardless  of  how 
little  there  was  to  work  with,  nurs- 
es could  do  much  in  teaching  sani- 
tation, hygiene,  and  personal  CEire 
along  with  the  regular  treatment. 

Why  Maternity  Work? 

African  homes  are  lacking  en- 
tirely in  any  kind  of  sanitation. 
The  women,  except  for  a few  re- 
cently trained,  lack  knowledge  of 
anatomy  and  how  our  bodies  work 
and  function.  State  hospitals,  where 
they  could  go  for  help,  are  widely 
scattered.  Early  marriage  and  small 
build  mean  that  abnormal  cases  are 
not  infrequent. 

This  need  has  also  been  apparent 
to  the  government.  Grants  of  money 
were  made  available  in  certain  are- 
as to  build  maternity  centers  where 
more  modern  facilities  would  be 


‘Medical  Missionaries  to  Belgian  Congo 


At  a press  conference  in  New  York, 
Karl  L.  Stumpf,  Lutheran  relief 
official  in  Hong  Kong,  claimed  the 
Western  world  is  making  a big  mis- 
take by  paying  attention  almost 
solely  to  refugee  problems  that  in- 
volve Western  people.  Hong  Kong, 
for  example,  is  the  only  door  be- 
tween the  free  world  and  Com- 
munist China,  and  its  future  is  vital- 
ly important  to  the  West.  Yet  the 
estimated  one  million  Chinese  ref- 
ugees, living  in  indescribable  misery 
in  shacks,  streets  and  on  rooftops, 
get  no  financial  support  from  inter- 
national sources.  Mr,  Stumpf  warns 
that  “unless  the  West  readjusts  its 
attitude,  we  will  pay  dearly  later.” 
An  allocation  of  money  to  help 
Chinese  refugees  as  part  of  our 


Kin  a’Kakese,  Mukedi  midwife 


available  to  the  African  people. 

In  1947  Charlesville  Station  built 
the  first  Congo  Inland  Mission  ma- 
ternity building  with  such  funds, 
and  in  1951  Mukedi  began  the  con- 
struction of  a similar  building.  Now 


World  Refugee  Year  program,  has 
been  suggested  by  the  U.S.  Com- 
mittee. 

Compassion  for  Others 
World  Refugee  Year  is  envisioned 
as  a “human”  year.  Mennonite  his- 
tory reveals  that  we  are  a people 
who  have  been  frequently  uprooted; 
our  story  tells  of  much  persecu- 
tion and  suffering.  God  forbid  that 
our  present  well-being  should  have 
dulled  our  hearts  and  minds  to  the 
needs  of  others.  'The  refugee  has 
been  called  “the  showing  sore  of 
the  bitter  sickness  of  our  times.”  A 
compassionate  world  is  proclaiming 
a year  of  concentrated,  dedicated 
effort  to  heal  that  sore.  Christians 
belong  in  the  front  ranks  of  such 
an  effort! 


Nyanga,  Mutena,  and  Kandala  have 
or  are  in  the  process  of  getting 
fine  maternity  units.  Other  stations 
also  have  buildings  more  or  less 
adequate  for  this  work. 

Prenatal  Clinics 

The  program  begins  with  prena- 
tal clinics,  where  women  aire 
weighed,  measured,  watched,  and 
prepared  for  the  coming  confine- 
ment. The  attention  they  are  given 
has  become  a drawing  card.  Fre- 
quently the  nurses  go  to  the  village, 
have  the  clinic,  and  return  v^dth 
a carload  of  women  and  belongings 
to  await  the  baby  at  the  “waiting 
ward”  near  the  maternity  build- 
ing. 

These  wards,  or  places  where  the 
women  who  are  near  due  can  stay, 
are  usually  crowded.  They  give  a 
wonderful  opportunity  for  teaching 
the  gospel  as  well  as  teaching  hy- 
giene and  personal  care.  It  is  quite 
an  experience  for  a woman  who 
has  never  had  an5d;hing  but  a short 
wrap-around  skirt,  to  be  given  a 
blouse,  skirt,  blanket,  sheet,  and 
pillow.  It  is  not  surprising  that 
these  things  are  often  misused! 

Do  we  keep  visitors  and  especial- 
ly children  out  of  the  maternity 
wards?  Oh,  we  try  to  some  extent, 
but  it  is  very  difficult  to  fight  a- 
gainst  the  almost  impossible.  At 
such  a happy  time  the  whole  vil- 
lage wants  to  come  and  visit! 

Postnatal  Care 

Our  services  do  not  end  here. 
After  the  mother  goes  home  with 
her  precious  baby  dressed  in  a lay- 
( continued  on  page  332) 


328 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  youth 

Young  people  of  Europe  and  America  are  co-operating 
in  this  venture  in  Christian  education 

Agape-Verlag 

by  Ken  Hiebert,  as  told  to  Esther  Groves 


Not  long  ago  a religious  pub- 
lishing house  in  America  consid- 
ered putting  out  its  materials  in 
German  for  use  in  Europe,  so  it 
approached  a German  publisher  to 
do  the  work.  The  German  publisher 
thought  it  over,  then  asked  a North 
German  Free  Church  minister, 
prominent  in  the  field  of  Christian 
, education,  what  he  thought  of  such 
a project  — were  the  materials 
worth  publishing?  would  they  be 
well  received? 

The  minister,  who  was  at  that 
time  using  in  religious  education 
the  Mennonite  summer  Bible  school 
, materials  put  out  by  Agape-Verlag, 
advised  the  German  publisher  that 
if  the  American  religious  materials 
were  published  as  straight  transla- 
' tions  into  German,  they  would  not 
be  successful.  If,  however,  they 
were  as  well  adapted  to  European 
use  as  the  Agape-Verlag  materials 
— good! 

, This  incident  gives  some  insight 
into  how  Agape-Verlag,  a Menno- 
nite American-sponsored  publishing 
house  in  Basel,  Switzerland,  has 
I appioached  its  task  of  supplying 
Christian  education  materials  for 
European  churches.  Using  a small 
, staff  and  working  in  a field  that  is 
new  in  Europe  — summer  Bible 
school  — Agape-Verlag  has  never- 
theless achieved  some  solid  success 
and  filled  real  needs. 

The  publishing  house  in  Basel  was 
initiated  when  MCC  and  the  (Old) 
Mennonite  Publishing  House  of 
Scottdale,  Pa.,  recognized  the  poten- 
tial of  an  embryonic  tremslation 
project  being  developed  by  relief 
workers  who  were  serving  in  the 
MCC-sponsored  children's  homes  of 
eastern  France.  They  gave  Agape- 
Verlag  its  first  assignment:  pub- 
1 lication  of  Herald  Press  Summer 
Bible  School  materials  in  French 


and  German.  The  American  co- 
sponsors were  interested  in  produc- 
ing graded  materials  to  European 
churches  and  in  offering  a kind  of 
material  which  taught  Christian 
discipleship  at  the  child’s  level,  re- 
lating religious  teaching  to  every- 
day life. 

Although  summer  Bible  school  is 
not  so  widespread  in  Europe  as  it 
is  among  American  churches,  this 
area  of  Christian  education  was 
chosen  precisely  because  it  is  an 
open  field,  perhaps  the  coming 
thing,  and  therefore  presents  more 
opportunity  than  the  field  of  Sim- 
day  school  literature,  for  example, 
where  much  other  literature  al- 
ready exists. 

This  was  illustrated  when  a 
member  of  the  Agape-Verlag  staff 
dropped  in  on  a European  book- 
store manager  to  show  him  the  new 
Mennonite  materials.  At  once  the 
man  asked,  “Is  this  Sunday  school 
material  you’re  producing?’’  “No,” 
he  was  assured,  “this  is  for  summer 
Bible  school.”  He  looked  over  the 
materials.  “You’re  sure  it’s  not  Sun- 
day school  material?”  “No.”  “Then 
we  will  stock  it,  if  it  is  something 


completely  new.” 

What  the  bookstore  manager  saw 
were  attractive,  well-planned,  pa- 
per-bound pupil  workbooks  and 
teacher’s  manuals  covering  an  age 
range  of  from  preschool  through 
grade  eight.  They  are  so  practical 
that  some  ministers  use  them  for 
phases  of  religious  education  other 
than  Bible  school. 

Nearly  the  entire  work  of  writ- 
ing, translating,  printing,  and  pro- 
motion is  done  from  a seventeen- 
room  house  in  Basel  with  a million- 
franc  view  of  the  distant  Black 
Forest.  Native  workers  constitute 
the  editorial  staff  of  Agape-Verlag. 
Anni  Dyck,  of  Stuttgart,  Germany, 
a Mennonite  writer  who  studied  a 
year  at  Goshen  College  and  a year 
at  Bethel  College,  has  prepared 
original  curriculum  materials  since 
1956.  Anne  Comtesse,  from  central 
France,  translates  from  German  to 
French,  does  secretarial  and  field 
work  (the  latter  in  France),  and 
has  been  with  the  project  from  its 
beginning  in  1950.  Helena  Braun,  of 
Chilliwack,  B.  C.,  who  joined  the 
staff  this  past  summer,  is  engaged 
in  full-time  field  work,  contacting 


Second  graders,  fully  engrossed  in  the  story  of  Job,  recite  enthusiastically. 
The  teacher  is  from  Basel,  Switzerland.  Photo  by  Ken  Hiebert. 


May  26,  1959 


French  girls  construct  an  origin':^!  picture  series  show-  Sixth  graders  rehearse  a song  for  their  closing  pro- 

ing  a contemporary  Jonah.  Photos  by  Ken  Hiebert.  gram,  using  recorders  for  accompaniment. 


churches  and  bookstores  for  cur- 
riculum counseling  and  promotion. 

Over-all  execution  of  writing, 
printing,  and  distribution  is  the 
responsibility  of  Gerhard  Ileimer  of 
Giroux,  Manitoba,  who  recently  suc- 
ceeded Ken  Hiebert  of  Mountian 
I.ake,  Minnesota.  Ken  had  provided 
Agape-Verlag  with  executive  serv- 
ice the  previous  four  years,  and  his 
wife  Eleanor  acted  as  secretary- 
typist,  did  some  printing,  and 
served  as  housemother.  Homer  An- 
dres of  Ellilng,  Kan.,  on  loan  from 
Pax  since  A larch,  1958,  prints  mate- 
rials on  the  offset  press  in  the 
house’s  basement.  Part-time  work- 
ers help  witii  copy  editing. 

The  responsibility  for  content  and 
checking  of  manuscripts  is  that  of 
the  European  Advisory  Committee, 
Vv'hich  is  composed  of  two  repre- 
sentatives each  from  the  Mennonite 
constituencies  of  Germany,  France, 
and  Switzerland. 

The  staff  began  in  1950  by  trans- 
lating and  adapting  the  Herald 
Press  materials  but  found  before 
long  that  the  operation  was  not  to 
be  so  simple.  The  conventional  col- 
ored biblical  pictures,  with  which 
any  person  is  familiar  who  has 
ever  received  Sunday  school  take- 
home  leaflets,  were  criticized  by 
Europeans  as  too  “sweet,”  senti- 
mental, and  idealistic.  The  criti- 
cism was  justifled,  and  it  came 
from  a people  with  an  art  tradi- 
tion and  cultural  background  that 
Americans  do  not  have. 

“The  message  is  the  important 
thing,”  pointed  out  the  Europeans, 
“and  the  more  expensive  four-color 
reproductions,  if  not  good  art,  do 
not  really  add  to  its  effectiveness; 


the  too-pretty  color  takes  the  at- 
tention away  from  the  mam  idea 
of  the  illustration.”  So,  to  meet 
Europe’s  more  discriminating  ta.ste, 
European  artists  did  the  work  for 
the  books  — well-designed,  striking, 
yet  simple  illustrations. 

As  the  work  progressed,  there 
were  other  problems  and  challenges 
to  be  met.  Europeans  are  suspicious 
of  American  mass  production;  they 
want  individual  thinking.  Certainly 
any  material  which  offered  only 
blanks  to  be  filled  out  or  questions 
with  pat  answers  was  not  what 
they  were  looking  for.  While  Amer- 
icans felt  at  times  that  European 
churches  were  not  as  progressive 
in  method,  Europeans  felt  that 
American  churches  stressed  method 
above  content.  This  was  reflected, 
they  felt,  in  the  large  ratio  of  ac- 
tivity to  Bible  study.  (While  Euro- 
pean churches  use  craft  work  as 
part  of  such  a program,  they  do 
not  integrate  it  with  Bible  study  as 
American  materials  often  do.) 

The  emphasis  on  and  desire  for 
more  Bible  study  was  certainly 
most  valuable,  so  Agape-Verlag,  do- 
ing some  creative  thinking  of  its 
own,  endeavored  to  present  Chris- 
tian education  materials  which 
would  combine  emphasis  on  con- 
tent and  opportunity  for  individual 
thinking  with  American  educational 
philosophy. 

One  result  of  the  European  em- 
phasis on  individual  thinking  is 
that  Mennonite  churches  in  Europe 
like  to  work  with  small  groups. 
The  fewer  that  attend  a discussion, 
the  better;  everyone  can  take  more 
part.  However  the  new  curriculum 
materials  require  enough  participa- 


tion so  that  large  groups  of  chil- 
dren can  be  divided  into  smaller 
classes  to  use  materials  graded  to 
specific  ages.  Agape-Verlag  found 
that  it  had  not  only  to  sell  its  Bible 
school  materials  but  to  promote 
the  idea  of  materials  graded  to  the 
child’s  level  of  understanding. 

A large  group  of  children  using 
graded  materials  presupposes  an- 
other group  of  teachers  to  teach 
them.  In  American  churches,  teach- 
ers are  recruited  from  among  both 
men  and  women;  and  for  summer 
Bible  school,  which  takes  place  dur- 
ing the  week,  especially  from  moth- 
ers and  housewives.  It  is  not  un- 
common for  a mother  to  teach  a 
Bible  school  class  while  her  chil- 
dren attend  other  of  the  sessions. 

In  Europe,  Christian  education  is 
entirely  in  the  hands  of  profession- 
ally trained  church  workers  — the 
minister  and  perhaps  a woman  as- 
sistant who  is  trained  for  this 
work.  Usually  there  are  three 
Christian  education  activities  of- 
fered by  the  church:  Kindergottes- 
d i e n s t,  religious  education  in 
schools,  and  the  catechetical  class 
prior  to  confirmation  or  baptism. 
The  laity  does  not  teach,  all  in- 
struction being  the  responsibility  of 
the  minister  and  his  assistant. 

When  Agape-Verlag  introduced 
materials  for  summer  Bible  school, 
it  needed  also  to  introduce  the 
idea  of  lay  teachers.  Obviously  the 
teachers’  manuals  being  put  out 
were  designed  for  laymen,  not 
trained  teachers.  (The  professional 
teacher  would  be  insulted  by  a 
manual  which  makes  such  specific 
suggestions  for  every  phase  of  ac- 
tivity, yet  this  is  precisely  what 


330 


THE  MENNONITE 


A Point-blank  Letter 


the  untrained  teacher  relies  upon 
heavily.) 

To  add  to  the  difficulty,  European 
women  were  not  available,  for  Eu- 
ropean tradition  places  and  keeps  a 
married  woman  in  the  home,  and 
she  does  not  feel  called  to  leave  it 
for  outside  activities,  not  even  in 
the  church.  To  obtain  teachers, 
Agape-Verlag,  together  with  the 
South  German  Mennonite  Youth 
Commission,  is  recruiting  young 
people  who  serve  as  voluntary 
teachers  in  churches  as  needed. 

Cost  continues  to  be  a stumbling 
block,  in  that  European  churches 
have  previously  limited  their  spend- 
ing on  Christian  educational  mate- 
rials to  simple  story  sheets  and  are 
not  used  to  budgeting  money  for 
comprehensive  Sunday  school  or 
summer  Bible  school  materials. 
However  the  materials  are  slowly 
finding  their  way  into  churches,  and 
the  prices  cover  the  costs  (excep- 
tion: the  materials  are  provided 

free  of  charge  for  refugee  children 
when  necessary). 

The  entire  series  of  summer  Bible 
school  materials  will  be  completed 
this  summer.  The  staff  will,  as 
usual,  spend  the  summer  in  field 
work,  teaching,  demonstration, 
I counseling,  contacting,  and  promot- 
ing to  the  end  that  European  chil- 
dren may  be  trained  in  the  disciple- 
ship  of  our  common  Lord  and  Sav- 
ior, Jesus  Christ. 


from  Dorothy  L.  Sayers 

The  only  letter  I ever  wanted  to 
address  to  average  people  is 
one  that  says:  Why  don’t  you  take 
the  trouble  to  find  out  what  is 
Christianity  and  what  isn’t?  Why, 
when  you  can  bestir  yourself  to 
learn  technical  terms  about  elec- 
tricity, won’t  you  do  as  much  for 
theology  before  you  begin  to  argue? 

Why  do  you  never  read  either  the 
ancient  or  the  modem  authorities 
in  the  subject,  but  take  your  infor- 
mation, for  the  most  part,  from 
biologists  and  physicists  who  have 
picked  it  up  as  inaccurately  as  your- 
selves? Why  do  you  accept  mil- 
dewed old  heresies  as  bold  and  con- 
structive contributions  to  modem 
thought  when  any  handbook  on 
church  history  would  tell  you  where 
they  came  from? 

Why  do  you  complain  that  the 
proposition  that  God  is  three-in-one 
is  obscure  and  mystical  and  yet  ac- 
quiesce meekly  in  the  physicist’s 
fundamental  formula,  “2P-PQ  e- 
quals  IH  over  2 Pi  where  1 equals 
the  square  of  minus  1,”  when  you 
know  quite  well  that  the  square 
root  of  minus  1 is  paradoxical  and 


Pi  is  incalculable? 

What  makes  you  suppose  that  the 
expression  “God  ordains’’  is  narrow 
and  bigoted  whereas  the  expres- 
sions “nature  provides’’  or  “science 
demands’’  are  objective  statements 
of  fact? 

You  would  be  ashamed  to  know 
as  little  about  internal  combustion 
as  you  do  about  beliefs.  I admit 
that  you  can  practice  Christianity 
without  knowing  much  about  the- 
ology, just  as  you  can  drive  a car 
without  understanding  internal 
combustion.  But  if  something  breaks 
down  in  the  car,  you  humbly  go  to 
the  man  who  understands  the 
works,  whereas  if  something  goes 
wrong  with  religion,  you  merely 
throw  the  creed  away  and  tell  the 
preacher  he  is  a liar. 

Why  do  you  want  a letter  from 
me  telling  you  about  God?  You 
will  never  bother  to  check  up  on  it 
and  find  out  whether  I am  giving 
you  a personal  opinion  or  the 
church’s  doctrine.  Go  and  do  some 
work.  Yours  very  sincerely  . . . 

From  the  Faculty  Christian  Fel- 
lowship Bulletin,  by  permission 


S.  M.  Y.  O.  Workshop 

reported  by  K.  J.  Martens 


The  annual  Saskatchewan  Men- 
nonite Youth  Organization 
workshop  and  conference  was  held 
March  20-22  at  the  Mayfair  Men- 
I nonite  Church  in  Saskatoon;  the 
theme:  “Building  an  Effective  Youth 
Program.”  Some  240  young  people 
registered  along  with  a large  num- 
ber of  city  young  people  who  could 
attend  only  the  occasional  session. 

The  conference  was  led  by  Elmer 
Richert,  S.M.Y.O.  president.  Lectur- 
ers were  P.  G.  Sawatzky,  Art  Wiens, 
Peter  Letkeman,  and  Otto  Driedger. 

, George  Wiebe  led  the  choir. 

'The  program  aimed  to  help  young 
people  make  their  local  youth  fel- 
lowship more  effective  and  to  help 
them  meet  local  needs.  The  confer- 
I ence  program  included  lectures  and 


discussions,  panel  discussion,  fellow- 
ship banquet,  devotional  program, 
and  the  annual  business  sessions. 

About  800  young  people  were  rep- 
resented by  the  delegates  who  had 
appeared  for  the  business  sessions. 
Reports  were  given  of  all  areas  of 
work.  The  past  year  had  been  a 
year  of  blessing,  for  which  we  are 
grateful;  and  new  plans  were  made 
for  the  coming  year. 

A film,  God  Giveth  the  Increase, 
was  made  in  1958  of  the  work  of 
the  S.M.Y.O.  It  is  available  for 
showing,  and  Canadian  churches 
wishing  to  order  the  film  can  do  so 
by  writing  to  the  Mennonite  Book 
Store,  Rosthern,  Sask.  Churches  in 
the  U.S.A.  should  write  to  William 
Zehr,  Better  Films,  Portland,  Ore. 


The  budget  for  1959  was  drawn 
up  as  follows:  General  Fund  $950; 
Esther  Patkau,  missionary  to  Ja- 
pan, $1300;  Ben  Sawatzky,  mission- 
ary to  India,  $2500;  C.M.Y.O.,  $707.- 
50;  Y.P.U.,  $543.50;  Home  Missions, 
(Pike  Lake  retreat  grounds),  $500; 
Total,  $6500. 

The  conference  was  brought  to  a 
close  Sunday  afternoon.  A 110-voice 
choir,  directed  by  George  Wiebe  and 
accompanied  by  Walter  Thiessen, 
brought  an  inspirational  program. 
Soloists  were  Edna  Regier  and  Pet- 
er Letkeman. 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
the  Young  People's  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  3003 
Benham  Avenue,  Elkhart,  Indiana. 


: May  26,  1959 


331 


MATERNITY  WORK  IN  THE 
CONGO  (continued  from  page  328> 


Merle  Bvxirtz  with  medical  helpers. 


ette,  she  is  encouraged  to  return 
weekly  to  baby  blinic.  These  clinics 
are  held  both  on  the  station  and 
in  villages  so  that  we  can  watch 
the  babies,  see  that  they  are  gain- 
ing weight,  spot  those  who  do  not 
get  enough  milk,  and  find  them  in 
the  early  stages  of  various  illnesses. 
A baby  can  be  covered  with  itch, 
and  the  mother  does  not  think  of 
it  as  being  sick  at  all.  Simple  colds 
or  diarrhea  may  not  seem  bad 
enough  to  rate  bringing  the  baby  to 
the  hospital  without  encouragment 
from  the  nurse. 

Little  Madiya  was  found  to  weigh 
only  six  pounds  at  eight  months  of 
age.  Her  mother  thought  she  did 
not  seem  to  be  as  big  as  other 
children  bom  at  the  same  time,  so 
she  brought  her  to  baby  clinic.  A 
few  months  on  the  bottle  brought 
wonderful  changes!  Many  village 
women  who  did  not  come  to  our 
maternity  hospital  for  the  delivery, 
bring  their  babies  to  the  clinic  to 
be  weighed.  Some  stations  have 
between  400  and  600  babies  regis- 
tered. 

Does  it  pay?  Although  the  wom- 
en may  pay  a small  amount  (all 
the  way  from  nothing  at  all  to 
fifty  cents),  this  cannot  pay  even 
the  workers  we  hire  to  help  out 
with  the  work.  But  when  we  con- 
sider the  wonderful  contact  we  have 
to  reach  them  with  the  gospel,  the 
opportunities  for  teaching,  and  the 
lives  that  have  been  saved,  we 
know  that  the  maternity  work  has 
already  done  a great  deal  for  the 
mission  work  and  for  the  African 
people. 

Object  Lesson 

Mbaka  was  carried  in  two  day’s 
journey  in  a blanket  to  the  hospital. 
She  had  been  bleeding;  one  look 
at  the  pale  listless  face  assures  us 


we  must  work  fast  to  save  her. 
There  is  no  blood  bank;  dried 
plasma,  costing  $30  a pint,  is  the 
only  thing  that  will  save  her  now. 

We  call  the  relatives  who  are 
crowded  around  the  door,  explain 
the  situation,  assure  them  we  will 
do  all  in  our  power,  and  ask  them 
to  pray  with  us  to  God  for  His 
help.  They  know  nothing  about 
prayer,  but  anything  the  white  peo- 
ple say  will  help  is  all  right  with 
them.  Black  heads  and  white  ones 
are  bowed  together  as  we  put  it 
all  in  God’s  hands  and  ask  for 
guidance  and  wisdom.  When  all  is 
over  and  the  young  girl  is  resting 
quietly  in  bed,  we  call  the  relatives. 
After  assuring  them  she  is  going 
to  be  all  right,  we  ask  them  to 
pray  with  us  again,  giving  thanks  to 
God.  We  want  them  to  know  that 
this  is  His  doing  and  His  giving  of 
wisdom  and  strength.  ’The  black 
heads  bow  again,  this  time  more 
readily  as  they  see  that  the  first 
time  brought  results. 

Madituna  lived  close  to  the  mis- 
sion and  came  regularly  to  prenatal 
clinic.  One  day  toward  the  end  of 
confinement  the  nurse  told  her, 
“Madituna,  all  is  not  well.  I’m  ex- 
pecting trouble  with  your  baby.  You 
must  stay  very  close  here  at  the 
maternity  hospital  so  that  when 
your  time  comes  we  can  be  near 
you.” 


our  schools 

STUDENT  RECITAL 

The  Bluffton  College  department 
of  music  presented  a student  recital 
May  18  in  Ramseyer  Chapel.  Stu- 
dents participating  in  this  general 
recital  were  John  Miller,  David 
Krouskop,  Martha  Orwick,  Tom 
Lehman,  Doris  Liechty,  Carolyn 
Sauder,  Sonia  Gingrich,  James 
Glenn,  Alice  Bear,  Nancy  Wismer, 
Elizabeth  Clemens,  Sarah  Kratz, 
Lloyd  Geissinger,  Miriam  Mitchell, 
and  Marjorie  Hamishfeger. 
RECEIVES  PH.D. 

William  Keeney,  assistant  profes- 
sor of  Bible  at  Bluffton  College, 
was  successful  in  defense  of  his 
thesis  at  Hartford  Theological 
Seminary  and  the  faculty  voted  to 
grant  him  the  Ph.D.  degree  cum 
laude  at  the  commencement  on  May 
20.  Brother  Keeney  took  his  work 
in  historical  theology  and  wrote 


At  one  time  this  would  have  been 
considered  a curse.  Now  the  patient 
knows  it  is  a timely  warning  and 
that  the  doctor  will  be  there  to 
operate  if  necessary.  The  confidence 
placed  in  us  is  not  only  rewarding 
— it  is  a sign  that  many  are  turn- 
ing to  God  in  time  of  trouble  rather 
than  depending  on  fetishes  and 
witchcraft. 

More  Equipment  Needed 

What  of  the  future?  As  the  peo- 
ple progress  in  many  other  ways, 
the  standard  of  medical  and  mater- 
nity service  must  also  improve.  We 
have  no  incubators  for  prematures. 
Oxygen  is  not  available  for  either 
mother  or  baby  in  times  of  distress. 

At  some  maternity  wards  there  are 
mothers  lying  on  the  fioor  because 
the  beds  are  all  fuU.  Expansion  at 
several  stations  is  a necessity. 

There  is  a great  future.  As  the 
work  increases,  trained  helpers 
must  also  increase  in  number,  and 
there  is  the  ever-present  possibility 
that  missionaries  may  not  have  too  ^ 
much  longer  to  stay  in  a country 
where  the  national  scene  is  chang- 
ing. 

God  has  used  the  maternity  work 
mightily  to  bring  women  to  a sav- 
ing knowledge  of  Him.  Pray  with 
us  that  He  might  use  us  in  this  • 
work  to  such  an  extent  that  many 
mothers  may  go  to  their  homes 
trying  to  live  better  lives  for  Him. 


his  thesis  on  the  topic,  “The  Devel- 
opment of  Thought  and  Practice 
Among  the  Dutch  Anabaptists  from 
1539  to  1564.” 

VISIT  TO  BERNE 

On  May  14  twenty-six  junior  and 
senior  business  students  of  Bluffton 
College  visited  the  industries  and  ! 
businesses  of  Berne,  Ind.  Howard 
Baumgartner,  former  Bluffton  stu- 
dent who  is  now  an  attorney,  and 
Elmer  Baumgartner,  president  of 
the  Board  of  Trustees  of  Bluffton 
College,  made  the  arrangements 
for  the  tour.  Firms  visited  were  > 
the  Dunbar  Furniture,  Berne  Over- 
all and  Shirt  Factory,  Berne  Fur- 
niture, Berne  Highway  Hatchery,  , 
Berne  Witness,  Graber  Poultry  and 
Processing  Plant,  and  the  First 
Bank  of  Berne.  Howard  Raid,  head 
of  the  business  department,  accom-  . 
panied  the  students. 


332 


THE  AAENNONITE 


SEMINARY  GRADUATES 

The  six  seniors  who  graduated 
in  the  closing  exercises  at  Menno- 
nite  Biblical  Seminary  May  25  are 
William  Block,  Steinbach,  Man.; 
Nicholas  Dick,  Niagara-on-the-Lake, 
Ont.;  Gordon  Dyck,  Newton,  Kan.; 
George  E.  Janzen,  Mission  City, 
B.  C.;  Abraham  Krause,  Mountain 
Lake,  Minn.;  and  Virginia  Claassen, 
Whitewater,  Kan.  Virginia  received 
the  degree  of  Master  of  Religious 
Education,  and  the  rest  of  the  sen- 
iors received  the  degree  of  Bachelor 
of  Divinity. 

William  Block  has  been  appoint- 
ed pastor  of  the  Vancouver  Menno- 
nite  Mission  in  Vancouver,  B.  C.  He 
and  his  wife  Delores  will  be  starting 
their  work  there  this  summer.  Nich- 
olas Dick  and  his  wife  Harriet  will 
be  going  to  Saskatoon,  Sask.,  where 
Nicholas  will  serve  as  assistant  pas- 
tor in  the  Mennonite  Church.  Gor- 
don Dyck  has  been  appointed  pastor 
of  the  First  Mennonite  Church  of 
Nappanee,  Ind.  He  and  his  wife 
Delia  will  begin  their  work  in  Nap- 
panee in  the  fall. 

George  E.  Janzen  is  a missionary 
appointee  to  Japan  and  plans  to 
leave  in  late  summer  for  service 
I there.  Prior  to  leaving,  his  marriage 
to  Martha  Giesbrecht  will  take 
place.  Abraham  Krause  and  his  wife 
Ruby  have  been  called  to  Inola, 
Okla.,  where  Abe  will  serve  as  pas- 
tor of  the  Eden  Mennonite  Church. 
Virginia  Claassen  will  begin  her 
work  in  fall  as  teacher  at  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  School  for  children 
of  missionaries  in  Japan.  The  school 
will  be  located  in  Miyakonojo,  Kyu- 
shu, Island. 

COMMENCEMENT  EXERCISES 

Pending  the  satisfactory  comple- 
tion of  their  work,  a total  of  ninety- 
two  seniors  and  six  sophomores  are 
being  presented  for  academic  de- 
grees at  the  annual  commencement 
exercises  of  Bethel  College,  Mon- 
day, May  25  at  10  a.m.  Dr.  Paul  W. 
Robinson,  president  of  Bethany  Bib- 
lical Seminary,  Chicago,  is  deliver- 
ing the  commencement  address. 

Of  the  graduating  class,  thirty- 
three  are  candidates  for  the  degree 
of  bachelor  of  arts,  while  fifty-eight 
are  candidates  for  the  bachelor  of 
science  degree  and  one  is  a candi- 
date for  the  bachelor  of  theology 
degree.  Six  are  candidates  for  the 
I associate  in  arts  degree. 

! Members  of  the  graduating  class 


represent  ten  states,  three  Canadi- 
an provinces,  and  Formosa,  Ger- 
many, Holland,  and  Uruguay.  The 
ninety-two  seniors  expect  to  com- 
plete their  work  as  of  the  follow- 
ing dates:  Nov.  25,  1958;  Feb.  27, 
1959;  May  25,  1959;  and  July  31, 
1959. 

STUDENT  COMMUNION 

April  27,  the  Christian  Youth 
Volunteers  of  Freeman  Junior  Col- 
lege sponsored  a student  commun- 
ion at  an  impressive  evening  serv- 
ice. Abe  Wiebe  and  J.  Herbert 
Fretz  administered  the  sacrament. 
This  was  the  first  such  student-spon- 
sored service,  and  the  response  was 
excellent.  Music  was  provided  by 
the  Academy  Ensemble. 

EIGHTH  GRADE  DAY 

Freeman  Junior  College  and 
Academy  was  host  to  65  grade 
school  pupils  on  Eighth  Grade  Day, 
May  5.  Each  year  eighth  grade  pu- 
pils are  invited  to  be  guests  of  the 
school  for  a day.  They  visit  classes, 
tour  the  campus,  are  guests  at  a 
noon  meal,  and  are  given  a special 
program  before  they  leave  for 
home.  Richard  Waltner,  in  charge 
of  Public  Relations,  arranged  the 
day’s  activities.  Members  of  the 
senior  class  served  as  hosts  and 
guides.  The  Homemaking  girls  and 
their  instructor,  Mrs.  Unruh,  served 
the  noon  meal. 

PSYCHIATRIST  SPEAKS 

R.  C.  Knowles,  psychiatrist  and 

MCC  news  and  notes 

FLOOD  DISASTER 
IN  URUGUAY 

Torrential  rains,  with  some  two 
feet  of  water  falling  in  three  weeks, 
have  caused  grave  flood  conditions 
and  heavy  economic  losses  in  Uru- 
guay, reports  MCC  worker  Alvin  J. 
Becker  from  Montevideo. 

“The  colonies  have  suffered  heavy 
crop  losses  through  this  flood,”  he 
writes.  “Delta  has  lost  her  second 
potato  crop  because  the  potatoes 
rotted  in  the  ground.  El  Ombu  has 
lost  heavily  on  peanuts,  but  Gar- 
tental  has  possibly  suffered  the 
most.  President  H.  W.  Goertz  re- 
ports a loss  of  approximately  150,- 
000  pesos  in  peanuts  that  were 
ready  to  harvest  but  have  either 
sprouted  or  else  rotted  in  the 
ground.” 

All  the  machinery  of  the  big  pow- 


director  of  the  Mental  Health  Cen- 
ter in  Sioux  Falls,  S.  D.,  was  guest 
speaker  at  the  May  5 Freeman  Jun- 
ior College  faculty  meeting.  His  talk 
was  followed  by  a question-answer- 
discussion  period.  At  the  social  hour 
which  followed,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Arlan 
Ortman  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Avery 
Zook  served  lunch. 

ACADEMY  ACCREDITED 

Principal  Gerhard  Buhler  of  Free- 
man Academy  received  notice  from 
the  North  Central  Association  of 
Colleges  and  Secondary  Schools 
that  Freeman  Academy  was  again 
unconditionally  approved  for  the 
coming  school  year.  Of  some  400 
high  schools  in  South  Dakota,  only 
51  were  so  approved. 

MID-TERM  EXAMS 

Mid-term  examinations,  assigned 
reading,  and  reading  reports  have 
made  the  past  week  exceptionally 
busy  at  Canadian  Mennonite  Bible 
College.  Mr.  Janzen  demonstrated 
at  the  last  social  how  instructors 
react  when  they  have  a pile  of  test 
papers  to  correct. 

PRAYER  MEETING  GUESTS 

Pastor  John  Schmidt  and  the  Gos- 
pel Light  quartet  visited  Canadian 
Mennonite  Bible  College  at  the  May 
9 evening  prayer  meeting.  Brother 
Schmidt  reported  briefly  on  radio 
work  and  spoke  on  intercessory 
prayer.  The  quartet  sang  four  num- 
bers. 


er  dam,  Rincon  del  Bonete,  in  the 
central  part  of  Uruguay  has  been 
submerged,  throwing  the  power 
plant  out  of  commission,  possibly 
for  six  months.  This  amounts  to  a 
loss  of  two-thirds  of  the  electrical 
current  normally  available.  To 
compensate  for  the  loss,  a reduced 
schedule  has  been  introduced 
throughout  the  country. 

Because  Uruguay  is  so  small,  the 
whole  country  suffers  the  conse- 
quences of  this  tragic  event.  The 
greatest  financial  setback  will  like- 
ly be  the  loss  of  production  caused 
by  the  power  shortage.  There  have 
also  been  considerable  losses  of 
stored  wheat  and  food  in  the  city  of 
Paysandu.  One  town  close  to  the 
power  dam,  Paso  de  les  Toros,  was 
completely  evacuated. 

Much  assistance  is  coming  in 


I May  26,  1959 


333 


from  other  countries,  such  as  the 
United  States,  Germany,  and  Swit- 
zerland. In  Uruguay  the  local  MCC 
staff  and  the  Mennonite  colonies  are 
also  helping  in  whatever  way  pos- 
sible. Becker  reports:  “We  have 

gathered  some  clothing  from  the 
Mennonites  and  turned  it  over  for 
flood  relief.  Everybody  is  very  help- 
ful and  wanting  to  do  something 
for  the  flood  victims. 

“Thus  far  there  has  been  no  re- 
quest for  manpower,  although  in- 
terest in  Montevideo  is  high  and 
Pastor  Karl  H.  Kunze  is  taking  the 
lead  in  getting  organized  for  the 
eventuality.  A Methodist  bishop 
from  Mercedes  told  us  that  the 
military  was  being  used  to  good  ad- 
vantage in  rehabilitating  homes. 
Elder  Rudolf  Hein  from  Gartental 
writes  that  the  cities  of  San  Javier 
and  Paysandu  have  so  many  unem- 
ployed who  need  work  that  outside 
help  is  not  considered  necessary. 

“Elder  Hein  reports  further  that 
their  harvest  festival  collection  in 
the  amount  of  271  pesos  (one  peso 
is  approximately  11  cents)  went  for 
flood  relief.  President  Goertz  re- 
ports that  the  Gartental  Co-op  do- 
nated 1,000  pesos  each  to  San  Javier 
and  Paysandu.  Also  they  have  of- 
fered the  use  of  their  trucks  for 
relief  work.  Delta  has  decided  to 
give  a truck  load  of  potatoes  — 
about  the  equivalent  of  2,000  pesos. 
From  El  Ombu  there  has  been  no 
report  yet.  Montevideo  also  gave 
their  harvest  festival  collection 
of  650  pesos  for  this  cause.  This  re- 
sponse has  warmed  our  hearts  and 
is  a healthy  sign. 

“Elder  Hein  says  in  his  letter,  ‘The 
Eord  has  spoken  to  us  in  a serious 
way.  God  grant,  that  on  further  re- 
flection, this  may  serve  as  a blessing 
to  each  one  of  us.’  ’’ 

NEW  MTS  DIRECTOR 

AKRON  — Paul  L.  Ruth  trans- 
ferred to  Akron  from  Amsterdam 
May  7 to  become  managing  director 
of  Menno  Travel  Service.  Ruth  first 
joined  MTS  in  1948  as  manager  of 
the  Amsterdam  office.  In  his  pres- 
ent position  he  assumes  general 
managership  of  MTS  with  branch 
offices  at  Newton,  Kan.;  Goshen, 
Ind.;  Winnipeg,  Man.;  Asuncion, 
Paraguay;  London,  England;  Am- 
sterdam, the  Netherlands;  and  Bei- 
rut, Lebanon. 

Arthur  Voth,  who  has  been  MTS 
manager  since  1949,  is  continuing 


at  the  home  office  as  associate  man- 
aging director.  The  present  change 
in  organization  was  made  in  view 
of  the  constant  growth  and  expan- 
sion of  MTS  operations.  During 
1958  the  volume  of  business  was  30 
per  cent  higher  than  the  previous 
year.  Established  in  1947  primarily 
to  serve  MCC  workers  and  mission- 
aries, MTS  is  also  happy  to  serve 
private  individuals  traveling  at 
home  and  abroad. 

NEWCOMER’S  REACTION 

KOREA — ^“Hospitals  certainly  are 
different  here!’’  writes  Irma  Dyck, 
R.N.  (Yarrow,  B.  C.),  who  arrived 
in  Korea  at  Easter. 

Typical  of  Africa  and  the  Far 
East,  entire  families  stay  with  the 
patients  to  look  after  them.  Fre- 
quently three  or  four  people  are  in 
a bed,  or  the  patient  himself  is  up 
and  his  relatives  are  in  bed,  making 
it  difficult  for  the  nurses  to  know 
who  is  who.  Many  patients  lie  in 
bed  with  their  street  clothes  on,  re- 
moving only  their  shoes. 

Miss  Dyck  reports:  “The  rooms 
as  well  as  the  patients  are  not 
clean.  Flies  are  everywhere,  even 
crawling  on  the  patients’  faces  and 
arms.  I was  really  shocked  in  the 
kitchen  one  day  to  And  a basket  of 
freshly  cooked  barley  just  black 
with  crawling  flies!” 

However,  she  thoroughly  enjoys 
working  in  the  Medical  College  Hos- 
pital at  Taegu,  where  she  was  given 
a warm  reception.  Her  work  is  three- 
fold: to  advise  and  assist  the  su- 
perintendent of  nurses,  to  teach  stu- 
dent nurses  English  for  charting 
purposes,  and  to  teach  nursing  pro- 
cedure to  a class  of  new  students. 

BAD  DUERKHEIM  HELPS 
GERMAN-POLISH  REFUGEES 

GERMANY  — Children  from  re- 
cently established  refugee  camps  in 
Kaiserslautern  are  being  admitted 
for  three-month  convalescent  pe- 
riods to  the  Bad  Duerkheim  Chil- 
dren’s Home,  reports  Lucinda  Sny- 
der, directress  of  the  home. 

The  children  belong  to  German 
families  that  have  been  living  in 
Poland  until  a year  ago.  When  they 
were  permitted  to  leave  the  coun- 
try, many  families  headed  for  Ger- 
many. Those  that  came  to  Kaisers- 
lautern are  housed  in  former  school 
buildings,  roughly  partitioned,  with 
as  many  as  six  families  to  a room. 

Some  of  the  children  speak  only 
Polish,  while  the  older  ones  have 


had  some  Russian  in  school.  In  Po- 
land they  were  permitted  to  speak 
German  only  in  their  homes.  At 
Bad  Duerkheim  the  children  not 
only  improve  noticeably  in  general 
health  but  also  readily  pick  up  the 
language. 

Typical  of  the  many  “Erholungs- 
heime”  (convalescent  homes)  for 
all  ages  in  Germany,  Bad  Duerk- 
heim accommodates  forty-flve  boys 
and  girls  between  the  ages  of  five 
and  ten  for  a concentrated  dose  of 
nourishing  food,  plenty  of  rest,  and 
well-planned  activities.  Miss  Snyder 
had  directed  this  home  for  more 
than  seven  years. 

In  July  she  returns  to  her  home 
in  Hamilton,  Ont.,  for  a year’s  fur- 
lough. During  her  absence,  Orpha 
Zimmerley,  currently  Pax  matron 
in  Greece,  will  serve  as  matron. 

JET  SERVICE 

ASUNCION  — Pan  Air  is  initiat- 
ing jet  service  to  South  America, 
making  a direct  run  from  New 
York  to  Buenos  Aires  with  landings 
at  Caracas  and  Asuncion. 

The  New  York  to  Buenos  Aires 
run,  more  than  5000  miles,  can  now 
be  flown  in  a bit  less  than  eleven 
hours.  Pan  American  Airways  Serv- 
ice is  planning  a once-a-week  sched- 
ule. This  may  bring  a more  direct 
mail  service,  also.  The  new  Presi- 
dent Stressner  Airport  in  Asuncion 
assures  Paraguay  of  continued  land- 
ings of  planes  on  important  routes. 

into  the  beyond 

Peter  Wiebe,  member  of  the  Beth- 
el Mennonite  Church,  Mountain 
Lake,  Minnesota,  was  bom  July  22, 
1882,  and  died  May  1,  1959. 

Edward  Rupp,  member  of  the  | 
Bethel  Mennonite  Church,  Mountain 
Lake,  Minnesota,  was  born  Septem- 
ber 27,  1873,  and  died  May  4,  1959. 

Henry  B.  Schmidt,  of  Cordell, 
Oklahoma,  and  member  of  the  Her- 
old  Mennonite  Church,  was  born 
November  2,  1882,  and  died  April  i 
11,  1959.  ! 

Mrs.  Elizabeth  Troyer,  of  the 
Topeka  Mennonite  Church,  Topeka, 
Indiana,  was  born  December  7, 
1869,  and  passed  away  April  11, 
1959. 

Erman  B.  Yoder,  65,  member  of 
the  Topeka  Mennonite  Church,  To- 
peka, Indiana,  was  laid  to  rest  April 
25,  1959. 


334 


THE  MENNONITE  | 


jottings 

ILLINOIS  WOMEN  MEET 

Plans  are  in  the  process  of  be- 
ing completed  for  a fellowship 
meeting  of  Mennonite  Women  of 
Illinois,  to  be  held  this  fall.  The  pro- 
gram committee  has  a tentative 
program  arranged  with  interesting 
speakers.  Another  committee  has 
also  met  to  prepare  a constitution 
which  will  be  submitted  to  those 
present  for  ratification.  This  has 
become  necessary  to  continue  the 
progress  of  these  inspirational 
meetings,  since  they  have  grown 
so  rapidly  and  are  including  more 
i churches  than  previously.  An- 
i nouncements  of  the  program  will 
appear  in  a future  issue. — Mrs. 

, Ralph  Vercler 

BROTHERHOOD  PROGRAMS 

Salem  Church,  Dalton,  Ohio:  Pas- 
tor Reusser  recently  gave  us  a 
series  of  sermons  on  the  disciples. 
The  Amos  Tschantzes  have  ob- 
^ served  their  fiftieth  wedding  anni- 
' versary.  The  whole  family  attended 
morning  worship  April  12.  Our 
choir,  directed  by  Clinton  Sprunger, 
presented  an  Easter  cantata,  Christ 
Victorious,  Easter  Sun.  evening.  The 
Brotherhood  has  had  several  inter- 
esting speakers:  David  Rosenberg- 
I er,  supt.  of  schools  at  Avon  Lake, 
Ohio,  spoke  on  “Foreign  Countries 
in  the  U.S.A.”;  John  Myers  of  Woos- 
ter spoke  on  “Wonders  of  Creation 
Found  in  Wood”  and  displayed  his 
collection  of  wood  from  all  parts 
of  the  world;  Dr.  Edwin  Feltis  of 
Orrville  spoke  on  “Hypnosis.”  The 
Women’s  Missionary  Society,  which 
meets  monthly  to  sew,  is  studying 
the  Middle  East  this  year.  The  Jun- 
ior Mission  Band  made  favors  for 
the  Bluffton  Memorial  Home,  cut 
quilt  patches  for  mission  stations, 
and  made  decorations  for  the 
Mother-Daughter  social  at  recent 
iSat.  meetings.  The  William 
Millers  of  Smithville,  Ohio,  spoke 
and  showed  slides  of  VS  in  New- 
foundland. Another  evening  we  had 
a challenging  film.  Unfinished  Task. 
On  Rural  Life  Sun.  Dr.  Pratt,  from 
the  Wooster  Experiment  Station, 
spoke  and  showed  pictures  of  our 
[“South  American  Neighbors.”  On 
Mother’s  Day,  Sun.  evening,  the 
Orrville  Mennonite  Church  present- 
ed a program.  May  17,  Marlin  Pan- 
kratz,  now  of  Boys’  Village,  spoke 
and  showed  slides  of  1-W  work  on 
an  experimental  farm  in  Haiti. 
The  Bluffton  College  Gospel  Team 
was  with  us  May  3.  Plans  are  under 
way  for  summer  Bible  school,  which 
will  be  held  in  the  Kidron  Elemen- 
tary School  this  year,  June  1-12, 


DRIEDGER  SPEAKS 

Zion  Church,  Donnellson,  Iowa: 
The  Men’s  Brotherhood  of  the  four 
southeast  Iowa  churches  enjoyed 
a dinner  at  the  Eicher  Church  at 
Noble,  Iowa,  March  10.  The  Wom- 
en’s Mission  Society  entertained  the 
ladies  of  our  church  March  19.  The 
day  was  spent  knotting  comforters 
and  quilting.  A group  of  nine  people 
from  Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary 
of  Elkhart,  Ind.,  were  with  us  Mar. 
20.  Special  music  and  messages  by 
Martha  Giesbrecht  and  Peter  Neu- 
feld  were  enjoyed.  John  Barkman 
of  the  Grace  Children’s  Home  of 
Henderson,  Neb.,  was  with  us 
March  24.  A sacred  music  concert 
was  given  March  29  by  church  mem- 
bers. On  Palm  Sun.,  March  22,  the 
following  young  people  were  re- 
ceived into  the  church:  Ronnie  Kre- 
bill,  Rennette  'Thiessen,  Judy  Koller, 
Barbara  Krehbiel,  Mariellis  KrebUl, 
and  Kay  Krehbiel.  March  29,  mem- 
bers of  the  Mission  Society  gave  a 
program  and  treats  to  the  patients 
of  the  Lee  Co.  Home.  The  new  cate- 
chism class  started  their  study 
April  4.  Leo  Driedger  was  with  us 
April  12.  He  brought  the  morning 
message,  showed  pictures,  and  gave 
an  interesting  talk  in  the  evening 
to  members  of  the  Noble,  Wayland, 


and  Pulaski  churches.  The  Mission 
Society  gave  a short  program  at  the 
Metz  Rest  Home  in  Donnellson 
April  17.  The  Mother-Daughter  pro- 
gram and  tea  were  held  May  8. 
MOTHER’S  DAY  ACTIVITIES 
Deep  Run  Church,  Bedminster, 
Pa.:  April  21  the  Youth  Fellowship 
had  a service  project  at  Norristown 
State  Hospital.  The  Deep  Run  Sen- 
ior Choir  presented  a number  in 
the  Eastern  District  Annual  Choir 
Festival  held  at  Souderton  High 
School  April  26;  many  members 
sang  in  the  massed  choir.  Deep  Run 
also  participated  in  the  Eastern 
District  Conference  Sessions  held  at 
Eden  Mennonite  Church,  Schwenks- 
ville,  April  30-May  3.  May  10  a spe- 
cial Mother’s  Day  program  was 
held,  and  on  May  15  the  Mother- 
Daughter  Banquet  was  held,  with 
Janet  Soldner  as  speaker.  The  bap- 
tism of  a group  of  yoimg  people 
who  had  been  attending  weekly 
catechism  class  took  place  May  17. 
Also  on  May  17  the  first  Junior 
Choir  Festival  was  held  at  the 
Grace  Mennonite  Church,  Lansdale, 
under  the  direction  of  Mrs.  Mary 
Boyer.  Our  Junior  Choir  sang  a 
number,  and  many  of  the  boys  and 
girls  sang  in  the  massed  choir. 
— Doris  Moyer,  corr. 


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BY  REUEL  HOWE 


Dr.  Howe,  author  of  Mars’s  Need  and  God’s  Action, 
here  considers  the  tensions  of  everyday  living 
during  the  middle  years.  He  puts  himself 
in  the  place  of  the  average  man,  harried  by  the 
need  for  recognition,  material  success, 
and  security,  and  shows  how  the  drives  to 
achieve  these  goals  lead  to  tension  and  frustration. 
The  entire  book  emphasizes  that  one’s  latter 
years  are  creative  if  faced  in  maturity 
rather  than  with  the  sole  desire  for  security.  $3.50 

Order  from  Mennonite  Bookstores 

Berne,  Indiana 

Rosthern,  Saskatchewan 

720  Main  Street,  Newton,  Kansas 


May  26,  1959 


335 


conference  notes 

LOOKING  TOWARD 
GENERAL  CONFERENCE 

When  we  lie  down  on  clean,  crisp 
sheets  at  night  supported  by  a good 
mattress,  I hope  we  can  remember 
the  mother  trying  to  rest  on  a dirt 
floor,  soaking  wet  from  the  rain 
coming  through  her  roof,  worrying 
about  how  she  might  fill  the  stom- 
ach of  her  crying  child  the  next 
day.  . . . Many  in  Japan  live  in 
hovels  wearing  the  scars  of  the 
bomb  we  dropped. 


A tenth  of  our  population  is 
shunned  because  God  gave  them  a 
black  skin;  criminals  are  hanged — 
they  could  not  love  for  they  were 
never  loved  themselves;  young  lives 
are  turned  delinquent  because  no 
one  showed  them  to  Christ;  and  our 
increasing  number  of  old  people  are 
becoming  lonelier  and  brokenheart- 
ed because  there  is  no  place  for 
them. 

I wish  that  at  this  coming  confer- 
ence time  we  might  truly  come  to 
grips  with  such  challenges.  May  we 
together  find  a way  to  suffer  with 
and  understand,  and  resolve  to  be 
little  Christs  who  must  give  a part 
of  themselves  in  love  to  be  relevant. 

— Leo  Driedger 

MEXICO  NEED 

Mexico  offers  Christian  service 
opportunity  to  nurses  who  are  will- 
ing to  devote  two  years  of  their 
time  to  the  Voluntary  Service  pro- 
gram of  the  General  Conference 
Mennonite  Church.  The  regional 
hospital,  where  VS  nurses  serve,  is 
located  at  Cuauhtemoc,  Chih.,  and 
serves  Mexican,  Indian,  and  Old 
Colony  Mennonite  people.  Nurses 
going  to  Mexico  must  be  able  to 
communicate  in  the  Low  German 
language.  Spanish  is  learned  while 
there. 

At  the  present  time,  seven  serv- 
ice volunteers  are  included  in  the 
hospital  staff.  Besides  caring  for 
the  sick  and  training  nurse  aides, 


there  is  opportunity  for  public 
health  nursing  as  well  as  other 
phases  of  Christian  witnessing  in 
the  community.  Two  nurses  will 
complete  their  terms  this  summer 
and  replacements  are  urgently  need- 
ed. Other  volunteers  work  in  the 
area  of  education  and  agriculture. 
For  information  on  Voluntary  Serv- 
ice in  Mexico,  write  to  Leo  Dried- 
ger, Board  of  Christian  Service, 
General  Conference  Mennonite 
Church,  722  Main,  Newton,  Kansas. 

CHRISTIAN  WRITERS 
MEET  JUNE  17-19 

The  Christian  Writers’  Confer- 
ence, to  be  held  June  17-19  at  the 
Bethel  College  Mennonite  Church, 
North  Newton,  Kan.,  promises  prac- 
tical help  to  participants.  Spon- 
sored by  the  Board  of  Education 
and  Publication,  it  is  open  not  only 
to  writers  and  prospective  writers 
but  to  all  who  are  required  to  do 
any  amount  of  writing  as  a minis- 
ter, teacher,  correspondent,  commit- 
tee secretary,  or  book  reviewer. 

The  workshops  are  under  the 
leadership  of  James  M.  Flanagan, 
asssociate  editor  of  The  Christian 
Evangelist;  Elizabeth  Showalter, 
editor  of  Words  of  Cheer  and  The 
Christian  Writer;  Christine  Miller, 
instructor  of  English  and  Speech  at 
Bethel  College;  Elaine  Rich,  editor 
Breaking  Bread  Together;  and  J. 
N.  Smucker,  editor  of  The  Menno- 
nite. 

Practical  help  can  be  received  in 
various  areas.  Besides  benefiting 
from  the  lectures  of  the  workshop 
leaders,  participants  will  find  it 
helpful  to  have  their  own  manu- 
scripts evaluated.  Although  this  is 
not  requisite  to  registration,  per- 
sons planning  to  attend  the  confer- 
ence are  requested  to  submit  man- 
uscripts in  their  areas  of  interest — ■ 
articles,  stories,  poems,  or  sermons 
— by  June  7.  These  will  be  evaluat- 
ed and  helpful  suggestions  for  im- 
provement given.  Manuscripts 
should  be  sent  to  Maynard  Shelly, 
Board  of  Education  and  Publication, 
722  Main  Street,  Newton,  Kan.,  by 
June  7. 

EWERT  LICENSED 

On  Pentecost  Sunday,  May  17,  P. 
K.  Regier,  Conference  executive  sec- 
retary, licensed  Milton  Ewert,  1959 
graduate  of  Bethel  College,  for  a 


two-year  term.  Licensing,  author- 
izes a person  to  preach  the  gospel, 
conduct  the  worship  service,  pro- 
nounce the  benediction,  expound  the 
Scriptures,  and  endeavor  to  lead 
men  to  Christ. 

The  Zion  Mennonite  Church  of 
Kingman  has  extended  a call  to 
Mr.  Ewert.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ewert  will 
take  up  residence  in  July,  where 
both  have  been  engaged  to  teach  in 
nearby  public  schools. 

NEWTON  BOOKSTORE 
INCREASES  STOCK 

Mennonite  Publication  Office  and 
Bookstore,  720  Main  Street,  New- 
ton, Kan.,  on  May  15  purchased  the 
inventory  of  the  Tieszen  Book  Store 
in  the  next  block  on  Main  Street 
and  moved  it  to  its  premises  on 
May  18.  The  Tieszen  store  estab- 
lished five  years  ago,  has  been  man- 
aged by  Mrs.  A.  F.  Tieszen,  assisted 
by  her  daughter  Mrs.  David  War- 
kentin,  since  the  death  of  her  hus- 
band in  January  1957.  Orders  placed 
with  the  Tieszen  store  prior  to  May  i 
15  are  being  filled  by  the  Confer- 
ence-owned Mennonite  Bookstore. 
OREGON  W.M.F.  MEETING 

The  Oregon  Women’s  Missionary 
Fellowship  met  for  an  annual  all- 
day meeting  in  the  Sweet  Home 
Community  Chapel  April  23.  The  I 
morning  was  spent  in  handwork  j 
and  fellowship.  , 

The  afternoon  meeting  was  in 
charge  of  president  Mrs.  Homer 
Welty  of  Pratum.  Helen  Thiessen,  i 
Dallas,  led  in  devotions.  Mrs.  Earl  | 
Balzer  and  Mrs.  Jack  Pearson,  '' 
Portland,  sang  a duet.  A group  from  j 
Barlow  presented  a pantomime,  J 
“Unawares.”  Mrs.  Harold  Burk-  j 
holder,  Dallas,  spoke  on  “What  | 
Our  Church  Is  Doing  to  Fulfill  the  I 
Great  Commission  of  Preaching  the  | 
Gospel  in  Jerusalem,”  and  Mrs.  i 
Pete  Peters,  Sweet  Home,  discussed 
“Is  Our  Church  Meeting  the  Chal- 
lenge of  the  Community  in  Fulfill- 
ing the  Great  Commission?”  Mrs. 

A1  Tschiegg,  Pratum,  and  Mrs. 
Yvonne  Thiessen  sang  solos.  Mrs. 
David  Hamm  reported  on  the 
Hamms’  work  and  showed  slides. 

Mrs.  Lois  Balzer,  Portland,  was 
in  charge  of  the  election,  in  which 
Mrs.  Kauffman,  Barlow,  was  elect- 
ed as  secretary-treasurer.  Pratum  ! 
extended  an  invitation  for  the  1960 
meeting. 


JUNE  2,  1959 


FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
HIOHJS  JESUS  CHRIST 


June — Bible  school  month 


I 

MAKE  YOUR  WEDDING  CHRISTIAN 
CHANGE  IN  THE  CONGO 


In  this  issue 


COVER 

Photo  by  Edward  L.  DuPuy 
from  Monkmeyer 

ARTICLES 

THE  CHURCH'S  ONE  FOUNDATION 

By  V.  M.  Gerig  339 

MAKE  YOUR  WEDDING  CHRISTIAN 

By  Eloise  Nelson  340 

CHANGE  IN  THE  CONGO  342 

BLESSED  ARE  THE  QUIET  ONES 

By  Elvera  A.  Baumgartner 343 

WE  WEPT  TOGETHER 

By  Leo  Driedger  344 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  338 

THE  READER  SAYS  343 

BOOKMARKS  344 

Mennonite  Youth 

BILL  AND  THE  GOLDEN  DRAGONS 

By  Leland  Harder  345 

JUST  OUTSIDE  MY  DORMITORY 

WINDOW  346 

OUR  SCHOOLS  348 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  349 

JOTTINGS  350 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  352 


of  things  to  come 

June  10-14 — Pacific  District  Conference, 
Barlow,  Oregon 

June  14 — Northern  District  Male  Chorus 
Festival,  Sioux  Falls,  South  Dakota 

June  18-21 — Northern  Dist.  Conf.,  Salem- 
Zion  Church  (North),  Freeman,  S.  D. 

July  4-8 — Canadian  Conference,  Clear- 
brook,  B.  C. 

West.  Dist.  Retreats,  Camp  Mennoscah: 
July  6-11 — Junior  High  I 
July  13-18 — Junior  High  li 
July  20-25 — Fresh  Air  Friendship  Cp. 
July  27-Aug.  1 — High  School  1 
Aug.  3-8— High  School  II 
Aug.  29-30 — Family  (under  age  45) 
Sept.  5-7 — Family  (senior  age) 

Aug.  5-12 — Ministers’  and  Church  Work- 
ers' Retreat,  Camp  Friedenswald, 
Mich. 

Aug.  12-20 — General  Conference,  Bluff- 
ton,  Ohio 

Oct.  24-27 — West.  Dist.  Conference 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor,  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 
J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Asst.:  Esther  Groves. 
Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  22 


editorials 

CREATIVE  INSECURITY  The  popular  desire  for  security  ; 
can  become  very  selfish,  and  in  the  end  bring  us  anything  but 
the  peace  of  mind  "vve  so  ardently  desire.  Yet  how  many  wor- 
ship at  the  shrine  of  security.  We  want  to  be  secure  in  our 
health,  our  homes,  our  jobs,  our  finances.  We  take  out  all  sorts 
of  insurance  policies  to  insure  against  insecurity.  Then  we  wake 
up  to  the  fact  that  the  security  we  seek  for  ourselves  leaves  us 
troubled  and  unhappy — insecure  in  the  deeper  sense. 

There  is  something  to  be  said  for  “insecurity”  which  causes 
us  to  become  really  creative.  The  parent  does  not  feel  secure 
about  his  children  and  so  takes  more  interest  in  them  and  their 
problems.  He  may  feel  insecure  in  spite  of  his  abundance  and  so 
be  led  to  share  with  the  destitute  around  the  world.  He  may  feel 
insecure  in  counting  only  on  financial  safety  and  so  seeks  matters 
of  more  enduring  worth.  Or  he  may  feel  insecure  in  his  moral 
life  and  thus  be  driven  to  seek  inner  resources  to  meet  outside 
pressures  and  temptations.  i 

Our  Lord  did  not  promise  security  to  His  followers  in  the 
sense  that  we  usually  think  of  that  term.  Quite  the  opposite,  j 
The  highest  good  in  life  is  not  to  be  selfishly  safe.  It  results  j 
in  taking  risks  for  God,  and  walking  the  way  of  sacrificial  love  j 
and  service,  seeking  always  to  do  the  Father’s  will,  regardless  of 
the  consequences. 

The  only  real  security  comes  to  us  as  a by-product  when  we 
desire  most  of  all  to  be  about  our  Father’s  business. 

SUMMER  BIBLE  SCHOOL  June  is  the  month  of  the 
summer  Bible  school  (also  known  as  the  daily  vacation  Bible  ' 
school).  It  is  a great  project  which  is  enjoying  a healthy  growth 
in  our  churches.  Its  possibilities  are  tremendous.  It  is  not  a sub- 
stitute for  the  Sunday  school  but  a powerful  reinforcement.  Sys-  I 
tematically  exposing  children  for  two  or  more  weeks  to  well- 
planned  spiritual  material  cannot  help  but  have  a deep  influence 
on  their  personalities  and  characters. 

A successful  Bible  school  requires  much  careful  planning,  and 
then  hard  work  on  the  part  of  consecrated  teachers.  These  teach-  j 
ers  do  not  simply  lecture  the  children  on  the  do’s  and  don’ts  of  '! 
life,  but  together  with  the  children  they  work  out  creatively 
some  of  the  great  fundamentals.  j 

The  children  are  brought  into  a greater  understanding  and 
love  of  the  Bible;  but  more  than  that,  they  are  made  to  feel  the 
presence  and  direction  of  the  Heavenly  Father  in  their  daily 
lives.  They  are  led  into  a deeper  friendship  with  Jesus  as  the  ! 
One  who  deeply  cares  for  them  all.  They  are  made  to  see  what  a , 
Christian  home  and  its  relations  may  be  like.  They  begin  to  | 
feel  the  importance  of  the  church  fellowship  and  its  effort  to  ' 
serve  man’s  needs. 

The  success  of  the  summer  Bible  school  depends  on  the  sacri-  ^ 
ficial  work  and  prayers  of  leaders  and  teachers  who  carry  the 
burden  of  the  work  and  are  aware  of  its  possibilities.  But  the 
whole  church  should  stand  back  of  this  enterprise.  j 


338 


THE  MENNONITE 


The  Church’s  One  Foundation 


The  current  popularity  of  the 
church  in  America  is  considered 
a hopeful  sign  by  many  concerned 
Christians.  At  the  same  time,  it  is 
easy  to  become  pessimistic  about 
the  church.  All  of  us  know  instances 
of  disloyalty,  inefficiency,  narrow 
vision,  poor  leadership,  petty  con- 
troversies, and  weak  stewardship. 
David  H.  C.  Read,  minister  of  the 
Madison  Avenue  Presbyterian 
Church  in  New  York,  imagines  a 
modem  American  describing  the 
church  in  these  terms: 

“The  Christian  church?  It’s  a 
pretty  big  organization,  quite  a so- 
ciological phenomenon.  Like  a huge 
firm  with  branches  and  resident 
managers  in  every  district.  Only 
the  firm  has  been  split  into  several 
rival  companies  and  the  merger 
they  talk  about  isn’t  coming  along 
very  fast.  Who  joins  it?  Why,  re- 
ligious people  who  want  some  kind 
of  ritual,  and  mental  and  emotional 
stimulus — and  they  can  find  that  in 
almost  any  form  according  to  their 
taste.  What  do  they  do?  Well,  apart 
from  these  religious  exercises  they 
have  a variety  of  social  clubs  and 
do  quite  a bit  in  philanthropic  di- 
rections. What  holds  them  togeth- 
er? Some  common  conviction  they 
derive  from  their  Bible  and  the 
Christian  tradition.  Decent  people, 
on  the  whole,  apart  from  the  fan- 
atics. I sometimes  drop  in  myself. 
Might  even  consider  joining  if  they 
don’t  ask  too  much  in  the  way  of 
belief — and  if  I’ve  got  time.” 

If  this  is  at  all  an  accurate  de- 
scription of  the  popular  idea  of  the 
church,  it  is  obvious  that  men  need 
to  be  reminded  that  “the  Church’s 
one  foundation  is  Jesus  Christ  her 
Lord.”  “Other  foundation  can  no 
man  lay  than  that  is  laid,  which  is 
Jesus  Christ.” 

FeUowship  or  Freundschaft 

Occasionally  we  need  to  be  re- 
minded of  the  church’s  one  founda- 
tion, for  other  “foundations”  tend  to 
confuse  our  thinking.  Consider,  for 
example,  the  matter  of  fellowship. 
Sometimes  we  elevate  fellowship  to 
the  place  of  honor  as  if  it  were  the 
formula  which  would  overcome  all 
the  ills  of  mankind.  “The  more  we 
get  together,  the  happier  we’ll  be!” 


So  goes  the  refrain.  Some  think  this 
is  the  reason  for  the  existence  of 
the  church.  If  we  could  just  get 
enough  people  inside  the  church 
where  they  could  learn  to  know 
everyone,  the  result  would  be  the 
peace  and  harmony  we  seek. 

But  mere  fellowship  apart  from 
Christ  as  the  center  soon  breaks 
down.  Simply  to  know  one  another 
well  does  not  necessarily  mean 
peace  and  harmony.  On  the  con- 
trary, when  we  come  to  know  some 
people  on  the  inside  we  are  fre- 
quently disillusioned  and  shocked. 
What  started  out  to  be  fellowship 
deteriorates  into  disunity  and  fric- 
tion. Our  youth  organizations  as 
well  as  other  groups  within  the 
church  need  to  recognize  that  fel- 
lowship alone  is  not  an  adequate 
foundation  for  health  and  growth. 

Another  foundation  for  human 
relationships  is  to  be  found  in  the 
freundschaft  or  family  group.  Peo- 
ple who  are  tied  together  by  blood 
and  a common  name  find  it  easy 
to  share  the  experiences  of  life. 
Family  reunions  are  still  quite  pop- 
ular in  many  Mennonite  commu- 
nities. And  they  should  be,  for  they 
help  to  counter  the  rootlessness 
which  characterizes  too  much  of 
American  family  life. 

But  the  church  is  not  a family 
reunion,  though  some  congregations 
would  appear  to  think  so.  In  some 
communities,  the  church  is  made  up 
of  Yoders,  Smuckers,  Schrocks, 
Gerigs;  in  others,  it  may  consist 
of  Kaufmans,  Gerings,  Schroeders, 
Harders.  And  we  look  askance  at 
“outsiders”  from  other  cultural  or 
ethnic  groups,  as  if  they  were  not 
quite  eligible  to  belong  to  our  part 
of  the  Body  of  Christ! 

Which  should  remind  us  that 
freundschaft  alone  cannot  be  the 
foundation  of  the  church.  Christ 
must  not  be  subordinated  to  other 
loyalties,  for  when  He  is  left  out, 
the  church  is  not  the  church  and 


by  V.  M.  Gerig,  pastor 
Oak  Grove  Mennonite  Church 
Smithville,  Ohio 


family  life  disintegrates.  “Whoever 
loves  mother,  father,  brother,  sister, 
wife,  children,  more  than  me  is  not 
worthy  of  me,”  says  our  Lord. 

Still  another  important  feature  of 
church  life  is  that  of  serving  our 
fellow  men.  We  have  literally 
reached  around  the  world  in  the 
name  of  Christ.  Our  service  pro- 
gram is  a fine  expression  of  our 
Christian  concern  and  deserves  our 
full  support.  But  even  humanitarian 
concern  is  not  the  foundation  of  the 
church;  if  it  were,  what  would  dis- 
tinguish us  from  countless  other 
charitable  groups  who  pay  no  par- 
ticular attention  to  Jesus  Christ! 
Sooner  or  later  the  initial  impetus 
runs  out,  or  the  funds  run  low,  or 
greedy  men  seek  to  use  the  organi- 
zation to  further  their  own  ends. 
This  is  not  the  church. 

The  Church  Victorious 

So  we  are  driven  back  to  Jesus 
Christ,  the  true  foundation  of  the 
church.  Come  to  church  only  to 
meet  our  neighbors  and  friends, 
and  church-going  soon  becomes  an 
option — we  are  too  busy  or  too 
tired.  Consider  the  church  to  be 
made  up  of  those  who  share  family 
ties,  and  discover  that  the  younger 
generation  isn’t  interested  in  fam- 
ily reunions.  'Think  of  the  church 
only  as  a channel  through  which 
we  can  help  others,  and  giving 
soon  becomes  an  empty  form. 

But  look  to  Jesus  Christ  as  the 
true  foundation  of  all  faith  and  ac- 
tion, and  our  lives  take  on  a re- 
demptive quality.  This  is  an  endur- 
ing foundation  upon  which  we  can 
build  with  confidence  and  joy.  We 
share  in  His  purity.  His  obedience. 
His  compassionate  love,  and  we  are 
inspired  to  true  worship  and  self- 
giving in  His  name.  True,  the 
church  will  still  falter  at  times  be- 
cause of  our  stumbling  discipleship, 
but  the  gates  of  hell  will  not  prevail 
against  it.  This  is  His  promise,  and 
with  this  assurance  we  can  follow 
Him 

“Till  unth  the  vision  glorious  our 
longing  eyes  are  blest, 

And  the  great  Church  victorious 
shall  be  the  Church  at  rest.” 

(Samuel  J.  Stone) 


! June  2,  1959 


339 


Make  Your  Wedding  Christian 


Eloise  Nelson 

I TAKE  thee  to  be  my  wedded 
husband.  ...” 

In  quiet  reverence  the  bride  and 
groom  say  their  marriage  vows, 
promising  life-long  love  and  devo- 
tion before  God  and  the  congrega- 
tion. This  is  a high  point  of  their 
lives. 

Like  all  worship  services  of  the 
church,  this  ceremony  is  to  glorify 
God,  who  divinely  ordained  mar- 
riage, and  to  ask  His  blessing  upon 
the  couple  as  they  establish  their 
home.  It  is  a wholesome  trend  there- 
fore that  an  increasing  number  of 
Christian  couples  are  trying  to 
make  this  important  event  in  their 
lives  the  reverent  and  worshipful 
occasion  it  should  be. 

Gone  are  “I  Love  You  Truly”  “O 
Promise  Me”  and  “Because”  from 
the  ceremony.  Wagner’s  “Bridal 
Chorus”  and  Mendelssohn’s  “Wed- 
ding March”  are  returning  to  the 
threatre,  where  they  belong.  Flow- 
ery arches  and  showy  decorations 
are  being  relegated  from  the  sanc- 
tuary to  the  reception.  At  long  last, 
many  couples  are  making  their 
weddings  Christian. 

“The  wedding  is  a religious  serv- 
ice. Anything  that  adds  to  the  rev- 
erence and  devotional  atmosphere 
is  acceptable.  Anything  that  ob- 
scures or  detracts  from  the  spir- 
itual nature  of  the  service  must  be 
discouraged,”  writes  one  authority. 

In  preparing  for  the  wedding,  the 
first  step  is  contacting  the  pastor 
about  it,  allowing  adequate  time  for 
premarital  counseling. 

The  thoughtful  Christian  couple 
will  then  give  serious  consideration 
to  the  really  important  aspects  of 
the  service  — the  ceremony,  vows, 
and  music  — making  plans  in  con- 
sultation with  the  minister  and  or- 
ganist. 

While  flowers  and  candles,  the 


color  of  the  bridesmaids’  dresses, 
and  bouquets  are  details  that  must 
be  considered  in  a church  wedding, 
the  couple  should  remember  that 
these  are  actually  superfluous  ad- 
ditions to  the  ceremony. 

The  bride  and  groom  will  find  it 
helpful  to  work  out  a wedding  pro- 
cedure, duplicate  it,  and  send  copies 
to  everyone  involved  in  the  wed- 
ding several  days  in  advance.  The 
minister  will  be  glad  to  assist.  This 
should  list  every  step  in  the  cere- 
mony and  such  matters  as  the  du- 
ties of  the  ushers  and  instructions 
for  picture  taking  before  the  wed- 
ding. 

Music  plays  an  important  part  in 
a church  wedding  and  should  be 
given  careful  thought.  Because  of 
the  secular  and  sentimental  nature 
of  such  traditional  favorites  as  “I 
Love  You  Truly”  and  “O  Promise 
Me,”  most  ministers  and  musicians 
feel  they  are  entirely  out  of  place 
in  the  ceremony.  The  Wagner  and 
Mendelssohn  pieces  used  so  often  as 
the  processional  and  recessional  at 
weddings  are  not  only  secular  but 
basically  pagan. 

There  is  no  end  to  suitable  music 
for  a Christian  wedding  — music 
that  will  add  to  the  meaning  of  a 
sacred  service  and  direct  one’s 
thoughts  to  God.  Any  of  the  great 
hymns  of  praise,  thanksgiving,  and 
prayer  are  suitable  for  all  parts  of 
the  wedding.  “Greater  use  of  hymns 
would  enrich  the  wedding  cere- 
mony,” states  one  marriage  manual. 

The  great  sacred  compositions  of 
Bach,  Brahms,  Franck,  Handel,  and 
others  represent  the  best  in  Chris- 
tian music.  For  the  organ  recital, 
one  might  use  Bach’s  “In  Thee  is 
Gladness”  and  “Jesu,  Joy  of  Man’s 
Desiring”;  the  Bach-Biggs  arrange- 
ment of  “Sheep  May  Safely  Graze”; 
and  Franck’s  “Cantabile,”  to  name 


but  a few.  For  the  processional 
there  is  Bach’s  “Praise  My  Soul,  the 
King  of  Heaven,”  Franck’s  “Fan- 
tasia in  C,”  Purcell’s  “Largo  in 
D,”  or  the  hymns  “All  People  That 
on  Earth  Do  Dwell,”  “Fairest  Lord 
Jesus,  King  of  Creation,”  and 
“Praise  to  the  Lord,  the  Almighty.” 
A few  appropriate  numbers  for 
vocal  music  are  Bach’s  “My  Heart 
Ever  Faithful,”  Clokey’s  “O  Perfect 
Love,”  “A  Wedding  Benediction”  by 
Lovelace,  and  “O  Lord  Most  Holy” 
by  Franck. 

Who  would  want  to  go  back  to  “O 
Promise  me  that  someday  you  and 
I . . . will  take  our  love  together 
to  some  sky”  after  hearing  the 
beautiful  words  of  “O  Lord  Most 
Holy”? 

O Lord  most  Holy,  O Lord  most 
Mighty, 

O Loving  Father,  Thee  would  we 
he  praising  alway. 

Help  us  to  know  Thee,  know  Thee 
and  love  Thee, 

Father,  Father,  grant  us  Thy  truth 
and  grace. 

Father,  Father,  guide  and  defend 

us.  . . . 

Other  beautiful  hymns  for  wed- 
dings are  “Saviour,  Like  a Shep- 
herd Lead  Us”  “O  Master,  Let  Me 
Walk  With  'Thee”  and  “God  is  My 
Shepherd.” 

Solos  are  sung  for  the  wedding 
party’s  benefit  as  well  as  for  the 
congregation  and  should  therefore 
not  be  sung  before  the  party  has 
entered.  There  is  also  a growing 
trend  toward  having  a congrega- 
tional hymn  at  weddings. 

For  the  recessional  one  might  use 
Bach’s  “Now  Thank  We  All  Our 
God”  and  “In  Thee  is  Gladness,” 
Purcell’s  “Bell  Symphony”  and 
“Trumpet  Tunes,”  or  the  hymns 
“Joyful,  Joyful  We  Adore  Thee”  and 
“Love  Divine,  All  Loves  Excelling.” 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
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340 


THE  MENNONITE 


It  is  recommended  that  the  bride 
and  groom  memorize  their  vows, 
repeating  them  facing  each  other 
and  loudly  enough  for  the  congre- 
gation to  hear  every  word.  Since 
this  is  the  high  point  of  the  cere- 
mony (and  not  the  kiss,  as  some 
weddings  imply),  the  bride  should 
lift  her  veil  before  the  vows  are 
repeated.  “Saying  the  vows  through 
a veil  is  to  deny  something  of  the 
value  of  the  vows,”  according  to 
one  theologian. 

The  maid  of  honor  and  best  man 
accompany  the  bridal  pair  into  the 
chancel  itself,  as  they  are  the  es- 
sential parties  to  the  marriage.  The 
bridesmaids  and  ushers  remain  on 
the  steps.  Where  a church  has  a 
platform,  the  maid  of  honor  and 
best  man  should  move  closer  to  the 
minister  than  the  other  attendants. 

Decorations  in  the  sanctuary 
should  be  simple,  donsisting  of  a 
modest  number  of  floral  pieces, 
ferns,  and  candles.  Artiflcial  props 
such  as  arches  and  beUs  are  im- 
proper. Ostentation  has  no  place  in 
a church  wedding.  The  communion 
table  and  pulpit — “the  symbolic  cen- 
ter of  the  church” — should  not  be 
moved  imless  absolutely  necesssiry. 
The  worship  symbols,  such  as  the 
cross,  candles,  and  Bible,  should 
not  be  disarranged  or  hidden. 

The  bridesmaids  are  to  walk  down 
the  aisle  slowly  but  naturally — 
no  two-step  or  waltzing  movement. 
And  the  recessional  should  not  ap- 
pear to  be  a race  to  get  out  of  the 
sanctuary. 

Every  bride  wants  pictures  of  her 
wedding.  Planning  carefully,  she 
can  have  a treasury  of  candids 
without  letting  the  frequent  pop- 
ping of  flash  bulbs  spoil  the  wed- 
ding. She  should  instruct  the  pho- 
tographer to  take  no  flash  pictures 
in  the  sanctuary.  A few  time  ex- 
posures are  permissible  when  taken 
inconspicuously.  Many  brides  ar- 
range to  have  most  of  the  pictures 
taken  before  the  wedding,  and  if 
this  is  impossible,  after  the  recep- 
tion is  the  next  choice. 

“There’s  nothing  worse,”  said  one 
minister,  “than  to  see  a photog- 
rapher hanging  over  the  balcony  or 
crawling  up  the  aisle  like  a snake 
during  the  sacred  moments  of  the 
ceremony.” 

Then  there  is  the  receiving  line. 
Unless  hindered  by  physical  limita- 
tions, it  should  be  some  other  place 


than  the  sanctuary,  out  of  respect 
for  the  house  of  God.  For  this  rea- 
son, too,  and  out  of  consideration 
for  the  custodian,  rice  should  not 
be  thrown  in  the  church. 

The  reception  affords  an  excellent 
opportunity  for  using  the  senti- 
mental type  of  songs.  Even  though 
the  reception  is  informal,  it  can  be 
in  keeping  with  Christian  stand- 
ards— not  too  hilarious  in  mood,  no 
offcolor  jokes,  and  generally  on  a 
high  plane.  There  have  been  cases 
when  the  bridal  pair  have  used  the 
closing  benediction  at  the  reception 
as  the  time  for  their  escape.  This  is 
misusing  prayer  and  is  sacrilegious. 

The  ceremony  and  reception 
should  always  conform  to  the  gen- 
eral standards  of  the  community. 
The  Christian  girl  from  a wealthy 
home  should  have  no  more  elabor- 
ate a wedding  than  one  from  a poor 
home.  The  church  wedding  must 
not  separate  rich  and  poor — “all 
are  brothers.” 

Ministers  recommend  the  double- 


THE  nuclear  age  confronts  us 
with  many  important  issues. 
One  is:  Do  we  as  a Mennonite 
church  have  any  responsibility  in 
regard  to  the  testing  of  nuclear 
weapons?  The  answer  to  this  ques- 
tion is  yes  in  the  sense  that  citi- 
zens of  any  nation  are  responsible 
for  their  nation’s  actions.  The  an- 
swer is  again  yes  in  the  sense  that 
the  question  is  basically  a moral 
one.  The  answer  is  yes  because  the 
question  relates  directly  to  peace 
and  as  such  is  part  of  our  peace 
witness. 

On  the  first  count,  no  citizen  of 
this  nation  can  be  guiltless  for  the 
damage  caused  by  the  radioactive 
fallout  produced  by  bombs  we  use 
or  test.  Nor  can  the  responsibility 
be  laid  only  at  the  door  of  the  law- 
makers or  those  who  invest  in  and 
make  the  bombs.  When  we  start 
pointing  the  finger,  it  eventually 
gets  pointed  back  at  us.  Atomic  en- 
ergy in  itself  is  not  bad,  neither  is 
science  nor  scientific  research  in- 
trinsically wrong.  To  learn  about 
and  control  his  environment  for 


ring  ceremony.  If  the  wedding  ring 
is  a symbol  of  everlasting  love  and 
fidelity,  then  the  husband  should 
wear  one  as  well  as  the  wife. 

The  couple  must  know  the  rules 
of  the  state  regarding  the  marriage 
license,  blood  tests,  and  other  legal- 
ities. They  should  of  course  consult 
Emily  Post  for  wedding  etiquette. 

To  try  to  do  “something  differ- 
ent” or  to  have  the  “nicest”  wedding 
are  not  worthy  aims.  Instead,  one 
should  aim  for  a well-planned  wed- 
ding of  beautiful  simplicity,  which 
above  everything  else  is  a~  service 
of  Jesus  Christ  for  the  fulfillment 
of  God’s  plan. 

The  Christian  couple  will  want  to 
plan  their  wedding  to  glorify  and 
worship  God,  just  as  they  plan  their 
home  to  be  a place  where  Christ 
is  loved  and  honored.  And  they  will 
find  that  God  will  bring  His  bless- 
ing. 

— From  The  Covenant  Weekly 
(Used  by  permission) 


the  good  of  all  is  man’s  God-given 
right  and  duty. 

Nuclear  testing  which  produces 
fallout  is  morally  wrong,  because 
radioactive  fallout  presents  a health 
hazard.  This  is  not  the  same  hazard 
we  all  risk  when  we  drive  our  cars 
— ^we  can  choose  not  to  drive,  but 
no  individual  can  choose  to  escape 
the  effects  of  fallout.  To  be  sure, 
these  effects  will  be  noticed  in  only 
a very  small  percentage  of  the 
world’s  population,  but  even  if  no 
more  bombs  were  tested,  the  pres- 
ent fallout  rate  will  increase  and 
reach  a peak  about  1970.  What  this 
means  in  terms  of  human  health  at 
that  time  can  only  be  guessed.  Chil- 
dren are  much  more  susceptible  be- 
cause their  growing  bones  absorb 
much  more  Strontium  90  than  a- 
dults.  Must  our  children — and  the 
children  of  nations  who  are  not 
testing  nuclear  devices — suffer  be- 
cause of  our  lethargy,  stubbornness, 
fear,  and  unwillingness  to  live  the 
Sermon  on  the  Mount? 

— Kenneth  Deckert 


Radioactive  Fallout 

as  it  relates  to  our  children’s  health 
and  our  own  moral  responsibility 


June  2,  1959 


341 


Change  in 
the  Congo 


Today,  while  western  countries 
quake  at  the  thought  of  the  pos- 
sible atomic  destruction  of  their 
world,  Africans  see  only  a bright 
new  day  ahead.  Ten  years  ago  there 
were  three  independent  countries 
besides  South  Africa;  now  there 
will  soon  be  thirteen.  Nationalism 
is  sweeping  the  continent  and  has 
even  reached  such  countries  as  the 
Belgian  Congo,  described  as  a 
“placid  oasis  of  stability.” 

Has  the  Congo  really  been  so 
placid?  If  it  appeared  to  be,  sug- 
gests the  Atlantic  Monthly  (April, 
1959),  it  may  have  been  because 
the  climate  has  not  encouraged 
white  settlement,  because  the  Con- 
go is  industrialized  and  urbanized 
to  a degree  that  other  African  coun- 
tries are  not — and  because  dissatis- 
factions have  often  been  repressed 
harshly,  even  as  late  as  the  1940’s. 
Actually,  living  standards  for  Ne- 
groes have  not  risen  with  economic 
and  technical  development  at  the 
rate  that  might  be  expected.  In 
Leopoldville,  one  out  of  two  Ne- 
groes are  unemployed. 

The  Congo  has  no  legislature  or 
elected  officers,  though  the  Belgian 
government  is  now  beginning  to  ap- 
point Africans  to  some  government 
positions.  Last  December,  for  the 
first  time,  literate  natives  and  white 
residents  voted  for  municipal  coun- 
cilors. The  candidates  of  Abako,  a 
cultural  association  founded  by 
Bakongo  Congolese  in  Leopoldville, 
swept  the  Leopoldville  elections. 

John  F.  Enns*  reports  on  the  e- 
vents  that  followed: 

“On  January  4,  a meeting  of  the 
Leopoldville  Kalamu  section  of 
Abako  had  been  arranged  at  the 
YMCA.  . . . Rumors  began  circulat- 
ing that  the  meeting  had  been 


♦student,  University  of  Chicago 


banned.  Mr.  Kassavubu  (president 
of  Abako  and  mayor  of  the  Dendale 
commune)  was  applauded  by  the 
restive  crowd  and  made  a brief 
speech,  recommending  waiting  for 
further  African  participation  in  lo- 
cal government  and  also  waiting  for 
the  statement  promised  for  Janu- 
ary 13  by  the  government.  . . . 

“After  this,  Mr.  Nzez  Landu,  a 
founder  of  Abako,  asked  for  the 
rallying  of  all  Congolese.  The  meet- 
ing itself  lasted  only  fifteen  min- 
utes. Mr.  Kassavubu  and  his  sup- 
porters left  shouting,  ‘Independence! 
Independence!’  Policemen,  appar- 
ently confused  by  the  shouting,  fired 
some  shots.  Mr.  Pinzi,  the  Abako- 
elected  mayor  of  the  Kalamu  com- 
mune, arrived  and  spoke  to  the 
crowd,  trying  to  calm  it  down. 
However  the  crowd  became  unruly, 
started  throwing  stones,  and  the 
‘vandalism  and  pillage’  which  fol- 
lowed have  been  reported  in  the 
newspapers.” 

On  January  13  came  the  Belgian 
government’s  Declaration,  which 
had  been  announced  prior  to  the 
Leopoldville  riots.  It  was  a plan  to 
organize  in  the  Congo  a “democ- 
racy capable  of  exercising  the  pre- 
rogatives of  sovereignty  and  of  de- 
ciding upon  its  independence.”  King 
Baudoin  said  Belgium  wanted  to 
lead  the  people  of  Congo  towards 
independence  without  delay,  but 
also  without  inconsiderate  haste. 
Many  Congolese,  however,  felt  that 
the  Declaration  did  not  do  enough 
and  that  a clear-cut  timetable  was 
needed. 

On  February  27  the  Belgian  gov- 
ernment authorized  the  appointment 
of  a native  council  which  would  act 
in  an  advisory  capacity  with  the 
governor  general  of  the  Congo. 
Other  councils  will  work  in  the 
same  capacity  with  provincial  gov- 


ernors. Laws  will  provide  for  the 
election  of  local  and  provincial 
councilors  who  will  in  turn  choose 
a legislative  and  general  council. 
This  council  is  to  evolve  into  a sen- 
ate and  house  of  representatives 
for  the  Belgian  Congo. 

“'The  steadily  increasing  impor- 
tance of  nationalism  as  one  of  the 
chief  dimensions  of  the  missionary 
situation  in  Africa  is  becoming  more 
apparent,”  says  Enns.  “The  positive 
response  of  the  Christian  mission 
to  nationalism  may  be  in  three 
areas:  recruiting  and  training  an 

indigenous  clergy  to  whom  control 
of  the  churches  is  committed;  fos- 
tering the  adjustment  of  the  church  ' 
and  the  Christian  community  to  the  . 
indigenous  culture;  and  the  estab-  I 
lishment  of  the  supranationality  of  j 
the  missionary.  While  merely  at-  ' 
tempting  to  be  neutral  and  impar-  i 
tial,  missionaries  may  appear  in  | 
the  eyes  of  the  African  to  be  com- 
mitted, even  partisan.” 

H.  A.  Driver,  executive  secretary 
of  the  Congo  Inland  Mission,  pleads 
for  prayer:  “Brethren,  we  must 

pray  for  the  missionaries  and  Af- 
rican church  leaders  during  these 
days  when  things  can  happen  so 
quickly  in  Africa  . . . especially  re- 
membering those  who  are  trying  to 
restore  confidence  between  whites 
and  Africans  and  keep  the  work  of 
soul  winning  going  on.” 


A Congo  girl  from  Mutena,  the 
daughter  of  Christian  parents.  She 
will  have  more  opportunities  and 
responsibilities  in  the  Belgian  Con- 
go of  tomorrow. 


342 


THE  MENNONITE 


Blessed  Are  the  Quiet  Ones 


I Elver  a A.  Baumgartner 

SOME  time  ago  a friend  of  mine 
passed  through  my  home  com- 
' munity  and  attended  my  home 
church.  When  she  came  back  she 
called  me  up  to  tell  of  those  she 
: had  met.  One  by  one  she  named 
those  people  who  have  a special 
ability  for  meeting  strangers  and 
making  them  feel  at  home.  “These 
are  the  pillars  of  your  church,”  she 
I said.  But  much  as  we  need  them, 

I were  they  really  the  pillars? 

I Barbara  didn’t  meet  Grandfather 
Snyder.  This  grandfather  to  the 
community  is  no  longer  able  to 
get  outside  of  his  home,  but  he 
spends  much  time  praying  for  the 
church  and  for  the  people  of  the 
community  who  should  be  there. 
Even  in  his  younger  days  he  prob- 
ably would  not  have  gone  to  Bar- 
bara with  an  overly  warm  welcome. 
Not  that  he  wouldn’t  have  been 
most  happy  to  see  her  there.  In 
fact,  he  would  be  very  happy  to 
see  her,  because  he  knew  her  grand- 
father well  as  a young  boy  when 
they  were  neighbors  in  Ohio.  But 
Grandpa  Snyder  is  a quiet  man. 
Instead  of  gushing  over  her  he 
would  have  gently  shaken  hands 
and  walked  away  with  a prayer 
for  her  in  his  heart.  But  Barbara 
doesn’t  know  that  Grandpa  Snyder 
is  a pillar. 

Barbara  met  Aunt  Mary  King, 
but  she  wasn’t  overly  impressed, 
j In  fact,  when  I quizzed  her  she 
! hardly  remembered  Aunt  Mary. 
Aunt  Mary  is  another  quiet  one. 
For  years  she  was  busy  raising 
I her  large  family  of  ten  children. 
Her  family  turned  out  well — one  is 
I a minister,  another  a missionary, 
and  the  rest  are  leading  laymen  of 
their  churches,  but  that  is  another 
story.  For  years  Aunt  Mary’s  hus- 
band, Uncle  Joel,  was  bedfast.  Aunt 
Mary  couldn’t  attend  Women’s  Mis- 
sionary Society,  but  she  spent  many 
hours  beside  Uncle  Joel’s  bed  mak- 
ing quilt  blocks  for  the  children’s 
home  in  Germany  and  layettes  for 
African  babies.  Barbara  talked  of 
Aunt  Bertha  Springer  in  glowing 
terms.  Aunt  Bertha  has  not  had  to 
stay  home  with  a shut-in  husband. 
In  fact  she’s  at  almost  every  meet- 
ing the  church  has  and  is  quite 


happy  to  advertise  the  fact.  The 
trouble  is  that  she’s  there,  period. 
No  layettes  or  quilt  blocks  come 
from  her  needles.  She’s  too  busy  do- 
ing other  things,  mainly  talking. 
Some  of  us  are  tempted  to  suspect 
she  comes  to  the  meetings  only  for 
a chance  to  gossip.  But  to  a person 
passing  through  she  is  a pillar. 

Barbara  mentioned  being  in  a 
Sunday  school  class  taught  by  John 
Miller.  John  is  one  of  those  people 
with  personality  plus.  What  he  lacks 
in  knowledge  of  the  Bible  and  teach- 
ing methods  he  makes  up  for  in  the 
ability  to  talk  and  entertain  with- 
out his  listeners  actually  realizing 
they  are  being  entertained.  To  Bar- 
bara he  was  one  of  our  best  Sunday 
school  workers.  She  didn’t  meet 
John’s  cousin  Ruth.  Ruth  has  taught 
a class  of  juniors  for  years.  Unlike 
John,  Ruth  is  very  unassuming.  Un- 
less you  have  been  in  her  class,  as 
I have  been,  you  probably  think  she 
would  be  a dull  teacher.  But  how 

the  reader  says 

Dear  Editor: 

Regarding  the  article  by  John 
Boehr  appearing  in  the  April  7 issue 
of  The  Mennonite:  How  many  of  us, 
if  presented  with  the  choice  of  buy- 
ing a bushel  of  apples  which  have 
been  sprayed  with  “poison”  and  are 
worm  free,  or  a bushel  of  unsprayed 
wormy  apples,  would  purchase  the 
wormy  apples?  How  many  would 
prefer  a steak  from  a grass-fed 
Texas  longhorn  over  that  of  a 
Hereford  fattened  on  corn,  antibi- 
otics, concentrates,  etc? 

Man  through  the  intelligence  giv- 
en him  by  his  Creator  has  been 
able  to  utilize  nature  to  his  advan- 
tage. Through  selective  breeding  he 
has  produced  cattle  which  gain 
weight  faster  and  the  meat  is  thus 
more  tender.  He  has,  further,  im- 
proved feeding  methods  by  adding 
concentrates,  antibiotics,  tranquil- 
izers, etc.,  and  has  thus  decreased 
the  cost  of  production  at  the  same 
time  he  is  giving  a superior,  more 
palatable  product  to  the  customer. 
This  same  story  can  be  repeated 


she  can  make  Bible  stories  come 
alive  to  those  wiggling  juniors! 
Ruth  spends  much  time  in  prayer, 
Bible  study,  and  study  of  teaching 
methods  even  though  she  can  hard- 
ly afford  the  time  with  four  chil- 
dren of  her  own. 

Another  person  Barbara  did  not 
mention  was  Joe  Dick.  Ernest  Jones 
met  Barbara  with  a hearty  wel- 
come and  just  managed  to  mention 
that  he  was  a deacon.  When  the 
pastor  needs  help  or  advice,  how- 
ever, he  usually  talks  to  Joe  Dick 
first.  In  fact  they  were  talking  over 
a minor  problem  when  Barbara 
was  there.  After  their  talk  Joe  had 
to  take  three  children  from  an  un- 
churched family  home  before  their 
mother  would  become  upset  and  not 
allow  them  to  come  again. 

Barbara  talked  in  glowing  terms 
of  many  other  people  in  our  church, 
but,  with  few  exceptions,  none  of 
them  were  what  I would  class  as 
the  “quiet  ones.”  These  others  have 
a place  in  the  church  too,  and  we 
need  them  and  love  them.  But  was 
Barbara  right  in  thinking  them  the 
“pillars  of  the  church”? 

Blessed  are  the  quiet  ones,  for 
they  are  the  strength  of  the  church. 


for  milk  production,  egg  production, 
and  so  forth. 

We  next  come  to  some  very  prac- 
tical aspects  of  renewing  or  replen- 
ishing our  soil  “nature’s  way.”  We 
can  attempt  this  by  crop  rotation, 
but  any  farmer  can  tell  you  that 
this  alone  can  never  replace  the 
minerals  which  have  been  removed. 
Man  again  has  been  intelligent  e- 
nough  to  recognize  what  he  has 
removed  from  the  soil,  synthesize 
it  if  necessary,  and  return  it  to  the 
soil  in  the  form  of  commercial  fer- 
tilizer, lime,  etc.  Wouldn’t  “nature’s 
way”  be  reforestration,  and  wouldn’t 
this  be  quite  impractical?  . . . 

Would  Mr.  Boehr  be  willing  to 
stop  polluting  the  air  with  fumes 
from  his  car,  jeep,  and  tractor? 
or  give  up  the  electric  range  and 
central  heating  to  return  to  heating 
with  the  fireplace  and  cooking  on 
the  open  hearth?  Let’s  not  knock 
man’s  advance  in  one  field  while  we 
benefit  so  much  from  the  others. 

Alvin  N.  Lugibihl,  M.D. 

Maple  Heights,  Ohio 


June  2,  1959 


343 


We  Wept  Together 


WE  would  like  to  get  them 
thrones  in  heaven  and  won’t 
give  them  chairs  in  their  living 
room,”  said  one  speaker  as  we 
were  gathered  as  a race  seminar 
in  the  Woodlawn  Church  in  Chi- 
cago, April  17  and  18. 

“No  missionary  can  be  effective 
in  another  country  unless  he  dis- 
approves race  segregation  in  Amer- 
ica. Everything  done  in  Alabama 
is  considered  a slap  in  the  face  by 
peoples  of  other  colors  in  the 
world,”  commented  Guy  Hershber- 
ger. Melvin  Gingerich,  who  had 
been  in  Japan  for  a number  of 
years,  said  that  when  he  had  ad- 
dressed a group  of  Japanese  peo- 
ple, “those  people  knew  more  about 
the  race  problem  in  America  than 
an  average  audience  in  America.” 
We  all  had  to  confess  that  the  prob- 
lem of  race  relations  was  not  con- 
fined to  our  home  countries  but  also 
touched  our  mission  fields  where  we 
had  often  sent  our  money  but 
shared  little  of  our  hearts. 

“Values,”  argued  Jacob  Loewen, 
former  missionary  to  Colombia, 
“can  annul  precepts  we  confess, 
damage  may  occur  from  high  mo- 
tives but  lacking  elements  of  love.” 


bookmarks 

MAKING  ETHICAL  DECISIONS 
by  Howard  Clark  Kee.  96  pp.,  West- 
minster Press,  $1.00. 

Dr.  Kee  touches  upon  a number 
of  vital  social  problems  which  af- 
fect the  Christian  way  of  life.  He 
sets  out  “to  discover  how  practical, 
in  the  best  sense,  are  the  resources 
of  Bible,  church,  and  Spirit  in  aid- 
ing the  modern  Christian,  not  to 
‘be  good’  in  some  abstract  manner, 
but  in  making  concrete  ethical  de- 
cisions.” 

In  regard  to  the  problem  of  di- 
vorce and  remarriage  the  author 
says  that  the  sense  of  Mark  10:11, 
12,  “is  uncomfortably  plain:  for  a 
man  or  woman  to  be  divorced  and 
remarry  is  to  commit  adultery.” 

The  home  means  responsibility, 
and  “no  amount  of  dedication  to 
God  and  the  church  frees  us  from 


We  as  a Mennonite  people  have 
much  to  learn  in  the  art  of  loving. 
We  had  to  confess  that  great  ideals 
and  values  do  not  necessarily  bring 
about  unselfish  sharing. 

It  was  good  to  hear  Rondo  Hor- 
ton, who  joined  the  Mennonite 
Church  in  1917  and  has  been  a Ne- 
gro Mennonite  minister  since  1931, 
say,  “I’m  just  a Mennonite.”  In  his 
church  in  North  Carolina  all  wor- 
shiped together.  “But,”  said  Broth- 
er Holloway,  who  has  been  in  jail 
two  times,  arrested  often,  and  was 
a dope  addict  before  he  was  con- 
verted to  the  church,  “a  Negro  has 
a responsibility  too.  A Christian  Ne- 
gro should  refuse  to  see  any  dif- 
ference.” To  further  balance  the 
picture.  Miss  Hazel  from  Georgia 
added,  “There  are  more  good  white 
people  in  the  South  than  we  give 
them  credit  for.”  Only  Christians 
who  had  learned  a measure  of 
God’s  love  could  have  spoken  thus. 

During  the  Montgomery  bus  boy- 
cott, the  slogan  of  the  boycotters 
was,  “Let  us  not  stoop  to  hate.”  We 
heard  Martin  Luther  King,  the  lead- 
er, confirm  this  thought.  His  asso- 
ciate, Ralph  Abernathy,  addressed  us 


responsibility  to  our  families.”  Also, 
he  says  that  every  Christian  should 
consider  making  a living  a call 
from  God  and  not  just  a job. 

The  Christian’s  attitude  toward 
the  government  and  the  country  of 
which  he  is  a citizen  is  another 
vital  problem  today.  The  writer 
states  that  there  is  a “difference 
between  provisional  and  ultimate 
authority.”  God  is  the  ultimate  au- 
thority but  man  must  be  subject 
to  the  provisional  law  which  God 
has  ordained. 

Friends  are  needful,  but  what 
kind  of  friends  do  Christians  have 
and  to  what  purpose?  Are  our 
friends  regarded  from  the  “stand- 
point of  what  they  can  do  for  us” 
or  “what  they  may  be  doing  to  us”? 

The  author  does  not  give  the  solu- 
tion to  these  problems  adequately 
with  enough  detail,  but  every  per- 
son who  desires  to  know  God’s  will 
for  his  life  will  do  well  to  read 
this  book.  — Edward  J.  Wiebe 


on  the  same  theme,  convincing  me 
that  some  of  our  Negro  brethren 
are  showing  us  more  suffering  dis- 
cipleship,  in  which  we  take  pride, 
than  we  have  shown  for  a long 
time.  I became  aware  that  these 
long-suffering  brethren  of  the  faith, 
who  have  borne  shame  and  repris- 
al for  many  years,  have  a genuine 
burden  when  they  spurn  us  on  to 
witness  in  the  areas  of  relief,  peace, 
evangelism,  nonviolence,  brother- 
hood, and  suffering. 

It  was  the  type  of  a conference 
that  all  were  reluctant  to  leave.  We 
wanted  to  make  sure  that  we  had 
said  good-bye  to  everyone.  We  had 
a feeling  we  ought  to  stay  together. 
We  had  heard  good  papers;  there 
was  a good  book  display;  the  con- 
ference was  well  organized.  But  it 
was  not  this  that  held  us  together. 
We  had  discussed,  shared,  and  wor- 
shiped together,  and  we  had  done 
more — we  wept  together.  We  liter- 
ally cried  and  didn’t  care.  Our 
speaker  had  to  stop  for  awhile  be- 
cause a lump  in  the  throat  would 
not  clear.  And  we  were  glad,  be- 
cause we  too  had  lumps  of  grief  and 
repentance  to  clear.  This  was  the 
height  of  true  sharing,  for  we  had 
shared  our  hearts,  white  and  black 
brothers  together  in  Christ. 

— ^Leo  Driedger 


THE  MILLER  FIVE  by  Esther  Eby 
Glass.  120  pp.,  Herald  Press,  $1.75. 

This  easy-to-read  book  tells  about  ( 
the  experiences  of  the  Miller  family 
as  they  try  to  resolve  their  prol^ 
lems  in  a Christian  way. 

The  Miller  five  are  not  an  alike- 
as-peas-in-the-pod  family.  Sixteen- 
year-old  Helen,  her  younger  broth- 
ers, George,  Ronny,  and  Larry,  and 
little  Kathy,  are  all  different  and 
interesting  individuals. 

Each  chapter  is  a separate  story 
which  could  be  used  by  itself.  And 
each  chapter,  without  seeming  to  do 
so,  presents  a lesson  in  Christian 
living.  Because  these  lessons  are 
carefully  woven  into  the  story,  they  ' 
do  not  detract  from  the  enjoyment 
readers  will  receive  from  the  book. 

The  book  presents  the  views  of 
a conservative  Christian.  She  takes 
a stand  against  evolution  (“you 
can’t  believe  both” — the  Bible  and 
evolution),  movies,  and  war. 

— Betty  Miller 


344 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  youth 


Bill  and  the  Golden  Dragons 

by  Leland  Harder 


Ordinarily,  a dragon  is  a make- 
believe  animal,  like  a monstrous 
serpent  with  golden  wings.  But  the 
Golden  Dragons  I want  to  tell  you 
about  are  real. 

They  live  in  New  York  City  be- 
tween First  and  Second  avenues  on 
East  100th  Street.  This  is  the  most 
crowded  block  in  the  whole  world. 
In  that  one  block  on  one  side  of 
the  street  live  more  than  4000  peo- 
ple in  27  rotting  tenement  houses. 

For  years  nobody  took  any  inter- 
est in  the  children.  With  nobody 
to  take  them  swimming  or  to  a ball 
game  or  to  play  with  them  they 
formed  into  gangs,  wandering  a- 
round  the  city  looking  for  trouble. 
Each  gang  had  a name.  They  called 
themselves  The  Flames,  The  Tur- 
bans, The  Young  Lords,  The  Red- 
wings, The  King’s  Men,  The  Counts, 
and  The  Golden  Dragons. 

Everyone  on  East  100th  Street 
knew  about  the  Golden  Dragons. 
Whenever  there  was  a fire-jumping, 
the  Golden  Dragons  would  be  there. 
A fire-jumping  is  one  of  the  gang’s 
favorite  games — ^the  kids  pile  up  a 
lot  of  wooden  boxes  and  trash,  set 
fire  to  it,  and  then  take  turns  jump- 
ing over  it  as  more  boxes  are 
thrown  on  and  the  fire  gets  bigger 
and  bigger. 

One  summer  morning,  when  the 
Golden  Dragons  were  fire-jumping, 
a young  minister  by  the  name  of 
Bill  Webber  walked  up.  He  called 
out,  “Who’s  the  leader  of  this 
gang?” 

The  kids  stopped  their  play  and 
looked  over  to  where  the  minister 
stood.  There  was  Spy,  and  Cale- 
donia, and  Moody,  and  Java,  and 
Rico,  and  Feets,  and  Rocky,  and 
Halfbreed,  and  Dyke,  and  Dizzy, 
and  Poppy,  and  in  all  about  twenty 
boys.  One  tough-looking  fellow 

June  2,  1959 


known  as  The  Hero  yelled  out, 
“I’m  the  leader.  So  what?” 

“This  game  you’re  playing,”  said 
the  minister,  “do  other  gangs  play 
it  too?” 

“I  guess  we’ve  played  it  against 
about  every  gang  along  the  East 
River,”  said  The  Hero. 

“Hmmm.  You  know  what  I’d  do 
if  I were  the  leader  of  this  gang?” 
the  minister  asked.  “I  think  I’d  do 
something  no  other  gang  in  the 
city  is  doing.”  The  Hero  was  be- 
ginning to  get  interested.  He  want- 
ed to  know  what  they  could  do  that 
would  be  different  from  all  the 
other  gangs.  “Well,”  said  Bill,  “I 
think  I’d  teach  my  gang  to  play 
volleyball.  It’d  be  the  first  volley- 
ball-playing gang  in  New  York.” 
“Where  would  you  go  to  play 
volleyball?”  'The  Hero  asked. 

“Come  along,”  Bill  said,  “I’ll  show 
you.” 


The  Golden  Dragons  followed 
Bill  through  the  alley,  down  several 
dark  streets,  to  a vacant  lot  in  back 
of  his  store-front  church.  It  was 
covered  with  weeds  that  were  about 
as  high  as  the  boys  themselves. 
“Here  we  are,”  Bill  said.  “We  could 
clear  off  this  lot,  roll  the  ground 
nice  and  smooth,  put  up  our  posts 
and  net,  and  maybe  even  some 
lights  so  we  could  play  at  night.  I 
tell  you  what — you  talk  it  over  and 
come  see  me  about  it  tomorrow 
morning  at  nine  o’clock.  Just  knock 
on  that  door  over  there.”  Bill  Web- 
ber pointed  to  the  door  of  the 
church. 

The  next  morning  came,  but  the 
Golden  Dragons  didn’t  show  up.  It 
didn’t  take  Bill  long  to  find  out 
why.  He  stopped  a boy  on  the 
street  and  learned  there  was  a 
“rumble”  in  the  block.  “Rumble”  is 
the  word  they  use  for  gang  war. 

Standard  Oil  (N.  J.) 


This  particular  rumble  was  between 
the  Redwings  and  the  Golden  Drag- 
ons. The  fighting  was  on  East  100th 
Street,  where  the  rival  forces  had 
taken  up  positions  across  the  street 
from  each  other.  They  were  in  base- 
ment areaways,  on  rooftops,  and  in 
hallways. 

Bill  ran  down  the  sidewalk  to  the 
vacant  building  in  which  he  thought 
one  of  the  gangs  was  hiding.  He 
heard  a rustling  sound  from  above, 
and  three  bricks  dropped  from  the 
roof  six  stories  up,  crashing  to  the 
walk  and  missing  him  only  by 
inches.  He  ran  into  the  building 
shouting  his  name  and  calling  for 
the  leaders  of  the  two  gangs  to 
come  out  to  palaver,  to  come  to- 
gether to  make  peace.  But  there 
was  no  palaver.  In  fact,  there  was 
no  more  fighting  for  the  boys  just 
disappeared  somewhere  through  the 
basements  and  alleyways. 

By  the  time  Bill  got  back  to  his 
church,  the  Golden  Dragons  were 
there  waiting  for  him.  “What  hap- 
pened?” he  asked  as  he  spotted  The 
Hero  leaning  against  the  building. 
“Oh,  we  just  decided  we’d  like  to 
play  a little  volleyball,  that’s  all,” 
The  Hero  said. 

That  afternoon  they  worked.  And 
every  day  the  next  week  they 
worked,  until  the  weeds  were 
cleared  away  and  burned,  the 
ground  was  dragged  and  smoothed, 
and  the  net  put  up.  The  Golden 


Just  Outside  My 

It  was  one  of  those  days  when 
you  keep  telling  yourself  you’ve 
just  got  to  get  busy  or  you’ll  never 
get  that  assignment  done.  I found 
myself  wondering  about  the  school 
year  that  had  just  fiown  by.  What 
were  the  things  I would  remember 
about  it  some  day  when  I would  try 
to  recall?  There  had  been  dozens 
of  fun  incidents,  plenty  of  panics 
about  assignments  and  tests, 
glimpses  of  inspiration.  But  I think 
the  real  meat  of  the  year  was  the 
times  I was  made  to  think,  to  pon- 
der. . . . 

It  was  at  the  beginning  of  the 
school  year  that  I heard  a speaker 
who  said,  “This  is  the  modern  stu- 
dent; Going  and  going  from  one 
deadline  to  another,  no  time  to  con- 


Dragons not  only  played  volleyball 
on  the  lot,  but  they  played  relay 
and  stick-ball  as  well.  One  week 
they  built  an  outdoor  theater,  and 
put  on  a talent  show.  Another  week 
they  went  on  a week’s  hike  through 
the  mountains  of  Vermont.  In  all 
of  these  activities.  Bill  Webber  was 
right  there  with  them,  guiding 
them  and  being  their  friend.  Most 
of  these  boys  started  coming  to 
Sunday  school,  and  many  of  them 
became  “Militants.”  That  was 
Bill’s  word  for  one  who  became 
active  in  the  work  of  the  church 
and  was  on  the  way  to  becoming  a 
full-fiedged  follower  of  Jesus  Christ. 

Bill’s  full  name  was  George  Wil- 
liams Webber.  He  came  from  Des 
Moines,  Iowa,  and  was  a star  bas- 
ketball player  at  Harvard  Univer- 
sity. Then  when  Bill  attended  Union 
Theological  Seminary  in  New  York 
City  to  become  a minister,  he  saw 
what  life  was  like  in  East  Harlem, 
just  a stone’s-throw  from  the  Sem- 
inary. He  and  several  other  young 
ministers  dedicated  their  lives  to 
working  among  these  people,  like 
the  Golden  Dragons,  their  parents, 
and  their  neighbors. 

For  about  ten  years  now.  Bill  and 
the  other  ministers  have  been  there; 
and  they  have  shown  that  marvel- 
ous things  can  happen  when  Chris- 
tians dedicate  their  lives  to  helping 
others.  I don’t  know  if  these  young 
ministers  think  of  themselves  as 


making  a great  personal  sacrifice; 
but  there  they  are:  living  with  their 
families  right  in  the  heart  of  East 
Harlem,  perhaps  the  roughest  and 
dirtiest  community  in  the  world ! 
There  they  are,  available  twenty- 
four  hours  a day.  You  see,  the  great- 
est tragedy  in  East  Harlem  is  not 
the  lack  of  possessions,  but  the  ab- 
sence of  hope.  It  takes  hope  to  chal- 
lenge people  that  with  God’s  help 
they  can  do  something  about  their 
lot.  As  Bill  has  said,  “We  feel  that 
much  of  this  hopelessness  and 
helplessness  has  been  changed  just 
by  our  being  out  there,  immedi- 
ately available  for  service.” 

How  we  need  this  sense  of  mis- 
sion! It  is  this  kind  of  outgoing 
spirit  that  has  made  the  work  of 
Bill  and  his  fellow  ministers  so  ef- 
fective. In  terms  of  self-sacrifice 
they  talk  one  language  with  the 
Christians  who  wrote  our  New  Tes- 
tament. It  was  the  Apostle  Paul 
who  wrote,  “I  appeal  to  you  there- 
fore, brethren,  by  the  mercies  of 
God,  to  present  your  bodies  as  a 
living  sacrifice,  holy  and  acceptable 
to  God,  which  is  your  spiritual  wor- 
ship.” 

Bill  Webber  knows  what  that 
verse  means.  And  I hope  that  this 
story  about  Bill  and  the  Golden 
Dragons  has  given  you  a better 
understanding  of  that  verse,  too. 
And  about  what  it  means  to  be  a 
Christian. 


Dormitory  Window 


sider  truth  or  absence  of  truth, 
committed  to  social  harmony  and 
conformity,  lonely  but  wanting  to 
believe,  wanting  to  know  the  mean- 
ing of  all  this  and  that.  The  student 
looks  to  his  past  and  knows  what 
he  is  supposed  to  be.  It  is  not  a 
question  of  what  he  needs,  but 
whether  he  wants  it  or  not.  He 
knows  what  he  ought  to  do,  but 
until  the  realization  of  validity 
comes,  actions  don’t  make  sense. 

“What  is  man?  Why  is  man?  Are 
we  really  ‘sentenced  to  solitary 
confinement  within  our  own  skins’? 
Are  we  little  haunted  houses  exist- 
ing in  empty  souls,  hollow  and  yet 
so  stuffed?  Who  is  God?  It’s  not  so 
much  how  lovely  and  magnificent 
He  is  but  the  fact  that  He  is  love. 


And  with  the  realization  of  love 
goes  the  establishment  of  a rela- 
tionship — freeing  man  from  the 
compulsion  to  play  god  in  his  own 
life  and  failing.” 

It  was  the  next  day  that  I was 
introduced  to  Louis,  a junior  in  high 
school.  “Who  are  Mennonites?”  he 
asked.  “Are  they  Christians?”  It 
was  hard  to  keep  from  bursting  out 
with  “Haven’t  you  heard  of  Men- 
nonites???” For  a long  time  after- 
wards his  question  lingered  in  my 
mind.  What  is  it  that  we  emphasize 
as  a church?  Is  it  the  characteristic 
culture  of  zwiebach  or  Plattdeutsch 
or  traditionally  Mennonite  names? 
Was  it  the  peace  position  above  all 
else?  Or  was  it  Christ? 

Then  there  was  a chapel  speaker. 


346 


THE  MENNONITE 


It  wasn’t  so  much  what  he  said  as 
what  a listener  said  afterwards: 
“The  breadth  of  that  man’s  sym- 
pathies gives  him  stature.”  Sudden- 
ly grades  and  self-confidence  and 
little  social  successes  were  nothing. 
I knew  that  I was  concerned  only 
about  that  which  concerned  me. 

Some  time  later  I read  an  article 
— I don’t  remember  where  — in 
which  the  author  described  refu- 


We recommend 

Teenager’s  Choice 

Teenager’s  Choice  is  a thirty- 
minute  black  and  white  16mm.  film, 
rental  $9.00,  produced  by  Family 
Films. 

Sandy,  a seventeen-year-old  high 
school  graduate,  and  her  steady, 
Doug,  have  fallen  in  love.  Their 
friends  dare  them  to  get  married. 
Sandy,  rebellious  and  eager  to  get 
away  from  home  ties  and  respon- 
sibilities, and  Doug,  eager  to  become 
independent,  decide  to  elope.  In  her 
strong  desire  to  marry  Doug,  Sandy 
forgets  that  marriage  is  more  than 
physical  development  or  even  be- 
ing of  age.  Pleas  from  her  closest 
friends  are  ignored.  Her  father 
finds  her  packing.  He  tries  to  make 
her  see  that  marriage  is  not  an 
escape,  but  a God-given  relation- 
ship, in  which  Christ  must  be  pre- 
eminent. Sandy  comes  to  realize 
that  there  is  a right  and  a wrong 
way  to  make  a choice,  and  she  and 
Doug  decide  to  let  Christ  lead  their 
lives. 

The  film  may  be  used: 

• to  emphasize  with  teen-agers 
the  importance  of  having  Christ  at 
the  center  of  their  lives  as  they 
enter  into  adulthood. 

• to  provoke  discussion  on  the 
problems  of  early  marriage. 

• to  emphasize  especially  the  im- 
portance of  Christian  marriage. 

• to  help  teen-agers  consider 
other  viewpoints  than  their  own  in 
discussing  teen-age  problems. 

• to  provoke  discussion  with  teen- 
agers on  problems  of  relationships 
with  their  parents  and  younger 
brothers  and  sisters. 

With  parents  and  adults  the  film 
may  be  used: 


gees  as  “the  people  who  have  no 
trouble  keeping  their  weight  down.” 
What  an  uncomfortable  thing  to 
say  to  us  who  force  ourselves  to 
skimp  on  desserts,  to  drink  skim 
milk,  and  who  sacrificially  scrape 
the  whipped  cream  off  the  pie.  As 
if  that  weren’t  enough,  I stumbled 
on  some  words  that  a fellow  by  the 
name  of  Clement  wrote  in  the  sec- 
ond century  A.D.  “You  were  grant- 


•  to  provoke  discussion  on  how 
to  deal  with  their  teen-ager’s  atti- 
tudes toward  home  and  family  rela- 
tionships. 

• to  emphasize  the  importance 
of  parents  making  the  effort  to 
share  their  Christian  faith  with 
their  teen-agers  before  high  school 
age. 

• to  caution  parents  against  the 
sin  of  being  so  busy  with  work, 
home,  and  social  relationships  that 
they  do  not  have  time  to  spend  with 
their  teen-agers. 

• to  provoke  discussion  on  the 
problems  of  early  marriage  for 
their  teen-agers. 

The  film  can  be  ordered  from 
Lewis  Film  Service,  1425  East  Cen- 
tral, Wichita  7,  Kansas,  or  your 
nearest  film  agency.  Give  name  and 
address  of  persons  to  whom  film 
and  invoice  should  be  sent. 

Counselor’s  Manual 

The  General  Conference  Young 
People’s  Union  is  pleased  to  an- 
nounce the  release  of  a new  publi- 
cation entitled  Counseling  Youth. 
The  booklet’s  author  is  Claude  Boy- 
er, pastor  of  the  Deep  Run  Men- 
nonite  Church  in  Bedminster,  Pa. 


IF  you  are  planning  to  attend  the 
Young  People’s  Union  retreat  at 
Camp  Friedenswald  Aug.  5 to  12.  . . 

IF  you  have  had  experience  as  a 
camp  counselor  and  have  enjoyed  it 

IF  you  are  21  years  of  age  or 
over  . . . 

IF  you  would  be  interested  in  be- 
ing a counselor  for  the  YPU  re- 


ed great  popularity  so  that  the  word 
of  Scripture  was  fulfilled:  ‘My  be- 
loved ate  and  drank  and  filled  out 
and  grew  fat  and  started  to  kick.’  ” 
I checked  to  see  if  that  really  was 
in  the  Bible — Deut.  32:15! 

I think  these  are  the  things  I 
will  remember  as  being  just  outside 
my  dormitory  window. 

— Muriel  Thiessen 


Nancy  Schroeder,  student  at  Bethel 
College,  is  the  illustrator. 

Counseling  Youth  is  written  for 
adults  who  have  an  interest  in  the 
work  of  youth  fellowships.  It  is 
written  to  help  youth  leaders  meet 
one  of  the  greatest  challenges,  that 
of  being  a friend  to  young  people. 

'The  manual  is  written  as  a com- 
panion to  the  Youth  Fellowship 
Manual  (released  earlier  this  year) 
and  manuals  on  Faith  and  Life,  and 
Christian  Service  (which  are  in  the 
making) . The  following  quote  is 
taken  from  the  Foreword:  “This 
booklet  will  not  automatically  make 
you  a youth  counselor,  but  it  is  de- 
signed to  help  you  become  a better 
one.  We  hope  and  pray  that  this 
manual  gives  you  practical  guidance 
in  understanding  yourself  and  what 
you  need  to  be  in  order  to  help  and 
understand  young  people  and  to  un- 
derstand the  scope  and  program  of 
the  Young  People’s  Union  in  the 
light  of  the  whole  program  of  the 
church  and  especially  the  General 
Conference  Mennonite  Church.” 

Counseling  Youth  sells  for  seven- 
ty-five cents  and  may  be  ordered 
from  Mennonite  Bookstores,  in 
Berne,  Ind.;  Newton,  Kansas;  or 
Rosthern,  Saskatchewan. 


treat  . . . 

CONTACT  the  retreat  dean  to 
this  effect  before  July  1.  His  name 
is  Bill  Block  and  his  address  dur- 
ing June  is  Box  121,  Steinbach,  Man,. 
Canada. 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People's  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  3003 
Benham  Avenue,  Elkhart,  Indiana. 


Camp  Counselors  Needed 


June  2,  1959 


347 


our  schools 

AWARDS  GRANTED 

The  awards  night  program  at 
Bethel  College  May  19  featured 
cash  awards,  medals  and  the  spe- 
cial Bethel  trophy  of  a mounted 
threshing  stone  to  students  who  ex- 
celled in  various  areas  of  scholar- 
ship, creative  endeavor,  and  extra- 
curricular activities. 

Cash  awards  included  the  presen- 
tation of  the  American  Cancer  So- 
ciety $300  scholarship  to  Elaine 
Schmidt,  freshman,  a graduate  of 
Newton  High.  The  E.  B.  Wedel 
Memorial  mathematics  competition 
awards  of  $25  and  $10  went  to 
George  Dick  and  Nabil  Khabbaz, 
winners  of  the  Kansas  Conference 
mathematics  contest. 

Cash  award  contests  have  been 
set  up  by  Julius  and  Olga  Stucky  in 
the  categories  of  Contribution  to 
Mennonitism  and  Peace  oration.  In 
the  former  Marie  Voth,  Hielke  De 
Jong,  and  John  D.  Unruh  Jr.  won 
awards  of  $25,  $15,  and  $10,  respec- 
tively. Peace  oration  winners  with 
corresponding  amounts  were  Chas. 
Flowers,  Robert  Rich,  and  Theo- 
dore Doherty. 

The  Wall  Street  Journal  award 
was  granted  to  Stanley  Pankratz, 
while  the  Chemical  Rubber  Com- 
pany award  was  given  to  Alfred 
Habegger.  Bethel  trophy  awards 
went  to  David  Claassen  for  black 
and  white  photography,  Arthur 
Toews  for  color  slides,  Edward 
Dawson  for  plastic  art,  and  Nancy 
Schroeder  for  graphic  art. 

Rosalie  Voth  and  Janice  Reimer, 
shared  the  honors  in  musical  com- 
position for  voices.  Award  winners 
in  drama  were  Omer  Galle  and 
Esther  Schmidt.  The  prize  winning 
poetry  was  submitted  by  Charles 
Flowers,  while  Helen  Voth  won  the 
prose  literary  award  for  a short 
story.  The  award-winning  research 
paper  was  submitted  by  Stanley 
Pankratz. 

Debaters  who  won  at  least  two- 
thirds  of  their  debates  in  major 
tournament  competition,  thus  quali- 
fying for  awards,  were  Robert  Rich 
and  Robert  Shellenberger.  For  crea- 
tive work  in  industrial  arts,  Tom 
Yoder  won  the  award  in  woodwork 
while  Arnold  McCloud  was  the  a- 
ward  winner  in  metal  work. 

Awards  were  also  presented  May 
19  for  intercollegiate  athletics. 


BLUFFTON  COMMENCEMENT 

A class  of  seventy-four  students, 
the  largest  class  to  be  graduated 
from  Bluffton  College,  will  receive 
diplomas  on  June  8,  in  Founders 
Hall. 

Commencement  week  end  will  be- 
gin June  5 with  a Swiss  Day  lunch- 
eon and  program  in  Swiss  dialect. 
In  the  evening  will  be  Pi  Delta  and 
Junior  Pi  Delta  supper,  and  a mu- 
sical, The  Song  of  Norway,  story  of 
the  life  of  Edvard  Grieg. 

June  6,  Alumni  Day,  will  begin 
with  the  Varsity  “B”  breakfast  and 
varsity  baseball  game.  At  the  caf- 
eteria-style luncheon,  alumni  from 
celebrating  classes  (ten,  twenty-five, 
or  thirty  years  ago)  will  have  a 
short  reunion.  The  crowning  of  the 
May  Queen  will  take  place  at  3:00 
p.m.  on  the  baseball  diamond.  This 
year’s  queen  is  Saundra  Berry  of 
Bluffton.  Elbert  Dubenion  has  been 
selected  as  popular  man.  A May- 
pole  dance  and  short  skit  will  be 
presented  by  freshman  class  mem- 
bers. 

At  6:00  p.m.  the  alumni  banquet 
will  be  held  in  Founders  Hall  with 
1959  graduates  as  guests.  Another 
presentation  of  Song  of  Norway 
will  follow. 

June  7,  at  3:00  p.m..  President 
Ramseyer  will  give  the  baccalaure- 
ate address,  followed  by  the  presi- 
dent’s annual  reception  for  seniors 
and  their  parents  at  4:15  p.m.  In 
the  evening  the  A Cappella  Choir 
will  present  the  final  concert  of  the 
year. 

Commencement  exercises  are 
scheduled  for  10:00  a.m.  June  8,  at 
which  time  Thornes  E.  Jones,  re- 
tired president  of  Earlham  College 
at  Richmond,  Ind.,  will  deliver  the 
address. 

GIFTS  FOR  SCHOOL 

'Two  gifts  presented  to  Freeman 
Junior  College  at  the  end  of  the 
year  are  being  made  by  the  Acad- 
emy Seniors  and  by  the  Christian 
Youth  Volunteers.  The  Academy 
Senior  Class  donated  and  installed 
four  steel  doors  for  the  front  en- 
trance to  Pioneer  Hall.  The  Chris- 
tian Youth  Volunteers  are  donating 
a fiagpole  and  a new  fiag. 

FIELD  TRIPS 

The  Mennonite  history  class  of 
Freeman  Junior  College  and  in- 
structor Leola  Schultz  made  a field 
trip  to  one  of  the  Hutterite  colonies 
May  6.  Members  of  the  class  are 
working  on  research  papers  on  the 


history  of  their  home  congregations. 

'The  conservation  class  and  their 
teacher,  Gerhard  Buhler,  made  a 
fifty-mile  field  trip  to  observe  con- 
servation of  natural  resources  prac- 
tices. 

BANQUETS  AND  OUTINGS  i 

The  annual  Freeman  Alumni  j 
Banquet  was  held  May  28  in  the  i 
Dining  Hall.  “Fantasy  Land”  was  i 
the  theme  of  the  Freeman  Academy  | 
Junior-Senior  Banquet  held  in  Pio-  ] 
neer  Hall  May  9.  The  annual  staff  ^ 
picnic  took  place  on  May  18  in  the  j 
Freeman  Park.  i 

For  their  annual  Skip  Day,  Free-  j 
man  Junior  College  sophomores 
went  to  the  Gavins  Point  Dam  area 
May  15.  Taking  tents  and  camping  * 
equipment,  they  made  it  a camping 
expedition. 

SOUTH  AMERICAN  SEMINARY 
OPENS  NEW  TERM 

Seminario  Biblico  Evangelica,  at 
Montevideo,  Uruguay,  opened  its 
new  school  term  with  a convocation 
March  30.  Dr.  George  Howard,  Latin 
American  evangelical  lecturer,  spoke 
at  the  program.  A record  number 
of  forty  students  is  enrolled  this 
year,  with  eighteen  additional  stu- 
dents in  night  classes. 

SELECTIONS  ANNOUNCED 

The  Memorial  Hall  Series  com- 
mittee of  Bethel  College  announces 
four  program  selections  for  the 
1959-60  season.  Two  programs  have 
been  scheduled  in  previous  years: 
Nelson  and  Neal,  duo-pianists;  and 
the  Concordia  Choir.  Other  pro- 
grams include  a lecture  by  Martin  I 
Luther  King,  known  for  his  involve- 
ment in  integration  activities  in 
Montgomery,  Alabama,  and  the  New 
York  Brass  Quintet. 

According  to  J.  Lloyd  Spaulding, 
chairman  of  the  committee,  exact 
dates  for  the  appearance  of  these 
programs  will  be  announced  later. 

MISSION  SPEAKER 

Brother  Groening,  chairman  of 
the  Mennonite  Pioneer  Mission  and 
Canadian  representative  on  the 
Conference  Mission  Board  remind- 
ed Canadian  Mennonite  Bible  Col-  , 
lege  students  on  May  14  of  their 
obligation  as  Christians  to  be  epis- 
tles of  Christ.  Students  were  able 
to  consult  him  about  personal  mis- 
sion plans.  The  five-member  mis- 
sions team  which  will  visit  Cana- 
dian churches  in  June  and  July  is 
meeting  with  Pastor  Groening  to 
complete  plans. 


348 


THE  MENNONITE 


MCC  news  and  notes 

NIH  VOLUNTEERS  TESTED 

MARYLAND  — Ten  fellows  and 
two  girls  serving  as  normal  control 
patients  (popularly  known  as 
“guinea  pigs”)  at  the  National  In- 
stitutes of  Health  in  Bethesda,  Md., 
give  us  a glimpse  into  the  nature 
of  several  tests  performed  on  them 
recently. 

In  a blood  sugar  test,  volunteers 
were  given  100  grams  of  sugar  a 
day  for  a week.  Thereupon  100  cc. 
of  blood  were  withdrawn  for  com- 
parison with  that  of  schizophrenic 
patients.  Another  test  measured  re- 
action time.  The  volunteer  received 
a stimulus,  in  this  case  a tone,  to 
which  he  responded  by  releasing  a 
key.  This  broke  a circuit  which 
stopped  a clock  that  had  started 
running  the  moment  the  tone  began. 
The  test  was  repeated  with  different 
lapses  between  the  tones. 

A more  complicated  test  is  the 
study  of  the  hormone  epinephine. 
To  begin  with  electrodes  are  fas- 
tened to  the  patient’s  head  and  a 
needle  stuck  into  his  arm  and  thigh. 
The  hormone  is  infused  into  the 
blood  stream  by  means  of  a glucose 
solution  which  is  injected  into  the 
arm  periodically.  The  needle  in  the 
thigh  serves  to  withdraw  blood  for 
' analysis  as  the  test  progresses.  As 
the  epinephrine  enters  the  blood 
stream,  the  heart  beat  increases  con- 
siderably and  the  patient’s  mood 
fluctuates.  A psychiatrist  standing 
i by  questions  the  patient  to  deter- 
mine the  effect  of  the  hormone. 

Still  another  test  is  a dream  study 
which  was  performed  on  two  of  the 
i men.  This  consists  of  the  subject 
going  to  bed  with  electrodes  fas- 
tened to  his  head.  As  soon  as  he 
I starts  dreaming  he  is  awakened  by 
f a buzzer.  After  revealing  his  dream, 
he  may  go  back  to  sleep.  'This  con- 
1 tinues  all  through  the  night.  The 
study  is  valuable  because  it  en- 
I ables  the  psychiatrist  to  determine 
much  of  the  patient’s  early  life. 

Other  tests  included  controlled 
^ diets,  sleep  deprivation,  and  psycho- 
! logical  tests.  Volunteers  report  that 
I they  find  the  work  interesting  and 
I educational. 

! AGRICULTURAL  SELF-HELP 

INDIA — Beginning  in  April,  1959, 
k MCC  assumed  responsibility  for  the 
f Bar j ora  Farms  Project  of  the 
I Brethren-in-Christ  mission  in  Bihar, 

I*  June  2,  1959 


India.  MCC  now  provides  monthly 
cash  budget  and  will  send  two  quali- 
fied Paxmen  to  Bihar  in  early  1960 
to  assist  as  agricultural  workers. 

The  Bar  j ora  station  was  put  into 
operation  in  1940  and  today  has  a 
small  co-educational  school  of  some 
100  students  and  a medical  center 
serving  about  sixty  outpatients  a 
day.  A strong  emphasis  has  been 
placed  on  agriculture  for  about  five 
years,  in  conjunction  with  the  school 
program.  'Three  acres  of  land  at 
the  station  are  under  irrigation  and 
used  for  demonstration  purposes. 

In  February,  1958,  the  mission 
purchased  forty  additional  acres  of 
land  half  a mile  from  the  station. 
This  land  is  suitable  for  irrigation, 
has  light  soil  which  is  a mixture  of 
good,  medium,  and  poor  quality,  and 
is  generally  excellent  for  demon- 
stration purposes  because  nearly 
every  type  of  crop  can  be  grown 
in  it. 

Recognizing  the  potential  of  this 
project  as  a self-help  scheme  for 
the  community,  75  per  cent  of 
whose  population  is  living  at  or  be- 
low subsistence  level,  the  MCC  Ex- 
ecutive Committee  readily  approved 
the  mission’s  request  for  assistance, 
both  budget  and  personnelwise.  Sev- 
eral recommendations  were  passed 
concerning  MCC’s  contribution,  in- 
cluding the  following:  1)  The  proj- 
ect will  be  administered  by  a joint 
MCC-Mission  committee  with  Mis- 
sionary Arthur  Pye  serving  as  man- 
ager; 2)  The  purpose  of  the  Bar- 
jora  Farms  Project  is  two-fold:  to 
demonstrate  improved  methods  and 
techniques  for  increasing  food  pro- 
duction and  to  provide  extension 
services  to  assist  in  community  up- 
lift and  development. 

The  executive  secretary  of  the 
Brethren-in-Christ  Foreign  Missions 
Board,  Henry  N.  Hostetter,  says  a- 
bout  the  project:  “During  the  past 
several  years  drought  and  crop  fail- 
ure have  created  a crisis  situation 
in  most  of  India.  Public  opinion  is 
placing  increasing  responsibility  on 
the  mission  to  put  forth  a tangible 
effort  to  help  in  some  way.  Our  con- 
clusion has  been  that  the  only  prac- 
ticable thing  to  do  is  to  develop  a 
demonstration  farm  that  may  ulti- 
mately help  in  increased  food  pro- 
duction in  the  area.  A factor  not  to 
be  overlooked  is  the  relationship 
of  this  type  of  program  in  the  en- 
tire missionary  effort  in  India  to- 


day. An  honest,  wholehearted  at- 
tempt to  increase  food  production 
is  understood  and  deeply  appreci- 
ated by  officials  and  public  alike. 
On  the  other  hand,  an  isolated  mis- 
sion station,  known  only  as  ‘evan 
gelistic’  in  its  purpose,  tends  to  at- 
tract unfavorable  attention.” 

In  order  to  become  personally 
acquainted  with  this  project,  MCC 
executive  secretary  William  T.  Sny- 
der, currently  touring  MCC  proj- 
ects in  the  Far  East,  plans  to  visit 
the  Barjora  station  while  in  India. 
KWONG  WAH  HOSPITAL 

HONG  KONG  — The  month  of 
April  marked  the  completion  of 
MCC’s  first  year  of  operations  in 
Hong  Kong.  In  April,  1958,  Norman 
and  Eunice  Wingert  from  Upland, 
Calif.,  launched  a vigorous  mate- 
rial aid  program,  including  distribu- 
tion of  food,  clothing,  and  Christ- 
mas bundles  through  various  chan- 
nels among  needy  refugees.  Pax- 
man  John  Epp  (Whitewater,  Kan.) 
joined  the  Wingerts  last  October 
and  a fourth  worker,  Joe  Smucker 
from  Korea,  assisted  several  weeks 
in  January. 

Of  all  the  contacts  made  in  Hong 
Kong,  none  offers  MCC  a bigger 
challenge  and  opportunity  than  the 
Kwong  Wah  Charity  Hospital,  the 
largest  hospital  in  the  Colony.  No- 
toriously overcrowded,  it  has  an 
average  of  over  1000  patients  for 
700  beds.  'The  maternity  ward  is  the 
largest  of  any  hospital  in  the  world, 
with  40-100  mothers  leaving  the 
hospital  with  their  new  babies  dai- 
ly- 

During  the  early  exploratory 
stage,  the  Wingerts  hit  upon  the 
the  happy  idea  of  a Mother’s  Proj- 
ect at  Kwong  Wah.  Who  could  be 
more  deserving  of  a helping  hand 
than  these  mothers,  returning  to 
the  cheerless  surroundings  of  their 
squatter  shacks  or  refugee  cubicles, 
their  newborn  infants  an  additional 
burden  because  they  mean  another 
mouth  to  feed?  A gift  package  with 
clothing,  a blanket,  a towel,  per- 
haps soap  and  a can  of  meat — what 
a boost  to  a discouraged  mother’s 
morale ! 

In  the  months  that  followed,  MCC 
has  become  quite  entrenched  at  the 
hospital.  Nine  o’clock  each  morning 
sees  Mrs.  Wingert  arriving  at  a hos- 
pital storeroom  reserved  exclusively 
for  MCC,  preparing  as  many  gift 
packages  as  will  be  needed  that 
day,  then  personally  distributing 


349 


them  to  all  the  mothers  concerned. 
Especially  needy  cases,  such  as  a 
mother  with  triplets,  are  followed 
up  by  home  visits. 

SETTLERS  NEEDED  IN  PERU 

SOUTH  AMERICA  — Returning 
Paxman  Walter  Fast  of  St.  Catha- 
rines, Ont.,  reports  that  the  Le 
Tourneau-sponsored  colonization-con- 
struction program  in  Peru  is  mak- 
ing gradual  but  steady  progress.  Ap- 
proximately eleven  miles  of  the 
contemplated  fifty-mile  road  have 
been  completed  and  the  jungle  bro- 
ken through  all  the  way. 

In  addition,  2000  acres  of  land 
have  been  cleared  for  colonization. 
Fast  says  they  plant  corn  on  the 
newly  cleared  land  for  a season 
and  then  seed  it  for  pasture,  for 
which  the  soil  is  most  suited.  Ex- 
periments in  agriculture  proved  dis- 
appointing, but  prospects  for  suc- 
cessful beef  and  cattle  raising  are 
good. 

What  is  needed  now  is  settlers 
with  a zest  for  pioneering.  The  first 
farm  of  approximately  forty  acres 
has  been  purchased  by  Stephen 
Stoltzfus  of  Elverson,  Pa.,  a former 
Paxman.  After  completing  his  Pax 
term  Stoltzfus  returned  to  the  proj- 
ect as  a regular  employee  and  is 
now  planning  to  settle  in  Peru. 

The  Le  Tourneau  Foundation  proj- 
ect was  begun  in  1954,  following  an 
agreement  between  the  Peruvian 
government  and  R.  G.  Le  Tourneau, 
noted  missionary-industrialist  of 
Longview,  Texas.  The  government 
agreed  to  give  the  Foundation  one 
million  acres  of  land  along  the 
Amazon  River  in  return  for  the 
construction  of  a 50-mile  road  lead- 
ing into  the  area. 

Three  Paxmen  are  assisting  in  this 
project  currently.  A fourth  is  on  the 
maintenance  staff  of  the  missionary 
school  program.  The  Foundation 
provided  buildings  for  a boarding 
school  for  some  forty-five  children 
of  missionaries  and  American  work- 
ers, but  instructors,  school  supplies, 
and  equipment  are  provided  by  the 
Bethany  Presbyterian  Church  of  Ft. 
Lauderdale,  Fla. 

A little  village  has  sprung  up  at 
Toumavista,  headquarters  of  the 
Foundation.  It  consists  of  the 
“American  colony”  of  seven  families 
plus  a number  of  single  workers 
and  approximately  sixty  Peruvian 
families  who  work  on  the  project. 
Le  Tourneau  has  provided  the  latter 
with  a school  also. 


jottings 

CHOIR  PROGRAMS 

First  Church^  Beatrice,  Neb.:  April 
5 thirty  members  from  the  West 
Zion  Church  choir  presented  a mu- 
sical program  in  our  church.  The 
Board  of  Trustees  has  announced 
that  seminary  student  Edwin  Pet- 
ers has  accepted  the  call  to  be  our 
summer  assistant.  April  12,  our  C.E. 
presented  a musical  program  in  the 
Jansen  E.  M.  B.  Church.  Our  Bethel 
College  Fellowship  meeting  was 
held  in  the  Beatrice  Church  with 
representatives  from  the  college 
present.  Our  pastor  spoke  at  the 
Neb.  All-Mennonite  S.  S.  Convention 
at  Paxton.  In  his  absence,  Orlando 
Waltner  brought  the  morning  mes- 
sage. The  Junior  and  Children’s 
Choirs  presented  their  spring  pro- 
gram on  a Sun.  evening.  Ascension 
Day  services  were  well  attended  at 
an  evening  meeting.  For  the  last 
Family  Night  services  of  this  sea- 
son, the  Y.  P.  and  Adult  choirs 
each  furnished  several  selections. 
— ^Margaret  Albrecht,  corr. 

CHURCH  WORKERS’  CONFERENCE 
Herold  Church,  Bessie,  Okla.: 
Correction:  In  the  last  report  from 
the  Herold  Church,  Harold  Jantzen, 
not  Herbert,  was  ordained.  April 
19  Pastor  Tschetter  gave  the  clos- 
ing message  on  the  Tabernacle.  He 
also  showed  a filmstrip.  He  and 
some  of  our  members  attended  the 
Church  Workers’  Conf.,  April  24-25, 
at  Hydro;  W.  C.  Voth  was  the 
speaker.  April  11,  Brother  H.  B. 
Schmidt  went  to  be  with  the  Lord. 
The  funeral  was  on  April  14.  Mrs. 
John  H.  Nickel  has  been  in  the 
hospital,  very  ill  for  five  weeks,  but 
is  a little  better  now.  Mrs.  Henry 
Lau  is  at  home  but  bedfast.  During 
April  we  had  our  spring  drive  for 
used  clothing  for  relief.  May  8 the 
Young  Mission  Workers  finished 
their  work,  and  brought  a program 
the  evening  of  May  10.  On  Mother’s 
Day  young  children  were  dedicated 
to  the  Lord  by  the  pastor.  The  tes- 
timonies of  our  baptismal  candi- 
dates were  given  May  10  and  their 
baptism  planned  for  Pentecost  Sun- 
day.— Mrs.  Margaret  Horn,  corr. 
BERTSCHE  SPEAKS 
First  Church,  Madrid,  Neb.:  Easter 
evening  the  Brandon  S.  S.  gave  us  a 
C.  E.  program,  followed  by  a social. 
The  Mission  Society  met  at  the  par- 
sonage April  2,  and  had  a bake  sale 
that  Sat.  Missionary  James  Bertsche 
of  the  Congo  Inland  Mission  pre- 
sented the  work  to  us  last  month 
in  word,  pictures,  and  display.  We 
participated  in  the  Neb.  All-Menno- 
nite S.  S.  Convention  at  the  Paxton 


M.  B.  Church  on  April  26.  Guest 
speaker  was  Harold  Buller  of  Beat- 
rice. Dorothy  Schroeder  and  San- 
dra Krause  were  baptismal  candi- 
dates May  17. — Corr. 

SEMINARY  STUDENTS  VISIT 
First  Church,  Clinton,  Okla.: 
March  26  a group  of  six  students 
from  our  Seminary  at  Elkhart,  Ind., 
gave  a wonderful  program.  April 
5,  a thirty-voice  choir  from  O.  B.  A. 
presented  a sacred  program.  A pic- 
nic in  the  park  preceded  the  eve- 
ning program.  On  Good  Friday  the 
musical  groups  in  our  church  pre- 
sented an  evening  Easter  program, 
and  on  April  19  the  musical  groups 
shared  the  program  in  the  Indian 
mission  church  at  Hammon,  Okla. 
May  3 our  church  received  nine 
members;  by  presentation  of  church 
letter,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Menno  Sawat- 
zky  and  Bobbie,  Roy,  and  Ray;  and 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Penner,  Loren 
Dean,  and  Delbert.  Baptismal  serv- 
ices will  be  held  May  17  for  seven 
candidates.  Our  new  church  is  still 
in  the  making.  A telephone  has 
been  installed  and  a new  sidewalk 
made.  May  3 the  film  Wiretappers 
was  presented  by  the  young  people. 
— Mrs.  Gus  Nickel,  corr. 

GUEST  SPEAKERS 

Butterfield  Church,  Butterfield, 
Minn.:  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Harry  Stam 
of  Northwestern  Bible  College,  Min- 
neapolis, were  here  April  19.  In  the 
morning  Dr.  Stam  spoke  on  mission- 
ary experiences  in  central  Africa; 
in  the  evening  he  showed  colored 
slides  and  Mrs.  Stam  told  of  mis- 
sion work  in  central  Asia.  April  26 
James  D.  Colbert,  missions  director 
of  the  Christian  Anti-Communist 
Crusade,  brought  a stimulating 
message  on  the  theme  “God’s  De- 
scription of  Communism,”  based  on 
Rom.  3.  The  young  people  held  a 
devotional  meeting  Sun.  eve.,  April 
26.  On  the  following  Sun.  mom, 
Lall  Din  from  India  told  of  his 
conversion  to  Christianity.  The  Jr. 
S.  S.  presented  the  May  C.  E.  pro- 
gram the  evening  of  Mother’s  Day. 

SACRED  CONCERTS 

Topeka  Church,  Topeka,  Kan.:  A 
Gospel  Team  from  Bluffton  College 
was  in  charge  of  the  worship  serv- 
ice March  1.  In  the  evening  the 
Topeka  high  school  chorus  present- 
ed a sacred  concert.  The  Youth  Fel- 
lowship of  this  church  united  with 
the  youth  of  the  Northern  Indiana 
Youth  Fellowships  at  a supper  at 
the  Eighth  St.  Church,  Goshen, 
March  8.  This  was  followed  by  a 
musical  program  of  combined  youth 
choirs.  Youth  of  the  First  Men- 
nonite  Church,  Berne,  were  guests. 
March  22  the  Youth  Fellowship  pre- 
sented a playlet,  “The  Burden  of 


350 


THE  MENNONITE 


the  Cross.”  Union  Lenten  Services 
\vere  held  here  during  Holy  Week, 
wdth  a Good  Friday  service  in  the 
afternoon.  Guest  speaker  was  John 
F.  Knight  of  Peru,  Ind.  Holy  Com- 
munion was  observed  March  26.  A 
number  of  youth  attended  the  Unit- 
ed Church  Youth  Association  of  La 
Grange  Coxmty  Easter  Sunrise 
Service  at  the  LaGrange  Methodist 
Church.  The  choir  gave  a musical 
program  on  Easter  Sunday  evening. 
Family  night  was  observed  April 
5 with  the  Builders  Class  in  charge. 
Robert  Lambright  showed  slides  of 
different  places  he  visited  while  in 
Europe  Pax  work.  The  Bluffton 
College  Choir  presented  a program 
during  the  worship  hour  April  12.  A 
program,  “A  Day  at  Camp  Friedens- 
wald,”  was  presented  for  the  An- 
nual Camp  Night  program  April 
19.  A series  of  filmstrips  on  the 
Passion  of  Christ  was  followed  by 
discussion  on  a recent  Thursday 
evening.  Recent  births  were  a son, 
Timothy  Phil,  born  Feb.  21  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Phillip  Yoder;  a daughter, 
Audrey  Marie,  born  Feb.  28  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Orland  Sprunger. — Corr. 

PASTOR  VISITS  MISSION  STATIONS 

Grace  Church,  Dallas,  Ore.;  Pastor 
and  Mrs.  Burkholder  will  fly  to 
Panama,  Peru,  Ecuador,  Colombia, 
and  Jamaica  during  July  to  visit 
mission  stations  in  the  jungle  areas 
of  these  countries.  They  hope  to  get 
near  the  home  of  the  Auca  Indians 
in  Ecuador.  Pastor  Burkholder  will 
be  gathering  data  for  the  Interna- 
tional Christian  Leprosy  Mission 
while  in  the  leprous  areas  of  Peru. 
He  has  been  asked  to  speak  to  vari- 
ous mission  groups  and  will  be 
' bringing  the  message  at  the  Kings- 
I ton,  Jamaica,  Youth  for  Christ.  Pas- 
' tor  Burkholder  conducted  pre-Easter 
: services  at  the  Barlow  church,  and 
Pastor  Henry  Penner  of  that  church 
' served  us  March  22.  The  ladies  of 
our  church,  with  many  guests,  en- 
joyed a Mother-daughter  Banquet 
April  29.  The  meal  was  prepared  by 
I our  service  committee  and  ably 
served  by  some  of  our  willing 
men.  The  Fernando  Fasts  are  leav- 
ing in  May  from  African  mission 
work  for  a furlough  in  the  States. 
Mark  Duane  was  bom  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Donald  Heppner  on  April  23. 
He  spent  his  first  five  days  under 
I oxygen,  but  is  now  home. — Mrs.  E. 
A.  Flaming,  corr. 

WISMER  SPEAKS  ON  CITY  WORK 

Hebron  Church,  Buhler,  Kan.: 
Good  Friday  services  were  observed 
with  communion,  foot-washing,  and 
praise  through  song.  “The  Body,  the 
Vessel  of  the  Soul”  “The  Peril  of 
! the  Empty  Soul”  and  “The  Sorrow 
of  the  Soul”  were  topics  discussed 
I by  Pastor  L.  R.  Amstutz  at  pre- 

I 


Easter  services.  The  mixed  choir 
brought  the  message  through  song 
on  Easter  Sunday  morning.  “Ameri- 
can Cities — a great  Open  Door”  was 
discussed  by  Don  Wismer  on  March 
30.  The  men’s  chorus  gave  a pro- 
gram at  the  Union  Rescue  Mission 
in  Wichita  one  evening.  On  May  10 
they  gave  a vesper  service  at  Prai- 
aie  View  Hospital.  Child  consecra- 
tion was  observed  on  Mother’s  Day. 

C.  E.  PROGRAMS 

Flatland  Church,  Quakertown, 
Pa.:  The  C.  E.  Society  went  to  the 
Frederick  Home  to  celebrate  the 
birthday  of  church  member  Flora 
Fellman.  The  Youth  Fellowship  was 
also  invited  to  the  Perkiomen  Youth 
Center  to  see  the  Christian  film 
Going  Steady.  On  Palm  Sunday 
morning  was  Communion;  in  the 
evening  the  choir  presented  an 
Easter  cantata.  We  had  a good  at- 
tendance at  special  services  with 
Frank  Ward  as  speaker,  April  12-14. 
The  Flatland  C.  E.  meeting  on  April 
26  presented  the  Schanelys  speak- 
ing and  showing  slides  of  mission 
work  in  Bolivia.  The  young  people 
visited  the  Bally  Youth  Fellowship 
panel  discussion  on  “What  Youth 
Wants  to  Know.”  This  was  an  ex- 
change night  for  Youth  Fellow- 
ships. The  adult  C.  E.  held  a bake 
sale  at  the  Quakertown  Farmers 
Market;  proceeds  of  $104.56  went 
toward  the  Shed  Fund. — Myrna  Bar- 
inger,  corr. 

MISSION  PROJECT 

Woodland  Church,  W a r r o a d, 
Minn.:  Mrs.  Pete  Unruh  enter- 
tained the  Ladies’  Aid  April  3;  night 
wear  was  brought  for  relief.  The 
monthly  films  My  Life  to  Live  and 
Port  of  Two  Brothers  were  shown; 
the  Classen  family  of  Carrick,  Man., 
brought  the  music  and  songs.  Pas- 
tor Ortmann  purchased  a hall  in 
Middlebro,  Man.,  for  a gospel  mis- 
sion as  a personal  project.  Some 
repair  work  will  be  done  on  it  in 
the  near  future.  May  3,  Jake  Un- 
ruh brought  the  morning  message 
while  the  Ortmanns  drove  to  Four- 
town  to  reopen  the  Sunday  school 
for  the  summer  months.  May  7, 
Ascension  Day  services  were  held 
Mrs.  John  Harder  served  the  May 
Aid;  three  yards  of  material  and 
thread  to  match  were  brought  for 
relief. — Mrs.  Nick  Fast,  corr. 

UNION  MYF  MEET 

First  Church,  Halstead,  Kan.; 
Jan.  18,  O’Ray  Graber  of  Hebron 
Church  conducted  services  while 
Pastor  Goering  conducted  services 
in  the  Hebron  Church,  also  holding 
services  each  evening  the  same 
week.  Jan.  25  the  Union  Mennonite 
Youth  Fellowship  met  in  our 
church.  The  film  Mixed  Marriages 
was  shown  and  discussion  followed. 


A period  of  fellowship  and  refresh- 
ments followed  the  program.  Youths 
from  Newton,  North  Newton,  Wich- 
ita, Burrton,  and  Hutchinson  attend- 
ed. Feb.  2 our  Men’s  Brotherhood 
was  guest  of  the  Methodist  Men’s 
Brotherhood.  Feb.  13,  World  Day  of 
Prayer  services  were  held  at  the 
Methodist  Church,  closing  with  Com- 
munion. Feb.  15  a musical  program 
was  presented  by  the  men’s  chorus 
of  the  Eden  Church.  Feb.  22  was 
set  aside  as  guest  day.  March  1 the 
Family  Night  program  was  given 
by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harold  Voth  who 
worked  in  Mexico.  March  4 the  an- 
nual Father-Son  banquet  was  held 
in  the  City  Hall.  Evening  services 
were  held  March  22-27.  Guest  speak- 
er was  Harris  Waltner,  pastor  of 
the  West  Zion  Church,  Mound- 
ridge.  Union  Good  Friday  services 
were  held,  and  youth  of  the 
three  churches  held  a sunrise  serv- 
ice Easter  morning. — Corr. 

SOWING  THE  SEED 
North  Star  Church,  Drake,  Sask.: 
The  time  of  the  singing  of  the  birds 
has  come  to  Saskatchewan.  'The 
farmers  are  busy  sowing  in  antici- 
pation of  a rewarding  harvest.  In 
the  North  Star  Mennonite  Church 
the  seed  of  the  Word  of  God  is  faith- 
fully being  sown.  Attendance  at  all 
services  is  good.  A great  help  to  the 
church  is  the  work  of  the  young 
people  who  meet  regularly  and 
take  an  active  part.  In  Feb.  and 
March  we  had  the  privilege  of  at- 
tending special  meetings  with  J.  J. 
Nickel  and  D.  P.  Neufeld.  In  April 
the  young  people  held  a three-day 
Youth  Rally,  with  Peter  Letkeman 
of  Swift  Current  Bible  School  as 
guest  speaker.  A S.  S.  convention 
was  also  held  in  April.  J.  J.  Hostet- 
ler, Peoria,  111.,  presented  lectures 
on  the  different  phases  of  the  S.  S. 
The  local  choir  presented  the  can- 
tata King  All  Glorious  in  the  home 
church,  in  the  Mennonite  church  at 
Watrous,  and  in  the  town  hall  at 
Nokomis.  The  choir  from  the  Vic- 
toria Ave.  Mennonite  Church  in  Re- 
gina sang  their  cantata  My  Redeem- 
er Liveth  in  our  church.  On  Moth- 
er’s Day  a child  dedication  service 
was  held.  In  the  evening  of  the 
same  day  the  Sunshine  Sewing  Cir- 
cle, a group  of  about  -twenty-five 
high  school  girls,  gave  a Mother’s 
Day  Program. — Corr. 

into  the  beyond 

Jacob  G.  Baerg,  First  Mennonite 
Church,  Mountain  Lake,  Minnesota, 
born  in  South  Russia  November  4, 
1872,  died  on  Pentecost  Sunday, 
May  17,  1959. 


i June  2,  1959 


351 


CENTENNIAL  PAGEANTS  WILL  CELEBRATE 
HUNDREDTH  ANNIVERSARY  OF  CONFERENCE 


From  left  to  right:  Darvin  Luginbuhl,  stage  scenery;  Harold  Moyer,  com- 
poser; Katherine  Kaufman,  director;  Cornelius  Krahn,  producer;  Dale  j 
Dickey,  sound  and  lighting;  Maynard  Shelly,  author. 


conference  notes 

LOOKING  TOWARD 
GENERAL  CONFERENCE 

Fifteen  new  congregations  by 
1959 — this  is  goal  number  three  of 
the  accepted  eleven  goals  for  the 
triennium  1956-59.  As  secretary  of 
the  Church  Unity  Committee,  whose 
responsibility  it  is  to  process  appli- 
cations for  membership,  I have  been 
vitally  interested  in  this  goal  dur- 
ing the  past  three  years.  It  is  a real 
pleasure  to  report  that  at  this  writ- 
ing this  goal  is  more  than  in  sight. 
To  date  nine  applications  have  been 
processed  by  the  Unity  Committee, 
with  seven  additional  fellowships 
now  filling  in  the  necessary  appli- 
cation blanks.  There  are  prospects 
for  several  in  addition  to  these  who 
have  committed  themselves  to  this 
time. 


In  addition  to  looking  forward 
to  greeting  the  many  acquaintances 
which  have  been  made  over  the 
past  years  at  conference  time,  I 
shall  with  you  be  looking  forward 
to  greeting  these  new  friends  into 
the  larger  family  circle  of  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  Mennonite  Church. 
This  goal,  now  in  prospect  for  being 
surpassed,  should  help  to  set  a 
proper  setting  for  another  wonder- 
ful experience  that  awaits  us  at 
the  General  Conference  at  Bluffton 
in  August.  — L.  E.  Troyer 

THIESSEN  ITINERATES 

Arthur  Thiessen,  medical  mission- 
ary on  furlough  from  India,  will  be 
itinerating  June  7-14  in  Washing- 
ton and  British  Columbia  and  will 
address  the  Pacific  District  Confer- 
ence in  Barlow,  Ore.,  June  10-14.  Dr. 
Thiessen,  who  has  spent  one  term 
in  charge  of  the  medical  depart- 
ment of  Bethesda  Leprosarium,  is 
at  present  taking  graduate  refresh- 
er courses  in  the  medical  school  of 
the  University  of  Illinois,  Chicago. 
He  and  Mrs.  Thiessen  are  making 
their  temporary  home  in  Wheaton, 
Illinois.  Their  fourth  daughter  was 
born  on  May  15. 


A pageant  with  an  original  script 
written  by  Maynard  Shelly  of  New- 
ton, Kan.,  will  be  presented  at  the 
General  Conference  in  Bluffton  on 
Aug.  16.  The  pageant  will  celebrate 
the  hundredth  anniversary  of  the 
conference.  With  music  and  dia- 
logue it  will  depict  the  history  of 
General  Conference  Mennonites 
from  the  time  of  Menno  Simons 
through  the  expansion  and  work  of 
the  church  today.  Maynard  Shelly, 
author  of  the  pageant,  is  the  asso- 
ciate secretary  of  the  Board  of  Ed- 
ucation and  Publication. 

Harold  Moyer  of  Goshen  College, 
Goshen,  Ind.,  is  planning  the  mu- 
sical score  for  the  pageant.  He  re- 
ports that  his  plans  will  utilize 
Anabaptist  melodies  with  Ausbund 
texts  and  chorales  for  preludes  and 
interludes.  His  other  musical 
sources  include  Gregorian  chants, 
excerpts  from  a Flemish  mass,  a 
hymn  by  Christopher  Dock,  and  a 
Pennsylvania  folk  song.  The  pag- 
eant will  include  organ  music,  an 
orchestra,  a small  choral  group,  and 
a large  chorus. 

Katherine  Kaufman  of  Freeman 
Junior  College,  Freeman,  S.  D.,  is 
in  charge  of  casting  and  directing 
the  pageant.  She  will  be  assisted 
by  Darvin  Luginbuhl,  art  instruc- 
tor, and  Dale  Dickey,  instructor  in 
speech  and  dramatics.  Both  Mr.  Lu- 
ginbuhl and  Mr.  Dickey  are  mem- 
bers of  the  Bluffton  College  fac- 
ulty. Luginbuhl  will  be  responsible 
for  the  scenery  and  stage  setting, 
and  Dickey  will  take  care  of  the 
sound  and  lighting  for  the  produc- 
tion. 

Miss  Kaufman  plans  to  divide 
speaking  roles  among  students. 
Nonspeaking  roles  will  be  given  to 


persons  registering  for  the  con- 
ference. ^ 

Mrs.  Eva  Harshbarger  of  North  i 
Newton,  Kan.,  has  been  requested  ' 
to  take  charge  of  costuming.  Ap-  i 
proximately  seventy-five  people  in 
the  pageant  will  require  special  cos-  | 
tumes;  remaining  members  of  the 
cast  will  wear  modern  dress.  j 

The  cast  of  the  pageant  will  in- 
clude approximately  twenty-five 
children.  Only  two  of  the  children 
will  have  speaking  roles,  and  some 
of  the  others  will  sing  at  various 
times  during  the  production.  A chil- 
dren’s director  will  be  appointed 
from  the  Buffton  area. 

Cornelius  Krahn,  chairman  of  the 
pageant  committee  for  the  Centen- 
nial program,  was  named  producer 
of  the  pageant  since  he  would  be  I 
called  upon  to  co-ordinate  committee  1 
work.  Dr.  Krahn  is  the  editor  of 
the  quarterly  magazine  Mennonite  ; 
Life.  ^ 

A minimum  of  scenery  and  stage  I 
setting  will  be  employed  in  the  pro- 
duction. Settings  will  be  suggested  j 
with  simple  constructions.  Present  J 
plans  call  for  a split  level  stage  so 
that  two  scenes  may  be  visible  si- 
multaneously. ' 

Two  performances  will  be  given 
during  the  conference,  at  which 
time  an  offering  will  be  taken  to 
cover  pageant  expenses. 

PENNER  ORDAINED 

Bruno  Penner,  pastor  of  the  First 
Mennonite  Church,  Glendive,  Mont.,  * 
was  ordained  to  the  eldership  of 
the  General  Conference  Mennonite 
Church  on  May  24  in  his  home  j 
church.  Bethel  Mennonite  Church,  | 
Mountain  Lake,  Minn.  Mr.  Penner 
has  served  the  Glendive  church  j 
since  December. 


JUNE  9,  1959 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
;H  is  JESUS  CHRIST 


A 

fc} 

ELKHART 

cr>\ 

ml 

\c? 

LIBRARY 

^ j 

in  this  issue 

Cover  photo  by  Bob  Taylor 


from  Agricultural  Photos 

ARTICLES 

TO  SERVE  THE  PRESENT  AGE 

By  Arnold  Nickel  355 

WHAT  LOVE  CAN  DO  356 

RESOLUTION  ON  EAST-WEST 

PROGRAM  AND  POLICIES  357 

EASTERN  DISTRICT  CONFERENCE 

CONVENES  358 

CAN  CHRISTIANS  PAY  FOR  WAR?  . 359 

INVOLVING  THE  CHURCH 

By  H.  A.  Fast  360 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  354 

THE  READER  SAYS  360 

Mennonite  Youth 

SCHOOL  BEGINS  AT 

EIGHT  O’CLOCK  361 

TIN  CANS  AND  TIME  BOMBS 362 

VISIT  TO  THE  CHACO  363 

OUR  SCHOOLS  364 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  364 

FILM  REVIEW  365 

JOTTINGS  366 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  368 


of  things  to  come 

June  8-13 — Faith  and  Life  radio  speak- 
er: Garman  Wedel 

June  10-14 — Pacific  District  Conference, 
Barlow,  Oregon 

June  14 — Northern  District  Male  Chorus 
Festival,  Sioux  Falls,  South  Dakota 

June  15-20 — Faith  and  Life  radio  speak- 
ers: Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary 

students 

June  18-21 — Northern  Dist.  Conf.,  Salem- 
Zion  Church  (North),  Freeman,  S.  D. 

July  4-8 — Canadian  Conference,  Clear- 
brook,  B.  C. 

West.  Dist.  Retreats,  Camp  Mennoscah: 
July  6-11 — Junior  High  I 
July  13-18 — Junior  High  11 
July  20-25 — Fresh  Air  Friendship  Cp. 
July  27-Aug.  1 — High  School  I 
Aug.  3-8 — High  School  II 
Aug.  29-30 — Family  (under  age  45) 
Sept.  5-7 — Family  (senior  age) 

Aug.  5-12 — Ministers'  and  Church  Work- 
ers' Retreat,  Camp  Friedenswald, 
Mich. 

Aug.  12-20 — General  Conference,  Bluff- 
ton,  Ohio 

Oct.  24-27 — West.  Dist.  Conference 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor,  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 

J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Asst.:  Esther  Groves. 
Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  23 


editorials 

CHILDREN’S  DAY,  JUNE  14  No  doubt  many  will  enjoy 
special  Sunday  school  and  church  programs  on  Children’s  Day 
with  the  children  having  a special  part.  They  will  sing,  recite 
Scripture,  repeat  recitations  and  exercises,  and  the  adults  will 
smile  and  think,  “How  cute!” 

But  Children’s  Day  should  be  more  than  that.  True,  it  is  a 
fine  thing  to  have  children  feel  they  have  a part  in  the  service 
of  the  church.  But  there  should  be  active  plans  for  the  church 
to  assist  in  their  spiritual  development  every  day  in  the  year, 
not  simply  one  day  in  June.  Proper  instruction  material  for  the 
Sunday  school,  competent  teachers,  well-planned  homework, 
wholesome  recreation — all  this  can  help. 

We  are  informed  that  in  the  United  States  eleven  thousand 
babies  are  born  every  day,  making  a total  of  over  four  million 
a year.  In  Canada  a proportionate  number  also  arrive.  Business 
is  aware  of  the  prospective  buyers  from  this  increased  number 
of  children  so  soon  to  become  adults.  The  church  should  not 
lag  behind  in  vision  and  plans  for  the  increasing  number  of  chil- 
dren and  young  people  for  which  it  is  responsible. 

We  should  rejoice  with  the  children  on  their  special  day,  June 
14.  But  we  should  do  more:  we  should  do  some  wise  and  sober 
long-range  planning  for  their  future. 

HOME— THE  LABORATORY  OF  LOVE  From  the  MCC 
Ailsa  Craig  Boys  Farm  in  Canada  comes  one  example  of  “What 
Love  Can  Do,”  as  found  elsewhere  in  this  issue.  It  deals  with  the 
ingredient  so  essential  to  proper  child  development  and  yet  so 
often  missing. 

Even  in  many  so-called  good  homes,  there  is  a tendency  to 
become  so  busy  and  so  engrossed  in  making  a living  that  love  is 
frequently  neglected.  Yet  it  is  this  indescribable  quality  which 
every  child  craves  and  needs  to  develop  a normal  life. 

We  believe  that  love  is  the  strongest  force  in  the  world,  that 
it  has  powers  and  possibilities  as  yet  unfathomed.  Homemakers 
may  not  know  the  latest  discoveries  of  psychology  and  psychi- 
atry, but  if  they  are  familiar  with  the  importance  of  love  their 
home  can  be  a great  success. 

The  church  should  preach  and  teach  the  full  implications  of 
the  power  of  love,  but  it  is  in  the  home  where  it  is  actually 
worked  out  in  specific  cases  or  voided  by  neglect.  The  home  is 
the  working  laboratory  where  this  power  is  tested  and  demon- 
strated in  every  phase  of  daily  living.  It  does  little  good  to  talk 
about  its  beauty  and  power  if  it  is  not  actually  practiced  and 
experienced  in  the  daily  life  of  the  home. 

The  very  best  advantage  to  be  given  a child  is  not  merely  a 
home  with  all  the  latest  comforts  and  conveniences,  but  a place 
where  love  is  lived  daily  and  exemplified  by  the  parents  in  ail 
their  relationships — ^with  God,  -with  the  neighbors,  with  stran- 
gers, and  especially  "with  the  children.  The  finest  heritage  any 
home  can  give  the  child  is  the  background  of  Christian  love. 


354 


THE  MENNONITE 


To 

Serve 

the 

Present 

Age 


Arnold  Nickel 
Pastor,  Eden  Church 
Moundridge,  Kansas 

ONE  of  Charles  Wesley’s  short 
hymns  strikes  a much  needed 
note  in  our  time: 

To  serve  the  present  age, 

My  calling  to  fulfill, — 

O may  it  all  my  powers  engage 
To  do  my  Master’s  will 
Charles  Wesley  wrote  over  six 
thousand  hymns,  and  his  brother, 
John  Wesley,  went  about  preaching 
in  England,  Scotland,  and  Ireland 
because  these  brothers  were  con- 
vinced of  the  great  spiritual  need 
in  Europe  two  centuries  ago.  There 
was  also  an  underlying  challenge 
which  sent  them  to  their  task:  the 
words  of  Leviticus  8:35,  . . keep 

the  charge  of  the  Lord  that  ye  die 
not.” 

The  Wesleys  served  their  genera- 
tion because  they  could  serve  no 
other  generation.  We  too  can  serve 
no  other  generation  than  this  pres- 
ent one,  but  if  we  neglect  to  serve 
our  generation  the  effects  of  our 
failure  will  reach  not  only  to  the 
second  generation  but  to  the  third 
and  fourth  generation. 

The  effects  of  such  failure  to  teach 
the  next  generation  are  vividly 
pointed  out  concerning  the  genera- 


tion following  Joshua:  “.  . . and 
there  arose  another  generation  aft- 
er them,  who  did  not  know  the  Lord 
or  the  work  which  he  had  done 
for  Israel”  (Judges  2:10).  On  every 
household  in  Israel  rested  the  great 
command  to  teach  the  children  the 
things  of  God  and  the  work  of  God 
in  the  midst  of  His  people.  Psalm 
78  is  but  one  of  many  passages 
which  give  a description  of  the  duty 
of  the  land  and  of  the  households 
to  teach. 

What  was  true  of  the  generation 
succeeding  Joshua  and  of  the  eight- 
eenth century  of  the  Wesleys,  is 
true  of  many  nations  today.  Gener- 
ations of  children  come  into  the 
world  who  do  not  know  the  Lord 
or  the  mighty  acts  of  God.  If  this 
can  be  said  about  our  generation, 
it  is  for  but  one  reason — we  have 
not  kept  the  charge  of  the  Lord 
and  we  have  not  served  the  present 
age  as  we  should. 

Judged  by  the  extensiveness  of 
our  public  school  system  in  Amer- 
ica, we  would  say  we  do  believe  in 
and  sacrifice  for  the  cause  of  teach- 
ing the  new  generations  to  “use 
the  tools  which  the  race  has  found 
to  be  indispensable.”  We  would  boast 
that  in  no  other  land  do  children 
receive  so  much  so  freely  and  un- 
der such  competent  leadership. 

Yet  many  educators  have  serious 
misgivings.  Looking  at  the  young 
people  whom  he  has  taught  to  use 
society’s  tools,  the  educator  sees 
much  that  makes  him  unhappy. 
This  generation  has  learned  much 
about  science,  yet  we  live  in  fear 
of  what  the  latest  discoveries  may 
do  to  us.  We  know  a great  deal 
about  finances  and  material  pos- 
sessions, yet  we  worry  over  secur- 
ity. We  know  much  about  psychol- 
ogy and  personality  development, 
yet  mental  hospital  beds  and  psy- 
chiatrists’ offices  are  more  crowded 
than  ever,  and  we  know  that  more 
people  are  going  to  pieces  now  than 
ever  before  in  history.  We  accumu- 
late data,  acquire  formulas  and  the- 
ories, yet  we  are  not  wise  enough  to 
live  in  the  modern  world.  Through- 
out the  nation  there  is  an  aware- 
ness that  something  has  gone 
wrong. 

Edward  L.  R.  Elson,  pastor  of  the 
church  where  President  Eisenhower 
holds  his  membership  in  Washing- 
ton, D.  C.,  gave  this  statement  sev- 
eral years  ago:  “The  dominant 

dosage  in  the  curricula  which  has 


shaped  today’s  secular  teacher  has 
been  an  amorphous  mixture  of  hu- 
manistic philosophy,  deterministic 
science,  materialistic  history  and  e- 
conomics.”  It  is  for  this  reason  that 
the  younger  generation  has  not  re- 
ceived the  real  tools  which  can  be 
used  to  live  and  work  in  our  com- 
plex society.  Because  the  Christian 
church  is  no  longer  the  parent  of 
education,  a generation  is  before  us 
which  is  deeply  disturbed  and  which 
is  not  capable  of  wrestling  success- 
fully with  enemies  of  mind  and 
spirit. 

If  the  Christian  church  has  one 
command  and  one  task  in  the  world 
today,  it  is  to  bring  the  resources 
of  the  Christian  gospel  and  its  faith 
and  spirit  to  this  generation.  We 
have  the  high  commission  to  make 
Jesus  Christ  contemporary  to  this 
age.  He  is  often  considered  as  a his- 
torical Person  who  once  lived  in 
Palestine,  but  we  must  declare  that 
He  lives  in  our  time  and  in  the 
hearts  and  lives  of  our  people.  This 
we  believe  can  most  effectively  be 
done  through  the  teaching  mission 
of  the  Church. 

First,  the  church  of  Christ  can 
serve  the  present  age  by  bringing 
its  best  resources  to  the  task  of 
teaching  the  Christian  faith.  The 
church  in  America  has  within  its 
reach  some  of  the  most  talented 
and  best  educated  people  in  the 
world.  Most  of  these  people  are 
highly  dedicated  to  a cause,  but  the 
church  has  not  always  been  suc- 
cessful in  claiming  these  resources 
of  lea,dership.  The  church  has  also 
within  its  reach  tremendous  finan- 
cial and  physical  resources,  but  a- 
gain  she  has  not  been  overly  suc- 
cessful in  channeling  such  wealth 
into  Kingdom  service.  Often  her 
people  have  given  of  their  “resi- 
due” after  they  have  satisfied  their 
own  needs  and  desires.  But  above 
all  the  Christian  church  has  within 
its  grasp  the  greatest  spiritual  pow- 
er ever  placed  in  the  world — the 
power  of  God  by  which  all  things 
are  possible,  the  wisdom  of  God  by 
which  she  may  move  forward,  the 
love  of  God  by  which  all  things  can 
endure. 

Second,  the  church  of  Christ  can 
serve  today  by  replacing  inadequate 
moorings  with  spiritual  values.  Of- 
ten this  generation  needs  to  make 
significant  decisions  for  which  it 
has  no  spiritual  guidance.  Many 
(Continited  on  page  364) 


June  9,  1959 


355 


What  Love  Can  Do 


An  experience  at  Ailsa  Craig  Boys  Farm,  Ontario 


AS  CHRISTIANS  we  realize  we 
are  our  neighbor’s  keeper  and 
our  neighbors  are  all  the  people  on 
earth.  Especially  are  we  neighbors 
to  those  in  need.  By  the  very  na- 
ture of  their  helplessness,  this  is 
particularly  true  in  the  case  of  chil- 
dren. “What  man  is  there  of  you, 
whom  if  his  son  ask  bread,  will  he 
give  him  a stone?”  (Matt.  7:9).  We 
could  ask,  “What  man  is  there  of 
you,  whom  if  a boy  asks  a chance, 
will  refuse?” 

There  are  many  boys  today  who 
have  never  experienced  the  love 
that  demands  self-sacrifice  on  the 
part  of  the  one  loving.  Terry  had 
been  in  eleven  foster  homes  by  the 
time  he  was  nine  years  old.  His 
father  deserted  his  mother  when 
Terry  was  two.  Since  then  his  moth- 
er had  lost  interest  in  her  two  chil- 
dren, had  become  alcoholic,  and  left 
the  children  to  shift  for  themselves. 
When  Terry  became  hungry  he  stole 
from  the  neighborhood  stores.  The 
Children’s  Aid  Society  was  asked  by 
the  court  to  accept  the  responsibil- 
ity for  planning  Terry’s  future. 

Terry  was  placed  in  a foster  home 
but  the  foster  mother  got  sick.  The 
next  foster  parents  moved  to  an- 
other province.  Another  had  a baby 
and  wanted  Terry  moved.  Eventu- 
ally Terry  became  so  angry  with 
all  adults  that  many  foster  parents 
just  could  not  tolerate  his  behavior. 
He  made  up  his  mind  that  all 
grown  people  were  mean  and  want- 
ed to  push  him  around.  Terry  had 
been  hurt  by  being  separated  from 
foster  parents  so  often  that  he  was 
determined  never  to  like  another  a- 
dult  and  thus  avoid  being  hurt 
when  a separation  occurred. 

At  Boys  Farm  Terry  was  so  busy 
getting  to  know  the  boys,  the  an- 
imals, pets,  and  routine  that  he 
didn’t  have  time  to  worry  much 
about  adults.  There  were  adults 
around,  though:  the  teacher,  the 


cook,  housefather  and  housemother, 
the  farm  and  maintenance  man. 
However  there  were  so  many  other 
things  to  occupy  his  mind  that  he 
didn’t  worry  about  whether  the 
adults  liked  him  or  not.  He  just 
wanted  the  boys  to  like  him  and  to 
do  what  they  did. 

After  six  months  Terry  was  used 
to  the  routine.  He  began  to  see  that 
he  was  a person,  that  he  was  worth- 
while and  wanted,  not  only  by  oth- 
er boys  but  also  by  the  staff.  This 
was  a strange  experience  for  him. 
He  loved  to  play  chess  and  often 
asked  the  maintenance  man  to  play 
with  him.  The  two  had  long  talks 


“Whosoever  shall  re- 
ceive one  of  such  chil- 
dren in  my  name,  re- 
ceiveth  me:  and  . . . not 
me,  but  him  that  sent 
me’’  (Mark  9:3'/). 


during  their  games  and  Terry  ac- 
tually began  to  like  this  man;  in 
certain  ways  he  wanted  to  be  like 
him  when  he  grew  up. 

Realizing  that  not  all  adults  hated 
him  and  that  some  actually  liked 
him,  Terry’s  opinion  of  grown-ups 
gradually  changed.  He  learned  to 
accept  adults  even  though  he  felt 
they  were  not  perfect.  His  confi- 
dence in  being  able  to  get  along 
with  adults  prompted  Terry  to  ask 
for  a foster  home.  He  wanted  fam- 
ily living  and  eventually  he  was 
placed  in  a home. 

There  are  many  variations  of  this 
story  but  all  are  tragic  and  beyond 
the  control  of  the  boy.  He  wants  a 
chance  to  sort  out  his  feelings,  to 
reorganize  himself  in  a neutreil  en- 
vironment where  adults  are  not  con- 


stantly interfering  but  where  they 
protect  one  from  others  and  from 
oneself.  He  needs  to  go  at  his  own 
pace  and  to  feel  his  way  in  relat- 
ing to  other  people. 

The  power  of  love  cannot  be  un- 
derestimated. Love  will  motivate  a 
parent  to  make  his  child  feel  safe, 
it  will  motivate  him  to  educate, 
guide,  discipline,  protect,  and  in  gen- 
eral to  assist  his  child  to  grow  up 
so  that  he  can  take  his  place  in 
society.  The  success  of  this  nurtur- 
ing process  depends  on  what  kind 
of  a relationship  exists  between  the 
child  and  parent.  When  the  relation- 
ship between  the  two  is  not  har- 
monious the  growth  process  is  re- 
tarded, distorted,  or  damaged.  In 
order  for  this  to  be  remedied  the 
child  must  find  this  relationship 
elsewhere. 

By  the  time  boys  come  to  Boys 
Farm,  their  emotional  growth  has 
been  so  badly  affected  that  their 
behavior  has  become  antisocial. 
Therefore  the  staff  must  do  more 
than  just  give  adequate  physical 
care.  Once  he  is  ready  to  do  this, 
the  boy  can  begin  to  incorporate 
into  his  own  personality  the  values, 
attitudes,  and  feelings  of  the  adult 
with  whom  he  has  established  a 
love  relationship.  Staff  members 
therefore  must  be  prepared  to  give 
of  themselves,  not  just  their  train- 
ing and  posses...ions,  but  of  their 
emotional  strenghi. 

At  Boys  Farm  a nave  twenty 
boys  to  whom  we  .jtter  this  oppor- 
tunity. They  work,  play,  and  wor- 
ship, but  in  all  these  things  they 
relate  to  others — boys,  adults,  and 
God.  We  offer  them  not  a stone 
but  a chance.  Instead  of  denial  we 
offer  help,  instead  of  ignoring  or 
ridiculing,  we  lift  them  up  and  of- 
fer a hand  to  strengthen  and  guide 
them.  “As  ye  have  done  it  to  the 
least  of  these  my  brethren,  ye  have 
done  it  unto  me.” 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church. 
Entered  at  North  Newton,  Kansas,  post  office  as  second  class  matter.  Acceptance  for  mailing  at  special  rate  of  postage:  section  1103,  Act 
of  Oct.  3,  1917.  Authorized  Jan.  22,  1910.  Subscriptions  $2.50;  foreign  $3.00.  Mail  subscriptions  and  payments  to  Mennonite  PuWication 
Office,  North  Newton,  Kan.,  or  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan.  Address  manuscripts  for  publication  to  J.  N.  Smucker,  Editor,  THE  MENNONITE, 
Woodward  Place,  Goshen,  Ind.  Postmasters:  change  of  address  Form  3579  to  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan. 


356 


THE  MENNONITE 


OBJECTIVES  and  guiding  policies 
for  the  East-West  program  were 
discussed  at  the  May  2 joint  meet- 
ing of  the  MCC  Executive  Commit- 
tee and  representatives  of  the  Can- 
adian Mennonites  in  Chicago.  Peter 
Dyck,  director  of  the  East-West 
program,  who  returned  to  America 
expressly  to  attend  this  meeting 
besides  going  on  deputation  to  Men- 
nonite  churches,  gave  a detailed  re- 
port on  the  current  situation.  The 
concerns  and  counsel  of  the  Cana-’ 
dian  brethren,  growing  out  of  an 
earlier  meeting  in  Saskatoon,  were 
expressed  by  representatives  J.  J. 
Thiessen  and  C.  A.  DeFehr. 

After  thorough  consideration  of 
the  present  East-West  program  and 
problems  relating  to  it,  the  follow- 
ing statement  of  conclusions  was 
adopted : 

• That  the  strengthening  of  the 
remnant  of  our  Mennonite  brother- 
hood in  the  Soviet  Union  as  a true 
church  of  Christ  and  as  an  instru- 
ment of  God  for  evangelism  and 
church-building  in  the  U.S.S.R.,  in 
the  historic  Mennonite  faith,  is  and 
should  continue  to  be  a united  con- 
cern and  goal  of  our  North  Amer- 
ican Mennonite  Brotherhood;  and 
that  we  assist  our  Russian  brethren 
in  their  work  as  may  be  possible 
and  advisable. 

• That  we  believe  that  our  Men- 
nonite brotherhood  everywhere,  a- 
long  with  other  Christians,  has  the 
obligation  of  evangelism  in  the 
U.S.S.R.  in  the  carrying  out  of  the 
Great  Commission;  that  our  mis- 
sion agencies  be  encouraged  to  seek 
ways  and  means  to  fulfill  this  ob- 
ligation; and  that  the  radio  min- 
istry of  the  gospel  to  the  Soviet 
Union  in  both  Russian  and  German 
languages  as  is  carried  on  by  such 
agencies  as  the  Gospel  Light  Hour 
and  the  Mennonite  Hour  be  encour- 
aged and  supported  by  our  people 
as  one  means  to  this  end. 

• That  a continuing  program  of 
contact,  visits,  encouragement,  and 
aid  for  our  Mennonite  brethren  in 
the  Soviet  Union  be  maintained 
on  behalf  of  the  Mennonite  brother- 
hood in  North  America;  and  that 
the  Mennonite  Central  Committee 
be  considered  to  be  the  responsible 
agency  for  this  work. 

• That  the  Mennonite  brother- 
hood in  other  continents  such  as 
South  America  and  Europe  be  en- 
couraged to  share  in  this  concern 
and  work,  and  that  the  Mennonite 

June  9,  1 959 


Resolution  on 

East- West 
Programs  and 
Policies 


Central  Committee  stand  ready  to 
help  them  in  this  participation  and 
to  represent  them  as  they  may  de- 
sire. 

• That  the  counsel  of  our  Cana- 
dian brethren  of  more  recent  Rus- 
sian background  be  regularly  solic- 
ited regarding  the  various  proced- 
ures and  measures  to  be  under- 
taken, in  view  of  their  direct  rela- 
tion to  and  deep  concern  for  the 
Mennonites  in  the  Soviet  Union. 

• That  in  working  on  behalf  of 
our  brethren  in  the  U.S.S.R.,  coun- 
sel and  assistance  be  sought 
wherever  it  can  be  found;  that  the 
help  of  the  Evangelical  Christian- 
Baptist  Church  in  the  Soviet  Union 
as  already  given  be  appreciatively 
acknowledged,  and  that  we  con- 
tinue to  seek  its  counsel  and  help. 

• That  while  there  may  be  both 
advantages  and  disadvantages  for 
the  Mennonite  Church  in  the  U.S.S. 
R.  to  become  registered  with  the 
Soviet  government,  we  believe  this 
matter  should  be  the  responsibility 
of  the  Mennonites  in  Russia  to  de- 
cide, and  that  we  stand  ready  to 
help  and  encourage  them  in  what- 
ever decision  they  may  make  in  this 
matter,  subject  to  their  desires. 

• That  the  reuniting  of  broken 
families  either  outside  or  inside  the 
Soviet  Union  continue  to  be  a vital 
concern  and  goal  for  the  Mennonite 
Central  Committee  and  Canadian 
Mennonite  agencies  as  long  as  the 
need  continues. 

• That  it  is  our  obligation  to  be 
fully  informed  about  the  state  of 


Mennonites  in  the  Soviet  Union  and 
that  the  work  of  the  East-West  In- 
formation Service  (Suchdienst)  be 
strengthened  to  increase  its  useful- 
ness to  any  enlargement  of  future 
service  to  our  Russian  brethren,  this 
to  be  on  a practical  basis. 

• That  we  urge  the  Canadian 
brotherhood  to  make  available 
strong  leaders  to  share  in  future 
delegations  or  visits  to  the  Soviet 
Union. 

• That  the  Mennonite  Central 
Committee  attempt  to  send  a dele- 
gation to  the  Soviet  Union  either 
this  coming  autumn  or  the  follow- 
ing spring,  including  contacts  with 
both  Mennonites  and  Evangelical 
Christian-Baptists  in  the  program 
of  the  delegation. 

• That  a special  Supplementary 
Parcel  Fund  be  established  in  the 
relief  fund  for  the  purpose  of  as- 
sisting needy  Mennonites  now  liv- 
ing in  the  Western  Hemisphere 
(principally  Paraguay)  to  send  par- 
cels to  relatives  in  the  Soviet  Union, 
this  to  be  an  imprest  fund  to  be 
replenished  as  needed. 

• That  the  East-West  office  con- 
tinue to  explore  all  possibilities  for 
sending  Bibles  and  Christian  liter- 
ature to  Mennonites  and  others  in 
the  Soviet  Union. 

• That  we  continue  to  have  an 
interest  in  a Christian  testimony 
and  possible  relief  work  (including 
parcel  service)  in  such  countries  as 
Poland,  Czechoslovakia,  Hungary, 
and  Yugoslavia. 

—MCC 

357 


Eastern  District 
Conference  Convenes 


Delegates  from  the  twenty- 
nine  churches  of  the  Eastern 
District  Conference  met  in  the  161st 
session  at  the  Eden  Church, 
Schwenksville,  Pa.,  April  30-May  3. 
All  but  three  churches  are  located  in 
Pennsylvania;  two  are  in  North 
Carolina  and  the  third  in  the  prov- 
ince of  Ontario.  All  sessions  were 
well  attended  and  the  special  meet- 
ings attracted  many.  The  host 
church,  served  by  Pastor  Frank 
Ward,  provided  fine  accommoda- 
tions and  excellent  meals. 

Conference  Speakers 
Speakers  for  this  session  were 
Vernon  Neufeld,  postgraduate  stu- 
dent at  Princeton  Theological  Sem- 
inary, under  appointment  as  instruc- 
tor in  Bible  at  Bethel  College;  and 
Vincent  Harding,  student  at  Chi- 
cago University  and  co-pastor  of 
the  Woodawn  Church,  Chicago. 
Brother  Neufeld  spoke  on  “The 
Mennonite  Community  and  the 
World.”  Brother  Harding’s  mes- 
sages on  the  challenge  of  the  gospel 
as  it  relates  to  race  relations  were 
“The  Jericho  Road,”  “What  Will 
You  Say  to  Bartimaeus?”  and  “Fools 
for  Christ.”  Both  men  were  instru- 
mental in  establishing  a pattern  of 
spiritual  stimulation  and  challenge 
at  conference  sessions. 

Conference  Reports 
The  vastness  and  variety  of  the 
work  of  the  Conference  was  indi- 
cated by  the  reports  of  committees 
and  boards.  Many  of  these  operated 
during  the  past  year  under  the 
guidance  of  the  newly  revised  Con- 
stitution, which  changed  the  work 


of  some  and  added  even  larger  re- 
sponsibilities for  many.  It  was  good 
to  see  the  fine  adjustment  which 
had  been  made  to  the  Constitution. 
During  1958  a committee  studied 
and  revised  the  bylaws  and  these 
were  approved  and  adopted  at  the 
1959  Session. 

Institutions  reporting  were  Men- 
O-Lan  and  the  Mennonite  Home  for 
Aged.  The  board  of  managers  of 
the  former  presented  a good  re- 
port of  plans  for  the  use  of  the 
retreat  property.  The  Mennonite 
Home  for  the  Aged,  acclaimed  as 
one  of  the  finest  in  the  state,  is 
owned  and  operated  by  the  Dis- 
trict. All  were  challenged  by  the 
tremendous  amount  of  administra- 
tion and  business  involved  in  the 
operation  and  management  of  such 
a home. 

Other  committees  reporting  were 
Business  Aministration,  Education 
and  Publication,  Ministerial,  Peace 
and  Service,  Retreat,  and  Missions. 
Interspersed  among  these  were  re- 
ports of  the  auxiliaries:  YPU, 

Brotherhood,  Women’s  Missionary 
Association,  Orphanage  Society,  and 
Sunday  School  Union. 

The  Bluffton  College  report  was 
presented  by  Harry  Yoder,  Assistant 
to  the  President.  Erland  Waltner, 
president  of  the  General  Confer- 
ence and  Mennonite  Biblical  Semi- 
nary, gave  the  Seminary  report; 
and  Maynard  Shelly  represented  the 
General  Conference  at  the  session. 
Officers  Elected 

Officers  for  1959  are  Robert  M. 
Landis,  Springfield  Church,  presi- 
dent; David  L.  Habegger,  First 


Church,  Allentown,  vice  president; 
Claude  F.  Boyer,  Deep  Run  Church, 
secretary;  and  Erwin  Miller  Jr., 
Quakertown,  treasurer. 

Resolutions  Adopted 

The  Missions  Committee  present- 
ed a recommendation  that  the  East- 
ern District  Conference  go  on  rec- 
ord as  being  willing  to  raise  $25,000 
in  a three-year  period  to  build  a 
church  in  the  Richboro-Churchville 
. area,  the  new  location  of  the 
Church  of  the  Good  Samaritans. 
This  was  adopted.  The  Education 
and  Publication  Committee  present- 
ed a recommendation,  also  adopted, 
that  the  Conference  support  the 
writing  of  a “History  of  the  Eastern 
District  Conference.” 

A resolution  was  adopted  asking 
the  Business  Administration  Com- 
mittee to  study  the  possibilities  of 
setting  up  a central  office  and  the 
appointing  of  a field-secretary  or 
worker  in  the  District,  and  to  pre- 
sent recommendations  at  the  162nd 
Session.  Another  resolution  adopted 
at  this  session  calls  for  a commit- 
tee to  revise  the  polity  of  the  Con- 
ference. 

The  Conference  voted  unanimous- 
ly to  extend  an  invitation  to  the 
General  Conference  to  hold  the  1962 
Session  in  the  Eastern  District.  A 
significant  resolution  was  the  one 
which  calls  for  a joint  study  com- 
mittee, comprised  of  various  Dis- 
trict and  General  Conference  rep- 
resentatives, to  study  the  relation- 
ship of  the  District  and  the  General 
Conference  in  all  phases  of  work 
and  activity.  Another  resolution 
calls  for  the  changing  of  the  char- 
ter of  the  Conference,  bringing  it 
up  to  date. 

Budget  Adopted 

A budget  of  $15,150  was  adopted 
for  1959,  divided  as  follows:  Busi- 
ness Administration  12.4%;  Mis- 
sions 60.4%;  Education  and  Publica- 
tion 14.2%;  Ministerial  .8%;  Men- 
O-Lan  7.9%;  Peace  and  Service 
4.3%.  It  was  reported  that  over 
93%  of  the  1958  budget  had  been 
met.  It  was  further  reported  that 
total  giving  of  Eastern  District  Con- 
ference congregations  was  at  a rec- 
ord high. 

The  1961  Session  of  the  Eastern 
District  Conference  will  be  held  at 
the  West  Swamp  Mennonite  Church, 
near  Quakertown,  Pa. 

— Claude  F.  Boyer 


358 


THE  MENNONITE 


Can 

Christians 

Pay 

for 

War? 

AS  Mennonite  Christians  filed 
their  income  tax  returns  for  the 
past  year,  more  than  one  was  dis- 
quieted to  realize  that  tithing  Chris- 
tians were  not  giving  nearly  as 
much  to  further  God’s  kingdom  as 
they  were  paying  for  military  prep- 
aration for  war!  Two  Mennonites 
decided  ,to  give  voice  to  this  con- 
cern in  the  following  letter. 

U.  S.  Treasury  Department 
Internal  Revenue  Service 
Washington  25,  D.  C. 

Gentlemen: 

In  filing  income  tax  returns  for 
1958  we  believe  it  is  necessary  to 
clarify  our  concerns.  Like  others 
who  have  been  perplexed  by  the 
irresponsible  use  of  tax  money  for 
military  purposes,  we  are  earnest- 
ly seeking  for  a constructive  way  in 
which  to  be  honest  with  what  we 
understand  about  the  issue.  Per- 
sonadly,  we  are  unable  to  acquiesce 
easily  to  the  present  military  ex- 
penditures of  our  government  which 
we  believe,  are  irrelevant  to  the 
problem  they  are  trying  to  solve. 
One  cannot  change  ideologies  or 
correct  evil  by  destroying  those  in 
whom  these  forces  reside. 

In  an  effort  to  reduce  our  co- 
operation in  a warmaking  system  to 
a minimum,  we  seriously  considered 
refusing  payment  of  that  portion 
used  for  military  expenditures 
(which  we  understand  is  about  73 


per  cent  of  federal  taxes).  Since  we 
object  on  religious  grounds  to  par- 
ticipation in  war  and  military  prep- 
aration in  any  form,  we  believe, 
like  Milton  Mayer,  that  we  are 
denied  the  free  exercise  of  our  re- 
ligion (guaranteed  by  the  First 
Amendment  to  the  Constitution) 
when  forced  to  pay  income  taxes 
used  for  military  purposes. 

If  money  represents  a part  of  a 
person’s  life,  as  we  believe  it  does, 
then  it  logically  follows  that  a 
Christian  will  have  ambivalent  feel- 
ings about  professing  peace  and 
good  will  while  at  the  same  time 
supporting  explicitly  destructive 
forces  within  a government.  As 
there  are  provisions  for  conscien- 
tious objection  to  military  service, 
there  should  also  be  provisions  for 
conscientious  objection  to  making 
H-bombs  or  paying  for  the  making 
of  them. 

Consequently,  in  the  interests  of 
our  government  and  all  people,  we 
are  looking  for  some  alternative 
whereby  it  would  be  possible  to 
channel  that  portion  of  tax  money 
to  those  causes  which  contribute  to 
the  welfare  of  people — those  legiti- 
mate functions  which  are  construc- 
tive and  not  destructive  of  human 
value. 

We  hope  that  the  United  States 
government  will  accept  our  offer  to 
pay  the  equivalent  or  more  of  the 
military  tax  to  some  mutually  agree- 
able agency,  organization,  or  insti- 
tution, like  CROP,  MCC,  Church 
World  Service,  or  the  United  Na- 
tions (UNESCO,  Technical  and  Eco- 
nomic Assistamce  Program,  etc.), 
which  is  committed  to  a peaceful 
program  for  all  men.  We  feel  that  a 
voluntary  arrangement  something 
like  Edith  Green’s  bill  H.  R.  12310  is 
necessary  if  we  are  to  make  possible 
the  conditions  of  a lasting  and  abid- 
ing peace. 

As  Christians,  we  are  not  seeking 
exemption  from  the  payment  of 
taxes,  but  we  are  searching  for  a 
right  to  determine  how  those  taxes 
are  used,  especially  those  which  we 
contribute  personally.  It  is  clear 
to  us  that  a Christian  has  a responsi- 
bility to  government,  significantly 
because  in  a democracy  he  is  a 
real  part  of  the  government.  Be- 
cause the  Christian  knows  some- 
thing of  the  value  and  importance 
of  community  he  will  do  everything 
he  can  to  contribute  to  the  stability 


and  welfare  of  government  on  all 
levels. 

Yet  if  this  person  realizes  the  de- 
structive character  and  devastating 
results  of  aU  military  preparation, 
he  will  consider  it  his  patriotic  duty 
to  do  what  he  can  to  avoid  collective 
disaster.  We  believe  responsible  cit- 
izenship implies  that  there  is  no 
blanket  endorsement  for  what  a 
government  does.  Its  actions  must 
be  tested  and  if  they  are  found  to 
be  outside  of  the  purpose  of  God 
they  are  to  be  challenged. 

We  hope  you  will  feel  with  us  the 
urgent  need  to  recognize  the  pri- 
ority which  God  always  deserves 
in  every  human  decision.  We  would 
appreciate  your  thoughtful  response 
to  this  crucial  issue. 


Don  and  Eleanor  Kaufman 
Moundridge,  Kansas 


June  9,  1959 


359 


Involving  the  Church 


Henry  A.  Fast* 

“We  are  fellow  workers  vnth 
God”  (1  Cor.  3:9.  See  also  2 Cor. 
6:1). 

WITH  this  challenging  thought 
Paul  seeks  to  involve  Corinthi- 
an Christians  actively  and  deeply  in 
God’s  labor  of  love.  They  are  to 
share  so  fully  God’s  concern  for 
man  that  they  give  themselves  in 
Christlike  self-forgetfulness  to  their 
fellow  men.  In  deed  and  in  truth 
they  are  to  be  fellow  uoorkers  with 
God,  not  mere  bystanders  or  absent- 
minded  contributors.  As  partners  in 
God’s  enterprise  they  need  not  be 
driven  to  prayer  nor  coaxed  into 
giving.  They  are  to  put  heart,  mind, 
and  soul  into  their  prayers  and 
their  contributions,  and  respond 
with  a quick  sensitivity  to  the  cry 
of  human  need. 

But  how  can  you  get  people  so 
deeply  involved  with  God  in  His 
labor  of  love  that  they  say,  “This 
is  God’s  work  and  ours’’? 

The  Board  of  Christian  Service 
tries  to  promote  this  sense  of  per- 
sonal involvement  through  the  fol- 
lowing methods; 

Active  information  service  through 
church  papers  and  through  leaflets 


^Chairman,  Board  of  Christian  Service 


the  reader  says 


It  has  never  been  my  privilege 
to  serve  on  a nominating  committee 
and  I have  no  particular  desire  to 
serve  on  one  (so  this  memo  remains 
anonymous),  but  I have  made  some 
observations  over  the  years  which 
bear  on  the  work  which  you  are 
doing.  Allow  me  to  share  these 
with  you  for  the  building  up  of 
a stronger  Conference  witness. 

• We  are  electing  too  few  new 
people  to  our  strategic  committees. 
Note,  I said  “people,”  which  means 
that  I would  like  to  see  more  wom- 
en elected  to  our  committees.  I 


and  folders.  Is  this  material  being 
read  and  is  it  effective  in  kindling 
interest  and  in  stirring  up  Christ- 
like concern  for  fellow  men  in  need? 

Visits  to  churches  by  returned 
relief  workers,  Paxmen,  VS  person- 
nel, and  Board  secretaries.  How 
many  people  in  the  churches  are 
being  reached  by  these  personal 
testimonies  and  contacts? 

Promotion  of  relief  clothing  col- 
lections, Christmas  bundle  program, 
food  canning  projects.  This  service 
reaches  many  churches  and  fami- 
lies and  enlists  a good  deal  of  per- 
sonal involvement  that  is  very 
gratifying. 

The  appeal  of  the  CROP  program. 
Though  somewhat  limited  in  scope, 
it  actively  and  sacrificially  involves 
many  farmers. 

Informal  visits  of  Board  members 
vnth  local  church  councils  wherever 
they  desire  a friendly  conversation 
about  Board  or  Conference  pro- 
grams or  concerns. 

The  response  from  churches  in 
terms  of  interest,  support,  and  per- 
sonnel does  not  always  indicate 
that  these  efforts  are  effective  in 
personally  involving  people  in  a 
labor  of  love.  What  more  should  we 
do  as  a Board  and  as  a Confer- 
ence? 


would  suggest  that  before  you  nom- 
inate someone,  be  sure  that  he  is 
not  now  a member  of  some  major 
church  committee.  Our  constitution 
provides  that  no  one  can  be  a mem- 
ber of  two  boards.  But  it  does  allow 
a man  to  be  hired  by  a Conference 
board  or  institution  and  to  be  at  the 
same  time  a member  of  a confer- 
ence-wide committee.  You  will  find 
that  of  the  sixty  men  that  make 
up  the  five  major  boards  and  the 
executive  of  our  Conference,  about 
twenty-eight  have  official  connec- 
tion with  another  Conference  board 


or  institution.  Not  that  these  men 
are  doing  inferior  work — but  would- 
n’t it  be  possible  to  broaden  the 
base? 

• We  have  always  said  that  we 
are  against  separating  the  ordained 
and  unordained  people  in  our 
churches.  Isn’t  this  mere  idle  talk 
as  long  as  two-thirds  of  all  the  men 
on  our  committees  are  ordained? 
Someone  should  study  the  district 
conferences.  The  ones  I know  have 
the  same  tendency  to  bypass  some 
excellent  talent  and  nominate  and 
elect  an  ordained  man  because  he 
is  better  known  than  the  layman. 

• There  are  laws  against  inter- 
locking directorates  in  business.  Per- 
haps there  should  be  some  in  the 
church  too.  At  least  it  might  be 
weU  before  nominating  someone  to 
ask:  “On  how  many  church  com- 
mittees, local  and  district,  does  he 
already  serve?”  Instead  of  using 
this  as  an  argument  for  his  election, 
you  should  consider  ruling  him  out 
on  that  basis. 

Take,  for  an  example,  mission 
boards.  Do  we  really  want  the  same 
men  who  determine  mission  policy 
on  the  district  level  to  determine  it 
on  the  national  level  also?  Without 
judging  the  caliber  of  our  mission 
program  at  present  or  the  men  who 
now  have  these  responsible  posi- 
tions, it  seems  self-evident  to  me 
that  the  broader  the  representation 
on  these  boards  the  greater  the 
chances  we  will  have  of  developing 
an  imaginative  program  which  wiU 
unite  the  vision  of  contemporaniety 
with  the  wisdom  of  experience. 
Inter-Mennonite  boards  Uke  MCC 
and  CIM  should  also  be  taken  into 
account  here,  and  the  same  caution 
would  apply. 

• I am  alarmed  at  the  way  in 
which  we  distinguish  specialists 
from  laymen  and  “little  men”  from 
“big  men.”  I have  heard  people  say: 
“He  is  the  pastor  of  one  of  the  larg- 
est churches  in  our  district,”  but  I 
am  not  impressed  with  that.  All  I 
want  to  know  is:  Has  he  time  and 
interest  and  qualifications  for  the 
committee  responsibility?  Is  he 
faithful  in  whatever  he  is  doing? 
It  takes  a lot  more  grace  to  serve 
thirty  people  than  it  does  to  serve 
three  hundred.  God  evaluates  us  by 
the  spiritual  vision  and  devotion 
that  we  bring  to  our  tasks,  not  by 
the  number  of  committees  we  are 
on  or  the  size  of  the  institution  or 
church  we  serve. 


MEMO  TO  NOMINATING  COMMITTEES 


360 


THE  AAENNONITE 


Mennonite  youth 


School  Begins  At  Eight  O’Clock 


IF  YOU  would  look  through  the 
door,  you  would  see  nine  chil- 
dren, from  seven  to  fourteen  years 
of  age,  sitting  at  improvised  tables 
and  desks,  and  studying  quietly. 
But  if  you  look  again,  you  may  see 
that  one  of  them  is  not  a student. 
A fourteen  year-old  girl  is  the  teach- 
er! Let  me  tell  you  about  her. 

When  Zhoraida  was  a student  in 
the  mission  school  in  Cachipay, 
Colombia,  she  was  often  a problem. 
Her  grades  were  poor,  for  she  cer- 
tainly wasn’t  conscientious  in  either 
work  or  study.  She  wasn’t  a bad 
girl  either,  but  one  who  just  didn’t 
seem  to  accomplish  much. 

But  then  in  her  last  year  of  pri- 
mary school  (the  fifth  grade  in 
Colombia)  she  seemed  to  take  a 
turn  for  the  better.  At  least  she 
studied  hard  and  tried  her  best, 
even  though  the  results  were  not 
tremendous. 

After  graduation,  Zhoraida  de- 
cided that  she  would  like  to  go  on 
to  school.  She  and  her  parents  start- 
ed investigating  the  possibilities  of 
further  preparation.  But  advanced 
school  in  Colombia  is  expensive,  and 
the  family  had  only  modest  means, 
so  they  went  to  the  capital  city, 
Bogota,  and  made  application  for 
a scholarship  in  a government 
school  for  teachers. 

In  order  to  qualify,  she  would 
have  to  take  a test  with  other  ap- 
plicants, and  Zhoraida  knew  that 
an  important  part  of  the  test  would 
be  on  the . official  religion  of  the 
country.  Since  her  family  is  evan- 
gelical and  she  had  never  studied 
Catholicism,  she  borrowed  a cate- 
chism to  study  so  that  she  would 
be  able  to  pass  the  test. 

The  day  of  the  examinations  ar- 
rived, and  Zhoraida  presented  her- 
self to  the  principal  of  the  school. 

“What  school  did  you  attend?” 
he  asked. 


“The  Colegio  Americano  in  Cach- 
ipay,” she  replied. 

“Oh!  That  is  a protestant  school,” 
he  said.  “Just  step  over  here  and  we 
will  see  how  much  you  know.” 

Over  there  a priest  was  waiting 
for  her.  “Do  you  know  how  to  cross 
yourself?”  he  asked. 

“Oh,  yes!”  (She  had  studied  up 
on  that  because  she  knew  she  would 
have  to  do  it.)  But  instead  of  cross- 
ing herself  with  her  right  hand  as 
she  should,  she  made  the  grave 
error  of  doing  it  with  her  left.  That 
was  the  first  point  against  Zhoraida. 

Finally  all  the  applicants  were 
gathered  together  in  the  room 
where  the  exam  was  to  be  given. 
The  teacher  turned  to  Zhoraida.  “I 
suppose  you  know  how  to  recite  the 
rosary?” 

“No,”  replied  Zhoraida,  “but  I 
can  pray.  Do  you  wish  me  to  lead 
in  prayer?” 

The  teacher  looked  rather  startled 
but  mumbled  “Very  well.”  So  Zho- 
raida stood  in  the  midst  of  a group 
of  girls  who  never  before  had  heard 
such  a prayer,  and  asked  for  God’s 
guidance  in  the  exam.  The  girls 
began  to  titter  and  laugh  out  loud, 
for  it  was  disgraceful  that  some- 
one could  not  say  the  rosary.  'The 
other  teachers  who  were  present  as 
monitors  of  the  examination  stared 
at  her  as  though  she  were  a very 
strange  being,  for  neither  had  they 
heard  such  a prayer  before. 

The  test  itself  was  much  as  she 
had  expected.  One  question  was, 
“Who  is  Christ’s  successor  perform- 
ing his  duties  on  earth  today?”  Of 
course  the  desired  answer  was, 
“The  Pope.”  Zhoraida  wrote,  “There 
is  one  God  and  one  Mediator  be- 

By  Mrs.  Arthur  Keiser 
Missionary  to  Colombia 


tween  God  and  Man  . . . Christ 
Jesus.”  ’Then  there  was  another 
question:  “What  are  the  command- 
ments of  the  Church?”  She  should 
have  written  at  length  on  that,  but 
her  answer  was  that  God’s  com- 
mandments were  revealed  to  His 
people  through  Moses. 

Well,  Zhoraida  didn’t  receive  the 
scholarship,  mostly  because  of  that 
test  in  religion.  She  still  wanted  to 
study;  so  she  and  her  parents  went 
to  another  school,  but  the  same 
experience  was  repeated.  “Do  you 
know  the  Hail  Mary?”  No,  the 
catechism  she  had  studied  hadn’t 
had  the  copy  of  the  Hail  Mary,  so 
she  didn’t  know  it.  The  scholarship 
was  denied  to  her  in  that  school, 
too. 

Zhoraida  went  home  with  her  par- 
ents to  Anolaima.  'There  one  Sun- 
day morning,  as  she  was  teaching 
her  Sunday  school  class,  she  asked 
one  of  the  older  children  a question. 
When  the  child  couldn’t  answer  she 
realized  that  he  had  never  been  to 
school,  and  the  other  children 
laughed  at  him.  Thus  the  idea  be- 
gan growing  that  she  could  have  a 
school  for  these  poor  children  who 
had  no  other  place  to  go. 

'That  is  why  if  you  should  go  to 
the  Mennonite  Church  in  Anolaima 
and  look  in  the  door,  you  would  see 
a fourteen-year-old  girl  teaching 
eight  children  ranging  in  age  from 
seven  to  fourteen  years.  The  school 
can’t  be  an  official  one;  so  she  just 
gives  them  “private  instruction.” 
They  are  taught  the  four  R’s — read- 
ing, ’riting,  simple  ’rithmetic,  and 
religion.  The  religion  they  are  learn- 
ing comes  from  the  Bible,  and  she 
uses  every  opportunity  to  teach 
them  stories  of  Jesus.  Zhoraida 
gives  every  indication  of  being  a 
fine  teacher. 

Would  you  like  to  visit  her  class? 
School  begins  at  eight  o’clock. 


June  9,  1959 


361 


Tin  Cans  and 
Time  Bombs 


An  AMERICAN  in  a Peking 
prison  one  day  in  1955  sat  open- 
ing a small  tin  can,  part  of  a pack- 
age sent  him  by  the  American  Red 
Cross.  His  Chinese  cellmates  looked 
on  spellbound  until  they  saw  him 
pour  a thick,  red  liquid  from  the 
can. 

“Tomato  juice!”  they  exclaimed 
in  disgust.  “You  mean  to  say  you 
Americans  waste  precious  tin  to 
preserve  a bit  of  ordinary  juice? 
It’s  criminal!” 

The  incident  was  a recurring 
subject  of  discussion  for  several 
weeks  in  the  cell.  The  men  finally 
concluded  that  the  rich  United 
States  could  afford  to  “waste”  metal 
in  frivolous  pursuits,  whereas 
China,  whose  economy  was  just  de- 
veloping, had  to  watch  carefully 
how  every  scrap  of  material  was 
used. 

Most  Americans  today  do  not 
question  the  use  of  natural  re- 
sources for  comfortable,  convenient 
living,  nor  do  they  question  the  a- 
mount  of  money  spent  in  turning 
minerals  into  missiles  and  weap- 
ons which  can  have  no  constructive 
use.  We  are  “rich  in  resources,”  we 
have  a highly  advanced  technology 
and  we  can  afford  to  let  our  mate- 
rial wealth  be  turned,  on  the  one 
hand,  into  comforts,  on  the  other 
into  weapons  which  become  obso- 
lete almost  before  they  leave  the 
factory. 

A small  but  articulate  number  of 
Americans,  however,  are  beginning 
to  raise  questions  concerning  the 


practicality  and  morality  of  our  ac- 
ceptance of  indiscriminate  arms  ex- 
penditures, both  in  terms  of  over- 
all waste  and  inefficiency,  and  in 
terms  of  our  moral  relationship 
with  our  fellow  men. 

At  hearings  conducted  by  the 
Subcommittee  for  Defense  of  the 
House  Appropriations  Committee  in 
January  (a  censored  report  of  which 
was  released  by  Congress  on  March 
31),  General  Maxwell  Taylor,  Army 
Chief  of  Staff,  stated:  “I  consider 
that  we  have  an  excess  number  of 
strategic  weapons  and  weapons  sys- 
tems in  the  atomic  retaliatory 
force.  . . . Having  determined  the 
bombs  required  on  target,  you  can 
calculate  all  the  possible  losses  due 
to  enemy  action,  aborts,  ineffective- 
ness of  the  weapons,  and  so  forth, 
and  determine  how  many  vehicles 
are  required.  When  such  a computa- 
tion is  made,  you  end  up,  in  my 
book,  not  with  thousands,  but  with 
hundreds  of  vehicles  as  a require- 
ment. We  presently  have  thou- 
sands.” 

Stewart  Meacham,  Director  of 
the  Labor-International  Affairs  Pro- 
gram of  the  American  Friends 
Service  Committee,  speaking  at  a 
conference  of  labor  leaders  in  Chi- 
cago last  month,  said,  “Approxi- 
mately $50  billion  yearly  is  futilely 
put  into  the  arms  race,  while  people 
of  the  world  are  in  desperate  need 
of  the  essentials  of  life.  There  are 
half  a million  villages  in  India,  a 
nation  which  desperately  needs  help 
if  she  is  to  remain  democratic,  and 


one  fifth  of  our  military  budget 
would  provide  $20,000  for  each  one.” 

And  it  is  not  only  abroad  that  the 
essentials  of  a better  life  are  lack- 
ing. While  we  spend  $7  billion  a 
year  on  missile  programs  and  buy 
bombers  “that  cost  their  weight  in 
gold  exactly”  (see  President  Eisen- 
hower’s State  of  the  Union  Message 
of  January  19),  we  cannot  find 
funds  to  build  the  130,000  classrooms 
urgently  needed  for  our  children  or 
the  1,200,0(X)  hospital  beds  needed 
for  our  sick. 

We  are  a highly  developed  na- 
tion. We  can  afford  to  use  tin  to 
can  juice  and  aluminum  foil  to 
wrap  potatoes  for  baking,  but  has 
our  wealth  not  lulled  us  into  in- 
sensibility to  the  larger  problems, 
or  at  least  warped  our  perspective? 

We  cannot  expect  our  government 
to  take  any  measures  to  revaluate 
the  use  of  our  resources  unless  we 
ourselves  raise  the  issue.  And  we 
cannot  raise  the  issue  unless  we 
have  first  thought  about  it,  dis- 
cussed it,  and  come  to  some  conclu- 
sions, whether  they  be  from  a moral 
or  a practical  standpoint.  This  is 
our  job!  Stop,  look,  and  take  stock! 


I Sought  For  Truth 

I sought  for  truth  throughout  the 
years 

Through  happiness  and  hitter  tears; 
I sought  it  in  the  beauty  seen 
In  nature’s  calm  or  furious  scene. 
In  all  the  creatures  of  the  earth, 
In  their  existence,  death,  and  birth. 
I sought  it  analyzing  men 
As  they  desire,  dream,  and  plan. 
In  their  pretentions,  strife,  and  woe. 
In  their  revengeful  blow  for  blow; 
I sought  it  in  their  virtues  too. 
When  they  are  noble,  kind,  and 
true. 

I sought  it  in  all  things  that  be 
With  all  five  senses  given  me. 

And  though  I sought  it  patiently. 
Peace-granting  truth  eluded  me. 
Until  by  analyzing  self  I found 
That  I myself  was  grieved  and 
bound 

By  my  own  pressing  sense  of  guilt 
Which  my  iniquity  had  built. 

And  then  in  seeking  for  release, 

I found  the  truth  and  with  it  peace. 
As  for  release  of  sin  and  dross, 

I found  the  truth  upon  the  cross. 

— Vernon  Stucky 


362 


THE  MENNONITE 


Visit  to  the  Chaco 


by  Lydia  Warkentin* 

IN  the  beginning  of  April  I was 
fortunate  in  being  able  to  visit 
relatives  of  both  my  parents  in 
Colony  Neuland,  Paraguay,  for  a 
few  days.  I made  the  rounds  by 
buggy,  bicycle,  truck,  or  jeep.  We 
traveled  on  dirt  roads,  some  nar- 
row, with  low-hanging  branches 
which  one  had  to  duck,  others  wider 
and  showing  tire  ruts.  We  passed 
through  dense  bush  as  well  as  open 
plain,  with  grass  three  to  four  feet 
high  and  only  a lone  tree  here  and 
there.  I saw  remains  of  villages 
which  several  years  ago  had  been 
the  home  of  people  who  had  left 
for  Canada,  Germany,  or  other 
parts  of  South  America.  Only  a lone 
fence  post  or  a neighbor’s  yard  in- 
dicated where  a farm  could  have 
been.  One  village  we  passed  had 
only  two  farms  left.  The  once 
tilled  land  now  looked  like  virgin 
prairie  again. 

The  heat  was  not  as  severe  as  it 
might  have  been,  but  combined  with 
a strong  north  wind,  it  was  almost 
unbearable  during  the  early  after- 
noon hours. 

There  is  still  much  the  people 


♦Secretary  at  MCC,  Asuncion 


More  Light 

Monday  work  for  some  Voluntary 
Service  workers  in  Camp  Landon, 

I Gulfport,  Miss.,  consists  of  grading 
Sunday  school  mainuals  which  have 
been  prepared  by  VSers  in  co-opera- 
tion with  the  Interdenominational 
Ministerial  Alliance  and  used  in 
thirteen  churches  in  Gulfport.  The 
t radio  pastor.  Brother  Clay,  dis- 
cusses the  lessons  on  the  broadcast 
supported  by  Camp  Landon,  and 
persons  completing  the  manuals  and 
turning  them  in  for  grading  are 
enthusiastically  responding  with, 
“I  study  my  Bible  more  and  under- 
stand it  better,”  and  “I’m  getting 
closer  to  God  and  see  the  light  more 
plainly.”  Workers  feel  that  these 
studies  help  people  grow  spiritually. 


need  before  they  will  be  living  in  as 
comfortable  homes  as  we  are  used 
to.  Because  of  the  heat,  refriger- 
ators would  be  very  convenient,  as 
any  left  over  food  spoils.  Meat 
does  not  keep  long  and  much  is 
wasted.  Telephones,  running  water, 
a proper  cookstove,  and  hydro  are 
all  things  of  the  future.  If  the  vil- 
lage has  a good  well,  up  to  ,ten 
farmers  will  draw  water  there  for 
drinking  and  laundry  purposes. 
Their  own  well  water  will  be  used 
only  for  cattle.  Many  women  bake 
delicious  bread  in  an  outside  oven 
made  especially  for  the  purpose. 

I was  inwardly  touched  when  I 
saw  the  little  doll  with  which  one 
of  the  children  was  happily  playing. 
It  was  a rolled-up  piece  of  material 
wrapped  in  a blanket  and  she  cud- 
dled it  as  if  it  were  a costly  doll. 
I saw  no  other  toys  around. 

Most  of  the  work  on  the  cotton 
fields  is  done  by  Indian  labor.  The 
whole  Indian  family  comes  over  and 
settles  down — dogs  and  all — and 
they  stay  as  long  as  ten  weeks  at 
a time.  Food  and  lodging  must  be 
provided  by  the  farmer. 

Every  bed  I slept  on  was  home- 
made and  had  a wooden  bottom 


One  Opinion 

Last  summer  was  my  first  expe- 
rience in  VS.  At  first  I wasn’t  com- 
pletely convinced  that  I would  like 
it.  But  now  as  I look  back,  the 
whole  experience  makes  me  feel 
good.  There  are  memories — helping 
the  campers  cut  out  name  tags,  the 
group’s  trip  to  Lake  Michigan  tak- 
ing “my  boys”  up  at  12:30,  talking 
over  views  and  hopes  with  our 
adult  leaders,  washing  dishes,  seri- 
ous “bull  sessions”  with  the  older 
campers — really,  there  is  no  sense 
in  my  trying  to  tell  you  what  hap- 
pened at  Camp  Friedenswald.  I 
could  talk  about  it  for  hours  and 
still  not  finish.  It  was  great. 

Emil  Kreider 

Wadsworth,  O. 


padded  with  a straw  or  feather 
mattress.  The  furniture  in  the 
homes  was  simple,  the  chairs, 
benches,  and  tables  having  prob- 
ably been  made  personally  by  the 
owners.  Chairs  were  limited,  as  weU 
as  other  furniture.  The  dishes  on 
the  table  were  plainer  than  those 
found  in  North  American  homes. 
The  meals  were  simple  and  I par- 
ticularly enjoyed  the  sweet  potatoes 
and  kaffir  brown  bread.  The  butter 
is  always  served  unsalted  in  Para- 
guay and  you  add  salt  to  taste. 

One  family  told  me  they  had 
lived  several  months  without  own- 
ing a clock  and  had  depended  com- 
pletely on  the  sun  and  stars  to  tell 
time.  They  told  of  a man  who  had 
planned  to  leave  for  Filadelfia, 
Femheim,  with  his  oxen  early  next 
morning.  After  what  he  thought 
was  several  hours  sleep,  he  hitched 
up  his  oxen  and  started  off.  The 
night  seemed  endless,  and  when  he 
reached  his  destination  the  sun 
finally  rose.  Unknowingly  he  had 
left  his  home  around  11  p.m. 

In  Filadelfia  I visited  a home  and 
while  looking  through  the  orchard 
remarked  about  the  lovely  oranges, 
grapefruit,  and  tangerines.  “Our 
tangerines  are  not  ripe  yet,  but  the 
neighbors’  are.”  Before  I realized 
it,  I had  my  hands  full  of  tanger- 
ines. I hesitated.  “This  is  not  stolen 
fruit,”  they  laughed.  “We  are  in  the 
Chaco  now.  When  the  neighbors 
have  some,  we  do  too.  When  ours 
will  be  ripe,  they  will  get  their 
supply  here.” 


1-W  vs  in  Chicago 

The  Conference  Voluntary  Serv- 
ice program  is  expanding  its  Chi- 
cago unit  to  include  1-W  men  who 
are  willing  to  work  on  a VS  basis 
for  two  years.  Workers  are  located 
in  the  Negro-populated  district  near 
the  Woodlawn  Mennonite  Church. 
The  work  for  1-W  men  would  in- 
volve assignments  in  some  of  the 
social  welfare  agencies  located  in 
that  area  and  assistance  in  the  local 
church  program.  1-W  men  may  be- 
gin service  this  summer.  Write  to 
Board  of  Christian  Service,  722 
Main  Street,  Newton,  Kan. 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsorecS 
by  the  Young  People’s  Union  of  the  Generot 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  3003- 
Benham  Avenue,  Elkhart,  Indiana. 


June  9,  1959 


363 


TO  SERVE  THE  PRESENT  AGE 
people  of  our  generation  sense  an 
emptiness  when  old  values  are  gone 
and  there  are  no  replacements.  The 
traditional  world  has  collapsed  and 
they  have  not  found  a new  world 
filled  with  sufficient  certainties  or  a 
strong  faith.  Hence  their  children 
have  been  committed  to  the  streets 
and  alleys  without  guidance  and 
without  security  and  safety. 

Edna  St.  Vincent  Millay  spoke 
what  so  many  young  people  think; 
“Life  must  go  on,  I forget  just 
why!”  We  need  the  skill  to  read  the 
invisible  ink  in  the  lives  of  children 
and  young  people,  and  be  able  to 
say,  “Each  face,  dear  Lord,  a 
world.”  We  must  have  the  grace 
to  listen  and  the  wisdom  to  counsel. 
We  must  bring  the  true  spiritual 
resources  of  the  gospel  to  individual 
needs,  bringing  the  generation  en- 
trusted to  us  to  a daily  growing 
Christian  experience  which  will  help 


(Continued  from  page  355) 

them  to  build  their  lives  on  the 
foundation  of  Jesus  Christ. 

Third,  the  Christian  church  can 
serve  this  generation  by  relating 
the  gospel  to  every  area  of  life. 
This  spells  out  certain  implications, 
such  as  the  social  relationships,  per- 
sonal relationships,  and  implications 
for  inner  experience.  The  teachings 
of  our  Lord  have  everything  to  of- 
fer concerning  our  relationship  to 
one  another.  The  Word  of  God  has 
the  only  solution  to  help  every  one 
in  this  generation  to  come  to  a per- 
sonal and  saving  relationship  with 
Jesus  Christ.  The  end  result  of  serv- 
ing the  present  age  should  be  to 
change  lives  from  following  the 
many  voices  of  the  world  and  from 
selfishness  to  accepting  Jesus  Christ 
as  Saviour  and  Lord  of  all  of  life; 
to  direct  the  human  will  to  conform 
to  His  will;  to  conform  all  of  life 
to  the  fulfillment  of  God’s  purposes. 


our  schools 

ROSTHERN  GRADUATION 

Rosthern  Junior  College,  at  Ros- 
them,  Sask.,  held  graduation  exer- 
cises on  June  7.  David  Schroeder 
addressed  graduates,  alumni,  and 
friends  at  the  afternoon  commence- 
ment program.  A banquet  followed 
at  6:30  p.m.,  with  John  Unrau,  head 
of  the  Department  of  Plant  Sciences 
at  the  University  of  Alberta,  as 
speaker.  Dr.  Unrau,  a former  faculty 
member  of  Rosthern  Junior  College, 
recently  with  a staff  of  35  helped  to 
produce  a new  variety  of  soft  white 
spring  wheat.  One  of  his  children, 
John  Unrau  Jr.,  graduated  this  year 
as  valedictorian. 

MUSIC  RECITAL 

Canadian  Mennonite  Bible  College 
music  students,  who  are  taking  pi- 
ano and  voice  examinations  in  the 
first  part  of  June,  were  presented 
by  the  Music  Society  in  a recital 
on  May  20. 

VOCATIONAL  TALKS 

The  Literary  Society  of  Canadian 
Mennonite  Bible  College  invited  the 
college  family  to  hear  a number  of 
students  speak  about  their  profes- 
sions on  May  22.  The  program, 
called  “Choosing  a Vocation,”  con- 
sidered nursing,  teaching,  social 
work,  missions,  and  the  ministry. 
DO  WE  LACK  WISDOM? 

“We  now  have  sufficient  knowl- 
edge to  put  sputniks  in  the  air  but 


may  lack  the  wisdom  to  keep  man 
on  earth,”  stated  Paul  W.  Robin- 
son, president  of  Bethany  Biblical 
Seminary,  Chicago,  as  he  addressed 
the  Bethel  College  graduating  class 
at  the  sixty-sixth  commencement 
exercises  of  the  college  May  25. 

Speaking  on  “A  Heart  of  Wis- 
dom,” Dr.  Robinson  defined  wisdom 
as  knowledge  plus  the  right  use  of 
knowledge.  He  quoted  Justice  Rob- 
ert Jackson  to  the  effect  that  prim- 
itive people  constitute  no  menace; 
the  great  crimes  against  man  are 
committed  by  educated  people.  The 
true  source  of  wisdom,  concluded 
the  speaker,  may  be  found  in  the 
word  of  Scripture.  “The  fear  of  the 
Lord  is  the  beginning  of  wisdom.” 

Ninety-two  seniors  were  presented 
for  bachelor’s  degrees,  and  six  stu- 
dents were  granted  the  associate  in 
arts  degree.  Honored  by  election  to 
the  Order  of  the  Golden  A for  out- 
standing scholarship  and  citizenship 
were  John  D.  Unruh,  Jr.,  Clayton 
Peters,  Felice  Voth,  and  Beverly 
Miller  Hiebert. 

Graduating  with  distinction  were 
Donald  Hostetler,  Omer  Galle,  Char- 
lotte Graber,  Myron  Harms,  Stanley 
Pankratz,  Eldon  Schmidt,  Melvin 
Schmidt,  Helen  Voth,  and  Tena 
Franz  Schellenberg. 

Graduating  with  high  distinction 
were  Clayton  Peters,  Felice  Voth, 


Beverly  Miller  Hiebert,  and  Mrs. 
Eva  Osborne.  John  D.  Unruh,  Jr.  was 
cited  as  graduating  with  highest  dis- 
tinction. 

A total  of  fifty  students  were  cit- 
ed by  Dean  P.  E.  Schellenberg  of 
Bethel  College  for  scholarship  hon- 
ors the  past  year  at  the  commence- 
ment exercises  of  the  college  May 
25. 


MCC  news  and  notes 

SNYDER  VISITS  MCC  WORKERS 

KOREA — During  his  commission- 
er visit  to  Korea  May  13-20,  Execu- 
tive Secretary  William  T.  Snyder, 
accompanied  by  Korean  Director 
Jacob  Klassen,  visited  all  nineteen 
MCC  staff  members  on  their  project 
assignments,  interviewed  other 
Christian  workers,  and  attended  a 
part  of  the  Korean  Association  of 
Voluntary  Agencies  annual  meeting. 

“MCC  unit  spirit  in  Korea  is  ex- 
cellent,” Snyder  observes,  “and  the 
workers  enjoy  each  other’s  fellow- 
ship. We  talked  at  length  concern- 
ing our  opportunities  in  Korea  and 
the  possible  course  our  work  should 
take  for  the  future.  I went  with 
the  fellows  to  observe  feeding  op- 
erations in  the  Kyong  San  prov- 
ince where  MCC  is  taking  responsi- 
bility, and  I am  convinced  that  the 
best  possible  controls  are  followed 
in  seeing  that  the  food  and  clothing 
get  to  the  neediest  people.” 

Regarding  the  MCC  Christian  Vo- 
cational School  for  orphan  boys  at 
Kyong  San,  Snyder  comments:  “It 
is  my  judgment  that  the  farm  and 
school  form  a base  from  which  a 
strong  Christian  testimony  can  be 
brought  to  Korea,  particularly  to 
the  indigenous  church,  through  pre- 
paring boys  for  vocations  and  in 
helping  the  church  take  broader  re- 
sponsibility through  a comm.unity 
development  program  that  would 
help  to  meet  the  people’s  needs  on 
several  levels.” 

Two  of  the  six  MCC  nurses  in 
Korea  are  assigned  to  the  Children’s 
Relief  Hospital  operated  by  the  city 
of  Seoul.  After  stopping  here,  Sny- 
der writes,  “The  need  was  highly 
impressive  as  we  visited  the  wards 
and  saw  unfortunate  children  re- 
ceiving loving  care.  Many  children 
are  abandoned  and  many  are  near 
death  when  they  are  brought  to  the 
hospital.  Our  nurses  are  a .steady- 
ing influence  in  the  hospital  to  pro- 


364 


THE  MENNONITE 


vide  good  care  and  to  channel  MCC 
foods,  surplus  commodities,  and 
medicines  to  these  needy  children.” 
UNBELIEVABLE  NEED 
HAITI — Haiti,  with  its  four  mil- 
lion population,  its  eroded  and  erod- 
ing soil  on  treeless  mountain  sides 
and  no  other  natural  resources,  its 
eight  per  cent  literacy,  its  poverty 
illustrated  by  a $75  average  family 
income  per  year,  represents  problem 
and  need  indeed!  So  reports  MCC 
Associate  Secretary  Orie  O.  Miller 
after  visiting  this  island  700  miles 
southeast  of  Miami  May  16-23. 
While  visiting  the  two  MCC  VS 
I men  working  in  the  Methodist  co- 
operative agricultural  services  proj- 
. ect  at  Petit  Goave  May  17,  Miller 
I worshiped  in  an  area  harvest  meet- 
ing where  600  were  gathered;  the 
service  was  in  Creole,  Haiti’s  native 
language.  Near  St.  Marc,  at  Hos- 
I pital  Albert  Schweitzer,  Miller  ob- 
served the  medical  and  community 
j program  where  eight  MCC  VSers 
j (six  nurses  and  two  laboratory  tech- 
I nicians)  serve  in  the  100-bed  institu- 
I tion. 

In  northern  Haiti  near  Gap  Hai- 
I tian  (where  Columbus  landed  in 
j 1492),  Miller  stopped  to  see  the 
j Grande  du  Riviere  Hospital  and  the 
' Grand  Pre  Agricultural  Services 
Project  where  it  is  proposed  that 
MCC  establish  a combined  medical 
I and  agricultural  services  unit.  Mil- 
i ler  comments:  “The  area  is  as 

I needy  as  any  in  Haiti.  My  visit  with 
Methodist  Missionary  Spence  gave 
me  a picture  of  almost  unbelievable 
; poverty,  starvation,  ignorance,  ill- 
ness in  which  the  masses  here  have 
to  live.  To  be  Christian  one  mmt 
care;  we  must  do  what  we  can  as 
[ God  opens  the  way.” 

SOUTHERN  CONFERENCE 
AKRON— The  MCC  Peace  Section 
Executive  Committee  May  26  auth- 
orized a delegation  of  five  to  par- 
! ticipate  in  the  Southern  Christian 
; Leadership  Conference  in  Atlanta, 
Ga.,  July  28-30.  This  action  grew 
i out  of  concern  expressed  at  the 
April  MCC-sponsored  race  relations 
seminar  in  Chicago  and  in  response 
! to  a direct  invitation  by  planners  of 
the  Atlanta  conference.  The  South- 
ern Christian  Leadership  group,  in 
which  Martin  Luther  King,  Jr.,  and 
Ralph  D.  Abernathy  (guest  speaker 
at  the  Chicago  seminar)  are  active, 
includes  representatives  from  the 
South  who  are  concerned  with  the 
problems  of  desegregation,  human 


rights,  and  the  status  of  the  Negro 
in  American  society.  Attendance  at 
this  meeting,  which  is  planned  sole- 
ly to  discuss  nonviolence,  will  offer 
Mennonites  opportunity  to  share 
both  historical  and  practical  insights 
regarding  the  way  of  love  and  non- 
resistance. 

Guy  F.  Hershberger,  who  attend- 
ed the  SCL  annual  business  meeting 
in  Tallahassee,  Fla.,  May  14-15  at 
Peace  Section  request,  reported  to 
the  Executive  Committee:  “It  is 

clear  that  the  organization  is  fac- 
ing a very  tough  situation.  Atlanta 


film  review 

STORY  OF  THE  PROPHETS, 
PART  /:  Frontiersmen  of  Faith; 
Amos,  God’s  Angry  Man;  Micah, 
Prophet  of  the  Common  Man;  The 
Vision  of  Isaiah;  Hosea,  Prophet  of 
God’s  Love;  Isaiah — Statesman  for 
God.  Produced  by  Cathedral  Films. 
Filmstrips  $6  each,  records  $3  (each 
record  has  sound  for  two  filmstrips, 
one  on  either  side).  Entire  set  in 
attractive  box,  $40.50.  Can  be  pur- 
chased from  Mennonite  Bookstores 
in  Rosthern,  Berne,  or  Newton;  or 
rented  from  the  Audio  Visual  Li- 
brary, Mennonite  Bookstore,  720 
Main,  Newton,  Kan.,  for  $2  per 
filmstrip. 

The  committee  was  impressed 
with  the  fact  that  the  filmstrips 
gave  meaning  to  these  prophets. 
They  felt  that  the  message  of  Micah 
became  live  and  a meaningful  mes- 
sage both  for  his  times  and  ours. 
The  filmstrip  on  Micah  gives  a good 
picture  of  the  time  in  which  he 
lived. 

The  committee  was  also  impressed 
with  the  filmstrip  on  Hosea.  Ho- 
sea’s  story  is  easier  to  dramatize 
because  of  the  autobiographical  ac- 
count in  the  first  three  chapters  of 
Hosea,  which  records  his  marriage 
to  Gomer.  The  group  felt  that  the 
story  of  God’s  redemptive  love  to- 
ward man  and  the  meaning  of  this 
redemptive  love  in  our  relationship 
to  others  became  alive  through  the 
filmstrip.  The  question  was  raised 
by  two  members  of  the  group  as  to 
whether  the  filmstrip  presented  Ho- 
sea’s  message  entirely  accurately. 
Other  members  of  the  committee 
felt  a richness  and  meaningfulness 
in  the  presentation.  Those  who 
raised  the  question  realized  there 


and  Montgomery  seem  to  be  mak- 
ing progress,  but  in  other  places 
the  situation  is  very  bad.  For  ex- 
ample a Birmingham  minister  has 
had  his  house  bombed  or  burned 
twice  and  is  in  constant  danger  of 
his  life.  At  another  church  in  Bir- 
mingham two  police  cars  stand  out- 
side at  every  Sunday  service.  Sim- 
ilar stories  come  from  many  parts. 
I feel  convinced  that  King  and 
Abernathy  are  doing  their  best  to 
follow  the  way  of  love  and  suffer- 
ing in  their  search  for  justice.  In 
this  they  deserve  all  the  encourage- 
ment which  we  can  give  them.” 

are  different  interpretations  which 
can  be  taken  and  felt  that  the  film- 
strip approach  is  adequate. 

The  filmstrip  on  Amos  presents 
an  interesting  and  accurate  account 
of  his  work.  'There  is  little  addi- 
tional material  added  to  the  film- 
strip. It  makes  the  story  of  Amos 
come  alive  as  it  portrays  his  work 
in  the  Northern  Kingdom.  The  film- 
strip helps  to  communicate  the 
message  of  Amos  both  for  his  age 
and  ours. 

Isaiah — Statesman  for  God  tells 
the  story  of  Isaiah  beginning  with 
his  coming  out  of  the  temple  after 
he  received  his  vision  as  it  is  re- 
corded in  chapter  6.  It  presents 
Isaiah’s  message  in  a meaningful 
way,  particularly  as  he  is  a spokes- 
man for  God  in  the  period  when  the 
Assyrians  were  threatening  Judah 
during  the  reigns  of  Ahaz  and  Heze- 
kiah.  The  filmstrip  brings  the  proph- 
et to  life  and  makes  his  ministry 
and  message  real.  It  concludes  with 
one  of  the  messianic  parts  of  Isaiah. 

The  entire  series  of  six  filmstrips 
is  Part  I.  There  is  another  series  of 
four  filmstrips  on  the  prophets, 
called  Part  II,  which  will  be  re- 
viewed later.  I would  recommend 
all  six  filmstrips  in  Part  I.  The  Ca- 
thedral filmstrips  are  based  on  the 
conclusion  that  Isaiah  40-66  was 
written  during  the  Babylonian  exile. 
Consequently  these  chapters  are  not 
included  in  the  filmstrip  Isaiah — - 
Statesman  for  God  but  are  dis- 
cussed in  the  later  filmstrip  The 
Prophet-Poet  of  the  Exile.  I do  not 
agree  with  this  conclusion;  how- 
ever this  approach  does  not  hinder 
the  effectiveness  of  the  filmstrip 
Isaiah — Statesman  for  God. 

A helpful  guide  for  the  teacher 
comes  with  each  of  the  filmstrips. 

—Paul  R.  Shelly 


June  9,  1959  ' 


365 


jottings 

USING  NEW  ADDITION 

First  Church,  Bluffton,  Ohio:  A 
large  number  from  our  congrega- 
tion attended  the  Central  District 
Conference  at  Goshen,  Ind.,  at 
which  Harry  Yoder  was  chosen 
president.  The  General  Conference 
here  in  August  is  much  on  the 
minds  of  our  congregation  and  of 
the  four  other  churches  in  the  area. 
Our  second  floor  in  the  new  educa- 
tion addition  has  been  completed 
and  was  occupied  April  12  for  the 
first  time.  The  primary  department, 
consisting  of  four  classes,  and  the 
Friendly  Couples  Class  are  using 
three  rooms.  The  fourth  room  will 
probably  be  occupied  by  a youth 
class.  Vacation  Bible  school  is 
planned  for  June  8-19.  Mrs.  Joe 
Cremean  and  Mrs.  Richard  Cook- 
son  represent  our  church  on  the 
steering  committee.  A number  of 
young  people  were  received  into 
membership  of  our  church  on  May 
17  through  baptism  following  a se- 
ries of  meetings  with  Pastor  Jacob 
Friesen  during  the  Sunday  school 
hour.  Others  were  admitted  by 
church  letters. — Corr. 


YPU  SPONSORS  CONCERT 

Tabor  Church,  Newton,  Kan.: 
April  19  the  Newton  Opportunity 
School  presented  a program,  spon- 
sored by  Mennonite  Men.  April  26 
some  of  the  residents  of  the  Bethes- 
da  Home  for  the  Aged  were  taken 
out  riding;  this  was  arranged  by 
the  Evangelism  Committee.  April 
26  the  YPU  sponsored  a program  of 
organ  music  by  Janice  Reimer,  with 
an  offering  for  sponsoring  two  Ne- 
g’ro  high  school  young  people  to 
the  Camp  Mennoscah  retreat.  April 
29  the  three  sewing  societies  joined 
in  an  cdl-day  work  project  repair- 
ing church  hymnals.  J.  J.  Esau,  of 
Mountain  Lake,  Minn.,  conducted 
evangelistic  meetings  at  the  Goes- 
sel  High  School  Auditorium,  in 
which  five  Mennonite  churches,  in- 
cluding ours,  participated.  May  10 
eight  children  were  consecrated. 
May  13,  at  a service  in  the  church, 
the  baptismal  candidates  shared 
their  testimonies.  May  17,  eleven 
new  members  were  received,  nine 
by  baptism  and  two  by  letter. — 
Mrs.  Jake  J.  Goerzen,  corr. 

BACCALAUREATE 

Lorraine  Avenue  Church,  Wichita, 
Kan.:  May  24,  all  high  school  grad- 
uates sat  in  a group  wearing  robes, 
taking  part  in  the  worship  service. 


J.  E.  Hartzler,  world  traveler  and 
lecturer,  spoke  on  “Living  in  the 
House  You  Build.”  A number  of 
young  people  met  to  tape  the 
“Youth  Church  of  the  Air  Broad- 
cast.” An  interesting  discussion  was 
held  by  the  youth  on  “Ancestors; 
Migrations  of  the  Mennonites.” 
Papers  and  letters  were  read  on 
Mennonite  history.  May  12  there 
was  a Mother-Daughter  carry-in 
supper  in  Fellowship  Hall.  May  17 
was  an  “eat  out”  Brotherhood  la- 
dies’ night.  John  Thiessen  was  the 
speaker;  topic:  “Whither  Bound, 

General  Conference,  After  One  Cen- 
tury?” Interesting  tours  to  and 
from  the  General  Conference  will 
be  suggested  for  those  planning  to 
attend.  The  support  of  two  medical 
students  in  India  has  been  under- 
taken by  several  S.  S.  classes  for 
a five-year  period.  In  turn  the  stu- 
dents have  agreed  to  work  in  con- 
nection with  our  Mission  Committee 
for  a period  of  seven  years.  Four 
new  members  joined  the  church  by 
letter  May  17.  Plans  have  been 
made  for  vacation  Bible  school  June 
1-12.  Girls  of  upper  high  school 
grades  are  being  asked  to  serve  as 
helpers.  A new  feature  is  a class  for 
three-year-olds. — Corr. 

TALK  ON  RUSSIA 

Inman  Church,  Inman,  Kan.:  Har- 
ry K.  Zeller,  former  pastor  of  the 
Church  of  the  Brethren  in  McPher- 
son, who  has  traveled  extensively 
in  Russia,  shared  observations  “Be- 
hind the  Iron  Curtain”  with  us  in 
word  and  picture.  “American  Cities, 
a Great  Open  Door”  was  the  chal- 
lenge brought  to  us  by  Don  Wismer, 
pastor  of  our  W.  D.  Home  Missions 
Fellowship  in  Denver,  during  our 
Wednesday  evening  Bible  Study 
hour.  An  afternoon  all-German  serv- 
ice was  also  much  enjoyed.  J.  K. 
Siemens  from  Buhler  brought  the 
message,  B.  B.  Warkentin  shared 
his  testimony  in  word  and  verse, 
and  an  octet  brought  music.  An  old- 
time  German  faspa  and  fellowship 
hour  followed.  The  Women’s  Fel- 
lowship’s Mother-Daughter  luncheon 
was  held  April  16.  One  of  Fellow- 
ship’s projects  is  to  help  the  Ferd 
Edigers  with  clothing  supplies  in 
preparation  for  going  back  to  Ja- 
pan in  August.  The  Junior  and  In- 
termediate Choirs,  together  with 
our  two  C.  E.’s,  gave  an  exchange 
program  in  Hoffnungsau  Church. 
The  Mennonite  history  class,  with 
Mrs.  Elmer  Wiens  as  teacher, 
toured  the  central  offices  and  the 
Historical  Library  in  Newton. 
— Corr. 

FRESH  AIR  PROGRAM 

Hoffnungsau  Church,  Inman, 
Kan.:  Our  Men’s  Brotherhood  had 


a visitation  night  in  March  when 
they  visited  the  sick,  shut-ins,  and 
aged.  March  8 Wilfred  Unruh  pre- 
sented the  work  of  the  Board  of 
Christian  Service.  March  18  Conrad 
Browne  told  of  Koinonia  Farm  near 
Americas,  Ga.  March  22  our  senior 
choir  presented  The  Seven  Last 
Words  of  Christ.  H.  B.  Schmidt 
brought  the  pre-Easter  messages 
Mon.  through  Fri.  April  3,  Don  Wis- 
mer from  Denver,  Colo.,  told  of  the 
new  Denver  church.  April  5,  our 
congregation  was  surprised  when 
Pastor  Gaeddert  read  a letter  of 
resignation  and  said  he  has  ac- 
cepted the  call  of  the  Bethel 
Church,  Mountain  Lake,  Minn., 
where  he  will  serve  in  fall.  April 
12,  D.  C.  Wedel  brought  the  morn- 
ing message.  April  22,  the  Senior 
Mission  Society  heard  Harry  Zeller 
of  McPherson  lecture  and  show  pic- 
tures of  Russia.  April  25-26  a num- 
ber attended  the  Mennonite  Men’s 
Retreat  at  Camp  Mennoscah.  Our 
Men’s  Brotherhood  is  sponsoring 
the  Fresh  Air  Program  for  Negro 
children  of  Chicago,  who  will  come 
to  our  community  for  two  weeks. 
May  5,  the  good  Lord  called  our  be- 
loved brother  A.  J.  Dyck  suddenly 
from  our  midst.  May  7,  Ascension 
Day,  Brother  Voth  brought  the 
message.  On  Mother’s  Day  four  chil- 
dren were  consecrated  to  the  Lord. 
Pentecost,  three  boys  and  one  girl 
were  baptized.  Our  Children’s  Day 
program  will  be  June  14.  Babies 
came  to  bless  the  following  homes: 
Jodi  Terese,  Feb.  22,  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Marlin  Ratzlaff;  Dave  Lee, 
Feb.  28,  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Abbie 
Dyck.  The  following  were  married: 
March  30,  Betty  Warkentine  and 
Garry  J.  Krehbiel;  April  4,  Richard 
Ediger  and  Virginia  Ann  King; 
May  7,  Nancy  Ratzlaff  and  Otto  N. 
Schmidt;  June  6,  Shirley  Friesen 
and  Clifford  Schmidt;  and  June  7, 
Mrs.  Frank  D.  Schroeder  and  Jacob 
F.  Schmidt,  during  the  morning 
service — Kathryn  Klassen,  corr. 

MISSIONARIES  SPEAK 

Bethel  Church,  Fortuna,  Mo.: 
Four  missionaries  spoke  to  us  in 
April:  the  George  McCormicks 

(she  was  Ina  Mae  Garber,  one  of 
our  members),  missionaries  from 
India,  spoke  to  us  April  9;  J.  Ross 
Goodall,  the  morning  and  evening 
of  April  12,  told  us  about  mission 
work  among  Jews  in  Tampa,  Fla.; 
April  23,  James  Bertsche,  mission- 
ary to  Belgian  Congo,  was  a guest 
speaker.  Pastor  and  Mrs.  Ernest 
Porzelius,  and  oim  S.  S.  Supt.  and 
wife,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Homer  Garber, 
brought  interesting  reports  of  the 
Central  District  Conference  at  Go- 
shen, Ind 


366 


THE  MENNONITE 


conference  notes 

(continued  from  the  lost  page) 

CENTENNIAL  WORSHIP  SERVICES 

As  a part  of  the  centennial  ob- 
servance in  the  General  Conference 
Mennonite  Church,  the  Sunday 
school  lesson  for  August  16  will 
feature  the  theme,  “God’s  Stead- 
fast Love.” 

While  the  lesson  topic  is  the 
same  as  that  used  in  the  Uniform 
Series,  the  Scripture  passages  were 
adapted  to  fit  a centennial  applica- 
tion in  Conference  Sunday  schools. 
Instead  of  the  passage  from  Lam- 
entations, Joshua  4:21-25  and  Deu- 
teronomy 6:20,  21  and  7:7,  8 will  be 
used.  William  Klassen,  writing  for 
adults,  and  Peter  Ediger,  writing 
for  youth,  have  prepared  a stimu- 
lating discussion  of  the  lesson. 

This  adaptation  of  the  Sunday 
school  lesson  will  make  it  possible 
for  Sunday  schools  throughout  the 
Conference  to  discuss  a centennial 
lesson  while  the  centennial  confer- 
ence is  in  session  at  Bluffton,  Ohio. 

Provision  has  been  made  for 
some  twenty  Sunday  school  classes 
at  the  General  Conference  sessions. 
Extra  leaflets  will  be  provided  for 
conference  guests.  E.  G.  Kaufman 
will  teach  a class  in  Founders  Hall, 
J.  J.  Thiessen  will  teach  a German 
class  in  the  college  chapel,  Harris 
Waltner  will  teach  a youth  class  at 
First  Mennonite  Church.  Other  Sun- 
day school  teachers  are  Edmund 
Miller,  James  Reusser,  William 
Keeney,  Howard  Raid,  Robert 
Hartzler,  P.  K.  Regier,  David  Ha- 
begger,  H.  B.  Schmidt,  Frank  Epp, 
J.  J.  Enz,  Henry  Poettcker,  David 
Neufeld,  Peter  G.  Sawatzky,  A.  H. 
Schultz,  Bertha  Harder,  and  David 
Schroeder. 

Worship  services  at  10:45  a.m. 
will  be  held  in  Founders  Hall  with 
Erland  Waltner  in  charge  and  the 
sermon  by  J.  Herbert  Fretz,  and  in 
the  First  Mennonite  Church,  Bluff- 
ton,  with  J.  T.  Friesen  in  charge 
and  the  sermon  by  Roland  Goering. 

ONE  APPLE  IN  TEN  YEARS 

The  following  is  from  a letter  by 
Mary  Warkentin,  Canadian  teacher 
in  Paraguay. 

Recently  I met  a plane  from  the 
Pure  Oil  Company  at  the  Filadel- 
fia  airport  (looks  more  like  a cow 
pasture!).  Folks  crowded  right  un- 
der the  plane.  I saw  people  looking 
at  a monkey  which  the  crew  from 
Pure  Oil  had  caught.  I walked  up. 


too,  and  began  talking  with  some- 
one who  seemed  to  be  a foreman. 
I asked  if  he  had  illustrated  pam- 
phlets or  pictures  — we  could  get 
them  from  oil  companies  at  home 
for  use  in  schools. 

The  last  few  days  have  been 
thrilling  for  the  Neuhorst  young- 
sters. This  man  came  with  a car — 
that’s  exciting! — and  cameras,  and 
took  pictures  of  the  school,  teach- 
ing, and  activities..  One  camera  was 
a movie  camera;  the  other  devel- 
oped the  snapshot  while  you  wait. 
I nearly  forgot  to  close  my  mouth! 

You  can  imagine  my  pupils,  who 
never  come  out  more  than  six  miles 
from  where  they  are  born,  except 
perhaps  for  a rare  visit  to  a dis- 
tant village.  The  visitor  brought  out 
a box  of  apples!  (I  had  a half  of 
one  apple  several  times  at  Christ- 
mas.) The  children  were  overjoyed 
but  too  shy  to  show  it  until  he  was 
gone. 

I shared  the  apples  with  the 
whole  village.  One  woman  said  that 
this  was  her  first  apple  since  she 
got  off  the  ship  ten  years  ago.  Ap- 
ples price  ten  cents  apiece  in  the 
village  co-operative  store.  And  here 
we  had  about  120  of  them! 


FLANAGAN  TO  SPEAK 


James  M.  Flanagan,  associate  ed- 
itor of  The  Christian  Evangelist- 
Front  Rank,  an  international  week- 
ly of  the  Christian  Churches  (Dis- 
ciples of  Christ),  will  address  the 
Christian  Writers’  Conference  to  be 
held  in  the  Bethel  College  Menno- 
nite Church,  North  Newton,  Kan., 
June  17-19.  Registration  for  the 
conference  begins  at  8:00  a.m.  June 
17.  Applications  may  be  sent  to 
Maynard  Shelly,  Board  of  Education 
and  Publication,  722  Main  Street, 
Newton,  Kansas. 


NEW  COUNSELING  MANUAL 


Counseling  Youth,  the  second  in 
the  series  of  manuals  prepared  by 
the  Young  People’s  Union,  has  been 
written  by  Claude  F.  Boyer  for 
adult  youth  advisers  or  counselors 
in  local  churches.  Emphasis  is 
placed  on  the  relationship  of  the 
counselor  to  the  youth  group,  with 
suggestions  to  help  broaden  the 
vision  of  young  people. 

The  first  in  the  series  was  Chris- 
tian Fellowship,  a guide  for  fellow- 
ship committees  in  local  youth 
groups.  These  two  manuals  can  be 
ordered  from  Mennonite  Bookstores 
at  Berne,  Ind.;  720  Main,  Newton, 
Kan.;  or  Rosthem,  Sask.  Others 
planned  for  later  publication  are 
Christian  Faith  and  Life  and  Chris- 
tian Service. 

CONGO  INLAND  MISSION  NEWS 

Betty  Quiring  has  returned  from 
Africa  where  she  has  taught  at  the 
Belle  Vue  School  for  Children  of 
Missionaries.  She  will  spend  the 
summer  with  her  parents  at  Frazer, 
Montana,  and  will  do  some  itinerat- 
ing. In  fall  she  will  enroll  in  Men- 
nonite Biblical  Seminary,  Elkhart, 
Indiana. 

'The  Earl  Roth  family  is  sched- 
uled to  arrive  in  Chicago  on  July 
15  for  their  first  furlough.  From' 
Chicago  the  Roths  will  proceed  to 
Albany,  Oregon. 

Dr.  and  Mrs.  Merle  Schwartz  and 
children,  Judy  and  Bobby,  are  itin- 
erating in  June.  They  will  visit 
churches  in  Denver,  Colo.;  Aurora 
and  Omaha,  Neb.;  Quinter,  Inman, 
Whitewater,  Hesston,  Hutchinson, 
and  Newton,  Kan.  'The  Schwartzes 
will  be  returning  to  the  Congo 
August  1. 


June  9,  1959 


367 


conference  notes 

LOOKING  TOWARD 
GENERAL  CONFERENCE 

Attending  General  Conference  is 
like  pausing  a few  moments  on  a 
mountain  trail  to  look  back  over 
the  steep  path  ascended,  and  look- 
ing forward  to  new  heights  to  be 
gained.  With  a deep  feeling  of  in- 
significance, one  takes  in  the  pan- 
oramic view  of  the  surrounding 
countryside  and  the  vastness  of  the 
sky  above. 

Thus  at  General  Conference  we 
hope  to  look  backward,  evaluating 


the  work;  to  look  forwar.'.,  plan 
ning  for  the  future;  and  to  get  a 
clearer  view  of  the  physical  and 
spiritual  need  around  us.  We  trust 
that  an  inward  look  will  lead  to  a 
rededication  of  our  lives  to  God  and 
His  service,  and  that  unitedly  we 
can  look  up  in  prayer  and  thanks- 
giving to  our  Heavenly  Father. 

We  look  toward  General  Confer- 
ence confident  that  we  will  receive 
that  backward,  forward,  outward, 
inward,  upward  look  which  will 
help  us  to  fulfill  the  task  which  the 
Lord  has  entrusted  to  our  Confer- 
ence. 

Dorothea  J.  Dyck 

Elbing,  Kansas 

MISSIONARY  RETURNS 

Martha  Burkhalter,  General  Con- 
ference Mennonite  missionary  to  In- 
dia for  forty- two  years,  returned  to 
her  home  at  Berne,  Ind.,  the  end  of 
May.  Miss  Burkhalter  has  been 
teaching  at  the  Union  Biblical  Sem- 
inary at  Yeotmal  in  Bombay  state. 
This  position  will  be  taken  over  by 
Kenneth  Bauman  of  Lansdale,  Pa., 
who  with  his  family  has  been  in 
Korba  since  1954. 

Miss  Dilasie  Ramlal,  an  Indian 
girl  who  has  made  her  home  with 
Miss  Burkhalter  for  a number  of 
years,  accompanied  her  on  the  trip. 
She  will  be  in  the  United  States  for 
several  years  to  further  her  edu- 
cation. 


ARE  YOU  PLANNING  TO  ATTEND  THE  CONFERENCE? 

If  you  are  one  of  the  thousand  or  more  visitors  and  delegates  who  wiU 
attend  the  triennial  conference  and  centennial  observances  of  the  General 
Conference  Mennonite  Church  at  Bluffton,  Ohio,  on  August  12-20,  you 
are  requested  to  fill  out  the  form  below  and  mail  it  to:  G.  T.  Soldner, 
Lodging  Chairman,  438  West  Elm  Street,  Bluffton,  Ohio.  This  includes 
both  those  who  are  arranging  for  lodging  with  friends  or  relatives,  and 
those  who  would  like  to  make  reservations  for  lodging.  All  who  plan  to 
attend  at  all,  either  part-time  or  full-time,  should  fiU  out  and  send  in  an 
application  form.  Additional  forms  may  be  secured  from  Brother  Soldner 
at  the  address  above. 


APPLICATION  FOR  LODGING  RESERVATION 

Name Address 

Congregation Dist.  Conf 

Traveling  by:  Car. . . . Train. . . . Bus. . . .Plane. . . . Car  & Trailer. . . . 

Date  of  Arrival Time  of  Arrival 

If  by  train,  plane,  or  bp=,  do  you  wish  to  be  met  at: 

Lima:  What  railroad Findlay:  What  Railroad 

Airport Airport 

Bus  ?<'ation 

Number  of  accommodations  re  ;ue::ted: 

Couples Children Young  People Men Women 

Staying  for  entire  session? or,  what  nights? 

Have  you  made  arrangements  to  stay  with  relatives  or  friends? 

If  so,  with  whom? 

Address  

Lodging  will  be  provided  in: 

Mennonite  and  non-Mennonite  homes  in  Bluffton-Pandora-Lima  area 
Bluffton  College  dormitories 

Ohio  Northern  University  dormitories  (Ada,  12  miles) 

Findlay  College  dormitories  (Findlay,  18  miles) 

Motels  (5  to  15  miles);  Lima  hotels  (if  needed) 

A lodging  fee  of  $2.00  per  person  per  night  will  be  asked  in  non- 
Mennonite  homes  and  in  dormitories.  Breakfast  and  linens  will  be 
included  in  dormitories.  Transportation  to  Ada  and  Findlay  will  be 
provided  for  those  who  do  not  have  their  own. 

Are  you  willing  to  accept  lodging  as  the  committee  can  best  grant? 
Have  you  a particulair  need? If  so,  what  is  it? 


Are  you  willing  to  share  accommodations  with  others? 

Reservations  wiU  be  made  on  a “First  Come,  First  Served”  basis. 

ALL  RESERVATIONS  SHOULD  BE  MADE  NOT  LATER  THAN 
JULY  1,  1959. 

Address  all  communications  to:  G.  T.  Soldner,  Lodging  Chairman, 

438  W.  Elm  Street,  Bluffton,  Ohio 


JUNE  16,  1959 


THE  MENNONITE 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
MAN  LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIST 


in  this  issue 

COVER 

Photo  courtesy  of  United  Nations 

ARTICLES 

GUARD  RAILS  OF  A CHRISTIAN  HOME 


By  Daniel  G.  Regier 371 

YOU  ARE  NEEDED  372 

ARE  WE  DOING  ENOUGH?  373 

PEACE — THE  WAY  OF  THE  CROSS 
By  Elmer  Neufeld  374 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  370 

Mennonite  Men 

DARE  TO  DEDICATE  376 

Mennonite  Youth 

AN  AMERICAN  ABROAD  377 

COMMUNIST  YOUTH  DEDICATION  379 

OUR  SCHOOLS  380 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  381 

JOTTINGS  382 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  384 


of  things  to  come 

June  15-20 — Faith  and  Life  radio  speak- 
ers: Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary 

students 

June  18-21 — Northern  Dist.  Conf.,  Salem- 
Zion  Church  (North),  Freeman,  S.  D. 

July  4-8 — Canadian  Conference,  Clear- 
brook,  B.  C. 

West.  Dist.  Retreats,  Camp  Mennoscah: 
July  6-1  1 — Junior  High  I 
July  13-18 — Junior  High  II 
July  20-25 — Fresh  Air  Friendship  Cp. 
July  27-Aug.  1 — High  School  I 
Aug.  3-8 — High  School  II 
Aug.  29-30 — Family  (under  age  45) 
Sept.  5-7 — Family  (senior  age) 

Aug.  5-12 — Ministers'  and  Church  Work- 
ers' Retreat,  Camp  Friedenswald, 
Mich. 

Aug.  12-20 — General  Conference,  Bluff- 
ton,  Ohio 

Oct.  24-27 — West.  Dist.  Conference 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor:  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 
J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Asst.:  Muriel  Thiessen. 
Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  24 


editorials 

FATHER— A PATTERN  OF  GOD  When  on  Father’s  Day 

special  thought  is  given  to  the  place  and  influence  of  father,  it 
is  ■well  to  keep  in  mind  that  Jesus  highly  exalted  the  word  when 
He  referred  again  and  again  to  God  as  Father. 

Visiting  chapel  speakers  at  correction  homes  for  boys  are 
sometimes  warned  not  to  refer  to  God  as  Father  because  the 
boys’  concept  of  a father  'is  anything  but  fine  and  noble.  Their 
fathers  did  not  resemble  God. 

Before  fathers  begin  to  feel  too  satisfied  with  themselves, 
let  them  soberly  reflect  whether  they  are  bearing  the  image  of 
th  Heavenly  Father  in  such  a way  that  the  children  will  natural- 
ly love  and  respect  God.  There  are  fathers  like  that.  They  are 
the  ones  who  pass  on  to  their  children  something  of  far  more 
value  than  money  and  things.  At  least  in  a small  way  they  are 
living  examples  of  the  goodness  and  mercy  and  justice  of  God. 
Their  influence  cannot  be  measured. 

To  be  such  a father  is  a tremendous  task.  It  requires  more 
careful  thought  and  planning  and  living  than  to  be  a successful 
farmer  or  businessman.  It  demands  a high  price  in  consecration 
and  effort  and  faithful  religious  living.  But  the  results  are  more 
than  worth  the  cost,  to  fathers  and  to  their  families,  as  well  as 
to  the  cause  of  Christ. 

“Fathers,  don’t  over-correct  your  children  or  make  it  difficult 
for  them  to  obey  the  commandment.  Bring  them  up  with  Chris- 
tian teaching  in  Christian  discipline”  (Eph.  6:4,  Phillips). 


PREPARING  FOR  GENERAL  CONFERENCE  The  meet- 
ing of  the  General  Conference  in  Bluffton,  Ohio,  August  12-20, 
will  be  an  outstanding  event  in  various  ways.  The  beginning 
of  the  centennial  year  and  the  pageant  to  depict  the  origin  and 
hundred  years’  growth  of  the  General  Conference  will  be  unique. 

A tremendous  amount  of  work  is  being  put  into  this  confer- 
ence. The  creating  of  the  historical  pageant,  the  preparing  of 
the  reports  and  plans  for  the  future  of  our  world-wide  work,  the 
messages  of  inspiration  and  information — all  will  require  hours 
and  days  of  faithful  work. 

The  planning  for  the  care  of  the  delegates  and  visitors  is  in 
itself  a tremendous  task,  but  the  Bluffton  community  has  been 
working  on  this  for  over  a year  and  will  do  a fine  job. 

Now  if  all  this  amount  of  preparation  in  so  many  different 
ways  goes  into  the  building  of  this  conference,  let  those  attend- 
ing the  conference  also  do  some  preparing.  This  is  not  a mere 
entertaining  feature  where  a few  do  all  the  work  and  the  rest 
“enjoy”  their  labors.  This  conference  will  be  a success  to  the 
extent  that  all  attending  prepare  themselves  and  assist  in  the 
general  preparation  by  putting  their  own  hearts  in  order  and 
coming  in  the  true  spirit  of  our  Lord,  remembering  in  devout 
prayer  the  whole  scope  and  work  of  the  Conference. 


370 


THE  MENNONITE 


WE  ARE  AWARE  that  the  wel- 
fare of  the  nation,  the  church, 
the  work  of  our  conferences,  and 
the  individual,  depends  largely  on 
1 the  noble  or  evil  influences  of  the 
home.  Often  the  term  “homebuild- 
ers” is  used  as  a name  for  an  or- 
ganization made  up  of  parents  with 
small  and  growing  children. 

There  are  valuable  comparisons 
that  can  be  made  as  one  considers 
the  building  of  a house  and  the 
building  of  a home.  It  is  very  in- 
teresting to  note  the  specific  in- 
struction that  God  gave  to  the  chil- 
dren of  Israel,  His  chosen  people, 
i when  they  would  build  a house.  In 
that  early  day,  they  had  flat  roofs 
on  their  houses.  These  flat  roofs 
were  used  as  areas  that  might  af- 
ford quiet  meditation,  or  social  ac- 
tivities. Instruction  is  given  in  Deut. 

I 22:8,  “When  thou  build est  a new 
1 house,  then  thou  shalt  make  a bat- 
[ tlement  (guard  rail)  for  thy  roof, 

I that  thou  bring  not  blood  upon  thine 
house,  if  any  man  fall  from  thence.” 

I As  homebuilders,  there  are  cer- 
j tain  guard  rails  that  we  have  the 
1 responsibility  of  providing.  God  has 
I entrusted  children  to  us  as  parents 
I and  we  have  responsibilities  to  pro- 
' vide  protection  for  them.  We  think 
! of  the  roof  of  this  house  as  need- 
; ing  protection  on  four  sides.  Let 
I us  consider  four  areas  of  parental 
responsibihty. 

; THE  BATTLEMENT  OF  AN 
I EDUCATION 

Grandfather  realized  that  his  ed- 
ucation was  inadequate  and  he  was 
willing  to  sacrifice  so  that  his  chil- 
dren could  be  better  prepared  to 
meet  the  demands  of  a changing 
world.  Now  the  child  has  become  a 
parent,  and  again  there  is  the  de- 
' termination  that  the  grandchild 
shall  be  encouraged  in  an  extended 
period  of  education  if  desire  and 
aptitude  are  present.  As  Christian 
parents,  we  desire  that  our  children 
provide  able  leadership  in  their 
area  of  responsibility.  However, 
we  must  ever  remember  that  the 
education  that  prepares  a person 
in  the  spiritual  realm  is  of  first  im- 
portance. Our  homes,  our  churches, 
our  Christian  colleges  can  provide 
the  challenge  that  students  need  as 
they  face  decisions  regarding  future 
vocations. 

THE  BATTLEMENT  OF  A 
DEVOTIONAL  LIFE 

While  still  very  young,  the  child 


Guard  Rails 
of  a 

Christian  Home 


Daniel  G.  Regier 


From  the  president’s  sermon 
Pacific  District  Conference 
Barlow,  Oregon,  June  10-14 


will  clearly  observe  the  reverence 
that  parents  have  for  the  Bible.  It 
should  be  one  of  the  first  books 
that  the  small  child  recognizes  and 
is  able  to  identify.  The  time  when 
the  family  daily  gathers  for  devo- 
tions will  leave  a lasting  impres- 
sion on  the  observant  child.  The 
other  members  of  the  family  may 
be  busy  and  away  for  the  day’s  re- 
sponsibilities, but  the  little  child  will 
remember  that  Mother  would  daily 
read  the  Word  for  herself  in  the 
quietness  of  their  home. 

A young  man  was  working  in  an 
area  many  miles  from  home.  One 
day  a friend  from  the  home  commu- 
nity visited  the  young  man.  The 
moments  together  were  precious  as 
they  spoke  about  their  home  com- 
munity, a subject  of  vital  interest 
to  both.  Before  leaving,  the  friend 
posed  this  question,  “Now  that  you 
are  away  from  home,  what  is  it 
that  you  miss  the  most?”  The 
young  man  hesitated  a bit,  and 
then  spoke  with  a trace  of  emotion, 
“That  which  I miss  the  most  would 
be  the  family  devotions  that  we  had 
at  home.  It  was  the  custom  in  my 
home  that  after  the  Scripture  had 
been  read,  the  entire  family  would 
form  a circle  by  joining  hands  and 
then  Dad  would  lead  in  prayer.  I 


was  the  oldest,  so  I would  be  next 
to  Dad  and  place  my  hand  in  his. 
That  experience  has  left  a lasting 
impression.” 

THE  BATTLEMENT  OF 
DISCIPLINE 

The  child  is  born  and  appears  as 
a sweet  bundle  of  innocence.  How- 
ever, early  in  life  there  are  signs 
that  not  all  of  the  child’s  desires 
are  noble  according  to  the  stand- 
ard of  the  Bible.  We  are  instructed 
to  “Train  up  a child  in  the  way 
that  he  should  go,  and  when  he  is 
old,  he  will  not  depart  from  it.” 
The  Scriptures  also  teach  that  the 
Heavenly  Father  will  at  times  chas- 
ten (or  discipline)  His  children,  be- 
cause He  loves  them  (Heb.  12:6). 
As  parents  who  love  our  children, 
we  have  a related  responsibility. 
This  does  not  necessarily  mean  only 
punishment  for  evil,  but  it  includes 
encouragement  in  that  which  is 
noble  and  right. 

THE  BATTLEMENT  OF  LOVE 

We  have  considered  three  guard 
rails  that  parents  need  to  erect  in 
the  building  of  a home.  These 
might  be  considered  as  having  three 
sides  enclosed.  For  the  completion 
of  the  area  of  responsibility,  let 
us  remember  that  a Christlike  love 
is  of  utmost  importance.  A child 
may  be  given  ample  supplies  for 
physical  needs,  a good  education, 
and  many  other  opportunities,  but 
if  the  parents  do  not  have  a sin- 
cere Christian  love,  that  child  will 
be  deprived  of  one  of  life’s  greatest 
needs. 

There  are  certain  age  spans  when 
children  give  an  unappreciative  re- 
sponse to  parental  love.  They  have 
an  inflated  evaluation  of  their  own 
abilities  and  importance.  Parents 
become  discouraged  when  their  ex- 
pressions of  Christian  love  produce 
a negative  response.  Someone  has 
correctly  said,  “The  person  who 
least  deserves  love,  is  the  one  who 
most  needs  it.”  This  applies  so  def- 
initely to  our  working  with  others 
in  business,  in  the  church,  and  also 
in  the  home.  In  due  time,  the  son 
or  daughter  begins  to  appreciate 
more  and  more  the  Christian  home 
and  the  love  that  was  expressed 
there.  He  begins  to  realize  that  the 
guard  rails  of  education,  a devo- 
tional life,  discipline,  and  love  were 
of  vital  importance  in  the  early 
years  of  his  life. 


June  16,  1959 


371 


YOU  ARE  NEEDED 


Perhaps  never  in  the  whole 
history  of  man  on  this  earth 
have  there  been  so  many  displaced 
persons.  Shifting  national  bound- 
aries, internal  rebellions,  and  out- 
reaching  aggression  have  moved 
hundreds  of  thousands  from  Ger- 
many, Hungary,  Jordan,  Korea, 
China,  and  elsewhere,  to  seek  refuge 
in  a place  not  their  home.  Across 
the  East-West  streets  of  Berlin,  des- 
perate people  are  still  escaping  to 
freedom.  Out  of  China  into  Hong 
Kong  and  Formosa,  still  more  ref- 
ugees come,  hungry  and  homeless. 
Of  the  three  million  in  Hong  Kong, 
one  million  are  refugees!  And  the 
end  is  not  yet  in  sight. 

For  these  people.  United  Nations 
has  declared  July  1959  to  July  1960 
as  World  Refugee  Year.  Menno- 
nites  are  asked  to  participate  by 


sharing  MCC  material  aid  with 
those  who  need  help. 

In  a recent  report  by  Robert  W. 
Miller  (to  the  Material  Aid  Advi- 
sory Committee  in  Chicago  at  the 
end  of  April)  is  a summary  of  what 
is  being  done  and  what  now  needs 
to  be  done. 

“The  program  in  Germany  in- 
cludes food  and  clothing  supplies 
to  needy  individuals,  welfare  and 
educational  institutions,  and  pack- 
ages mailed  to  the  East  Zone.” 
Some  supplies  maintain  field  work- 
ers (Kansas  Mennonites  gave  a 
shipment  of  fiour  for  the  latter 
purpose).  Unsettled  refugees  and 
destitute  aged  in  Austria  also  re- 
ceive material  aid.  Unique  MCC 
items  such  as  Christmas  bundles 
and  canned  meat  are  in  demand; 


some  of  the  clothing  goes  to  Iron 
Curtain  countries. 

“The  Arab  refugee  problem  re- 
mains unsolved.”  MCC  is  responsi- 
ble for  clothing  refugees  in  the 
Jericho  area;  the  program  may  be 
enlarged  to  care  for  an  additional 
refugee  camp.  In  Korea,  “those  who 
need  material  aid  . . . include  or- 
phans and  widows  in  institutions, 
disaster  victims,  and  slum  dwellers 
and  others  living  on  a submarginal 
level.”  Less  material  aid  is  needed 
here  than  before. 

In  Hong  Kong,  there  are  about 
50,000  people  to  the  square  mile  and 
some  300,000  people  with  no  shelter. 
The  situation  is  not  getting  better 
but  worse.  In  Vietnam,  “the  sick, 
orphans,  lepers,  and  others  who  are 
in  institutions,  and  those  who  suffer 
from  disasters  such  as  typhoons. 


Of  some  180,000 
refugees  from  Algeria 
now  in  Morocco  and 
Tunisia,  many  are 
in  a desperate 
situation.  Here  a refu- 
gee mother  prepares 
a meal  for  her 
hungry  children  using 
foodstuffs  donated 
by  the  United  States 
through  the  League 
of  Red  Cross  Section. 


THE  AAENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church. 
Entered  at  North  Newton,  Kansas,  post  office  as  second  class  matter.  Acceptance  for  mailing  at  special  rate  of  postage;  section  1103,  Act 
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Woodward  Place,  Goshen,  Ind.  Postmasters:  change  of  address  Form  3579  to  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan. 


372 


THE  MENNONITE 


fires,  fioods”  need  help. 

Material  aid  shipments  to  Indo- 
nesia have  been  relatively  small 
“because  our  workers  have  not  been 
in  good  position  to  distribute  ma- 
terial aid  and  the  ocean  freight  has 
been  expensive.”  Ocean  freight  re- 
jimbursement  on  relief  shipments  to 
Indonesia  will  make  the  cost  of  fu- 
ture material  aid  less,  making  pos- 
sible more  relief  to  disaster  victims. 
MCC  is  distributing  surplus  milk  in 
a large  refugee  colony  at  Calcutta, 
India.  A vehicle  to  haul  supplies  is 
needed,  as  well  as  clothing  and 
bedding. 

Ocean  freight  reimbursement  and 
duty  free  entry  to  Paraguay  help 
make  available  to  destitute  Menno- 
nites  and  others  such  items  as 
Christmas  bundles,  leprosy  bundles, 
and  hospital  supplies. 

What  Is  Needed  Most? 

The  material  aid  report  says  that 
'“general  items  of  good  used  and 
new  clothing  are  needed  and  ap- 
preciated in  all  areas.  This  is  the 
backbone  of  the  program  in  Jor- 
dan, and.  there  seems  to  be  no  sub- 
stitute for  simple  Western-style 
I clothing  in  Austria  and  Korea  also.” 


This  coming  summer  and  fall  will 
be  the  time  of  a special  used  cloth- 
ing drive.  If  you  have  already  given 
all  used  clothing  available,  you  can 
always  look  for  bargains  at  second- 
hand stores,  which  may  have  some 
garments  at  a low  price,  in  good 
condition  but  perhaps  needing  minor 
repair;  and  in  end-of -season  mail- 
order house  catalogs,  which  list  new 
clothing  at  low  prices,  usually  with 
no  choice  as  to  color  or  style. 

Women  will  be  particularly  in- 
terested in  MCC  plans  for  cutting 
Asian-style  garments.  Since  much 
new  clothing  is  made  by  women’s 
groups,  the  garments  might  as  well 
be  made  as  appropriate  as  possible  ' 
for  the  country  in  which  worn. 
Asian  garments  are  wanted  most  in 
Hong  Kong  and  Vietnam.  Later  this 
year,  special  patterns  may  be  avail- 
able. 

“Workers  report  that  Christmas 
bundles  are  still  one  of  the  best 
and  most  appreciated  gifts.  In  sev- 
eral areas,  such  as  Jordan  and  Viet- 
nam, it  gives  workers  an  oppor- 
tunity to  do  something  for  groups 
of  children  not  usually  reached.  The 
tropical  bundles  seem  to  have 


proved  to  be  an  especially  good 
idea  in  Vietnam,  Indonesia,  and 
Paraguay;  and  Vietnam  wants  only 
tropical  bundles  in  1959.”  Leprosy 
bundles  “are  appreciated  as  a spe- 
cial gift  to  an  especially  unfortunate 
group  of  people.” 

More  meat  was  canned  in  this 

1958- 59  canning  year  than  in  the 
last  season,  and  it  is  hoped  that  the 

1959- 60  canning  season  will  be  as 
fruitful.  MCC  plans  to  study  distri- 
bution of  surplus  commodities  with 
the  goal  of  reaching  acute  needs 
not  yet  touched.  Another  area  of 
sharing  has  been  the  joint  CROP 
programs  in  Kansas  and  Oklahoma, 
in  which  anyone  can  contribute  to 
relief  above  and  beyond  their  regu- 
lar giving. 

These  are  some  of  the  ways  in 
which  Mennonites  can  participate 
in  World  Refugee  Year.  Plan  your 
sharing  now,  remembering  that  no 
matter  how  little  you  may  feel  you 
have  in  comparison  to  others  a- 
round  you,  you  are  wealthy  in  the 
eyes  of  the  refugee.  Through  mate- 
rial aid,  you  can  reach  someone 
with  God’s  love. 


1 

j 

i 

Christians  Facing  Great  Moral  Issues  \ 

111.  ARE  WE  DOING  ENOEGH? 


(This  is  the  third  in  a series  of 
short  articles  by  the  Board  of  Chris- 
tian Service  dealing  with  issues  to 
face  at  the  Bluff  ton  Conference.) 

QJI'TE  clearly,  we  may  never  be 
able  to  meet  all  the  challenges 
of  world-wide  evangelism,  hunger, 
illness  or  ignorance  within  our  gen- 
eration. By  what  guides  shall  we 
then  judge  if  we  are  really  doing 
enough?  How  can  we  check  our- 
selves on  our  stewardship? 

• Why  do  we  have  this  witness? 
Is  it  simply  because  of  the  great 
needs  of  the  world,  or  as  a response 
and  an  outgrowth  of  our  faith  and 
commitment  to  Christ?  If  we  give 
food,  clothes  and  send  workers  only 
because  people  are  starving  and 
I cold  we  will  soon  be  frustrated.  If 
I we  share  “in  the  name  of  Christ” 

jjune  16,  1959 

1 


because  God  has  also  freely  given 
us  all  things,  then  we  will  be 
blessed.  Service  is  sharing  and  shar- 
ing is  a service  which  we  can  do  for 
Christ. 

• The  most  important  ingredient 
of  any  service  we  give  is  the  work- 
ers who  are  sent.  Our  church  today 
has  an  unparalleled  opportunity  to 
reach  out  into  the  far-flung  and 
previously  inaccessible  corners  of 
every  continent  with  a personal 
testimony  and  demonstration  of  the 
full  Gospel  of  Christ.  We  need  more 
workers  today:  missionaries,  pas- 

tors, writers,  relief  workers,  Pax- 
men,  summer  service  volunteers, 
nurses,  and  people  in  the  profes- 
sions. In  short,  the  church  needs 
your  service.  The  rewards  of  per- 
sonal service  by  far  compensate  for 


the  changed  plans  you  will  make. 
The  Gospel  can  only  be  spread  by 
people  like  You. 

• It  is  inescapable  that  in  to- 
day’s world  even  religion  involves 
money.  Often  you  ask,  “How  much 
should  we  be  giving?”  One  answer 
has  been  to  suggest  that  we  need 
about  $20. — per  year  per  member 
for  missions  and  about  $6. — per 
member  per  year  for  relief  and 
service.  Many  will  want  and  should 
give  more;  many  of  us  have  given 
only  a part  of  this  amount.  Sharing 
our  earnings  as  a response  to  all 
that  God  has  done  for  us,  then  be- 
comes an  act  of  worship  which  God 
will  accept  and  bless.  We  can  give 
as  we  dedicate  all  our  resources  to 
Christ,  by  serving  through  the  chan- 
nels of  our  church. 


373 


PEACE— the  way  of  the  cross 


Elmer  Neufeld 

From  an  address  to  the  MCC  annual  meeting 

MAN’S  first  act  of  sin  as  recorded  in  the  Bible 

was  committed  in  proud  ambition  £ind  rebellion 
against  God. 

Satan  enticed  the  woman:  “When  you  eat  of  the 
fruit  you  will  be  like  God.” 

This  first  act  was  soon  followed  by  another, 
committed  in  jealousy  and  hatred. 

“Cain  rose  up  against  his  brother  Abel,  and  killed 
him.” 

God  called:  “What  have  you  done?  The  voice  of 
your  brother’s  blood  is  crying  to  me  from  the 
ground.” 

And  so  through  the  ages,  the  voice  of 'the  brother’s 
blood 

has  continued  to  cry  to  God.  . . 

The  history  of  mankind  is  filled  with  rebellion 
against  God, 

and  strife  with  the  brother  man. 

In  rebelling  against  God, 

man  has  also  turned  against  his  brother. 

The  voice  of  the  brother’s  blood  still  cries  from 
the  ground.  . . . 

Selfishness,  jealousy,  pride,  and  hate 
have  set  man  against  man. 

Some  have  lived  in  luxury  and  greed, 

while  the  children  of  the  brother  went  to  sleep 
hungry  and  cold. 

Husband  has  left  wife,  and  wife  has  left  husband, 
leaving  little  ones  with  scarred  hearts 
in  bitter  loneliness  and  rejection. 

Man  has  put  his  brother  in  chains  and  used  him  like 
the  ox  of  the  field, 

driving  him  on  with  the  biting  lash  of  the  whip. 

Man  has  set  himself  up  in  classes  and  castes, 
claiming  to  be  superior  to  his  brother, 

and  thus  claiming  more  privileges  for  himself. 

Man  has  turned  against  his  brother  of  another  color, 
and  thus  deprived  him  of  decent  homes,  schools. 


churches, 

and  the  love  of  God  expressed  through  fellow 
Christians. 

And  finally,  most  devastating  of  all,  man  has  taken  up 
the  chant  and  the  instruments  of  war, 
to  kill  and  to  maim, 
to  plunder  and  to  glory, 

leaving  countless  families  homeless  and  fatherless. 

Until  today,  when  the  scars  of  Hiroshima  and 
Nagasaki  are  not  yet  gone, 

man  is  threatening  anew  to  set  the  world  aflame 
by  long  range  missiles  and  atomic  bombs. 

But  most  devilish  of  all,  the  religious  people, 
including  the  Christian  church, 

have  sought  the  blessing  of  God  for  these 
fiendish  acts. 

In  the  name  of  God,  man  has  taken  up  sword  and 
gun. 

In  the  name  of  God,  man  has  rejected  his  brother 
of  another  race. 

And  even  as  we  seek  to  win  our  brother  to  God 
We  are  tempted  to  condemn  him  in  pride  and 
resentment. 

IN  THE  MIDST  of  man’s  rebellion  and  strife — when 
the  fulness  of  time  was  come, 

God  took  action. 

He  came! 

He  came  and  dwelt  among  us! 

“.  . . the  word  of  God  became  a human  being  and  lived 
among  us.”  (Phillips) 

He  did  not  come  in  vengeance  to  punish  us  according 
to  our  sins. 

“He  hath  not  dealt  with  us  after  our  sins; 
nor  rewarded  us  according  to  our  iniquities.” 

(Ps.  103:10) 

He  came  in  compassion  and  love, 
to  walk  among  us, 
to  bind  our  wounds. 


374 


THE  MENNONITE 


to  bear  our  burdens, 
to  forgive  our  sins, 

to  carry  them  to  the  cross. 

And  when  He  was  on  the  way  to  the  cross.  He  called 
His  disciples  to  himself  and  counseled  them: 

“If  any  man  would  come  after  me,  let  him  deny 
himself 

and  take  up  his  cross  and  follow  me.” 

Our  witness  is  to  Jesus  Christ, 
to  a new  way  of  life  in  Him, 
to  the  way  of  the  cross. 

The  trouble  is  that  the  gospel  has  been  distorted, 
it  has  been  tom  apart, 

and  sometimes  Christ  is  hardly  recognizable. 

An  American  churchman  has  said: 

“The  Western  world  has  torn  Christ  from  the  cross ; 
we  now  have  a cross-less  Christ.” 

The  Communist  world  has  picked  up  the  cross, 
causing  a Russian  tourist  girl  to  remark: 

“You  kiss  your  crosses;  we  carry  ours.” 

I talked  to  a minister  in  Little  Rock,  the  leader  of  a 
church. 

Though  he  preaches  salvation  by  the  blood  of  the 
cross 

he  seemed  to  know  little  of  the  reconciliation  that 
was  wrought  at  such  great  cost  at  Calvary, 
that  removed  the  walls  of  partition. 

What  kind  of  Christian  love  is  this, 

that  seeks  the  salvation  of  the  Negro  for 
all  eternity, 

but  is  unwilling  to  worship  with  him  for 
one  hour  here  on  earth? 

Yes,  there  is  power  in  the  blood,  but  it  will  be  shown 
forth  more  clearly  when  we  are  more  willing  to  follow 
in  the  steps  that  led  our  Master  to  Golgotha. 

To  whom  shall  we  witness  of  this  way  of  life? 
Certainly  to  fellow  Christians, 
to  those  with  whom  we  can  reason  together  from 
the  Word, 

to  those  with  whom  we  can  share  the  testimony 
of  our  Christian  experiences  . . . 
that  we  might  have  unity. 

But  let  us  not  be  deceived. 

There  is  also  need  for  a peace  witness  to  the 
non-Christian  world. 

Not  that  we  would  bring  them  to  this  way  of 
life  outside  of  Christ. 

But  that  we  might  again  show  forth  more  clearly 
Christ  and  His  way  of  life. 

Too  often  the  world  no  longer  knows  what  kind  of 
Christ  we  are  offering  them. 

Does  He  carry  the  Bible  in  one  hand 
and  armaments  in  the  other? 


Is  He  a member  of  the  church  on  Sunday, 
and  of  a White  Citizens  council  during  the  week? 
Have  we  no  burden  for  those  who  suffer  wrongs? 
Do  we  no  longer  hunger  and  thirst  after  righteousness? 

The  Christian  Church  has  lived  this  way  too  long. 
And  the  communist  world  has  taken  full  advantage. 
Much  of  the  Far  East  is  already  outside  of  our 
reach. 

Africa  is  seething  . . . since  the  New  Year  there 
have  been  rumblings  in  the  Belgian  Congo. 
How  have  we  prepared  for  this  day? 

Most  of  all,  we  must  yet  speak  to  ourselves, 
as  individuals  and  as  a Mennonite  church. 

As  Mennonite  people  we  have  been  gratified  that  there 
is  more  openness  to  our  testimony, 
we  are  even  proud  of  our  history. 

But  even  though  telling  the  Mennonite  story  is 
easier  today, 

this  does  not  mean  that  the  way  of  the  cross 
has  been  paved  with  gold! 

Not  everybody  talking  about  the  cross  is  bearing  it. 
Jesus  did  not  say  to  the  rich  young  ruler, 

“I’ll  send  you  a book  about  our  new  move- 
ment." 

He  said,  “Come  follow  me!” 

This  message  is  no  toy  to  play  with  on  Sundays. 
Sometimes  it  seems  that  we  should  keep 
silence — for  fear  of  hollow  mockery. 

One  of  our  workers  has  suggested  that  our  witness  is 
too  often  from  a pedestal, 

rather  than  from  real  involvement  and  personal 
commitment. 

We  preach  sacrifice, 

but  most  of  the  sacrifice  seems  to  be  made  for 
ourselves, 

our  cars,  our  homes,  entertainment,  our  own 
families. 

And  this  matter  of  sacrifice  must  also  apply  to  our 
church  organizations — MCC,  conferences,  boards, 
committees,  whatever  they  be. 

God  forbid  that  our  organizations  set  up  for  His 
service  will  stand  in  the  way  because  of 
selfishness,  jealousy,  and  pride. 

He  that  loseth  his  life  will  find  it. 

Let  us  work  together  to  establish  the  fellowship  of 
Christians,  reaching  around  the  globe, 

Christians  that  have  rejected  prejudice,  nationalism, 
strife  and  war. 

A clear  testimony  to  those  who  have  not  yet 
found  the  new  way  of  life. 

Ready  to  bind  up  and  heal. 

Rather  than  to  maim  and  kill, 
to  love  and  reconcile, 
rather  than  to  hate  and  splinter. 

Working  toward  genuine  oneness  in  Christ, 

that  the  world  may  know  that  He  was  sent  by  God. 


June  16,  1959 


375 


Mennonite  men 


Dare  to  Dedicate 

A GRADUAL  change  has  taken 
place  in  church  responsibility 
in  our  generation.  In  past  years 
when  the  minister’s  training  was 
limited,  the  laymen  of  the  church 
felt  a greater  responsibility  in  doing 
the  work  of  the  church;  however, 
today  is  a day  of  specialization,  and 
the  trend  of  the  time  is  also  toward 
specialized  church  responsibility.  It 
is  so  easy  for  the  layman  to  fall 
asleep  and  let  the  trained  minister 
carry  the  burden  of  church  work. 

We  are  all  thankful  that  the  min- 
ister is  better  trained  today  than 
in  past  years,  but  the  fact  that 
many  laymen  have  largely  lost 
their  sense  of  church  responsibility 
is  to  be  deeply  regretted.  The  min- 
ister, though  he  be  well  trained, 
alert,  and  dynamic,  cannot  possibly 
carry  the  full  responsibility  of  all 
the  work  that  needs  to  be  done  in 
and  by  the  local  church. 

The  Layman’s  Mission  Field 
There  are  a number  of  areas  in 
which  dedicated  men  can  and  should 
make  greater  contributions  to  the 
growth  of  the  church.  The  first  sug- 
gestion is  in  the  field  of  Christian 
stewardship  and  Christian  giving. 
Conference  causes  and  institutions 
are  nearly  always  limited  in  their 
scope  of  service  by  the  amount  of 
financial  support  that  is  received  by 
the  constituency.  More  people  could 
be  reached  and  a greater  service 
could  be  rendered  if  more  support 
would  be  forthcoming.  Christian 
giving  is  a mission  and  service  field 
in  which  every  member  of  the 
church  can  labor.  Too  many  times 
we  are  side-tracked  in  the  high 
ideal  of  tithing  by  selfishness,  greed, 
and  the  desire  for  personal  gain 
and  pleasure.  We  must  be  made 
aware  of  our  opportunities  in  this 
matter  of  biblical  stewardship. 

The  second  suggestion  is  in  the 
field  of  personal  and  public  wor- 
ship. Our  mode  of  living  today  has 


ice  to  our  fellow  men. 

Christian  service  begins  in  the 
local  church  fellowship.  What 
church  in  our  Conference  cannot 
use  more  willing  and  dedicated  men 
to  teach  Sunday  school  classes,  lead 
children  and  adult  choirs,  visit  shut- 
ins — the  sick  and  the  aged,  serve  on 
boards  and  committees,  and  a mul- 
titude of  other  services?  Many 
times  these  opportunities  go  beg- 
ging not  for  lack  of  talent  among 
the  membership  but  mainly  from 
lack  of  dedication  on  the  part  of 
the  men  who  possess  these  talents. 

Christian  service  also  needs  to  be 
extended  beyond  the  local  church. 
Community  endeavors  also  need 
the  leavening  action  of  the  dedi- 
cated church  man.  Hospitals,  homes 
for  the  aged,  schools  and  colleges, 
and  other  institutions  need  the  sup- 
port of  Christian  men  to  keep  them 
on  a high  moral  and  spiritual  plane. 
These  institutions  do  not  only  need 
the  spiritual  infiuence  that  the  ded- 
icated men  can  give,  but  they  can 
be  helped  greatly  by  the  service 
that  both  skilled  and  unskilled  la- 
borers with  their  tools  and  equip- 
ment can  render. 

In  a larger  sense,  Christian  serv- 
ice should  go  beyond  the  immediate 
community.  Disaster  work  has 
proved  to  be  a great  opportunity 
for  service  and  witness  by  Menno- 
nite groups  all  over  the  land.  Dis- 
aster units  need  to  be  better  or- 
ganized so  that  more  efficient  serv- 
ice can  be  performed  and  more 
spiritual  help  rendered  in  periods 
of  calamity.  Service  minded  laymen 
also  need  to  infiuence  their  sons 
and  daughters  to  accept  voluntary 
and  Pax  service.  Consecrating  their 
children  to  Christian  service  is  the 
greatest  service  that  many  parents 
can  ever  hope  to  render. 

In  summing  up  the  responsibili- 
ties that  Mennonite  Men  can  accept 
in  the  work  of  the  church  and  for 
the  cause  of  Christ,  the  question  is 
not  one  of  opportunity.  Opportuni- 
ties are  almost  unlimited.  The  rele- 
vant question  is:  How  dedicated 

are  we  as  Mennonite  Men  to  our 
faith  in  Christ  and  to  the  work  of 
His  church?  If  we  are  dedicated, 
we  as  laymen  will  meet  the  chal- 
lenge and  the  opportunities  that 
present  themselves. 


Editor:  Richard  F.  Graber,  Moundridge,  Kan. 


a tendency  to  crowd  out  both  the 
desire  and  the  time  that  is  required 
to  meditate  and  worship  God.  With 
working  mothers  and  an  over-em- 
phasis on  all  sorts  of  activities  by 
the  children,  it  is  increasingly  hard- 
er to  establish  and  maintain  the 
family  altar.  With  a loss  of  a per- 
sonal devotional  life,  there  is  also 
a decline  in  public  church  worship. 
It  is  so  easy  for  the  worship  serv- 
ice on  Sunday  morning  to  become 
routine  and  meaningless  by  preoc- 
cupation and  thoughtlessness.  Dare 
we  suggest  that  on  occasions  dedi- 
cated laymen  take  more  part  in 
the  worship  services  even  to  the 
extent  of  taking  charge  of  a Sun- 
day morning  service  occasionally? 

'The  third  suggestion  for  increased 
lay  responsibility  is  in  the  realm 
of  missions  and  a concern  for  the 
lost  and  the  unchurched.  The  task 
of  evangelizing  the  lost  can  never 
be  accomplished  by  the  minister 
and  missionary  alone.  The  dedicat- 
ed lay  Christian  is  a witness  for 
the  Gospel.  Many  times  the  encour- 
agement in  the  form  of  a spoken 
word  or  in  exemplary  living  of  the 
Christian  business,  professional,  or 
laboring  man  is  the  most  powerful 
witness  to  the  Gospel  that  the  man 
of  the  world  can  see  or  expe- 
rience. So  often  the  unchurched  man 
cannot  be  reached  by  the  minister’s 
sermon  but  can  definitely  be 
reached  by  the  example  and  word 
of  a dedicated  Christian  neighbor 
or  fellow-worker. 

Sermons  of  Service 

The  fourth  area  in  which  lay 
members  can  take  more  responsi- 
bility is  the  area  of  Christian  serv- 
ice and  discipleship.  Many  people 
throughout  the  world  and  in  our 
nation  have  needs  that  can  be  met 
by  consecrated  members  of  the 
church.  Some  of  the  greatest  op- 
portunities for  witnessing  for  Christ 
come  in  the  form  of  rendering  serv- 


376 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  youth 

“I  for  one  am  convinced  that  if  fellows  in  the  States  knew  what  Pax  is 
like,  our  Akron  headquarters  would  be  flooded  with  applications” 

So  writes 


An  American  Abroad 

by  Jim  Juhnke 


Perhaps  the  most  significant  op- 
portunity of  Paxmen  in  Europe  is 
the  contact  with  the  European  peo- 
ple and  culture  in  the  context  of 
Christian  service.  The  European 
Pax  program,  unlike  some  other 
American  installations  in  Europe, 
is  established  and  organized  to  this 
end.  Paxmen  are  encouraged  and 
given  opportunity  to  meet  the  Ger- 
man folk  and  to  learn  to  know 
them.  At  first  we’re  curious  to  know 
what  makes  them  different.  Soon, 
however,  we  realize  it’s  a question 
of  what  makes  us  different.  Because, 
you  see,  in  Europe  we  are  the  for- 
eigners. Everyone  notices  us  with 
our  accents,  hands  in  pockets,  or 
water  on  the  table.  We  are  the  ones 
who  stick  out  like  sore  thumbs, 
wondering  why  it  is  that  people 
spot  us  as  foreigners  by  just  look- 
ing at  us.  This  process  of  learning 
to  know,  adjusting  to,  and  finally 
appreciating  the  European  people 
and  culture  is  certainly  educational. 
And  we  Paxmen  are  thankful  for  a 
program  which  is  designed  to  cap- 
italize on  these  opportunities. 

For  Example  . . . 

Take  a few  of  my  experiences 
during  the  past  few  months  as  sec- 
retary in  the  Frankfurt  Pax  office. 
During  Easter  vacation,  at  the  sug- 
gestion of  Elmira  Kliewer,  former 
MCC  secretary,  I visited  the  Ernst 
Landes  family  on  a large  Menno- 
nite Hof  near  Heilbronn,  Germany. 
After  a scenic  trip  from  Frankfurt 
along  the  Bergstrasse  and  Neckar 
River  Valley  to  Heilbronn  I arrived 
in  Lautenbach,  where  I met  the 
Landes  family  which  included  six 
husky  young  boys,  ages  sixteen  to 


twenty-eight.  The  following  two 
days  were  filled  to  the  brim  as  I 
observed  the  farm  work  on  the 
Hof,  learned  something  of  the  his- 
tory of  the  family  including  war 
experiences,  played  in  a brass  band 
with  the  “Lautenbachers,”  hunted 
Easter  eggs,  took  part  in  the  Sun- 
day morning  Easter  worship  serv- 
ice and  communion  with  the  Heil- 
bronn Mennonite  congregation,  went 
on  a hair-raising  ride  in  an  old  auto 
which  is  the  pride  and  joy  of  the 
Landes  boys,  and  ate  more  wonder- 
ful German  cooking  than  I care  to 
tell  about.  I especially  appreciated 
the  opportunity  to  talk  with  these 
fellows  about  pacifism.  In  the 
course  of  history  the  German  Men- 
nonites  have  all  but  lost  the  prin- 
ciple of  conscientious  objection  to 
war.  A Pax  witness  in  this  area  is 
sorely  needed. 

A few  weeks  later  I had  an  op- 
portunity to  spend  a week  end  in 
the  home  of  a German  Evangelisch 
pastor  near  Kassel.  Pastor  Hoehn 
and  his  wife  also  provided  the  ex- 
cellent German  hospitality  which  I 
am  beginning  to  take  for  granted. 
In  our  discussion  I found  it  very 
interesting  to  hear  Pastor  Hoehn 
say  that  the  Evangelisch  “Landes- 
kirche”  concept  is  possibly  a bit 
confusing  in  the  relationship  be- 
tween church  and  state  and  that 
they  have  “much  to  learn’’  from 
American  protestants  on  this.  In- 
deed, I replied,  we  have  much  to 
learn  from  each  other. 

Another  American-German  con- 
tact on  the  inter-Mennonite  level 
is  the  periodical  German  Mennonite 
youth  days.  May  9-10,  I,  along  with 
other  Paxmen,  attended  the  Jugend- 


tag  at  Stuttgart  where  over  125 
German  Mennonite  young  people 
met  for  fellowship,  worship,  and 
discussion  of  problems  confronting 
youth  of  today.  The  Enkenbach 
choir,  led  by  a Paxman,  was  part 
of  the  program,  and  Lowell  Goer- 
ing,  Enkenbach  unit  leader,  gave  a 
short  explanation  concerning  the 
work  and  purpose  of  Pax. 

The  Martin  Krochow  family  in 
Frankfurt  represents  another  type 
of  contact.  These  folks  are  not  Men- 
nonites.  As  a matter  of  fact,  they 
know  almost  nothing  about  Men- 
nonites.  Their  young  children  are 
interested  in  Mickey  Mouse,  sky- 
scrapers, and  American  stamps,  and 
I am  privileged  to  be  their  number 
one  authority.  But  when  I see  the 
question  on  their  faces  when  I re- 
fuse the  wine  they  purchased  espe- 
cially for  my  visit,  I have  another 
opportunity  to  explain  how  being  a 
Christian  makes  a difference. 

And  of  course,  in  Frankfurt  we 
have  the  opportunity  of  working 
with  a German  Mennonite  congre- 
gation which  worships  in  the  same 
building  where  we  have  the  MCC 
and  Pax  offices.  Included  is  Sunday 
morning  German  Sunday  school 
class,  bi-weekly,  youth  meetings,  and 
singing  in  the  Frankfurt  young  peo- 
ple’s choir. 

These  opportunities  for  contact 
with  the  European  people  and  cul- 
ture are  just  one  part  of  a Pax  ex- 
perience. The  more  one  learns  the 
language  and  becomes  acquainted 
with  the  situation,  the  more  the  op- 
portunities widen.  For  Christian 
service,  fellowship,  travel,  and  edu- 
cation all  wrapped  in  one  package 
—Pax  is  the  thing! 


June  16,  1959 


377 


378 


Youth  Office 
722  Main  Street 
Newton,  Kansas 
June  16,  1959 

Youth 

United  States  and  Canada  and  parts  beyond 
Hello ! 

Here  is  your  information  about  the  Young  People’s  Union  activities  as 
they  will  be  taking  place  Aug.  5-20  at  Camp  Friedenswald  in  Michigan 
and  at  the  General  Assembly  in  Bluffton,  Ohio. 

First,  about  the  YPU  retreat:  William  Block  will  be  the  dean  of  the 
retreat  which  will  be  held  simultaneously  with  the  missionary  and  church 
workers  retreats  Aug.  5-12  at  Camp  Friedenswald.  Bill  is  vice  president 
of  the  Young  People’s  Union  and  newly  appointed  minister  of  the  Van- 
couver Mennonite  Mission  in  Vancouver,  British  Columbia.  Other  staff 
members  for  the  retreat  will  be  Dan  Graber,  registrar;  David  Schroeder, 
Bible  study  leader ; Frank  Epp,  speaker ; George  Wiebe,  music  leader ; and 
Oswald  (Ozzie)  Goering,  recreation  leader.  The  daily  program  for  the 
retreat  appears  at  the  top  of  the  opposite  page. 

At  the  General  Assembly  in  Bluffton,  Aug.  12-20,  the  YPU  will  hold 
two  business  sessions — Friday,  Aug.  14,  at  1:30  p.m.  and  Tuesday  morn- 
ing, Aug.  18,  at  9:00  a.m.  At  these  there  will  be  reports  from  the  dis- 
tricts, president,  secretary-treasurer,  about  the  youth  worker,  on  the 
Gulfport  project,  publications,  and  Voluntary  Service.  Highlight  of  this 
year’s  sessions  will  be  the  election  of  a new  YPU  president  and  secretary- 
treasurer.  Harris  Waltner  has  served  as  president  for  the  past  six  years 
and  Helen  Neufeld  Coon  has  been  secretary-treasurer  for  three  years. 

Saturday  night  will  be  youth  night  at  the  conference  and  the  YPU 
will  be  in  charge  of  the  program.  Erwin  Goering  and  Vincent  Harding 
are  special  speakers  for  the  occasion  and  will  speak  on  the  topics  of  build- 
ing on  Christ  among  the  peoples  of  the  world  and  in  the  city.  Music  will 
be  given  by  the  youth  choir,  to  be  directed  by  George  Wiebe,  and  by  the 
Bethel  College  Chorale.  Milton  Harder,  new  youth  worker,  will  lead  in 
devotions  at  the  service. 

The  young  people’s  morning  worship  service,  Sunday  Aug.  16,  will  be 
in  First  Mennonite  Church  and  is  being  planned  by  John  Bertsche  and 
Jake  Friesen  who  is  pastor  of  the  church  and  YPU  advisor. 

Are  you  wondering  about  delegate  privileges?  Every  General  Confer- 
ence Mennonite  Church  youth  group  and  those  who  have  been  officially 
accepted  are  privileged  to  send  voting  delegates.  According  to  the  YPU 
constitution,  each  youth  fellowship  is  entitled  to  one  vote  for  every  fif- 
teen young  people  or  fraction  thereof  between  the  ages  of  12  and  30. 
Every  church  is  encouraged  to  send  as  many  delegates  as  it  has  votes. 
However,  when  that  is  not  possible,  provision  is  made  for  proxy  votes. 
A delegate  may  cast  one  delegate  vote  and  a maximum  of  five  proxy  votes. 
Visitors  who  are  not  delegates  are  invited  to  attend  all  meetings. 

Our  goal  is  to  have  every  General  Conference  Mennonite  church  repre- 
sented by  one  or  more  young  persons.  Make  plans  now  for  the  General 
Assembly.  Elect  your  delegates  to  the  conference.  Help  your  delegates 
get  to  conference.  Pray  for  the  conference. 

Yours, 

The  YPU  Executive 


THE  MENNONITE 


Daily  Program  for  YPU  Retreat 

Wednesday^  Aug.  6,  1959 

Thursday  to  Tuesday, 

Sunday,  Aug.  9,  1959 

6:00  p.m. — Supper 

Aug.  6-11,  1959 

7:45-  8:15  a.m. — ^Morning  prayer 

7:15  p.m.— Vesper  service 

7:30-8:15— Bible  Study 

8:30  a.m. — Breakfast 

8:15  p.m. — Evening  program 

8:30  a.m. — Breakfast 
9:30  a.m. — Addresses 

“Evangelism  and  YOUth” 
10:15  a.m. — Discussion 
11:15  a.m. — Recess 
12:30  a.m. — Dinner 
6:00  p.m. — Supper 
7:15  p.m. — Vesper  service 
8:15  p.m. — Evening  program 

9:30-10:30  a.m. — Sunday  school 
10:45-11:45  a.m. — ^Worship  service 
12:30  p.m. — Dinner 

Communist  Youth  Dedication 


From  Berlin,  Paxmen  Loren  Lind 
(Salem,  Oregon)  reports  on  a cere- 
mony which  is  the  atheist’s  equiva- 
lent to  Christian  baptism. 

“Pie  in  the  sky  is  the  church’s 
obsession,”  say  the  socialistic  lead- 
ers of  East  Germany,  as  they  pre- 
pare a recipe  of  their  own. 

The  socialistic  youth  dedication 
is  one  exercise  which  most  clearly 
illuminates  this  trend.  Designed  on 
the  general  pattern  of  the  Evan- 
gelical confirmation  service,  it  sub- 
stitutes social  values  for  spiritual 
ones.  Social  responsibility  On  the 
eastern  version)  is  made  the  su- 
preme lesson  and  world  peace  the 
stated  goal.  It  is  to  this  discipline 
that  East  German  youth  are  trained 
and  indoctrinated. 

On  two  Sunday  mornings  I at- 
tended such  dedication  services. 
They  were  held  in  the  “Theater  of 
Friendship”  near  Stalin  Avenue  in 
East  Berlin. 


our  schools 

NEW  MUSIC  INSTRUCTOR 

Gordon  Corwin,  teaching  music 
in  Kiowa  High  School,  wiU  come  to 
Bethel  College  for  a one  year  period 
to  take  charge  of  chorus  work  and 
assist  in  voice  instruction,  as  an- 
nounced by  the  office  of  the  presi- 
dent. 

Corwin  is  a graduate  of  Wash- 


The  ceremony  was  held  at  nine 
o’clock  in  the  morning.  We  arrived 
at  8:15,  getting  good  seats.  Prompt- 
ly at  9:00  the  curtain  went  up  re- 
vealing a small  orchestra  backed 
by  a large  children’s  chorus.  First 
of  all  a short,  stocky  woman  re- 
cited a poem.  Then  the  110  candi- 
dates marched  in  to  the  applause 
of  the  theater  full  of  “comrades.” 
The  main  speech  was  made  by 
a leader  of  the  SED  (Socialistic 
Unity  Party).  Judging  from  his  or- 
atory it  was  a good  sermon.  Judg- 
ing from  the  contents,  it  was  a typ- 
ical East  German  political  speech. 
He  accused  the  western  govern- 
ments of  being  enemies  of  man- 
kind, warmongers,  disciples  of  Hit- 
ler, Fascists.  “How  can  Adenauer 
as  a Christian  be  preparing  for  a 
third  world  war?  They  are  Fas- 
cists, they  are  no  Christians.”  He 
praised  the  “peace  which  came  from 
the  East”  and  socialism,  the  hap- 


bum University  and  holds  a Master 
of  music  degree  from  the  Univer- 
sity of  Wichita. 

He  has  appeared  in  the  Newton 
area  as  guest  soloist  in  the  "Elijah” 
and  the  “Passion  According  to  St. 
John.” 

RESEARCH  DONE  AT  BETHEL 

Dr.  Guy  Hershberger  of  Goshen 
College  is  doing  research  in  the 
(Continued  on  next  page) 


piness  of  our  life,  and  challenged 
the  candidates  with  phrases  like 
“life  is  a struggle  of  the  laboring 
class,  be  good  fighters  for  the  vic- 
tory of  socialism.” 

The  vow  which  the  applicants 
made  was  threefold:  (1)  Are  you 

ready  to  live  for  the  happy  life  of 
the  working  class?  (2)  Are  you 
ready  to  work  for  socialism?  (3) 
Are  you  ready  to  work  for  friend- 
ship with  the  Soviet  Union  and  all 
peace-loving  people  of  the  world? 
“Yes,  that  we  promise,”  they  an- 
swered. 

The  candidates  then  went  to  the 
stage  in  groups  of  six  to  receive 
their  documents  and  books  entitled 
UNIVERSE,  EARTH,  MAN.  A prov- 
erb from  Goethe,  Marx,  Lenin,  or 
Ulbricht  was  given  as  a maxim 
for  the  young  pioneers.  'Then  a 
song,  another  poem  by  the  lady, 
singing  of  the  national  hymn,  and 
the  dedicated  youth  marched  out. 


Correction: 

The  credit  line  for  “Please  Use 
Ink  . . appearing  in  the  May  19, 
1959  issue  of  Mennonite  Youth, 
should  have  been  “STRAIGHT, 
Standard  Publishing  Company.” 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People's  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  3003 
Benham  Avenue,  Elkhart,  Indiana. 


June  16,  1959 


379 


OUR  SCHOOLS 
(Continued  from  page  379) 

Bethel  College  Historical  Library  on 
the  World  War  I period.  Hershberg- 
er is  examining  the  files  of  such 
leaders  as  J.  W.  Kliewer,  P.  H.  Rich- 
er!, and  H.  P.  Krehbiel. 

LITTELL  VISITS 

Dr.  Franklin  Littell  spent  some 
time  on  the  Bethel  campus  June 
2 and  3.  On  Monday  evening  he 
spoke  in  the  Bethel  College  Menno- 
nite  Church  on  the  need  for  a re- 
pentant church. 

Monday  afternoon  and  Tuesday 
morning  were  spent  in  the  Histori- 
cal Library.  Several  years  ago  Dr. 
Littell  gave  the  Menno  Simons  lec- 
tures at  Bethel  College.  He  is  on  the 
faculty  of  the  Candler  School  of 
Theology  at  Emory  University, 
Georgia. 

GRABER,  FRETZ  RETURN 

Dr.  Eldon  W.  Graber  and  Dr.  Win- 
field Fretz,  who  have  both  had  a 
sabbatical  leave  of  absence,  are  re- 
turning to  the  Bethel  College  facul- 
ty next  fall,  according  to  President 
D.  C.  Wedel. 

Dr.  Graber  is  at  the  present  time 
in  Bluffton,  Ohio.  Upon  returning 
to  Bethel  he  will  take  the  position 
of  registrar,  professor  of  education, 
and  will  be  chairman  of  the  division 
of  teacher  education. 

Dr.  Fretz  will  return  in  June 
from  Paraguay  where  he  is  doing 
research  work  under  a Guggenheim 
Foundation  Scholarship.  His  re- 
search subject  is  “A  Study  of  the 
Cultural  Interaction  of  an  European 
Ethnic  Refugee  Colony  with  Na- 
tive Paraguayans.”  Dr.  Fretz  is  re- 
turning as  professor  of  sociology 
and  chairman  of  the  division  of 
social  sciences. 

SKIP  DAY  AT  CMBC 

In  spite  of  rainy  weather  and  con- 
trary to  the  ideas  of  the  3rst  and 
second  year  students,  the  seniors 
of  Canadian  Mennonite  Riole  Col- 
lege had  a most  enjoyable  time  on 
their  traditional  “skip”  on  Tues- 
day, May  26.  The  idea  of  the  ex- 
cursion is  to  skip  out  on  classes 
and  any  other  obligations  and  have 
a class  picnic.  Rev.  Schroeder  who 
accompanied  the  group  closed  the 
day  with  a devotional  message  cen- 
tering around  the  theme  “Living 
Stones,”  1 Peter  2:3.  In  welcoming 
the  seniors  back  on  Wednesday 
(May  27)  Rev.  Poettcker  described 
in  detail  the  “lost  feeling”  that  the 


remaining  students  had  experienced 
on  the  previous  day. 

CMBC  GRADUATE  BANQUET 

“Launch  out”  ....  (Luke  5:4) 
was  chosen  as  the  theme  for  the 
graduate  banquet  on  May  30.  The 
gymnasium,  the  tables,  and  even 
the  menu  suggested  sea  life.  The 
stage  was  the  deck  of  a ship,  the 
menu  included  sea  shell  and  sail- 
boat salads.  Rev.  Poettcker’s  proph- 
ecy revealed  the  possible  future 
of  the  graduates  and  contained 
glimpses  of  the  past.  A humorous 
skit  put  on  by  the  undergraduates 
featured  six  of  the  graduates  after 
six  years  travelling  (by  boat)  to 
Europe  and  Africa.  Each  of  the 
groups  as  well  as  the  seven  who 
were  not  present  had  become  no- 
torious in  his  or  her  field.  Dr.  Paul 
Peters,  who  was  an  undergraduate 
when  the  first  graduating  class  of 
CMBC  launched  out,  gave  a devo- 
tional message.  He  reminded  us 
that  our  Conference  was  looking  to 
us  to  enter  Christian  service  and  al- 
leviate needs  in  the  world.  He  also 
stressed  humility,  reminding  us  that 
the  mark  of  an  educated  man  is 
the  realization  that  there  is  so  much 
that  he  doesn’t  know. 

SUMMER  SCHOOL  IN  PROGRESS 

Biuifton  College  summer  school 
began  June  9 with  the  first  in  a 
series  of  four  three-week  terms. 
Each  of  these  sessions  enables  stu- 
dents to  obtain  three  hours  of  col- 
lege credit.  Only  one  course  is  taken 
at  a time  and  is  completed  at  the 
end  of  the  three-week  period.  Single 
course  plan  of  class  instruction  has 
been  welcomed  by  summer  students. 
Concentration  on  one  course  avoids 
divided  attention;  it  also  allows  the 
students  to  complete  a three-week 
term  and  leave  the  schedule  open 
for  other  summer  activities. 

Classes  meet  five  mornings  a 
week  from  7:30  a.m.  to  9:00  and 
from  9;30  to  11:00  except  on  Tues- 
day morii'ng  when  a half-hour  chap- 
el program  is  held. 

Miss  Ada  Lapp  of  the  college  de- 
partment of  education  is  director  of 
the  summer  school.  Seventeen  pro- 
fessors serve  on  the  summer  staff 
plus  administration  officals.  Six  of 
these  instructors  are  not  permanent 
faculty  members  but  will  only  be  at 
Biuifton  College  for  the  summer 
sessions. 


STUDENT  LOANS 

Present  and  prospective  Bethel 
College  students  who  wish  to  apply 
for  a loan  under  the  national  de- 
fense student  loan  program  have 
until  August  1 to  enter  their  appli- 
cation, according  to  Earl  Koehn, 
business  manager  of  the  college. 

To  date,  over  $12,000  has  been 
set  aside  for  this  loan  fund  of  which 
nine-tenths  is  provided  by  the  fed- 
eral government. 

Preference  is  given  to  superior 
students  and  special  consideration 
is  given  to  those  who  prepare  to 
teach  or  who  indicate  a superior 
capacity  in  science,  mathematics,  or 
foreign  languages. 

The  special  advantages  of  this 
loan  program  are  that  interest  pay- 
ments are  low  (3  per  cent),  neither 
interest  nor  principal  need  be  paid 
while  the  student  is  in  college,  and 
teachers  may  reduce  their  loan  up 
to  50  per  cent  as  credit  for  teaching. 

BLUFFTON  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY 

The  Swiss  Community  Historical 
Society  of  Bluffton,  Ohio,  has  been 
officially  incorporated  under  the 
laws  of  Ohio.  This  incorporation  cul- 
minates several  years’  efforts  on 
the  part  of  local  people  to  estab- 
lish a Swiss  museum  in  this  com- 
munity. The  incorporating  commit- 
tee consisted  of  Ezra  Moser,  Wil- 
helm Amstutz,  Harry  Bogart,  Del- 
bert Gratz,  and  Howard  Raid. 

The  Society  will  provide  for  the 
collection  and  preservation  or  dis- 
play of  papers,  books,  records,  rel- 
ics, and  other  things  of  historic  in- 
terest and  to  provide  for  the  mark- 
ing and  preservation  of  historic 
sites  and  buildings.  It  also  proposes 
to  co-operate  with  the  schools  of 
the  community  in  the  teaching  of 
state  and  local  history,  to  co-operate 
with  the  libraries  in  the  upbuilding 
of  state  and  local  history  sections, 
to  establish  historical  museums,  and 
in  general  to  carry  on  all  activities 
appropriate  for  a historical  society. 
It  shall  be  nonsectarian  and  nonpo- 
litical. 

SWISS  FESTIVAL 

The  annual  Swiss  Day  Festival 
began  at  noon  on  Friday,  June  5, 
with  a basket  dinner  on  the  base- 
ball green  at  Bluffton  College.  This 
dinner  is  open  to  all  Swiss  descend- 
ants and  their  friends,  from  Berne, 
Indiana,  and  Wayne  County,  Ohio, 
as  well  as  those  from  the  Bluffton- 
Pandora  community. 


380 


THE  MENNONITE 


MCC  news  and  notes 

PEACE  WITNESS  IMPORTANT 

JAPAN — Representatives  of  Men- 
nonite  Missions  in  Japan  meeting 
May  12  with  MCC  Executive  Sec- 
retary William  T.  Snyder  and  Paul 
Kraybill,  secretary  of  the  Menno- 
nite  Mission  Boards’  Continuation 
Committee,  concurred  that  a Chris- 
tian peace  witness  in  Japan  is  im- 
portant and  that  it  should  be  a part 
of  the  message  of  the  churches  to 
Japanese  Christians.  Snyder,  in  re- 
porting the  discussion,  em.phasized, 
“It  is  a pity  that  the  Christian  faith 
to  most  Asian  people  is  a faith  that 
condones  war  and  thereby  is  not 
true  to  its  own  gospel.  If  Christian 
forces  are  to  be  effective  in  the 
Asian  revolution  that  is  now  in 
process,  they  must  not  allow  the 
Communists  to  preach  peace,  to 
monopolize  the  idea  which  is  com- 
plete only  ‘in  Christ.’  ” Attendants 
at  the  meeting  in  Nada-ku,  Kobe, 
included  Mennonite  Brethren,  Gen- 
eral Conference  Mennonite,  (Old) 
Mennonite,  and  Brethren  in  Christ 
missionaries  along  with  MCC  Peace 
Section  Worker  Paul  Peachey. 

NEW  MENNONITE  SETTLEMENTS 

BRITISH  HONDURAS— Old  Col- 
ony Mennonites  are  being  welcomed 
into  British  Honduras  as  they  seek 
to  establish  themselves  in  a new 
land,  report  MCC  Associate  Secre- 
tary Orie  O.  Miller  and  Paul  G. 
Landis,  voluntary  service  director 
for  the  Eastern  Mennonite  Board 
of  Missions  and  Charities,  after 
visiting  there.  May  27-29. 

Regarding  the  new  settlement 
Miller  writes,  “Early  in  1958,  Men- 
nonite colonists  from  Mexico  began 
settling  here  and  seem  to  have  es- 
tablished good  rapport  with  govern- 
ment and  people.  Over  360  families 
totaling  1627  persons  (775  are  chil- 
dren under  14)  are  settled  largely 
in  three  locations:  one  group  on  a 

115.000  acre  jungle  land  purchase 
in  the  extreme  northwest  comer 
known  as  Blue  Creek  settlement,  a 
smaller  group  on  an  18,000  acre 
purchase  about  fifty  miles  west  of 
Belize  and  a scattered  group  (per- 
haps one-fourth  of  the  total)  on 
farms  around  Orange  Walk  sixty 
miles  north  of  Belize.  The  latter 
group  is  planning  to  settle  on  a 

17.000  acre  purchase  at  Shipyard, 
nine  miles  south  of  Orange  Walk.’’ 


The  commissioners  were  favora- 
bly impressed  with  the  good  soil,  the 
progress  in  land  clearing,  the  mech- 
anized pioneering,  and  the  sturdily 
built  living  quarters  at  the  Kleine 
Gemeinde  Spanish  Lookout  colony. 
They  observed,  however,  that  Brit- 
ish Honduras  as  a whole  is  under- 
developed, the  people  very  poor  by 
U.  S.  standards,  and  government 
resources  limited,  although  the  gov- 
ernment is  pushing  development 
plans  and  encouraging  rural  immi- 
gration. 

SYNDER  OBSERVES  DISTRIBUTIONS 

HONG  KONG  — While  visiting 
Hong  Kong  May  27-31,  Executive 
Secretary  William  T.  Snyder  at- 
tended several  food  and  clothing 
distributions  to  observe  the  princi- 
ples under  which  MCC  is  operating. 
Snyder  summarizes,  “I  am  con- 
vinced that  our  workers,  under  Di- 
rector Norman  Wingert,  are  doing 
a very  good  job  of  distributing  ma- 
terial aid.  Mrs.  Wingert’s  work  at 
Kwong  Wah  Charity  Hospital  with 
the  mothers  has  real  significance. 
The  hospital  medical  director  indi- 
cated her  approach  is  unique  in 
reaching  needy  people.  Our  work- 
ers are  relating  strongly  to  the 
Christian  churches  and  in  many  of 
the  distributions,  Chinese-language 
Christians  give  a word  of  spiritual 
food.”  Because  of  the  proximity  of 
Hong  Kong  to  Red  China  it  is  dif- 
ficult to  determine  how  long  Chris- 
tians will  have  freedom  to  operate 
here;  but  for  the  present  Hong 
Kong  is  open  for  service  and  there 
is  great  need  among  the  refugees 
for  a ministry  “in  the  name  of 
Christ.” 

NEW  TYPE  FEEDING  STATION 

KOREA — In  May  a new  feeding 
station  program  was  launched  in 
Korea  which  proposes  to  convert 
the  current  nineteen  MCC  kitchens 
in  and  around  the  city  of  Taegu  into 
fewer  and  more  efficient  feeding 
centers. 

The  first  such  kitchen  to  be  o- 
pened  has  been  in  operation  for  a 
month  and  is  working  out  very  sat- 
isfactorily. Director  J.  M.  Klassen 
reports: 

“Instead  of  giving  needy  families 
milk  and  commeal  in  their  raw 
state,  which  can  be  sold  on  the  Ko- 
rean market,  we  have  selected  a 
slum  area  in  Taegu,  erected  a small 
building  with  cooking  facilities,  en- 
gaged a local  man  to  operate  this 


kitchen  and  are  now  feeding  cooked 
cornmeal  and  milk  “mush”  to  1,000 
needy  children,  expectant  mothers, 
and  old  people.  With  the  co-opera- 
tion of  local  government  officials, 
we  have  prepared  lists  and  given 
tickets  to  the  neediest  in  the  area. 
Every  other  day  they  come  with 
their  own  containers  to  receive 
their  allotment,  based  on  the  num- 
ber of  people  in  their  family.  We 
strongly  emphasize  sanitation  and 
hope  that  our  control  of  materials 
will  be  more  effective  than  in  our 
previously  operated  milk  kitchens. 
In  the  next  few  months  we  hope  to 
build  another  nine  such  feeding 
stations.” 

For  a number  of  years  Korea  has 
been  top  recipient  of  MCC  material 
aid  goods.  Large  quantities  of  meat, 
clothing,  US  government  surplus 
flour,  commeal,  and  powdered  milk 
have  been  distributed  among  ex- 
tremely needy  children  and  fami- 
lies. But  an  ever-present  problem 
has  been  the  need  for  strict  con- 
trol, because  many  people  are  tempt- 
ed to  sell  these  products  rather 
than  use  them. 

PIONEER  PAXMAN  RETURNS 

NEPAL — Otho  Horst,  one  of  two 
Paxmen  to  first  set  foot  on  Nepalese 
soil,  arrived  at  his  home  in  Clear 
Springs,  Md.,  the  end  of  May,  after 
almost  two  and  one-half  years  of 
service  in  the  Himalaya  Mountain 
kingdom.  Horst  and  Earl  Schmidt 
from  Rosthern,  Sask.,  joined  the 
United  Christian  Mission  to  Nepal 
in  November,  1956,  as  forerunners 
of  a six-man  team  soon  to  work 
with  the  Mission  in  its  school  and 
hospital  construction  program.  Both 
men  spent  most  of  their  time  at 
Tansen,  Schmidt  in  construction  of 
a new  hospital  and  Horst  as  mainte- 
nance man. 

“Every  Sunday  an  open  church 
service  is  conducted  in  the  Nepalese 
language,”  reports  Horst,  “but  the 
strongest  testimony  is  the  life  we 
live.  . . . The  people  are  very  friend- 
ly, loyal,  and  trustworthy.  Though  I 
looked  forward  to  coming  home,  I 
certainly  enjoyed  my  time  of  serv- 
ice in  Nepal.  If  I had  the  opportu- 
nity, I’d  do  it  all  over  again.” 

Currently  five  Paxmen  are  serv- 
ing at  three  mission  stations  in 
Nepal.  Plans  are  under  way  to 
send  two  more  men  there  this  sum- 
mer. 


June  16,  1959 


381 


jottings 

Bethel  Church,  Fortuna,  Mis- 
souri: May  10,  a consecration 

service  was  held  for  Danny  and 
Pamala  Garber  and  Kathryn  Ann 
Porzelius.  A Mother-Daughter  Tea 
was  held  May  10.  Plans  are  being 
made  for  vacation  Bible  school  to 
be  held  soon.  A new  roof  is  being 
put  on  the  church  as  the  old  roof 
was  badly  damaged  by  hail  this 
spring. — Corr. 

DYCK  ACCEPTS  CALL 
First  Church,  Nappanee,  Ind.;  For 
the  last  eight  months  we  had  sem- 
inary students  Vernon  Lohrentz  and 
George  Janzen  filling  the  pulpit. 
Jan.  25  was  missions  day,  with  Lo- 
dema  Short  bringing  the  morning 
message.  In  the  evening  Leonard 
Kingsley  told  of  his  work  as  an  ag- 
ricultural missionary  on  the  Island 
of  Timor  in  Indonesia.  Feb.  15,  Mar- 
tha Giesbrecht  showed  pictures  and 
told  of  her  work  at  our  mission  sta- 
tion in  Japan.  March  15-20  we  held 
our  pre-Easter  services.  In  the  ab- 
sense  of  our  student  ministers,  J. 
N.  Smucker  brought  us  the  Easter 
morning  message.  On  March  23  at 
our  congregational  meeting,  the 
church  by  a unanimous  vote  ex- 
tended a call,  which  was  accepted, 
to  Gordon  Dyck  to  become  our  pas- 
tor for  a three-year  period,  begin- 
ning the  first  of  Sept.  On  March  1 
a fellowship  dinner  was  served,  fol- 
lowed by  a report  of  the  survey 
made  of  our  church  by  Gordon 
Dyck.  April  5 was  a singspiration 
led  by  Marvin  Dirks.  On  this  day 
the  church  was  informed  of  the  en- 
gagement of  Martha  Giesbrecht  and 
George  Janzen,  the  wedding  to  be 
in  June.  They  are  entering  the  mis- 
sion field  in  Japan  this  fall.  A fare- 
well dinner  and  service  was  held 
for  Martha  and  George  on  May  17. 
We  wish  them  God’s  blessings  as 
they  go  to  Japan.  Our  oldest  mem- 
ber, Mrs.  Salome  Pletcher,  cele- 
brated her  ninetieth  birthday  April 
10.  She  has  always  been  a faithful 
attendant,  and  with  her  daughter 
attends  services  regularly.  March 
12  we  held  our  Mother-Daughter 
banquet. — Corr. 

FAMILY  NIGHT 

Bethel  Community  Church,  Santa 
Fe  Springs,  Calif.:  April  12  the 
Kenneth  Harolds,  missionaries  to 
Jamaica,  spoke  and  showed  slides 
of  their  work  in  the  West  Indies. 
April  15  was  a Family  Night  din- 
ner with  guest  missionaries  Frank 
Mannings  and  D.  W.  Van  Nattans. 
Later  in  the  evening  they  gave  a 
skit  depicting  the  incidents  of  a 


missionary’s  day.  One  Sun.  in  April 
Pastor  Hofstetter  and  Paul  Goer- 
ing  of  Upland  exchanged  pulpits. 
The  pews,  pulpit,  and  speaker’s 
stand  have  now  been  installed.  A 
Fuller  Seminary  gospel  team  had 
the  evening  service  and  participat- 
ed in  the  Monthly  Whittier  Division 
Sing  April  17  at  our  church.  April 
24-26,  the  Calif.  Mennonite  S.  S.  and 
C.  E.  Conference  was  held  in  Dow- 
ney. Our  second  annual  Mother- 
Daughter  banquet  was  held  May  8. 
Mrs.  Marie  Rohrig  of  Whittier  was 
the  guest  speaker,  with  a good  mes- 
sage and  solo.  May  10  we  had  our 
first  child  dedication,  with  Brother 
Manning  in  charge.  May  11  the 
Women’s  Missionary  Fellowship  had 
as  guest  speaker  Mrs.  Franklin 
Wigg,  with  sound  film  of  the  work 
in  India. — Edith  Huser,  corr. 

VACATION  BIBLE  SCHOOL 

Goessel  Church,  Goessel,  Kan.: 
The  midweek  Family  Night,  with 
Bible  classes  for  all  ages,  and 
Men’s  Chorus  practice  came  to  a 
close  March  18.  Enrollment  in  va- 
cation Bible  school,  held  the  first 
two  weeks  in  May,  was  77,  with 
eight  teachers  instructing.  The  C.  E. 
program  for  the  adults  April  19  in- 
cluded the  film  Split  Level  Family. 
The  Junior  C.  E.  made  scrapbooks 
and  toys  for  the  local  hospital  that 
evening.  At  a Mother’s  Day  pro- 
gram, Mrs.  Mary  Becker  Valencia 
gave  an  illustrated  lecture  on  work 
in  a Presbyterian  school  at  Bogota, 
Colombia,  S.  A.  A consecration  serv- 
ice was  held  on  Mother’s  Day  for 
Natali  Kay  and  Keven  Jay  Hiebert, 
Robert  Wade  Woelk,  and  Dean  Ray 
Krehbiel.  Marriages  in  recent 
months  were  Janet  Marie  Schmidt 
to  Bill  Collins;  and  Herman  Rogal- 
sky  and  Amanda  Jantz  Funk.  D.  V. 
Schmidt,  age  73,  passed  away  sud- 
denly due  to  heart  attack  April 
8.  Funeral  services  were  held  April 
11.  C.  Conrad  Browne  of  Koinonia 
Farm,  Americus,  Ga.,  brought  the 
morning  message  March  15  and 
spoke  that  evening  in  the  high 
school.  The  following  received  bap- 
tism May  17:  Kermit  Bauman,  John 
Dirksen,  Philip  Dirksen,  Harriet  J. 
Klassen  Hiebert,  Kenneth  Franzen, 
Donald  Quiring,  and  Bonnie 
Schmidt.  Received  into  church  the 
same  day  were  Mrs.  Allen  Schroe- 
der,  Mrs.  Harold  Unruh,  Mrs.  How- 
ard Unruh,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lucien 
Woelk.  Union  evangelistic  meetings 
for  five  churches  of  this  commu- 
nity were  held  May  3-10,  with  J.  J. 
Esau  as  speaker.  The  annual  busi- 
ness meeting  of  the  Bethesda  Hos- 
pital and  Home  for  the  Aged  Assoc, 
held  May  6.  Plans  for  a new  wing 
are  under  way. — Corr. 


CHOIR  CONCERTS 

Mayfair  Church,  Saskatoon,  Sask.: 
A son,  Randall  Wayne,  was  bom  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Albert  Letkemen  Feb. 
27,  and  a son,  Murray  Thomas,  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilmer  Bartel  March 
22.  An  octet  from  Swift  Current 
Bible  Institute  gave  a program 
March  15,  singing  selections  appro- 
priate to  the  Lenten  and  Easter 
season.  March  22  the  Senior  Choir 
presented  a program  of  Easter  se- 
lections and  numbers  from  The  Cru- 
cifixion. Peter  Funk  from  Valley 
Park,  Sask.,  former  president  of  the 
Mayfair  Young  People,  had  the  eve- 
ning message.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry 
Schellenberg  have  left  Saskatoon  to 
live  in  Watrous,  Sask.,  where  Henry 
has  employment.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ber- 
nard Friesen  of  Saskatoon  celebrat- 
ed their  twenty-fifth  wedding  anni- 
versary at  their  home  with  friends 
and  relatives.  The  Junior  Ladies’ 
Aid  held  their  annual  Mission  Sale 
on  April  30,  with  the  proceeds  go- 
ing to  various  mission  fields,  mis- 
sion homes,  Bible  schools,  Menno- 
nite colleges,  and  the  local  church. 
We  were  privileged  to  have  the 
Rosthem  Jr.  Choir  with  us  May  3. 
The  choir  sang  the  Creation.  May 
10  twenty-four  children  were  dedi- 
cated to  the  Lord  with  Elder  P.  G. 
Sawatzky  officiating.  A Mother’s 
Day  program  was  given  by  the 
Teen-Age  Choir  under  the  direction 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Carl  Ens. 

MISSIONARY  COMMISSIONED 

Immanuel  Church,  Downey,  Cal.: 
The  theme  for  the  Calif.  Mennonite 
S.  S.  and  C.  E.  Convention  was  “AU 
for  Christ,”  and  featured  the  fol- 
lowing speakers:  Bill  A.  Adams,  J. 
Raymond  Ton,  and  James  A,  Gra- 
ham. Many  from  our  church  attend- 
ed the  Los  Angeles  Co.  C.  E.  Con- 
vention in  North  Long  Beach,  May 
1-3.  Mrs.  Dorothy  Allen  was  com- 
missioned to  another  term  of  mis- 
sionary service  May  3.  The  Allens 
are  leaving  for  Africa.  The  Frank- 
lin Whigs,  who  are  leaving  soon 
for  another  term  as  missionaries  to 
India,  showed  movies  of  their  work 
and  gave  their  testimony  at  the 
midweek  service.  May  6.  Mrs.  Ben 
Becker  had  surgery  recently;  we 
are  happy  to  have  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Becker  back  to  worship  with  us. 
Fred  Rand  has  been  very  ill  and  at 
present  is  still  in  the  hospital.  The 
young  people  enjoyed  an  outing  and 
picnic  at  Ervine  Park,  Sat.,  May  9. 
A S.  S.  teachers’  and  workers’  meet- 
ing was  held  May  17.  The  film 
“Workers  Together  With  God”  was 
shown.  May  18,  a sacred  concert 
choir  program  was  presented  by  the 
Emmanuel  Academy  of  Reedley, 
Calif. — Mrs.  Leonard  Kliewer,  corr. 


382 


THE  MENNONITE 


conference  notes 

RESERVATIONS  REQUESTED 

A report  from  the  chairman  of 
tht  lodging  committee  preparing 
for  the  triennial  sessions  of  the 
General  Conference  Mennonite 
Church  in  Bluffton,  Ohio,  August 
12-20,  states  that  to  date  only  a 
limited  number  of  the  delegates  and 
visitors  expected  have  registered 
their  intention.  The  committee  has 
requested  that  reservations  be  made 
by  July  1 so  that  suitable  accom- 
modation can  be  found  for  all.  It 
should  not  be  taken  for  granted 
that  the  committee  is  informed  un- 
less a reservation  blank  has  been 
sent  in.  The  address  is  G.  T.  Sold- 
ner,  438  W.  Elm  Street,  Bluffton. 

INTERIM  PASTOR 

The  Bethel  Mennonite  Church  at 
Mountain  Lake,  Minn.,  has  called 
as  interim  pastor  Harold  Warken- 
tin,  superintendent  of  parochial 
schools  in  Mountain  Lake.  Mr.  War- 
kentin  will  serve  the  church  until 
the  arrival  of  the  full-time  pastor, 
Albert  Gaeddert,  Sept.  1. 


into  the  beyond 

Peter  WidmeRj  member  of  the 
Eicher  Mennonite  Church,  Wayland, 
Iowa,  was  born  October  18,  1881, 
and  died  on  May  2,  1959. 

Johann  P.  Ewert  of  Hillsboro, 
Kansas,  and  member  of  the  First 
Church  of  Hillsboro,  was  bom  July 
26,  1897,  and  died  May  18,  1959. 

Cornelius  K.  Janzen,  of  New- 
ton, Kansas,  and  member  of  the 
First  Mennonite  Church,  Newton, 
was  born  March  29,  1885,  and  died 
May  14,  1959. 

Marie  Claassen,  bom  November 
9,  1912,  died  May  19,  1959,  exactly 
thirty  years  after  her  baptism.  She 
was  a member  of  the  First  Men- 
nonite Church  of  Paso  Robles, 
California,  and  an  invalid  for  over 
thirty  years. 

Mary  Schmidt  was  born  Decem- 
ber 30,  1884,  and  passed  away  sud- 
denly Febmary  14,  1959.  She  was  a 
member  of  the  Alexanderwohl 
Church  of  Goessel,  Kansas. 

Mrs.  Emma  Unzicker,  of  Collins- 
ville, Ohio,  and  member  of  the  Apos- 
tolic Mennonite  Church,  Trenton, 


VISITORS  FROM  S.  AMERICA 

Nelson  Litwiller,  president  of 
Seminario  Biblico  Menonita  in  Mon- 
tevideo, Umguay,  and  Peter  Wiens, 
a board  member  from  the  Femheim 
Colony  in  the  Paraguayan  Chaco, 
will  arrive  in  the  United  States 
the  end  of  June.  They  will  visit 
churches  in  Canada  and  the  United 
States,  reporting  on  the  seminary 
and  presenting  the  needs  in  view  of 
the  building  program. 

MISSIONARY  ORIENTATION 

The  annual  orientation  course  for 
new  missionaries  entering  service 
under  the  General  Conference  Men- 
nonite Church  will  be  given  at  Men- 
nonite Biblical  Seminary,  Elkhart, 
Ind.,  June  18-26.  Because  most  of 
the  prospective  missionaries  are 
studying  at  the  seminary,  courses 
will  be  given  along  with  the  regular 
schedule.  Orlando  Waltner,  acting 
executive  secretary  for  the  Board 
of  Missions,  and  Wilhelmina  Kuyf, 
assistant  executive  secretary,  are  in 
charge  of  the  orientation. 

Also  at  this  time,  June  24-26,  the 
Board  of  Missions  will  meet  for  its 
midyear  session  and  will  discuss 
special  concerns. 


Ohio,  was  born  in  1870  and  died 
May  15,  1959.  She  had  been  an  in- 
valid for  many  years. 

Jonas  L.  Goering,  member  of  the 
Pretty  Prairie  Mennonite  Church, 
Pretty  Prairie,  Kan.,  was  born  Feb- 
ruary 18,  1888,  and  died  April  22, 
1959. 

Peter  P.  Stucky,  member  of  the 
Pretty  Prairie  Mennonite  Church, 
Pretty  Prairie,  Kan.,  was  born 
March  16,  1893,  at  Freeman,  S.  D., 
and  died  April  24,  1959. 

David  Roy  Friesen,  son  of  Pastor 
and  Mrs.  Elmer  R.  Friesen,  was 
born  July  7,  1950,  at  Beatrice,  Neb., 
and  died  May  16,  1959,  at  Pretty 
Prairie,  Kan. 

Milton  G.  Augspurger,  of  Park- 
erville,  W.  Va.,  and  member  of  the 
Apostolic  Mennonite  Church,  Tren- 
ton, Ohio,  was  bom  December  3, 
1873,  and  died  May  23,  1959. 

Nick  Fast,  of  Reedley,  Calif., 
and  member  of  the  First  Menno- 
nite Church  of  Reedley,  was  born 
February  26,  1875,  and  died  May  24, 
1959. 


WRITER’S  CONFERENCE  SPEAKER 

James  Banman  of  Hutchinson, 
Kan.,  will  direct  the  Church  News 
and  Publicity  section  of  the  Chris- 
tian Writers’  Conference  to  be  held 
in  the  Bethel  College  Church,  North 
Newton,  Kan.,  June  17-19.  Mr.  Ban- 
man  has  attended  Bethel  College 
and  has  several  years’  experience  as 
journalist  with  the  Hutchinson 
Herald. 

The  conference  is  sponsored  by 
the  Board  of  Education  and  Publi- 
cation to  help  persons  who  in  vari- 
ous areas  related  to  the  church 
must  do  some  writing,  such  as  min- 
isters, church  correspondents,  book 
reviewers,  committee  secretaries, 
and  others.  Registration  begins  at 
8:00  a.m.  June  17. 

STATION  WAGON  PURCHASED 

Mennonite  Publication  Office  has 
purchased  a station  wagon  to  be 
used  in  the  work  of  the  Board  of 
Education  and  Publication,  particu- 
larly to  transport  books  and  sup- 
plies to  conferences  and  church 
area  workshops. 

MUTUAL  AID  GROUPS  VISITED 

Dr.  Howard  Raid,  secretary-treas- 
urer of  the  Board  of  Directors  of 
the  Mennonite  Aid  Society,  has  been 
asked  by  this  association  to  visit 
the  twenty-two  Mennonite  Mutual 
Organizations  in  the  eastern  part 
of  the  United  States  and  Canada. 

The  purpose  of  this  study  is  to 
discover  what  Mennonite  Mutual 
Aid  Associations  are  doing  and  what 
these  smaller  organizations  would 
like  to  have  the  Association  of  Men- 
nonite Aid  Societies  do  for  them. 

LEG  AMPUTATION 

In  Charlesville,  Belgian  Congo, 
where  Dr.  and  Mrs.  John  Zook  of 
Portland,  Ore.,  serve,  medical  work 
has  interesting  phases.  Last  month 
a patient  with  severe  burns  on  her 
leg  and  foot  sought  help  from  the 
mission.  The  bum  was  more  than 
a week  old  and  she  was  losing  tis- 
sue from  the  bone.  After  convinc- 
ing the  patient  that  amputation  was 
absolutely  necessary,  for  she  was 
already  becoming  confused  from 
the  toxic  reaction.  Dr.  Zook,  for 
lack  of  bone  tools,  sterilized  a hack 
saw  and  amputated  the  leg.  The 
woman  is  now  completely  clear 
mentally,  the  wound  has  healed,  and 
missionaries  can  witness  to  her  of 
the  gospel  message  that  can  bring 
life  to  her  darkened  soul. 


June  16,  1959 


383 


conference  notes 

LOOKING  TOWARD 
GENERAL  CONFERENCE 

. . . the  complexities  of  living  tend 
to  becloud  the  essential  issues  at 
stake  for  the  Christian  church.  It 
may  well  be  that  the  centennial  con- 
ference will  not  be  remembered  for 
beauty  of  administrative  efficiency 
nor  for  the  thrilling  accounts  of 
past  accomplishments  (these  we 
take  for  granted).  It  may  be  that 
much  of  what  the  church  of  1959  is 
doing  will  come  under  the  indict- 
ment “doing  things  well,  that  need 
no  doing.”  Deep  down  in  our  hearts 
we  are  waiting  for  a breakthrough 
of  the  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  a 
breakthrough  that  cleaves  asunder 
with  the  sword  of  the  Spirit  those 
things  that  count  from  those  that  do 
not.  Beyond  the  conference  the  ‘lone- 
some’ delegate  is  confronted  with 
the  task  of  planting  the  essentials 
— the  vision.  This  might  be  the  year 
and  the  hour  where  the  confer- 
ence leadership  could  go  beyond  re- 
porting their  decisions  and  the 
plans.  I must  know  how  some  of 
the  basic  decisions  were  arrived  at 
and  why  the  leadership  feels  that 
this  challenge  must  find  receptive 
and  responsive  hearts  in  the  local 
congregation. 

Henry  H.  Epp 

Waterloo,  Ont. 

STAFF  CHANGES 

Mrs.  Wanda  Tieszen,  North  New- 
ton, Kan.,  will  go  to  Arizona  this 
summer  for  short  term  mission 
service  teaching  Hopi  Indian  chil- 
dren in  the  mission  school  at  Orai- 
bi.  Two  of  the  teachers  who  have 
spent  two  years  in  the  mission 
school  will  not  be  returning  for  the 
next  school  year.  Erna  Dirks  of 
Virgil,  Ont.,  will  teach  in  her  home 
community,  and  Katie  Kehler  of 
Abbotsford,  B.  C.,  will  attend  Men- 
nonite  Biblical  Seminary,  Elkhart, 
Ind. 

Also  serving  in  Arizona  beginning 
in  September  will  be  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
W.  C.  Voth  of  Newton,  Kan.,  who 
last  year  returned  from  service  in 
Taiwan.  The  Voths  will  be  stationed 
at  Hotevilla  for  four  or  five  months. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Herbert  Peters,  who 
have  served  there  for  a number  of 
years,  will  leave  this  fall  for  gradu- 
ate studies. 

General  Conference  mission  sta- 
tions in  Arizona  are  located  at 
Oraibi,  Moencopi,  and  Hotevilla. 


MINISTER  TO  GRACE  CHURCH 

Jack  Kressly  of  Canton,  Ohio,  and 
a member  of  the  First  Mennonite 
Church  of  Wadsworth,  Ohio,  was 
licensed  at  the  Grace  Mennonite 
Church,  Chicago,  Sunday,  May  17. 
The  service  was  conducted  by  John 
T.  Neufeld,  assisted  by  A.  J.  Neuen- 
schwander  of  Wadsworth.  Mr. 
Kressly  has  been  called  to  the  pas- 
torate of  the  Grace  Church  for  a 
two-year  period  to  give  Mr.  Neufeld 
opportunity  to  rest  up  from  his  re- 
cent heart  trouble. 

A candidate  for  hospital  chaplain- 
cy, Jack  attended  Mennonite  Bib- 
lical Seminary  and  Bethany  Bib- 
lical Seminary  and  graduated  in 
May  of  this  year  from  Bethany.  He 
will  take  up  his  duties  as  pastor 
of  Grace  Mennonite  Church  on  July 
5,  1959. 

conference  stewardship 


PERSONALIZED  GIFTS 
NOT  DEDUCTIBLE 

A release  from  Missionary  News  , 
Service,  Washington,  D.  C.,  dated  I 
May  1,  1959,  gives  the  following  ^ 
information:  “The  Internal  Reve- 
nue Service  has  ruled  that  ‘person- 
alized’ gifts — including  gifts  to  a 
mission  board  earmarked  for  a 
particular  missionary — are  not  de- 
ductible for  income  tax  purposes.”  ^ 

The  release  states  that  the  church  t 
may  designate  amounts  for  specific 
missionaries,  provided  the  money 
is  to  be  used  in  the  missionary’s  * 
work,  not  for  his  personal  benefit. 
You  are  therefore  advised  not  to 
send  directly  to  the  Board  of  Mis- 
sions gifts  designated  for  certain 
missionaries.  Channel  your  giving 
through  your  local  church.  Yoxir 
church  is  privileged  to  earmark 
gifts  for  missionaries’  salaries  or 
their  work. 


May  31,  1958,  as  compared  to  May  31,  1959 


BUDGET 


MISSIONS 


30.5%  1958  I 
31.9%  1959  I 


CHRISTIAN  SERVICE 


23.6%  1958 
33.0%  1959  I 


EDUCATION  AND  PUBLICATION 


26.0%  1958 
19.7%  1959 


20.3%  1958 
23.2%  1959 


BUSINESS  ADMINISTRATION 


YOUNG  PEOPLE’S  UNION 


31.5%  1958  II 
19.1%  1959 


$670,000 

$700,000 


$193,500 

$177,600 


$ 70,000 
$ 75,400 


$ 26,500 
$ 41,500 


$ 7,450 

$ 7,400 


Receipts  to  May  31 


1959  Budget 


JUNE  23,  1959 


THE  MENNONITE 


, OTHER  FOUNDATION  GAN  NO 
MAN,  LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
LAID,  WHICH  IS UESUS  CHRIST 


CARING  FOR  THE  AGED 
by  H.  Clair  Amstutz 


THE  INCREASED  SPAN 
by  Carl  F.  Smucker 


in  this  issue 


COVER 

Photo  by  Waifner 
ARTICLES 

THY  FAITH  HATH  SAVED  THEE 

By  E.  A.  Albrecht  

CARING  .FOR  THE  AGED 

By  H.  Clair  Amstutz  

THE  INCREASED  SPAN 

By  Carl  F.  Smucker  

THE  VERY  THING  YOU  NEED 

By  Arthur  M.  Chirgwin 

A MESSAGE  TO  OUR  CHURCHES 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  

Mennonite  Youth 

MOOSA  TO  MASONRY  

ON  SHOULDERS  OF  GIANTS 
NEWFOUNDLAND  INVENTORY 

OUR  SCHOOLS  

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES 

JOTTINGS  

CONFERENCE  NOTES  


387 

388 

390 

391 

392 


386 


393 

.394 

395 

396 

399 
396 

400 


of  things  to  come 

July  4-8 — Canadian  Conference,  Clear- 
brook,  B.  C. 

West.  Dist.  Retreats,  Camp  Mennoscah: 
July  6-11 — Junior  High  I 
July  13-18 — Junior  High  II 
July  20-25 — Fresh  Air  Friendship  Cp. 
July  27- Aug.  1 — High  School  I 
Aug.  3-8 — High  School  II 
Aug.  29-30 — Family  (under  age  45) 
Sept.  5-7 — Family  (senior  age) 

Aug.  5-12 — Ministers’  and  Church  Work- 
ers' Retreat,  Camp  Friedenswald, 
Mich. 

Aug.  12-20 — General  Conference,  Bluff 
ton,  Ohio 

Oct.  24-27 — West.  Dist.  Conference 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor:  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 
J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Asst.:  Muriel  Thiessen. 
Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

Volume  74  Number  25 


editorials 

PREPARING  FOR  THE  GOLDEN  YEARS  Several  ar- 
ticles in  this  issue  are  devoted  to  the  consideration  of  our  senior 
citizens.  Since  the  number  of  older  people  is  rapidly  increasing, 
we  have  not  as  yet  been  able  to  make  the  proper  adjustments 
for  their  proper  care  and  potential  usefulness. 

But  there  is  another  side  to  the  problem.  We  are  all  growing 
older  at  a rather  rapid  rate,  and  we  should  give  serious  thought 
to  the  kind  of  senior  citizens  we  wish  to  be.  As  we  approach 
that  age  when  we  lay  down  the  heavier  responsibilities  and 
duties  we  carried  through  life,  have  we  conditioned  our  thinking 
and  attitude  so  that  “at  eventide  it  shall  be  light”? 

There  are  some  definite  attitudes  we  should  develop  now  be- 
fore reaching  retirment  age  when  it  may  be  too  late. 

We  can  root  out  all  tendency  to  self-pity,  one  of  the  greatest 
causes  of  unhappiness  in  old  age.  Unless  we  overcome  this  ten- 
dency we  will  likely  accuse  the  younger  generation  of  neglecting 
us. 

We  can  develop  a cheerful  and  grateful  disposition.  A melan- 
choly and  complaining  old  person  is  no  inspiration  to  others. 

We  can  take  an  active  interest  in  and  love  for  others,  especially 
the  young,  to  the  extent  that  we  do  not  center  our  thoughts 
upon  ourselves. 

We  can  continue  to  take  an  interest  in  present  living,  and  ^ 
not  constantly  harp  back  to  the  “good  old  days”  when  we  were 
young.  They  probably  were  not  as  good  as  we  now  imagine! 
Anyway,  they  are  gone  and  we  are  living  in  the  present. 

We  can  keep  developing  and  nurturing  our  spiritual  life,  so 
that  the  sunset  years  may  indeed  be  the  golden  years  of  our  life. 

PLEASE  DRIVE  CAREFULLY!  Traffic  accidents  in  1958 
caused  more  than  2,850,000  injuries  and  36,700  deaths  on  United 
States  highways,  according  to  a booklet  published  by  the  Trav- 
elers Life  Insurance  Company. 

Fortunately,  the  number  of  deaths  decreased  five  per  cent 
but  the  number  of  injuries  represented  a twelve  per  cent  in- 
crease over  the  year  before. 

If  the  army  of  battered  and  bruised  accident  victims  could 
march  down  the  main  streets  of  every  American  town  we  could 
see  the  magnitude  of  our  disgrace.  What  a procession  it  would 
be;  a motley  array  of  bandages  and  splints,  crutches  and  wheel 
chairs.  Down  the  street  they  would  come,  almost  three  million 
of  them,  carrying  their  banners  of  lost  time,  monumental  ex- 
pense, needless  suffering.  Many  will  endure  a lifetime  of  pain. 
What  a sad  reminder  of  human  frailty. 

Excessive  speed  was  by  far  the  greatest  single  cause  of  traf-  | 
fic  accidents.  In  our  summer  vacations  while  on  the  road  let  ! 
us  steadfastly  resist  the  temptation  to  bear  down  a little  harder,  j 
to  beat  the  darkness,  to  ignore  fatigue,  to  forget  caution  when  j 
weather  and  roads  are  unfavorable,  to  undertake  too  big  a day’s  | 
run.  So  we  may  be  spared  and  spare  others  from  joining  the  | 
“luckless  legion.”  j 

! 

THE  MENNONITE  j 


386 


Thy 

Faith 

Hath 

Saved 

Thee 

E.  A.  Albrecht* 


GOD’S  great  redemptive  plan  in 
Christ  Jesus  is  all  inclusive  and 
adequate  to  save  mankind.  We  be- 
lieve that  it  is  the  will  of  God  that 
none  should  perish.  Yet  those  who 
enter  into  life  and  have  the  joy  of 
salvation  are  comparatively  few  in 
number.  Why  is  this  so? 

Jesus  was  very  much  aware  of 
this  for  He  said,  “Straight  is  the 
gate  and  narrow  is  the  way  which 
leadeth  unto  life,  and  few  there  be 
that  find  it’’  (Matt.  7:14). 

As  man  seeks  for  God  and  sal- 
vation from  sin,  all  is  hopeless  un- 
til he  is  shown  God’s  narrow  way 
and  is  willing  to  accept  it.  How  can 
you  and  I enter  into  life  and  receive 
God’s  rich  blessings? 

God’s  Word  tells  us  that  faith 
t is  the  key  that  opens  the  door.  In 
the  story  of  the  two  blind  men  who 

* Pastor,  Bethlehem  Church,  Bloomfield, 
Mont. 


came  to  Jesus  to  be  healed,  “Jesus 
said  unto  them.  Believe  ye  that  I 
am  able  to  do  this?  They  said  unto 
him.  Yea,  Lord.  Then  touched  he 
their  eyes,  saying.  According  to  your 
faith  be  it  unto  you.  And  their  eyes 
were  opened.’’ 

In  the  ninth  chapter  of  Mark  we 
have  the  story  of  a father  who 
brought  his  son  to  Jesus  to  be 
cleansed  of  an  evil  spirit.  The  man 
pleaded  for  compassion  and  help 
for  his  son  and  Jesus  said,  “If  thou 
canst  believe,  all  things  are  pos- 
sible to  him  that  believeth’’  (Mark 
9:23). 

Christ  can  accomplish  His  mis- 
sion and  purpose  in  the  lives  of 
people  only  in  the  measure  that 
they  have  faith  in  Him.  Of  the  peo- 
ple of  Nazareth  it  is  said  that  Jesus 
“did  not  many  mighty  works  there 
because  of  their  unbelief”  (Matt. 
13:58). 

Let  us  consider  three  areas 
of  experience  with  God  in  which 
faith  is  the  key  that  opens  the  door 
for  the  release  of  God’s  power  into 
our  lives. 

SALVATION  Jesus’  mission  in 
the  world  was  to  make  atonement 
for  our  sins  and  to  make  it  possible 
for  us  to  know  the  love  and  peace 
of  God  in  our  hearts.  How  is  this 
accomplished  ? How  can  we  be  saved 
from  sin?  In  the  seventh  chapter  of 
Luke  we  have  a story  which  throws 
some  light  on  this.  Jesus  was  in- 
vited by  Simon,  a Pharisee,  to  eat 
at  his  house.  During  the  meal  a 
woman  of  the  city,  described  as  a 
sinner,  came  and  washed  Jesus’ 
feet  with  her  tears  and  anointed 
them  with  ointment.  Jesus  told  the 
woman  that  her  sins  were  forgiven 
and  then  added,  “Thy  faith  hath 
saved  thee;  go  in  peace”  (v.  50). 
This  woman  found  forgiveness  and 
peace  because  she  had  faith  in  Jesus 
Christ.  Her  faith  was  the  key  that 
opened  the  door  of  salvation  to  her. 

The  Apostle  Paul  makes  it  clear 
in  his  writings  that  all  of  his  zeal 
and  determination  to  keep  the  law 
was  of  no  avail  and  brought  him 
no  peace  or  forgiveness.  But  some- 
thing did  happen  when  he  met  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ  on  the  Damascus 
road  that  completely  changed  his 
life.  By  surrendering  his  life  to 
Christ  and  putting  his  trust  in  Him 
he  found  peace  and  forgiveness  and 
became  a new  creature  in  Christ. 
“For  by  grace  are  ye  saved  through 


faith;  and  that  not  of  yourselves, 
it  is  the  gift  of  God”  (Eph.  2:8). 

We  who  have  experienced  salva- 
tion can  bear  witness  that  it  was  by 
our  faith  in  Christ  that  we  found 
release  from  the  burden  of  our  sins. 
So  it  has  been  throughout  the  cen- 
turies, when  men  have  come  trust- 
ing in  Christ  alone  as  the  way, 
Jesus  has  spoken  to  the  heart,  “Go 
in  peace,  thy  faith  hath  saved  thee.” 

SECURITY  Jesus  warned  His 
disciples  that  they  should  expect 
persecution  — even  to  the  point 
where  some  would  be  put  to  death. 
We  know  that  the  Christian  is  not 
spared  from  the  sorrows  of  this 
world.  How  will  he  react  to  these 
experiences?  Will  it  bring  bitter- 
ness and  discouragement?  In  the 
sixth  chapter  of  Ephesians  the 
Apostle  Paul  warns  the  Christian 
that  he  will  be  engaged  in  a great 
conflict  against  principalities  and 
powers,  against  the  rulers  of  the 
darkness  of  the  world,  against  spir- 
itual wickedness  in  high  places  (v. 
12). 

Peter  also  warns  us,  “Be  sober, 
be  vigilant,  because  your  adversary 
the  devil  as  a roaring  lion  walketh 
about,  seeking  whom  he  may  de- 
vour; whom  resist  with  steadfast 
faith.  . .”  (1  Peter  5:8-9). 

Paul  sums  up  the  victory  of  his 
own  life  when  he  writes,  “I  am  cru- 
cified with  Christ:  nevertheless  I 

live;  yet  not  I,  but  Christ  liveth  in 
me:  and  the  life  which  I now  live 
in  the  flesh  I live  by  the  faith  of 
the  Son  of  God,  who  loved  me  and 
gave  himself  for  me”  (Gal.  2:20). 

SERVICE  When  Jesus  saved 
us.  He  also  gave  us  a work  to  do. 
It  is  our  task  to  be  witnesses  for 
Him  and  to  proclaim  the  gospel  of 
Christ.  Probably  most  of  the  people 
in  this  country  would  say  that  they 
believe  in  God.  But  what  is  their 
faith  doing  for  them  and  what  are 
they  doing  for  God?  Can  we  truly 
say  that  we  have  a working  faith? 
Hudson  Taylor  was  not  willing  to 
go  to  China  as  a missionary  until 
he  knew  that  he  had  a faith  through 
which  God  would  work  and  supply 
all  needs.  God  honored  his  faith 
and  a great  mission  work  was  es- 
tablished. 

There  are  mountains  of  evil  that 
are  barriers  before  us  in  the  great 
task  of  winning  the  lost  to  Christ. 
Faith  can  move  mountains  and  can 
open  the  door  to  a fruitful  service 
to  our  Lord. 


^ June  23,  1959 


387 


Caring  for  the  Aged 


H.  Clair  Amstutz,  M.D. 

IT  IS  PERFECTLY  EVIDENT  that 
we  have  not  yet  caught  up  in 
our  thinking  with  the  revolution  in 
medical  needs  that  has  quietly  en- 
gulfed us.  We  still  think  we  have 
discharged  our  obligations  to  the 
elderly  if  we  give  them  a roof,  and 
clean  bed,  and  food.  We  would 
never  think  of  treating  our  crip- 
pled children  in  this  way.  The  Po- 
lio Foundation,  the  Crippled  Chil- 
dren’s Society,  the  Humane  Society, 
and  the  courts  of  law  would  see  to 
that. 

In  times  past  the  aged  were  treat- 
ed with  veneration.  In  the  book  of 
Job  we  read  that  for  a long  time 
Elihu  was  afraid  to  speak  to  Job 
who  was  the  elder  of  the  two.  He 
said,  “Days  should  speak,  and  mul- 
titude of  years  should  teach  wis- 
dom.’’ In  Leviticus  19:32  (RSV)  we 
have  the  command,  “You  shall  rise 
up  before  the  hoary  head,  and  hon- 
or the  face  of  an  old  man.”  In  Ec- 
clesiasticus  3:12-14a  (Apocrypha) 
we  read,  “My  son,  help  thy  father 
in  his  age,  and  grieve  him  not  as 
long  as  he  liveth.  And  if  his  under- 
standing fail,  have  patience  with 
him;  and  despise  him  not  when  thou 
art  in  thy  full  strength.  For  the 
relieving  of  thy  father  shall  not 
be  forgotten.” 

To  be  sure,  in  the  days  before 
printing  and  before  much  of  the 
wisdom  of  the  past  was  transferred 
to  the  next  generation  in  writing, 
the  old  fathers  were  the  chief  link 
with  the  wisdom  of  the  past.  Their 
experience  had  deeper  insight  into 
human  nature  and  into  internation- 
al affairs  than  impetuous  youth,  as 
Rehoboam’s  counselors  illustrated. 

However,  since  the  invention  of 
books,  the  hoary  head  is  no  longer 


the  chief  repository  of  the  wisdom 
of  the  past.  As  a matter  of  fact,  as 
knowledge  and  invention  have  snow- 
balled, each  generation  has  learned 
more  material  from  the  present 
than  it  has  retained  from  the  past. 
The  wisdom  and  the  attitudes  of 
half  a generation  ago  are  not  ade- 
quate for  the  present,  and  as  the 
thought  patterns  harden  as  rapidly 
as  arteries  calcify,  the  older  genera- 
tion is  spoken  of  as  “fossils.” 

This  is  not  to  say  that  science  and 
printing  have  been  harmful.  In  fact 
the  new  insights  gained  have  been 
so  successful  that  great  numbers 
of  the  aged  owe  their  very  exist- 
ence to  science  and  technology.  The 
average  age  at  death  in  1900  in  this 
country  was  49  years.  Now  it  is  71. 
The  net  result  of  the  applications 
of  medical  knowledge  is  that  we 
have  had  a fourfold  increase  in  our 
population  of  over  65  years  of  age 
during  the  first  half  of  the  present 
century.  This  is  radical  change  in 
the  character  of  our  population  that 
demands  a radical  change  in  our 
attitude  toward  old  people. 

While  improved  medical  care  has 
extended  the  lives  of  multitudes,  it 
does  not  follow  that  these  people 
have  been  made  truly  whole.  Many 
who  would  have  died  now  live  as 
amputees.  Those  who  would  have 
died  of  diabetes  now  live  with  dia- 
betes. Those  saved  from  cancer  live 
with  a colostomy  wound,  or  with 
one  lung,  or  one  kidney.  It  follows 
that  the  more  successful  surgery  is, 
the  greater  the  number  of  maimed 
survive.  This  problem  of  an  in- 
creased number  of  aged  with  an 
increased  number  of  handicaps  is 
here  to  stay.  We  must  reckon  with 


this  as  a permanent  condition  of 
our  civilization. 

Along  with  these,  social  and 
economic  changes  have  occurred 
that  affect  the  senior  citizens.  The 
simple  plan  for  retirement  our 
farmers  had  by  gradually  turning 
over  farming  operations  to  the 
youngest  son,  building  a “gross- 
doddy”  house,  looking  after  one  cow 
and  a dozen  hens  in  familiar  sur- 
roundings and  among  children  and 
grandchildren  is  largely  a thing  of 
the  past.  Urbanization  and  factory 
labor  have  changed  all  this.  Re- 
tirement and  loss  of  income  appear 
suddenly.  Because  of  the  mobility 
of  labor,  the  children  have  long 
lived  far  away.  Son’s  wife  works  j 
in  a factory  and  so  do  the  daugh- 
ters. Even  if  there  were  a “gross- 
doddy”  house  to  retire  to,  there 
would  be  no  one  to  look  after  things 
in  case  of  illness. 

The  result  is  that  more  and  more 
older  people  are  institutionalized.  A 
large  proportion  of  the  admissions 
to  state  mental  hospitals  are  elder- 
ly people  who  have  no  responsible 
family  to  look  after  their  physical 
and  emotional  needs.  General  hos- 
pitals are  too  expensive  to  furnish 
long-term  care. 

In  any  case,  no  institution  can  re- 
place the  family  a person  has 
raised.  The  emotional  attachments 
are  to  one’s  own — family,  neighbors, 
friends,  way  of  living,  house  and 
rocking  chair,  one’s  own  way  of 
cooking  and  serving  food.  Any  tear- 
ing of  roots,  any  severance  from 
the  familiar  and  the  accustomed,  is 
painful.  People  need  more  than  a 
roof,  a stove,  a bed,  and  food.  If 
one  must  go  to  an  institution,  let 
that  institution  be  a home — a place 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church. 
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388 


THE  MENNONITE 


of  belonging — and  let  the  attend- 
ants be  the  sons  and  daughters.  No 
place  is  a home  if  it  is  less  than 
that.  At  best,  a home  away  from 
home  is  not  as  good  as  a home  at 
home. 

There  are  then  two  main  prob- 
lems for  us  to  consider.  First, 
what  can  be  done  to  avoid  institu- 
tionalization? Secondly,  how  can  in- 
stitutions become  homelike?  These 
are  the  two  questions  to  which  we 
must  find  answers. 

Let  us  look  at  the  first  question. 
Since  the  need  for  providing  insti- 
tutional care  in  all  cases  is  due  to 
poor  health  of  such  severe  degree 
that  the  person  is  unable  to  care 
for  himself  or  the  couple  for  each 
other,  eairly  and  sufficient  health 
care  will  prevent  much  institution- 
alization. Regular  medical  checkups 
wUl  detect  the  chronic  diseases  early. 
The  crippling  effects  of  the  degen- 
erative diseases  — diabetes,  high 
blood  pressure,  stroke,  cancer,  arth- 
ritis, and  nutritional  deficiencies — 
can  be  slowed  down  and  often  pre- 
vented if  detected  early. 

The  costs  of  such  regular  medi- 
cal care  are  small  indeed  compared 
to  the  great  costs  of  institutional 
care.  Since  people  approaching  the 
age  for  retirement  feel  financially 
insecure,  they  tend  to  skimp  on  all 
expenses  except  real  emergencies  in 
the  fear  that  their  savings  may  run 
out  if  not  hoarded.  We  need  to 
educate  our  people  to  understand 
[ that  regular  checkups  are  one  of 
the  best  investments  they  can  make. 
In  general,  medical  care  is  most 
1 needed  for  the  elderly  at  the  time 
I when  income  is  at  its  lowest.  The 
; church  must  concern  itself  with 
I helping  the  aged  with  the  huge 
j costs  of  chronic  and  major  illnesses. 

I Here  the  church’s  mutual  aid  pro- 
gram can  be  truly  helpful.  Our 
church’s  plan  for  payment  of  hos- 
pital and  surgical  expenses  when 
a sizable  group  of  any  congrega- 
tion joins  in  a body  is  a real  for- 
ward step.  When  an  elderly  person 
or  couple  is  unable  to  pay  the  as- 
sessments, the  local  congregation 
can  pay  membership  dues  and 
spread  the  costs.  . . . Surely,  the 
I assessment  of  needs  and  their  al- 
' leviation  on  the  level  of  the  local 
congregation  is  the  wisest  and  most 
brotherly  approach. 

A third  thing  the  church  can  do 
to  prevent  breakdowns  is  to  change 


the  current  attitude  toward  old  age. 
This  attitude  can  be  summed  up  in 
two  sentences:  “Old  folks  are  not 
productive.  Therefore  they  are  in 
the  way.”  Both  of  these  statements 
are  wrong.  Many  old  folks  are 
producitve.  Yet  their  worth  is  not 
to  be  measured  by  the  amount  of 
materials  they  produce. 

Dr.  George  Crile  vigorously  spon- 
sored a ruling  at  Western  Reserve 
University  making  retirement  com- 
pulsory at  the  age  of  65.  By  the 
same  ruling  he  was  forcibly  re- 
tired from  the  chair  of  professor 
of  surgery  at  65.  Thereafter  he 
founded  and  headed  the  famed  Crile 
Clinic  and  did  much  original  re- 
search while  in  his  seventies.  So- 
phocles wrote  his  “Oedipus  Rex”  at 
the  age  of  90,  Benjamin  Franklin 
his  famous  “Autobiography”  at  80, 
Tennyson  his  “Crossing  the  Bar”  at 
83.  John  Wesley  was  still  preaching 
daily  at  80.  For  current  samples  of 
productive  age  turn  to  Konrad 
Adenauer,  Bernard  Baruch,  Albert 
Schweitzer,  Winston  Churchill, 
Grandma  Moses.  The  list  is  not  a 
short  one. 

There  is  a sharp  tendency  for  age 
to  intensify  character.  'The  thrifty 
become  miserly;  the  strong  become 
harsh;  the  generous  give  every- 
thing, including  other  people’s  prop- 
erty; the  suspicious  become  impos- 
sible. 

Youth  lives  in  a medium  of  ex- 
panding horizons.  Age  lives  in  a 
contracting  horizon  with  diminishing 
powers,  and  death  inexorably  clos- 
ing in.  There  is  therefore  greater 
need  for  adult  education  for  old  age 
than  for  the  education  of  youth  for 
maturity.  Youth  will  learn  in  spite 
of  himself.  Horizons  and  powers 
automatically  grow.  The  aging, 
however,  prepare  for  their  decline 
only  by  constant  conscious  effort. 
It  is  the  business  of  the  church  to 
learn  that  the  aged  can  continue  to 
expand  horizons  and  cultivate  bene- 
ficient  virtues  provided  they  can 
continue  to  live  for  the  future.  Aris- 
totle was  correct  in  saying  that 
youth  lives  in  hope  and  the  aged 
in  memory.  However,  chronological 
age  does  not  determine  one’s  direc- 
tion. The  spirit  within  the  man  does. 
'That  person  is  still  young  who  looks 
forward  in  hope. 

Our  materialism  contributes  to 
the  defeatist  attitude.  That  physical 
powers  should  diminish  is  inevit- 


able. If  we  believe  that  we  are  of 
value  only  so  long  as  we  can  work 
and  produce  more  goods,  we  are 
doomed  to  face  defeat  unless  the 
Lord  takes  us  home  early.  In  our 
age  of  overproduction  we  are  learn- 
ing that  the  consumer  may  be  val- 
uable. When  our  citizens  can  ac- 
cept this  fact,  and  know  that  they 
can  follow  less  material  pursuits 
with  a free  conscience,  they  will  be 
much  happier  than  those  are  who 
now  feel  useless. 

But  in  order  to  enjoy  leisure  we 
younger  people  have  to  start  now 
developing  the  nonmaterial  pursuits 
that  we  will  want  to  enjoy  when 
we  are  too  feeble  to  be  useful  to  in- 
dustry. These  include  hobbies,  rec- 
reation, reading,  writing,  medita- 
tion, visiting.  The  cantankerous  old 
person  is  the  one  who  has  never 
developed  these  arts.  He  has  been 
too  busy  “making  a living.”  Surely 
the  church  can  help  us  out  here. 
It  can  teach  by  precept  and  example 
that  no  human  being  is  useless  so 
long  as  he  can  love  or  be  loved. 
The  application  of  a spiritual  yard- 
stick in  place  of  an  economic  one 
may  seem  revolutionary  but  it  is 
essential. 

The  church  can  do  more.  She 
can  foster  the  strengthening  of 
family  ties  and  responsibilities.  It 
can  provide  social  life  by  organiz- 
ing “Golden  Sunset  Reunions”  or 
“Senior  Citizens’  ” clubs.  It  can  pro- 
vide for  partial  care  in  homes — the 
more  difficult  housekeeping  chores 
or  perhaps  “meals  on  wheels.”  What 
elderly  people  appreciate  most  of 
all  is  to  maintain  contact  with  fam- 
ily and  friends  and  to  stay  in  fa- 
miliar surroundings. 

The  ideal  home  for  the  aged 
would  probably  be  very  small, 
where  the  workers  would  be  verit- 
able foster  children  looking  after 
the  physical,  medical,  social,  and 
emotional  needs  of  the  “parent.” 
These  “children”  would  not  be  on 
duty  only  forty  hours  a week  with 
no  sense  of  responsibility  the  re- 
mainder of  the  time.  They  would  be 
professional  in  the  sense  that  they 
are  proficient  in  understanding  the 
needs  of  elderly  people.  This  in- 
cludes the  need  of  personal  near- 
ness 24  hours  a day. 

Such  responsibility  would  be  ex- 
ceedingly demanding.  Yet  we  do 
not  hesitate  to  adopt  children  with 


June  23,  1959 


389 


the  same  understanding.  How  many- 
lonely  couples  have  adopted  parents 
so  they  have  someone  to  love? 

Our  church-sponsored  “old  peo- 
ple’s homes”  leave  much  to  be  de- 
sired as  ideal  places.  They  often 
take  aged  folks  far  away  from 
familiar  friends  and  places.  Our 
workers  are  organized  in  accord- 
ance with  efficiency — so  many  on 
personal  care,  housekeeping,  laun- 
dry, maintenance,  kitchen.  Efficien- 
cy and  low  cost  result,  but  with  it 
we  inevitably  get  impersonal,  cus- 
todial care. 

Our  buildings  reflect  the  same 
emphasis.  Each  inmate  has  a small 
room  somewhere  down  a long,  long 
hall.  There  is  a central  dining  hall 
where  one  eats  at  a long,  long 
table.  One  starts  to  eat  when  a bell 
rings  and  gets  up  when  another  one 
rings.  One  finds  the  living  room 
twice  as  big  as  the  house  in  which 
one  was  born.  Truly,  home  was 
never  like  this. 

Could  our  architects  ask  the  in- 
mates what  features  they  would 
like?  Wouldn’t  they  ask  for  small 
groups  of  rooms,  with  their  own 
small  living  and  dining  rooms? 
Wouldn’t  they  want  some  kitchen 
privileges?  Wouldn’t  some  want  a 
room  big  enough  in  which  to  weave 
a few  rugs? 

ONE  NEED  IS  COMMON  to  all 
inmates  or  they  would  not  be 
in  an  institution:  they  all  need  help 
of  a type  they  had  not  received  be- 
fore. One  must  therefore  never  be 
satisfied  with  giving  custodial  care. 
One  must  always  aim  at  improve- 
ment of  their  condition.  Therefore, 
one  must  have  an  accurate  account- 
ing of  their  resources  and  possibili- 
ties. A medical  appraisal  before 
entrance  is  a necessity,  not  only  to 
determine  the  presence  or  absence 
of  contagious  diseases,  but  to  eval- 
uate the  needs  for  remedial  care — 
the  amount  of  exercise  or  rest,  use 
of  muscles  after  a stroke,  manipu- 
lation of  joints  for  arthritics,  and 
so  on. 

Since  all  inmates  are  sick — or 
they  wouldn’t  be  in  an  institution — 
they  need  the  care  of  a nurse  prop- 
erly trained  in  the  needs  of  elderly 
people.  'This  should  be  a graduate 
nurse  having  special  interest  and 
training  in  geriatrics.  There  will  in- 
evitably be  ankylosed  joints,  colos- 
tomies, indwelling  catheters,  dia- 
betes. So  great  are  the  needs  that 


some  authorities  advocate  the  use 
of  special  wards  connected  with 
general  hospitals.  This  has  the  ad- 
vantage of  giving  access  to  expert 
medical  care,  physiotherapy,  occu- 
pational therapy,  and  good  diagnos- 
tic facilities  whenever  needed.  It 
has  the  disadvantage  of  being  very 
expensive,  for  hospitals  are  geared 
to  give  intensive  short-term  treat- 
ment. 

Where  the  staff  has  a vision  of 
the  needs  of  the  aged,  there  will  be 
plenty  to  do.  Authorities  estimate 
that  there  should  be  more  than  one 
worker  per  inmate.  This  is  on  the 
basis  that  the  average  inmate  needs 
forty-eight  hours  per  week  of  per- 
sonal care  and  the  average  worker 
expects  to  be  on  duty  about  forty 
hours.  In  a 25-bed  unit  there  would 
be  thirteen  in  the  nursing  depart- 
ment, and  thirteen  in  housekeeping, 
maintenance,  and  administration. 
The  size  of  staff  we  provide  repre- 


Carl  F.  Smucker* 


WHAT  A LOVELY  soft  chair 
they  have  given  you!”  said  a 
visitor  to  an  old  woman  in  a home 
for  the  aged.  “Yes,  and  I’m  rock- 
ing myself  to  death  in  it,”  replied 
the  old  woman  with  a tone  of  bit- 
terness. 

'This  sad  state  can  be  only  too 
true  if  we  don’t  plan  our  programs 
for  the  aged  with  imagination  and 
creativity.  Most  of  our  aged  are  in- 
telligent and  capable  of  acquiring 
new  skills  and  growing  emotionally 
and  spiritually,  despite  the  infirmi- 
ties of  old  age. 

In  recent  years  there  is  an  in- 
creasing awareness  that  homes  for 
aged  must  be  places  where  people 
go  to  live  and  not  where  they  go  to 
be  “put  away  to  end  their  days.”  In 
keeping  with  this  emphasis  there 
needs  to  be  more  planned  recrea- 
tion, occupational  therapy,  and  par- 
ticipation in  the  life  of  the  commu- 
nity. Residents  need  to  be  encour- 
aged to  keep  up  their  old  associa- 
tions, hold  part  time  jobs  and  take 
an  active  part  in  their  church. 


*Faculty,  Bluffton  College,  Bluffton,  Ohio 


sents  our  concern  for  and  our  un- 
derstanding of  the  needs  of  our  pa- 
tients. 

Although  we  have  church-spon- 
sored homes,  little  thought  has  been 
given  to  chaplaincy  work.  Since  the 
physical  world  is  closing  in  on  the 
inmates,  the  spiritual  is  about  aU 
they  have  to  live  by.  They  need  and 
want  consolation  and  inspiration. 
Many,  if  they  can  read  without  tir- 
ing, turn  to  their  Bibles. 

Death  is,  after  all,  inevitable.  We 
who  are  younger  can  accompany 
the  traveler  all  the  way  to  the 
River  Jordan,  but  each  must  cross 
alone.  It  is  our  privilege  to  assist 
in  imparting  faith  in  God  as  one 
who  loves  by  loving  to  the  end. 
Then  our  elders  can  go  “like  one 
who  wraps  the  drapery  of  his  couch 
about  him  and  lies  down  to  pleas- 
ant dreams.” 

— Christian  Living,  reprinted  by 
permission. 


'The  challenge  to  our  church  is  to 
realize  that  there  is  actually  a great 
“new”  membership  group  in  each 
of  our  congregations.  One  person  in 
twelve  is  65  years  of  age  or  over. 
Many  are  75,  85,  and  over  90  years 
old.  We  have  not  fully  identified 
their  needs.  We  have  not  organized 
a specific  program  to  help  them  live 
more  useful  lives  so  that  their  full 
powers  and  potentialities  can  be 
utilized  in  their  later  years. 

We  have  “youth  programs,”  but 
now  we  need  a committee  in  the 
church  such  as  the  Christian  Edu- 
cation Committee  to  give  this  work 
with  older  members  definite  admin- 
istrative status.  Otherwise  we  may 
continue  to  take  this  group  for 
granted. 

Between  1900  and  1950  those  65 
and  over  have  quadrupled.  At  pres- 
ent there  are  more  than  15  million 
Americans  in  this  category  and  by 
1975  these  aged  will  number  about 
20  million.  Our  concern  is  to  help 
them  maintaun  fellowship  in  the 
church  amd  help  them  live  finer 
Christian  lives.  They  must  feel  that 
the  church  cares  for  them. 


The  Increased  Span 


390 


THE  MENNONITE 


The  Very  Thing  You  Need 


Arthur  M.  Chirgwin 

“Here  is  the  very  thing  you 
need.”  The  words  spoken  in  a 
clear  strong  voice  made  everyone 
in  the  railway  coach  turn  toward 
the  speaker  and  listen.  Some  of  the 
passengers  recognized  him  at  once, 
for  he  often  traveled  on  that  train. 
He  was  a colporteur  of  the  Brazil 
Bible  Society,  through  whom  the 
American  Bible  Society  seeks  to 
serve  the  growing  evangelical 
church  of  the  fourth  largest  coun- 
try in  the  world.  His  name  was 
John  of  the  Cross  who  made  a prac- 
tice of  selling  Scriptures  on  the 
suburban  trains  of  Rio  de  Janeiro. 
He  had  worked  out  a technique  of 
Bible  selling  so  planned  that  in  the 
course  of  a suburban  journey  he 
would  spend  a few  minutes  in  each 
coach.  If  the  train  was  made  up  of 
eight  coaches  and  the  journey  took 
forty  minutes,  he  knew  he  would 
be  able  to  give  about  five  minutes 
to  each  coach. 

On  this  particular  day  he  waited 
till  the  train  pulled  up  at  the  first 
station,  and  there  was  a brief  res- 
pite from  the  noisy  rattle  of  the 
wheels  on  the  rails.  Then,  taking 
his  stand  at  the  end  of  the  coach, 
he  began  to  speak  loudly  enough  for 
all  to  hear.  “Here  is  the  very  thing 
you  need,”  he  began,  holding  up 
what  looked  like  an  illustrated  mag- 
azine. “Carnival  is  over  now,  and 
Easter  is  approaching.  This  is  the 
period  in  which  to  prepare  your 
hearts  and  minds,  and  this  book 
wiU  help  you  to  prepare  better  than 
anything  else  in  the  world.  For  this 
book  tells  what  God  has  done  for 
us  all.  It  tells  the  story  of  the  an- 
gel’s announcement  to  the  Virgin 
Mary;  it  tells  of  the  birth  of  Jesus, 
His  infancy.  His  home  in  Nazareth. 
It  tells  of  His  life  and  teaching.  His 
death  and  resurrection.  It  is  all  here 
in  this  book,  and  there  are  pictures 
too — pictures  of  the  places  where 
Jesus  was  born  and  brought  up, 
where  He  was  crucified  for  our  sake 
and  where  He  rose  again.  This  is 


the  book  you  need.  Buy  it  and  you 
buy  a blessing.  And  here  on  the  back 
my  name  and  address  are  stamped, 
so  that  if  you  care  to  write  to  me 
you  can  do  so,  or  if  you  would  like 
to  come  and  talk  to  me  I am  always 
at  home  on  Saturdays.” 

Then  he  began  selling,  walking 
down  the  length  of  the  coach  as  he 
did  so.  The  price  per  copy  was  the 
same  as  the  cost  of  two  newspapers, 
so  that  it  was  cheap,  enough.  Men 
and  women  alike  bought,  and  in  all 
about  eight  or  nine  copies  were  sold. 
In  a few  cases  people  put  questions 
to  him,  and  he  stopped  for  a mo- 
ment or  two  to  answer  them  and  to 
explain  more  fully  what  the  gospel 
was  about. 

Just  as  the  train  was  slowing 
down  for  the  next  station  he 
stepped  across  the  connecting  way 
to  the  next  coach.  As  soon  as  the 
train  started  he  began  to  talk  once 
more.  It  took  about  two  minutes, 
not  more,  and  was  in  very  similar 
terms  to  his  brief  message  in  the 
first  coach.  Here  again  he  sold  a 
number  of  copies  and  had  a brief 
chat  with  one  or  two  individuals 


American  Bible  Society  Photo 


Colporteur  John  of  the  Cross 


before  the  train  began  to  slow  down 
once  more,  and  he  passed  on  to  the 
third  coach.  And  so  it  went  on,  un- 
til he  had  gone  the  whole  length  of 
the  train.  He  had  timed  it  perfectly, 
for  just  as  he  finished  selling  in  the 
last  coach  of  all,  the  train  drew  to 
the  terminus  platform.  The  journey 
had  taken  forty  minutes;  he  had 
given  little  addresses  of  two  min- 
utes each,  and  he  had  sold  thirty- 
nine  Gospels.  It  was  forty  minutes 
well  spent,  with  witness-bearing 
and  Scripture-selling  intermingled. 
In  eight  coaches  he  had  given  the 
message,  aroused  some  interest,  and 
sold  some  Scriptures. 

Work  of  that  kind  is  physically 
exhausting  and  puts  a severe  strain 
on  the  throat.  As  a rule  John  of  the 
Cross  does  it  only  one  day  a week, 
except  at  Christmas  and  Easter, 
when  he  does  it  for  six  days  in  suc- 
cession and  has  hardly  any  voice 
left  when  the  week  comes  to  an  end. 
“But  it  is  worth  it,”  he  says  with  a 
smiie,  “for  I sell  a lot  of  Scriptures 
and  have  many  talks  with  people. 
Last  Good  Friday  I sold  537  Gos- 
pels in  that  one  day,  and  more  than 
1,000  in  the  week.”  On  other  days 
he  goes  from  house  to  house  or 
works  along  cinema  queues. 

To  the  question  whether  people 
ever  write  to  him  in  response  to 
his  invitation  or  call  at  his  home, 
he  replied  quite  unequivocally. 
“Yes,”  he  said,  “they  write  some- 
times, but  more  often  they  come 
to  see  me  at  my  house.  There  are 
few  Saturdays  when  I do  not  get 
any  callers.  I generally  get  about 
four  or  eight  each  Saturday,  and 
they  are  nearly  always  genuine 
seekers.  That  gives  me  a chance, 
and  many  of  them  become  truly 
converted.  I find  out  where  they 
live  and  give  them  the  address  of 
the  nearest  Protestant  church.  I 
know  that  at  least  some  of  them 
join  up.” 

— by  permission  of  the  American 
Bible  Society. 


June  23,  1959 


391 


A Message 
To  Our  Churches 

from  the  Third  National  Conference  of  the 
Church  Peace  Mission  held  at  Evanston,  III., 
April  20-23,  1959 


God  has  not  called  us  to  be 
dragged  like  slaves  in  the  wake 
of  history  plunging  to  its  doom  but 
to  be  the  messengers  and  servants 
of  Christ,  who  is  the  Lord  of  history 
and  Victor  over  the  demonic  forces 
in  it. 

Our  own  country  and  the  world 
are  threatened  physically  with  the 
holocaust  of  nuclear  war.  Spiritual- 
ly we  in  this  land  are  in  the  far 
greater  danger  of  committing  the 
sin  of  mass  extermination  of  an- 
other people  in  the  name  of  defense 
or  retaliation. 

This  is  no  longer  war  as  it  has 
been  known  in  the  past.  It  is  no 
longer  merely  war  of  men  against 
men.  It  is  war  of  man  against  him- 
self, monstrously  corrupting  the 
image  of  God  in  him.  It  is  war  a- 
gainst  God  and  God’s  creation.  All 
the  justifications  and  rationaliza- 
tions which  have  been  used  for  war 
in  the  past  are  now  unrealistic,  ir- 
relevant, and  irresponsible.  The  very 
heart  of  the  Christian  gospel  is 
denied  and  betrayed  by  those  who 
still  justify  or  condone  such  evil. 

The  world  stands  in  desperate 
need  today  of  a clear  Christian 
world,  a distinctively  Christian  con- 
tribution. Neither  the  church  nor 
the  Christian  may  put  off  until  to- 
morrow the  response  to  that  need 


and  to  the  call  of  Christ  to  take  up 
His  cross  and  follow  Him. 

Today  let  the  church  unequivo- 
cally renounce  war  and  take  some 
decisive  action  to  break  the  terrible 
circle  of  armament  and  counter- 
armament in  which  the  world  is 
trapped.  Then  peace  will  cease  to 
be  a painful  and  frustrating  dilem- 
ma. It  will  be  a challenge  to  be  met 
with  faith. 

Christian  spokesmen  here  and  a- 
broad  are  increasingly  becoming 
sensitive  to  the  challenge  presented 
by  the  changed  nature  of  warfare. 
An  ecumenical  group*  recently  said, 
“Every  element  of  Christian  faith, 
hope,  and  ethics  involved  in  the 
Christian  affirmation  stands  in  op- 
position to  this  warfare.  Although 
there  are  differences  of  opinion  on 
many  points,  we  are  agreed  on  one 
point.  This  is  that  Christians  should 
openly  declare  that  the  use  of  these 
weapons  should  never  be  resorted 
to.  Moreover,  Christians  must  op- 
pose all  policies  which  give  evidence 


*This  quotation  is  from  a provisional  study 
document  developed  by  a World  Council 
of  Churches  Commission  on  Christians 
and  Prevention  of  War  in  an  Atomic 
Age.  This  study  is  still  in  process,  and 
the  quotation  in  no  sense  represents  of- 
ficial policy  of  the  World  Council. 


of  leading  to  war.  Finally,  if  war 
should  occur,  Christians  should 
urge  a cease  fire,  if  necessary  on 
the  enemy’s  terms,  and  resort  to 
nonviolent  resistance.” 

IN  'THE  FACE  of  this  emphatic 
declaration  there  are  still  a mul- 
titude of  Christians,  including  mem- 
bers of  the  Commission  quoted  a- 
bove,  who  sincerely  hold  that  the 
church  cannot  now  make  a final 
break  with  nuclear  war  because 
atomic  bombs  and  missiles  must  be 
retained  as  deterrents.  But  this 
presents  a sore  dilemma.  If,  on  the 
one  hand,  the  arms  race  and  popu- 
lar dependence  on  it  continue  up  to 
the  moment  of  the  final  awful 
choice,  it  is  idle  to  expect  that  then 
the  counsel  to  renounce  these  weap- 
ons will  suddenly  be  heeded.  If,  on 
the  other  hand,  the  course  is  in- 
deed to  be  rejection  of  the  use  of 
nuclear  weapons,  this  fact  must  be 
made  completely  clear,  risking  no 
further  delay  during  which  tension 
will  become  intolerable  and  war 
may  be  precipitated.  In  this  event 
atomic  weapons  lose  their  so-called 
deterrent  efficacy.  It  is  imperative 
that  we  proceed  now  while  there 
is  yet  time  to  develop  and  apply 
creative  alternatives  in  defense  and 
in  foreign  policy  which  are  respon- 
sive to  the  demand  for  justice  and 
order,  to  imaginative  service  to  hu- 
man need,  and  to  the  aspirations  of 
the  oppressed. 

'The  moral  dilemma  is  far  more 
serious.  Christians  cannot  be  con- 
tent to  await  some  frightful  future 
crisis  and  then  decide  what  to  do. 
It  is  the  Christian  vocation  now  to 
reject  the  sin  of  involvement  in 
nuclear  war  and  to  live  today  in 
simple  obedience  and  faith,  and 
carry  out  the  work  of  love  and 
reconciliation. 

It  is  with  a deep  sense  of  our  own 
unworthiness,  our  little  faith,  our 
halting  obedience  that  at  this  Third 
National  Conference  of  the  Church 
Peace  Mission  we  send  this  message 
to  the  churches  and  to  our  fellow 
Christians  everywhere.  But  we  be- 
lieve that  in  response  to  faith,  God 
will  now,  as  in  other  times  of  man’s 
sinning  and  despair,  import  new 
light  and  power  to  His  church  and 
His  people.  The  church  vidll  then  be 
a channel  of  grace  and  renewal  for 
the  world,  and  Christian  citizenship 
will  acquire  a new  meaning. 


392 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  youth 


Moosa 

To 

Masonry 


Here  is  a picture  of  Pax  in 
Congo,  straight  from  the  pens 
of  five  fellows  who  are  experiencing 
it  first  hand. 

From  Larry  Graber  (Salem,  Ore.) 
comes  this  woeful  tale  of  initiation. 
(Woeful  only  for  “freshmen,”  you 
understand.) 

Eyes  watering  and  Adam’s  apple 
bobbing  furiously  like  a fisherman’s 
cork,  Bernard  Thiessen  (Altona, 
Man.)  swallowed  with  an  effort  of 
excruciating  pain,  and  completed 
his  initial  attempt  at  eating  the 
delightfully  undescribable  African 
specialty — “moosa.”  Yes,  John  (Jan- 
zen)  and  I were  selected  to  meet 
the  new  Paxmen  at  Kikwit,  so  took 
the  opportunity  of  giving  them  a 
proper  initiation  (a  night  in  a na- 
tive village).  We  could  hardly  con- 
tain our  laughter  when  Robert 
Schmidt  (Rosthern,  Sask.)  mum- 
bled something  about  Mexicans 
thinking  they  have  hot  food,  and 
when  Bernard  leaned  over  toward 
me  and  queried  pleadingly,  “Say, 
Graber,  do  I have  to  eat  all  of 
this?”  we,  of  course,  helped  them 
finish  in  real  native  style,  i.e.,  with 


our  fingers,  much  to  the  delight  of 
the  onlooking  Africans. 

WII.MER  SPRUNGER  (Berne, 
Indiana)  writes:  In  the  indus- 
trial school  here  at  Mutena  where 
I work  the  boys  have  been  finish- 
ing their  latest  projects  and  begin- 
ning new  ones.  The  first  year  class 
finished  their  dining  room  chairs 
with  seats  of  “kodi”  (an  African 
vine).  Some  of  the  chairs  are  cov- 
ered with  cotton  and  a pastic  leath- 
er, thus  making  them  “padded 
chairs.”  Eight  of  these  go  to  Ka- 
zadi  Matthew  who  saw  a similarity 
in  our  American  kitchen  and  dining 
room  chairs.  The  first  year  students 
are  now  beginning  to  make  some 
“cupboard-boxes”  for  the  graduating 
class  of  the  Bible  institute  as  a 
storage  place  for  the  materials 
which  they  have  accumulated  dur- 
ing their  years  at  Tshikapa.  Some 
of  the  items  to  go  in  are  flannel- 
graph  boards  and  Bible  story  pic- 
ture rolls. 

The  second  year  students  finished 
making  doors  and  double-beds,  these 
to  be  sold  to  the  Africans  in  the 


nearby  locality.  'The  demand  for 
these  is  overwhelming;  we  were 
sold  out  long  before  the  items  were 
even  finished. 

From  PAUL  E.  RO'TH  (Carlock, 
111.)  comes  this  excerpt:  There 
is  a lot  of  work  in  the  carpenter’s 
shop.  We  are  building  cupboards 
for  the  new  medical  building,  plus 
furniture  for  the  missionaries.  After 
hours  and  on  Saturday  afternoons 
I have  been  making  furniture  for 
the  1-W  house  here  at  Charlesville. 

JOHN  M.  JANZEN  (Elbing,  Kan.) 

describes  his  extracurricular 
activity:  In  the  past  few  I have 

had  some  time  to  pursue  a little 
hobby  of  mine  — studying  up 
on  the  culture  of  these  Bachokes, 
and  is  it  ever  interesting!  I’ve  had 
to  limit  my  inquiries  to  the  clan, 
and  the  religion,  or  the  cult  of  the 
ancestors  (the  clan  after  death).  I 
had  the  unusual  opportunity  of  get- 
ting in  on  the  last  half  of  the 
chief’s  death  ceremonies,  a clue  to 
the  transition  between  the  living 
clan  and  the  cult  of  the  ancestors. 

Larry  UNRUH  (Tampa,  Kan.) 

writes:  Building  in  the  Congo 
is  not  like  building  at  home  in 
America.  We  get  called  to  work  by 
a drum.  Instead  of  cranking  up  the 
motor  on  the  cement  mixer,  we 
send  a “boy  mason”  off  to  the  shop 
to  get  the  wheelbarrow  and  spades. 
Instead  of  calling  up  the  rock  quar- 
ry for  a load  of  gravel,  we  go  to  a 
nearby  village  to  pick  up  the  bro- 
ken rock  that  the  school  children 


Graber 


Sprunger 


Roth 


Janzen 


Unruh 


June  23,  1959 


393 


have  carried  up  from  the  river.  In- 
stead of  driving  to  town  for  an- 
other load  of  cement  block,  we  bring 
out  the  old  one-at-a-time  cement 
block  form  and  make  our  own.  In- 
stead of  turning  on  the  water  hy- 
drant, we  load  empty  gas  barrels 
on  the  pick-up  and  drive  down  to 
the  river  where  we  combine  weight 
lifting  exercises  with  a real  treat — 
a cool  swim  in  clear  running  water 
with  a smooth  sand  bar  for  a beach. 
Instead  of  paying  two  or  four  dol- 
lars an  hour  for  union  men,  we  pay 
twenty  or  forty  cents  an  hour  for 


faithful,  lovable,  but  not  too  skilled 
Africans.  And  instead  of  foremen 
with  degrees  in  engineering,  we  are 
a couple  of  Mennonite  Paxmen  who 
take  this  project  of  building  a 
house  of  worship  for  the  Congo 
church  at  Kandola  very  seriously. 

With  our  limited  experience  we 
would  never  attempt  a project  like 
this  back  home,  but  here  our  limi- 
tations are  considered  excellence  by 
the  natives.  As  we  sweat  over  the 
work  and  problems  of  directing  the 
building  of  this  church  and  as  our 
noses  blister  under  the  hot  Congo 


sun,  it  is  very  encouraging  to  have 
a native  come  over  and  tell  us,  “God 
has  really  given  you  wisdom  and 
strength  to  do  this  work.”  Our 
church  may  not  be  as  fancy  as 
many  churches  back  home,  or  even 
in  CIM,  but  it  will  look  neat  and 
attractive;  and  if  it  is  durable,  if 
it  pleases  the  natives,  I will  feel 
that  we  have  accomplished  our  pur- 
pose. We  do  not  choose  our  friends 
because  of  their  good  looks  and 
neither  does  God  bless  a church 
only  because  of  its  beautiful  build- 
ing. 


Speaking  of  books 


On  Shoulders  of  Giants 


WHO  hath  a book  hath  a friend 
in  hand.”  Books  can  be  most 
wonderful  friends.  By  absorbing  the 
spirit  of  one  of  these  changeless 
companions  one  may  scale  peaks  of 
learning,  journey  in  distant  lands, 
ponder  in  the  mind’s  eye  glorious 
realms  of  beauty,  and  experience 
the  joy  of  elevated  thought.  How- 
ever, many  books  can  be  shallow, 
degrading  friends,  wasting  the  read- 
er’s time  and  energy  and  dissipat- 
ing his  will  to  search  for  the  deeper, 
more  worthwhile  things  in  life.  In 
fact,  when  considered  in  this  con- 
nection, one  might  say  that  they 
“freeze  the  genial  current  of  his 
soul,”  replacing  it  with  an  inert 
complacency. 

Since  the  modem  adult  has  a 


We  Recommend : 

HIGH  IS  THE  WALL  by  Ruth 
Muirhead  Berry  depicts  family  love 
in  a warm  and  human  situation 
that  could  be  enacted  anywhere. 
But  love  does  not  spell  happiness 
when  happiness  is  constantly  chal- 
lenged by  the  powerful  pulls  of  two 
different  religious  convictions. 

This  book  is  an  honest  portrayal 
of  both  sides  of  a problem  facing 
many  young  people  today — that  of 
inter-faith  marriage.  $3.50. 

I BELIEVE  by  Nevin  C.  Harner. 
A Christian  faith  for  youth  is  the 
consideration  of  Dr.  Hamer’s  book. 
As  a wise  counselor  he  inspires 
thinking  that  convinces  young  and 
old  alike  of  the  Christian  faith. 


very  limited  amount  of  time  for 
reading,  it  is  of  paramount  impor- 
tance that  the  books  he  or  she 
reads  are  chosen  with  great  care. 

In  choosisng  a book  there  is  one 
consideration  which  I believe  is  of 
especially  great  consequence.  One 
should  never  shy  away  from  a book 
simply  because  it  seems  difficult, 
lengthy,  or  appears  to  have  an  air 
of  grandness  about  it.  On  the  con- 
trary, a person  wishing  to  derive  as 
much  stimulation,  pleasure,  and 
learning  from  his  reading  as  pos- 
sible will  select  just  such  a book. 
He  realizes  that  contemplation  of  a 
book  written  by  an  author  whose 
thoughts,  inspirations,  and  aspira- 
tions rise  higher  than  his  own  will 
enable  him  to  use  these  treasure- 


ideal  help  in  formulating  a per- 
sonal affirmation  of  faith.  Cloth 
bound  $1.75;  paper  bound  35c. 

RIGHT  OR  WRONG?  by  T.  B. 
Maston.  Christian  youth  must  de- 
cide the  “right  or  wrong”  of  many 
things,  and  be  able  to  justify  their 
decisions  and  explain  their  stand 
tactfully  but  firmly.  This  book  sug- 
gests three  questions,  three  Chris- 
tian tests,  and  some  basic  principles 
which  have  proved  valuable  to  oth- 
ers in  making  important  moral  de- 
cisions. Valuable  for  young  people 
and  their  leaders  on  matters  of 
Christian  conduct.  $2.00. 

STRIDE  TOWARD  FREEDOM 
by  Martin  Luther  King,  Jr.,  is  a 


troves  of  accumulated  enlighten- 
ment as  instruments  in  lifting  his 
own  thoughts  and  meditations.  Sir 
Isaac  Newton,  commenting  on  his 
epic  scientific  discoveries  once  said, 
“If  I am  able  to  see  further  than 
men  such  as  Descartes,  it  is  because 
I stand  on  the  shoulders  of  giants.” 

Finally,  and  of  greatest  impor- 
tance, it  is  in  a book,  God’s  Word, 
the  Bible,  that  we  find  the  joyous 
message  of  man’s  salvation  and 
hope  for  Eternity. 

Let  us  take  care  to  build  good 
reading  habits,  for  everything  we 
read  becomes  a part  of  us.  Let  us 
climb  onto  the  shoulders  of  giants 
and  gaze  far  into  the  distance. 

— John  Unrau,  1959  Graduate  of 
Rosthern  Junior  College. 


story  of  humility  and  humor  told 
in  an  engaging  and  forthright  man- 
ner. Your  attention  focuses  on  a 
conviction  rarely  admitted  and 
more  rarely  demonstrated  in  today’s 
world,  narrated  by  the  people’s 
leader  This  is  a story  of  a bus 
strike,  a Supreme  Court  decision, 
and  the  first  successful  application 
of  nonviolent  resistance  to  an 
American  situation.  Here  is  the 
Montgomery  story.  $2.95. 

All  books  reviewed  can  be  ordered 
from  MENNONITE  BOOKSTORES 
in  Berne,  Indiana;  Rosthern,  Sas- 
katchewan; 720  Main  Street,  New- 
ton, Kansas. 


394 


THE  MENNONITE 


NEWFOUNDLAND  INVENTORY 


Five  years  have  elapsed  since 
the  first  MCC  workers  left  for 
Newfoundland  to  contribute  to  the 
educational  and  medical  needs  of 
the  people  and,  less  tangibly  but 
no  less  significantly,  to  their  social 
and  spiritual  needs.  As  we  look 
back  on  this  five-year  span,  it  might 
be  helpful  to  briefly  size  up  past 
achievements  and  re-evaluate  goals 
and  objectives  for  the  future. 

Comments  are  based  on  a careful 
analysis  of  the  over-all  Newfound- 
land program  prepared  by  Edgar 
Stoesz)  MCC- VS  director  who  re- 
cently visited  Newfoundland  units) 
and  the  local  unit  members. 

• Educational  Since  1954 

41  teachers  have  taught  a total  of 
54  school  years  in  isolated,  usually 
inadequately  equipped  schools 
which  might  otherwise  have  re- 
mained closed  or  taught  by  poorly 
qualified  teachers. 

Education  is  one  of  the  basic 
needs  of  every  country  and  individ- 
ual. A low  educational  standard 
makes  religious  training,  medical 
assistance,  and  national  develop- 
ment difficult.  Since  Newfoundland’s 
major  school  problem — the  great 
shortage  of  qualified  teachers — ^has 
not  declined,  the  contribution  of 
MCC  teachers  is  greatly  appreciat- 
ed and  solicited  for  the  future.  We 
believe  we  should  continue  to  re- 
cruit well  motivated  and  qualified 
teachers  with  the  goals  of  providing 
classroom  opportunity  for  those 
who  would  otherwise  be  unable  to 
obtain  it;  raising  the  general  edu- 
cational level  by  providing  qualified 


teachers;  developing  local  communi- 
ty leadership;  raising  the  esteem  of 
the  teaching  profession  and  encour- 
age outstanding  pupils  to  pursue  it 
as  a vocation. 

• Medical  Also  since  1954, 
MCC  has  sponsored  twenty  regis- 
tered nurses  and  one  doctor  for  a 
total  of  thirty  years  of  medical 
service  in  Newfoundland. 

During  His  earthly  ministry, 
Christ  paused  to  heal  the  lepers, 
the  woman  with  an  issue  of  blood, 
the  man  born  blind.  Christian  re- 
sponsibility cannot  exclude  itself 
from  physical  suffering.  The  Gren- 
fell Mission,  the  Baie  Verte  Clinic, 
and  the  Notre  Dame  Bay  Memorial 
Hospital  still  lack  sufficient,  pro- 
fessionally trained  personnel  to  op- 
erate their  program.  Therefore 
MCC  should  continue  supplying 
qualified  medical  workers  to  these 
places,  who  will  make  it  their  aim 
to  alleviate  physical  suffering  and 
anxiety  in  times  of  sickness  and 
death  by  ministering  “In  the  Name 
of  Christ”;  encourage  local  girls  to 
become  efficient  hospital  workers, 
by  raising  the  esteem  of  the  nurs- 
ing profession  in  the  eyes  of  the 
average  girl;  train  local  personnel 
by  on-the-job  training. 

• Social  Because  the  aver- 
age outpost  Newfoundlanders  lead 
a relatively  isolated  life,  his  activi- 
ty is  usually  restricted  to  the  cove 
in  which  he  lives.  VS  workers  have 
developed  a greater  awareness  of 
how  life  is  lived  in  other  parts  of 
the  world,  thereby  creating  in  the 
local  people  a greater  desire  to  im- 


prove their  own  conditions.  They 
should  continue  to  do  this  by  visit- 
ing people  in  their  homes  and  asso- 
ciating with  them  freely;  the  class- 
room presentation;  example  and 
public  observance. 

• Spiritual  The  MCC  objec- 
tive in  Newfoundland  is  not  to  build 
a Mennonite  Church.  The  denom- 
inationalism  already  too  prevalent 
has  many  adverse  effects.  However, 
this  does  not  excuse  us  from  mak- 
ing a spiritual  contribution.  We 
must  strive  to  bring  people  into  a 
personal  relationship  with  Christ 
and  lead  them  into  active  church 
participation.  The  churches  are  in 
need  of  a demonstration  of  vital 
Christianity  which  is  lived  and  prac- 
ticed consistently.  This  has  been 
the  aim  of  VSers  in  the  past  and 
should  continue  to  be  theirs  in  the 
future.  It  can  be  achieved,  while 
strengthening  the  protestant  Chris- 
tian witness  at  large,  by  actively 
participating  in  the  United  Church 
of  Canada  and  the  community  in 
general  by  teaching  Sunday  School, 
singing  in  the  choir,  organizing 
YP  activities,  visiting  in  homes,  dis- 
tributing Christian  literature,  teach- 
ing DVBS,  utilizing  scripture  and 
prayer  in  the  classroom,  praying 
with  post  operative  patients,  wit- 
nessing by  word  and  deed. 

Edgar  Stoesz  concludes  the  report 
with:  “There  is  much  evidence  that 
our  62  Newfoundland  workers 
through  their  dedicated  service  have 
achieved  the  stated  objectives  to  a 
great  degree.  A statement  made 
recently  by  a local  resident  is  a 
case  in  point  ‘Our  young  people  are 
modelling  their  lives  after  your 
workers.’  ” 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People's  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  3003 
Benham  Avenue,  Elkhart,  Indiana. 


Registration  For  YPU  Retreat 

Please  register  me  for  the  Young  People’s  Union  retreat  August  5-12 
at  Camp  Friedenswald. 

NAME 

ADDRESS 

I plan  to  arrive  (date) by  car  Q train  □ bus  □ plane  Q 


June  23,  1959 


395 


our  schools 

SUMMER  SCHOOL  FACULTY 

Included  in  the  faculty  for  the 
1959  summer  school  sessions  at 
Bluffton  College  are  the  following 
visiting  professors:  Vivian  Crites, 

M.S.,  education;  Eldon  W.  Graber, 
Ph.D.,  secondary  education;  Martha 
Graber,  B.S.,  geography;  Raymond 
Hammon,  A.M.,  history;  P.  E.  Shel- 
lenberg,  Ph.D.,  psychology;  and  Cal- 
vin B.  Workman,  Ph.D.,  psychology. 

Regular  faculty  members  who  are 
teaching  during  the  summer  are 
Ada  Lapp,  A.M.,  elementary  educa- 
tion; Delbert  L.  Gratz,  Ph.D.,  li- 
brarian; I.  W.  Bauman,  Ph.D.,  so- 
ciology; Naomi  Brenneman,  A.M., 
literature;  Dale  F.  Dickey,  B.D., 
speech;  William  Keeney,  Ph.D., 
Bible;  Earl  Lehman,  A.M.,  music 
education;  Darvin  Luginbuhl,  A.M., 
art;  M’Della  Moon,  A.M.,  conserva- 
tion; Edna  Ramseyer,  Ph.D.,  home 
economics;  Paul  Shelly,  Ph.D., 
Christian  education;  Luther  Shet- 
ler,  Ph.D.,  mathematics;  Benno 
Toews,  B.D.,  German. 

Administration  officials  are  Lloyd 
L.  Ramseyer,  Ph.D.,  president;  Rob- 
ert S.  Kreider,  Ph.D.,  dean,  history; 
Carl  M.  Lehman,  A.B.,  business 
manager;  John  Purves,  B.S.M.,  ad- 
missions counselor;  and  J.  Richard 
Weaver,  Ph.D.,  registrar. 

CULTURAL  CONFERENCE 

The  biennial  meeting  of  the  Men- 
nonite  Cultural  Conference  convened 
at  Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary 
June  16-17.  This  conference  is  spon- 
sored by  Mennonite  and  Affiliated 
colleges.  Some  papers  presented 
were:  “Menno  Simon’s  Hermeneu- 
tical Approach  to  the  Scripture”  by 
Henry  Poettcker,  Canadian  Menno- 
nite Bible  College;  “The  Relation 
of  the  Old  and  New  Covenant  in 
the  Writings  of  Pilgrim  Marbeck” 
by  William  Klassen,  Mennonite 
Seminary;  ‘"The  Anabaptist  Influ- 
ence on  American  Religious 
Thought”  by  Irvin  B.  Horst,  Eastern 
Mennonite  College;  “Social  Implica- 
tions of  Mennonite  Doctrine”  by  J. 
Lawrence  Burkholder,  Goshen  Col- 
lege; and  “Policies  and  Problems  of 
Intercultural  Relations  of  Menno- 
nites  on  the  Mission  Field”  by  J.  D. 
Graber,  Goshen  College  Biblical 
Seminary. 


SEMINARY  FACULTY  ACTIVITIES 

On  May  30,  William  Klassen, 
John  Howard  Yoder,  and  Erland 
Waltner  participated  in  a study 
conference  on  the  “The  Church  and 
the  World”  at  the  Evanston  Insti- 
tute for  Ecumenical  Studies  in 
Evanston,  111..  Klassen  presented  a 
paper  on  “Some  Neglected  Aspects 
of  the  Biblical  View  of  the  Church” 
and  Yoder  presented  one  on  “The 
Otherness  of  the  Church.”  This 
meeting,  which  was  arranged  by  the 
Institute,  included  a number  of  sem- 
inary leaders  of  the  Chicago-Ev^.;s- 
ton  area  and  gave  opportunity  for 
a positive  Anabaptist  and  Menno- 
nite witness. 

S.  F.  Pannabecker  and  A.  E.  Krei- 
der attended  a joint  meeting  of  the 
Central  District  Missions  commit- 
tee and  the  board  of  the  Mennonite 
Church  in  Markham,  111.,  on  June 
3.  The  work  of  the  building  pro- 
gram of  the  church  was  reviewed 
and  plans  were  made  to  complete 
the  work  by  the  time  of  the  dedica- 
tion service  in  July. 

Andrew  Shelly  recently  attended 
a meeting  of  the  co-operative  board 
representatives  of  Union  Biblical 
Seminary,  Yoetmal,  India.  This 
meeting  was  held  at  Winona  Lake, 
Ind..  He  is  at  present  spending  two 
weeks  in  Pa.  in  the  interest  of  the 
seminary. 

J.  J.  Enz  was  the  Bible  speaker  at 
the  Pacific  District  Conference  held 
at  Barlow,  Ore.,  June  10-14. 

The  speaker  at  the  dedication 
service  of  the  new  educational  wing 
of  the  First  Mennonite  Church  of 
Berne,  Ind.,  on  June  14,  was  Er- 
land Waltner. 

1 ^Towing  a vacation  trip  through 
Ontario,  Magdalen  Friesen,  togeth- 
er with  Esther  Weber,  Goshen  Col- 
lege librarian,  attended  a library 
meeting  at  Knox  College,  Toronto, 
Ont.,  June  16-19. 

JANET  SOLDNER  VISITS  CMBC 

Miss  Janet  Soldner,  missionary  to 
Colombia,  spoke  at  the  last  session 
of  the  class  in  Mennonite  Missions 
at  Canadian  Mennonite  Bible  Col- 
lege June  4.  She  spoke  of  the  people 
in  bondage  to  so-called  Christianity 
in  Roman  Catholicism,  the  need  for 
the  liberating  power  of  Christ,  the 
opposition  to  the  gospel,  and  the 
success  in  the  establishment  of  a 
Christian  community. 

CLASS  GIFT 

The  graduating  class’s  gift  to 
CMBC  was  a program  clock  which 


will  automatically  announce  the  be- 
ginning and  end  of  classes. 

CLOSING  EVENTS 

The  final  prayer  meeting  of  the 
year  at  CMBC  was  in  the  form  of 
a testimony  meeting.  Gifts  for 
those  of  the  faculty  and  staff  who 
will  be  leaving  were  presented  at 
the  close  of  the  meeting.  Henry 
Wall,  who  has  served  on  the  facul- 
ty as  instructor  and  treasurer,  has 
resigned  for  reasons  of  ill  health. 
Mrs.  Anne  Neufeld,  secretary,  and 
Mrs.  Hamm,  assistant  cook,  will 
also  be  leaving. 


jottings 

JOINT  BIBLE  SCHOOL 

Hanston  Church,  Hanston,  Kan.: 
The  men’s  organization  was  invited 
to  attend  a special  meeting  of  the 
Jetmore  Presbyterian  men’s  meet- 
ing Mar.  16.  'The  speaker  was  At- 
torney Harold  B.  Lewis  of  Scott 
City,  who  spoke  on  ‘"The  Trial  of 
Jesus.”  Several  of  the  women  of  the 
church  attended  the  Western  Dis- 
trict women’s  meeting  at  Hillsboro 
on  Mar.  17.  The  Bethel  College  Cho- 
rale presented  a sacred  service  in 
the  grade  school  on  Good  Friday.  A 
dinner  was  served  to  the  group  at 
noon.  On  the  evening  of  Good  Fri- 
day union  services  were  held  in  the 
Hanston  Methodist  Church.  Pastor 
W.  Harley  King  attended  the  com- 
mittee meeting  in  Newton  Mar.  31- 
Apr.  3 to  arrange  for  the  mission- 
ary orientation  course  and  the  min- 
ister’s retreat.  A basket  fellowship 
supper  was  held  in  place  of  the  reg- 
ular C.  E.  program  Apr.  5.  It  was 
a time  of  fellowship,  song,  and  de- 
votions. The  area  Bethel  College 
fellowship  program  was  held  in  the 
church  Apr.  19.  Harry  Martens  was 
the  main  speaker.  Missionary  James 
Bertsche  from  Africa  was  with  us 
Apr.  23.  He  has  spent  two  terms 
in  Africa  and  has  been  working  on 
Scripture  translation.  He  showed 
colored  slides  in  connection  with  his 
message.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Albert  Jant- 
zen,  missionaries  from  Oraibi,  Ariz., 
showed  slides  and  told  of  their 
work  with  the  Hopi  Indians  on  May 
15.  Baptismal  services  were  held 
for  Dennis  Sebes  and  Paul  Miller 
May  17.  Communion  services  were 
observed  May  24.  Vacation  Bible 
school  was  held  May  25-June  5 to- 
gether with  the  Hanston  Baptist 
Church.  'The  sessions  closed  with  a 
program  by  the  children  June  7. 
Teachers  from  both  churches  helped 


396 


THE  MENNONITE 


with  the  work.  Linda  Sebes,  daugh- 
ter of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edward  Sebes, 
has  been  in  Clinton,  Okla.,  during 
June  to  help  with  vacation  Bible 
school  and  retreats  among  the 
Cheyenne  Indians.  The  marriage  of 
Marilyn  Miller,  daughter  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Marvin  Miller,  and  Larry  Sal- 
mans took  place  May  31  at  the  Tid- 
well Bible  Chapel,  Baylor  Univer- 
sity Campus,  Waco,  Texas,  where 
they  are  both  enrolled  in  summer 
school.  Extensive  repair  work  has 
been  done  in  the  church  basement 
this  spring.  A new  corrugated  alu- 
minum ceiling  was  added,  and  the 
walls  and  floor  received  a new  coat 
of  paint. — Mrs.  E.  E.  Hirschler,  corr. 

GUEST  SPEAKERS 

New  Hoped  ale  Church,  Meno, 
Okla.:  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Tobias  B.  Un- 
ruh  were  received  into  our  fellow- 
ship on  Mar.  22.  Communion  service 
and  feet  washing  were  observed 
Mar.  25.  On  Good  Friday  morning 
a group  from  Mennonite  Biblical 
Seminary  at  Elkhart,  Ind.,  gave  a 
program.  At  noon  the  same  day  we 
enjoyed  a fellowship  meal  together. 
April  1,  Rev.  J.  Ross  Goodall,  mis- 
sionary among  the  Jews  in  Ontario, 
was  with  us.  George  Stoneback,  pas- 
tor of  Lorraine  Ave.  Mennonite 
Church  in  Wichita,  Kan.,  was  the 
speaker  at  our  father-son  banquet, 
Apr.  21.  Mrs.  Albert  Janzen,  mis- 
sionary from  Arizona,  was  the 
speaker  for  the  mother-daughter 
banquet.  May  8.  In  midweek  adult 
Bible  study  we  had  a series  of  stud- 
ies on  baptism  led  by  our  pastor, 
Ben  Friesen.  One  week  of  all  day 
vacation  Bible  school  ended  with  a 
program  Sun.  morning.  May  31. 
This  was  followed  by  a picnic  at 
the  H.  H.  Unruh  farm. — Mrs.  H.  J. 
Becker,  corr. 

GUEST  SPEAKER  FROM  GERMANY 

Butterfield  Church,  Butterfield, 
Minn.:  “Fools  for  Christ’s  Sake’’ 
was  the  theme  for  pastor  Peter 
Tschetter’s  baccalaureate  sermon  at 
the  local  high  school  on  Sun.  eve- 
ning, May  24.  A graduating  senior 
from  our  group  was  Eldon  Lin- 
scheid.  Our  young  people  met  on 
the  evenings  of  the  third  and  fifth 
Sundays  in  May.  We  observed  open 
communion  on  Sun.  morning.  May 
31.  On  the  following  Wed.  evening 
Dan  Esau  from  Germany  was  guest 
speaker  at  the  Bible  study  and 
prayer  gathering.  Vacation  Bible 
school  was  held  at  the  grade  school 
in  joint  union  with  the  north  church 
from  June  8 through  19.  A present 
project  is  the  farming  of  62  acres 
of  corn,  the  income  to  be  used  in 
augmenting  the  front  church  entry. 
— ^Willis  Linscheid,  corr. 


MISSIONARIES  WELCOMED 

East  Swamp  Church,  Quaker- 
TOWN,  Pa.:  Irma  Geissinger  gradu- 
ated from  the  Immanuel  Hospital 
School  of  Nursing,  Omaha,  Neb. 
The  C.  E.  societies  and  Youth  Fel- 
lowship combined  to  bring  the  ves- 
per service  at  the  Frederick  Home 
May  10.  We  were  happy  to  welcome 
Janet  Soldner  at  a missionary  meet- 
ing May  12.  It  was  good  to  hear  of 
the  Lord’s  blessing  in  Colombia.  A 
welcome-home  fellowship  and  food 
shower  was  given  the  Leon  Schane- 
ly  family,  who  are  on  furlough  from 
Bolivia  and  making  their  home  at 
the  missionary  cottage  at  Men-O- 
Lan.  A large  group  enjoyed  a moth- 
er-daughter banquet  on  May  13.  A 
spiritual  feast  followed  with  Mrs. 
Norman  Cressman  of  Allentown  as 
speaker.  We  were  saddened  by  the 
passing  of  Clarence  Carbaugh  Sr. 
on  May  15.  'The  Young  People’s 
Fellowship  held  a meeting  at  the 
Rescue  Mission  in  Bethlehem  on 
May  23. — Corr. 

LADIES’  AID  PROJECTS 

Friedensburg  Church,  Avon,  S.  D.; 
Jan.  14  Lyman  Sprunger,  from 
Jackson,  Miss.,  showed  pictures  and 
told  about  the  work  among  Negroes. 
On  March  15  the  Youth  Volunteers 
and  sponsor  Leola  Schultz  from 
Freeman  Jr.  College  gave  a pro- 
gram on  the  work  they  do  and  rep- 
resent. March  29  our  mixed  choir 
gave  a fine  Easter  musical  pro- 
gram. On  April  8 was  the  funeral 
of  our  oldest  church  member,  Mrs. 
John  B.  Becker,  who  was  past  87 
years  and  a faithful  member.  April 
12  the  Frank  Ewerts  were  with  us; 
Brother  Ewert  brought  a message 
on  Philippians  3:1-14,  stressing  the 
thirteenth  verse.  They  also  brought 
special  music.  Brenda  Ratzlaff  was 
dedicated  on  May  10.  Bob  Anderson 
spoke  at  our  C.  E.  Mother’s  Day 
program,  giving  definite  pointers  on 
how  to  bring  up  children  in  a Chris- 
tian atmosphere.  Our  Ladies  Aid 
meets  every  first  Thursday  of  the 
month  through  the  summer.  This 
winter  the  Aid  made  comforters, 
layettes,  baby  blankets,  bandages; 
got  new  and  used  clothing;  cut 
quilt  blocks;  and  had  some  money 
projects.  Every  second  and  fourth 
Sunday  are  the  C.  E.  programs. 
Wednesday  evenings  we  have  Bible 
Study  and  prayer  meeting.  May  16 
was  the  wedding  of  EUen  Ratzlaff 
and  Verlyn  Pudwill. — Mrs.  I.  Boese, 
corr. 

FINANCIAL  CAMPAIGN 

Mennonite  Hospital,  Blooming- 
ton, III.:  Rev.  R.  L.  Hartzler,  chair- 
man of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of 
Mennonite  Hospital  at  Bloomington, 


Illinois,  has  announced  a $265,000 
campaign  for  debt  liquidation  and 
the  construction  of  new  heating  and 
laundry  facilities.  'The  community 
campaign  will  open  the  latter  part 
of  July  and  run  approximately  a 
month. 

The  campaign  executive  commit- 
tee is  composed  of  Arthur  Baum, 
Kenneth  Cross,  and  Chester  Roth 
of  the  Board  of  'Trustees  with  Ar- 
thur V.  Eitf,  Verner  Kurth,  and 
Frank  Smith  from  the  hospital  ad- 
visory group. 

Several  hundred  residents  of  the 
Bloomington  community  will  be  or- 
ganized to  conduct  an  intensive  pro- 
gram with  $265,000  as  the  goal. 

The  hospital  plans  to  erect  a new 
building  for  the  heating  plant  and 
laundry.  Most  likely  site  for  the 
new  building  will  be  on  East  Wal- 
nut Street  adjoining  the  hospital. 

The  Central  District  Conference 
has  received  the  report  of  the  joint 
conference  study  commission  relat- 
ing to  our  School  of  Nursing  and 
encouraged  the  commission  to  con- 
tinue its  study  of  ways  by  which  the 
school  might  function  as  a joint 
conference  institution.  In  any  case, 
the  hospital  itself  will  continue  un- 
der the  sponsorship  and  supervision 
of  the  Mennonite  Hospital  Associa- 
tion as  it  now  is. 

PASTOR  ACCEPTED  AS  MEMBER 

Grace  Church,  Lansdale,  Pa.:  On 
April  26,  our  pastor,  Howard  Jay 
Habegger,  was  accepted  as  a mem- 
ber of  our  congregation  on  transfer 
of  his  letter  from  the  First  Menno- 
nite Church  of  Berne,  Indiana.  Har- 
ry Yoder  brought  the  message  at 
the  Sunday  evening  Service,  May 
3.  He  was  visiting  our  church  in 
the  interest  of  Bluffton  College.  On 
Tues.  evening.  May  5,  the  annual 
mother-daughter  banquet  was  held 
with  over  two  hundred  in  attend- 
ance. Mrs.  John  Morrow  was  mis- 
tress of  ceremonies.  A surprise 
tribute  was  paid  to  Mrs.  Alice  Sea- 
sholtz  by  former  members  of  the 
Junior  Choir.  Pastor  Habegger 
talked  and  showed  slides  taken  dur- 
ing his  travels  in  the  Far  East  and 
South  America.  Attendance  has 
been  very  good  at  the  Wed.  eve- 
ning Bible  study  and  prayer  serv- 
ices. We  have  been  having  a series 
of  lectures  on  “How  to  Study  the 
Bible,”  and  “How  the  Bible  Came 
to  Us.”  The  following  joined  as 
members  of  our  fellowship  on  May 
24:  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harold  Landis, 
Miss  Rose  Landis,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Norman  Moyer,  Mr.  J.  Morris  Fretz, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Raymond  Kemp,  Mr. 
William  Chegwin  (our  Spanish 
speaking  pastor),  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
George  A.  Hager,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 


June  23,  1959 


397 


Marcus  Moyer,  and  Mrs.  Howard 
J.  Habegger.  Our  pastor,  Howard 
Habegger,  was  ordained  to  the  min- 
istry in  his  home  church  in  Berne, 
Indiana,  on  June  14.  Our  former 
pastor,  Olin  Krehbiel,  brought  the 
message.  A number  of  our  members 
made  the  trip  to  Berne  to  attend 
this  service.  Our  daily  vacation  Bi- 
ble school  is  held  this  year  from 
June  15-26.  Miss  Margaret  Blotter 
was  in  charge  of  the  school  this 
year. — Ruth  P.  Arn,  corr. 

MEMBERS  ATTEND  CONFERENCE 

Pulaski  Church,  Pulaski,  Iowa.: 
Several  of  our  people  attended  our 
Conference  at  Goshen,  Indiana.  May 
1,  Mr.  Barkman  from  the  Grace 
Children’s  Home,  Omaha,  Neb., 
spoke  in  the  church  in  behalf  of 
the  “Home.”  May  13,  Vernon  J. 
Sprunger  occupied  our  pulpit  and 
he  and  his  wife  Lilly  visited  several 
days  with  home  folks.  Also  on  May 
3,  in  the  evening,  the  Bloomfield 
High  School  Choir,  of  which  three 
were  members  of  our  church,  gave 
a concert  at  the  church.  On  May  31 
we  were  privileged  to  have  as  our 
guest  speaker,  Mr.  Anthonie  Van 
Del  Doel,  student  at  Brethren  Sem- 
inary in  Chicago.  He  is  preparing 
himself  as  teacher  to  go  to  Liberia, 
Africa.  The  children  are  busy  at- 
tending vacation  Bible  school. — 
Elise  Bachman,  corr. 

FOURTEEN  MEMBERS  ADDED 

First  Church,  Hillsboro,  Kan.: 
Our  congregation  observed  holy 
communion  on  March  26.  Good  Fri- 
day evening  Nic  Klassen  directed 
our  choir  in  the  rendition  of  “Seven 
Last  Words  of  Christ.”  Soloists 
were:  Mrs.  Stanley  Eitzen,  Jona 

Balzer,  and  Maries  Preheim.  The 
self-denial  folders  we  used  brought 
$588.10.  This  was  to  be  divided  e- 
qually  for  relief,  Mennonite  Biblical 
Seminary,  and  W.  D.  Home  Mis- 
sions Board  for  establishing  new 
churches.  W.  C.  Voth  brought  the 
morning  message  April  19.  Peter  J. 
Dyck  presented  the  problems  of 
MCC  work  of  Berlin  in  the  M.  B. 
Church  on  April  24.  Nine  children 
were  consecrated  May  10.  On  March 
19,  Susan  was  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
James  Flaming,  and  Chris  Fabian 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Stephen  Jost  on 
April  22.  Elma  Funk  and  Homer 
Harms,  Whitewater,  were  united  in 
marriage.  Seven  young  people  were 
baptized  and  received  as  members 
on  May  17.  Also,  seven  were  added 
by  transfer  of  letters.  Vacation  Bi- 
ble School  was  held  May  25  to  June 
5. — Mrs.  Jacob  E.  Klassen,  Corr. 

CONFERENCE  REPORTS  GIVEN 

Willow  Creek  Church,  Paso 
Robles,  Calif.:  Feb.  20,  D.  C.  Wedel 


gave  us  a message  from  God’s 
Word  and  also  presented  more  in- 
formation about  the  different  phases 
of  the  work  at  Bethel  College. 
March  4,  George  Dick  of  Winton 
and  Peter  Ediger  of  Fresno  gave  a 
most  interesting  and  informative  re- 
port of  the  Council  of  Boards,  giv- 
ing us  an  idea  of  the  widespread 
work  of  our  General  Conference. 
P.  K.  Regier  of  Newton,  Kan.,  was 
a welcome  visitor  March  24.  He  ac- 
quainted us  with  some  of  the  con- 
ditions of  the  Mennonite  colonies 
in  South  America,  their  develop- 
ment and  growth;  having  visited 
them  he  could  give  first-hand  ac- 
counts. In  April,  Rev.  and  Mrs. 
Marion  Allen  and  three  little  girls 
were  in  our  midst.  They  told  of 
their  work  and  showed  pictures  of 
the  mission  field  in  Tanganyika, 
where  they  are  missionaries.  Pre- 
Easter  meetings  were  held  Mon.  and 
Wed.  evenings  with  several  church 
members  leading.  On  Good  Friday 
morning  we  listened  to  a message 
on  “Love  Speaks  from  the  Cross,” 
by  Pastor  Duerksen.  In  the  early 
afternoon  the  different  churches  of 
our  city  joined  in  services  at  the 
Congregational  Church,  with  pas- 
tors of  several  churches  speaking  on 
the  “Seven  Last  Words  of  Christ  on 
the  Cross.”  Easter  morning  the 
young  people  and  their  sponsors 
had  Easter  breakfast  in  the  church 
annex.  Later  we  had  a large  at- 
tendance for  the  Easter  S.  S.  and 
worship  services.  We  heard  again 
the  wonderful  resurrection  message. 
Ascension  Day  we  had  evening 
services  so  that  school  children  and 
workers  could  participate.  Pente- 
cost, May  17,  six  young  people  unit- 
ed with  the  church  by  baptism.  It 
was  a sacred  hour;  our  pastor  spoke 
to  our  hearts  on  “To  You  and  To 
Your  Children.”  Our  annual  S.  S. 
and  C.  E.  picnic  was  held  in  God’s 
great  out-of-doors.  Mrs.  Duerksen, 
Mrs.  Elma  Dueck,  Mrs.  Beth  Claas- 
sen,  and  Mrs.  Agatha  Dueck  attend- 
ed the  Calif.  S.  S.  and  C.  E.  con- 
vention at  Downey,  Calif.,  April  24- 
26,  and  later  gave  reports  during 
the  S.  S.  hour.  Rev.  F.  F.  Jantzen 
is  at  present  in  the  home  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  J.  H.  Wiens  at  Reedley,  Calif. 
He  is  mostly  in  a wheel  chair.  The 
C.  E.  of  the  First  Church  in  Paso 
Robles  and  our  church  C.  E.  had 
a joint  program  May  24.  Musical 
numbers  were  given  and  a film  was 
shown  on  the  life  of  William  Carey, 
first  missionary  to  India.  Pastor  J. 
R.  Duerksen  and  Mrs.  Duerksen, 
and  several  others  attended  the 
Pacific  District  conference  at  Bar- 
low,  Ore.  May  the  Lord  prosper  His 
work  through  the  Conference. — 
Mrs.  B.  A.  Claassen,  corr. 


MINISTER  RETIRES 

Grace  Church,  Pandora,  Ohio:  Our 
pastor,  Ernest  Bohn,  who  has 
served  us  so  faithfully  for  13  years, 
submitted  his  resignation  at  our  an- 
nual meeting  in  Jan.  It  is  to  become 
effective  at  the  end  of  Aug.  Mar. 
15-20  we  had  A.  E.  Kreider  of  Go- 
shen, Ind.,  as  our  guest  speaker  for 
our  pre-Easter  services.  Palm  Sun. 
evening  our  choir,  assisted  by  solo- 
ists, gave  the  “Seven  Last  Words” 
by  Dubois.  Easter  Sun.  communion 
was  observed,  and  in  the  evening 
the  young  people  presented  a pag- 
eant on  the  Passion  Week.  Mission- 
ary Sun.,  planned  by  the  Evange- 
lism Committee,  was  held  May  3. 
In  the  morning  the  speaker  was 
Bruno  Epp,  mission  worker  to  Par- 
aguay. He  also  spoke  at  the  young 
people’s  banquet  in  the  evening. 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Merle  Schwartz,  mis- 
sionaries to  the  Belgian  Congo, 
spoke  and  showed  pictures  follow- 
ing the  banquet.  The  young  mis- 
sion workers  had  a tea  for  the 
mothers  and  grandmothers  at  the 
church.  May  9,  at  which  . time  a 
Mother’s  Day  program  was  given. 
Two  generous  gifts  have  recently 
been  given  to  the  church.  Mrs.  Al- 
van  Basinger  gave  a gift  of  money 
designated  for  church  improvement 
in  memory  of  her  husband.  Amos 
Schumacher  has  given  his  house  to 
the  church,  the  money  from  the 
sale  of  the  house  to  be  used  for 
the  building  of  a new  parsonage.  At 
a special  congregational  meeting 
the  approval  was  given  to  sell  the 
Schumacher  home  and  the  present 
parsonage  and  build  a new  one.  A 
study  committee  has  been  working 
on  plans,  with  the  help  of  an  archi- 
tect, for  additional  building  of  S.  S. 
rooms.  Our  church  and  the  other 
Mennonite  churches  of  this  area  are 
looking  forward  to  the  coming  Gen- 
eral Conference  Centennial  session 
in  August. — Corr. 

GRADUATES  LISTED 

Normal  Church,  Normal,  III.:  Six 
new  members  were  received  by  let- 
ter May  17:  Mrs.  Kenneth  Reeser, 
Mrs.  Robert  Reeser,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Chester  Roth,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Charles  King.  Pastor  and  Mrs.  Har- 
der were  at  Bethel  College  the 
week-end  of  May  23  to  attend  com- 
mencement activities,  as  their  son 
Paul  and  his  wife  were  among  the 
graduates.  Gene  Nafziger  and  Mrs. 
Ronald  Ropp  were  Bluffton  Col- 
lege graduates  this  month,  and  their 
parents  attended  commencement  ex- 
ercises. High  School  graduates  from 
our  church  were  Judy  Streid,  Phyl- 
lis Patton,  Glenda  Schoultz,  and 
Richard  Sommer. — Mrs.  Alma  Gal- 
loway, corr. 


398 


THEt  MENNONITE 


conference  notes 

continued  from  lost  page 

INSTITUTIONS  TO  BE  RECOGNIZED 

Three  welfare  institutions  have 
been  recommended  for  official  Con- 
ference status.  This  will  be  acted 
upon  at  the  triennial  sessions  in  Au- 
gust. Following  procedure  estab- 
lished at  the  1956  conference,  the 
Board  of  Christian  Service  will  rec- 
ommend the  Bloomington  Menno- 
nite  Hospital,  Bloomington,  111., 
Meadows  Home  for  the  Aged,  Mead- 
ows, 111.,  and  Mennonite  Deaconess 
Home  and  Hospital,  Inc.,  Beatrice, 
Neb. 

REFUGEE  YEAR  PROCLAIMED 

The  General  Assembly  of  the 
United  Nations  in  December  1958 
adopted  a resolution  for  a World 
Refugee  Year  to  begin  in  June  1959, 
urging  its  members  to  promote 
World  Refugee  Year  as  a practical 
means  of  securing  increased  assist- 
ance for  refugees  throughout  the 
world.  In  accordance  with  this  de- 
cision, President  Eisenhower  has  is- 
sued the  following  proclamation: 

“I,  Dwight  D.  Eisenhower,  Presi- 


dent of  the  United  States  of  Amer- 
ica, do  proclaim  the  period  from 
July  1,  1959,  to  June  30,  1960,  as 
World  Refugee  Year;  and  I invite 
all  of  our  citizens  to  support  gener- 
ously, either  through  the  voluntary 
welfare  agencies  or  the  United 
States  Committee  for  Refugees,  the 
programs  developed  in  furtherance 
of  that  Year  for  the  assistance  of 
refugees.” 

In  its  world-wide  services  to  ref- 
ugees and  disaster  victims  of  many 
kinds,  Mennonite  Central  Committee 
serves  as  one  voluntary  agency  co- 
operating with  other  churches  in 
such  a ministry  of  service. 


LEADER  FOR  EVANSTON  1-W  UNIT 

Gordon  Dyck,  1959  graduate  from 
Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary,  will 
serve  as  leader  of  the  1-W  unit  at 
Evanston,  111.,  this  summer.  Em- 
ployed in  alternative  service  in  the 
general  hospital  at  Evanston  are 
fifty-six  men,  about  half  of  whom 
are  General  Conference  Mennonite. 
This  step  in  giving  leadership  to 
1-W  units  is  part  of  a long-range 
study  of  the  1-W  program  and  the 
church’s  role  in  it. 


MCC  news  and  notes 

UNIQUE  MISSION  STRATEGY 

PERU — Tournavista,  Peru,  repre- 
sents a unique  1959  mission  strategy 
symbol,  according  to  MCC  Assoc. 
Secretary  Orie  O.  Miller.  Miller  vis- 
ited the  five  member  MCC  unit  at 
Tournavista  May  29-31.  This  proj- 
ect, under  the  direction  of  the  Le 
Toumeau  Foundation,  was  set  up 
in  1954  to  develop  a colonization 
community  as  well  as  to  serve  exist- 
ing missions  in  the  jungle  area. 
The  Foundation’s  modern  mecha- 
nization and  maintenance  skills 
which  are  available  to  mission  work- 
ers enable  a witness  previously  un- 
imaginable, Miller  points  out.  For 
example,  Sylvester  Dirks,  founder 
of  a Krimmer  Mennonite  Brethren 
outreach  to  the  Campa  tribe  at  Ata- 
lia,  indicated  that  a trip  from  Lima 
to  his  station  took  30  days  less  than 
a decade  ago;  a radio  transmitter 
at  Tournavista  provides  continuous 
opportunity  for  communication  and 
daytime  air  service  is  available  on 
call. 

“Great  changes  have  taken  place 
since  I visited  here  just  four  years 
ago,”  Miller  reports.  Over  2,000 
acres  of  thick  jungle  have  been 
cleared  with  special  machinery  de- 
veloped for  this  purpose.  Along 
with  500  beef  cattle  on  pasture 
there  is  a weekly  schedule  of  butch- 
ering, processing  and  freezing  cair- 
ried  on  with  the  meat  transported 
by  air  to  Lima  for  marketing.  The 
Tournavista  community  of  500  now 
includes  an  area  missionary  chil- 
dren’s school  with  50  enrolled.  “In 
the  indigenous  church  Sunday 
school  this  morning  (May  31)  there 
were  215  present,”  Miller  comments. 
“This  witness  is  followed  up 
through  river  outreach  points  and 
other  ways.” 

WEIERHOF  SCHOOL  REOPENED 

GERMANY — Accordng  to  Euro- 
Pax  News,  German  Mennonites  re- 
opened their  school  in  Weierhof  in 
the  Palatinate  April  17,  with  90  stu- 
dents from  grades  five  to  eight.  This 
marks  another  milestone  in  the 
school’s  eventful  history.  Estab- 
lished by  men  of  vision  in  1867,  it 
served  as  a Mennonite  educational 
center  until  1936  when  it  was  appro- 
priated by  the  National  Socialist 
Party  and  later  used  by  French  and 
American  occupation  forces. 


Missionaries  Return  to  Paraguay 


Bruno  and  Elizabeth  Epp  and  their  children,  Ruthie,  Rodney, 
and  Vemie,  will  leave  from  Vancouver,  B.  C.,  on  July  8 for  their 
second  term  of  missionary  service  in  Paraguay  under  the  General 
Conference  Mennonite  Board  of  Missions.  Bruno  will  teach  in  the 
Bible  school  in  Neuland  Colony.  Their  furlough  has  been  spent 
in  study  at  Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary,  Elkhart,  Ind.  ’The  Epp’s 
temporary  address  is  Box  187,  Clearbrook,  B.  C. 


June  23,  1959 


399 


conference  notes 


LOOKING  TOWARD 
GENERAL  CONFERENCE 

Those  of  us  who  are  young  and 
revolutionary  in  spirit  may  find  at 
these  General  Conference  sessions 
an  occasion  to  measure  what  we 
(the  church)  are  doing  to  struggle 
with  the  vital  issues  of  our  day. 
Here,  as  in  no  other  circumstance, 
we  will  see  the  contemporary  com- 
posite of  the  church’s  witness. 

Three  years  ago  we  were  appalled 
at  our  lethargy  of  vision  and  lack 
in  growth  of  urban  missions.  This 
spell  seems  to  have  been  broken. 
The  Bluffton  conference  will  be  a 
time  to  measure  whether  we  are 
still  the  “Stille  im  Lande”  or  wheth- 
er in  our  day  our  faith  is  finding 
expression  in  life.  It  is  well  to  gain 
the  centennial  perspective  if  it  leads 
to  introspection  and  self-study. 

Bluffton  will  also  be  a time  to 
see  whether  within  our  church  the 
leadership  is  planning  for  the  fu- 
ture. Life  is  an  experience  of  change 
— in  economics,  in  education,  and 
also  in  religion.  The  new  generation 
will  have  its  eyes  open  to  measure 
our  ability  to  sense  the  times  and 
its  challenges. 

Fred  Unruh 

Newton,  Kansas 

SIEMENS  LICENSED  TO  PREACH 

Curt  Siemens,  high  school  teacher 
in  Buhler,  Kan.,  was  licensed  to 
preach  in  General  Conference  Men- 
nonite  churches  in  a service  held 
June  21.  Albert  Gaeddert,  presi- 
dent of  the  Western  District  Con- 
ference, officiated  at  the  service 
and  Irvin  E.  Richert,  pastor  of  Buh- 
ler Mennonite  church,  addressed  the 
congregation.  P.  K.  Regier,  execu- 
tive secretary  of  the  General  Con- 
ference Mennonite  Church,  spoke 
on  the  ministerial  calling. 

WCV  ITINERATION 

Hedy  Sawadsky,  promotional  sec- 
retary for  Women  in  Church  Voca- 
tions, will  spend  the  summer  at  re- 
treats and  conferences  and  in 
churches  to  acquaint  the  General 
Conference  Mennonite  constituency 
with  the  service  opportunities  in  the 
WCV  program.  Her  itinerary  is  as 
follows : British  Columbia  Youth  Re- 
treat, June  26-28;  B.C.  churches. 


June  29  and  30;  Canadian  Confer- 
ence, July  4-9;  Idaho  Young  Peo- 
ple’s Retreat,  July  11-16;  Oregon 
Young  People’s  Retreat,  July  17-20; 
Saskatchewan  Youth  Retreat, 
Swift  Current,  July  22-26;  Rosthern, 
Sask.,  July  27;  Saskatoon,  Sask., 
July  28;  Alberta  Youth  Retreat,  Cal- 
gary, July  31- Aug.  2;  YPU  Retreat, 
Camp  Friedenswald,  Cassopolis, 
Mich.,  Aug.  5-12;  General  Confer- 
ence sessions,  BluiTton,  Ohio,  Aug. 
13-19. 

Churches  or  groups  who  wish  to 
know  more  about  the  WCV  pro- 
gram and  want  to  arrange  a meet- 
ing with  Hedy  may  write  to  the 
Board  of  Christian  Service,  General 
Conference  Mennonite  Church,  722 
Main,  Newton,  Kansas. 

OPERATION  600 

Concern  regarding  the  launching 
of  missiles  has  been  registered  by 
the  Western  District  Conference  of 
the  General  Conference  Mennonite 
Church.  The  United  States  Air 


No  MENNONITE  Next  Week 
Following  a custom  of  many 
yearSj  there  will  be  no  issue  of 
THE  MENNONITE  next  week — 
the  week  of  the  Fourth  of  July. 
The  next  issue  will  be  dated  July 
7.  —Ed. 


Force  has  projected  a guided  mis- 
sile launching  pad  in  the  heart  of 
the  Mennonite  community  of  Goes- 
sel,  Kansas.  In  response,  the  West- 
ern District  Peace  Committee  is  ask- 
ing for  six  hundred  letters  of  pro- 
test against  what  Mennonites  re- 
gard as  contrary  to  the  principles 
of  Christian  love  and  nonviolence. 

Suggested  persons  to  address,  be- 
sides Congressmen,  are  Col.  Vernon 
L.  Hastings,  Chief  of  the  Altas  Guid- 
ed Missile  Division  of  the  Air  Force, 
Inglewood,  California;  and  The 
Honorable  Neil  H.  McElroy,  Secre- 
tary of  Defense,  Washington,  D.C. 

(Continued  on  page  399 


/I  New-  ImoJz  04^  a M^en-nanlte-  autUoA> 

Jesus  and  Human  Conflict 

by  H.  A.  Fast 

Starting  with  the  Sermon  on  the  Mount  the  author 
considers  with  care  the  relevant  New  Testament 
passages  which  reflect  Jesus'  own  attitude  toward 
conflict  and  tension.  These  utterances  of  Jesus  are 
considered  in  the  light  of  the  historical  occasion 
in  which  they  were  made. 

The  main  emphasis  of  this  study  is  that  the  reac- 
tions of  Jesus  can  be  understood  only  in  the  light 
of  the  whole  of  His  life  and  ministry. 

A valuable  source  book  for  youth  and  adult  study 
groups.  $3.75. 

Order  from  MENNONITE  BOOKSTORES  in 

Rosthern,  Saskatchewan;  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan.;  Berne,  Ind. 


MASTER  OF  NATURE— Elbert  Koontz 
OUR  WITNESS  FOR  PEACE— Clarence  Bauman 


in  this  issue 

COVER 

Photo  by  H.  Armstrong  Roberts 


ARTICLES 

THE  MASTER  OF  NATURE 

By  Elbert  Koontz  403 

OUR  WITNESS  FOR  PEACE 

By  Clarence  Bauman  404 

MORE  RELIGIOUS:  LESS  MORAL 

By  Paul  Erb  406 

MENNONITE  MOUNTAINEERS  407 

TOTAL  WITNESS  TO  INDIA  407 

TWELVE  POINTS  FOR  TEMPERANCE  408 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  402 

FILM  REVIEW  408 

MENNONITE  YOUTH 

RAIN  409 

AN  ARCHITECT  REPLIES  410 

BOOKMARKS  412 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  412 

JOTTINGS  414 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  416 


- of  things  to  come 

West.  Dist.  Retreats,  Camp  Mennoscah: 
July  6-11 — Junior  High  I 
July  13-18 — Junior  High  II 
July  20-25 — Fresh  Air  Friendship  Cp. 
July  27-Aug.  1 — High  School  I 
Aug.  3-8 — High  School  II 
Aug.  29-30 — Family  (under  age  45) 
Sept.  5-7 — Family  (senior  age) 

Aug.  5-12 — Ministers'  and  Church  Worl<- 
ers'  Retreat,  Camp  Friedenswald, 
Mich. 

Aug.  1 2-20 — General  Conference,  Bluff- 
ton,  Ohio 

Oct.  24-27 — West.  Dist.  Conference 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor:  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 
J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Asst.;  Muriel  Thiessen. 
Layout  Consultant;  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  26 


editorials 

ON  LOOKING  BACK  So  much  is  said  about  the  futility  of 
looking  back,  about  dreaming  of  the  “good  old  days,”  about  try- 
ing to  live  in  the  past  that  we  are  apt  to  neglect  the  past  alto- 
gether. Youth  is  not  interested  in  the  “when  I was  young” 
approach  of  older  people.  We  have  a tendency  to  veer  to  the 
opposite  extreme  with  the  idea  that  anything  of  the  past  is  old- 
fashioned  and  of  no  value. 

If  we  look  back  because  of  a pride  of  achievement,  or  merely 
in  wistful  longing  for  the  good  old  days — which  likely  were 
not  as  good  as  we  now  picture  them,  we  are  not  in  the  proper 
position  to  make  a contribution  to  the  present.  In  this  sense 
living  in  the  past  hinders  us  from  meeting  the  present  at  our 
best  or  from  making  contributions  to  the  future. 

But  we  must  not  overlook  the  real  values  that  may  come  from 
looking  back  in  the  right  spirit.  Past  history  can  teach  us  valu- 
able lessons.  For  one  thing,  understanding  the  past  helps  us 
to  interpret  the  present.  In  the  coming  general  conference  we 
will  have  a historical  pageant  to  help  in  giving  to  us  a better 
understanding  of  our  beginnings  and  our  background.  Since  the 
present  is  built  so  solidly  on  the  past,  to  ignore  the  past  leaves 
us  floundering  in  an  uncertain  present.  We  need  to  understand 
the  past  to  properly  meet  the  present  and  the  future. 

Looking  back  can  do  more  than  help  us  understand  our  roots ; 
it  should  help  us  to  be  grateful  for  the  past  labors  that  make 
the  present  advantages  possible.  We  take  so  much  for  granted. 
We  tend  to  think  we  are  quite  sufficient  unto  ourselves  without 
realizing  how  much  we  owe  to  the  labors  of  those  of  the  past. 
Their  labors  and  sacrifices  have  made  possible  our  present  free- 
dom of  worship,  our  schools  and  churches,  and  many  other  ad- 
vantages we  enjoy  which  are  possible  only  because  those  of  the 
past  cared.  The  knowledge  of  this  fact  should  deepen  our  sense 
of  gratitude  for  present  blessings  and  advantages. 

But  looking  back  may  have  yet  another  advantage;  the  past 
serves  as  a foundation  upon  which  to  build  the  future.  The  past 
cannot  be  ignored  as  having  no  relevance  to  the  present  or  the 
future.  Past,  present,  and  future  are  all  tied  together  with  in- 
separable bonds..  We  must  be  familiar  with  foundations  already 
laid  in  order  to  know  how  to  build  durably  for  the  days  ahead. 
The  future  cannot  be  built  on  wishful  thinking;  it  requires  solid 
foundations  prepared  by  those  of  the  past.  We  do  well  to  look  to 
our  foundations. 

So  the  past  may  be  a useful  teacher  for  our  present.  It  is  rich 
in  experience  and  abundant  with  time-tested  principles.  We  can- 
not cut  ourselves  off  from  past  roots  and  expect  healthy  present 
growth.  We  can  profit  greatly  by  a proper  study  of  past  history 
which  will  stimulate  our  appreciation,  help  us  understand  the  | 
present,  and  give  something  solid  upon  which  to  build  the  future,  i 

We  need  not  live  in  the  past,  but  we  can  live  more  fully  in  the  i 
present  if  we  have  the  proper  respect  for  the  past.  A certain  * 
amount  of  “looking  back”  may  be  very  helpful  to  give  us  the 
proper  forward  look.  !l 


402 


THE  MENNONITE 


The  Master  of  Nature 


by  Elbert  Koontz* 


YOU  will  remember  the  story  of 
Jesus  calming  the  sea  as  record- 
ed in  Mark  4:35-39.  It  was  one  of  the 
nature  miracles  that  sometimes  baf- 
fle each  of  us.  We  may  not  be  able 
to  explain  these  miracles  to  our 
complete  satisfaction.  But  the  Gospel 
writers  and  the  contemporaries  of 
Jesus  did  not  face  some  of  the  prob- 
lems that  we  face.  They  were  not 
aware  of  the  universality  of  natural 
law  as  we  are.  They  were  more 
prone  to  accept  these  miracles  and 
raise  no  questions  about  them. 

It  is  further  cleair  that  the  con- 
temporaries and  associates  of  Jesus 
believed  that  He  worked  miracles. 
The  point  of  the  story  of  the  calm- 
ing of  the  sea  was  not  the  teaching, 
or  the  saying,  or  the  example  that 
Jesus  might  have  included,  but  His 
power  as  the  Son  of  God  over  na- 
ture. This  power  of  God  over  na- 
ture has  been  a sustaining  influ- 
ence in  the  disciples  of  Jesus  from 
that  day  to  this. 

The  setting  of  this  miracle  is  fa- 
miliar to  each  of  us.  After  a long 
day  of  work,  including  many  heal- 
ings, teachings,  and  other  contacts, 
Jesus  turned  to  His  disciples  and 
said,  “Let  us  go  across  to  the  other 
side.”  Certainly  there  must  have 
been  good  reason  for  His  wanting 
to  cross  the  sea.  Jesus  always  saw 
new  challenges  before  Him  in  new 
places.  He  needed  rest  and  refresh- 
ment. Whatever  the  reason.  He  with 
the  disciples  entered  a boat,  and 
withdrew  from  the  crowd  of  people 
and  started  the  journey. 

A withdrawl  from  the  crowds  is 
important  for  all  of  us.  Yet  how 
often  it  is  true  that  we  play  to  the 
galleries  and  try  constantly  to 
please  the  crowds  and  depend  upon 
ithem  for  inspiration.  Certainly  this 
Is  too  often  true  of  Christian  minis- 
I ters  and  Christian  workers  in  all 
^ flelds.  The  crowd’s  opinion  becomes 
the  criterion  for  success.  We  need 


] ‘Pastor,  First  Mennonite  Church,  Hills- 
boro, Kansas 

July  7,  1959 

I 


to  realize  as  Jesus  realized  that  if 
we  are  going  to  do  anything  worth- 
while for  the  crowd,  we  must  be 
able  to  leave  it.  We  must  some- 
times follow  the  shadow  of  the 
cross  in  places  where  the  “hosan- 
nas” are  not  heard. 

AS  Jesus  and  His  disciples  were 
crossing,  a great  storm  arose. 
It  was  one  of  those  very  treacher- 
ous storms  that  comes  to  the  Sea 
of  Galilee.  The  storm  was  so  severe 
that  the  water  was  beginning  to  flU 
the  boat.  The  disciples  were  fllled 
with  fear.  In  spite  of  all  their  efforts 
to  keep  the  boat  afloat,  they  were 
not  able  to  keep  it  from  apparent 
destruction.  As  a last  resort  they 
turned  to  Jesus  who  was  asleep. 
When  their  patience  was  worn  out 
they  went  to  Jesus  and  awoke  Him, 
saying,  “Master,  carest  thou  not 
that  we  perish?” 

After  the  storm  had  passed  and 
the  disciples  thought  of  this,  they 
must  have  felt  it  had  been  stupid 
of  them  to  ask  such  a question. 
For  certainly  they  realized  that 
Jesus  did  care  what  happened  to 
them.  Was  not  His  reason  for  being 
on  earth  that  of  showing  concern 
for  what  was  happening  to  man? 
Their  question  was  a natural  one 


in  a time  of  panic.  Jesus  surveying 
the  situation,  quickly  rose  in  the 
midst  of  chaos,  confusion,  and  fear, 
and  spoke  the  very  simple  yet 
forceful  words,  “Peace!  be  still!” 
and  the  sea  was  calm.  Then  it  was 
that  the  disciples  also  were  calm. 

The  Sea  of  Galilee  is  a fitting 
symbol  of  our  life  with  the  alter- 
nate sunshine  and  clouds.  Storms 
come  suddenly.  They  strike  when 
least  expected.  We  are  thrown  into 
confusion,  fear,  and  sometimes  re- 
sentment. We  try  our  best  to  weath- 
er the  storm  and  keep  our  boat 
afloat.  It  is  only  when  we  realize 
that  Jesus  is  in  the  boat  with  us 
and  call  on  Him  that  we  discover 
He  can  still  calm  the  storm  of 
what  life  thrusts  upon  us. 

Someone  has  summarized  this 
miracle  in  this  fashion:  “For  the 
Gospel  writer  and  his  readers,  this 
miracle  meant  that  the  same  divine 
Lord  who  had  been  able  to  rescue 
His  imperiled  disciples  in  the  savage 
night  tempest  on  the  seas  was  still 
present  with  His  own,  and  could 
preserve  them  in  the  midst  of  dan- 
ger, persecution,  or  whatever 
threats  of  destruction  they  might 
encounter  in  the  face  of  terror  be- 
fore them.” 

That  same  message  is  for  us. 
When  Christ  is  in  our  ship  and  the 
storm  comes.  He  will  speak  and 
peace  and  calm  wiU  enter  in.  Christ 
is  stiU  the  Master  of  nature.  If  you 
would  receive  help  from  Him  you 
must  know  Him  and  call  on  Him 
for  the  peace  which  He  will  give. 
He  would  speak  peace  to  you.  Will 
you  ask  Him  for  it? 


When  I hear  music  of  a bluebird’s  song, 

Or  trill  of  toads  beside  the  water’ s edge, 

Or  crickets’  tuneful  chant  from  grass  and  hedge, 

I think  of  God,  all-good,  all-wise,  all-strong. 

When  I see  lightning  streak  the  humid  air. 

Or  gaze  upon  the  beauty  of  a rose. 

Or,  when  dark  comes,  see  frail  spring  beauties  close, 
I know  God,  with  His  watchfulness,  is  there. 

As  ever-moving  waves  cleanse  golden  sands — 

If  I have  erred  and  wish  to  make  amends — 

I cleanse  myself  with  faith,  for  faith  befriends: 

I know  that  God  is  guiding  with  kind  hands. 

— Bertha  R.  Hudelson 


403 


Our  Witness  for  Peace 


A record  of  conversations  held  at 
Charney  Manor,  near  Wantage, 
England,  April  13-18,  1959,  between 
the  following  representatives  of  the 
Historic  Peace  Churches  and  the  In- 
ternational Fellowship  of  Reconcili- 
ation: Margaret  B.  Hobling,  Mau- 
rice A.  Creasey  {Society  of 

Friends),  Goeffrey  F.  Nuttall 

{F.  O.  R.),  Gray  don  F.  Snyder  and 
Wilbur  E.  Mullen  (Church  of  the 
Brethren),  David  Janzen  and  Clar- 
ence Bau'tnan  (MCC). 

Much  of  our  early  discussion  was 
spent  in  learning  something  of  the 
varying  approaches  and  understand- 
ings characteristic  of  the  commun- 
ions which  we  represent.  We  have 
noted  the  differences;  but  we  have 
sought  to  discover  the  underlying 
unity  which  brings  us  to  a common 
mind  over  against  the  nonpacifist 
churches.  In  what  follows,  reference 
is  made  to  the  Mennonites  and 
Friends  rather  than  to  the  Brethren. 
The  Brethren  hold  sometimes  a me- 
diating position,  sometimes  a less 
clearly  defined  one. 

The  Friends  do  not  give  to  Scrip- 
ture, even  to  the  New  Testament, 
the  primary  authority  accorded  to 
it  by  Mennonites  and  urge  that  we 
cannot  understand  Scripture  unless 
we  come  to  it  in  the  spirit  of  Christ. 
But  we  all  agree  that  our  ultimate 
authority  is  the  spirit  of  Christ, 
present  both  in  Scripture  and  in  the 
primitive,  continuing,  and  contem- 
porary community  of  believers. 

Through  their  looser  attachment 
to  Scripture,  the  peril  of  Friends  is 
to  “run  out  into  imaginations.” 
Through  their  closer  attachment  to 
it,  the  peril  of  Mennonites  is  to  be- 
come antiquarian  and  legalistic.  The 
more  faithful  to  the  spirit  of  Christ 
each  communion  is,  the  closer  to 
one  another  we  find  ourselves. 

Mennonites,  who  have  suffered 
persecutions  of  great  intensity,  pre- 
serve a keen  sense  of  the  inescapa- 
ble opposition  between  church  and 
world  and  between  church  and  state 
which  Friends  have  largely  allowed 
to  lapse.  Mennonites  live  as  those 
awaiting  the  return  of  Christ  to 
His  “little  fiock,”  which  till  then 
must  suffer  as  He  suffered.  While 


by  Clarence  Bauman 


reaching  out  towards  the  world  in 
Christian  witness,  they  are  pessi- 
mistic about  its  conversion  and  are 
hesitant  about  sharing  in  worldly 
government.  The  Friends,  holding 
the  Spirit  of  Christ  to  be  at  work 
in  creation  as  well  as  in  redemption, 
are  most  ready  to  see  worldy  gov- 
ernment as  open  to  His  influence 
and  thus  more  easily  accept  office 
in  it.  They  regard  suffering  for  con- 
science sake  as  an  instrument  of 
the  outgoing  love  of  God  to  over- 
come evil  and  redeem  the  world. 

Despite  these  differences,  we  all 
desire  to  stress  the  redemptive  mo- 
tive in  the  Christian  ethic  as  well 
as  faithfulness  in  witness,  and  obe- 
dience to  the  divine  command  as 
well  as  the  divine  enabling  to  ful- 
fil it.  Our  eschatology,  whether  fu- 
turist or  “realized,”  does  not  lessen 
but  increases  the  pressure  on  us  all 
of  present  duties.  We  seek  not  only 
to  follow  the  example  of  Jesus  of 
Nazareth  but  to  participate  in  the 
life  of  the  risen  Lord,  Christ  in  us 
the  hope  of  glory.  If  this  participa- 
tion were  a deeper  reality  to  us,  we 
believe  that  in  His  name  we  should 
have  the  freedom  to  rebuke  and 
the  power  to  forgive  as  He  rebuked 
and  forgave.  Our  lives  would  then 
more  evidently  possess  the  marks  of 
the  Lord  Jesus,  among  which  would 
be  His  passionate  yearning  for  those 
who  know  not  the  things  which  be- 
long to  their  peace,  and  His  assur- 
ance that  beyond  the  cross,  faithful- 
ly endured,  there  is  always  joy. 

We  are  happy  that  we  can  unite 
in  this  expression  of  our  disciple- 
ship  to  Christ,  from  which  flows  to 
us  so  evidently  the  pacifist  convic- 


tions which  we  share:  convictions 
that  are  no  mere  repulsion  from 
war  and  violence  but  a natural  and 
inevitable  expression  of  that  disci- 
pleship.  Yet  we  realize  that  many 
Christians  share  with  us  in  such  dis- 
cipleship,  both  in  acknowledging  it 
and  in  the  fact  of  it,  who  do  not 
see  it  as  involving  them  in  pacifism. 
Why  is  this  so? 

The  question  is  part  of  the  larger 
question:  Why  do  Christians  equal- 
ly devoted  differ  at  so  many  points 
in  their  understanding  of  the  will 
of  God?  How  can  disciples,  all  of 
whom  desire  to  say  “We  have  the 
mind  of  Christ,”  interpret  His  mind 
in  such  divergent  ways?  Some  may 
be  so  bound  by  the  pronouncements 
of  a secondary  authority  that  they 
are  hardly  open  to  a presentation 
of  the  gospel  not  in  line  with  those 
pronouncements.  To  some  Christ 
might  say,  “Have  ye  your  heart 
yet  hardened?”  or  “Where  is  your 
faith?”  or  even  “Get  thee  behind 
me,  Satan.”  For  we  recognize  in 
others,  as  we  are  often  aware  of 
them  in  ourselves,  the  mental  at- 
titudes which  called  forth  such  re- 
bukes to  His  disciples.  Perhaps  to 
most  people  Jesus’  question  would 
rather  be:  “How  is  it  that  ye  do 
not  understand?”  This  is  a question 
to  which  He  suggests  no  answer. 

In  individual  relations,  the  way 
of  the  cross  has  always  seemed  fool- 
ishness and  proved  a stumbling 
block  to  those  outside  the  church. 
We  cannot  be  surprised  if  the  ex- 
tension of  it  beyond  individual  re- 
lations is  still  foolishness  and  offen- 
sive in  the  demands  it  makes  to 
many  within.  In  our  desire  to  dem- 


rHE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church. 
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404 


THE  MENNONITE 


onstrate  the  way  of  the  cross  con- 
vincingly, we  must  beware  of  mak- 
ing it  easier  or  more  welcome  than 
in  fact  it  is.  We  must  also  remem- 
ber that  no  wholly  rational  account 
of  it  can  be  given.  We  believe  that 
the  acceptance  of  the  way  of  the 
cross,  as  also  the  knowledge  of  what 
is  the  will  of  God  in  any  given  situa- 
tion, is  possible  for  all  men.  But 
it  can  come  only  within  the  con- 
text of  faith.  Often  not  more  than 
the  next  step  of  it  is  revealed. 

God’s  will  often  involves  us  in 
suffering,  even  though  we  do  not 
fully  understand  why.  Only  as  we 
are  willing  to  do  His  will  and  seek 
to  do  it  does  understanding  come, 
and  come  through  an  increase  in 
our  understanding  of  Him,  the  Fa- 
ther who  strengthens  us  in  our  in- 
firmities. It  is  because  its  character 
is  thus  fundamentally  personal, 
and  remains  so,  that  such  a faith 
normally  convinces  only  as  it  is 
personally  mediated  from  one  life 
to  another. 

We  find  comfort  in  remembering 
that,  though  for  many  centuries  un- 
aware of  it,  the  conscience  of  Chris- 
tians eventually  became  sensitive 
to  the  evil  of  slavery,  and  that  in 
large  part  through  the  faithfulness 
of  those  who  persuasively  bore  their 
witness  against  it  the  evil  has  come 
almost  universally  to  be  seen  as 
evil. 

As  those  upon  whom  is  laid  the 
responsibility  of  awakening  Chris- 
tians to  the  evil  of  war,  we  feel 
the  urgency  of  the  task,  lest,  after 
a century  or  so,  the  situation  should 
harden  and  pacifism  become  “con- 
tained” with  the  Christian  ethic  as 
a way  respected  but  optional,  at 
most  the  vocation  of  a minority, 
which  can  never  be  more  than  a 
minority.  We  wish  there  were  those 
among  us  with  as  evidently  passion- 
ate and  singleminded  a concern  for 
freeing  men  from  war  as  John 
Woolman  showed  for  freeing  them 
from  slavery. 

Having  reminded  ourselves  of  the 
springs  of  our  pacifism,  and  hav- 
ing wrestled  with  the  problem  of 
why  so  few  of  our  fellow  Chris- 
tians are  persuaded  of  it,  we  have 
gone  on  to  ask  what  light  is  thrown 
on  the  world  and  on  the  church  by 
the  gospel  as  we  understand  it.  To 
reach  a common  mind  has  not  al- 
ways been  easy.  In  the  course  of 
the  centuries,  Quakerism  has  under- 
gone a much  greater  change  than 


have  the  principles  of  the  Brethren 
or  Mennonites,  and  at  some  points 
the  beliefs  of  early  Friends  were 
nearer  than  those  of  present  day 
Friends  to  the  beliefs  now  held  in 
the  other  two  historic  peace 
churches. 

All  our  communions  are  conscious 
of  a strong  sense  of  fellowship  in 
Christ.  The  body  of  Christ  is  a 
phrase  dear  to  Brethren  as  convey- 
ing a truth  mediated  to  them  pre- 
eminently in  sacramental  worship. 
Friends  find  deep  meaning  and  val- 
ue in  the  metaphor  of  the  vine  and 
the  branches.  For  Mennonites  the 
sustaining  fellowship  of  Christ’s 
sufferings  is  a treasure  beyond 
price.  Our  being  numbered  among 
the  people  of  God  is  a precious 
reality  to  us  all. 

Towards  what  is  now  often  called 
“the  Great  Church”  we  share  some 
reservations.  Our  history  makes 
us  sensitive  not  only  to  the  nominal 
Christianity  but  to  the  pride  and 
cruelty  too  often  present  in  the 
church  as  a powerful  institution. 
We  dread  an  authoritarianism 
which  might  impose  a uniformity 
far  removed  from  the  rich  variety 
of  gifts  known  in  the  life  of  the 
small  churches  with  which  we  are 
familiar. 

At  the  same  time  we  have  a gen- 
uine sympathy  with  the  new  teach- 
ing after  unity  expressed  in  the 
ecumenical  movement.  We  believe 
that  it  is  not  less  wrong  for  Chris- 
tians to  wage  war  against  non- 
Christians  than  against  other  Chris- 
tians, whether  within  or  beyond 
the  bounds  of  their  own  nation.  But 
the  presence  of  Christians  in  every 
nation,  and  the  knowledge  on  all 


sides  that  they  are  there,  makes  the 
wrongness  of  war  more  apparent. 
We  are  thankful  that  the  archbish- 
op who  declared  the  ecumenical 
movement  to  be  the  great  new  fact 
of  our  time  also  declared  that  even 
in  wartime  those  for  whom  he  ac- 
cepted pastoral  responsibility  were 
Christians  first  and  Englishmen  sec- 
ond. 

To  us  the  deep  reality  to  which 
the  ecumenical  movement  calls  at- 
tention is  a far  stronger  argument 
for  Christian  pacifism  than  is  any 
argument  based  on  the  new  factors 
introduced  by  nuclear  warfare. 
Within  this  movement  we  believe 
ourselves  to  be  particularly  entrust- 
ed with  the  ministry  of  reconcilia- 
tion. 'True  reconciliation  whether 
between  men  or  between  nations, 
costs  much.  It  demands  not  so 
much  forgiveness  on  one  side  and 
repentance  on  the  other  as  a mu- 
tual change  of  heart,  in  which  each 
side  is  willing  not  only  to  forgive 
but  to  be  forgiven.  The  sin  beset- 
ting the  peace  churches  is  that  of 
being  Pharisaical.  Yet  we  would 
point  to  our  record  in  history  as 
evidence  that  we  do  earnestly  de- 
sire to  obey  Christ’s  law,  the  royal 
law  of  love,  by  bearing  the  burdens 
of  others. 

We  cannot  join  other  Christians 
in  what  we  hold  to  be  the  sin  of 
bearing  arms;  but  we  recognize  that 
we  share  with  them  in  guilt  through 
our  involvement  in  the  evils  which 
have  led  them  to  do  so.  Such  shar- 
ing and  the  penitence  which  it  calls 
forth  may,  we  believe,  prove  a dem- 
onstration of  the  way  of  the  cross 
which  convinces  and  therefore  rec- 
onciles. 


There  is  something  more  terrible  than  the  disintegration  of  the  atom: 
that  is  the  disintegration  of  consciences.  The  atomic  era,  the  era  of 
absolute  force,  urgently  demands  as  a counterpart  conscientious  positions 
that  are  pure,  irreducible,  and  absolute  themselves.  Whatever  happens, 
this  will  be  our  only  means  of  overcoming  folly  and  despair.  Whatever 
happens  (let  it  be  any  invasion  or  any  horror),  those  who  preserve  intact 
in  the  depth  of  their  soul  faith  in  the  sacred  principles  of  life  will  be 
the  strongest.  Their  voices  will  be  stifled,  they  will  be  thrown  into  prison, 
they  will  seem  to  be  helpless  and  crushed,  but  in  reality,  even  under  such 
conditions,  they  will  be  invincible,  because  they  will  be  in  harmony  with 
the  immortal  powers  that  govern  life.  And,  in  the  end,  they  will  be  the 
victors.  — The  Catholic  Worker 


July  7,  1959 


405 


More  Religious 
Less  Moral 


Paul  Erb 


ONE  of  the  most  striking  and  dis- 
turbing facts  about  American 
life  was  pointed  up  again  by  Presi- 
dent Van  Dusen  of  Union  Theologi- 
cal Seminary.  In  an  address  at  Kan- 
sas City  recently  he  said: 

“The  ‘revival  of  religion’  has, 
thus  far,  been  paralleled  by  corre- 
sponding resurgence  or  recovery  of 
morality.  Just  here  is  the  most  dis- 
timbing,  confounding  contradiction 
of  our  moral  and  spiritual  situation. 
In  contemporary  America  religion 
is  gaining  ground;  morality  is 
steadily  losing  ground.” 

The  increase  of  religion  is  seen 
in  the  statistics  which  show  that 
the  membership  of  practically  all 
churches  is  increasing,  and  that  in 
the  total  a larger  proportion  of  our 
people  belong  to  church  than  ever 
before  in  our  history.  It  is  seen  in 
tte  increase  of  interest  in  things  of 
religion:  religious  songs  becoming 
big  hits,  religious  books  on  the  best 
seller  list,  a religious  play  winning 
a Pulitzer  prize.  It  is  seen  in  the 
enormous  crowds  attending  mass 
evangelistic  meetings  and  tens  of 
thousands  making  public  decisions 
and  commitments.  It  is  seen  in  the 
great  wave  of  church  building,  or  in 
the  increasing  number  of  religious 
items  in  our  newspapers  and  secu- 
lar magazines.  Bibles  seU  by  the  mil- 
lions of  copies.  Public  officals  and 
businessmen  hold  prayer  meetings. 


Do  not  all  these  signs  indicate  that 
we  are  increasingly  religious? 

The  decrease  in  morality  is  seen 
in  the  constantly  increasing  crime 
rate,  the  increased  amounts  that  the 
government  must  spend  in  the  pre- 
vention, detection,  and  punishment 
for  crime.  It  is  seen  in  the  fright- 
ening increase  in  juvenile  delin- 
quency, in  the  increase  of  divorce 
and  extramarital  sex  relations,  in 
the  evident  deterioration  of  home 
life.  It  is  discerned  in  the  wave  of 
obscenity  which  threatens  to  drown 
us  in  moral  filth.  It  is  seen  in  the 
triviality  and  violence  in  radio  and 
television.  It  is  seen  in  the  appeal 
to  irreligious  force,  from  the  daily 
murder  stories  in  the  papers  to  the 
militarism  of  national  policy.  There 
are  many  evidences  that  morality 
is  on  the  wane. 

How  can  this  be,  that  with  the 
more  religion  we  get  less  morality? 
Is  there  no  correspondence  between 
the  two?  Does  not  religion,  which 
in  America  means  primarily  Chris- 
tianity, produce  good  morals? 

The  answers  are  not  easy.  One 
may  observe,  for  one  thing,  that 
professing  religion  and  holding 
church  membership  are  not  synon- 
ymous with  a real  functioning 
Christianity.  Many  people  carry  the 
badge  of  the  sons  of  God,  but  they 
keep  living  like  the  sons  of  the 
devil.  Church  standards  are  often  so 


low  that  one  can  be  kept  on  the 
church  roll  even  while  he  continues 
drinking,  cursing,  gambling,  smok- 
ing, philandering,  and  living  for 
pleasure,  honor,  and  money. 

The  new  life  of  Christian  moral- 
ity is  a consequence  of  the  new 
birth  wrought  by  God  following 
genuine  repentance.  But  repentance 
and  regeneration  are  unknown  to 
many  thousands  of  church  mem- 
bers. They  may  be  religious  in 
some  sense  of  that  term,  but  they 
are  not  Christian.  Christ  is  not  liv- 
ing in  them  and  the  Holy  Spirit  is 
not  guiding  them.  No  wonder  that 
the  sins  of  the  world  continue  to 
dominate  them.  Joining  a church 
or  watching  a religious  plays  does 
not  wash  the  spots  of  a leopard. 

The  stresses  of  our  times,  the 
fears  which  oppress  the  world  to- 
day, tend  to  turn  men’s  hopes  to 
what  religion  cem  do  for  them.  Re- 
ligion Ccm’t  hurt  and  it  might  help. 
And  so  there  is  the  resurgence  of 
religious  interest,  but  often  only  in 
the  hope  of  the  prosperity  and  suc- 
cess that  it  might  bring.  If  such 
self-seeking  can  be  called  religion, 
then  religion  is  growing.  But  this 
kind  of  religion  does  not  produce 
genuine  morality. 

There  are  those  who  are  religious 
because  that  is  the  only  respectable 
thing  to  do.  'The  “status  seekers” 
we  are  reading  about  these  days 
find  church  membership  the  ticket 
to  good  standing  in  the  community. 
That  is  a social  move,  not  religion. 
But  on  the  books  of  the  statisticians 
it  goes  for  religion.  That  kind  of 
religion,  however,  has  no  moral 
power.  It  does  not  keep  its  adher- 
ents from  the  “respectable  sins” 
which  easily  grow,  in  their  genera- 
tion or  the  next,  into  the  sins 
which  everybody  calls  immorality. 

We  have  not  heard  anyone  sug- 
gest that  the  way  to  improve  our 
national  morality  is  to  have  less 
religion.  We  simply  need  more  effec- 
tive religion.  Religion  can  be  judged 
by  its  moral  fruits.  Real  faith  pro- 
duces holiness.  And  heart  holiness 
prevents  immorality.  The  best  contri- 
bution to  our  moral  need  is,  by 
preaching  and  teaching  and  writing 
and  personal  evangelism,  to  bring 
people  to  that  work  of  God  in  their 
hearts  which  alone  can  produce  true 
morality. 

— Editorial  in  Gospel  Herald 
Used  by  permission 


406 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  Mountaineers 


IN  the  great  Appalachian  chain  of 
wooded  ranges  that  rise  across 
the  eastern  states  from  New  York 
to  Alabama,  are  the  beautiful  Great 
Smoky  Mounteuns.  The  French 
Broad  River  winds  through  deep 
mountain  gorges,  where  once  visi- 
ble Indian  drawings  on  precipices 
and  cliffs  gave  the  community  of 
Paint  Rock  its  name.  Here,  in  west- 
ern North  Carolina,  live  the  inde- 
pendent mountaineers  who  worship 
at  Belva  Bible  and  Grace  Chapel 
churches. 

These  congregations  had  their  be- 
ginning when  Elsa  E.  Grantland,  a 
member  of  the  First  Mennonite 
Church  of  Chicago,  came  to  serve 
at  Paint  Rock.  In  this  town,  which 
nestles  in  a deep  valley  with  moun- 
tains on  every  side,  she  conducted 
Sunday  school  classes,  led  women’s 
meetings,  and  carried  on  summer 
Bible  school  whenever  possible.  For 
four  or  five  years  her  home  church 
furnished  her  support;  later  the 
monthly  salary  came  through  the 
Board  of  Missions. 

One  spring  Sunday  afternoon  in 
the  early  1940’s  Miss  Grantland  emd 
another  worker.  Miss  Tyson,  drove 
from  Paint  Rock  to  the  rural  Mar- 
shcill  community  on  a winding  road 
with  “two  hairpin  turns  to  the 
mile.”  They  gathered  some  people 
for  worship  on  the  grass  under- 
neath the  pines,  and  the  Belva  Bible 
Church  was  bom.  Winter  weather 


EmU  W.  Menzel  was  for  many 
years  a missionary  in  the  Reformed 
Evangelical  Church  whose  mission 
in  India  neighbors  that  of  our  Con- 
ference. He  writes: 

“Two  known  facts  concerning  In- 
dia call  for  a reconsideration  of  our 
total  Christian  witness  in  that  coim- 
try.  Neither  is  particularly  new  but 
together  they  are  taking  on  a new 
importance.  First,  per  capita  food 
production  is  stm  below  that  of  pre- 
World  War  II.  Second,  recent  news 
dispatches  report  a population  of 


broke  up  the  services,  but  the  next 
spring  regular  meetings  were  re- 
sumed  with  the  aid  of  full-time 
workers  from  Camden,  New  Jer- 
sey. 

By  1945  the  Board  of  Missions 
could  report  at  the  triennial  Gen- 
eral Conference  that  two  more  la- 
dies had  entered  evangelistic  work 
in  the  mountains:  Elsie  Pfister  and 
Margaret  Blotter,  who  served  in 
similar  ways  in  Kentucky.  On  Elsa 
Grantland’s  transferral  to  another 
field  of  labor  in  the  church.  Pastor 
Andrew  HoUiman  and  family  came 
to  serve  spiritual  needs  in  the  Belva 
Bible  and  Grace  Chapel  churches. 

In  1947,  the  Conference  bought  a 
neat  white  frame  two-room  school- 
house  which  had  previously  been 
used  by  the  Methodists  and  Bap- 
tists. It  was  remodeled  into  a com- 
bination chapel  and  parsonage  on 
ground  leased  from  the  Southern 
Railway.  On  April  18  of  the  follow- 
ing year,  Grace  Chapel  Church  was 
dedicated  and  organized  at  Paint 
Rock  with  eighteen  charter  mem- 
bers. 

Meanwhile,  new  workers  were 
added  to  the  field  of  mountain  mis- 
sions: the  Carl  Wahlsteadts  in  Ken- 
tucky; Lillian  Lehman,  Marie  Liech- 
ty,  and  Lorraine  Burkhalter  in  Ten- 
nessee. They  taught  Bible  memory 
work  through  the  public  schools, 
organized  Sunday  school  classes, 
and  led  summer  Bible  camps. 


406  million  in  India,  an  annual  in- 
crease of  seven  million. 

“The  government  of  India  is  deep- 
ly concerned.  The  money  used  to 
import  food  is  desperately  needed 
for  capital  investment  in  industrial 
projects.  The  rate  of  increase  from 
national  programs  of  extension  and 
community  fails  to  keep  up  with 
population  increase  and  constitutes 
a serious  threat  to  the  raising  of 
the  low  standard  of  living. 

“Our  Christian  contribution  to 
better  health  and  medical  care  in 


Through  the  years  Belva  Bible 
Church  continued  slowly  to  grow  in 
numbers  and  maturity.  A few  ded- 
icated members  began  to  tithe, 
though  it  is  not  easy  to  make  a 
good  living  in  the  mountains.  Oc- 
casionally contributions  to  missicm 
work  elsewhere  were  sent  through 
the  Conference  by  the  two 
churches.  In  1955  Belva  Bible 
Church  voted  to  join  the  Eastern 
District  Conference,  and  in  1959  each 
church  adopted  its  first  budget.  A- 
side  from  the  pastor’s  salary,  each 
church  is  self-supporting,  and  the 
churches  now  also  hope  to  supply 
one-fifth  of  the  pastor’s  salary. 

Andrew  HoUiman  served  until 
1956  (except  for  a year’s  furlough 
when  WUlard  Schrag  assumed  pas- 
toral duties).  When  Brother  Holli- 
man left  on  account  of  poor  health. 
Pastor  Harry  Spaeth  took  up  the 
work.  Today  both  churches  can  re- 
port some  growth  in  church  loyalty, 
attendance,  and  responsibility. 
Friends  of  the  churches  and  Volun- 
tary Service  workers  from  the  East- 
ern District  Conference  continue  to 
help  with  summer  Bible  school  lead- 
ership, donations,  and  work  through 
the  Eastern  District  Home  Mis- 
sion Committee. 

Disagreement  over  individual  in- 
terpretations of  biblical  truths,  the 
visits  of  highly  emotional  evange- 
lists, and  some  aspects  of  mountain 
life  do  not  make  mission  work  easy, 
but,  Harry  Spaeth  says  in  a recent 
newsletter,  “Spiritual  living  is  com- 
ing to  be  realized  for  what  it  is: 
something  to  be  lived,  not  just  sung 
and  preached  about.” 


India  has  been  an  effective  witness 
to  our  compassion  in  the  face  of 
widespread  suffering.  VeUore  Medi- 
cal CoUege  demonstrates  what  can 
be  done  when  Christian  organiza- 
tions, mission  boards,  and  churches 
work  together. 

“The  AUahabad  Agriculture  Insti- 
tute, dedicated  to  the  problem  of 
providing  more  food  and  increased 
production,  is  also  applied  Chris- 
tian compassion.  However,  only 
eight  boards — four  in  Canada  and 
four  in  USA — co-operate  in  the  sup- 
port of  this  sole  Christian  college 
of  agriculture  on  the  mainland  of 
Asia.” 


A Total  Witness  to  India 


July  7,  1959 


407 


For  education  in  a local  church,  here  me 

Twelve  Points  for  Temperance 


No  claim  is  made  for  the  com- 
pleteness of  this  program.  It  is  sug- 
gestive, and  we  hope  may  be  help- 
ful. The  importance  of  teaching 
temperance  (see  dictionary  defini- 
tion) in  aU  departments  of  the 
church  cannot  be  too  strongly  em- 
phasized. Decisions  on  important  is- 
sues are  often  reached  by  both 
youth  and  adults,  due  to  instruction 
given  while  in  church  or  in  the 
church  school. 

A temperance  minded  church  is 
impossible  without  cultivation.  May 
we  suggest  that  you  foUow  these 
steps. 

• Select  at  least  three  well  re- 
spected leaders  in  your  church  as  a 
committee  on  alcohol  education. 
This  committee  may  supervise  and 
direct  the  program  in  every  depart- 
ment of  your  church.  The  chairman 
of  this  committee  should  be  diplo- 
matic, logical,  consecrated  and  ag- 
gressive. 

• Have  your  pastor  preach  on 


film  review 

KNOW  YOUR  CHILD,  series  of 
eight  filmstrips:  Sources  of  Truth, 
The  Dynamics  of  Growth,  The 
Stages  of  Growth  (Early),  The 
Stages  of  Growth  (Later),  Simi- 
larities in  Growth,  Differences  in 
Growth,  Freedom  and  Discipline  in 
Growth,  The  Challenge.  Produced 
by  Moody  Bible  Institute.  Color 
with  33  Vs  records.  Price  for  entire 
series.  $48.50. 

The  committee  was  able  to  pre- 
view only  one  of  this  series  “Free- 
dom and  Discipline  in  Growth.”  It 
felt  that  this  one  filmstrip  would 
be  very  useful  for  our  churches  in 
their  teacher  training  programs. 

The  filmstrip  takes  a wholesome, 
constructive,  and  Christian  ap- 
proach to  the  whole  issue  of  disci- 
pline. Its  point  of  view  is  that  there 


the  subject  as  often  as  the  need  and 
his  desire  may  dictate.  Once  a year 
would  not  seem  too  often. 

• Present  a carefully  planned 
temperance  program  to  the  assem- 
bly in  your  church  school  at  least 
four  to  six  times  a year.  Once  a 
month  would  be  better,  or  a series 
of  programs  each  week  for  a peri- 
od of  several  weeks. 

• Include  temperance  instruction 
in  each  class  in  your  church  school 
in  addition  to  assembly  programs. 

• Secure  good  speakers  from 
your  own  church  membership  for 
frequent  short  talks.  Your  pastor, 
your  public  school  superintendent 
or  a teacher,  a doctor,  a lawyer,  or 
specially  trained  temperance  speak- 
ers are  good  candidates. 

• Use  pupil  participation  in  short 
plays,  readings  or  recitations,  panel 
discussions,  contests,  etc. 

• Use  good  literature  freely. 
Plenty  of  such  material  is  now 
available  for  reference,  study,  free 


is  a need  for  a child  to  be  in  situa- 
tions in  which  there  is  some  free- 
dom within  a specific  frame  of  ref- 
erence. 

The  filmstrip  suggests  that  there 
are  four  basic  reasons  for  discipline 
problems;  the  home,  the  communi- 
ty, the  curriculum,  and  the  teacher. 
It  also  suggests  some  practical  sug- 
gestions on  methods  of  discipline. 

The  committee  is  certain  that  this 
entire  series  will  prove  to  be  help- 
ful to  our  churches  as  they  plan  for 
their  program  of  teacher  training. 


THE  MAGNIFICENT  ADVEN- 
TURE OF  ST.  PAUL,  B.  and  W.  16 
mm.  movie,  80  minutes.  Produced 
by  Cathedral  Films,  Rental,  $27.50. 
Can  be  rented  from  Religious  Film 
Libraries  and  other  rental  agencies. 

Cathedral  Films  has  produced  a 
series  of  twelve  films  on  the  life  of 
Paul,  each  of  them  but  the  first  one 


distribution.  Have  several  good 
books  on  this  subject  in  your  li- 
brary. Your  denominational  pub- 
lishing house  or  any  reliable  tem- 
perance organization  wiU  help  at 
this  point. 

• Use  audio-visual  aids  such  as 
sound  movies,  filmstrip  and  slide 
lectures,  charts,  chalk  talks. 

• Your  church  could  sponsor  a 
short  course,  from  two  to  five  ses- 
sions suggested,  on  understanding 
the  alcohol  problem.  Invite  neigh- 
bor churches  of  other  denomina- 
tions to  participate. 

• Have  your  church  make  con- 
tact with,  and  actively  support  (in- 
cluding financial),  some  local,  state, 
or  national  temperance  organiza- 
tion. 

• Your  denominational  leaders, 
also  local,  state,  and  national  tem- 
perance organizations,  will  gladly 
give  assistance  and  advice  in  plan- 
ning your  program  and  in  assisting 
you  to  secure  needed  helps  and  ma- 
terials. 

• Above  all,  do  something.  Plan 
it  carefully.  Keep  it  on  a high  edu- 
cational level.  Keep  it  up  consistent- 
ly- 

—Herbert  H.  Peirish 
National  Executive 
Temperance  Education,  Inc. 


running  for  thirty  minutes.  The 
first  one  runs  for  twenty-four  min- 
utes. This  means  that  it  takes  five 
hours  and  fifty-four  minutes  to  cover 
the  life  of  Paul  with  these  films. 

THE  MAGNIFICENT  ADVEN- 
TURE OF  ST.  PAUL  covers  Paul’s 
life  well.  It  felt  that  if  a group 
wanted  to  have  the  whole  life  of 
Paul  at  one  time  that  this  film  was 
a splendid  way  to  get  this  over-all 
picture. 

The  one  big  advantage  of  seeing 
the  entire  portrayal  of  Paul’s  life 
at  one  time  is  that  one  can  secure 
appreciation  and  insight  into  Paul. 

Seeing  the  film  gave  one  a new 
appreciation  of  the  conversion  of 
Paul,  his  dedication,  his  courage, 
and  his  tremendous  mission. 

The  committee  felt  that  even 
though  the  film  runs  for  eighty  min- 
utes, it  holds  the  interest  all  the 
way  until  the  end. 

—Paul  R.  Shelly 


408 


THE  MENNONITE  Ji 


Mennonite  youth 


Rain 


Drama  in  Chicago’s  inner  city  by  Don  Disc 


HYME  Blackwell  is  lying  under 
a tree.  The  noise  from  the  cars 
on  the  boulevard  pierces  the  black 
stillness  of  the  night.  An  elevated 
treun  rumbles  through  the  shanty 
jungle.  Somewhere  a girl’s  shrill 
voice  answers  a call.  Hyme  stirs  in 
restless  half-conscious  sleep  and 
reaches  over  to  cover  Amy  with  the 
oilcloth.  The  rain  has  started  com- 
ing through.  It  is  midnight. 

Together  he  and  Amy  had  run 
away.  They  came  from  down  in 
Oglethorpe  County  where,  after 
working  fourteen  years  on  shares, 
they  still  owed  the  land  boss  money. 
They  walked  and  worked  and 
begged  their  way  north,  to  what 
folks  said  was  the  promised  land. 
No  more  working  in  the  cotton.  No 
more  getting  off  the  sidewalk  for 
white  folks.  No  more  standing  in 
the  back  of  the  bus  when  the  front 
was  empty.  This  was  the  North. 
That  was  a long  time  ago. 

They  rented  a room  when  they 
reached  the  North,  a kitchenette. 
It  had  a two-bmmer  plate,  but  one 
didn’t  work.  They  had  to  fetch  their 
water  from  down  the  hall.  The 
room  was  dirty,  but  Amy  cleaned 
it.  It  cost  seven  dollars  a week,  but 
Hyme  paid  it. 

Finding  work  wasn’t  hard.  Folks 
could  tell  if  you  were  used  to  work- 
ing hard.  Amy  washed  dishes; 
Hyme  worked  in  the  plant.  Then  it 
happened.  His  leg  got  caught  in  the 
wheel.  The  wheel  didn’t  stop,  but 
Hyme’s  mind  did,  finally.  In  the 
free  ward  at  the  hospital  they  said 
he  might  walk  someday  with 
crutches. 

Today  they  had  locked  him  out. 
The  kitchenette  he  and  Amy  had 
lived  in  for  sixteen  years — he  was 
locked  out  of  it  today.  From  the 
place  where  they  had  paid  seven 
dollars  a week  at  first,  then  ten  dol- 
lars, then  eighteen,  then  twenty- 
two,  finally  twenty-five  dollars  a 
week,  they  evicted  him  because  he 


couldn’t  pay  the  rent.  It  was  the 
same  place:  same  two-bumer  plate, 
same  cracked  plaster,  same  bare 
light  bulb  hanging  from  the  ceiling. 

Three  years  ago  the  roof  started 
to  leak.  The  rain  came  through  on 
the  bed  right  where  Amy  slept. 
They  told  the  rent-collecting  man 
about  it.  He  ssiid  he  would  tell  the 
boss.  Hyme  moved  the  bed  and 
waited. 

Two  weeks  ago  when  it  rained, 
there  was  not  a place  left  to  move 
the  bed,  and  stay  dry.  It  rained  as 
if  it  had  forgotten  how  to  stop.  Amy 
took  the  oilcloth  off  the  table  to 
cover  the  bed.  StiU  it  rained.  StiU 
it  leaked.  StiU  they  got  wet. 

Amy  coughed  the  next  morning 
as  she  went  down  the  dark  haU  on 
her  way  to  work.  That  night  she 
had  a fever.  Next  morning  Hyme 
didn’t  want  her  to  go  to  work,  but 
she  went  anyway. 

Three  days  later,  in  the  same 
free  ward  at  the  hospital,  Amy  had 
a bed  that  did  not  get  wet  when 
it  rained,  but  it  was  too  late.  The 
first  tears  Hyme  shed  in  fifty  years 
fell  on  her  dry  pillow. 

The  man  at  the  funeral  parlor 
told  Hyme  their  savings  were  just 
enough  to  pay  for  the  funeral,  with 
nothing  left,  even  for  fiowers. 

Yesterday  the  rent  was  due.  To- 
day they  locked  him  out.  Tonight 
he  sleeps  in  the  park.  The  rain  is 
coming  through  the  trees.  Hyme 
stirs  in  restless  half-conscious 
sleep  and  reaches  over  to  cover  her 
with  the  oilcloth,  and  then  remem- 
bers. Amy  is  aU  right  now.  A taxi 
door  slams  in  the  distance.  It  is 
a little  past  midnight. 

- — Reprinted  from  the  newsletter  of 

the  West  Side  Christian  Parish 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People’s  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  3003 
Benham  Avenue,  Elkhart,  Indiana. 


July  7,  1959 


1 

i 


409 


questions  by  Esther  Groves 
answers  by  Harold  Spitznagel* 


an 

architect 

replies 


Are  most  new  churches  modem? 

There  was  a time  when  we  used  to  include  one  question  in  a ques- 
tionnaire that  we  issued  to  clients:  “Is  your  church  building  to  be 
traditional  or  modern?”  We  no  longer  make  this  inquiry,  for,  as  a 
matter  of  fact,  few  people  contact  us  who  want  anything  but  a 
contemporary  building.  I do  not  have  the  exact  figures  before  me 
but  I know  that  there  are  relatively  few  churches  that  are  built  in 
the  ecclectic  traditional  style. 

What  do  you  say  to  the  person  who  thinks  that  “it  doesn’t  look  like 
a church”? 

No  doubt  this  person  envisions  the  church  as  a Gothic  or  Colonial 
structure  forgetting  that  at  the  time  this  style  of  church  was  built 
it  was  a contemporary  and  nonconforming  building.  No  doubt  during 
these  earlier  periods  the  same  question  was  posed. 

As  a ruie  such  a person  might  level  his  criticism  at  some  of  our 
buildings,  but  on  the  other  hand  I doubt  if  they  could  say  that  it 
looks  like  any  other  particular  building  such  as  a grain  elevator  or 
warehouse.  Fortunately  for  us  few  people  have  ever  said,  “It  doesn’t 
look  like  a church.” 


*Harold  Spitznagel  and  associates  (in 
Sioux  Falls,  S.  D.)  were  the  architects 
for  the  new  Salem  Zion  Mennonlte  Church 
near  Freeman,  S.  D. 


ich 

laa 

jcoi 


410 


THE  MENNONITE 


What  factors  do  you  consider  when  you  begin  to  design  a church? 

We  consider  the  site,  topography,  orientation,  denomination,  the 
church  program,  and  the  problem  of  whether  the  funds  are  equal 
to  the  requirements. 

What  is  the  modem  architect’s  approach  to  ornamentation? 

Ornamentation  for  ornamentation  sake  is  worthless.  In  some  de- 
nominations that  require  it,  it  should  always  be  symbolic  and  mean- 
ingful and  even  provocative.  Careful  selection  of  materials,  textures, 
and  colors  compensate  for  the  lack  of  ornamentation  in  most 
instances. 

Why  are  modern  churches  simpler  in  form  and  design  than  tradi- 
tional churches? 

The  traditional  church  leaned  heavily  in  ornamentation  for  its 
definitive  style.  The  contemporary  church  is  more  dependent  on  good 
scale  and  careful  sensitive  selection  of  the  materials  and  colors. 
What  do  you  consider  the  most  common  errors  in  church  building 
today ? 

First:  cheap,  shoddy  construction  unworthy  of  a house  of  God. 
Secondly:  111  conceived,  hastily  executed  designs  not  worthy  of  their 
purpose.  There  are  far  too  many  buildings  that  are  simply  noncon- 
forming. The  fact  that  a building  is  nonconforming  is  no  sign  what- 
soever that  it  has  merit.  Far  too  many  buildings  are  sterile  and  cold 
if  not  actually  forbidding.  There  is  no  reason  why  the  church  should 
not  be  warm  and  friendly  without  in  any  way  lacking  dignity  or 
tending  to  be  garish. 

The  design  of  a church  requires  great  skill  in  that  it  is  one  of  the 
few  buildings  wherein  its  decorative  quality  is  so  essential  to  a suc- 
cessful result.  All  of  its  parts  are  unalike  and  there  is  no  opportunity 
for  a repetition  of  details  which  makes  it  a difficult  and  time  con- 
suming undertaking  for  the  designer.  Failure  to  study  carefully  each 
element  of  the  design  camnot  help  but  contribute  towards  a poor 
! result. 

What  do  you  consider  the  most  common  problems  as  you  begin  to 
work  with  a congregation? 

To  construct  a good  church  one  must  have  an  adequate  site.  An 
1 intelligent  and  informed  conrunittee  which  exhibits  great  confidence 
in  the  architect  is  absolutely  necessary.  You  need  a skilled  architect 
who  will  devote  sufficient  time  to  the  study  of  the  problem.  An  ade- 
quate budget  must  be  provided  as  it  is  impossible  to  construct  a 
satisfactory  building  with  inadequate  funds.  You  need  an  able  con- 
I tractor  who  is  capable  of  satisfactorily  constructing  the  building  as 
> designed. 

I Sufficient  time  to  design  and  build  a church  is  one  of  the  impor- 

I tant  requirements.  Any  attempt  to  expedite  the  working  drawings 
cannot  help  but  be  reflected  in  the  final  structure. 

As  previously  stated,  the  committee  must  have  full  confidence  in 
the  architect.  If  they  hamstring  his  efforts,  both  the  architect  and 
the  committee  will  do  a disservice  to  the  church.  In  our  office  we 
seldom  have  to  compromise  although  we  take  a realistic  view  of  the 
funds  which  are  available  for  the  project.  If  we  do  not  have  the  full 
confidence  of  the  client  we  try  and  avoid  entering  into  an  agreement 
for  designing  the  building. 

(Do  modern  churches  cost  more  than  traditional  churches? 

If  the  traditional  church  is  HONEST,  that  is  if  the  arches  are  of 
stone  and  not  of  stucco,  if  its  trusses  are  of  wood  and  not  steel 
covered  with  wood,  if  its  walls  are  of  stone  and  not  plaster  scored 
to  look  like  stone,  then  the  modern  church  is  always  less  costly  them 
the  traditional  church.  Unfortunately  the  “traditional”  church  is  too 
often  a poor  imitation  of  a traditional  church  and  we  then  have 
fraud  in  a building  where  it  should  least  be  present. 

I One  other  factor  to  be  kept  in  mind  is  that  if  the  contemporary 
(church  is  well  constructed,  it  will  offer  far  less  in  the  way  of  mainte- 
j I nance  cost  than  would  the  traditional  church  in  which  tricky  details 
I contribute  to  complicated  upkeep. 


July  7,  1959 


photo  by  Waltner 


bookmarks 

THE  ECUMENICAL  MOVEMENT 
AND  THE  FAITHFUL  CHURCH  hy 
John  Howard  Yoder  (Focal  Pam- 
phlet Series  50  cents)  Herald  Press, 
Scottdale,  Pa. 

John  Howard  Yoder  is  well  known 
to  the  larger  Mennonite  constitu- 
ency for  his  contribution  to  the 
European  Mennonite  peace  witness 
as  well  as  for  his  pamphlet  on 
Reinhold  Niebuhr.  He  serves  as  in- 
structor in  the  Associated  Menno- 
nite Seminaries  and  is  editor  of  the 
Concern  pamphlet  series  which 
continues  to  address  itself  to  the 
questions  of  church  renewal  in  our 
time. 

The  present  book  is  a reprint  of 
a series  of  articles  which  first  ap- 
peared in  the  Gospel  Herald.  It 
merits  republication  because  it  deals 
with  a relevant  issue.  It  answers 
the  questions:  How  did  the  ecu- 
menical movement  get  started? 
Isn’t  it  largely  composed  of  the 
“liberal”  churches?  Do  we  have  any 
right  to  participate?  Do  we  compro- 
mise by  taking  part  in  the  ecumen- 
ical movement? 

Yoder  correctly  observes  that  the 
ecumenical  movement  has  its  roots 
in  the  revival  movement,  especially 
the  work  of  D.  L.  Moody,  and  in 
the  missionary  movement  of  the 
past  century.  This  will  come  as  a 
surprise  to  some,  but  there  is  no 
doubt  that  it  is  a correct  historical 
observation. 

Others  admit  that  while  the  par- 
ents of  the  ecumenical  movement 
may  be  legitimate,  soon  liberalism 
took  over  and  still  rules  the  roost. 
Here  the  author  has  some  penetrat- 
ing insights  and  concludes  that  the 
“conservative  tendency  (in  the  ecu- 
menical movement)  grew  continu- 
ally until  it  was  possible  for  the 
main  theme  of  the  Evanston  As- 
sembly of  the  World  Council  in  1954 
to  be  the  Christian  Hope,  a topic 
which  is  of  interest  only  to  those 
who  are  committed  to  Biblical  and 
historic  Christianity”  (p.  14). 

In  our  Mennonite  context  we  have 
basically  two  problems.  First,  the 
idea  that  we  are  a church  which 
“broke  to  be  faithful”  lingers  on 
and  asserts  itself  in  the  continued 
expression  that  we  must  emphasize 
our  peculiar  beliefs.  As  an  historian. 


the  author  lays  this  myth  aside  by 
showing  that  this  was  not  the 
genius  of  Anabaptism  and  that  our 
forefathers  had  a strong  desire  to 
converse  with  other  Reformed  lead- 
ers. Conversation  was  always  brok- 
en off  from  their  side,  not  from 
the  side  of  the  Mennonites. 

Our  second  problem  is  a more 
acute  one,  and  that  is  our  continued 
devotion  to  Fundamentalism.  To  the 
author  it  is  clear  that  for  us  it  is 
not  an  alternative  between  Funda- 
mentalism and  Liberalism;  as  in 
the  Reformation,  so  now  we  must 
represent  a third  party.  Having 
stated  that  in  order  to  be  Biblical 
we  must  be  concerned  about  church 
unity,  he  goes  on  to  deal  with  the 
basic  necessity  to  be  ready  to  listen 
as  well  as  to  teach  (p.  38).  Funda- 
mentalism sets  the  limits  of  asso- 
ciating with  others  by  doctrinal  cri- 
teria. This  position  is  untenable  be- 
cause of  the  following  three  rea- 
sons. (1)  It  oversimplifies,  forget- 
ting that  there  are  a great  number 
of  different  possible  levels  of  a- 
greement  and  possible  collabora- 
tion. (2)  These  criteria  are  unsatis- 
factory because  they  represent  a 
very  particular  choice  of  crucial 
points,  which  were  especially  neces- 
sary for  the  debate  of  the  1910’s, 
but  not  always  the  crucial  points. 
(3)  These  criteria  are  based  on  the 
false  supposition  that  doctrine  is 
the  most  important  test  of  faith. 

Neither  the  early  church  nor  the 
Anabaptists  subscribed  to  this  point 
of  view.  Yoder’s  evaluation  of  the 
ecumenical  movement  concludes: 
“Apart  from  the  North  American 
churches  the  leadership  and  mem- 
bership of  the  World  Council  are 
surprisingly  free  of  theological  lib- 
eralism” (p.  42). 

When  it  is  remembered  that 
Brother  Yoder  has  taken  part  in 
extensive  discussions  in  Europe  with 
World  Council  leaders;  he  knows 
our  Anabaptist  heritage  and  has 
studied  both  theology  and  the  Bible, 
it  is  clear  that  we  cannot  ignore 
this  statement  of  our  relation  to 
other  Christians.  He  does  not  dis- 
cuss joining  the  World  Council,  but 
he  does  remind  us  that  we  have 
been  participating  in  the  ecumen- 
ical movement  and  that  we  ought 
to  do  so  deliberately  and  welcome 
this  opportunity  to  learn  and  to 
share.  We  need  not  betray  our  her- 
itage in  doing  so. 


Many  of  our  church  members 
have  read  slanted  and  biased  re- 
ports on  the  ecumenical  movement 
and  we  owe  it  to  our  people  to  en- 
courage them  to  read  this  book.  We 
cannot  indefinitely  postpone  review- 
ing our  relations  to  other  Chris- 
tians and  this  book  helps  us  to  see 
the  issues  squarely.  The  author 
would  be  the  first  to  invite  reac- 
tion to  his  analysis  because  he 
writes  with  the  conviction  that  the 
Christian  brotherhood  arrives  at  the 
solutions  of  problems — not  the  the- 
ologian working  in  an  ivory  tower 
of  detachment.  My  own  hope  is  that 
this  booklet  will  find  wide  circula- 
tion in  our  General  Conference 

Mennonite  circles  and  that  it  will 
prompt  extensive  discussion.  I would 
agree  that  “the  question  is  whether, 
following  the  example  of  the  New 
Testament  and  the  Anabaptists,  we 
will  give  to  misinformed  and  seek- 
ing believers  the  help  they  are  look- 
ing for  and  which  only  the  heirs  of 
the  Anabaptist  tradition  can  give; 
and  whether  we  will  seek,  as  this 
tradition  itself  demands,  whatever 
correction,  admonition,  and  instruc- 
tion may  be  received  from  the  en- 
counter with  fellow  confessors  of 
the  Lord’s  name  under  the  norm  of 
Scripture  and  the  guidance  of  His 
Spirit”  (p.  43). 

— William  Klassen 


MCC  news  and  notes 

HAITI — Charles  Suderman,  Aber- 
deen, Idaho,  one  of  two  1-W  men  to 
become  MCC’s  first  representatives 
in  Haiti,  returned  to  his  home  after 
17  months  of  service  on  a church- 
sponsored  farm  co-operative  at  Pe- 
tit-Goave.  He  reports  that  the  co- 
operative at  Ferme  Centrale,  with 
Methodist-Haitian  minister  Marco 
Depestre  as  director,  is  one  of  the 
best  in  the  country. 

GREECE — A young  Greek  from  the 
village  of  Tsakones  is  currently 
spending  a year  in  USA  under  the 
sponsorship  of  the  International 
Farm  Youth  Exchange  Project.  Cos- 
tas Kostandinides,  who  used  to 
work  with  the  Pax  unit  in  Tsakones 
as  assistant  in  the  canning  project, 
recently  visited  MCC  headquarters 
and  a number  of  homes  of  Paxmen 


412 


THE  MENNONITE 


he  had  learned  to  know  in  Greece. 
iVhile  in  Pennsylvania  he  attended 
a Mennonite  wedding,  that  of  a for- 
mer Paxman  and  personal  friend. 

GREECE — Larry  and  Anette  Ei- 
senbeis,  Marion,  S.D.,  are  due  to  ar- 
rive in  Europe  June  28.  Larry  will 
serve  as  leader  of  the  Pax  agricul- 
tural self-help  program  in  northern 
Greece.  Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Eisen- 
beis  are  1959  graduates  of  South 
Dakota  State  College,  Brookings, 
S.  D. 

INDONESIA James  (M.D.) 

and  Mary  Steiner  and  18-month-old 
Danny,  Sterling,  Ohio,  are  planning 
to  arrive  in  Vietnam  June  29  where 
Dr.  Steiner  will  assist  in  the  Ban- 
methuot  medical  program  for  sever- 
al months  before  going  on  to  Ti- 
mor in  Indonesia  where  he  will 
serve  as  one  of  the  four  or  five 
doctors  on  this  island  of  500,000. 
James  was  an  intern  and  resident 
in  internal  medicine  at  City  Hos- 
pital in  Akron,  Ohio,  from  1957  to 
1959. 

INDONESIA— Glenn  and  Martha 
Zimmerly,  Orrville,  Ohio,  left  Akron 
June  10  for  a three  year  assignment 
on  the  island  of  Timor,  where 
Glenn  will  direct  the  agricultural 
development  program. 

EUROPE — A Pax  matron  and 
three  Paxmen  sailed  for  Europe 
June  10  to  begin  two  year  assign- 
ments. They  are  Mary  E.  King, 
Wellman,  Iowa;  Wayne  J.  Yoder, 
Hartville,  Ohio;  George  Junior 
Hofer,  Bridgewater,  S.  D.;  and 
Gerald  E.  Fryenberger,  Wayland, 
Iowa. 

BEGINNING  PERSONNEL 

AKRON — Phyllis  Bixler,  Dalton, 
Ohio — Information  Service  writer 
( summer) ; Doris  Martin,  Lancast- 
er, Pa. — housekeeping  assistant; 
Rosemary  Miller,  Phoenix,  Ariz. — 
Personnel  Office  secretary;  Gene 
Nifziger,  Miner,  lU. — mail  clerk. 
Leland  Haines,  Elkhart,  Ind. — pro- 
duction manager;  Paul  Troyer,  Elk- 
hart, Ind.— production  assistant; 
Rollin  Brenneman,  Kalona,  Iowa — 
Ephrata  Clothing  Center  assistant; 
Erma  Kauffman,  Goshen,  Ind. — Re- 
lief Section  secretary;  Velma  Shenk, 
Rohrerstown,  Pa. — Peace  Section 
part-time  secretary;  Ruth  Hess, 
Lititz,  Pa.  — housekeeping  assist- 
ant. — John  Hostetler,  Goshen,  Ind., 
and  Lowell  Teichroew,  Mountain 
Lake,  Minn.,  have  begun  as  head- 
quarters staff  assignments.  Hostet- 


ler, who  was  European  MCC  busi- 
ness manager  from  1952  to  1958, 
will  serve  as  material  aid  adminis- 
trator in  the  Foreign  Relief  and 
Services  office.  Teichroew  will  work 
as  an  editorial  assistant  in  Infor- 
mation Service;  he  was  recently 
graduated  from  the  University  of 
Arkansas  with  a master’s  degree  in 
English. 

EUROPE  — LaMar  and  Adele 
Reichert,  Bremen,  Ind.,  arrived  in 
Frankfort,  Germany,  June  26.  For- 
mer European  Paxman  Reichert 
will  serve  as  executive  secretary  of 
Mennonite  Voluntary  Service.  MVS, 
a program  offering  service  oppor- 
tunities to  European  young  people, 
operates  under  the  direction  of  a 
council  of  Mennonite  representa- 
tives from  Germany,  France,  Hol- 
land, Switzerland  and  America. 

HAITI — Marvin  Kauffman,  Kalis- 
pell,  Mont.,  began  a two-year  Volun- 
tary Service  term  in  Haiti  June  24. 
Kauffman,  who  has  completed  two 
years  of  agricultural  study  at  East- 
ern Mennonite  College,  (Harrison- 
burg, Va.)  will  be  an  agricultural 
assistant  in  the  Methodist  self-help 
program  at  Petit  Goave. 

PERU — Paxmen  John  Gillis,  Pey- 
ton, Colo.,  and  Edwin  Swartzen- 
druber.  Miner,  lU.,  are  scheduled 
to  arrive  in  Peru  June  29  where 
they  will  assist  five  other  MCC 
workers  in  the  LeTourneau  Founda- 
tion project  at  Toumavista.  Gillis 
and  Swartzendruber  will  serve  as 
mechanics  in  the  roadbuilding  and 
colonization  endeavors. 

KOREA — John  and  Rosemary 
(R.N.)  Zook,  Elkhart,  Ind.,  are 
scheduled  to  s^dl  from  San  Fran- 
cisco June  28  for  Korea  where  John 
will  be  principal  of  the  MCC  Voca- 
tional School  for  Boys  at  Kyong 
San.  This  past  school  year  the 
Zooks  were  connected  with  the  Elk- 
hart City  schools,  John  as  a sixth 
grade  teacher  and  Rosemary  as  a 
school  nurse. 

VS  SCHOOL — ^Twenty  long-term 
Voluntary  Service  workers  from  Al- 
berta, British  Columbia,  Indiana, 
Iowa,  Kansas,  Minnesota,  Ohio, 
Oregon,  and  Pennsylvania  were  par- 
ticipants in  an  orientation  school 
June  16-29  at  Akron  headquarters. 
105  IN  SUMMER  SERVICE  PROJECTS 

AKRON — This  summer  105  volun- 
teers are  serving  in  ten  MCC  sum- 
mer service  projects.  Nineteen  vol- 
unteers are  serving  as  psychiatric 
aides  at  two  Minnesota  state  hos- 


pitals, Fergus  Falls  and  Hastings. 
Thirty-seven  young  people  are  par- 
ticipating in  research  tests  at  Na- 
tional Institutes  of  Health,  Bethes- 
da,  Md.  At  the  Institute  of  Logo- 
pedics, Wichita,  Kan.,  seven  volun- 
teers are  assisting  the  staff  in  work 
with  children  with  speech  and  hear- 
ing defects.  As  camp  counsellors, 
ten  volunteers  are  serving  at  Camp 
Pavika,  Crestline,  Cal.,  a camp  for 
crippled  children.  Working  with 
emotionally  disturbed  boys,  four 
volunteers  are  helping  at  Brookland 
Plantation,  Edisto  Island,  S.  C.; 
four  are  working  at  Wiltwyck 
School  for  Boys,  Esopus,  N.  Y.  Four 
summer  service  volunteers  are 
working  with  children  from  broken 
homes  at  Junior  Village,  Washing- 
ton, D.  C.  Twenty  workers  are  tak- 
ing part  in  recreation,  crafts  and 
religious  instruction  at  migrant  la- 
bor camps  in  Hamilton  and  Water- 
ville,  N.  Y. 

MCC  TEACHERS  TO  CONDUCT 
SUMMER  BIBLE  SCHOOLS 

NEWFOUNDLAND  — MCC  ele- 
mentary teachers  serving  in  New- 
foundland have  made  plans  to  con- 
duct at  least  11  vacation  Bible 
schools  this  summer.  Twillingate 
teachers  are  planning  five  schools 
from  June  29  to  July  31.  Schools 
are  scheduled  for  Durrell’s  Acad- 
emy, Manual’s  Cove,  and  Crow 
Head  in  charge  of  Susan  Friesen 
(Halbstadt,  Man.)  Rita  Schroeder 
(Gretna,  Man.)  and  Noreen  Cress- 
man  (Guernsey,  Sask.)  At  Central 
and  Kettle  Grove,  Bible  schools  will 
be  staffed  by  Wilma  Chivington  (St. 
Marys,  Ohio)  and  Ruth  Ann  Liechty 
(Berne,  Ind.)  who  will  also  spend 
some  time  off  the  island  conduct- 
ing a caravan  group  with  a United 
Church  of  Canada  team. 

Vacation  schools  at  St.  Anthony 
to  be  staffed  by  Erma  Hunsberger 
(Baden,  Ont.),  Howard  and  Betty 
Friesen  (Meade,  Kan.),  Carolyn 
Krehbiel  (Conway,  Kan.)  and  Beat- 
rice Hilty  (Rittman,  Ohio)  will  be 
held  at  Wild  Bight,  Noddy  Bay, 
Great  Brehat,  and  Goose  Cove.  Mer- 
rit  Gardner  (Bronxville,  N.  Y.)  will 
be  assisting  in  a camp  program  for 
boys  and  girls.  At  Baie  Verte,  Na- 
omi Claassen  (Newton,  Kan.)  and 
Janeal  Ravndal  (Little  Silver,  N.  J.) 
will  help  with  the  local  camp.  Allen 
and  Nellie  Ebersole  (Canton,  Ohio) 
will  conduct  Bible  School  at  Wild 
Cove  along  with  Carolyn  Krehbiel. 


July  7,  1959 


413 


jottings 

EXTENSION  WORK  BEGUN 

First  Church,  Reedley,  Calif.:  Pas- 
tor Aaron  Epp  preached  a series  of 
Sun.  evening  sermons  based  on  the 
twelve  apostles.  The  men’s  brother- 
hood had  a barbecue  dinner  at  the 
city  park.  After  the  dinner  our  pas- 
tor led  us  in  a short  devotional  and 
installation  of  officers  for  the  com- 
ing year.  March  8,  our  church  ob- 
served General  Conference  Sunday, 
choosing  “Missions  Unlimited”  as 
the  theme  for  the  day.  We  were  for- 
tunate to  have  a large  group  of 
former  missionaries  as  our  guest 
speakers:  Rev.  and  Mrs.  J.  R. 

Duerksen,  Rev.  and  Mrs.  Arthur 
Friesen,  Rev.  and  Mrs.  Alfred  Wie- 
be,  Mrs.  Alfred  Habegger,  Jean  Poi- 
tra  from  Mont.,  and  Miss  Emma 
Ruth.  Mar.  25,  P.  K.  Regier,  a for- 
mer pastor  of  our  church,  brought 
us  a challenging  report  of  his  ex- 
perience in  South  America  with  our 
people.  A mother-daughter  banquet 
was  prepared  and  served  by  the 
men’s  brotherhood,  Mrs.  J.  R. 
Duerksen  was  the  guest  speaker. 
An  installation  service  for  the  of- 
ficers of  the  Women’s  Missionary 
Society,  the  Worth  While  Circle, 
and  the  Mission  Bells  was  conduct- 
ed by  Mrs.  Daniel  Ewy.  On  Palm 
Sunday,  nine  new  members  were 
received  into  our  fellowship.  On 
Pentecost  six  members  were  re- 
ceived by  letter  and  fourteen  by  the 
rite  of  baptism.  Mother’s  Day  was 
fittingly  observed  by  the  dedication 
of  twenty-one  children  who  were 
bom  during  the  past  year.  Our 
young  people’s  choir,  under  the  di- 
rection of  Roy  Reimer,  was  reward- 
ed for  punctual  attendance  and 
faithful  service  rendered  at  our 
church  services  during  the  past 
year  with  a bus  trip  to  the  Upland 
Church.  The  S.  S.  has  launched  out 
in  extension  work  in  a new  settle- 
ment near  Selma.  The  workers  are 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ray  Goosen,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Robert  Harder,  and  Ernest 


into  the  beyond 

John  A.  Bartel,  member  of  the 
Johannestal  Church,  Hillsboro,  Kan., 
was  bom  Mar.  22,  1884,  and  passed 
away  Jan.  13,  1959. 

Daniel  Goertz,  member  of  the 
Johannestal  Church,  Hillsboro,  Kan., 
was  born  April  12,  1896,  and  passed 
away  Mar.  7,  1959. 

Jacob  Graves,  member  of  the 
Walton  Mennonite  Church,  Walton, 


Lichti  who  gives  the  closing  mes- 
sage after  the  S.  S.  hour. — Reinhold 
Ewy,  corr. 

MASS  CHOIR  PROGRAM 

Calvary  Church,  Barlow,  Ore.:  H. 
D.  Burkholder  of  Dallas,  Ore.,  held 
a series  of  pre-Easter  meetings  for 
us  from  Mar.  22  to  Mar.  27.  His 
messages  were  on  “The  Wondrous 
Cross.”  We  commemorated  Passion 
week  with  a communion  service  on 
Mar.  26.  The  primary  department 
gave  their  Easter  program  during 
the  S.  S.  hour  on  Easter  morning 
and  the  choir  presented  a song  and 
story  program  using  a colored  film- 
strip entitled  “Peter  and  the  Res- 
urrection.” The  sanctuary  was  beau- 
tifully decorated  with  lilies,  green- 
ery, and  a “Bird  of  Paradise”  flow- 
er which  was  given  by  a friend.  We 
have  enjoyed  having  William  Zehr 
show  slides  of  his  recent  trip  to 
Japan  and  Formosa.  He  has  also 
told  of  the  work  being  done  there 
by  missionaries.  A good  number  of 
junior  retreaters  attended  the  an- 
nual “Retreat  Rally”  held  at  the 
Dallas  Church,  April  11.  The  men’s 
fellowship  at  Pratum  was  attend- 
ed by  a number  of  our  members  on 
April  20.  Ladies  from  our  church 
enjoyed  the  annual  fellowship  of 
the  Oregon  missionary  societies 
which  was  held  at  the  Sweet  Home 
Community  Chapel,  April  23.  We  ob- 
served Centennial  Sunday  on  April 
26,  as  this  is  our  state’s  100th  year. 
We  gave  special  thanks  to  the  Lord 
for  His  many  blessings  through  the 
years.  Judge  Hanson,  a juvenile 
court  judge,  from  Oregon  City, 
spoke  to  our  men’s  fellowship  on 
April  28.  The  ladies’  missionary 
society  gave  the  Sunday  evening 
program  on  May  3.  They  gave  a 
skit  entitled  “Unawares,”  a panel 
discussion  on  “Home  or  Foreign 
Missions,”  a Bible  quiz,  and  special 
music.  The  choir  joined  the  other 
choirs  of  the  Canby  churches  in  a 
mass  choir  program  given  the  eve- 
ning of  May  24.  Mrs.  Frank  Hostet- 
ler and  Mrs.  Ivan  Learfield  have 
recently  undergone  surgery.  Mr. 


Kan.,  was  born  near  Goessel,  Kan., 
Jan.  17,  1904,  and  passed  away  April 
25,  1959. 

Abram  Epp,  member  of  the  First 
Church  of  Beatrice,  Neb.,  was  bom 
Feb.  18,  1867,  in  Kosilitzke,  West 
Prussia,  Germany.  He  was  called  to 
his  eternal  reward  June  6,  1959. 

Mrs.  Jake  Dyck,  member  of  the 
First  Church,  Aberdeen,  Idaho,  went 
to  be  with  the  Lord  April  20,  1959. 


Lester  Conrad  fell  at  work  and  was 
very  critically  injured.  'The  young 
people’s  union  banquet  was  held 
June  13.  May  8,  we  had  a mother- 
daughter  supper  at  the  church.  May 
10,  special  awards  were  presented 
to  several  mothers  and  we  had  a 
child  dedication  service.  We  have 
been  happy  to  be  hosts  to  the  Pa- 
cific District  conference  which  was 
held  here  June  10-14. — Mrs.  Weldon 
Roupp,  corr. 

MISSIONARY  VISITS 

Hereford  Church,  Bally,  Pa.:  Jan- 
et Soldner,  the  missionary  that  our 
church  is  supporting,  visited  with 
our  congregation  the  week  end  of 
May  9 and  10.  She  spoke  at  our 
mother-daughter  meeting  on  Sat. 
evening.  The  men  of  the  church 
prepared  and  served  a delicious 
full  course  ham  dinner  to  the  wom- 
en at  this  meeting.  Miss  Soldner 
also  spoke  at  the  morning  worship 
service.  An  informal  afternoon  and 
evening  meeting  was  spent  with 
her  on  the  10th,  at  which  time  she 
showed  pictures  of  her  country  and 
work.  The  mothers  of  our  church 
had  charge  of  the  Sunday  morning 
S.  S.  session  on  Mother’s  Day.  Dr. 
Elmer  S.  Johnson,  who  was  our 
pastor  for  more  than  twenty-six 
years,  died  May  17  in  York,  Pa.  Rev. 
Wilmer  S.  Shelly,  who  succeeded 
him  as  pastor  of  our  congregation, 
had  a part  in  the  funeral  service 
for  Dr.  Johnson,  May  20.  Our  youth 
fellowship  appeared  on  ‘"The  Old 
Fashioned  Hymn  Sing”  over  WSAN, 
Allentown,  May  24.  We  had  vaca- 
tion Bible  school  this  summer  from 
June  15  to  26. — Mae  Latshaw,  corr. 

PETER  DYCK  SPEAKS 

Eden  Church,  Moundridge,  Kan.: 
Peter  Dyck,  MCC  European  Direc- 
tor, was  with  us  on  Sunday,  April 
26.  Our  pastor,  Arnold  Nickel,  at- 
tended the  Church  Peace  Mission 
conference  in  Evanston,  111.,  in 
April.  Child  consecration  was  held 
on  Mothers’  Day,  May  10.  Twenty- 
nine  children  were  dedicated  to  the 
Lord.  A leadership  training  course 
for  S.  S.  teachers  and  others  inter- 
ested was  started  in  Feb.  and  con- 
tinued for  eight  weeks.  Pastor  Nick- 
el was  the  instructor.  Installation 
services  for  newly  elected  church 
officers  was  held  Jan.  18.  A constitu- 
tion for  the  S.  S.  was  adopted  Feb. 
15.  The  men’s  chorus  presented  a 
program  in  the  Mennonite  Church 
of  Halstead,  Feb.  15.  Handel’s 
Messiah  was  given  on  Palm  Sun- 
day. Our  church  united  with  other 
churches  in  this  vicinity  for  the  pre- 
Easter  services.  Vincent  Harding, 
co-pastor  of  the  Woodlawn  Menno- 
nite Church  in  Chicago  was  the 
speaker. 


414 


THE  MENNONITE 


conference  notes 

continued  from  last  page 

SAVE  YOUR  CHURCH  BULLETINS 

Your  Sunday  worship  bulletin  is  a 
significant  source  of  information. 
Increasingly  Mennonite  churches 
are  using  weekly  bulletins  for  their 
Sunday  worship  services  and  an- 
nouncements. These  then  become  a 
record  not  only  of  Sunday  activities 
but  of  many  other  occurrences  and 
activities  within  the  congregation. 

The  historical  committee  of  the 
General  Conference  in  co-operation 
with  the  historical  committees  of 
1 the  various  district  conferences 
would  like  to  urge  that  all  churches 
make  it  a practice  to  keep  several 
copies  of  their  bulletins  for  a per- 
manent record.  The  suggestion  has 
been  made  that  at  least  four  copies 
be  preserved.  One  copy  could  be 
placed  in  the  care  of  the  district 
historical  committee  most  imme- 
diately concerned.  Another  copy 
could  be  kept  by  the  minister  for 
his  personal  file.  The  third  copy 
could  be  kept  with  the  permanent 
records  of  the  local  church.  The 
fourth  copy  could  be  deposited  at 
one  of  the  following  four  historical 
libraries: 

Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary  Li- 
brary, 3003  Benham  Avenue. 
Elkhart,  Indiana. 

Musselman  Library 
Bluffton  College 
Bluffton,  Ohio. 

Canadian  Mennonite  Bible  College 
600  Roblin  Blvd.,  East 
Tuxedo,  Winnipeg  9,  Manitoba 
Canada. 

Bethel  College  Historical  Library 

Bethel  College 

North  Newton,  Kansas. 

At  these  libraries  students,  min- 
isters, and  other  interested  people 
may  then  be  able  to  search  these 
reports  for  significant  information 
about  local,  church  events.  Bulle- 
tins may  be  sent  to  the  historical 
libraries  weekly,  monthly,  or  they 
may  be  brought  in  to  the  depository 
in  annual  installments. 

Some  district  historical  commit- 
tees have  made  it  a practice  to 
bind  church  bulletins  at  the  end  of 
I two  or  three  year  periods  and  thus 
I preserve  them  in  compact  and  con- 
i venient  form. 

I July  7,  1959 


S.  A.  SEMINARY  ISSUES  BULLETIN 

The  Boletin  of  Seminario  Biblico 
Evangelico  in  Montevideo,  Uruguay, 
is  a bulletin  in  the  English  language 
sent  as  an  expression  of  gratitude 
to  the  seminary’s  friends  in  other 
countries.  This  attractive,  informa- 
tive bulletin,  edited  by  General  Con- 
ference Mennonite  missionary  and 
seminary  faculty  member,  Laveme 
Rutschman,  is  published  four  times 
a year  and  sent  without  cost  to  any- 
one interested.  Requests  may  be  ad- 
dressed to  Seminario  Biblico  Evan- 
gelico, Vilardebo  964,  Montevideo, 
Uruguay. 

MISSIONARY  WRITER 

“Destiny  of  the  Kamikaze  Pilot” 
written  by  Verney  Unruh,  General 
Conference  Mennonite  missionary  in 
Japan,  was  published  in  a recent 
edition  of  Power.  'This  is  a true 
story  of  a Japanese  pilot  whose  life 
was  spared  when  his  commanding 
officer  mistakenly  cancelled  the 
scheduled  suicidal  flight  and  who 
later  heard  the  gospel  that  teaches 
love  toward  enemies  and  became  a 
Christian. 

KEHLERS  LEAVE  FOR  TAIWAN 

Peter  and  Lydia  Kehler  and  their 
children,  Peter,  David,  and  Dennis 
leave  for  Taiwan  August  9 on  the 
S8  Hikawa  Maru  Yoko.  As  General 
Conference  Mennonite  missionaries 
they  will  study  language  at  Taipei 
and  serve  the  church  there  during 
the  Hugh  Sprungers’  furlough. 

The  Kehlers’  home  is  at  Abbots- 


CENTRAL  OFFICES  STAFF  CHANGES 

Staff  changes  in  the  central  of- 
fices at  Newton,  Kan.,  in  the  past 
two  months  have  been  the  follow- 
ing: Elmira  Kliewer,  member  of 

the  Bethel  Church,  Mountain  Lake, 
Minn.,  secretary.  Board  of  Educa- 
tion and  Publication;  Muriel  Thies- 
sen.  Bethel  Church,  Inman,  Kan., 
editorial  assistant  for  The  Menno- 
nite; Joyce  Unruh,  Tabor  Church, 
Newton,  Kan.,  clerk,  Mennonite 
Bookstore;  and  Anita  Warkentin, 
First  Church,  Greendale,  B.  C.,  sec- 
retary, Board  of  Christian  Service. 

KINDERGARTEN  II  WORKSHEETS 

The  kindergarten  II  course  has 
been  designed  to  make  use  of  inter- 
est centers  and  we  hope  that  teach- 
ers who  have  the  facilities  and  who 
have  been  using  interest  centers 
will  continue  to  do  so.  However, 
worksheets  are  being  made  avail- 
able for  teachers  who  feel  the  need 
for  additional  prepared  activities. 

These  worksheets  will  be  avail- 
able for  use  beginning  with  the 
October  quarter.  Orders  may  be 
written  on  the  lines  reserved  for 
Sunday  school  supplies  on  the  order 
blank.  The  price  of  the  worksheets 
is  27  cents  per  quarter. 


ford,  B.  C.  For  two  years  they 
served  the  Vancouver  Mennonite 
Mission.  Peter  is  a graduate  of  Can- 
adian Mennonite  Bible  College,  Win- 
nipeg, Man.,  and  Bethel  College, 
North  Newton,  Kan.  The  past  year 
he  studied  at  Mennonite  Biblical 
Seminary,  Elkhart,  Ind. 


415 


conference  notes 

LOOKING  TOWARD 
GENERAL  CONFERENCE 

When  I think  of  general  confer- 
ence I naturally  get  an  excited 
feeling  because  of  its  meeting  in 
our  home  community.  It  has  al- 
ready been  a thrill  to  see  many 
people  working  together  on  the  big 
planning  committee. 

It  is  my  hope  and  prayer  that 
^lll  members  of  the  various  churches 
will  feel  the  importance  of  working 
together  with  the  committee  mem- 


bers on  the  many  projects  that  will 
provide  for  the  comforts  of  all 
guests. 

We  are  looking  forward  to  at- 
tending conference  meetings  that 
will  be  mountain  top  experiences 
where  all  of  us  will  learn  more 
about  the  work  of  our  church  and 
rededicate  ourselves  to  God  and  to 
the  work  of  His  church. 

. — Minerva  Hilty 
Bluffton,  Ohio 

CONFERENCE  TOURS  PLANNED 

The  Tours  and  Historical  Exhibits 
committee  in  Bluffton,  Ohio,  is  plan- 
ning that  on  each  day  of  the  con- 
ference in  August  there  will  be 
some  time  between  the  afternoon 
session  and  the  supper  hour  for 
short  tours  to  the  immediate  area. 
On  the  last  day  of  the  conference 
a time  from  1:30  to  4:30  is  allotted 
on  the  program  for  longer  tours. 

The  committee  has  discussed  var- 
ied possibilities  for  the  longer 
tours.  There  are  a number  of  larger 
industries  such  as  the  Ford  Plant  in 
Lima,  the  Eastman  Kodcik  in  Find- 
lay, and  local  industries  such  as 
Triplett  Electrical  Instrument  Com- 
pany and  Ex-Cell-O  Corporation 
which  may  be  of  interest  to  confer- 
ence visitors.  Another  possible  plan 
for  the  afternoon  is  to  contact 
other  Mennonite  communities  in 
Ohio  and  Indiana  such  as  Archbold, 
Sugarcreek,  Smithville  or  Berne 
and  arrange  for  a guided  tour  of 
industries  and  farms  in  these  com- 


munities. Since  some  of  the  con- 
ference visitors  will  be  traveling 
at  the  close  of  the  conference  they 
could  fit  this  trip  into  their  tourist 
program.  All  conference  visitors  are 
urged  to  include  the  Mennonite 
Biblical  Seminary,  Elkhart,  Indiana, 
for  the  return  trip. 

People  taking  the  short  daily  tour 
will  meet  at  Founders  Hall  and 
travel  in  buses  provided  by  the 
Superior  Coach  Company  of  Lima. 
They  will  be  guided  on  a trip 
through  the  approximately  ten 
square  mile  section  known  as  the 
“settlement.” 

General  farming  is  practiced  in 
this  area  with  a great  deal  of  em- 
phasis on  intensive  agriculture  such 
as  potatoes,  sugar  beets,  and  toma- 
toes. 

The  Mennonites  in  this  area  are 
engaged  in  approximately  fifty 
business  firms.  These  include  those 
usually  found  in  a farming  com- 
munity. In  recent  years  fewer  small 
businesses  have  started  because  of 
several  larger  industries  coming 
into  the  community. 

The  Grace,  St.  John,  and  Eben- 
ezer  Mennonite  Churches  are  a- 
mong  those  helping  to  host  the  con- 
ference and  will  be  included  on  the 
tour  as  well  as  the  Reformed  Men- 
nonite Church  which  is  quite  old. 
The  location  of  the  first  Mennonite 
church,  that  of  an  early  farmhouse 
used  as  a hospital,  and  other  land- 
marks will  be  pointed  out. 

ADDRESSES  WANTED 

For  the  Mennonite  Encyclopedia 
we  need  the  addresses  of  the  follow- 
ing authors  of  articles  in  Volume 
IV.  Will  anyone  who  knows  an  ad- 
dress kindly  write  at  once  to  H.  S. 
Bender,  Mennonite  Encyclopedia, 
Goshen  College,  Goshen,  Indiana. 

The  names  are  as  follows:  J.  S. 
Adrian,  H.  A.  Ensz,  John  T.  Esau, 
Jacob  D.  Esh,  J.  A.  Harms,  John  P. 
Isaac,  John  J.  Koehn,  H.  J.  Minin- 
ger,  G.  H.  Penner,  C.  H.  Regier, 
Daniel  S.  Wipf,  and  N.  H.  Wolf. 

NEW  ORDER  BLANK 

A new  order  blank  has  been  pre- 
pared by  Mennonite  Publication  Of- 
fice for  use  in  ordering  Sunday 
school  material.  For  the  first  time 
the  order  blank  lists  a complete 
curriculum  in  Mennonite  material. 
Graded  courses  are  offered  for  the 


nursery,  kindergarten  I,  kindergar- 
ten II,  and  primary.  Uniform 
courses  are  available  from  junior 
through  adult. 

Pupil’s  leafiets  are  available  in 
the  German  language  for  kinder- 
garten I and  kindergarten  II.  Both 
the  primary  pupil’s  book  and  work- 
sheets are  available  in  the  German. 


VIRGINIA  CLAASSEN  APPOINTED 


Virginia  Claassen  has  been  ap- 
pointed by  the  Board  of  Missions 
of  the  General  Conference  Menno- 
nite Church  to  teach  in  a school 
for  children  of  missionaries  in  Ja- 
pan. She  will  leave  in  August. 

Virginia  is  the  daughter  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Carl  J.  Claassen  of  White- 
water,  Kan.  After  graduating  from 
Bethel  College,  North  Newton,  Kan., 
she  taught  school  in  Kansas  for  two 
years  before  continuing  her  studies 
at  seminary.  This  spring  she  gradu- 
ated with  an  M.R.E.  degree  from 
Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary,  Elk- 
hart, Ind.  She  is  a member  of  Wom- 
en in  Church  Vocations. 

The  General  Conference  Menno- 
nite Mission  in  Kyushu,  Japan,  was 
begun  in  1951.  By  the  end  of  the 
year  there  will  be  twenty-three  Gen- 
eral Conference  Mennonite  workers 
on  Kyushu  Island. 


Correction 

Wilmer  SprimgePs  home  ad- 
dress (see  “Moosa  to  Masonry” 
in  the  Jime  23  MENNONITE) 
would  be  more  technically  ac- 
curate if  listed  as  Wadsworth, 
Ohio,  since  he  has  his  member- 
ship in  the  First  Mennonite 
Church  there. 


JULY  14,  1959 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
MAN  LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIST  | 


Children’s  art  in  Sunday  school,  see  page  422 


in  this  issue 

COVER 

Gayle,  a Sunday  school  sixth  grader 
drew  his  idea  of  a returned  missionary 
with  his  wife  and  child  greeting  a con- 
gregation. 

ARTICLES 

FOUR  TREES 

By  Leonard  Harder  

LINES  THROUGHOUT  THE  EARTH 

By  Norman  A.  Wingert  420 

ENRICHMENT  THROUGH  ART 

By  Darvin  Luginbuhl  422 

PEACE  AND  CHILDREN 


By  Mrs.  Stanley  Hostetter  423 

PEACE  AND  PARENTS 

By  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Stanley  Stauffer  ...  424 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  418 

FILM  REVIEW  424 

MENNONITE  YOUTH 

WHAT  PRICE  HONESTY?  425 

OUR  SCHOOLS  428 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  428 

JOTTINGS  429 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  432 


of  things  to  come 

West.  Dist.  Retreats,  Camp  Mennoscah: 
July  13-18 — Junior  High  II 
July  20-25— Fresh  Air  Friendship  Cp. 
July  27-Aug.  1 — High  School  I 
Aug.  3-8 — High  School  II 
Aug.  29-30 — Family  (under  age  45) 
Sept.  5-7 — Family  (senior  age) 

Aug.  5-12 — Ministers'  and  Church  Work- 
ers' Retreat,  Camp  Friedenswald, 
Mich. 

Aug.  1 2-20 — General  Conference,  Bluff- 
ton,  Ohio 

Oct.  24-27 — West.  Dist.  Conference 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor:  J.  N.  Smocker.  Associate  Editors: 
J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Asst.:  Muriel  Thiessen. 
Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  27 


editorials 

CONFERENCE  GOALS,  1956-1959 

1.  Every  member  a personal  witness. 

2.  Every  congregation  seeking  a missionary  outpost. 

3.  Fifteen  new  congregations  by  1959 

4.  Every  member  a tither. 

5.  Every  church  supporting  every  Conference  board. 

6.  A Voluntary  Service  worker  from  every  congregation. 

7.  Every  pastor  prayerfully  seeking  a new  recruit  for  the  ministry. 

8.  A strong  Spirit-controlled  seminary  program  receiving  whole- 
hearted support. 

9.  Framed  personnel  and  adequate  facilities  for  the  teaching 
program. 

10.  Reaching  at  least  one  unevangelized  tribe  with  the  gospel. 

11.  Every  member  knowing  Christ  "and  the  power  of  his  resurrec- 
tion, and  the  fellowship  of  his  sufferings,  being  made  conform- 
able to  his  death.” 

WHAT  DO  WE  SEE?  Hold  a ■white  sheet  of  paper  marked 
with  one  small  black  dot  before  any  group  of  children  or  adults, 
and  ask  them  what  they  see.  The  answer  will  be  almost  a hundred 
per  cent,  "A  black  dot.”  No  one  seems  to  think  of  saying,  "A  white 
sheet  of  paper.” 

It  is  much  the  same  about  the  faults  and  mistakes  of  others. 
They  may  be  fine  people  in  the  main,  with  many  good  qualities 
and  noble  traits.  Yet  when  asked  about  them  we  are  apt  to  reply, 
''They’re  nice  people,  but  . . .”  and  then  proceed  to  point  out  the 
black  specks,  real  or  imagined.  The  same  holds  for  an  organization 
or  a church.  We  overlook  the  many  outstanding  contributions  made 
and  see  the  little  faults  that  are  inherent  in  every  organization  be-  j 
cause  it  is  made  up  of  imperfect  human  beings. 

What  would  happen  if  we  could  habitually  reverse  this  critical 
process  and  see  and  appreciate  the  strong  and  noble  points? 

For  one  thing  it  would  have  a constructive  effect  on  ourselves. 
We  lack  too  much  the  fine  sense  of  appreciation.  We  are  too  eager 
to  voice  our  criticisms.  To  form  the  habit  of  appreciation  would 
bring  us  far  more  real  happiness  than  to  pick  the  speck  in  another. 

The  habit  of  appreciation  also  brings  genuine  encouragement 
and  help  to  the  person  or  group  commended. 

Developing  the  ability  to  see  the  white  instead  of  the  black  in 
another  also  has  a good  effect  on  the  neutral  observer.  Hearing  us 
express  gratitude  and  appreciation  for  another  instead  of  condem- 
nation stimulates  a similar  attitude  in  them  also. 

We  need  not  be  blind  to  the  faults  of  others  in  the  sense  that  we 
call  evil  good.  But  we  can  be  more  helpful  by  commendation  than 
by  condemnation. 


418 


THE  MENNONITE 


Four 

Trees 


Leonard  Harder* 


The  Bible  uses  many  earthly 
illustrations  to  teach  us  heav- 
I enly  truths.  In  Psalm  1 verse  3 we 
I read,  “And  he  shall  be  like  a tree 
i planted  by  the  rivers  of  water,  that 
I bringeth  forth  his  fruit  in  his  sea- 
son; his  leaf  also  shall  not  wither; 
and  whatsoever  he  doeth  shall  pros- 
I per.”  What  Christian  would  not 
I want  this  blessing?  How  do  we  get 
it?  As  a tree  being  planted  by  the 
I rivers  of  water.  Let  us  follow  the 
thought  of  a tree  through  the 
Scripture. 

First  of  all  we  read  in  Genesis 
3:8,  “And  they  heard  the  voice  of 
the  Lord  God  walking  in  the  gar- 
den in  the  cool  of  the  day:  and 

Adam  and  his  wife  hid  themselves 
from  the  presence  of  the  Lord 
God  amongst  the  trees  of  the  gar- 
den.” Here  God  finds  Adam  and 
Eve  hiding.  One  thing  had  come 
between  man  and  God:  unbelief. 

Eve  saw  that  the  fruit  was  good 
for  food,  pleasant  to  the  eye,  with 
the  capacity  for  making  one  wise. 
She  believed  Satan  rather  than  God 
and  took  the  fruit.  At  that  moment 
she  satisfied  the  fiesh.  “For  if  ye 
live  after  the  fiesh,  ye  shall  die,” 
(Romans  8:13). 

f We  are  told  in  Jonah  1:3  that 
j sin  drives  away  from  the  presence 
of  God.  Is  it  any  wonder  that  peo- 
ple stay  away  from  church  or  that 
it  prayer  has  died  in  many  a home? 
Sin  drives  away  from  the  presence 
of  God.  Again  let  us  notice  where 
^ Adam  and  Eve  hid  themselves: 
3 amongst  the  trees  of  the  garden — 
amongst  the  material  blessings  of 
God!  Is  it  not  true  that  we  try  too 
often  to  hide  behind  material  se- 
j curity,  a good  reputation,  and  other 
of  God’s  blessings? 
m 

‘Pastor,  Swiss  Church,  Alsen,  N.  D. 


E 


We  see  in  Genesis  3 not  only  the 
fallen  sinners  but  also  God’s  effort 
to  restore  them.  In  verse  9 we  read: 
“And  the  Lord  God  called  unto 
Adam,  and  said  unto  him,  where 
art  thou?”  We  thank  God  that  im- 
mediately following  the  record  of 
the  first  sin  we  have  also  the  rec- 
ord of  the  first  evangelical  effort. 
How  wonderful  to  know,  that  God 
seeks  the  sinner  even  before  the 
sinner  seeks  God. 

WE  notice  a second  tree  in  Scrip- 
ture in  John  1:48:  “Nathanael 
saith  unto  him.  Whence  knowest 
thou  me?  Jesus  answered  and  said 
unto  him.  Before  that  Philip  called 
thee,  when  thou  wast  under  the  fig 
tree,  I saw  thee.” 

We  have  here  Nathanael  under 
the  tree,  a few  moments  away  from 
his  great  conviction  of:  “Rabbi, 

thou  art  the  son  of  God.”  Notice 
Jesus’  testimony  of  Nathanael  just 
preceding  this:  “Behold  an  Israelite 
indeed,  in  whom  is  no  guile.” 

Nathanael  was  a man  without 
deception,  one  who  knew  himself. 
No  person  will  ever  come  to  the 
Lord  Jesus  until  he  sees  himself 
as  one  with  a need.  I believe,  Na- 
thanael’s conviction  came  not  be- 
cause of  an  outward  miracle  but 
because  Jesus  had  taken  note  of 
him.  When  man  is  brought  face  to 
face  with  the  reality  that  Jesus 
died  for  him,  because  He  loved  him 
so  much,  it  will  often  bring  convic- 
tion. 

Let  us  then  be  as  faithful  in 
pointing  men  to  our  Lord  and  Sav- 
iour as  Philip  was.  May  we  also  use 
Philip’s  method  of  bringing  them 
to  the  Lord  Jesus  without  arguing, 
just  simply  testifjdng  what  we  have 
found  in  Him.  We  must  always  re- 
member that  we  cannot  produce 
conviction  in  someone  else,  that  is 
the  ministry  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

WE  turn  to  Luke  19:3,4:  “And 
he  (Zacchaeus)  sought  to  see 
Jesus  who  He  was;  and  could  not 
for  the  press,  because  he  was  little 
of  stature.  And  he  ran  before,  and 
climbed  up  into  a sycamore  tree 
to  see  Him;  for  He  was  to  pass 
that  way.”  Here  then  we  have  a 
seeking  and  receiving  sinner.  There 
were  two  things  that  stood  in  the 
way  of  Zacchaeus  seeing  Jesus:  The 
great  crowd  and  his  own  short  legs. 
There  are  usually  two  obstacles 
that  stand  in  the  way  for  a sinner 
to  find  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ:  the 


unconcern  of  others  and  personal 
obstacles.  Zacchaeus  overcame  them 
both. 

There  are  two  expressions  here 
that  are  precious:  “And  he  sought 
to  see  Jesus.”  This  is  a necessity 
in  every  man’s  life.  We  are  not 
only  to  see  Him  as  a good  example, 
but  as  the  Lamb  of  God  which  tak- 
eth  away  the  sin  of  the  world.  Then 
we  read,  “For  today  I must  abide 
in  thy  house.”  That  word  “must”  is 
important.  First  it  shows  the  need 
of  man,  that  he  needs  Jesus,  then 
it  also  shows  Christ’s  concern.  When 
a soul  seeks  for  Him  then  He  must 
abide  there. 

Notice  that  in  verse  9 Jesus  says, 
“This  day  is  salvation  come  to  this 
house.”  What  brought  salvation? 
Not  the  fact  that  Zacchaeus  was 
going  to  give  to  the  poor  or  make 
restitution.  That  was  the  result  of 
salvation.  Salvation  came  because 
Jesus  came  into  that  home  and 
heart  and  Zacchaeus  was  willing 
to  make  things  right.  One  thing  to 
remember  is:  we  cannot  always 

take  a man  to  Jesus  Christ,  but  we 
can  take  the  Lord  Jesus  to  the  man. 

The  last  tree  we  want  to  look 
at  is  found  in  Acts  10:39,40. 
“And  we  are  witnesses  of  all  things 
which  he  did  both  in  the  land  of 
the  Jews,  and  in  Jerusalem;  whom 
they  slew  and  hanged  on  a tree: 
him  God  raised  up  the  third  day, 
and  shewed  him  openly.”  Notice 
that  Peter  did  not  stop  with  verse 
38  in  his  great  sermon  at  the  house 
of  Cornelius.  Peter’s  sermon  would 
have  been  incomplete  if  he  would 
have  preached  only  about  Jesus 
going  about  doing  good.  Peter  must 
also  present  Christ  crucified  in 
order  to  fulfill  his  commission  as  a 
gospel  minister.  We  as  ministers 
of  the  gospel  need  to  make  no  apol- 
ogy for  preaching  Christ  crucified. 
There  is  no  other  gospel,  there  is 
no  other  hope  for  this  world. 

“For  the  preacmng  of  the  cross 
is  to  them  that  perish  foolishness; 
but  unto  us  which  are  saved  it  is 
the  power  of  God,”  (1  Cor.  1:8). 

The  heart  of  Christianity  is  the 
Bible,  the  heart  of  the  Bible  is  the 
cross,  and  the  heart  of  the  cross 
is  the  very  heart  of  God. 

By  what  tree  do  you  find  your- 
self? Are  you  trying  to  hide  from 
God?  Do  you  have  convictions?  Are 
you  seeking?  The  cross  is  the  an- 
swer. 


July  14,  1959 


419 


Norman  A.  Wingert* 


Lines 

Through 

All 

The 

Earth 


From  an  unpretentious-looking 
house  in  a sleeply-like  town  in 
Pennsylvania,  “lines,”  both  literal 
and  figurative,  “go  out  through  all 
the  earth.”  The  prosy  exterior  of 
the  house  is  not  exciting,  but  step 
up  onto  the  narrow  porch  and 
through  the  doorway  and  you  will 
come  upon  beehive  activities  that 
stir  the  imagination. 

At  a switchboard  an  operator  is 
putting  through  calls  over  telephone 
lines  to  places  far  and  near.  Fan- 
tastic would  be  the  sum  of  the  miles 
her  voice  travels  in  the  course  of  a 
day:  Canada,  Florida,  California, 

Europe! 

Equally  intriguing  is  the  romance 
of  the  mail  lines.  Letters  on  the 
table  near  to  the  switchboard  have 
come  over  trailways,  railways,  wa- 
terways, skyways. 

All  these  lines  of  communication 
— wire,  radio,  mail — are  the  inci- 
dental lines  that  pave  the  way  for 
the  main  line  of  men  and  women 
who  go  out  through  all  the  earth  on 
goodwill  and  mercy  missions,  and, 
following  hard  after,  the  lines  of 
trains  and  ships  that  carry  relief 
to  the  needy  of  the  earth. 

On  the  walls  of  the  room  the 
likenesses  of  the  men  and  women 
who  have  gone  out  and  who  are  to 
receive  some  of  the  messages  look 
down  upon  the  active  scene  with 
silent  interest.  And  all  the  while, 
seemingly  continuously,  the  switch- 
board lassie  is  repeating  her  identi- 
fication, “This  is  the  Mennonite  Cen- 
tral Committee,”  always  careful  to 
give  both  town  and  state  in  order 
not  to  confuse  little-town  Akron  in 
Pennsyivania  with  big-city  Akron  in 
Ohio. 


then,  to  carry  out  the  simile,  the 
cerebrum  and  cerebellum,  the  higher 
association  centers  of  the  nervous 
system  where  impulses  are  initiat- 
ed. Here  Mennonite  Central  Com- 
mittee officers  and  workers  formu- 
late and  send  out  to  all  parts  of  the 
MCC  organism  the  directives  chat 
actuate  the  going  feet,  the  giving 
hands,  the  consoling  tongue. 

Just  as  the  human  body  does  not 
disclose  to  the  non-professional  ob- 
server the  intricate  mechanism 
within,  so  do  these  ordinary-appear- 
ing houses  in  little  Akron  not  reveal 
to  passersby  their  far-reaching  in- 
fluence in  the  world. 

The  startling  thing,  when  one 
comes  to  think  about  it,  is  that  all 
this  beehive  activity  need  not  be! 
The  work  of  the  500  people  pres- 
ently enrolled  under  the  Mennonite 
Central  Committee,  not  only  in  the 
communications  section  which  we 
have  just  seen,  but  also  in  the  other 
headquarters  offices  and  in  the  26 
countries  around  the  globe,  is  not 
on  a compulsory  basis. 

Yet  it  is  not  wholly  true  to  say 
that  the  supporters  of  MCC  are  not 
driven  to  the  task.  There  is  an  in- 
visible compulsion,  a constraining 
compulsion,  a compulsion  that  can 
be  just  as  demanding  as  are  the 
masters  of  a slave  labor  camp.  The 
story  of  the  Good  Samaritan  is  the 
classic  example;  witness  there  how 
the  “constraint  of  love”  can  compel 
a man  to  volunteer  postponement 
of  his  own  pursuits  to  take  upon 
himself  another’s  misfortunes. 
Christian  s-in-deed  have  to  volunteer 
to  do  what  they  do  not  have  to  do. 


*MCXi:  worker  in  Hong  Kong 


This  busy  center  in  the  ordinary- 
looking house  in  little  Akron  can 
quite  appropriately  be  compared  to 
the  medulla  oblongata  of  an  organ- 
ism, that  part  of  the  central  nerv- 
ous system  that  receives,  co-ordi- 
nates, and  sends  its  impulses  over 
afferent  and  efferent  nerves. 

The  other  equally  unimpressive 
buildings  which  together  make  up 
the  headquarters  offices  of  the  Men- 
nonite Central  Committee,  become, 


This  brings  us  to  the  point  of 
the  purpose  of  this  paper.  Al- 
though it  is  proper  that  the  entire 
MCC  constituency  be  commended 
for  their  doing  what  they  do  not 
have  to  do,  it  is  especially  in  order 
to  direct  our  attention  to  the  un- 
assuming men  inside  the  unpreten- 
tious-looking houses  in  little  Akron 
who  worry  as  well  as  work,  the 
men  of  vision  and  heart  and  en- 
durance who  have  taken  onto  their  | 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church. 
Entered  at  North  Newton,  Kansas,  post  office  as  second  class  matter.  Acceptance  for  mailing  at  special  rate  of  postage:  section  1103,  Act 
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Woodward  Place,  Goshen,  Ind.  Peshnasters:  change  of  addm*  Form  3579  to  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan. 


420 


THE  MENNONITE 


shoulders  the  executive  responsi- 
bilities of  the  organization. 

For  the  donors  of  food  and  cloth- 
ing, responsibility  ends  with  the 
giving;  for  the  peace  preachers  and 
the  Pax  practitioners  there  is  a 
bushel  of  exciting  experiences  as 
against  a peck  of  persecution  cuid 
suffering;  for  the  Voluntary  Service- 
men the  “time  out”  from  their  own 
affairs  is  short  and  usually  cul- 
turally and  spiritually  compensat- 
ing; for  the  dispensers  of  the  do- 
nated food  and  clothing  there  is 
the  romance  of  new  places  and  new 
peoples  to  offset  the  quotation- 
marked  “hardships.” 

But  for  the  men  and  women  in 
the  white  houses  in  Akron  there  is 
a never-ending  march  of  problems: 
problems  of  personnel,  problems  of 
finances,  problems  of  finding  the 
neediest  places  and  the  neediest  peo- 
ple of  the  earth,  problems  of  trans- 
porting and  giving  away  millions 
of  dollars  worth  of  relief  goods. 
What  but  the  “constraint  of  love” 
could  compel  these  people  of  MCC 
headquarters  to  voluntarily  stay  by 
the  job  year  after  year! 

We — and  the  world — owe  much 
to  the  past  founders  and  the  pres- 
ent directors  of  MCC.  Painfully  a- 
ware  of  the  broken  bodies  along 
the  world’s  Jericho  Roads,  they 
dared  do  something  about  it.  How 
formidable  the  task  of  making  even 
a dent  in  the  total  of  the  world’s 
needs ! 

Were  the  Jericho  Roads  placed 
end  to  end,  with  the  world’s  hungry 
and  homeless  only  two  feet  apart, 
the  elongated  Jericho  Road  would 
reach  25  times  around  the  world. 
What  faith  and  courage  to  attempt 
to  send  ambulance  brigades  through- 
out the  world  in  the  face  of  such 
odds,  to  bring  into  existence  the 
confraternity  of  Good  Samaritans 
that  is  MCC! 

Stand  again  in  the  little  medulla 
oblongata  room  and  wdth  enlivened 
imagination  catch  the  meaning  of 
the  telecommunications  lines,  the 
earth-covering  maU  lines,  the  lines 
of  Good  Samaritans  and  goodwill 
ambassadors  as  they  stream  out 
from  the  little  weatherboard  house 
into  the  Jericho  Roads  of  the  world. 

NOW  lest  our  adulation  become 
the  worship  of  supermen,  it 
must  be  remembered  that  these 
headquarters  men  and  women  are 


human,  and  that  the  Mennonite 
Central  Committee  is  not  an  infalli- 
ble organization.  They  make  mis- 
takes, and  how  quickly  the  mis- 
takes draw  criticism!  But  who  does 
not  concur  that,  as  organizations 
go,  this  divinely-inspired,  man-im- 
plemented effort  to  bring  the  good 
living  and  the  goodwill  and  the 
good  news  of  Christianity  to  the 
poor  of  the  earth  stands  high  in 
over-all  batting  average. 

There  is  a second  point  of  cau- 
tion. Lest  the  MCC  constituency  be- 
come infatuated  with  its  own  good 
deeds,  it  must  be  remembered  that 
there  are  many  other  Good  Samar- 
itans on  the  world’s  Jericho  Roads. 
It  is  surprising  to  find  how  much  of 
the  milk  of  human  kindness  rhere  is 
in  the  world,  how  much  of  Chris- 
tian love  and  selfless  service,  even 


in  spite  of  man’s  inhumanity  to 
man.  MCC  is  not  both  of  God’s 
hands,  not  even  one  whole  hand. 
It  is  just  a little  finger. 

Even  with  these  cautionary  notes 
considered,  it  is  still  fitting  that 
the  spotlight  of  appreciation  be 
focused  on  the  men  and  women  in 
the  white  houses  in  Akron. 

I write  as  a field  man  on  one  of 
MCC’s  Jericho  Roads.  In  the  course 
of  our  distributions  of  Akron’s  gifts 
to  exhausted  and  suffering  roadside 
friends,  we  receive  many  heartfelt 
thanks.  These  thanks  do  not  belong 
to  us  who  hand  out  the  gifts,  but 
rather  to  the  donors  and  the  send- 
ers. 

We  would  therefore  like  to  in- 
clude in  our  expression  of  appreci- 
ation to  Akron  the  public  transfer 
of  the  thousands  of  written  and 
spoken  and  enacted  “thank-yous.” 
We  thus  fulfill  the  promises  we 
have  so  often  made  to  those  who 


have  said,  “Please  thank  your  peo- 
ple for  us.” 

Again  I write  as  a field  man. 
Among  the  MCC  workers’  letters 
housed  in  green  steel  files  inside 
the  white  „ houses  in  Akron  are 
some  of  the  inevitable  gripe  type. 
MCC  field  personnel  are  human, 
too,  very!  And  it  would  not  be  too 
difficult  to  find  some  over  the  writ- 
er’s signature.  This  calls  for  con- 
trition and  correction. 

It  is  when  one  projects  one’s  self 
into  the  position  of  those  who  direct 
the  MCC  program,  as  we  are  trying 
to  project  ourselves  in  this  paper, 
that  one  becomes  acutely  aware 
how  myopic  one’s  vision  can  some- 
times be.  “My  field  is  important; 
can  Akron  not  see  how  great  the 
need  is!”  is  the  sentiment  of  such  a 
letter.  Hats  off  to  the  Akron  leaders 
who  patiently  hold  to  course  when 
bombarded  by  a dozen  such  letters 
even  in  a single  day. 

Mennonite  Central  Committee 
personnel  are  too  widely  separated 
to  get  together  to  pass  resolutions. 
I believe  if  they  could  get  together, 
they  would  pass  a resolution  of 
thanks  to  the  MCC  seer-leaders  who 
have  not  only  made  possible  our 
serving  in  the  name  of  Christ,  but 
who  also  give  us  their  seasoned  di- 
rection in  our  respective  assign- 
ments. 

Since  this  is  not  possible,  and 
since  it  is  human  nature  to  take 
our  blessings  for  granted,  including 
our  Akron  leadership,  I venture  to 
set  down,  with  no  attempt  at  flat- 
tery, the  oft-unexpressed  apprecia- 
tion and  thanks  of  MCC  workers 
for  the  privilege  of  serving  our  fel- 
low men  under  the  banner  of  the 
MCC  confraternity  of  Good  Samari- 
tans. 

Our  praise  and  our  prayers,  then, 
for  our  MCC  leaders,  the  men  of 
vision,  passion,  and  fortitude  who 
year  after  year  continue  to  do 
what  they  do  not  have  to  do  be- 
cause they  are  “constrained  by  the 
love  of  Christ.”  May  food  and 
clothing  and  love  and  sympathy 
continue  to  flow  out  from  the  weath- 
erboard houses.  May  young  men 
and  women  not  cease  going  out 
into  the  Jericho  Roads.  May  our 
dedicated  directors  continue  to  do 
what  they  do  not  have  to  do.  May 
their  lines  continue  to  go  out 
through  all  the  earth! 


July  14,  1959 


421 


For  the 

Sunday  school  program 
of  your  church 


Enrichment  Throngh  Art 


IN  the  present  up-to-date  Sunday 
school,  teachers  should  be  mak- 
ing efforts  to  incorporate  the  very 
latest  knowledge  and  information 
available  to  make  for  the  very  best 
learning  situations.  Parents  of 
young  children  should  be  equally 
interested  in  what  constitutes  the 
best  situations  for  proper  growth 
and  development. 

In  general  much  of  the  informa- 
tion that  has  been  acquired  through 
study  in  the  areas  of  education  and 
psychology  is  being  used.  Trained 
writers  and  planners  of  Sunday 
school  materials  are  continually  im- 
proving their  approaches  to  mate- 
rial and  their  teaching  aids. 
Teachers  are  working  to  improve 
their  methods.  However,  until  quite 
recently  the  early  years  of  a child’s 
art  development  were  not  considered 
important  by  either  teachers  or  par- 
ents. The  area  of  Sunday  school  art 
needs  to  be  reviewed  and  re-exam- 
ined. 

The  reader  might  defensively 
state  that  the  Sunday  schools  cer- 
tainly are  using  art.  The  children 
have  color  work  sheets  and  con- 
struction projects,  and  many  “cute” 
things  are  made  that  children  can 
take  home.  There  would  be  no  de- 
nying that  many  things  are  being 
made  under  the  umbrella  or  label 
of  “art  work.” 

One  of  the  primary  weaknesses 
of  the  art  work  that  we  eire  using 
is  simply  that  the  work  is  not 
child-centered  but  rather  of  adult 
origination.  We  can  speak  glibly 
about  a child  doing  aU  of  the  color- 
ing, cutting,  pasting,  and  assembl- 
ing by  himself,  but  unless  the  idea 
was  something  that  originated  out 
of  the  mind  and  inspiration  of  the 
child  it  cannot  really  be  called  art. 

Much  has  been  written  about 
creative  expression  and  many  per- 
sons have  associated  this  freer  art 
experience  with  an  attitude  of  “just 
anything  goes.”  It’s  certainly  true 
that  children  need  direction  and  you 
do  not  simply  thrust  a material 

♦Assistant  Professor  of  Art,  Bluffton  Col- 
lege, Bluffton,  Ohio. 


at  a student  (child)  and  say,  “Well, 
go  ahead — create  something!” 

Art  activity  or  the  involvement 
of  children  with  the  use  of  art  ma- 
terials does  not  become  truly  crea- 
tive unless  a child  is  able  to  inject 
a part  of  himself  into  the  art  prod- 
uct. It  becomes  creative  when  it 
adds  something  new  to  his  experi- 
ence. 

Most  small  children  are  willing 
2ind  able  to  express  themselves. 
They  have  something  to  say!  In 
most  cases  the  teacher  needs  only 
to  stimulate  their  thinking. 

The  idea  that  children  can  express 
and  create  so  freely  scares  many 
teachers  right  out  of  the  idea  of 
permitting  children  to  work  this 
way.  The  teacher  has  no  set  plan. 
She  feels  very  insecure  when  no  cut- 
out or  pre-planned  drawing  is  avail- 
able. What  will  happen  when  chil- 
dren are  permitted  to  do  just  any- 
thing they  want  to  do? 


Darvin  Luginbuhl* 


Let  us  immediately  be  sure  that 
the  teacher  does  have  a job  to  do 
and  it  is  a highly  important  one. 
The  teacher  dealing  with  this  type 
of  artistic  activity  must  develop  a 
sensitivity  to  children’s  values, 
ideas,  and  actions. 

The  primary  job  that  a Sunday 
school  teacher  has  is  the  develop- 
ment of  an  insight  into  the  way 
children  express  their  ideas  and  feel- 
ings. It  is  at  this  point  that  we  have 
our  greatest  difficulties  because  the 
average  adult  simply  does  not  un- 
derstand the  art  of  the  young  child. 
If  the  teacher  can  accept  a child 
and  his  crude  attempts  in  art  ex- 
pression, great  things  can  be  accom- 
plished. 

An  attempt  must  be  made  to  try 
to  understand  why  children  make 
things  the  way  they  do.  When  a 
teacher  or  a parent  does  xmderstand 
the  dynamics  of  the  artistic  process, 


Susie,  a third  grader,  expresses  the  desire  to  become  a missionary 
when  she  grows  up.  In  this  picture  she  envisions  herself  as  taking  care 
of  African  children. 


422 


THE  MENNONITE 


this  understanding  will  enable  them 
to  recognize  the  diverse  possibili- 
ties for  the  enrichment  of  the  Sim- 
day  school  program  through  chil- 
dren’s drawings. 

An  understanding  of  children’s 
drawings  wiU  reveal  that  children 
draw  or  paint  their  ideas  from  what 
they  see  or  feel.  A child  uses  past 
experiences  as  a resource  for  ideas. 
In  this  way  incidents  from  Bible 
study  or  such  common  topics  like 
helping,  forgiving,  loving,  helping 
the  sick,  sharing,  etc.  are  a very  na- 
tural source  for  ideas  that  will  en- 
able the  children  to  express  them- 
selves and  at  the  same  time  provide 
for  growth  and  enrichment  in  the 
total  Sunday  school  program. 

Unlike  adults  children  do  not  put 
the  major  emphasis  upon  realistic 
seeing  and  planned  order  as  the 


OUR  back  yard  is  in  full  view  as 
I work  over  my  kitchen  sink. 
We  planned  it  that  way.  Having  an 
eye  on  our  four  little  ones  at  play 
while  I peel  potatoes  has  brought 
a little  of  their  world  closer  to  me. 
For  instance,  some  time  ago  both 
beauty  and  strife  held  my  atten- 
tion in  a strange  contrast  as  I 
watched  through  my  kitchen  win- 
dow. 

The  season’s  first  feathery  fiakes 
of  lacy  snow  drifted  gently  to  the 
; ground.  I expected  my  seven-year- 
old  son  to  be  in  a mildly  ecstatic 
state.  Since  the  disappearance  of 
the  last  firefly  in  the  evening,  he 
had  been  impatiently  aweiiting  the 
first  snowfall.  To  my  surprise,^  I 
i saw  my  son  and  a neighbor  boy 
oblivious  to  the  falling  snow  be- 
cause of  an  angry  outburst  between 
them.  The  neighbor  boy  kicked  as 
my  boy  pushed  and  shoved. 

Should  I intercede  and  stop  their 
fighting?  Should  I scold  my  son  for 
pushing?  Should  I ask  that  the  two 
boys  go  separate  ways  for  the  re- 
mainder of  the  day?  Should  I ask 
I for  an  explanation  of  their  ac- 
tions? Should  I talk  to  my  son  about 
the  virtue  of  positive  goodwill  at 
I this  time  when  he  seemed  to  be  so 
completely  lacking  in  that  virtue? 

It  didn’t  occur  to  me  that  I might 
have  called  their  attention  to  the 
beautiful  snow  God  was  sending.  At 
ciny  rate,  in  my  indecision,  the 
neighbor  boy  saw  me  at  the  kitch- 
I en  window,  whereupon  he  retreated 

liJuly  14,  1959 


adult  sees  it.  They  have  their  own 
unique  schemes  that  meet  their 
needs  at  particular  levels  of  growth 
In  art.  Because  no  two  children  are 
exactly  alike,  it  is  impossible  to 
place  them  arbitrarily  in  categories. 
This  does  not  mean  that  one  child 
is  of  a superior  nature  and  another 
retarded.  It  simply  shows  that  chil- 
dren’s art  expressions  vary  accord- 
ing to  their  experience,  feelings, 
ways  of  seeing,  and  maturity.  A 
parent  or  teacher  who  is  sympathet- 
ic with  this  approach  will  in  time 
be  more  able  to  understand  a child’s 
creative  needs  and  interests. 

It  is  a thrilling  realization  to  un- 
derstand that  in  a sense  small  chil- 
dren are  already  doing  what  great 
artists  are  trying  to  do,  mainly 
making  use  of  emotional  experi- 
ence and  painting  and  drawing 


Peace  and  Children 

to  his  own  back  yard  thus  ending 
the  private  war. 

Relieved,  I returned  to  my  work 
m the  kitchen,  feeling  I had  been 
spared  from  taking  any  action. 
Now,  days  later,  I realize  that  do- 
ing nothing  then  has  not  relieved 
me  of  my  responsibility  of  helping 
my  son  handle  anger  constructively. 

Asserting  oneself  is  a normal, 
healthy  expression  of  growing  up 
even  when  this  sometimes  leads  to 
stormy  arguments.  Indeed,  being 
vocal  about  our  convictions  and 
demonstrating  our  beliefs  is  basic 
to  a vital  Christian  witness.  The 
anger  that  comes  from  frustration 
and  clcish  of  wills  need  not  be  the 
springboard  for  physical  violence. 

Children  do  not  have  the  matur- 
ity to  keep  them  from  mls-directed 
anger.  What  are  some  specific  helps 
to  which  we,  as  parents,  can  turn 
to  guide  us  in  our  roles  of  peace- 
making? Does  insisting  that  a child 
share  his  toy  reeiUy  teach  him  in  a 
lasting  way  that  sharing  often  pre- 
vents needless  clashes?  How  does 
one  motivate  the  child  to  share? 
Through  a story,  incident,  or  Scrip- 
ture passage?  Supposing  the  child 
is  not  able  to  make  the  application 
of  your  illustration  to  his  own  sit- 
uation? And  supposing  the  child 
does  not  share  after  you  try  moti- 
vation^— ^what  then? 

Should  you  make  him  share? 


what  is  felt  and  not  merely  what 
is  seen. 

When  a parent  or  teacher  pro- 
vides a coloring  sheet  or  a care- 
fully pre-planned  adult  conception 
of  an  idea,  beautifully  and  properly 
done,  the  child  is  being  robbed  of 
an  opportunity  that  should  right- 
fully be  his  own.  There  may  be 
place  for  a work  sheet  that  attempts 
to  utilize  some  precept  or  a con- 
struction project  that  requires  more 
adult  assistance.  This  always  de- 
pends upon  the  purpose  and  results 
that  one  hopes  to  achieve.  But,  let 
us  be  more  willing  to  give  children 
opportunities  for  expres- 
sion through  painting  or  drawing. 
Proper  use  of  these  media  may 
bring  about  greater  understandings 
and  more  thrilling  Sunday  school 
experiences. 


Would  your  dictatorial  example  of 
enforced  sharing  arouse  such  hos- 
tilities and  resentment  that  you 
might  possibly  undo  or  prevent  any 
real  learning  that  might  otherwise 
have  taken  place?  Or  would  your 
actions  be  the  “loving  firmness’’ 
that  is  needed  in  guiding  a child? 
How  have  other  parents  succeeded 
in  channeling  anger  constructively, 
or,  at  least,  nondestructively? 

During  the  family  devotional  time 
recently,  we  discussed  the  Sunday 
school  lesson  of  seed  falling  on  the 
good,  rocky,  or  thorny  ground.  We 
asked  our  children  what  kind  of 
soil  they  thought  they  were.  One 
replied,  “I’m  both  the  good  and  the 
rocky.  But  usually  I’m  the  good.” 
When  questioned  further  as  to  when 
he  thought  he  was  the  good  ground 
or  the  rocky  ground  he  said  he 
thought  he  was  the  rocky  kind 
when  he  was  angry. 

In  our  attempts  to  teach  the  chil- 
dren the  way  of  love  and  under- 
standing, dare  one  just  pump  truths 
into  their  hearts  and  mind,  hoping 
and  praying  that  those  moments  of 
insight — of  realizing  that  some- 
times the  soil  of  our  hearts  is 
rocky  and  sometimes  fertile — will 
guide  them  to  a fuller,  Christian 
expression?  What  other  ways  can 
parents  use  to  help  children  direct 
their  angry  feelings  constructively? 

Mrs.  Stanley  Hostetter 


423 


Peace  and  Parents 

Regardless  of  what  parents 
may  profess  to  believe  in  the 
field  of  child  training,  we  feel  that 
the  proficient  experts  who  are  cer- 
tain they  have  the  unassailable  an- 
swers are  found  in  the  ranks  of 
people  who  deal  with  other  people’s 
children. 

Needless  to  say,  before  parents 
can  teach  or  impart  any  principle 
to  a student  or  child  they  must  be 
certain  of  their  own  beliefs  and 
principles.  The  transfer  of  beliefs 
and  attitudes  begins  at  birth  and, 
some  psychologists  argue,  even  be- 
fore birth.  We  have  seen  babies 
very  irritable,  fretful,  and  general- 
ly unhappy.  Much  of  this  can  be 
traced  to  mothers  who  are  so  tense 
and  unstable  that  these  emotions 
are  definitely  affecting  the  baby. 

Children  mimic  parents.  Many  il- 
lustrations of  that  are  evident  as 
for  example  a lisp  or  peculiar  gait 
seen  early  in  a young  child.  We  see 
then  that  the  earliest  and  undoubt- 
edly the  most  persuasive  method  of 
teaching  is  by  example,  frequently 
the  mode  of  which  we  are  the  least 
aware. 


film  review 

FILMSTRIP  SERIES:  PART  II  — 
THE  PROPHETS:  Jeremiah,  The 
Reluctant  Rebel;  Ezekiel — Man  of 
Visions;  The  Prophet-Poet  of  the 
Exile;  and  In  the  Fulness  of  Time. 
Color  vnth  Records.  Produced  by 
Cathedral  Films.  Price,  $6  for  each 
filmstrip,  $3  for  records.  Records 
have  one  presentation  on  one  side 
and  another  on  the  other.  Price  for 
total  set  is  $27.  Available  for  pur- 
chase from  Mennonite  Bookstores: 
Newton,  Berne,  Rosthern.  Available 
for  rental  from  Dept,  of  Audio- 
Visual  Aids,  Mennonite  Publication 
Office,  720  Main,  Newton,  Kansas. 

The  committee  only  previewed 
one  of  these  filmstrips:  “The  Proph- 
et-Poet of  the  Exile.”  I used  each 
of  the  filmstrips  in  my  Old  Testa- 
ment course  last  semester,  however. 

The  filmstrips  on  Jeremiah  and 
Ezekiel  are  exceptionally  well  done. 
The  Bible  gives  us  sufficient  mate- 
rial on  the  lives  of  these  two  proph- 


Thus far  there  is  probably  little 
in  which  we  parents  differ.  Teach- 
ing and  imparting  of  principles 
must  be  an  aggressive  action.  Edu- 
cators contend  that  the  first  six 
years  of  life  are  the  most  impor- 
tant in  the  formation  of  conscience 
and  the  principles  by  which  we  live 
for  the  rest  of  our  years.  Therefore 
much  training  must  be  done  before 
the  child  even  enters  school.  Is  this 
the  core  of  the  problem  of  juvenile 
delinquency? 

Many  speakers  refer  to  children 
as  clay  that  must  be  shaped  and 
molded.  But  would  you  want  your 
child  as  docile  as  a blob  of  clay? 
Children  have  minds  of  their  own. 
We  want  our  children  to  have  spir- 
it! However,  a child  with  spirit  re- 
quires a lot  of  forethought  on  the 
part  of  alert  parents  in  order  to 
keep  ahead  of  many  questions  and 
situations. 

Is  a child  by  nature  possessive? 
How  do  you  deal  with  a youngster 
when  he  attempts  to  show  his  in- 
dependence at  the  age  of  two  or 
three  by  constantly  saying  no  and 
being  generally  negative  in  his  re- 


ets to  make  the  prophets  become 
real  persons.  They  follow  the  Bible 
closely  both  in  portraying  the  lives 
of  these  prophets  and  in  presenting 
the  message  which  they  give.  The 
filmstrips  present  a clear  picture  of 
the  prophets  as  well  as  their  mes- 
sage. It  is  amazing  how  they  are 
able  to  capture  the  life  and  mes- 
sage of  a prophet  in  about  twenty 
minutes  time. 

In  using  these  filmstrips  as  in  the 
use  of  all  audio-visual  aids  a person 
should  remember  that  the  aids  are 
not  a substitute  for  going  to  the 
Bible  to  read  the  message.  If  the 
filmstrips  are  used  along  with  the 
Bible  they  certainly  will  help  to 
make  the  message  of  the  Bible 
more  meaningful. 

The  filmstrip  “In  the  Fulness  of 
Time”  presents  the  prophecies  of 
the  Old  Testament  and  their  ful- 
fillment in  the  New  Testament.  This 
one  is  very  useful  as  a conclusion 
to  the  entire  series,  part  I and  part 


sponses?  Without  realizing  it,  par- 
ents allow  family  situations  to  de- 
generate into  a match  of  forces, 
seeking  to  subjugate  the  child  by 
mere  virtue  of  their  being  parents. 

Equally  bad,  or  worse,  is  the  mis- 
taken idea  that  it  is  bad  to  curtail 
actions  of  your  children  for  fear  of 
giving  them  some  type  of  complex. 
On  the  contrary,  the  happiest,  most 
well-adjusted  youngster  is  the  one 
who  knows  the  boundaries  of  con- 
duct in  the  family. 

Any  adverse  effects  of  discipline 
are  quickly  submerged  in  a sincere 
demonstration  of  love.  There  seems 
to  be  an  inherent  desire  in  all  hu- 
mans to  be  loved.  This  is  as  easily 
evident  in  the  one-month  old  child 
as  the  oldster  of  one  hundred  years. 
All  discipline  must  be  done  on  the 
basis  of  love. 

Many  of  us  as  young  parents 
know  the  results  we  strive  to  at- 
tain and  yet  we  fail  in  so  many 
ways.  Most  of  us  have  few  chances 
to  follow  our  own  ideas  in  one  life- 
time; yet  those  without  this  oppor- 
tunity have  missed  the  greatest 
thrill  and  the  many  satisfactions 
we  experience  daily  when  growing 
up  with  children. 

Dr.  and  Mrs.  Stanley  Stauffer 


II,  on  the  prophets.  It  also  could  be 
used  separately  during  the  Advent 
season  to  present  the  message  of 
the  coming  of  the  Messiah. 

The  fourth  filmstrip,  “The  Proph- 
et-Poet of  the  Exile,”  deals  with  the 
message  in  Isaiah  40-66.  The  film- 
strip places  this  message  aroimd 
539  B.C.  The  groups  who  believe 
that  Isaiah  wrote  the  entire  book 
of  Isaiah  may  have  some  difficulty 
in  using  this  filmstrip.  The  com- 
mittee felt,  however,  that  the  mes- 
sage of  these  chapters  was  made 
real  and  vital  and  the  dating  of 
these  chapters  around  539  B.C.  did 
not  hinder  the  making  real  of  the 
message  contained  in  these  chap- 
ters. 

This  series  would  be  most  mean- 
ingful from  the  senior  high  age 
group  on  up.  This  entire  series  is 
helpful  and  should  help  to  make 
the  message  of  these  important 
books  of  the  Old  Testament  real  to 
our  people. 


424 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  youth 


WHY  do  you  lie  so  much?  Sur- 
prised? I’d  be  pretty  mad  my- 
self, if  somebody  called  me  a liar. 
I used  to  think  I was  honest.  But 
I’m  not,  and  perhaps  before  you 
finish  this  article,  you’ll  realize  you 
aren’t  honest,  either! 

Lying  isn’t  just  looking  someone 
in  the  eye  and  telling  him  a whop- 
per. It  isn’t  merely  cheating  on  an 
examination,  or  telling  your  folks 
you  and  your  date  lost  your  way 
back  from  the  movie — when  you 
didn’t.  Dishonesty  includes  a lot 
more  than  these  obvious  fibs.  The 
purpose  of  this  article  is  to  point 
out  that  very  much  of  the  society 
we  live  in  is  dishonest. 

The  blame  isn’t  just  on  you,  but 
on  me  and  the  people  around  you 
and  the  people  in  general — and  you. 

Lies  are  told  for  many  reasons; 
Because  you  don’t  agree  with  some- 
one more  powerful  than  you — and 
don’t  want  to  get  hurt.  Because  you 
don’t  want  to  injure  someone  else 
• — and  the  truth  would  hurt.  Pride 
can  make  you  lie,  because  you’re 
afraid  the  truth  would  make  you 
appear  lower  in  the  eyes  of  a friend. 
Envy,  fear,  love,  carelessness,  con- 
ceit, and  ignorance  all  can  lead  to 
distortion  of  truth. 

You  can  lie  to  yourself,  to  others, 
and  to  God. 

All  through  our  lives  there  wiU 
be  times  when  we  get  too  tense  and 
evidence  varying  degrees  of  emo- 
tional disorder.  Most  of  the  time 
this  inner  turmoil  comes  because 
we  pretend  to  be  what  we  aren’t. 
Our  conscious  minds — ^the  part  of 
our  thinking  and  feeling  we  are 
aware  of — will  live  a lie  in  order 
that  we  may  be  socially  acceptable 
or  do  what  we  think  is  expected  of 
us,  or  we  expect  of  ourselves.  Mean- 
while, down  in  the  subconscious — 
the  part  of  our  feeling  that  we  are 
not  aware  of — the  real  us  is  strug- 
gling to  make  us  live  the  way  we’d 
really  like  to. 

This  subconscious  part  of  us  is 
very  powerful.  It  insists  on  making 
itself  felt.  And  if  what  we  are  real- 
ly like  doesn’t  agree  with  what  we 
pretend  to  be  like— trouble! 

John’s  parents  had  always  want- 


What 


Price 


Honesty 

9 


ed  him  to  be  a doctor.  Doctoring  is 
a noble  profession.  John  thought 
he  wanted  to  be  an  M.  D.  If  you 
asked  him,  he’d  say  without  hesita- 
tion that  being  a doctor  was  his 
goal  in  life.  He  thought  it  was. 

John  entered  medical  school.  He 
flunked  out.  Why?  John  was  a 
bright  boy.  The  work  wasn’t  that 
hard.  His  home  life  was  O.  K. 
There  was  enough  money.  There 
wasn’t  anything  to  justify  his  fail- 
ure. At  least  not  showing. 

But  down  underneath,  John  never 
wanted  to  be  a doctor.  Whatever  the 
reason,  he  basically  dreaded  hang- 
ing out  a shingle.  His  first  love  was 
the  theatre.  This  he  had  forgotten. 
But  his  subconscious  hadn’t.  And 
his  inner,  true  self  kept  him  from 
what  he  had  convinced  himself  he 
wanted.  For  years  he  was  living  a 
lie. 

I know  a woman  who  is  always 
saying  how  much  she  loves  her 


husband.  She  shows  him  great  af- 
fection. Unfortunately,  she  has  been 
confined  to  her  bed  most  of  her 
married  life — because  she  always 
manages  to  fall  over  something  and 
break  a leg  or  hip  or  wrench  her 
spine.  These  are  all  accidents.  She 
says  so  and  she  thinks  so.  But  the 
fact  is  that  they  are  all  accidents- 
on-purpose.  Her  inner  self  sees  to 
it  that  they  occur.  Inside — deep  in- 
side— she  hates  her  husband.  She 
knows  she  can’t  go  around  saying 
so,  because  this  would  be  unaccept- 
able to  society  and  to  her  training. 
So  outwardly  she  loves  him,  and  in- 
wardly she  tortures  him  by  making 
him  wait  on  her  day  and  night  by 
“accident.”  She  is  living  a lie  with 
herself. 

Of  course  you  don’t  do  things  like 
that!  But  how  about  the  party  you 
say  you’d  like  to  attend,  but  for 
which  you  get  a headache — and 
can’t  go.  And  how  many  times,  do 
you  think,  you’ve  been  sick  with  a 
cold  just  before  an  examination  or 
an  unpleasant  encounter.  And  how 
many  “accidents”  have  you  had  that 
were  caused  by  your  subconscious 
— unknown  to  you. 

Millions  of  people  are  unhappy 
because  society  sets  false  standards 
for  us  to  live  up  to.  We  have  to  con- 
form to  keep  friends.  So  we  try. 
But  where  the  standards  are  false 
to  our  basic  nature,  we  are  lying. 
This  isn’t  always  bad.  Sometimes 
it’s  very  necessary.  In  fact,  being  a 
Christian  can  cause  you  to  live  a 
good  life,  where  by  nature  you 
might  prefer  an  evil  one.  Living  a 
lie  successfully  is  often  desirable. 
But  until  we  can  change  our  basic 
selves  to  agree  with  our  outward 
selves,  we  are,  in  that  sense,  liars. 

What  are  some  of  the  false  stand- 
ards society  sets  up  which  cause 
us  needless  dishonesty  with  our- 
selves? Well,  how  about  this  busi- 
ness of  humility? 

Suppose  you  can  play  the  piano 
like  a whiz.  You’re  really  good.  Sup- 
pose someone  asks  you,  “Can  you 
play  the  piano  well?”  You  answer, 
“I’m  very  good  at  it.” 

This  is  not  socially  acceptable, 
even  though  you  were  telling  the 


July  14,  1959 


425 


absolute  truth.  You  are  expected  to 
say,  “Oh,  I play  a little.”  Nonsense! 
If  you’re  that  good,  you  play  a lot. 
Society  makes  you  lie.  If  you  have 
ability  and  recognize  it,  you  ought  to 
be  able  to  admit  it  to  yourself  and 
the  rest  of  the  world.  To  overplay 
it  would  be  distorting  truth.  But 
so  would  underplaying  it.  Honesty 
is  the  correct  evaluation  of  matter. 
Not  pride.  Not  humility  in  the  usual 
sense. 

So  next  time  someone  says,  “Are 
you  any  good  at  Ping-pong?”  If 
you  are,  say,  “I’m  an  expert.”  See 
what  happens  when  you  tell  the 
truth! 

How  many  of  these  dishonesties 
have  you  been  forced  into?  “I’ll  be 
glad  to  help  you  vdth  the  dishes. 
Mom.”  “Just  a moment.  I’ll  look 
to  see  if  I’m  free  that  Saturday.” 
“Well,  I had  something  else 
planned,  but.  . . .”  It’s  not  that  I’m 
chicken,  but  my  parents  won’t  let 
me.”  “Oh,  I could  have  a car  if  I 
wanted  it.”  “I  wouldn’t  be  interested 
in  that,  that’s  for  girls.”  “I  think 
these  new  pointed  shoes  for  girls 
are  just  darling.”  “Thank  you  for 
the  lovely  party.”  “Let’s  get  to- 
gether again  real  soon.” 

Did  you  ever  think  how  much 
dishone-'ty  goes  on  in  dating? 
And  how  much  trouble  it  causes 
later  on?  Most  courtship  is  based 
on  false  pretenses.  You  are  expected 
to  present  a false  picture  of  your- 
self to  your  date.  If  you  don’t,  some- 
one else  who  follows  the  rules  of 
the  game  and  glorifies  himeself  will 
get  the  girl — or  fellow,  as  the  ceise 
may  be. 

Dating  is  basically  to  see  wheth- 
er or  not  you  two  are  fit  for  mar- 
riage and  parenthood.  'This  may  be 
the  last  thing  in  your  mind  when 
you  date.  If  io,  :’ou’re  already  off 
the  truth.  Let’s  assume  you  are  try- 
ing to  find  out  whether  the  two  of 
you  would  like  to  go  steady  and 
eventually  marry.  And,  so  that  I 
don’t  have  to  say  “he  or  she”  all 
the  time,  let’s  assume  you’re  a boy 
for  the  length  of  the  illustration. 

How  many  times  do  you  think 
you’ll  bring  her  fiowers  and  take 
her  to  movies  and  dances  and  soda 
shops  after  you’re  married.  Then 
why  put  the  courtship  on  the  basis 
of  a glorious  (and  expensive)  whirl 
of  social  activities?  Why  lead  her 
to  think  you’re  the  kind  of  person 
who  is  going  to  shower  her  with 


gifts  and  attention  all  the  time? 
Won’t  she  be  disappointed  when 
someday  she  discovers  the  “ro- 
mance” is  over?  She  sure  will! 

And  why  do  you  stay  off  certain 
subjects  when  you’re  dating?  Sub- 
jects you  think  might  lead  to  argu- 
ments. These  are  subjects  you’ll 
have  to  agree  or  compromise  on 
eventually.  Why  wait  until  you’re 
married?  Maybe  you  two  are  not 
made  to  pull  in  the  same  direction 
on  certain  essential  parts  of  life. 

And  why  are  you  always  care- 
ful to  be  dressed  at  your  best  when 
she’s  around — if  later  on  you’re  not 
going  to  care  what  you  look  like? 
And  why  are  you  always  so  careful 
to  act  polite,  like  opening  the  car 
door  for  her  and  letting  her  in  door- 
ways first — when  later  on  you  know 
you’ll  probably  hop  right  into  the 
driver’s  seat  and  barge  through  the 
entrance  first?  And  why.  . . ? 

Ask  yourself,  on  your  next  date, 
“Is  my  date  getting  an  honest  pic- 
ture of  me?”  Probably  here,  too, 
like  all  the  other  people  in  the 
world,  you  are  something  of  a liar 
to  the  one  you  love  the  most.  What 
is  the  matter?  You  afraid  your  date 
won’t  like  you  if  she  (or  he)  finds 
out  what  you’re  really  like? 

Marriage  is  a long  and  intimate 
affair.  You  at  least  owe  it  to  each 
other  to  go  int^  it  knowing  what 
you  both  are. 

Here  are  some  other  areas  in 
which  society  has  grown  accus- 
tomed to  dishonesty. 

Excess  profits.  When  people 
charge  too  much  for  something  they 
produce,  they  are  indicating  a dis- 
honest evaluation  of  the  goods,  the 


market,  themselves.  Or  they’re 
showing  a false  evaluation  of  the 
rights  of  other  people. 

Dirty  jokes.  Why  do  you  laugh 
at  jokes  on  some  subjects,  even 
though  they  aren’t  clever?  If  all  of 
life  is  equedly  sacred  and  equally 
good,  and  aU  parts  of  aU  people  are 
“the  temple  of  God,”  then,  pray  teU, 
what  makes  a certain  type  of  joke 
“dirty”  and  funnier? 

Isn’t  it  that  we  have  a dishonest 
attitude  about  a perfectly  clean 
phase  of  life — physical  sex?  If  soci- 
ety would  evaluate  sex  with  a frank 
and  open  approach,  the  way  God  in- 
tended, dirty  jokes  would  cease  to 
exist.  True,  there  might  be  some 
funny  stories  about  sex  (and  why 
not?),  but  they  wouldn’t  be  dirty. 
So  next  time  you  laugh  at  a story 
because  of  the  subject  matter  and 
not  the  cleverness,  remember  that 
you  are  being  dishonest  to  a part 
of  life. 

Advertising.  The  illustrations 
are  legion.  The  lying  aU  aroimd  us 
is  so  fiuent  and  profuse  that  we  for- 
get what  it  is,  dishonesty.  We  are 
surrounded  by  ads  and  slogans  and 
appeals  and  “come-on’s”  that  aim 
at  deceit.  Here  are  some  examples. 
You  can  name  many  others. 

How  can  the  same  firm  put  out 
ads  for  both  soap  and  chemical  de- 
tergents, each  implying  to  be  better 
than  the  other?  Only  by  being  dis- 
honest! 

What  sort  of  truth  is  a half-truth? 
The  washing  machine  that  saves 
thousands  of  gallons  of  water 
(thousands  more  than  what — ^Niag- 
ara Falls?),  or  the  razor  that  im- 
plies you  can  shave  clean  in  three 
strokes,  or  the  towels  that  when 
washed  with  a certain  “additive” 
fold  fiuffier  than  others  (which  have 
been  folded  differently  and  pressed 
down). 

How  about  the  cigarettes  that 
don’t  “hurt  the  nose  or  throat,”  but 
say  nothing  about  the  lungs!  Sure 
this  is  aU  honest  in  that  you  can 
weasel  out  of  the  wording,  but  the 
implications  are  dishonest  And  we 
participate  by  falling  for  such  ads 
and  preferring  such  products. 

White  lies.  Many  times  the  truth 
would  hurt  us  or  our  friends.  So 
we  tell  white  lies.  This  designation 
is  supposed  to  let  your  conscience 
off  the  hook.  And  maybe  it  does. 
But  maybe  there’s  something  wrong 


426 


THE  MENNONITE 


with  all  our  lives  that  nicikes  white 
lies  necessary. 

A doctor  pretends  the  patient  is 
not  seriously  ill,  because  to  tell  him 
the  truth  would  produce  such  fear 
cind  paralysis  that  the  patient  might 
even  die  sooner. 

A husband  commends  his  vdfe  on 
a poor  dinner  or  a horrible  hat  be- 
cause the  truth  would  cause  un- 
necessary hurt. 

A girl  tells  the  fellow  that  she 
is  busy  because  to  teli  him  she 
doesn’t  like  him  would  be  cruel. 

We  make  excuses  for  not  attend- 
ing social  gatherings,  because  the 
truth  would  make  us  outcasts. 

Most  artists  will  agree  that  an 
honest  portrait  won’t  sell. 

Pastors  often  have  to  leave  con- 
troversial items  out  of  their  ser- 
mons, because  some  members  have 
set  up  false  standards  for  pastors 
and  for  religion.  The  truth  would 
cause  them  to  lose  faith!  (What 
kind  of  faith?) 

There  is  a particular  chaos  that 
comes  from  lying  to  God.  We 
can  pretend  to  be  repentant  when 
we  are  only  sorry  or  afraid.  We  pre- 
tend to  have  faith  when  we  are 
filled  with  doubts.  We  pretend  to 
■ be  Christians  when  we  have  not  yet 
found  basic  faith. 

We  are  so  often  afraid  to  admit 
the  truth,  even  to  God,  who  knows 
' it  anyway,  and  loves  us  anyway. 

: Are  you  a liar?  I am.  Not  in 

I YOUTH  NEWS 

Central  District:  The  new  execu- 
tive of  the  Central  District  YPU 
1 met  for  the  first  time  June  5 in 
1 Bluffton.  Marvin  Zehr  (from  Grid- 
[ ley,  111.)  is  the  new  president,  Thom- 
as Lehman  (Berne,  Ind.)  is  vice- 
i president,  Doris  Liechty  (Berne, 
Ind.)  is  secretary,  and  Nancy  Yoder 
(Topeka,  Ind.)  is  treasurer.  Editor 
and  assistant  editor  for  the  youth 
page  of  the  Central  District  Re- 
porter are  Loretta  Hilty  (Fortuna, 


everything,  but  in  many  things.  Far 
too  many. 

Let’s  get  basic.  Why  do  we  lie  in 
these  many  normal  ways?  Because 
we  are  at  variance  with  God.  We 
are  separated  from  Him  by  outlook, 
by  custom,  by  traditions,  by  society, 
by  inner  desires.  We  are  false  to  the 
purpose  for  which  He  created  us, 
false  to  the  way  of  life  which  we 
were  intended  to  follow,  we  are 
liars  to  life. 

'This  is  nothing  superficial.  It’s 
deep.  It  goes  to  roots.  It  has  be- 
come an  accepted  part  of  us.  It’s 
still  wrong. 

What  is  the  cure?  The  cure  is 
simply  stated,  difficult  to  apply.  The 
cure  is  to  become  possessed  by  the 
truth,  God’s  truth  (which  is  the 
only  real  truth).  God’s  truth  (His 
Word)  is  found  in  Jesus.  “Blessed 
are  they  who  hunger  and  thirst 
after  righteousness,  for  they  shall 
be  fiUed.” 

To  “tell  the  truth”  is  to  teach 
Jesus.  To  live  truthfully  is  to  live  as 
Jesus  lived.  Insofar  as  we  fail  to 
live  in  Jesus,  just  so  far  are  we 
liars  to  our  creation  and  our  life. 

Go  back  a moment  over  some  of 
the  dishonest  situations  we  have 
discussed.  How  would  living  in 
Jesus  correct  these? 

Dirty  jokes  will  disappear  when 
all  things  are  regarded  with  the 
sacredness  with  which  He  regarded 
them.  Couples  in  love  will  find  their 


Mo.)  and  Larry  Smucker  (Bluffton, 
Ohio)  respectively. 

At  this  meeting  it  was  decided 
that  the  C.  D.  YPU  would  spon- 
sor a weekend  workcamp  for  young 
adults  above  high  school  age  at  the 
Woodlawn  Mennonite  Church.  'The 
workcamp  is  tentatively  being 
planned  for  October. 

A sum  of  $100  was  allotted  to  give 
financial  assistance  for  transporta- 
tion to  anyone  from  the  Central 


love  in  God’s  evaluation  of  them, 
and  not  in  some  romanticized  love- 
of-love  or  in  quickly  passing  human 
qualities. 

Advertising  will  be  honest  when 
manufacturers  and  buyers  devote 
their  best  efforts  at  producing  and 
using  products  that  benefit  man- 
kind, and  when  people  are  recog- 
nized not  as  something  to  be  ex- 
ploited, but  to  be  served  and  to 
serve. 

Humility  and  pride  wiU  fall  away 
when  we  see  ourselves  as  God  sees 
us,  and  recognize  the  true  value 
and  source  of  our  talents. 

White  lies  will  not  be  needed 
when  in  Jesus,  fear  of  pain  and 
death,  age,  and  shortcomings  are 
recognized  in  their  right  unimpor- 
tance. 

And  we  will  not  pretend  before 
God  when  through  Jesus  we  learn 
to  see  clearly  that  pretense  is  not 
necessary  with  Him. 

It  is  in  Jesus  that  all  truth  finds 
its  birth.  He  was  and  is  and  ever 
shall  be  the  way,  the  truth,  and  the 
life. 

Take  a good  healthy  look  at  your- 
self and  society.  Welcome  to  “Liars 
Anonymous.”  It’s  dark  in  here.  The 
way  to  the  light  is  to  become  in- 
creasingly aware  of  life’s  distor- 
tions, and  become  increasingly 
Christian.  Live  abundantly! 

— Luther  Life 
Reprinted  by  permission 


District  attending  the  teen-age 
workcamp  in  Elkhart  this  August. 

Western  District:  For  the  second 
consecutive  year  the  Western  Dis- 
trict Youth  Fellowship  is  sponsor- 
ing a “fresh  air  camp”  for  children 
from  the  nearby  cities  of  Wichita 
and  Hutchinson.  July  20-25  are  the 
dates  for  this  year’s  camp. 

O’Ray  Graber  has  been  appointed 
by  the  fellowship’s  retreat  commit- 
tee to  be  the  leader. 

The  retreat  is  expense-free  for 
the  forty  children  (compared  to 
twenty- two  last  year)  who  are  ex- 
pected to  take  part.  The  fellowship 
pays  approximately  $14.00  for  each 
child. 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People’s  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  722 
Main  Street,  Newton,  Kansas. 


Registration  For  YPU  Retreat 

Please  register  me  for  the  Young  People's  Union  retreat  August  5-12 
at  Camp  Friedenswald. 

NAME 

ADDRESS 

I plan  to  arrive  (date) by  car  Q train  □ bus  □ plane  Q 

Send  your  retreat  application  blanks  to  Dan  Graber,  Rt.  1,  Goshen,  Ind. 


July  14,  1959 


427 


our  schools 

SUMMER  ENROLLMENT 

Enrollment  in  the  first  session  of 
summer  school  of  the  Associated 
Mennonite  Biblical  Seminaries  to- 
tals almost  50.  Those  enrolled  with 
Goshen  College  Biblical  Seminary 
number  22.  The  Mennonite  Biblical 
Seminary  enrollment  is  27.  Instruc- 
tors for  this  session  are  Howard 
Charles,  J.  D.  Graber,  J.  Howard 
Kauffman,  William  Klassen,  Frank 
C.  Peters,  John  C.  Wenger,  and 
John  Howard  Yoder. 

Bluffton  College’s  summer  school 
opened  June  9 with  a beginning  en- 
rollment of  87  students. 

BLUFFTON  FACULTY  ACTIVITIES 

Carl  Smucker  represented  the 
Board  of  Christian  Service  at  a Na- 
tional Conference  on  Aging  under 
the  topic  of  “Designs  for  Retire- 
ment,” June  22-24,  at  the  Univer- 
sity of  Michigan. 

Russell  Lantz  attended  the  Ohio 
Music  Educators’  Association  state 
conference  at  Miami  University 
June  22-23.  He  is  chairman  of  the 
Middlewest  District  of  the  OMEA. 

Richard  Pannabecker  and  his 
family  will  be  in  Chicago  this  sum- 
mer where  he  will  be  doing  research 
at  the  University  of  Chicago  Zo- 
ology Department. 

VS  COOK 

Mrs.  Irma  Balzer,  from  Laird, 
Sask.,  is  spending  six  weeks  in  Vol- 
untary Service  on  the  campus  of 
Mennonite  Seminary.  She  is  serv- 
ing as  cook  and  also  visiting  classes. 

CONCERT  SERIES  ANNOUNCED 

The  Bethel  College  Memorial  Hall 
Series  Committee  announces  the 
dates  for  the  four  programs  sched- 
uled for  the  1959-60  season. 

Presently  scheduled  are  Nelson 
and  Neal,  November  23,  1959;  Dr. 
Martin  Luther  King,  January  21, 
I960;  the  Concordia  Choir,  Febru- 
ary 4,  1960;  and  the  New  York 
Brass  Quintet,  April  2,  1960. 

HONOR  STUDENTS 

At  the  Bluffton  College  commence- 
ment exercises,  June  8,  Dean  Robert 
Kreider  announced  the  election  of 
the  following  graduates  to  the  Pi 
Delta  honorary  scholastic  organiza- 
tion: Saundra  Berry,  Bluffton,  Ohio; 
Ladnor  Geissinger,  Zionsville,  Pa.; 
LaVera  Hill,  Conneaut,  Ohio;  Don- 
ald Hostetler,  Struthers,  Ohio; 


Jeannie  Hughes  Zehr,  Lima,  Ohio; 
Philip  Locke,  Franklin,  Ohio;  Joan 
Reusser,  Williamsport,  Pa.;  Martha 
Emerick  Ropp,  Bluffton,  Ohio;  Je- 
rome Shenk,  Scott,  Ohio;  Lois  Shutt, 
Baltic,  Ohio;  Sue  Montgomery 
Smith,  Lima,  Ohio;  Gene  Van  Ors- 
dall,  New  Washington,  Ohio. 

SEMINARY  FACULTY  NEWS 

Leland  Harder  and  his  family  are 
in  Chicago  while  he  attends  the 
summer  term  at  Northwestern 
University. 

The  C.  J.  Dyck  family  recently 
moved  to  Elkhart  from  Chicago 
where  he  was  studying  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  Chicago.  Their  new  ad- 
dress is  403  W.  Garfield,  Elkhart. 

MCC  news  and  notes 

BEGINNING  PERSONNEL 

AKRON  — Ned  Miller  (Kalona, 
la.)  and  Rosalie  Bartel  (Hillsboro, 
Kan.)  have  begun  assignments  in 
the  Personnel  Office.  Miller,  a 1959 
graduate  of  Drake  University,  Des 
Moines,  la.,  will  serve  as  personnel 
assistant  and  Miss  Bartel  as  sec- 
retary. 

Long  term  Voluntary  Service 
workers  who  participated  in  orien- 
tation June  16-29  were  assigned  as 
follows: 

NATIONAL  INSTITU'TES  OF 
HEALTH,  BETHESDA,  MARY- 
LAND— Melvin  Bitikofer  (Salem, 
Ore.),  James  Falk  (Butterfield, 
Minn.),  Myrl  Nofziger  (Goshen, 
Ind.) 

NEW  YORK  MIGRANT  UNIT— 
Vemelle  Derksen  (Mountain  Lake, 
Minn.),  Franklin  Olsen  (Cass  Lake, 
Minn.) 

BROOK  LANE  FARM,  HAGERS- 
TOWN, MD.  — Laura  Pankratz 
(Mountain  Lake,  Minn.),  Joe  Grei- 
der  (West  Liberty,  Ohio),  Melvin 
and  Nancy  Pauls  (Newton,  Kan.) 

KINGS  VIEW  HOSPITAL,  REED- 
LEY,  CALIF. — Valera  Weaver  (Co- 
lumbiana, Ohio),  Larry  Yoder  (To- 
peka, Ind.). 

PRAIRIE  VIEW  HOSPITAL, 
NEWTON,  KAN.  — Daniel  Steiner 
(North  Lima,  Ohio). 

AILSA  CRAIG  BOYS  FARM, 
AILSA  CRAIG,  ONT.  — Myron 
Schrag  (Norwich,  Kan.). 

BOYS  VILLAGE,  SMITHVILLE, 
OHIO  - — Betty  Mohler  (Phoenix, 
Ariz.). 

NEWFOUNDLAND— Lena  Dyck, 
R.N.  (Chilliwack,  B.  C.),  Lora 


Klassen,  R.N.  (Rosemary,  Alberta). 

AKRON  STAFF— Rollin  Brenne- 
man  (Kalona,  Iowa),  Sanford  King 
(Albany,  Oregon),  and  Ethel  Moh- 
ler (Ephrata,  Pa.). 

FOUR  PAX  AGRICULTURISTS 

BOLIVIA — Plans  for  two  Pax 
teams  to  advance  the  agricultural 
program  of  Boliva  are  going  for- 
ward following  the  visit  of  MCC  As- 
sociate Secretary  Orie  O.  Miller, 
June  24.  The  two-man  teams  ■will 
work  as  employees  of  Servicio 
Agricola  Interamericano  (U  .S. 
Point  Four  in  Bolivia).  According 
to  present  plans,  two  Paxmen  will 
be  stationed  next  to  the  Mennonite 
colonies  about  fifteen  miles  north- 
east of  Santa  Cruz  while  two  win 
live  in  the  Cochabamba  valley 
where  work  will  be  concentrated  on 
dairy  and  milk  production. 

Concerning  the  Mennonite  colo- 
nies Miller  reports:  “Settlers  from 
Fernheim  colony  came  here  from 
Paraguay  in  1954-55;  Menno  colo- 
nists (25  families)  followed  two 
years  later  settling  on  a land  pur- 
chase adjoining  the  original  settle- 
ment. Today  the  35  families  in  both 
colonies  number  280.  Each  colony 
has  its  school.  Sister  Susein  Hiebert, 
R.N.  from  Manitoba  has  established 
a clinic  service  on  her  own  which 
seems  deeply  appreciated.  Living  is 
still  primitive  and  difficult,  but  the 
pioneering  is  also  mostly  mecha- 
nized.” 

FIRST  CLOTHING  DISTRIBUTIONS 

JORDAN — Lome  and  Lois  Rugg 
(Stayner,  Ont.  ) who  arrived  in 
Jericho,  Jordan,  early  this  year, 
report  their  first  material  aid  dis- 
tributions: “After  receiving  our  550- 
bale  shipment  of  clothing  and  shoes 
May  13,  we  started  our  first  dis- 
tribution to  the  local  Newiemeh  ref- 
ugee camp.  As  this  camp  is  close 
to  our  warehouse,  we  asked  recip- 
ients to  come  to  the  warehouse 
where  each  family’s  bundle  was 
prepared  when  their  ration  card  and 
serial  card  were  presented.  May 
27,  we  began  distributions  at  camp 
Karameh  which  has  about  5,(X)0 
families.  With  our  present  method 
of  handling  the  clothing  we  can  take 
care  of  around  250  families  each 
day  so  nearly  one  month  wiU  be 
needed  to  complete  our  work  here. 
Before  the  clothing  shipment  ar- 
rived we  distributed  some  Christ- 
mas bundles  in  local  orphanages; 
it  certainly  is  rewarding  to  be  the 
recipient  of  an  Arabic  “thank  you.” 


428 


THE  MENNONITE 


mutual  aid  placement 

A brotherly  service  for  the  upbuilding  of 
the  church  community  through  a mutually 
helpful  agency  providing  free  services  in 
the  interest  of  placement  or  re-location. 

Farm  for  Rent 

1 160-acre  farm  for  rent;  consisting 
of  80  acres  pasture,  16  acres  alfal- 
fa, and  64  acres  for  other  crops. 
Spring  fed  creek  in  pasture.  Nice 
! improvements.  More  farm  land 
available  if  desired.  In  Bums,  Kan., 
community.  Possession  August  1. 

; No.  592. 

Help  Wanted 

Custodian  for  the  Goessel  Rural 
High  School,  Goessel,  Kan.  Per- 
manent job  with  both  pension  and 
social  security  for  retirement.  Call 
i or  write  W.  O.  Schmidt,  Principal, 
Goessel,  Kan.  No.  591. 

^ jottings 

GRADUATES  NAMED 

First  Church,  Sugarcreek,  Ohio: 
Our  pastor,  Harold  D.  Tliieszen, 
graduated  from  the  Oberlin  School 
of  Theology,  Oberlin,  Ohio,  with  the 
degree  of  Bachelor  of  Divinity. 

; Daniel  D.  Hostetler  graduated  with 
a Medical  Doctor  degree  from  West- 
ern Reserve  University  in  Cleve- 
land. He  began  his  internship  July 
1 at  the  Cleveland  Metropolitan 
Hospital.  Earl  Shutt  and  Lois  Shutt 
f received  their  Bachelor  of  Science 
j degrees  in  business  administration 
I and  elementary  education  respec- 
I tively  at  the  commencement  exer- 
j;  cises  at  Bluffton  College.  Earl  will 
[ begin  his  1-W  work  with  MCC  in 
S Europe  this  falL  Lois  plans  to  teach 
in  Colo.  John  McDowell  received 
the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Science  in 
Engineering  from  Case  Institute  of 
Technology  at  Cleveland  and  has 
employment  with  Motorola  in  Chi- 
cago, 111.  Cheryl  Geiser,  1959  gradu- 
ate of  Dover  High  School,  will  be 
1 entering  nurse’s  training  at  Mas- 
sUon  City  Hospiteil,  Massilon,  Ohio. 
Patricia  Jaberg  received  her  cap  at 
Saint  Luke’s  School  of  Nursing, 
Cleveland,  on  June  21. — Corr. 

SWISS  GERMAN  PLAY  GIVEN 

Eden  Church,  Moundridge,  Kan.: 
A Swiss  German  play  entitled  Von 
Russland  uf  Amerika,  was  given  by 
members  and  former  members  of 
I our  church  at  Bethel  College,  Pret- 
ty Prairie,  and  the  Cloverleaf 
^hool.  The  senior  mixed  choirs 
I participated  in  the  Mennonite  Song 
I Festival  held  in  Memorial  Hall, 


North  Newton,  Kan.,  on  May  3.  Our 
baptismal  service  was  held  on  Pen- 
tecost Sunday  morning.  Twenty-five 
young  people  were  baptized  and 
united  with  the  church.  Mrs.  Don 
Kaufman,  our  minister  of  music 
and  church  worker,  left  us  the  last 
of  May  to  go  with  her  husband  to 
Indonesia  to  do  relief  work  under 
the  MCC.  Miss  Elvira  Voth  of  North 
Newton,  Kan.,  is  coming  to  direct 
our  choirs.  A communion  service 
was  held  May  31. — Mrs.  Dan  S. 
Waltner,  corr. 

1-W  WORK  REPORTED 

Hutterthal  Church,  Freeman, 
S.  Dak.:  Several  of  our  members 
who  were  in  1-W  service  are  now 
home  with  us  again:  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Gordon  Hofer,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ray 
Glanzer,  and  Jerome  Kleinsasser. 
George  Hofer  left  for  PAX  work 
in  Europe.  Arlyss  Hofer  is  in  volun- 
tary service  in  Gulfport,  Miss.  Jona- 
than Mendel  and  Gorden  Hofer  told 
about  their  experiences  in  1-W  at 
recent  C.E.  program.  We  had  a 
communion  service  on  Good  Friday 
and  a baptism  service  on  May  24. 
Thirteen  new  members  were  added 
to  our  church.  Our  Bible  school 
started  May  27  and  lasted  for  two 
weeks.  The  teachers  were  Arlyss 
Hofer,  Fern  Kleinsasser,  Clara 
Glanzer,  Lavonne  Hofer,  Mrs.  Amos 
Hofer,  and  Mrs.  Norman  Hofer. 
Several  weeks  ago,  for  pulpit  ex- 
change, our  pastor  Abe  Wiebe  spoke 
at  the  Salem  Church  and  J.  Her- 
bert Fretz  brought  the  message  in 
our  church.  The  ladies’  missionary 
society  project  this  month  was  mak- 
ing Christmas  bundles.  They  also 
enjoyed  a picnic  at  the  Freeman 
Park. — Mrs.  Norman  Hofer,  corr. 

MOTHER-DAUGHTER  PROGRAM 

Brudertal  Church,  Hillsboro, 
Kans.:  The  Mary-Martha  Circle 

sponsored  a mother-daughter  pro- 
gram, May  13.  The  yoimg  girls 
sang  a number.  Mrs.  Ernest  Suder- 
man  spoke  on  the  meaning  of 
Mother’s  Day.  'The  social  committee 
served  light  refreshments.  A daugh- 
ter, Joy  Loucmn,  was  bom  May  3 
to  Mr.  amd  Mrs.  James  A.  Funk, 
and  a daughter,  Michele  Kay,  May 
31,  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Francis  Funk. 
The  Mary-Martha  Circle  sponsored 
miscellaneous  showers  for  the 
three  brides  in  May  and  June.  Eu- 
nice Warkentine  and  Darrel  Doerk- 
sen  were  married  May  26  in  the 
Brudertal  Church;  Barbara  Funk 
and  Deem  Reimer  were  married 
May  27  in  the  Bethel  College 
Church;  June  4,  Mary  Beth  Funk 
and  Marvin  Gk>ering  were  married 
in  the  Bethel  College  Church.  May 
25  was  spring  church  cleaning  day. 
A goodly  number  turned  out  for 


this  big  job  and  before  the  day  was 
over  the  fioors  and  windows  were 
shining.  Memorial  Day  services 
were  held  Sat.  morning.  May  30. 
Sunday,  June  7,  Courtney  Remple 
and  Robert  Schmidt  received  bap- 
tism and  joined  the  church  mem- 
bership. Mrs.  P.  W.  Penner  is  feel- 
ing somewhat  better  and  is  now  at 
home  in  Hillsboro.  The  home  town, 
Hillsboro,  celebrated  its  75th  jubi- 
lee the  week  of  June  7-10.  The  high 
light  of  the  jubilee  was  a pageant 
entitled  “Glimpses  of  our  Heritage.’’ 
It  was  very  well  performed  and 
drew  large  crowds. — Mrs.  J.  J. 
Funk,  corr. 

MISSIONARY  RETURNS 

Swiss  Church,  Alsen  N.  Dak.: 
Mrs.  Henry  Schmiss  was  hostess 
for  our  May  mission  society  meet- 
ing. Quilts  were  made  for  Vema 
Jantz,  our  missionary  to  Morocco. 
Pastor  and  Mrs.  Leonard  Harder 
attended  funeral  services  for  Joe 
Graber  of  Glendive,  Mont.,  May  11. 
A son,  Niel  Andrew,  was  bom  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fred  Feil  on  May  15. 
Eleven  children  were  dedicated  unto 
the  Lord  on  Mother’s  Day,  May  10. 
Mrs.  Fred  Feil  had  surgery  on  her 
right  hand  May  7.  Baccalaureate 
services  were  held  in  the  church 
May  17.  The  school  trio  had  the 
special  music.  The  message  was 
given  by  Pastor  Harder  from  Jo- 
nah 1:1-3.  The  theme  was  “Running 
Away  from  God’s  Duty;  Young  Peo- 
ple and  their  Decisions.’’  Vema 
Jantz  arrived  May  4 and  left  June 
6.  She  did  house  visitation,  taught 
vacation  Bible  school  at  Bethel 
Church  May  25-29  and  at  Alsen 
June  1-5.  Other  teachers  were  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Dave  Ewert,  Mrs.  John 
Toews,  Mrs.  Jack  Toews,  Mrs.  Art 
Phiffer,  Mrs.  Henry  Loewen,  and 
Pastor  Harder.  The  enrollment 
was  71.  Miss  Jantz  spoke  at  the 
Salem  Church  at  Munich  the  eve 
of  May  24.  Pastor  and  Mrs. 
Harder  attended  the  graduation 
service  of  their  daughter,  Pauline, 
at  Elbing,  Kan.,  May  28.  Rev.  H. 
Ortman  spoke  on  May  24  during 
our  pastor’s  absence.  A special 
gathering  was  held  for  Miss  Jantz 
May  31.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dave  Ewert 
sang  a duet,  and  Nola  Schmiss 
sang  a solo.  Pastor  Harder  dedicat- 
ed the  gifts  that  were  presented  to 
Vema  from  the  different  organiza- 
tions of  the  church.  Pictures  were 
shown  by  Vema.  Recordings  were 
made  by  members  of  the  church. 
— Mrs.  F.  Feil,  corr. 

SUMMER  ASSISTANT 

First  Church,  Aberdeen,  Idaho: 
Pastor  and  Mrs.  Dyck  enjoyed  a ten- 
day  vacation  in  May  visiting  with 
their  children  and  families,  rela- 


July  14,  1959 


429 


tives,  and  taking  in  the  graduation 
exercises  at  Mennonite  Biblical 
Seminary.  Gordon  Dyck,  their  eld- 
est son,  and  William  Block,  our 
summer  assistant  in  1958,  were  a- 
mong  the  graduates.  Peter  Fast, 
second  year  seminary  student,  is 
our  summer  assistant  this  year.  We 
welcome  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fast  and 
their  daughter  into  our  midst  and 
pray  that  this  summer’s  fellowship 
will  be  a blessing  to  all  of  us.  Our 
church  extended  a call  to  Pastor 
and  Mrs.  Dyck  to  continue  to  serve 
our  church  for  another  three  years 
beginning  Jan.  1,  1960.  The  Dycks 
have  accepted  this  call.  Special  pro- 
grams in  recent  weeks  included 
children’s  consecration  services,  a 
message  by  Lyle  L.  Casper  repre- 
senting the  Gideons,  the  film  “A 
Cry  in  the  Night,”  a message  by 
Jacob  J.  Enz  who  was  speaker  at 
the  Pacific  District  Conference,  and 
an  illustrated  message  by  Leslie 
Jantz  who  is  a missionary  to  Brazil. 
Plans  for  the  three  retreats  to  be 
held  in  July  are  going  forward. 
Some  preparatory  work  was  done 
on  the  grounds  at  Palisades  by  a 
group  of  about  twenty-five  people 
on  Memorial  Day.  Seven  persons 
from  our  church,  including  Pastor 
Dyck,  attended  the  Pacific  District 
Conference  at  Barlow,  Ore.,  June 
10-14.  Our  DVBS  closed  the  two 
week  course  with  a program  Friday 
evening,  June  12.  Ninety-one  chil- 
dren were  enrolled.  Peter  Fast  was 
superintendent. 

S.S.  ADDITION  BEGUN 

First  Church,  Allentown,  Pa.: 
Plans  begun  in  1952  for  an  addition- 
al Sunday  school  space  began  to 
take  shape  with  the  holding  of  a 
groundbreaking  service  on  Simday, 
May  24.  Members  who  took  part  in 
the  groundbreaking  were  the  build- 
ing committee  chairman,  L.  W. 
Shelly;  the  Sunday  school  superin- 
tendent, LeRoy  Weidner;  a youth 
member,  Marsha  Christman;  the 
W.M.S.  president,  Claire  Miller;  and 
a charter  member,  Oscar  Wurster. 
On  Monday  evening  things  were 
moved  from  the  present  Sunday 
school  building  for  storage  else- 
where until  the  new  building  can 
be  occupied.  Day  camping  June  17- 
23-25  took  the  place  of  vacation 
Bible  school  because  of  the  building 
program.  The  children  were  taken 
by  bus  to  the  Parkway  and  to  Men- 
O-Lan.  The  pastor,  together  with 
several  other  ministers  and  lajmien, 
spent  several  days  at  Paint  Rock 
and  Belva,  North  Carolina,  to  make 
a survey  of  the  mission  work  there. 
Mrs.  Alfred  Habegger,  the  pastor’s 
mother,  has  been  visiting  with  her 
son  and  his  family.  Five  men  of 
the  congregation  recently  acted  as 


volunteer  blood  donors  when  one 
of  the  members  of  the  church  was 
in  need  of  this  service.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Elmer  Fink  celebrated  their 
fiftieth  wedding  anniversary  on 
April  19.  Five  children  were  conse- 
crated on  May  10.  The  marriage  of 
Marilynn  Weidner,  a member  of 
our  congregation,  to  Martin  Strayer 
of  Elida,  Ohio,  was  solemnized  in 
our  church  on  June  14. — Corr. 

NEW  SANCTUARY  DEDICATED 

First  Church,  Sugarcreek,  Ohio: 
Dedication  of  the  new  sanctuary 
was  held  June  28,  1959  at  9:30  a.m. 
Jesse  N.  Smucker,  editor  of  The 
Mennonite  who  had  served  the 
church  as  interim  pastor  from  1933 
to  1935,  brought  a farewell  medita- 
tion in  the  old  sanctuary.  After 
this  service,  A.  P.  Snyder,  chairman 
of  the  building  committee,  turned 
the  keys  over  to  Roy  Hostetler, 
chairman  of  the  trustees,  who  un- 
locked the  new  sanctuary  and  the 
congregation  proceeded  to  the  new 
sanctuary.  William  H.  Stauffer,  who 
served  the  church  as  pastor  from 
1935  to  1956,  delivered  the  dedica- 
tion sermon.  Lester  Hostetler,  who 
served  the  First  Church  as  their 
first  pastor  when  it  was  organized 
as  an  independent  congregation  and 
became  a part  of  the  General  Con- 
ference Mennonite  Church,  led  in 
the  prayer  of  dedication.  Harold  D. 
Thieszen,  pastor  since  1956,  was  in 
charge  of  the  service.  In  the  eve- 
ning the  church  had  open  house  for 
the  community,  the  choir  sang  sev- 
eral selections  and  Lester  Hostet- 
ler brought  a meditation  on  the 
use  of  hymns  and  music  in  worship. 

The  sanctuary  provides  seating 
for  285  people  plus  an  overflow 
mother’s  room  which  will  provide 
additional  seating  for  50  people. 
'The  building  includes  space  for  the 
pastor’s  study  and  office,  and  a 
choir  room,  and  provisions  have 
also  been  made  for  the  installation 
of  a pipe  organ  in  the  future.  The 
cost  of  the  building  including  the 
furnishings  will  come  to  $95,000.00. 
The  building  committee  is  A.  P. 
Snyder  (chairman),  Omar  Blauch, 
Paul  Burkey,  Werner  Geiser,  Mau- 
rice Gerber,  and  Foster  Jaberg.  ’The 
architect  was  James  Knapp  of 
Marr,  Knapp,  and  Crawfis  of  New 
Philadelphia,  Ohio.  The  contractor 
was  M & M Construction  Company 
of  Millersburg,  Ohio. 

MCC  WORKER  SPEAKS 
Salem  Church,  Freeman,  S.  D.: 
Mary  Ellen  Shoup,  who  has  been 
with  MCC  in  France,  and  the  direc- 
tor of  the  Valdoie  Children’s  Home 
for  twelve  years,  spoke  and  showed 
slides  in  our  church  Feb.  10.  'The 
program  of  the  World  Day  of 
Prayer  service  on  Feb.  13,  was 


sponsored  by  the  G.C.  women’s  mis- 
sion groups.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gordon 
Brockmueller,  who  spent  two  years 
of  agricultural  service  in  Vietnam 
returned  home.  After  spending  a 
few  weeks  at  home  they  accepted 
a two-year  call  again  to  Vietnam. 
Gordon  will  be  in  charge  of  a num- 
ber of  agricultural  experimental 
farms,  each  with  a local  American 
agriculturist  working  with  the  na- 
tionals. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Palmer  Beck- 
er (Ardis  Preheim)  are  now  work- 
ing Taiwan  where  Palmer  is  serv- 
ing under  Missions  Pax.  Phillip 
Waltner  returned  recently  from  two 
years  of  Pax  service  in  Germany. 
The  Northern  District  male  chorus 
festival  was  held  at  the  Washing-  ' 
ton  High  School  auditorium  in 
Sioux  Falls,  June  14.  Male  singers  ’ 
from  congregations  in  S.  D.,  Minn., 
and  Neb.  were  invited  to  sing  in  a 
mass  choir.  Professor  Robert  Sen- 
ner  of  Buhler,  Kansas,  directed  the 
choir. — Corr. 

LOEWEN  REPORTS 

JOHANNESTAL  CHURCH,  HILLSBORO, 
Kan.:  Esko  Loewen  represented  the 
MCC  at  the  hearings  on  conscrip- 
tion before  the  House  Armed  Serv- 
ice Committee,  Jan.  30.  He  gave  a 
report  to  the  congregation  on  the 
decisions  that  were  made.  Fifty-three 
children  were  enrolled  in  the  vaca- 
tion Bible  school  held  May  25-June 
5.  Mrs.  Wm.  P.  Brandt  was  a Kan- 
sas City  Medical  Center  for  several 
weeks  due  to  heart  surgery  April  23. 

JOINT  DVBS 

Deer  Creek  Church,  Deer  Creek, 
Okla.;  In  Feb.  the  meat  canner  was 
at  Deer  Creek,  eleven  northern  Okla. 
churches  participating.  March  8, 
Willard  Claassen  spoke  to  us  in  the 
evening.  March  15,  Orlando  Waltner 
was  with  us  for  the  morning  and  | 
evening  service.  John  Goebel  was  I 
severely  burned  in  a grass  fire,  i 
and  passed  away  March  19  at  the  I 
age  of  88  years.  The  choir  gave  j 
an  Easter  program  the  eve  of  j 
March  26,  with  Alma  Graber  direc-  j 
ting.  On  Good  Friday  evening  six  I 
Seminary  students  from  Elkhart,  I 
Ind.,  gave  a program  in  song  and  ’ 
word.  April  3,  Ross  Goodall,  a i 
Christian  Jew,  spoke  to  us.  April  I 
12,  W.  C.  Voth  brought  the  morning  I 
and  evening  message,  and  on  Mon-  I 
day  Mrs.  Voth  spoke  to  the  worn-  | 
en’s  mission  society.  P.  K.  Regier  ' 
was  with  us  April  19  and  told  about  i 
his  trip  to  South  America.  Roland  ' 
Friesen  and  wife,  missionaries  to  | 
Japan,  were  with  us  April  25;  he  I 
brought  the  morning  message  and  I 
showed  slides  in  the  evening.  Mrs.  ! 
Friesen  is  a sister  to  our  pastor, 
Boyd  Bonebrake.  May  7,  Mrs.  Her-  ' 
bert  Dester  spoke  to  the  women’s  ■ 
mission  society  and  Dr.  Dester  ^ 


430 


THE  MENNONITE 


spoke  to  the  men’s  fellowship  in  the 
evening.  Dr.  Dester  brought  the 
message  May  10;  we  had  a fellow- 
ship supper  in  the  evening  with  Dr. 
and  Mrs.  Dester  and  Rev.  and  Mrs. 
Albert  Jantzen  as  guests.  The  two- 
weeks  vacation  Bible  school  was 
sponsored  by  the  three  Deer  Cieek 
churches:  the  Methodist,  Chris- 

tian, and  Mennonite  churches. 
Eighty  children  attended,  the  chil- 
dren gave  a program  the  evening 
of  June  7. — Corr. 

MEDICAL  UNIT  PRESENTED 
Caslock  Church,  Carlock,  III.: 
The  Women’s  Christian  Service  had 
two  days  of  sewing  May  10  and  17. 
The  sewing  project  was  for  the  Dr. 
Merle  Schwartz  family.  A large  col- 
lection of  colored  bath  towels  were 
packed  for  MCC  relief  program.  A 
fellowship  dinner  was  held  follow- 
ing the  morning  service  May  24, 
with  new  members  as  honored 
guests.  A dedication  service  was 
held  in  the  afternoon  for  the  mo- 
bile medical  unit  that  has  been  pre- 
sented to  Dr.  Merle  Schwartz.  Lo- 
tus 'Troyer  of  the  Congo  Inland 
Mission  Board  gave  the  address 
and  led  in  the  dedicatory  prayer. 
A farewell  service  for  the  Schwartz 
family  is  planned  for  July  28.  Chil- 
dren’s Day  was  observed  June  14 
in  the  morning  with  a varied  pro- 
gram featuring  the  junior  choir  di- 
rected by  Karen  Schelle.  A service 
of  consecration  of  children  was  held 
and  Christmas  bundles  for  over- 
seas relief  were  dedicated.  Dr.  John 
' Stutzman  has  returned  from  New- 
foundland where  he  has  been  serv- 
ing for  the  past  two  years  with 
the  Grenfell  Medical  Mission  and 
MCC.  He  has  receivea  an  appoint- 
I ment  as  resident  in  internal  medi- 
’ cine  at  the  St.  Luke’s  Presbyterian 
: Hospital  in  Chicago  beginning  July 
1.  He  has  also  been  appointed  to 
i the  faculty  of  the  University  of  111. 
I College  of  Medicine  in  Chicago  as 
assistant  in  medicine.  Eighty  chil- 
i dren  were  in  attendance  at  the 
i union  DVBS  held  June  1-12.  Pastor 
j and  Mrs.  Paul  Roth  left  June  21  to 
I spend  a two-week  vacation  with 
i relatives  in  the  state  of  Oregon. 

I GROUNDBREAKING  SERVICE 
I Beatrice  Church,  Beatrice,  Neb.: 


into  the  beyond 

Mrs.  Martha  Riesen  Unruh  of 
Winton,  Calif.,  and  a member  of  the 
Bethel  Mennonite  Church,  was  bom 
Jan.  22,  1901,  at  Hillsboro,  Kan.,  and 
passed  away  June  12,  1959,  at  her 
home  in  Winton. 

John  R.  Krahn,  9056  South  Rio 


Highlights  of  this  year  are  as  fol- 
lows. The  Martin  Luther  film  was 
shown  Jan.  4.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ken- 
neth Hiebert,  who  spent  four  years 
in  Basil,  Switzerland,  described 
their  MCC  Christian  literature  pub- 
lication work  to  various  groups. 
Mrs.  Hiebert,  formerly  Eleanor 
Claassen,  comes  from  our  commu- 
nity. The  MCC  canning  unit  was  at 
the  John  P.  Andreas  farm  this  year 
where  both  churches  canned  meat. 
Pre-Easter  services  were  held  joint- 
ly in  the  First  Church  with  E.  G. 
Kaufman  as  speaker.  Interesting 
slides  were  shown  each  night  by 
Dr.  Kaufman  of  the  Middle  East, 
including  the  Holy  Land.  April  19, 
we  observed  layman’s  Sunday  in 
the  absence  of  our  pastor,  Ralph 
Weber,  who  was  conducting  a ser- 
ies of  services  in  the  First  Church, 
Newton.  'The  services  here  were 
conducted  by  the  deacons  and  two 
laymen.  May  17,  we  had  a fellow- 
ship dinner  in  our  church  basement 
after  which  we  had  groundbreak- 
ing ceremonies  for  our  new  church 
building. — Mrs.  Melvin  Boehr,  corr. 

VERNON  SPRUNGERS  VISIT 

Ebenezer  Church,  Bluffton,Ohio.  : 
“The  First  Easter,”  a cantata  by 
Ira  Wilson,  was  given  by  the  choir 
under  the  direction  of  Bernard 
Windmiller  on  Easter  Sunday  eve- 
ning. Delegates  attending  the  Cen- 
tral District  Conference  in  Goshen, 
Ind.,  were  Pastor  and  Mrs.  Waldo 
Flickinger,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Francis 
Niswander,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Vinton 
Bucher,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Milo  Lora, 
Florence  Lora,  Philip  and  Minerva 
Hilty.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Merle  Schwartz, 
C.  I.  M.  missionaries,  both  spoke  at 
the  morning  worship.  May  3.  Elev- 
en small  children  were  consecrated 
to  the  Lord  in  a service  on  Mother’s 
Day.  Bluffton  College  Gospel  Team 
quartet,  with  Loretta  Hilty  as 
speaker,  gave  a program  on  the 
evening  of  May  31.  Vernon  Sprung- 
er  spoke  at  the  morning  worship 
service,  June  7.  Mrs.  Sprunger  also 
spoke  at  the  June  meeting  of  the 
Girls’  Mission  Band.  Five  people 
were  received  into  our  membership 
through  baptism,  three  by  church 
letters  on  May  17. — Corr. 


Vista  Ave.,  Reedley,  Calif.,  member 
of  the  First  Church  of  Reedley,  was 
bom  May  16,  1911  and  died  June 
11,  1959. 

Mrs.  Helen  (Komoromy)  Glaser, 
Bally,  Pa.,  member  of  the  Hereford 
Church  of  Bally,  died  June  19,  1959. 


conference  notes 

continued  from  last  page 

NEW  VOLUNTEERS 

Martha  Bergen  of  Drake,  Sask., 
has  joined  the  Voluntary  Service 
unit  in  Gulfport,  Miss.,  for  a one- 
year  term.  With  Helen  Rempel  of 
Chilliwack,  B.  C.,  she  will  teach 
Bible  in  the  Gulfport  public  schools 
and  help  in  other  areas  of  the  work 
with  Negro  children.  Martha  has 
attended  Saskatoon  Teachers  Col- 
lege and  Canadian  Mennonite  Bible 
College  and  has  taught  school. 
There  are  at  present  seven  volun- 
teers at  Gulfport,  serving  in  the 
community  center,  teaching  various 
Bible  classes  and  crafts,  and  super- 
vising recreation. 

Margaret  Ens  of  Saskatoon,  Sask., 
1959  graduate  of  Canadian  Menno- 
nite Bible  College,  will  work  in  the 
Voluntary  Service  project  in  the 
Woodlawn  area  of  Chicago.  She  will 
teach  Bible  classes  for  children,  do 
house  visitation,  and  help  with  the 
office  work  in  the  Woodlawn 
Church.  Daniel  and  Kathryn  Hirsch- 
ler  from  Harbine,  Neb.,  also  serve 
here. 

The  Board  of  Christian  Service 
would  like  to  place  two  or  more 
1-W  men  in  this  project  to  work 
with  social  agencies  in  the  Wood- 
lawn community. 

MUSIC  COMMITTEE  MEETS 

The  Church  Music  Committee,  a 
committee  working  under  the  Board 
of  Education  and  Publication  of  the 
General  Conference  Mennonite 
Church,  is  meeting  July  13-16  in 
Elkhart,  Ind.,  to  study  possible  re- 
vision of  The  Mennonite  Hymnary. 
Marvin  Dirks  is  chairman  of  the 
committee.  Other  members  are 
Walter  Hohmann,  Lester  Hostetler, 
Russell  Lantz,  John  P.  Suderman, 
and  George  Wiebe. 

POST  CARD  PROJECT 

An  adult  Sunday  school  class  of 
the  First  Mennonite  Church  in 
Beme,  Ind.,  is  collecting  picture  post 
cards  as  a missionary  project  for 
Rev.  and  Mrs.  Andrew  Losier,  Ken- 
ya, East  Africa. 

The  class  requests  that  anyone 
interested  send  new  and  used  cards 
to  Lynn  Liechty,  666  Columbia  Dr., 
Beme,  Ind.  The  backs  of  the  cards 
will  be  covered  with  scripture  verses 
printed  in  Kiswahili,  and  used  by 
the  Losiers  to  spread  the  gospel. 


July  14,  1959 


431 


conference  notes 

LOOKING  TOWARD 
GENERAL  CONFERENCE 

Industrial  cx)rporations  periodical- 
ly call  their  stockholders  together 
to  explain  the  past  year’s  activities, 
to  analyze  their  present  financial 
condition,  and  to  reveal  plans  for 
future  business  strategy.  This  meet- 
ing is  not  only  to  inform  but  to  in- 
spire more  profitable  activity  in  the 
future. 

Conference  is  a meeting  of  “stock- 
holders” in  the  most  vital  enter- 
prise ever  undertaken — that  of  sat- 
isfying the  universal  need  for  the 
gospel  of  Christ,  and  for  the  con- 
tinued spiritual  development  of 
Christians.  As  we  hear  conference 
reports,  we  will  be  thankful  for 


progress,  but  we  should  also  hum- 
bly ask  forgiveness  for  failures.  It 
will  be  obvious  that  we  cannot  be 
self-satisfied,  for  our  unfinished 
tasks  require  careful  planning. 

Our  mission  deserves  greater  de- 
votion and  effort  than  any  eco- 

nomic endeavor. 

The  “market”  for  the  souls  and 

minds  of  men  is  expanding  and 

waiting  to  be  captured  for  Christ. 
The  conference  at  Bluffton  should 
renew  our  zeal  for  this  most  im- 
portant “business.” 

Howard  E.  Baumgartner 

EXPERIMENT  IN  BOOKS 

This  August  the  bookstores  will 
be  brought  to  the  people.  The  three 
General  Conference  Mennonite 
Bookstores  will  jointly  set  up  a dis- 
play and  bookstore  in  Founders 
Hall  in  Bluffton,  Ohio,  where  the 
General  Conference  convenes  from 
Aug.  12  to  20.  Books  valued  at 
$9/10,000  will  be  available  for  pur- 
chase by  conference  delegates  and 
guests. 

In  order  to  intelligently  approach 


the  centennial  celebration  of  the 
General  Conference,  the  bookstores 
recommend  preparatory  reading  on 
the  history  and  development  of  the 
Conference.  Smith’s  Story  of  the 
Mennonites  is  a comprehensive 
study  of  the  entire  Mennonite  body 
up  to  recent  years.  The  History  of 
the  Mennonite  General  Conference 
by  H.  P.  Krehbiel  gives  the  begin- 
nings and  development  of  the  Gen- 
eral Conference.  Menno  Simons  by 
C.  Henry  Smith  and  Conrad  Grebel 
by  H.  S.  Bender  are  biographies  of 
Anabaptist  leaders.  For  those  in- 
terested in  migrations.  Exiled  hy 
the  Czar  by  G.  E.  Reimer  and  G.  R. 
Gaeddert  and  From  the  Steppes  to 
the  Prairies  by  Cornelius  Krahn  are 
recommended.  Many  brief,  inform- 
ative write-ups  are  contained  in  the 
Mennonite  Encyclopedia. 

STATEMENTS  PREPARED 

The  Peace  and  Social  Concerns 
Committee  of  the  Board  of  Chris- 
tian Service  is  preparing  two  state- 
ments which  are  to  be  presented  to 
the  General  Conference  when  it  con- 
venes in  August.  These  statements 
are  to  clarify  the  church’s  attitude 
toward  the  race  problem  and  to- 
ward nuclear  testing.  Copies  of 


these  statements  will  be  available 
for  study  beforehand  so  that  they 
can  be  discussed  and  voted  upon  at 
the  conference  sessions. 

CONFERENCE  GUIDE  AVAILABLE 

An  informative  pamphlet  is  being 
mailed  to  all  General  Conference 
Mennonite  congregations  for  distri- 
bution to  delegates  and  other  per- 
sons planning  to  attend  the  centen- 
nial sessions  in  Bluffton,  Aug.  12-20. 

The  pamphlet  includes  program 
features,  a map  of  the  Bluffton 
area,  and  general  information  on 
lodging,  meals,  displays,  and  vari- 
ous other  services  offered  to  guests. 

REPORTS  IN  NEW  FORMAT 

Reports  to  the  General  Confer- 
ence this  year  ■will  be  printed  in 
8%  X 11  format.  The  seventy-two- 
page  book  includes  forty-eight  pic- 
tures and  a number  of  charts.  Cop- 
ies will  be  available  for  delegates 
and  other  interested  persons  at  the 
centennial  sessions  of  the  General 
Conference  at  Bluffton,  Ohio,  Aug. 
12-20.  The  report  book  is  being  pro- 
duced by  Faith  and  Life  Press, 
which  is  the  publishing  aspect  of 
the  General  Conference  Mennonite 
Church. 


Wanted:  Christian  Investments 

We  Need 

$25,000  in  investments  within  six  months. 

We  Offer 

Interest  rates  of  3V2  and  4%  on  all  investments;  S’/j  % on  invest- 
ments of  five  to  ten  years;  4%  on  money  invested  ten  years  or  more. 
Certificates  of  investment  on  all  money  you  invest. 

Desirable  security  on  all  investments,  including  real  estate  first 
mortgages,  sound  character  loans,  and  the  backing  of  the  Board 
of  Christian  Service. 

We  Invite  You 

To  inquire  about  our  investment  plans. 

To  compare  your  service,  when  money  is  invested  soundly  in  the 
program  of  the  church,  with  merely  commercial  gain. 

To  send  us  your  check  or  money  orders  for  a sound,  Christian  in- 
vestment in  the  brotherhood  of  the  church. 

To  write  to  MUTUAL  AID  SERVICES,  722  Main  Street,  Newton,  Kan. 


THE  MENNONI 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
MAN  LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIST 


Northern  and  Pacific  District  Conference  Reports 
P.  A.  Unger~THE  SIGNIFICANCE  OF  BAPTISM 


in  this  issue 

COVER 

First  Mennonite  Church,  Sugarcreek,  Ohio, 
was  dedicated  June  28,  1 959.  See  Jot- 
tings in  the  July  14  issue  of  THE  MEN- 
NONITE for  details, 

ARTICLES 

THE  SIGNIFICANCE  OF  BAPTISM 

By  P.  A.  Unger  ■435 

NORTHERN  DISTRICT  CONFERENCE 

By  J.  Herbert  Fretz  436 

PACIFIC  DISTRICT  CONFERENCE 


By  Lyman  Hofstetter  437 

THE  MOST  SERIOUS  TASK 

By  Norman  Bartel  ■^SB 

KOREAN  CHILDREN  439 

DEPARTMENTS  • 

EDITORIALS  434 

MENNONITE  MEN  440 

Conference  Activities  Planned  440 

THE  SECRETARY  REPORTS  440 

MENNONITE  YOUTH 

Story  of  a \A/orkcamp  441 

Reflections  on  Vietnam  442 

Evangelism  and  Youth  443 

OUR  SCHOOLS  444 

MCC  NEWS  NOTES  444 

JOTTINGS  445 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  448 


of  things  to  come 

West.  Dist.  Retreats,  Camp  Mennoscah; 
July  20-25 — Fresh  Air  Frienaship  Cp 
July  27-Aug.  1 — High  School  I 
Aug.  3-8 — High  School  II 
Aug.  29-30 — Fornily  (under  age  45'j 
Sept.  5-7 — Family  (senior  age) 

Aug.  5-12 — Ministers’  and  Church  Work 
ers’  Retreat,  Camp  Friedenswald 
Mich. 

Aug.  12-20 — General  Conference,  Bluff 
ton,  Ohio 

Oct.  24-27 — West.  Dist.  Conference 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor:  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 
J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Assistant:  Muriel 

Thiessen.  Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  28 


editorials 

CONFERENCE  GOALS,  1956-1959 

1.  Every  memher  a personal  witness. 

2.  Every  congregation  seeking  a missionary  outpost. 

3.  Eifteen  new  congregations  by  1939 

4.  Every  member  a tither. 

3.  Every  church  supporting  every  Conference  board. 

6.  A Voluntary  Service  worker  from  every  congregation. 

7.  Every  pastor  prayerfully  seeking  a new  recruit  for  the  ministry. 

8.  A strong  Spirit-controlled  seminary  program  receiving  whole- 
hearted support. 

9.  Trained  personnel  and  adequate  facilities  for  the  teaching 
program. 

10.  Reaching  at  least  one  unevangelized  tribe  with  the  gospel. 

11.  Every  member  knowing  Christ  ”and  the  power  of  his  resurrec- 
tion, and  the  fellowship  of  his  sufferings,  being  made  conform- 
able to  his  death.” 

JAPANESE  PROTESTANTS  CELEBRATE  CENTENARY  One 
hundred  years  ago,  John  Liggins  arrived  in  Nagasaki  as  the  first 
Protestant  Missionary  to  Japan.  He  "was  soon  folio-wed  by  C.  M. 
Williams,  and  several  months  later  by  four  other  missionaries.  They 
found  closed  doors,  strong  opposition,  and  official  bans  against 
Christianity.  There  were  no  Bibles,  no  churches,  and  no  Christian 
literature. 

The  first  recorded  baptism  did  not  take  place  until  five  years 
later.  In  the  first  twelve  years  there  were  only  ten  baptisms,  all  of 
which  had  to  take  place  secretly. 

According  to  the  most  authoritative  information  available,  there 
are  today  1,912  Protestant  missionaries  and  2,546  Japanese  pastors, 
or  a total  of  4,458  preachers  and  leaders.  Doors  have  been  flung 
wide  open.  Bibles  sell  at  two  million  copies  a year.  Christian  liter- 
ature and  gospel  radio  programs  blanket  the  nation. 

Today  there  are  about  500,000  Protestants  in  Japan.  This  is  still 
only  one  Christian  for  every  185  non-Christians.  A hundred  years 
ago  the  population  of  Japan  was  30  million;  today  it  is  92  million. 

The  two  main  religions,  are  still  Shinto  with  its  nearly  80  million 
believers,  and  Buddhism  with  about  40  million.  It  is  evident  there 
is  considerable  overlapping  of  these  two  ancient  religions. 

Many  will  recall  the  high  moment  at  the  Freeman  General  Con- 
ference in  1950  when  it  was  decided  to  open  our  own  mission  work 
in  Japan,  and  the  announcing  of  our  first  missionary.  The  number 
of  missionaries  has  since  grown  to  more  than  twenty.  We  will  look 
forward  with  great  interest  to  have  some  firsthand  reports  of  the 
work  of  these  nine  years,  as  we  gather  at  Bluffton  for  the  General 
Conference  there. 

What  the  future  of  missions  will  now  accomplish  in  Japan  de- 
pends largely  upon  the  faithfulness  in  proclaiming  the  full  gospel. 
We  may  be  sure  God  remains  faithful.  The  question  is  whether 
we  will  prove  true  to  our  obligations  and  opportunities  in  these 
crucial  days. 


434 


THE  MENNONITE 


The  Significance 


P.  A.  Unger* 


1 WONDER  if  we  have  forgotten 
the  significance  of  baptism  since 
we  received  it  in  that  hallowed  hour 
a year  ago,  or  five,  twenty,  or  fifty 
years  ago?  Has  the  meaning  of  bap- 
tism been  lost  to  us  by  now? 

If  you  were  asked  the  meaning 
of  baptism,  what  would  you  an- 
swer? Would  you  say  that  it  is  an 
outward  sign  of  an  inward  change? 
Yes,  it  is  that.  But  possibly  we 
have  become  a little  vague  about 
that  change.  Or,  maybe,  there  are 
some  who  have  not  experienced 
that  change. 

Let  us  renew  our  look  at  the 
meaning  of  baptism  by  consider- 
ing first  the  baptism  of  Jesus 
Christ,  our  Lord. 

During  the  height  of  John  the 
Baptist’s  ministry  of  preaching  and 
baptizing  in  the  area  around  the 
Jordan,  a young  man  of  30  years 
of  age  (Luke  3:23)  came  from  His 
home  town  of  Nazareth.  He  sought 
out  the  place  along  the  River  Jor- 
dan where  John  was  calling  the 
people  to  repentance. 

He  made  His  way  to  the  desert 
preacher  and  told  him  the  purpose 
of  His  coming.  He  too  wanted  to  be 
baptized. 

John  protested.  His  preaching 
and  baptism  was  for  sinners  and 
not  for  the  Lamb  of  God,  the  Mes- 
si8ih.  In  this  protest  John  bowed  in 
humbleness,  confessing  his  own  sin- 
fulness. “Where  he  had  just  tow- 
ered above  the  Pharisees  and  Sad- 
ducees  and  refused  to  baptize  them 
because  of  their  unrepentant  sin- 
fulness, he  now  refused  to  baptize 
Jesus  because  of  His  sinlessness’’ 
(Lenski).  Oh  no,  John  protested,  I 
need  to  be  cleansed  of  my  sinfulness 
by  you. 

Jesus’  answer  was  surprising: 
“Let  it  be  so  now:  for  thus  it  be- 
cometh  us  to  fulfill  all  righteous- 
ness.’’ What  was  this?  Us?  John 


*Pastor,  North  Hill  Mission  Church, 
Calgary,  Alberta,  Canada. 


of  Baptism 


was  to  be  instrumental  in  fulfill- 
ing that  which  God  had  planned 
to  be  done! 

I wonder  if  John  did  not  tremble 
while  he  performed  this  baptism. 

When  this  rite  had  been  per- 
formed, God’s  voice  of  approval  was 
heard. 

We  read  in  Gal.  4:4,  “But  when 
the  fulness  of  the  time  was  come, 
God  sent  forth  his  Son.  . . .’’  The 
“fulness  of  the  time  was  come’’  that 
Jesus  should  begin  His  public  min- 
istry of  redemption.  And  Jesus 
chose  baptism  as  the  way  to  enter 
His  great  office. 

WHAT  does  this  outward  sign  of 
baptism  mean  to  the  believer? 
First,  it  is  a public  testimony  that 
he  has  repented.  He  has  suffered 
such  grief  of  soul  on  account  of  his 
sins  that  he  has  turned  from  the 
life  in  sin  to  a new  life  in  Christ. 
This  repentance  also  means  a dy- 
ing to  sin. 

In  Rom.  6:2-6  Paul  speaks  about 
being  dead  to  sin:  “Therefore  we 
are  buried  with  him  by  baptism  into 
death.  For  if  we  are  planted  to- 
gether in  the  likeness  of  his  death 
we  shall  be  also  in  the  likeness  of 
his  resurrection.  Knowing  this,  that 
our  old  man  is  crucified  with  him 
. , . we  should  not  serve  sin.’’ 

All  these  verses  speak  of  the 
same  thing.  Our  nature  is  to  suffer 
death  and  be  put  away  “lest  the 
stench  of  the  unburied  self-life 
frighten  souls  away  from  Jesus’’  (J. 
Hyde  of  India). 

Therefore,  baptism  signifies  the 
putting  away  of  the  “old  man.”  We 
are  not  to  return  again  to  the  old 
sinful  ways.  Peter  writes  of  it  as 
“a  dog  returning  to  his  vomit  and 
a sow  washed,  to  her  wallow.”  We 
are  to  walk  in  newness  of  life. 

Baptism  means  washing  from  sin. 
“Then  will  I sprinkle  clean  water 
upon  you,  and  ye  shall  be  clean 
, . . .”  (Ezek.  36:25).  “Let  us  draw 


near  with  a true  heart.  . . , having 
our  hearts  sprinkled  from  an  evil 
conscience”  (Heb.  10:22).  When  we 
received  baptism,  we  confessed 
faith  in  the  blood  of  Jesus  Christ 
which  cleanses  us  from  all  sin. 

Baptism  signifies  publicly  the  in- 
ward change  of  heart  and  mind 
and  spirit.  God  has  created  all  three 
of  these  to  make  of  them  one  man, 
a living  soul. 

At  the  time  of  this  change  that 
is  conversion,  the  Lord  does  not 
only  expect  a new  heart,  but  also 
appeals  to  our  spirit  and  intellect. 
That  is  why  we  read  in  Isa.  1:18: 
“Come  now  and  let  us  reason  to- 
gether. . .”  And  in  Romans  12:2: 
“And  be  not  conformed  to  this 
world,  but  be  ye  transformed  by 
the  renewing  of  your  mind.  . . .” 
King  David  pleads  with  his  God: 
“Create  in  me  a clean  heart,  O God; 
and  renew  a right  spirit  within  me.” 
Ezekiel  writes:  “A  new  heart  also 
will  I give  you,  and  a new  spirit 
will  I put  within  you.  . .”  (Ezek. 
36:26). 

There  is  one  more  thing  that 
I believe  baptism  signifies,  and 
that  is  our  membership  in  the  royal 
priesthood.  As  we  observed  in  the 
baptism  of  Jesus,  He  was  baptized 
upon  His  official  and  public  entry 
into  His  high  priestly  service.  This 
He  did  in  order  to  “fulfill  the  law 
and  the  prophets”  according  to  Lev. 
8:5-26. 

The  apostle  Peter  writes  to  all 
believers:  “But  ye  are  a chosen 
generation,  a royal  priesthood  . . . 
that  ye  should  show  forth  the 
praises  of  him  who  called  you  out 
of  darkness  into  his  marvelous 
light”  (1  Peter  2:9). 

We  too  have  been  assigned  an 
office  because  of  that  inward  change 
and  because  we  have  been  saved 
from  spiritual  darkness  into  His 
marvelous  light.  As  members  of 
this  royal  priesthood  we  are  charged 
to  make  known  the  salvation  that 
is  in  Christ  alone. 

By  baptism  Jesus  Christ  identi- 
fied himself  with  sinners  to  this 
end:  that  He  would  save  them  from 
their  sins.  By  baptism  we  identify 
ourselves  with  the  Lord  Jesus, 
through  the  shedding  of  whose 
blood  we  alone  obtain  remission  for 
our  sins  and  the  hope  of  eternal 
life.  Had  we  forgotten  what  bap- 
tism meant  to  us  when  we  received 
it  upon  the  confession  of  our  faith? 


July  21,  1959 


435 


QjO*uLe/ie*ic& 


Before  an  audience  of  a thou- 
sand Northern  District  dele- 
gates and  friends,  conference  speak- 
er Cornelius  J.  Dyck  concluded  his 
last  lecture  reading  from  Paul  in 
2 Timothy  1:9:  . . who  hath 

saved  us  and  called  us  with  a holy 
calling,  not  according  to  our  works, 
but  according  to  His  own  purpose 
and  grace,  which  was  given  us  in 
Christ  Jesus.  . . 

In  this  dramatic  moment  we  who 
were  present  felt  that  the  mood  of 
this  66th  session  of  the  Northern 
District  Conference  had  been  ex- 
pressed. “To  these  early  Christians,” 
Brother  Dyck  went  on,  “salvation 
was  not  a thing  religious,  nor  were 
their  everyday  jobs  a thing  secular. 
Their  faith  and  vocation  were  one 
— they  were  saved  and  called.” 

We  had  gathered  for  these  three 
days  of  business  and  inspiration 
and  fellowship  because  we  are  saved 
from  sin  by  Christ,  and  because  we 
are  called  to  service  for  Christ  as 
a body  of  over  six  thousand  believ- 
ers in  widely  scattered  clusters  in 
Montana,  North  and  South  Dakota, 
Minnesota,  and  Nebraska. 

The  four  messages  on  “The  Call- 
ing of  God”  by  C.  J.  Dyck,  of  the 
faculty  of  Mennonite  Biblical  Semi- 
nary, Elkhart,  Ind.,  were  well  re- 
ceived by  everyone.  “When  I 
seemed  lost  in  his  deep  thoughts 
and  terms,”  one  man  commented, 
“Brother  Dyck  would  come  up  to 
the  surface  again  and  again  with 
a simple  word  picture.” 

The  messages  could  well  be  taken 
as  four  milestones  on  this  session. 

The  first  message  was  entitled 
Mind  and  Heart:  the  Call  to  Faith. 
Brother  Dyck  said,  “Reason  and 
faith  are  not  opposed  to  each  other 
as  in  magic.  Faith  surrounds  reason 
in  divine  mystery.” 

This  was  followed  by  John  J. 


Hofer’s  valuable  statistical  report, 
underlining  our  own  Conference 
call  to  faith  and  reason:  a net  in- 
crease of  seventy  new  members 
added  to  our  Conference  congrega- 
tions. This  is  twice  as  many  as  last 
year,  but  yet  so  few.  Our  giving 
to  the  District  causes  jumped  from 
$9,000  to  $14,000  during  the  year, 
and  our  average  giving  for  all 
causes  stands  at  $112  per  member, 
the  highest  in  the  General  Confer- 
ence. 

Anxiety  and  Love:  the  Call  to 

Unity  was  the  title  of  the  second 
address.  “The  hidden  fears  of  anx- 
iety which  so  often  motivate  us, 
can  only  be  brought  out  into  the 
light  and  conquered  by  Christian 
love.” 

This  message  served  as  a prelude 
to  Elmer  Neufeld’s  passionate  ad- 
dress to  the  youth-sponsored  Satur- 
day evening  meeting  warning  of 
America’s  increasing  desire  to  trust 
in  nuclear  armaments  rather  than  in 
the  spiritual  force  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ  and  His  love  demonstrated 
through  inter-personal  projects  of 
Christian  love  in  society. 

Theme  of  the  third  address  was 
Grace  and  Works:  the  Call  to 

Service.  “To  Paul’s  words  ‘justified 
by  faith’  Luther  added  ‘alone.’  Try 
reading  Hebrews  11,”  said  Brother 
Dyck,  “adding  the  word  ‘alone’  to 
‘by  faith’  and  see  if  it  makes  sense.” 

This  note  of  service  was  under- 
scored on  Saturday  afternoon  at  the 
meetings  of  the  three  auxiliaries: 
the  Women’s  Mission  Group,  the 
Men’s  Brotherhood,  and  the  Young 
People’s  Fellowship. 

Both  women’s  and  men’s  groups 
this  year  emphasized  mission  work 
in  the  district  area:  Sioux  Falls 

city  work.  Northern  Minnesota  ru- 
ral work,  and  the  Montana  Indian 
churches.  It  is  encouraging  to  see 


more  of  our  fellow  Indian  Chris- 
tians come  to  conference  each  year 
as  fellow  delegates.  'The  young  peo- 
ple have  undertaken  an  ambitious 
project  of  supporting  Ardys  and 
Palmer  Becker  in  Formosa. 

Brother  Dyck’s  last  message  was 
entitled  Hope  and  Despair:  the  Call 
to  Witness.  “Do  you  really  believe 
that  the  heathen  are  lost  and  that 
Christ  is  the  only  answer?” 

We  were  reminded  of  Willard 
Wiebe’s  excellent  chart  report  on 
our  General  Conference  world  mis- 
sions challenge:  250  congregations 
with  250  missionaries  having  the 
responsibility  of  5,000,000  lives  and 
25,000  believers  scattered  over  the 
earth — with  a budget  this  year  of 
$700,000  for  missions  means  only 
20  cents  per  life! 

Host  to  the  conference  this  year 
was  the  Salem-Zion  congregation 
east  of  Freeman  where  Olin  A. 
Krehbiel  is  pastor.  New  officers  in- 
clude: Willard  Wiebe,  president; 

Bruno  Penner,  vice  president;  Emil 
Krahn,  secretary;  and  Carl  Miller, 
treasurer.  The  retiring  president  is 
Abe  Wiebe. 

Thus  concluded  another  session  of 
the  Northern  District  Conference: 
A conference  of  contrasts, 

A conference  of  congregations 
widely  scattered  and  tightly 
clustered 

tiny  and  tremendous; 

A conference  of  ministers 

some  on  marginal  salaries 
others  with  staff  ministries; 

A conference  without  city  chirrches 
but  now  starting; 

A conference  without  business  and 
industrial  wealth 
but  giving  of  money,  ministers, 
and  scholars; 

This  is  the  Northern  District 

rural  District  of  the  States. 

— J.  Herbert  Fretz 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church. 
Entered  at  North  Newton,  Kansas,  post  office  as  second  class  matter.  Acceptance  for  mailing  at  special  rate  of  postage:  section  1103,  Act 
of  Oct.  3,  1917.  Authorized  Jan.  22,  1910.  Subscriptions  $2.50;  foreign  $3.00.  Mail  subscriptions  and  payments  to  Mennonite  Publication 
Office,  North  Newton,  Kan.,  or  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan.  Address  manuscripts  for  publication  to  J.  N.  Smucker,  Editor,  THE  MENNONITE, 
Woodward  Place,  Goshen,  Ind.  Postmasters:  change  of  address  Form  3579  to  720  Main,  NoMden,  Kan. 


436 


THE  MENNONITE 


PxuUj^  ^A/iPUct  Q xi4tjie^ie*ice. 


Amidst  scattered  rainfall,  straw- 
berry harvest,  and  the  Oregon 
Centennial  celebration,  over  200 
delegates  and  visitors  from  the  25 
churches  of  the  Pacific  District  Con- 
ference gathered  for  the  60th  ses- 
sion of  the  conference  in  the  new 
sanctuary  of  the  Calvary  Menno- 
nite  Church  at  Barlow,  Oregon, 
June  10-14. 

The  same  tireless  effort  which 
brought  about  the  construction  of 
the  new  church  edifice  was  again 
manifest  as  the  host  church  gra- 
ciously accommodated  the  guests 
present  for  the  conference.  The  ses- 
sions were  held  in  the  new  sanctu- 
ary and  the  meals  were  served  in 
the  nearby  Canby  Elementary 
School. 

In  the  absence  of  President  Dan 
G.  Regier,  the  vice  president,  Peter 
J.  Ediger,  ably  presided.  The  presi- 
dent was  absent  due  to  the  death 
i of  his  wife’s  mother.  However,  the 
I delegates  were  privileged  to  hear 
his  conference  sermon  which  was 
delivered  from  a tape  recording. 

Guest  speaker  at  the  conference 
was  Jacob  J.  Enz,  Professor  of  Old 
Testament  at  Mennonite  Biblical 
Seminary  in  Elkhart.  His  thought 
provoking  messages  were  taken 
i from  the  book  of  Genesis  under  the 
general  theme  of  “Sin  and  Salva- 
tion in  the  Home.’’  Brother  Enz 
described  the  home  as  “the  crown 
of  God’s  creation.’’  Through  the 
medium  of  the  home  the  redemptive 
work  of  God  finds  its  noblest  ex- 
pression. 

At  the  program  sponsored  by  the 
Young  People’s  Union,  Willard 
Claassen,  executive  secretary  of  the 
Board  of  Education  and  Publication 
of  the  General  Conference,  chal- 
lenged the  audience  on  the  theme  of 
“Youth  and  Their  Responsibility  To- 
ward God  and  the  Home.’’ 

The  work  of  foreign  missions  re- 
ceived a strong  emphasis  at  various 
sessions.  Mrs.  J.  R.  Duerksen,  for- 
mer missionary,  spoke  at  the  serv- 
ice conducted  by  the  Women’s  Mis- 
sionary Association.  Arthur  ’Phies- 
sen,  a medical  missionary,  w£is  the 


speaker  at  the  service  conducted  by 
Mennonite  Men.  Both  depicted  our 
missionary  work  in  India. 

A special  feature  this  year  was 
the  showing  of  the  film,  “The  Miya- 
zaki Story,’’  which  presented  the 
missionary  endeavor  of  our  Gen- 
eral Conference  among  the  people 
of  Japan.  William  Zehr,  the  photog- 
rapher, introduced  the  picture  which 
was  viewed  by  an  overfiow  crowd. 

During  the  business  sessions  of 
the  conference,  the  following  of- 
ficers were  elected  or  reelected: 
president,  Peter  J.  Ediger;  vice 
president,  Lester  E.  Jantzen;  sec- 
retary, Rudy  Lichti;  treasurer,  Joe 
Jantz. 

Adoption  of  the  revised  constitu- 
tion brought  into  effect  several  im- 
portant changes  pertaining  to  the 
work  of  the  various  Conference 
committees. 

One  important  change  under  the 
Education  Committee  is  that  the 
district  newspaper,  formerly  called 
Worker’s  Exchange  is  now  called 
The  Messenger. 

The  Education  Committee  also  en- 
couraged a continuation  of  the  S.  S. 
demonstration  schools.  In  addition, 
it  contemplates  an  Historical  Depart- 
ment in  its  work  and  urges  our 
churches  to  keep  records  safely  in 
file  for  future  use. 

Under  the  revised  constitution,  the 
Evangelization  Committee  receives 
the  new  name  of  Home  Missions 
Committee.  This  committee  has  been 
enlarged  to  include  five  members 
in  order  that  there  may  be  at  least 
one  representative  from  each  state. 
Several  new  or  struggling  churches 
have  been  assisted  by  this  com- 
mittee. 

New  ministers  welcomed  into  the 
Conference  are;  J.  R.  Duerksen, 
Paso  Robles;  P.  B.  Loewen,  Albany; 
Allen  Tschiegg,  Pratum. 

Recommendations  presented  by 
the  Christian  Service  Committee 
and  adopted  by  the  delegates  cpv- 
ered  the  area  of  racial  discrimina- 
tion against  minorities.  It  was  ire- 
solved  that  the  Conference  and  the 
members  of  our  churches  send  let- 


ters to  President  Eisenhower  and  to 
Martin  Luther  King  commending 
the  former  for  his  concern  and 
leadership  in  preserving  the  rights 
of  Negroes,  and  the  latter  for  his 
dependence  on  prayer  and  non- 
violence amidst  suffering  and  injus- 
tice. 

Individual  churches  were  also 
challenged  to  include  minorities  in 
local  church  programs.  Marvin  Lin- 
scheid,  member  of  this  committee, 
gave  an  interesting  report  on  the 
conditions  in  the  Mennonite  colony 
near  Cuauhtemoc,  Mexico.  The  Lin- 
scheids  visited  this  colony  prior  to 
the  conference. 

An  innovation  in  the  conference 
program  introduced  by  the  Program 
Committee  was  an  informal  time  of 
discussion.  Six  different  groups  dis- 
cussed the  messages  by  Jacob  Enz 
and  the  work  of  our  Conference. 
Numerous  people  considered  this 
sharing  of  ideas  as  beneficial. 

After  having  given  approximately 
$13,000  for  Conference  work  during 
the  fiscal  year,  churches  gave  a 
total  of  $213.27  through  their  dele- 
gates at  the  one  conference  offering. 

For  its  next  annual  session  the 
delegates  accepted  the  invitation  of 
the  Immanuel  Mennonite  Church  at 
Downey,  Calif. 

Upon  departure,  delegates  and 
guests  expressed  the  encouragement 
and  inspiration  which  the  confer- 
ence sessions  imparted. 

— Lyman  K.  Hofstetter 


Calvary  Mennonite  Church,  Barlow. 


July  21,  1959 


437 


The 

Most 

Serious 

Task 


Norman  Bartel 


During  the  infant  years  of  our 
church  God  challenged  us  to 
do  something  about  the  spiritual 
needs  of  the  Cheyenne  Indians.  This 
was  our  first  avenue  of  outreach. 

From  this  initial  entering  into 
missionary  activity,  God  has  led  us 
step  by  step  so  that  witness  posts 
of  His  eternal  salvation  are  now  to 
be  found  throughout  the  world. 

' In  seeking  to  obey  the  Lord’s 
commission  of  reaching  the  world, 
we  have  increasingly  tended  to  set 
our  field  of  view  only  on  distant 

438 


souls,  neglecting  our  continued  min- 
istry to  those  in  our  own  country. 
So  it  is  entirely  in  place  that  we  be 
challenged  anew  to  the  original  task 
of  reaching  the  American  Indians 
so  that  they  too  might  share  in  His 
bountiful  provisions. 

In  considering  the  results  of  past 
efforts  we  see  a host  of  those  who 
have  heeded  Christ’s  call  to  salva- 
tion. As  the  years  have  passed 
some  have  fallen  by  the  wayside 
but  others  have  become  established 
in  the  faith.  For  these  trophies  of 
grace  we  must  pause  to  give  thanks 
and  praise  to  the  Father. 

Before  we  exalt  achievements  too 
greatly,  however,  let  us  survey  the 
present  situation  and  become  aware 
of  its  evident  needs.  One  does  not 
have  to  delve  too  deeply  into  the 
missionary  program  before  one  re- 
alizes the  potential  and  is  chal- 
lenged to  carry  out  the  Lord’s  com- 
mission to  preach.  It  is  our  obliga- 
tion to  rise  up  and  see  the  needs 
which  exist  in  our  immediate  sur- 
roundings, to  awaken  to  the  tasks 
that  are  ours,  and  see  them  through 
to  completion. 

ONE  of  the  most  challenging 
needs  evident  in  the  lives  of 
those  of  us  living  in  the  immediate 
area  of  the  mission  stations  is  that 
of  learning  to  understand  the  Chey- 
enne Indian.  So  many  of  us  have 
considered  him  as  being  “just  an 
Indian.’’  If  we  have  dealt  wrongly 
with  him  we  seek  to  justify  our- 
selves by  placing  him  on  a lower 
level  of  importance  than  ourselves. 

Such  an  attitude  is  all  too  com- 
mon throughout  the  communities  of 
the  nation.  This  is  the  voice  of  evil, 
unrighteousness,  of  Satan  himself. 

On  the  other  hand,  God  calls  us 
to  an  attitude  of  understanding  and 
unless  we  seek  to  understand  our 
Indian  brothers  from  God’s  point  of 
view  we  have  failed  to  see  one  of 
the  bases  of  missionary  endeavors. 

God  would  have  us  realize  that 
we  are  dealing  with  people  who 
possess  a culture,  language,  habits, 
and  customs  vastly  different  from 
our  own.  Theirs  are  personalities 
with  God-given  souls  of  equal  value 
to  our  own.  They,  like  us,  need  to 
accept  Christ’s  offer  of  redemption 
and  have  their  spiritual  potentials 
developed. 

This  is  a perpetual  challenge  that 
faces  us.  Only  when  we  know  this 
will  we  be  prepared  to  lead  them 


on  to  a personal  knowledge  of 
Christ. 

A second  evident  need  found  in 
many  of  our  circles  is  the  miscon- 
ception that  missions  is  something 
foreign.  Whenever  missionary  work 
is  being  carried  on,  it  needs  an  in- 
creasing number  of  intercessors — 
people  who  with  the  missionary  will 
grapple  with  the  problems  on  their 
knees  before  God.  We  as  mission- 
aries are  dependent  upon  your 
prayerful  interest  for  we  know  that 
each  new  believer  is  direct  answer 
to  prayer. 

Similarly,  the  active  support  of 
mission  work  wiU  mean  that  each 
church  member  give  financially  in 
a sacrificicQ  manner.  The  neglect  of 
the  giving  of  our  God-given  means 
could  bring  missions  to  a standstill. 

Let  us  consider  two  of  the  many 
needs  existing  on  the  part  of 
the  Indians  themselves.  Our  con- 
cern for  them,  next  to  that  of  ac- 
cepting Christ  as  their  Saviour,  is 
that  they  realize  the  true  Christian 
standard  of  morality.  The  Christian 
background  that  we  have  built  upon 
is  unknown  to  most  Indian  converts 
and  as  a result  the  lines  distinguish- 
ing the  righteous  from  the  ungodly 
grow  alarmingly  dim.  They  must 
realize  that  the  ways  of  darkness 
and  sin  cannot  be  amalgamated 
with  the  Christian  life,  and  of  neces- 
sity they  must  “lay  aside  every 
weight  and  sin’’  and  thereby  become 
established  in  the  faith. 

The  second  point  of  concern  that 
I would  like  to  mention  on  the  part 
of  the  Indian  congregations  is  that 
presented  by  the  children  and  young 
people.  The  future  of  this  work  lies 
in  the  faithfulness  of  these  genera- 
tions. 

It  is  only  as  these  children  are 
instructed  in  the  Word  at  home,  as 
well  as  in  church,  that  we  can  look 
forward  to  the  progressive  Indian 
church  of  tomorrow.  The  young  peo- 
ple need  to  be  encouraged  to  take 
advantage  of  every  opportunity  to 
prepare  themselves  in  our  schools 
and  colleges  for  devoted  lives  of 
service  to  God  and  mankind. 

Missions  is  the  most  serious  task 
in  the  world!  The  needs  I have 
mentioned  are  only  few  and  brief, 
but  they  are  most  important  to  the 
success  of  the  work.  We  cannot 
neglect  these  concerns.  This  is  the 
challenge  and  it  needs  only  to  be 
applied  to  our  hearts. 

THE  MENNONITE 


Our  responsibility  toward 

Korean  Children 


The  motor  droned  monotonously 
as  a Northwest  Airlines  plaine 
winged  its  way  over  the  Pacific.  To 
Arlene  Zimmerman,  an  MCC  nurse 
from  the  Pusan  Charity  Children 
Hospital,  the  journey  seemed  inter- 
minably long.  She  bent  anxiously 
over  the  five  months  old,  critically 
ill  infant  in  her  arms.  Would  it 
survive  the  two-day  flight  from  Se- 
oul to  Milwaukee?  Her  glance  shift- 
ed to  the  four  other  youngsters  in 
her  charge.  Obviously  healthy  and 
almost  too  energetic,  they  seemed 
unaware  of  the  drastic  change  a- 
bout  to  occur  in  their  lives. 

In  America  five  families  were 
waiting  eagerly  for  the  plane’s  ar- 
rival which  would  bring  an  adopted 
Korean  child  to  each  of  their  homes. 

On  April  21  a relieved  Arlene 
stepped  off  the  plane  in  New  York 
City.  Her  Little  charges,  sick  baby 
and  all,  were  safely  delivered  into 
the  hands  of  the  new  parents. 

WITHIN  the  last  two  or  three 
years  approximately  1500  Ko- 
rean children  have  found  homes  in 
the  US  in  this  manner.  Most  of 


them  are  mixed-blood  babies,  the 
unwanted  and  frequently  mistreat- 
ed offspring  of  Korean  mothers  and 
foreign  fathers.  The  problem  is 
the  result  of  UN  troops  stationed 
in  Korea.  The  greatest  percentage 
of  men  in  the  international  force 
is  American,  which  possibly  explains 
why  America  has  taken  the  first 
steps  in  assuming  responsibility  for 
these  unfortunate  children.  An  act 
of  Congress  permits  orphans  and 
abandoned  children  from  Korea  to 
be  admitted  to  the  US  on  a non 
quota  basis,  provided  an  authorized 
agency  handles  the  adoption  and 
immigration  procedure. 

This  procedure  is  not  difficult. 
When  it  becomes  apparent  that  a 
baby  has  mixed  blood,  it  is  referred 
to  a Korean  adoption  agency.  In 
America  similar  agencies  work  with 
interested  families  and  an  attempt 
is  made  to  match  child  and  family 
to  some  extent. 

Because  a minimum  of  red  tape 
is  involved,  people  find  it  simpler 
to  adopt  a Korean  youngster  than 
an  American  child.  Requests  are  so 
numerous  that  there  is  a waiting 


list  of  prospective  parents.  There 
are  also  many  full-blooded  Korean 
children  waiting  for  a home,  but 
so  far  there  have  been  few  requests 
for  these. 

Northwest  Airlines  brings  the 
children  to  America  in  groups  of 
five,  about  one  group  each  week. 
The  company  deserves  a word  of 
commendation  for  its  strong  sup- 
port of  this  charitable  project. 
Adopting  families  pay  half  fare 
for  the  children’s  flight  but  each 
child  gets  an  individual  seat.  Each 
group  of  five  is  under  the  super- 
vision of  an  escort.  In  selecting  es- 
corts NWA  chooses  responsible,  non- 
salaried  women,  provides  them  with 
free  passage  and  pays  them  a small 
wage. 

The  problem  of  abandoned  chil- 
dren is  not  diminishing  in  Ko- 
rea. It  may  seem  completely  heart- 
less for  someone  simply  to  place  a 
baby  on  the  street  to  die,  but  relief 
workers  living  close  to  the  people 
find  this  is  often  a desperate  moth- 
er’s last  resort.  'The  Korean  soldier 
gets  no  support  for  his  family,  so 
his  wife  must  work.  When  a new 
baby  comes,  her  employer  might 
say,  “Either  the  baby  goes,  or  you 
go.”  So  she  abandons  her  baby. 

Or  the  mother  dies  at  childbirth 
(the  maternal  mortality  rate  in  Ko- 
rea is  extremely  high),  leaving  a 
newborn  infant  and  other  young 
children  behind.  If  the  father  is  a 
soldier  he  is  powerless  to  provide 
for  his  family,  and  relatives  are 
often  too  poor  to  help.  Since  no  one 
else  feels  obligated  to  look  after 
the  hapless  youngsters  they  are  left 
to  fend  for  themselves.  At  the  Pu- 
san hospital  alone,  30  to  40  aban- 
doned children  are  admitted  each 
month. 

And  what  happens  to  them  after 
they  are  brought  to  the  hospital? 
If  they  are  in  reasonably  good 
health  they  are  taken  to  one  of  the 
numerous  orphanages  where  they 
will  at  least  get  food  and  shelter. 

The  Korean  government  has  re- 
cently begun  clamping  down  on  the 
orphanage  directors,  making  it  a 
criminal  offence  to  sell  donated 
food  and  clothing.  Similarly  it  has 
declared  the  abandoning  of  children 
a crime  punishable  by  law.  But  un- 
less the  underlying  causes  for  these 
transgressions  can  be  removed,  it 
will  be  difficult  to  bring  about  any 
significant  improvement. 


July  21,  1959 


439 


Mennonite  men 


Conference  Activities  Planned 


The  officers  of  Mennonite  Men 
of  the  General  Conference  have 
arranged  a number  of  activities  and 
programs  in  connection  with  the 
sessions  of  the  General  Conference 
at  Bluffton. 

They  have  arranged  to  have  lay- 
men in  charge  of  early  morning 
pre-session  prayer  groups,  meeting 
for  approximately  one-half  hour  of 
prayer  and  meditation  before  the 
conference  sessions  open  in  the 
morning.  Maurice  Stahly,  chairman 
of  the  Central  District  Mennonite 
Men,  is  arranging  the  details  for 
these  prayer  groups. 

The  men  will  have  two  general 
sessions  to  present  reports  and  take 
care  of  business  affairs:  Friday 

afternoon  1:30  to  4:30  and  Tuesday 
forenoon  9:00  to  12:00. 


Among  items  on  the  agenda  will 
be  reports  of  Boys’  League,  Para- 
guay Roadway,  presentation  of  the 
proposed  constitution,  election  of 
vice  president  and  secretary-treasur- 
er. A panel  composed  of  the  presi- 
dents of  the  various  District  Confer- 
ence men’s  organizations  will  dis- 
cuss men’s  work.  There  will  be 
some  inspirational  messages. 

Tuesday  evening  the  men  will 
co-operate  with  the  Women’s  Mis- 
sionary Association  in  a joint  public 
meeting.  The  women  will  be  pri- 
marily responsible  for  the  program 
and  the  men  will  serve  as  ushers. 
Special  music  will  be  presented  by 
the  men’s  chorus  from  First  Men- 
nonite Church  in  Berne,  Ind. 

A chicken  barbecue  to  be  held  at 
5:30  on  Tuesday  evening  will  high- 


The Secretary  Reports 


In  1956  Mennonite  Men  at  Winni- 
peg decided  to  put  a strong  shoulder 
to  the  wheel  and  get  down  to  the 
business  of  pushing  all  the  work  of 
the  church. 

Perhaps  laymen  are  most  at  home 
when  they  talk  about  money.  Any- 
way their  first  objective  was  to  pro- 
mote generous  giving  toward  the 
program  of  the  Conference  boards. 
The  skeptics  may  have  thought  this 
was  just  so  much  nice  talk.  Maybe 
it  was. 

In  any  case  by  December  of  1956 
the  total  giving  had  gone  up  $44,892 
above  the  previous  year.  By  the  end 
of  1957  it  had  gone  up  another 
$68,852. 

Then  came  1958,  a year  of  finan- 
ciai  stress.  Many  churches  had  their 
own  building  program.  The  semi- 
nary was  being  built  in  Elkhart. 
The  colleges  were  adding  buildings. 
According  to  every  rule  in  the  book 
this  would  be  a bad  year  for  the 
Conference  boards. 


What  happened?  In  1958  all  pre- 
vious records  were  broken!  A total 
of  $857,836  was  given — $5,112  more 
than  in  1957  and  $118,856  more  than 
in  1955. 

Mennonite  Men  at  Winnipeg  did 
some  big  thinking  on  other  mat- 
ters, too.  The  results  are  not  as 
easily  measured.  'They  wanted  to 
participate  more  effectively  in  evan- 
gelistic effort.  They  hoped  that  more 
churches  would  organize  men’s 
groups  so  that  the  unique  abilities 
of  men  might  be  harnessed  for  the 
Lord’s  work  much  as  the  special 
abilities  of  women  were  being  used 
mightily  through  women’s  mission- 
ary societies.  A number  of  churches 
organized  such  groups. 

A major  project  continues  to  be 
the  development  of  Boys  Leagues 
in  local  churches.  In  1955  there  were 
only  two  or  three  “pilot”  units.  By 
the  end  of  1958  some  fifteen  had 
been  organized.  Adequate  promotion 


light  the  activities  of  Mennonite 
Men  at  the  conference.  (See  Confer- 
ence Notes  on  page  448.) 

J.  Winfield  Fretz,  who  recently 
returned  from  a year  of  study  in 
South  America,  will  speak  at  this 
time.  His  subject  will  be:  “Let’s 
Drive  to  Paraguay.”  Harry  Harder, 
who  was  in  charge  of  the  road 
building  project  in  Paraguay  for 
some  time,  has  been  asked  to  re- 
mark on  his  experiences. 

From  all  indications,  the  oncom- 
ing conference  looms  as  a mountain 
top  experience  for  all  those  plan- 
ning to  be  present.  Laymen  especial- 
ly need  the  spiritual  inspiration, 
fellowship,  and  information  that 
the  conference  will  give  those  who 
attend. 

It  would  be  well  if  a large  por- 
tion of  local  Mennonite  Men’s 
groups  were  represented  at  the  busi- 
ness sessions  to  encourage  not  only 
the  Men’s  work  but  the  total  work 
of  the  Conference. 


and  guidance  still  needs  to  be  devel- 
oped. 

More  adequate  remuneration  of 
Conference  workers  and  ministers 
was  another  burden  of  the  men  at 
Winnipeg.  Substantial  gains  have 
been  made.  In  at  least  one  district 
conference  a special  study  of  min- 
isters’ salaries  was  distributed  at 
the  men’s  meeting  to  the  end  that 
the  plight  of  ministers  might  be 
brought  to  the  attention  of  the  men. 

Mennonite  Men  at  Winnipeg  did 
not  consider  fund  raising  for  “spe- 
cial funds”  to  be  their  primary  ob- 
jective. Nevertheless  they  decided 
to  raise  $17,000  to  help  build  the 
Trans-Chaco  road  in  Paraguay.  The 
roadway  is  now  under  constixiction. 
By  the  end  of  the  second  year,  how- 
ever, only  about  one  third  of  the 
money  had  been  raised.  This  project 
needs  to  be  continued. 


Editor:  Richard  F.  Graber,  Moundridge,  Kan. 


440 


THE  MENNONITE 


i: 


Mennonite  yo 


story  of  a workcamp 

Bertha  Hartzler 


\ 

i 

' T T might  seem  strange  to  some 
I X people  that  a group  from  Penn- 
j sylvania  would  want  to  travel  all 
i the  way  to  New  York  state  just  to 
■ paint  a fence  and  clean  a barn.  But 
that  is  only  half  the  story. 

Our  unit  at  Wiltwyck  School  for 
Boys  is  many  miles  from  a Men- 
nonite community  so  each  oppor- 
tunity of  fellowshiping  with  Men- 
nonites  is  looked  forward  to. 

Thus  it  happened  that  one  Satur- 
day at  3:15  a.m.  a group  of  VSers 
from  Mennonite  Central  Committee 
headquarters,  six  staff  members 
and  two  guests,  piled  into  two  cars 
and  a station  wagon  and  headed 
for  Wiltwyck  in  Esopus,  New  York. 
We  went  along  smoothly  and  New 
York  City  was  in  sight  when  one 
of  the  cars  started  making  a racket. 
Paul’s  car  had  blown  a spark  plug! 

We  located  a service  station  but 
our  troubles  weren’t  over,  for  at  this 
point  the  brakes  on  John’s  car 
gave  out.  It  was  only  7:30  in  the 
mioming  and  most  garages  weren’t 
open,  so  we  drove  on  with  John 
reljdng  on  his  hand  brakes. 

The  story  continues  in  a similar 


vein  until  we  finally  arrived  at 
Wiltwyck  at  10:30  a.m.,  having  orig- 
inally planned  to  arrive  at  8:30. 

The  girls  were  given  the  job  of 
painting  a white  picket  fence  in 
front  of  the  main  buildings  and  two 
small  rooms  in  the  activity  office. 
Equipped  with  paint  brushes,  paint, 
and  old  shirts  for  protection,  we 
got  to  work.  The  little  boys  had  all 
sorts  of  questions  to  ask.  One  fel- 
low wanted  to  know  how  much  we 
were  getting  for  painting  the  fence. 
We  told  him,  “Nothing.  We’re  doing 
it  because  we  want  you  to  have  a 
nice  white  fence.’’ 

Then  we  were  ‘Sams’  to  them  be- 
cause at  Wiltwyck  anyone  who 
works  for  nothing  is  a ‘Sam.’ 

The  fellows  in  our  group  were 
assigned  to  cleaning  up  a storeroom 
in  the  “castle.”  There  was  a pile  of 
army  surplus  mattresses,  pillows, 
and  clothing  that  needed  to  be  sort- 
ed. With  feathers  and  dust  flying 
the  boys  started  in,  assisted  by  the 
two  fellows  of  the  Wiltwyck  VS 
unit. 

We  worked  all  day  and  got  quite 
a lot  done,  although  we  could  have 


been  kept  busy  for  several  more 
days.  Dinner  and  supper  with  the 
school  boys  in  the  dining  room  was 
a pleasant  diversion. 

After  supper  we  returned  to  the 
staff  quarters  to  get  ready  for  a 
hike.  The  climb  up  the  trail  was 
strenuous  after  a hard  day’s  work, 
but  in  another  way  it  was  relaxing. 
Watching  the  rushing  waterfalls  we 
were  made  conscious  of  the  marvel- 
ous handiwork  of  God.  Every  sum- 
mer the  boys  from  the  school  come 
up  here  for  a few  days  of  camping. 

We  had  a short  devotional  period 
followed  by  a marshmallow  roast. 
The  Wiltwyck  VSers  had  made  some 
grape  punch  and  brought  it  along. 
The  water  at  Wiltwyck  has  sulphur 
in  it  and  tastes  horrible  until  you 
get  used  to  it,  but  with  the  grape 
flavor  it  wasn’t  too  bad. 

We  didn’t  tarry  long  around  the 
campfire  because  we  were  tired  and 
it  had  been  a full  day.  We  spent 
the  night  with  the  Society  of  Broth- 
ers in  Rifton,  N.  Y.  They  were  very 
friendly  and  accommodating  to  us. 
Before  we  retired  they  served  us 


July  21,  1959 


441 


apple  juice  and  cookies.  We  were 
then  shown  to  our  rooms  and  made 
comfortable  for  the  night.  At  7:00 
the  next  morning  we  were  served 
a delicious  breakfast  of  scrambled 
eggs  and  coffee  cake.  We  were  im- 
pressed with  the  simplicity  of  this 
community  of  Brothers.  There  is 
nothing  fancy  or  unnecessary  in 
their  manner  of  dress  or  in  their 
room  furnishings. 

Sunday  was  spent  in  general 
sightseeing  in  New  York  City.  We 
attended  a church  service  at  the 


What  does  it  feel  like  when 


House  of  Friendship.  After  church 
we  drove  to  the  United  Nations 
building,  parked  our  car,  and  gath- 
ered at  a Horn  and  Hardart  cafe- 
teria for  dinner.  One  carload  lost 
its  way  so  we  got  behind  schedule. 

After  dinner  we  toured  the  Unit- 
ed Nations  building  and  Rockefeller 
Center.  Our  schedule  didn’t  permit 
any  more  sightseeing  so  we  drove 
to  the  Lancaster  Conference  Volun- 
tary Service  unit  house  and  ate 
supper  with  the  VSers  there.  We 
were  glad  for  the  opportunity  to 


your  term  is  over? 


Reflections  on  Vietnam 

By  Phyllis  Bixler 


Margaret  Janzen  leaned  against 
the  rail  of  the  ship  and  watched  the 
Vietnam  coastline  pull  away  from 
her.  The  busy  wharved  habor  be- 
came smaller  and  she  could  see 
only  the  outline  of  bamboo  for- 
ested countryside  that  had  been  her 
home  for  three  years. 

She  remembered  the  day  when 
she  had  arrived  in  Vietnam,  a reg- 
istered nurse  eager  to  begin  her 
service  to  the  needy  Vietnamese 
tribes  people. 

As  she  drove  through  the  streets 
of  the  city,  the  unbelievable  mass 
of  people  made  traffic  thick,  slow, 
disorganized.  The  many  bicycle  rid- 
ers and  pedestrians  seemed  to  trav- 
el as  fast  as  the  cars. 

Driving  through  the  country  of 
the  Raday  tribes  to  the  house  of 
the  Mennonite  Central  Committee, 
Margaret  obtained  a first  glimpse 
of  people  with  whom  she  would  be 
working.  The  men  and  women  wore 
brightly  colored  clothes.  Children 
played  with  cows,  chickens,  and 
pigs  around  and  under  thatched 
roofed  bamboo  houses  on  long 
poles. 

Margaret  began  to  learn  the  size 
of  her  task  when  she  first  visited 
the  Christian  and  Missionary  Al- 
liance Leprosarium  where  she  would 
work.  This  hospital  was  (and  still 
is)  the  only  leprosarium  for  the 
1,200,000  tribes  people  in  Vietnam, 


a country  where  leprosy  is  common 
and  only  a small  fraction  of  the 
lepers  are  under  treatment.  Ex- 
cept for  a small  government  hos- 
pital in  Banmethuot  the  CMA  hos- 
pital is  the  only  place  in  the  area 
where  people  could  go  when  suf- 
fering from  malaria,  respiratory  in- 
fections, parasitic  infections,  and 
the  many  other  illnesses  so  prev- 
alent in  this  tropical  country. 

First  contacts  with  the  people 
were  frustrating.  No  matter  how 
much  study  one  gave  to  the  special 
terms  and  phrases  needed  when 
dealing  with  patients,  it  took  a lot 
of  effort  to  understand  the  lan- 
guage. 

Then,  too,  the  strange  ways  of 
these  people  were  puzzling  and  dif- 
ficult to  understand.  Most  of  the 
tribes  people  believe  disease  is 
caused  by  evil  spirits  that  must  be 
placated  by  sacrifices.  It  is  difficult 
to  impress  upon  such  people  the 
importance  of  boiling  any  water 
used  for  drinking.  Due  to  such  ig- 
norance, patients  are  often  brought 
for  help  too  late  to  be  helped  by 
treatment.  When  treatment  is  pos- 
sible, there  is  the  problem  of  teach- 
ing people  who  cannot  read,  who 
have  no  clocks,  who  don’t  even  know 
the  days  of  the  week,  to  take  their 
medicine  on  time. 

But  it  was  encouraging  to  see 
improvement  in  the  villages  where 


visit  and  learn  to  know  them. 

We  bade  feirewell  and  started  on 
our  homewcird  journey.  But  the  ex- 
citement wasn’t  quite  over.  When 
we  were  almost  through  the  Hol- 
land Tunnel,  a tire  on  one  of  the 
cars  went  flat.  We  were  fortunate 
it  didn’t  happen  in  the  middle  of 
the  tunnel! 

In  spite  of  all  the  setbacks  and 
difficulties  we  had  encountered,  we 
agreed  that  it  had  been  well  worth 
it.  It  had  been  an  opportunity  to 
show  love  in  action. 


the  hospital  had  had  prolonged  con- 
tact. As  the  people  began  to  under- 
stand the  work  of  the  doctors  and 
nurses,  they  brought  in  patients 
sooner  and  were  more  willing  to 
cooperate  with  the  hospital  in  treat- 
ment. 

Margaret  remembered  the  five- 
day-old  baby  brought  in  by  a vil- 
lage family.  The  mother  had  died 
during  childbirth.  Since  the  people 
don’t  know  how  to  prepare  milk 
and  food  for  such  babies,  they  have 
little  chance  of  survival.  For  a 
week  the  family  was  taught  how 
to  keep  their  own  hands  clean, 
how  to  wash  the  bottle  and  steri- 
lize it  and  how  important  is  the  ; 
use  of  sterile  water.  First  they  ob- 
served, then  they  tried  it  them- 
selves. With  many  apprehensions, 
the  baby  and  family  were  finally 
sent  home  with  powdered  milk  and 
other  necessities.  A week  later 
they  returned  for  more  supplies,  j 
proudly  displaying  a healthy  baby 
that  had  gained  eight  ounces. 

Though  the  main  purpose  of  the 
CMA  hospital  was  treatment  of  lep- 
rosy patients,  general  medical  needs 
of  the  tribes  people  were  so  great 
that  members  of  the  staff  held  reg-  I 
ular  clinics  in  the  outl3dng  villages  ' 
and  a daily  clinic  at  the  base. 

But  there  was  a great  need  for  ' 
hospital  facilities  for  those  who 
need  more  consteint  care  and  rest. 


442 


THE  MENNONITE 


Tuberculosis,  a very  common  dis- 
ease, is  best  cured  by  bed  rest.  Be- 
cause of  the  lack  of  bed  space,  pa- 
tients had  to  struggle  along  with 
the  drugs  given  them  to  take  at 
home.  If  regular  injections  were 
needed  the  patient’s  bicycling  miles 
to  the  compound  for  the  injection 
I sometimes  undid  much  of  the  good 
the  dnig  could  accomplish, 
i To  meet  this  need,  an  eighteen- 
bed  hospital  was  built  by  Paxmen 
with  Vietnamese  helpers,  financed 
by  MCC.  In  the  hospital,  the  nurses 
f can  make  sure  the  patients  who 
need  special  care  are  on  bed  rest, 
are  getting  their  daily  drugs  and 
injections  and  are  away  from  peo- 
ple they  can  infect.  The  hospital 
also  provides  a place  for  training 


The  spotlight  is  on  youth.  The 
attention  which  civic  and  church 
authorities  are  giving  to  the  teen- 
agers of  our  continent  is  unprece- 
dented at  least  in  theory. 

We  believe  that  this  attention  can 
first  cind  best  be  given  in  a deep 
evangelistic  concern.  For  this  rea- 
son the  General  Conference  Menno- 
nite  Church  held  a major  study  con- 
ference on  evangelism  during  the 
last  triennium.  For  this  reason  the 
Young  People’s  Union  has  chosen 
a related  theme  for  the  YPU  re- 
treat at  Camp  Friedenswald,  Aug. 
5-12. 

No  theme  could  have  been  more 
vital  for  our  consideration  for  sev- 
eral reasons:  we  are  not  known 

as  a strongly  evangelistic  church; 
we  are  not  doing  our  best  in  win- 
ning our  own  youth;  we  are  not 
doing  our  share  in  reaching  North 
America’s  vast  unevangelized  grow- 
ing edge. 

Flirthermore,  no  theme  could 


native  clinic  helpers  in  bedside  nurs- 
ing. 

During  her  stay,  Margaret  had 
seen  the  leprosarium  program  grow. 
The  positive  aspects  of  this  serv- 
ice had  been  shown  to  her  more 
clearly  during  an  incident  of  several 
weeks  ago  when  she  visited  one  of 
the  segregation  villages.  These  seg- 
regation villages  had  been  set  up 
for  those  patients  whose  condition 
is  such  that  they  can  provide  a liv- 
ing for  themselves  and  have  their 
families  with  them.  On  this  partic- 
ular visit,  the  lepers  of  the  village 
held  a “chun”  for  the  hospital  work- 
ers, a meeting  at  which  they  could 
visit  and  express  thanks. 

The  chief  of  the  village  spoke  of 
the  former  lot  of  the  leprous  vil- 


have been  more  difficult.  Because 
we  have  a weak  evangelistic  tradi- 
tion, one  of  the  first  things  we  will 
be  admitting  at  retreat  is  that  we 
will  be  preaching  about  what  we 
have  not  adequately  practiced. 

It  is  for  these  reasons  that  much 
thought  and  prayer,  much  self- 
searching and  penitence  go  into  the 
preparation  for  our  retreat.  Our  in- 
volvement must  be  personal,  com- 
plete, and  wholehearted.  We  must 
come  prepared  to  think  but  also  to 
discuss  and  to  act.  We  must  be 
keen  to  theorize  but  also  dedicated 
to  practice. 

Five  morning  sessions,  specifical- 
ly will  deal  with  the  over-all  topic 


lagers.  There  was  no  one  to  help 
them  with  their  illness,  and  because 
of  it  they  were  shunned  and  driven 
from  the  village  into  the  fields  to 
live.  But  now,  many  of  them  could 
live  in  their  own  villages,  most  of 
them  with  their  families.  The  vil- 
lagers felt  that  these  workers  loved 
them  as  brothers  and  had  come  to 
fellowship  with  them.  Margaret  had 
been  moved  by  this  expression  from 
people  not  given  to  stating  their 
feelings. 

Margaret  could  barely  see  the 
coast  line  as  she  gazed  over  the  ex- 
panse of  blue  water.  She  would  miss 
the  jungle  villages  with  their  grate- 
ful inhabitants,  but  she  thanked 
God  for  the  privilege  of  serving 
these  people  for  three  years. 


“Evangelism  and  Youth.”  There  will 
be  a presentation  of  the  topic  for 
the  morning  group  searching  and 
discussion  will  follow. 

Subjects  for  the  individual  ses- 
sions will  cover  the  task  of  evange- 
lism, the  message  of  evangelism,  to- 
day’s teen-ager  whom  we  are  try- 
ing to  reach,  a program  of  evange- 
lism, and  the  response  to  the  evan- 
gelistic challenge. 

Young  people  attending  the  re- 
treat should  come  prepared  to  share 
their  experiences  and  concerns,  but 
also  to  give  themselves  to  personal 
probing  and  heart-seairching.  We 
suggest  repeated  reading  and  study 
of  John  chapter  21  and  daily  inter- 
cession in  preparation  for  the  days 
of  retreat. 

Remember,  “There  are  only  two 
things  you  can  do  with  the  Chris- 
tian faith:  give  it  away,  or  give  it 
up.” 

— Frank  Epp 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People's  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  722 
Main  Street,  Newton,  Kansas. 


Registration  For  YPU  Retreat 

Please  register  me  for  the  Young  People’s  Union  retreat  August  5-12 
at  Camp  Friedenswald. 

NAME 

ADDRESS 

I plan  to  arrive  (date) by  car  Q train  □ bus  □ plane  □ 

Send  your  retreat  application  blanks  to  Dan  Graber,  Bt.  1,  Goshen,  Ind. 

July  21,  1959 


Looking  forward  to  the  TPU  retreat 

Evangelism  and  Youth 


443 


our  schools 

PRESIDENT  WEDEL  RESIGNS 

The  resignation  of  Dr.  D.  C. 
Wedel  as  president  of  Bethel  Col- 
lege was  announced  by  the  college 
board  of  directors. 

Dr.  Wedel  has  served  as  president 
of  the  college  since  1952.  Effective 
date  of  the  resignation  is  August  1. 

The  resignation  was  accepted  with 
“very  sincere  regrets”  by  the  board 
which  stated  further  that  it  recog- 
nized and  highly  appreciated  Dr. 
Wedel’s  “devoted  and  sacrificial” 
services  during  these  past  seven 
years. 

A review  of  the  Wedel  administra- 
tion indicated  that  total  enrollment 
increased  50  per  cent;  net  worth  of 
the  college  was  increased  by  over 
three-quarter  million  dollars,  which 
includes  the  addition  of  Goering 
Hall  (a  men’s  dormitory),  the  Wom- 
en’s Residence  Hall,  and  the  Kauff- 
man Museum  annex. 

To  meet  the  post-war  rise  in  cost 
of  living  faculty  salaries  were  in- 
creased over  25  per  cent  in  this 
period.  The  new  library  building 
was  completed,  dedicated,  and  oc- 
cupied. 

President  Wedel  has  been  espe- 
cially active  in  the  advancement  of 
co-operative  relationships  in  Kansas 
higher  education.  He  participated 
in  the  founding  of  the  Kansas  Foun- 
dation for  Private  Colleges,  serv- 
ing as  its  president  1955-56,  and  as 
a member  of  the  executive  commit- 
tee almost  continuously. 

He  has  also  served  as  president 
of  the  Kansas  Council  of  Church 
Related  Colleges  1956-57,  and  as  first 
president  in  1957  of  the  Kansas 
Association  of  Junior  and  Senior 
Colleges  and  Universities. 

In  the  organization  of  the  Coun- 
cil Mennonite  and  Affiliated  Col- 
leges of  the  United  States  he  has 
served  as  secretary  and  is  currently 
its  president. 

Locally  Wedel  is  a member  of  the 
Rotary  Club  and  has  served  on  its 
board  of  directors.  He  has  appeared 
frequently  as  speaker  at  clubs  and 
church  organizations  and  participat- 
ed in  leadership  training  institutes 
sponsored  by  the  Council  of  Church- 
es. 

A graduate  of  Bethel  College  and 
Colgate-Rochester  Divinity  School, 
Wedel  served  the  Halstead  Menno- 
nite Church  prior  to  his  appoint- 


ment to  the  Bethel  faculty  in  1946 
in  the  field  of  religious  education. 
He  served  one  year  as  acting  dean 
and  later  one  year  as  acting  presi- 
dent during  the  absence  of  Presi- 
dent E.  G.  Kaufman  in  Egypt.  The 
Iliff  School  of  'Theology,  Denver, 
granted  him  the  Th.D.  degree  in 
1952. 

President  Wedel  had  submitted  an 
earlier  resignation  which  the  board 
did  not  consider  at  that  time.  In 
again  submitting  his  resignation, 
Dr.  Wedel  reasserted  his  faith  in 
the  importance  of  Bethel  College  to 
the  church  and  to  the  community. 

The  college  board  is  taking  steps 
to  fill  the  office  of  the  presidency  on 
a temporary  basis  until  a successor 
has  been  found. 

DEAN’S  LIST  ANNOUNCED 

Dr.  Robert  Kreider,  dean  of 
Bluffton  College,  has  announced  the 
“dean’s  list”  for  the  second  semes- 
ter of  the  1958-59  school  year. 

Students  included  on  this  list  must 
have  completed  12  or  more  hours 
of  work  during  the  semester,  have 
no  incompletes,  have  no  grade  be- 
low B,  at  least  one  third  of  their 
hours  with  a grade  of  A,  and  have 
a good  campus  citizenship  record. 

Five  students  had  a straight  A 
average:  Lucia  Galloway,  Normal, 
111.;  Joan  Reusser,  Williamsport, 
Pa.;  Jerome  Shenk,  Scott,  Ohio; 
Robert  L.  Steiner,  Pandora,  Ohio; 
Eugene  Weber,  Ft.  Jennings,  Ohio. 

Others  are:  Saundra  Berry,  Bluff- 
ton;  Phyllis  Bixler,  Kidron,  Ohio; 
Elizabeth  Clemens,  Sellersville,  Pa.; 
Joyce  Detwiler,  Leetonia,  Ohio; 
Lynda  Dosher,  Congerville,  111; 
Patricia  Gross,  Sugarcreek,  Ohio; 
Judy  Heckel,  Painesville,  Ohio; 
Judith  Hilty,  Bluffton;  Jeannie 
Hughes  Zehr,  Lima,  Ohio;  Kath- 
leen Kindle,  Bluffton;  Sarah  Kratz, 
North  Wales,  Pa.;  Doris  Liechty, 
Berne,  Ind.;  Philip  Locke,  Franklin, 
Ohio;  Barbara  McDowell,  Sugar- 
creek;  James  Mohr,  Quakertown, 
Pa.;  Roberta  Mohr,  Quakertown, 
Pa.;  Edith  Neufeld,  Chicago,  111.; 
Martha  Niggle,  Vermilion,  Ohio; 
Mary  Jane  Rittenhouse,  Souderton, 
Pa.;  Martha  Jo  Ropp,  Lafayette, 
Ohio;  Alton  Shelly,  Quakertown, 
Pa.;  Lois  Shutt,  Baltic,  Ohio;  Sue 
Smith,  Lima;  Marsha  Staley,  Bluff- 
ton; Brema  Stall,  Leipsic,  Ohio; 
Harry  Taylor,  Lakeview,  Ohio;  Mcir- 
ilynn  Weidner  Strayer,  Allentown, 
Pa.;  Nancy  Yoder,  Topeka,  Ind. 


MCC  news  and  notes 

FOOD  FOR  PEACE 

“A  new  fact  of  history  of  which 
full  account  must  now  be  taken  is 
that  because  of  the  increased  pro- 
ductivity made  possible  by  science 
and  technology,  there  is  no  reason 
of  physical  scarcity  for  the  contin- 
ued existence  of  hunger — anywhere 
on  this  earth.” 

This  being  so,  massive  hunger 
and  suffering  from  want  of  cloth- 
ing are  no  longer  tolerable,  morally, 
politically,  or  economically. 

'The  US  Congress,  while  recog- 
nizing the  difficult  political  and  eco- 
nomic problems  that  lie  between 
himger  and  want  of  clothing  in 
many  parts  of  the  world  and  food 
and  fiber  surpluses  in  others,  de- 
clares it  to  be  the  policy  of  the 
United  States  to  move  as  rapidly  as 
possible  in  co-operation  with  other 
friendly  nations  toward  putting  sur- 
pluses of  food  and  fiber  more  effec- 
tively in  the  service  of  human  need. 

’The  Congress  declares  that  the 
agricultural  abundance  of  the  Unit- 
ed States  is  not  an  embarrassment 
but  a blessing  to  be  used  in  the 
service  of  mankind. 

'The  statement  of  purpose  comes 
from  the  preamble  to  the  Interna- 
tional Food  for  Peace  Act,  of  1959, 
a bill  proposed  before  the  US  Sen- 
ate, April  16,  1959,  by  Hon.  Hubert 
H.  Humphrey,  Minnesota  senator. 

The  proposed  bill  is  an  expansion 
of  Public  Law  480  passed  in  1954 
concerning  the  disposal  of  United 
States  surplus  commodities.  Under 
Public  Law  480,  $7%  billion  US 
surplus  has  been  distributed  abroad. 
Surplus  is  made  available  without  . 
charge  (including  ocean  freight  in 
many  cases)  to  the  various  volun- 
tary agencies  for  distribution  re- 
gardless of  race  or  religion.  Since 
1954  the  Mennonite  Central  Com- 
mittee as  one  of  the  voluntary  agen- 
cies has  given  over  $1%  million  US 
government  surplus  to  eleven  for- 
eign countries.  The  major  part  of 
Public  Law  480  will  expire  October 
31,  1959.  If  the  scope  of  such  a pro- 
gram is  to  continue  beyond  this 
year,  the  law  must  be  extended  at 
this  session  of  Congress. 

’The  need  for  expansion  of  Public 
Law  480  was  outlined  in  a speech 
given  by  Senator  Humphrey  when 
he  presented  the  proposed  Food  for 
Peace  Act,  April  16.  He  described  | 


444 


THE  MENNONITE  i 


480  as  “the  beginning  of  a program 
which  truly  makes  sense,  a program 
to  convert  the  abundance  of  our 
farms  and  the  abundance  and  pro- 
ductivity of  our  soil  into  economic 
power  for  our  nation  and  into  uses 
based  on  neighborly  compassion  and 
humanitarianism.” 

The  proposed  International  Food 
for  Peace  Act,  he  continued  “is  de- 
signed to  profit  from  this  limited 
experience,  to  broaden  the  scope  of 
the  program,  to  enlarge  the  activi- 
ties which  are  permissible  under 
the  program,  and  to  put  the  pro- 
gram on  a long  term  basis.” 

The  major  specific  expansions  of 
Public  Law  480  in  the  proposed  bill 
include: 

(1)  Local  currency  sales  of  US 
surplus  agricultural  commodities 
would  be  sold  at  a rate  of  $2  billion 
a year — as  compared  with  $1%  bil- 
lion a year  under  Public  Law  480. 

(2)  Longer  term  programs,  five 
and  ten  year  supply  contracts  for 
US  surplus,  would  be  initiated  to 

1 help  under-developed  countries  sat- 
[ isfy  present  needs  and  to  help  build 
up  and  maintain  food  reserves  for 
countries  whose  food  balance  is  pre- 
carious. 

(3)  Grants  of  US  surplus  food 
would  continue  to  nonprofit  volun- 
tary agencies  for  use  in  the  assist- 
ance of  needy  persons  outside  of  the 
United  States. 

(4)  Local  currencies  obtained 
from  the  sales  of  surplus  agricul- 
tural commodities  would  be  used  to 
buttress  and  extend  activities  of  the 
United  Nations  Special  Fund,  the 
United  Nations  Food  and  Agricul- 
ture Organization,  and  other  inter- 
national social  and  economic  devel- 
opment projects.  Other  uses  would 
be  the  promotion  of  international 
educational  development,  and  health 
and  education;  and  technical  assist- 
ance. Maximum  interest  on  such 
loans  would  be  2%  per  cent. 

(5)  Agreements  would  be  nego- 
tiated with  “friendly  nations”  to 
establish  binational,  nonprofit  foun- 
dations to  foster  and  promote  re- 
search, education,  health  and  pub- 
lic welfare. 

(6)  To  pinpoint  authority  in  car- 
rying out  the  purpose  of  the  bill,  a 
Peace  Food  Administration  would 
be  established  in  the  Executive  Of- 
fice of  the  President,  headed  by  a 
Peace  Food  Administrator. 


jottings 

RELIEF  GOODS  PREPARED 

West  Swamp  Church,  Quakertown, 
Pa.:  The  work  of  our  church  at 
home  and  in  the  conference  has 
been  progressing  during  the  spring 
and  summer  seasons.  On  Mar.  23 
the  a cappella  choir  of  Bluffton 
College  rendered  a fine  program 
which  was  much  appreciated  as  was 
the  fellowship  of  the  choir  mem- 
bers as  they  were  entertained  in 
our  homes.  Harry  Yoder  spent  sev- 
eral days  among  our  members  in 
the  interest  of  Bluffton  College  dur- 
ing May.  Apr.  3-4  our  young  people 
were  hosts  to  the  Young  People’s 
Union  Workshop  held  in  our  church. 
Our  senior  choir  took  part  in  the 
Eastern  District  Choir  Festival  held 
in  the  Souderton  High  School  on 
Apr.  26.  A new  venture  in  music 
in  our  Eastern  District  this  year 
was  the  Junior  Choir  Festival  held 
in  the  Lansdale  Church  May  17. 
This  was  received  with  great  appre- 
ciation by  the  audience.  Members  of 
our  church’s  junior  choir  participat- 
ed. In  two  services  in  May  and  June, 
ten  babies  were  brought  for  conse- 
cration to  God.  Mrs.  Jane  Roth,  a 
member  of  our  church,  died  Mar. 
31  at  the  age  of  88.  Services  were 
held  Apr.  5.  Burial  was  in  our  cem- 
etery. Mrs.  Emma  Rosenberger, 
mother  of  our  pastor,  died  May  31. 
Services  were  held  in  the  Bethany 
Church,  Quakertown,  of  which  she 
was  a member.  Burial  was  in  the 
West  Swamp  cemetery.  She  would 
have  been  84  years  old  June  8.  Fifty- 
seven  Christmas  bundles  were  pre- 
pared and  taken  to  MCC  headqucir- 
ters  recently.  Also  sent  at  this  time 
were  fats  and  used  clothing  for  re- 
lief. Retreat  season  is  here  again 
and  the  Boosters  are  enrolling  those 
who  are  planning  to  attend.  Also 
some  of  our  women  will  be  helping 
in  the  kitchen  at  Men-O-Lan  during 
the  retreats.  Vacation  Bible  school 
will  be  held  July  27  to  Aug.  7.  Vio- 
let Keiser  will  be  the  superintendent 
of  the  Bible  school.  Our  pastor  is 
conducting  an  instruction  class  for 
young  people  in  preparation  for 
church  membership. — Laura  Rosen- 
berger 

FIFTY-FIFTH  CHILDREN’S  DAY 

Bethel  Church,  Hydro,  Okla.: 
A very  nice  Children’s  Day  program 
was  given  Jime  7.  Some  of  our  older 
members  gave  a reminiscence  of 
the  first  Children’s  Day  program  in 
our  church  55  yecirs  ago,  recalling 
the  well  known  “Hallelujah,  Schoe- 
ner  Morgen.”  Hermein  and  Ruth 
Buller  joined  our  church  June  21, 


and  were  given  the  right  hand  of 
fellowship.  A daughter  was  bom  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Floyd  Thiessen  June 
16. — Wilfred  Ewy 

LAY  MINISTER  CONSECRATED 

Buhler  Church,  Buhler,  Kan.: 
On  Mother’s  Day  seven  children 
were  consecrated.  The  following 
Sun.  Holy  Baptism  was  adminis- 
tered to  the  following  thirteen  can- 
didates: Sharell  Ediger,  Verna 

Martens,  Margaret  Redekop,  Sylvia 
Regier,  Arlene  Strausz,  Jim  Buhler, 
Tim  Duerksen,  Bob  Ediger,  Gary 
Gaeddert,  Roger  Nickel,  Darrel 
Schmidt,  John  Senner  and  Larry 
Siemens.  Our  church  and  the  M.  B. 
Church  again  had  a united  Bible 
school  which  was  well  attended  with 
the  exception  of  a few  children  who 
came  down  with  the  measles.  June 
21  was  a very  special  day  for  our 
church  when  our  brother  Curt  Sie- 
mens was  consecrated  into  the  lay 
ministry  of  the  church.  Our  own 
minister,  Irvin  Richert,  with  the 
help  of  Albert  Gaeddert  and  P.  K. 
Regier  took  charge  of  this  service. 
On  the  same  day  the  children  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Buller  held  open 
house  for  their  father  in  memory 
of  his  90th  birthday.  Many  guests 
came  and  all  were  served  a boun- 
teous lunch  in  the  fellowship  hall 
of  the  church.  Uncle  Buller  is  a hap- 
py Christian  gentleman  who  never 
misses  Sunday  school  and  church, 
rain  or  shine.  We  are  so  glad  that 
Mrs.  H.  B.  Buller  and  Mrs.  John 
Nachtigal,  who  had  to  spend  some 
time  in  the  hospital,  are  now  back 
home  and  are  recovering  nicely. 
The  work  of  the  church  is  very  im- 
portant in  these  evil  days,  but  how 
we  need  more  consecrated  sincere 
Christian  men  and  women  who 
stand  firm  and  let  nothing  move 
them  in  carrying  on  the  Lord’s 
work. — Mrs.  N.  D.  Esau 

192  ENROLL  IN  DVBS 

Bethel  College  Church,  N.  New- 
ton, Kan.:  A vacation  church  school 
clinic,  sponsored  by  the  Kansas 
Council  of  Churches  and  a vacation 
Bible  school  workshop  were  held  in 
our  church  March  13  and  April  11, 
respectively.  New  members  were  re- 
ceived into  the  congregation  Easter 
and  Pentecost  Sundays.  Eight  young 
people  were  baptized  and  welcomed 
as  members  into  the  church  fellow- 
ship. Holy  Communion  was  ob- 
served May  31.  A program  of  sacred 
music  was  presented  by  the  Menno- 
nite  Biblical  Seminary  Choir  March 
29.  The  Evangelism  Committee 
planned  the  two  post-Easter  fellow- 
ship meetings  which  were  held  in 
ten  different  homes  on  April  5 and 
19  with  the  purpose  of  deepening 
spiritual  lives  and  fostering  Chris- 


July  21,  1959 


445 


tian  fellowship  among  members  of 
the  congregation.  A children’s  con- 
secration service  was  conducted 
May  10,  and  the  annual  Children’s 
Day  program  and  picnic  were  ob- 
served June  14.  “The  Baptism  of 
John’’  was  the  topic  of  Franklin  H. 
Littell’s  message  presented  in  our 
church,  June  1.  Vacation  Bible 
school,  with  a total  enrollment  of 
192,  was  conducted  in  our  church 
June  1-12.  Good  attendance  and  in- 
terest were  manifested  at  the  Writ- 
ers’ Conference  sponsored  by  the 
Board  of  Education  and  Publication 
held  in  our  church  June  17-19.  Janet 
Soldner,  missionary  on  furlough 
from  South  America,  spoke  to  the 
Women’s  Bible  Class  June  28.  The 
Education  Committee  of  our  church 
is  making  plans  and  securing  teach- 
ers for  the  Wed.  and  Sun.  evening 
children’s  classes  to  be  held  during 
the  fall  and  winter  season. — Corr. 

TROPICAL  BUNDLES  PREPARED 

Hereford  Church,  Bally,  Pa.:  The 
fathers  took  charge  of  the  opening 
exercises  in  our  Sunday  school  on 
Father’s  Day.  The  choir  presented 
a vesper  service  at  our  Home  for 
the  Aged  in  Frederick.  Forty-seven 
tropical  Christmas  bundles  were 
taken  to  Ephrata  by  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Clarence  Cressman  and  Mrs.  Edgar 
C.  Kulp.  The  bundles  were  for  10, 
12,  14,  and  16-yearold  boys.  Sixty- 
four  fathers  and  sons  were  served 
a roast  beef  dinner  June  13.  Carroll 
Parks  of  Allentown  was  the  speak- 
er.— Mae  Latshaw 

into  the  beyond 

Mrs.  Barbara  Basinger,  of  Pan- 
dora, Ohio,  and  the  last  charter 
member  of  the  Grace  Church,  Pan- 
dora, was  born  in  1870  and  died 
May  10,  1959. 

Mary  L.  Rhodes,  of  the  Eastern 
Mennonite  Home,  Souderton,  Pa., 
and  member  of  the  Hereford  Men- 
nonite Church,  Bally,  died  June  23, 
1959,  at  the  age  of  83  years. 

Anna  C.  Latshaw,  of  Bechtels- 
ville.  Pa.,  and  member  of  the  Here- 
ford Mennonite  Church,  was  bom 
September  24,  1902,  and  died  June 
26,  1959. 

Henry  Hans  Harder,  of  Wichita, 
Kan.,  and  member  of  the  Lorraine 
Avenue  Mennonite  Church,  was 
born  July  22,  1891,  and  died  June  25, 
1959. 

Elmer  E.  S.  Johnson,  for  many 
years  pastor  of  the  Hereford  Men- 
nonite Church,  Bally,  Pa.,  was  born 
June  26,  1872,  and  died  May  17,  1959. 


conference  notes 

continued  from  last  page 

DVBS  PLANNED 

According  to  advanced  reports, 
the  Children’s  Committee  planning 
for  the  triennial  meeting  of  the 
General  Conference  Mennonite 
Church  will  be  planning  for  quite 
a large  number  of  children. 

Mrs.  Ralph  Sommer  of  the  Grace 
Mennonite  Church,  Pandora,  is 
chairman  of  the  committee.  She  has 
said  that  plans  have  been  made  for 
all  children  of  parents  who  are  at- 
tending the  conference  sessions. 

A vacation  Bible  school  program 
will  be  carried  on  at  the  First  Men- 
nonite Church  in  the  mornings  from 
9:00  to  11:00  for  children  from  kin- 
dergarten through  sixth  grade. 
Much  of  the  morning  study  will  be 
based  on  the  conference  theme  tak- 
en from  1 Corinthians  3:11,  “Our 
foundation  . . . Jesus  Christ.”  Chil- 
dren will  be  dismissed  at  11:00  a.m. 
so  that  mothers  can  take  the  chil- 
dren to  the  dining  room  to  be  served 
by  11:30. 

In  the  afternoon  there  will  be 
missionary  speakers,  Mennonite 
Central  Committee  films,  tours,  and 
recreation  for  the  ages  kindergar- 
ten through  sixth  grade. 

Two  nursery  groups  have  been 
planned  for  children  under  kinder- 
garten age. 

In  the  evening  there  will  be  one 
nursery  for  small  children  at  Found- 
ers Hall. 

A registration  fee  of  fifty  cents 
for  the  entire  conference  time  will 
be  made  for  all  children  over  three 
years  to  cover  the  cost  of  refresh- 
ments. 

1200  GUESTS  EXPECTED 

The  Food  Service  Committee,  one 
of  the  major  groups  planning  for 
the  triennial  meeting  of  the  General 
Conference  has  announced  that 
plans  to  feed  the  approximately 
1200  guests  have  been  completed. 

Mrs.  Ezra  Moser,  chairman  of  the 
committee,  said  that  a year  ago  (in 
April  1958)  when  the  Central  Dis- 
trict conference  was  held  in  Bluif- 
ton  the  committee  decided  to  try  a 
catering  service  on  an  experimental 
basis.  This  method  proved  so  satis- 
factory that  the  committee  ap- 
proved the  use  of  a catering  service 
for  noon  and  evening  meals  during 


the  nine  days  of  the  conference. 
Lunches  will  be  served  for  $.85  and 
dinners  for  $1.00. 

Food  will  be  served  at  two  differ- 
ent places.  All  regular  meals  will 
be  served  in  the  Ropp  Hall  dining 
room.  A snack  shop  will  be  operat- 
ed in  Lincoln  Hall  lobby. 

For  all  those  rooming  in  the 
dormitories  during  the  conference, 
breakfast  will  be  served  by  Mrs. 
Metta  Dean  at  the  Ropp  Hall  din- 
ing room. 

On  Tuesday  evening,  Aug.  18,  the 
Mennonite  Men’s  barbecue  will  be 
held  in  the  Community  Park  in 
Pandora.  This  will  be  prepared  by 
Harley  Luginbuhl.  A barbecue  for 
the  ladies  will  be  prepared  by  the 
Paul  Emmert  family  at  the  same 
time.  The  place  for  this  is  yet  to 
be  announced. 

TWENTY  IN  WORK  CAMP 

Ten  boys  and  ten  girls  will  spend 
two  weeks  in  the  Teen-age  Work 
Camp  at  Elkhart,  Ind.,  July  25  to 
August  11.  They  will  work  on  the 
campus  of  Mennonite  Biblical  Sem- 
inary, cleaning  the  windows  in  all 
of  the  classrooms,  and  building  side- 
walks and  parking  lots.  Members 
of  the  camp  staff  this  year  will  be 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gerhard  Buhler  of 
Freeman,  S.  D.,  where  Mr.  Buhler 
is  principal  of  Freeman  Academy; 
Nicholas  Dick,  who  graduated  from 
the  seminary  this  year  and  will  be- 
come assistant  pastor  at  the  First 
Mennonite  Church,  Saskatoon, 
Sask.;  and  Doris  Nickel,  nurse,  from 
North  Newton,  Kan. 

At  least  a dozen  more  applica- 
tions were  received  than  the  camp 
is  able  to  accommodate.  If  the  in- 
terest of  the  young  people  contin- 
ues, the  Board  of  Christian  Service 
will  consider  sponsoring  two  work 
camps  next  summer. 

RECORD  ENVELOPES 

A record  for  Sunday  school  class 
giving  can  be  kept  for  a whole 
year  on  the  new  offering  envelopes 
prepared  by  Faith  and  Life  Press, 
Newton,  Kan.  Besides  a record  for 
each  Sunday  of  the  year,  totals  may 
be  recorded  for  each  month,  each 
quarter,  and  for  the  year.  This  kind 
of  bookkeeping  will  encourage 
classes  to  keep  up  and  exceed  past 
records. 

Envelopes  with  tie  string  are  ten 
cents  each  or  $1  a dozen;  without 
the  tie  string,  nine  cents  each  or 
90  cents  a dozen. 


446 


THE  MENNONITE 


STUDY  ON  CAPITAL  PUNISHMENT 

A thorough  study  on  capital  pun- 
ishment has  convinced  John  Howard 
Yoder  of  the  Institute  of  Mennonite 
Studies  that  capital  punishment  is 
unchristian.  The  Peace  and  Social 
Concerns  Committee  of  the  Board 
of  Christian  Service  in  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  Mennonite  Church 
plans  to  study  this  subject  in  an 
effort  to  effect  among  Mennonites 
a concern  about  an  unchristian 
practice  in  so-called  Christian  coun- 
tries. How  can  a Mennonite  who  be- 
lieves in  peace  and  nonviolence  con- 
done murder  even  when  carried  out 
by  the  state? 

A bill  is  to  be  presented  to  the 
Pennsylvania  legislature  which  asks 
for  the  deletion  of  all  references 
to  the  death  penalty,  substituting 
life  imprisonment. 

MTS  TOUR  PLANNED 

Menno  Travel  Service,  a service 
arm  of  the  Mennonite  Church,  is 
arranging  another  tour  especially 
designed  for  ministers,  Bible  teach- 
ers, and  Sunday  school  teachers. 
However,  any  other  interested  in- 
individuals will  not  be  excluded. 

The  tour,  a response  to  numerous 
inquiries  on  the  possibility  of  an- 
other Mennonite  sponsored  tour, 
will  cover  interest  spots  in  Europe 
and  the  Holy  Land. 

Abner  Stoltzfus,  pastor  of  the 
Maple  Grove  Mennonite  Church, 
Atglen,  Pa.,  will  be  the  tour  con- 
ductor. Brother  Stoltzfus  has  pre- 
viously conducted  a similar  tour  and 
has  done  considerable  travel  in  Eu- 
rope and  the  Near  East. 

The  tour  will  leave  N.  Y.  on  Sept. 
31  and  will  return  on  Nov.  9.  The 
total  inclusive  cost  of  the  tour  is 
$1,425.00. 

For  further  information  write  to 
Menno  Travel  Service,  Akron,  Pa., 
or  the  branch  office  nearest  you; 
111  Marilyn  Ave.,  Goshen,  Ind.;  213 
Pine  St.,  Newton,  Kan.;  302  Power 
Building,  Winnipeg  1,  Man. 

PACIFIC  DISTRICT  RESOLUTIONS 

Delegates  attending  the  sessions 
of  the  Pacific  Conference  tabled  till 
next  year  a resolution  calling  for 
the  abolition  of  the  death  penalty. 

The  resolution  asked  that  the  Pa- 
cific District  Conference  and  mem- 
bers of  local  churches  petition  their 
legislative  representatives  to  abolish 
the  death  penalty  on  the  grounds 
that  “the  taking  of  human  life, 
whether  by  means  forbidden  or 
sanctioned  by  society,  usurps  the 


position  which  belongs  to  Almighty 
God  alone.  . . .” 

A second  resolution  opposing  ra- 
cial discrimination  was  passed. 

Affirming  that  “racial  discrimina- 
tion violates  the  unity  which  God 
intends  for  all  men  in  divine  crea- 
tion and  redemption  and  that  it 
blots  our  profession  as  Christians,” 
the  delegates  voted: 

(1)  to  commend  President  Eisen- 
hower for  his  leadership  in  this 
matter,  (2)  to  commend  Martin 
Luther  King  and  his  associates  for 
their  dependence  on  prayer  and  non- 
violence, and  (3)  to  welcome  mem- 
bers of  racial  minorities  into  the 
Conference  churches. 

WITNESS  IN  N.  MANITOBA 

Nine  men,  six  General  Conference 
Mennonites  and  three  Mennonite 
Brethren,  are  spending  several 
months  at  Thompson,  Manitoba,  in 
the  General  Conference  Mennonite 
Summer  Service  program.  An  earn- 
ing project  was  a necessity  for 
these  college,  university,  and  semi- 
nary students,  but  Christian  serv- 
ice was  their  choice. 

Thompson  is  a new  mining  devel- 
opment in  northern  Manitoba.  Re- 
cently a United  Church  was  built  in 
this  isolated  community  and  is 


served  by  a transient  minister.  To 
this  minister  the  nine  volunteers 
were  a godsend,  and  to  the  volun- 
teers this  new  church  offered  an 
opportunity  to  carry  out  their  Chris- 
tian witness.  Here  they  teach  Sun- 
day school,  conduct  boys’  clubs,  and 
take  charge  of  the  church  while  the 
minister  visits  other  isolated  com- 
munities. The  men  have  formed  a 
quartet  which  serves  regularly  in 
the  worship  services.  The  Thompson 
project  is  a typical  example  of  how 
Voluntary  Service  can  be  a spear- 
head for  missions. 

DENVER  1-W’S  CHALLENGED 

Every  1-W  should  have  two  def- 
inite objectives,  according  to  Mr. 
Lail,  director  of  the  Colorado  State 
Selective  Service.  “Every  1-W  is 
expected  to  grow  in  his  Christian 
life,”  said  Mr.  Lail  at  the  monthly 
meeting  of  the  Denver  1-W  unit  in 
June,  and  the  minimum  require- 
ment for  Christian  growth  is  regu- 
lar church  attendance.  Self-disci- 
pline was  the  second  objective  giv- 
en, and  to  achieve  this  goal  Mr.  Lail 
suggested  doing  the  things  we  dis- 
like doing. 

The  Denver  1-W  unit  is  made  up 
of  168  men  working  in  hospitals. 


Someone  has  said,  ‘‘While  we  read  history,  we  make 
history.” 

This  year  as  we  plan  for  a centennial  observance  we 
especially  need  to  be  conscious  of  the  long  road 
travelled  by  others  in  our  history  as  a church. 

Books  to  help  prepare  you  as  a conference  delegate 
or  visitor  are  available  from  your  conference  book- 
stores: 

STORY  OF  THE  MENNONITES— C.  Henry  Smith,  re 
vised  1958  with  new  maps  and  charts,  $4.50. 
THE  COMING  OF  THE  RUSSIAN  MENNONITES 

C.  Henry  Smith,  $1.50. 

HISTORY  OF  THE  MENNONITE  GENERAL  CONFER- 
ENCE— H.  P.  Krehbiel,  two  volumes,  $1.50  per 
volume. 

THE  MENNONITE  ENCYCLOPEDIA,  Four  volumes, 
$42.50  per  set. 

Order  from 

MENNONITE  BOOKSTORES 

Berne,  Ind.;  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan.;  Rosthern,  Sask. 


July  21,  1959 


447 


conference  notes 


LOOKING  TOWARD 
GENERAL  CONFERENCE 

Centennial  celebrations  are  al- 
ways thrilling  as  well  as  sobering 
events.  We  who  will  be  assembling 
in  Bluffton  for  the  hundredth  anni- 
versary of  our  Conference  will  do  so 
with  humble  and  grateful  hearts. 

God  has  graciously  led  our  Con- 
ference these  first  hundred  years. 
Since  that  first  meeting  in  Iowa  in 
1860,  the  ministry  of  the  General 
Conference  has  greatly  expajided. 
How  thankful  we  are  for  the  mamy 
faithful  representatives  from  our 
churches  who  have  chosen  to  go 
into  all  the  world  through  the  vari- 
ous avenues  of  service!  God  has 
richly  blessed  their  work. 

As  we  will  have  opportunity  at 
conference  to  learn  of  our  progress 
in  the  area  of  missions,  Christian 
service,  education  and  publication, 
and  business  administration,  may 
we  realize  anew  God’s  role  for  us 
in  the  spread  of  the  gospel. 

May  we  as  a Conference  feel  the 
leading  of  the  Holy  Spirit  as  was 
manifested  in  the  early  Christian 
church.  Our  Conference  motto  could 
well  be:  “Hitherto  hath  the  Lord 
helped  us”  (1  Sam.  7:12b). 

Barbara  Sprunger 
Berne,  Indiana 

CENTENNIAL  SUNDAY 

“We  Are  Pilgrims”  is  the  name  of 
the  centennial  pageant  to  be  given 
in  Founders  Hall  in  Bluffton,  Aug. 
16,  at  3:00  and  7:30  p.m.  Maynard 
Shelly,  Newton,  Kansas,  is  the  au- 
thor of  the  pageant. 

The  pageant’s  five  episodes  are 
introduced  by  a prologue  spoken  by 
a youth.  His  speech  closes  with  the 
words:  “Our  fellowship  has  many 
like  these  saints  who  seek  with  God 
a home  beyond  this  earth.  . . . We 
are  with  them  for  we  are  pilgrims.” 

In  the  first  episode  Menno  Simons 
faces  the  decision  of  either  remain- 
ing a Roman  Catholic  priest  or  be- 
coming the  leader  of  a small  group 
of  Anabaptists.  He  chooses  the  lat- 
ter, saying:  “Where  \vill  I go?  I 
will  go  by  the  way  of  faith.  Where 
it  leads,  I do  not  know.  . . . But  I 
will  go.” 

In  the  second  episode  the  pilgrim 


is  the  Pennsylvania  schoolteacher, 
Christopher  Dock,  who  brought 
God’s  love  into  the  classroom. 

A third  scene  depicts  a xmion  of 
faith,  the  organization  of  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  Mennonite  Church 
in  1860  by  pioneers  in  Iowa. 

In  the  fourth  episode,  Mennonites 
from  Russia  in  1873  look  for  a new 
home  in  America. 

The  fifth  scene  brings  to  life 
an  incident  in  a modern  draft  of- 
fice where  conscientious  objector 
Don  Snyder  says,  “We  believe  that 
the  way  of  love  is  better  than  the 
way  of  force.” 

In  the  closing  lines  of  the  scene, 
the  skeptical  draft  board  officer 
exclaims:  “Mennonites!  Where  do 
they  think  they  are  going?”  And  as 
the  epilogue  makes  clear,  pilgrims 
do  not  always  know  where  they  are 
going,  but  they  must  obey. 

The  centennial  pageant,  in  por- 
traying pilgrims  of  past  years  il- 
luminates our  own  destiny  as  so- 
journers and  pilgrims,  never  too 
much  at  home  in  the  world  but  ever 
seeking  for  the  City  of  God. 

An  offering  will  be  received  at 
both  presentations  of  the  pageant 
for  the  expenses  of  the  production. 

Two  lectures,  given  by  S.  F.  Pan- 
nabecker  and  Cornelius  Krahn,  will 
be  at  3:00  and  7:30  p.m.  respective- 
ly on  Centennial  Sunday.  These  will 
be  in  the  Bluffton  High  School  au- 
ditorium and  will  be  held  simul- 
taneously with  the  pageant  in 
Foimders  Hall,  giving  conference 
visitors  a chance  to  attend  either 
in  both  the  afternoon  and  evening. 

Special  music  for  the  afternoon 
and  evening  lectures  will  be  given 
by  the  Leamington  Choir  directed 
by  George  Konrad  and  the  Bethel 
College  Chorale  directed  by  David 
Suderman. 

LITTELL  TO  SPEAK 

Franklin  H.  Littell,  D.D.,  profes- 
sor of  church  history,  Candler 
School  of  Theology,  Emory  Univer- 
sity, Atlanta,  Ga.,  will  be  the  guest 
speaker  on  Wednesday  afternoon 
and  evening  Aug.  12,  the  opening 
day  of  the  triennial  meeting  of  the 
General  Conference  Mennonite 
Church  at  Founders  Hall  in  Bluff- 
ton. 


Dr.  Littell  received  his  A.B.  de- 
gree from  Cornell  College,  Iowa,  in 
1937,  his  B.D.  from  Union  Theo- 
logical Seminary  in  1940,  and  his 


Ph.D.  degree  from  Yale  University 
in  1946.  Cornell  granted  him  the 
D.D.  degree  in  1953.  He  was  a Kent 
Fellow  of  the  National  Council  on 
Religion  in  Higher  Education  from 
1943-44. 

Dr.  Littell  has  published  a number 
of  research  and  scholarly  works  in- 
cluding “The  Anabaptist  View  of 
the  Church,”  Brewer  Prize  essay  of 
the  American  Society  of  Church 
History,  1952.  He  is  the  author  of 
the  book  The  Free  Church  which 
has  been  published  in  both  German 
and  English.  During  1958-59  he  was 
engaged  in  the  church  history  self 
study  project  of  the  American  So- 
ciety of  Church  History  for  the 
American  Association  of  Theolog- 
ical Schools  on  a grant  from  the 
Lilly  Foundation.  ^ 

Wednesday  afternoon’s  program 
will  include  music  by  the  Bluffton 
College  orchestra  directed  by  Earl 
Lehman  and  devotions  by  Lloyd  L. 
Ramseyer,  president  of  Bluffton 
College.  Erland  Waltner,  president 
of  the  Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary,  | 
Elkhart,  Ind.,  who  is  president  of  ' 
the  Conference  is  chairman  of  the 
meeting. 

In  the  evening  on  Aug.  12  there 
will  be  welcome  addresses  by  the 
local  committee  and  host  pastors. 
Committee  appointments  will  be  ' 
announced  by  Erland  Waltner. 

Dr.  Littell  will  speak  in  the  after- 
noon on  ‘"The  Work  of  the  Holy 
Spirit”  and  in  the  evening  his  topic  i 
will  be  “Avoiding  Tone  Deafness.”  ! 


JULY  28,  1959 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
MAN  LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIST 


in  this  issue 

ARTICLES 

A LAYMAN'S  VIEW  OF  EVANGELISM 

By  Harold  A.  Franz  451 

THE  SUNDAY  SCHOOL  MEETS  THE  FAMILY 

By  Charles  G.  SchaufFele  452 

THE  MINISTRY  OF  BOOKS  453 

INSIDE  MOROCCO 

By  Hans  de  Jonge  454 

"AND  HE  HEALED  THEM  ALL" 

By  Alvin  T.  Friesen  455 

PASSPORT  TO  FELLOWSHIP  456 

IN  THE  HAND — OR  IN  THE  HEART  456 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  450 


MENNONITE  YOUTH 

Die  Wanderer  457 

With  Joy  in  My  Heart  458 

On  the  Shores  of  Shavehead  459 

OUR  SCHOOLS  460 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  461 

JOTTINGS  462 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  464 


of  things  to  come 

Aug.  5-12 — Ministers'  and  Church  Work- 
ers' Retreat,  Camp  Friedenswald, 
Mich. 

Aug.  12-20 — General  Conference,  Bluff- 
ton,  Ohio 

Aug.  30 — Freeman  Junior  College  opens 
Sept.  8 — Bethel  College  opens 
Sept.l  1— Bluffton  College  opens 
Sept.  25 — Rosthern  Junior  College  opens 
Sept.  29 — Canadian  Menn.  College  opens 
Oct.  4 — World  Communion  Sunday 
Oct.  12 — Canadian  Thanksgiving  Day 
Oct.  24-27 — West.  Dist.  Conference 
Nov.  1 — Reformation  Sunday 
Nov.  26 — Thanksgiving  Day  (U.S.) 

Dec.  1 -4 — Council  of  Boards 
Dec.  13 — Universal  Bible  Sunday 


THEMENN0NITE 

Editor:  J.  N.  Smueker.  Associate  Editors: 

J Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Assistant:  Muriel 

Thiessen.  Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  29 


editorials 

CONFERENCE  GOALS,  1956-1959 

1.  Every  member  a personal  witness. 

2.  Every  congregation  seeking  a rhissionary  outpost. 

3.  Fifteen  new  congregations  by  1959 

4.  Every  member  a tither. 

5.  Every  church  supporting  every  Conference  board. 

6.  A Voluntary  Service  worker  from  every  congregation. 

7.  Every  pastor  prayerfully  seeking  a new  recruit  for  the  ministry. 

8.  A strong  Spirit-controlled  seminary  program  receiving  whole- 
hearted support. 

9-  Trained  personnel  and  adequate  facilities  for  the  teaching 
program. 

10.  Reaching  at  least  one  unevangelized  tribe  with  the  gospel. 

11.  Every  member  knowing  Christ  '’and  the  power  of  his  resurrec- 
tion, and  the  fellowship  of  his  sufferings,  being  made  conform- 
able to  his  death.” 

SO  YOU  ARE  A DELEGATE!  To  be  appointed  a delegate 
to  the  General  Conference  carries  with  it  certain  responsibilities 
sometimes  not  fully  realized.  There  is  more  to  it  than  simply 
voting  for  the  person  you  know  best.  There  are  important  issues 
to  be  decided  and  plans  to  be  approved  or  rejected. 

The  delegates  should  be  chosen  with  care.  The  mere  fact  that 
one  is  attending  the  conference  does  not  automatically  qualify 
him  to  be  a good  delegate.  Some  knowledge  of  church  and  Con- 
ference affairs  and  the  persons  involved  is  important.  The  dele- 
gate should  study  the  Conference  Handbook  of  Information  to 
acquaint  himself  with  the  personnel  of  the  boards  and  commit- 
tees, noting  those  whose  terms  expire.  Upon  arrival  he  will  be 
given  a report  booklet  containing  the  proposed  reports  and  plans 
to  the  conference.  These  should  be  studied  carefully  before  be- 
ing brought  before  conference  in  order  to  be  familiar  with  issues 
to  be  presented. 

The  delegate  should  not  only  prepare  his  mind  with  the  need- 
ed information;  he  should  also  prepare  his  heart.  He  should 
pray  for  the  wisdom  needed  for  God’s  important  work.  He  should 
open  himself  fully  to  the  filling  of  the  Holy  Spirit  so  that  God 
can  give  definite  guidance  for  all  decisions.  A silent  prayer  be- 
fore marking  each  ballot  would  give  him  a better  chance  to  hear 
God’s  guiding  voice  in  the  matter  considered. 

It  is  also  very  important  to  attend  faithfully  all  the  business 
sessions  and  not  forfeit  your  vote  by  unnecessary  absence.  If 
unable  to  attend  certain  sessions  your  pastor  or  alternate  should 
be  informed  so  the  vote  may  not  be  lost. 

If  our  delegates  are  informed,  concerned,  dedicated  men  and 
women  seeking  only  the  will  of  God  in  each  issue,  we  may  expect 
great  results  from  our  conference  session.  They  need  the  sincere 
prayers  of  all  that  their  work  may  be  discharged  to  the  glory 
of  God  and  His  cause. 


450 


THE  MENNONITE 


A layman’s  view 


EVANGELISM 


; Harold  A.  Franz 


The  natural,  unregenerate  man 
cannot  change  his  ways  because 
his  ways  are  unspiritucd.  Unspiritual 
people  can  think  only  of  self. 

When  we  look  about  us  and  see 
the  highway  of  the  natural  man  who 
cannot  change  his  ways  by  his  own 
power,  it  is  apparent  that  the  flesh- 
nature  is  not  able  to  And  peace 
through  the  lusts  of  the  flesh. 

Being  devoid  of  the  indwelling 
Holy  Spirit,  the  self-nature  is  ready 
prey  for  satanic  culture.  Men  are 
seeking  help — release  from  the  sa- 
teuiic  bondage  of  fear  and  anxiety. 

Christ  leads  His  sheep.  When  they 
follow  Him,  there  can  be  no  cuixiety 
or  fear. 

Satan  drives  his  slaves,  energizing 
them  with  fear  and  anxiety.  Man 
seeks  rest  somewhere,  somehow. 
Satan  offers  countless  diversions 
that  make  their  appeal  to  the  lust 
of  the  flesh  through  sensual  sin, 
which  is  no  longer  considered  sin 
since  the  modernized  terminology 
of  sins. 

Satan  is  ever  on  the  alert  to 
block  any  soxil  that  might  be  tempt- 
ed to  raise  a cry  to  God  for  deliver- 
ance. It  is  a bold  attempt  to  wipe  out 
aU  need  for  Christianity  and  force 
man  to  believe  in  his  own  power. 
Even  the  few  who  express  a desire 
to  find  God  are  channeled  into  a 
bloodless  religion. 

Without  the  presence  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  in  man’s  heart,  man  formu- 
lates a philosophy  of  life  consistent 
with  the  unregenerate  heart.  This 
can  never  give  him  salvation  or 
peace. 

Knowledge,  success,  and  power 
can  or  may  feed  the  self  (ego)  with 
a personal-  satisfaction  that  “I  my- 
self” have  accomplished  something. 
Sometimes  we  can  be  carried 
through  this  present  world  by  the 
energizing  power,  “the  pride  of  life.” 
We  work  hard  to  reach  certain 
goals,  all  of  which  is  for  the  power 


Harold  A.  Franz  is  a member  of  Menno 
Church,  Ritzville,  Wash.,  a chairman  of 
the  Pacific  District  Education  Committee. 


and  glory  in  this  world,  storing  up 
“wood,  hay,  and  stubble”  that  will 
be  destroyed  in  the  fire  of  judgment 
because  the  motive  was  purely  to 
bring  glory  to  self. 

Men’s  lives  are  often  anchored  in 
this  world.  All  their  affections  are 
set  on  the  things  of  this  earth,  and 
they  choose  to  live  after  the  flesh. 

Now,  keeping  in  mind  the  theme 
of  “evangelism,”  we  have  many  dif- 
ferent ways  and  methods  of  evange- 
lism, which  do  have  their  place  but 
are  secondary  in  themselves.  We 
tend  to  dwell  on  methods  instead  of 
the  primary  or  basic  issue. 

God  is  looking  for  a man  that  is 
whoUy  dedicated  unto  Him,  a man 
after  God’s  own  heart,  as  He  said 
of  David  in  1 Samuel  13:14. 

Man  is  seeking  for  something  that 
is  genuine  and  we  are  failing  in 
meeting  that  desire  because  of  our 
self-life  and  lack  of  consecration. 
When  we  fail  to  taike  enough  dcdly 
requirement  of  spiritual  calories  be- 
cause of  activities  and  at  times  too 
many  religious  duties,  then  we  suf- 
fer from  spiritual  malnutrition  and 
we  soon  become  anemic  and  run- 
down, our  resistance  is  lowered,  and 
we  are  an  easy  prey  for  evil  powers. 

Some  of  us  require  more  spiritual 
calories  than  others,  depending  upon 
the  type  of  work  and  how  much 
one  desires  to  please  the  Lord  in 
a yielded  life.  How  necessary  Bible 
study  is  for  our  spiritual  food.  The 
busier  we  are,  the  more  time  we 
need  to  take  time  for  devotional 
Bible  study. 

A devotional  study  is  one  in  which 
truth  learned  from  the  Bible  is  ap- 
plied to  one’s  life.  If  this  is  not 
sought  for  carefully,  we  can  become 
top-heavy  v^dth  Bible  knowledge.  We 
can  know  the  wonderful  doctrines 
of  the  Word  from  the  theological 
standpoint  and  yet  be  starved  in  our 
innermost  souls  and  barren  of 
spiritual  fruit. 

The  author  of  the  Bible  is  the 
Holy  Spirit  and  only  He  can  inter- 
pret the  Bible  for  us.  But  more  than 


that.  He  is  also  the  Power  who  ener- 
gizes the  Word  in  us  to  the  extent 
that  we  obey  its  instructions  and  are 
conformed  to  the  likeness  of  Christ. 

Prayer  must  accompany  aU  Bible 
study.  Prayer  begins  with  God.  He 
puts  into  our  hearts  what  we  should 
pray  for.  This  He  does  primarily 
through  the  Word,  which  means 
that  we  study  and  meditate  but  also 
pray  that  God  wdU  change  our  lives 
at  the  same  time  He  is  imparting 
knowledge  to  us.  'Thus,  to  develop 
mind  and  heart  together  is  to 
acquire  a rounded-out  Bible  knowl- 
edge. 

WE  can  greatly  influence  men  by 
what  we  really  are.  The  influ- 
ence of  a godly  man  is  felt  even  be- 
fore he  speaks.  'There  is  something 
about  true  godliness  that  you  can 
feel  the  moment  you  enter  the  pres- 
ence of  a godly  person. 

When  a man  is  truly  holy  he  does 
not  need  to  go  about  bragging 
about  it  or  telling  you  how  long  he 
has  lived  without  sinning.  When  he 
tells  you  that,  he  is  already  commit- 
ting one  of  the  worst  sins  in  the 
world:  spiritual  pride. 

The  more  holy  we  become,  the 
more  we  realize  our  failings  and 
sins.  Humility  and  a deep  conscious- 
ness of  our  own  unworthiness  is 
the  true  mark  of  holiness  and  the 
mark  of  true  holiness. 

The  nearer  we  live  to  Him  of 
whom  the  angels  chant  “Holy,  Holy, 
Holy,  Lord  God  Almighty,”  the 
more  we  wiU  confess  our  own  sin- 
fulness and  rejoice  in  His  holiness. 
Men  are  not  influenced  by  what  we 
say  nearly  so  much  as  by  what  we 
are.  If  my  example  is  for  good  it 
reacts  upon  them.  If  it  is  bad  the 
reverse  is  true. 

IN  addition  to  our  influence  among 
men  through  what  we  really  are, 
we  can  influence  them  by  what 
we  say.  This  is  particularly  true 
of  the  preacher,  but  in  a general 
way  it  is  true  of  all  believers. 


Juiy  28,  1959 


451 


You  can  generally  tell  what  a 
man  is  by  his  words.  Words  are  but 
audible  thoughts.  What  a man  talks 
he  must  think  about  first.  If  your 
conversation  is  chaste  and  pure  it 
indicates  a chaste  and  pure  heart. 

It  may  be  said  of  all  of  us  as  the 
damsel  said  of  Peter  on  the  night 
he  betrayed  the  Lord,  “Thy  speech 
betrayeth  thee.” 

God  has  been  pleased  to  make  the 
spoken  word  the  medium  for  the 
transmission  of  the  story  of  grace, 
and  the  ear  the  instrument  for  re- 
ceiving it  into  the  heart.  How  great- 
ly therefore  we  can  infiuence  men 
by  what  we  say  for  Him.  The  Scrip- 
ture says,  “Let  your  speech  be  al- 
ways with  grace,  seasoned  v^dth  salt. 


The  commission  of  the  Sunday 
school,  the  only  formal  institu- 
tion of  Bible  training  for  the  large 
majority  of  church  families,  is  to 
reach  every  member  of  the  family 
and  to  engage  each  individual  in 
Bible  study  suited  to  his  age  as  well 
as  to  nurture  the  family  itself. 

The  Sunday  school  ought  to  bring 
parents  and  teachers  together  for 
P.T.A.  meetings  two  to  four  times 
a year.  These  gatherings  should 
emphasize  exchange  of  ideas  in  dis- 
cussion. This  is  the  only  way  that 
unity  of  aim  and  sympathy  of  pur- 
pose can  be  achieved  in  Christian 
education  on  the  local  church  level. 

This  church  activity  keeps  parents 
informed  of  the  work  of  the  Sunday 
school  and  puts  the  responsibility 
for  Christian  education  squarely  on 
the  home  where  it  ought  to  rest. 

The  Sunday  school  may  go  even 
farther  by  providing  parents’  Bible 
classes.  At  least  six  denominational 
publishing  houses  now  prepare  Sun- 


that ye  may  know  how  ye  ought  to 
answer  every  man.” 

Another  avenue  through  which 
we  are  able  to  infiuence  those 
about  us  is  by  the  things  we  do. 
People  study  our  actions  far  more 
than  they  listen  to  our  words. 

The  world  is  very  quick  to  de- 
tect the  inconsistencies  of  the  Chris- 
tian. It  sometimes  is  more  sensitive 
to  the  sins  of  believers  than  they 
are  themselves.  There  may  be  many 
things  that  we  do  not  think  are 
wrong  but  if  they  place  a stumbling 
block  either  in  the  way  of  a brother 
or  to  the  world,  it  becomes  our  duty 
to  forego  our  liberty  if  need  be,  that 
our  testimony  may  not  be  marred. 


day  school  materials  with  the  fam- 
ily in  mind.  Sometimes  there  are 
actual  quarterlies  for  the  parents 
based  on  the  child’s  curriculum. 
Sometimes  it  is  a series  of  monthly 
form  letters  informing  the  parents 
of  the  child’s  class  work. 

There  is  great  economy  in  teach- 
ing parents  how  to  teach  the  Bible 
to  their  children  and  how  to  “live 
the  life”  before  them  in  homes. 
Wherever  there  is  a class  of  children 
in  the  Sunday  school  the  church 
ought  also  to  provide  for  the  parents 
of  those  children  that  they  too  may 
learn  of  God  in  the  scriptures. 

The  ministry  of  good  books  be- 
longs to  the  Sunday  school  in  order 
to  carry  out  its  responsibility  to  the 
whole  family.  A Sunday  school  li- 
brary with  an  abundance  of  “fam- 
ily-type” books  should  be  in  active 
use.  This  could,  incidentally  revive 
the  almost  defunct  practice  of  fam- 
ilies reading  aloud  together. 

Some  churches  now  present  a 


May  our  goal  be  as  was  found  in 
Phil.  3:10-11  where  Paul  says:  “Yes, 
I long  to  come  to  know  Him;  that 
is,  the  power  of  His  resurrection  and 
so  to  share  with  Him  His  sufferings 
as  to  be  continuously  transformed 
by  His  death,  in  the  hope  of  attain- 
ing, in  some  measure,  the  resurrec- 
tion that  lifts  me  out  from  among 
the  dead”  (Williams). 

We  have  a living,  resurrected  Sav- 
iour to  present  to  the  world.  In 
Him  there  is  forgiveness  of  sin  and 
life  eternal.  Let  us  as  pastors  and 
lay  people  unite  in  sounding  forth 
the  good  news  of  the  gospel  to  the 
ends  of  the  earth  while  it  is  yet 
day.  'The  night  cometh  when  no 
man  can  work. 


year’s  subscription  to  a Christian 
family  magazine  to  each  new  family 
entering  the  fellowship.  If  this  were 
carried  out  by  a parents’  class,  sev- 
eral different  magazines  could  be 
produced  and  circulated  each  month 
among  the  members. 

Many  Sunday  schools  provide  for 
family  social  life  in  an  outdoor  pic- 
nic usually  in  the  spring  of  the 
year.  Enthusiasm  for  this  and  the 
fine  qualities  of  inter-family  fellow- 
ship could  be  recaptured  again  and 
again  with  a series  of  informal  fam-  ' 
ily  night  programs  under  the  aus- 
pices of  the  Sunday  school.  Fellow- 
ship, fun,  instruction,  and  worship 
could  be  joined  in  these  never-to- 
be  forgotten  times  with  the  whole 
family. 

The  Sunday  school  has  many  ob-  1 
ligations  attached  to  the  privilege 
of  nurturing  the  Christian  feimily, 
and  one  of  them  is  to  see  that  every 
member  of  the  family  is  included 
in  its  training  program.  The  alert  < 
Sunday  school  today  will  not  rest  ! 
until  every  member  of  all  the  fam-  J| 
ilies  represented  in  the  school  are 
reached  for  Christ  and  nurtured  in 
Him. 

— Charles  G.  Schauffele,  National  I 

Sunday  School  Association  j 


Sunday  School  Meets  the  Family 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every  '| 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church.  , 

Entered  at  North  Newton,  Kansas,  post  office  as  second  class  matter.  Acceptance  for  mailing  at  special  rate  of  postage;  section  1103,  Act 
of  Oct.  3,  1917.  Authorized  Jan.  22,  1910.  Subscriptions  $2.50;  foreign  $3.00.  Mail  subscriptions  and  payments  to  Mennonite  Publication 
Office,  North  Newton,  Kan.,  or  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan.  Address  manuscripts  for  publication  to  J.  N.  Smucker,  Editor,  THE  MENNONITE, 
Woodward  Place,  Goshen,  Ind.  Poshnastera:  change  of  addreu  Form  3579  to  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan. 


452 


THE  MENNONITE 


11 


The  ministry  of 


BOOKS 


The  scene  is  in  the  Third  Men- 
nonite  Church.  The  time  is  11:45 
Sunday  morning.  Just  off  the  main 
hallway  leading  into  the  sanctuary 
is  a room — not  very  large  but  popu- 
lated with  a steady  stream  of  traf- 
. fic.  A little  girl  is  leaning  attentively 
j against  the  table.  “Do  you  have  a 
I good  book  for  me  to  read  this 
week?” 

The  librarian  smiles.  “Yes,”  she 
says,  “I  think  I have  just  the  book 
for  you.” 

A small  act — one  of  many — in  the 
* ministry  of  books  is  being  complet- 
ed. If  your  church  does  not  have 
provision  for  such  a ministry,  have 
you  considered  the  greatness  of 
need  and  opportunity  in  having  a 
church  library?  The  need  is  pointed 
up  by  the  fact  that  good  books  are 
always  in  demand  and,  when  not 
made  available,  shoddy  material  is 
too  often  substituted. 

If  your  church  does  not  have  a 
library,  here  are  suggestions  for  be- 
ginning one: 

• Someone  or  a group  of  some- 
ones  who  are  definitely  interested, 
who  care  about  a church  library, 
must  take  the  lead  and  develop 
enthusiasm.  In  one  church  the  peace 
committee  saw  the  need  and  took 
action. 

• The  next  step  might  be  to  ap- 
point a literature  committee  that 
must  be  willing  to  meet  regularly, 
review  books,  choose  books  and  nec- 
essary equipment,  and  be  in  charge 
of  the  library. 

What  would  be  the  aims  of  your 
library?  It  should  have  among  its 
objectives  that  of  providing  good 


reading  for  all  ages,  of  emphasizing 
Christian  faith  for  Christian  living, 
of  teaching  about  Mennonite  heri- 
tage and  culture,  teaching  about 
missions,  of  providing  wholesome 
recreational  reading  for  all  ages, 
of  supplying  follow-up  material  for 
special  days  like  race  relations  Sun- 
day, Mother’s  and  Father’s  day, 
Easter,  and  Christmas. 

• The  next  step  is  organization. 
You  will  need  an  accessible  location, 
preferably  a room  in  the  church. 
Until  you  have  a room,  plain  shelves 
and  a display  table  will  serve  ade- 
quately. 

It  will  be  necessary  to  use  regular 
library  procedure  for  checking  books 
in  and  out  to  maintain  order.  The 
Church  Library  Manual  by  Althoff 
is  a useful  book  in  helping  you  to 
be  a successful  librarian  even  with- 
out library  training.  (Published  by 
The  Sunday  School  Board  of  South- 
ern Baptist  Convention,  Nashville, 
Tennessee.)  A helpful  publication 
with  suggested  library  plans  and 
book  lists  is  Your  Church  Library, 
Methodist  Publishing  House,  1021 
McGee  St.,  Kansas  City  6,  Mo. 

• Where  do  books  come  from?  In 
one  church  library  the  following 
sources  of  books  were  listed:  church 
members  loaning  books  from  their 
private  libraries,  cash  for  a book 
given  as  a memorial  gift  on  the  oc- 
casion of.  a loved  one  passing  away, 
women’s  missionary  association 
projects,  white  Christmas  gifts.  The 
final  accomplishment  for  a church 
library  is  the  receiving  of  a yearly 
allotment  in  the  church  budget. 


Does  your  church  already  have 
a library?  Here  are  some  ways 
in  which  you  can  further  serve  your 
library. 

Co-operate  in  bringing  books  back 
on  time.  Teach  the  care  of  library 
books  in  your  home.  Check  with 
your  church  librarian  about  the  pos- 
sibility of  helping  with  projects  such 
as  collecting  pictures  for  a topical 
file.  Give  your  suggestions  for  books 
or  procedure  to  the  literature  or  li- 
brary committee.  Use  your  library. 

Your  church  library  is  set  up  for 
the  purpose  of  serving  you.  Some 
ways  in  which  it  can  accomplish 
this  is  by  providing  resource  materi- 
al— for  vacation  Bible  school, 
Wednesday  night  Bible  study,  or  for 
Sunday  school  in  the  form  of  story 
and  picture  files  and  filmstrips. 
It  can  be  the  source  for  research 
aids  such  as  the  Mennonite  Ency- 
clopedia, concordance,  Bible  atlases, 
Christian  education  magazines.  It 
can  be  the  distribution  center  for 
the  church  yearbooks,  mission  soci- 
ety books.  Upper  Rooms  and  other 
devotional  material,  Christmas  bun- 
dles folders.  Avoid  letting  your  li- 
brary become  a depository  for  lost 
and  found  articles. 

The  primary  job  of  the  church 
library  is  to  get  the  right  book  to  the 
right  person  at  the  right  time.  The 
ministry  of  books  to  shut-ins,  for 
example,  is  an  important  and  much 
appreciated  one. 

The  power  of  the  printed  page  is 
inestimable — especially  in  the  task 
of  the  teaching  ministry  of  the  gos- 
pel, of  building  Christlike  character, 
broadening  Bible  knowledge,  deep- 
ening devotional  life,  heightening 
spiritual  vision  through  inspiration, 
and  strengthening  the  sinews  of 
service. 

— Conference  News  Service 


453 


Hans  de  Jonge  has  been  unit  leader 
of  the  international  EIRENE  proj- 
ect in  Morocco  since  its  beginning 
in  December  1957.  He  is  a citizen  of 
the  Netherlands,  a lawyer  by  pro- 
fession and  had  already  practiced 
law  for  several  years  before  volun- 
teering for  two  years  of  Christioun 
service.  His  training  and  experience 
have  been  very  helpful  in  getting 
the  Moroccan  project  established. 

The  first  EIRENE  unit  has  been 
existing  now  for  fifteen  months. 
Simultaneously  with  the  founding 
of  EIRENE  (International  Chris- 
tian Service  for  Peace)  by  Menno- 
nite  Central  Committee  and  Breth- 
ren Service  Commission  it  was  de- 
cided to  open  a pilot  project  in 
North  Africa,  where  an  urgent  need 
for  a service  of  reconciliation  exist- 
ed. 

In  November,  1957,  I arrived  in 
Morocco  to  start  this  project.  Two 
months  later  the  unit  had  grown  to 
four  members,  the  number  with 
which  it  would  be  operating  its 
rural  development  project  most  of 
the  coming  time. 

EIRENE  has  chosen  as  a loca- 
tion the  region  of  Oulmes,  where 
the  team  can  work  together  with 
the  Centre  de  Travaux,  an  experi- 
mental farm  and  agricultural  de- 
velopment center  of  the  Moroccan 
government.  The  people  of  this  area 
are  Berbers.  They  have  been  the  in- 
habitants of  North  Africa  since  the 
dawn  of  our  history. 

The  Berbers  saw  many  foreign 
dominations  come  and  fall  during 
the  course  of  centuries.  From  the 
Arabs  they  have  taken  over  the 
Moslem  religion  and,  partly,  the  Ar- 
abic language.  But  in  spite  of  this 
they  have  abandoned  very  little  of 
their  national  character  and  tradi- 
tions. The  EIRENE  volunteers  who 
work  with  the  Oulmes  tribe  often 
imagine  themselves  to  be  living  a- 
mong  the  Biblical  patriarchs. 

When  I arrived  in  this  country, 
less  than  two  years  had  elapsed 
since  the  French  protectorate  had 
ended  and  Morocco  had  regained  her 
independence.  It  was  still  the  time 
of  enthusiasm  and  of  hope  for  the 
future. 

Much  has  changed  in  the  months 
that  followed.  More  and  more  it 
became  clear  that  independence 
alone  could  not  produce  mountains 
of  gold.  Poverty  rather  than  riches 
was  the  first  result.  The  depar- 


ture of  many  French  farmers  and 
businessmen  brought  on  a wave  of 
unemployment. 

The  hope  that  an  independent 
Morocco  would  be  mature  for  self- 
rule  as  a democratic  state  appeared 
to  have  been  ill  founded.  It  had  been 
easier  to  unite  the  Moroccans 
against  the  French  dominion  than 
to  persuade  them  to  energetic  co- 
operation on  behalf  of  the  national 
community.  And  on  Morocco’s  bor- 
der the  kindred  nation  of  Algeria 
was  waging  a bloody  war  which,  be- 

INSIDE 

MOROCCO 

Hans  de  Jonge 

cause  of  its  long  duration,  would 
embitter  the  Moroccans  and  hamper 
the  still  so  badly  needed  co-opera- 
tion with  France. 

Most  of  the  difficulties  of  the  na- 
tion have  their  repercussions  even 
in  a remote  village  like  Oulmes. 
The  community  has  a high  number 
of  unemployed  persons.  The  politi- 
cal strife  sometimes  reaches  the 
point  of  violence.  Oulmes  has  be- 
come a place  of  administrative  in- 
stability. Many  civil  servants,  in- 
cluding the  tribe  mayor,  were  re- 
placed once  or  twice  since  I arrived 
here. 

The  work  of  the  EIRENE  team 
under  these  circumstances  is 
not  easy.  The  director  of  the  agri- 
cultural center  (the  second  man 
since  I arrived)  is  one  of  those 
Frenchmen  who  often  declare  that 
they  are  fed  up  with  Morocco.  He 
accepts  the  voluntary  labor  of  the 
unit  but  has  very  little  confidence 
in  a program  which  could  help  the 
Berbers  to  help  themselves. 

The  caid  (tribe  mayor),  who  has 
been  here  only  since  the  trouble  of 
last  fall,  is  seen  by  many  members 
of  the  tribe  as  a representative  of 
a regime  which  they  don’t  like. 

The  EIRENE  volunteers  have  not 
come  for  the  sake  of  local  authori- 
ties but  for  the  common  man.  Their 
task  would  be  much  easier  if  the 
local  officials  would  exhibit  a spirit 
of  co-operation  and  give  the  work 
co-ordinated  support  rather  than 
making  haphazard  attempts  at 
technical  assistance  and  welfare 


work.  This  could  result  in  a real 
contribution  to  the  development  of 
the  community. 

EIRENE  has  chosen  to  work  with 
the  Moroccan  farmers  on  the  local 
level.  On  this  level  it  meets  its  most 
serious  difficulties.  In  the  capital 
city  of  Rabat  we  generally  find  an 
encouraging  appreciation  and  a ' 
good  understanding  of  our  inten- 
tions. 

Whoever  works  for  a long  time 
in  Morocco  will  sometimes  get  the 
feeling  that  every  attempt  to  devel- 
op this  country  is  doomed  to  fail- 
ure. But  the  person  who  feels  that  " 
way  overlooks  the  hopeful  facts  that 
exist.  For  there  are  such  encourag- 
ing facts.  In  spite  of  all  political 
quarrels,  the  Moroccan  legislation 
is  developing  in  the  direction  of 
democratic  rules  of  the  game  and  of 
moral  standards  which  compel  the  r 
admiration  of  older  nations  with 
fore  experience.  Especially  the  new 
code  of  family  law  proves  that  Mo- 
rocco is  looking  for  new  ways  with- 
out breaking  abruptly  with  deep- 
rooted  traditions  and  without  doing 
away  with  what  is  of  value  in  the 
heritage  of  Islam. 

IF  after  more  than  a year  of  ex- 
perience I have  to  evaluate  the 
work  of  our  EIRENE  team,  I see 
clearly  the  weakness  of  a unit 
which  wants  to  work  together  with 
state  officials  who  are  not  ready  for 
co-operation  among  themselves  and 
who  have  not  the  same  interest  in 
the  man  of  the  lowest  level.  But 
I see  also  how  this  weakness  can 
change  into  strength  if  we  are 
aware  of  the  fact  that  only  a proj- 
ect like  ours  can  afford  to  put  up 
with  the  apparent  absence  of  any 
result. 

We  must  also  realize  that,  now 
that  we  have  come  to  this  country 
to  be  with  it  on  its  way  of  develop- 
ment, we  have  no  right  to  choose 
which  things  should  be  working  al- 
ready and  which  can  be  set  going  \ 
by  our  good  care.  We  have  to  accept 
the  needs  of  this  people,  whatever 
they  may  be,  as  our  needs  and  have 
to  meet  them  with  patience  and 
love. 

What  material  fruits  can  be  the 
result  of  this  work  is  beyond  our 
sight,  but  we  know  that  in  this 
way  EIRENE  can  render,  as  it 
wants  to  do,  a service  of  reconcilia- 
tion and  a testimony  to  Jesus 
Christ. 


454 


THE  MENNONITE 


toiling,  tired,  anemic  mothers; 
weather-beaten,  tattooed  faces 
turned  intently  on  the  speaker  at  an 
evening  service;  Tyal  choirs  lifting 
virgorous  voices  in  praise  to  God; 
congregations  that  had  their  origin 
in  fierce  persecution  uniting  in  gos- 
pel songs  set  to  haunting  aboriginal 
melodies;  youngsters  deriving  end- 
less amusement  from  the  sharp 
nose  and  tall  stature  of  the  foreign- 
ers; bamboo  Christian  churches 
dwarfed  by  spacious,  sturdy  Roman 
Catholic  edifices  newly  built  nearby 
for  effect  of  contrast;  breathtaking 
views  of  God’s  mountains — these 
are  a few  of  the  impressions  we 
carry  with  us  from  mobile  trips. 

Mobile  clinic  work  also  confronts 
us  with  a challenge — a challenge 
with  many  aspects:  evangelism, 

teaching  the  scriptures,  strengthen- 
ing our  bonds  of  fellowship  with  the 
aboriginal  churches,  combating  the 
infiuence  of  Romanism  (which  aims 
to  “take  over’’  in  ten  years),  teach- 
ing hygiene  and  the  importance  of 
prompt  medical  care,  raising  the 
level  of  health  and  nutrition  of  our 
people,  gaining  the  confidence  of  the 
mountain  people. 

One  area  of  need  as  yet  totally 
untouched  is  that  of  teaching  the 
tribal  people  improved  methods  of 
agriculture  and  fruit  farming  in  an 
effort  to  increase  the  yield  and  ulti- 
mate value  of  their  small  mountain 
farms  and  thus  raise  their  eco- 
nomic level. 

Most  foreigners  in  the  Orient  are 
fair  game  for  those  (and  many 
there  are)  who  wish  to  study  Eng- 
lish. Happily,  this  provides  oppor- 
tunity to  interest  a substantial  num- 
ber of  people  in  the  study  of  the 
English  Bible.  In  the  class  which 
Han  Vandenberg  and  I teach  in 
Hualien  most  of  our  students  are 
doctors,  non-Christian  for  the  most 
part,  but  with  at  least  one  or 
two  showing  real  interest  in  the 
Word  of  God  as  recorded  by  Mark 
and  Luke. 

We  request  prayer  that  this  inter- 
est may  deepen  into  faith  and  com- 
mitment to  Jesus  Christ.  A large 
percentage  of  the  students  and  in- 
tellectuals in  Taiwan  are  practical- 
ly agnostic,  with  no  strong  allegi- 
ance to  their  ancestral  religions  and 
wary  of  more  than  a nodding 
acquaintance  with  Christianity. 

May  we  be  able  to  show  them 
that  without  Christ  they  miss  the 
Way,  the  'Truth,  and  the  Life. 


. and  He  healed 
them  all.” 


Alvin  Friesen* 


IN  the  work  at  Mennonite  Chri.^ 
tian  Hospital  the  miraculous  heal- 
ing hand  of  God  is  seen  many  times. 
When  a wee  babe  taut  with  tetanus 
is  restored  to  health,  a “hopeless” 
surgical  risk  recovers  rapidly  and 
uneventfully,  the  agony  and  terror 
of  a deadly  snake-bite  slowly  sub- 
sides, we  are  humbly  grateful  for 
the  privilege  of  standing  by  and 
observing  the  Great  Physician  at 
work. 

But  much  deeper  is  our  satisfac- 


*General  Conference  Mennonite 
medical  missionary  in  Hualien,  Tai- 
wan. 


tion  as  here  and  there  a soul  sick  in 
sin  finds  forgiveness  and  life.  Pro- 
found is  our  gratitude  when  medical 
work  serves  as  a means  to  open  a 
contact  for  the  gospel. 

How  often  one  wishes  for  the 
ability  to  speak  Taiwanese,  Japa- 
nese, or  the  tribal  language  in  order 
to  witness  for  Christ  personally. 
However,  it  is  possible  to  pray  for 
the  chaplain,  nurses,  and  others  who 
can  witness  verbally. 

Mobile  clinic.  These  words  bring 
to  mind  many  scenes — crowds  of 
dirty,  ragged,  vitamin-deficient,  par- 
asite-infested children;  emaciated, 
hacking,  tuberculous  grandmothers; 


Dr.  Alvin  Friesen  and  one  of  the  Formosan  nurses. 


July  28,  1959 


455 


Passport  to  Fellowship 


Each  year  between  8,000  to 
10,000  Japanese  people  leave 
their  homeland  to  settle  in  Brazil. 
Ships  carrying  these  people  stop  for 
several  days  in  the  Los  Angeles  har- 
bor before  continuing  their  journey 
to  South  America. 

These  ships  are  met  by  a repre- 
sentative of  Church  World  Service 
and  the  Southern  California  Coun- 
cil of  Churches.  Each  family  is  giv- 
en a packet  containing  such  things 
as  clothing,  soap,  towels,  games, 
gifts  for  the  children  and,  most  im- 
portant of  all,  a Japanese  New  Tes- 
tament, provided  by  the  American 
Bible  Society. 

When  they  arrive  in  Brazil,  many 


In  the  Hand  -- 

“I  must  have  traveled  by  airplane 
at  least  two  hundred  times,”  said 
Inez,  “but  since  my  brother  was 
killed  in  a military  air  accident, 
I have  never  ceased  to  go  without 
fear.  And  so,  when  I enter  a plane, 
I hold  my  crucifix  in  one  hand  and 
grasp  the  arm  rest  with  the  other. 
I continually  clutch  at  the  Christ  in 
my  hand  and  recite  the  prayers  over 
and  over  until  I set  my  feet  on 
solid  ground  again.” 

Inez  is  an  industrial  nurse,  and 
her  profession  takes  her  to  many 
parts  of  the  country,  but  always  in 
fear.  She  had  been  raised  in  an 
aristocratic  family  with  all  the  ben- 
efits of  the  wealthy  class  in  Col- 
ombia: a fine  home,  servants,  edu- 
cation, and  even  a professional  edu- 
cation that  gave  her  an  R.  N.  de- 
gree. She  had  traveled  to  the  United 
States  for  advanced  study  as  an 
anesthetist.  In  short,  nothing  had 
ever  been  denied  her — nothing,  that 
is,  except  the  most  important  thing 
in  life:  a knowledge  of  Him  who 
gives  peace  instead  of  fear  and  per- 
fect love  which  casts  out  fear. 


approach  the  Christian  community 
with  their  Testaments  in  their 
hands,  presenting  these  Testaments 
as  if  they  were  passports  to  the 
fellowship  of  the  Christian  church. 

They  come  to  the  churches  say- 
ing, “See,  our  friends  in  America 
invite  us  to  come  to  your  church. 
Here  is  our  Bible  for  you  to  see.” 

The  Rev.  T.  Miyakoda,  Secretary 
of  the  Japan  Bible  Society,  who 
visited  these  Japanese  settlers  in 
their  new  home  in  Brazil,  reports 
that  many  of  them  became  Chris- 
tians through  their  study  of  their 
New  Testaments. 

Once  again  the  Bible  opened  the 
door  to  fellowship,  not  just  the  fel- 


or in  the  Heart? 

Inez’s  attitude  toward  Christ  is 
a common  one  among  the  people  of 
Colombia.  'Their  religion  teaches 
them  to  place  their  faith  in  the 
rites  and  ceremonies  of  the  church 
rather  than  God  who  “sent  forth 
the  Spirit  of  his  Son  into  your 
hearts.”  In  Colombia,  Jesus  is  usu- 
ally pictured  as  a child  or  as  the 
suffering  and  dying  Christ,  not  as 
the  risen  Christ  who  brings  peace 
to  our  hearts  and  power  to  our  lives. 
They  feel  that  Mary  as  “mother  of 
God”  will  intercede  for  them. 

Whenever  they  pass  by  a statue 
of  Mary  along  the  road  or  in  private 
homes  and  gardens  they  cross  them- 
selves, and  a man  tips  his  hat.  Be- 
side the  highways  are  shrines  dec- 
orated with  flowers  and  candles.  A 
bus  driver  will  stop  his  bus  beside 
the  shrine  of  the  Virgin  of  Carmen, 
patroness  of  the  chauffeurs,  to  light 
a candle.  Each  taxi  and  bus  has  a 
small  image  or  picture  of  Mary,  of 
the  baby  Jesus,  or  of  a favorite 
saint  of  the  driver. 

Everyone  wears  a scapular  which 
has  been  “blessed”  to  protect  him. 


lowship  of  the  Book,  but  the  fellow- 
ship of  the  household  of  faith,  the 
family  of  the  God  who  is  faithful 
and  has  called  us  into  the  fellowship 
of  His  Son,  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

It  was  this  kind  of  fellowship  that 
the  unknown  Marine  longed  for  fif- 
teen years  ago — a spiritual  fellow- 
ship of  Bible  reading  that  started  a 
chain  reaction  which  now  reaches 
millions  of  people  in  fifty  different 
countries. 

It  is  the  kind  of  fellowship  in 
which  every  member  of  the  Bible 
Society  family  is  invited  to  have  a 
share  by  making  gifts  that  live  in 
the  Master’s  work  of  translating 
and  distributing  the  Holy  Scriptures 
in  this  nation  and  more  than  forty 
other  countries.  Whenever  a person 
with  the  Book  meets  a person  with- 
out the  Book,  the  door  has  been 
opened  to  Christian  fellowship. 

“If  we  walk  in  the  light,  as  He 
is  in  the  light,  we  have  fellowship 
one  with  another.”  This  is  the  true 
passport  into  fellowship. 

— by  permission  of  the  American 
Bible  Society 


When  a person  dies,  a crucifix  is 
placed  in  his  hand  so  that  the  Christ 
will  accompany  him  in  death. 

To  each  of  these  Christ  brings 
a message.  “If  thou  shalt  believe 
in  thine  heart  that  God  raised  him 
from  the  dead,  thou  shalt  be  saved.” 
Then  Christ  will  “dwell  in  your 
hearts  by  faith”  and  you  will  know 
the  “love  of  Christ  which  passeth 
knowledge.”  Having  then  this  love 
of  Christ,  “the  peace  of  God,  which 
passeth  all  understanding,  shall 
keep  your  hearts  and  minds  through 
Christ  Jesus.” 

So  then,  Inez,  “Let  not  your  heart 
be  troubled:  ye  believe  in  God,  be- 
lieve also  in  me  (Christ),”  and  He 
will  give  you  a perfect  love  that 
casts  out  fear.  Holding  an  image  in 
your  hand  will  never  bring  the  air- 
plane to  a safe  landing  or  earn 
for  you  salvation  and  eternal  life, 
but  acceptance  of  Him  and  com- 
munion with  Him  will  bring  a 
peace  to  your  heart  that  the  world 
can  never  give.  He  is  the  Christ  who 
desires  a place  in  your  heart. 

— Mrs.  Arthur  Keiser 
Missionary  in  Colombia,  S.  A. 


456 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  Youth 


Die 

W anderer 


Warren  Kliewer 


Reprinted  from  Mennonite  Life 


General  Conference  Mennonite  history 
will  be  the  point  of  concentration  for  the 
next  few  weeks.  In  this  issue  is  the 
story  of  John  H.  Oberholtzer,  the  first 
president  of  the  General  Conference. 
Succeeding  articles  will  be  about 
Christian  Krehbiel  and  David  Toews. 


The  pungent  cedar,  the  bluegrass  and  I 
Attend  this  plot  of  old  stories 
And  silence.  We  are  both  cold, 

Grandfather,  for  the  northwest  wind 
Is  tearing  my  eyes  as  I stand  above 
Your  foreign  grave  in  Minnesota. 

I read  the  stone,  "Gerhard  Kliewer, 

1864  geboren, 

Gestorben  1931; 

Gott  habe  ihn  selig.” 

God  rest  your  soul, 

Gerhard  of  the  broken  hand. 

Gerhard  the  tenor  Vorsanger  chanting, 

"Ich  weiss  einen  Strom,  dessen  herrliche  Flut 
Fliesst  wunderbar  stille  durchs  Land,”  Gerhard, 
Born  where  you  saw  the  wheat  of  the  Steppes 
And  where  you  heard  the  red-faced  Cossacks 
Galloping  through  the  German  Darpa 
And  leaving  behind  them  shrieks  and  fire. 

God  rest  their  souls,  Gerhard’s  fathers. 

Who  hammered  together  Molotschna  and  Crefeld 

In  Krym  and  Ukraine,  and  plowed  the  Volga 

And  smelled  the  salt  mist  of  Azov 

And  cursed  die  schlauen  Russen  who  taught  them 

How  to  make  borscht  and  who  stole  their  horses. 

God  rest  those  souls  in  der  heiligen  Flucht, 

Carrying  along  de  Muttasproak 

And  German  plows  and  Prussian  chorales 

From  Graudenz  and  Danzig  and  the  Vistula  Delta; 

And  rest  the  grandsire  who  said,  "Russland 

1st  unser  Weg,  nicht  unsere  Heimat.” 

God  rest  their  fathers’  souls  in  Friesland. 

I scarcely  see  them  in  the  fog 

From  Juist  and  Trischen  and  Jade  Bay 

And  hardly  hear  their  throaty  Dutch 

For  the  waves  and  the  wind  on  the  North  Sea, 

Ghosts  of  my  bearded,  black-garbed  fathers 

Who  sit  in  council  on  a son 

Smooth-chinned  and  worldly  with  English  words. 


July  28,  1959 


457 


The  story  of  John  H.  Oberholtzer 


With  Joy 


in  My  Heart 


by  Arthur  S.  Rosenberger 


AS  the  year  1847  dawned  John  H. 

Oberholtzer,  pastor  of  the 
Swamp  Mennonite  Congregation  in 
eastern  Pennsylvania,  faced  a tre- 
mendous problem. 

He  had  come  to  the  conviction 
that  it  was  desirable  to  keep  a 
secretary’s  record  of  conference  ses- 
sions, and  that  there  should  be  a 
constitution.  Also,  he  did  not  feel 
that  he  could  conform  to  the  pre- 
scribed mode  of  dress. 

While  there  were  many  that 
shared  his  convictions,  the  majority 
of  the  conference  leaders  did  not. 
The  problem  was  that  with  sincere 
men  differing  and  having  intense 
feelings  on  the  issue,  a division 
might  occur. 

Oberholtzer’s  fears  were  realized 
and  a split  took  place  in  early  fall, 
1847.  Later  that  year  he  and  his 
followers  met  to  organize  what  later 
became  the  Eastern  District  Con- 
ference. 

Oberholtzer  used  to  tell  how  after 
the  separation  came  about,  he  went 
outside  under  a tree  and  fervently 
rededicated  himself  to  God.  He  had 
gone  through  soul-stirring  days.  It 
had  been  his  hope  to  bring  about 
changes  in  the  conference  rather 
than  to  start  a new  one. 

Even  in  the  darkness  of  that  hour, 
there  came  to  him  a great  vision: 
a General  Conference  whose  aim 
would  be  to  unite  all  Mennonites 
into  one  group. 

He  began  to  work  on  this  pro- 
gram by  contacting  some  churches 
in  Ontario,  Canada,  and  Wadsworth, 
Ohio.  These  two  groups,  with  a simi- 
lar viewpoint  and  a desire  to  work 
together,  had  organized  a Confer- 
ence Council  of  the  Mennonite  Com- 
munities of  Canada- West  and  Ohio. 

In  his  paper,  the  Christliche  Volks- 
blatt,  in  1856,  Oberholtzer  advocated 
a union  of  the  Pennsylvania  church- 


es of  his  conference  with  this  group. 
The  plan  was  favorably  received 
but  no  action  was  taken. 

Oberholtzer  also  learned  that  two 
isolated  congregations  in  Iowa  were, 
under  the  leadership  of  Daniel  Kreh- 
biel  and  Christian  Showalter,  seek- 
ing a closer  fellowship  with  other 
Mennonite  churches.  They  were  call- 
ing for  a meeting  at  West  Point, 
Iowa,  in  1860,  with  others  who 
might  be  interested. 

Oberholtzer  advocated  strongly 
that  the  Pennsylvania  churches 
should  be  represented  but  the  people 
were  not  much  enthused  about  mak- 
ing “a  long  trip  west”  to  Iowa.  The 
West  Swamp  pastor  remained  great- 
ly desirous  of  going  but  did  not  have 
the  finances  necessary  to  make  the 
trip  and  it  looked  for  a while  as 
though  this  proposition  would  fall 
through. 

Finally  a way  was  found  to  make 
the  trip  possible  and  the  strong  ad- 
vocate of  a General  Conference,  with 
a companion,  set  off  on  the  long 
train  trip. 


The  meeting  was  held  in  West 
Point,  Iowa,  on  May  28-29,  1860. 
John  H.  Oberholtzer  was  chosen 
chairman  and  Christian  Showalter 
served  as  secretary.  The  people  of 
the  two  Iowa  churches  (West  Point 
and  Zion)  were  very  enthusiastic 
about  what  was  happening  and  at- 
tended in  large  numbers. 

Thus,  these  congregations,  the 
two  representatives  from  Pennsyl- 
vania, and  a neighboring  Mennonite 
pastor  were  present  at  what  is  now 
recognized  as  having  been  the  first 
meeting  of  the  present  (general  Con- 
ference of  Mennonites. 

At  this  beginning  much  was  done 
to  speed  on  the  vision  of  a united 
Mennonitism.  A set  of  resolutions 
was  drawn  up  which  it  was  hoped 
would  be  the  basis  for  uniting 
churches  for  the  extension  of  mis- 
sions and  other  interests. 

Oberholtzer  returned  home  from 
Iowa  again  fervently  dedicating 
himself  to  God  in  this  cause.  He 
was  very  happy  about  the  meeting 
and  wrote,  “When  I look  back  to  it. 


John  H.  Oberholtzer  set  the  tone  of  the 
work  of  our  conference  when  he  said, 

“I  insist  that  no  brotherhood  can 
be  indifferent  about  itself.  It  should 
earnestly  seek  to  tvin  souls  for  Christ.” 


458 


THE  MENNONITE 


Arthur  Rosenberger,  the  author  of  this 
article,  is  pastor  of  the  West  Swamp  Men- 
nonite  Church.  He  served  as  president 
of  Bluffton  College  from  1935-1938 
and  is  at  present  chairman  of  the  Mennonite 
Biblical  Seminary  Board. 


I experience  a genuine  joy  in  my 
heart.”  He  continued  to  push  the 
cause  of  union  among  Mennonites 
in  his  publications  and  in  every  way 
that  he  could. 

It  was  at  the  session  in  Wads- 
worth, Ohio,  the  following  year 
(1861)  that  with  some  more  church- 


es represented  articles  of  agreement 
were  signed  and  the  General  Confer- 
ence of  Mennonites  became  a reali- 
ty. Steps  were  taken  toward  a pro- 
gram of  evangelization,  education, 
and  publication. 

We  can  be  confident  that  John 
Oberholtzer  would  be  happy  today 


at  the  ways  in  which  Mennonites  are 
coming  to  work  closer  together.  If 
he  could  survey  the  work  of  the 
Mennonite  Central  Committee,  the 
Associated  Mennonite  Biblical  Sem- 
inaries, our  publication,  disaster, 
and  other  related  activities,  his 
heart  would  rejoice.  His  prayer 
would  be  that  we  might  continue  in 
this  direction. 

In  writing  this  sketch,  the  pres- 
ent pastor  at  West  Swamp  feels  that 
he  can  hear  the  West  Swamp  pas- 
tor who  went  through  those  trying 
days  of  1847  say,  “I  had  to  stand 
for  that  which  I believed.  I £im  glad 
you  have  the  privilege  of  living  in 
a day  when  Mennonites  are  working 
together  in  some  things.  Look  to 
God  for  His  leading.  As  I often 
said,  God’s  will  be  done  in  all 
things.  That  is  my  most  sincere 
wish  and  prayer.” 


Looking  forward  to  the  TPU  retreat 

On  the  Shores  of  Shavehead 


Looking  for  an  exciting  experi- 
ence? A friendly  fellowship?  A 
spiritual  summit?  Why  not  join 
many  others  at  Camp  Friedenswald 
for  the  Genera]  Conference  Young 
People’s  Union  Retreat?  Friedens- 
wald, “peaceful  forest,”  is  nestled 
in  the  rolling  hills,  among  the  syca- 
mores, locusts,  oaks,  and  walnuts, 
on  the  shores  of  Shavehead  Lake. 

Approximately  half  of  the  cabins 
will  be  assigned  to  youth.  If  there 
are  a large  number  of  campers, 
some  may  want  to  try  sleeping  bags 
cuid  tents. 


Friedenswald  offers  leadership  for 
“Finding  God  on  the  Trail,”  “Meet- 
ing Christ  at  the  Cross”  on  Vesper 
Hill,  and  becoming  acquainted  with 
a host  of  other  youth  from  our  Gen- 
eral Conference  churches. 

The  cost  for  this  week’s  retreat 
will  be  $3.00  for  registration,  $3.75 
for  lodging,  $15.00  for  food,  and  $.50 
for  insurance.  (The  insurance  in- 
cludes hospital  and  doctor  fees  up 
to  $500.00  for  each  illness  or  ac- 
cident.) 

Friedenswald  hopes  to  help  you 
have  a happy  vacation  with  other 


Christian  youth.  We  hope  it  will 
help  you  grow  in  your  commitment 
to  Christ  as  Lord  and  Saviour. 

— Dan  Graber 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People's  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  3003 
Benham  Avenue,  Elkhart,  Indiana, 


Registration  For  YPU  Retreat 

Please  register  me  for  the  Young  People’s  Union  retreat  August  5-12 
at  Camp  Friedenswald. 

NAME 

ADDRESS 

I plan  to  arrive  (date) by  car  Q train  Q bus  Q plane  Q 

Send  your  retreat  applications  to  Dan  Graber,  Rt.  3,  Camp  Friedenswald, 
Cassopolis,  Mich. 


July  28,  1959 


459 


our  schools 

ACTING  PRESIDENT  NAMED 

J.  Winfield  Fretz,  chairman  of  the 
division  of  social  sciences  at  Bethel 
College,  has  been  named  acting 
president  of  Bethel  College  until  a 
full-time  president  will  be  secured, 
as  announced  today  by  the  college 
board  of  directors. 

Dr.  Fretz  will  carry  on  the  execu- 
tive duties  of  acting  president  in 
co-operation  with  an  administrative 
committee. 

The  interim  administrative  com- 
mittee has  been  created  by  the  col- 
lege board  to  fill  the  office  of  the 
presidency  vacated  by  the  resigna- 
tion of  President  D.  C.  Wedel. 

Dr.  Fretz  holds  A.M.  and  Ph.D. 
degrees  from  the  University  of  Chi- 
cago. The  Chicago  Theological  Sem- 
inary granted  him  the  B.D.  degree 
after  which  he  joined  the  Bethel 
faculty  in  1942. 

Fretz  undertook  a research  com- 
mission for  the  Mennonite  Central 
Committee  to  South  America  in 
1951-52  and  has  recently  returned 
with  his  family  from  a similar  stay 
in  South  America  as  a Guggenheim 
and  Fulbright  research  fellow.  His 
past  year’s  study  undertook  to  eval- 
uate cultural  interactions  between 
Asiatic  and  European  immigrant 
groups  and  Paraguayan  nationals. 

He  is  the  author  of  “Pilgrims  in 
Paraguay,”  a sociological  study  of 
Mennonite  settlements  in  S.  A. 

Dr.  Fretz  was  instrumental  in  the 
founding  of  the  Conference  on  Cul- 
tural and  Educational  Problems 
sponsored  by  the  Council  of  Menno- 
nites  and  Affiliated  Colleges  which 
meets  alternate  years. 

In  Newton,  Fretz  is  known  as 
part  owner  of  the  Guest  House,  a 
popular  cafeteria,  and  was  a mem- 
ber of  the  executive  committee  of 
the  Newton  Community  Council 
which  he  helped  organize. 

SEMINARY  SUMMER  SCHOOL 

The  second  term  of  summer 
school  at  Mennonite  Biblical  Semi- 
nary was  from  July  6-24.  J.  J.  Enz 
taught  Minor  Prophets;  Howard 
Charles  taught  Ephesians;  William 
Klassen,  Greek;  and  Paul  Mininger, 
Philosophy  of  Christian  Education. 

HARRY  MARTENS  TO  ELKHART 

Harry  E.  Martens,  who  arrived 


with  his  family  on  July  2,  has  tak- 
en over  the  responsibilities  of  the 
business  administration  of  the  sem- 
inary. The  Martenses  now  live  at 
2504  Ottawa  Drive,  Elkhart. 

FACULTY  MEMBERS  TRAVEL 

Andrew  R . Shelly  represented 
Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary  at  the 
Canadian  Conference  at  Clearbrook, 
B.  C.,  July  4-8.  He  has  also  made 
recent  contacts  for  the  seminary 
at  Washington,  111.,  and  Newton, 
Kan. 

Cornelius  J.  Dyck  served  as  one 
of  the  retreat  leaders  at  Elim  Gos- 
pel Beach,  Swift  Current,  Sask., 
July  17-26. 

PRINCETON  PROF  VISITS 

Dr.  Otto  Piper,  Professor  of  New 
Testament  at  Princeton  Theological 
Seminary,  visited  the  seminary  cam- 
pus on  July  11  and  spoke  to  the 
Goshen  and  Elkhart  Seminary  fac- 
ulties and  summer  school  students 
on  “A  Biblical  Appraisal  of  Money.” 

ENROLLMENT  INCREASES 

A total  of  404  students  have  been 
registered  at  Bethel  College  as  of 
today,  according  to  the  office  of  the 
registrar. 

This  compares  with  last  year’s 
total  of  327  of  the  same  date. 

Freshman  applications  constitute 
142  of  this  year’s  total  as  compared 
to  122  a year  ago.  Altogether,  191 
new  students  have  been  accepted  in 
contrast  to  147  last  year. 

In  the  category  of  former  students 
213  have  been  accepted  for  the  com- 
ing year,  while  a year  ago  this  num- 
ber totaled  180. 

MCC  news  and  notes 

NEW  MEDICAL- 
AGRICULTURAL  UNIT 

Haiti — As  part  of  an  expanding  wit- 
ness in  Haiti  plans  for  an  addition- 
al medical-agricultural  MCC  unit  in 
the  north  are  moving  ahead  follow- 
ing Assistant  VS  Director  Edgar 
Stoesz’s  visit  July  1-8  and  a visit 
in  May  by  Orie  O.  Miller,  Associate 
Secretary.  Under  an  agreement 
with  the  republic  of  Haiti,  a 16-bed 
hospital  at  Grande  Riviere  du  Nord 
will  be  available  on  a rent-free 
lease.  To  offer  services  in  the  hos- 
pital as  well  as  in  the  surrounding 
community  it  is  proposed  that  the 
new  unit  include  a medical  doctor, 
three  nurses,  a maintenance  man, 
and  four  agriculturists. 


The  hospital,  constructed  four 
years  ago  by  the  Haitian  govern- 
ment, has  previously  not  been 
equipped  or  operated.  “Its  general 
arrangement  seems  workable,  the 
appearance  excellent,  and  the  con- 
struction well  done,”  Stoesz  reports. 
Reasonable  capacity,  in  addition  to 
examining  and  waiting  room  space, 
would  be  about  20  beds.  MCC  per- 
sonnel will  live  in  one  wing  of  the 
building.  The  new  medical  program, 
to  include  both  curative  and  pre- 
ventive medicine,  will  be  carried  out 
in  co-operation  with  the  Haiti  de- 
partment of  public  health. 

Initially,  agricultural  workers  will 
be  assigned  to  an  experimental  ex- 
tension farm  near  Cap  Haitian,  a 
part  of  the  Pote  Cole  development. 
Pote  Cole  (Creole  word  meaning 
everyone  working  for  a comman 
goal)  is  a co-operative  project  of 
the  Haitian  government  and  the 
United  States  Oeprations  Mission. 
This  farm  is  designed  to  show  Hai- 
tians how  their  own  resources  may 
be  utilized  to  improve  their  living 
standard.  It  serves  both  as  a base 
for  extension  work  and  as  a place 
to  produce  good  seed  and  livestock. 

Pote  Cole  will  also  assist  in  the 
hospital  program  by  providing 
equipment  valued  at  $15,000  includ- 
ing beds,  ambulance,  power  plant, 
and  water  pressure  system.  Finali- 
ized  plans  are  being  submitted  to 
the  MCC  Executive  Committee  for 
approval.  It  is  planned  that  this 
work  in  Haiti’s  northern  plains  will 
get  under  way  this  fall.  MCC  VSers 
are  currently  working  at  Hospital 
Albert  Schweitzer  (Saint  Marc)  and 
in  an  agricultural  project  at  Petit 
Goave. 

PRESS  ENLARGES  EFFORTS 

Switzerland  — Agape- V erlag  ( Love 
of  God  Press)  in  Basel,  Switzerland, 
continues  to  expand  and  intensify 
its  publishing  of  summer  Bible 
school  materials  for  European  chil- 
dren. ’The  final  and  tenth  course  in 
the  Agape  series  will  be  published 
in  German  this  fall  and  in  French 
in  the  spring  of  1960.  This  coming 
winter  the  press,  jointly  sponsored 
by  the  Mennonite  Publishing  House 
and  MCC,  anticipates  printing  two 
courses  in  Italian,  according  to 
Manager  Gerhard  Reimer  (Giroux, 
Man.) 

The  German  paper  for  Sunday 
school  teachers  and  children’s  work- 
ers, Dienst  am  Kinde,  published  by 


460 


THE  MENNONITE 


the  Union  of  Evangelical  Free 
Churches  in  Germany,  recently  in- 
cluded a review  of  the  Agape  SBS 
series.  Pastor  Herbert  Seeger  of 
Berlin,  in  his  appreciative  evalua- 
tion of  the  series,  states: 

“It  is  no  secret  that  there  is  only 
a very  limited  selection  of  materials 
of  this  kind  in  Germany.  For  this 
reason  a number  of  teaching  aids 
from  the  United  States,  where  there 
is  an  abundance  of  these,  have  been 
translated.  On  the  whole  attempts 
at  mere  translation  have  been  un- 
successful, because  America  and 
Germany  are  two  different  coun- 
tries with  different  concepts  and  ex- 
periences. The  staff  of  Agape-Ver- 
lag  has  done  a job  which  is  not 
easy.  They  did  bring  along  some 
materials  to  the  continent,  but  these 
were  revised,  reworked,  and  actual- 
ly- given  a completely  new  form. 
Such  artists  as  Paula  Jordon  were 
requested  to  produce  the  illustra- 
tions. Canons  and  songs  speaking 
to  our  experience  were  selected.” 

HEBRON  ORPHANAGE  MOVES 

Jordan — June  27  was  moving  day 
for  the  Hebron  MCC  orphanage  in 
Jordan.  The  new  white  stone  build- 
ing which  was  first  intended  as  a 
government  school  is  a roomy  and 
comfortable  home  for  the  45  chil- 
dren and  will  also  allow  for  future 
expansion,  MCC  workers  report. 
Located  on  the  edge  of  the  city  on 
I the  main  highway,  the  site  lacks 
play  space  but  there  is  a good  pos- 
sibility of  renting  extra  land. 

WEIERHOF  PAXMAN  REPORTS 

Germany — After  extensive  renova- 
tions of  the  Mennonite  secondary 
school  in  Weierhof,  Germany,  the 
Weierhof  school  was  officially  re- 
I opened  May  30.  In  addition  to  the 
determined  effort  of  German  Men- 
nonite men,  eight  Paxmen  helped 
in  restoring  to  beauty  and  efficiency 
the  institution  which  was  closed  by 
j the  second  world  war. 

Paxman  Wilbur  Yoder  in  a report 
I recapitulating  the  enthusiasm  of 
the  Paxmen  involved  in  the  school 
renovation  writes: 

“At  Weierhof  we  are  thrilled 
when  we  see  what  we  have  accom- 
plished with  our  hands.  When  the 
job,  with  its  pleading  look,  was  just 
^ offered  us  we  wondered  where  to 
start.  Realizing  that  we  wouldn’t 
get  to  first  base  sitting  and  talking 
about  it,  we  decided  to  plunge  into 
the  repair  job  not  knowing  how 


long  the  work  would  take  or  how 
extensive  the  work  really  was. 

“What  a mess  this  job  was  before 
we  started!  Now  you  wouldn’t  know 
the  place  or  how  it  could  have  look- 
ed the  way  it  did  before  we  fixed 
it.  Our  work  included  applying  a 
liquid  ‘abbeiz  fluid,’  to  loosen  the 
green  paint  on  the  woodwork.  This 
would  make  it  easier  for  the  other 
fellows  to  peel  it  off.  But  to  their 
surprise,  underneath  the  paint  was 
a coat  of  varnish.  Eventually  elec- 
tric Sanders  were  sent  to  solve  the 
‘paint-layer’  problem  for  us.  Of 
course  all  the  fine  edges  and  cor- 
ners could  only  be  finished  with 
hand  work.  We  used  approximate- 
ly 60  kilos  of  fluid  and  200  sheets  of 
sandpaper.” 

WAR  TAX  CONCERN 

AKRON— Concern  for  payment  of 
war  taxes  has  been  expressed  by  the 
General  Brotherhood  Board  of  the 
Church  of  the  Brethren.  Board  Exe- 
cutive Secretary  W.  Howard  Row 
writes,  “The  concern  is  real  and  the 
problems  to  implement  (an  alterna- 
tive to  payment  of  war  taxes)  are 
great.  However,  probably  no  greater 
than  that  of  securing  an  alternative 
to  military  service.”  In  a resolution 
shared  with  MCC  and  similar  or- 
ganizations the  General  Brother- 
hood Board  states:  Because  there  is 
a growing  interest  among  Brethren 
and  others  in  finding  a positive  al- 
ternative to  the  payment  of  that 
portion  of  federal  income  taxes  that 
go  for  war  preparations,  the  Gen- 
eral Brotherhood  Board  voted  that 
explorations  be  made  with  the  ap- 
propriate agencies  of  government 
to  the  end  that  an  acceptable  con- 
structive alternative  be  provided  for 
all  those  persons  who,  by  reason  of 
religious  training  and  belief,  con- 
scientiously object  to  the  payment 
of  that  portion  of  income  taxes  go- 
ing for  military  defense.  These  ex- 
plorations might  be  made  in  concert 
with  one  or  the  more  of  the  other 
organizations  with  which  we  are 
associated  or  if  necessary  by  Breth- 
ren alone.” 

A similar  reaction  was  recently 
expressed  by  two  Mennonltes.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Don  Kaufman  (Mound- 
ridge,  Kan.)  who  are  under  appoint- 
ment as  MCC  workers  in  Indonesia 
assert  in  a letter  to  the  U.S.  Treas- 
ury Department:  “Like  others  who 
have  been  perplexed  by  the  irre- 
sponsible use  of  tax  money  for  mil- 
itary purposes,  we  are  earnestly 


seeking  for  a constructive  way  in 
which  to  be  honest  with  what  we 
understand  about  the  issue.  Per- 
sonally, we  are  unable  to  acquiesce 
easily  to  the  present  military  ex- 
penditures of  our  government  which 
we  believe  are  irrelevant  to  the 
problem  they  are  trying  to  solve. 
One  cannot  change  ideologies  or 
correct  evil  by  destroying  those  in 
whom  these  forces  reside.”  (See 
The  Mennonite,  June  9,  1959,  page 
359,  for  complete  letter.) 

BECKERS  CONCLUDE  TERM 

URUGUAY— Mr.  and  Mrs.  Alvin 
Becker  and  nine  year  old  Frances 
Ann  (Burrton,  Kan.)  returned  to 
the  United  States  July  2 after  a 2% 
year  term  of  service  in  Uruguay. 
Becker’s  assignment  as  MCC  direc- 
tor in  Uruguay  began  in  Jan.  1957. 

Seeking  especially  to  give  the 
Uruguayan  Mennonites  support  in 
their  economic  development,  Beck- 
er also  co-operated  with  the  colonies 
in  assisting  with  their  spiritual  con- 
cerns, in  strengthening  the  Menno- 
nite culture  and  integrating  it  with 
the  new  environment. 

Beckers  lived  in  the  MCC  center 
in  Montevideo  which  served  as  the 
nucleus  for  many  Mennonite  activi- 
ties in  Montevideo  as  well  as  the 
surrounding  Mennonite  colonies. 
Often  the  center  became  a hostel 
for  traveling  Mennonites.  In  addi- 
tion to  helping  with  colonies’  busi- 
ness transactions,  such  as  selling 
colony  produce  and  assisting  in  pur- 
chasing, the  Beckers  co-operated 
with  the  Mennonite  Biblical  Semi- 
nary program  and  assisted  in  young 
people’s  activities. 

Uruguay,  a well  developed  South 
American  country  with  a socialistic 
government,  became  a new  home 
for  Mennonites  in  1948.  The  three 
Mennonite  colonies  are  made  up  of 
West  Prussian,  Polish,  Russian,  and 
Austrian  (Lemberger)  Mennonites: 
El  Ombu  colony  established  in  1948; 
Gartental  colony  in  1951;  and  Delta 
colony  in  1956,  the  newest  colony  in 
Uruguay  and  a daughter  colony  of 
El  Ombu. 

The  Uruguayan  Mennonite  culture 
is  in  a period  of  transition,  Becker 
points  out.  While  in  Europe  their 
culture  and  tradition  became  very 
firmly  fixed;  now  they  must  adapt 
themselves  to  the  South  American 
way  of  Life.  Already  in  some  in- 
stances Spanish  has  supplanted  or 
is  used  in  addition  to  their  native 
German  language. 


July  28,  1959 


461 


mutual  aid  placement 

A brotherly  service  for  the  upbuilding  of 
the  church  community  through  a mutually 
helpful  agency  providing  free  services  in 
the  interest  ot  placement  or  re-location. 

Wanted  to  Rent — Dairyman  with 
ten  years’  experience  wishes  to  rent 
or  lease  Grade  “A”  dairy  farm.  Will 
provide  herd  and  equipment.  Will 
consider  any  location.  Contact  Mu- 
tual Aid,  722  Main,  Newton,  Kan. 
No.  593. 

jottings 

J.  J.  ESAU  SPEAKS 

Woodland  Church,  W a r r o a d, 
Minn.;  Dwight,  son  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Melvin  Ortmann;  Sara  Nell, 
daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peter  H. 
Heppner;  and  Curtis,  son  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Don  Fast  were  the  chil- 
dren dedicated  on  Mother’s  Day. 
Brother  Don  Palmer  was  the  guest 
speaker  at  the  morning  and  eve- 
ning services  May  17.  He  plans  to 
be  a missionary  in  S.  America. 
Sylvia  Fast,  Luella  Thiessen,  and 
Kathy  Heppner  were  the  graduating 
seniors  from  our  church.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Peter  Thiessen,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Don  Fast,  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John 
T.  Fast  drove  to  Munich,  N.  D.,  to 
attend  the  funeral  of  their  uncle, 
Abe  Eitzen.  Karen  Harder,  Grace 
Hiebner,  and  Ruth  Kempers  (all 
of  Mt.  Lake,  Minn.)  were  vacation 
Bible  school  teachers  at  Fourtown 
and  Mulung  Area.  Mrs.  D.  S.  Hepp- 
ner, Mrs.  Alfred  Heppner,  Mrs. 
Peter  H.  Heppner,  and  Mrs.  Melvin 
Ortmann  taught  Bible  school  here 
at  home.  Special  musical  services 
were  held  with  the  Gospelettes  from 
the  Open  Door  Mission,  Jackson, 
Miss.,  on  June  2.  H.  H.  Peters 
brought  the  message.  From  here 
they  went  to  Steinbach,  Man. 
Monthly  films  in  the  school  gym 
were  “In  Times  Like  These”  and 
■“The  Split  Level  Family.”  Jake 
Unruh  filled  the  pulpit  while  Pas- 
tor and  Mrs.  Ortmann  were  at  the 
Northern  District  conference.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Pete  'Thiessen,  Violet  and 
Luella,  also  attended  the  confer- 
ence. Violet,  Luella,  and  Johnny 
Thiessen  brought  our  special  num- 
ber for  the  youth  conference  which 
was  held  at  Munich,  N.  D.  Miss  Dar- 
lene Kveen  of  Roseau  became  the 
bride  of  Laurence  Fast,  son  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Nick  Fast,  June  20.  Miss 
Sylvia  Unruh,  R.N.,  of  Chicago, 
visited  her  pEirents,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Pete  Unruh.  Evangelist  J.  J.  Esau 
was  our  guest  speaker  June  23,  24, 


and  26.  June  25  he  spoke  at  Middle- 
bro  Canada  Chapel  where  Pastor 
Ortmann  will  be  doing  mission 
work.  Our  young  people’s  program 
was  given  June  28.  Sam  Fast  from 
the  Indian  reservation  was  the  guest 
speaker  at  a program  held  July  4 
in  the  afternoon.  There  was  a lunch- 
eon fellowship  at  4:00  p.m.  David 
Krahn,  a 1-W  worker  at  Topeka, 
Kan.,  was  home  for  a ten  day  visit 
with  his  parents,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  C.  I. 
Krahn. — Mrs.  Nick  Fast. 

MISSIONARIES  VISIT 

Bethesda  Church,  Marion,  S.  D.; 
The  Christ  Co-workers  gave  a pro- 
gram on  home  missions  April  19. 
The  Lord  has  blessed  two  families 
with  babies:  a son  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Don  Polly,  April  21;  and  a son  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Irwin  Ewert,  May  12. 
The  Christian  Youth  Volunteers  of 
Freeman  College  gave  us  an  inspir- 
ing program  April  26.  May  7 the 
Ladies’  Mission  Society  packed  215 
pounds  of  new  and  used  clothing, 
16  pairs  of  shoes,  and  16  comforters, 
which  were  sent  to  Newton,  Kan., 
and  60  pounds  of  clothing  was  sent 
to  Paraguay,  S.  A.  On  Mother’s 
Day,  May  10,  three  children  were 
dedicated  to  the  Lord.  On  May  24 
a baptismal  service  was  held  for  six 
candidates.  In  the  evening  after 
the  Junior  and  Senior  C.  E.  a social 
fellowship  hour  was  held  in  the 
church  basement  in  honor  of  our 
pastor’s  birthday.  May  31,  49  Christ- 
mas bundles  were  dedicated,  and  in 
the  evening  there  was  a singspira- 
tion  with  John  Regehr  of  the  M.  B. 
church  as  song  leader.  We  were 
happy  to  have  the  children  of  the 
Bethel  Church  join  us  in  our  DVBS, 
which  convened  June  1-5,  with  an 
enrollment  of  72  and  9 teachers. 
The  program  was  June  7.  Dean 
Tieszen  received  a diploma  for  at- 
tending DVBS  nine  years.  The  mu- 
sic organization  had  a picnic  at  the 
park  in  Freeman  June  9.  Mrs.  Fred 
Koehn  died  of  a heart  attack  at  the 
age  of  62.  The  funeral  was  held 
June  12.  In  the  evening  of  June 
12,  Lois  Berg  and  Larry  Kauffman 
were  married.  Arthur  Thiessen, 
medical  missionary  to  India 
brought  the  morning  message  June 
21.  On  June  24  we  had  the  Albert 
Jantzens  with  us  telling  and  show- 
ing us  about  the  work  in  Arizona 
among  the  Hopi  Indians. — Corr. 

W.  D.  WORK  PRESENTED 

Inman  Church,  Inman,  Kan.:  W. 
F.  Unruh,  W.  Dist.  Field  Sec.,  show- 
ed pictures  of  our  new  city  mission 
projects  and  gave  an  illustrated 
message  on  the  work  of  the  W.  Dist. 
Conf.,  June  7.  Karen  Doerksen, 
Doris  Wiens,  Sheryl  Wiens,  and  Ro 


Jean  Franz  were  received  into  our 
fellowship  by  baptism.  Ferd  Ediger 
brought  us  the  communion  message 
on  May  31.  A Christmas  bundle 
dedication  was  held  with  our  Chil- 
dren’s Day  service  June  21.  Miss 
Janet  Soldner  of  Colombia,  S.  A., 
shared  with  us  the  varied  joys,  bur- 
dens, and  challenges  of  the  work 
confronting  the  missionaries  in  their 
efforts  to  present  the  gospel  and  to 
be  a daily  witness  for  Christ.  The 
Jr.  S.  S.  project  for  July  is  rice  for 
Funk  Memorial  School  and  orphan 
support  at  Janjgir,  India.  Pastor 
and  Mrs.  Rahn  were  enrolled  in  a 
3-weeks  summer  school  at  our  sem- 
inary in  Elkhart,  Ind.  During  our 
pastor’s  absence.  Curt  Siemens,  an 
instructor  at  Buhler  High  School 
and  recently  licensed  as  a minister 
in  our  Conference,  brought  us  the 
morning  messages  entitled,  “The 
Way  to  Know,”  and  “The  Meaning 
of  the  Burning  Bush.”  Virginia  Jl. 
Heidebrecht  and  Ivan  B.  Rahn,  two 
young  people  from  our  congrega- 
tion, were  married  June  12.  Re- 
cently Missionary  Jacob  Toews,  a 
native  of  Inman,  with  his  wife  and 
family  shared  with  us  their  per- 
sonal testimony  in  what  the  Lord 
had  done  for  and  through  them  in 
the  work  with  the  Indians  of  the 
New  Tribes  Mission  of  Venezuela, 
S.  A. — Corr. 

GOERING  IS  SPECIAL  SPEAKER 

First  Church,  Ransom,  Kan.:  Spe- 
cial services  were  held  April  5-10. 
Roland  Goering  of  Halstead  gave 
inspirational  messages  and  showed 
pictures  taken  on  his  trip  to  the 
Mennonite  World  Conf.  in  Germany. 
Missionary  James  Bertsche  present- 
ed the  work  in  the  Congo  with 
slides  and  exposition  April  22.  Ern- 
est Bachman  was  here  representing 
Bethel  College,  April  22-23.  The 
evening  of  May  9,  a program  of 
song  was  given  by  the  Eden  Men’s 
Chorus,  directed  by  Mrs.  Don  Kauff- 
man of  Moundridge.  On  May  16 
the  Albert  Jantzens,  missionaries 
to  the  Hopi  Indians  in  Arizona, 
showed  slides  and  told  of  their 
work.  Rev.  Jantzen  was  in  charge 
of  the  morning  service,  May  17. 
Todd  Alan,  infant  son  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Richard  Horchem,  was  con- 
secrated May  10.  Bible  school  was 
held  June  1-12,  with  seven  classes 
and  41  pupils.  The  program  was 
given  the  following  evening.  On 
June  14  Virgie  Schreiber,  Linda 
Horchem,  Cheryl  Klitzke,  and  Don- 
na Albers  became  members  of  our 
church  after  having  completed  the 
study  of  catechism.  The  wedding 
of  Barbara  Yost  and  Bill  Schreiber 
was  conducted  by  Pastor  Ruben 
Siemens.  J.  H.  Bergen  and  our 


462 


THE  MENNONITE 


pastor  exchanged  pulpits  June  21. 
That  evening  we  had  a program 
with  each  S.  S.  class  giving  one 
number,  followed  by  a social  hour. 
On  July  13  Mrs.  Lydia  North,  Mrs. 
Lillie  Burgess,  and  Mrs.  Mae  Tillit- 
son  joined  our  church  by  transfer 
from  the  Arnold  Methodist  Church. 
Alvin  Goosen  of  Colby  presented  the 
work  of  the  Gideon  Society  at  our 
evening  service  recently.  Pastor 
Siemens  and  family  are  vacationing 
with  relatives  and  friends  near 
Rosthern,  Sask. — Marjorie  Jaehde. 

FIFTEEN  NEW  MEMBERS 

Grace  Mennonite  Church,  Dallas, 
Ore.;  The  following  were  received 
into  the  church  after  baptism  on 
May  17:  DeAnn  Schellenberg,  Joyce 
Linscheid,  Faythe  Burkholder, 
James  Richert,  Randy  Friesen,  Gor- 
don Wiens,  Charles  Graber,  and 
Robert  Green.  These  were  received 
by  letter  and  reaffirmation  of  faith: 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jones  Uppendahl, 
Gale  Uppendahl,  Alberta  Beaman, 
Mrs.  Leo  Fell,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Arnold 
Androes.  A reception  was  held  in 
honor  of  these  new  members  after 
I the  evening  service.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 

D.  B.  Peters  celebrated  their  golden 
1 wedding  anniversary  on  June  7. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Pete  Goertzen  cele- 
brated their  silver  wedding  anni- 
I versary  on  the  same  day,  and  Mr. 
I and  Mrs.  Pete  Friesen  celebrated 
their  silver  wedding  anniversary 
July  5.  Albert  Epp  of  Downey, 
Calif.,  brought  us  the  morning  mes- 
' sage  on  June  14.  On  the  afternoon 
of  this  day  the  Grace  Alumni  held 
i a rally  and  a potluck  dinner.  In 
the  evening  Vernon  Duerksen  and 
( the  Gospelaires  Trio  presented  a 
^ program.  Rev.  and  Mrs.  Fernando 
[ Fast  and  family,  who  have  just  re- 
1 turned  from  the  Belgian  Congo, 
I were  honored  with  a reception  on 
June  28.  They  are  spending  the 
' summer  with  her  parents,  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Isaac  Pauls. 

Mrs.  E.  A.  Flaming. 

SEVENTY-FIVE  IN  DVBS 

Gospel  Church,  Mt.  Lake,  Minn.: 
On  April  19  a Gideon  speaker,  Hil- 
der  Hoaglund,  had  part  of  the 
morning  worship  service.  Our  men’s 
chorus  sang  at  the  MCC  meeting 
at  the  First  Mennonite  Church  at 
which  Peter  J.  Dyck  spoke  on  April 
28.  The  men  also  traveled  to  Sioux 
City,  Iowa,  on  May  7 to  sing  at 
the  Sioux  City  Mission.  Two  chil- 
dren were  dedicated  on  Mother’s 
Day:  Larry  Dean  Dunkleberger  and 
Ronald  James  Neufeld.  Rev.  Mil- 
ler of  Jeffers  was  the  speaker  at 
the  joint  C.  E.  program  with  Delft 

July  28,  1959 


on  May  10.  On  Pentecost  Sunday, 
May  17,  four  young  people  were 
baptized:  Doreen  Franz,  Myron 

Goertzen,  Raymond  Nickel,  and 
Merlys  Stadtlander.  Also  six  were 
added  to  our  church  by  letter.  Rev. 
C.  P.  Klaassen  spoke  and  showed 
pictures  May  27.  A joint  DVBS 
was  held  in  our  church  from  June 
1 to  12  with  an  enrollment  of  about 
75.  The  demonstration  program 
was  held  June  12  in  the  evening. 
Communion  services  were  held  June 
7.  The  Gospelettes  of  the  Open 
Door  Bible  Institute,  Jackson,  Miss., 
gave  a program  of  song  Sunday 
evening,  June  7.  A family  picnic 
was  held  by  the  King’s  Co-Workers 
Mission  Society  June  11.  Speaker 
at  the  morning  worship  service  on 
June  14  was  Abe  Krause,  recent 
graduate  of  the  Mennonite  Biblical 
Seminary.  The  annual  Children’s 
Day  and  Mission  Festival  was  held 
June  28  with  a noon  meal.  Speak- 
ers for  the  services  were  Anna 
Quiring  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Albert 
Jantzen. — Corr. 


SPECIAL  CHILDREN’S  SERVICE 

First  Church  of  Christian,  Mound- 
ridge,  Kan.:  Children’s  Day  was 

observed  during  our  morning  wor- 
ship service  June  21.  Children  sang 
a number  of  songs  and  read  a lit- 
any entitled  “Seedtime  and  Har- 
vest.” Peter  Neufeld,  our  summer 
pastor,  spoke  to  the  children.  Sum- 
mer Bible  school  sponsored  by  the 
Ministerial  Alliance  was  held  in  the 
EUB  Church,  West  Zion  Mennonite, 
and  our  church  and  had  a total  en- 
rollment of  283.  An  illustrated  lec- 
ture was  presented  to  our  C.  E. 
groups  April  5 by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ar- 
min  Samuelson,  who  have  traveled 
widely  in  Sweden.  D.  C.  Wedel 
from  Bethel  College  was  guest 
speaker  Sunday,  April  19,  and  used 
for  his  sermon  topic:  “Balancing 
the  Budget.”  The  men’s  fellowship 
held  their  annual  banquet  honoring 
the  ladies  May  4 with  George  Stone- 
back  of  Wichita  as  guest  speaker. 
Nine  young  people  joined  our  fel- 
lowship through  baptism:  Gordon 
Goebel,  Betty  Graber,  Herbie  Kreh- 
biel,  Richard  Krehbiel,  Thorea  Pauls, 
Shirley  Stucky,  Galen  Wedel,  Janet 
Wedel,  and  Roger  Vogt.  The  Mission 
Workers  held  a mother-daughter 
banquet.  A girl  from  the  Nether- 
lands who  is  attending  Hesston  Col- 
lege was  guest  speaker.  Rev.  Miller 
and  his  family  are  spending  their 
month’s  vacation  in  Hammands- 
port,  N.  Y.  Mrs.  Miller  left  a few 
weeks  earlier  to  attend  the  funeral 
of  her  mother,  Mrs.  Bertha  Oaks, 
who  was  74  years  of  age. — Corr. 


conference  notes 

continued  from  last  page 

167  IN  SUMMER  SERVICE 

Each  year  more  young  people  be- 
come conscious  of  their  opportuni- 
ty and  responsibility  to  serve  in  the 
name  of  Christ.  This  year  there 
are  ninety  volunteers  in  various 
service  projects  sponsored  by  the 
Board  of  Christian  Service.  Be- 
sides these,  seventy-seven  General 
Conference  Mennonites  are  serving 
in  the  MCC  summer  program. 

MDS  IN  URUGUAY 

About  twenty-five  young  men 
from  the  Mennonite  colonies  in  Uru- 
guay have  begun  a Mennonite  Dis- 
aster Service  with  a project  in  Paso 
de  Los  Toros.  This  town  suffered 
a severe  fiood  this  month  which 
completely  destroyed  123  houses  and 
damaged  355  others.  The  men 
helped  with  clean-up  work  and  re- 
construction. 

Mennonite  Disaster  Service  has 
operated  in  the  United  States  and 
Canada  since  1952,  and  is  a joint 
effort  of  Mennonites  to  render  aid. 
Mennonite  Central  Committee  is  the 
co-ordinating  agency  for  MDS. 

WCV  PLAY  AVAILABLE 

The  Bridge,  a one-act  play  writ- 
ten by  Cornelia  Lehn,  portrays  a 
real  life  situation  of  needs  with- 
in the  church  and  how  the  program 
of  Women  in  Church  Vocations  ap- 
plies to  it.  'This  play  is  recommend- 
ed for  presentation  to  youth  groups, 
women’s  groups,  and  others.  Cop- 
ies may  be  obtained  from  the  Board 
of  Christian  Service,  722  Main  St., 
Newton,  Kan. 

The  play  will  be  given  at  the 
Western  District  Conference  at  a 
meeting  sponsored  by  the  Women’s 
Missionary  Association,  Oct.  24. 
MEDICAL  WORK  IN  PARAGUAY 

Eleanor  Mathies’  daily  work  in 
the  Lengua  Indian  settlement  in 
Paraguay  begins  at  seven  in  the 
morning.  By  the  time  she  reaches 
the  medical  supply  house,  several 
mothers  and  babies  are  waiting  for 
her.  Over  and  over  again  she  must 
tell  these  mothers  how  to  sterilize 
the  baby’s  bottle,  how  to  warm  the 
milk  over  the  little  smoking  fire, 
and  never  to  give  the  baby  cold 
milk.  Eleanor  reports  that  two  of 
the  babies  in  her  care  are  twins, 
the  first  to  live  to  be  two  months 
old.  A superstition  among  Lenguas 
is  that  twins  are  evil. 

463 


( 


conference  notes 

LOOKING  TOWARD 
GENERAL  CONFERENCE 

I haven’t  really  bothered  to  look. 
The  disturbing,  incongruous  fact  is 
that  feverish  preparations  for  the 
conference  have  kept  me  from  it. 

Yet  this  activity  seems  necessary. 
Added  to  the  careful  preparations 
of  dozens  of  other  persons,  a con- 
ference spawning  a variety  of  su- 


perlatives will  likely  emerge.  “Big,” 
“impressive,”  “elaborate,”  and 

“wonderful,”  will  describe  it  for 
many.  And  in  typical  American 
form  some  of  us  will  assume  that 
these  superlatives  are  synonyms 
for  “good,”  “stimulating,”  and 

“profitable.”  The  false  assumption 
that  “big”  means  “good”  could  keep 
all  of  us  riding  high  on  festive  cen- 
tennial atmosphere  without  realiz- 
ing the  tremendous  responsibility 
we  have  voluntarily  accepted  by  our 
decision  to  attend.  Let’s  sift  our 
way  through  superficial  superlatives 
and  intensely  search  for  right  an- 
swers for  our  church  for  our  time. 

Bob  Regier 

Newton,  Kansas 

WOMEN’S  PROGRAMS  PLANNED 

On  Friday  afternoon,  Aug.  14,  at 
the  General  Assembly  in  Bluffton, 
the  Women’s  Missionary  Association 
will  hold  a meeting  at  which  there 
will  be  various  items  of  business 
and  messages  by  Mrs.  Abert  Jan- 
tzen  and  Miss  Martha  Burkholder. 

At  the  morning  session  on  Tues- 
day, Aug.  18,  there  will  be  a memo- 
rial service,  a panel  discussion,  and 
messages  by  Miss  Janet  Soldner 
and  Mrs.  L.  C.  Kreider. 

On  Tuesday  evening,  Aug.  18, 
there  will  be  a pageant  depicting 
the  history  of  women’s  mission  so- 
cieties. The  Berne,  Ind.,  men’s  cho- 
rus will  furnish  special  music. 


HYMN  CONTEST  COMPLETED 

The  hymn  contest,  sponsored  by 
the  executive  committee  of  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  Mennonite  Church, 
has  been  completed.  Award  win- 
ning entries,  selected  by  the  Hymn 
Society  of  America,  will  be  an- 
nounced at  the  conference  at  Bluff- 
ton. 

RETREATERS’  INSTRUCTIONS 

Those  coming  by  public  transpor- 
tation for  the  retreats  at  Camp 
Friedenswald,  Aug.  5-12,  should  no- 
tify Dan  Graber,  Camp  Friedens- 
wald, Rt.  3,  Cassopolis,  Mich.,  as  to 
when  they  will  be  arriving  in  Elk- 
hart. 

Anyone  who  gets  to  Elkhart  and 
has  trouble  making  connections  is 
invited  to  call  Mennonite  Biblical 
Seminary,  JAckson  3-1385. 

conference  stewardship 


MISSIONARIES  RETURN 

Robert  and  Alice  (Pannabecker) 
Ramseyer  and  their  children  left 
Japan  on  July  26  to  return  to  the 
United  States  for  their  first  fur- 
lough. They  are  missionaries  in  the 
program  of  the  General  Conference 
Mennonite  Church  and  have  been 
active  in  student  work  in  Miyazaki. 
To  further  prepare  for  mission  serv- 
ice, they  will  be  doing  graduate 
work  in  fall. 

Peter  and  Mary  Derksen  from 
Abbotsford,  B.  C.,  are  at  home  after 
completing  their  first  term  of  mis- 
sionary service  in  Japan.  During 
July  and  August  they  are  taking 
part  in  children’s  and  young  peo- 
ple’s retreats. 


June  30,  1958,  as  compared  to  June  30,  1959 


I I 


I 1 I 


MISSIONS 

36.7%  1958 
36.2%  1959  £ 


CHRISTIAN  SERVICE 


27.6%  1958 
38.0%  1959 


illlllllllllllllllllllllllilllDIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII^ 

EDUCATION  AND  PUBLICATION 


32.5%  1958 
22.9%  1959 


llllllllllllllllllllllllll 

BUSINESS  ADMINISTRATION 


23.7%  1958 
25.1  % 1959 


47.2%  1958 
41.4%  1959 


YOUNG  PEOPLE'S  UNION 


BUDGET 

$670,000 

$700,000 


$193,500 

$177,600 


$ 70,000 
$ 75,400 


$ 26,500 
$ 41,500 


$ 7,450 

$ 7,400 


Receipts  to  June  30; 


1 959  Budget 


AUGUST  4,  1959 


THE  MENN 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
MAN  LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIST 


UNDERSTANDEST  THOU?  — Russell  Mast 


CHRISTIAN  SELF-HELP  FOR  HAITI 


COVER 

Founders  Hall,  Bluffton  College,  Bluffton, 
Ohio;  scene  of  the  1959  General  Assem- 
bly. 


ARTICLES 

EXTENDED  FAITH 

By  J.  W.  Mellick 467 

"UNDERSTANDEST  THOU?" 

By  Russell  L.  Mast 468 

CHRISTIAN  SELF-HELP  FOR  HAITI 470 

FINANCING  CHURCH  EDUCATION 
By  Harry  E.  Martens 471 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  466 

BOOK  REVIEW  472 

THE  READER  SAYS 472 

MENNONITE  YOUTH 

it's  in  the  Bag  475 

•’ioneer  and  Patriarch 473 

OUR  SCHOOLS  476 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES 476 

JOTTINGS  478 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  480 


of  tilings  to  come 

Aug.  3-Aug.  8 — "Faith  and  Life"  radio 
speaker  over  KJRG,  Newton,  Kan.: 
Elmer  Friesen. 

Aug.  5-12 — Ministers'  and  Church  Work- 
ers' Retreat,  Camp  Friedenswald, 
Mich. 

Aug.  1 0-Aug.  15 — "Faith  and  Life"  ra- 
dio speaker:  James  Waltner. 

Aug.  1 2-20 — General  Conference,  Bluff- 
ton, Ohio 

Aug.  30 — Freeman  Junior  College  opens 
Sept.  8 — Bethel  College  opens 
Sept.  11 — Bluffton  College  opens 
Sept.  25 — Rosthern  Junior  College  opens 
Sept.  29 — Canadian  Menn.  College  opens 
Oct.  4 — World  Communion  Sunday 
Oct.  12 — Canadian  Thanksgiving  Day 
Oct.  24-27 — West.  Dist.  Conference 
Nov.  1 — Reformation  Sunday 
Nov.  26 — ^Thanksgiving  Day  (U.S.) 

Dec.  1-4 — Council  of  Boards 
Dec.  13 — Universal  Bible  Sunday 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor:  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 

) Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Assistant:  Muriel 

Thiessen.  Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  30 


editorials 

CONFERENCE  GOALS,  1956-1959 

1.  Every  member  a personal  witness. 

2.  Every  congregation  seeking  a missionary  outpost. 

3.  Fifteen  new  congregations  by  1939 

4.  Every  member  a tither. 

3.  Every  church  supporting  every  Conference  board. 

6.  A Voluntary  Service  worker  from  every  congregation. 

7.  Every  pastor  prayerfully  seeking  a new  recruit  for  the  ministry. 

8.  A strong  Spirit-controlled  seminary  program  receiving  whole- 
hearted support. 

9.  Trained  personnel  and  adequate  facilities  for  the  teaching 
program. 

10.  Reaching  at  least  one  unevangelized  tribe  with  the  gospel. 

11.  Every  member  knowing  Christ  ’’and  the  power  of  his  resurrec- 
tion, and  the  fellowship  of  his  sufferings,  being  made  conform- 
able to  his  death.” 

TRAILS  OF  LIGHT  Soon  from  across  the  United  States 
and  Canada  and  even  from  foreign  countries  there  will  be 
streams  of  travelers  heading  towards  Bluffton,  Ohio,  to  attend 
the  centennial  conference,  August  12-20.  Will  they  leave  trails 
of  light  behind  them?  Or  will  they  hide  their  lights  until 
reaching  the  conference  grounds  ? 

Jesus  told  us  to  let  our  lights  shine  that  people  might  glori- 
fy God.  In  the  journey  to  Bluffton  the  travelers  could  so  con- 
duct themselves  that  people  would  turn  their  thoughts  God- 
ward.  This  could  be  done  inoffensively  in  various  ways. 

Silently  bowing  the  head  in  gratitude  before  meals  wherever 
it  may  be  could  show  loyalty  to  God  and  cause  others  to  think. 
The  night’s  stay  in  motels  or  hotels  could  be  another  opportu- 
nity to  bear  witness  to  Christ.  The  attitude  toward  attendants, 
and  perhaps  leaving  a note  of  appreciation  in  their  rooms,  or  a 
“God  Bless  You,”  could  direct  minds  toward  God. 

Some  travelers  like  to  have  a supply  of  carefully  selected 
tracts  on  hand  to  distribute  judiciously,  or  leave  in  their  rooms. 
Others  lead  the  conversation  with  strangers  to  some  aspect 
of  God’s  goodness  and  love.  Some  exude  such  a fine  Christian 
influence  that  their  mere  presence  comes  as  a benediction  upon 
those  with  whom  they  come  in  contact. 

In  driving  their  cars,  travelers  have  an  opportunity  of  observ- 
ing the  Golden  Rule  all  along  the  way.  They  can  be  courte- 
ous, careful,  Christian  drivers,  not  exceeding  the  posted  speed 
limits  and  not  taking  undue  chances,  and  showing  careful 
consideration  to  all  other  drivers. 

An  appropriate  prayer  before  starting  the  journey  might 
well  be  that  all  of  us  be  shining  Lights  shedding  forth  the 
bright  rays  of  God’s  love  wherever  we  go.  Not  only  would  j 
hundreds  of  such  lights  leave  bright  trails  behind  them,  but  i 
what  an  illumination  it  would  be  when  all  of  these  lights  come 
together  at  the  conference  proper ! 


466 


THE  MENNONITE 


Extended 

Faith 


by  /.  W.  Mellick 


IN  a storm  on  the  Sea  of  Galilee, 
the  faith  of  the  apostles  decreased 
as  the  storm’s  fury  increased. 
Their  voices  mingled  with  the  wail- 
ing winds  and  roaring  waves  as 
they  cried,  “Master,  carest  thou  not 
that  we  perish?” 

Christ  rebuked  their  fear  and  un- 
belief; “Why  are  ye  so  fearful? 
How  is  it  that  ye  have  no  faith?” 
Here  were  believers  not  believing. 
Fear  had  come  because  faith  had 
fled.  Their  faith  had  not  extended 
to  the  possibility  of  a storm. 

In  another  instance,  Peter  steps 
from  a boat  at  the  bidding  of  Jesus 
and  begins  to  tread  the  watery  path 
to  the  Master.  Boisterous  wind  and 
waves  put  his  faith  to  a test.  Peter’s 
faith  fails,  and  he  prays  a pointed 
prayer,  “Lord,  save  me.” 

Jesus  stretches  out  His  hand  and 
catches  him,  saying,  “O  thou  of 
little  faith,  wherefore  didst  thou 
doubt?”  He  might  have  said,  why 
did  your  faith  give  out? 

Peter’s  faith  did  not  extend  very 
far  from  the  side  of  the  boat.  Such 
imbelief  on  the  part  of  “believers” 
is  an  insult  to  the  power  and  ability 
of  Christ.  Christ  rebukes  such  lim- 
ited faith  . 

Following  the  miracle  at  the  wed- 
ding feast  in  Cana,  the  Gospel  writ- 
er comments:  “This  beginning  of 
miracles  did  Jesus  in  Cana  of  Gali- 
lee and  manifested  forth  his  glory; 
and  his  disciples  believed  on  him.” 
We  may  well  suppose  that  the  dis- 
ciples already  had  a certain  level 
of  faith  prior  to  their  “believing” 


after  the  miracle.  But  the  moving 
of  one’s  faith  into  any  new  area  is 
nevertheless  believing  in  the  truest 
sense  of  the  word. 

How  often  we  may  be  prone  to 
heap  criticism  upon  unbelievers  who 
wll  not  believe  to  be  saved.  Yet 
we  may  have  a faith  that  has  fail- 
ed to  grow  beyond  the  initial  stage 
— a faith  too  small  for  the  storms. 

Another  strange  incident  is  that 
in  John  11:1-46.  Jesus,  hearing  the 
anxious  request  to  come  and  heal 
ailing  Lazarus,  purposely  tarries  un- 
til after  Lazarus’  death.  Then  He 
says  to  His  apostles,  “Lazarus  is 
dead  and  I am  glad  for  your  sakes 
that  I was  not  there,  to  the  intent 
ye  may  believe.”  These  are  strange 
words  to  those  who  are  already  be- 
lievers, unless  we  are  to  understand 
that  Jesus  is  speaking  of  “extended 
faith.” 

The  disciples  had  faith,  but  their 
faith  had  limits.  Beyond  those  lim- 
its there  was  unbelief. 

The  mere  healing  of  Lazarus 
would  not  have  been  sufficient  for 
this  task  of  extending  faith.  Nor, 
perhaps,  would  an  immediate  rais- 
ing of  the  dead  have  been  sufficient. 
So  Jesus  waits  until  Lazarus  has 
lain  in  the  grave  four  days.  To  wit- 
ness such  a demonstration  of  power 
would  be  a solid  foundation  for  ex- 
tending the  disciples’  faith. 

What  seemed  negligent  and  al- 
most cruel  on  Jesus’  part  in  the  case 
of  Lazarus  turned  out  to  be  divine- 
ly purposeful.  Tragic  incidents  in 
the  lives  of  Christians  may  be  op- 
portunities for  Christ  to  show  forth 
His  power  and  increase  our  faith! 

1 John  5:13  reads:  ‘"rhese  things 
have  I written  unto  you  that  be- 
lieve on  the  name  of  the  Son  of 
God;  that  ye  may  know  that  ye 
have  eternal  life  and  that  ye  may 
believe  on  the  name  of  the  Son  of 
God.” 

To  know  the  importance  of  ex- 
tended faith  is  to  understand  this 
verse.  When  a believer  is  assured 
of  his  sonship  and  his  possession  of 
eternal  life,  it  serves  to  extend  his 
faith  further.  It  challenges  him 
to  believe  for  constantly  greater 
things.  We  see  then  that  one  of 
the  primary  purposes  in  the  writ- 
ing of  the  First  Epistle  of  John  was 
to  extend  the  readers’  faith  to  great- 
er things  in  the  Christian  life. 

Salvation  by  faith,  a basic  tenet 
of  true  Christianity,  means  more 


than  first  acceptance  of  Christ  as 
Saviour.  Yet,  we  are  painfully 
aware  that  the  teaching  of  the  im- 
portance of  a progressing  faith  has 
been  sadly  neglected. 

Believing  in  Christ  is  a continu- 
ous process  once  it  is  begun.  'The 
initial  believing  must  continue, 
grow,  and  expand.  ’The  first  breath 
of  the  infant  is  important  but  so 
are  the  other  breaths  that  are  to 
follow. 

Sometimes,  in  contending  for  the 
faith  as  against  salvation  by  works, 
we  have  protectingly  hovered  so 
long  in  the  area  of  initial  faith  that 
hearers  or  readers  have  a very  lim- 
ited concept  of  the  scope  of  faith. 
We  fail  to  grow  in  faith  by  search- 
ing the  Scriptures  and  claiming  the 
promises. 

Jesus  had  sharp  rebuke  for  be- 
lievers whose  faith  didn’t  reach 
through  a trying  situation  and  for 
those  who  believed  but  seemingly 
had  no  faith  when  the  test  came. 

Faith  increases  with  hearing, 
reading,  and  meditating  on  the 
Word  of  God.  Prayer,  obedience, 
and  exercising  the  faith  we  have 
begets  more  faith. 

Storms  may  be  near  at  hand  for 
the  Christian.  Will  our  Lord  be 
pleased  or  grieved  with  our  faith? 
Our  prayer  should  be;  “Lord,  help 
us  to  increase  our  faith.” 


The  Secret  Call 

There  is  a time  of  comfort  rare, 

So  calm,  so  restful,  and  so  fair 
When  twilight  ends  the  trials  of  day 
With  its  inspiring  free  display; 

For  in  the  beauty  of  its  spell 
Our  drooping  spirits  rise  and  swell. 
As  our  thoughts  then  turn  away 
From  toil  and  problems  of  the  day 
To  dwell  upon  the  beauty  seen 
In  stately  trees  or  meadows  green. 

Or  in  the  sunset’s  crimson  west 
Which  seems  to  beckon  us  to  rest 
Into  some  unknown  land  of  peace 
Where  grief  and  strife  forever  cease. 

— ^Vernon  J.  Stucky 


August  4,  1 959 


467 


Understandest  Thou? 


The  response  to  the  question  in 
the  title,  as  given  to  Philip  by 
the  Ethiopian  court  official,  is  just 
as  relevant  to  our  need  as  the  ques- 
tion itself.  “How  can  I (under- 
stand),” answered  the  Ethiopian, 
“except  some  man  should  guide 
me?” 

How  can  we  know  God’s  will  for 
our  lives  unless  we  have  some 
guides  to  understanding  the  Bible? 
How  can  it  be  an  infallible  guide 
to  faith  and  life  if  we  do  not  know 
what  it  means? 

For  the  past  hundred  years  the 
Bible  has  been  subjected  to  the  most 
careful  research  and  study.  This 
has  resulted  not  only  in  the  vindi- 
cation of  the  Bible  as  an  authori- 
tative guide  to  faith  and  life,  but 
it  has  also  made  possible  a deeper 
understanding  of  its  meaning.  In 
fact,  it  can  now  be  said  that  be- 
cause of  the  work  of  hundreds  of 
dedicated  scholars,  we  today  can 
have  a clearer  understanding  of 
what  the  biblical  writers  actually 
said  and  meant  than  ever  be- 
fore in  the  history  of  the  Christian 
church. 

There  have  been  valuable  manu- 
scripts discoveries  which  have  giv- 
en to  translators  more  reliable 
Greek  and  Hebrew  texts  from 
which  to  work.  There  is  a better 
knowledge  of  ancient  languages. 
Important  archaeological  finds  have 
illuminated  everyday  life  in  Bible 
times.  A greater  knowledge  of  his- 
torical information  of  the  various 
periods  of  Bible  life  has  contributed 
light. 

Valuable  guides  for  understanding 
the  Bible  have  come  out  of  this 
study  and  discussion.  Here  are  four 
of  them; 

• Approach  the  Bible  with  a clear 
recognition  of  its  purpose.  The  way 
in  which  you  interpret  and  apply 
a given  passage  in  the  Bible  will  de- 
pend in  no  small  way  on  what  you 
regard  as  being  the  ultimate  pur- 
pose of  the  Bible.  What,  actually, 
is  the  Bible  trying  to  do?  It  is  in 
answer  to  that  question  that  so 
many  interpretations  miss  the  way. 
They  do  not  recognize  the  ultimate 
purpose  of  the  Bible. 


Russell  A.  Mast 


Let  us  say  emphatically  that  the 
purpose  of  the  Bible  is  not  to  pre- 
sent scientific  facts.  Keeping  this 
firmly  in  mind  will  prevent  many 
needless  conflicts  between  science 
and  the  Bible.  Strictly  speaking, 
science  and  the  Bible  have  never 
been  in  conflict,  although  scientists 
and  theologians  often  have.  For 
science  concerns  itself  with  the 
question  of  “how.”  The  Bible  con- 
cerns itself  with  the  question  “why.” 
Science  cannot  prove  or  disprove 
“In  the  beginning  God.”  Nor  can 
the  Bible  prove  or  disprove  the  law 
of  gravity.  Let  us  not,  then,  come 
to  the  Bible  and  expect  to  find  scien- 
tific information,  because  that  is 
wholly  outside  the  purpose  of  the 
Bible. 

Again  the  purpose  of  the  Bible 
is  not  to  present  history.  There  is 
history  in  the  Bible,  and  it  certain- 
ly deals  with  historical  facts.  But 
the  purpose  of  the  Bible  is  not  to 
give  a connected  account  of  the  his- 
tory of  civilization,  written  from 
an  impartial  and  objective  point  of 
view.  Let  us,  then,  not  come  to  the 
Bible  to  find  the  factual  details  of 
history — they  can  be  found  more 
readily  elsewhere — because  this  too 
is  wholly  outside  the  purpose  of  the 
Bible. 

Nor  is  the  purpose  of  the  Bible  to 
present  great  literature.  There  is 
no  doubt  that  there  is  great  litera- 
ture in  the  Bible.  But  the  Bible  is 
not  art  for  art’s  sake.  It  is  not 
within  the  Bible  that  beauty  is  its 
own  excuse  for  being. 

In  fact,  the  purpose  of  the  Bible 
is  not  even  to  present  great  relig- 


ion— at  least  not  in  such  a general 
way  as  this  term  would  imply — al- 
though the  purpose  of  the  Bible  is 
assuredly  religious.  But  it  is  relig- 
ious in  a specific  kind  of  way. 

What,  then,  is  the  Bible  trying 
to  do? 

Observe  in  our  text  that  when  the 
Ethiopian  court  official  asked  for 
some  guide  in  understanding  the 
Bible,  the  Book  of  Acts  says  that 
“Philip  opened  his  mouth,  and  be- 
gan at  the  same  scripture,  and 
preached  unto  him  Jesus.”  In  other 
words,  Philip  clearly  understood 
that  the  purpose  of  Scripture  is  to 
present  Jesus  Christ  as  the  agent 
of  man’s  salvation. 

Concerning  the  Scriptures,  Jesus 
himself  said,  “They  are  they  which 
testify  of  me.”  So  Luther  asked 
again  and  again  as  he  sought  to 
interpret  Scripture,  “What  do  they 
testify  of  Christ?”  And  when  Men- 
no  Simons  said,  “All  Scripture  must 
be  interpreted  according  to  the 
spirit,  teaching,  walk,  and  example 
of  Christ  . . .”  he  too  understood 
the  primary  purpose  of  Scripture. 

The  Bible  is  primarily  God  speak- 
ing to  man  through  Jesus  Christ, 
about  whom  the  Bible  teUs. 

• Try  to  discover  the  life  situa- 
tion to  which  a book  or  passage  ad- 
dresses itself. 

The  Bible  is  not  just  a collection 
of  helpful  verses  which  ought  to  be 
followed  in  the  Christian  life.  The 
books  of  the  Bible,  and  particularly 
the  New  Testament,  were  written 
because  of  a certain  need  which  pre- 
sented itself  in  the  life  of  the  writ- 
er. This  is  why  Paul  wrote  his 


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468 


THE  MENNONITE 


First  Letter  to  the  Thessalonians, 
or  his  letters  to  the  Corinthians  or 
I to  the  Galatians.  The  more  we  can 
learn  about  the  background  and  his- 
torical setting  of  each  book  of  the 
Bible,  the  more  intelligently  we  can 
read  and  understand  the  book  itself. 

Now  there  is  nothing  particularly 
new  about  this  approach  to  the 
Bible.  For  in  his  introduction  to 
! his  commentary  on  the  prophets, 
Luther  said,  “It  is  necessary  if  one 
will  understand  the  prophecy,  to 
know  what  the  situation  was  in 
the  land,  what  events  were  happen- 
ing, what  the  people  thought,  what 
s the  relationships  were  which  they 
sustained  to  their  friends  and  foes, 
and  especially  what  their  attitude 
I was  toward  their  God  and  toward 
his  prophets.” 

I The  Bible  has  always  been  known 
; as  the  Book  of  Life.  It  grew  up 
out  of  life,  and  it  addresses  itself 
back  to  life.  God  spoke  to  the  writ- 
ers of  the  Bible  and  inspired  them, 
through  life  situations,  and  used 
them  in  ways  far  beyond  that  which 
they  realized.  So,  the  more  that 
can  be  known  about  these  life  sit- 
uations, the  more  intelligently  the 
Bible  can  be  read  and  understood. 

This,  then,  is  to  encourage  the 
reading  of  the  Bible  in  the  way  in 
which  it  was  intended  to  be  read. 
And,  thanks  to  the  painstaking  ef- 
forts of  many  scholars,  we  can  know 
more  today  about  that  relevant  life 
situation  than  was  ever  possible 
before. 

• Let  the  Bible  speak  for  itself. 
In  other  words,  do  not  read  into  the 
Bible  what  you  do  not  read  in  the 
Bible.  To  read  into  the  Bible  our 
own  prejudices  and  ideas,  to 
make  the  Bible  say  what  we  want 
it  to  say  rather  than  what  it  really 
says,  is  one  of  the  most  common 
and  the  most  fatal  errors  of  bibli- 
cal interpretation.  More  often  than 
not  it  is  an  error  committed  by 
those  who  regard  themselves  as 
friends  of  the  Bible. 

We  love  the  Bible,  but  we  also 
love  ourselves  which  includes  our 
old  ways  of  thinking,  believing, 
and  acting.  So  we  go  to  the  Bible, 
not  for  light,  but  for  arguments; 
not  for  truth,  but  for  proof  texts; 
not  for  guidance,  but  for  justifica- 
tion. We  want  to  feel  that  in  what 
we  are  and  in  the  way  we  think 
we  have  the  Bible  on  our  side. 

This  matter  of  reading  into  the 
Bible  what  one  does  not  read  in  the 


Bible  can  be  seen  particularly  when 
men  seek  to  justify  such  practices 
as  slavery,  or  segregation,  or  im- 
perialism, or  nationalism,  or  war. 
For  instance,  a very  respected  theo- 
logian said,  during  World  War  I, 
“.  . . this  war,  when  carried  by  the 
Allies  and  America  to  the  right 
issue,  will  be  another  proof  of  the 
divine  power  of  the  Sermon  on  the 
Mount.”  Certainly  he  did  not  let 
the  Sermon  on  the  Mount  speak  for 
itself! 

There  are  always  those  who  think 
that  the  Bible  has  some  hidden 
meanings,  and  those  who  hold  the 
secret  key  can  write  history  before 
it  is  made. 

This  misuse  of  Scripture  is  an  an- 
cient error,  and  it  is  heartening  to 
see  what  Paul  had  to  say  about  it. 
“We  have  renounced  disgraceful, 
underhanded  ways”;  he  said,  “we 
refuse  to  practice  cunning  or  to 
tamper  with  God’s  word,  but  by  the 
open  statement  of  the  truth  we 
would  commend  ourselves  to  every 
man’s  conscience  in  the  sight  of 
God”  (2  Corinthians  4:2,  R.S.V.). 

To  properly  interpret  and  under- 
stand the  Bible  we  must  approach 
the  Bible  with  teachable  minds  and 
without  preconceived  ideas.  We 
should  approach  the  Bible  as  the 
scientist  approaches  his  laboratory, 
to  be  guided  and  instructed  by  the 
facts  as  they  are.  “Receive  with 
meekness  the  engrafted  word, 
which  is  able  to  save  your  souls,” 
says  James.  What  does  the  Bible 
really  say?  What  did  those  writers 
say  to  those  to  whom  they  wrote, 
and  what  does  God  say  through 
them  to  us? 

• Avoid  the  perils  of  literalism 
and  legalism.  We  have  just  empha- 
sized the  importance  of  letting  the 
Bible  speak  for  itself  and  of  not 
reading  into  the  Bible  what  we  do 
not  read  in  the  Bible.  At  the  same 
time  we  must  guard  against  a pain- 
fully arid  literalism  in  appyling  the 
truths  of  the  Bible  to  our  day. 

Letting  the  Bible  speak  for  itself 
and  interpreting  it  with  legalistic 
literalness  are  two  very  different 
things.  One  does  not  demonstrate 
greater  fidelity  to  the  Scriptures 
just  because  one  interprets  certain 
passages  literally. 

In  view  of  all  that  the  New  Tes- 
tament says  against  literalism  and 
legalism  it  is  little  short  of  appalling 
that  there  are  so  many  who  fall 
into  this  snare. 

In  view  of  the  fact  that  the  pur- 


pose of  the  Bible  is  not  to  be  an- 
other book  of  laws  and  codes  but  to 
testify  of  Jesus  in  whom  we  have 
eternal  life,  it  is  again  little  short 
of  appalling  that  so  many  people 
have  made  the  Bible  what  the  Bible 
was  never  meant  to  be. 

Literalism,  as  a method  of  inter- 
preting scripture,  breaks  down  on 
the  fact  that  it  cannot  possibly  be 
consistent.  That  is,  no  person,  no 
matter  how  painfully  literal  he  may 
be,  interprets  all  of  the  Bible  with 
equal  literalness.  Some  biblical  com- 
mands he  may  interpret  literally 
but  not  all  of  them.  For  instance, 
there  is  a literal  biblical  command 
in  the  New  Testament  against  wom- 
en braiding  their  hair.  In  fact,  there 
is  one  against  their  speaking  in 
church.  'There  is  also  a command 
against  lending  money  for  interest. 

All  that  I am  trying  to  say  by 
this  is  that  literalness  in  interpret- 
ing Scripture  cannot  possibly  be 
consistently  applied  throughout  all 
of  Scripture.  And  I am  opposed  to 
saying  that  we  interpret  the  Bible 
literally  when,  in  fact,  there  are 
parts  which  we  do  not  interpret 
that  way  at  all.  There  was  abundant 
reason  why  Paul  wrote,  “The  letter 
killeth,  but  the  spirit  giveth  life.” 

Bearing  this  in  mind  and  remem- 
bering also  that  the  purpose  of  the 
Bible  is  not  to  bring  a legal  code 
but  to  testify  concerning  Jesus,  that 
will  surely  have  an  important  bear- 
ing on  the  way  we  interpret  the 
Bible  and  the  way  we  apply  its 
meaning  to  our  lives. 

It  will  mean  recognizing  the  vast 
difference  there  is  between  the  letter 
and  the  spirit.  We  ought  to  learn 
at  least  that  much  from  the  scribes 
and  Pharisees. 

It  will  mean  recognizing  the  dif- 
ference between  a principle  which 
abides  the  same  from  generation  to 
generation  and  a rule  which  must 
be  changed  to  meet  the  changing 
conditions  of  time. 

It  will  mean  that  the  categories 
in  which  a truth  is  presented  will 
vary  according  to  the  condition  of 
the  time  but  the  truth  itself 
remains  forever  the  same. 

Following  these  guides  under  the 
leadership  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  God 
will  then  address  His  personal  word 
to  our  needs.  We  will  find  life 
through  Jesus  Christ,  about  whom 
the  Scriptures  testify. 

— From  a sermon  preached  at  the 
Bethel  College  Church, 
North  Newton,  Kansas 


August  4,  1959 


469 


Christian 

Self-Help 

For 

Haiti 


TWENTY-ONE  hogs  were 
shipped  from  Mountain  Lake, 
Minn.,  to  Haiti  the  last  week  in 
February  and  comfortably  installed 
in  newly-cleaned  pens  at  Ferme  Cen- 
trale,  Petit-Goave. 

A high  pitch  of  enthusiasm  for 
the  fat  newcomers  was  exhibited 
by  interested  Haitian  farmers  who 
hoped  to  own  a piglet  of  this  vari- 
ety themselves  some  day.  Accus- 
tomed to  preparing  Haitian  hogs 
for  market  in  three  or  four  years, 
they  found  it  incredible  that  Ameri- 
can farmers  should  be  able  to  ac- 
complish it  in  six  month’s  time. 

This  enthusiasm  and  interest  is  ex- 
actly what  the  MCC-sponsored  hog 
project  is  intended  to  arouse.  The 
story  behind  the  February  ship- 
ment is  fascinating. 

MCC’s  interest  in  Haiti  was 
aroused  when  the  pitiful  living  con- 
ditions of  the  people  on  the  island 
became  known,  following  Hurricane 
Hazel’s  onslought  in  1954.  The  de- 
sire to  do  something  more  construc- 
tive than  merely  contributing  food 
and  clothing  led  to  the  organization 
of  two  units:  a medical  team  to 
assist  at  Hospital  Albert  Schweitzer 
in  Deschappeles  and  an  agricultural 
team  to  assist  Haitian  Methodist 
pastor  and  agriculturist,  Marco  De- 
pestre,  in  his  ministry  to  an  impov- 
erished rural  community  in  the  Pe- 
tit-Goave area. 

Our  story  today  deals  with  the 
agricultural  project.  In  January, 
1958,  the  first  two  MCC  representa- 
tives, both  1-W  men,  arrived  in  Pe- 
tit-Goave to  assist  Rev.  Depestre  in 
his  farm  co-operative.  Farm  co-oper- 
atives are  a fairly  recent  develop- 
ment in  Haiti.  Organized  by  the 
government  or  concerned  individu- 
als, sometimes  with  foreign  support, 
they  seek  to  teach  the  local  farmer 
new  methods  of  animal  husbandry 
and  crop  management. 

While  America’s  surplus  food 
stocks  pile  up,  costing  millions  of 
dollars  annually  just  to  store,  mal- 
nutrition and  even  starvation  con- 
tinue to  be  experienced  in  Haiti, 
less  than  800  miles  away.  We  ask 
cursives,  how  can  this  be?  How  is 
it  that  we  enjoy  such  a high  stand- 
ard of  hving  while  most  of  our 
three  and  a half  million  neighbors 
in  Haiti  still  live  in  conditions  of 
extreme  poverty? 

One  reason  is  Haiti’s  lack  of  na- 
tural resources.  In  spite  of  its  much 
lauded  scenic  beauty,  the  country’s 


mountainous  terrain  offers  only  one 
acre  of  tillable  soil  per  person.  With 
94  per  cent  of  the  population  try- 
ing to  make  a living  farming,  scar- 
city of  arable  land  poses  a real 
problem. 

But  this  is  not  the  heart  of  the 
matter.  Basically  Haiti’s  poverty  is 
the  direct  result  of  ignorance.  So, 
while  we  can  help  more  immediate 
needs  by  sharing  our  surplus  with 
this  country  the  way  to  help  more 
permanently  is  to  train,  educate, 
and  heal  its  people,  and  make  it 
possible  for  them  to  stand  on  their 
own  feet. 

Co-operative  L’Ouverture  in  the 
Petit-Goave  area,  where  Rev.  De- 
pestre ministers  to  the  physical  and 
spiritual  needs  of  4,000  persons,  is 
an  excellent  example  of  how  to  ap- 
proach the  problem.  At  Ferme  Cen- 
trale,  headquarters  of  the  co-oper- 
ative, two  different  persons  come 
each  week  to  spend  a few  days  or 
the  entire  week  working  at  the 
farm.  Since  most  of  these  farmers 
have  some  livestock  and  land  of 
their  own,  much  of  what  they  learn 
can  be  applied  directly  to  their 
farms  when  they  return  home. 

But  the  potential  of  this  co-oper- 
ative is  much  greater  than  only  the 
improvement  of  agricultural  meth- 
ods. Rev.  Depestre  feels  deeply  that 
to  help  his  people  best,  he  must 
combat  ignorance  in  all  areas.  To 
undergird  his  evangelistic  outreach, 
which  is  his  primary  goal,  he  pur- 
sues a practical  four-point  course. 
First  is  the  agricultural  program 
already  mentioned.  In  addition,  he 
has  begun  a vigorous  literacy  cam- 
paign, with  two  hand-operated  print- 
ing presses  producing  suitable  read- 
ing material  for  individuals  who 
have  acquired  the  basic  skills  of 
reading  and  writing.  Instruction  in 
sanitary  methods  and  the  biiilding 
of  latrines  is  also  showing  encour- 
aging results.  And  last  of  all  there 
is  the  over-all  instruction  in  the 
Christian  way  of  life  with  its  strong 
emphasis  on  family  life,  responsi- 
bility, and  high  moral  standards. 

So  successfully  has  this  course 
been  pursued  at  Co-operative  L’ 
Ouverture  that  the  national  govern- 
ment has  given  the  farm  official  rec- 
ognition and  is  seriously  consider- 
ing using  it  as  the  model  co-opera- 
tive for  all  of  Haiti. 

To  Ferme  Centrale  in  1958,  came 
Marlin  Pankratz  from  Mountain 
Lake,  Minn.,  and  Charles  Suder- 


470 


THE  MENNONITE 


man  from  Aberdeen,  Idaho,  to 
launch  an  agricultural  project.  The 
first  phase  was  the  importation  of 
hogs  for  a twofold  purpose:  (1) 

to  introduce  a purebred  strain  to 
co-operatives  and  government  agen- 
cies throughout  Haiti,  and  (2)  for 
crossbreeding  in  local  areas,  so 
farmers  would  be  able  to  fatten 
pigs  for  market  in  a shorter  period 
of  time. 

The  first  hogs  from  America  ar- 
rived via  Heifer  Project  channels 
in  February,  1958.  By  September  a 
fine  herd  of  150  had  developed,  with 
a number  of  100-pound  pigs  ready 
for  distribution  among  local  farm- 
ers. 

And  then  the  blow  fell.  On  Sep- 
tember 19,  the  veterinarian  declared 
the  hogs  stricken  with  a disease 
hitherto  unknown  in  Haiti,  “athrop- 
ic  rhinitis,”  and  recommended  that 
the  entire  herd  be  slaughtered. 

Keen  disappointment  soon  gave 
way  to  renewed  good  spirits,  how- 
ever, as  the  group  found  itself  tack- 
ling somewhat  prematurely  a job 
that  was  on  the  agenda  for  the  fu- 
ture: butchering,  curing,  and  pre- 
serving meats  and  establishing  mar- 
kets. No  financial  loss  was  incurred 
and  much  valuable  experience 
gained. 

But  should  this  spell  the  end  of 
the  hog  project?  By  no  means!  In 
August,  1958,  Peter  F.  Pankratz,  fa- 
ther of  Marlin,  visited  Haiti  and  be- 
came an  enthusiastic  supporter  of 
the  project.  When  the  co-operative 
requested  a new  shipment  of  hogs, 
Mr.  Pankratz  was  asked  for  help. 

He  approached  the  men’s  organi- 
zation of  his  home  congregation, 
the  First  Mennonite  Church  of 
Mountain  Lake,  and  the  idea  im- 
mediately caught  fire.  By  the  time 
disinfecting  of  pens  and  slaughter- 
ing at  Ferme  Centrale  was  complet- 
ed, money  for  a total  of  21  animals 
had  come  in.  In  mid-Jaunary  the 
pigs  were  shipped,  via  truck  to  Mi- 
ami, and  then  by  air  to  Haiti  at 
the  expense  of  the  US  International 
Co-operative  Administration. 

So  the  project  is  off  to  a new 
start,  and  Haitian  farmers  are  again 
j looking  forward  to  the  day  when 
I they  will  be  able  to  take  home  a 
1 piglet  of  American  breed.  The  first 
! litter  arrived  March  9,  and  by  May 
; the  majority  of  sows  farrowed, 
j There  have  been  many  setbacks, 
such  as  a number  of  baby  pigs  be- 
ing born  dead  and  others  becoming 


ill,  but  the  spirit  of  Marco  Depes- 
tre,  supported  by  his  two  enthusi- 
astic American  helpers,  was  not 
easily  daunted. 

In  addition  to  the  hog  project,  a 
poultry  scheme  has  been  successful- 
ly introduced  at  Ferme  Centrale 
this  year.  Supported  by  Church 
World  Service,  ICA,  and  Heifer 
Project,  Inc.,the  project  began  with 
the  arrival  of  600  Rhode  Island  Red 
chicks  in  Petit-Goave  in  January. 
On  Easter  Sunday  a unique  distri- 
bution took  place,  when  a pair  of 
chicks  was  given  to  91  Haitian  fam- 
ilies who  had  qualified  for  them  by 
learning  new  methods  of  feeding 
and  management  and  who  were 
willing  to  comply  with  certain  stip- 
ulations, such  as  returning  one  pair 
of  chicks  to  the  farm  after  the  first 
hatch. 

Many  more  have  been  given  out 
since,  and  interest  in  the  project 
is  great.  Charles  Suderman  reported: 
“The  people  are  really  thrilled  to 
get  the  chickens.  It  is  reported  that 
one  woman  even  kissed  the  pair 
that  was  given  her.  The  chickens 
at  three  months  are  about  twice 
as  large  as  a native  chicken  at 
five  months,  so  you  can  see  they 
have  something  to  be  thrilled 
about.” 

In  the  meantime  Marlin  Pan- 


Harry  E.  Martens^' 

This  topic  could  be  discussed 
from  various  angles.  One  could 
think  of  various  techniques  and  ask 
the  question:  what  is  the  most  ef- 
fective method  in  fund  solicitation 
or  in  raising  the  needed  funds? 

One  could  ask  further,  is  it 
through  higher  tuition  rates,  free- 
will offerings,  mail  campaigns,  per- 
sonal solicitation,  periodical  major 
campaigns,  house-to-house  calling, 
and  the  like? 

Indeed  it  is  important  that  proper 
techniques  are  used  which  are  ac- 
ceptable and  practicable  under  a 
given  set  of  circumstances. 

We  will,  however,  refer  to  only 
one  very  important  underlying  prin- 

*Business  Manager  and  Ass’t  to  the  Presi- 
dent, Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary,  Elk- 
hart, Ind. 


kratz  has  returned  to  the  US  and 
Leo  Ulrich  from  Roanoke,  111.,  has 
taken  his  place.  Of  his  year  in 
Haiti,  Marlin  had  this  to  say:  “This 
year  has  widened  my  vision  of  the 
needs  of  missions  and  broadened  the 
horizons  of  my  thinking.  Agricul- 
tural assistance  is  one  of  the  more 
important  of  Haiti’s  many  needs. 
These  people  haven’t  had  leadership 
and  education,  so  they  can’t  help 
themselves.  What  they  need  is  more 
dedicated  leaders  like  Marco  Depes- 
tre.” 

Plans  for  expanding  MCC  opera- 
tions in  Haiti  are  being  actively 
considered.  Needed  immediately  is 
a male  nurse  to  assist  Rev.  Depes- 
tre  in  developing  a medical  program 
in  this  large  rural  parish.  The  as- 
signment calls  for  an  adventure- 
loving,  professionally  trained  medi- 
cal worker  to  serve  as  “horse-back 
doctor”  to  people  who  are  too  re- 
mote to  be  within  reach  of  medical 
care. 

Eventually  teachers  may  be  re- 
quired to  assist  in  Christian  schools 
when  these  get  established.  The  in- 
telligent approach  will  always  be  to 
keep  on  working  with  the  Haitian 
people  at  the  grass  roots  level  as 
we  have  been  trying  to  do  in  the 
past. 

■ — MCC  release 


ciple  rather  than  discuss  tech- 
niques. This  very  basic  and  highly 
significant  principle  is: 
there  must  be  an  enlightened  or  in- 
formed and  convinced  constituency. 

Techniques  and  methods  in  financ- 
ing are  important  but  of  themselves 
not  of  major  significance  imless  the 
above  mentioned  principle  is  ac- 
knowledged as  basic  to  all  financ- 
ing of  church  education. 

Our  major  principle  calls  for  an 
enlightened  and  informed  constit- 
uency. This,  of  course,  can  be  done 
through  printed  materials,  personal 
letters,  public  messages,  and  per- 
sonal calls. 

Any  cause  that  needs  substantial 
voluntary  support  must  keep  vital 
information  before  its  supporting 
constituency.  They  must  repeatedly 


Financing  Christian  Education 


August  4,  1 959 


471 


be  informed  of  the  institution’s  pur- 
pose and  reason  for  existence. 

With  the  many  other  things  our 
people  are  called  on  to  support, 
they  need  to  be  able  to  answer  the 
question:  why  is  this  cause  also 
important?  The  supporting  constit- 
uency needs  to  be  told  about  the 
institution’s  program  and  plans  for 
improvement  and  further  develop- 
ment of  its  purpose. 

What  is  the  institution  doing  to 
fulfill  its  purpose?  Since  this  is  a 
church  sponsored  institution,  the 
church  will  want  to  know  and  has 
a right  to  know  whether  the  insti- 
tution is  not  only  meeting  its  educa- 
tional requirements  but  above  that 
is  it  fulfilling  its  Christian  mission. 

The  administration  of  amy  church 
institution  must  always  be  conscious 
of  the  fact  that  it  is  an  arm  of  the 
church  and  is  only  justified  in  its 
existence  as  it  serves  to  help  fulfill 
the  total  mission  of  the  church. 


bookmarks 

CHRIST  AND  MODERN  WOMAN 
by  Argye  M.  Briggs.  153  pp.,  Wm. 
B.  Eerdmans  Publishing  Company, 
%2.50. 

This  unusual  book  presents  in 
twenty-one  stimulating  chapters 
the  major  conflicts  of  the  modern 
Christian  woman.  Each  chapter  pur- 
sues one  instance  of  Jesus’  encoun- 
ter with  women  in  His  earthly  min- 
istry. 

The  approach  to  each  of  these  is 
unlike  the  usual  presentations.  Here 
the  author  clarifies  for  the  reader 
those  problems  of  life  which  have 
not  received  correct  evaluation  or 
definition  in  our  day  by  the  modem 
woman. 

The  modern  woman  began,  ac- 
cording to  Briggs,  when  Jesus 
Christ  came  into  time.  Now  she 
was  a woman  with  a “blessed”  upon 
her  name.  Christ  was  the  only  one 
who  ever  lived  who  saw  her  wholly 
as  a person.  He  planted  within  her 
a new  consciousness  of  herself  as  a 
responsible  human  being  and  her 
necessity  for  independent  choices. 
Through  this  book  the  Christian 
woman  is  helped  in  rethinking  her 
own  beginnings,  in  redefining  her 
own  relationship  to  Christ. 


In  many  denominations  it  is  as- 
sumed that  formal  church  sponsored 
and  supported  Christian  education 
is  most  essential  to  the  life  of  the 
church  and  the  church’s  program 
of  outreach  in  missions,  relief,  and 
similar  activities. 

Too  often  in  our  church  we  have 
held  the  belief  that  special  train- 
ing opportunities  are  fine  but  really 
not  essential.  The  changing  condi- 
tions of  our  day  demand  of  us  a 
rethinking  of  that  kind  of  attitude. 
In  this  age  of  science,  we  must  meet 
the  scientific  power  with  spiritual 
power  if  we  are  to  live  and  this 
cannot  come  without  some  study, 
training,  and  preparation. 

As  our  church  constituency  will 
see  the  far-reaching  importance  of 
formal  (outside  of  the  home  and 
Sunday  school)  Christian  education, 
it  will  become  a convinced  constitu- 
ency. Any  Christian  who  fully  sees 
the  close  relationship  between 


“It  is  His  encounters  with  Wo- 
man, from  the  use  of  her  body  for 
His  entrance  into  history,  to  His  last 
reassuring  command  to  her  after 
His  resurrection,  that  she  will  find 
the  solutions  to  the  bewildering 
problems  that  are  in  this  particular 
stage  of  her  journey  along  the  vast 
highway  of  human  growth”  (p.  6). 

The  problems  of  today’s  woman 
are  presented  in  the  first  seven 
chapters,  analyzed  in  the  middle 
chapters,  with  solutions  and  chal- 
lenge offered  in  chapters  15-21.  A 
sample  of  this  progression  may  be 
noted.  In  chapter  7,  Jesus  Christ 
forgave  a woman  for  her  active 
sins  of  commission  and  in  so  doing 
placed  her  in  the  position  of  ac- 
countability for  her  own  actions 
(Luke  7:48).  In  chapter  14,  a wom- 
an comes  to  His  feet  in  adoration 
and  joy  as  the  import  of  her  de- 
liverance dawns  upon  her  (John 
12:7).  She  has  been  delivered  for  a 
reason.  Jesus  Christ  sees  within 
her  potentialities  that  must  be  used 
for  the  purposes  of  His  kingdom.  In 
His  final  encounter  in  chapter  21 
(based  on  John  20:17),  Christ  is 
telling  a woman  to  go  and  say  to 
the  disciples  that  which  she  has 
seen.  “Out  of  her  persistence  in 
worrying  about  the  mystery  of  the 
empty  tomb,  out  of  her  faith  in  the 


teaching  and  preaching  for  his  own 
family  and  his  own  church  commu- 
nity’s sake  as  well  as  for  the  sake 
of  the  souls  still  in  darkness,  will 
give  Christian  education  the  support 
it  deserves. 

A cause  that  is  dependent  on  vol- 
untary support  can  only  live  and 
hope  to  grow  as  it  has  an  enlight- 
ened or  informed  and  convinced 
constituency.  The  mission  of  the 
church  includes  both  to  teach  and 
to  baptize.  Upon  completion  of  His 
mission  while  on  this  earth,  I be- 
lieve Jesus  considered  His  final 
words  important  and  of  special 
significance: 

“Go  ye  therefore,  and  teach  all 
nations,  baptizing  them  in  the  name 
of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and 
of  the  Holy  Ghost:  Teaching  them 
to  observe  all  things  whatsoever  I 
have  commanded  you:  and,  lo,  I am 
with  you  alway,  even  unto  the  end 
of  the  world”  (Matt.  28:19,  20). 


miracle  of  the  resurrection,  she 
knows.  And  He  is  commanding  her 
to  say”  (p.  151). 

In  a remarkable  way  the  biblical 
material  has  been  brought  to  beair 
upon  woman’s  attempt  to  under- 
stand herself,  her  family,  her  desire 
to  serve,  her  fears,  emptiness,  love, 
and  even  death.  Many  of  the  fa- 
miliar accounts  of  Jesus’  ministry 
have  been  used:  miracle  at  Cana, 
Samaritan  woman,  the  widow’s 
mite.  His  death  and  resurrection. 

The  author  seeks  to  raise  the 
spiritual  horizon  of  the  Christian 
woman  and  equip  her  for  meeting 
the  new  challenge  of  new  opportu- 
nities in  20th  century  America. 
Much  “secular”  literature  is  avail- 
able on  the  new  role  and  freedom 
of  woman  today.  'The  church  needs 
to  see  this  trend  in  the  perspective 
of  Scripture,  firmly  rooted  in  the 
basic  principles  evident  in  the  en- 
counters of  Christ  himself  with 
women  in  His  day  and  every  age. 

The  pleasing  style  of  this  book 
is  alive  and  refreshing.  It  is  evident 
that  here  as  in  her  other  books. 
Root  Out  of  Dry  Ground,  The  Hem 
of  His  Garment,  Both  Banks  of  the 
River,  Argye  Briggs  shows  an  im- 
derstanding  of  human  nature,  soci- 
ety, and  God. 

—Hedy  Sawadsky 


472 


THE  MENNONiTE 


Mennonite  youth 


Christian  Krehhiel 

Pioneer 

and 

Patriareh 


Elva  Krehbiel  Leisy 


IT  was  a sleepy  Sunday  afternoon 
in  Kansas.  Hot  winds  blew  over 
plowed  fields  as  cousins  of  varying 
ages,  orphans,  and  young  uncles 
gathered  under  a wide  spreading 
tree.  They  were  eating  luscious  sun- 
ripened  watermelons  that  had  been 
cooled  in  the  “cooling  shed.” 

From  the  basement  came  the  de- 
licious aroma  of  freshly  baked 
bread  and  coffee  cake,  the  curdy 
tang  of  great  cheeses.  Beyond  us 
lay  the  huge  vegetable  gardens, 
shaded  by  a white  mulberry  tree 
with  its  delicious  fruit  ready  for 
picking. 

This  was  “Krehbieltown,”  on  the 
outskirts  of  the  little  town  named 
Halstead.  The  section  of  land  with 
its  bams  and  fields  was  presided 
over  by  a venerable  white-bearded 
man  named  Christian  Krehbiel.  He 
was  the  grandfather  who  loved  his 
grandchildren,  kept  up  in  the  af- 


fairs of  his  church,  and  enjoyed 
nothing  more  than  lively  discussions 
with  his  nine  sons.  The  keen  logical 
mind  and  the  enormous  vitality  of 
the  pioneer  were  still  abundant  in 
the  75-year-old  patriarch. 

Christian  Krehbiel  was  born  Oc- 
tober 18,  1832  in  the  village  of  Wei- 
erhof,  Germany.  He  really  began 
his  career  as  pioneer  at  the  age  of 
ten  when  his  family  crossed  the 
mountains  in  a horse-drawn  covered 
wagon  to  another  farm  near  Mu- 
nich. 

When  Christian  and  his  brothers 
approached  the  age  when  young 
men  were  conscripted  for  military 
service,  their  father  sold  everything 
and  moved  to  the  freedom  of  the 
United  States  and  to  pioneering. 

In  these  years  there  had  been 
little  schooling — a few  months  out 
of  the  year.  Even  this  had  been  dis- 
couraging, according  to  Christian 


Krehbiel.  Education  depended  on 
rote  memory,  and  he  never  mem- 
orized with  ease.  It  was  when  he 
began  to  think  for  himself  that  he 
developed  those  capacities  which 
were  to  make  him  a leader. 

Christian  was  twenty  years  old 
when  they  arrived  in  America.  The 
family  remained  in  Ohio  and  he 
was  sent  to  Iowa  to  be  hired  out 
among  the  early  Mennonite  settlers 
to  leam  the  ways  of  the  community. 

In  the  spring  of  the  following 
year,  the  rest  of  the  family  moved 
to  Iowa.  They  built  a house  out  of 
logs  hewn  on  their  own  land. 

In  1895  Christian  Krehbiel  mar- 
ried Susanna  Ruth  whom  he  had 
known  in  Germany.  Soon  after  this 
he  suffered  the  devastating  shock 
of  almost  total  blindness  which 
lasted  about  nine  months. 

In  1860  they  moved  to  Summer- 
field,  Illinois,  which  was  to  be  their 


August  4,  1959 


473 


Elva  Krehbiel  Leisy,  the  author  of  this  article, 
is  a granddaughter  of  Christian  Krehbiel. 
Mrs.  Leisy  is  a graduate  of  Bethel  College  and 
later  taught  there  for  a short  time.  She 
and  her  husband  now  live  in  Dallas,  Texas. 


home  for  nearly  twenty  years.  Here 
began  Christian  Krehbiel’s  years  of 
unselfish  devotion  to  the  Mennonite 
General  Conference,  then  newly 
organized. 

Even  before  he  was  elected  min- 
ister of  the  Summerfield  church,  he 
had  as  a layman  given  impetus  to 
a Mennonite  project — a school.  At 
the  third  conference,  held  in  Sum- 
merfield, this  black-bearded  young 
man  in  the  stentorian  voice  that 
was  to  become  familiar  through- 
out the  Mennonite  fold  had  sug- 
gested that  Wadsworth,  Ohio,  be 
the  site  for  the  new  school. 

With  his  election  to  the  minis- 
try came  a dual  life — that  of  farm- 
er and  preacher.  After  a day  behind 
the  plow,  he  would  study  until  two 
or  three  in  the  morning  preparing 
himself  for  the  Sunday  sermon. 

His  ability  as  a speaker  and  a 
planner  was  recognized  and  he 
soon  was  appointed  traveling  min- 
ister for  the  Conference.  His  way 
led  him  by  train,  buggy,  or  mare’s 
shanks  over  the  muddy  roads  of 
Iowa,  Missouri,  and  Indiana. 

A new  problem  now  beset  the 
Conference.  People  were  escaping 
from  compulsory  military  service 
in  Germany,  Austria,  and  Russia 
and  were  flocking  into  the  USA.  It 
was  the  trio  from  Summerfield — 
Christian  Krehbiel,  David  Goertz, 
and  Bernhard  Warkentin — ^who 
helped  them  with  the  complex  prob- 
lems of  newcomers. 

In  months  of  travel,  Krehbiel  ex- 
plored the  possibilities  of  Kansas, 
Missouri,  and  Oklahoma  and  accom- 
panied those  who  came  by  train- 
loads to  settle  on  this  new  land. 

In  1875  Christian  Krehbiel  again 
made  the  trek  to  pioneer  land,  this 
time  with  his  family.  They  settled 
on  a section  of  land  near  Halstead, 
Kansas,  the  place  where  we  ate 
watermelon  on  that  sleepy  Sunday 
afternoon. 

Extensive  farming  was  not 
enough  for  Grandfather  Krehbiel’s 


versatile  mind.  Before  long  he  and 
the  newly  organized  Mission  Com- 
mittee of  the  Conference  were  trav- 
eling to  the  Indian  Territory  (now 
Oklahoma)  fording  swollen  streams 
in  a spring  wagon  or  in  stage- 
coach, breaking  through  the  ice- 
choked  streams,  sleeping  under  the 
stars  when  occasion  demanded, 
seeking  to  bring  Christianity  to  the 
Indians. 

Schools  and  churches  were  being 
established  but  the  need  for  prac- 
tical education  weighed  upon  Kreh- 
biel’s  soul.  He  persuaded  the  gov- 
ernment to  send  a selected  group 
of  boys  to  the  newly  opened  Hal- 
stead Academy  which  he  had  been 
instrumental  in  founding.  When 
this  arrangement  did  not  prove  sat- 
isfactory he  built  a school  on  his 
farm,  and  undertook  the  education 
as  well  as  the  practical  farm  train- 
ing of  these  boys.  This  school  was 
later  turned  into  a school  for  or- 
phans brought  from  Chicago.  From 


this  interest,  and  through  the  gener- 
osity of  the  John  Leisys,  the  Men- 
nonite Charity  was  established,  and 
many  children  found  good  homes 
among  Mennonite  farmers. 

The  Mission  Committee  looked 
about  for  further  fields  of  work. 
After  a fascinating  trip  to  Arizona 
with  H.  R.  Voth,  Christian  Krehbiel 
recommended  the  Oraibi  location. 

Krehbiel’s  interests  embraced  the 
community  as  well.  The  result  was 
the  Halstead  Hospital,  now  in  its 
55th  year.  Under  Dr.  A.  E.  Hertzler, 
the  “horse  and  buggy  doctor,”  whom 
he  persuaded  to  return  to  Halstead, 
the  institution  achieved  a national 
renown. 

In  1909  Christian  Krehbiel  suf- 
fered a stoke  from  which  he  recov- 
ered sufficiently  to  drive  alone  to 
town.  Hurrying  to  reach  the  safety 
of  home  ahead  of  a threatening 
storm,  he  was  struck  down  by  a 
large  barn  door  which  was  ripped 
off  its  hinges  by  a sudden  gust  of 
wind. 

He  lingered  several  days  sur- 
rounded by  his  twelve  children  and 
the  faithful  wife  who  had  ably  sup- 
ported him  in  all  his  wide-spread 
labors. 

At  77  years  of  age,  the  career 
of  this  diligent,  energetic,  and  able 
man  was  ended.  He  had  led  his 
people  into  broad  outlooks,  stress- 
ing always  the  Christ-like  principles 
of  love,  patience,  and  endurance. 


Members  of  the  Christian  Krehbiel  family  camping  out  in  1896. 


474 


THE  MENNONITE 


1am  bulging,  brown,  beaten  up, 
and  leather.  Usually  I rest  be- 
side a desk  in  the  living  room  with 
my  contents  oozing  out  of  the  top. 

You  might  call  me  a sort  of  port- 
able filing  cabinet,  although  late- 
ly I’ve  noticed  that  my  owner  does 
not  find  me  very  portable.  Inside 
me  are  Manila  folders  that  read 
as  follows:  “Things  to  do’’  (always 
fat),  “Correspondence,”  “Constitu- 
tions,” “Finances,”  “Miscellaneous,” 
“Supplies,”  and  oodles  of  others. 

In  addition,  there  is  a book  for 
something  called  vouchers  and  a 
big  blue  notebook  entitled  “Cabinet 
and  Council  Minutes  and  Reports 
1956-59.” 

There  is  also  an  overflow  two- 
drawer  file  painted  blue  to  match 
the  room.  Here  the  folders  have 
names  such  as:  “Finances  1953-56,” 
“Correspondence,”  “Program 
Helps,”  “Extra  Copies  of  Minutes,” 
and  many  others.  I can’t  remember 
their  names. 

It  seems  that  a bag  like  me 
(formerly  a little  boy’s  schoolbag) 
and  a file  cabinet  are  standard 
equipment  for  the  secretary-treasur- 
er of  the  Young  People’s  Union 
which  is  the  title  of  my  mistress, 
who  is  also  a minister’s  wife  and 
more  recently  a mother. 

I’d  like  to  think  of  myself  as  her 
most  important  piece  of  equipment 
but  the  dilapidated  typewriter  on 
her  desk  is  giving  me  close  compe- 
tition. 'The  other  items  she  seems  to 
need  quite  often  are  her  desk,  pens, 
pencils,  stencils,  fingers,  and  toes 
(for  addition),  tongue  (to  lick 
stamps  and  envelopes),  late  nights 
(to  type  reports  the  day  before  YPU 
cabinet  meetings),  and  sleeping 
ability  (for  the  train  trips  to  and 
from  cabinet  and  council  meetings). 
Usually  I serve  as  a footrest  on 
these  occasions. 

Occasionally  I take  a peek  at  how 
my  mistress  uses  my  contents. 
From  the  “Things  to  do”  folder  she 
answers  letters  from  people  like 
Harris  Waltner,  Edna  Ruth  Mueller 
(Central  Office’s  treasurer),  or  the 
Youth  Editor. 

Many  times  I even  have  large 
checks  stored  in  this  folder  until 
my  owner  sends  them  to  Newton. 
She  seems  particularly  happy  when 
these  come,  and  they  never  remain 
here  very  long.  I guess  they’re  sent 
on  to  be  used  some  place  called  Gulf- 
port, or  in  making  Program  Helps 
and  Prayer  Calendars,  or  for  the 


Youth  Worker,  or  the  Youth  Office. 

Just  the  other  day  one  torn,  dirty, 
check  found  its  way  into  this  folder, 
and  I was  rather  insulted  until  I 
noticed  that  the  amount  was 
$300.00.  Not  wanting  to  turn  my 
nose  up  at  anything  like  this,  I 
eavesdropped  when  my  owner  told 
her  husband  how  it  happened.  De- 
livered by  mistake  to  the  next 

It’s 

in 

the 

Bag 


block,  it  had  been  placed  in  the  per- 
son’s mailbox  to  be  returned.  Here 
it  was  found  by  the  children  of  the 
family.  It  made  wonderful  play 
money  until  the  lady  discovered  the 
check  again  and  apologetically  de- 
livered it  to  my  mistress  who 
promptly  sent  it  off  to  Newton. 

My  mistress  seems  to  enjoy  work- 
ing with  the  folder  called  “Fi- 
nances.” In  here  she  has  three 
charts  in  which  she  keeps  track  of 
the  receipts  by  the  districts,  re- 


ceipts by  purpose  for  which  given, 
and  the  disbursements. 

She  gets  pretty  thrilled  when  dis- 
tricts are  able  to  keep  up  with  their 
share  of  the  budget  or  when  receipts 
are  way  ahead  of  disbursements. 
She  thinks  it’s  swell  that  young 
people  from  United  States  and  Can- 
ada could  send  in  $8,112.09  last 
year  for  YPU  causes. 

As  for  me,  I get  the  most  excite- 
ment from  peeking  in  the  blue  note- 
book with  the  title  “Cabinet  and 
Council  Minutes  and  Reports  1956- 
59.” 

This  book  brings  back  memories 
of  exciting  trips  I’ve  taken  with  my 
mistress  to  Freeman,  South  Dakota; 
Meadows,  Illinois;  and  most  often 
to  Newton,  Kansas. 

It  also  has  records  of  all  the  im- 
portant events  that  have  happened 
in  the  YPU  during  the  past  years. 
It  tells  about  Bill  Gering  (the  first 
Youth  Worker),  the  fun  we  had  at 
the  make-believe  leadership  clinic 
last  year,  voting  on  the  budgets,  and 
calling  the  new  Youth  Worker,  Mil- 
ton  Harder. 

For  months  I’ve  heard  my  owner 
talk  about  a big  doings  to  be  held 
in  Bluffton,  Ohio.  I have  learned 
that  there  will  be  a program  and 
two  special  meetings  just  for  young 
people  besides  a Centennial  pageant 
and  lots  of  other  events.  I was  cer- 
tain I’d  get  to  accompany  my  mis- 
tress on  this  trip,  but  recently  I 
have  my  doubts  since  she’s  started 
to  neglect  me  in  favor  of  a diaper 
bag  and  the  little  boy  in  the  back 
room. 

I know  we’ll  both  miss  all  the 
excitement  of  voting  for  a new  pres- 
ident and  secretary-treasurer  and 
visiting  all  our  friends  who  we’ve 
met  on  all  the  other  trips. 

Since  there  is  to  be  a new  secre- 
tary-treasurer I guess  I’ll  be  retired 
from  my  job  as  portable  file.  May- 
be in  a few  years  I’ll  be  a little 
boy’s  schoolbag  again.  Or  better 
yet,  if  I’m  able  to  keep  up  with 
the  younger  generation  maybe  I’ll 
be  around  again  with  the  YPU  in 
about  twenty  years. 

— Written  with  the  help  of 
Helen  Neufeld  Coon 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People's  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  722 
Main  Street,  Newton,  Kansas. 


August  4,  1959 


475 


our  schools 

NURSING  SCHOOL  ACCREDITED 

The  Bethel  Deaconess  Hospital 
School  of  Nursing  has  been  award- 
ed full  national  accreditation  by  the 
Board  of  Review  of  the  National 
League  for  Nursing  Accrediting 
Service,  according  to  word  received 
by  Sister  Hilda  Mueller,  R.N.,  direc- 
tor of  the  school.  This  action  was 
taken  by  the  Board  of  Review  at 
their  June  meeting  and  was  based 
on  written  application  which  had 
been  submitted  by  the  school  July, 
1957,  and  a survey  visit  of  the 
school  made  by  a team  sent  out 
from  the  National  League  for  Nurs- 
ing in  February  of  this  year.  Ac- 
creditation will  extend  until  1965, 
when  the  school  will  be  resurveyed. 
An  interim  report  will  need  to  be 
submitted  in  1962. 

The  school  of  nursing  was  first 
granted  temporary  accreditation  by 
the  National  League  for  Nursing 
in  1953.  This  was  changed  to  provi- 
sional accreditation  in  1957,  which 
was  given  all  schools  that  had  not 
been  surveyed  by  that  time,  but 
whose  application  for  accreditation 
was  in  process. 

This  accreditation  is  the  highest 
possible  academic  recognition  for 
a nursing  education  program.  It  will 
be  a definite  asset  to  the  school  in 
the  solicitation  of  students,  and  will 
also  serve  as  an  advantage  to  grad- 
uates if  they  should  make  applica- 
tion to  continue  their  studies  in 
nursing  at  higher  level  elsewhere. 
The  privilege  of  operating  a school 
of  nursing  is  granted  by  authority 
nf  the  individual  states. 

NEW  FACULTY  MEMBERS 

Dr.  L.  L.  Ramseyer,  president  of 
Bluffton  College,  has  announced  the 
appointment  of  three  new  faculty 
members  for  the  coming  school 
year. 

Dr.  E.  G.  Kaufman,  president 
emeritus  and  professor  of  religion 
and  philosophy  at  Bethel  College, 
North  Newton,  Kansas,  will  come 
to  the  Bluffton  campus  next  year 
as  visiting  professor  in  philosophy. 

Dr.  Kaufman  served  as  principal 
of  the  Hua  Mei  Academy  and  super- 
intendent of  the  Mennonite  Mission 
School  in  Kai  Chow,  China,  1917-25. 
He  was  visiting  professor  at  the 


American  University  in  Cairo, 
Egypt,  in  1951-52.  Since  1931  Dr. 
Kaufman  has  been  professor  of  re- 
ligion and  philosphy  at  Bethel  Col- 
lege. He  served  as  president  of  the 
college  from  1932  to  1952. 

Donald  Steer,  former  mathemat- 
ics instructor  at  Ohio  State  Univer- 
sity and  a graduate  of  Bluffton  Col- 
lege, will  return  to  his  alma  mater 
as  assistant  professor  of  education. 

Mr.  Steer  was  graduated  from 
Bluffton  College  in  1952.  During  the 
past  year  he  has  been  a research 
assistant  at  Ohio  State  while  work- 
ing on  his  Ph.  D.  degree. 

Miss  Helen  Martens  of  Sanford, 
Manitoba,  will  be  the  new  instruc- 


tor of  piano,  succeeding  Mrs.  Pearl 
Bogart  Mann  who  retired  at  the 
close  of  the  past  school  year. 

The  new  piano  instructor  received 
her  B.  A.  degree  from  the  Univer- 
sity of  Minnesota  in  1954  and  has 
completed  graduate  work  on  her 
M.  A.  For  the  past  three  years  she 
has  been  in  Winnipeg,  Manitoba, 
where  she  taught  piano  and  school 
music. 

BLUFFTON  SUMMER  SCHOOL 

Bluffton  College’s  third  term  of 
summer  school  is  from  July  21  to 
August  8.  Eighty-one  students  en- 
rolled for  courses  given  during  this 
three-week  period.  Two  courses,  not 
in  the  original  schedule,  were  of- 
fered: Life  of  Jesus  and  Kinder- 
garten Workshop.  Courses  previous- 
ly announced  were:  Basic  Mathe- 

matics, Principles  of  Geography, 
Speech  for  Teachers,  and  American 
School  System. 


Counting  each  student  who  regis- 
tered for  the  summer  only  once, 
the  total  number  in  summer  school 
so  far  is  185.  This  number  already 
exceeds  the  1958  summer  school  all- 
time  high  of  157  students. 

MCC  news  and  notes 

SEMINARY  SECRETARY  REPORTS 

INDIA — An  MCC  secretary  writ- 
ing from  the  Yeotmal  Union  Bibli- 
cal Seminary  in  India,  Jean  Geiger 
(Kitchener,  Ont.)  reports,  “God  is 
working  in  India!  Today  several 
missionaries  participating  in  a pan- 
el shared  some  thrllUng  reports. 
One  testimony  especially  caused  re- 
joicing: an  area  considered  heart- 
breakingly  sterile  for  many  years 
has  recently  experienced  a genuine 
seeking  after  God.  Pray  more  dili- 
gently than  ever  before  for  India! 
This  summer  it  has  been  a joy  to 
hear  from  many  of  our  students — 
past  and  present — who  are  engaged 
in  evangelistic  activities.  How  we 
rejoice  when  they  tell  of  Hindus 
expressing  interest  in  Christianity 
and  finally  accepting  our  Saviour.” 

98  IN  CANADIAN  PROJECTS 

KITCHENER— Of  the  203  volun- 
teers serving  in  the  total  MCC  sum- 
mer service  program,  98  serve  in 
eight  Canadian  projects.  Seventy- 
seven  volunteers  work  as  attendants 
in  mental  hospitals:  thirteen  at 

Brandon  Hospital  for  Mental  Dis- 
eases (Brandon,  Man.);  fourteen  at 
Ontario  Hospital  (London,  Ont.), 
a mental  hospital;  six  at  Clearwater 
Lake  Sanatorium  (The  Pas,  Man.), 
a tuberculosis  sanatorium  for  Indi- 
ans and  Eskimos;  ten  at  Ninette 
Sanatorium,  (Ninette,  Man.),  a tu- 
berculosis sanatorium ; thirty-four 
at  Winnipeg  Municipal  Hospitals 
for  post-polio  and  chronic  patients 
(Winnipeg,  Man.).  One  volunteer  is 
a counselor  at  Camp  Shalom,  Kear- 
ney, Ont.  Two  workers  serve  as 
household  assistants  and  counsel- 
lors to  the  emotionally  disturbed 
boys  at  Ailsa  Craig  Boys  Farm, 
Ailsa  Craig,  Ont.  Eighteen  volun- 
teers work  at  Portage  la  Prairie, 
Man.,  a school  for  the  mentally  re- 
tarded. 

PAX  DIRECTOR  VISITS 

GREECE — European  Pax  Direc- 
tor Ray  Kauffman  visited  Mrs.  Hel- 
en Maximos  in  Athens  during  a re- 
cent visit  to  Greece.  Mrs.  Maximos 


476 


THE  MENNONITE 


claims  to  be  the  only  Mennonite  liv- 
ing permanently  in  Greece.  She  was 
bom  in  Hillsboro,  Kan.  When  she 
was  a child  her  parents  moved  back 
to  Russia  where  she  grew  up  in  the 
Chortitza  area.  Mrs.  Maximo’s  fa- 
ther, a prosperous  flour  miller  and 
exporter,  allowed  her  the  very  best 
in  home  comfort  and  education.  Her 
father  exported  flour  through  a 
Greek  shipper  in  the  Odessa  re- 
gion. Eventually  she  met  the  son  of 
the  Greek  shipper;  they  were  mar- 
ried and  in  1919  moved  to  Athens. 
Her  husband  became  a well-to-do 
jeweler  in  Athens.  Through  the  two 
world  wars  and  German  occupation, 
however,  they  lost  everything.  Two 
years  ago  her  husband  died;  they 
had  no  children. 

Kauffman  writes  that  Mrs. 
Maximos  is  well-educated,  very 
much  alive  and  interesting,  but 
needy  in  her  present  circumstances. 
Mrs.  Maximos  speeks  flve  languages 
fluently  and  has  always  been  able 
to  secure  good  jobs  from  various 
foreign  installations.  Now  that  she 
is  older  it  is  difficult  for  her  to  And 
work.  At  present  she  teaches  some 
English  and  works  as  a volunteer 
with  Congregational  Christian  Serv- 
ice program  in  Athens.  “When  I 
left,”  Kauffman  writes,  “Mrs.  Max- 
imos said,  ‘You  were  God  sent.’  ” 

MTS  TOUR  PLANNED 

Menno  Travel  Service,  a service 
I arm  of  the  Mennonite  Church,  is 
arranging  another  to\m  especially 
designed  for  ministers,  Bible  teach- 
I ers,  and  Sunday  school  teachers. 

However,  any  other  interested  in- 
I dividuals  will  not  be  excluded. 

The  tour,  a response  to  numerous 
inquiries  on  the  possibility  of  an- 
other Mennonite  sponsored  tour, 
will  cover  interest  spots  in  Europe 
and  the  Holy  Land. 

Abner  Stoltzfus,  pastor  of  the 
Maple  Grove  Mennonite  Church, 
Atglen,  Pa.,  will  be  the  tour  con- 
ductor. Brother  Stoltzfus  has  pre- 
viously conducted  a similar  tour  and 
has  done  considerable  travel  in  Eu- 
rope and  the  Near  East. 

The  tour  will  leave  N.  Y.  on  Sept. 
30  and  will  return  on  Nov.  9.  The 
total  inclusive  cost  of  the  tour  is 
$1,425.00. 

For  further  information  write  to 
Menno  Travel  Service,  Akron,  Pa., 
or  the  branch  office  nearest  you: 
111  Marilyn  Ave.,  Goshen,  Ind.;  213 
Pine  St.,  Newton,  Kan.;  302  Power 
Building,  Winnipeg  1,  Man. 


BEGINNING  PERSONNEL 

PAX — Five  fellows  who  complet- 
ed orientation  school  July  14-23  will 
soon  begin  their  Pax  assignments. 
Richard  S.  Boshart  (Goshen,  Ind.), 
Paul  Harnish  (Lancaster,  Pa.),  C. 
Kenneth  Hershey  (Bird-in-Hand, 
Pa.),  and  Daniel  G.  Rohrer  (Ronks, 
Pa.)  arrived  in  Europe  on  Au- 
gust 1.  Joseph  Haines  (West  Milton, 
Ohio)  will  assist  in  the  Hebron 
Mennonite  Orphanage  in  Jordan. 
He  is  replacing  Leron  Peters. 

JORDAN — In  addition  to  Paxman 
Joe  Haines,  Grace  Bergey  (Souder- 
ton.  Pa.)  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gene 
Caskey  (Sterling,  Ohio)  will  serve 
as  MCC  workers  in  Jordan.  Desig- 
nated for  material  aid  distribution 
work.  Miss  Bergey  will  be  stationed 
in  Jericho  and  the  Caskeys  in  Am- 
man. The  Middle  East  workers  plan 
to  arrive  in  Jordan,  August  8. 

URUGUAY— Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clar- 
ence Epp  (Winnipeg,  Man.)  stopped 
in  Akron  enroute  to  South  America 
where  he  will  serve  as  MCC  director 
in  Montevideo,  Uruguay.  The  Epps 
are  Ailing  the  vacancy  left  by  the 
Alvin  Beckers  (Burrton,  Kan.)  who 
returned  to  the  United  States  July 
2.  Their  work  in  Uruguay  will  be 
primarily  in  assisting  the  Menno- 
nite colonies  in  their  economic  and 
religious  concerns. 

HAITI — Anna  Eby,  R.N.  (Para- 
dise, Pa.)  and  Esther  Gehman,  R.N. 
(Ephrata,  Pa.)  have  begun  terms 
of  service  as  nurses  in  Hospital  Al- 
bert Schweitzer  in  Haiti. 

JUNIOR  VILLAGE— Robert  J. 
Carlson  (San  Anselmo,  Calif.)  is 
serving  as  chaplain  at  Junior  Vil- 
lage, Washington,  D.C.,  as  well  as 
area  leader  of  the  National  Insti- 
tutes of  Health,  Laurel  Children’s 
Center,  and  Junior  Village  VS  units. 
Previous  to  his  assignment  Carlson 
attended  Messiah  Junior  College, 
Upland  College,  and  San  Francisco 
Theological  Seminary,  from  which 
he  received  his  Bachelor  of  Divinity 
degree  this  spring. 

AKRON — Dennis  Good  ( Kouts, 
Ind.)  has  begun  his  1-W  term  serv- 
ing in  the  business  office.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Harleigh  Moyer  (Telford,  Pa.) 
recently  arrived.  Moyer  will  serve 
his  1-W  assignment  on  the  mainte- 
nance crew  while  his  wife,  Jean, 
will  be  working  as  a secretary.  An- 
other new  secretary  is  Mary  Lou 
Nussbaum  (Dalton,  Ohio).  Ellen 
Miller,  who  taught  at  Hesston  Col- 
lege the  past  nine  years,  is  joining 


the  Menno  Travel  Service  staff  and 
will  spend  a short  time  in  the  home 
office  before  leaving  for  an  MTS  as- 
signment in  Amsterdam. 

RETURNING  PAXMAN 

EUROPE — On  July  22  another 
MCC  Paxman  returned  to  Akron  en- 
route to  his  home  in  Canada.  With 
usual  Pax  enthusiasm,  but  with  an 
expressly  individual  appreciative 
understanding  of  his  participation 
in  the  Pax  program,  Peter  Derk- 
sen  (Taber,  Alberta)  reported  on  his 
work  in  Europe. 

Derksen’s  Pax  appointment  be- 
gan July  6,  1957.  His  two  years  in 
Europe  took  him  to  four  assign- 
ments. Two  months  were  spent  in 
Enkenbach  building  refugee  homes. 
In  Krefeld  Derksen  labored  flve 
months  helping  construct  a building 
with  church  offices,  living  quarters 
for  a pastor,  and  space  for  storage 
of  material  aid.  Bad  Duerkheim 
provided  a variety  of  work  for  Derk- 
sen: his  ten  months  there  as  main- 
tenance man  in  the  children’s  home 
made  him,  among  other  things,  a 
gardener  and  a barber. 

For  the  remainder  of  his  two 
years  Derksen  worked  in  Austria 
helping  seven  Austrians,  nine  Breth- 
ren Service  fellows,  and  eight  other 
Paxmen  renovate  a large  Protestant 
school  in  Vienna.  The  project  in 
Karlsschule  was  his  most  stimulat- 
ing work,  Derksen  asserted. 
“Though  this  work  was  a bit  slower 
and  does  not  seem  as  progressive 
as  my  other  assignments,”  he  said, 
“it  gave  me  a great  deal  of  satis- 
faction and  for  me  deflnitely  proved 
its  worth.” 

PAX  REUNION 

A three-day  festivity  is  being 
planned  for  about  200  Paxmen.  The 
nation-wide  Pax  reunion  to  be  held 
at  Camp  Friedenswald  in  southern 
Michigan  from  August  14-17  is  open 
to  all  ex-Paxmen.  A variety  of  pro- 
gram events  have  been  scheduled 
to  help  the  Pax  fellows,  their  wives 
and  friends  reminisce  and  catch  up 
on  recent  Pax  developments  and  to 
help  them  get  re-acquainted  with 
one  another.  Detailed  information 
is  available  from  LeMar  E.  Stauf- 
fer, 275  Redwood  Drive,  Lancaster, 
Pa. 

VS  REUNION  AT  ESPELKAMP 

Over  100  young  people  from  sev- 
en different  countries  representing 
various  Christian  confessions  have 
served  in  MCC-VS  at  Espelkamp, 


August  4,  1959 


477 


Germany,  from  1949-1959.  On  June 
20-21  a small  group  of  former  VS 
workers  gathered  at  Espelkamp  to 
celebrate  the  tenth  anniversary  of 
their  service  there.  Representing 
the  countries  of  Germany,  Holland, 
and  the  United  States,  eleven  camp- 
ers with  their  families  attended  a 
reunion  held  in  the  chapel  and  com- 
munity building  built  by  the  Con- 
servative Mennonite  Mission  and 
dedicated  this  year.  For  the  Satur- 
day evening  program  about  200  for- 
mer refugees  who  settled  in  Espel- 
kamp, many  of  whom  were  helped 
by  MVS,  joined  the  group  to  express 
their  gratitude  for  the  material  and 
spiritual  aid  they  received.  Sunday 
the  group  was  invited  to  worship 
with  the  German  Mennonite  congre- 
gation where  Pastor  Albert  Bartel 
led  the  service. 

jottings 

PEACE  SPEAKER 

Toronto  United  Church,Toronto, 
Canada;  Dr.  J.  M.  Findlay  of  Carl- 
ton St.  United  Church  served  as 
guest  speaker  April  25,  at  an  eve- 
ning service  sponsored  by  the  Peace 
Comm.  He  challenged  us  to  see  the 
opportunities  available  to  witness 
our  peace  principle.  From  his  rich 
background  of  experience  he  was 
able  to  make  pacifism  both  mean- 
ingful and  realistic.  May  10  nine 
children  were  dedicated  to  the  Lord 
by  their  parents  at  the  Mother’s 
Day  service.  The  S.  S.  choir  ren- 
dered two  numbers.  The  Waterloo- 
Kitchener  United  Mennonite  Church 
choir,  under  the  direction  of  J.  H. 
Ens,  rendered  a fine  program  of 
spring  songs.  We  enjoyed  a meal 
and  informal  fellowship  with  them 
before  the  performance.  Among 
other  guests  were  Missionary 
Bruno  Epps  and  their  children.  June 
13  a delightful  holiday  weekend  was 
spent  by  some  fifty  of  our  church 
group  at  Scaracliffe.  We  were 
guests  of  Hedwig  and  Victor  Dyck. 
Baptismal  and  communion  services 
were  held  June  28.  One  new  mem- 
ber was  received  by  baptism  and 
one  by  laying  on  of  hands.  Daily 
vacation  Bible  school  was  held  two 
weeks  during  July. 

Mrs.  Mary  Fransen 

CHURCH  GROUP  GIVES  CONCERT 

Bethel  Church,  Marion,  S.  D.;  A 
sacred  music  concert  was  given  at 
our  May  C.  E.  service  by  the  men’s 
chorus,  the  ladies’  trio,  and  Junior 
S.  S.  On  June  7,  thirty- three  Christ- 


mas bundles  - were  dedicated.  Our 
church  joined  with  the  Bethesda 
Church  in  DVBS.  A program  was 
given  June  7.  Recent  births  were 
a daughter,  Charlene  Kay,  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Walter  Epp  on  May  2;  a 
daughter,  Valerie  Lou,  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Lee  Allen  Hofer  on  May  28. 
Recently  we  have  had  visiting 
clergy  in  our  midst:  on  June  7, 
Abe  Krause  spoke  on  “Decisions,” 
on  June  14  Arthur  Ortman  spoke 
on  “The  Way  of  Life,”  on  June  21 
John  Hofer  spoke  on  “The  Living 
Water,”  on  July  5 Don  Kaufman 
spoke  on  “How  Large  Is  Your  Cir- 
cle?” Our  annual  S.  S.  picnic  was 
held  July  4 with  Glen  Boese  as 
speaker.  On  June  17  Rev.  and  Mrs. 
Albert  Jantzen  were  with  us  and 
presented  a challenging  report  of 
their  mission  work  at  Oraibi,  Arizo- 
na. Many  of  our  members  attend- 
ed the  recent  Northern  District  con- 
ference.— Corr. 


PASTOR  SERVES  FORTY  YEARS 

Bethel  Church,  Inman,  Kan.:  A 

series  of  meetings  with  Irvin  Wedel 
of  Jackson,  Miss.,  as  speaker  be- 
gan April  5.  On  the  following  Sun- 
day Dr.  Kaufman  showed  pictures 
and  related  of  the  conditions  in  Jor- 
dan. A children’s  consecration  serv- 
ice was  held  on  Mother’s  Day.  A 
musical  program  by  the  Pretty 
Prairie  men’s  choir  was  given  that 
evening.  The  Goessel  men’s  choir 
also  gave  us  a program  of  sacred 
music  one  evening.  A reception  for 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Arthur  Thiessen  was 
held.  On  Pentecost  Sunday  nine 
young  persons  were  baptized  and 
taken  into  the  church  fellowship. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Abe  F.  Enns  observ- 
ed their  twenty-fifth  wedding  anni- 
versary with  open  house  and  a 
short  program.  May  24  was  a spe- 
cial day  for  our  congregation,  in 
the  morning  service  Holy  Commun- 
ion was  observed  and  three  per- 
sons were  received  into  the  church 
fellowship  by  letter;  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
D.  A.  Thiessen,  and  Gerrit  Veen- 
dorp.  In  the  afternoon  a recogni- 
tion service  was  held  for  forty 
years  of  faithful  service  to  the 
church  by  Pastor  and  Mrs.  P.  T. 
Neufeld  after  which  a fellowship 
meal  was  enjoyed  by  all  present. 
Recent  marriages  were  those  of 
Darrel  Dean  Doerksen  and  Eunice 
Warkentin,  and  Harry  D.  Neufeld 
and  Donna  Kaufman.  Janet  Sold- 
ner  reported  of  the  work  in  Colom- 
bia and  also  showed  pictures  on 
June  21.  Dr.  Arthur  Thiessen  spoke 
on  “The  Work  of  the  Holy  Spirit,” 
June  28.  Pastor  P.  T.  Neufeld  led 
in  a short  dedication  service  for  the 
seventy-five  Christmas  bundles. 
June  28  the  Jacob  Thiessen  family 


had  a reunion  with  an  attendance  of 
a few  more  than  two  hundred  per- 
sons.— Corr. 

MISSION  EMPHASIS  MEETINGS 

Spring  Valley  Church,  Newport, 
Wash.:  The  Grace  Bible  Institute 
Gospelairs  of  Omaha,  Nebr.,  were 
with  us  June  24.  Miss  Betty  Quir- 
ing  of  Frazer,  Mont.,  is  one  of  our 
missionaries  in  the  Belgian  Congo 
of  Africa.  She  was  with  us  for  a 
service  June  26.  Our  congregation 
is  planning  for  a series  of  special 
services  on  July  26-28.  The  em- 
phasis of  these  meetings  shall  be 
based  on  mission  work.  The  Will- 
ing Workers  are  sponsoring  the 
Sunday  afternoon  program.  A 
special  dinner  shall  be  served  at 
noon.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Paul  Burkhart 
of  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  shall  be  with  us 
for  these  services.  They  are  work- 
ing with  the  New  Tribes  Mission 
of  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  where  Mr. 
Burkhart  is  teaching  in  the  Bible 
Institute.  The  Burkharts  are  plan- 
ning to  go  out  to  the  foreign  field 
as  soon  as  a replacement  can  be 
made  for  Mr.  Burkhart  in  the  teach- 
ing staff.  Mrs.  Edith  Burkhart  is 
the  daughter  of  our  pastor,  Rev. 
and  Mrs.  Rudolf  Toews. 

—Mrs.  J.  W.  Riffel. 

SIXTIETH  ANNIVERSARY  PLANNED 

Herold  Church,  Bessie,  Okla.  : 
From  June  1 to  5 Pastor  Richard 
Tschetter  spoke  for  the  Indian  Re- 
treat at  Hydro.  On  May  25  a good- 
ly number  of  brethren  and  a few 
sisters  gathered  at  the  church 
graveyard  with  lawn  mowers  and 
other  tools  to  clean  up.  Our  regu- 
lar monthly  mission  society  meet- 
ing for  June  4 was  cancelled  be- 
cause of  harvest.  Our  Wed.  evening 
prayer  services  have  also  been  dis- 
missed for  the  busy  summer 
months.  There  were  retreats  at 
Hydro  for  three  different  age  groups 
during  July.  Our  sisters  were 
asked  to  cook  for  the  retreaters  and 
plans  were  made.  Plans  are  be- 
ing made  for  another  coming  event; 
the  60th  anniversary  of  the  Herold 
Church.  There  was  a short  busi- 
ness meeting  in  regard  to  that  on 
June  7.  Dwight  Zuercher  of  Fort 
Worth,  Tex.,  brought  the  message 
Sunday,  June  7.  Because  of  a 
heavy  rain  the  evening  of  June  21, 
special  program  which  had  been 
planned  by  our  mission  society 
could  not  be  given.  There  are  still 
too  many  members  who  do  not  have 
hard-surface  roads  to  church.  Re- 
cent marriages  were  Agnes  Regier 
to  Joe  Wynn  Wampler,  Helen  Jant- 
zen to  Dannie  Lee  Stehr,  and  Virgie 
Harms  to  Russel  Mueller. 

— Mrs.  Margaret  Horn 


478 


THE  MENNONITE 


conference  notes 

continued  from  last  page 

MARY  SCHRAG  SAILS  TO  INDIA 

Mary  Schrag  will  leave  New  York 
for  India  on  August  14  on  the  Bang- 


gai,  a freighter  on  the  Holland-Am- 
erican  Line.  This  will  be  her  sec- 
cond  term  of  missionary  service  in 
India  under  the  General  Confer- 
ence Board  of  Missions.  She  will 
again  take  up  nursing  duties  in  the 
Christian  Hospital  at  Champa,  M.  P. 
Her  home  in  the  States  is  at  Pretty 
Prairie,  Kansas. 

Medical  work  in  India  continues 
to  be  a real  challenge.  There  is  a 
special  need  for  missionary  nurses 
in  all  three  General  Conference  hos- 
pitals: the  general  hospitals  at 

Champa  and  Jagdeeshpur  and  the 
Bethesda  Leprosy  Hospital  at  Cham- 
pa. 

TEACHERS  NEEDED  IN  INDIA 

The  Board  of  Missions  shares  a 
request  that  comes  from  Woodstock 
School,  Landour,  P.  O.,  Mussoorie, 
U.  P.,  India.  Approximately  450  stu- 
dents, mostly  children  of  mission- 
aries, study  in  this  school.  The  fol- 
lowing personnel  is  being  called  for. 

Needed  immediately:  school  doc- 
tor; music  teacher  for  strings,  or- 
chestra (needed  immediately),  pi- 
ano, woodwinds,  brass;  physics 
teacher. 

Teachers  needed  by  June  of  1960: 
languages  (French  and  German), 
physical  education  (teachers  for 
boys  and  girls),  music  (piano, 
strings,  woodwinds,  brass),  indus- 
trial arts,  grade  teachers,  and  kin- 
dergarten. 

Teachers  needed  by  June  of  1961: 


chemistry,  mathematics,  English, 
and  grade  teachers. 

The  school  desires  teachers  with 
strong  Christian  background  and 
motivation.  Preference  is  given  to 
those  who  have  had  training  and 
experience. 

Those  interested  may  correspond 
with  the  Executive  Secretary  of  the 
Board  of  Missions,  722  Main  Street, 
Newton,  Kansas. 

A CENTURY  OF  WITNESS 

That’s  the  name  of  a book — a 
book  you  will  want  to  read.  It  con- 
sists of  110  pages,  including  charts 
of  Mennonite  migrations,  constitu- 
tions, and  illustrations.  It  is  the 
story  of  the  General  Conference 
Mennonite  Church. 

The  book  has  six  chapters:  “The 
Witness — Yesterday  and  Today” 

written  by  Cornelius  Krahn;  “A 
Century  Ago — The  Founding  of  the 
Conference”  written  by  S.  F.  Pan- 
nabecker;  “The  Swiss  Join  the  Con- 


ference” by  Delbert  Gratz;  “Prusso- 
Russian  Mennonites  Join  the  Con- 
ference” by  Gerhard  Lohrenz;  “The 
Conference  Organized  for  Work”  by 
H.  A.  Fast;  and  “Whitherbound?” 
written  by  Erland  Waltner. 

A Century  of  Witness  will  be 
available  at  a special  price  at  the 
conference  sessions  in  Bluffton.  In 
the  future  it  will  be  available  at 
all  of  the  Conference  bookstores. 

CENTENNIAL  LECTURES 

As  has  already  been  announced, 
lectures  will  be  given  simultaneous- 
ly with  the  pageant  on  Centennial 
Sunday,  August  16,  at  the  General 
Assembly  in  Bluffton,  Ohio. 

S.  F.  Pannabecker,  dean  of  Men- 
nonite Biblical  Seminary,  will  speak 
in  the  afternoon  on  the  topic:  “The 
Making  of  a Modern  Mennonite.” 

In  the  evening  Cornelius  Krahn 
will  give  an  illustrated  lecture  en- 
titled “Looking  into  the  Mirror.” 
Both  meetings  will  be  in  the  high 
school  auditorium  in  Bluffton. 


CHEYENXE  TRAILS 

Lois  R.  Habegger 


Cheyenne  trails  lead  in  many  directions:  to  1680  when  Chey- 
enne Indians  had  their  first  contact  with  white  people;  to  the  ar- 
rival of  the  first  General  Conference  Mennonite  missionaries  on 
the  Montana  reservation  in  1904;  to  the  first  baptism  in  1906; 
the  writing  of  a Cheyenne-English  dictionary;  the  translation  of 
Scripture  into  the  Cheyenne  language;  the  building  of  churches. 

Reading  Cheyenne  Trails  takes  only  a short  while  and  is  a prof- 
itable experience  for  the  historian  as  well  as  the  mission  study 
circle,  for  the  student  as  well  as  the  homemaker.  Customs  and 
religious  beliefs  of  the  Cheyennes  as  well  as  experiences  of  Chey- 
enne Christians  and  missionaries  bring  to  life  an  interesting  story. 
The  little  book  has  fifty-eight  black  and  white  illustrations.  $2.00. 

Order  from:  Mennonite  Bookstore,  720  Main  Street,  Newton,  Kansas. 


August  4,  1959 


479 


conference  notes 

LOOKING  TOWARD 
GENERAL  CONFERENCE 

General  Conference  triennial  ses- 
sions symbolize  a reunion  of  the 
Mennonite  family  in  fellowship,  bus- 
iness, and  inspiration.  Through  one 
hundred  years  it  has  changed  to  a 
family  affair  involving  men,  wom- 
en and  young  people. 

Going  to  conference  can  be  an 
educational  experience  for  our  chil- 
dren. They,  too,  will  sense  the  ur- 
gency of  work  to  be  done  in  spread- 
ing the  gospel.  As  parents  we  can 
help  them  to  understand  how  our 
church  is  operating  in  service,  edu- 
cation, publication,  missions,  and 
business.  May  we  keep  our  hearts 
and  minds  open  to  new  visions,  new 
opportunities,  other’s  opinions,  and 
the  leading  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

The  centennial  celebration  adds  a 
special  glow  to  the  business  ses- 
sions. The  review  of  the  past  one 
hundred  years  may  help  us  find  our 
place  of  service  and  see  the  future 
more  clearly.  We  may  ask  whether 
*we  are  giving  of  ourselves  as  hon- 
estly, daringly,  and  faithfully  as 
our  pilgrim  ancestors  did.  Our  re- 
action will  either  cause  us  to  shrink 
or  puU  back  our  shoulders  in  deter- 
mination. May  we  be  strengthen- 
ed by  mutual  sharing  and  dare  to 
live  looking  toward  Christ. 


Mrs.  Griselda  Shelly 
Newton,  Kansas 


NEW  EDITOR  APPOINTED 
FOR  “JUNIOR  MESSENGER” 

Cornelia,  a member  of  Women  in 
Columbia,  is  the  new  editor  of  the 
Junior  Messenger,  a children’s  story- 
paper  published  by  the  Board  of 
Education  and  Publication.  She  suc- 
ceeds Mrs.  Maynard  Shelly,  who  has 
edited  the  paper  since  January  1, 
1956. 

Cornelia,  a member  of  Women  in 
Church  Vocations,  has  spent  several 


years  in  service  under  the  Menno- 
nite Central  Committee.  She  is  a 
graduate  of  Canadian  Mennonite 


Bible  College  and  Bethel  College. 
Last  year  she  studied  at  Mennonite 
Biblical  Seminary. 

In  the  late  summer  Cornelia  will 
join  the  central  office  staff  at  New- 


ton, Kansas,  where  she  wiU  be  em- 
ployed by  the  Board  of  Education 
and  Publication.  Her  work  will 
have  to  do  with  curriculum  mate- 
rials, particularly  the  translation  in- 
to German  of  the  graded  Sunday 
school  materials  now  being  publish- 
ed. She  also  edits  a German  story- 
paper,  Der  Kinderbote. 

MCC  CROP  PROGRAM  UNDER  WAY 

The  1959  drive  for  MCC  CROP 
(Christian  Rural  Overseas  Program) 
got  under  way  in  Kansas  in  July. 
Many  Mennonites  will  be  taking 
part  in  this  program  of  sharing 
with  people  in  need. 

Approximately  $75,000  was  con- 
tributed in  Kansas  through  this 
channel  last  year.  McPherson  Coun- 
ty ranked  first  in  the  nation,  in 
large  part  because  of  the  many 
gifts  designated  for  Mennonite  Cen- 
tral Committee  and  Lutheran  World 
Relief. 

In  areas  in  which  a considerable 
percentage  of  the  population  is  Men- 
nonite, MCC  co-sponsors  this  nation- 
wide CROP  program. 


WS^OM  SHALL  WE  SEND  — NOW? 


Seldom  has  the  Board  of  Chris- 
tian Service  been  so  outspoken  and 
aggressive  in  making  its  needs 
known  as  at  the  present  time. 

If  you  are  a nurse  or  if  you  know 
of  a nurse  who  could  meet  the  chal- 
lenge of  becoming  a missionary  in 
uniform,  keep  on  reading. 

The  place  is  Mexico.  More  spe- 
cifically, the  place  is  a thirty-five 
bed  hospital  in  the  city  of  Cuauhte- 
moc serving,  for  the  most  part,  the 
Old  Colony  and  Sommerfelder  Men- 
nonites who  live  in  villages  sur- 
rounding the  town. 

Eight  years  ago  the  Mennonite 
Central  Committee  opened  the  doors 
of  the  hospital  which  had  been  clos- 
ed because  of  1 x*k  of  personnel.  In 
August  of  1957  the  work  was  turned 
over  to  the  Board  of  Christian  Serv- 
ice. 

The  hospital  is  now  staffed  by 
four  General  Conference  workers  in 
addition  to  Mexican  doctors,  six  to 
eight  Mexican  nurse  aides,  and  one 
Mexican  nurse  Our  workers  are: 


Erwin  Schrag,  administrator  who 
was  recently  elected  to  the  local 
“Patronata”  or  governing  board; 
Tina  Fehr,  head  nurse;  and  two 
long  term  VS  nurses,  Elfrieda  Rem- 
pel  and  Esther  Unruh.  A third  nurse 
left  Mexico  earlier  this  year  and 
as  yet  no  replacement  has  been 
found.  With  Elfrieda  Rempel’s  term 
ending  this  month,  the  minimum 
need  for  the  immediate  future  is 
two  nurses. 

You  may  be  wondering  whether 
the  Board  of  Christian  Service  is 
obligated  to  fulfill  a certain  quota 
of  hospital  staff  members.  The 
Board  has  a cordial  and  written  ar- 
rangement with  the  hospital  author- 
ities to  “sc.pply  personnel”  as  need- 
ed. There  is  no  fixed  obligation 
except  the  words  with  which  Jesus 
challenged  His  disciples  when  He 
told  them  -(he  parable  of  the  last 
judgment:  Then  shall  they  also 

answer  him,  saying.  Lord,  when 
saw  we  thee  . . . sick  . . . and  did 
not  minister  unto  thee?” 


AUGUST  11,  1959 


Alice  Franklin  Bryant— RADIATION  AND  THE  RACE 


COVER 

Flat  land  floods  often  clog  construc- 
tion of  the  Trans-Chaco  Roadway  being 
cut  northeast  into  the  underdeveloped, 
sparsely  populated  Gran  Chaco  of  north- 
ern Paraguay  where  approximately 
1 0,000  Mennonites  are  settled. 


ARTICLES 

PACIFIST  WITNESS  AT  OMAHA 

By  James  Waltner  483 

PARAGUAYAN  DIARY 

By  O.  O.  Miller  484 

RADIATION  AND  THE  RACE 

By  Alice  Franklin  Bryant  486 

CHRISTIAN  LITERATURE  IN  THE  CONGO 
By  Levi  Keidel  488 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  482 

MENNONITE  YOUTH 

Calendar  489 

A Penny  a Word  490 

OUR  SCHOOLS  492 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  492 

JOTTINGS  493 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  496 


of  things  to  come 

Aug.  1 2-20 — General  Conference,  Bluff- 
ton,  Ohio 

Aug.  17-22 — “Faith  and  Life"  radio 
speaker  on  KJRG  (Newton,  Kan.): 
Roland  R.  Goering. 

Aug.  30 — Freeman  Junior  College  opens 
Sept.  8 — Bethel  College  opens 
Sept.  11 — Bluffton  College  opens 
Sept.  25 — Rosthern  Junior  College  opens 
Sept.  29 — Canadian  Menn.  College  opens 
Oct.  4 — Western  District  Sunday  School 
Convention,  Halstead  High  School 
Auditorium,  Halstead,  Kan. 

Oct.  4 — World  Communion  Sunday 
Oct.  12 — Canadian  Thanksgiving  Day 
Oct,  24-27 — West.  Dist.  Conference 
Nov.  1 — Reformation  Sunday 
Nov.  26 — Thanksgiving  Day  (U.S.) 

Dec.  1-4 — Council  of  Boards 
Dec.  1 3 — Universal  Bible  Sunday 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor:  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 

J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Asst.;  Muriel  Thiessen. 
Layout  Consultant;  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  31 


editorials 


SHARING  THE  CONFERENCE  This  issue  of  THE  MEN- 
NONITE probably  reaches  the  readers  at  the  eve  of  conference. 
Many  delegates  and  visitors  are  on  their  way  to  Bluffton,  Ohio. 
Some  may  already  be  there  and  others  about  to  start.  But  what 
of  the  majority  who,  for  one  reason  or  another,  are  unable  to 
attend?  How  can  they  receive  any  benefit  from  the  conference? 

It  is  possible  for  both  those  who  attend  and  those  at  home 
to  co-operate  and  share  in  the  blessings  of  conference  week. 
Those  unable  to  attend  may  be  remembering  in  prayer  the 
conference  and  those  in  responsible  positions,  that  all  may  move 
along  in  accord  with  the  will  of  God.  They  can  watch  for  and 
read  the  reports  of  the  Conference  in  the  church  publications. 
They  may  even  be  able  to  borrow  from  the  pastor  or  delegates 
the  printed  reports  of  the  various  boards  and  committees.  And, 
as  soon  as  available,  they  can  read  the  minutes  and  resolutions 
of  the  business  sessions,  as  well  as  the  reports  of  the  auxiliary 
groups  and  of  the  special  meetings. 

Those  attending  can  do  much  to  acquaint  the  home  church  of 
the  events  of  the  conference.  A carefully  planned  report  of  all 
phases  of  the  conference  should  be  given  as  soon  as  possible 
after  returning.  Various  side-lights  can  be  presented.  Panel  dis- 
cussions with  questions  and  answers  may  help  clear  up  points 
for  all. 

The  delegates  should  not  only  report  the  bare  resolutions  or 
action  taken,  but  each  should  be  able  to  pass  on  something  of 
the  total  spirit  of  the  conference  so  that  all  may  catch  a portion 
of  it.  In  this  way  the  whole  church  may  be  informed  and  en- 
lightened and,  we  hope,  strengthened  and  blessed  by  this  spir- 
itual experience. 


I 


GOD  IS  NOT  ON  VACATION  A vacation  can  be  very  i 
helpful  and  stimulating  and  refreshing;  and  it  may  also  be  ! 
exhausting  and  tiring.  Its  real  purpose  should  be  to  “re-create”  j 
the  powers  of  mind  and  body,  and  to  “vacate”  the  mind  of 
troublesome  worries  and  cares.  , 

But  care  should  be  exercised  that  we  do  not  vacate  the  real 
essentials  of  life — the  moral  and  spiritual  values.  Church-going, 
for  instance,  can  easily  be  neglected  during  vacation.  If  properly  1 
planned,  however,  there  can  be  some  fine  experiences  in  wor- 
shipping in  other  churches  where  we  happen  to  be.  A deeper  j 
appreciation  for  God’s  beauty  in  nature  and  His  wisdom,  guid-  j 
ance,  and  protection  may  also  be  stimulated.  ’ 

But  how  fortunate  for  all  of  us  that  God  takes  no  vacation. 
He  is  always  to  be  found  by  the  sincere  seeker.  He  is  ever  faith-  * 
ful  to  His  promises.  He  never  forgets  us  nor  turns  from  us  ^ 
when  we  seek  for  Him  with  all  our  heart.  He  is  always  “at  home” 
to  those  who  call  upon  Him  in  truth.  | 

On  our  vacation  may  we  keep  close  to  our  Heavenly  Father  j 
who  continually  watches  over  us  wherever  we  are,  and  may  | 
we  remember  to  thank  and  praise  Him  in  the  midst  of  our  | 
travels  and  visits. 


482 


THE  MENNONITE 


Crackpots,  “Commies,”  or  Christians? 


Pacifist  Witness  at  Omaha 


James  Waltner 

For  the  past  months  a group  of 
pacifists  have  been  keeping  vig- 
il at  the  construction  entrance  to 
the  Mead  ICBM  base  west  of  Oma- 
ha, Neb.  Their  protest,  known  as 
“Omaha  Action,”  is  aimed  at  arous- 
ing the  conscience  of  the  people 
of  the  nation  to  protest  the  fever- 
ish arms  race  in  which  this  country 
is  engaged. 

The  focal  point  of  the  arms  race 
is  the  Inter-Continental  Ballistic 

Missile a network  of  pre-aimed 

solid  fuel  missiles  housed  in  under- 
ground launching  sites,  ready  to 
rain  their  nuclear  terror  on  enemy 
j targets  at  the  push  of  a button.  The 
I argument  for  the  ICBM  is  “deter- 
rence.” Our  weapons  must  be  so 
terrible  that  the  enemy  dare  not 
use  his. 

“Omaha  Action”  is  a group  of 
I pacifists  protesting  the  arms  race 
and  particularly  the  construction  of 
these  missile  bases  with  the  convic- 
tion that  this  is  preparation  for  gen- 
ocide— mass  extermination. 

On  June  18-19  public  meetings 
were  held  in  Lincoln  and  Omaha 
followed  by  a two-day  training  pe- 
riod for  the  thirty  participants  in 
the  protest.  On  June  22  the  partici- 
pants began  walks  from  Omaha  and 
Lincoln  to  the  Mead  base.  Then 
followed  a week  of  vigil  at  the  con- 
struction entrance  to  the  base.  On 
July  1 several  of  the  “Omaha  Ac- 
! tion”  pacifists  began  direct  action 
such  as  speaking  to  the  guards  and 
attempting  to  walk  into  the  base  to 
speak  to  the  workers.  As  a result, 
several  protestors  have  been  arrest- 
ed and  given  jail  sentences. 

Representing  the  Western  District 
Peace  and  Service  Committee,  Peter 
W.  Goering  (from  Lehigh,  Kan.) 
and  I went  to  Mead  on  June  29  to 
try  to  find  out  more  about  “Omaha 
Action.” 


We  spent  an  hour  talking  with 
three  of  the  pacifists  at  the  entrance 
to  the  base  and  an  hour  with  Dr. 
Herbert  Jahle,  professor  of  physics 
at  the  University  of  Nebraska  in 
Lincoln,  who  has  been  been  vocally 
and  actively  participating  in  the 
protest. 

Who  are  these  pacifists?  What 
is  the  motive  and  effect  of  their  pro- 
test? Is  this  the  type  of  witness 
that  Mennonite  people  should  de- 
fend, encourage,  or  even  participate 
in? 

Here  are  some  of  my  observations 
in  “Omaha  Action.” 

« The  group  of  pacifists  partici- 
pating in  this  protest  come  from  di- 
verse backgrounds,  from  all  parts 
of  the  country.  Denominational 
backgrounds  represented  include 
Friends,  Presbyterians,  Catholics, 
Unitarians,  Brethren,  Methodists, 
and  others.  Several  of  them  have 
participated  in  previous  protests 
such  as  at  the  Nevada  atomic  tests 
in  1957  and  at  Cheyenne  last  year. 

The  motivation  is  a religious  con- 
cern about  our  country’s  participa- 
tion in  the  race  toward  mass  suicide. 
There  are  differences  in  the  degree 
of  commitment  on  the  part  of  the 
participants.  Some  will  participate 
in  the  wMk,  distribute  literature, 
and  keep  vigil  at  the  base  entrance. 
Some  have  committed  themselves  to 
acts  of  civil  disobedience  such  as 
entering  the  base  and  standing  in 
the  way  of  trucks. 

• Reactions  to  this  type  of  pro- 
test are  varied.  Hecklers  come  with 
signs  suggesting:  “Your  hammer 
and  sickle  are  showing.”  A num- 
ber of  newspaper  articles  and  let- 
ters have  labeled  this  “communist 
activity.”  Others  have  labeled  this 
pacifist  group  as  “crackpot  publici- 
ty seekers,”  and  look  upon  the  pro- 
test with  amusement.  Still  other 


newspaper  accounts  and  letters  are 
sympathetic,  defending  the  right  of 
citizens  to  make  this  type  of  protest. 

• The  local  press,  radio,  and  TV 
coverage  has  been  thorough — (with 
some  distortion).  The  lAncoln 
Journal  has  been  covering  "Omaha 
Action”  objectively  and  sympathet- 
ically. 

Some  of  the  incidents,  such  as 
the  arrest  and  sentencing  of  22-year- 
old  Karl  H.  Meyer,  son  of  Rep.  Wil- 
liam H.  Meyer  of  Vermont,  have 
been  carried  nationally  by  the  As- 
sociated Press. 

® I was  impressed  with  the  mo- 
tivation and  dedication  of  the  peo- 
ple involved.  This  is  not  a group 
of  “crackpots,”  but  a group  of  men 
and  women  who  are  voicing  the 
deep  concern  of  many  citizens. 

Dr.  Herbert  Jahle,  who  spent  a 
year  in  a Nazi  concentration  camp 
because  he  refused  to  build  bomb- 
ers in  World  War  II,  said  that  a 
number  of  people  have  told  him, 
“We  are  glad  you  are  speaking  out.” 
The  participants  know  that  the  pro- 
test of  a small  group  of  citizens 
will  not  stop  the  construction  of 
these  bases — but  this  is  their  wit- 
ness to  arouse  the  conscience  of  the 
nation. 

WHAT  should  be  our  attitude 
toward  “Omaha  Action”? 

The  “Omaha  Action”  leaflet,  Dis- 
cipline, outlines  the  spirit  and  aim 
for  the  participants:  “All  action  will 
be  taken  in  the  spirit  of  nonviolence 
and  of  consideration  for  all  men, 
appealing  to  the  best  in  persons  in 
order  to  win  them  to  the  nonviolent 
way  of  life.”  The  action  is  based 
upon  Gandhian  principles. 

As  Mennonite  people,  with  a 4(X)- 
year  witness  of  conscientious  ob- 
jection to  war  and  the  instruments 
of  violence,  we  have  seen  the  im- 
provement of  “nonviolent  resist- 


August  11,  1959 


483 


ance”  (non-co-operation,  boycott) 
over  resistance  by  murderous  vio- 
lence. Yet  we  have  reservations 
about  the  dangers  inherent  in  boy- 
cott and  strike  and  the  unchristian 
attitudes  and  actions  which  can  re- 
sult. 

Certainly  our  concern  to  speak 
the  evangelical  gospel  of  the  love 
of  God  through  Jesus  Christ  in  its 
power  to  make  lives  new  should  be 
our  primary  concern.  But  with 
this  message  of  the  gospel  must  be 
spoken  our  conviction  that  the 
Christian  way  is  the  way  of  the 
Cross — the  love  of  Jesus  Christ. 
This  will  involve  witnessing  against 


Paraguayan 


June  17,  MCC  Home,  Asuncion, 
Paraguay — Coming  here  yesterday 
from  Montevideo  via  Buenos  Aires 
took  three  hours  and  cost  $17  (US). 
In  1931  it  took  four  days  by  river 
steamer  and  cost  over  $30.  Then 
Paraguay  was  the  poorest  and  most 
backward  of  South  American  coun- 
tries. Now  there  seems  to  be  steady 
progress  in  its  living  standard,  in 
stability  of  government,  in  commu- 
nication and  contacts  with  the  out- 
side. This  is  one  of  the  world’s  un- 
derpopulated areas  with  plenty  of 
room  to  expand. 

This  morning  in  the  USOM  offices 
we  reviewed  our  status  and  plan- 
ning on  the  Trans-Chaco  Roadway 
which  is  of  vital  interest  to  the  9,000 
Mennonites  living  in  the  Chaco. 
Four  million  doUars  is  the  cost  es- 
timate. Of  this,  $200,000  is  expected 
in  labor  and  other  contributions 
from  Mennonites.  It  will  require 
about  three  years  to  complete  it  to 
FUadelfia. 

The  rest  of  today  was  spent  at 


our  nation’s  participation  in  the 
arms  race. 

Whether  we  should  become  involv- 
ed in  the  “Omaha  Action”  type  of 
protest  including  civil  disobedience 
is  a question  we  need  to  evaluate 
in  the  light  of  questions  such  as: 
Is  the  refusal  to  protest  merely  on 
the  grounds  of  saving  our  name? 
Will  civil  disobedience  negate  our 
witness  in  other  areas?  With  the 
arms  race  and  ICBM’s  moving  us 
ever  closer  to  a suicidal  nuclear 
war,  is  there  any  alternative  hut  to 
protest  as  our  Christian  responsibil- 
ity to  God,  to  country,  and  to  man 
throughout  the  world? 

Certainly  we  must  defend  the 


the  Leper  Services  Thank  You  proj- 
ect .50  miles  east  of  Asuncion.  Here 
the  Dr.  John  Schmidt  family  as  well 
as  families  from  all  the  Paraguay 
colonies  (numbering  about  40  per- 
sons) have  served  and  witnessed 
since  1951. 

June  19,  MCC,  FUadelfia,  Chaco — 
Our  DC-3  plane  was  loaded  to  ca- 
pacity with  freight  and  passengers 
en  route  here  from  Asuncion  this 
morning  (a  two-hour  trip).  'The 
Paraguay  River  at  Asuncion  is  at  a 
high  point  from  rains;  here,  how- 
ever, they  have  drought. 

Yesterday  we  came  one-fifth  the 
distance  on  the  new  Trans-Chaco 
Roadway. 

June  21,  MCC  Filadelfia — ^This 
morning  we  attended  harvest  serv- 
ices at  the  distant  Indian  mission 
church.  About  400  Indians  were 
present.  While  one  Indian  helped 
with  the  preaching,  others  helped 
in  ushering  and  in  keeping  order. 


right  of  a minority  group  as  “Oma- 
ha Action”  to  make  their  witness. 

As  Mennonite  people  we  must  be 
pricked  in  conscience  by  this  type 
of  action  for  our  inconsistencies — 
our  clinging  to  the  principle  of  non- 
resistance  traditionally,  our  some- 
time willingness  to  speak,  our  hesi- 
tancy to  act. 

And  certainly  we  ought  to  be  mov- 
ed to  find  out  all  we  can  about  nu- 
clear weapons,  the  possibility  of  nu- 
clear war,  and  our  involvement  in 
it,  and  then  to  make  our  witness 
on  that  basis — for  preparation  to 
visit  mass  extermination  on  another 
people  is  a complete  denial  of  the 
Christian  faith. 


Church  was  held  in  an  unfinished 
new  mud  brick  structure. 

Of  the  estimated  2,500  Lenguas 
and  900  Chilupis  in  this  area  (100 
miles  radius)  about  3,000  attend 
services;  206  Lenguas  and  51  Chi- 
lupis are  baptized  communicant 
Christians.  They  have  over  100 
children  in  school.  The  mission  is 
reaching  into  the  Paraguayan  com- 
munity and  has  begun  a Spanish 
elementary  boarding  school  with 
thirty-one  pupils. 

June  23 — Yesterday  we  visited 
Menno  Colony,  which  was  settled  in 
1926.  The  colony  now  numbers  al- 
most 4500.  It  has  a net  annual  in- 
crease of  about  three  per  cent. 
There  are  41  elementary  schools. 
The  church  has  seven  deacons,  nine- 
teen ministers,  two  elders  and  now 
has  three  Indian  mission  stations 
with  155  baptized  members. 

We  were  at  the  hospital  plant, 
attended  the  thirty-eight  pupU  Bi- 
ble Academy,  saw  the  growing  in- 
dustrial center,  spent  a short  time 
at  the  Indian  mission  station,  visit- 
ed with  Bishop  Martin  Friesen  and 
had  afternoon  coffee  in  the  Dr. 
Kaetler  home. 

It  is  most  interesting  how  the  In- 
dian and  Mennonite  communities 
are  accepting  each  Other.  It  is  prob- 
ably significant  too,  as  the  colo- 
nist mother  put  it,  that  “The  Indi- 


penned  by  Orie  O.  Miller,  MCC  Associate  Secretary 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church 
Entered  at  North  Newton,  Kansas,  post  office  as  second  class  matter.  Acceptance  for  mailing  at  special  rate  of  postage:  section  1)03,  Act 
of  Oct.  3,  1917.  Authorized  Jan.  22,  1910.  Subscriptions  $2.50;  foreign  S3  00  Mail  subscriptions  and  payments  to  Mennonite  Publication 
Office,  North  Newton,  Kan.,  or  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan.  Address  manuscripts  for  publication  to  J.  N.  Smucker,  Ed'tor,  THE  MENNONITE, 
Woodward  Place,  Goshen,  Ind.  Postmasters:  change  of  address  Form  3579  lo  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan 


484 


THE  MENNONITE 


ans  are  praying  more  for  the  Men- 
nonites  than  the  Mennonites  do  for 
the  Indians.” 

June  24 — Yesterday  I visited  Neu- 
land  Colony.  This  colony  has  the 
smallest  population  (1715)  but  the 
largest  land  area.  It  is  the  newest 
settlement  (1947).  Over  a third  of 
the  original  settlers  have  left  for 
Canada;  now,  however,  the  in- 
creased birth  rate  is  offsetting  the 
loss  caused  by  migration.  Annual 
family  cash  income  has  doubled  in 
the  past  four  years.  The  economic 
prospects  for  the  next  four  years  in- 
dicate similar  gain.  The  colony  is 
well  equipped  with  hospital,  health, 
school  and  social  service  facilities, 
and  good  leadership. 

June  26— The  past  two  days  were 
spent  in  and  around  the  thriving 
little  Chaco  Mennonite  city  of  Fil- 
adelfia.  Here  are  the  beginnings  of 
shoe  manufacturing  tile  making  in- 
dustry and  8in  airport  trading  cen- 
ter. With  four  churches,  110  stu- 
dents in  high  school,  forty-one  in  the 
four  month  Bible  Academy,  a 
nurse’s  aide  school,  the  new  mental 
hospital,  as  well  as  home  of  almost 
300  families,  it  is  in  prospect  the 
largest  Chaco  city. 

June  28,  Hotel  Paraguay,  Asun- 
cion is  at  its  best  with  balmy,  sun- 
shiny, winter  weather.  This  morn- 
ing I attended  the  Albert  Ens 
Spanish  Mission  service  in  the 
Southwest  part  of  city.  Here  is  a 
good  location,  a good  beginning,  but 
mission  work  at  its  hardest.  At 
10:30  we  attended  the  Union  Eng- 
lish service  at  the  Disciples  church. 
Of  the  seventy  present  about  one- 
fourth  were  Mennonites.  At  4 p.m. 

, we  attended  the  German  Mennonite 
service.  This  evening  approximate- 
ly 200  were  present  at  the  MCC  cen- 
ter for  African  mission  pictures  and 
an  evangelistic  message.  Tomor- 
row we  begin  our  plane-hopping 
v'sits  to  four  east  Paraguay  colo- 
nies. 

June  30,  Volendam  and  Friesland 
— Volendam  colony  is  in  difficult 
circumstances.  Of  the  2,729  immi- 
grants and  births,  1,300  have  emi- 
grated again,  mostly  to  Canada. 
Many  of  the  remaining  843  also 
I want  to  leave.  It  is  still  hoped  that 
j 500  or  more  will  stay. 

[ This  morning  we  arrived  at  the 
I Prima  Vera  airstrip.  The  Society 
of  Brothers  colony  continues  to 
number  around  550  persons.  It  is 
discontinuing  its  farm  operation,  ex- 


cept for  colony  sustenance  needs 
and  an  unfinished  rice  growing  ex- 
periment. Its  whole  energy  is  put 
into  wood  crafts,  industries,  and 
meat  cattle.  The  colony’s  surplus 
population  is  building  up  in  Asun- 
cion and  Montevideo.  We  appreci- 
ated the  usual  cordial  hospitality 
and  visiting  over  coffee,  lunch,  and 
tea. 

June  31 — The  22-year  old  Fries- 
land colony  (906  persons)  seems  to 
have  found  its  genius  and  is  health- 
ily progressing.  The  colony  store, 
hospital,  sawmill-industry  enter- 
prise, and  the  first  rice  harvest  proj- 
ect all  give  evidence  of  good  pro- 
gramming, management,  and  mo- 
rale. The  rice  growing  machinery 
investment  of  $17,000,  adequate  for 
250  acre  annual  production,  is  suc- 
cessfully demonstrating  its  first 
year  on  half  this  acreage.  Com, 
rice,  and  mandioca,  plus  dairying 
and  chickens  for  Asuncion  and 
world  markets,  seem  an  assured 
base  for  the  ongoing  rising  living 
standard. 


July  4,  Enflight  Charter  Caagua- 
zu,  Asuncion — ^The  youngest  east 
Paraguayan  colony,  which  came 
from  Canada  in  1949,  is  located  125 
miles  east  of  Asuncion.  Caaguazu 
numbers  about  1450  people  or  240 
families.  The  new  international 
highway  to  Iguazu  Falls  and  Bra- 
zil bisects  the  100,000  acres  on 
which  the  two  groups  (Bergthal 
and  Sommerfeld)  live. 

The  average  colony  family  in- 
come is  around  $1000.  It  has  the 
highest  income  of  any  of  the  Para- 
guayan colonies,  almost  all  from 
lumber,  timber,  and  eggs.  After 
the  lumber  resource  is  gone,  corn, 
cotton,  and  hogs  will  be  developed 
as  income  sources.  The  good  colo- 
ny roads,  the  sturdy  wooden  houses, 
and  the  healthy  blond  children  im- 
pressed me.  After  the  Trans-Chaco 
Roadway  completion,  Caaguazu  and 
Menno  will  be  only  a day  apart  via 
auto.  I am  greatly  impressed  with 
the  home  Paraguay  has  afforded  to 
most  of  the  13,000  Mennonites  now 
living  here. 


1 August  11,  1959 

i 


485 


Our  world  faces  a crisis  as  yet  unperceived 
by  those  possessing  the  power  to  make 
great  decisions  for  good  or  evil. 
The  unleashed  power  of  the  atom  has  changed 
everything  save  our  modes  of  thinking, 
and  thus  we  drift  toward 
unparalleled  catastrophe. — Albert  Einstein 


Radiation 
and  the 
Race 


Alice  Franklin  Bryant 


Ages  ago  there  was  much  radi- 
ation on  the  earth  and  no  life. 
As  time  went  on  radiation  declined. 
First  low  forms  of  life  and  then 
higher  ones  developed — and  the  lat- 
ter are  more  easily  damaged  by  ra- 
diation than  the  former. 

An  atomic  war  would  soeedily  re- 
verse the  lowering  of  radiation  lev- 
els which  has  made  our  life  possi- 
ble on  this  planet.  Even  our  test- 
ing of  weapons  has  made  a small 
beginning  on  such  a reversal. 

Can  We  Trust  the  AEC? 

We  have  received  repeated  as- 
surances that  all  is  weU  and  that 
there  is  really  no  danger  from  nu- 
clear tests.  But  disbelief  in  regard 
to  these  assurances  has  been  in- 
creasing for  several  reasons.  One 
is  that  they  come  from  people  whose 
obvious  interest  in  the  arms  race 
conflicts  with  their  presumed  inter- 
est in  the  human  race. 

Another  reason  for  doubting  the 
reassuring  statements  is  that  they 
are  characterized  by  double-talk. 

One  misleading  phrase  over- 
worked by  the  Atomic  Energy  Com- 
mission is;  “at  the  present  rate  of 
testing.”  There  has  never  been  any 
standard  rate  but  rather  a fluctuat- 
ing and  constantly  increasing  one. 
It  will  continue  to  go  up  as  addi- 
tional countries  get  A and  H-bombs; 
and  we  have  absolutely  no  control 
over  how  much  testing  is  done  by 
other  nations.  Up  to  the  present  we 
are  the  worst  offender,  having  ex- 
ploded more  than  twice  as  many  nu- 
clear weapons  as  the  USSR. 
Exi>erts  Confess  Ignorance 
A third  reason  for  discounting  the 
reassuring  statements  is  that  they 
are  made  from  ignorance.  There 
is  no  reason  to  believe  that  our 
scientists  have  yet  attained  an  ap- 


proximation of  knowledge  concern- 
ing radiation  dangers. 

Congressman  Chet  Holifleld  who 
conducted  hearings  on  radiation  in 
May  and  June  of  last  year  writes: 
“As  a layman  I was  somewhat 
shocked  to  And  out  how  much  the 
experts  admitted  they  did  not  know 
about  the  long-term  effects  of  radi- 
ation. In  fact,  when  I thought  over 
how  little  is  known  for  sure,  I won- 
dered how  some  officials  of  the 
government  could  be  so  positive  that 
bomb-tests  were  so  safe . . . 

“The  Atomic  Energy  Commission 
has  continually  given  out  assuranc- 
es that  we  have  nothing  to  worry 
about  and  yet  we  find,  using  testi- 
mony from  our  own  experts,  that 
there  is  reason  to  worry.” 

Aside  from  this  general  ignorance 
and  propaganda,  the  charge  has 
been  made  by  exceptionally  weU 
informed  persons,  including  Dr.  Ed- 
ward U.  Condon,  former  chief  of 
the  United  States  Bureau  of  Stand- 
ards and  now  head  of  the  Physics 
department  of  Washington  Univer- 
sity, that  the  true  facts  are  being 
obscured. 

Nuclear  Weapon  Testing  Injurious 

Cancer  specialists  predict  that 
many  thousands  of  persons  will  suf- 
fer agonizing  deaths  from  leuke- 
mia and  other  forms  of  cancer  as  a 
result  of  A and  H-bomb  tests  al- 
ready made. 

The  genetic  threat  is  even  worse 
and  involves  not  just  risk  but  cer- 
tain damage.  Congressman  Holi- 
fleld reports  that  the  scientists  who 
testified  before  his  committee — al- 
though they  differed  on  whether 
there  was  a threshold  for  non-ge- 
netic  damage — agreed  that  there 
was  no  threshold  for  this  genetic 
threat  to  the  human  race.  They  a- 


greed that  natural  radiation  causes 
some  defective  children  to  be  bom, 
and  that  any  increase  of  radiation 
increases  the  number  of  them. 

Not  only  will  more  obviously  de- 
formed and  feeble-minded  individu- 
als be  born,  but  others — apparently 
normal — will  have  greater  tenden- 
cies than  we  to  colds,  headaches,  al- 
lergies, arthritis,  cancer,  and  also 
lowered  mental  capacity. 

Dr.  Herman  J.  Muller,  Nobel 
Prize  winning  geneticist,  believes 
that  this  impairment  of  the  appar- 
ently normal  will  be  a much  great- 
er total  burden  on  the  human  race 
than  the  increased  number  of  ob- 
vious defectives.  He  warns:  “Our 
genetic  heritage  is  the  most  precious 
thing  we  have.  If  it  deteriorates, 
we  deteriorate.  The  human,  race 
must  become  genetic  conscious . . . 
(Aside  from  this  genetic  damage) 
the  tests  are  doing  more  harm  than 
good  because  they  raise  war  feel- 
ings between  nations.” 

Despite  the  Atomic  Energy  Com- 
mission’s well-publicized  reassuranc- 
es, its  document  on  “The  Biological 
Hazard  to  Man  of  Carbon-14  from 
Nuclear  Weapons”  issued  in  Septem- 
ber, 1958,  contains  this  grim  esti- 
mate of  the  damage  to  humanity  of 
carbon-14  created  by  weapons  tests 
already  held:  100,000  cases  of  gross 
physical  or  mental  defects  and 
1,280,000  cases  of  embryonic,  in- 
fant, and  childhood  deaths.  Car- 
bon-14 is  produced  by  “clean”  as 
well  as  dirty  bombs,  and  it  has  a 
half-life  of  thousands  of  years.  It 
is  just  one  of  several  bomb-test 
products  that  cause  damage  to  the 
present  and  future  generations. 


The  author  of  this  article  spent  over  two 
years  in  Internment  Camp  in  the  Philip- 
pines during  World  War  II. 


486 


THE  MENNONITE 


Some  Facts  Are  Available 

Some  unsurpassed  figures  can  be 
found.  An  article,  “Strontium-90  in 
Man,”  in  the  Feb.  7,  1958,  issue  of 
Science,  gives  data  on  this  radio-ac- 
tive substance — ^which,  created  and 
blasted  into  the  atmosphere  by  the 
bomb  tests,  drifts  down  to  earth  in 
the  course  of  years,  is  taken  up  by 
plants  and  animals,  and  thus  finds 
its  way  into  our  food  and  milk. 

Basing  its  findings  on  autopsy 
samples  of  human  bone,  this  article 
shows  that  the  amount  of  cancer 
and  leukemia  producing  strontium- 
90  per  gram  of  calcium  is  rapidly 
increasing  in  the  bones  of  young 
children.  At  present  they  have  ten 
times  as  much  as  the  bones  of 
adults,  which  were  built  in  pre-a- 
tomic  times  and  now  require  only 
a little  replenishing. 

The  estimate  is  made  that  the 
amount  of  strontium-90  per  gram  of 
calcium  in  children’s  bones  will 
keep  on  increasing  imtil  it  is  four 
times  what  it  is  at  present  even  if 
no  more  tests  are  made.  Of  course 
if  testing  is  continued,  the  amount 
will  be  further  multiplied. 

The  London  Times  has  reported 
radiation  thirty  times  normal  in 
its  city.  Apparently  the  authorities 
did  not  intend  for  this  to  be  re- 
vealed, but  it  leaked.  The  radioac- 
tivity that  alarmed  Los  Angeles  Oct. 
30,  1958,  was  eighty-seven  times 
normal  for  that  vicinity.  Scientists 
at  the  University  of  Minnesota  have 
reported  radioactivity  levels  in  the 
area  of  Minneapolis  a hundred 
times  the  national  average.  And  I 
have  it  on  authority  of  some  one  in 
government  employ  who  cannot  be 
quoted  that  the  levels  in  some  lo- 
calities have  been  500-600  times  nor- 
mal after  bomb-tests  as  winds  car- 
ried the  radioactive  debris  from  Ne- 
vada across  the  United  States. 

A heavy  March  rain  200  times  as 
radioactive  as  is  considered  safe  for 
drinking  water  fell  on  the  San 
Francisco  region  in  1958.  Outraged 
residents  in  protest  shipped  vege- 
tables contaminated  by  it  to  the 
White  House. 

The  Peaceful  Atom  Has  Its  Dangers 

At  the  dawn  of  the  atomic  age 
we  were  given  glowing  prophecies 
in  regard  to  the  possibilities  of 
atomic  industrial  power,  and  most 
of  us  remain  undeceived  on  this.  The 
result  is  that  many  excellent  and 
generally  well-informed  people  have 
been  passing  resolutions  for  speed- 


ing the  development  of  this  power 
who  are  unaware  that  it  is  a major 
stumbling  block  to  disarmament,  a 
very  uneconomic  process,  and  a seri- 
ous menace  to  mental  and  physical 
health. 

James  J.  Wadsworth,  head  of  our 
delegation  to  the  present  confer- 
ence in  Geneva,  has  said,  “Put  simp- 
ly, the  difficulty  is  that  at  the  same 
time  power  is  produced,  fissionable 
material  used  in  weapons  is  pro- 
duced. An  atomic  power  plant  is 
thus  a weapons  producing  plant.” 
It  is  easv  to  make  bombs  if  fission- 
able material  is  available.  Lack  of 
it  has  retarded  bomb  development 
in  France. 

The  worst  reactor  accident  so  far 
was  at  Windscale,  England  in  Oc- 
tober, 1957.  For  some  time  after  it 
occurred,  milk  from  a 200  square 
mile  surrounding  area  was  dumped 
at  sea.  Our  newspapers  then  re- 
ported that  the  farmers  were  com- 
plaining that  they  had  had  trouble 
with  sterility  among  their  cattle  for 
five  years.  This,  of  course,  was  not 
brought  about  ex  post  facto  by  the 
accident,  but  must  have  been  caused 
by  increased  radioactivity  in  the 
area  surrounding  the  reactor. 

Even  enthusiastic  officials  of  com- 
panies that  are  profiting  from  atom- 
ic contracts  admit  that  the  problem 
of  the  disposal  of  radioactive  waste 
— produced  in  immense  quantities 
in  industrial  power  reactors — is  an 
unsolved  problem.  They  admit  that 
the  radioactivity  will  outlive  the 
tanks  in  which  it  is  buried  and 
dumped  at  sea.  Since  this  is  the 
case,  is  it  not  acting  irresponsibly 
toward  the  future  to  push  industrial 
power  production?  Graham  Du 
Shane,  editor  of  Science,  in  his  May 
17,  1957,  editorial  writes  that  “the 
hazard  from  nuclear  reactors  for 
power  production  is  a greater  po- 
tential threat  than  that  from  atomic 
weapons  (testing).” 

Dr.  Arthur  Squires,  who  was  one 
of  the  team  who  produced  the  atom- 
ic bomb  during  World  War  II,  and 
who  later  was  engaged  in  inspect- 
ing nuclear  installations  throughout 
our  country,  wrote  me  recently, 
“This  whole  area  is  one  which  ap- 
palls me.  I mean,  the  area  of  ra- 
dioactive waste  disposal  from  pow- 
er operations.  Ansdhing  you  can  do 
to  arouse  the  public  to  this  danger 
will  be  a real  service.”  "rhe  atom 
may  some  day  provide  cheap  and 
safe  power  if  and  when  the  fusion 


process  for  its  production  is  perfect- 
ed. But  since  the  fusion  of  nuclei 
is  utterly  different  from  the  fission, 
or  atom-splitting,  process,  work 
with  the  latter  does  not  advance 
the  former. 

Our  Choice:  Human  Race  or  Arms 

If  our  race  deserves  its  scientific 
name — homo  sapiens,  wise  man — the 
two  great  countries  who  co-operat- 
ed to  defeat  Hitler  surely  can  co- 
operate to  mutual  advantage  in  con- 
trolling and  restricting  nuclear  ac- 
tivities. In  this  the  people  at  large 
show  more  wisdom  than  their  of- 
ficials. In  May  of  1957  the  Gallup 
Poll  asked:  “If  all  other  countries, 
including  Russia,  agree  to  stop  mak- 
ing any  more  tests  with  nuclear 
weapons  and  H-bombs,  should  the 
United  States  agree  to  stop?”  The 
responses  were;  yes,  63  per  cent; 
no,  27  per  cent;  no  opinion,  10  per 
cent.  However,  a year  later  our  ad- 
ministration fiatly  rejected  such  a 
proposal  from  Krushchev  as  a 
“propaganda  gimmick.” 

An  informal  agreement  of  the 
three  atomic  powers  could  have 
been  quickly  followed  by  a multi- 
lateral treaty  adopted  in  the  United 
Nations  outlawing  nuclear  testing 
and  providing  for  reasonable  in- 
spection. The  inspection  required 
for  this  would  be  adequate  to  moni- 
tor missile  tests  so  that  stopping 
them  might  well  be  the  second  step 
on  the  way  toward  disarmament. 

The  facts  confirm  Albert  Schweh- 
zer’s  belief  that  we  cannot  hope  for 
governments  to  solve  these  life  and 
death  problems  unless  we  push 
them  into  doing  so.  Surely  the  time 
has  come  when  we  must  loudly  and 
insistently  demand  a permanent 
ban  on  nuclear  weapons  testing — 
without  any  of  the  “bombs  for 
peace”  hypocrisy  of  our  proposed 
“Operation  Plowshare” — as  a first 
step  toward  disarmament. 

In  the  earth’s  crust  are  the  re- 
mains of  many  animals  that  form- 
erly flourished  on  earth  and  then  be- 
came extinct  because  they  couldn’t 
adjust  to  changed  environment.  This 
could  happen  to  us.  In  all  probabil- 
ity it  will  happen  to  us  unless  the 
arms  race  is  ended.  The  arms  race 
will  not  be  ended  while  the  United 
Nations  is  starved  and  disregarded 
and  policy  makers  continue  to  play 
their  puerile,  outmoded  game  of 
great  power  struggle — which  is  usu- 
ally presented  to  the  people  as  a 
holy  crusade. 


August  11,  1959 


487 


things  you  should  know  about 

Christian 

Literature 

in 

Congo 


1.  How  many  people  of  Congo  can 
read? 

Current  literacy  rate  of  the  total 
population  is  probably  25  per  cent. 
The  latest  UNESCO  figures  state 
that  75  per  cent  of  Congo’s  school 
age  children  (tomorrow’s  church) 
are  literate.  This  is  one  of  the 
highest  youth  literacy  rates  in 
Africa. 

2.  How  much  literature  is  now 
available  to  our  Congolese  Chris- 
tians? 

Three  languages  are  used  by  Con- 
go Inland  Mission.  Counting  all 
types  of  Protestant  Christian  Liter- 
ature including  textbooks,  there  are 
currently  about  75  titles  in  Tshilubi, 
25  in  Gipendi  and  15  in  Chokwe. 
The  first  correspondence  courses 
are  being  introduced.  'There  is  a 
good  variety  of  tracts  available  for 
evangelizing  the  unsaved.  The 
Tshilubi  edition  of  Sankai,  a color- 
ful religious  monthly,  has  completed 
its  first  year  and  has  made  an  im- 
pact on  the  literate  masses. 

3.  What  kinds  of  literature  are 
especially  needed? 

Books  that  will  establish  believers 
in  the  faith,  devotionals,  African 
Christian  biographies,  religious 
classics,  Bible  study  helps,  instruc- 
tion on  victorious  Christian  living 
in  a pagan  society  are  key  needs  at 
the  present  time. 

4.  Who  is  preparing  this  literature? 
Most  of  it  is  now  being  prepared 

by  missionaries.  However,  some 
literary  talent  is  being  developed 
among  our  talented  Congolese.  Our 
hope  is  in  African  writers  who  will 
incorporate  into  their  writings  the 
thought  patterns,  proverbs,  folk- 
lore, and  points  of  view  which  will 


grip  the  hearts  of  their  own  people. 

5.  Where  is  it  printed? 

Practically  all  of  it  on  Protestant 

mission  presses  in  the  Congo.  At 
our  Charlesville  station  we  have 
two  platen  presses  and  equipment 
capable  of  preparing  smaller  books 
and  tracts. 

6.  How  is  CIM  financing  this  pro- 
gram? 

In  addition  to  the  operational 
budget  of  the  press  there  are  two 
literature  funds  dependent  on  your 
voluntary  gifts;  a)  the  Bible  and 
Christian  Literature  Fund,  a “re- 
volving” fund  which  enables  the 
purchase  of  large  editions  of  Bibles, 
hymnbooks,  and  other  Christian 
literature  the  money  for  which  is 
reimbursed  as  the  books  are  sold; 
and  b)  the  Christian  Literature 
Subsidy  Fund  in  which  higher  priced 
books  and  Bibles  are  subsidized  to 
bring  them  within  the  price  range 
of  the  people.  For  example  a com- 
plete Bible  is  sold  for  eighty  cents 
and  a New  Testament  for  forty-five 
cents. 

7.  What  will  eventually  become  of 
this  equipment  and  funds  if  the  mis- 
sionaries are  forced  to  leave? 

This  shows  the  importance  of 
Christian  literature.  'These  funds 
and  this  equipment  in  the  hands  of 
trained  and  dedicated  Christian  na- 
tionals will  continue  their  important 
service  to  the  Congo  church. 

8.  Why  expand  the  Congo  literature 
program  in  the  face  of  rising 
nationalism? 

'The  Bible  and  Christian  litera- 
ture keep  on  witnessing  long  after 
the  live  human  witness  is  forced  to 
leave  or  is  silenced.  Literature  is 
the  key  to  a rapid  inexpensive  evan- 


gelical witness  to  the  masses.  Lit- 
erature calls  individuals  to  a dedi- 
cation of  life  and  service  that  will 
help  stabilize  communities  and 
governments.  Manuscripts  by  na- 
tive authors  are  beginning  to  ap- 
pear and  will  increase  rapidly.  This 
is  reason  for  hope  for  a healthy 
church  in  Africa. 

9.  How  can  we  help? 

Current  literature  funds  have  been 
provided  largely  by  memorial  gifts. 
In  memory  of  a departed  loved  one 
you  may  give  tangible  tokens  of 
remembrance  that  will  soon  wither 
and  die  or  you  may  invest  a gift  in 
Christian  authors,  artists,  press 
men,  and  colporteurs  (distributors). 
You  can  have  a real  and  vital  part 
in  the  proclamation  of  the  gospel. 

10.  What  limits  our  hterature  pro- 
gram? 

There  is  a lack  of  personnel,  both 
foreign  missionaries  and  native 
Congolese  lay  workers  who  will 
both  produce  and  distribute  Chris- 
tian literature.  There  is  a lack  of 
funds  to  support  the  workers  and 
provide  their  expenses,  to  purchase 
tracts.  Gospels,  Bibles,  books, 
pamphlets,  picture  rolls,  posters, 
teaching  helps,  commentaries.  There 
is  a lack  of  prayer  and  genuine 
Christian  concern  for  unsaved  souls 
on  the  part  of  many  of  God’s  re- 
deemed children. 

You  can  help  in  this  ministry 
through  your  family,  Sunday  school, 
young  people’s  group,  Christian  En- 
deavor, girls’  group,  boys,  club, 
women’s  auxiliary,  men’s  fellow- 
ship by  giving  a consecrated  offer- 
ing for  Christian  literature  in  Con- 
go and  in  other  parts  of  the  world. 

— Levi  Keidel 


488 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  youth 


speaking  of  the 
General  Conference, 
here’s  what  happened 
on  the 


Calendar 


1860 —  West  Point,  Iowa:  Pennsylvania  churches,  represented  by  John 

Oberholtzer,  meet  with  Iowa  churches.  They  agree  to  meet  the 
following  year  in  Wadsworth. 

1861 —  Wadsworth,  Ohio:  Churches  in  Waterloo,  Ont.,  and  Summerfleld, 

111.,  send  representatives  to  meetings  of  newly  formed  General 
Conference. 

1863 — Summerfleld,  111.:  Third  meeting  of  General  Conference.  Plans 

are  begun  for  Wadsworth  school. 

1868 — Wadsworth  school  opens  and  remains  in  operation  for  ten  years. 

1880 —  Mr.  and  Mrs.  S.  S.  Haury  establish  first  American  Mennonite  Mission 
among  Arapahoe  Indians  in  which  is  now  Oklahoma. 

1881 —  Pennsylvania:  The  Mennonite  published  for  the  first  time. 

1887 — Halstead,  Kan.:  A Mennonite  school  is  opened  which  later  devel- 

ops in  Bethel  College. 

1893 — North  Newton,  Kan.:  Bethel  College  administration  building  dedi- 

cated and  school  opened. 

1896 — ^Arizona:  H.  R.  Voths  are  first  missionaries  to  the  Hopi  Indians. 

1900 — India:  General  Conference  foreign  mission  work  begun  by  the  P.  A. 
when  Penners  and  the  J.  F.  Kroekers. 

1900 — Bluffton,  Ohio:  First  building  erected  on  Bluffton  College  campus, 

to  be  known  then  as  Central  Mennonite  College. 

1903 — Freeman,  S.  D.:  Freeman  Junior  College  opened  and  dedicated. 

1903 —  Rosthern,  Sask.:  Rosthem  Junior  College  founded. 

1904 —  Montana  G.  A.  Linscheid  is  first  missionary  to  the  Cheyennes. 

1906 — Africa:  First  missionaries  sent  by  Central  Conference  of  Menno- 

nites. 

1908 —  Newton,  Kan.:  Bethel  Deaconess  Hospital  and  School  of  Nursing 

opened. 

1909 —  China:  General  Conference  mission  work  begun  by  Mr.  and  Mrs. 

H.  J.  Brovvm. 

1919 — Bloomington,  111.:  Mennonite  Hospital  and  School  of  Nursing 

opened. 

1924 — Rosthem,  Sask.:  Publication  of  Der  Bote  begun. 

1941 — Young  People’s  Union  organized  in  present  form. 

1945 — Chicago,  111.:  Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary  opened. 

1945 — Leamington,  Ont.:  United  Mennonite  Educational  Institute  started. 

1945 —  Colombia,  S.  A.:  General  Conference  mission  work  begun  in 

Cachipay  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gerald  Stucky,  Janet  Soldner,  and  Mary 
Becker  (now  Mrs.  Hector  Valencia). 

1946 —  Central  District  joins  General  Conference. 

1947 —  Winnipeg,  Man.:  Canadian  Mennonite  Bible  College  opened  and 
dedicated. 

1950 — Freeman,  S,  D.:  New  constitution  adopted  at  General  Conference 

sessions.  The  four  Conference  boards  are  formed. 

1950 — Japan:  General  Conference  mission  work  begun.  Leonore  Friesen 
sent  as  first  missionary  following  exploration  work  done  by  W. 
C.  Voth. 

1954 — ^Taiwan:  General  Conference  mission  work  begim  following  work 

done  by  Glen  Graber  under  MCC  and  a visit  by  Verney  Umnih 
and  W.  C.  Voth  from  Japan. 

1956 —  Montevideo,  Uruguay:  Biblico  Seminario  Menonito  begun  in  co- 

operation with  (Old)  Mennonites  and  South  American  Mennonites. 

1957 —  Central  and  Middle  Districts  merge, 

1958 —  Paraguay:  (General  Conference  begins  co-operation  with  Menno 
Colony  Mennonites  in  work  among  Lengua  Indians.  Eleanor 
Matthies  is  sent  as  first  General  Conference  missionary. 

1958 —  ^Elkhart,  Ind.:  New  campus  for  Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary 

dedicated. 

1959 —  Bluffton,  Ohio:  Centennial  of  General  Conference  celebrated. 


August  11,  1959 


489 


A PENNY 
A WORD 

Dorothy  C.  Haskin 


The  religious  field  is  a wide  and 
welcoming  one  to  writers.  It 
consists  of  publications  which  pay 
as  little  as  one-quarter  cent  a word 
to  those  which  pay  five  cents.  But, 
if  you  are  prolific,  know  the  angles, 
and  keep  regular  working  hours, 
you  can  make  a living  writing  for 
the  religious  markets.  It  has  been 
done! 

The  easiest  way  to  begin  is  with 
a “how-to-do”  article.  What  can 
you  do  well  that  someone  else  would 
like  to  know  how  to  do?  Write  a 
letter,  follow  a hobby,  give  a bang- 
up  party,  or  run  a church  library? 

The  need  for  how-to-do’s  is  prac- 
tically limitless.  Most  of  mine  were 
about  Sunday  church  school  work, 
because  that  was  what  I knew.  But 
editors  are  eager  to  have  plans  for 
a successful  party,  handwork,  mak- 
ing scrapbooks,  posters,  or  amusing 
a child  on  a ramy  day.  They  print 
articles  on  improved  methods  of 
church  work,  and  they  are  equally 
interested  in  ideas  for  a happier, 
Christian  home  life. 

The  next  easiest  article  for  the 
beginner  is  fillers.  I worked 
three  months  at  Gospel  Publishing 
House  to  learn  their  needs.  My 
first  day,  the  editor  of  their  three 
Sunday  school  papers,  showed  me  to 
a typewriter  and  said,  “Write  fil- 
lers.” 

For  two  solid  days  I wrote  short 
items  about  the  experiences  of  my- 
self and  my  friends,  and  interesting 


incidents  I had  read  in  books  or  in 
letters  from  missionaries. 

You  can  write  fillers  from  the 
minister’s  sermon.  One  Sunday, 
my  pastor  mentioned  that,  although 
Nero  had  been  the  Roman  emperor, 
and  the  Apostle  Paul  a prisoner,  the 
worth  of  a man  was  measured  not 
by  his  possessions  but  by  his  charac- 
ter. He  proved  it  by  reminding  us 
that  nowadays  we  name  our  dogs 
“Nero”  and  our  sons  “Paul.”  The 
illustration  struck  me  forcibly,  so 
I went  home  and  wrote,  “Nero  or 


Paul?”  and  it  was  published  in  I 
Power.  ! 

You  can  find  material  for  fillers  ' 
in  books.  In  the  life  of  Oliver  s 
Cromwell,  I read  that  he  allowed  < 
his  granddaughter  to  sit  in  the  cabi-  ' 
net  meetings.  The  other  members  : 
were  apprehensive  lest  she  tell  state  i 
secrets.  To  prove  her  integrity, 
Cromwell  whispered  an  important 
secret  to  her  and  then  set  her  moth- 
er to  pry  it  from  the  child.  She 
would  not  tell,  even  though  her 
mother  whipped  her.  Cromwell’s 
granddaughter  could  be  trusted  to 
keep  her  word.  Seeing  the  applica-^ 
tion  to  children  today,  I wrote  the 
incident  into  a filler  and  it  was 
published. 

Another  item  frequently  printed ; 
but  more  difficult  to  write  is  the  i 
quiz.  Many  beginners  make  the 
mistake  of  submitting  an  idea  that : 
has  been  done  too  often,  such  as  ; 
“Name  These  Bible  Women.”  A i 
quiz  needs  a twist  to  sell.  A suc- 
cessful one  was  “Men  and  Their 
Character,”  a list  of  names  of  men 
in  the  Bible  and  a list  of  character 
traits,  such  as,  meekness,  patience, 
etc.  The  reader  had  to  match  the 
man  with  the  quality. 


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490 


THE  MENNONITE 


While  Dorothy  Haskin  was  teaching  vacation  Bible  school  for  the 
American  Sunday  School  Union,  she  overworked,  became  ill,  and  had 
to  be  hospitalized. 

“Now,  how  can  I serve  the  Lord?”  she  pondered.  Then,  an  inspira- 
tion came — God  given,  she  always  claims.  As  new  strength  came  to 
her  body  she  began  writing  her  vacation  experiences.  Perhaps  some- 
one would  print  them.  Someone  did,  and  paid  her  for  them.  It  was 
not  much,  but  enough  to  encourage  her  to  go  on. 

“No  one  had  ever  as  much  as  hvj,ted  one  could  write  for  the  Lord. 
I found  that  out  quite  by  chance,”  tforothy  now  tells. 

It  wasn’t  long,  however,  before  she  realized  she  must  know  more 
about  writing  to  be  able  to  produce  work  of  merit. 

“I  read  every  library  book  on  writing  I could  find,  beginning  with 
A’s  and  ending  with  the  Y’s.  I never  did  locate  an  autJior  who  spelled 
his  name  with  a Z.” 


Religious  publications  print 
far  more  articles  than  stories. 
Even  the  so-called  “story  papers” 
often  print  two  or  three  articles  in 
one  issue.  For  most  people  the 
easiest  article  to  write  is  the  per- 
sonal experience  type.  After  I left 
the  stage  and  became  a Christian, 
I was  a church  visitor,  going  into 
poverty-stricken  homes  on  the  East 
side  of  Los  Angeles.  The  emotional 
strain  drained  me,  and  I had  to 
quit.  But  I wrote  about  my  experi- 
ences, entitled  it  “Ringing  Doorbells 
for  Church,”  and  it  was  my  first 
sale  to  a religious  publication. 

It  takes  courage  to  hang  your 
heart  on  the  highway  for  the  world 
to  stare  at,  but  also,  it  is  helpful  to 
others.  Write  about  your  answers 
to  prayer,  or  how  you  found  your 
faith,  or  your  most  interesting 
Christmas  experience. 

The  only  “don’t”  in  article  writing 
is  to  avoid  the  devotional  or  ser- 
monic  article.  Write  a devotional 
article  only  if  your  idea  is  definitely 
different. 

Articles  in  the  religious  papers 
cover  a wide  variety  of  subjects. 
Their  standart]  is  that  a man’s  reli- 
gion affects  his  entire  life.  Editors 
are  interested  in  nature  articles  for 
junior  papers,  places  of  interest  for 
teen-age  and  adult,  sports  for  teen- 
agers (both  how  to  play  and  how 
I to  raise  the  moral  standards  of  the 
! players),  challenging  careers  and  so- 
cial problems. 

News  items  sell.  When  twelve  of 
the  young  people  from  our  church 
went  to  Eum  pe  to  spend  the  sum- 
mer in  a work  camp,  cleaning  debris 
and  building  an  orphanage,  I wrote 
up  the  facts  and  sold  that  article. 

The  most  popular  article  of  all 
is  the  personality  article.  It 
may  be  about  someone  who  is  well 
known.  Scores  of  newspapers  and 
magazines  have  run  articles  about 
Billy  Graham,  the  evangelist.  Just 
to  be  a little  different,  I interviewed 
Cliff  Barrows,  his  song  leader,  and 
sold  articles- about  him. 

You  do  not  have  to  write  about 
someone  who  is  well  known.  There 
does,  however,  have  to  be  some 
point  of  interest  about  the  person. 
Not  only  people  but  organizations 
are  suitable  material. 

If  you  cannot  interview,  you  can 
get  books  from  the  library  and 
write  about  historical  persons.  For 
magazines  such  as  Christian  Life 


and  Christian  Herald  you  have  to 
have  a “news  peg”  to  sell  a histori- 
cal article.  When  I became  inter- 
ested in  the  Waldenses  in  Italy,  and 
wrote,  “Church  that  Wouldn’t  Die,” 
it  was  sheer  chance  that  they  cele- 
brated their  one  hundredth  anniver- 
sary free  from  physical  persecution. 

The  smaller  magazines,  however, 
print  articles  about  a historical  per- 
son without  a news  peg.  Research 
takes  time,  and  one  way  to  make  it 
pay  is  by  writing  several  articles 
about  the  same  person  or  group. 

There  is  also  the  historical  fiction 
story.  After  writing  an  article 
about  Robert  Raikes,  credited  with 
founding  the  first  Sunday  school,  I 
wrote  a story  entitled  “Sam  of  Sooty 
Alley.”  All  ihe  facts  were  as  ac- 
curate as  research  could  make 
them,  but  the  lead  character,  Sam, 
was  pure  fiction.  He  was  supposed- 
ly one  of  the  boys  who  attended 
Raikes’  “Ragged  School  ’ 

HE  top  step  on  the  ladder  of 
1 writing  for  religious  publica- 
tions is  the  feature  article.  That 
means  taking  a subject  of  general 
interest  and  discussing  it  from  all 
angles.  There  are  few  religious 
writers  who  will  do  the  necessary 
leg  work  and  research.  I wrote  my 
first  one  because  Christian  Life 
asked  me  to  write  about  the  in- 
creased number  of  private  religious 
schools.  They  suggested  a school 
to  visit,  and  that  I contact  the  Na- 
tional Association  of  Christian 
Schools.  There  was  much  correspon- 
dence, and  two  days  spent  at  the 
school — one  for  interviews,  another 
for  shooting  pictures.  In  the  article 
I told  about  the  school  and  discussed 
the  problems  and  advantages  of  the 
privite  school.  It  was  a great  deal 


of  work  for  one  article,  but  I have 
since  written  on  the  same  subject 
for  two  other  periodicals. 

As  for  stories,  some  Sunday  school 
papers  print  two  or  three  a week. 
The  first  requisite  is  that  the  story 
be  age-slanted.  Roughly,  the  ages 
served  by  these  papers  divide  into 
primary,  junior,  teen-age  young  peo- 
ple, and  adult.  Stories  must  be 
about  ordinary  people,  with  every- 
day backgrounds,  who  live  their 
average  lives  in  a heroic  manner. 
Writing  stories  is  not  something  you 
do  with  a typewriter,  but  with  your 
heart.  You  can  preach,  but  only  T 
the  truth  preached  is  vital  to  the 
lead  character. 

This  is  what  to  write.  But  the 
big  question  is  the  marketing. 
Submit  first  to  your  own  denomina- 
tion. You  will  be  more  in  sympathy 
with  their  principles.  The  first  year 
and  a half  I sold  only  to  the  Ameri- 
can Sunday  School  Union.  One  rea- 
son was  that  I did  not  know  about 
the  other  papers.  But  another  rea- 
son was  that  I had  worked  for  the 
Sunday  School  Union,  teaching  sum- 
mer Bible  school  in  the  rural  dis- 
tricts, and  knew  their  needs. 

As  I visited  the  homes  of  relatives 
and  friends,  I picked  up  their  church 
papers,  and  branched  out  into  dif- 
ferent publications.  Now,  after 
eighteen  years,  I have  sold  over 
3000  articles  and  stories  to  about 
250  different  publications. 

You  can  make  a living  at  a cent 
a word.  I have  done  it! 

— The  Compass 
Used  by  permission 

The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People's  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  722 
Main  St.,  Newton,  Kansas. 


August  11,  1959 


491 


our  schools 

FRENCH  TEACHER  APPOINTED 

The  Bluffton  College  administra- 
tion has  announced  the  appoint- 
ment of  Johannes  de  Jonge  to  teach 
French  for  the  coming  school  year. 
Mr.  de  Jonge  is  a native  of  the 
Netherlands,  having  been  bom  in 
Amsterdam  but  having  lived  most  of 
the  time  in  Middleburg  on  the  is- 
land of  Walchern. 

Mr.  de  Jonge  comes  with  a rich 
background  of  experience  and 
training.  He  has  studied  at  the 
University  of  Leiden  and  received 
his  master’s  degree  at  Groningen 
University  in  1951.  His  chosen  field 
of  study  has  been  law  and  political 
science.  He  served  as  a junior  mem- 
ber of  a law  firm,  being  located  in 
Almelo,  for  five  years  from  1951  to 
1956. 

In  1957  he  left  his  law  office  to 
serve  for  two  years  with  the  Men- 
nonite  Central  Committee.  He  first 
spent  six  months  as  a cultural  ex- 
change visitor  in  the  United  States. 
After  that  he  was  assigned  to  vari- 
ous service  projects  in  Spain,  France, 
and  Germany.  When  the  organiza- 
tion Eirene,  more  formally  known 
as  International  Christian  Service 
for  Peace,  was  organized  by  the 
historic  peace  churches,  he  was  ap- 
pointed as  the  first  project  director 
in  Morocco.  It  is  hoped  that  visa 
and  passage  may  be  arranged  so 
that  Mr.  de  Jonge  can  be  here  by 
the  first  of  September.  He  will  be 
replacing  Mrs.  Kenneth  Luginbuhl. 

BLOTTER  NAMED  DEAN  OF  MEN 

Arden  Slotter,  assistant  professor 
of  chemistry  at  Bluffton  College  will 
be  replacing  Dale  Dickey  as  dean 
of  men.  Mr.  Dickey  recently  re- 
signed as  assistant  professor  of 
speech  and  dean  of  men  and  will  be 
interim  pastor  of  a Presbyterian 
Church  in  Peru,  Indiana. 

Mrs.  Marcella  Burry  has  been 
hired  full-time  at  the  college  as 
head  resident  of  Lincoln  Hall,  the 
men’s  dormitory.  She  will  also  have 
some  responsibility  in  the  dining 
hall  and  will  serve  as  hostess. 

STUDENT  NURSES  GIVE  CONCERT 

Students  of  the  Mennonite  Hos- 
pital School  of  Nursing  presented  a 
Musicale  in  the  Nurses’  Home  audi- 
torium, Sunday,  July  26.  The  group 
was  directed  by  Mrs.  W.  G.  Ball. 
Accompanists  were  Mrs.  Louise  Has- 


kell and  Mrs.  Shiloh  Strouse.  Stu- 
dent nurses  participating  were: 
Frances  Garber,  Jeanette  Hillis, 
Louise  Keeran,  Sue  Lunde,  Chloe 
Neuenschwander,  Rosemary  Stauf- 
fer, Becky  Witham,  Ruth  Baugh- 
man, Virginia  Duncan,  Eva  Dur- 
ham, Irlene  Gierman,  Barbara  Man- 
chester, Delores  Miller,  Charmaine 
Simmons,  Sandra  Williams,  Joan 
Breniser,  Miriam  Gierman,  Rose- 
mary Milan,  and  Gene  Ann  Roth. 

MCC  news  and  notes 

DEATH  AND  LIFE  IN  INDONESIA 

It  was  Tuesday  night  and  I 
thought  the  day’s  work  was  done 
when  we  heard  steps  outside  and 
there  was  a soft  knock  on  the  door. 

I opened  the  door  and  was  handed 
a letter.  There  was  a call  for  the 
doctor  to  come  and  help  a young 
woman  who  had  delivered  her  sec- 
ond baby  on  Monday  afternoon  and 
by  the  next  morning  the  placenta 
had  still  not  delivered.  It  had  taken 
twelve  hours  to  come  by  prahu, 
their  hand-made  boat. 

Another  hospital  worker,  Rata- 
langi,  and  I started  off  with  them 
about  midnight.  Again  the  winds 
were  not  favorable  and  we  could 
not  sail.  As  we  lay  down  to  sleep 
in  the  center  of  the  prahu,  the 
oarsmen  began  their  rhythmic  row- 
ing. Hour  after  hour  the  regular 
striking  of  the  oars  against  the 
boat  continued.  By  daylight  we  had 
reached  the  island  of  Meti,  and  we 
stopped  for  a quick  breakfast  of 
tea  and  fried  bread. 

About  noon  we  waded  ashore  in 
Pediwang  and  walked  up  to  the  vil- 
lage. We  passed  a freshly  dug  grave 
and  knew  what  had  happened.  Evi- 
dently the  woman  had  bled  to  _ 
death. 

She  was  the  daughter  of  the  Chi- 
nese merchant  and  we  sat  down  in 
the  store  as  the  Christian  funeral 
began.  Standing  before  the  simple 
wooden  box,  the  schoolteacher- 
preacher  gave  a short  talk.  While 
the  people  sang  softly  the  carpen- 
ter solemnly  nailed  the  black,  cloth- 
covered  coffin  shut.  Then  it  was  car- 
ried down  the  path  on  the  shoul- 
ders of  six  young  men. 

The  young  husband  and  parents 
were  grief-stricken.  All  we  could 
do  for  them  was  to  send  some  do- 
nated vitamin-enriched  milk  pow- 
der for  the  new  baby.  Perhaps  if 
there  had  been  radio  or  telephone 


commimications  or  a fast  motor- 
boat,  we  could  have  helped.  Sixty 
kilometers  here  is  as  far  as  six 
hundred  miles  back  home.  Here 
there  are  50,000  people  to  one  doc- 
tor and  one  hospital. 

In  the  afternoon  we  began  to  see 
patients.  Mothers  with  anemia 
brought  babies  with  fever.  Many 
children  had  yaws,  which  cover  the 
body  with  open  sores.  A single  shot 
of  penicillin  is  usually  enough  to 
bring  about  a rapid  cure.  Before 
dark  we  had  used  all  of  our  penicil- 
lin, so  we  promised  to  send  a male 
nurse  with  more  medicine  in  the 
near  future.  After  caring  for  about 
200  patients  and  having  a dinner  of 
rice,  deer,  chicken,  greens,  bananas, 
and  delicious  pineapples,  we  went 
to  bed.  We  were  disappointed  that 
the  woman  we  had  come  to  see 
had  died,  but  we  were  happy  to 
have  been  able  to  help  others. 

— Clarence  Rutt,  M.D. 
TRAINEES  RETURN 

AKRON  — Thirty-four  trainees 
from  eight  foreign  countries  left 
for  their  homelands  on  July  28.  As 
guests  of  the  Mennonite  Central 
Committee  the  ninth  group  of  train- 
ees completed  a year  in  America. 
They  lived  in  Mennonite  homes  and 
divided  their  year’s  stay  into  two 
six-month  periods  so  that  they  could 
work  and  live  in  at  least  two  dif- 
ferent states. 

Their  purpose  of  being  here  was 
one  of  “friendship  and  understand- 
ing between  neighbors;  to  get  ac- 
quainted with  the  United  States — 
its  people,  its  way  of  life  and  its 
family  and  community  living.’’ 
While  in  their  new  environment 
the  trainees  became  temporary 
members  of  American  families  in 
the  homes  of  their  sponsors,  as 
well  as  becoming  an  integrated 
part  of  the  social  orbit  of  the  com- 
munity and  church  in  which  they 
lived. 

In  the  trainee  representation  were 
18  young  people  from  West  Ger- 
many, one  from  Luxembourg,  sev- 
en from  the  Netherlands,  one  from 
Japan,  four  from  France,  one  from 
Uruguay,  and  one  from  Paraguay. 
Occupationally  the  group  included 
farmers,  housekeepers,  nurses,  chil- 
dren’s workers,  construction  men, 
and  secretaries. 

Recapitulating  their  stay  in  the 
states  they  all  had  generous  things 
to  say  about  America:  “We  were 
always  greeted  everywhere  with 


492 


THE  MENNONITE 


friendliness,”  said  Roely  Beintema 
from  Drachten,  Holland. 

Marie-Claire  Kohler,  of  Belfort, 
France,  said  that  she  was  over- 
whelmed with  what  she  found  here. 
“I  wouldn’t  want  to  live  in  Amer- 
ica,” she  said,  “because  my  family 
is  in  France,  but  I certainly  want 
to  try  and  come  back  again.” 

The  language  barrier  was  trouble- 
some for  some  of  the  visitors.  Ger- 
hard Dyck,  Frankfurt  am  Main, 
Germany,  said  that  he  knew  no 
English  when  he  came  here.  He 
spent  his  first  six-month  period 
working  in  a furniture  factory  in 
Indiana.  “There  was  a man  there 
who  spoke  German,”  he  said,  “and 
another  who  spoke  Swiss  German, 
so  that  I never  really  needed  to 
know  English.” 

He  said  he  ran  into  trouble 
when  he  arrived  in  Intercourse,  Pa. 
“All  they  spoke  there  was  Penn- 
sylvania Dutch  and  I couldn’t  un- 
derstand a word  of  it,  so  I was 
forced  to  learn  English.” 

Mieneke  Knipscheer  of  Gronin- 
gen, Holland,  said  that  her  lan- 
guage problem  was  a result  of 
learning  British  English  in  school. 
“I  couldn’t  understand  what  every- 
body was  saying  here  at  first.” 

Heinrich  Dueck  of  Uruguay  and 
Rudolf  Loewen  of  Paraguay  are 
both  sons  of  settlers  who  left  Ger- 
many to  join  the  farmers  in  the 
South  American  Mennonite  settle- 
ments. They  said  they  were  im- 
pressed with  the  way  Mennonites 
“form  a sort  of  family  and  use 
their  churches  for  both  religious 
and  social  purposes  in  the  United 
States.” 

Before  leaving  Pennsylvania  the 
trainees  were  entertained  at  the 
home  of  Enos  Witmer  (Lancaster, 
Pa.)  with  a farewell  picnic  on  July 
23.  On  July  25  the  group  returned 
to  MCC  headquarters  after  a sight- 
seeing tour  of  Washington,  D.  C. 
Sunday,  July  26,  the  trainees  left 
Akron  for  a hasty  tour  of  New  York 
City  and  went  on  to  Montreal,  Que- 
bec, where  they  met  their  ship. 
Pauline  Jahnke,  MCC  trainee  pro- 
gram administrator,  organized  and 
conducted  the  group’s  activities. 

Because  of  the  positive  results  of 
the  trainee  arrangement  MCC  is  in- 
terested in  continuing  and  enlarging 
its  trainee  program.  On  Aug.  21  a 
tenth  group  composed  of  thirty-six 
Europeans  and  two  South  Ameri- 
cans will  arrive  in  New  York  City 


to  begin  their  first  six-month  term 
of  living  and  working  in  the  United 
States. 

SNYDER,  MILLER  FINISH  TOURS 

William  T.  Snyder  (MCC  Execu- 
tive Secretary)  is  back  in  Akron 
from  a visit  with  Far  East,  Middle 
East,  and  European  MCC  units. 
Having  completed  his  commission- 
er’s trip  to  South  America,  Orie  O. 
Miller  (MCC  Associate  Executive 
Secretary)  returned  to  Akron  head- 
quarters Aug.  1. 

MCC  WORKERS  RETURN 

Milton  Harder  and  family  (But- 
terfield, Minn.)  returned  July  22 
from  a five-year  term  in  Kaiser- 
slautern, Germany.  Harder  was  in 
charge  of  the  community  center 
program  at  Kaiserslautern  and 
served  as  executive  secretary  of 
Eirene. 

The  Erwin  Goering  family  (North 
Newton,  Kan.)  arrived  in  New 
York,  July  28.  They  are  returning 
from  two  years  of  service  in  Kai- 
serslautern, Germany,  where  Mr. 
Goering  was  executive  secretary  of 
European  Mennonite  Voluntary 
Service. 

Five  Paxmen  returned  on  July  7 
from  two  years  of  service  in  Eur- 
ope: Cleason  Dietzel  (Pigeon, 

Mich.),  David  Gingerich  (Chappel, 
Neb.),  Jesse  Mack  (Collegeville, 
Pa.),  Stephen  Philips  (Ottsville, 
Pa.),  and  Alvin  Rempel  (Rosthern, 
Sask.). 

Harry  Moyer  (Perkasie,  Pa.)  ar- 
rived July  20  from  two  years  of 
Pax  service  in  South  America.  Moy- 
er worked  in  the  LeTourneau  road 
construction  project  in  Peru. 

Isabel  Gingerich  (Kitchener,  Ont.) 
returned  July  27  from  Enkenbach, 
Germany,  where  she  served  as  Pax 
matron  for  three  years.  Lucinda 
Snyder  (Floradale,  Ont.)  arrived  in 
Montreal  July  24  after  completing 
five  years  of  service  in  the  Chil- 
dren’s Home  in  Bad  Duerkheim, 
Germany. 

1-W  WORKSHOPS  IN  OHIO 

Two  1-W  study  meetings  were  re- 
cently held  in  Ohio.  The  Akron  MCC 
1-W  office  sponsored  the  first  work- 
shop at  Hartville,  Ohio,  in  the 
Beachy  Amish  Church  on  July  23. 
Participants  in  the  meeting  includ- 
ed MCC  representatives,  1-W  spon- 
sors, and  leaders  of  the  Amish 
church.  Sponsored  by  the  Ohio  Men- 
nonite Conference  the  second  work- 


shop, July  24,  was  held  in  Lewis- 
ville, Ohio,  with  Elkhart  and  MCC 
1-W  office  representatives,  1-W  spon- 
sors and  local  pastors  from  the  Ohio 
Mennonite  Conference  in  attend- 
ance. 

The  workshops’  concern  centered 
around  a discussion  of  assisting 
1-W  men  in  making  their  terms  of 
1-W  service  effective  and  meaning- 
ful. Assistance,  the  workshops  point- 
ed out,  should  be  given  to  young 
men  prior  to  their  1-W  assignment. 
Dwight  Wiebe,  MCC  1-W  director 
discussed  “Representing  the  Church 
During  1-W  Service”  at  both  ses- 
sions. 

jottings 

NINE  NEW  MEMBERS  RECEIVED 

First  Church,  Normal,  III.:  On 
July  19,  the  following  were  received 
into  the  church  by  baptism:  Cathy 
Spencer,  Patty  Reeser,  Patty  Hei- 
ser,  Ann  Sommer,  Lena  Kaufman, 
and  Leo  Desch.  Those  received  as 
members  by  transfer  of  church  let- 
ter were:  Mrs.  Katie  Stahly,  Glenda 
Shoultz,  and  Bessie  Bourn.  Walter 
A.  Yoder  attended  Harvard 
University  during  the  last  two 
weeks  in  July  taking  special  gradu- 
ate work  in  law.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Paul 
Harder  of  North  Newton,  Kan., 
Verlin  Harder,  and  Miss  Roberta 
Magee  of  Evanston  were  week-end 
guests  of  Pastor  and  Mrs.  H.  N. 
Harder  over  July  19.  Our  pastor 
ani  his  wife  were  on  vacation  July 
20-29.  In  his  absence  Ronald  Ropp 
brought  the  message.  The  nurses  of 
Mennonite  Hospital  gave  a musicale 
at  Troyer  Memorial  Auditorium 
July  26.  A number  from  our  church 
are  planning  to  attend  the  General 
Conference  at  Bluffton,  August  12- 
20.  — Alma  Galloway 

TESTIMONY  SERVICE  HELD 

First  Church,  Beatrice,  Neb.:  On 
May  10,  in  a fitting  and  well-planned 
program  by  Pastor  Harold  Buller,, 
ten  young  people  gave  their  per- 
sonal testimonies  during  the  S.S. 
hour.  On  Pentecost  they  were  re- 
ceived into  our  fellowship  by  the 
rite  of  baptism.  Seven  babies  were 
brought  to  the  consecration  serv- 
ice on  Mother’s  Day.  May  10,  for 
our  C.  E.  program,  the  men’s  chorus 
rendered  their  spring  concert.  Our 
DVBS  had  an  enrollment  of  eighty- 
three.  Edwin  Peters,  student  at  our 


August  11,  1959 


493 


seminary,  is  our  assistant  pastor 
for  the  summer.  He  taught  the  in- 
termediate group  in  DVBS.  Mrs. 
Peters,  R.N.,  works  at  our  hospital 
part  time.  Rev.  and  Mrs.  H.  P. 
Wiebe,  parents  of  Mrs.  Harold  Bul- 
ler,  are  making  their  home  in  our 
community.  Rev.  Wiebe  is  visitation 
chaplain  in  our  hospital.  May  31, 
we  observed  our  spring  Communion 
service.  The  Junior  Sunday  school 
department  gave  a program  before 
our  pastor  gave  the  morning  mes- 
sage. On  June  14,  we  met  at  Chau- 
tauqua Park  for  our  annual  Sunday 
school  picnic.  The  YPF  met  for  a 
one  day  retreat  at  Crystal  Springs 
Park  in  Fairbury  on  July  5.  May 
these  various  church  activities  be  a 
real  inspiration  to  us  all.  — M.  Al- 
brecht 

COMMUNITY  HYMN  SING  HELD 

Deep  Run,  Bedminster,  Pa.;  Va- 
cation Bible  school  was  held  June 
15-26.  The  closing  program  was  giv- 
en June  25.  June  8 the  entire  Bible 
school  staff  had  had  orientation  in 
“preparation  for  the  two  wonderful 
weeks.  On  June  10  the  junior  and 
senior  choirs  had  a picnic  to  close 
their  season.  On  Children’s  Day 
there  was  parent-child  consecration. 
Many  Christmas  bundles  were  dedi- 
cated June  21.  In  the  evening  of 
June  21  a community  hymn  sing 
was  held  in  our  sanctuary,  spon- 
sored by  the  music  council.  Church 
cleaning  day  was  held  June  27.  On 
June  28,  after  the  morning  worship 
service,  families  gathered  outdoors 
for  a family  fellowship  picnic  din- 
ner. June  29  to  July  4 Pastor  Boyer 
conducted  radio  devotions.  The  same 
week,  five  Deep  Run  girls  attended 
the  High  School  Retreat  at  Men-O- 
Lan.  There  were  many  attending 
the  Junior  High  Retreat  July  5-11. 
The  father-son  banquet  was  held 
July  22.  — Doris  Moyer,  Corr. 

TWO  MEMBERS  BEGIN  MCC  VS 

First  Church,  Mountain  Lake, 
Minn.;  Seven  children  were  dedi- 
cated to  the  Lord  at  two  different 
services  held  during  May.  On  Pente- 
cost six  boys  were  baptized.  Nelson 
P.  Johnson  and  Mrs.  Melvin  joined 
by  church  letter  and  Richard  Moyer 
by  reaffirmation  of  faith.  A Com- 
munion service  was  observed  May 
24.  Over  800  pounds  of  clothing  were 
packed  and  sent  by  our  relief  com- 
mittee. Frank  Dyck,  who  spent  a 
term  in  Paraguay,  spoke  to  us  May 
31.  Karen  Harder,  Ruth  Kompars, 
and  Grace  Hiebner  left  for  northern 
Minnesota  to  teach  vacation  Bible 
school.  Laura  Pankratz  and  Vernel- 
le  Derksen  left  for  a year  of  Volun- 
tary Service  under  MCC.  Darlene 
Fast  and  Reinhold  Mager  were  mar- 
ried June  5.  On  June  7 Elaine  Tei- 
chroew  and  LeRoy  Unruh  were 


married.  Agnes  Adrian  was  married 
to  Aasten  Broaten  on  June  13.  We 
had  our  annual  Children’s  Day  and 
Mission  Festival  June  28.  Wilhel- 
mina  Kuyf  was  guest  speaker.  The 
new  film  of  our  Japan  mission  field 
The  Miyazaki  Story,  was  shown  in 
the  evening.  Two  of  our  members 
passed  away  recently;  Jacob  G. 
Baerg  on  May  17,  and  Isaac  A. 
Derksen  on  July  6.  J.  Harold  Cur- 
tis of  Saint  James  showed  slides 
and  spoke  of  his  experience  in  Old 
Mexico.  Charlotte  Teichroew  is  com- 
pleting her  DVBS  service  in  Chi- 
cago. Lowell  Teichroew  has  begun 
work  at  MCC  in  Akron,  and  James 
Falk  is  now  at  the  NIH  in  Mary- 
land. Elmer  A.  Wall  brought  the 
morning  message  July  26,  while 
the  pastor  and  his  family  were  on 
vacation.  Dr.  H.  Clair  Amstutz  of 
Goshen,  Indiana,  spoke  to  the  com- 
bined adult  and  young  people’s  Sun- 
day school  on  July  26.  — Mrs.  Sam 
Quiring 

LADIES  SPONSOR  SOCIAL 

Mayfair  Church,  Saskatoon,  Sask.; 
A son.  Dale  Anthony,  was  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry  Martens  on 
May  12,  and  a daughter,  Dianne 
Agatha,  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jacob 
Derksen  (nee  Agatha  Bartsch)  on 
May  30.  Baptismal  service  was  held 
on  May  17  with  Elder  P.  G.  Sa- 
watzky  officiating.  Baptized  on  con- 
fession of  faith  were  Reatha  Rei- 
mer,  Hilda  Voth,  Frank  Denk,  and 
Jacob  Thiessen.  Received  into  the 
church  by  transfer  were  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Peter  Teichroeb,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Dick  Driedger,  Eric  Friesen,  and 
Ken  Epp.  Communion  service  was 
observed  at  seven  o’clock  in  the 
evening.  The  Junior  Ladies  Aid 
held  their  annual  wiener  roast  June 
18.  Their  guests  were  their  hus- 
bands, children,  the  boys  from  the 
local  church  boys’  club,  and  ladies 
from  the  Senior  Ladies  Aid.  Funer- 
al services  held  for  Mrs.  C.  Friesen 
(nee  Katherina  Boschman)  on  June 
23  were  conducted  by  Rev.  P.  G. 
Sawatzky.  She  had  reached  the 
age  of  68  years.  She  leaves  to 
mourn  two  daughters,  Leona  (Mrs. 
Earl  Peters)  and  Mona  (Mrs.  Bill 
Penner),  five  sisters,  four  grand- 
children, and  many  relatives  and 
friends.  She  was  laid  to  rest  in 
the  Waldheim  cemetery. 

— Mrs.  Henry  Sawatzky 

into  the  beyond 

Mrs.  Frieda  Lichti  of  the  Paso 
Robles  (Calif.)  Nursing  Home  and 
member  of  the  First  Mennonite 
Church  of  Paso  Robles  was  born 
April  23,  1882,  and  died  July  19, 
1959, 


conference  notes 

continued  from  last  page 

4TH  CONFERENCE  IN  BLUFFTON 

Though  the  coming  Centennial 
Conference  of  the  General  Confer- 
ence Mennonite  Church  to  be  held  in 
Bluffton,  Ohio,  August  12-20,  prom- 
ises to  be  one  of  the  largest  in  its 
one-hundred-year  history,  it  is  not 
the  first  conference  to  be  held  in 
Bluffton,  Ohio.  In  fact,  it  will  be 
the  fourth  such  meeting  for  this 
northeastern  Ohio  community. 

The  1959  sessions  will  be  the 
group’s  thirty-fifth  triennial  confer- 
ence, which  in  itself  is  quite  a feat, 
since  thirty-three  plus  one  is  what 
you  get  when  one  hundred  is  divid- 
ed by  three.  The  reason,  of  course, 
is  that  in  the  first  few  years  the  | 
Conference  met  more  often,  but  as  ■ 
the  church  grew  larger  and  dis-  j 
tances  longer,  the  time  for  regular  | 
meetings  of  all  congregations  in  | 
Canada  and  United  States  was  set 
for  every  third  year. 

The  thirteenth  session  in  1913,  the 
nineteenth  in  1911,  and  the  twenty- 1 
sixth  in  1933  all  met  in  Bluffton, 
Ohio. 

In  1893  the  congregation  at  Bluff- 
ton was  the  largest  in  the  General 
Conference,  an  honor  now  held  by 
the  First  Mennonite  Church  in  the 
sister  Swiss  community  of  Berne, 
Indiana.  Instead  of  two  hundred  and 
seventy  congregations,  the  Confer- 
ence had  thirty-eight  congregations  I 
when  it  began  on  November  19,  and 
fifty  when  it  closed  on  the  twenty-' 
sixth,  a phenomenal  one-third  in- 1 
crease.  Of  these  twelve,  two  were' 
from  Iowa,  five  from  Kansas,  one 
from  Nebraska,  two  from  Ohio,  one 
from  Pennsylvania,  and  one  from, 
Washington.  ' 

The  delegates  spent  quite  a bit 
of  their  time  wrestling  with  con- 
stitutional problems  and  incorpora- 
tion procedures.  They  decided  to  in- 
corporate under  the  state  laws  of 
Kansas,  but  put  off  adopting  the 
proposed  constitution. 

Delegates  from  the  Bluffton  area 
were  listed  as  B.  Diller,  A.  Zurfluh, 
P.  B.  Hilty,  P.  P.  Steiner,  P.  C.  Su- 
ter,  P.  Bixler,  Jr.,  C.  D.  Amstutz, 
C.  S.  Schumacher,  and  Joh.  Moser. 

The  General  Conference  decided 
to  return  to  Bluffton  in  1911.  The 
big  issue  at  this  conference  was 
the  matter  of  education  of  the  min- 
istry. Should  ministers  be  educated 


494 


THE  MENNONITE 


or  not,  and  if  so,  who  should  sup- 
port such  a school  was  the  question. 
Some  vague  recommendations  about 
education  were  offered,  but  they 
were  tabled. 

* W.  S.  Gottschall  was  pastor  of  the 
Bluffton  congregation  in  1911.  Dele- 

‘ gates  from  the  Bluffton  commu- 
nity included  Benj.  Differ,  S.  K. 

■ Mosiman,  E.  J.  Hirschler,  Eli  Neuen- 
' schwander,  Peter  Amstutz,  Karl 
' Roethlisberger,  Amos  Differ,  Noah 

■ Bixel,  and  John  Schneck.  S.  K. 

^ Mosiman  was  elected  vice-president 

of  the  conference  at  this  session. 

5 Beginning  on  the  thirty-first  of  Aug- 
' ust,  this  conference  closed  on  the 

■ sixth  of  September. 

t The  twenty-sixth  session  ws  also 

• planned  for  Bluffton  in  1932  but 
■j because  of  the  depression  was  post- 
al poned  until  1933.  Sessions  were  held 
^ in  the  First  Mennonite  Church,  and 

meals  were  served  in  the  basement 
r of  the  Methodist  Church  at  the 
1 nominal  sum  of  25  cents  a meal. 
! As  many  as  800  were  served  at  a 
j single  meal.  The  conference  opened 
ejon  August  22  and  continued  for 
■•’eight  more  days. 

I,  A.  E.  Kreider  was  pastor  of  the 
local  church  at  that  time.  The  other 
:■  congregations  in  the  community  as- 
J sisted  in  entertaining  the  confer- 
y ence:  Ebenezer  Mennonite  Church, 
ej  P.  A.  Kliewer,  pastor;  Grace  Men- 
>.  nonite  Church  of  Pandora,  Paul  E. 
1 Whitmer,  pastor;  and  St.  John  Men- 
••  nonite  Church  of  Pandora,  Edgar 
slToews,  pastor. 

dj  A community  chorus  presented 
•I  the  oratorio,  “The  Holy  City,”  un- 
1-  der  the  direction  of  Russell  A. 
e Lantz. 

e Many  of  the  discussions  at  this 
e conference  were  related  to  the  fi- 
ll nancial  crisis  faced  by  the  church. 

It  was  not  a time  of  expansion,  but 
it  a time  of  retrenchment.  Mission- 
1-  aries’  salaries  had  been  reduced 
1-  and  some  Conference  funds  had 
1-  been  lost  in  the  bank  failures, 
fi  SOMETHING  ALWAYS  HAPPENS 
e;  When  a thousand  people  get  to- 
igether  for  a business  meeting  or 
a:  any  other  kind  of  meeting,  some- 
ij  thing  is  sure  to  happen. 

!■'  This  has  been  the  experience  of 
t,jthe  General  Conference  Mennonite 
r Church  in  sessions  that  it  has  held 
jj  previous  to  the  present  one  sched- 
jjuled  for  Bluffton,  Ohio,  August  12- 
y20. 

j.  Meeting  every  three  years,  the 
i Conference  met  at  Freeman,  South 


Dakota,  in  1950;  at  Jennings  Lodge 
near  Portland,  Oregon,  in  1953; 
and  at  Winnipeg  in  1956. 

The  Freeman  Conference  is  re- 
membered for  its  change  in  constitu- 
tion which  modernized  and  stream- 
lined the  organization  into  four  ma- 
jor boards  — missions,  Christian 
service,  education  and  publication, 
and  business  administration.  It  was 
at  this  conference  that  the  Confer- 
ence adopted  its  Every  Home  Plan, 
a method  of  circulating  its  church 
papers  to  every  home  in  the  con- 
stituency. 

The  Portland  Conference  brought 
adoption  of  a broader  statement  on 
the  Conference’s  position  against 
participation  in  war.  The  statement 
attempted  to  list  the  implications 
not  only  for  its  young  men  but  for 
all  members. 

At  the  Winnipeg  sessions  the 
major  issue  was  the  transfer  of  the 
brotherhood’s  theological  seminary 
from  Chicago  to  Elkhart.  Faced 
with  the  necessity  of  abandoning 
its  Chicago  campus,  the  Conference 


needed  to  decide  between  locating 
its  school  near  a school  of  another 
Mennonite  group  or  participating  in 
seminary  education  with  non-Men- 
nonite  denominations.  After  delib- 
erate consideration  the  Conference 
chose  the  former  and  located  their 
seminary  campus  at  Elkhart,  Indi- 
ana, with  the  prospect  of  entering 
into  an  educational  program  v;ith 
several  other  Mennonite  groups. 

The  Winnipeg  Conference  also 
adopted  statements  on  civil  defense 
and  the  nature  of  the  church.  A vo- 
cational fellowship  called  Women 
in  Church  Vocations  was  also  or- 
ganized. 

FORMER  MISSIONARY  PASSES 

Clara  Kuehny,  guest  at  the  Bethel 
Home  for  the  Aged,  Newton,  Kan., 
passed  away  July  31,  1959. 

Miss  Kuehny  went  to  India  as  a 
missionary  under  the  General  Con- 
ference Mission  Board  in  1921.  She 
served  as  teacher  and  nurse  in 
Champa,  Korba,  and  Janjgir.  At 
one  time  she  was  principal  of  the 
school  in  Janjgir. 


GLENDON  KLAASSENS  TO  COLOMBIA 


Mr.  and  Mrs.  Glendon  Klaassen 
and  their  two  boys,  Mark  Allan  and 
Steven  Jay,  leave  August  28  for 
Costa  Rica.  'They  will  study  Span- 
ish for  a year  in  this  Central  Am- 
erican country  in  preparation  for 
missionary  service  in  Colombia, 
South  America. 

Mr.  Klaassen,  from  Mountain 
Lake,  Minn.,  was  ordained  in  the 
Gospel  Mennonite  Church  on  July 
19.  Mrs.  Klaassen  is  the  former 
Reitha  Kaufman  of  Peabody,  Kan. 


Both  are  graduates  of  Grace  Bible 
Institute,  Omaha,  Neb.,  and  Mr. 
Klaassen  also  attended  Goshen  Col- 
lege. The  Klaassens  recently  com- 
pleted a year  of  Voluntary  Service 
at  Gulfport,  Miss.,  where  they 
taught  Bible  classes  in  public 
schools. 

Serving  under  the  Board  of  Mis- 
sions, the  Klaassens  will  join  the 
ten  General  Conference  missionar- 
ies already  in  Colombia. 


{August  11,  1959 


495 


conference  notes 

ISSUES  FOR  THE 
BLUFFTON  CONFERENCE 

W^en  the  General  Conference 
Mennonite  Church  meets  for  its 
three-yearly  session  in  Bluffton, 
Ohio,  August  12  to  20,  its  more  than 
one  thousand  delegates  will  find  a 
number  of  crucial  issues  for  their 
study.  Included  in  these  problems 
will  be  matters  on  church  discipline, 
racial  problems,  the  use  of  atomic 
energy,  and  further  co-operation 
with  other  Mennonite  groups. 

A lengthy  statement  of  church 
discipline  will  be  presented  to  the 
Conference  encouraging  a moderate 
and  wholesome  program  of  church 
discipline.  This  report  will  be  made 
by  Jacob  T.  Friesen,  Bluffton,  Ohio, 
chairman  of  a special  committee 
appointed  to  study  church  discipline. 
Other  members  of  the  committee 
are  A.  E.  Kreider,  Goshen,  Indiana; 
Cornelius  J.  Dyck,  Elkhart,  Indiana; 
and  Henry  Poettcker,  Winnipeg, 
Manitoba. 

The  practice  of  church  discipline 
is  for  the  purpose  of  maintaining 
the  spiritual  health  of  congrega- 
tions and  their  members.  The  re- 
port warns  against  the  vindictive 
use  of  discipline  and  pleads  for  a 
spirit  of  repentance  and  prayer  on 
the  part  of  all  members  in  their 
approach  to  problems  in  religion 
and  moral  life. 

Studies  in  Church  Discipline  is  a 
book  sponsored  by  the  committee 
which  has  been  widely  studied  in 
Mennonite  churches. 

Mennonites  have  sponsored  mis- 
'sion  work  and  benevolent  programs 
among  people  of  other  races  for 
many  decades,  but  most  of  this 
has  been  in  other  countries.  Only  in 
recent  years  has  attention  been 
given  to  work  among  the  Negroes 
in  America.  Proposals  will  be  made 
to  strengthen  the  denomination’s 
Negro  work  in  Mississippi  and  Chi- 
cago. The  extent  to  which  racial 
prejudice  is  prevalent  among  Men- 
nonites has  not  been  measured, 
though  the  fact  that  until  recent 
years  the  group’s  membership  was 
almost  totally  in  all-white  commu- 
nities is  ah  indication  of  some  aloof- 
ness. Delegates  will  be  asked  to 
subscribe  to  a statement  support- 
ing racial  equality. 

The  use  of  atomic  energy  will  also 


be  discussed  in  this  session.  Menno- 
nites have  a long  history  of  resist- 
ance to  war,  a doctrine  which  has 
encouraged  alternative  service  rath- 
er than  military  service  for  its 
young  men.  A vote  will  be  taken 
on  a statement  calling  for  the  out- 
lawing of  atomic  weapons. 

Among  Protestant  bodies  the  Men- 
nonite bodies  have  been  noted  for 
their  divisiveness  and  exclusiveness. 
The  General  Conference  Mennonite 
Church  was  organized  one  hundred 
years  ago  in  an  attempt  to  unite  all 
Mennonite  bodies.  In  the  shadow  of 
the  Centennial  celebration,  the 
group  will  soberly  assess  its  lim- 
ited success  in  achieving  this  goal. 

We  will  also  need  to  evaluate 
more  recent  ventures  in  Mennonite 
co-operation  including  the  establish- 
ing of  the  Associated  Mennonite 
Biblical  Seminaries  in  Elkhart,  In- 
diana, which  has  just  completed  its 
first  year  of  operation.  This  semi- 
nary is  a beginning  in  co-operative 
theological  education  with  a sister 
group.  The  Mennonite  Church,  com- 
monly known  as  the  (Old)  Menno- 
nite Church. 

Other  ventures  in  Mennonite  co- 
operation have  included  the  publish- 
ing of  the  Mennonite  Encyclopedia, 
the  publishing  of  Sunday  school 
materials  for  children,  and  over- 
seas relief  work. 

The  completed  Mennonite  Ency- 
clopedia, a four-volume  reference 
work  will  be  placed  on  sale  for 
the  first  time  at  this  session.  This 
comprehensive  compilation  on  Men- 
nonite history  was  made  possible 
through  the  investment  of  two 
groups  in  addition  to  the  General 
Conference:  The  (Old)  Mennonite 

Church  and  the  Mennonite  Breth- 
ren Church.  The  sections  in  the 
Encyclopedia  on  Europe  were  pre- 
pared by  European  Mennonite  con- 
gregations. 

Also  to  be  presented  to  the  Con- 
ference for  the  first  time  will  be  the 
first  edition  of  a Sunday  school 
course  for  children  produced  in  co- 
operation with  the  (Old)  Menno- 
nite Church.  The  results  of  ten 
years  of  planning,  the  course  will 
provide  curriculum  material  for 
children  from  nursery  up  to  ninth 
grade. 

The  Mennonite  Central  Committee 
is  the  oldest  and  most  influential  of 


all  inter-Mennonite  activities.  The 
MCC  is  the  agency  of  twenty  Men- 
nonite groups  for  a world-wide  pro- 
gram of  relief  and  service. 

MEMBERSHIP  AND  STEWARDSHIP 

Though  it  is  a small  group  as 
denominations  go,  the  General  Con- 
ference Mennonite  Church  has  kept 
abreast  of  other  religious  groups  in 
its  membership  and  flnances.  This 
will  be  the  substance  of  a report 
that  P.  K.  Regier,  Newton,  Kansas, 
the  General  Conference’s  executive 
secretary  will  give  in  the  opening 
session  of  the  church’s  convention 
at  Bluffton,  Ohio,  August  12-20. 

At  its  last  meeting  in  Winnipeg, 
Manitoba,  in  August  1956  the  Con- 
ference set  for  itself  the  goal  of 
establishing  fifteen  new  congrega- 
tions before  its  next  meeting  this 
year.  This  goal  represents  slightly 
more  than  the  normal  growth  of 
other  Protestant  bodies. 

Prior  to  the  opening  of  the  cur- 
rent sessions,  Regier  reported  six- 
teen applications  on  hand  with  sev- 
eral more  applications  in  process. 

A survey  of  the  brotherhood’s 
financial  reports  shows  a per  cap- 
ita giving  of  $92.83  for  all  causes. 
The  Conference  ranks  seventh  a- 
mong  Protestant  bodies  in  its  per 
capita  giving  for  benevolence. 

Present  membership  of  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  Mennonite  Church 
is  52,014,  showing  an  increase  of 
5 per  cent  in  the  last  three  years. 
These  members  are  divided  into  270 
congregations  in  the  United  States, 
Canada,  and  South  America.  Sev- 
enty-eight congregations  are  in  Can- 
ada with  a membership  of  almost 
15,000. 


Correction: 

The  first  paragraph  of  the  ar- 
ticle “New  Editor  Appointed  for 
‘Junior  Messenger’  ” in  Confer- 
ence Notes  of  the  Aug.  4 issue 
should  have  read  as  follows: 

Cornelia  Lehn,  of  Sardis,  Brit- 
ish Columbia,  is  the  new  editor 
of  the  Junior  Messenger,  a chil- 
dren’s story  paper  published  by 
the  Board  of  Education  and  Pub- 
lication. 


AUGUST  18,  1959 


THE  ME 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
MAN  LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIST 


editorials 


in  this  issue 

COVER 

Photo  by  Bob  Taylor  of  Agricultural 
Photos. 

ARTICLES 

MAKING  RELIGION  REAL  IN  THE  HOME 


By  G.  S.  Stoneback  499 

WHAT  MAKES  HOMES  WONDERFUL? 

By  Arvid  F.  Carlson  500 

CHRISTIAN  PEACE  CONFERENCE 

By  Erwin  C.  Goering  502 

FRANKFURT  WELCOMES  YOU 

By  Joyce  Zuercher  503 

THE  BIBLE  VS.  COMMUNIST 
LITERATURE  504 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  498 

THE  READER  SAYS  504 

MENNONITE  YOUTH 

178  in  Summer  Service  505 

Two  National  Winners  507 

OUR  SCHOOLS  508 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  509 

JOTTINGS  510 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  512 


of  things  to  come 

Aug.  12-20 — General  Conference,  Bluff- 
ton,  Ohio 

Aug.  24-29 — “Faith  and  Life”  radio 
speaker,  KJRG,  Newton,  Kan,:  Orlo 
Kaufman. 

Aug.  30 — Freeman  Junior  College  opens 
Sept.  8 — Bethel  College  opens 
Sept.  11 — Bluffton  College  opens 
Sept.  25 — Rosthern  Junior  College  opens 
Sept.  29 — Canadian  Menn.  College  opens 
Oct.  4 — Western  District  Sunday  School 
Corwention,  Halstead  High  School 
Auditorium,  Halstead,  Kan. 

Oct.  4 — World  Communion  Sunday 
Oct.  12 — Canadian  Thanksgiving  Day 
Oct.  24-27 — West.  Dist.  Conference 
Nov.  1 — Reformation  Sunday 
Nov.  26 — Thanksgiving  Day  (U.S.) 

Dec.  1-4 — Council  of  Boards 
Dec.  1 3 — Universal  Bible  Sunday 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor:  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 

J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Assistant:  Muriel 

Thiessen.  Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  32 


“OUR  FOUNDATION— JESUS  CHRIST”  The  scripture  verse 
found  on  the  cover  page  of  every  issue  of  THE  MENNONITE, 
and  which  was  chosen  as  the  theme  for  the  Centennial  Confer- 
ence, is  closely  connected  with  our  church  history.  It  was  a favor- 
ite of  Menno  Simons,  the  Anabaptist  leader  of  our  group,  and  has 
become  an  accepted  “text”  of  our  denomination. 

How  important  it  is  to  look  well  to  our  foundations  is  dra- 
matically portrayed  in  the  close  of  the  Sermon  on  the  Mount. 
Jesus  likens  our  lives  to  a house  whose  real  strength  is  brought 
out  in  times  of  testing.  It  is  not  so  much  the  general  appear- 
ance of  the  house,  nor  yet  its  many  conveniences,  but  is  it  built 
solidly  on  a firm  foundation?  Does  our  church  have  its  roots 
anchored  firmly  in  the  truths  and  teachings  of  our  Lord?  Are 
our  homes  built  solidly  on  a true  foundation?  These  are  ques- 
tions for  each  of  us  to  face  honestly,  seeking  the  right  answer. 

It  is  well  to  note  the  thrust  of  the  word  “do”  with  which  Jesus 
concludes  this  great  sermon.  It  may  be  possible  to  respect  and 
admire  His  teachings,  to  pay  tribute  to  them  and  discuss  them 
at  length,  but  if  we  fail  to  DO  them — ^build  upon  them  com- 
pletely— ^we  will  sooner  or  later  find  the  foundation  giving  way 
and  life  crashing  in  ruins. 

The  house  built  on  sand  is  not  necessarily  the  picture  of  a 
wicked  and  malicious  man,  but  he  is  simply  thoughtless  and 
“foolish.”  He  listened  to  the  teachings  of  Jesus,  but  went  on  his 
own  way  living  just  as  before,  Christ’s  great  truths  having  no 
real  control  over  his  actions.  His  life  may  be  pleasant,  polished, 
and  respectable,  but  if  it  is  not  built  solidly  on  the  foundation 
of  Jesus  Christ  so  that  his  deeds  are  determined  by  Christ’s 
will,  he  has  no  real  foundation  and  cannot  withstand  life’s  tests 
and  shocks.  His  soul  has  no  anchorage  in  the  eternal  and  so  life 
crashes  when  the  floods  of  criticism,  the  winds  of  temptation, 
or  the  rains  of  adversity  beat  down  upon  him.  All  other  founda- 
tions are  too  flimsy  to  bear  the  heavy  load  of  a full  life.  The 
sands  of  our  own  ideas,  desires,  and  self-will  cannot  really 
stand  the  tests,  however  strong  we  think  them  to  be. 

But  when  Christ  is  our  foundation,  what  a difference!  To 
“live”  the  teachings  of  Christ  and  to  build  them  into  our  life 
and  character  is  to  build  with  permanence.  Our  life  may  not  be 
particularly  impressive;  it  may  be  small  and  humble.  But  it  can 
be  serviceable  and  durable  if  built  solidly  on  Christ  who  is  “the 
Way,  the  Truth,  and  the  Life.” 

We  choose  the  foundation  upon  which  we  build  our  life;  not 
to  choose  is  to  build  on  sand.  To  choose  Christ  and  His  way  of 
life  without  reservations,  to  listen  carefully  to  His  teachings 
and  do  them,  this  is  to  build  on  solid  rock.  Have  His  way  and  His 
teachings  merely  our  approval  or  admiration  or  have  they  our 
complete  allegiance  so  that  we  can  build  solidly  upon  them  ? Here 
is  genuine  security.  Here  is  something  solid  upon  which  to  build. 
Here  is  the  Rock  of  Ages,  steadfast  and  sure.  “Other  foundation 
can  no  man  lay  than  that  is  laid,  which  is  Jesus  Christ.” 


498 


THE  MENNONITE 


Making  Religion  Real 
In  the  Home 


G.  S.  Stoneback 


Most  things  are  made  real  in 
the  home  by  unconscious  in- 
fluence. This  is  especially  true  of 
religion. 

One  day  little  Stanley  came  rush- 
ing from  the  window  and  shouted, 
“Oh,  Mother,  a car  as  big  as  a bam 
just  went  by!”  Shaking  her  finger 
at  Stanley,  Mother  said,  “Why  do 
you  exaggerate  like  that?  I told  you 
forty  million  times  about  that  bad 
habit  of  yours  and  it  does  no  good.” 
You  see,  Stanley  learned  more 
from  Mother’s  unconscious  influence 
than  from  her  preaching.  Likely  he 
could  not  explain  it,  but  he  felt  and 
could  act  upon  the  fact.  The  truth 
his  mother  conveyed  unconsciously 
had  far  more  reality  in  her  life 
than  the  truth  she  spoke. 

In  similar  fashion,  religion  is  or 
is  not  made  real  in  the  family 
circle. 

There  are  two  aspects  to  this 
way  of  making  religion  real  in  the 
home.  One  is  illustrated  by  the  way 
Stanley  absorbed  his  mother’s 
habit.  Thus  children  absorb  par- 
ents’ attitudes  even  before  they 
know  the  meaning  of  them. 

As  the  child  comes  to  do  more 
thinking  and  develops  some  skill  in 
parent  psychology,  he  soon  sees 
and  understands  what  is  real  to  his 
parents.  Mother  and  Dad  may 
preach  loud  and  long  about  loyalty 
to  Christ  and  His  church,  but  if  a 
Sunday  morning  sleep  or  reading 
the  fat  Sunday  edition  of  the  news- 
paper seems  more  important  than 
an  hour  of  thinking  together  with 
fellow  Christians  in  Sunday  school 
and  worship  service,  need  we  be 


George  Stoneback,  author  of  this  article,  is 
pastor  of  the  Lorraine  Avenue  Mennonite 
Church  in  Wichita,  Kan. 


surprised  if  getting  intermediates 
to  Sunday  school  becomes  increas- 
ingly difficult? 

If  overtime  business,  a club,  the 
call  of  the  fishing  tackle,  or  the 
climbing  of  the  social  ladder  are 
by  far  greater  realities  in  the  par- 
ent’s life  than  his  Christian  faith, 
then  how  can  we  expect  religion  to 
become  a reality  in  the  life  of  the 
children? 

If  parents,  by  their  actions,  imply 
that  the  mastery  of  chemistry  or 
some  musical  instrument  is  more 
important  than  mastery  of  the  life 
of  Jesus  or  the  contents  of  the 
Bible,  need  we  be  surprised  if 
Christianity  seems  slow  in  becom- 
ing a reality  in  the  child’s  life? 

If  when  trials  hit  the  family  the 
parents  meet  the  crisis  with  the 
calm  strength  that  comes  from  real 
faith  in  God,  that  will  go  much 
farther  in  helping  children  make 
religion  real  in  their  lives  than 
much  preaching  about  faith  in  God 
if  that  faith  fails  to  support  the 
parents  when  trial  comes. 

Religion  is  or  is  not  made  real 
by  the  absorption  of  the  parents’ 
attitudes,  and  by  the  child’s  attitude 
toward  his  parents.  Dr.  Smiley  Blan- 
tpn,  Christian  psychiatrist,  tells  us: 
“Our  idea  of  God  is  to  a great  ex- 
tent derived  from  our  relationship 
with  and  our  attitudes  toward  our 
parents.” 

Some  people  find  it  difficult  to 
pray  the  Lord’s  Prayer  because  the 
term  “Father”  conjures  for  them 
pictures  of  an  ungodly,  cruel,  ca- 
pricious, or  unloving  parent.  The 
experience  of  a warm  personal  re- 
lationship with  God  cannot  become 
a reality  in  their  lives  because  of 
their  attitude  toward  their  fathers. 

We  make  or  fail  to  make  religion 


real  in  the  family  by  our  uncon- 
scious influence.  We  had  better  take 
inventory  once  in  a while  to  see 
what  kind  of  effect  our  influence 
has  on  the  children. 

Remember  what  Jesus  said  about 
the  profound  and  eternal  conse- 
quences of  our  influence  in  the 
home:  “If  ye,  then,  being  evil, 

know  how  to  give  good  gifts  unto 
your  children:  how  much  more 

shall  your  heavenly  Father  give  the 
Holy  Spirit  to  them  that  ask  him?” 

WE  make  religion  real  in  the 
home  through  our  conversa- 
tion. That  which  we  talk  about 
naturally  in  the  home  is  that  which 
is  real  to  us.  What  do  we  talk  about 
in  the  home?  Baseball  standings? 
Financial  problems?  Having  good 
times?  The  way  people  hurt  us?  The 
new  car  we  wish  we  had?  Do  we 
ever  talk  about  the  deeper  mean- 
ings of  life? 

How  wise  is  the  advice  in  Deu- 
teronomy, the  sixth  chapter:  “These 
things  you  must  learn  by  heart, 
this  charge  of  mine;  you  must  im- 
press upon  your  children,  you  must 
talk  about  them  when  you  are  sit- 
ting at  home  and  when  you  are  on 
the  road,  when  you  lie  down  and 
when  you  rise  up.  . . . When  God 
brings  you  to  the  promised  land  . . . 
you  must  not  forget  God  . . . and 
when  your  sons  ask  you  about  the 
meaning  . . . then  you  must  tell 
him”  Deut.  6:6ff  (Moffatt). 

What  do  you  say  when  Johnny 
comes  and  asks:  “Where  is  God?” 
Or  when  Jane  comes  and  says: 
“Mary  says  God  watches  us  all  the 
time  and  knows  everything  we  do, 
and  He  will  do  something  awful  to 
us  if  we  are  bad.  Is  it  true  that  He 
sees  all  we  do?  What  will  He  do  if 
we  are  bad?” 

Will  you  sink  behind  the  paper 
and  say:  “You’re  too  young,  you 
wouldn’t  understand  if  I told  you.” 
Or  would  you  push  it  to  someone 
else,  saying:  “I’m  too  tired  now — 
go  ask  Mother.”  Perhaps  you  would 
say:  “I  don’t  know  the  answers. 
Ask  your  Sunday  school  teacher — 
that’s  what  she’s  for.”  Or  will  you 
help  the  inquiring  little  mind  to 
begin  exploring  the  vast  reaches  of 
Christian  truth,  and  so  help  him  to 
find  reality  in  his  faith? 

WE  can  help  make  religion  real 
by  discipline  in  the  home.  God 
wants  us  all  to  learn  about  the  de- 
pendable order  of  right  and  wrong 
He  has  built  into  the  heart  of  the 


August  18,  1959 


499 


universe.  That  order  can,  because 
of  man’s  freedom,  be  flouted — but 
not  with  impunity. 

When  a person  comes  to  grips 
with  this  basic  principle  of  the  uni- 
verse, he  is  coming  into  grips  with 
reality — ^with  religion.  If  we  fail  to 
learn  this  moral  order  in  the  home, 
then,  in  a much  rougher  way,  the 
law  must  take  its  turn  in  teaching 
this  truth  of  the  moral  order  of 
things. 

The  Gluecks,  famous  penologists 
of  Harvard  keep  stressing  that  the 
most  important  deterrant  to  juven- 
ile delinquency  is  a “father  who  is 
both  strict  and  loving.”  Comment- 
ing on  this,  Ferre  says:  “Many  chil- 
dren are  unruly  brats  because  they 
are  not  loved  enough  to  be  spanked.” 

When  children  are  not  taught  re- 
spect for  the  moral  order  they  are 
in  effect  taught  disrespect  for  God. 
But  if  children  are  taught  respect 
for  the  moral  order,  they  are  taught 
respect  for  the  Author  of  that  or- 
der. Thus,  through  discipline  we  can 
help  make  religion  real  in  the  fam- 
ily- 

WE  can  help  make  religion  real 
through  family  worship.  This 
implies  two  aspects:  worship  to- 


What 


Arvid  F.  Carlson 


gether  in  the  church  and  worship 
in  the  home. 

Recent  studies  have  shown  us  that 
over-all  average  of  divorces  as  com- 
pared with  the  number  of  weddings 
in  the  United  States  is  one  divorce 
to  every  four  marriages.  The  aver- 
age of  divorces  among  those  who 
worship  together  regularly  in  the 
church  is  one  divorce  to  every  fifty- 
seven  marriages.  Among  those  who 
worship  regularly  in  the  church  and 
have  worship  in  the  home,  there  is 
one  divorce  for  every  five  hundred 
marriages. 

We  can  help  make  religion  real 
by  helping  children  experience  the 
joy  of  love  and  service  in  the  name 
of  Christ.  What  were  those  knights 
in  the  days  of  old  seeking  when 
they  sought  the  Holy  Grail?  Was 
not  that  cup  the  symbol  of  the  real- 
ity of  religion? 

In  Lowell’s  telling  of  the  search 
of  one  of  those  knights  (“The  Vision 
of  Sir  Launfal”)  there  is  a deeply 
moving  climax.  Sir  Launfal  searched 
in  many  climes  and  through  many 
years.  His  search  was  not  blessed 
with  success  until  one  day  on  the 
shore  of  a cold  northern  lake  he 
cut  a hole  through  the  ice  to  get  a 
cup  of  water  to  give  a drink  and 


Homes  do  not  just  happen. 

They  are  the  result  of  perpet- 
ual thought,  discipline,  prayer,  and 
action.  ’They  can  be  either  a “bit 
of  heaven”  on  earth  or  “hell  within 
four  walls.” 


half  of  his  last  mouldy  crust  of 
bread  to  a starving  leper.  Then  it 
was  that  he  had  his  vision  of  the 
Master,  and  his  religion  became 
real. 

When  we  experience  the  great 
joy  of  love  and  service  in  the  name 
of  Christ,  we  are  grappling  with 
ultimate  reality — and  our  religion 
becomes  real. 

In  our  day,  a great  example  of  the 
Christlike  suffering  and  self-giving 
love  is  Albert  Schweitzer.  He  con- 
siders Africa  worth  saving  because 
there  is  found  the  brother  for  whom 
Christ  died.  That’s  why,  at  the  age 
of  eighty-four,  he  keeps  on  working 
long  days  every  day  in  the  African 
jungle.  “Physical  misery  is  great 
everywhere  out  here.  Millions  and 
millions  are  without  help  and  with- 
out hope  of  it.  . . . Sooner  or  later 
this  idea  of  sharing  must  conquer 
the  world.” 

Where  did  he  get  that  idea?  “As 
far  back  as  I can  remember  I was 
saddened  by  the  amount  of  misery 
I saw  in  the  world,”  he  has  said. 
Religion  had  become  real  to  Schweit- 
zer in  the  little  parsonage  in  Alsace 
as,  with  his  family,  he  experienced 
the  joy  of  sharing  in  the  name  of 
Christ. 


ful  child  sometimes  will  feel  urged 
to  rise  up  and  call  his  home 
blessed  if  it  provided  him  with  fra- 
grant reminiscences  of  a happy 
homelife. 

The  question  immediately  before 
us  is:  How  can  we  make  our  homes 
wonderful?  What  factors  will  con- 
tribute to  the  creation  of  the  place 
which  we  believe  is  “more  than  a 
house”?  In  answering  the  ques- 
tion, we  must  first  of  all  consider 
the  matter  of  family  fellowship. 

One  of  the  saddest  commentaries 


We  are  told  that  there  are  “two 
inescapable  things:  memories  of 

home  and  the  love  of  God.”  Tragic 
is  that  life  whose  memories  of  home 
are  but  haunting  shadows  of  bit- 
The  author  of  this  article  is  pastor  of  the  childhood  experiences.  On  the 

Mission  Covenant  Church,  Pasadena,  Calif.  other  hand,  even  the  most  Ungrate- 


Makes  Homes  Wonderful? 


fHE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church. 
Entered  at  North  Newton,  Kansas,  post  office  as  second  class  matter.  Acceptance  for  mailing  at  special  rate  of  postage:  section  1103,  Act 
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500 


THE  MENNONITE 


of  our  time  is  the  separateness  and 
compartmentalization  of  family  life, 
not  to  say  anything  of  the  same 
situation  in  society  itself.  Today’s 
families,  although  smaller,  are  less 
a unit  than  in  the  past.  The  crav- 
ing for  real  family  fellowship  has 
largely  ceased.  Children  seem  to 
thrive  as  well  away  from  home  as 
at  home. 

To  some  degree,  the  answer  lies 
in  the  manifold  diversions  available 
to  the  present-day  family.  The  old- 
fashioned  home  was  not  in  com- 
petition with  every  bit  of  clap-trap 
out  of  the  world.  Life  patterns 
were  more  simple. 

There  are  many  contributing  fac- 
tors to  family  fellowship  apart 
from  the  headship  of  Christ  and 
the  centrality  of  the  family  altar. 
A home  that  is  called  a Christian 
home  is  not  necessarily  a happy 
home.  Indeed,  some  people  may 
seem  to  qualify  as  good  Christians 
but  not  good  parents. 

The  first  requisite  to  a wonderful 
home  is,  therefore,  its  atmosphere. 
Homes  are  not  created  by  a set  of 
rules.  They  are  not  “legislatures,” 
“courts,”  “barracks,”  or  “dormi- 
tories.” Rather,  they  are  “incuba- 
tors” of  the  highest  ideals  and  the 
finest  Christian  virtues  of  which  we 
are  capable  as  parents  and  Chris- 
tians. 

When  unforgiving  attitudes, 
harsh  words,  and  critical  tempera- 
ments make  way  for  unsolicited 
kindnesses,  unconscious  courtesies, 
and  unbounded  joy,  the  atmosphere 
in  which  Christian  graces  flourish 
is  definitely  assured.  Character 
craves  a climate,  and  we  must  pro- 
vide only  the  best. 

Take,  for  example,  the  seemingly 
trivial  matter  of  conversation.  Idle, 
unplanned,  and  selfish  talk  will  de- 
tract. The  thoughts  and  problems 
of  all  members  of  the  family 
should  reflect  and  react  upon  each 
other. 

“Table  talks”  may  linger  as  the 
happiest  memories  of  childhood. 
School  activities,  achievements,  and 
plans  should  enter  into  the  thought- 
sharing of  a loving  family.  Psy- 
chologists point  out  that  even  the 
matter  of  voice  control  sets  a pre- 
vailing tone  in  the  home.  Loud  and 
nagging  conversation  makes  for  psy- 
chological deafness,  akin  to  a gun- 
ner’s ability  to  sleep  amid  the  roar 
of  firing  cannons. 

Another  means  to  the  enjoymrat 


of  family  fellowship  is  to  spend 
profitable  evenings  at  home.  Be- 
cause of  the  scarcity  of  such  a com- 
modity, we  are  apt  to  smile  at  the 
suggestion.  On  the  other  hand,  we 
should  approach  the  problem  in  all 
sincerity  and  Christian  seriousness. 

Today’s  children  know  little  of 
“firesides,”  “songfests,”  or  recrea- 
tion in  the  rumpus  room.  Living- 
rooms  are  waste  space  and  a lux- 
ury. The  “den”  is  ever  so  much 
more  appealing  and  it  is  usually 
centered  on  the  family  television 
set. 

And,  even  if  the  family  discovers 
an  evening  free,  it  seldom  enjoys 
its  own  fellowship  because  of  a lack 
of  planned  activity.  No  wonder 
some  children  prefer  the  neighbor’s 
house  to  their  own. 

Moreover,  family  fellowship  can 
be  cultivated  along  divergent  cul- 
tural lines.  Good  music,  whether 
“live”  or  recorded,  should  be  abun- 
dantly provided.  High  quality  read- 
ing material,  ranging  from  school 
reference  books  to  classical  and 
Christian  literature,  should  be  found 
on  the  family  library  shelves. 

The  proper  use  of  the  radio  and 
the  television  set  is  a must.  A 
worldly  crowd,  once  frowned  upon 
by  Christian  parents,  now  parades 
before  eager  eyes  within  the  sanc- 
tuary of  the  home — with  or  without 
parental  censorship. 

These  communicating  media  are 
not  necessarily  evil.  On  the  con- 
trary, they  can  be  instruments  for 
great  good.  “Television,”  says  Dr. 
Carnell,  “can  become  a medium  for 
endless  increase  of  human  happi- 
ness and  security.  This  is  our 
hope.  But,  it  may  fall  into  the 
hands  of  those  who  will  use  it  as 
a further  means  to  exploit  sinful 
potentialities  in  man.  This  is  our 
fear.” 

A final  factor  in  the  promotion 
of  family  fellowship  is  the  utiliza- 
tion of  leisure  time.  It  has  been 
axiomatically  said  that  “the  family 
which  prays  together  stays  to- 
gether.” Might  not  the  word 
“plays”  be  substituted  with  consid- 
erable effect?  When  parents  per- 
mit themselves  to  become  so  “old” 
in  either  body  or  spirit  as  to  elimi- 
nate the  family  playtime,  it  is  in- 
deed high  time  to  take  inventory. 

Let  us  turn  to  a second  major 
contribution  to  homes:  family  loyal- 
ty. It  is  interesting  to  notice  that 
the  first  institution  created  by  di- 


vine love  and  power  is  the  human 
family.  Society  emd  the  state  fol- 
low each  other  in  that  order. 

It  is  also  worthwhile  to  note  that 
the  threatened  collapse  of  this  ideal 
social  unit  is  couched  in  Cain’s 
caustic  question;  “Am  I my  broth- 
er’s keeper?” 

When  family  loyalty  vanishes 
and  crass  irresponsibility  creeps  in, 
the  demise  of  the  family  is  well- 
nigh  accomplished.  On  the  other 
hand,  when  family  loyalty  is  de- 
veloped along  the  lines  of  person- 
nel, principles,  and  projects,  the 
home  will  unshakably  stand  the 
tests  and  tensions  of  modem  temp- 
tations. When  each  member  will 
be  unflinchingly  true  and  supreme- 
ly loyal  to  every  other  member, 
our  homes  will  be  “little  heavens.” 

Ideals  and  principles  must  be- 
come the  common  property  of  all, 
as  well  as  the  responsibility  of  each 
individual  member.  Finally,  the 
family  should  be  totally  together  in 
its  projects.  Hobbies  and  diver- 
sions may  vary  within  the  family 
framework,  but  certain  unifying  in- 
terests must  be  promoted  if  loyalty 
is  to  achieve  perfection. 

Does  not  the  Word  condemn  us 
when  it  says,  “They  made  me  keep- 
er of  the  vineyards;  but  my  own 
vineyard  I have  not  kept”  Song  of 
Solomon  1:6.  Again,  “As  your 
servant  was  busy  here  and  there, 
he  was  gone”  I Kings  20:40.  Many 
Christian  parents  have  been  so 
busy  looking  after  someone  else’s 
children,  they  have  unknowingly 
lost  their  own. 

In  order  to  portray  completely  a 
home  as  wonderful,  something  must 
be  said  regarding  family  responsi- 
bilities. The  relationship  between 
the  husband  and  the  wife  and  the 
relationship  of  both  to  the  children 
are  exceedingly  important. 

Homes  where  anarchy  prevails 
can  never  be  wonderful.  A sense  of 
responsibility  toward  each  other 
must  prevail.  Parents  are  to  be  ex- 
amples. We  owe  our  children  more 
than  money.  We  owe  them  the 
finest  manhood  and  womanhood  in 
our  redeemed  nature. 

This  then  is  our  task,  to  make  our 
homes  so  wonderful  that  a coming 
generation  will  treasure  the  inheri- 
tance of  a happy  and  wholesome 
life,  filled  with  the  sunshine  of 
God’s  love. 

— From  National  Sunday 
School  Association 


August  18,  1959 


501 


Christian  Peace  Conference 


From  a report  by  Erwin  C.  Goering 


“To  deal  with  a suggestion  of  the 
Continuation  Committee  to  arrange 
a day  of  repentance  on  the  anniver- 
sary of  the  first  atomic  raid  on 
Hiroshima,  and  to  deliberate  on  the 
possibilities  of  convening  a general 
Christian  Congress  at  which  church- 
es of  all  denominations  and  confes- 
sions could  utter  a clear  and  binding 
word  in  the  problem  of  atomic  weap- 
ons” was  the  invitatorily  stated  pur- 
pose of  the  Christian  Peace  Confer- 
ence held  April  16-19  in  Prague, 
Czechoslovakia. 

This  conference,  which  set  out  to 
establish  a world-wide  plea  for  pen- 
itence, concluded  with  a recommen- 
dation for  a world  day  of  prayer  on 
Hiroshima  anniversary. 

The  second  conference  of  its  kind, 
it  was  attended  by  92  participants 
from  13  countries.  There  was  only 
a handful  of  delegates  from  the 
West,  except  West  Germany  which 
had  14  listed.  Three  Americans  (one 
Mennonite  and  two  Quakers)  at- 
tended. 

Baptist  leader  J.  I.  Zhidkov  was 
among  the  Soviet  Union  delegation. 
Among  the  participants  were  repre- 
sentatives of  Orthodox,  Roman  Cath- 
olic, and  Protestant  groups.  After 
an  official  opening  by  Dr.  Viktor 
Najeck,  conference  president,  “Gros- 
ser Gott  wir  loben  Dich”  was  sung 
and  Andre  Trocme  conducted  a brief 
devotional  reading  from  the  Sermon 
on  the  Mount. 

In  lectures  delivered  by  distin- 
guished scholars  various  subjects 
were  sensitively  discussed.  Those 
who  spoke  included  professor  M. 
Pakozdy  (Hungary)  and  Professor 
Hromadka  (Czechoslovakia)  on  “The 
Theological  Aspects  of  the  Cold 
War”  and  Professor  H.  Gollwitzer 
on  “War  and  Christianity.”  Though 
he  did  not  represent  an  historic 
peace  church,  Gollwitzer  explicitly 
pointed  out  the  position  of  the  his- 
toric peace  church:  “A  Christian 


can  do  no  violence.  Law  has  recourse 
to  violence  but  the  Christian  can 
not.  We  need  not  try  to  justify  the 
concept  of  a just  war.  We  cannot 
take  part  in  any  war.” 

The  essence  of  the  tasks  present- 
ed at  the  second  meeting  of  the 
Christian  Peace  Conference  is  sum- 
marized in  the  Message  to  All  Chris- 
tians: 

Grace  be  unto  you  and  peace.  We 
greet  you.  Brothers  and  Sisters,  with 
this  apostolic  salutation.  As  we  did 
last  year,  we  appeal  to  you  in  this 
world- wide  distress. 

God  so  loved  His  world  that  He 
gave  His  only  begotten  Son  for  it. 
It  is  His  will  that  all  men  should  be 
helped  and  should  come  to  the 
knowledge  of  the  truth.  When  the 
atom  bomb  of  Hiroshima  burst  over 
that  unsuspecting  city,  we  entered 
a new  era.  Powers  hitherto  un- 
dreamt of,  capable  of  either  good  or 
evil,  have  been  given  to  man  today. 
He  has  taken  control  over  death  in 
a horrible  fashion,  has  stored  it  in 
his  arsenals.  He  can  destroy  the 
whole  of  mankind  like  vermin  by 
his  methods  of  mass  destruction. 

All  life  has  been  deprived  of  peace 
and  love  by  the  mere  threat,  and 
has  been  perverted  into  fear  and 
terror.  When  the  atom  bomb  of 
Hiroshima  burst  over  that  unsus- 
pecting city  it  lit  up  in  a fiash  the 
road  of  Christendom.  It  is  only  by 
the  word  of  God  that  our  eyes  have 
been  opened. 

All  of  us  share  the  guilt  for  the 
fact  that  man  fears  man,  that  man 
hates  msm,  that  man  kills  man.  Be- 
cause of  our  selfishness  we  have  not 
loved  Him  who  loved  so  much.  Be- 
ing of  little  faith  we  have  thought 
that  weapons  and  human  power 
were  our  help.  We  have  gambled 
away  the  future  given  us  by  God. 
The  bomb  that  burst  over  that  un- 
suspecting city  has  become  a signal. 


We  believe,  however,  that  the  Cre- 
ative Word  that  once  sounded  for 
the  earth  that  was  without  form 
and  void,  is  strong  enough  to  awak- 
en the  conscience  of  men  and  to  save 
life  on  earth  from  complete  de- 
struction. We  believe  that  God  al- 
lowed man  to  discover  atomic  en- 
ergy that  he  might  use  it  respon- 
sibly for  the  welfare  of  mankind. 
Hiroshima  must  not  happen  again. 
We  are  profoundly  disturbed  by  the 
fact  that  more  and  more  countries 
aspire  to  and  acquire  nuclear  weap- 
ons instead  of  working  for  the  gen- 
eral disarmament  which  is  essential. 

When  therefore  we  shaU  come  to- 
gether with  our  congregations  and 
churches  on  the  day  of  Hiroshima 
this  year  to  hold  a service  of  pen- 
itence and  prayer,  we  ask  all  of  you, 
both  in  East  and  West  and  all  over 
the  world,  not  to  withhold  your 
communion  with  us.  Let  us  together 
stand  before  God  and  let  us.  His 
human  children,  make  a new  be- 
ginning through  His  forgiveness. 

The  gospel  alone  can  liberate  us 
from  the  terror  of  mutual  terrorisa- 
tion  and  deterrence  and  from  en- 
meshment  in  all  kinds  of  propa- 
ganda. The  gospel  gives  us  the  pos- 
sibility to  look  at  the  conditions  of 
the  world  with  true  realism.  It  gives 
us  the  strength  to  see  and  to  over- 
come the  discord  in  our  own  ranks. 
It  calls  us  to  solve  without  violence 
the  burning  problems  of  the  world. 
It  gives  us  authority  to  deliver  the 
message  of  peace  in  a convincing 
way  and  to  call  the  world  to  rise 
above  its  divisions  the  guilt  for 
which  we  all  share.  For  Christ  is 
our  peace  who  has  put  an  end  to 
strife  and  has  broken  down  the  wall 
of  partition. 

It  is  in  His  name  that  we  may 
make  peace,  and  we  must  begin  with 
ourselves.  Therefore  let  us  renounce 
above  aU  the  cold  war,  through 


502 


THE  MENNONITE 


which  evil  acquires  the  appearance 
of  good.  Faced  with  all  these  factors 
which  poison  the  atmosphere  even 
between  Christians,  we  pray  and 
must  see  to  it  that  amongst  our- 
selves, in  our  congregations  and 
churches,  that  trust  takes  the  place 
of  distrust.  Let  us  take  the  other 
man’s  word  in  the  way  he  says  it. 
We  must  see  to  it  that  the  arbitrary 
classification  of  friend  and  enemy 
holds  no  place  amongst  us.  Let  us 


Frankfurt  - Main 

Welcomes 

You 

Joyce  Zuercher 


IT  IS  not  a particularly  attractive 
book,  with  its  plain  brown  cov- 
er and  many  blotted  and  scribbled 
pages,  yet  people  can  be  absorbed 
in  it  for  an  hour  or  more,  looking 
for  names  of  families  or  friends. 
New,  it  was  priced  at  eight  marks; 
once  used,  it  is  priceless. 

This,  our  guest  book,  is  to  us  a 
concrete  reminder  of  many  intan- 
gible blessings.  A reminder  of  an 
important  segment  of  our  work  in 
the  MCC  center  at  Frankfurt,  Ger- 
many, as  a record  of  our  guests, 
it  delightfully  recounts  our  experi- 
ences entertaining  all  sorts  of  peo- 
ple. 

Guests  come  to  us  from  many 
countries,  faiths,  and  occupations. 

Joyce  Zuercher  is  an  MCC  matron. 


take  heed  lest  we  contribute  to  the 
preparation  of  a hot  war  by  an 
ideological  propaganda  concerned 
only  about  self-security.  If  we  fail 
in  this  task,  our  struggle  for  peace 
is  an  empty  phrase. 

We  think  the  time  has  come  that 
the  churches  should  meet,  in  a way 
transcending  the  present  form  of 
their  co-operation,  for  an  “All-Chris- 
tian Assembly  for  the  Peace  of  the 
World.”  It  will  be  its  task  to  help 


We  have  entertained  missionaries 
and  MCC  workers  on  vacations  or 
going  to  and  from  assignments 
from  Europe,  Asia,  Africa,  and 
South  America.  Exchange  students 
and  trainees  come  here  for  inter- 
views, or  to  stay  while  they  file  for 
passport,  visas  and  other  official 
papers.  After  they  return  from  the 
States  they  occasionally  come  to 
visit  and  renew  friendships  and 
reminisce  about  their  new  experi- 
ences. University  students,  Canadi- 
an, American,  and  European  come 
for  Christian  fellowship.  And  many 
others  — American  tourists.  Pax 
personnel,  European  ministers,  and 
church  workers — use  the  center  as 
a point  of  reference  in  our  city  of 
Frankfurt. 

We  have  the  signature  of  a real 
princess  in  our  guest  book.  A tiny 
white-haired  sparkling-eyed  old 
lady  who  is  now  a minister  and 
missionary  in  Paris  was  born  Prin- 
cess Sophie  of  Russia.  A young 
couple  spending  their  honeymoon 
carrying  a wooden  cross  as  a wit- 
ness along  the  German  highways 
stayed  with  us  one  night  and 
walked  on  the  next  morning,  carry- 
ing the  heavy  cross.  And  two  lit- 
tle old  refugee  ladies  on  vacation 
with  a missionary,  identically 
dressed  and  clinging  to  each  other, 
spent  a night  in  our  guest  room 
and  wrote  their  names  next  morn- 
ing in  quavery  spidery  script. 

Each  different  visitor  contributes 
much  to  building  our  lives.  We 
hear  about  mission  and  MCC  pro- 
grams around  the  world.  We  learn 
about  life  in  many  countries  and 
listen  to  many  ideas  and  outlooks 
concerning  world  affairs.  With  this 
knowledge  comes  a deeper  under- 
standing of  people. 

In  exchange  for  this  abundant 


in  the  establishment  of  a lasting 
peace,  to  work  for  general  disarma- 
ment, especially  the  removal  of  nu- 
clear armaments,  and  through  this 
all  to  serve  the  understanding  and 
reconciliation  between  the  nations. 
We  know  that  this  is  no  easy  task. 
We  are,  however,  convinced  that 
such  an  assembly,  if  wisely  planned, 
will  further  the  ecumenical  move- 
ment and  will  strengthen  all  the 
forces  for  peace  in  the  world. 


wealth  received  we  give,  of  course, 
food,  drink,  and  clean  warm  beds; 
but  we  hope  that  we,  too,  are  giv- 
ing lessons  of  better  understanding. 

For  instance,  there  was  Frau  Re- 
gier.  At  times  it  seemed  a bit  in- 
convenient to  have  her  here  while 
her  son  was  in  the  hospital  for  an 
operation  for  a congenital  liver  de- 
fect, particularly  when  the  entire 
family  arrived  unannounced  around 
noon  on  Sunday  without  any  din- 
ner. Mornings  when  she  could  not 
visit  the  hospital  she  had  to  be 
busy,  or  her  refugee  mind,  already 
filled  with  many  worries  and  fears, 
would  dwell  on  her  fear  for  her 
son.  So,  she  peeled  potatoes  and 
darned  socks,  asking  nervously, 
anxiously,  if  every  little  thing  she 
did  was  all  right.  Her  son,  never- 
theless, died.  His  death  caused  us 
to  do  some  sober  refiecting.  Had 
we  really  shown  her  that  we  loved 
her?  Had  we  been  patient  enough 
with  her  worries?  Had  we  given 
her  enough  sympathy  and  under- 
standing? 

Sami,  a young  Jordanian  student 
in  a German  university,  stayed  with 
us  while  visiting  a friend  in  Frank- 
furt. He  came  to  us  warily,  seem- 
ing to  be  on  the  defensive  against 
queer  American  ideas  and  foods. 
But  when  he  left  he  was  not  afraid 
to  look  any  of  us  squarely  in  the 
eye,  and  he  laboriously  wrote  a note 
of  thanks  before  his  name  in  the 
best  English  he  could  muster.  We 
felt  that  Sami,  too,  had  his  under- 
standing broadened. 

Our  guest  book  is  a reminder  of 
rich  gifts  exchanged.  Every  name 
and  every  message  written  there 
stands  for  another  new  acquaint- 
ance, for  broadened  horizons  and 
for  further  experiences  in  love  and 
friendship. 


August  18,  1959 


503 


The  Bible  Versus  Communist  Literature 


Many  friends  of  the  American 
Bible  Society  have  been  distressed 
by  the  claim  that  the  works  of 
Communist  writers  have  out- 
stripped the  Bible  as  a best  seller. 
The  Bible  Society  has  learned, 
through  the  Library  of  Congress, 
that  according  to  Russian  sources 
more  than  1,000  editions  of  the  Com- 
munist Manifesto  (usually  of  about 
25  pages)  had  been  published  from 
1848  to  1952  in  77  languages.  Over 
a billion  copies  of  the  works  of 
Marx,  Engle,  Lenin,  and  Stalin  are 
said  to  have  been  printed  in  101 
languages  from  1917  to  1954. 

What  about  the  Bible?  From 
1917  to  1957  the  American  Bible  So- 
ciety distributed  393,246,474  vol- 
umes. To  this  should  be  added  the 


the  reader  says 

Women  are  clamoring  for  more 
to  say  in  some  Mennonite  churches. 
They  wish  to  have  a voice  in  the 
important  decisions  which  formerly 
were  left  to  the  “brudershaft.” 
When  discipline  problems  are  dis- 
cussed they  wish  to  have  their  voic- 
es heard.  When  wedding  rules  are 
laid  down  or  a new  pastor  is  to  be 
installed,  they  desire  to  have  a 
share  in  the  event. 

Attractive  new  churches  with  am- 
ple Sunday  school  rooms  show  that 
changes  are  taking  place  in  Men- 
nonite churches.  Projects  for 
which  women  were  responsible  are 
evident  in  various  areas  of  church 
structures.  In  missionary  societies 
and  in  Sunday  school  teaching,  the 
services  of  women  have  long  been 
recognized.  In  some  cases  women 
have  carried  the  responsibilities  of 
junior  Sunday  school  superintend- 
ents. In  recent  years,  young  worn- 


distribution  of  the  British  and 
Foreign  Bible  Society,  which  was 
somewhat  larger  than  that  of  the 
American  Bible  Society,  and  of 
other  Bible  Societies.  In  addition, 
there  are  the  commercial  Bible 
publishers,  who  do  not  make  pub- 
lic their  figures. 

While  there  is  little  Bible  publish- 
ing by  such  concerns  in  languages 
other  than  English,  French,  Ger- 
man, Greek,  and  Hebrew,  the  num- 
ber of  Bibles  issued  each  year  by 
the  Oxford  and  Cambridge  Univer- 
sity Presses  and  the  Bible  printers 
in  this  country  and  Great  Britain  is 
very  considerable.  The  total  would 
certainly  be  a billion  and  a half. 
So  that  even  for  a period  from  1917 
to  1957  it  would  still  appear  to  be 


en  have  also  been  accepted  in 
church-related  vocations.  This 
shows  a trend  in  giving  women 
more  opportimity  in  church  work. 

My  question  is  this:  Are  we,  as 
women  ready  to  make  worthwhile 
contributions,  in  what  we  say  or  in 
the  choices  we  make? 

If  what  we  say  is  going  to  be 
colored  by  prejudice  or  blinded  by 
emotion,  the  cause  of  Christ  is  not 
going  to  be  furthered  even  though 
we  get  our  “say  so.” 

It  takes  discipline  and  refiective 
thinking  to  come  up  with  choices 
comparable  to  those  which  Ruth 
made  in  Bible  times.  It  takes  an 
inner  appreciation  of  the  greatness 
of  God  to  make  the  choice  to  serve 
the  true  God.  It  takes  a depth  of 
character  to  utter  her  poetic  words, 
which  even  today  are  sung  and 
chanted.  It  takes  insight  into  the 
true  meaning  of  life  and  an  ability 


true  that  the  Bible  “out-published” 
Communistic  literature. 

Furthermore,  the  Bible  was  be- 
ing printed  nearly  500  years  before 
1917,  and  parts  of  it  had  already 
appeared  in  more  than  750  lan- 
guages and  dialects.  In  addition 
to  the  actual  Bible  text  must  be 
added  the  vast  volume  of  Christian 
literature. 

The  fact,  however,  that  the  Com- 
munists put  out  a great  deal  of 
printed  matter,  often  very  attract- 
ively produced  and  priced,  in  many 
languages  and  in  many  parts  of 
the  world,  continues  to  be  a great 
challenge  which  must  be  met  by  the 
Christian  community  through  the 
world-wide  program  of  the  great 
Bible  Societies  of  the  world. 


to  adjust  to  join  the  ranks  of  the 
people  of  God.  May  Ruth’s  immor- 
tal words  inspire  us  today  to  think 
and  say  noble  things. 

Mrs.  Mary  J.  Toews 

Dear  Editor: 

It  is  time  that  I voice  my  appre- 
ciation for  this  church  paper.  Your 
article  about  post-office  wastebas- 
kets (May  26)  made  me  realize  that 
you  should  know  not  all  issues  of 
The  Mennonite  share  that  fate. 

I deeply  appreciate  the  scholcirly 
messages,  and  the  whole  paper  so 
attractively  laid  out.  It  is  a bridge 
between  the  busy  church  life  and 
us  scattered  in  lonely  posts.  One 
item  I would  welcome  in  this  paper 
is  more  beautiful  poetry. 

May  God  bless  the  ministries  of 
written  word. 

Sara  Lehn 
La  Crete,  Alberta 


504 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  youth 


One  Hundred  Seventy-Eight  in  Summer  Service 


The  following  people  were  in 
General  Conference  Summer 
Voluntary  Service  in  1959. 

Arizona:  Joy  Ann  Dirks,  Turpin, 
Oklahoma;  Irene  Friesen,  Hender- 
son, Nebraska;  Iris  Kaufman,  Free- 
man, South  Dakota;  Lois  Kopper, 
Arlington,  Kansas;  Esther  Preheim, 
Marion,  South  Dakota;  Juanita  Pre- 
heim, Hurley,  South  Dakota;  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Paul  Stucky,  McPherson, 
Kansas. 

Camp  Friedensvoald:  Anna  Grace 
Wiens,  Inmem,  Kansas. 

Camp  Mennoscah:  Kay  Ann 

Schrag,  McPherson,  Kansas. 

Camp  Sholom,  Kearney,  Ont.: 
Martha  Berger,  Arlington,  Kansas; 
Margaret  Wiens,  Rosetown,  Sask. 

Chicago:  Lois  Heidebrecht,  In- 
man, Kansas;  Marilyn  Mierau,  Hen- 
derson, Nebraska;  Elizabeth  Donna 
Rivers,  Wadsworth,  Ohio;  Charlotte 
Teichroew,  Mountain  Lake,  Minne- 
sota; Shirley  Unrau,  Lehigh,  Kan- 
sas; Dianne  Waltner,  Hurley,  South 
Dakota. 

Colombia:  Anne  Martens,  San- 

ford, Manitoba;  Anna  Marie  Peter- 
son, Mt.  Pleasant,  Iowa;  Gladys 
Russell,  Chicago,  Illinois;  Ray  Yo- 
der, Goshen,  Indiana. 

Eloy,  Arizona:  Mrs.  Dave  Wiebe, 
Newton,  Kansas. 

Fresno,  California:  Judy  Miller, 
Freeman,  South  Dakota;  Twyla 
Preheim,  Marion,  South  Dakota. 

Gulfport,  Mississippi:  Marina 

Dyck,  Drake,  Sask.;  Delores  Frey, 
Newton,  Kansas;  Arlyss  Hofer, 
Freeman,  South  Dakota;  Cora  Ann 
Miller,  Freeman,  South  Dakota;  Lu- 
ana  Reimer,  Canton,  Kansas;  Mary 
Jane  Unruh,  Tampa,  Kansas;  Ra- 
chel Vamado,  Chicago,  Illinois. 


Kansas  City:  Marie  Preheim, 

Marion,  South  Dakota;  Joyce 
Schmidt,  Inman,  Kansas;  Elizabeth 
Ann  Voth,  Inman,  Kansas;  Glennis 
Waltner,  Freeman,  South  Dakota. 

Meadowlark  Homestead  U nit, 
Newton,  Kan.:  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Daniel 
Mierau,  Aurora,  Nebraska. 

Mennonite  Youth  Farm:  Shirley 
Anne  Derksen,  Langham,  Sask.; 
Marjorie  Snyder,  Nappanee,  Indi- 
ana; Wilbur  Lorin  Litwiller,  Hope- 
dale,  Illinois. 

Montana:  Elaine  Duncan,  Win- 
field, Iowa;  Thomas  Engel,  Conger- 
ville,  Illinois;  Arlis  J.  Hege,  Aber- 
deen, Idaho;  Elaine  Schirmer,  Bir- 
ney,  Montana;  Edward  L.  Sand- 
crane,  Busby,  Montana. 

Oklahoma:  Glendene  Krause, 

HiUsboro,  Kansas;  Nadine  Nikkei, 
Canton,  Kansas;  Alice  Rempel, 
Rosthem,  Sask;  DeLmar  Rempel, 
Rosthem,  Sask.;  Evelyn  Schmidt, 
Canton,  Kansas;  Linda  Sebes,  Han- 
ston,  Kansas;  Judith  Voth,  Goessel, 
Kansas;  Margie  Wedel,  Ringwood, 
Oklahoma;  Ruth  Doerksen,  Inman, 
Kansas;  Margaret  Ruth  Enns,  In- 
man, Kansas;  Helena  Pauls,  Inman, 
Kansas. 

Paint  Bock,  North  Carolina:  Rose 
Ann  Frey,  Guide  Rock,  Nebraska; 
Shirley  Goertzen,  Mountain  Lake, 
Minnesota;  Mary  S.  Shavender, 
Stonewall,  North  Carolina;  Marcel- 
la Thieszen,  Henderson,  Nebraska. 

Teen-Age  Work  Camp,  Elkhart, 
Indiana:  Mrs.  Gerhard  Buhler, 

Freeman,  South  Dakota;  Gerhard 
Buhler,  Freeman,  South  Dakota; 
Ruth  Buhler,  Freeman,  South  Dako- 
ta; Verda  Epp,  Hillsboro,  Kansas; 
JoAnn  Ewert,  Hillsboro,  Kemsas; 
Ruth  Ewy,  Halstead,  Kansas;  Er- 


win Friesen,  Henderson,  Nebraska; 
Ivan  Friesen,  Henderson,  Nebraska; 
Edith  Funk,  Hillsboro,  Kansas; 
Ronald  Goossen,  Beatrice,  Nebras- 
ka; Wendell  Kaufman,  Moundridge, 
Kansas;  Vehna  Kroeker,  Henderson, 
Nebraska;  Doris  Nikkei,  North 
Newton,  Kansas;  LaVema  Penner, 
Hillsboro,  Kansas;  James  von  Rie- 
sen,  Beatrice,  Nebraska;  Sherwin 
Schrag,  Moundridge,  Kansas;  Leslie 
Siemens,  Buhler,  Kansas;  Erna 
Thieszen,  Henderson,  Nebraska; 
Donald  Quiring,  Henderson,  Ne- 
braska; Adelyn  Waltner,  Newton, 
Kansas;  Sharon  Waltner,  Freeman, 
South  Dakota;  Donald  Wiebe,  Beat- 
rice, Nebraska;  David  Yoder,  Bluff- 
ton,  Ohio. 

Thompson,  Manitoba:  Henry 

Dueck,  Winnipeg,  Manitoba;  Tony 
Enns,  Winnipeg,  Manitoba;  Jake 
Friesen,  Winnipeg,  Manitoba;  Al- 
fred Heinrichs,  Winnipeg,  Manitoba; 
Hielke  de  Jong,  Vineland,  Ontario; 
Ivan  Unger,  Rosthem,  Sask;  John 
Franz,  Eldmonton,  Alberta;  John 
Pankratz,  Watrous,  Sask.;  Henry 
Engebrecht,  Boisevain,  Manitoba; 
Ted  Klassen,  Gretna,  Manitoba; 
George  Peters,  Gnadenthal,  Manito- 
ba; David  Penner,  Winnipeg,  Mani- 
toba; Frank  Bergen,  Altona,  Mani- 
toba. 

SERVING  in  MCC  summer  units 
were  the  following  people. 
Brandon  Hospital  for  Mental  Dis- 
eases, Brandon,  Manitoba:  Harold 

Dyck,  Winkler,  Msinitoba;  Henry  L. 
Friesen,  Lena,  Mamitoba;  Henry  V. 
Friesen,  Eyebrow,  Sask.;  Helen 
Heinrichs,  Abbotsford,  B.C.;  Helen 
Rempel,  Sardis,  B.C.;  Joyce  Wil- 
liams, Rosthem,  Sask. 

Ninette  Sanatorium,  Ninette, 


August  18,  1959 


505 


Manitoba:  Norma  Braun,  Lowe 

Farm,  Manitoba;  Ema  Enns,  Sperl- 
ing, Manitoba;  Sigrid  Funk,  Winni- 
peg, Manitoba;  Joyce  Heinrichs, 
Lowe  Farm,  Manitoba. 

Winnipeg  Municipal  Hospitals, 
Winnipeg  13,  Manitoba:  Marie  Ber- 
gen, Stephenfield,  Manitoba;  John 
Braun,  Rosthern,  Sask;  Walter 
Braun,  Lowe  Farm,  Manitoba;  Ema 
Dick,  Rapid  City,  Manitoba;  Olga 
Dick,  Rapid  City,  Manitoba;  Judith 
Enns,  Winkler,  Manitoba;  Linda 
Epp,  Clearbrook,  B.C.;  Hazel  Hamm, 
Rosthern,  Sask.;  Elizabeth  Klassen, 
Hague,  Sask.;  Erica  Koop,  St.  Cath- 
arines, Ontario;  Esther  Neufeld, 
Didsbury,  Alberta;  Peter  Neufeld, 
Rosthern,  Sask;  Anne  Nickel,  Mia- 
mi, Manitoba;  Helen  Peters,  Car- 
stairs,  Alberta;  Hilda  Schroeder, 
Plum  Coulee,  Manitoba;  Bertha 
Tiessen,  Leamington,  Ontario;  Ron- 
ald Unger,  Saskatoon,  Sask.;  Elsie 
Unrau,  Altona,  Manitoba;  Nettie 
Wiebe,  Grunthal,  Manitoba;  Eliza- 
beth Wieler,  Vancouver,  B.  C.;  Elsie 
Sawatzky,  Killarney,  Manitoba. 

Manitoba  School,  Portage  la  Prai- 
rie, Manitoba:  Cornelius  Friesen, 
Homdeal,  Manitoba;  Erna  Grunau, 
Sardis,  B.  C.;  Martha  Klassen,  Rose- 
isle,  Manitoba;  Pauline  Klassen, 


Youth  News 

New  officers  of  the  Pacific  Dis- 
trict YPU,  elected  at  the  conference 
this  summer,  are:  Roland  Isaak, 

Aberdeen,  Idaho — second  vice  presi- 
dent; Leona  Schrag,  Odessa,  Wash. 
— secretary;  and  Allan  Tscheigg, 
Salem,  Ore. — pastor-adviser.  Officers 
continuing  from  before  are:  Clayton 
Auernheimer,  Reedley,  Calif. — presi- 
dent; Marvin  Rempel,  Dallas,  Ore. 
— first  vice  president  and  district 
youth  editor;  and  Lorena  Quiring, 
Dallas,  Ore. — treasurer. 

New  faces  in  the  Eastern  District 
cabinet  are:  Carol  Moyer  (Zion 

Church  in  Souderton),  fellowship 
area  chairman;  Doris  Moyer  (Deep 
Run  Church),  service  area  chair- 
man; and  Alice  Hetrick  (Bally), 
secretairy.  Henry  Grimm  was  re- 
elected as  pastor-counselor.  Ralph 
Shelly,  formerly  the  service  chair- 
man was  elected  to  the  vice  presi- 
dency. Barbara  Gottschall,  member 


Matsqui,  B.  C.;  Robert  Loewen,  Al- 
tona, Manitoba;  Ernest  Neufeld,  Ab- 
botsford, B.  C.;  Erika  Schmidt,  Sar- 
dis, B.  C.;  George  Schmidt,  Sardis, 
B.  C.;  Sara  Schroeder,  Abbotsford, 
B.  C.;  Cornelius  Toews,  Gretna, 
Manitoba;  Bernhard  Wiebe,  Lowe 
Farm,  Manitoba. 

Ontario  Hospital,  London,  On- 
tario: Doreen  Dueck,  Abbotsford, 

B.C.;  Cora  Enns,  Winkler,  Manito- 
ba; Victor  Loewen,  Steinbach,  Mani- 
toba; Anne  Neufeld,  Leamington, 
Ontario;  Henry  Peters,  Altona,  Ma- 
nitoba; Dave  Stoesz,  Altona,  Mani- 
toba; Hilda  Penner,  Winnipegosis, 
Manitoba. 

Camp  Paivika,  Crestline,  Califor- 
nia: Elfrieda  Driedger,  Leamington, 
Ontario;  Evelyn  Franz,  Inman,  Kan- 
sas; Louise  Friesen,  Whitewater, 
Kansas;  Patsy  Janzen,  York,  Ne- 
braska; Joleen  Krehbiel,  Pretty 
Prairie,  Kansas;  Evelyn  Unruh, 
Bloomfield,  Montana. 

Hastings  State  Hospital,  Hastings, 
Minnesota:  Gary  Epp,  Lincoln,  Ne- 
braska; George  Salisbury,  Monroe, 
Washington. 

Fergus  Falls  State  Hospital,  Fer- 
gus Falls,  Minnesota:  Anna  Herr, 

Goshen,  Indiana;  Loretta  Hilty, 
Versailles,  Missouri;  Luise  Kraft, 


of  the  Eden  Schwenksville  Church, 
was  elected  as  representative  on  the 
retreat  committee.  Continuing  of- 
ficers are  Ray  Hacker,  president; 
John  Blotter,  faith  and  life  chair- 
man; and  David  Bower,  treasurer. 

One  of  the  incentives  used  to  pro- 
mote attendance  at  the  General  Ses- 
sion of  the  Eastern  District  Confer- 
ence is  the  awarding  of  a plaque  to 
the  group  that  has  the  highest  per- 
centage of  members  present.  This 
year  the  Eden  Schwenksville  youth 
fellowship  received  the  plaque  for 
the  second  consecutive  year.  They 
had  eighty-five  per  cent  of  their 
membership  in  attendance. 

During  the  past  fiscal  year  the 
Eastern  District  YPU  celebrated 
four  “firsts”:  their  first  leadership 
training  clinic,  first  hayride,  first 
work  day  project,  and  their  first 
district  wide  exchange  night. 

Highlighting  the  YPU  activities 
at  the  Northern  District  Conference 
sessions  this  summer  was  a presen- 
tation of  work  in  Taiwan  by  Palmer 


Schwenksville,  Pennsylvania;  Don- 
ald Slaubaugh,  Walford,  North  Da- 
kota. 

Migrant  Service  Unit,  Hamilton, 
New  York:  Gwendolyn  Entz,  New- 
ton, Kansas;  Harriet  Mueller,  Free- 
man, South  Dakota. 

Institute  of  Logopedics,  Wichita, 
Kansas:  Nola  Epp,  Aurora,  Nebras- 
ka; Darryll  Graber,  Freeman,  South  ^ 
Dakota;  Judith  Harms,  Clinton,  ’ 

Oklahoma;  Winifred  Kaufman,  Mar-  ^ 
ion.  South  Dakota;  Miriam  Mitchell,  [ < 
Meadows,  Illinois;  Deanne  Pankratz,  1 
Freeman,  South  Dakota.  | ' 

National  Institutes  of  Health,  Be-  ' 
thesda,  Maryland:  James  Falk,  But- 
terfield, Minnesota;  Burton  Fretz, 
North  Newton,  Kansas;  Judith  ; 
Hilty,  Bluifton,  Ohio;  Barbara  Leh- 
man, Dalton,  Ohio;  Laura  Martin, 
Fairfield,  Pennsylvania;  David  Plaut, 
Goshen,  Indiana;  Jim  Schmidt,  Fem- 
dale,  Washington;  Joan  Shank,  Go- 
shen, Indiana;  Larry  Smucker,  | 
Bluffton,  Ohio;  Mary  Jo  Diller,  1 
Bluffton,  Ohio;  Wallace  Nyce,  Hat- 
field, Pennsylvania. 

Waterville  Migrant  Work,  Water- 
ville.  New  York:  Vernelle  Derksen, 
Mountain  Lake,  Minnesota;  Marlene 
Ruth,  Souderton,  Pennsylvania. 


and  Ardys  Becker  with  the  use  of 
slides  and  a tape  recording.  The 
Northern  District  YPU  is  giving 
money  for  the  partial  support  of 
Palmer  and  Ardys  while  they  are 
in  Taiwan. 

Sizing  up  the  list  of  summer  serv- 
ice personnel  which  appears  in  this 
issue:  sixty-nine  are  from  the  Can- 
adian district  (Bergthaler  churches 
included),  forty- three  from  Western 
District,  forty  from  the  Northern 
District,  nineteen  from  Central  Dis- 
trict, four  from  Eastern  District, 
and  three  from  Pacific  District,  mak- 
a total  of  a hundred  and  seventy- 
eight. 

Figured  up  in  percentages  (the 
number  of  summer  service  workers 
in  relation  to  the  population  of  each 
district)  the  picture  changes  a little. 
Northern  District  tops  the  list  with 
.711%,  Canadian  District  has  .417%, 
Western  District  has  .323%,  Central 
District  has  .233%,  Eastern  District 
has  .091%,  and  Pacific  District  has 
.089%. 


506 


THE  MENNONITE 


Speeches  from  Korea 


Two  National  Winners 


Koreans  want  to  learn  English. 
To  encourage  Korean  students  in 
using  good  English,  the  Korean 
Mennonite  Vocational  School  for 
orphan  hoys  at  Kyong  San  partici- 
pates in  a national  speech  contest. 
Students  prepare  and  deliver  their 
own  speeches.  Since  only  two  en- 
tries are  eligible  from  each  school, 
the  Mennonite  Vocational  School 
held  a preliminary  regional  contest. 
The  two  winning  contestants  pre- 
sented their  speeches  June  13,  1959, 
at  the  national  contest.  Here  they 
won  second  and  third  prizes.  Fol- 
lowing  are  portions  of  the  winning 
speeches  submitted  by  Mrs.  Leland 
Voth,  MCC  worker  in  Korea: 

Love’s  Power 

by  Cheh  Sahng  Yuli 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen,  do  you 
want  peace,  prosperity,  and  right 
living?  Of  course  you  will  say 
“yes.”  Do  you  know  what  can  bring 
true  peace  to  our  country  and  our- 
selves? It  is  love. 

A family  that  does  not  have  love 
cannot  be  a happy  family.  This  is 
also  true  of  our  nation.  If  we  do  not 
love,  we  cannot  have  peace  and 
prosperity.  There  are  many  things 
which  prevent  peace  in  our  country 
— jealousy,  dishonesty,  lewd  actions, 
selfishness,  and  anger. 

Many  people  who  work  in  govern- 
ment offices,  in  commerce  and  busi- 
ness are  only  interested  in  getting 
more  for  themselves,  so  are  deceiv- 
ing others  and  dishonest  in  their 
dealings.  Their  motives  are  always 
selfish  so  they  don’t  have  peace  in 
their  lives. 

I once  heard  a foreigner  in  this 
country  say,  “Korea  is  a wonderful 
and  beautiful  country  with  natural 
resources.  People  here  are  very  in- 
telligent and  resourceful.  Why  does- 
n’t Korea  have  peace?  Why  cannot 
Koreans  raise  their  standards?  It 
is  because  they  lack  love  and  so 
are  selfish  and  dishonest;  thy  lack 
peace  in  their  lives  and  so  are  con- 
sidered a backward  country  in  com- 
parison to  other  countries.  . . .” 

With  an  unjust,  selfish  govern- 


ment we  cannot  maintain  our  coun- 
try and  go  forward  to  a better 
life. 

Napoleon  was  a powerful  and  in- 
fluential leader  in  the  world.  When 
he  failed  to  win  the  battle  at  Water- 
loo, however,  he  was  banished  to 
Senta  Helena  Island.  Before  he  died 
there  he  said,  “I  failed  to  occupy 
all  the  world  with  great  force,  but 
the  Jesus  who  was  bom  in  Bethle- 
hem occupied  all  the  world  without 
a soldier  or  any  armed  force.  He 
occupied  this  world  only  with  love. 
Jesus  proved  that  love  is  more  pow- 
erful than  force.” 

Love  is  like  a flower.  When  it 
blossoms  its  beauty  penetrates  the 
mind,  giving  peace  to  our  heart.  . . . 
If  you  want  to  reconstruct  our  coun- 
try, love  your  neighbor  as  yourself. 
This  love  will  build  up  instead  of 
tear  down,  because  its  power  is 
great.  True  love  does  not  know  dis- 
honesty, selfishness,  and  anger  but 
only  peace. 

The  True  Road  to  Success 

by  Ee  Juhng  Eel 

As  you  know,  when  we  set  a high 
goal,  there  are  always  many  bar- 
riers in  the  way  to  success.  Does 
this  mean  that  we  should  lower  our 
standards?  Of  course  not!  Instead 
we  must  try  even  harder  to  bring 
forth  better  friends  from  our  hum- 
ble efforts. 

But  alas!  Many  of  us  students  in 
Korea  only  talk  about  our  ideas 
and  do  not  actually  accomplish  any- 
thing. Many  students  are  seen  in 
the  shadows  — drinking,  smoking, 
being  dishonest,  or  talking  about 
other  people’s  defects.  It  has  been 
reported  on  the  French  radio  that 
we  are  thieves,  gangsters,  and  for- 
nicators. Even  though  we  deny  their 
words,  we  must  take  a second  look 
at  their  accusations  and  determine 
if  there  is  some  truth  in  them. 

It  is  not  too  late  to  change  our 
hearts  to  do  good  and  concentrate 
on  our  objectives  of  improving  our 
status  and  reputation  and  lead  our- 
selves to  a brighter  future.  Some 
people  may  ask,  “But  how  can  we 


change  when  our  surroundings  are 
evil?”  Some  encouragement  to  these 
people  can  perhaps  be  found  in  the 
example  of  Joseph  Pulitzer  who 
came  from  a garlic-growing  town  in 
Hungary.  He  was  so  poor  that  his 
first  bed  in  America  was  a bench 
in  the  park.  One  cold  winter  night 
he  tried  to  warm  himself  in  a hotel 
lobby  and  was  kicked  out.  Even  in 
such  distress  he  continued  his  ef- 
forts to  succeed.  Twenty  years  later 
he  bought  the  same  hotel  for 
$635,000. 

Pulitzer  not  only  became  a re- 
markably successful  publisher,  but 
also  one  of  the  first  persons  to  build 
a skyscraper.  . . . Did  he  try  only 
with  his  mouth  to  succeed?  No!  He 
cherished  a steady  thought  and  fol- 
lowed it  through  with  much  effort 
in  spite  of  his  background  and  en- 
vironment. Today  many  of  us  dream 
of  a bright  future,  but  this  future 
can  only  be  bought  with  the  effort 
Mr.  Pulitzer  put  forth.  He  practiced 
what  he  preached. 

Secondly,  we  must  love  each  oth- 
er. There  are  many  kinds  of  love, 
but  the  kind  I refer  to  is  not  only 
love  between  members  of  a family, 
but  also  for  people  who  are  not  so 
lovable.  . . . The  only  true  love  is 
given  by  Christ  and  practiced  on 
the  seemingly  unlovable,  even  on 
beggars  (groaning  on  the  side  of 
the  road)  looking  for  some  food 
and  money  to  allow  them  to  exist 
a few  more  days.  With  love  in  our 
hearts,  our  hand  will  reach  into 
our  pocket  for  money  or,  if  neces- 
sary, will  take  the  coat  off  of  our 
backs.  True  love  is  difficult  to  prac- 
tice. It  loves  the  unlovely,  the  hate- 
ful, the  mean,  the  unco-operative, 
and  the  rebellious.  It  loves  in  spite 
of  what  others  do  or  say.  . . . 

This  love  is  not  impossible,  even 
though  we  as  humans  are  self- 
centered.  The  perfect  example  for 
us  to  follow  is  Christ.  He  loved 
even  those  who  tortured  Him  and 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People's  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  722 
Main  St.,  Newton,  Kansas. 


August  18,  1959 


507 


put  Him  on  the  cross.  He  told  us  to 
“Love  our  neighbors  as  ourselves.” 
If  we  can  strive  towards  this  goal, 
we  shall  help  our  nation,  our  people 
and  ourselves. 

As  patriotic  citizens  of  our  great 


our  schools 

BETHEL  CHORALE  ON  TOUR 

The  Bethel  College  Chorale  is 
making  several  appearances  at  the 
conference  sessions  at  Bluffton, 
Ohio. 

Going  to  and  from  Bluffton,  a 
number  of  concerts  were  scheduled 
in  Mennonite  churches  in  Missouri, 
Iowa,  Illinois,  Indiana,  Ohio,  and 
Ontario. 

First  stop  for  the  chorale  was  at 
Kansas  City,  August  9,  where  two 
appearances  were  scheduled.  Stops 
were  then  scheduled  on  successive 
days  at  Fortuna,  .Missouri;  Bloom- 
field, Iowa;  North  Danvers,  Illinois; 
Meadows,  Illinois;  and  Topeka,  Ind. 

After  the  Bluffton  conference  con- 
certs are  scheduled  at  Sugarcreek, 
Dalton,  and  Wadsworth,  Ohio. 
Crossing  into  Canada,  the  group 
will  sing  at  Vineland,  St.  Catharines, 
Lowbanks,  Waterloo,  and  Wheatley, 
Ontario. 

On  the  return  trip,  the  chorale 
wiU  sing  at  the  Mennonite  Biblical 
Seminary,  Elkhart,  Indiana;  Way- 
land,  Iowa;  and  Donnellson,  Iowa. 

The  group  spent  August  4-8 
on  the  Bethel  College  campus  re- 
hearsing under  the  direction  of 
David  H.  Suderman.  An  extensive 
repertoire  of  religious  selections  has 
been  prepared  for  this  concert  tour 
from  which  the  group  will  return 
August  31. 

BETHEL  REGISTRATION 

As  of  August  1,  a total  of  439 
students  have  been  registered  at 
Bethel  College  according  to  the  of- 
fice of  the  registrar. 

This  compares  with  last  year’s 
total  of  364  of  the  same  date. 

Freshman  applications  constitute 
160  of  this  year’s  total  as  compared 
to  137  a year  ago.  Altogether,  216 
new  students  have  been  accepted  in 
contrast  to  164  last  year. 

A total  of  223  former  students 
have  re-enrolled  while  a year  ago 
this  number  totaled  200. 


country  we  owe  Korea  the  best  we 
can  give.  As  we  think  about  the 
future  let  us  remember  that  suc- 
cess takes  effort  and  concentration 
upon  high  goals.  It  means  not  only 
talking  about,  but  practicing  what 


FACULTY  RETREAT 

Bethel  College  faculty  and  staff 
members  will  go  to  Camp  Webster, 
Salina,  Kan.,  September  3-4  for  their 
annual  faculty  study-retreat. 

Morning  devotions  on  both  days 
will  be  led  by  Vernon  Neufeld,  new 
member  of  the  faculty  in  the  area 
of  Bible. 

Among  the  retreat  speakers  will 
be  two  members  of  the  faculty  who 
were  on  leave  last  year;  J.  W.  Fretz 
who  was  in  South  America  and 
Eldon  Graber  who  served  at  Bluff- 
ton College,  Ohio. 

Harold  Gross  will  talk  on  the 
Christian  teacher  and  Erwin  Goer- 
ing  will  discuss  Voluntary  Service 
and  Christian  education. 

Russell  Mast,  pastor  of  the  Beth- 
el College  Church,  will  review  <7.  B. 
by  Archibald  Macleish,  the  book 
chosen  as  the  basis  for  this  year’s 
senior  comprehensive  examination. 

The  members  of  the  college  board 
of  directors  will  be  guests  of  the 
faculty  at  the  retreat. 

SCHOLARSHIPS  GRANTED 

Honor  scholarships  granted  to  en- 
tering freshmen  by  Bethel  College 
include  the  following  in  addition  to 
those  announced  earlier: 

Richard  Rempel  and  Howard 
Schmidt  from  Newton,  Kan.;  Bar- 
bara Burdette  from  Valley  Center; 
Brian  Eugene  Schrag,  Kingman; 
Gladys  Goertzen,  Hillsboro;  Nola 
Janzen,  Liberal;  Diane  Major,  Dor- 
rance;  Jeanne  Schmidt,  Walton;  V. 
Lynn  Simpson,  Augusta;  DeLayne 
Graber,  Freeman,  S.  D.;  Rita  Flig- 
inger.  Hurley,  S.  D.;  Irvin  Isaak, 
Aberdeen,  Idaho;  and  Eleanor  Hie- 
bert,  Mt.  Lake,  Minn. 

Music  scholarships  for  freshmen 
and  others  have  been  approved  for: 
Barbara  Claassen,  Newton;  Ruth 
Ewy,  Halstead;  John  Zerger,  King- 
man;  Harvey  Harms,  Vallejo,  Calif.; 
and  Rita  Fliginger,  Hurley,  S.  D. 

Richard  Hirschler,  Harbine,  Neb., 
who  did  not  use  the  honor  scholar- 
ship granted  him  in  1958,  was  ad- 
ded to  the  current  list  of  honor 
scholarships. 


we  say.  The  only  way  to  real  suc- 
cess for  us  and  for  our  country  is 
to  pave  the  way  with  a spirit  of 
true  love.  I hope  you  will  always 
remember  Joseph  Pulitzer’s  steady 
thought  and  Christ’s  love.  — ^MCC 


INSTRUCTOR  APPOINTED 

'The  most  recent  appointment  to 
the  Bluffton  College  faculty  is  Mari- 
ellen  Schellenberger  as  instructor  in 


women’s  physical  education.  Miss 
Schellenberger,  from  Buhler,  Kan- 
sas, graduated  from  Bethel  College 
in  1958  and  will  receive  her  Master 
of  Science  degree  from  Indiana 
University  in  September.  She  has 
also  attended  two  summer  sessions 
at  the  University  of  Colorado. 

In  addition  to  her  teaching  expe- 
rience, Miss  Schellenberger  has  had 
experience  as  counselor  or  in  other 
positions  in  various  camps  in  Colo- 
rado and  Indiana  and  spent  two 
summers  as  a volunteer  member  of 
the  Rocky  Mountain  Rescue  Group 
at  Boulder,  Colorado.  She  is  a mem- 
ber of  the  American  Recreation  So- 
ciety and  Women  in  Church  Voca- 
tions. 

BLUFFTON  REGISTRATION 

John  H.  Purves,  Bluffton  College 
admissions  counselor,  has  announced 
the  enrollment  for  this  fall  as  of 
August  1.  Thus  far,  118  freshmen 
have  been  admitted.  Nineteen  fresh- 
man applications  are  pending. 

Compared  to  similar  figures  of  a 
year  ago,  these  figures  indicate 
that  there  will  be  a slight  increase 
in  the  size  of  the  student  body. 


508 


THE  MENNONITE 


'■  OUR  SCHOOLS — Cent. 

“ HOHMANN  GRANTED  PH.D. 

; Rupert  Hohmann  of  the  Bethel 
College  faculty  has  been  notified 
that  Northwestern  University  at 
Evanston,  111.,  has  granted  him  the 
Doctor  of  Philosophy  degree  in 
music  history  and  literature. 

Hohmann’s  study  and  dissertation 
dealt  with  “The  Church  Music  of 
the  Old  Order  Amish  of  the  United 
States.” 

Through  the  use  of  recordings  of 
Amish  music  he  was  able  to  identify 
the  melodies  used  and  by  a study  of 
hymn  tune  sources,  he  traced  the 
melodies  to  their  original  tunes  of 
the  late  15th  and  early  16th  century. 

Hohmann,  son  of  Dr.  and  Mrs. 
Walter  H.  Hohmann,  is  known  lo- 
cally as  an  accomplished  violin  solo- 
ist having  appeared  with  the  New- 
ton Civic  Orchestra,  such  concert 
groups  as  the  Dutton  Concert  Trio, 
and  in  various  concert  recitals. 

A graduate  of  Bethel  College 
where  his  father  has  taught  music 
for  many  years,  Rupert  Hohmann 
was  granted  the  Master  of  Music 
degree  by  the  University  of  Wichita 
in  1951.  He  has  studied  violin  under 
Robert  Quick,  Jacob  Krachmalmick, 
and  David  Robertson,  now  dean  of 
the  Oberlin  Conservatory. 

During  this  period  he  also  worked 
in  instrumental  and  vocal  therapy 
at  the  Philadelphia  State  HospitM. 
At  present,  he  is  a member  of  the 
Wichita  Symphony  Orchestra. 

At  Bethel,  Dr.  Hohmann  will  teach 
instrumental  music  and  supervise 
and  conduct  orchestra,  band,  and 
instrumental  ensembles. 

BACCALAUREATE  SERVICE 

A baccedaureate  service  for  the 
1959  graduates  of  Mennonite  Hos- 
pital School  of  Nursing,  Blooming- 
ton, lU.,  will  be  held  Aug.  23  in  the 
I Carlock  Mennonite  Church,  Carlock, 
lU. 

' Special  music  for  the  occasion  will 
; be  presented  by  the  Carlock  church 
choir  and  by  the  student  nurses’  en- 
semble. Walter  McDowell,  peistor 
of  the  Groveland  Evangelical  Men- 
nonite Church,  will  lead  in  Scrip- 
ture reading  and  prayer.  R.  L. 

1 Hartzler,  president  of  the  hospital 
I board  of  trustees,  will  make  the 
1 presentations  of  Bibles  to  the  nurs- 
1 es.  Henry  J.  King,  pastor  of  the 
Bloomington  Mennonite  Church, 
will  give  the  address,  the  topic  of 


which  is:  “And  Who  Is  My  Neigh- 
bor?” Paul  Roth,  pastor  of  the 
Carlock  Mennonite  Church,  will  lead 
in  the  benediction. 


EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE  MEETS 

AKRON — MCC’s  role  in  helping 
Far  Eastern  refugees  in  Calcutta 
and  Hong  Kong  will  be  high  on  the 
agenda  for  the  Executive  Commit- 
tee in  Akron  August  29.  Executive 
Secretary  William  T.  Snyder,  just 
back  from  his  81-day  visit  to  MCC 
overseas  projects,  will  report  obser- 
vations of  the  needs  of  these  two 
refugee  concentrations  as  well  as 
present  other  program  recommen- 
dations growing  out  of  his  trip. 
Also  scheduled  during  the  August 
29  meeting  is  discussion  with  repre- 
sentatives of  the  Lancaster  Menno- 
nite Conference  concerning  total 
MCC  outreach  and  witness. 

VSERS  BEGIN  SERVICE 

AKRON- — Twenty-five  Voluntary 
Service  persons  who  participated  in 
orientation  Aug.  3-7  were  assigned 
to  various  positions  in  seven  loca- 
tions. 

Newfoundland:  To  begin  the  1959 
school  year  in  Newfoundland  ten 
teachers  will  work  in  six  commu- 
nity schools.  Since  1951,  forty-one 
teachers  have  taught  a total  of  fifty- 
four  school  years  in  Newfoundland. 
They  have  taught  in  isolated  and 
often  inadequately  equipped  schools 
which  would  have  remained  closed 
or  served  by  poorly  qualified  teach- 
ers. 

Before  leaving  for  their  assign- 
ments Aug.  11,  the  Newfoundland 
VSers  met  in  Kitchener-Waterloo, 
Ont.,  for  a three-day  stay  in  the 
vicinity.  A farewell  and  commis- 
sioning service  was  planned  for  the 
group  Sunday,  Aug.  9,  at  the  First 
Mennonite  Church,  Kitchener.  The 
farewell  session,  which  pointed  out 
the  VS  avenue  of  Christian  serv- 
ice, was  open  to  cdl  area  churches. 
Bishop  J.  B.  Martin,  moderator  of 
the  Ontario  Mennonite  Conference 
and  MCC  member,  will  speak  and 
offer  the  commissioning  prayer. 

The  following,  identified  with  their 
designated  communities,  are  en- 
route  to  their  assigned  schools: 
Alice  Bartsch  (Abbotsford,  B.  C.) 
and  Doris  Martin  (Lancaster,  Pa.), 
Twillingate;  Fern  Cender  (Gibson 
City,  111.),  St.  Anthony;  Mr.  and 


Mrs.  Lowell  Detweiler  (Mio,  Mich), 
Wild  Cove;  Marvin  Friesen  (Hills- 
boro, Kan.),  St.  Anthony  Bight; 
Harry  Isaac  (Meade,  Kan.)  and 
Henry  Kliewer  (Ulysses,  Kan.), 
Woodstock;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harry 
Taylor  (Bluffton,  Ohio),  Wild  Bight. 

The  following  nurses  will  join 
other  MCC  nurses  to  assist  with 
the  medical  service  in  Newfound- 
land : Carolyn  Swartzendruber 

(Minier,  111.),  Twillingate;  Fannie 
Yoder  (Charlottesville,  Va.),  St. 
Anthony.  Lina  Yoder  (Lancaster, 
Pa.)  will  begin  her  service  in  Janu- 
ary. 

Haiti:  Haiti  appointments  will 
have  three  more  VSers  serving  in 
Hospital  Albert  Schweitzer  and  in 
community  improvement  work.  Ron- 
ald C.  Yoder  (Kalona,  Iowa)  and 
James  P.  Schertz  (Lowpoint,  111.) 
will  assist  in  a new  Haitian  agricul- 
tural development.  Rev.  Shirer,  an 
experienced  missionary,  will  super- 
vise the  project.  Agnes  Martens 
(Clearbrook,  B.  C.)  will  serve  as  a 
nurse  in  Hospital  Albert  Schweitzer. 

United  States:  Kings  View  Hos- 
pital, Reedley,  Calif. — Matilda  Ber- 
gen (Drake,  Sask.),  Lorraine  Brown 
(Winkler,  Sask.),  Wilma  Loewen, 
(Glenbush,  Sask.). 

Children’s  Center,  Laurel,  Md. — 
Joyce  Albrecht  (Grabill,  Ind.),  Mar- 
guerite Schultz  (Glendive,  Mont.). 

Boys  Village  Smithville,  Ohio — 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Thiessen  (Van- 
couver, B.  C.). 

Brook  Lane  Farm,  Hagerstown, 
Md. — Dorothy  Delagrange  (Wood- 
burn,  Ind.). 

Akron  Staff  — Rosalie  Bartel 
(Hillsboro,  Kan.)  and  John  Unruh 
(Freeman,  S.  D.) 

PROGRESS  EVIDENT  IN  GREECE 

GREECE — After  several  weeks  in 
Greece,  Pax  leader  Larry  Eisenbeis 
(Marion,  S.  D.)  sends  optimistic  re- 
ports of  the  nation’s  development 
since  1955.  Eisenbeis  performed  his 
Pax  service  in  Tsakones,  Greece, 
1953-55. 

“In  Tsakones  there  are  many 
changes  since  four  years  ago.  A 
rash  of  building  has  occurred  in- 
cluding homes,  bams,  and  storage 
facilities  for  crops.  Another  evi- 
dence of  prosperity  is  the  many  bi- 
cylces  one  sees  about  the  village. 
Four  years  ago  the  bicycles  in  the 
village  could  be  counted  on  the 
fingers  of  one  hand.  Virtually  all 
the  families  have  rabbits,  whereas 


August  18,  1959 


509 


four  years  ago  only  two  or  three 
families  kept  them.  Except  for  a 
few  families  who  are  at  the  bottom 
of  the  totem  pole,  the  day  when 
entire  families  have  to  work  for 
hire  to  pay  for  the  barest  essen- 
tials is  past. 

“What  I have  seen  of  Greece 
seems  to  have  progressed  greatly. 
If  the  number  of  new  gas  stations 
is  any  indication  of  the  increase  in 
tractors,  trucks,  and  cars,  it  is  not 
an  overstatement  to  say  that  their 
number  has  tripled.  In  Saloniki  and 
Edessa  modernization  of  stores  and 
storefronts,  plus  many  new  build- 
ings, as  well  as  an  increase  in  vari- 
ety of  merchandise,  goods,  and  serv- 
ices is  the  trend.” 

INTERNATIONAL  YOUTH  WORK 

EUROPE  — Mennonite  Voluntary 
Service,  a European  workcamp  or- 
ganization supported  by  Mennonites 
of  Germany,  France,  Holland,  Swit- 
zerland, and  North  America,  is  an- 
other service  channel  through  which 
Pax  makes  a contribution.  Taking 
part  in  this  summer’s  sixteen  work- 
camps  will  be  300  volunteers  from 
25  different  countries.  Included  in 
this  number  are  sixteen  Paxmen. 
Work  to  be  undertaken  in  the  camps 
includes  landscaping  a new  chil- 
dren’s home,  laying  block  for  a new 
church,  and  helping  to  build  a new 
youth  center. 

From  May  24  to  June  27  young 
people  from  Sweden,  America,  Ger- 
many, Denmark,  Holland,  Spain, 
and  Finland  stepped  outside  their 
usual  roles  as  teachers,  nurses,  and 
semi-professional  laborers  to  spend 
five  weeks  of  international  fellow- 
ship together.  They  constructed  a 
home  for  retarded  children  at  the 
Treffen,  Austria,  MVS  workcamp. 

Paxmen  formed  the  backbone  of 
the  Treffen  workcamp.  A former 
paxman,  Dave  Gingerich  (Chappell, 
Neb.)  writes: 

“The  administrator  of  the  Evan- 
gelische  Children’s  Home  near  Vil- 
lach,  Austria,  handed  over  the  tools, 
building  plan,  and  materials,  along 
with  his  blessing  and  let  the  camp- 
ers go  ahead.  The  four  Paxmen  got 
things  going  since  no  one  else  had 
the  slightest  idea  how  to  go  about 
building  a house.  In  spite  of  the 
inexperienced  workers,  the  house 
began  to  emerge. 

“Progress,  yes.  Progress  in  inter- 
national relations,  human  under- 
standing, and  spiritual  growth  were 


a part  of  our  camp  experience.  We 
were  a mixed  group  in  many  ways 
but  the  diversities  made  little  dif- 
ference.” 

BEGINNING  PERSONNEL 

KOREA  — Harry  Harms  (Green- 
dale,  B.  C.)  who  served  in  Pax  in 
Taegu,  Korea,  1954-1957  will  return 
to  Korea  to  direct  the  material  aid 
distribution.  He  is  scheduled  to  ar- 
rive in  Korea  Aug.  26.  Harms,  who 
is  replacing  Joseph  Smucker  (Go- 
shen, Ind.),  will  work  with  Jacob 
Klassen,  MCC  director  in  Korea. 

INDONESIA  — Having  completed 
an  orientation  period  at  Akron  MCC 
headquarters  and  at  the  Church 
World  Service  center  in  New  York 
City,  Melvin  Schmidt  (Newton, 
Kan.)  has  been  assigned  to  a three- 
year  term  in  Indonesia.  He  is  sched- 
uled to  arrive  in  Djkarta,  Indonesia, 
Aug.  21. 

Schmidt  replaces  Carl  Hurst  who 
completed  his  term  June  25.  On 
loan  to  Indonesian  Council  of 
Churches,  Schmidt’s  responsibilities 
include  distribution  of  surplus  foods 
and  handling  correspondence  in  be- 
half of  the  Indonesian  Council  of 
Churches.  Schmidt  attended  Hesston 
College,  Hesston,  Kan.,  and  is  a 
1959  graduate  of  Bethel  College, 
North  Newton,  Kan. 

EUROPE — Rev.  and  Mrs.  Clar- 
ence Hiebert  and  son  Tim  (Enid, 
Okla.)  and  Elsie  Bechtel  (Canton, 
Ohio)  arrived  in  Europe  Aug.  15. 
They  left  the  US  Aug.  6 aboard  the 
Maasdam. 

Rev.  Hiebert’s  duties  as  Pax  pas- 
tor include  visitations  to  European 
Pax  units,  counseling  with  individ- 
ual Paxmen,  and  making  a library 
service  available  to  the  men.  He 
will  also  have  opportunities  to  meet 
with  European  Mennonites.  Miss 
Bechtel  will  serve  as  a matron  at 
one  of  the  Pax  units. 

jottings 

NEW  PARSONAGE  PURCHASED 

Woodland  Church,  W a r r o a d, 
Minn.:  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sam  Fast  of 
the  Ponemah  Indian  reservation 
spoke  at  our  July  4 program  and 
also  showed  slides  of  the  work 
there.  The  Ladies’  Aid  met  at  the 
church  on  July  10  with  Mrs.  Frank 
Heppner  as  hostess.  Quilt  blocks 
were  cut  and  bandages  were  rolled. 
New  sheets  and  underwear  were 
brought  for  relief.  A new  parsonage 


has  been  purchased.  Pastor  Gies-  S 
brecht  and  his  family  moved  in  g 
July  15.  We  want  to  welcome  our  ( 
new  pastor  and  wish  him  God’s  c 
blessings  as  he  takes  over  his  work  “ 
here.  A farewell  for  our  former  t 
pastor.  Rev.  Arthur  Ortmann,  was  1 
held  July  16.  He  will  be  taking  over  s 
work  at  Middlebro,  Man.  Mr.  and  i 
Mrs.  Lawrence  Fast,  Sam  Mitter-  I 
ling,  and  Jim  Krahn,  who  are  in 
1-W  service  in  Minneapolis,  spent 
the  weekend  with  their  parents  re- 
cently. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nick  Fast 
drove  along  with  Rev.  Ortmann  and 
family  to  Meniseno,  Man.,  where 
he  showed  interesting  slides.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  D.  S.  Heppner  and  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  John  Harder  and  Jerry 
drove  to  Butterfield,  Minn.,  to  at- 
tend the  funeral  of  Mrs.  Jake  Lapp. 
Film  for  the  month  was  entitled 
“Cain  and  Abel  and  Lazarus”  and 
dealt  especially  with  1-W  work.  A 
young  people’s  rally  was  held  at 
our  pastor’s  home  on  July  31. — ^Mrs. 
Nick  Fast 

FAREWELL  FOR  PASTOR 

Immanuel  Church,  Delft,  Minn.: 
March  20  farewell  services  were  , 
held  for  Pastor  and  Mrs.  Walter  j 
McDowell  with  A.  H.  Schultz  of  the 
Gospel  Mennonite  Church  as  main 
speaker.  Special  pre-Easter  services 
were  held  March  22-27,  with  L.  W.  i 
Harder  from  Alsen,  N.  D.,  as  speak-  * 
er.  Pastor  McDowell  gave  his  last 
message  on  Easter  Sunday  morn- 
ing, after  which  they  left  for  their 
new  pastorate  at  the  Groveland 
Mennonite  Church  at  Pekin,  111.  A- 
mong  those  who  have  ministered  to 
us  at  our  Sun.  morning  worship 
services  since  are:  Ben.  J.  Nickel, 

J.  J.  Esau,  the  Gideons,  Merle 
Christiansen,  Marvin  Wall,  Clayton 
Goertzen,  and  Bob  Radtke.  Sun. 
eve.  May  31,  Ben  J.  Nickel  showed 
slides  from  Alaska.  June  1-12  daily 
vacation  Bible  school  was  held  at 
the  Delft  school  with  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Marvin  Wall  as  directors.  We  had 
our  Children’s  Day  program  on 
June  28  in  the  evening.  Mary  Buh- 
ler,  missionary  of  Panama,  was  the 
special  speaker.  June  29  Missionary 
and  Mrs.  Albert  Jantzen  of  Oraibi, 
Arizona,  spoke  at  our  church  and 
told  of  their  work. — Corr. 

MISSION  STUDIES  HELD 

Springfield  Church,  Pleasant  Val- 
ley, Pa.:  Our  missionary  society 

had  interesting  studies  of  our  mis- 
sion work  in  Mexico  and  Canada. 
Miss  Janet  Soldner  gave  a talk  on 
her  mission  work  in  S.  A.  Paul 
Hunsberger,  a member  of  the  mis- 
sion board,  presented  the  mission 
work  being  done  in  Paint  Rock, 

N.  C.  Our  ladies  visited  the  Deep 
Run  W.M.A.  in  April.  The  West 


510 


THE  MENNONITE 


i- 1 Swamp  C.  E.  visited  our  group  and 
a gave  a very  interesting  program, 
r Our  C.  E.  took  the  program  to  Sau- 
j con  Church  April  5.  The  topic  was: 
s “Exercising  Our  Faith.”  DVBS  was 
r held  June  15-26.  Average  attendance 
i for  the  two  weeks  was  99.  The  mis- 
r sion  otfering  of  $43.13  was  sent  to 
i Japan.  Christmas  bundles  were 
• brought  by  the  primary  dept,  with 
1 the  quarterly  mission  offerings.  A 
: number  of  our  pupils  have  been  at- 

■ tending  the  retreats  at  Men-O-Lan. 
The  youth  choir  participated  in  the 
Junior  Choir  Festival  in  Lansdale, 
May  17. — Corr. 

TWO  MEN  ORDAINED 

Gospel  Church,  Mt.  Lake.  Minn.; 
An  impressive  service  of  unique  in- 
terest was  held  Sunday  evening, 
July  19,  at  which  time  two  young 
men  of  the  congregation  were  or- 
dained for  the  gospel  ministry. 
Glendon  Klaassen,  son  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Jacob  A.  Klaassen  was  or- 
dained to  the  ministry  and  he  and 
his  wife  were  commissioned  as  mis- 
sionaries. Abe  Krause,  son  of  Mrs. 
Peter  Krause,  was  ordained  as  an 
elder  in  the  General  Conference. 
The  service  was  begun  with  general 
singing  after  which  J.  J.  Esau  led 
in  the  devotional  period  and  prayer. 
Pastor  A.  H.  Schultz  gave  the  or- 
dination sermon  and  the  men’s 
, chorus  of  the  church  furnished  the 
special  music.  Willard  Wiebe,  North- 
ern District  Conference  president 
and  member  of  the  General  Con- 
ference Mission  Board,  performed 

■ the  ordination  rites.  The  ministers 
participating  in  the  laying  on  of 
hands  included  A.  H.  Schultz,  J.  J. 
Esau,  H.  H.  Quiring,  and  I.  J.  Dick. 
Following  the  ordination  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Klaassen  and  Mr.  Krause  gave 
brief  words  of  response.  After  the 
closing  prayer  by  Pastor  Schultz, 
an  informal  time  for  fellowship  and 
lunch  was  enjoyed  by  the  friends 
and  relatives  who  gathered  for  the 
occasion.  The  Klaassens  with  their 
two  boys,  Mark  and  Steven,  will  be 
leaving  for  Costa  Rica  the  latter 
part  of  August  for  a year  of  lan- 
guage before  going  to  South  Amer- 
ica. They  have  been  accepted  by 
the  General  Conference  Mission 

i Board  for  mission  work  in  Colom- 
bia, S.  A.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Krause  wiU 
assume  the  pastorate  of  the  Eden 
Mennonite  Church  at  Inola,  Okla. 

COLLEGE  STUDENT  SPEAKS 

Walton  Church,  Walton,  Kan.; 
Charles  Flowers,  a Bethel  College 
student  from  Gulfport,  Miss.,  spoke 
at  our  youth  fellowship  April  5.  Mrs. 
Hector  Valencia,  a missionary  to 
Colombia,  S.  A.,  brought  the  morn- 
ing message  April  13.  J.  J.  Esau 
of  Mountain  Lake  preached  May 


3.  Our  congregation  has  voted  to 
ask  C.  D.  Boese  to  be  our  pastor  for 
three  more  years.  David  Richard 
was  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Richard 
E.  Janzen  on  May  27.  Melvin 
Schmidt,  a ’59  graduate  of  Bethel 
College,  was  our  guest  minister 
June  7,  while  our  pastor  was  vaca- 
tioning in  Oklahoma.  Joleen  Klas- 
sen,  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Men- 
no  Klassen,  was  married  June  28,  to 
Max  Seacat,  son  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
C.  N.  Seacat  of  Bucklin,  Kan.  Janet 
Soldner,  missionary  to  Colombia, 
spoke  to  our  June  30  mission  so- 
ciety meeting — Harold  Peters. 

JOINT  MISSION  SOCIETY  MEETING 

Butterfield  Church,  Butterfield, 
Minn.:  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harold  Wol- 
ston  of  San  Antonio,  Tex.,  spoke 
at  our  C.  E.  program  June  14.  On 
the  following  Tues.  our  senior  mis- 
sion society  entertained  members 
of  the  Mary-Martha  Society  and 
the  mission  society  of  the  north 
church.  Guest  speaker  was  Edna 
Buller  of  Mountain  Lake.  On  June 
19  vacation  Bible  school  children 
held  their  picnic  in  the  local  park 
and  preseijited  a program  in  the 
high  school  auditorium  in  the  eve- 
ning. On  June  21  Casey  Lloyd  of 
our  fellowship  showed  interesting 
colored  slides  he  took  on  his  recent 
travels  in  Germany,  France,  and 
Spain.  Our  young  people  met  in 
New  Ulm  for  fellowship  and  devo- 
tions on  the  last  Sunday  in  June. 

PEACE  TEAM  GIVES  PROGRAM 

Tiefengrund  Church,  Laird, 
Sask.,  Canada:  On  April  19  a pro- 
gram was  presented  by  a choir  of 
the  Rosthern  Junior  College  with 
A.  Dahl  directing.  Elmer  Richert 
spoke  on  1 Corinthians  3:11  and 
showed  what  constitutes  a good 
foundation.  Otto  Driedger,  a social 
worker  at  Prince  Albert  rendered 
the  message  at  the  Sunday  evening 
service.  May  3.  Taking  his  cue  from 
Caleb  (Joshua  14),  he  visualized  the 
conquering  of  enemies’  strongholds 
in  spite  of  almost  insurmountable 
difficulties.  At  the  baptismal  serv- 
ice, May  18,  Marianna  Neufeldt  was 
the  sole  candidate.  The  Communion 
service  was  held  June  7.  The  annual 
brotherhood  meeting  of  the  Rosen- 
ort  Church  with  its  four  other 
branches  took  place  at  Tiefengrund 
on  June  10.  Walter  Fimk  was  elected 
as  delegate  to  the  Canadian  Confer- 
ence. The  peace  team  presented 
their  course  July  10.  George  Neufeld 
said  that  the  origin  of  strife  is  sin. 
Unlike  the  world  which  meets  evil 
on  the  same  physical  level  upon 
which  it  was  committed,  the  Chris- 


tian must  meet  evil  by  the  Way  of 
the  Cross.  Menno  Wiebe,  with  a 
background  of  Christian  service  and 
with  the  help  of  slides  portrayed  the 
positive  Christian  witness  in  needy 
areas.  — Corr. 

SIX  NEW  MEMBERS  ADDED 

Bethany  Church,  Kingman,  Kan.: 
On  May  10  six  members  were  ad- 
ded to  the  church  through  baptism. 
May  17  we  observed  Communion. 
On  June  7 Rev.  and  Mrs.  Paul 
Tschetter  were  present  and  deliv- 
ered the  morning  sermon.  Myron 
Schrag,  son  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dave 
Schrag,  of  Norwich,  left  in  June 
for  a two  year  period  of  service  at 
the  Ailsa  Craig  Boys  Farm  in  On- 
tario, under  the  MCC  service  pro- 
gram. Rev.  and  Mrs.  Frank  Fotho- 
polas  brought  us  the  sermon  and  a 
special  number  in  song  on  June  28. 
William  Unruh  showed  slides  and 
Rev.  and  Mrs.  John  Gaeddert  fa- 
vored us  with  a duet.  On  Aug.  2 
Rev.  and  Mrs.  Erwin  Albrecht  were 
present  and  brought  us  the  morning 
sermon.  All  these  visitors  mentioned 
came  to  visit  their  parents  and  were 
former  members  from  our  church. 

into  the  beyond 

Raymond  Relph  of  Rialto,  Calif., 
and  member  of  the  First  Mennonite 
Church  of  Upland  was  bom  Decem- 
ber 16,  1906,  and  died  June  6,  1959. 

Mary  C.  Brand  of  Cucamonga, 
Calif.,  and  member  of  the  First 
Mennonite  Church  of  Upland,  was 
born  March  20,  1868,  and  died  July 
24,  1959. 

Anna  N.  Gery  (nee  Clemmer)of 
East  Greenville,  Pa.,  and  member 
of  the  Hereford  Mennonite  Church, 
Bally,  was  born  November  27,  1904, 
and  died  July  26,  1959. 

mutual  aid  placement 

PERSONNEL  WANTED 

Physical  Therapist^ — Excellent  open- 
ing in  a Mennonite  general  hospital 
for  a trained  physical  therapist.  For 
information  contact:  Mutual  Aid, 

722  Main,  Newton,  Kan.  (No.  594) 

Matron — Christian  lady  needed  for 
excellent  opportunity  in  a Menno- 
nite home  for  the  aging.  Qualifica- 
tions include  a liking  for  older  per- 
sons, a pleasing  personality,  and  a 
desire  to  be  a friend  to  others. 
Contact:  Mutual  Aid,  722  Main, 

Newton,  Kan.  (No.  595) 


August  18,  1959 


511 


conference  notes 

NEW  MODERATOR  ELECTED 

J.  M.  Pauls  of  Winkler,  Man.,  is 
the  new  moderator  of  the  Confer- 
ence of  Mennonites  in  Canada.  He 
succeeds  J.  J.  Thiessen  of  Saska- 
toon, Sask.,  who  held  this  position 
for  many  years.  Henry  Poettcker, 
Winnipeg,  Man.,  is  vice  president; 
and  Henry  H.  Epp,  Waterloo,  Ont., 
is  secretary.  Elections  were  held  at 
the  annual  conference  in  Clear- 
brook,  B.  C.,  July  4-8. 

S.  A.  SEMINARY  TO  BUILD 

The  need  for  a larger  educational 
plant  was  discussed  at  the  June 
meeting  of  the  board  of  the  Menno- 
nite  seminary  in  South  America, 
Seminario  Biblico  Evangelico.  A- 
greement  was  reached  on  planning 
for  buildings  capable  of  housing 
sixty  single  students  and  ten  fam- 
ilies. 

The  seminary  emphasizes  high 
academic  standards  coupled  with  a 
vision  of  Christian  service  and  dedi- 
cation characteristic  of  a school 
pledged  to  the  preparation  of  mis- 
sionary personnel  for  the  evangeli- 
zation of  Latin  America. 

Professor  Ernst  Harder,  Gen- 
eral Conference  representative  on 
the  seminary  board,  has  been  asked 
to  assume  responsibilities  as  sem- 
inary director  during  the  second 
semester  while  President  Litwiller 
is  in  North  America. 

OPENINGS  FOR  TEACHERS 
AT  CHRISTIAN  MEDICAL  COLLEGES 

The  Christian  Medical  Colleges  at 
Ludhiana  and  Vellore,  India,  are  ur- 
gently asking  for  medical  faculty 
members  for  current  vacancies. 
Their  capable  Indian  staffs  must  be 
reinforced  by  specialists  who  have 
had  about  five  years  teaching  ex- 
perience. 

At  present  forty-nine  non-Indian 
doctors  are  serving  on  these  facul- 
ties as  missionaries  of  their  re- 
spective churches  in  Canada,  Bri- 
tain, Australia,  Europe,  and  the 
United  States.  Our  own  church  co- 
operates with  fifty-five  others  in 
the  provision  of  funds  or  personnel. 

The  vacancies  are  in  these  de- 
partments : physiology,  pathology, 
preventive  medicine,  urology  and 


general  surgery,  radiology,  anato- 
my, pharmacology,  pediatrics,  and 
gynecology.  Also  there  is  a re- 
quest for  a general  works  manager. 
Most  of  these  are  permanent  posi- 
tions, but  shorter  terms  will  be 
considered. 

Please  direct  inquiries  to  your  de- 
nominational missionary  personnel 
secretary,  O.  A.  Waltner,  722  Main 
Street,  Newton,  Kan.,  or  to  the  Vel- 
lore-Ludhiana  Joint  Office,  156  Fifth 
Avenue,  New  York  10,  N.Y. 

VS  IN  PARAGUAY 

The  Paraguay  Leprosy  Project 
offers  an  outlet  for  Voluntary  Serv- 
ice ( Christlicher  Dienst)  to  young 
people  and  others  of  the  Menno- 
nite  colonies.  Coming  for  terms  of 
three  months  to  a year,  three  hun- 
dred Mennonites  have  had  a part 


Herman  and  Alice  Walde  of 
Kindersley,  Sask.,  are  beginning 
their  ministry  at  Sailing,  Oklahoma, 
this  month.  They  are  taking  over 
the  work  from  Mr.  and  Mrs.  H.  T. 
Neufeld  who  are  retiring  from  ac- 
tive missionary  service. 

The  work  in  Oklahoma  for  the 
Board  of  Missions  of  the  General 
Conference  Mennonite  Church  is  a- 
mong  the  Cheyenne  Indians.  The 
Waldes  will  conduct  various  church 
activities  at  Sailing,  Fonda,  and 


in  this  work  which  was  begun  as 
an  expression  of  gratitude  to  the 
Paraguayan  government. 

Dr.  and  Mrs.  John  R.  Schmidt  of 
the  General  Conference  Mennonite 
Church  are  in  charge  of  this  work 
which  is  supported  by  Mennonite 
Central  Committee  and  American 
Leprosy  Missions,  Inc.  The  Board  of 
Missions  contributes  to  the  support 
of  a pastor  from  the  colonies  to 
serve  the  patients  and  staff  of  the 
project. 

Voluntary  Service  in  Paraguay 
was  begun  in  1957,  and  is  another 
indication  of  the  awakening  of  Men- 
nonites all  over  the  world  to  their 
opportunities  and  responsibilities  as 
Christians.  Besides  the  service  giv- 
en to  the  leprosy  project,  VS  work- 
ers have  been  assigned  to  a hospital 
for  the  mentally  ill,  a TB  hospital, 
and  a children’s  home  in  Asuncion. 


Canton.  Mr.  Walde  will  also  alter- 
nate with  other  missionaries  in 
leading  the  worship  services  at  the 
Concho  Indian  School  where  a large 
number  of  Cheyenne  young  people 
attend. 

Mr.  Walde  is  a graduate  of  Cana- 
dian Mennonite  Bible  College  and 
Bluffton  College.  He  studied  at 
Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary,  Elk- 
hart, Ind.,  for  two  years.  Mrs. 
Walde  is  a registered  nurse,  former- 
ly of  Chilliwack,  B.  C. 


NEW  MISSIONARIES  TO  OKLAHOMA 


COVER 

Luoma  Photos 


ARTICLES 

BUILDERS  FOR  ETERNITY 

By  Erland  Waltner  515 

ALL  THINGS  TO  ALL  MEN 

By  H.  A.  Driver  518 

INFORMATION  ON  COLOMBIA 
By  Orlando  Waltner  518 

DEPARTMENTS 

MENNONITE  MEN 

AVOID  THAT  SLUMP  520 

EDITORIALS  514 

MENNONITE  YOUTH 

Modern  Day  Moses  521 

Need  an  Idea?  523 

OUR  SCHOOLS  524 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  524 

JOTTINGS  525 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  528 


of  things  to  come 

Aug.  24-29 — "Faith  and  Life"  radio 
speaker,  KJRG,  Newton,  Kan.:  Orlo 
Kaufman. 

Aug.  30 — Freeman  Junior  College  opens 
Aug.  31 -Sept.  5 — "Faith  and  Life"  radio 
speaker,  KJRG,  Newton,  Kan.;  Philip 
A.  Wedel. 

Sept.  8 — Bethel  College  opens 
Sept.ll — Bluffton  College  opens 
Sept.  25 — Rosthern  Junior  College  opens 
Sept.  29 — Canadian  Mennonite  Bible  Col- 
lege opens 

Oct.  4 — Western  District  Sunday  School 
Convention,  Halstead  High  School 
Auditorium,  Halstead,  Kan. 

Oct.  4 — World  Communion  Sunday 
Oct.  12 — Canadian  Thanksgiving  Day 
Oct.  24-27 — West.  Dist.  Conference 
Nov.  1 — Reformation  Sunday 
Nov.  26 — Thanksgiving  Day  (U.S.) 

Dec.  1-4 — Council  of  Boards 
Dec.  13 — Universal  Bible  Sunday 


THE  MEMNONITE 

Editor;  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 

J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Assistant:  Muriel 

Thiessen.  Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  33 


editorials 

WHAT  GOD  HATH  WROUGHT  Now  that  we  are  beginning’ 
the  centennial  anniversary  of  our  General  Conference  we  are 
made  more  keenly  aware  of  the  influence  of  far-sighted  leaders 
upon  our  present  generation.  They  had  visions  of  religious  edu- 
cation and  training  that  are  now  being  emphasized  more  and 
more.  Our  colleges  are  growing;  our  seminary  has  had  a good 
year  in  its  new  Elkhart  location.  Our  Sunday  schools  are  being 
supplied  with  fine  lesson  material.  Our  missions  continue  to 
hold  great  interest. 

Of  special  interest  is  the  opening  of  new  opportunities  for  our 
youth.  The  Voluntary  Service,  Pax,  and  1-W  programs  are  open- 
ing new  avenues  of  service.  The  retreats  throughout  the  Con- 
ference make  possible  rich  experiences  for  the  children  and 
young  adults. 

For  young  women  who  desire  to  become  trained  church  work- 
ers in  various  avenues  of  Conference  service,  there  is  the  organi- 
zation, “Women  in  Church  Vocations.”  This  is  one  of  the  newest 
Conference  organizations.  It  offers  channels  of  service  desig- 
nated to  meet  the  special  need  of  women  serving  in  church- 
related  capacities. 

The  men  of  the  Conference  are  becoming  increasingly  active 
in  church  and  spiritual  affairs  through  the  organization  of 
“Mennonite  Men.”  A number  of  churches  have  local  organiza- 
tions of  laymen  who  are  contributing  in  various  ways  to  the 
needs  of  the  world  and  the  activities  of  the  church.  The  men’s 
organization  has  as  one  of  its  projects  the  “Boys’  League”  work 
which  is  developing  in  the  local  churches. 

The  whole  area  of  Christian  service  has  been  steadily  advanc- 
ing and  launching  out  into  new  areas.  The  “Disaster  Service” 
has  rendered  valuable  aid  in  stricken  communities  and  borne  a 
splendid  witness  through  sacrificial  service.  New  areas  of  peace 
witness  are  opening  up,  and  a new  concern  for  society  in  general 
is  being  stimulated.  During  our  hundred  years  of  history  we 
have  too  much  been  a somewhat  secluded  and  sheltered  minority 
group  holding  aloof  from  the  rugged  needs  of  the  world  in  gen- 
eral. We  have  gradually  been  creeping  out  of  our  shell,  and 
through  relief  and  service  in  many  areas  around  the  world  we 
have  come  to  realize  that  religion  that  does  not  express  itself 
in  deeds  and  in  meeting  needs  of  others  is  a false  religion. 

We  like  to  think  that  the  first  hundred  years  have  laid  the 
ground-work  for  much  greater  service  and  usefulness  in  the 
second  hundred  years.  There  is  much  to  be  done  in  the  field  of 
church  unity,  which  was  dear  to  the  hearts  of  the  founders. 
There  can  be  a more  adequate  and  active  peace  witness.  The 
women  have  long  done  a noble  work  and  are  expanding  into  new 
areas.  The  men  are  feeling  more  responsibility  for  Christian 
service.  The  young  people  are  ready  to  move  ahead. 

Being  profoundly  grateful  for  what  God  hath  wrought  in  the 
first  hundred  years,  may  we  be  such  faithful  co-laborers  with 
Him  in  the  years  to  come  that  we  may  be  channels  of  greater 
usefulness.  Perhaps  God  would  say  to  us  as  He  said  to  Moses: 
“Tell  the  people  that  they  go  forward.” 


514 


THE  MENNONITE 


The  Conference  sermon,  given  at  Bluffton,  Ohio,  Aug.  ig,  1959 


Builders  for  Eternity 


ON  the  base  of  the  Mennostein  on 
the  outskirts  of  Witmarsum  in 
Friesland  there  is  inscribed  the  oft- 
quoted  Scripture  motto  of  Menno 
Simons  from  I Cor.  3:11:  “Einen 
andern  Grund  kan  niemand  legen 
ausser  dem  der  gelegt  ist,  Jesus 
Christus.” 

This  motto  has  become  a signifi- 
cant and  decisive  word  in  the  his- 
tory of  our  General  Conference 
Mennonite  Church.  It  appears  in  the 
minutes  of  some  of  the  earliest  ses- 
sions of  the  General  Conference 
where  the  founding  fathers  made 
explicit  reference  to  our  “Mennonit- 
ische  Grundlehre,  von  Menno  ge- 
griindet  auf  das  Evangelium,  nach 
1 Kor.  3:11.” 

It  appeared  right  under  the  mast- 
head of  the  first  issue  of  The  Men- 
nonite published  in  Philadelphia, 
back  in  October,  1885,  “For  other 
foundation  can  no  man  lay  than 
that  which  is  laid  which  is  Jesus 
Christ.” 

It  had  already  appeared  on  the 
masthead  of  Der  Christlicher  Bun- 
desbote,  since  1883,  along  with  1 Cor. 
3:14:  “If  any  man’s  work  abide, 
which  he  hath  built  thereupon,  he 
shall  receive  a reward.”  It  was  also 
written  firmly  into  the  first  con- 
stitution of  the  General  Conference. 

For  this  historic  occasion  as  we 
gather  for  our  centennial  sessions 
of  the  General  Conference  this  word 
of  God  stands  out  for  us  above  all 
others.  This  theme,  “Our  Founda- 
tion . . . Jesus  Christ,”  was  prayer- 
fully chosen  by  our  Program  Com- 
mittee and  speaks  to  this  moment. 

This  is  God’s  word  for  us  as  those 
who  build,  not  for  a day,  not  for  a 
year,  nor  even  for  a century,  but 
for  eternity. 

It  is  significant  that  this  word  in 
1 Cor.  3:11  lies  in  a context  of 
concern  for  the  unity  of  the  church. 
’There  was  dissension  at  Corinth. 
Paul  is  concerned  for  the  wholeness 
and  imity  of  the  fellowship  and 


thus  he  speaks  patiently  but  point- 
edly to  this  urgent  need. 

It  was  a similar  deep  concern  for 
scattered  and  divided  Mennonite 
congregations  as  well  as  for  win- 
ning the  lost  that  moved  our  Con- 
ference founders  to  convene  at  West 
Point,  Iowa,  back  in  1860.  They 
sought  to  establish  a fellowship 
which  would  bring  together  these 
separate  congregations  into  a func- 
tioning whole.  Their  slogan  from 
the  beginning  was  “unity  in  essen- 
tials, liberty  in  nonessentials,  and 
charity  in  all  things.” 

As  we  meet  here  in  this  centen- 
nial conference  session  we  are  still 
concerned  about  unity  and  about 
building  for  eternity. 

A centennial  is  a time  to  remem- 
ber the  past  with  gratitude,  but  it  is 
also  a time  to  evaluate  the  present 
with  honesty  and  to  chart  the  fu- 
ture with  vision  and  hope.  In  this 
process  this  third  chapter  of  1 Cor- 
inthians continues  to  speak  to  xis 
here  at  Bluffton  as  it  spoke  to  Men- 
no Simons  at  Witmarsum  and  to  our 
Conference  founders  at  West  Point, 
Iowa,  and  Wadsworth,  Ohio. 


Erland  Waltner 
President  of  the 

Gen.  Conference  Mennonite  Church 


Not  everything  which  has  been 
undertaken  in  our  Conference  his- 
tory has  endured  even  the  ravages 
of  time,  say  nothing  of  the  eternal 
judgment  of  God.  It  is  important 
then  that  we  ask  ourselves,  “When 
are  we  indeed  building  for  eter- 
nity?” 

The  True  Foundation 

We  are  builders  for  eternity  only 
when  we  build  on  the  true  founda- 
tion, Jesus  Christ.  Let  no  one  for  a 
moment  consider  this  a time-worn 
pious  platitude. 

To  say  that  our  foundation  is 
Jesus  Christ  is  to  deny  the  adequacy 
of  other  foundations  on  which  many 
men  around  us  are  building.  When 
Jesus  Christ  is  our  final  foundation, 
we  do  not  build  on  mere  personal 
experience  for  we  know  that  this 
is  too  limited  when  one  is  building 
for  eternity.  We  do  not  build  on  hu- 
man tradition  alone  for  this,  too,  is 
not  always  trustworthy  and  is  often 
too  confining.  We  do  not  build  sim- 
ply on  the  prevailing  culture  of  our 
time  for  this  is  too  changeable  and 
too  superficial.  We  do  not  even 
build  finally  on  philosophy  or  sci- 
ence, illuminating  and  helpful  as 
these  may  be  to  us. 

We  do  not  even  build  ultimately 
on  some  theological  system,  how- 
ever sincerely  and  consistently  it 
may  be  constructed,  whether  it  be 
theological  liberalism,  or  fundamen- 
talism, or  neo-orthodoxy,  or  neo- 
liberalism. We  build  on  Jesus  Christ 
and  on  Him  alone  as  the  ultimate 
solid  foundation  of  the  church,  the 
only  final  authority  for  Christian 
faith  and  life. 

But  who  then  is  this  Jesus  Christ 
and  how  do  we  know  him?  With 
Paul  we  would  surely  answer  that 
this  Christ  is  the  Christ  of  the 
Scriptures,  who  is  himself  eternal, 
the  virgin-bom  incarnate  Son  of 
God,  fully  human,  fully  divine, 
tempted  in  all  points  like  as  we  are 


August  25,  1 959 


515 


I 


and  yet  without  sin,  crucified  for 
our  sins  and  raised  for  our  justifica- 
tion, and  coming  again  with  power 
and  great  glory. 

Any  building  of  fellowship  which 
is  not  based  on  the  person  of  Jesus 
Christ  and  which  does  not  keep  Him 
at  the  center  or  give  Him  the  pre- 
eminence will  not  long  endure  as 
the  Christian  fellowship.  To  build 
for  eternity  we  build  on  Him  who 
is  eternal. 

What  does  this  mean  for  our 
Conference  fellowship?  I believe 
that  it  means,  for  one  thing,  that 
where  we  in  our  Conference  fellow- 
ship have  been  inclined  to  evade 
and  dodge  theological  issues  either 
because  we  have  found  them  dif- 
ficult or  divisive  we  will  need  again 
to  take  a good  hard  look  at  what 
we  actually  believe. 

In  this  critical  period  of  world 
history  when  the  corrosive  and  dis- 
integrating influences  of  our  secular 
society  are  making  strong  inroads 
into  our  church  life,  when  our  closed 
rural  communities  are  giving  way  to 
a relentless  urbanization,  when  our 
entire  fellowship  feels  itself  caught 
in  the  ebb  and  flow  of  the  complex 
cultural,  political,  and  economic  sit- 
uations of  our  society,  only  a clear- 
cut  and  strong  dedication  to  Jesus 
Christ  as  Savior  and  Lord  of  our 
lives  and  as  Foundation  and  Head 
of  the  church  can  assure  us  that  we 
are  still  building  for  eternity. 

Visiting  the  Cathedral  of  Amiens, 
Heinrich  Heine  was  asked  by  a 
friend,  “Why  do  we  no  longer  build 
such  cathedrals?”  Heine  replied, 
“My  dear  friend,  men  in  those  days 
had  convictions  (Ueberzeugungen), 
we  moderns  have  our  opinions 
(Meinungen)  and  it  requires  more 
than  an  opinion  to  build  a Gothic 
cathedral.” 

Durable  Materials 

We  are  builders  for  eternity  only 
when  we  build  with  durable  mate- 
rials which  cannot  be  destroyed. 

In  1 Cor.  3:12-15,  Paul  indicates 
that  one  must  reckon  not  only  with 
the  possibility  of  building  on  a 
wrong  foundation  but  also  with  the 
possibility  of  building  on  the  right 


foundation  with  the  wrong  mate- 
rials. The  result  of  such  building 
according  to  Paul  is  that  the  build- 
ing is  destroyed  though  the  builder 
himself  may  be  saved. 

The  materials  that  endure  are 
those  that  will  stand  the  test  of  fire. 
As  Schlatter  tersely  puts  it:  “Der 
Bau  aber  mus  ins  Feuer.”  (The 
building  must  go  through  the  fire.) 
All  that  we  do  stands  under  the 
judgment  of  God,  both  in  time  and 
in  eternity. 

At  this  crucial  centennial  confer- 
ence session  we  do  well  to  ask  our- 
selves not  only  whether  we  are  still 
building  on  the  true  foundation  but 
also  whether  we  are  building  with 
the  materials  that  will  stand  the 
test  of  divine  judgment.  Not  all 
that  we  have  called  character  build- 
ing or  church  building  or  Confer- 
ence building  has  been  building  for 
eternity.  In  the  one-hundred-year 
history  of  our  Conference  there  are 
not  lacking  illustrations  of  building 
which  did  not  endure.  The  founda- 
tion may  have  been  right.  The  work- 
men may  have  been  sincere.  But 
the  materials  were  not  good,  and 
thus  the  building  did  not  stand. 

Today  we  do  not  sit  in  judgment 
on  those  who  have  built  before  us. 
Our  human  perspectives  are  too  re- 
stricted by  ignorance  and  too  dis- 
torted by  our  prejudices  to  qualify 
U5  to  be  judges.  But  the  Christian 
workers  of  yesterday,  today,  and  to- 
morrow stand  under  one  judge, 
even  God.  Before  Him  all  our  work 
is  ultimately  tried.  At  the  same  time 
we  want  to  learn  also  from  the 
mistakes  as  well  as  the  achieve- 
ments of  the  past  and  guard  zeal- 
ously against  perpetuating  error. 

In  the  presence  of  the  divine  fire, 
it  becomes  clear  that  nothing  which 
is  done  in  the  spirit  of  resentment 
or  rivalry  can  long  endure.  Nothing 
which  is  done  for  self  aggrandize- 
ment and  vainglory,  even  for  the 
aggrandizement  of  a particular 
group  as  over  against  others,  can 
withstand  the  white  heat  of  the  di- 
vine judgment.  Nothing  done  simply 
in  the  strength  of  man,  without  di- 
vine initiative  or  without  the  clear 


guidance  of  God’s  Holy  Spirit  will  j 
or  can  abide. 

What  we  do  in  the  work  of  the  j 
kingdom  out  of  low  motives,  or  by  ' 
sinful  m.ethods,  or  for  unworthy 
ends,  will  sooner  or  later  crumble 
and  fail. 

But  that  which  God  does  in  us  in 
holy  love,  that  which  He  initiates 
and  completes  in  His  sovereign 
will,  that  which  is  done  in  His 
name,  in  more  than  name,  will  en- 
dure. 

From  this  word  of  God  comes  an  j 
urgent  call  to  every  Conference  | 
board  and  institution  and  to  every  • 
member  congregation,  as  well  as  | 
to  every  individual  in  these  con-  ; 
gregations,  to  ask  whether  we  are  1 
building  with  the  best  possible  ma- 
terials. What  of  that  which  we  are  | 
building  as  a Conference  and  as  ' 
churches  in  this  time  of  material 
prosperity  would  even  survive  the 
fires  of  another  economic  depres- 
sion? What  would  actually  survive  ^ 
the  fires  of  an  atomic  war?  What 
would  stand  up  ultimately  in  the 
presence  of  Jesus  Christ  coming, 
reigning,  judging? 

Even  from  a crassly  utilitarian 
point  of  view,  a small  denomination 
like  ours  simply  cannot  afford  to 
do  slip-shod  building  with  inade- 
quate materials  and  still  survive. 
Let  each  man  then  take  heed  how 
he  builds  on  the  true  foundation.  I 

The  Divine  Design 

Finally,  we  are  builders  for  eter- 
nity only  when  we  build  according 
to  the  divine  design.  In  verses  16 
and  17  of  our  passage  we  read, 
“Know  ye  not  that  ye  are  the  tem- 
ple of  God  and  that  the  spirit  of 
God  dwelleth  in  you?  If  any  man 
defile  the  temple  of  God  him  shall 
God  destroy:  for  the  temple  of  God 
is  holy  which  temple  ye  are.”  In  i 
these  verses  Paul  declares  the  char- 
acter of  the  building  which  is  un- 
der construction.  The  church  is  the 
temple  of  the  living  God. 

This  has  two  most  significant  I 
implications.  First  of  all,  it  is  a i 
call  to  the  people  of  God  to  be  a j 
holy  people.  This  involves  not  only 


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516 


THE  MENNONITE 


our  inward  relationship  to  God  in 
which  we  recognize  ourselves  to  be- 
long to  Him  but  also  the  outward 
fashion  of  our  lives. 

Holiness  of  life  is  much  more  than 
nonconformity,  but  there  is  no 
Christian  holiness  without  noncon- 
formity to  the  world.  While  the 
concern  for  the  purity  of  the  church 
bristles  with  a multitude  of  prac- 
tical difficulties,  it  is  nevertheless 
;an  inescapable  concern  of  the  Apos- 
itle  Paul. 

The  church  is  God’s  community  of 
grace  and  discipleship,  the  fellow- 
ship of  “sinners  saved  by  grace,” 
but  it  is  also  the  community  of  “the 
saints  striving  after  holiness.”  It 
is  a disciplined  church. 

A second  major  implication  of 
[this  passage  is  that  to  destroy  the 
church  is  actually  a most  serious 
offense  against  the  living  God  who 
indwells  His  church.  The  word  “de- 
file” here  really  means  “destroy.” 

Paul  envisions  a third  great  peril 
in  the  building  of  the  church.  Not 
lonly  is  it  possible  to  build  on  the 
wrong  foundation  or  to  build  with 
wrong  materials,  but  it  is  possible 
also  to  fail  in  building  according  to 


Crisis  and  Change 

Change  and  transition  character- 
ize the  modern  world.  The  passing 
of  each  year,  or  an  even  shorter 
period,  marks  a point  to  which  “you 
can’t  go  home  again.”  Nations 
whose  birth  took  place  in  antiquity, 
whose  life  has  been  wrapped  up  in 
the  civilization  of  its  birth,  or  peo- 
ples who  for  years  have  been  held 
in  place  by  the  insisting  thumb  of 
some  hopeful  and  aggressive  world 
power,  seem  to  be  in  a continuum  of 
political  revolution,  economic  up- 
heaval, culture  change,  and  break- 
ing away  from  traditionally-fixed 
ideologies  and  religions. 

Incalculable  results  usually  fol- 
low the  impromptu  appearance  of 
change.  In  a report  of  their  MCC 
relief  work  in  Jordan,  the  Merlin 
Swartzes  describe  difficulties  caused 
by  the  1958  Middle  East  crisis: 

“Not  the  least  of  many  of  the 
changes  have  been  the  political 
ones,  many  having  far-reaching  con- 


the divine  design,  and  thus  to  be- 
come a destroyer  of  the  church 
rather  than  a builder  of  it. 

A.  T.  Robertson  in  commenting  on 
this  passage  says,  “It  is  a gross 
sin  to  be  a church  wrecker.  There 
are  actually  a few  preachers  (and 
he  might  as  well  have  added  lay- 
men) who  leave  behind  them  ruin 
like  a tornado.”  Paul  warns  earnest- 
ly saying,  in  effect,  that  the  church 
wrecker  God  will  also  wreck. 

In  these  centennial  sessions  we 
then  must  ask  ourselves  a third 
crucial  question.  Are  we  building 
according  to  the  divine  plan?  Are 
we  building  churches  that  are  real- 
ly churches  of  the  living  Christ? 
Are  we  building  a Conference  fel- 
lowship which  is  actually  an  instru- 
ment through  which  the  Holy  Spirit 
of  God  can  accomplish  His  pur- 
poses? 

As  we  face  these  questions  let  us 
not  be  blinded  by  the  spirit  of  the 
cynics  who  see  but  little  accom- 
plished through  our  Conference  in 
the  past  century.  Anyone  who  will 
take  the  trouble  to  read  our  Confer- 
ence history,  and  the  reports  and 
minutes  of  conference  sessions;  any- 
one who  will  visit  our  churches  and 


sequences.  As  a result  of  the  events 
which  took  place  in  Lebanon  the 
work  of  clothing  distribution  had 
to  be  brought  to  a halt  because  it 
was  impossible  to  bring  supplies 
through  Lebanon.  At  the  beginning 
of  June,  1958,  clothing  distribution 
in  East  Jordan  was  stopped  and  we 
were  not  able  to  resume  again  until 
November.” 

Often  one  crisis  situation  con- 
tributes to  another,  causing  a “dom- 
ino reaction”  with  everything  it 
touches.  An  upset  in  Iraq’s  govern- 
ment followed  Lebanon’s  disturb- 
ance. 

With  reports  of  the  meager  food 
and  clothing  supplies  among  the 
Bedouins  reaching  the  East  Jordan 
committee  Swartz  was  asked  to 
make  a survey  of  the  emergency  sit- 
uation and  report  his  findings. 
Strong  appeals  for  aid  were  prompt- 
ly made  for  a people  who  lived  with 
the  limited  protection  rocks  and 
bushes  afforded.  MCC  issued  seven 
tons  of  canned  beef,  2000  parcels  of 
new  children’s  clothing  and  a large 
quantity  of  homemade  soap. 


our  Conference  institutions,  and  our 
mission  fields  and  service  outposts, 
will  know  that  God  has  already  ac- 
complished a mighty  work  through 
us. 

On  the  other  hand,  let  us  not  be 
blinded  in  our  own  enthusiasm  over 
our  accomplishments  that  we  fail 
to  see  that  God  is  calling  us  to 
higher  and  greater  things  than  we 
yet  have  attained.  We  have  talked 
much  about  missions  and  evange- 
lism and  church  extension  but  the 
growth  of  the  church  is  still  not 
keeping  pace  with  the  growth  of 
world  population. 

We  have  been  active  in  education 
and  publication,  but  Communism  is 
still  competing  with  the  church  in 
the  use  of  the  printed  page. 

We  have  been  doing  well  in  our 
stewardship  and  splendidly  in  our 
Christian  service  program  and  our 
peace  witness,  but  the  threat  of  a 
devastating  nuclear  war  is  still  im- 
minent. 

The  days  are  evil.  The  time  may 
be  short.  At  this  threshold  of  a 
new  century,  let  us  lay  hold  of  the 
opportunity  God  grants  us  in  the 
workshop  of  time  to  build  for  eter- 
nity. 


The  intensity  of  the  Bedouin’s  im- 
poverished living  conditions  de- 
manded that  prompt  requests  for 
aid  be  made  abroad.  Money  was 
donated  by  the  Oxford  Committee 
for  Fconine  Relief  and  by  the  Brit- 
ish Council  of  Churches  to  be  used 
for  the  buying  and  the  distribution 
of  food  and  blankets  among  the 
Azazmeh  Bedouins  as  well  as  the 
Bedouins  of  the  South. 

A crisis  appearance  calls  for  a 
tight  and  efficient  organization  of 
agencies  dealing  with  the  numerous 
problems  sounding  at  once.  “A 
special  subcommittee  was  set  up  to 
administer  the  funds  received  from 
the  British  Council  of  Churches,” 
writes  Swartz.  By  the  first  of  June, 
1959,  almost  700  tons  of  food  had 
been  given  out  to  the  Bedouins, 
with  approximately  6,000  families 
(35,000  persons)  benefitting.” 

Though  crisis  wounds  hurt,  they 
may  provide  an  appreciative  under- 
standing of  the  peoples’  concerns. 
Changes,  though  not  always  “pro- 
gressive,” intensify  educational  in- 
volvements. — Lowell  Teichroew 


August  25,  1 959 


517 


All  Things  to  All  Men 


H.  A.  Driver 

Executive  Secretary  of  the 
Congo  Inland  Mission 

Missionary  Methods'.  St.  Paul’s 
or  Ours?  is  the  title  of  a book  writ- 
ten by  Roland  Allen  in  1927.  It  is 
one  of  the  most  provocative  books 
in  missionary  literature.  In  it  Mr. 
Allen  issues  a clarion  call  to  the 
church  to  lay  less  emphasis  on  the 
method  and  more  on  the  message 
of  missions. 

Two  main  objectives  stand  out. 
One  is  to  so  preach  Christ  that  men 
will  see  Him,  come  to  Him,  and  be 
saved.  The  other  is  to  build  up  these 
believers  in  an  indigenous  and  clean 
church  that  will  be  to  His  praise 
and  glory.  Thus  in  1927  Roland  Al- 
len emphasized  the  aim  stated  by 
the  founders  of  the  Congo  Inland 
Mission  in  1911. 

To  all  this  Paul  adds,  “I  am  made 
all  things  to  all  men,  that  I might 
by  all  means  save  some”  (1  Cor. 
9:22). 

We  hear  so  much  these  days  about 
professional  and  technical  mission- 
aries, about  new  and  modern  meth- 
ods of  propagating  the  gospel,  that 
some  may  get  the  impression  that 
the  “old  methods”  were  not  scrip- 
tural, spiritual  methods.  But  we 
want  it  to  be  known  that  the  Congo 
Inland  Mission  believes  that  the 
old  methods  are  the  ever  new  meth- 
ods. Preaching  the  gospel,  personal 
soul  winning,  village  to  village  vis- 
itation, and  compassionate  loving 
service  to  the  lost  are  methods  that 
will  never  be  old  nor  ineffective. 

General  evangelistic  missionaries 
are  needed  as  much  in  this  day  as 
in  any  day,  and  the  Congo  Inland 


Mission  will  continue  to  send  them 
out  as  the  Lord  calls  them.  We  be- 
lieve in  a mission  program  that 
sends  ambassadors  constrained  by 
the  love  of  Christ  to  bear  the  word 
of  reconciliation  to  those  who  are 
away  from  God.  This  is  Paul’s 
method.  It  is  our  method.  However, 
many  circumstances  and  conditions 
are  different  today  and  if  we  are 
“by  all  means  to  save  some”  as  God 
gives  opportunity,  we  must  use 
methods  adapted  to  the  conditions 
of  today. 

CIM,  along  with  most  foreign 
mission  societies,  has  long  since  rec- 
ognized the  effectiveness  of  the  med- 
ical ministry.  We  are  thankful  for 
the  five  medical  doctors  and  the 
eighteen  registered  nurses  serving 
in  this  ministry. 

Educational  evangelism  has  re- 
ceived much  emphasis  for  many 
years  and  especially  since  World 
War  II.  Most,  if  not  all,  of  the 
missions  in  Congo  find  the  schools 
taking  most  of  their  time  and  en- 
ergy. Although  the  government  has 
financed  the  educational  work  to 
some  extent,  it  still  must  draw  on 
“mission  funds”  for  its  needs. 

This  accelerated  educational  min- 
istry has  produced  literally  thou- 
sands of  new  literates  whose  cry  is 
for  something  to  read.  So  we  are 
setting  aside  personnel  and  funds 
for  literature  production,  establish- 
ing presses  and  bookstores,  revis- 
ing Scriptures,  publishing  newspa- 
pers, magazines,  tracts,  books — all 
presenting  the  old,  old  story  of 


Jesus  and  His  love. 

The  newest  method  CIM  is  adopt- 
ing is  agricultural  missions.  This  is 
really  an  organized  and  planned  at- 
tempt to  help  our  fellow  Christians 
to  a better  living  from  the  soil. 
Rather  than  producing  food  to  give 
to  needy  people,  the  aim  shall  be 
to  create  a willing  response  in  the 
Christian  village  people  which  will 
help  them  realize  a higher  level  of 
living  for  themselves.  It  is  not  e- 
nough  to  increase  the  amount  of 
material  good  because  the  ultimate 
value  of  material  good  is  limited 
unless  there  is  related  to  it  the 
spiritual  values  that  give  all  of  life 
a sense  of  real  meaning  and  high 
purpose. 

Our  agricultural  missionaries  real- 
ly are  to  be  village  evangelists  with 
special  technical  knowledge  and 
practical  experience  to  strengthen 
their  witness  and  ministry  to  the 
whole  of  life — social,  economic,  and 
spiritual. 

The  need  for  soul-winning  mis- 
sionaries, ready  to  go  forth  with  the 
simple  Word  of  God  in  their  hands 
and  in  their  hearts,  with  a compas- 
sion born  of  God  for  lost  souls,  has 
never  been  greater.  We  still  hold  to 
the  missionary  method  of  Paul  as 
given  in  his  letters  to  the  churches, 
“not  to  know  any  thing  . . . save 
Jesus  Christ,  and  him  crucified”; 
by  all  means  (to)  save  some”;  “to 
open  their  eyes,  and  to  turn  them 
from  darkness  to  light,  and  from 
the  power  of  Satan  unto  God,  that 
they  may  receive  forgiveness  of 
sins,  and  inheritance  among  them 
which  are  sanctified  by  faith  that 
is  in  me.” 


Let  not  thy  kindness  wait 
Upon  tomorrou/s  sun; 

But  let  the  contemplated  deed 
By  this  day’s  light  be  done- 

Each  day  brings  its  own  need 
Of  actions  kindly  wrought, 

And  to  the  flowers  no  sunshine  can 
From  yesterday  be  brought. 

With  water  that  is  past 
No  mill  can  ever  grind; 

And  wasted  days  most  surely  will 
No  second  dawjting  find. 

Do  all  the  good  thou  const 
This  unreturning  day, 

For  time  is  like  a stream  that  flows 
Relentlessly  away. 

— Thomas  Tiplady 


518 


THE  AAENNONITE 


Information 


on 


Colombia 


To  know  but  not  to  feel  is  to 
possess  incomplete  knowledge. 
One  of  the  objectives  of  the  trip  I 
took  last  year  to  Colombia  was  the 
gathering  of  factual  information  on 
the  life,  culture,  and  major  religions 
of  that  coimtry.  I wanted  to  know. 

But  more  than  that,  in  the  fel- 
lowship vdth  the  General  Confer- 


ence missionaries  and  the  pastors 
and  fellow-believers  of  our  sister 
churches,  I hoped  to  experience 
their  concerns,  to  wrestle  with  their 
problems,  to  rejoice  in  their  happi- 
ness, and  to  share  in  their  aspira- 
tions and  dreams. 

I hoped  to  identify  myself  with 
the  missionaries  and  the  workers. 
It  is  this  fellowship  that  I regard 
as  the  significant  experience  of  my 
trip  to  Colombia. 

Upon  arriving  in  Colombia  I al- 
most immediately  became  aware  of 
the  anxious  efforts  of  the  Roman 
Church  to  control  the  minds  and 
lives  of  the  people.  Numerous  stat- 
ues of  Mary  and  the  Christ,  impos- 
ing church  buildings  overlooking 
market  places  or  public  parks,  road- 
side shrines  calling  travelers  to 
moments  of  worship,  frequent  holi- 
days to  the  veneration  of  saints, 
relics  or  images — all  these  remind 
the  people  that  they  are  under  the 
shadow  of  the  Roman  Church  to 
which  they  owe  allegiance. 

I experienced  a feeling  of  pity 
and  compassion,  for  these  are  truly 
misguided  people.  This  feeling  of 
pity  and  compassion  was  replaced 
by  emotions  of  surprise,  resentment, 
and  even  anger  when  I thought  of 
the  priests  and  leaders  who  impose 
the  strict  demands  of  legalism  upon 
the  masses. 

But  immediately  I remembered 
that  anger  is  not  redemptive  and 
the  clergy  of  the  Roman  Church 
must  also  be  the  object  of  our  com- 
passion and  pity  because  they  are 
the  victims  of  pride,  greed,  and  lust 
for  earthly  power — they  themselves 
are  the  greater  victims  of  the  pow- 
er of  sin. 

In  this  tightly  knit  fabric  of  Ro- 
man Catholicism,  it  is  a surprise 
that  the  evangelical  church  does 
exist.  For  this  fact  of  the  evangel- 
ical church  in  Colombia  we  should 
never  cease  to  be  grateful  to  God. 
Nor  should  we  fail  to  accept  our 
responsibility  in  a difficult  situation 
as  God  moves  to  bring  salvation 
to  a people  in  gross  darkness. 

Existing  in  a hostile  environment, 
the  evangelical  church  has  known 
a life  far  different  from  the  life 
evangelical  churches  know  in  most 

Orlando  A.  Waltner 
Acting  Executive  Secretary 
Board  of  Missions 


other  countries.  This  church  may  be 
described  as: 

• A minority  church.  The  cutting 
edge  of  the  evangelical  church  in 
Colombia  is  pathetically  small.  Out 
of  a population  of  13  million  only 
20  thousand  at  the  most  are  evan- 
gelical Protestants.  This  is  less  than 
.2  of  1%  of  the  total  population. 

• A poor  church.  Within  the  mem- 
bership of  the  church  are  large 
numbers  of  refugees  who  in  the 
days  of  violence  lost  much  or  all 
of  material  possessions.  Many  of 
these  are  now  slowly  establishing 
themselves  economically  but  for  a 
long  time  they  were  dependent  upon 
financial  help  given  by  the  church. 

• A non-rural  church.  The  days 
of  violence  succeeded  in  uprooting 
Christian  communities  established 
in  the  moimtains.  Christians  in  flee- 
ing for  their  lives  left  farms  and 
possessions.  These  farms  were  con- 
fiscated and  churches  were  de- 
stroyed. Towns  and  cities  offered 
shelter  and  a measure  of  protection. 
Whereas  today  Christian  families 
are  scattered  in  several  rural  areas, 
the  church  must  be  described  as  an 
urban  church. 

• A hesitant  church.  The  sense 
of  responsibility  to  communicate  the 
gospel  is  undoubtedly  within  the 
church.  But  possible  consequences 
coming  upon  such  who  witness  is 
keeping  many  from  personal  evange- 
lism. In  sustained  and  severe  perse- 
cution, believers  eventually  come  to 
place  emphasis  on  self-preservation, 
with  the  result  that  there  is  hesi- 
tancy to  witness  to  the  faith  that 
lies  within  the  heart.  Some  church 
leaders  contend  that  only  with  the 
coming  of  a new  generation  of  be- 
lievers can  a dynamic  witnessing 
church  be  regained.  The  present 
generation  has  suffered  too  much. 

• A worshiping  church.  The 
church  sustains  its  life  in  common 
worship  of  its  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
and  in  the  study  and  memorization 
of  much  of  God’s  Word.  This  church, 
in  spite  of  the  hardships  thrust  upon 
it  in  the  past,  opens  its  doors  to  non- 
evangelicals who  wish  to  attend  the 
services.  In  some  areas  the  number 
attending  the  services  is  up  to  four 
times  the  actual  membership  of  the 
church.  Every  worship  service 
seems  to  be  an  opportunity  for  the 
pastor  to  bring  spiritual  nurture  to 
his  people  and  the  message  of  re- 
pentance to  the  non-Christian. 


August  25,  1 959 


519 


Mennonite  men 


1 forgot:  God  in  the  summer  time, 
fust  the  time  I xvas  needed  most; 

I was  not  away,  but  on  each  Lord’s  Day 
I failed  to  be  at  my  post. 

1 forgot  my  church  in  the  summer  time. 

As  I lazily  lay  in  bed. 

While  the  faithful  few,  had  my  work  to  do. 

And  1 tv  as  spiritually  dead. 

I forgot  my  pledge  in  the  summer  time. 

When  He  needed  it  most  of  all. 

While  my  cash  ivas  spent,  I was  pleasure  bent 
fust  off  duty  for  God  until  fall. 

If  my  Lord  should  come  in  the  summer  time 
When  from  duty  to  God,  I’m  free. 

What  should  I do,  when  my  life  is  through 
If  by  chance.  He  should  forget  me? 

— ^Selected 

Avoid  That  Slump 


Does  your  church  go  into  a pe- 
riod of  inactivity  during  the 
summer  months?  Do  a good  share 
of  the  membership  go  AWOL  when 
the  weather  turns  warm?  The  temp- 
tation to  relax  efforts  from  church 
work  and  personal  devotional  life 
is  very  prevalent  in  the  warm  sum- 
mer months  and  more  self-disci- 
pline is  required  to  counteract  the 
desire  to  lay  down  on  the  job.  It  is 
so  easy  to  get  into  the  habit  of 
missing  the  Sunday  morning  wor- 
ship service  for  other  activities. 

Summer  time  is  vacation  time, 
and  especially  the  months  of  July 
and  August  are  a fitting  time  to 
break  the  daily  routine  of  every- 
day living.  Spending  several  weeks 
away  from  the  farm,  office,  busi- 
ness, or  factory  is  refreshing  and 
helpful.  However,  vacation  from  the 
job  does  not  mean  that  God  should 
be  forgotten.  Devoted  Christian  lay- 
men will  remember  their  devotion- 
al life  even  when  they  are  on  va- 
cation and  will  strive  to  attend  Sun- 


day worship  service  even  if  it  is  not 
in  their  own  church. 

According  to  the  gospel  records, 
our  Lord  occasionally  withdrew 
from  the  daily  tasks  and  the  press 
of  the  crowds  to  retreat  to  a desert 
place.  However,  the  gospel  records 
make  it  plain  that  our  Lord  did 
not  retreat  merely  for  physical  re- 
laxation. He  withdraw,  also,  for 
prayer,  meditation,  and  spiritual  re- 
freshment so  that  He  could  face 
the  tasks  that  lay  ahead  with  great- 
er power  and  fortitude.  As  our  Lord 
needed  to  withdraw,  so  we  also  need 
to  break  away  from  the  busy  rush 
of  everyday  life  for  physical,  men- 
tal, and  above  all  spiritual  refresh- 
ment in  meditation  and  prayer. 

Summer  time  affords  some  special 
opportunities  for  service  and  spir- 
itual growth  that  are  not  prevalent 
during  other  seasons  of  the  year. 
God’s  creation  is  usually  the  most 
beautiful  and  cheerful  during  the 
summer  time  and  God’s  people  are 
inspired  by  the  beauty  and  the  vast- 


ness of  His  creation.  Campgrounds  | 
located  by  a stream  or  on  a moun-  ' 
tain  side  can  be  wonderful  places  to  . 
retreat  to  for  inspiration  and  study.  ! 
Nearly  all  district  conferences  of  | 
the  General  Conference  either  have  I 
their  own  campgrounds  or  have 
access  to  one.  Not  only  young  peo- 
ple but  adults  and  family  groups 
can  enjoy  the  physical  relaxation, 
the  Christian  fellowship,  and  the 
deep  spiritual  inspiration  of  an  or- 
ganized camp  site  retreat.  Nothing 
is  quite  as  conducive  to  prayer  and 
deep  meditation  as  the  great  out- 
door wonders  of  God’s  creation  in 
the  summer  time. 

The  Apostle  Paul  in  writing  to 
Timothy  (2  Tim.  4:2)  charges  him 
to  preach  the  word  and  to  be  in- 
stant in  season,  and  out  of  season. 
Perhaps,  summer  time  and  vacation 
periods  are  often  considered  to  be 
“out  of  season’’  for  church  activi- 
ties, for  witnessing,  and  for  per- 
sonal devotions;  however,  men  can 
ill  afford  to  forget  God  at  any  time 
even  in  off  seasons.  Let  us  as  Men- 
nonite Men  take  God  along  when 
we  and  our  families  go  on  our  va- 
cation. 


The  Mennonite  Men’s  organiza- 
tion of  the  Central  District  Confer- 
ence held  a week-end  retreat  on 
July  18-19.  This  retreat,  the  first  for 
the  Central  District  Men,  was  held 
at  Camp  Friedenswald  near  Cas- 
sopolis,  Michigan. 

Activities  began  at  noon  on  Satur- 
day and  continued  through  Sunday 
afternoon.  The  general  theme  of  the 
retreat  program  was;  “That  ye 
walk  worthy  of  the  vocation  where- 
with ye  are  called’’  (Eph.  4:1). 
Speakers  for  the  two-day  event 
were  E.  W.  Baumgartner  of  Berne, 
Ind.,  (former  president  of  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  Mennonite  Men) , 
Erland  Waltner  of  Elkhart,  and 
Waldo  Yeager  of  Toledo,  Ohio.  'The 
program  included  periods  of  group 
singing,  special  music,  reports,  tes- 
timonies, and  group  discussions. 

This  retreat  was  planned  and  was 
in  charge  of  the  officers  of  the 
Central  District  Men’s  Organization 
who  are  Maurice  Stahly  of  Morton, 
111.,  president;  John  P.  Eicher  of 
Berne,  Ind.,  vice-president;  Wendell 
Metzler  of  Nappanee,  Ind.,  secre- 
tary; and  Kenneth  Cross  of  Conger- 
ville.  111.,  treasurer. 


Editor:  Richard  F.  Graber,  Moundridge,  Kan. 


520 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  youth 


e 

e 


Modern-Day  Moses 


They  said  of  David  Toews  that 
he  was  no  businessman.  In 
1950  Jacob  H.  Janzen  wrote,  “Thank 
God  he  was  not  a businessman.  . . . 
Had  he  been  one,  he  probably  would 
never  have  signed  the  contract 
which  saved  us  who  were  being  per- 
secuted.” 

It  was  the  year  1921.  The  effects 
of  the  revolution  in  Russia  were  in 
fuU  momentum,  engulfing  with  the 
rest  of  its  population  the  thousands 
of  Mennonites  still  within  its  bor- 
ders. 

In  1920  a commission  was  formed 
to  study  the  possibility  of  bringing 
these  Mennonites  to  the  West  and 
to  freedom.  Canada  seemed  the  like- 
liest prospect. 

By  1921  ideas  beccune  action  and 
the  Canadian  Mennonite  Board  of 
Colonization  was  organized,  headed 
by  David  Toews  of  Rosthem,  Sask. 
Toews  was  fifty-one  years  old  at  the 
time.  He  had  already  been  president 
of  the  Canadian  General  Conference 
for  seven  years,  served  as  elder  of 
the  Rosenort  Church  in  Rosthern 
for  twenty  years,  and  had  taught 
in  various  elementary  and  high 
schools  for  twenty-eight  years. 

David  Toews  was  an  old  hand  at 
pioneering,  having  gone  with  his 
parents  from  Russia  to  Turkestan 
and  then  back  again  across  Russia 
and  Europe-  and  finally  to  North 
America — aU  for  freedom  from  con- 
scription into  military  service,  and 
all  before  David  was  fourteen  years 
old. 

Circumstances  forced  David  Toews 
in  leadership.  By  preference  he 
would  have  continued  with  his  work 
in  the  church  and  school.  We  can 
imagine  his  commission  from  God 

August  25,  1 959 


being  somewhat  like  the  one  given 
to  Moses:  “Now  therefore  go,  and 
I will  be  with  thy  mouth,  and  teach 
thee  what  thou  shalt  say.” 

He  went.  He  was  compelled  to 
obedience  by  love — not  by  the  logic 
of  financial  ledgers  or  by  practical- 
ity or  by  reason.  And  so  it  was  that 
when  people  considered  relief  suf- 
ficient for  the  Mennonites  in  Rus- 
sia, David  Toews  continued  to  be 
convinced  that  the  job  would  not  be 
completed  until  they  were  brought 
to  Canada. 


Permission  to  enter  the  country 
was  only  the  first  step  in  the  move- 
ment to  bring  over  thousands  of 
Russian  Mennonites  who  were  eager 
to  exchange  the  terrors  of  their 
native  soil  for  the  promised  land 
of  Canada.  The  Canadian  Pacific 
Railroad  entered  an  agreement  to 
finance  the  project  on  condition  that 
the  colonization  board  enter  a con- 
tract promising  to  repay  the  rail- 
road company  the  whole  transpor- 
tation expense  within  eighteen 
months  after  the  arrival  of  the  im- 


migrants.  The  first  contracjt  called 
for  the  transportation  of  3000  per- 
sons from  the  Black  Sea  to  Winni- 
peg, Man.,  at  $140  per  person,  the 
total  expense  adding  up  to  close  to 
a half  a million  dollars. 

Some  Mennonites  feared  that  such 
action  on  the  part  of  the  Board  of 
Colonization  might  obligate  the  en- 
tire Mennonite  constituency  and  so 
bitterly  opposed  the  move.  The  Can- 
adian Pacific  Railroad  insisted  that 
the  contract  be  signed  before  a single 
Mennonite  could  be  brought  across. 

David  Toews  as  president  of  the 
colonization  board  signed  the  con- 
tract— on  his  own  initiative,  fully 
aware  that  the  contract  could  not 
be  carried  out  within  the  specified 
time,  blindly  trusting  providence  for 
the  results. 

The  results  came.  After  Menno- 
nite churches  in  U.  S.  and  Canada 
found  that  the  contract  did  not  le- 
gally bind  them  to  assume  the  fi- 
nancial burden  of  the  enterprise, 
much  of  the  opposition  melted  a- 
way.  Before  the  immigration  move- 
ment had  gotten  well  under  way, 
nearly  all  churches  in  all  branches 
of  the  denomination  supported  the 
project  wholeheartedly  with  money, 
clothing,  and  supplies. 

The  groundwork  of  all  this  was 
endless  negotiating  with  officials 
and  endless  traveling  among  Men- 
nonite churches,  and  David  Toews 
was  at  the  throbbing  center  of  it. 
It  got  to  the  place  where  it  was  a 
bit  of  a joke  and  no  one  enjoyed 
telling  it  more  than  Toews  himself 
— that  Mennonitism  in  Canada  suf- 
fered under  the  despotism  of  two 
popes:  Heinrich  Ewert  of  Gretna, 
Man.,  and  David  Toews  of  Rosthern. 

The  anecdotes  surrounding  his  ac- 
tivity are  also  endless.  On  one  occa- 
sion Toews,  accompanied  by  Jacob 
H.  Janzen,  was  dealing  with  a par- 
ticularly difficult  deputy  minister  in 
Ottawa.  Janzen  wrote:  Ohm  David 
continued  to  deal  with  the  deputy 
until  my  patience  wore  out  and  I 
excused  myself  from  the  hearing  in 
a rather  rude  manner.  On  the  way 
to  the  waiting  room  my  fitful  anger 
suddenly  seemed  so  comical  to  me 
that  I entered  the  waiting  room 
laughing. 

“You  wear  a bright  smile,”  said 
the  receptionist.  “You  must  have 
gotten  all  you  asked  for.” 

“Not  exactly,”  I replied,  “but  I 
got  a whole  lot.”  And  with  that  I 
sat  down  with  a man  who  had  been 


waiting  patiently  or  impatiently  for 
a hearing. 

“Is  that  other  feUow  staying  for 
lunch  with  the  deputy  minister?”  he 
asked  ruefully. 

“He  is  unpredictable,”  I answered, 
“and  I would  not  be  a bit  surprised 
if  he  stayed  not  only  for  lunch  but 
for  dinner  also.” 

In  that  moment  Brother  Toews 
entered  and  calmly  presented  the 
permission  in  black  8md  white  for 
three  more  families  to  immigrate 
to  Canada. 

David  toews  was  not  one  to 
hide  his  ignorance  behind  his 
brilliance.  If  he  didn’t  understand 
something,  he  admitted  it  openly. 

Once  he  and  Jacob  H.  Janzen  got 
into  a lively  discussion  over  a text 
that  Toews  wanted  to  use  for  a ser- 
mon but  about  which  he  couldn’t 
manage  to  get  enthused.  Finally 
Janzen  said  that  as  far  as  difficult 
passages  were  concerned,  it  would 
not  be  unjust  to  philosophize  ac- 
cording to  the  rules  of  the  school- 
men. 

Toews  promptly  answered,  “But 
Brother  Janzen,”  the  drop  in  tone 
between  “Brother”  and  “Janzen”  be- 
ing distinctly  noticeable,  “aren’t  you 
airsiid  that  you  might  easily  sink 
out  of  the  scho-las-tic  into  the  so- 
phis-try  and  this  might  not  be  good 
in  searching  objectively  for  the 
truth?  I do  not  understand  this 
verse!”  (The  foreign  words  were 
pronounced  with  much  effort,  with 


exaggerated  emphasis,  slow,  and 
thoughtful.)  a 

It  may  be  added  that  the  perplex-  U 
ing  text  was  abcmdoned  for  a well-  fi 
preserved  sermon  which  had  been  le 
preached  repeatedly,  each  time  with  : te 
the  same  forceful  vigor.  ai 

So  it  was  that  the  project  of  tt 
bringing  a final  total  of  about  21,000 
Mennonites  to  the  West  was  com- 
pleted. Toward  the  end  of  his  life, 
David  Toews  hardly  believed  that 
his  greatest  desire  would  be  ful- 
filled before  he  died — the  complete  • 
repayment  of  the  travel  debt  of 
those  who  had  entered  Canada  as  a J 
result  of  his  efforts,  the  grand  total 
of  which  was  now  nearly  $2,000,000. 

When  this  actually  happened,  l 
though,  and  J.  J.  ’Thiessen  of  Sas-  (J 
katoon,  Sask.,  brought  the  news  into  1 
the  hospital  room,  David  Toews  re- 
plied sadly,  “You  have  said  that  ear-  i 
her  too.”  ( 

But  when  J.  J.  Thiessen  repeated  i 
it  with  firmness — “Brother  Toews,  ; 
the  travel  debt  has  been  paid” — an  ] 
expression  of  deep  peace  could  be  ' 
seen  on  his  countenance.  ; 

On  Feb.  27,  1947,  David  Toews 
died.  He  had  grown  old  and  very 
tired.  He  had  been  led  in  a way 
which  he  at  first  had  not  wanted  to 
take.  He  had  been  a leader  of  his 
people. 


Sources  oi  information:  July  1950  issue  of 
Mennonite  I/ife,  article  by  D.  J.  Schellen- 
berg;  Story  of  the  Mennonites  by  C.  Henry 
Smith;  and  Jahrbnch,  1950,  article  by 
Jacob  H.  Janzen. 


New  YPU  president  and  secretary 


Youth  News 


Marvin  Zehr  from  Gridley,  111., 
is  the  newly  elected  president  of  the 
General  Conference  Young  People’s 
Union.  Nancy  Wismer  from  HiU- 
town.  Pa.,  is  the  new  secretary- 
treasurer.  Elections  were  held  at  the 
YPU  business  meeting  on  Aug.  14 
during  the  General  Conference  ses- 


elected 


sions  at  Bluffton,  Ohio. 

Marvin  and  his  wife,  Jeannie,  will 
be  living  in  Elkhart,  Ind.,  during  the 
next  school  year  while  he  attends 
Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary  as  a 
second-year  student. 

Nancy  will  be  a senior  at  Bluffton 
College  this  fall,  majoring  in  music. 


522 


THE  MENNONITE 


Marvin  succeeds  Harris  Waltner 
as  president  of  the  Young  People’s 
•’t-  Union,  and  Nancy  succeeds  Helen 
i Neufeld  Coon.  The  president  is  e- 
aiected  for  a term  of  six  years,  al- 
i ternating  with  the  vice  president, 
and  the  secretary  is  elected  for 
three  years. 

0 Bill  Block  is  the  other  member  of 


the  YPU  executive,  whose  term  as 
vice  president  continues  for  three 
more  years.  Bill  graduated  from 
seminary  this  spring  and  he  and  his 
wife,  Dolores,  are  now  serving  the 
church  in  Abbotsford,  B.  C. 

Arthur  Dick,  Edmonton,  Alberta, 
is  the  new  president  of  the  Cana- 
dian Mennonite  Youth  Organization. 


e, 

it 

i 


,'Need  an 


Idea? 


1 IYjEED  some  ideas  for  future 
i-lM  youth  fellowship  meetings? 
0 Here  are  some  that  are  worth  a try. 

One  youth  group  sponsored  a “65 
and  Over”  supper,  inviting  only  the 
older  members  of  the  church.  After 
a supper  in  the  church  basement, 
a short  program  was  given  with 
people  from  both  age  groups  par- 
ticipating. 

In  another  church,  instead  of  the 
usual  social  hour  following  youth 
fellowship,  the  group  went  hymn 
caroling  for  members  of  the  church 
who  were  sick  or  unable  to  come  to 
church. 

How  about  spending  an  hour 
some  Sunday  evening  writing  to 
young  people  of  your  church  who 
are  away  from  home.  A letter  in 
which  a number  of  people  have 
each  written  a paragraph  is  always 
appreciated  by  college  students,  1-W 
fellows,  or  VSers. 

A youth  correspondent  from  Pra- 
tum,  Oregon,  recently  wrote:  “Dur- 
ing the  year  we  have  had  very  good 
programs,  one  of  which  was  on  the 
adventure  stories  of  the  Bible.”  The 
possibilities  for  this  are  practically 
endless — drama,  Bible  study,  quiz 
contest. 

“Memory  meetings”  are  fun.  You 
can  have  hymns,  choruses.  Scrip- 
ture, and  even  panel  discussions — 
but  everything  must  be  done  by 
memory  and  without  notes. 

“Sealed  order”  meetings  call  for 
impromptu  action  and  thinking  in 
which  everyone  is  in  the  same  boat 
and  no  one  knows  what  to  expect. 


Each  member  of  the  group  was 
given  five  dollars  to  invest.  An  up- 
and-coming  young  musician  bought 
music  with  his  five  dollars,  prac- 
ticed for  several  months,  and  gave 
a recital  in  the  community,  with 
the  admission  fees  designated  for 
the  church.  One  of  the  members 
bought  chicks  and  fed  them  for 
market.  Another  green-thumbed 
hopeful  got  a pack  of  cucumber 
seed,  raised  an  early  bumper  crop, 
and  sold  to  the  grocery  store  a- 
cross  the  street.  “Operation  Talent” 
yielded  fruit,  “some  an  hundredfold, 
some  sixtyfold,  and  some  thirty- 
fold.” 

This  summer  the  youth  group  of 
the  First  Mennonite  Church  of 
Pretty  Prairie,  Kan.,  joined  in  a 
co-operative  project  with  other 
young  people  of  the  community: 


Looking  for  a way  to  raise  money 
for  your  youth  group?  One  fellow- 
ship launched  “Operation  Talent” 
for  the  purpose  of  raising  money 
for  their  new  educational  wing. 


potatoes.  In  the  picture  they're  dig- 
ging up  their  crop.  But  the  story 
goes  back  to  March  21  when  the 
group  gathered  at  the  Walter  J. 
Graber  farm  east  of  Pretty  Prairie 


John  Neufeld,  from  Aldergrove, 
B.  C.,  is  vice  president  and  Helen 
Letkeman,  Waldheim,  Sask.,  is  sec- 
retary. Elections  were  held  at  the 
Canadian  Conference  in  July. 

George  Dyck,  Winnipeg,  Man., 
succeeds  Larry  Kehler  as  editor  of 
Der  Jugendbote,  youth  page  in  Der 
Bote. 


where  they  were  given  a plot  of 
ground  to  use. 

A hard  rain  shortly  after  plant- 
ing might  have  proved  fatal  to  the 
crop  but  the  ground  was  harrowed 
and  a good  stand  of  potatoes  ap- 
peared. 

Three  other  meetings  were  called 
when  hoes  and  a power  cultivator 
were  put  to  work  churning  the  soil 
and  getting  rid  of  weeds. 

On  June  25  about  thirty-five 
young  people  came  with  spades, 
sacks,  buckets,  and  lots  of  enthusi- 
asm to  harvest  about  1,500  pounds 
of  top  grade  potatoes. 

Calls  and  orders  were  taken  for 
some  of  the  potatoes  even  before 
they  could  be  dug.  All  of  the  pota- 
toes were  sold  in  the  community 
and  the  proceeds  ($70.00)  was  given 
for  a mission  project. 

Ronald  Graber,  president  of  the 
group,  feels  it  was  a very  good  and 
worthwhile  experience.  He  hopes  to 
carry  out  another  similar  project 
next  year. 

— The  Pretty  Prairie  Times 

Young  people  of  the  First  Menno- 
nite Church  in  Newton,  Kan.,  re- 
cently presented  a play  “Christ  and 
the  Concrete  City”  by  T.  W.  Turner. 
Done  entirely  without  staging  and 
props,  the  play  makes  truths  of  the 
passion  story  real  to  a modern  day 
situation.  The  effectiveness  of  the 
play  is  in  the  varied  use  of  voices 
for  mood  and  climax. 

Has  your  youth  group  done  some- 
thing which  the  rest  of  us  would 
be  interested  in  hearing  about? 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People's  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  722 
Main  St.,  Newton,  Kansas. 


August  25,  1959 


523 


MCC  news  and  notes 

WORK  IN  CALCUTTA  ENCOURAGED 

INDIA — MCC  belongs  in  Calcutta, 
working  with  the  involved  refugee 
program  occasioned  by  the  move- 
ment of  nearly  four  million  people 
from  East  Pakistan  to  West  Ben- 
gal a decade  ago.  This  is  the  opin- 
ion of  Executive  Secretary  William 
T.  Snyder  after  visiting  India  in 
July. 

“The  problems  of  Calcutta  made 
a great  impression  on  me,”  Snyder 
said.  “With  over  3^/4  million  persons 
still  displaced,  there  is  great  pov- 
erty, hunger,  and  political  turmoil 
in  West  Bengal.”  Extent  of  the 
problem  is  indicated  by  figures  re- 
leased by  the  West  Bengal  govern- 
ment in  December,  1958;  refugees 
living  in  camps  and  homes — 240,682; 
in  government  colonies  — 243,765 ; 
those  outside — 2,778,506. 

In  co-operation  with  the  West 
Bengal  Refugee  Welfare  Commit- 
tee, MCC  is  working  in  four  col- 
onies; two  in  Sodepur  near  Bar- 
rackpore  and  two  in  Halishar.  Ed- 
ward Benedict,  MCC  area  director, 
is  chairman  of  the  welfare  commit- 
tee. Milk,  wheat,  and  other  foods 
are  distributed  in  the  colonies.  Med- 
ical care  is  given  to  leprous  and 
tubercular  patients.  MCC  worker 
William  Voth  is  trying  to  introduce 
a poultry  self-help  project. 

Calcutta  also  has  an  acute  prob- 
lem in  her  43,000-student  university 
where  over  40  per  cent  of  the  under- 
graduates are  receiving  less  than 
minimum  nutrition.  The  university 
vice-chancellor  expressed  keen  in- 
terest in  MCC  setting  up  feeding 
stations  in  several  colleges  of  the 
institution.  “These  are  the  future 
leaders  of  West  Bengal,”  Snyder 
suggested,  “and  doubtless  much 
good  will  be  accomplished  in  the 
witness  if  we  can,  as  a Christian 
organization  working  with  other 
Christian  bodies,  bring  them  assist- 
ance during  their  study  years.  Here 
is  a need  which  presents  not  only 
physical  aid  possibilities  but  also 
ideological  opportunities.” 

FOREST  FIRE  IN  BAIE  VERTE 

NEWFOUNDLAND  — Extensive 
forest  fire  in  north  central  New- 
foundland is  causing  much  anxiety 
in  its  local  residents,  Christian  and 
Janeal  Ravndal  (Little  Silver,  N.J.), 
MCC  teachers  in  Baie  Verte,  report- 


ed Aug.  13.  (The  Ravndals  arrived 
at  the  home  of  Mrs.  Ravndal’s  par- 
ents in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  Aug.  12, 
for  a two-week  vacation.) 

“Although  the  fire  is  now  under 
control  because  of  recent  rains,” 
Ravndal  said,  “the  fire  which  smoul- 
ders in  the  three-foot  turf  could 
again  flare  up  depending  upon  the 
weather.  The  final  effect  of  the  fire 
remains  to  be  determined,  but  one 
thing  is  certain;  the  people  are 
very  apprehensive  as  to  the  future. 
One  of  their  chief  sources  of  liveli- 
hood is  practically  gone.” 

The  MCC  workers  in  Baie  Verte 
— the  Ravndals,  Velma  Blosser 
(Columbiana,  Ohio),  Naomi  Claas- 
sen  (Newton,  Kan.),  and  Mary 
Poole,  R.N.,  (Sellersville,  Pa.) — 
were  assisting  in  a boy’s  camp  about 
20  miles  south  of  the  village  when 
the  fire  broke  out.  In  a letter  to 
her  family  written  Aug.  1,  Mrs. 
Ravndal  described  the  situation  in 
this  way; 

“As  early  as  July  28  we  smelled 
wood  smoke  at  camp.  July  29  the 
smell  was  stronger  and  there  was 
word  of  fire  in  the  Mackinaw  Lake 
area.  The  next  day  we  piled  into 
the  truck  and  went  to  see  the  fire. 
It  was  really  frightening  as  it  was 
progressing  toward  us  at  the  rate 
of  two  miles  an  hour. 

“On  the  way  home,  a mounted 
policeman  ordered  us  all  out  of 
camp,  so  we  packed  for  the  excited 
boys  and  sent  them  back  to  Baie 
Verte.  Our  next  job,  in  the  light  of 
our  few  oil  lanterns,  was  to  pile  all 
camp  equipment  in  one  section  of 
the  dining  room  in  order  that  fire- 
fighters could  move  in. 

“July  31  news  warned  that  camp 
27,  the  fire  fighters’  last  refuge  be- 
fore our  camp  25,  was  gone  and 
that  the  fire  was  still  advancing  in 
the  strong  wind  and  continued  dry 
heat.  By  noon  the  campers’  luggage 
and  the  most  valuable  camp  things 
had  been  returned.  Fire  threatened 
only  four  miles  from  25.  As  quickly 
as  we  could,  we  borrowed  a truck 
and  Chris  and  I and  four  other  men 
rushed  toward  the  dark  sky  to  camp 
25. 

“While  Chris  and  two  others  went 
by  car  to  get  firsthand  information 
on  the  fire,  the  rest  of  us  loaded 
mattresses,  dishes,  food,  pots  and 
pans  on  the  big  truck.  At  least 
twenty  minutes  before  the  men 
came  back  from  the  fire  front,  word 


came  that  the  fire  had  circled  the 
pond  and  was  heading  to  cut  across  ! 
the  road  between  town  and  camp  25.  j 
We  doubled  our  speed  while  all  the 
others  in  camp  pulled  out.  We  load- 
ed, hoping  our  men  would  come  ‘ 
soon. 

“Finally  they  came.  We  were  the  ( 
last  out  of  camp,  save  Gus  Rideout  t 
and  the  Mountie,  but  we  had  res-  t 
cued  most  of  the  camp  equipment.  ; 
Fire  had  not  yet  crossed  the  road,  ! 
but  the  word  now  was  that  Baie  i 
Verte  was  in  danger.  At  home,  we  ; 
unloaded  camp  equipment.  Chris  ' 
went  immediately  to  help  the  town  i 
men  and  mining  men  fell  trees 
above  town,  to  make  the  fire  less 
able  to  reach  the  town.  We  girls 
packed  the  one  suitcase  each  fam- 
ily was  allowed  in  case  the  town 
had  to  be  evacuated  by  boat,  we 
packed  some  left-over  camp  food 
for  the  town  men  who  would  all 
remain  to  fight  the  fire,  and  then 
we  watched  the  sky.” 

Although  Baie  Verte  was  pre- 
pared to  evacuate  (in  fact  one  boat-  ! 
load  of  women  did  leave  Aug.  1),  ! 
the  fire  at  its  closest  point  was  actu- 
ally eight  miles  from  the  100-family 
village.  In  case  of  actual  evacuation,  i 
MCC  nurse  Mary  Poole  would  have 
been  the  only  medical  person  in 
town. 

PEACE  WITNESS  IS  DIFFICULT 

JAPAN — Since  1955,  after  engag- 
ing in  postwar  relief  in  Japan,  MCC 
has  retained  a representative  in  Ja- 
pan to  deal  with  questions  of  Chris- 
tianity and  peace.  Paul  Peachey, 
Peace  Section  worker,  reports  that 
because  of  the  continuing  problems 
facing  Japan  a Christian  witness  is  ' 
definitely  needed  in  our  contempor- 
ary nuclear  age.  J 

The  Japanese  peace  movement  ' 
though  actively  effective  does  not 
exist  without  conflicts.  Recent  ac-  ; 
tion  by  the  Japanese  Council  A- 
gainst  Atomic  and  Hydrogen  Bombs 
(JCAAHB)  reflected  strong  leftist 
influence;  this  year  the  peace  organ- 
ization adopted  a policy  which  will 
not  admit  foreign  residents  of  Ja- 
pan as  representatives  in  its  organ- 
ization. “In  back  of  this  decision,” 
states  Peachey,  “lay  the  hostility 
of  some  JCAAHB  factions  toward  a 
few  resident  missionaries  who  par- 
ticipated in  last  year’s  convention 
and  toward  such  outstanding  for- 
eign Christian  representatives  as 
Andre  Trocme,  French  Reformed 


524 


THE  MENNONITE 


ai 


pacifist.  To  persons  of  revolutionary 
intent,  genuine  humanitarian  ef- 
forts, seeking  reconciliation,  and 
mutual  acknowledgement  of  guilt, 
are  obviously  uncongenial.” 


O'Jt 

U 

ad. 

aie 

ye 

ris 

5T1 

w 

SS 

ri 

c- 

re 

III 

a 


Communication  difficulty  with 
Christians  abroad  and  the  range  of 
theological  opinion  on  peace  mat- 
ters are  further  handicaps  in  the 
Japanese  peace  witness.  In  August, 
1958,  a special  committee  of  prom- 
inent Japanese  Christians  sponsored 
a one-day  Christian  Conference  for 
World  Peace.  Action  taken  request- 
ed such  a conference  annually.  Nev- 
ertheless, the  implementation  re- 
quired found  theological  diversity 
so  great,  that  no  such  steps  have 
yet  been  taken. 

This  spring  Hiroshima  Christians 
and  missionaries  set  up  a new  Chris- 
tian Peace  Service  Organization. 
This  group  participated  in  the  Fifth 
World  Conference  against  atomic 
and  hydrogen  bombs  and  was  favor- 
ably accepted  by  Hiroshima’s 
mayor. 


1- 

r 

; mutual  aid  placement 

^ PERSONNEL  WANTED 

Secretary — The  primary  duties  in- 
clude typing  correspondence  and 
bookkeeping,  such  as  keeping  the 

• accounts  of  residents,  payroll,  and 
monthly  operation  expenditures. 
Beautiful  country,  pleasant  sur- 
roundings. For  further  details 
write:  Administrator,  Mennonite 

Home  for  the  Aged,  Frederick,  Pa. 

Matron — Primary  duties  include 
dispensing  of  clothing  and  linens, 
visiting  residents,  oversee  process- 
ing of  foods  in  season.  Widow  want- 
ing a good  home  and  having  a love 
for  older  people  would  be  ideal.  For 
further  details  write:  Administra- 
tor, Mennonite  Home  for  the  Aged, 
Frederick,  Pa. 


Assistant  Director  of  Nursing 
Education — Diploma  program  NLN 
accredited,  65  students,  100-bed 
JCAH  accredited  hospital.  Basic 
sciences  taught  at  nearby  college. 
Master’s  degree  desired;  will  con- 
sider B.S.  degree  and  comparable 
experience.  Salary  based  on  quali- 
fications. Apply  to:  Director  of 

Nursing,  Bethel  Deaconess  Hospital, 
Newton,  Kan. 


into  the  beyond 

Mrs.  Joe  Waltner„  a member  of 
the  Pretty  Prairie  (Kansas)  Menno- 
nite Church,  was  born  July  25,  1881, 
at  Freeman,  S.  D.,  and  died  June  16, 
1959. 

George  Regehr,  of  Inman,  Kan., 
and  member  of  the  Bethel  Menno- 
nite Church  there,  was  born  Nov. 
14,  1886,  and  died  Aug.  1,  1959. 

Mrs.  H.  J.  Bartel  (nee  Anna 
Krause)  of  Hillsboro,  Kan.,  and 
member  of  the  First  Mennonite 
Church  there,  was  born  Oct.  12, 
1889,  and  died  July  29,  1959. 

Clara  L.  Kuehny,  missionary 
nurse  in  India,  and  member  of  the 
First  Mennonite  Church,  Newton, 
Kan.,  passed  away  July  31,  1959. 
She  was  born  at  Halstead,  Kan., 
Feb.  7,  1878. 

jottings 

SENATOR  TO  SPEAK  AT  GIFT  DAY 

Bethel  Deaconess  Hospital,  New- 
ton, Kan.:  Senator  Andrew  F. 

Schoeppel  has  been  secured  as  the 
guest  speaker  for  the  evening  pro- 
gram of  the  annual  Gift  and  Fel- 
lowship Day,  which  is  scheduled  for 
Tuesday,  September  15,  on  the  lawn 
of  the  Bethel  Home  for  Aged  in 
Newton,  Kan.  The  Gift  and  Fellow- 
ship Day  is  sponsored  annually  by 
the  women’s  auxiliaries  for  the  ben- 
efit of  the  Bethel  Deaconess  Hos- 
pital and  Bethel  Home  for  Aged. 

The  evening  program  is  sched- 
uled to  begin  at  7:45,  and  in  addi- 
tion to  the  speaker,  the  Newton 
Concert  Band,  under  the  direction 
of  Frank  Malambri  will  give  a con- 
cert. McCulley  Ashlock,  the  mayor 
of  Newton,  will  be  the  master  of 
ceremonies  and  introduce  Senator 
Schoeppel. 

Friends  from  Newton  and  the  sur- 
rounding communities  are  invited  to 
join  in  the  gift  and  fellowship  hour 
beginning  at  5 p.m.  At  this  time 
the  ladies  of  the  auxiliaries  will 
conduct  a bazaar  and  food  sale.  'The 
lunch  during  this  time  will  again 
include  borscht  this  year.  There  will 
also  be  provision  to  receive  gifts 
and  contributions  for  the  support 
of  the  hospital  and  home  for  aged 
during  this  time. 

This  event  is  a yearly  highlight 
in  the  life  of  the  hospital  and  the 
home  for  aged  in  its  relationship 
to  the  constituent  community,  which 
these  institutions  serve.  It  provides 
an  opportunity  for  friends  of  the 


institution  to  fellowship  together. 
And  it  affords  an  added  opportunity 
for  the  public  to  make  contributions 
to  the  institutions.  Funds  are  always 
needed  to  help  buy  new  equipment, 
such  as  a new  stove  which  was  pur- 
chased recently  for  the  preparation 
of  special  diets  in  the  hospital.  They 
are  also  needed  to  help  underwrite 
the  cost  of  the  educational  programs 
in  nursing  and  medical  technology, 
which  train  people  for  technical  and 
professional  positions  in  the  health 
services  which  the  community 
needs.  Money  is  also  needed  at  the 
present  time  to  carry  out  a needed 
remodeling  project  to  facilitate  the 
long-term  nursing  service  at  the 
home  for  aged. 

MINISTER  ATTENDS  CONFERENCE 

Onecho  Church,  Colfax,  Wash.: 
Pastor  and  Mrs.  P.  D.  Unruh,  left 
Aug.  3 to  attend  the  General  Conf. 
They  visited  friends  and  relatives 
en  route,  planning  to  be  gone  about 
four  weeks.  Rev.  Stanley  Yu,  field 
representative  for  the  Chinese  Na- 
tive Evangelistic  Crusade,  had 
charge  of  the  services  on  Aug.  2. 
Elinor  Aeschliman  will  serve  as 
counselor  for  the  Youth  Camp  at 
Fair  Havens  during  the  Inland  Em- 
pire Bible  Conf.  Russel  Gay  and 
Penelope  Holbrook  were  recently 
married.  A smorgasbord  was  held 
at  the  church  in  honor  of  the  eleven 
high  school  graduates  from  our 
community.  Rev.  Elywinn  Swartz, 
Dean  of  Music  from  the  University 
of  Idaho,  was  the  guest  speaker. — 
Mrs.  Alvin  Rubin 

“CHRISTMAS  IN  JUNE”  OBSERVED 

First  Church,  Newton,  Kan.: 
Brother  Gerhard  Klaassen  from 
Rosthem,  Sask.,  has  been  engaged 
by  the  church  to  serve  as  minister 
of  music  and  youth  for  the  coming 
two  years,  serving  full-time  during 
the  summer  and  part-time  during 
the  winter  while  he  is  attending 
Bethel  College.  Don  Wismer,  pastor 
of  the  Mennonite  Church  in  Denver, 
Colo.,  spoke  at  the  C,  E.  service 
April  5 on  “Church  Extension  in  Our 
Cities.”  A week  of  special  services 
beginning  with  April  19,  with  Ralph 
Weber  from  the  Beatrice  Mennonite 
Church  as  speaker,  was  held.  An- 
drew Shelly  presented  the  work  of 
the  seminary  to  our  congregation 
on  May  3.  The  illustrated  lecture 
at  the  evening  service  revealed  also 
the  progress  of  the  physical  plant 
of  our  seminary.  Christian  Family 
Sunday  was  observed  May  10  with 
a child  consecration  service  at  which 
twenty  children  were  brought  to  the 
altar  by  their  parents  to  be  conse- 
crated and  dedicated  to  the  Lord. 
Baptismal  services  were  held  on 
Pentecost  Sunday.  Eighteen  yoi:ng 


August  25,  1 959 


525 


souls  identified  themselves  with  the 
Lord  in  baptism  and  six  members 
joined  through  transfer  of  church 
letter.  Summer  Bible  school  was  a- 
gain  conducted  at  two  different 
times.  For  the  rural  children  it 
took  place  in  May  with  three  teach- 
ers and  47  children  enrolled.  The 
city  school  was  conducted  in  June 
with  twenty-five  teachers  and  assist- 
ants with  249  children  enrolled.  At 
the  closing  program  of  the  Bible 
school  13  students  received  diplomas 
upon  completing  the  ninth  grade 
course  and  19  for  completing  the 
eighth  grade  course  of  the  work.  A 
father-son  banquet  was  sponsored 
by  the  men’s  fellowship  on  June  9 
with  Roland  Goering  from  the  Hal- 
stead Mennonite  Church  as  guest 
speaker.  “Christmas  in  June”  was 
observed  at  which  time  the  200 
Christmas  bundles  prepared  by  the 
families  of  the  church  were  dedi- 
cated. Our  Mission  Study  Circle  in- 
vited the  ladies  of  the  neighboring 
Mennonite  churches  to  a meeting 
on  July  14.  Mrs.  Ella  Mae  Miller  of 
Harrisonburg,  Va.,  of  the  “Heart 
to  Heart”  radio  program  was  the 
guest  speaker.  A social  hour  after 
the  program  gave  opportunity  to 
the  visitors  to  meet  Mrs.  Miller. — 
Katie  Andres 

MOYERS,  JANTZENS  VISIT 

First  Church,  Summerfield,  III.: 
We  all  rejoice  with  Pastor  and  Mrs. 
Neufeld  at  the  arrival  of  their  son, 
Randall  Wayne,  July  15.  Our  pastor 
and  six  of  our  young  people  attend- 
ed a retreat  at  the  “Lake  of  the 
Ozarks”  in  Missouri,  from  July  29- 
Aug.  1.  This  retreat  is  sponsor^  by 
the  young  people  of  the  Mennonite 
Church  of  Fortuna  and  they  invited 
us  to  join  with  them.  This  was  the 
first  retreat  experience  for  our 
young  folks  and  they  report  an  iii- 
teresting,  enjoyable,  and  profitable 
time  spent  there.  Our  pastor  was 
one  of  the  instructors.  Former  mis- 
sioneiries  in  India,  S.  T.  and  Metta 
Moyer,  were  with  us  on  July  26 
and  brought  an  interesting  message 
in  word  and  pictures  of  our  mission 
work  in  India.  On  Aug.  2 the  Albert 
Jantzens  of  Oraibi,  Ariz.,  were  with 
us  and  told  us  of  their  work  among 
the  Hopi  Indians.  We  greatly  ap- 
preciate these  interesting  messages. 
CLOTHING  PREPARED  FOR  RELIEF 
First  Church,  Madrid,  Neb.:  May 

10  Wasme,  son  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Har- 
old Doerksen,  and  Karen,  daughter 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Herman  Regier, 
were  consecrated.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Albert  Jantzen  of  the  Arizona 
Indian  Mission  showed  interesting 
colored  slides  on  May  19.  Some  at- 
tended the  Gideon  smorgasbord  sup- 
per on  May  23  at  Ogallala’s  Hoke 
Cafe.  Peter  Regier,  Jr.,  is  now  the 


new  C.  E.  chairman.  Only  the  chil- 
dren have  Wed.  night  Bible  study 
for  the  summer,  with  Mrs.  B.  H. 
Janzen  in  charge.  Ads  in  the  local 
paper  brought  our  mission  society 
408  pounds  of  used  clothing  which 
the  ladies  sorted,  mended,  or 
cleaned.  Holy  Communion  was  ob- 
served on  May  31.  Missionary  Ben 
Sawatzkys  brought  us  a fine  serv- 
ice on  June  1.  Our  C.  E.  brought  a 
program  “Who  Is  My  Neighbor?” 
to  the  local  M.  B.  church  and  the 
Meadow  Mennonite  Church  near 
Colby  this  summer.  One  hundred 
children  were  enrolled  in  DVBS 
with  Mrs.  Harold  Doerksen  as  supt. 
Children’s  Day  was  observed  June 
14  with  a Sunday  school  picnic.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  P.  A.  Regier  and  Ivan 
and  Pastor  and  Mrs.  Janzen  attend- 
ed the  Northern  Dist.  Conf.  Our 
church  attended  the  farewell  for 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Orville  Wiebe  at  the 
M.  B.  Church  on  June  21.  They  left 
for  their  second  term  as  mission- 
aries in  Belgian  Congo. — Mrs.  Her- 
man Regier 

GROUND  BREAKING  FOR  HOME 

Alexanderwohl  Church,  Goes- 
SEL,  Kan.:  Fifteen  children  were 
consecrated  on  May  10.  On  Pente- 
cost, twenty  young  people  were  re- 
ceived into  our  membership  through 
baptism  and  one  by  church  letter. 
The  annual  Bethesda  Hospital  and 
Home  benefit  supper  and  sale 
amounted  to  $964.46.  Our  pastor,  P. 
A.  Wedel,  spoke  at  the  Emmanuel 
Church  north  of  Moundridge  on  a 
special  Children’s  Day  program. 
In  the  morning  of  June  7 we  had 
our  Children’s  Day  program  and  the 
dedication  of  222  Christmas  bun- 
dles. In  the  evening  we  had  a pic- 
nic in  the  Gus  Unruh  pasture.  June 
28  at  7 p.m.  Bethesda  Home  ground- 
breaking services  were  held  east  of 
the  present  building.  Following  is 
the  order  of  service:  opening  prayer 
by  James  Waltner,  pastor  of  the 
Tabor  Church;  special  music  by  the 
Guhr  brothers’  quartet;  message  by 
our  pastor,  P.  A.  Wedel;  the  ground- 
breaking by  members  of  the  Board 
of  Directors;  and  closing  remarks 
and  benediction  by  W.  W.  Harms, 
minister  of  the  KMB  Church.— Corr. 

BURKHARTS  SPEAK 

Swiss  Church,  Alsen,  S.  D.:  On 
the  evening  of  July  5 the  film  “In 
Times  Like  These”  was  presented 
in  our  church.  July  7 Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Paul  Burkhart  and  family  were 
here  to  speak  and  show  slides. 
They  represent  the  New  ’Tribes 
Mission.  July  9 our  mission  society 
met  with  Mrs.  Jacob  Toews  as  hos- 


tess. Bandages  were  wrapped.  The. 
Lord’s  Supper  was  observed  on  July 
5.  Our  weekly  Bible  study,  prayerj 
meeting,  and  choir  were  held  Wed.l 
eve,  July  15.  A daughter,  Janet 
Louise,  was  bom  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.' 
Walter  Scott,  Jime  24. — Corr. 

PLAN  NEW  CHURCH  BUILDING 

Denver  Fellowship,  Denver,  Colo.  : 
March  17  and  18  Pastor  Donald 
Wismer  was  in  Kan.  to  attend  the 
ministers’  conference.  On  March  22 
“The  Crucifixion”  was  presented  by 
the  Inter-Mennonite  Choral  Society. 
Communion  service  was  held  March 
26  with  E.  M.  Yost,  regional  over-i 
seer  of  the  (Old)  Mennonite  Church, 
in  charge.  The  pastor  was  again  in 
Newton,  Kan.,  and  vicinity  April 
1-16  to  speak  to  the  surrounding 
churches  in  the  interest  of  our 
church.  In  his  absence  the  pulpit 
was  filled  by  Arnold  Nickel,  pastor 
of  the  Eden  Church,  Moundridge, 
Kan.,  and  by  W.  F.  Unruh,  who  also 
gave  a slide  presentation  of  the 
MCC  relief  work  and  Western  Dist. 
work.  On  May  26,  the  women's  fel- 
lowship was  served  an  Indian  sup- 
per by  Miss  Mary  Schrag,  mission- 
ary to  India.  She  also  spoke  and 
showed  pictures  at  the  Sun.  eve 
service.  May  31.  Births : Mark  Allen : 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Karl  Ratzlaff,  Feb. 
4;  Susan  Lynette  to  Pastor  and  Mrs. 
Donald  Wismer,  March  17;  Louette: 
Fay  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rudy  Bartel, 
June  25;  and  Kim  Renee  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Van  Wulliman,  June  26.  A. 
building  committee  consisting  of ' 
Rudy  Bartel,  Victor  Peters,  Emily 
Nachtigal,  George  Kling,  John 
Goering,  Delores  Sawatzky,  and 
Harold  Friesen  was  recently  elect- 
ed to  make  plans  for  our  new 
church  building.  We  also  chose  a 
church  name:  “Arvada  Mennonite 
Church.”  The  following  were  elect- 
ed to  serve  on  the  church  council: 
moderator,  John  Goering;  deacons, 
Karl  Ratzlaff  and  Rudy  Bartel; 
trustees,  Alfred  Baum  and  Harold  I 
Friesen ; secretary.  Marvel  Siemens ; 
treasurer,  Vic  Peters;  S.  S.  super- 
intendent, Mrs.  George  Smith;  asst.  i 
S.  S.  superintendent,  Mrs.  Harry ! 
Nachtigal;  S.  S.  secretary-treasurer, 
Vivian  Bartel. — Mrs.  Henry  Wedel  i 

FIRST  BAPTISMAL  SERVICE 

Waters  Mission,  Copper  Cliff, 
Ont.:  The  first  baptismal  service 
of  our  church  was  held  the  morning 
of  June  7.  Rev.  Dick  of  Toronto 
preached  the  baptismal  sermon  with 
Rev.  Ulrich  of  Kitchener  officiating. 
Pastor  Menno  Ediger  received  them 
into  the  fellowship.  'Hiose  in  the 
baptismal  group  were:  Paul  Mar- 
tin, Douglas  Alkenbrach,  John  Mar- 
tin, Wes  Alkenbrach,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Don  Forbeck,  Carol  Alkenbrach, 


526 


THE  MENNONITE 


Emma  Martin,  Esther  Ramsey,  and 
Mary  Jacobson.  Most  of  these  can- 
■!'  didates  have  professed  Christ  as 
■’  their  Savior  for  several  years.  Fol- 
^ lowing  the  baptismal  service,  com- 
•’  munion  was  held.  Later  the  same 
^ day,  the  Mission  was  officially  or- 
ganized as  a church  of  the  General 
Conference  Mennonites.  The  charter 
, members,  ten  by  baptism  and  ten 
i by  letter,  were  received  into  the 
j new  church  by  Rev.  Ulrich  of  Kitch- 
, ener,  assisted  by  Pastor  Menno 
Ediger.  Members  received  by  letter 
: are  as  follows:  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ervin 
Jj  Albrecht  from  Riverdale  Mennonite 
Church,  Millbank,  Ont.;  Mrs.  Wes 
Alkenbrach  from  Northminster  Me- 
morial United  Church,  Flint  Flow, 
Manitoba;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mahlon 
Bast  from  Maple  View  Amish 
Church,  Wellesley,  Ont.;  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Menno  Ediger  from  Bethel 
Mennonite  Church,  Inman,  Kan.; 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Thomas  Martin  from 
Floradale  Mennonite  Church,  Flora- 
dale,  Ont.;  and  Henry  Schroeder 
from  Petaigan,  Sask. — Mrs.  Thomas 
Martin 

MISSIONARY  SPEAKERS 

Bethel  Lustre  Church,  Frazer, 
Mont.:  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lyn  Roth, 

! missionary  candidates  to  Colombia, 

I S.  A.,  under  the  Gospel  Missionary 
Union,  were  with  us  April  26.  A mis- 
sionary service  including  pictures 
i and  songs,  was  held  May  3 with 
Rev.  and  Mrs.  Kenneth  Munger,  re- 
turned missionaries  from  South 
Rhodesia,  Africa.  Ascension  Day 
services  were  held  May  25-27.  The 
Ladies’  Mission  Society  had  charge 
of  painting  and  varnishing  the  par- 
sonage. On  June  4 Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Albert  Jantzen  were  with  us  and  re- 
lated experiences  in  Hopiland,  Ariz. 
Lorraine  Huebert  was  valedictorian 
for  the  1959  Lustre  Bible  Academy 
graduating  class.  Miss  Betty  Quir- 
ing,  teacher  of  missionary  children 
in  the  Congo,  spoke  and  showed  pic- 
tures on  June  7.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Peter 
B.  Quiring  celebrated  their  silver 
wedding  anniversary  in  our  church 
June  14.  Rev.  and  Mrs.  Leslie  Jantz, 
missionaries  to  Brazil,  were  also 
with  us  June  14. — Mrs.  Clarence 
Baerg 

MOTHER-DAUGHTER  BANQUET 

Bethel  Church,  Pekin,  III.:  April 
26  we  welcomed  in  our  midst  Rev. 
J.  W.  Davis  of  Tremont  who  con- 
ducted the  morning  worship.  The 
Young  Married  S.  S.  Class  spon- 
sored a clean-up  of  the  church 
grounds  on  May  8.  A brief  dedica- 
tion ceremony  of  Christmas  bun- 
dles was  held  on  May  10  at  which 
time  the  children  brought  their 
bundles.  A mother-daughter  banquet 
was  held  in  Morton  on  May  14  with 
Mrs.  Merle  Schwartz  as  guest  speak- 


er. She  gave  a very  interesting  ac- 
count of  the  women’s  work  in  Af- 
rica. Vacation  Bible  school  was  held 
June  1-12  with  a closing  program 
on  Sunday  evening.  There  were  41 
enrolled.  These  were  received  into 
the  church  by  baptism:  Nancy  Os- 
wald, Sue  Ellen  Johnson,  James  T. 
Sommer,  William  C.  Sommer,  Ralph 
Roth,  Raymond  Ahten,  Edward  A. 
Hieser,  and  Ronald  Johnson.  The 
Lord’s  Supper  was  observed  on  May 
24.  Dedication  and  blessing  of  in- 
fants was  held  May  10  at  which 
time  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Charles  Henry 
presented  their  infant  son,  Charles 
Arthur.  A YPU  rally  was  held  May 
30  at  the  E.U.B.  camp  grounds  west 
of  Groveland.  Fifty-seven  young 
people  and  leaders  came  from  sev- 
en central  Illinois  churches.  Stew- 
art Lehman  from  Berne,  Ind.,  gave 
inspirational  messages.  This  was 
followed  by  recreation  and  music. 
Men  of  Calvary  Church,  Washing- 
ton, 111.,  prepared  the  evening  meal. 
Three  families  from  our  church  at- 
tended the  family  camp  at  Friedens- 
wald  the  week  of  July  26:  Theodore 
Sommers,  Oliver  Kings,  and  Clar- 
ence Sommers.  Ted  Sommer  was 
dean  of  the  retreat. 

NEW  S.  S.  CLASS  BEGUN 

First  Church,  Upland,  Calif.:  Sum- 
mer Bible  school  was  held  June  15 
to  26,  ending  with  an  appropriate 
program.  The  total  enrollment  was 
44.  Our  choir  had  a farewell  party 
June  22  for  Miss  Edith  Cosner, 
church  organist-director.  Miss  Cos- 
ner has  gone  to  a new  teaching  as- 
signment with  the  Church  of  the 
Brethren  Voluntary  Service.  One  of 
the  recent  visiting  ministers  was 
Robert  Meyner  who  was  with  us 
while  our  pastor  was  attending  the 
Pacific  District  Conference  at  Bar- 
low,  Oregon.  Rev.  Meyner  is  As- 
sistant Professor  of  Christian  Eth- 
ics in  Claremont  Men’s  College.  On 
July  12  J.  B.  Martin  of  Waterloo, 
Ontario,  preached  for  us.  He  is  the 
chairman  of  the  host  committee  for 
the  World  Mennonite  Conference  to 
be  held  in  Kitchener,  Ontario,  in 
1962.  A new  Sunday  school  class  for 
young  married  and  college  age 
young  people  has  been  organized 
under  the  leadership  of  Richard 
Brandt.  The  members  of  the  Menno 
Knights  Sunday  school  class,  with 
their  families,  spent  the  week-end 
of  July  11-12  at  Idylwild.  This  is  an 
annual  retreat  program  for  this 
group.  A group  of  girls  from  the 
MCC  Voluntary  Service  Unit  at 
Camp  Paivika  (a  camp  for  crippled 
children)  attended  our  church  serv- 
ices July  5.  'The  newly  organized 
men’s  fellowship  announced  its  new 
officers:  Olin  Habegger,  pres.;  Paul 
Schmutz,  sec.-treas.;  Roy  Cabe,  pro- 


gram chm.;  Menno  Lichti,  Promo- 
tion Chm.  Fifty  men  attended  the 
dinner-program  meeting  on  July  23. 
New  arrivals:  a daughter  on  June 
20  for  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  Evers, 
and  a daughter  on  July  5 for  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Clyde  Mierau. — Corr. 

ORLO  KAUFFMAN  VISITS 

Topeka  Church,  Topeka,  Ind.:  Pas- 
tor Roy  Henry  delivered  the  Bac- 
calaureate sermon  at  Sycamore 
Hall  for  the  Topeka  High  School 
class  May  3.  Six  young  folks  from 
this  congregation  were  among  the 
graduates.  The  annual  mother- 
daughter  banquet  was  held  in  the 
church  basement  on  the  evening 
of  May  5.  The  men  of  the  church 
were  in  charge  of  the  meal.  A pro- 
gram was  held  in  the  auditorium 
following  the  meal.  Guest  speakers 
while  our  pastor  and  family  were  on 
vacation  were  Bruno  Epp,  mission- 
ary to  Paraguay,  and  Martha  Gies- 
brecht,  missionary  to  Japan.  H.  A. 
Driver  was  with  us  May  24  and 
spoke  on  the  agricultural  work  in 
the  Belgian  Congo.  'The  youth  sen- 
ior banquet  was  held  June  14  at 
this  church.  High  school  seniors 
from  General  Conference  churches 
in  this  area  were  the  guests.  Guest 
speaker  at  the  morning  service 
June  14  was  Reinhard  Vogt  of  Elk- 
hart. Pastor  Henry  brought  a series 
of  messages  at  the  senior  youth  re- 
treat at  Chesley  Lake,  Ont.,  June 
20-21.  A children’s  day  program  was 
given  June  14  and  Christmas  bun- 
dles were  dedicated.  Four  children 
were  consecrated  by  their  parents 
during  the  service.  'The  Gospel  Mes- 
sengers Men’s  Chorus  presented  a 
sacred  concert  on  June  21.  A serv- 
ice of  baptism  was  held  June  28 
during  the  morning  service.  Six 
young  people  were  received  into  the 
church  by  baptism  and  one  through 
transfer  of  membership.  Eleven 
young  people  attended  the  various 
retreats  at  Camp  Friedenswald. 
Pastor  Henry  was  instructor  at  the 
intermediate  and  pre-junior  re- 
treats. Six  men  of  this  congregation 
attended  a men’s  retreat  at  Camp 
Friedenswald  July  18-19.  Four  la- 
dies from  this  congregation  assist- 
ed in  the  camp  kitchen  during  two 
weeks  of  the  retreat.  Guest  speaker 
for  the  morning  service  Aug.  2 was 
Orlo  Kauffman,  director  of  our  Vol- 
untary Service  Unit  at  Gulfport, 
Miss.  Recent  births  were  a daugh- 
ter, Romona  Lynn  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Wm.  Oesch,  June  6;  a son,  Terry 
Owen  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Calvin  Hoch- 
stetler,  July  11;  and  a son,  Rodney 
Jay,  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elwyn  Frain 
July  18.  The  marriage  of  Margaret 
Hostetler  and  John  Yoder  took 
place  Sun.  afternoon,  July  5. — Opal 
King. 


August  25,  1959 


527 


CONFERENCE  ELECTIONS 
HELD  AT  BLUFFTON 

Results  of  the  elections  held  at 
the  conference  sessions  at  Bluffton, 
Ohio,  on  Aug.  13,  are  as  follows: 
Erland  Waltner  was  re-elected  as 
president  of  the  General  Confer- 
ence; I.  I.  Friesen  was  re-elected  as 
vice  president;  Harris  Waltner  is 
the  newly  elected  secretary;  H.  J. 
Andres  was  re-elected  as  a trustee 
of  the  Schowalter  Foundation;  and 
Harry  Yoder  was  named  as  a mem- 
ber of  the  Program  Committee. 

Conference  executive  officers  are 
elected  every  three  years,  and  there 
is  the  possibility  of  being  re-elected 
only  once.  Members  of  the  Program 
Committee  are  elected  for  a nine- 
year  term.  One  new  member  of  the 
committee  of  three  is  elected  every 
three  years.  Harry  Yoder  replaces 
J.  N.  Smucker  who  had  been  ap- 
pointed to  fill  the  vacancy  caused 
by  the  death  of  Jacob  H.  Schultz. 
Among  trustees  for  the  Scho- 
walter Foundation  are  two  from  the 
General  Conference  Mennonite 
Church,  one  of  whom  is  elected  at 
each  triennium. 

LITTELL  CHALLENGES 
CENTENNIAL  CONFERENCE 

“The  major  theological  problem 
of  the  church  is  the  problem  of  how 
truth  is  arrived  at — how  we  discov- 
er the  will  of  God,”  stated  Dr. 
Franklin  H.  Littell,  speaker  at  the 
Centennial  Conference  sessions  of 
the  General  Conference  Mennonite 
Church  at  Bluffton,  Ohio,  at  the 
opening  meeting  on  Wednesday  aft- 
ernoon, Aug.  12. 

Dr.  Littell  emphasized  that  truth 
is  discovered  as  committed  Chris- 
tians reach  a consensus  through 
free  discussion.  This  was  the  speak- 
er’s interpretation  of  “the  mark  of 
the  Holy  Spirit.” 

The  speaker  cautioned  that  the 
individual  Christian  does  not  enjoy 
absolute  freedom,  but  that  he  has 
an  “unlimited  liability”  to  the 
group,  an  obligation  to  save,  to 
heal,  to  discipline  himself  for  the 
good  of  all. 

Dr.  Littell  teaches  church  history 
at  the  Candler  School  of  Theology, 
Em.ory  University,  Georgia.  He  is 
author  of  The  Anabaptist  View  of 
the  Church  and  The  Free  Church. 

He  pointed  out  that  the  church 


today  must  find  means  of  enlisting 
the  entire  membership  in  the  deci- 
sion-making process,  particularly  at 
the  point  of  specific  choices  made  in 
response  to  specific  problems. 

The  speaker  indicated  that  this 
disciplined  discussion  has  been  at 
the  basis  of  the  development-  of  the 
American  approach  in  political  de- 
mocracy. The  essence  of  the  Amer- 
ican way  is  voluntarism  and  a sense 
of  liability  for  all. 

“This,”  Dr.  Littell  asserted,  “is 
the  contribtuion  of  the  Free  Church 
— to  arrive  at  a consensus  by  taking 
up  a specific  issue  in  the  light  of 
scriptural  truth.” 

Addressing  the  delegates  and 
guests  at  the  evening  session,  Dr. 
Littell  challenged  his  Mennonite 
audience  to  “Avoid  Tone  Deafness.” 
Drawing  a parallel  from  the  fact 
that  tone  deafness  is  increasing  a- 
mong  public  school  children,  the 


speaker  pointed  out  that  we  are 
living  in  a society  that  is  rapidly 
growing  tone  deaf  in  its  sensitive- 
ness to  moral  and  ethical  issues. 
Examples  of  increasing  crassness 
and  vulgarity  of  spirit  were  noted. 

“The  decisions  you  and  I make 
will  affect  the  lives  of  generations 
to  come.  When  tone  deafness  has 
come,”  the  speaker  continued,  “the 
faithlessness  of  generations  is  re- 
vealed.” 

Complimenting  Mennonites  on 
their  heritage  and  practice  of  sing- 
ing, Dr.  Littell  posed  the  question 
to  the  Centennial  Conference,  “Are 
we,  after  one  hundred  years,  still 
sensitive  to  issues;  still  ethically 
aware?  Do  we  exercise  a disciplined 
witness?” 

Dr.  Littell  left  Bluffton  to  address 
the  “Kirchentag”  at  Munich,  Ger- 
many, on  Sunday,  Aug.  16. 


conference  stewardship 


July  31,  1958,  as  compared  to  July  27,  1959 


ooooooooooo 
— <Nco.  ■'tuiorNooO'O 


MISSIONS 


44.2%  1958 
42.6%  1959 


32.4%  1958 
42.6%  1959 


35.6%  1958 
26.9%  1959 


28.0%  1958 
27.0%  1959 


41.7%  1959 
48.5%  1958 


CHRISTIAN  SERVICE 


llllllllllll 

EDUCATION  AND  PUBLICATION 


llllllllllllllllll 

BUSINESS  ADMINISTRATION 


YOUNG  PEOPLE'S  UNION 


BUDGET 

$670,000 

$700,000 


$193,500 

$177,600 


$ 70,000 
$ 75,400 


$ 26,500 
$ 41,500 


$ 7,450 

$ 7,400 


tlW  1959  Budget 


SEPTEMBER  1,  1959 


Communion  Service 
General  Conference  Sessions 
Aug.  13,  1959,  Bluffton,  Ohio 


in  this  issue 


ARTICLES 

PIONEERS  OF  CONSCIENCE 

By  Russell  L.  Mast  531 

CAMP  FRIEDENSWALD — '59 

By  Frank  Dyck  534 

SIXTEEN  CHURCHES  ADDED  535 

NOTES  ON  THE  BLUFFTON 

CONFERENCE  536 

IMPRESSIONS  538 

THE  CHRISTIAN  AND  RACE 
RELATIONS  540 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  530 

MENNONITE  YOUTH 

Ten  Goals  for  Three  Years  541 

Come  . . . Go  . . . Give  542 

Five  Days  to  Remember  543 

OUR  SCHOOLS  544 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  544 

JOTTINGS  544 


Aug.  31 -Sept.  5 — "Faith  and  Life”  radio 
speaker,  KJRG,  Newton,  Kan.:  Philip 
A.  Wedel. 

Sept.  7-12 — -"Faith  and  Life"  radio 
speaker,  KJRG,  Newton,  Kan.:  Victor 
Sawatzky. 

Sept.  8 — Bethel  College  opens 
Sept.  1 1 — Bluffton  College  opens 
Sept.  21 — Classes  begin  at  Mennonite 
Biblical  Seminary. 

Sept.  25 — Rosthern  Junior  College  opens 
Sept.  29 — Canadian  Mennonite  Bible  Col- 
lege opens 

Oct.  4 — Western  District  Sunday  School 
Convention,  Halstead  High  School 
Auditorium,  Halstead,  Kan. 

Oct.  4 — World  Communion  Sunday 
Oct.  12 — Canadian  Thanksgiving  Day 
Oct.  24-28 — West.  Dist.  Conference 
Nov.  1 — Reformation  Sunday 
Nov.  26 — Thanksgiving  Day  (U.S.) 

Dec.  1-4 — Council  of  Boards 
Dec.  1 3 — Universal  Bible  Sunday 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor;  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors; 

J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Assistant;  Muriel 
Thiessen.  Layout  Consultant;  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  34 


editorials  I 

FELLOWSHIP,  DISCUSSION,  RENEWAL  The  delegates  and 
visitors  at  conference  in  Bluffton  seem  to  have  experienced  many 
things  that  warmed  their  hearts.  Among  these  was  the  expe-  , 
rience  of  fellowship.  Wherever  one  looked  on  this  lovely  campus  - 
of  Bluffton  College  little  groups  stood  or  sat  together  talking.  , 
They  talked  about  the  weather — it  was  hot.  They  talked  about  j 
home,  about  what  they  had  done  since  they  met.  They  also  | 
talked  about  the  conference,  the  program,  the  elections,  the 
good  food.  This  all  is  fellowship,  fellowship  in  the  Lord  on  many  i 
levels.  It  is  a “Glaubenskonferenz”  where  the  faith  of  the  broth- 
erhood is  strengthened  through  personal  sharing  and  giving  and 
listening.  It  is  good  to  come  to  conference  to  have  fellowship. 

I 

There  was  also  the  experience  of  discussion.  Each  Conference 
Board  had  arranged  for  a discussion  session  on  its  program  and 
the  feedback  from  the  groups  was  stirring.  (One  group  felt  that 
this  General  Conference  paper  was  not  meeting  the  needs  of  our 
people  and  was  not  being  read  except  by  a handful.  True?)  The 
discussions  on  race  were  lively.  Someone  suggested  that  no  more 
than  five  per  cent  of  the  Conference  constituency  could  possibly 
be  segregationist  minded  but  another  thought  sixty  per  cent 
would  be.  Another  thought  Mennonites  had  most  to  repent  of 
concerning  race  in  their  attitudes  toward  the  Jew.  Small  discus- 
sion groups  allow  things  to  happen.  There  delegates  were  free 
to  say  that  tradition  must  be  thrown  overboard  (at  a Centennial 
conference!),  there  all  had  a chance  to  share.  This  is  the  genius 
and  the  life-giving  element  in  Conference  polity.  It  is  the  genius 
of  the  General  Conference — to  be  able  to  look  at  itself  critically 
and  fearlessly.  When  discussion  breaks  down  there  is  trouble 
ahead.  Let  us  keep  the  channels  of  inter-personal  and  group 
communications  open. 

There  is  also  the  experience  of  renewal.  We  come  to  conference 
with  our  own  problems  and  concerns  and  realize  only  gradually 
that  they  had  been  limiting  our  vision  and  narrowing  our  per- 
spective. We  find  renewal  in  the  sharing  of  our  concerns,  in  the 
messages  from  the  platform  which  call  us  to  repentance  and  to 
faith.  We  realize  that  we  are  a part  of  the  work  of  the  kingdom 
and  that  we  have  not  been  left  alone  with  the  standard  of  Christ : 
there  are  brothers  on  every  hand  who  are  holding  the  Cross  of 
Christ  as  high  as  we  and  higher.  This  inspires  and  renews.  We  i 
find  renewal  in  the  pageant  portrayal  of  our  past ; God  is  faithful  | 
indeed!  He  who  has  begun  the  good  work  in  us  will  see  it  to  ! 
completion. 

Fellowship,  discussion,  renewal — it  happened  at  Bluffton!  Can 
this  experience  continue  at  home  in  Saskatchewan,  California,  | 
Kansas,  Pennsylvania,  and  in  every  one  of  our  churches  and 
communities?  These  are  channels  for  the  blessing  of  God. 

— Cornelius  J.  Dyck 
THE  MENNONITE 


530 


Prepared  for  the  Centennial  Conference,  Bluff  ton,  Ohio,  ig^g 


■ 

) 

Pioneers 

of 

Conscience 


Russell  L.  Mast,  Pastor, 
Bethel  College  Church, 
North  Newton,  Kansas 


Ye  have  compassed  this  moun- 
tain long  enough:  turn  you 
northward”  (Deut.  2:3). 

The  story  of  the  Mennonites  and 
the  story  of  the  Israelites  are 
strangely  similar.  In  fact  through 
the  centuries,  as  Mennonites  were 
pushed  from  pillar  to  post,  migrat- 
ing from  country  to  country,  they 
thought  of  this  similarity  time  and 
time  again.  It  is  not  at  all  strange 
that  they  would  have  recognized 
this  obvious  parallel.  Like  the  Is- 
raelites of  the  wilderness,  they  were 
strangers  and  pilgrims  of  the  earth, 
seeking  after  a place  of  promise,  a 
place  which  they  could  call,  in  the 
deepest  sense  of  the  word,  “home.” 
The  story  of  the  Mennonites  and 
the  story  of  the  Israelites  in  the 
wilderness  is  the  story  of  a people 
living  on  some  perpetual  frontier. 
They  blazed  trails,  seeking  ever  the 
promise  of  something  greater  ahead. 


Now  it  should  not  be  too  difficult 
for  us  to  see  that  pioneers  in  any 
age — people  who  endure  the  haz- 
ards and  hardships  of  frontier  life 
— are  much  more  inclined  to  devel- 
op a great  robustness  of  character 
than  those  brought  up  in  comfort 
and  security. 

In  his  book.  The  Epic  of  America, 
James  Truslow  Adams  declares  that 
the  pioneering  spirit  made  this 
country  great,  but  then  observes, 
“The  trouble  with  our  world  today 
is  that  we  have  no  more  frontiers.” 
But  I wonder  if  the  historian  is 
altogether  correct  in  his  judgment. 
That  the  geographical  frontier  in 
America  has  long  since  passed  out 
of  existence,  no  one  can  deny.  And 
yet,  the  most  obvious  fact  about  our 
contemporary  world  which  now 
holds  in  its  hands  the  means  of  self- 
annihilation,  and  which  accordingly 
is  perched  at  the  edge  of  complete 
oblivion,  is  that  our  world  has  a 
new  frontier  on  its  hands.  Our 
world  is  again  calling  for,  and  des- 
perately needing,  pioneers.  In  in- 
creasing numbers  thinking  men  are 
saying  that  the  major  issue  of  our 
time  is  moral  and  spiritual  and  that 
the  future  of  our  civilization  de- 


pends on  whether  or  not  man  can 
ever  be  good  enough  to  use  respon- 
sibly the  technogolical  power  that 
hcis  come  into  his  hands. 

The  geographical  frontier  which 
our  grandfathers  and  great-grand- 
fathers knew  so  well  has  passed. 
But  we  are  living  on  a moral  fron- 
tier in  which  we  are  called  to  be 
pioneers  of  conscience.  For  indeed, 
when  all  is  said  that  needs  to  be 
said  about  what  a true  pioneer  is, 
we  see  that  it  is  more  a matter  of 
spirit  than  of  geography.  It  depends 
not  so  much  on  where  you  live  as 
on  how  you  look  at  life. 

This  is  what  makes  the  story  of 
the  exodus  one  of  the  most  unfail- 
ingly relevant  narratives  in  aU  re- 
corded literature.  For  this  is  the 
story  of  man’s  life  upon  the  earth, 
his  movement  out  of  bondage  and 
sin,  his  ceaseless  struggles  in  the 
wilderness,  and  his  abiding  hope  for 
a land  of  promise. 

When  at  last  the  Israelites  had 
come  as  far  as  Kadesh-bamea,  a 
green  oasis  in  the  midst  of  a desert- 
wilderness  deep  with  sand,  they 
were  only  sixty  miles  from  the 
Promised  Land.  From  this  point 
they  sent  twelve  men  into  the  new 
land  on  a preliminary  expedition. 
They  came  back  with  the  report  of 
giants  in  the  lemd.  And  all  but  two 
of  them  declared  it  would  be  impos- 
sible for  them  to  move  on,  saying 
that  the  giants  were  so  big  that 
they  were  in  their  own  sight  as 
grasshoppers.  Because  they  were 
afflicted  with  what  Bishop  McCon- 
nell used  to  call  the  “Grasshopper 
complex,”  the  people  elected  not  to 
go  on.  Thirty-eight  years  they 
stayed,  living  mostly  around  Mt. 
Seir.  Finally  when  a whole  new 
generation  had  grown  up,  the  word 
of  the  Lord  came  emphatically,  “Ye 
have  compassed  this  mountain  long 
enough:  turn  you  northward.” 

This  is  the  stuff  out  of  which  our 
own  spiritual  progenitors  were 
made.  Once  in  the  sixteenth  cen- 
tury and  again  in  the  nineteenth 
they  answered  God’s  call  to  leave 
familiar  landmarks  and  to  move  on 


September  1,  1959 


531 


into  new  frontiers  of  life,  thought, 
and  experience.  A significant  part 
of  the  inheritance  which  they  left 
to  us  was  in  the  fact  that  they  be- 
came the  pioneers  of  conscience. 
Manifestly  the  only  way  for  us  to 
keep  such  an  inheritance  is  to  be  in 
our  day  what  they  were  in  theirs, 
pioneers  of  conscience,  to  answer 
God’s  call  to  new  frontiers. 

OBSERVE  that  our  spiritual  pro- 
genitors began  with  a total  com- 
mitment to  Jesus  Christ  as  Lord.  In 
order  to  understand  our  spiritual 
heritage  it  is  necessary  to  go  back, 
from  time  to  time,  to  the  sixteenth 
century,  which  was,  perhaps,  its 
most  creative  and  fruitful  period.  In 
their  thinking  about  Christ  they  re- 
garded Him  as  Savior,  to  be  sure, 
but  He  was  also  most  emphatically 
the  Lord  of  aU  of  life.  Therefore 
Christian  experience  for  them  was 
never  only  a personal  experience  of 
salvation  as  it  has  so  often  come 
to  be.  Altogether  necessary  as  that 
experience  is,  they  definitely  regard- 
ed it  as  only  the  beginning  of  Chris- 
tian experience.  'The  individual  ex- 
perience of  deliverance  from  sin  and 
its  power  over  man  must  be  fol- 
lowed by  a lifetime  of  discipleship 
in  which  the  believer  is  ever  press- 
ing on  to  new  frontiers,  seeking 
ever  to  bring  all  of  life  under  the 
Lordship  of  Jesus  Christ. 

The  implications  of  such  a view 
of  Christian  experience  are  tremen- 
dous. To  serve  Christ  as  Lord  and 
to  bring  all  of  life  under  His  rule 
makes  it  inevitable  that  we  are  led 
into  ever  new  frontiers.  Jesus  was, 
and  still  is,  in  a very  real  sense  the 
pioneer  of  life  and  we  cannot  fol- 
low Him  as  His  disciples  or  serve 
Him  as  Lord  without  becoming  pio- 
neers too.  As  each  new  age  comes 
with  its  own  problems,  and  new 
occasions  teach  new  duties.  He  goes 
before  us.  He  leads  us  on.  He  is 
the  pioneer  of  life. 

As  we  leave  behind  us  certain  fa- 
miliar landmarks  and,  as  pioneers 
of  conscience,  we  press  into  new 
frontiers,  let  us  make  it  abundajitly 
plain  that  we  do  so  only  under  the 
Lordship  of  Christ.  As  we  change 


from  the  old  into  the  new,  from 
the  familiar  to  the  strange,  we  do 
not  follow  mere  whim  or  fancy.  We 
follow  our  Lord  Christ  who  still 
leads  us  on. 

Today  as  we  seek  to  dedicate  our- 
selves to  the  tasks  of  a new  cen- 
tury of  Conference  work,  let  us  be- 
gin by  committing  ourselves  once 
again  to  Jesus  Christ  who  is  Sav- 
ior and  also  Lord.  And  let  us  make 
this  a total  commitment,  covering 
every  aspect  of  life,  both  individual 
and  collective. 

There  is  a second  fact  about 
our  spiritual  progenitors:  they 
had  a unique  capacity  for  vision. 
Life  under  the  Lordship  of  Jesus 
Christ  is  not  a blinding  but  an  il- 
luminating experience.  In  fact  it  is 
only  in  the  experience  of  belief, 
commitment,  and  obedience  that 
truth  at  its  deepest  level  is  known 
at  all. 

During  the  heaviest  bombing 
raids  of  World  War  II,  the  exquisite 
stained  glass  windows  in  some  of 
the  large  cathedrals  were  carefully 
removed  and  stored  in  bombproof 
vaults  for  safekeeping.  For  some  of 
those  windows  are  known  the  world 
over  for  their  beauty.  Yet  looking 
at  them  from  the  outside  they  ap- 
pear to  be  dull  and  drab.  But  then, 
going  inside  the  cathedral  and  see- 
ing them  as  the  light  of  day  shines 
through  them,  they  suddenly  come 
alive  with  deep,  rich  colors.  A cathe- 
dral window  is  never  appreciated 
or  understood  from  the  outside. 

This  points  to  a deeper  truth. 
Hans  Denk  said,  “No  one  can  truly 
know  Christ,  except  he  follows  Him 
in  life.”  More  than  four  hundred 
years  ago  he  was  saying  what  pres- 
ent day  theologians  are  now  saying: 
that  Christian  truth  is  existential. 

Our  spiritual  forefathers  were 
men  of  vision,  because  in  their 
obedience  to  Christ  they  could  see 
so  far  ahead  of  their  day.  Roland 
Bainton  says  of  them  that  they  “an- 
ticipated all  other  religious  bodies 
in  the  proclamation  and  exemplifica- 
tion of  (at  least)  three  principles 
which  are  on  the  North  American 


continent  among  those  truths  which 
we  hold  to  be  self  evident.”  They 
were  verily  men  of  vision. 

But  that  word  vision  can  be  taken  ^ 
in  two  senses.  It  can  refer  to  that 
which  is  seen  or  it  can  refer  to  the 
capacity  to  see  it.  In  more  recent 
times  when  we  have  come  to  speak 
of  the  Anabaptist  vision,  we  have 
used  the  term  mostly  in  the  former 
sense.  We  speak  of  the  ideas  and 
insights  which  they  had  and  which 
they  bequeathed  to  the  coming  gen- 
erations. But  I would  suggest  that 
quite  as  important  as  the  specific 
insights  which  they  had  was  that 
unique  capacity  which  they  had  to 
see  beyond  their  time,  and  not  be 
blinded  by  the  immediate  or  even 
the  past.  This  was  not  only  true  of 
the  early  leaders  in  the  sixteenth 
century,  it  was  true  of  those  who 
formed  the  General  Conference  in 
the  nineteenth  century,  and  it  has 
been  true  of  all  the  great  Confer- 
ence leaders  since.  This  made  them 
pioneers  of  conscience. 

When  in  1620  Pastor  John  Robin- 
son sent  his  little  band  of  pilgrims 
across  the  Atlantic  to  the  “stern 
rock-bound  coast”  of  the  New 
World,  he  said  in  his  last  sermon 
to  them,  “I  am  verily  persuaded  the 
Lord  hath  more  truth  yet  to  break 
forth  out  of  His  holy  word.”  People 
who  believe  that,  who  dare  to  look 
beyond  the  past  or  even  the  present, 
have  become  pioneers  because  they 
have  a capacity  for  vision. 

There  is  still  a third  fact  about 
our  spiritual  progenitors:  they 
were  prepared  to  make  a creative  i 
encounter  with  new  conditions.  Be- 
ing men  of  vision  they  had  no  part 
with  those  who  held  back.  They  had 
no  part  with  those  who  offered  coun- 
sels of  moderation  or  conservatism. 

It  is  a most  remarkable  fact,  how- 
ever, that  we  who  trace  our  origin 
to  a group  of  men,  who  in  the  16th 
century  were  known  as  radicals — 
men  who  not  only  had  a capacity 
for  vision  but  who  made  a creative 
encounter  with  new  conditions  and 
live  issues — that  we  who  have  had 
such  spiritual  moorings  should  be 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church 
Entered  at  North  Newton,  Kansas,  post  office  as  second  class  matter.  Acceptance  for  mailing  at  special  rate  of  postage:  section  1103,  Act 
of  Oct.  3,  1917.  Authorized  Jan.  22,  1910.  Subscriptions  $2.50;  foreign  $3.00.  Mail  subscriptions  and  payments  to  Mennonite  Publication 
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532 


THE  MENNONITE 


known  mostly  as  conservatives.  It 
is  remarkable,  in  view  of  our  origin 
as  a General  Conference  that  we 
should  come  to  regard  conservatism 
as  synonymous  with  fidelity  to 
Christ.  They  are  emphatically  not 
the  same  thing.  Indeed,  it  was  Men- 
no  Simons,  who  said,  “I  care  not 
for  your  ceremonies,  your  learning, 
your  ritual,  your  orthodoxy  if  it  is 
not  biblical  and  if  it  does  not  give 
evidence  of  a new  way  of  life.” 

There  are  times,  to  be  sure,  when 
truth  is  on  the  conservative  side 
of  an  issue.  There  are  times  when 
it  is  necessary  to  keep  and  to  pre- 
serve what  is.  But  this  is  by  no 
means  always  the  case,  no  more 
than  it  is  always  the  case  that 
truth  is  on  the  side  of  what  is  new 
or  forward  looking.  But  it  surely 
would  never  have  occurred  to  any- 
one living  in  Zurich  400  years  ago 
that  Conrad  Grebel  was  a “good  old 
conservative.”  Nor  would  anyone 
living  in  Milford  Square  one  hun- 
dred years  ago  have  thought  that 
of  J.  H.  Oberholtzer.  Yet  for  some 
odd  reason  we  as  a Mennonite  peo- 
ple and  a General  Conference  have 
adopted  that  label  for  ourselves; 
notwithstanding  the  fact  that  it 
was  precisely  to  challenge  the  con- 
servatism of  his  people  that  Ober- 
holtzer laid  the  groundwork  for  our 
own  General  Conference.  Remem- 
bering this  fact,  and  also  the  fact 
that  we  are  to  move  forward  only 
under  the  Lordship  of  Christ,  I 
make  bold  to  say  that  often  our  con- 
servatism has  gotten  into  our  own 
way.  It  has  made  us  far  less  a 
people  of  vision,  and  far  less  a peo- 
ple ready  and  willing  to  make  a cre- 
ative encounter  with  new  conditions. 

The  record  itself  is  witness  to  the 
fact  that  often  we  were  behind 
rather  than  ahead  of  the  main 
stream  of  Protestantism.  There  is 
evidence  that  we  dragged  our  feet 
in  making  creative  encounters  with 
new  conditions  in  such  important 
matters  as  evangelism,  Sunday 
schools,  foreign  missions,  higher 
education,  and  social  concerns.  As 
yet,  we  have  done  no  more  than 
“observe”  the  ecumenical  movement 
I — despite  the  fact  that  Oberholtzer 
a hundred  years  ago  had  some  im- 
portant convictions  along  that  line! 

' What  has  happened,  then,  is  that 
I long  after  other  denominations  had 
I pioneered  in  new  frontiers,  we  final- 
' ly  came  in  as  a Johnny-come-lately. 


And  this,  mark  you,  is  a complete 
reversal  of  our  historic  role  as  a 
radical  wing  of  the  Reformation. 

It  is  hardly  necessary  to  remind 
a group  like  this  that  there  is  dan- 
ger on  the  other  hand  in  bending 
with  every  wind  that  blows,  and 
that  we  have  at  times  been  adverse- 
ly infiuenced  by  outside  forces.  Yet 
it  is  safe  to  say  that  by  and  large 
this  has  not  been  our  major  prob- 
lem. I wonder  if  Bainton  has  not 
stated  the  matter  about  as  fairly 
as  it  can  be  stated  when  he  said, 
“If  there  is  no  accommodation  (to 
culture),  Christianity  is  unintelligi- 
ble and  cannot  spread.  If  there  is 
too  much  accommodation  it  will 
spread,  but  will  no  longer  be  Chris- 
tianity.” It  is  my  judgment  that  we 
have  suffered  because  we  have  too 
often  taken  the  first  horn  of  the 
dilemma.  I would  call  for  a creative 
encounter  with  the  critical  human 
problems  that  are  alive  in  our  day. 

It  is  one  of  the  more  hopeful  signs 
that  among  us  there  is  a growing 
dissatisfaction  with  the  strategy  of 
withdrawal  which  has  so  often  char- 
acterized our  Christian  witness.  I 
see  signs  that  we  are  taking  more 
seriously  our  witness  outside  our 
own  group,  that  we  have  decided  at 
last  to  join  the  human  race!  I can- 
not escape  the  conclusion  that  we 
are  overcoming  the  “grasshopper 
complex,”  that  we  have  compassed 
some  familiar  landmarks  long  e- 
nough  and  that  under  the  Lordship 
of  Christ  we  are  going  to  move  into 
such  frontiers  as  church  extension 
in  urban  centers,  social  concerns, 
and  ecumenical  relations.  Here  are 
only  a few  of  the  frontiers  where 
we  should  be  making  creative  en- 
counters and  to  do  so  with  the  bold- 
ness and  daring  of  our  spiritual 
progenitors. 

Finally,  our  spiritual  progeni- 
tors had  a high  regard  for  mor- 
al imperatives.  If  we  are  not  only 
to  accept  Christ  as  Savior  but  also 
serve  Him  as  Lord,  then  it  must 
follow  as  we  indicated  earlier  that 
our  personal  experience  of  salvation 
must  issue  in  newness  of  life.  “Faith 
alone  is  not  enough,”  said  Balthazer 
Hubmaier,  “we  must  prove  faith 
with  works  of  love  toward  God  and 
our  neighbor.”  The  church  must  con- 
sist of  those  whose  lives  are  evi- 
denced by  Christlike  behavior.  While 
we  must  struggle  constantly  agadnst 


the  peril  of  interpreting  the  moral 
imperative  legalistically,  we  must 
not  let  go  of  a high  regard  for  the 
moral  imperatives  of  the  Christian 
ethic.  Our  call  in  this  hour  is  to  be 
pioneers  of  conscience,  to  hold  high 
in  all  of  life,  individual  and  collec- 
tive, the  claims  of  absolute  love. 

There  is  an  important  detail  in 
the  Exodus  story  which  needs  to  be 
remembered  at  this  point.  While 
emphasizing  the  importance  of  leav- 
ing familiar  landmarks  behind  in 
order  to  pioneer  in  new  frontiers, 
we  should  not  overlook  the  place  of 
the  ark  of  the  covenant.  Containing 
the  tables  of  stone  on  which  were 
inscribed  the  Ten  Commandments, 
this  ark  went  with  the  Israelites  as 
they  left  Mt.  Seir  behind  and  moved 
into  the  new  land.  This  means  that, 
even  in  the  experience  of  a pioneer, 
some  things  must  be  carried  out  of 
the  past  into  the  future  if  there  is 
to  be  a future  worth  having.  In  a 
changing  world  the  moral  impera- 
tives of  a righteous  God  do  not 
change. 

A man  stepped  into  a violin  mak- 
er’s shop  one  day  and  said,  “Well, 
what’s  the  good  news  today?”  Put- 
ting down  his  violin,  the  violin  mak- 
er stepped  over  to  a tuning  fork 
that  was  suspended  from  a silken 
thread.  With  a padded  mallet  he 
tapped  it  firmly  and  then  said, 
“There  is  good  news  for  today. 
That,  my  friend,  is  A.  It  was  A all 
day  yesterday.  It  wiU  be  A all  day 
tomorrow,  next  week,  and  for  a 
thousand  years.  The  soprano  up- 
stairs warbles  off  key,  the  tenor 
next  door  flats  his  high  tones,  the 
piano  across  the  hall  is  out  of  tune. 
Noise  all  around  me;  but  that,  my 
friend,  is  A.” 

Can  we  believe  in  a time  of  mored 
confusion  and  ethical  relativities 
that  there  is  a moral  imperative 
that  abides  forever  the  same?  We 
have  been  saying  with  James  Rus- 
sell Lowell,  “They  must  upward 
still,  and  onward,  who  would  keep 
abreast  of  'Truth.”  But  can  we  also 
say  with  him,  “In  vain  we  call  old 
notions  fudge,  and  bend  our  con- 
science to  our  dealing;  the  Ten 
Commandments  will  not  budge,  and 
stealing  will  continue  stealing.”  If 
we  can,  then  we  will  be  pioneers — 
pioneers  of  conscience.  'Then  we  will 
be  investing  our  heritage  in  the  des- 
perate need  of  the  world. 


September  1,  1959 


533 


Pre-conference  retreats 

Camp  Friedenswald  - ’59 


Camp  Friedenswald  on  the  shore 
of  beautiful  Shavehead  Lake  felt 
the  vigorous  pulse  of  life  during 
the  days  of  August  5-12  when  min- 
isters and  church  workers,  mission- 
aries, and  young  people  got  together 
to  make  it  the  largest  retreat  the 
General  Conference  has  ever  seen. 
The  total  registration  figure  came 
to  191  including  children.  Sixty- 
three  registered  for  the  young  peo- 
ple’s retreat  with  William  Block  in 
charge,  66  for  the  ministers’  and 
church  workers’  retreat  with 
Andrew  Shelly  as  dean,  and  62  for 
the  missionary  retreat  Jed  by 
Orlando  Waltner.  All  districts  of 
the  General  Conference  were  repre. 
sented  at  the  retreat. 

’The  joint  program  included  the 
following: 

• Meals  prepared  by  an  efficient 
and  friendly  cooking  staff  as  well 
as  fellowship  around  the  tables. 

• Morning  gatherings  and  hikes 
for  children. 

• Relaxation  and  recreation  dur- 
ing the  afternoons,  including  the 
leisurely  and  stimulating  informal 
fellowships. 

• The  after  supper  vesper  service 
led  by  John  Thiessen,  where  mis- 
sionaries represented  the  various 


Conference  fields. 

• The  evening  programs  with 
their  emphasis  on  worship  through 
song  and  their  presentation  of  the 
retreat  theme,  “God,  our  help  in 
ages  past,  our  hope  for  years  to 
come.” 

• The  Sunday  morning  worship 
service. 

During  the  morning  sessions  the 
retreaters  divided  into  groups.  'The 
YPU  meetings  included  Bible  study 
led  by  David  Schroeder  and  “Evan- 
gelism and  Youth”  talks  by  Frank 
Epp  which  were  followed  by  dis- 
cussions. Ministers,  church  work- 
ers, and  missionaries  joined  in  early 
morning  prayer  led  by  W.  C. 
Voth.  Howard  Charles  of  Goshen 
College  Biblical  Seminary  offered 
penetrating  and  inspiring  messages 
from  the  Prison  Epistles  of  St.  Paul. 
Concerns  of  Christian  workers  and 
of  the  missionaries  were  discussed 
in  separate  sessions. 

George  Wiebe  served  as  song  lead- 
er and  Oswald  Goering  and  Roy 
Henry  as  recreation  leaders  for  the 
combined  groups.  The  contribution 
of  the  young  people  at  the  retreat 
was  especially  appreciated. 

Several  things  stand  out  as  high 
lights  of  the  retreat.  On  the  lighter 


side,  shuffleboard  seemed  to  be  a 
great  attraction  for  young  and  old, 
especially  for  the  older  set.  Several 
cook-outs  took  place  which  proves 
that  there’s  still  interest  in  the  age- 
old  art  of  cooking.  Some  evening 
programs  deserve  special  mention. 
David  Schroeder’s  Sunday  evening 
talk  on  “The  Mennonite  Church  in 
Europe”  was  very  illuminating  and 
provoked  questions  and  discussions. 
'The  theme  of  the  retreat  was  de- 
veloped during  two  evening  pro- 
grams, one  presenting  the  help  of 
God  in  the  past  work  of  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  and  the  other  pre- 
senting the  hope  in  the  years  of 
work  to  come. 

'Things  that  will  long  remain  in 
our  memories  are: 

• The  natural  and  artificial  sur- 
roundings and  facilities  of  Camp 
Friedenswald  which  make  it  ein 
ideal  camping  place. 

o Andrew  Shelly’s  announce- 
ments. Of  course  you  can’t  carry  on 
a retreat  program  if  you  can’t  re- 
member what  follows! 

• The  “new”  and  “old”  faces 
you’ve  seen  and  the  friends  you’ve 
met  and  made.  You  need  them  and 
they  need  you  in  thought  and 
prayer. 

• The  inspiration  and  the  new 
ideas  you  have  received  in  informal 
talks  and  regular  sessions. 

• Our  hosts,  the  Dan  Grabers, 
who  pulled  the  unseen  strings  and 
kept  things  going  smoothly. 

Above  all  let  us  remember  Jesus 
Christ,  our  common  Savior  and 
Lord,  whom  we  serve  at  home  and 
abroad.  — Frank  Dyck 

Missionary  to  South  America 


534 


THE  MENNONITE 


SIXTEEN  new  congregations  were 
admitted  to  the  General  Confer- 
ence  at  Thursday  morning’s  session, 
^ Aug.  13.  The  combined  membership 
i of  the  sixteen  new  churches  is  1445. 

One  of  the  goals  set  at  the  Win- 
3 nipeg  sessions  of  the  General  Con- 
a ference  in  1956  was  “Fifteen  new 
(j  congregations  by  1959.”  Of  the  six- 
I teen  churches  admitted,  twelve  have 
- been  organized  within  the  past  three 
, years.  Several  have  been  the  out- 
f growth  of  Sunday  school  outreach 
. by  established  congregations.  Ten 
. of  the  sixteen  are  new  congi’ega- 
f tions  in  urban  areas,  an  outgrowth 
of  the  surging  interest  in  city  mis- 
] sion  work. 

At  the  ceremony  of  admission, 
Lotus  Troyer,  representing  the 
Church  Unity  Committee,  read  the 
names  and  pastors’  names  of  the 
new  congregations.  Conference  Pres- 
ident Erland  Waltner  asked  the  del- 
egate body  to  stand  to  indicate  their 
acceptance  of  the  new  churches, 
after  which  he  welcomed  the  con- 
gregations as  partners  in  the  task 
of  fulfilling  the  Great  Commission. 
Pres.  Waltner  then  extended  the 
right  hand  of  fellowship  to  the  pas- 
tors representing  the  new  churches. 


The  churches  with  the  pastors  are 
as  follows : 

"bethel  Community  Church,  Sante 
Fe  Springs,  Calif.,  Lyman  Hofstet- 
ter;  'Church  of  the  Good  Samaritan, 
Churchville,  Pa.,  Richard  Ratzlatf; 
'^ast  Chilliwack  Mennonite  Church, 
Chilliwack,  B.  C.,  H.  H.  Neufeld; 
P^lkhart  Mennonite  Church,  Elkhart, 
Ind.,  Walter  Gering;’>>t’aith  Menno- 
nite Church,  Newton,  Kan.,  Howard 
Nyce;'^First  Mennonite  Church,  Ed- 
monton, Alta.,  Arthur  D.  Dick; 
i/Church  of  the  Good  Shepherdr  Sioux 
Falls,  S.  D.,  Max  E.  Miller ;t^Graee 
Mennonite  Church,  St.  Catharines, 
Ont.,  Henry  Fransen;  *^ansas  City 
Mennonite  Church,  Kansas  City, 
Kan.,  Stanley  Bohn;  i/Community 
Mennonite  ■ Church,  Markham,  111., 
Ronald  Krehbiel,-*^cKinley  Mission, 
Mio,  Mich.,  Lowell  Troyer;  '‘^New 
Westminster  Mennonite  Church, 
New  Westminster,  B.  C.,  Abe  Neu- 
feldy^United  Mennonite  Church,  Van- 
TOuver,  B.  C.,  William  Block; 
'•’Water  Mennonite  Church,  Copper 
Cliff,  Ont.,  Menno  J.  Ediger;v^North 
Kildonan  Mennonite  Church,  Winni- 
peg, Man.,  Victor  Schroeder. 


Focus  on  city  congregations 

Sixteen  Churches  Added 


In  spite  of  a small  annual  net 
gain  in  its  membership,  the  General 
Conference  Mennonite  Church  has 
lost  the  equivalent  of  one-fifth  of 
its  membership  through  transfers  in 
membership  in  the  last  ten  years, 
and  these  have  been  mostly  people 
leaving  country  churches  and  go- 
ing to  the  city.  This  was  the  sub- 
stance of  a report  made  by  Leland 
Harder,  professor  at  Mennonite  Bib- 
lical Seminary,  in  a report  to  a spe- 
cial_  study  conference  of  city  pastors 
prior  to  the  opening  session  of  the 
General  Conference  Mennonite 
Church  on  Wednesday. 

Planned  by  Vincent  Harding  and 
Delton  Franz,  associate  pastors  of 
the  Woodlawn  Mennonite  Church  on 
Chicago’s  southside,  this  special 
session  brought  together  thirty  pas- 
tors and  workers  involved  in  urban 
church  extension  work.  In  sharing 
their  common  experiences  these 
workers  noted  that  Mennonite 
churches  in  the  city,  of  which  there 
are  at  least  sixty  in  the  United 
States  and  Canada,  are  basically 
rural  churches  in  the  city.  Their 
memberships  are  made  up  of  peo- 
ple who  have  recently  moved  from 
the  country.  But  many  join  other 
churches  or  no  churches  at  all. 

The  city  pastors,  most  of  whom 
are  recent  seminary  graduates,  felt 


that  the  church  needs  to  minister 
more  directly  to  people  in  the  com- 
munity, in  addition  to  concentrat- 
ing only  on  people  from  Mennonite 
background.  This  latter  method  has 
tended  to  make  the  city  Mennonite 
church  a regional  church,  serving  a 
membership  scattered  all  over  the 
city.  A program  of  concentrating  on 
a specific  geographical  comrhunity 
is  sometimes  viewed  as  following 
the  parish  system  of  the  Catholic 
church,  yet  this  system  is  suggested 
by  the  methods  used  by  Christ  in 
His  ministry. 

Harder  listed  four  questions  that 
the  Mennonite  church  faces  in  un- 
derstanding its  work  in  the  city. 

• Do  we  feel  that  our  new  urban 
churches  ought  to  serve  primarily 
their  own  community  or  not? 

• How  is  the  church  extension 
strategy  developed  and  perfected 
by  the  larger  denominations  rele- 
vant for  us? 

• How  do  we  start  a new  church? 
The  concern  here  is  on  primary 
things.  What  does  a church  need 
first  — a location,  a statement  of 
faith,  a minister,  a church  building, 
or  Conference  aid? 

e To  what  extent  is  promise  of 
success  a criterion  for  church  ex- 
tension? 


President  Waltner  with  the  pastors  of  the  sixteen  churches  which 
were  received  into  the  Conference. 


September  1,  1959 


535 


President  Waltner  delivering  the  conference  sermon,  Thursday 
morning,  Aug.  ig. 


The  pageant  was  given  on  Sunday,  Aug.  i6.  This  scene  shows 
Christopher  Dock,  third  from  right,  with  the  Skippack  School. 


Left  to  right:  Harry  Yoder,  newly  elected  member  of  the  Pro- 
gram Committee ; Harris  Waltner,  new  secretary  of  the  General 
Conference;  I.  I.  Friesen,  re-elected  vice  president  of  the  Con- 
ference; Erland  Waltner,  re-elected  president. 


Notes  on  the 

Bluffton  (( 

There  were  many  greetings  di-  ! 

reeled  to  the  Conference  from  I 
various  bodies  and  from  different 
countries.  Here  are  two  of  the 
greetings  received  from  the  heads 
of  two  nations: 

The  White  House  | 
Aug.  7,  1959 

Erland  Waltner 

Pres.,  Gen.  Conf.  Mennonite  Church 
It  is  a pleasure  to  send  greetings 
to  those  attending  the  centennial 
sessions  of  the  General  Conference 
Mennonite  Church  in  Bluffton. 

Gathered  from  a faithful  tradition 
in  commimities  across  the  continent,  i 
your  delegates  are  inspired  together. 
The  record  of  your  devoted  service 
over  the  past  century  gives  assur- 
ance of  the  continuing  strength  of 
your  witness. 

Congratulations  and  best  wishes 
for  a fine  meeting. 

Dwight  D.  Eisenhower 
President  of  the  United  States 

Ottawa,  Ont.,  Canada 
Aug.  10,  1959 

Erland  Waltner 

Pres.,  Gen.  Conf.  Mennonite  Church 
On  the  occasion  of  the  centennial 
sessions  of  the  General  Conference  i 
Mennonite  Church,  I take  pleasure  | 
in  extending  cordial  greetings  cmd 
warm  felicitations.  The  contribu- 
tions of  religious  groups  like  yours 
to  the  community  welfare  is  much 
respected  and  deeply  admired  by 
Canadians  everywhere.  To  all  in 
attendance  at  the  centennial  cele- 
bration I send  sincere  good  wishes. 

John  G.  Diefenbeiker 
Prime  Minister  of  Canada 

By  Saturday  of  conference  week, 

715  delegates  had  registered  and  ap- 
proximately 585  visitors,  for  a total 
of  1,300.  The  lodging  committee  had 
furnished  lodging  to  well  over  1,200 
people  at  that  time.  More  came  for 
the  Sunday  celebrations. 

For  many  the  high  point  of  the 
conference  w£is  the  centennial 
pageant,  “We  Are  Pilgrims,”  pre- 
sented twice  to  capacity  audiences 
totalling  an  estimated  4000  people. 


536 


THE  MENNONITE 


Perence 


Five  episodes  were  selected  from 
the  hundred  years  and  were  effec- 
tively dramatized.  A prologue  and 
epilogue  introduced  and  closed  the 
portrayal. 

The  first  episode  portrayed  Men- 
no  Simons  making  the  great  deci- 
sion of  renouncing  the  priesthood 
of  Witmarsum  and  becoming  the 
leader  of  a small  group  of  perse- 
cuted Anabaptists.  The  second  epi- 
sode dealt  with  the  influence  of 
Christopher  Dock  in  Skippack 
School.  His  intense  love  for  his 
pupils  and  his  death  while  in  prayer 
for  them  was  a moving  scene.  Epi- 
sode three  showed  Oberholtzer  and 
several  other  church  leaders  laying 
the  ground-work  for  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  General  Conference.  The 
next  episode  related  to  the  migra- 
tion of  the  European  Mennonites  to 
America,  while  the  fifth  portrayed 
a young  man  giving  a sturdy  wit- 
ness to  his  faith  in  opposition  to 
war  before  a member  of  the  draft 
board. 

The  costuming,  staging,  and  pres- 
entation of  this  pageant  was  very 
well  done,  and  those  who  had  the 
privilege  of  witnessing  will  prob- 
ably never  forget  it.  It  is  hoped  it 
may  be  made  available  through  film 
to  all  of  our  churches  in  general. 

The  conference  day  started 

with  the  pre-session  prayer 
groups  at  8:15.  By  9 o’clock  the  main 


sessions  were  begun  which  contin- 
ued till  12:00.  Again  at  1:30  the 
work  was  continued  till  5:30.  The 
evening  sessions  ran  from  7:30  to 
9 o’clock.  Between  the  afternoon 
and  evening  sessions  there  were 
tours  through  the  community  and 
also  film  previews  in  the  college 
chapel.  There  were  programs  for 
the  children. 

Frequently  committees  or  special 
groups  met  between  sessions  or  aft- 
er the  evening  session.  The  days 
were  well  filled. 

Not  all  the  time  was  taken  for 
various  board  reports.  There 
were  inspirational  and  informative 
messages  which  added  much  to  the 
program.  Such  addresses  as  were 
given  by  Franklin  Littell  on  the  first 
day,  the  inspiring  conference  ser- 
mon, the  address  by  Dr.  Montgom- 
ery, by  H.  A.  Fast  on  “Awakening 
to  Human  Need,’’  and  by  Elmer 
Neufeld  on  “The  Gospel  in  a Des- 
perate World.” 

There  were  the  concerns  voiced 
“for  ministers  and  Christian  work- 
ers” by  August  Epp,  “for  church 
extension”  by  Clinton  Kaufman,  for 
“loyalty  to  Conference  commit- 
ments” by  C.  J.  Dyck. 

There  was  the  challenge  by  Har- 
ry Martens  on  “Lord  what  Wilt 
Thou  Have  Me  Do?”  “Seminary 
Training  for  Our  Day,”  by  A.  E. 
Kreider,  “The  Church  Lives  in  Mis- 
sions” by  Milo  Rediger,  “Our  Com- 
mitment for  a New  'Time”  by  An- 
drew Shelly. 

There  were  also  evening  address- 
es, such  as:  “Build  on  Christ  A- 
mong  Peoples  of  the  World”  by 
Erwin  Goering,  “Build  on  Christ  in 


the  City”  by  Vincent  Harding,  “The 
Witness  of  Voluntary  Service  in 
Europe”  by  Erwin  Goering,  “The 
Drama  of  Recovery”  by  J.  W.  Fretz, 
and  “A  World  of  Misery  in  Asia” 
by  Joe  Smucker. 

WINNERS  of  the  Centennial 
Hymn  Contest  are  Amelia 
Mueller  of  Halstead,  Kan.,  whose 
hymn  is  entitled  “Lord  of  Every 
Land  and  Nation”;  Martha  Gilliom 
Sprunger  of  Berne,  Ind.,  who  enti- 
tled her  hymn  “Holy  God,  With 
Hearts  and  Voices”;  and  Elizabeth 
K.  Wedel,  Halstead,  Kan.,  who  sub- 
mitted two  winning  entries:  “O  Lord 
Our  God,  From  Far  and  Near”  and 
“With  United  Voices  Praising.” 

OUTSTRETCHED  HANDS,”  a 
pageant  written  by  Mrs.  Leslie 
B.  Lehman  of  Berne,  Ind.,  was  given 
at  the  meeting  of  the  Women’s 
Missionary  Association  at  the  con- 
ference on  Aug.  18.  Directed  by  Mrs. 
John  Purves  of  Bluffton,  the  pag- 
eant dramatized  a scene  from  the 
early  work  of  every  district  in  the 
General  Conference  and  the  over- 
all work  of  MCC. 

Seventy  people  from  the  four 
churches  in  the  Bluffton  eirea  to- 
gether with  members  of  the  First 
Mennonite  Church  in  Berne,  por- 
trayed the  authentic  history  of  mis- 
sionary zeal  in  women’s  groups. 

A processional  of  all  past  and 
present  missionaries  climaxed  the 
pageant.  Special  music  for  the  serv- 
ice was  given  by  the  men’s  chorus 
of  Berne,  Ind. 

Newly  elected  members  of  the 
Mission  Boeird  are  Henry  H. 
Epp,  Waterloo,  Ont.;  Leland  Harder, 


Tuesday,  Aug.  i8,  was  auxiliary  day  at  the  conference.  Mennonite  Men  met  at  the  First  Men- 
nonite Church  in  Bluffton,  and  the  Women’s  Missionary  Association  met  in  Founders  Hall. 


! September  1,  1959 


537 


Conference  participants  share  their 

Impressions 


Elkhart,  Ind.;  Elmer  Neufeld,  Ak- 
ron, Pa.;  and  Esther  Wiens,  Ros- 
them,  Sask.  Re-elected  members  are 
John  P.  Suderman,  Pandora,  Ohio, 
and  George  Greening,  Winnipeg, 
Man. 

Paul  R.  Shelly,  Jacob  T.  Friesen, 
both  of  Bluffton,  Ohio,  and  George 
Dick  of  Winton,  Calif.,  were  re- 
elected as  members  of  the  Board 
of  Education  and  Publication.  Elmer 

R.  Friesen  from  Pretty  Prairie, 
Kan.,  and  Vernon  Neufeld,  North 
Newton,  Kan.,  were  elected  as  new 
members  of  this  board. 

J.  Winfield  Fretz,  North  Newton, 
Kan.,  and  Albert  M.  Gaeddert, 
Mountain  Lake,  Minn.,  were  re- 
elected as  members  of  the  Board  of 
Christian  Service.  Newly  elected 
members  are  Peter  J.  Ediger,  Fres- 
no, Calif.,  and  J.  C.  Neufeld  from 
Wheatley,  Ont. 

Re-elected  to  the  Board  of  Busi- 
ness Administration  are  Carl  Leh- 
man of  Bluffton,  Ohio,  and  Walter 
Yoder  of  Bloomington,  111.  New 
members  of  this  board  are  Robert 
W.  Hartzler  of  Goshen,  Ind.,  and 
Peter  R.  Harder  of  Amaud,  Man. 

New  members  of  the  Mennonite 
Biblical  Seminary  Board  are  Elmer 
M.  Ediger  of  North  Newton,  Kan., 
and  Paul  J.  Schaefer  of  Gretna, 
Man.  J.  Herbert  Fretz  of  Freeman, 

S.  D.,  was  re-elected  to  serve  a sec- 
ond term  on  the  seminary  board. 

Mrs.  Olin  Krehbiel  of  Freeman, 
S.  D.,  was  re-elected  as  president  of 
the  Women’s  Missionary  Associa- 
tion. Mrs.  C.  C.  Neufeld  of  Winni- 
peg, Man.,  is  the  new  second  vice 
president  and  Mrs.  Marden  Habeg- 
ger  of  Reedley,  Calif.,  is  the  new 
secretary.  Mrs.  Orlando  Waltner  of 
North  Newton,  Kan.,  Mrs.  Leland 
Harder  of  Elkhart,  Ind.,  and  Mrs. 
Gerhard  Buhler  of  Freeman,  S.  D., 
were  elected  to  the  Literature  Com- 
mittee. 

Carl  Ens  of  Saskatoon,  Sask.,  is 
the  newly  elected  vice  president  of 
Mennonite  Men  and  Maurice  Stahly, 
Morton,  111.,  is  the  new  secretary- 
treasurer. 

The  Conference  News  Service 
(722  Main,  Newton,  Kan.)  would 
appreciate  receiving  clippings  about 
the  Bluffton  Conference  appearing 
in  local  daily  and  weekly  news- 
papers. 

Notes  on  the  Bluffton  Conference 
will  be  continued  next  week. 


Over  fifty  years  ago,  I had  the 
privilege  of  attending,  as  a visitor, 
my  first  general  conference  at 
Berne,  Ind.  Since  then  I have  been 
a delegate  in  at  least  a dozen  more 
triennial  sessions  of  the  General 
Conference.  Of  course,  over  that 
long  a period,  both  the  Conference 
and  I have  changed  considerably. 

This  conference  session  moves 
more  smoothly  than  some  that  I 
have  attended  before.  Some  of  the 
things  that  are  most  impressive  to 
me  in  this  conference  are  the  fel- 
lowship of  both  young  and  old  lead- 
ers and  workers.  Most  uplifting,  too, 
is  when  we  all  join  our  voices  in 
singing  some  of  the  fine  old  hymns, 
even  some  in  German. 

For  some  time  it  has  seemed  to 
me  that  we  were  going  almost  too 
much  into  organizational  and  pro- 
motional machinery.  But  I sense  an 
awareness  of  this  tendency  in  this 
session  by  the  repeated  emphasis  of 
the  need  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  all  of 
our  Conference  work  as  well  as  in 
our  individual  and  congregational 
life.  The  recent  feature  of  informal 
panel  and  small  group  discussions 
are  proving  to  be  an  interesting 
and  valuable  arrangement. 

I am  wondering,  too,  what  the 
effect  is  of  some  of  the  highly  chal- 
lenging messages  and  statements 
given  here.  Will  they  be  treated  like 
commercials  on  television  and  radio, 
or  are  they  really  taken  seriously? 

— J.  E.  Amstutz 
Middleton,  Ohio 


“In  our  country  we  are  quite  well 
off — very  well  off — perhaps  too  well 
off.”  These  are  words  which  Vin- 
cent Harding  spoke  at  the  Saturday 
evening  youth  meeting.  To  me  they 
seemed  to  summarize  a theme  and 
a challenge  which  has  been  recur- 
ring through  this  general  confer- 
ence. Our  present  prosperity  is  fac- 
ing the  church  with  needs  as  great 
as  in  the  times  of  persecution. 

Many  impressions  could  be  given  i 
of  these  days:  inspiration,  the  dis- 
cussion of  vital  issues  in  Christian  ; 
love,  the  privilege  of  meeting  many  | 
people,  the  joy  of  Christian  fellow- 
ship. But  perhaps  the  deepest  im-  i 
pression  is  that  we  must  meet  the 
challenge  of  this  prosperity  — to 
give  of  our  money,  our  time,  our- 
selves, the  best  that  we  are  to  the 
Master.  With  such  a dedication  we 
can  then  build  on  our  foundation — 
the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

( 

— Catherine  Snyder  i 
Kitchener,  Ont.  ' 

This  Centennial  meeting  of  the 
General  Conference  has  been  a most  ■ 
enriching  experience  for  us.  My  wife 
and  I have  been  particularly  for- 
tunate in  that  our  year  of  furlough  I 
from  India  has  coincided  with  this  j. 
Centennial  year.  The  high  lights  of  Ij 
God’s  leading  in  the  historical  e- 
vents  of  our  church  have  been 
brought  afresh  to  our  memory. 
With  this  review  of  our  history  it  is 
gratifying  to  know  that  we  as  a 


Some  of  the  children  at  the  conference  for  whom  special  activ-  ll 
ities  were  planned.  ! 


j 


538 


THE  MENNONITE 


Conference  are  launching  out  into 
new  and  greater  avenues  of  service 
and  ministry.  I feel  that  we  are 
becoming  increasingly  aware  of  the 
claims  of  Christ  upon  our  lives  and 
our  church.  I feel  too  that  we  are 
endeavoring  to  be  obedient  to  His 
will  in  every  issue  that  faces  us  as 
a Conference,  such  as  that  of  inter- 
racial co-operation  and  brotherhood. 
I May  the  Holy  Spirit  dwell  in  us  and 
among  us,  and  may  we  be  fully 
committed  to  His  will,  so  that  He 
may  use  eveiy  one  of  us  as  His 
servants  and  His  witnesses  in  this 
new  century. 

—Arthur  D.  Thiessen 
Missionciry  to  India 

“Hello  there!”  "It  is  so  good  to 
see  you!” 

Yes,  conference  is  a time  of  re- 
newing old  friendships  and  making 
new  ones,  a time  of  real  spiritual 
refreshing,  a time  of  re-evaluating 
what  has  been  done  and  what  needs 
to  be  done — a real  check  on  our- 
selves. 

During  the  process  one  is  inspired 
by  the  accomplishments  of  the  past 
and  what  is  being  done  plus  hearing 
of  plans  for  the  future.  A real  joy 
it  was  to  see  that  the  WMA  is  very 
active.  Undoubtedly  no  one  present 
will  ever  forget  for  years  to  come 
the  outstanding  pageants  and  the 
imprints  they  left  on  our  minds. 

Finally,  a good  job  was  done  of 
making  us  aware  anew  of  Jesus 
Christ  as  our  Foimdation  and  those 
attending  will  not  soon  forget  the 
guidance  of  the  Holy  Spirit  and  the 
challenges  brought  to  focus  at  our 
Conference  Centennial. 

— Betty  M.  Quiring 
Missionary  to  Congo 

The  Bluffton  community  gave  ev- 
ery evidence  of  thorough  prepara- 
tion for  the  Centennial  celebration. 
The  warm,  sultry  weather  might 
normally  have  dispelled  interest  and 
participation,  but  here  it  was  not 
too  apparent. 

The  gratuitous  event  was  color- 
fully carried  out.  For  the  first  time 
the  printed  reports  appeared  with  a 
bit  of  glamor.  Several  years  ago  the 
crying  need  was  for  promotion.  Pro- 
motional aspects  were  clearly  evi- 
dent in  all  areas,  from  the  book  dis- 
play to  the  presentations  by  the 
Boards. 


Procedure  seemed  to  dominate  the 
conference  to  such  an  extent  that 
discussion  from  the  floor  was  al- 
most nil.  The  Conference  program 
was  predominantly  projected  from 
the  accomplished  or  planned  work 
of  the  Boards.  One  could  get  the 
impression  that  Conference  and 
Boards  go  together  rather  than  Con- 
ference and  congregations. 

TTie  days  got  to  be  rather  long, 
especially  when  content  far  sur- 
passed the  presentation.  One  week 
should  be  ample  for  a conference 
session. 

The  Centennial  features  within 
the  conference  program  structure 
were  well  integrated  with  the  Cen- 
tennial Sunday,  meeting  all  our  ex- 
pectations. 

In  spite  of  it  being  a Centennial 
conference,  the  areas  of  concern 
were  not  only  in  the  re-evaluation  of 
the  past  but  dealt  with  new  fron- 
tiers such  as  race  relations,  new 
graded  Sunday  school  materials, 
and  our  witness  in  the  nuclear  age. 

— Aaron  J.  Epp 
Reedley,  Calif. 

By  its  very  nature  the  Centennial 
conference  was  one  of  self-examina- 
tion. We  looked  back  into  history, 
evaluated  the  present  in  the  light 
of  our  history,  and  then  planned  for 
the  future. 

It  is  with  a sense  of  awe  that  we 
look  into  the  future.  We  stand  in 
awe  before  our  forefathers  and 
their  faith  in  the  living  God.  God 
was  great  enough  to  see  them 
through. 

We  stand  in  awe  before  God  be- 
cause the  future  we  face  seems 
more  complicated  in  its  vastness 
than  the  future  our  forefathers 
faced.  This  conference  seemed  to 
ask,  “Is  our  faith  great  enough?” 

There  seemed  to  be  a tone  of  for- 
wardness. We  were  brought  face  to 
face  with  ourselves  in  the  reports 
and  more  so  in  the  addresses.  With 
this  prayerful  inward  searching  of 
our  souls,  we  go  forward  because 
God  can  lead  those  who  live  the 
life  of  self-denial.  With  a greater 
spiritual  insight  we  look  forward 
to  expansion  in  terms  of  spiritual 
power  and  a greater  work  for  the 
kingdom  of  God.  This  seems  to  be 
the  message  of  the  1959  conference. 

— Richeird  Ratzlaff 
Churchville,  Pa. 


It  was  a thrilling  and  inspiring 
experience  to  attend  the  Centennial 
sessions  of  the  General  Conference. 
In  many  ways  we  have  been  made 
aware  of  our  rich  heritage,  but  also 
we  have  been  brought  face  to  face 
with  our  current  and  future  respon- 
sibilities. 

The  pageant  was  an  excellent  way 
to  bring  to  mind  our  past.  It  was 
well  written,  directed,  and  per- 
formed. 

I believe  the  Conference  action 
on  such  issues  as  “The  Christian 
and  Race  Relations”  and  the  Young 
People’s  Union  resolution  on  a re- 
newed effort  in  the  evangelism  of 
youth  are  hopeful  signs  as  to  the 
future  of  our  Conference.  'There  is 
much  to  be  done.  May  God  help  us 
that  what  we  have  transacted  in 
words  may  be  lived  out  in  deeds. 

— Leola  A.  Schultz 
Freeman,  S.  D. 

A large  friendly  family,  eager  to 
share  experiences  with  one  another: 
that  is  the  impression  one  gets  at 
general  conference.  Not  all  this 
friendliness  is  poured  forth  in  slap- 
ping each  other  on  the  back  or  mu- 
tually congratulating  one  another 
on  great  victories  won.  It  was  an 
encouraging  sign  to  note  the  frank 
challenges  that  spilled  out  from 
time  to  time  to  warn  and  exhort 
each  other  to  closer  fellowship  with 
Christ  and  thus  a closer  walk  vdth 
Him. 

'The  discussion  groups  were  espe- 
cially exhilairating  because  of  the 
opportunity  to  share  openly  with 
one  another  in  a face-to-face  en- 
counter. These  discussions  helped  to 
sift  much  chaff  and  fruitless  debate 
so  that  issues  brought  to  the  floor 
of  the  general  sessions  were  more 
clearly  understood. 

One  thrilled  at  the  evidences  of 
the  outreach  of  the  Church  of 
Christ  through  our  denomination. 
However,  there  loomed  up  from 
time  to  time  in  the  minds  of  some 
of  us  the  haunting  question  of  “in- 
reach,” of  the  problem  of  the  home 
base,  our  congregations,  and  how 
far  the  inspiration  and  insights  of 
the  conference  would  penetrate  into 
individu£d  hearts  £uid  lives  at  home, 
seemingly  far  away  from  the  moun- 
tain tops  of  Bluffton. 

— Roy  W.  Henry 
Topeka,  Ind. 


September  1,  1959 


539 


Statement  adopted  by  the  General  Conference 

The  Christian  and 
Race  Relations 


Fear  and  hate,  pride,  and  suspi- 
cion, and  strife  and  violence 
have  from  time  immemorial  set 
man  against  man,  one  racial  group 
against  another,  nation  against  na- 
tion, and  Christian  brother  against 
Christian  brother.  Within  our  own 
nation  closed  schools,  riotous  mobs, 
restricted  housing,  and  segregated 
churches  give  unmistakable  evidence 
that  sinister  feelings  are  tearing  us 
asunder,  leaving  in  their  wake  all 
the  tragic  consequences  of  discrim- 
ination against  racial  and  minority 
groups  (Mexicans,  Negroes,  Jews, 
American  Indians,  Oriental  peoples, 
and  others). 

Christian  people  cannot  remain 
silent  under  conditions  like  these. 
Our  failure  to  exercise  Christian 
love  at  home  has  weakened  our  mis- 
sion outreach.  How  shall  we  extri- 
cate ourselves  from  the  tangle  of 
such  unhappy  social  relations?  How 
shall  we  seek  a society  where  people 
of  all  races  and  nations  enjoy  equal 
privileges  and  responsibilities? 

Our  Faith 

It  is  clear  that  before  God  all 
mankind  is  one.  He  created  man  in 
His  own  image.  “God  is  no  respecter 
of  persons;  but  in  every  nation  he 
that  feareth  him,  and  worketh 
righteousness,  is  accepted  with 
him”  (Acts  10:34,35).  “And  he  hath 
made  of  one  blood  all  nations  of 
men  to  dwell  on  the  face  of  the 
earth”  (Acts  17:26). 

God  does  not  make  distinctions 
on  the  basis  of  physical  features. 
He  does  not  look  on  “the  outward 
appearance”  but  looks  “on  the 
heart”  (1  Samuel  16:7).  “There  is 
neither  Jew  nor  Greek,  there  is 
neither  bond  nor  free,  there  is  nei- 
ther male  nor  female:  for  ye  are 
all  one  in  Christ”  (Gal.  3:28). 

Before  God  all  men  without  ex- 
ception are  sinners  (Romans  3:23) 
and  all  stand  in  need  of  God’s  re- 
deeming grace.  There  is  therefore 
no  room  for  condescending  pride  or 
scorn  of  any  person  or  group.  Ra- 
cial prejudice  is  sin. 

540 


In  Christ  all  barriers  of  race  and 
nation  are  shattered  for  time  and 
eternity  because  He  calls  men 
through  the  experiences  of  forgive- 
ness and  of  commitment  to  a new 
unity,  in  His  body,  the  church.  Here 
the  gathered  of  aU  nations  are  unit- 
ed in  love  under  the  one  Head, 
Jesus  Christ.  To  this  church  He 
has  entrusted  the  ministry  of  recon- 
ciliation, man  with  God,  and  man 
with  man. 

The  early  Christian  community 
understood  that  within  the  church 
there  can  be  no  significant  differ- 
ence of  race  or  nationality.  Even 
the  deep-rooted  barrier  between  Jew 
and  Gentile  was  overcome  by  the 
power  of  the  gospel.  To  the  aston- 
ishment of  many,  the  Holy  Spirit 
came  upon  all  who  repented.  By  the 
power  of  the  Spirit  the  early  church 
broke  the  barriers  of  class,  race, 
and  nation. 

Our  Guilt 

We  confess  that  we  as  a Confer- 
ence fellowship  have  sinned  and 
are  guilty  of  the  spirit  of  exclusive- 
ness. • 

Is  it  not  somewhat  disturbing  that 
our  Conference  body  assembled 
here  is  almost  exclusively  a white 
group? 

Have  we  wrapped  around  our- 
selves a robe  of  self-righteousness, 
afraid  lest  a free  Christian  brother- 
hood of  love  dilute  our  Mennonite 
customs  and  culture? 

Have  we  in  our  church-sponsored 
institutions  — schools,  hospitals, 
homes  for  the  aged — accepted  peo- 
ple because  they  were  human  beings 
in  need  of  our  love  and  we  in  need 
of  theirs?  Or  have  we  inwardly  and 
outwardly  discriminated  agciinst 
them  because  of  race  or  nation- 
ality? 

How  concerned  have  we  been  a- 
bout  hateful  and  discriminatory 
practices  against  minority  groups 
in  our  communities?  Is  it  not  iron- 
ical that  the  law  courts  of  our  land 
should  manifest  a more  sensitive 
conscience  on  such  discriminatory 
practices  and  surpass  the  church  in 


proclaiming  a just  view  of  race? 

Our  Commitment 

By  the  grace  of  God  we  as  in-  i 
dividuals  and  congregations  will  \ 
strive  sincerely  and  prayerfully  to 
love  every  person  as  we  are  loved 
by  Christ.  Each  person  is  infinitely  j 
precious  in  the  sight  of  God  and  as  | 
God’s  child  he  must  be  as  precious  'j 
to  us.  Always  mindful  of  this,  we 
will  reach  out  in  service  to  our  fel-  i 
low  men,  irrespective  of  race,  Ian-  ' 
guage,  or  color  of  skin.  , 

We  will  conscientiously  strive  to  j 
free  ourselves  from  pride,  conde- 
scension, and  scorn  toward  any 
group  whether  it  be  racial,  nation- 
al, economic,  or  religious. 

We  are  strengthened  in  these  con- 
cerns by  a firm  conviction  that  the 
historic  Christian  peace  v^dtness  is 
now  demjmded.  Peacemakers  are 
surely  needed  in  the  midst  of  the 
present  deadly  racial  warring  of 
man  against  man.  We  wiU  therefore 
surrender  ourselves  completely  to 
the  love  of  God  that  we  may  be- 
come channels  of  His  reconciling 
purpose  to  build  a brotherhood  of 
love  in  Christ  Jesus — a brotherhood 
which  is  open  to  all  men. 

We  call  on  our  member  congre- 
gations and  our  Conference  institu- 
tions to  examine  themselves  and  to 
purge  themselves  from  prejudiced 
attitudes  and  practices  toward  racial 
and  other  minority  groups.  We  fur- 
ther ask  them  to  oppose  such  preju- 
dice wherever  it  appears  in  their 
local  congregations,  institutions,  and 
communities.  To  give  reality  to  this 
confession  and  commitment  we  re-  | 
quest:  j 

• Each  congregation  of  our  Con-  i 
ference  prayerfully  to  consider  adop-  I 
tion  of  the  following.  As  a congre- 
gation under  the  Lordship  of  Christ 
and  by  the  grace  of  God  we  declare 
that  “In  every  nation  he  that  fear- 
eth him  and  worketh  righteousness 

is  accepted  by  him”  (Acts  10:35).  | 
Such  a person  of  whatever  color  or  ! 
national  origin  is  therefore  welcome  j 
to  us  as  brother  and  member,  co- 
worker, and  leader. 

• Each  Conference-related  institu- 

tion prayerfully  to  consider  adop- 
tion of  the  following.  As  an  institu- 
tion under  the  Lordship  of  Christ 
and  by  the  grace  of  God  we  declare 
that  we  will  in  our  personnel  and 
admission  policies  and  in  our  pro- 
grams of  service  give  consideration 
to  all  persons  without  regard  to 
color  or  national  origin.  [ 

THE  MENNONITE  |' 

I 


ennonite  youth 


Ten  Goals  for  Three  Years 

Adopted  by  the  YPU  General  Assembly  at  Blutfton,  Ohio 
August  18,  1959 


Goals  relating  to  local  youth  groups 

• Every  youth  fellowship  member  surrendered  and  committed  to  Jesus  Christ. 

• Every  youth  group  make  a conscious  effort  to  win  non-Christian  young  people 
to  Christ. 

• Every  youth  group  strive  to  put  new  life  into  their  youth  fellowship  through; 

a.  A restudy  of  the  three-area  emphasis  (faith,  fellowship,  service). 

b.  The  promotion  of  prayer  and  Bible  study  fellowships. 

c.  The  planning  of  local  inspirational  rallies,  clinics,  retreats  and  other 
meetings. 

d.  The  attendance  of  other  retreats,  leadership  clinics,  conferences,  and  rallys. 

• Every  youth  group  have  at  least  one  young  person  participate  in  VS,  Pax,  and/ 
or  high-school-age  work  camps  each  year. 

• Every  youth  group  recruit  young  people  for  the  ministry  and  other  church 
vocations. 

• Every  youth  group  promote  racial  and  minority  group  understanding  (e.g. 
Statement  on  “The  Christian  and  Race  Relations”  adopted  by  the  General  Con- 
ference at  Bluffton,  Ohio,  1959)  by: 

a.  Local  discussion  and  action. 

b.  Sending  V.S.  personnel  to  Conference  projects  in  areas  of  tension. 

c.  Supporting  financially  projects  such  as  Gulfport. 

• Every  youth  group  annually  set  up  budget  goals  and  promote  a system  of 
planned  giving  for  their  young  people. 

Goals  relating  to  District  and  YPU  Organizations 

• The  YPU  in  co-operation  with  the  district  youth  organizations  restudy  their 
relationships  and  responsibilities  on  local,  district,  and  YPU  levels. 

• The  YPU  in  co-operation  with  district  officers  plan  clinics  for  youth  leaders 
and  adult  counselors. 

• The  YPU  and  district  officers  cultivate  contacts  with  other  Mennonite  bodies 
and  plan  to  participate  in  co-operative  activities  especially  in  the  youth  program 
at  the  World  Conference  in  1962  (Kitchener,  Ontario). 

I 


September  1,  1959 


541 


The  charge  given  by  Harris  Waltner,  retiring  YPU  president 

Come . . . Go . . . Give 


Words  addressed  to  Marvin  Zehr 
and  Nancy  Wismer: 

We  have  come  to  this  significant 
moment  when  it  is  my  privilege  to 
confer  upon  you  the  honor  and  the 
responsibilities  of  your  new  offices. 
The  delegated  youth  of  our  Confer- 
ence have  voiced  their  confidence  in 
you  to  serve  as  their  leaders.  Many 
of  us  have  also  prayed  earnestly 
that  God  should  guide  us  in  this 
selection,  and  I hope  that  you  will 
recognize  your  election  also  as  a 
divine  calling. 

Accept  your  new  responsibility 
humbly  and  reverently.  Accept  it  in 
the  spirit  of  dedication  to  your  task 
and  to  your  Lord  who  is  able  to  do 
far  more  through  you  than  you  are 
able  to  ask  or  think.  Seek  to  keep  in 
mind  the  interests  and  the  needs 
of  our  youth.  Be  alert  to  the  con- 
cerns that  are  voiced  by  our  youth 
leaders.  Strive  to  utilize  every  gift 
that  you  have  that  you  may  in- 
spire in  others  a greater  sense  of 


dedication  to  Jesus  Christ  and  the 
Church.  “Let  no  one  despise  your 
youth,  but  set  the  believers  an  ex- 
ample in  speech  and  conduct,  in 
love,  in  faith,  in  purity”  (1  Tim. 
4:12). 

If  you  give  yourself  faithfully  to 
your  task,  you  will  be  of  great  serv- 
ice to  our  youth  and  the  church. 
You  will  realize  invaluable  experi- 
ences, for  you  will  find  a widening 
circle  of  new  friends,  a deeper  un- 
derstanding of  the  work  and  signifi- 
cance of  our  church,  and  the  joy 
that  comes  from  being  co-laborers 
with  God  in  helping  youth. 

May  God  bless  you  and  may  the 
Spirit  of  the  Lord  be  upon  you  as 
you  serve  to  lead  our  youth. 

Words  addressed  to  the  youth  dele- 
gates : 

Having  called  Marvin  and  Nancy 
to  this  office,  you  now  have  the 
responsibility  of  assisting  them. 
Without  your  assistance  they,  as 


well  as  all  your  YPU  cabinet  or  dis- 
trict youth  officers  cannot  be  effec- 
tive servants.  They  need  your  help. 
You  will  assist  them  best  if  you 
will  remember  them  consistently  in 
your  prayers,  if  you  will  share  with  \ 
time,  constructive  ideas,  and  sug- 
gestions, and  if  you  will  rededicate 
yourself  to  serve  Christ  more  crea-  | 
tively  in  your  own  youth  group.  Ji 

At  this  Centennial  Conference  we  j 
have  heard  many  sobering  chal- 
lenges.  The  future  of  our  church 
will  depend  upon  us.  The  goals 
which  we  have  set  for  ourselves 
as  a YPU  are  absolutely  essential 
to  the  future  welfare  of  the  church.  , 
Whether  we  will  meet  our  chal- 
lenge and  attain  our  goals  depends  ' 
not  so  much  upon  your  YPU  cab- 
inet or  your  district  youth  cabinet  j 
as  it  depends  upon  you.  You  are  the  ! 
most  important  person  here. 

Like  the  rich  young  ruler  who  j 
once  came  to  Jesus,  you  are  rich  in 
terms  of  your  opportunity  and  your 
talent  and  your  capacity  to  earn 
and  spend.  You  are  rich,  and  you 
are  young — the  energy  and  idealism 
of  youth  are  yours  to  use  for  good 
or  for  evil.  You  are  rich  and  you 
are  young,  and  you  alone  can  an- 
swer the  invitation  of  the  Master:  ! 
“Come,  follow  me.  Go,  sell  what  you 
have.  Give  to  the  poor  and  you  will 
have  treasures  in  heaven”  (Mark  I 
10:21). 

Only  with  an  honest  surrender  of 
ourselves  to  Jesus  Christ  can  we 
ever  hope  to  begin  attaining  our  ; 
goals.  This  is  the  commitment  you 
must  make:  ' 

• Relate  yourself  personally  to  ^ 

Jesus.  “Come,  follow  me.”  | ^ 

• Be  willing  to  sacrifice  some-  j ^ 

thing  for  your  faith.  “Go,  sell  what  j 
you  have.”  ^ 

• Relate  yourself  to  the  needs  of  ^ 

others  in  witness  and  service.  “Give  | 
to  the  poor  and  you  will  have  treas- 
ures in  heaven.”  , 

Do  not  disappoint  the  Lord  and  j j, 
Injure  the  church  by  failing  to  con-  I ^ 
secrate  yourself,  as  did  the  rich  ^ 
young  ruler  who  walked  sorrowful-  j| 
ly  away.  Commit  yourself,  rather,  i 
to  Jesus  Christ  in  the  work  of  the  , | 
church.  I jj 

“And  so,  brothers  of  mine,  stand  | ^ 
firm!  Let  nothing  move  you  as  you 
busy  yourselves  in  the  Lord’s  work. 

Be  sure  that  nothing  you  do  for 
Him  is  ever  lost  or  ever  wasted”  ' 
(1  Cor.  15:58,  Phillips). 


Left  to  right:  Milton  Harder,  youth  worker;  Nancy  Wismer,  YPU  secretary- 
treasurer;  Marvin  Zehr,  YPU  president. 


542 


THE  MENNONITE 


July  20-25,  1959 

Five 

Days 

to 

Remember 


During  the  moment  of  reverent 
silence  which  followed  Rev. 
Goossen’s  closing  prayer  at  our 
final  morning  watch,  I found  my- 
self thinking,  “What  a sharp  con- 
trast to  the  boisterous  restlessness 
with  which  our  first  morning  watch 
of  the  week  began!” 

It  was  a lovely  morning  to  be 
outdoors  for  our  worship  service, 
but  the  grass  was  still  wet  from  a 
recent  rain.  I looked  over  the  group 
of  children  seated  on  the  tennis 
court.  There  were  forty-four  of 
them.  Twelve  were  Negro,  five  Mex- 
ican, and  twenty-seven  were  white. 
They  came  from  three  cities  in 
Kansas;  Kansas  City,  Wichita,  and 
Hutchinson. 

For  a week  they  had  attended 
the  Fresh  Air  Friendship  Camp 
sponsored  by  the  Western  District 
Youth  Fellowship  at  Camp  Mennos- 


cah.  They  had  lived  together  in  the 
cabins,  eaten  together  in  the  dining 
hall,  washed  dishes  together, 
laughed  together,  and  played  to- 
gether. They  had  painted  murals 
about  Bible  times,  and  had  worked 
on  crafts.  There  had  been  cook-outs 
and  hayrack  rides,  and  on  the  last 
evening  a banquet  complete  with  a 
toastmaster  and  a program. 

They  had  worshipped  together  at 
the  morning  watch  and  the  evening 
campfire  services.  They  had  attend- 
ed classes  in  Bible  and  in  nature 
study.  They  had  sung  together  lust- 
ily, Negro  sitting  between  Mexican 
and  white: 

I want  to  live  in  a friendly  world, 
A friendly  world,  a friendly  world. 
I want  to  live  in  the  kind  of  world 
That’s  kind  to  folks  like  me. 

If  I run  short  of  a cup  of  milk 
And  my  next  door  neighbor’s  in. 


I want  to  know  that  she  won’t  say 
“no” 

To  the  color  of  my  skin. 

Or  the  church  I worship  in. 

Or  the  town  from  which  I came. 

Or  my  great  grandfather’s  name. 

Not  everything  had  gone  smooth- 
ly, of  course,  and  we  leaders  had 
learned  much  which  we  could  pass 
on  as  suggestions  for  another  year. 
But  it  had  been  a good  week.  Now 
it  was  almost  over. 

I wondered  what  the  week  had 
actually  meant  to  the  campers.  I 
thought  about  the  chapel  service 
held  one  morning  with  the  children 
in  charge,  guided  by  the  camp  pas- 
tor. How  solemnly  Carl,  one  of  the 
smallest  boys,  had  read  the  scrip- 
ture passage.  I remembered  the 
evening  that  Donna,  Karen,  and 
Seveda  had  talked  far  into  the  night 
when  none  of  them  could  sleep.  For 
the  most  part  I had  kept  silent  as  I 
listened  to  the  three  girls  sharing 
their  deepest  thoughts  and  questions 
and  problems. 

I thought  about  the  consecration 
service  at  the  campfire  on  the  last 
evening.  Simply,  and  on  the  level 
of  the  children’s  understanding,  the 
camp  pastor  had  presented  the  chal- 
lenge to  take  up  the  cross  and  fol- 
low Christ.  Every  child  had  re- 
sponded. How  much  had  the  re- 
sponse meant  to  them?  How  long 
would  they  remember? 

As  we  left  the  morning  watch 
and  walked  to  the  dining  hall  for 
breakfast,  there  was  no  doubt  about 
what  the  campers  themselves 
thought  about  their  experience. 

“I  want  to  stay  another  week” 
“Can  I come  back  next  year?”  “I 
want  to  come  back  as  many  years 
as  you’ll  let  me,  and  when  I’m  too 
old  to  come  as  a camper,  I want  to 
come  back  as  a counselor.” 

And  when  program  director  O’Ray 
Graber  announced,  “This  is  our  last 
meal  together.  Soon  after  breakfast 
you’ll  be  going  home,”  loud  cries  of 
“boo”  completely  drowned  out  a 
few  feeble  cheers. 

A bit  noisy,  yes!  But  to  the  Youth 
Fellowship  that  made  it  possible,  it 
should  sound  like  a hearty  “thank 
you.” 

— Amelia  Mueller 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People’s  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  722 
Main  St.,  Newton,  Kansas. 


September  1,  1959 


543 


our  schools 

22  NURSES  GRADUATE 

Twenty-two  seniors  in  the  Bethel 
Deaconess  Hospital  School  of  Nurs- 
ing, Newton,  Kan.,  will  receive 
their  diplomas  in  graduate  exercises 
set  for  September  5 at  8 p.m.  in  tue 
First  Mennonite  Church  of  Newton. 

Russell  L.  Mast,  pastor  of  the 
Bethel  College  Mennonite  Church, 
will  deliver  the  commencement  ad- 
dress. Special  music  will  be  provid- 
ed by  Bruce  Loganbill  and  the  stu- 
dent nurses’  chorus.  F.  N.  Lohrenz, 
president  of  the  hospital  medical 
staff  will  deliver  greetings.  Diplo- 
mas will  be  presented  by  Marvin  H. 
Ewert,  hospital  administrator.  Sis- 
ter Hilda  Mueller,  director  of  nurs- 
ing, will  give  the  pins  of  the  school. 

Members  of  the  class  are  Carolee 
Balzer  of  Hillsboro,  Elaine  Bechtel 
of  Deer  Creek,  Okla.,  Vada  Egy  of 
Halstead,  LaVonne  Goertzen  of 
Hutchinson,  Vera  Harder  of  Butter- 
field, Minn.,  Susan  Hershberger  of 
Hesston,  Alma  Lee  Isaacs  of  Mound- 
ridge,  Arlene  and  Catherine  Leidig 
of  Clay  Center,  Jeanette  Nickel  of 
Buhler,  Ann  Preheim  of  Marion,  S. 
Dak.,  Rosella  Schmidt  of  Newton, 
Vemabelle  Siemens  of  Buhler,  Lois 
Unruh  of  Galva,  Darlene  Warkentin 
of  Inman,  Cleo  Warner  of  Burdette, 
Shirley  Weaver  of  Gulliver,  Mich., 
Betty  Wiebe  of  Garden  City,  Alma 
and  Velma  Wiens  of  Montezuma, 
Gladys  Wiens  of  Long  Beach,  Calif., 
and  Helen  Ysker  of  Mountain  Lake, 
Minn. 

Friends  of  the  graduates  and  the 
school  of  nursing  are  cordially  invit- 
ed to  attend  the  commencement 
service. 

MCC  news  and  notes 

1959-60  TRAINEES  ARRIVE 

AKRON — Thirty-eight  internation- 
al trainees  arrived  in  Akron,  Pa., 
Aug.  21,  to  begin  their  first  six- 
month  working  and  living  period 
in  the  United  States.  The  purpose  of 
this  tenth  group  of  young  people 
(who  are  one-year  guests  of  the 
Mennonite  Central  Committee)  com- 
ing to  America  is  to  promote  good 
will  and  a better  understanding  be- 
tween peoples  of  other  countries 
with  the  U.S.,  to  give  people  from 
abroad  an  opportunity  to  observe 
life  in  Mennonite  communities  here 
and  to  allow  them  to  increase  prac- 


tical knowledge  working  in  Ameri- 
can occupations. 

While  in  America  a Mennonite 
sponsor  temporarily  adopts  a train- 
ee. This  parent-sponsor  then  helps 
his  six-month  guest  become  a part 
of  his  home,  church,  and  commu- 
nity, besides  teaching  him  occupa- 
tional skills.  Persons  interested  in 
sponsoring  one  of  these  internation- 
al youth  for  the  second  six-month 
period  should  write  to  Miss  Pauline 
Jahnke,  MCC  Trainee  Program,  Ak- 
ron, Pa. 

jottings 

FAREWELL  SERVICE  HELD 

Victoria  Ave.  Church,  Regina, 
Sask.:  a farewell  service  was  held 
in  the  Victoria  Avenue  Mennonite 
Church  on  June  28,  1959,  for  Rev. 
and  Mrs.  Norman  Bergen  and  fam- 
ily who  left  for  a new  pastorate  at 
the  Mennonite  Country  Church  at 
Monroe,  Washington.  An  informal 
fellowship,  with  a lunch  served  by 
the  ladies  of  the  group,  followed  the 
service.  The  Bergens  were  present- 
ed with  a purse  of  money  as  a fare- 
well gift  from  the  group. 
MISSIONARY  GUESTS 
Butterfield  Church,  Butterfield, 
Minn.:  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Albert  Jant- 
zen,  missionaries  from  Oraibi,  Ariz., 
presented  their  work  with  the  Hopi 
Indians  at  the  prayer  meeting  July 
1.  On  the  following  Sun.  eve  Mrs. 
Willard  Friesen  brought  a sacred 
recital  on  our  new  Lowrey  electric 
organ.  An  Indian  Christian,  Lall 
Din,  held  meetings  here  and  at  the 
North  Church  July  6-11.  The  Mary- 
Martha  Circle  enjoyed  a picnic  July 
12  in  the  local  park.  Recent  visitors 
were  the  Edward  Duerksens,  our 
former  pastor  and  his  wife,  from 
Carpenter,  S.  D.  The  men’s  fellow- 
ship met  July  13.  On  the  following 
Sun.  Bob  Radtke  of  Omaha  ad- 
dressed the  young  people.  A num- 
ber from  our  group  attended  the 
Tri-State  Bible  Camp  at  Lake  She- 
tek,  July  24-Aug.  1.  The  annual 
church  fellowship  lunch  was  held 
July  26  at  the  village  park  with 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kenneth  Munger  from 
Africa  as  guest  speakers.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Van  Nattan,  missionaries  from 
Tanganyika,  Africa,  portrayed  the 
gospel  through  curio,  sermon,  and 
slides  on  Aug.  2. — Willis  Linscheid 

75TH  ANNIVERSARY  CELEBRATED 

Pretty  Prairie  Church,  Pretty 
Prairie,  Kan.:  Bible  school  was  held 
the  first  two  weeks  of  June  with  77 


children  attending.  Around  115 
Christmas  bundles  were  dedicated 
at  the  morning  service  June  21.  Jo- 
leen  Krehbiel  is  j^oing  VS  work  at 
Camp  Paivika,  Crestline,  Calif.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Peter  P.  Schrag  observed 
their  golden  wedding  at  the  church 
June  21.  Pastor  Friesen,  Howard 
Schrag,  Melvin  Flickinger,  and  Mrs. 
Alvin  Dean  Krehbiel  have  helped 
as  adult  leaders  at  retreat  sessions 
at  Camp  Mennoscah.  The  memorial 
fund  for  David  Friesen,  the  eight- 
year  old  son  of  Pastor  and  Mrs. 
Friesen  who  passed  away  in  May, 
amounted  to  around  $850.  The  mon- 
ey went  to  our  Colombian  mission 
for  the  support  of  children’s  work. 
Pastor  and  Mrs.  Friesen  recently 
entertained  all  the  college-age  young 
people  at  their  home.  Farewell  serv- 
ices for  Mary  Schrag,  who  left  for 
her  second  term  of  service  in  India, 
were  held  Aug.  2.  The  church  cele- 
brated its  seventy-fifth  anniversary 
on  Aug.  30. 

YOUTH  CONFERENCE  HELD 

Swiss  Church,  Alsen,  N.  D.:  On 
June  4 the  Open  Door  Mission  pre- 
sented a program;  six  Negro  girls 
gave  the  special  music  and  Herbert 
H.  Peters  told  about  the  work  at 
the  Open  Door  Mission.  On  June  7 
Johannah  Schoenwald,  missionary 
from  the  Children’s  Home  at  Alas- 
ka, gave  her  testimony.  She  came 
from  Glendive,  Mont.,  with  her  sis- 
ter and  brother-in-law.  Youth  fel- 
lowship was  held  in  the  evening. 
The  Youth  Conference  was  held  at 
the  Salem  Church  at  Munich  on 
June  14-16.  The  ladies’  mission  so- 
ciety met  June  11.  Mrs.  John  Toews 
was  hostess.  Dorothy  Spenst  be- 
came the  bride  of  Norman  Graber 
on  June  21.  She  is  the  daughter  of 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry  Spenst,  and 
Norman  is  the  son  of  Mrs.  Katie 
Graber. — Mrs.  F.  Feil 

FAREWELL  FOR  PASTOR  & FAMILY 

First  Church,  Burns,  Kan.:  June 
12,  our  DVBS  closed  with  a pro- 
gram; 41  pupils  attended.  On  Pente- 
cost Sun.  three  young  people  were 
baptized  and  taken  into  the  church 
fellowship.  On  Mother’s  Day,  four 
parents  consecrated  their  children. 
June  10,  we  had  our  S.  S.  picnic  at  ' 
the  park  in  Florence,  Kan.  In  the 
evening  the  youth  fellowship  dedi- 
cated the  open  fireplace  at  church. 
June  21,  the  ladies’  mission  society 
dedicated  17  Christmas  bundles  at 
our  C.  E.  program.  June  25,  a fare- 
well and  fellowship  supper  in  honor 
of  Pastor  G.  M.  Peters  and  family 
was  held.  On  June  28  Pastor  Peters 
had  his  farewell  sermon  on  “Hither- 
to hath  the  Lord  helped  us.” 


SEPTEMBER  8,  1959 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
MAN  LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIST 


editorials 


COVER 

Scenes  from  the  Centennial  pageant: 
John  H.  Oberholtzer  speaking  with  Chris- 
tian Schowalter  and  Daniel  Krehbiel; 
children  in  Christopher  Docks  school. 

ARTICLES 

I AM  WITH  YOU 

By  Menno  J.  Ediger  547 

CENTENARY  GOALS  548 

THE  CHRISTIAN  AND 

NUCLEAR  POWER  549 

MENNONITE  ENCYCLOPEDIA 

COMPLETED  551 

THE  CHRISTIAN  AND  WAR 

Book  Review  by  Lowell  Teichroew....552 

FEATURES 

CONFERENCE  NEWS  PICTURES  550 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIAL  546 

MENNONITE  YOUTH 
Looking  Back  at  the  Teen-Age 

Workcamp  553 

The  YPU  Retreat — Firsthand  554 

OUR  SCHOOLS  556 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  556 

JOTTINGS  557 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  560 

PHOTO  CREDITS 

Darwin  Luginbuhl,  cover.  Leland  Gerber, 
pages  550-551.  S.  F.  Pannabecker,  page 
553.  Frank  Epp,  page  555. 


of  things  to  come 

Sept.  7-12 — "Faith  and  Life"  radio 
speaker,  KJRG,  Newton,  Kan.:  Victor 
Sawatzky. 

Sept.  8 — Bethel  College  opens 
Sept.  11 — Bluffton  College  opens 
Sept.  21 — Classes  begin  at  Mennonite 
Biblical  Seminary. 

Sept.  25 — Rosthern  Junior  College  opens 
Sept.  29 — Canadian  Mennonite  Bible  Col- 
lege opens 

Oct.  4 — Western  District  Sunday  School 
Convention,  Halstead  High  School 
Auditorium,  Halstead,  Kan. 

Oct.  4 — World  Communion  Sunday 
Oct.  7 — National  Day  of  Prayer 
Oct.  12 — Canadian  Thanksgiving  Day 
Oct.  24-28 — West.  Dist.  Conference 
Nov.  1 — Reformation  Sunday 
Nov.  26 — Thanksgiving  Day  (U.S.) 

Dec.  1-4 — Council  of  Boards 
Dec.  13 — Universal  Bible  Sunday 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor:  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 
J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Assistant:  Muriel 

Thiessen.  Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 


VOLUME  74 


NUMBER  35 


MENNONITES  IN  THE  PUBLIC  EYE  Two  newspaper  headlines 
caused  delegates  to  the  recent  General  Conference  sessions  in  Bluffton, 
Ohio,  momentary  embarrassment.  Appearing  in  two  different  papers 
on  different  days  the  headlines  said:  “Mennonites  Study  Program  to 
Fight  Membership  Loss”  and  “Mennonites  Table  Race  Resolution.” 

Some  felt  that  these  headlines  bordered  on  the  sensational,  and  worse 
than  that,  gave  a wrong  impression  of  our  brotherhood. 

The  membership  loss  story  was  based  on  a report  made  to  a small 
study  conference  which  met  prior  to  the  General  Conference  sessions. 
This  report  had  to  do  with  a preliminary  study  of  membership  treins- 
fers.  These  studies  seem  to  suggest  that  during  the  last  ten  years  our 
conference  has  lost  an  equivalent  of  one-fifth  of  its  membership  in 
spite  of  an  annual  net  gain.  The  account  emphasized  the  fact  that  there 
was  a loss — and  because  of  an  unfortunate  mechanical  error  heightened 
this  fact — and  minimized  our  gains. 

The  second  headline  developed  out  of  an  event  on  the  conference 
floor  during  the  discussion  of  the  statement  on  race  relations  which 
was  finally  adopted  unanimously.  When  delegates  seemed  on  the  verge 
of  accepting  this  important  pronouncement  without  study  or  discus- 
sion, several  people  suggested  that  action  be  postponed  imtU  time  could 
be  given  to  discussion.  Though  the  headline  tantalizingly  suggested 
opposition,  the  story  objectively  reported  that  the  action  had  been  post- 
poned to  allow  study.  In  fact  the  newspaper  also  printed  the  full 
resolution  more  than  a column  in  length — ^in  the  Sunday  edition. 

Many  took  these  incidents  as  support  for  their  convictions  that  news- 
papers are  not  only  untrustworthy,  but  also  unfriendly.  We  feel  that 
this  is  unjustified.  But  these  experiences  stimulate  some  observations 
on  Mennonite  programs  of  publicity. 

We  asked  for  it.  Any  attempt  at  communication  runs  the  risk  of 
being  misunderstood.  We  wanted  newspaper  space  and  we  studiously 
set  out  to  get  it.  This  conference  had  no  shortage  of  publicists,  report- 
ers, photographers,  editors,  mimeographed  papers,  and  handouts.  There 
must  be  other  conventions  that  do  a better  job,  but  measured  in  terms 
of  energy  output,  we  never  did  more  before.  Having  openly  courted 
column  inches,  we  tacitly  accepted  the  hazards  of  the  journalistic 
course.  While  some  newspapers  publish  only  “sweetness  and  light,” 
others,  especially  those  involved  in  a circulation  war  as  was  the  case 
here,  believe  that  news  is  basically  of  the  man-bites-dog  variety.  It  is 
not  the  usual  but  the  unusual  that  goes  on  the  front  page.  When  a church 
proclaims  its  belief  in  righteousness,  that  is  not  news,  but  accepted 
practice.  But  when  Christians  hesitate  (or  seem  to  hesitate)  on  the 
brink  of  decision  it  is  worthy  of  comment,  because  in  its  own  way  it 
may  show  the  full-rounded  Christian’s  life  and  his  continuing  need  for 
the  power  of  God. 

We  cannot  ( or  should  not)  tell  a lie.  To  some  publicity  means  teUing 
only  the  good  things.  (Isn’t  it  stremge  that  humility  and  modesty  are 
such  treasured  virtues  for  the  individual,  while  corporate  life  seems  to 
put  a premium  on  group  “egotism”?)  We  want  to  give  a good  impres- 
sion, but  bragging  is  not  an  aid  in  soul-winning.  Honesty  doesn’t  demand 
that  we  accentuate  our  faults,  but  it  requires  us  to  confess  them.  Being 
dependent  on  God  for  our  salvation  means  that  we  aren’t  embarrassed 
by  our  “feet  of  clay.”  Besides  you  cannot  lie  to  a newspaper  reporter. 
He  can  check  the  facts.  He  needs  to  feel  that  you  are  honest,  for  if  he 
doesn’t  you  are  reaUy  in  trouble. 

No  news  is  not  good  news.  Publicity  and  news  about  the  work  of  the 
church  is  a conversation  with  the  world.  It  is  not  boasting  of  our  accom- 
plishments, but  a forthright  statement  of  our  understanding  of  the 
heavenly  light  as  expressed  by  our  actions.  Understood  in  this  way  a 
publicity  program  is  a way  to  witness  for  Christ. 

Obviously  our  Conference  should  have  a fully-staffed  publicity  depart- 
ment all  year  round  (not  only  at  conference  time)  not  because  it  Is  good 
business  but  because  it  is  good  evangelism.  Maynard  Shelly 


546 


THE  MENNONITE 


I Am  With  You 

by  Menno  J.  Ediger 


IN  the  first  book  of  the  Bible,  in 
the  last,  and  in  numerous  places 
between,  the  word  of  God  came  to 
( men  in  statements  that  began  with 
I these  two  short  words;  I AM. 

God  came  to  Abraham  and  said, 
“I  am  the  Lord  who  brought  you 
out  of  the  Chaldees,  to  give  you  this 
land  for  an  inheritance.”  God  came 
at  a time  when  Abram  had  no  son 
by  his  wife  Sarah,  and  yet  Abram 
was  promised  descendants  as  the 
i stars  of  heaven  in  number.  God 
kept  His  promise. 

God  came  to  Jacob  fleeing  from 
home,  and  said  to  him,  “I  am  the 
i Lord,  the  God  of  Abraham  your 
I father,  and  the  God  of  Isaac.  . . . 
I Behold,  I am  with  you  and  will  keep 
you  wherever  you  go.  . . .”  This 
promise  was  fulfilled  to  Jacob  in  a 
wonderful  way. 

God  came  to  Moses  and  said,  “I 
am  the  God  of  Abraham,  the  God 
of  Isaac,  and  the  God  of  Jacob.  . . . 
Come,  I will  send  you  to  Pharaoh 
that  you  may  bring  forth  my  peo- 
ple out  of  Egypt.  Every  Sunday 
school  pupil  is  familiar  with  the 
story  of  God’s  working  in  and 
through  Moses. 

“I  am.”  In  the  mouth  of  God, 
these  words  are  eternally  true;  spo- 
ken by  man,  they  are  hollow  and 
empty.  We  are,  now — but  how  long 
shall  we  be?  Kings,  empires,  states, 
all  come  and  go.  They  have  their 
day  of  glory  and  power,  but  in  the 
course  of  time  disappear,  some  re- 


Menno  Ediger  Is  pastor  of  the  Waters 
Fellowship,  Copper  Clift,  Ontario. 


corded  in  the  pages  of  history,  oth- 
ers forgotten  as  soon  as  they  are 
gone.  But  not  God.  God  is.  This  is 
something  that  we  of  the  material, 
earth-bound  but  space-minded  twen- 
tieth century  must  not  forget. 
Though  all  around  us  crumble  and 
decay,  we  have  our  hope  in  a God 
who  said,  is  saying,  and  will  say,  “I 
am!”  This,  for  the  Christian,  is  a 
source  of  comfort  and  assurance. 

“I  am.”  It  is  not  surprising  that 
we  hear  the  same  words  from  the 
Son  of  God  while  here  on  earth. 
“I  am  the  bread  of  life  . . . the  light 
of  the  world  . . . the  door  . . . the 
good  shepherd  . . . the  way  . . . the 
truth  . . . the  resurrection  . . . and 
the  life.”  These  words  are  not  dated. 
As  He  fed  the  hungry,  gave  light 
to  the  blind,  restored  the  lifeless, 
so  we  in  our  day  see  Jesus  Christ 
fulfilling  His  words. 

“I  am.”  Not  only  are  we  con- 
vinced of  God’s  eternity,  but  we  are 
also  assured  of  His  constant  near- 
ness, for  He  said  further,  “I  am 
with  you.”  But  do  we  want  Him 
with  us?  It  is  true  that  people  do 
not  like  to  be  alone;  this  is  evi- 
denced by  the  constant  blare  of 
radio  and  the  glare  of  television,  by 
the  telephone  meirathons,  and  the 
stained  coffee  and  tea  cups. 

There  is  tragedy  in  this,  for  in 
seeking  companionship  via  gadgets 
we  frustrate  and  even  lose  the  en- 
joyment of  human  companionship. 
More  tragic  is  the  fact  that  by  these 
we  may  also  be  rejecting  the  inner 
companionship  of  God’s  Spirit  till 
His  “I  am  with  you”  cannot  be 


heard.  Here  is  a danger  that  we 
must  guard  against. 

“I  am  ...  I am  with  you  ...  I 
am  with  you  always!”  It  is  the  hap- 
py experience  of  every  true  Chris- 
tian that  this  is  so.  Through  life’s 
happiness,  through  its  valleys  of 
death,  to  the  end  of  the  world,  God 
is  with  us.  Paul  speaks  so  well  for 
us  here:  “Who  shall  separate  us 
from  the  love  of  Christ?  Shall  trib- 
ulation, or  distress,  or  persecution, 
or  famine,  or  nakedness,  or  peril, 
or  sword?”  No,  for  God  is  in  these 
with  us.  The  apostle  answered  his 
own  query  thus:  “I  am  sure  that 
neither  death,  nor  life,  nor  angels, 
nor  principalities,  nor  things  pres- 
ent, nor  things  to  come,  nor  powers, 
nor  height,  nor  depth,  nor  anything 
else  in  all  creation,  wiU  be  able  to 
separate  us  from  the  love  of  God 
in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord.” 

It  is  comforting,  yet  sobering,  to 
know  that  there  is  nothing  that  can 
alter  God’s  loving  concern  for  His 
people.  It  is  sobering  in  that  when 
a relationship  between  God  and  man 
is  broken  or  maired,  the  fault  is 
always  with  us.  John  Keble  voiced 
this  in  the  words  of  the  hymn  that 
we  sing,  “O  may  no  earth-bom 
cloud  arise  to  hide  Thee  from  Thy 
servant’s  eyes.” 

God’s  lovingkindness  is  beyond 
comprehension.  Not  only  is  God 
with  us,  but  even  more  wonderful 
is  the  thought  expressed  by  the 
apostle  that  God  is  for  us.  Hear  his 
words:  “What  then  shall  we  say  to 
this?  If  God  is  for  us,  who  is  a- 
gainst  us?  He  who  did  not  spare 


September  8,  1959 


547 


his  own  Son  but  gave  him  up  for  us 
all,  will  he  not  also  give  us  all 
things  with  him?  Who  shall  bring 
any  charge  against  God’s  elect?  It 
is  God  who  justifies;  who  is  to  con- 
demn? It  is  Christ  Jesus,  who  died, 
yes,  who  was  raised  from  the  dead, 
who  is  at  the  right  hand  of  God, 
who  indeed  intercedes  for  us.” 

Our  warfare  against  the  devil 
would  be  futile  and  fruitless  with- 
out God’s  help.  Satan  is  wise  and 
strong,  but  God  is  wiser  and  more 
powerful.  More  than  Creator,  more 


than  Savior,  more  than  Spectator, 
God  is  actively  engaged  with  us 
and  for  us  in  the  conflict  between 
good  and  evil.  The  battle  is  God’s, 
and  though  it  is  still  being  waged, 
the  victory  is  already  assured  for 
God  and  for  us  who  believe. 

“I  am  ...  I am  with  you.  I am 
with  you  always!”  Is  there  not  here 
a trinity  of  progression  in  God’s 
manifestation  of  himself  and  His 
purpose  to  His  people?  God  was. 
God  came  to  His  people  for  a while 
in  person.  Now  God  has  graciously 


planned  to  be  with  us  forever 
through  His  Spirit,  and  we  with 
Him.  What  amazing  provision  God 
has  made  for  us! 

“I  am  Alpha  and  Omega,  the  be-  i 
ginning  and  the  ending.  ...  I am  ' 
the  God  of  Abraham,  Isaac,  Jacob 
. . . . I will  bless  you  and  make  you 
great.  ...  I am  the  bread  of  life,  j 
the  light  of  the  world,  the  way,  the  j 
truth,  the  resurrection,  the  life  ... 
and  lo,  I am  with  you  always,  even 
to  the  end  of  the  world.” 


Looking  toward  another  centenary 


GOALS 


As  we  of  the  General  Conference 
stand  at  the  threshold  of  our  sec- 
ond century,  we  look  back  to  the 
work  of  those  who  walked  before 
us,  faithful  in  the  cause  of  Christ 
and  His  Church.  We  also  look  up  in 
gratitude  to  our  Heavenly  Father 
for  His  merciful  guidance  in  the 
century  now  closing;  and  we  look 
forward  humbly  to  the  century  a- 
head,  aware  of  the  far-reaching 
warfare  we  may  be  called  upon  to 
wage  against  unprecedented  demon- 
ic power. 

So  we  stand  at  the  threshold, 
seeking  inspiration  from  the  past 
and  praying  for  God’s  strengthen- 
ing in  the  present  and  the  future 
as  we  surrender  ourselves  in  deeper 
discipleship  to  Him  who  is  our  Sav- 
ior and  Lord,  dedicating  ourselves 
to: 

WITNESS  to  the  saving  power  of 
Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. 

to  the  unity  of  all  believers  in 
Christ. 

to  the  gospel  of  peace  and  recon- 
ciliation through  Jesus  Christ. 

to  the  priesthood  of  all  believers. 

WITNESS  to  the  growing  multi- 
tudes in  our  cities. 

to  all  who  have  not  heard  the 
gospel. 

to  each  succeeding  generation. 


WITNESS  against  the  spirit  of 
materialism  of  this  age. 

against  the  spirit  of  exclusivism 
in  our  fellowship. 

against  the  spirit  of  division  in 
the  Christian  church. 

against  the  rising  tide  of  moral 
laxity. 

WITNESS  through  personal  evan- 
gelism* and  church  life. 

through  the  witness  of  the  print- 
ed page. 

through  our  institutions  of  higher 
learning  and  all  conference  institu- 
tions. 

WITNESS  by  reaffirming  our 
faith  in  the  inspiration  and  author- 
ity of  the  scriptures. 

by  dedicating  ourselves  anew  as 
disciples  of  Christ.  , 

by  living  a life  of  dedicated  stew- 
ardship. 

by  keeping  open  our  hearts  to  re- 
generative and  sanctifying  work  of 
the  Holy  Spirit. 

by  strengthening  the  Christian 
family. 

by  manifesting  concern  over  so- 
cial evils  of  our  culture. 

by  a prophetic  witness  to  state 
and  society. 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church, 
Entered  at  North  Newton,  Kansas,  post  office  as  second  class  matter.  Acceptance  for  mailing  at  special  rate  of  postage:  section  1103,  Act 
of  Oct.  3,  1917.  Authorized  Jan.  22,  1910.  Subscriptions  $2.50;  foreign  $3.00.  Mail  subscriptions  and  payments  to  Mennonite  Publication 
Office,  North  Newton,  Kan.,  or  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan.  Address  manuscripts  for  publication  to  J.  N.  Smucker,  Editor,  THE  MENNONITE, 
Woodward  Place,  Gethen,  Ind.  Potimailen:  change  of  addreu  Fom  3579  to  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan. 


548 


THE  MENNONITE 


[The 

iChristian 

•and 

' Nuclear 
Power 


Statement  adopted  at 
Centennial  Conference 


IN  our  generation  new  dimensions 
^ of  power  have  become  available 
to  man.  This  new  power  opens  to 
men  and  nations  terrifying  possibili- 
ties for  evil  and  violence,  especially 
if  war  should  come. 

By  a strange  coincidence  of  his- 
tory science  discovered  how  to  split 
the  atom  just  as  the  most  destruc- 
tive war  of  all  time  spread  across 
I the  world  in  1939.  In  this  war  oblit- 
eration bombing  became  established 
military  policy.  By  war’s  end  the 
split  atom  came  forth  as  an  atomic 
bomb  and  obliteration  bombing 
came  to  Hiroshima  and  Nagasaki. 
Since  that  war  the  hydrogen  bomb 
and  the  intercontinental  ballistic 
missile  make  future  war  almost  in- 
evitably intercontinental  in  scope 
and  an  ominous  threat  to  the  very 
existence  of  man. 

The  Christian  Faith 
In  such  a time  of  urgency  the 
Christian  Church  cannot  be  silent. 
It  must  through  its  members  voice 
clearly  its  Christian  concern  and 
proclaim  fearlessly  its  conviction. 

1.  “The  earth  is  the  Lord’s’’  (Ps. 
24:1).  God  “made  the  world  and 
everything  in  it’’  (Acts  17:24).  He  is 
the  all-wise,  all-good,  and  all-power- 
ful ruler  and  sustainer  of  His  crea- 
tion. Evil  men  are  not  going  to 
wrest  it  from  Him.  He  is  Lord  of 
all.  Lord  even  of  history. 

2.  God  is  to  be  trusted  and  His 
infinitely  wise  will  for  men  and  the 
world  is  to  be  respected  and  obeyed. 
Obeying  His  will  brings  fullness  of 


life  (John  10:10).  Defying  or  ignor- 
ing it  invites  ultimate  and  inevit- 
able disaster  (Gal.  6:7;  Rom.  6:23). 

3.  God  created  man  with  amazing 
capacity  to  know,  to  understand, 
and  to  use  his  knowledge  for  His 
own  good  purposes.  “Subdue”  the 
earth  and  have  “dominion”  over 
every  living  thing  was  part  of  God’s 
creative  purpose  (Gen.  1:28).  The 
scientist’s  tireless  search  to  know 
and  understand  and  to  adapt  to 
practical  uses  the  secrets  of  nature 
is  therefore  in  accord  with  God’s 
good  purpose.  Unlocking  the  secrets 
of  atomic  energy  and  discovering 
how  to  release  its  power  was  not  in 
itself  an  evil. 

4.  These  discoveries  of  science 
have  released  to  man  a marvelous 
potential  for  good  but  also  frighten- 
ing possibilities  for  evil.  Evil  re- 
sults may  come  upon  men  unexpect- 
edly, perhaps  even  through  well-in- 
tentioned people. 

5.  Only  dedicated  men  of  good- 
will who  love  God  with  heart,  mind, 
and  soul,  who  love  their  neighbor 
as  themselves,  and  who  respect 
God’s  holy  will  for  man  and  the 
world  can  be  trusted  to  use  this 
power  for  blessing  and  not  for  hor- 
rible self-destruction  (Matt.  22:37). 
Under  God  they  have  the  will,  the 
power,  and  the  obligation  to  direct 
the  use  of  this  God-given  power  into 
channels  of  peace  and  blessing  for 
all  mankind. 

Our  Repentance 

We  confess  our  submission  to  the 
will  of  God  has  not  always  been 
complete.  Fear,  distrust,  and  na- 
tional and  racial  tensions  have  all 
too  often  blurred  our  vision  of 
God’s  will  and  purpose  for  us.  We 
are  too  much  involved  in  these  pa- 
gan practices.  Our  silence  in  the 
face  of  these  and  other  social  evils 
condemns  us.  Our  taxes  support 
gigantic  armaments  programs.  Our 
economic  prosperity  rests  too  much 
on  these  cold-war  tensions.  We  are 
so  entangled  in  all  these  sub-Chris- 
tian trends  that  we  cry  out  for  light 
and  for  the  leading  of  the  Lord.  Our 
devotion  to  God’s  great  purpose  in 
Christ  Jesus  is  often  so  feeble.  We 
find  it  so  hard  to  put  our  faith  into 
action.  In  our  repentance  we  ever 
take  new  hope  and  find  new 
strength  in  the  knowledge  that  God 
truly  forgives  and  restores  men  to 
their  rightful  relationship  to  God 
and  to  one  another. 


Our  Concern 

As  evidence  of  the  sincerity  of  our 
repentance  and  profession  of  faith: 

We  reaffirm  our  complete  confi- 
dence in  Jesus  Christ  as  God’s  suffi- 
cient answer  to  man’s  need  and  to 
the  whole  perplexing  problem  of 
human  relationship. 

We  reaffirm  our  belief  that  Jesus’ 
way  of  unwearied,  self-giving,  un- 
derstanding love  and  goodwill  is,  in 
God’s  moral  order,  the  only  effec- 
tive cure  for  world  tensions,  fears, 
and  distrust.  This  is  the  only  power 
that  can  find  a positive  and  effective 
answer  to  world  tensions,  fear,  and 
distrust. 

We  reaffirm  our  faith  as  found  in 
our  historic  Anabaptist-Mennonite 
heritage,  and  in  the  peace  state- 
ment adopted  at  Portland,  Ore.,  in 
1953. 

We  pledge  ourselves  to  live  in  this 
spirit  proclaiming  in  word  and  work 
God’s  reconciling  purpose  through 
a ministry  of  healing,  preaching, 
and  teaching,  and  through  a service 
of  love  in  areas  of  need,  tension, 
and  conflict.  In  this  way  we  would 
help  to  quiet  fears,  allay  distrust, 
and  build  mutual  goodwill  and  co- 
operation for  the  good  of  each  and 
of  all. 

We  call  upon  our  leaders  in  gov- 
ernment to  make  permanent  the  ban 
on  bomb  tests.  They  are  a serious 
threat  to  the  health  of  peoples. 
They  undermine  mutual  trust  a- 
mong  nations.  Most  of  all  they  are 
as  contrary  to  the  spirit  and  teach- 
ings of  Jesus  as  war  itself.  War  is 
sin  and  so  are  bomb  testings  be- 
cause they  belong  to  the  war  prep- 
arations scheme. 

It  is  no  less  a sin  to  prostitute 
this  marvelous  power  of  the  atom 
by  stockpiling  it  in  the  form  of 
bombs,  spending  billions  of  dollars 
for  missiles  and  missile  bases  and 
cursing  the  soil  confiscated  for  this 
purpose.  Most  shocking  to  the  Chris- 
tian conscience  are  the  fantastic 
military  installations  in  the  very 
heart  of  the  nation.  Sin  is  sin.  It 
will  destroy  a people  which  con- 
dones it. 

We  earnestly  urge  our  men  in 
government  to  assume  leadership  in 
promoting  the  peaceful  uses  of  a- 
tomic  energy  for  the  benefit  of  all 
peoples  of  the  world.  We  oppose  the 
use  of  any  of  God’s  natural  re- 
sources for  the  purpose  of  warfare 
with  our  fellow  men. 


September  8,  1959 


549 


H.  W.  Meihuizen  fUffi  }''as  flu  ofrirUil  flrlfiialc  tn  (hr 
conference  from  Hullund.  Ptflcr  Kluasen  (rtyhtj  re- 
cently immigrated  to  Canada  but  represented  the  Uru- 
guayan churches  at  the  conference.  Not  pictured  are 
Peter  Wiens,  representative  from  South  America,  and 
Paul  Schowalter,  fraternal  delegate  from  Germany. 


Elected  to  the  Board  of  Missions  are  (left  to  right): 
Esther  Wiens,  Leland  Harder,  Henry  H.  Epp  (all  new 
ynemhers),  John  P.  Suderman  (re-elected) , Elmer  Neu- 
feld  (new  member),  and  George  Greening  (re-elected) . 


Esko  Loewen  presenting  awards  to  the  hymn  contest 
winners:  Amelia  Mueller,  Elizabeth  K.  Wedel,  and 

Martha  Gilliom  Sprunger. 


Robert  W.  Hartzler  (left)  is  the  new  member  of  the 
Board  of  Business  Administration.  Carl  Lehman  was  re- 
elected as  a member  of  this  board. 


Albert  M.  Gaeddert  (left)  and  J.  Winfield  Fretz  were 
re-elected  to  the  Board  of  Christian  Service.  Peter  J. 
Ediger  (third  from  left)  and  J.  C.  Neufeld  were  elected. 


Men  chosen  for  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publica- 
tion: (left  to  right)  Elmer  Friesen,  (elected  for  first 
time),  Paul  R.  Shelly,  George  Dick,  and  Jacob  T. 
Friesen  (re-elected) . The  other  new  member,  Vernon 
Neufeld,  is  not  pictured. 


Conference  News 


Pictures 


550 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite 

Encyclopedia 

Completed 


100  maps 
463  illustrations 
14,000  subjects 
covering  4^^  years 


The  fourth  and  final  volume  of 
The  Mennonite  Encyclopedia  went 
on  sale  August  14,  at  the  confer- 
ence sessions  at  Bluffton.  The  book 
was  released  by  the  publishers  fol- 
lowing the  address  of  Cornelius 
Krahn,  associate  editor  of  the  ency- 
clopedia, who  spoke  on  the  signifi- 
cance of  this  publication.  Launched 
in  1946,  its  first  three  volumes  ap- 
peared in  1955,  1956,  and  1957. 

A monumental  work,  its  four  vol- 
umes contain  3,888  pages,  each  of 
which  carries  an  average  of  1,000 
words;  thus  the  four  volumes  are 
the  equivalent  of  40  ordinary  300 
page  books.  Almost  14,000  subjects 
are  treated  in  its  pages,  which  pre- 
sent a comprehensive  survey  of 
Anabaptism-Mennonitism  over  a pe- 
riod of  435  years.  The  institutions, 
organizations,  activities,  customs, 
beliefs,  literature,  communities,  con- 
gregations, families,  and  leaders  of 
the  Mennonites  of  five  continents 
are  included  in  its  scope,  along  with 
the  coverage  of  the  earlier  Ana- 
baptist period.  Among  the  features 
of  the  books  are  its  100  maps  and 
463  illustrations  covering  the  vari- 
ous periods  and  places  of  Menno- 


nite history.  Approximately  2,000 
biographies  of  Anabaptist  martyrs 
are  contained  in  its  four  volumes. 

Editor  of  tne  encyclopedia  has 
been  Harold  S.  Bender,  church  his- 
torian of  Goshen  College  Biblical 
Seminary,  Goshen,  Ind.  Cornelius 
Krahn,  Professor  of  Church  His- 
tory, Bethel  College,  North  New- 
ton, Kan.,  has  been  the  associate 
editor,  while  Melvin  Gingerich,  re- 
search director  of  the  Mennonite 
Research  Foundation,  Goshen,  Ind., 
has  been  the  managing  editor.  Help- 
ing them  were  ten  assistant  editors 
in  Europe,  Canada,  and  the  United 
States.  Ernst  Crous  of  Germany  and 
N.  van  der  Zijpp  of  the  Nether- 
lands were  among  the  editors  con- 
tributing substantially  to  the  pro- 
duction of  the  encyclopedia.  An  ed- 
itorial council  of  more  than  forty 
men  in  eight  countries  gave  guid- 
ance in  the  planning  and  writing  of 
the  work. 

The  Mennonite  Encyclopedia  can 
be  purchased  from  the  Mennonite 
Bookstores  in  Rosthem,  Sask., 
Berne,  Ind.,  and  722  Main,  Newton, 
Kan. 


Editors  of  the  MENNONITE  ENCYCLOPEDIA  examine  the  recently  com- 
pleted final  volume.  Left  to  right  are:  Cornelius  Krahn,  Associate  Editor; 
Harold  Bender,  Editor;  and  Melvin  Gingerich,  Managing  Editor. 


September  8,  1959 


551 


The  Christian  and  War 

A book  review  by  Lowell  Teichroew 


“We  are  all  one  in  proclaiming  toa  detailed  solution  of  the  interna- 


all  men:  War  is  contrary  to  the 

Will  of  God.”  These  words,  from  a 
recommendation  to  the  1948  Am- 
sterdam Assembly  of  the  World 
Council  of  Churches,  were  received 
by  the  Council  and  unanimously 
commended  to  all  churches.  The  re- 
port acknowledged  the  seriousness 
and  variety  of  opinions  involving 
the  war  concern.  Yet  it  went  on  to 
request  that  all  Christians  consci- 
entiously struggle  with  the  problem ; 
that  even  in  spite  of  Christendom’s 
conflicting  views  the  question  of 
whether  war  can  be  an  act  of  jus- 
tice continue  to  be  prayerfully  and 
intellectually  considered. 

The  proclamation  won  sensitive 
hearings.  In  1953  the  Historic  Peace 
Churches  (Mennonite,  Friends,  and 
Brethren),  presented  the  World 
Council  with  a responding  state- 
ment, “Peace  is  the  will  of  God.” 
This  statement,  though  it  was  not 
an  individual  credo  for  each  peace 
church,  spelled  out  the  basic  peace 
position  since  the  founding  of  the 
Historic  Peace  Churches. 

Then  last  October  a booklet.  The 
Christian  and  War:  A Theological 
Discussion  of  Justice,  Peace  and 
Love,  was  pubhshed  by  the  Peace 
Churches  and  the  Fellowship  of  Rec- 
onciliation to  incorporate  the  1953 
Historic  Peace  Church  testimony,  a 
statement  by  Christian  non-paciflsts, 
and  a discussion  by  the  European 
Continuation  Committee  of  the  His- 
toric Churches,  which  replied  to  sev- 
eral objections  identifled  by  the  non- 
pacifists. The  booklet,  distributed  by 
MCC  Peace  Section  for  30  cents, 
presents  a well  rounded,  sensitive 
and  convincing  handling  of  the  di- 
verse ethical,  social,  and  biblical  in- 
terpretations regarding  the  Chris- 
tian pacifist  principle. 

Peace  Is  the  Will  of  God 

In  presenting  “Peace  Is  the  Will 
of  God”  the  Peace  Churches  af- 
firmed, “We  do  not  profess  to  have 


tional  problems  of  today’s  world, 
but  we  believe  that  our  conviction, 
confirmed  by  several  centuries’  ex- 
perience of  the  full  pacifist  position, 
deserves  more  thorough  considera- 
tion than  has  yet  been  accorded 
it.  . . . At  the  same  time  we  are 
deeply  conscious  of  our  own  short- 
comings and  of  the  temptation  pe- 
culiar to  our  position.  We  confess 
our  own  guilt  in  the  disharmony  of 
our  time  and  share  with  all  Chris- 
tians a deep  longing  for  peace  a- 
mong  the  nations”  (p.  3). 

The  authors  state  that  the  reluc- 
tance of  most  of  Christendom  to  ac- 
cept war  as  “contrary  to  the  Will  of 
God”  reflects  pseudo-Christian  think- 
ing which  has  received  popular,  al- 
most dogmatic,  acceptance.  Said  the 
writers — using  the  words  of  a 1947 
Oxford  Conference  on  Church,  Com- 
munity, and  State — “The  first  duty 
of  the  church,  and  its  greatest  serv- 
ice to  the  world,  is  that  it  be  in 
very  deed  the  Church — confessing 
the  true  faith,  committed  to  the 
fulfillment  of  the  will  of  Christ,  its 
only  Lord,  and  united  to  Him  in  a 
fellowship  of  love  and  service”  (p. 
5).  'Tracing  through  several  issues 
such  as  the  value  of  natural  social 
bonds,  the  concept  of  a “just  war” 
as  a lesser  evil  and  the  idea  that 
war  is  compatible  with  Christian 
love,  they  illustrate  how  pseudo- 
Christianity  has  perverted  its  values 
and  ultimate  concerns.  In  doing  so, 
much  of  Christendom  is  not  recog- 
nizing the  highest  values  offered  by 
the  agape  of  the  Christian  commu- 
nity. 

God  Wills  Both  Justice  aud  Peace 

To  clarify  some  of  the  problems 
involved  in  the  conflicting  opinions 
of  war  certain  non-pacifists  were 
asked  to  present  the  non-pacifist 
point  of  view.  Bishop  Angus  Dun 
and  Reinhold  Niebuhr  replied  with 
“God  Wills  Both  Justice  and  Peace.” 

Bishop  Dun’s  and  Niebuhr’s  pri- 


mary objections  to  absolute  paci-  \\ 
fism  were  that  pacifism  distorts  the 
command  of  love,  and  pacifism 
falsely  applies  an  individual  ethic  ; 
to  a collective  situation.  They  insist 
that  the  pacifist  does  no  really  |l 
regard  Christian  love  as  the  ulti- 
mately guiding  principle  in  all  of 
his  relationships;  rather  he  uses  the 
love  command  as  an  escape  formu-  ' 
la  in  situations  of  violence.  He  is  , 1 
distorting  the  Christian  concept  of  j i 
love. 

Supporting  the  “just  war”  Bishop 
Dun  and  Niebuhr  say,  ‘“The  struggle  i 
for  justice  and  the  struggle  for  ! j 
peace  have  sanction  in  the  com-  ( 
mandment  of  love”  (p.  25).  Justice  j 
is  one  dimension  of  love  and  to 
neglect  it  in  the  face  of  violence  is  | 
nothing  short  of  sheer  irresponsi-  , 
bility.  Pacifists,  they  continue,  hold 
to  a very  limited  concept  of  Chris- 
tian citizenship:  When  all  goes  well, 
then  pacifists  support  society;  when, 
however,  the  state  resorts  to  force 
the  pacifist  shakes  off  his  respon- 
sibility to  what  he  considers  evil 
society. 

Actually,  they  iterate,  true  Chris- 
tian love  is  exercised  when  there 
is  a “just  defensive  war” — a war 
against  the  aggression  and  oppres- 
sion of  people.  But  of  course,  they 
say,  we  cannot  use  such  “just  wars” 
to  provide  moral  justification  for 
beginning  wars  of  unlimited  conse- 
quences with  barbaric  retaliation. 

God  Establishes 
Both  Peace  and  Justice 

The  third  contribution  in  The 
Christian  and  War  continues  the  dis- 
cussion of  questions  raised  by  Bish- 
op Dun  and  Niebuhr.  Answering  the 
objections  given  by  the  non-pacifists, 
the  article  “God  Establishes  Both 
Peace  and  Justice”  asserts  that  the 
“justice”  which  Dun  and  Niebuhr 
amplify,  “when  examined  in  the 
light  of  the  Christian  gospel,  it 
either  plainly  reduces  itself  to  some- 
thing sub-Christian  or  it  becomes 
synonymous  with  agape.  The 
Church  is  not  called  to  work  for 
either  justice  or  peace  using  meth- 
ods not  founded  in  God’s  righteous- 
ness and  mercy.  For  God  estab- 
lishes both  justice  and  peace  in 
redemption”  (p.  40).  Rejecting  what 
non-pacifists  call  pacifistic  social 
irresponsibility  the  final  statement 
retorts:  “To  argue  that  privately 
the  Christian  must  love  his  enemies 
but  in  a group  situation  fight  him 
(turn  to  page  556) 


552 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  youth 


I 

! 


Looking  Back  at  the  Teen-Age  Workcamp 


When  twenty  fellows  and  girls 
from  nine  different  towns  are  at 
one  place  for  seventeen  days  and 
join  forces  to  accomplish  a definite 
job,  something’s  got  to  give!  We 
won’t  go  into  all  that,  but  there 
were  some  more  obvious  results  of 
the  Teen-Age  Workcamp  held  at 
Elkhart,  Ind.,  at  the  beginning  of 
August. 

When  Aug.  10  dawned,  marking 
the  end  of  this  year’s  workcamp, 
600  feet  of  sidewalk  had  been  built 
on  the  Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary 
campus;  10,000  square  feet  of  semi- 
nary fioor  had  been  waxed;  6000 
square  feet  of  seminary  vdndows 
had  been  washed.  (Condolences  to 
the  mathematician  who  figured  all 
j this  out.) 

In  addition  to  this  the  campers 
i spent  four  days  at  Camp  Friedens- 
wald  and  laid  the  fioor  of  the  new 


chapel  there,  using  (the  books  have 
it)  a hundred  bags  of  cement. 

Leaders  were  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ger- 
hard Buhler,  Nicholas  Dick,  Doris 
Nikkei,  and  William  Kreuger.  Also 
assisting  with  the  work  were  Mrs. 
Dick,  Mrs.  Kruger,  and  Marvin 
Dirks,  Jr. 

Commenting  on  the  workcamp, 
Wendel  Kaufman  (Moundridge, 
Kan.)  wrote:  “My  first  impression 
of  this  camp  was  that  we  all  had 
at  least  one  thing  in  common,  that 
being  our  religious  faith.  Twenty 
Mennonite  young  people  came  to- 
gether to  work,  have  fun,  and  learn 
to  know  each  other.  I think  all 
three  of  these  objectives  have  been 
fulfilled.  . . . This  has  been  one  of 
the  greatest  experienecs  of  my  life 
and  I am  sure  it  will  be  a long 
time  before  I forget  this  camp  and 
the  incidents  that  happened  here.” 


Mr.  and  Mrs.  Buhler  had  this  to 
say:  “The  enthusiasm,  exuberance, 
and  energy  of  twenty  teenagers  had 
a rejuvenating  effect  on  us.  Then, 
too,  the  fine  Christian  spirit  and 
ideals  of  the  young  people  have  left 
a very  definite  impression  on  us 
which  we  shall  never  forget.  . . . 
We  trust  that  this  experience  will 
give  an  even  greater  incentive  for 
Christian  service  in  the  future.” 


Back  row:  Sherwin  Schrag,  Nick  Dick,  Jim  von  Riesen,  Enoin  Friesen, 
Don  Wiebe,  Wendell  Kaufman,  Ivan  Friesen,  Ron  Goosen,  Don  Quiring, 
Leslie  Siemens,  Gerhard  Buhler. 

Second  row:  Dave  Yoder,  Ruth  Ewy,  Verda  Epp,  JoAnn  Ewert,  Velma 
Kroeker,  Mrs.  Gerhard  Buhler. 

I First  row:  Doris  Nikkei,  Erna  Thieszen,  Ruth  Buhler,  Laverna  Penner, 
Edith  Funk,  Sharon  Waltner,  Adelyn  Waltner. 


September  8,  1959 


553 


The  YPU  Retreat  --  Firsthand 


Along  with  forty  other  young  peo- 
ple, I arrived  at  Camp  Friedenswald 
in  Michigan  on  August  5 to  begin 
a wonderful  week  at  the  triennial 
YPU  retreat.  It’s  an  experience  I 
will  always  cherish. 

From  the  dining  hall  there  is  an 
excellent  view  of  the  entire  camp. 
Down  to  the  east,  through  stately 
trees  is  Shavehead  Lake.  It  is  often 
blanketed  in  mist  and  fog,  and,  as 
the  sun  rises  in  the  morning  and 
sets  in  the  evening,  it  presents  one 
of  the  most  beautiful  sights  that  I 
have  ever  seen.  The  campgrounds 
seemed  to  set  the  atmosphere  for 
the  entire  retreat. 

Soon  after  our  arrival  at  camp, 
we  discovered  that  Tubby’s  General 
Store,  a mile  from  the  camp  en- 
trance, had  recently  been  purchased 
by  the  camp,  and  it  was  there  we 
would  set  up  our  living  quarters  for 
one  week. 

The  major  part  of  our  time,  how- 


ever, was  spent  at  the  camp.  It  was 
interesting  to  meet  the  ministers 
and  missionaries  who  had  gathered 
for  their  respective  retreats.  We 
had  our  meals  and  some  of  our 
services  together.  Altogether  we  to- 
talled about  185. 

Bible  study,  led  by  David  Schroe- 
der,  began  the  day.  Basing  his 
presentation  on  1 Peter  2:11 — 3:7, 
Dave  directed  our  thoughts  in  the 
line  of  social  ethics  and  the  witness 
of  the  church.  Some  of  the  topics 
which  we  discovered  were  the  Chris- 
tian’s relation  to  tiie  state,  servants 
and  masters,  race  relations,  love 
and  marriage. 

“Evangelism  and  YOUth’’  was  our 
central  theme  during  the  retreat. 
Frank  Epp  presented  five  messages 
on  this  subject,  usually  followed 
with  discussion. 

In  the  first  message,  “The  Task  of 
Evangelism,”  we  were  made  to  real- 
ize the  vast  magnitude  of  evange- 


Left to  right  are  David  Schroeder,  George  Wiebe,  “Ozzie”  Goering,  Harris 
Waltner,  Frank  Epp,  and  Bill  Block — leaders  of  the  YPU  retreat.  Also 
featured  in  the  picture  is  the  hell,  regarded  by  campers  as  friendly  or 
unfriendly  depending  on  what  time  of  the  morning  it  is. 


lism.  There  are  many  around  us, 
even  in  our  own  communities,  who 
are  lost  to  Christ  and  His  Church. 
As  Christian  young  people,  it  is  our 
duty  to  reach  those  who  are  lost. 

“The  Message  of  Evangelism,”  the 
second  of  Frank’s  presentations, 
emphasized  that  man  is  in  need. 
But  God  in  His  mercy  and  love 
has  provided  salvation,  and  disciple- 
ship  will  follow  if  we  have  faith 
and  commit  ourselves  to  Christ. 

The  third  message,  “The  People 
of  Evangelism”  pointed  out  that 
young  people  have  numerous  prob- 
lems, that  they  are  hungry  for 
friendship.  The  great  potential  that 
lies  within  our  young  people  must 
be  recognized  and  used. 

‘“rhe  Method  of  Evangelism”  was 
Frank’s  fourth  area  for  discussion 
and  study.  In  this  he  suggested  that 
we  revitalize  the  work  which  we  are 
already  doing,  that  we  introduce 
new  challenges,  and  that  we  strive 
for  specific  goals  during  the  next 
triennium. 

We  gathered  around  the  campfire 
for  Frank’s  initial  presentation.  It 
dealt  with  the  personal  dedication 
for  evangelism.  We  were  challenged 
to  do  the  work,  to  do  our  best,  and 
to  preach  the  message  by  dedicat- 
ing ourselves  to  action.  As  a final 
act  each  camper  wrote  his  commit- 
ment to  God,  wrapped  it  around  a 
twig,  and  threw  it  into  the  fire  as 
he  dedicated  his  life  to  the  work  of 
Christ. 

As  a result  of  these  stirring  mes- 
sages on  evangelism,  we  drew  up  a 
resolution:  “In  view  of  the  fact 
that  many  young  people  are  totally 
lost  to  Christ  and  the  church,  and 
in  view  of  our  failure  in  the  past  to 
meet  these  needs,”  we  resolved  “to 
wake  up  to  this  evangelistic  chal- 
lenge” by  promoting  and  encourag- 
ing leadership  clinics  and  work- 
shops to  train  for  evangelism,  pro- 
viding materials  for  evangelistic 
purposes,  and  by  cultivating  a per- 
sonal concern  and  active  interest 
in  evangelism  by  having  a North 
America-wide  college  and  university 
student  conference.  This  resolution 
was  later  brought  before  the  YPU 
general  assembly  at  Bluffton  where 
it  was  approved. 

George  Wiebe  was  our  music  lead- 
er, and  what  a leader  he  wasl  Our 
youth  choir  practiced  each  day.  We 
presented  two  evening  programs 
during  retreat  and  also  performed 
at  the  conference  at  Bluffton. 


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554 


THE  MENNONITE 


Our  afternoons  at  camp  were 
usually  free  for  recreational  activi- 
ties and  relaxation.  Shavehead  Lake 
was  inviting!  And  there  were  row- 
boats for  those  who  preferred  a 
trip  across  the  lake. 

We  joined  the  entire  camp  group 
for  vespers  and  the  evening  serv- 
ices. The  vespers,  which  were  usual- 
ly held  outside  on  the  grassy  hill  or 
down  by  the  edge  of  the  lake,  fea- 
tured missionaries  telling  of  their 
work.  Each  retreat  group  had 


charge  of  two  of  the  evening  serv- 
ices which  made  for  various  types 
of  programs. 

A breakfast  cookout,  supervised 
by  Ozzie  Goering,  was  interesting. 
On  a small  buddy  burner  we  each 
fixed  our  own  bacon,  eggs,  toast, 
and  pancakes.  Seems  like  the  food 
tasted  better  when  we  ate  outside, 
and  no  one  seemed  to  mind  the  dirt. 

Nothing  goes  as  fast  as  a week 
at  camp.  As  I watched  the  dying 
embers  of  the  campfire  gradually 


fade  away  on  the  last  day,  I thought 
of  the  people  I had  met  and  real- 
ized that  it’s  the  people  that  make 
each  retreat  different  from  any 
other.  I thought  of  the  fellowship 
we  had  enjoyed  together.  I realized 
that  this  week  had  made  me  open 
my  eyes  to  the  needs  around  me, 
and  I was  beginning  to  see  the  tre- 
mendous challenge  that  lies  before 
us.  Experiences  like  this  can’t  be 
snatched  from  us.  They  last  for- 
ever in  our  minds  and  hearts  and 
souls.  — Dorothy  Galle 


“Cross  Hill”  at  Camp  Friedenswald  has  become  known  to  many  retreaters  as  absolutely  the  bestest.  Here  you 
see  one  of  the  discussion  groups  following  the  talks  by  Frank.  And  remember  the  cookout?  Here  are  Dilasie 
Ramlal,  Jacob  Froese,  and  Lorena  Quiring  in  the  middle  of  it. 


Then  came  the  week  of  conference  at  Bluffton,  bringing  with  it  a bumper 
crop  of  people  and  cameras.  Here  are  two  of  the  products  that  you  might 
not  exactly  call  priceless  but  are  nevertheless  quite  valuable.  Looks  like 
someone  drove  Bill  (Block)  and  Vincent  (Harding ) into  a corner  and  then 
told  a joke.  By  the  way,  it  is  rumored  that  Vincent  became  notorious  for 
his  short  sleeves  by  suggesting,  at  the  youth  night  meeting,  that  short 
sleeves  were  symbolic  of  the  need  for  shoHer  speeches. 

You’re  wondering  at  the  unpageantlike  appearance  of  the  picture  above 
which  is  obviously  of  the  pageant?  You  see,  this  picture  was  taken  at 
12:30  a.m.  on  the  night  of  dress  rehearsal.  The  fact  that  practice  couldn’t 
stant  until  10:00 — after  the  evening  meeting  was  over — accounts  for  the 
zombie  countenances  of  some  of  the  “pilgrims.” 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People’s  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  722 
Main  St.,  Newton,  Kansas. 


September  8,  1959 


555 


our  schools 

BLUFFTON  FACULTY  RETREAT 

The  annual  Bluffton  College  Fac- 
ulty Retreat  was  held  at  Camp  Frie- 
denswald  on  September  '4-7.  At  the 
retreat  the  faculty  members  pre- 
pared for  the  North  Central  Asso- 
ciation study  to  be  carried  on  during 
the  school  year.  Edna  Ramseyer 
was  the  leader  for  the  study  this 
coming  year. 

Among  topics  for  discussion  were: 
“Raising  the  Level  of  Campus 
Thinking  and  Conversation,”  “Vo- 
cational Preparation  and  the  Liberal 
Arts,”  “How  One  May  Cultivate 
Creativity  Among  Students,”  and 
“College  Chapels — Philosophy,  Pro- 
gram, and  Selection  of  Speakers.” 

Reports  were  given  by  various 
faculty  members.  Harry  Yoder  re- 
ported on  “The  Bluffton  College  De- 
velopment Program,  Plans,  and 
Progress,”  and  E.  G.  Kaufman  will 
report  on  “Reflections  of  Thirty 
Years  in  Mennonite  Higher  Educa- 
tion." 

A service  was  held  on  Sunday 
morning  at  which  A.  E.  Kreider  pre- 
sented the  message.  The  climax  of 
the  retreat  was  the  consecration 


THE  CHRISTIAN  AND  WAR 
cont.  from  552 

is  a denial,  not  only  of  the  possi- 
bility of  transformation  of  life  in 
the  redeemed  community,  but  also 
the  basic  character  of  individual 
Christian  experience  itself”  (p.  44). 

In  conclusion  the  article  portrays 
the  mission  of  the  church  in  a so- 
ciety which  has  no  persucisive 
qualms  against  violent  activity. 
“The  Church’s  positive  duty  ...  is 
to  incarnate  God’s  reconciling  initi- 
ative. She  is  faced  with  the  choice: 
she  can  reflect  only  an  echo  of  the 
world’s  cry  for  help  or  she  can  be 
a channel  of  redemption  by  being 
true  to  her  calling  as  a Church — 
by  living  in  a ‘new  aeon’  that  never 
seems  quite  right  in  this  world,  by 
being  the  incarnation  of  a life  that 
is  possible  only  in  faith,  and  by 
proclaiming  a Gospel  in  which  one 
saves  his  life  only  by  losing  it.  It 
is  only  through  the  foolishness  of 
this  obedience  unto  death  that  the 
Church  can  live  unto  God”  (p47). 

— MCC  Information  Service 


and  communion  service  on  Sunday 
evening  for  which  Robert  Hartzler 
was  the  speaker. 

17  NURSES  GRADUATE 

The  Mennonite  Hospital  School 
of  Nursing  at  Bloomington  held  its 
commencement  exercises  Sunday 
afternoon,  August  30,  at  the  Wesley 
Methodist  Church.  The  commence- 
ment address  was  delivered  by  Carl 
Kreider,  Dean  of  Goshen  College. 
The  dipomas  were  awarded  by  R.  L. 
Hartzler,  President  of  the  Hospital 
Board  of  Trustees,  to  the  following 
members  of  the  graduating  class: 
Frances  Garber,  Irlene  Gierman, 
Connie  Hammond,  Patty  Holland, 
Wilma  Hunziker,  Evelyn  Keeran, 
Phyllis  Kessinger,  Karen  Lux,  Caro 
Moser,  Phyllis  Oldham,  Lieselotte 
Puzich,  Nancy  Shirley,  Kathryn 
Stout,  Sandra  Virgiel,  Sandra  Wil- 
liams, Norma  Wilson,  Rebecca 
Witham. 

BETHEL  DORMS  FILLED 

For  the  first  time  before  the  open- 
ing of  the  fall  term  of  school,  the 
men’s  and  women’s  dormitories  at 
Bethel  College  are  fully  occupied. 

The  new  men’s  dormitory,  Goer- 
ing  Hall,  has  a capacity  of  118  with 
the  other  dormitories  filled  with 
men  as  follows:  Goerz  Hall,  17;  Lei- 
sy  Home,  21;  and  Goessel  Hall,  13. 

The  new  Women’s  Residence  Hall 
has  a capacity  of  102  while  Carne- 
gie Hall,  the  older  dormitory,  will 
house  58  women. 

The  increase  of  married  students 
in  attendance  is  reflected  in  the  fact 
that  sixteen  college  apartments  for 
married  students  are  occupied,  park- 
ing areas  for  eight  mobile  homes 
are  filled,  and  many  privately  owned 
apartments  on  the  campus  are 
filled. 

Dean  of  Men  and  resident  di- 
rector of  Goering  Hall  is  Edwin 
Willems  while  Lorraine  Galle  is 
Dean  of  Women  and  resident  di- 
rector of  the  Women’s  Residence 
Hall. 

BETHEL  BEGINS  NEW  TERM 

Bethel  College  is  preparing  for  a 
new  school  year  to  begin  Tuesday, 
Sept.  8,  with  student  enrollment  and 
testing  procedures. 

Scheduled  for  Tuesday  are  testing 
sessions  for  new  students  and  reg- 
istration of  juniors  and  seniors.  In 
the  afternoon,  the  students  will  also 


meet  with  their  respective  deans. 
The  president’s  reception  for  stu- 
dents is  on  the  evening  schedule. 

Sophomores  will  register  for 
courses  on  Wednesday  while  the 
junior  and  senior  classes  will  have  a 
fellowship  picnic  over  the  noon 
hour.  The  recreation  council  will 
sponsor  an  evening  reception. 

On  Thursday,  freshmen  will  com- 
plete registration  procedures  while 
the  juniors  and  seniors  will  meet 
with  the  president  and  dean  of  the 
college.  The  Student  Christian  Fel- 
lowship of  the  college  has  planned 
an  evening  vesper  service. 

All  classes  will  meet  on  Friday, 
September  11,  for  assignments  with 
the  annual  fall  mixer  sponsored  by 
the  student  council  scheduled  for 
the  evening. 

The  formal  opening  address  Sun- 
day, September  13,  will  be  given  by 
Dr.  J.  Winfield  Fretz,  chairman  of 
the  college  administrative  commit- 
tee. 


MCC  news  and  notes 

75  EX-PAXMEN  AT  REUNION 

MICHIGAN  — A nationwide  Pax 
reunion  concluded  Sunday  evening, 
Aug.  16,  at  Camp  Friedenswald  in 
southern  Michigan.  About  125,  in- 
cluding 75  ex-Paxmen,  attended  the 
three-day  meeting. 

Pointing  out  the  Paxman’s  past, 
present,  and  future  role  in  the  strug- 
gle for  peace,  various  speakers  em- 
phasized the  ex-Paxman’s  part  in 
the  program  of  Christian  peace. 
Curtis  Janzen  (Chicago,  111.)  a for- 
mer European  Pax  director,  spoke 
on  “What  Have  I as  a Paxman 
Done  for  the  Cause  of  Peace”;  Cal- 
vin Redekop  (Hesston,  Kan.),  for- 
mer executive  secretary  of  Interna- 
tional Mennonite  Voluntary  Serv- 
ice, discussed  “What  Paxmen  Can 
Do  For  the  Cause  of  Peace  on  Re- 
turning Home”;  and  Dwight  Wiebe 
(Akron,  Pa.),  also  an  ex-European 
Pax  director,  presented  the  conclud- 
ing Sunday  evening  address:  “What 
More  Should  Be  Done  for  the  Cause 
of  Peace.” 

All  attending  ex-Paxmen  partici- 
pated in  discussion  sessions  Satur- 
day morning,  evaluating  ways  in 
which  Pax  has  affected  the  college 
student,  the  laborer,  the  farmer,  the 
professional  worker,  and  the  em- 
ployer. 


556 


THE  MENNONITE 


HOSPITAL  TO  BE  VACATED 

INDONESIA  — MCC  workers  in 
Pakis,  Java,  received  word  that  they 
will  have  to  vacate  the  facilities 
loaned  to  the  Javanese  Mennonite 
Church  for  hospital  use.  The  MCC- 
maintained  buildings,  which  former- 
ly served  as  a factory,  will  again 
become  a sugar  factory  location. 

Wilbert  Shenk  (Sheridan,  Ore.), 
MCC  director  in  Indonesia,  reports 
that  various  parties  and  groups 
wanting  the  buildings  have  been  ne- 
gotiating with  the  Indonesian  gov- 
ernment for  almost  a year.  All  at- 
tempts were  unsuccessful  until  a 
few  months  ago  when  the  military 
government  stepped  in  and  ordered 
the  factory  reopened.  The  govern- 
ment order  is  a part  of  its  economic 
development  program.  By  January 
the  hospital  must  be  out  of  Pakis. 

What  the  closing  means  to  the 
hospital  work  is  still  uncertain. 
Shenk  writes  that  everyone  agrees 
the  project  should  not  be  termxinat- 
ed.  The  community  and  the  church, 
moreover,  have  agreed  that  an  old 
hospital  site  in  Taju  — a hospital 
which  was  operated  by  the  Dutch 
Mennonite  Mission  but  became  gov- 
ernment-controlled property  after 
the  Indonesian  revolution  — should 
be  returned  for  the  church’s  use.  A 
school  building  on  the  Taju  site, 
near  the  Pakis  hospital  grounds, 
will  temporarily  serve  as  hospital 
quarters  until  permanent  facilities 
can  be  provided.  MCC  workers  in 
the  hospital  project  include  Dr.  and 
Mrs.  Herbert  Friesen  (Hillsboro, 
Kan.)  and  Ruth  Hartzler,  R.N.  (Go- 
shen, Ind.). 

GRABER  TO  RESTUDY  “EIRENE” 

MOROCCO  — Eirene  executive 
committee  has  appointed  C.  L.  Gra- 
ber  (Goshen,  Ind.)  to  restudy  Ei- 
rene’s  work  in  Morocco.  Graber’s 
two  to  three  month  study,  which  is 
to  culminate  in  recommendations  of 
long  term  project  locations  and  in 
suggestions  for  replanning  and  ad- 
ministering the  Eirene  program, 
will  begin  September  15. 

Presently  the  Eirene  team  is  help- 
ing in  a mission  at  Ain-el  Leuht, 
Morocco.  Ain-el  Leuht  is  located  in 
the  Middle  Atlas  Mountains.  The 
unit  had  previously  been  at  Oulmes, 
Morocco,  working  with  Moroccan 
Berbers  in  a program  of  agricultur- 
al and  community  development. 
With  a meeting  of  the  Eirene  Exec- 
utive Committee  at  Kaiserslautern, 


Germany,  June  30,  came  a decision 
to  alter  Eirene’s  approach;  the 
Committee  felt  the  program  was 
not  meeting  poverty  and  need  where 
it  was  most  evident  and  thus  not  in 
line  with  Eirene’s  primary  objec- 
tives. 

Don  Oesch  (Kalispell,  Mont.)  re- 
ports that  now  there  are  only  three 
men  in  the  Eirene  team;  Jacques 
Longhart,  the  French  participant 
received  his  call  from  military  serv- 
ice and  joined  the  medical  corps. 
At  Ain-el  Leuht  the  unit  is  fixing 
sewer  lines  and  waterproofing  a 
building. 

TIBETAN  REFUGEE  CRISIS  EASING 

INDIA  — The  Tibetan  refugee 
crisis  caused  by  communist  military 
activity  in  Tibet  seems  to  be  easing 
up.  Edward  Benedict  (Marengo, 
Ohio),  India  MCC  director,  conclud- 
ed this  after  surveying  the  situa- 
tion to  determine  whether  MCC  as- 
sistance is  needed.  He  reports  that 
the  Tibetan  refugee  camp  in  Assam, 
India,  will  be  closed  within  another 
three  months. 

Refugees  are  being  moved  to  oth- 
er parts  of  India  and  to  Sikkim,  a 
small  country  near  the  northeast 
corner  of  India.  To  keep  them  oc- 
cupied some  refugees  are  being  used 
in  mountain  roadbuilding.  Present- 
ly studies  are  being  made  to  deter- 
mine who  will  take  a more  per- 
manent charge  of  the  refugees.  The 
National  Christian  Council  is  help- 
ing Tibetan  tuberculous  patients 
and  may  set  up  a temporary  'TB 
hospital. 

PAX  FEATURED  IN  PERIODICALS 

GERMANY  — Europeans  are  ex- 
pressing enthusiasm  and  interest  in 
the  Austrian  Karlsschule  Pax  proj- 
ect. The  Karlsschule  renovation 
project  has  been  featured  in  three 
German  Evangelisch  (state  church) 
periodicals.  Walter  Schricker,  in  an 
article  “Wehrdienst  ohne  Waffen” 
(Military  Service  Without  Weap- 
ons), suggests  that  the  Pax  form  of 
service  may  serve  as  a pattern  for 
Germany’s  alternative  service  law 
recently  passed  by  the  Bonn  gov- 
ernment. Dr.  Schricker  continues  to 
explain  the  purposes  of  the  Pax  pro- 
gram and  describes  details  of  the 
Karlsschule  work.  He  concludes, 
“The  German  Churches  will  have 
to  think  about  the  Pax  program 
now  that  German  conscientious  ob- 
jectors directly  face  alternative 
service  problems.” 


The  Karlsschule  unit  has  complet- 
ed its  work  on  the  first  floor  rooms 
in  which  classes  will  begin  in  Sep- 
tember. About  150  children  are  ex- 
pected to  enter  Karlsschule.  Mean- 
while work  continues  on  the  rest  of 
the  buildings.  The  heating  system 
must  be  finished  and  all  window 
frames  set  before  winter.  The  work- 
ing unit  consists  of  about  seven 
Austrians,  nine  Brethren  Service 
fellows,  and  nine  Paxmen. 

li 

jottings 

PASTOR  ATTENDS  CONFERENCE 

Immanuel  Church,  Downey,  Cal.: 
A farewell  lunch  was  given  in  honor 
of  Mrs.  Wes.  Van  Nattan  at  the 
June  meeting  of  the  Women’s  Mis- 
sionary Fellowship.  An  inspiring 
program  was  presented  by  the  Gos- 
pelaires  and  Vernon  Duerksen  of 
Grace  Bible  Institute  June  4.  Ken- 
neth Jones,  founder  of  the  Christian 
Anti-narcotic  Assoc,  spoke  at  the 
morning  service  on  June  14  as  our 
pastor  was  attending  the  Pacific 
Dist.  Conf.  In  the  evening  Mission- 
ary Wes.  Van  Nattan  spoke.  Jerry 
Boerner,  Gary  Stahl,  Stephen  and 
Timmy  Van  Nattan  gave  their  tes- 
timonies and  were  baptized  June  21 
and  accepted  into  the  fellowship  of 
the  church  the  following  Sun. 
DVBS  was  held  June  22-July  2,  with 
an  enrollment  of  110.  Fred  Rand 
and  Mrs.  Frank  Manning,  who  have 
been  on  the  sick  list,  are  back  wor- 
shipping with  us.  Nancy  Cooprider 
and  Peter  Klassen  were  married 
Aug.  1.  Walter  Penner,  southwest 
regional  director  of  the  NAE  was 
guest  speaker  Aug.  2.  In  the  eve- 
ning Jim  Clark  of  the  CBMC  radio 
broadcast  was  our  special  speaker. 
— Mrs.  Leonard  Kliewer 

CHRISTMAS  BUNDLES  DEDICATED 

First  Church,  Halstead,  Kan.;  At 
the  Family  Night  service,  April  5, 
Virgil  Flickinger  representing  the 
West.  Dist.  Youth  Fellowship  spoke 
and  showed  slides  of  our  retreat 
program  at  Camp  Mennoscah.  April 
13-17,  Pastor  Goering  conducted  a 
series  of  meetings  at  First  Church, 
Ransom,  Kan.  April  26  several  of 
the  men  and  boys  enjoyed  a retreat 
at  Camp  Mennoscah.  On  May  3 Miss 
Emma  Ruth,  who  has  been  teach- 
ing music  in  India,  spoke  at  our 
morning  service.  She  is  returning 
to  India  to  teach  music  in  the  Wood- 
stock  school  where  our  missionary 
children  attend.  She  spoke  of  some 
changes  taking  place  on  our  mis- 
sion field.  On  May  5 the  Youth  Fel- 
lowship presented  the  play  ‘"The 


September  8,  1959 


557 


Eternal  Hills.”  Seven  children  were 
consecrated  at  the  morning  service, 
May  10.  The  Mother-Daughter  ban- 
quet was  held  May  11  and  Mrs.  O’ 
Ray  Graber  showed  slides  of  the 
refugee  work  in  Berlin.  On  May  17 
several  young  people  were  received 
into  the  church  by  baptism.  Our 
DVBS  was  held  June  1 to  5.  The 
annual  S.  S.  picnic  was  held  in  the 
Harvey  Co.  Park  June  7.  The  pro- 
gram was  given  by  the  S.  S.  and  the 
DVBS  children.  65  Christmas  bun- 
dles were  dedicated  on  June  14. 
Money  was  collected  to  pay  for  a 
New  Testament  for  each  bundle, 
and  to  pay  transportation. — Jennie 
Baumgartner 

FAMILY  NIGHT  PROGRAM  HELD 

Tabor  Church,  Newton,  Kan.:  On 
the  evenings  of  May  29  and  June  7 
a group  presented  programs  at  the 
Wichita  Rescue  Mission.  About  a 
hundred  Christmas  bundles  were 
dedicated  May  31;  in  the  P.M.  we 
enjoyed  a Children’s  Day  program 
with  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wm.  Voth  as 
speakers.  In  the  evening  a family 
night  program  was  planned  by  the 
Christian  Endeavor.  DVBS  closed 
June  12  with  a picnic  at  noon  and 
a program  June  14.  Enrollment  was 
107,  with  an  offering  of  $42.35  for 
the  Gulfport  Bible  School.  A.  R. 
Ebel  of  Hillsboro  gave  an  object 
talk  to  the  C.  E.  on  June  28.  On 
July  26  the  Faith  Mennonite  Church 
of  Newton  presented  a program, 
and  on  June  21,  the  youth  fellow- 
ship of  the  Hoffnungsau  Church  pre- 
sented a program  to  our  young  peo- 
ple. The  young  people  had  a car- 
wash in  Newton,  July  18,  and  with 
the  proceeds  of  $91.45  sponsored  a 
high  school  student  (Kenneth  Dix- 
on) from  the  Woodlawn  Church  in 


Chicago  to  the  two  sessions  of  re- 
treat at  Camp  Mennoscah.  Pastor 
and  Mrs.  Waltner  attended  the  con- 
ference at  Bluffton  and  then  spent 
their  vacation  traveling  in  the  east- 
ern states. — Mrs.  Jake  J.  Goertzen 
MISSIONARY  SLIDES  SHOWN 
First  Church,  Aberdeen,  Idaho  : For 
the  past  few  months  Pastor  Walter 
Dyck  has  been  busy  attending  con- 
ferences, board  meetings,  visiting 
the  mission  .stations  in  Montana 
and  Arizona,  and  assisting  with  sev- 
eral retreats.  During  this  time  our 
summer  assistant  pastor,  Peter  D. 
Fast,  helped  with  the  work  of  the 
local  church  and  also  with  the  re- 
treat program.  We  have  enjoyed  the 
fellowship  with  the  Fast  family  and 
trust  we  have  been  a blessing  to 
one  another.  During  July  the  Young 
People’s,  Junior  Hi-Y,  and  Junior 
Retreats  were  held.  A “Retreat 
Echo”  program  was  given  in  church 
on  Aug.  9.  Reports  were  given  by 
different  campers  attending  the 
various  retreats  and  slides  were 
shown  of  the  activities.  A Family 
Retreat  is  scheduled  for  Labor  Day 
week  end.  Five  members  from  our 
church,  including  the  pastor  and  his 
wife,  attended  the  General  Con- 
ference sessions  at  Bluffton,  Ohio. 
The  Gospelaire  Radio  Trio  and  Ver- 
non Duerksen  from  Grace  Bible  In- 
stitute brought  the  evening  program 
on  June  28.  The  Eppley  Sisters  pre- 
sented a sacred  vocal  and  instru- 
mental program  on  July  12.  Our 
baptismal  service  was  held  on  July 
19  with  eleven  young  people  taking 
the  rite  of  baptism.  On  the  evening 
of  July  19,  Paul  Z.  Burkhart  pre- 
sented the  activities  of  the  New 
Tribes  Mission  and  showed  slides 
of  the  work.  On  July  26  Henry  D. 


Becker  brought  the  morning  mes- 
sage and  in  the  evening  the  Beck- 
ers told  of  their  work  in  India  un- 
der the  Board  of  Missions  and  Char- 
ities of  the  (Old)  Mennonite  Church. 
The  Beckers  spent  about  a week 
visiting  family  and  friends  here.  Ly- 
man W.  Sprunger,  Deputation  Sec- 
retary of  the  Open  Door  Missionary 
Fellowship,  Jackson,  Miss.,  told  of 
the  work  there  and  showed  slides 
on  Aug.  2.  The  annual  Sunday 
school  picnic  was  held  July  5. 
MARKHAM  CHURCH  DEDICATED 
Community  Church,  Markham, 
III.:  “How  lovely  is  Thy  dwelling- 
place,  O Lord  of  Hosts!  My  soul 
longs,  yea,  even  faints  for  the 
courts  of  the  Lord”  (Psa.  84:1,2). 
On  Aug.  2 dedication  services  for 
the  Community  Mennonite  Church 
of  Markham,  111.,  were  held,  cul- 
minating two  years  of  labor  and 
planning.  A joyous  throng  of  over 
200  people  from  both  far  and  near 
crowded  the  sanctuary.  Pastor  Ron- 
ald Krehbiel  welcomed  the  guests. 
Among  the  special  speakers  were 
Maurice  Stahly,  Mission  Committee 
member,  A.  E.  Kreider  who  gave 
the  dedicatory  message,  and  John 
Neufeld  in  charge  of  the  Litany  of 
Dedication.  Later  all  were  invited 
to  inspect  the  building.  The  church 
of  contemporary  structure  is  in 
two  units:  the  sanctuary  and  the 
fellowship  hall.  The  interior  red- 
wood gives  a warmth,  while  the 
brick  throughout  serves  to  make 
excellent  acoustics.  Modern  plant- 
ers decorate  the  sanctuary,  and  a 
pulpit  designed  of  brick  adds  to  the 
unusual  style  of  the  building.  Back 
of  the  pulpit,  a wooden  cross  re- 
minds one  of  Christ’s  finished  work. 
Beautiful  stained  glass  windows, 
both  in  the  front  and  rear,  tower  to 
the  peak  of  the  edifice.  The  Build- 
ing Committee  chairman  was  Ger- 
ald Mares.  Much  work  was  done  by 
the  men  of  the  church.  The  archi- 
tect was  Ralph  Anderson  of  Chi- 
cago. 

into  the  beyond 

Mrs.  Efpie  (Kaegi)  Rupp,  of 
Moundridge,  Kan.,  and  member  of 
the  West  Zion  Mennonite  Church  of 
Moundridge,  was  born  Feb.  5,  1887, 
and  died  Aug.  10,  1959. 

Mrs.  Anna  Dalke,  74,  passed  a- 
way  suddenly  June  27  following  sur- 
gery. She  was  a member  of  the 
First  Mennonite  Church,  Aberdeen, 
Idaho. 

John  Hunsinger,  64,  was  killed 
in  a farm  accident  on  Aug.  4 He 
was  a member  of  the  First  Menno- 
nite Church,  Aberdeen,  Idaho. 


Dedication  service  for  the  church  building  of  the  Markham  Mennonite 
Church,  Markham,  III. 


558 


THE  MENNONITE 


THREE  MEMBERS  IN  WORKCAMP 

j Brudertal  Church,  Hh^lsboro, 

; Kan.:  Four  children  were  dedicated 
to  the  Lord  on  Mother’s  Day.  A 
daughter,  Joy  Loreann,  was  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jim  Funk  on  May  3; 
Nancy  Susan  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lloyd 
Remple,  July;  Beth  Anne  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Herb  Bartel,  June  18; 
Michele  Kay  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fran- 
cis Funk,  May  21.  Baptismal  serv- 
ices were  observed  June  7 for  Rob- 
ert Schmidt  and  Courtney  Remple. 
Holy  Communion  was  observed 
June  21.  A memorial  service  was 
held  in  memory  of  Mrs.  Ed.  H.  Un- 
ruh,  a member  of  this  church  for 
many  years,  who  passed  away  in 
June  in  Winton,  Calif.  Children’s 
Day  program  and  dedication  of 
Christmas  bundles  were  held  on 
June  14.  Joan  Ewert,  Edith  Funk, 


Annual  meetings  of  auxiliary  or- 
ganizations will  begin  the  sixty- 
eighth  session  of  the  Western  Dis- 
trict Conference,  Saturday,  October 
24.  The  ministers  and  the  Women’s 
Missionary  Organization  both  have 
scheduled  all  day  programs  begin- 
ning at  9:30  a.m.  The  Ministers’ 
Conference  will  meet  at  the  Hope- 
field  Church  near  Moundridge  Kan.; 
the  Women’s  Missionary  Organiza- 
tion will  meet  in  the  Bethel  Col- 
lege Church. 

The  Youth  Fellowship  wUl  meet 
at  2:30  in  the  Bethel  College  Chapel, 
while  the  Mennonite  Men  will  con- 
vene at  the  Newton  First  Mennonite 
Church,  at  2:30  p.m.  Dr.  J.  W.  Fretz 
will  speak  at  the  Mennonite  Men’s 
Banquet  to  be  held  at  5:30  in  the 
First  Church. 

Dr.  Harry  Zeller,  Church  of  the 
Brethren  pastor  at  Laveme,  Cali- 
fornia, wUl  bring  his  first  message 
as  the  conference  speaker  to  con- 
ference delegates  and  visitors  Sat- 
urday evening  at  7:30  p.m.  in  the 
i Memorial  Hall.  Conference  guests 
I will  be  entertained  at  local  church- 
es on  Simday  morning  and  will  hear 
the  conference  sermon  at  2:30  p.m. 
to  be  delivered  by  the  Reverend 
Henry  Goossen,  pastor  of  the  Mc- 
Pherson Mennonite  Church.  A 


and  Verda  Epp  participated  in  the 
teen-age  work  camp  at  Elkhart,  Ind. 
Pastor  Walter  Neufeld  and  family 
attended  the  General  Conf.  at  Bluff- 
ton,  as  did  also  the  Ernest  Suder- 
mans  who  also  visited  their  daugh- 
ter Shirley  and  husband  Jim  Goer- 
ing.  Harvey  Jantz  was  the  visiting 
minister  in  our  pastor’s  absence. 

THREE  MISSIONARIES  RETURN 

Garden  Township  Church,  Hess- 
TON,  Kan.:  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Alvin  Ber- 
gen and  sons  and  Miss  Florine 
Dirks  have  recently  returned  to 
spend  a year’s  furlough.  They  are 
missionaries  from  our  church  to  Af- 
rica. Recent  births  include  a daugh- 
ter, Cynthia  Sue,  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Arnold  Vogt,  and  a daughter, 
Yvonne  Joy,  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nor- 
man Friesen. 


youth  rally  will  conclude  the  Sun- 
day activities. 

The  business  sessions  will  begin 
Monday  morning  at  9:30  a.m.  with 
reports  from  the  Executive  Commit- 
tee. The  afternoon  program  calls 
for  reports  from  the  Peace  and 
Service  Committee,  the  Historical 
Committee,  and  the  Charity  Com- 
mittee. The  WMO  program  wUl  be 
given  Monday  evening. 

On  Tuesday  morning  there  will 
be  reports  of  the  Committee  on  Wel- 
fare Institutions,  Education,  Bethel 
College,  and  the  Mennonite  Biblical 
Seminary.  The  Tuesday  afternoon 
session  will  hear  a report  from  the 
Social  Concerns  Committee,  Urbani- 
zation Study  Committee,  and  the 
Home  Missions  Committee.  Tuesday 
evening  wni  be  devoted  to  a mis- 
sions program  and  wifi,  feature  color 
films  dealing  with  the  Japan  field. 

The  conference  will  close  Wednes- 
day noon  after  reports  from  the 
Board  of  Trustees,  the  Resolutions 
Committee,  and  other  unfinished 
business.  Dr.  ZeUer  will  give  a series 
of  messages  throughout  the  confer- 
ence: his  final  message  will  con- 
clude the  conference  program. 
Special  music  wiU  be  provided  by 
several  Central  Kansas  Churches. 


conference  notes 

continued  from  lost  page 

Welfare  Service,  as  well  as  many 
private  individuals  have  been  giv- 
ing food  supplies,  medical  care,  la- 
bor, and  financial  gifts  to  aid  the 
many  victims.  Aid  given  by  these 
organizations  is  given  on  the  basis 
of  need  with  no  distinctions  on 
creed.  With  so  many  suffering,  even 
the  vast  amounts  of  materials  and 
money  available  are  spread  thinly 
among  the  needy. 

“Among  our  own  church  members 
we  have  also  given  some  special 
aid.  Approximately  thirty  families 
suffered  the  loss  of  everything  or 
at  least  half.  To  those  who  lost 
home  and  personal  property  $25 
was  given  and  to  the  others,  $12.50.” 

The  Board  of  Missions  and  the 
Board  of  Christian  Service  believe 
that  our  people  want  the  opportu- 
nity to  express  their  Christian  con- 
cern toward  the  people  of  Taiwan 
in  this  their  great  need.  'The  Board 
of  Christian  Service  is  making 
funds  available  for  relief  cud. 

Contributions  may  be  sent  to  eith- 
er the  Board  of  Missions  or  the 
Board  of  Christian  Service,  General 
Conference  Mennonite  Church,  722 
Main,  Newton,  Kansas. 

CPS  REUNION 

The  1959  Midwest  CPS  Reunion 
for  all  CPS  of  Ohio,  Indiana,  Michi- 
gan, and  Illinois,  regardless  where 
service  was  given,  wUl  be  held  at 
Camp  Mack,  south  of  MUford,  In- 
diana, on  September  20,  1959.  The 
carry-in  dinner  will  be  at  1:00 
o’clock,  c.d.t. 

CALL  TO  MISSION 

In  a church  that  lives  in  mission, 
there  is  a going  and  coming  of  per- 
sonnel to  whom  a particular  call  to 
witness  for  Jesus  Christ.  In  this 
year,  25  missionaries  are  coming  on 
furlough,  19  missionaries  are  being 
returned  to  their  field  of  service, 
and  17  new  workers  are  arriving  at 
their  appointed  places  of  service. 

'This  movement  of  missionary  per- 
sonnel takes  place  for  the  larger 
part  during  the  summer  months, 
when  financial  contributions  to  the 
Board  of  Missions  are  slow  in  com- 
ing in.  The  Board  of  Missions  shares 
with  our  General  Conference  church- 
es the  need  of  meeting  the  travel 
expenses  of  our  missionaries.  The 
Board  will  be  deepy  grateful  for 
special  contributions  at  this  time. 


WESTERN  DISTRICT  CONFERENCE  PROGRAM 

Oct.  21r28,  1959,  Memorial  Hall,  North  Newton,  Kansas 
Theme:  ‘‘Our  Foundation  is  Jesus  Christ”  (1  Cor.  3:11) 


September  8,  1959 


559 


conference  notes 

SIX  MISSIONARIES  LEAVE  FOR 
JAPAN  IN  ONE  MONTH 

Five  workers  have  left  for  our 
mission  field  on  Kyushu  Island,  Ja- 
pan, in  the  past  two  weeks,  and  the 
sixth  will  leave  shortly. 

Sailing  from  San  Francisco  Aug- 
ust 31  on  the  “China  Mail”  were 
George  E.  and  Martha  Janzen  of 
Mission  City,  B.  C.  They  will  go  to 
Kobe  for  language  study.  Mrs.  Jan- 
zen, nee  Martha  Giesbrecht  of  Wald- 
heim, Sask.,  previously  spent  one 
term  in  missionary  service  in  Japan, 
returning  home  for  furlough  in  1958. 
She  will  work  part-time  in  the  Kobe 
church  besides  continuing  her  study 
of  the  Japanese  language.  She  is  a 
commissioned  member  of  Women  in 
Church  Vocations.  Mr.  Janzen,  who 
graduated  from  Mennonite  Biblical 
Seminary  this  spring,  will  give  the 
first  two  years  to  language  study. 

Ferd  E.  and  Viola  Ediger  of 
Drake,  Sask.,  and  Inman,  Kan.,  re- 
turned to  Japan  by  air  from  San 
Francisco  on  September  1 for  their 
second  term  of  service.  They  will  be 
in  charge  of  the  work  at  Hyuga 
City. 

Also  leaving  September  1 was 
Virginia  Claassen,  Whitewater,  Kan. 
She  will  teach  missionary  children 
at  Miyakonojo  for  a three-year 
term.  (See  The  Mennonite,  July  7.) 

Anna  Dyck,  Drake,  Sask.  leaves 
September  25  from  Oakland,  Calif., 
for  her  second  term  of  service  in 
Japan.  A nurse  by  profession.  Miss 
Dyck  will  be  at  Miyakonojo. 

On  furlough  from  the  Japan  field 


Japan  missionaries  (left  to  right) 
are  Martha  and  George  Janzen, 
Ferd  and  Viola  Ediger  and  family, 
and  Anna  Dyck. 


at  the  present  time  are  Robert  and 
Alice  Ramseyer,  Bluffton,  Ohio;  and 
Peter  and  Mary  Derksen,  Abbots- 
ford, B.  C. 

HUGH  SPRUNGER  REPORTS 
ON  THE  TAIWAN  FLOOD 

For  the  people  of  Taiwan  August 
8,  1959,  was  Black  Saturday.  It  was 
then  that  a great  fiood  struck  the 
island.  Hugh  Sprunger,  missionary 
living  in  Taipei,  tells  of  the  destruc- 
tion and  suffering  that  came  with 
the  fiood: 

“No  doubt  you  have  been  reading 
recent  newspaper  reports  of  the 
great  fiood  which  swept  the  western 
half  of  Taiwan  on  August  8 and  9. 
I am  sure  that  you  have  been  con- 
cerned and  have  been  bearing  us  up 
before  the  throne  of  grace. 

“The  heaviest  rainfall  in  60  years, 
some  twenty-odd  inches  fell  in  a 
matter  of  hours,  caused  unbeliev- 
able damage  to  the  cities  and  vil- 
lages along  the  western  side  of  the 
island.  The  heaviest  damage  oc- 
curred in  the  Taichung  area  and  the 
area  just  south  of  Taichung.  The 
losses  in  human  life  and  property 
are  fantastic.  A recent  report  from 
the  central  government  listed  645 
dead,  590  missing,  984  injured,  and 
248,184  homeless. 

“Our  mission  property  in  Tai- 
chung and  the  orphanage  (admin- 
istered by  the  field  mission)  escaped 
any  serious  damage.  The  two  rent- 
ed chapels  in  Hsi-tun  and  Ta-ya 
were  both  completely  destroyed. 
Some  of  the  pews  have  been  sal- 


vaged from  the  mud  but  most  of 
the  other  furnishings  are  damaged 
or  lost  altogether.  We  praise  God 
that  there  were  no  fatalities  among 
our  church  people  in  that  area,  but 
many  suffered  heavy  losses.  Elder 
Ong  and  his  family  who  lived  in 
the  Hsi-tun  chapel  and  Mr.  Pan  and 
his  family  living  in  the  Ta-ya  chap- 
el suffered  the  loss  of  home  as  well 
as  personal  goods.  Other  church 
members  also  lost  homes  and  per- 
sonal property. 

“Glen  Graber  has  been  doing  a 
magnificent  job  in  co-ordinating  re- 
lief efforts  in  the  Taichung  area, 
not  only  among  our  own  church 
people  but  among  the  entire  Prot- 
estant community.  The  men  of  the 
Taichung  church  have  been  formed 
into  disaster  units  and  have  been 
assisting  many  of  the  fiood  victims 
in  Taichung,  Hsi-tun,  and  Ta-ya. 
They  have  also  been  assisting  in 
the  distributions  of  flour,  cornmeal, 
milk  powder,  and  rice  to  the  flood 
victims.  Palmer  and  Ardys  Becker 
are  in  Taichung  assisting  Rev.  Gra- 
ber and  the  church  work  teams. 
Martha  Boschman  is  helping  in  the 
Changhwa  Christian  Hospital 
(Changhwa  suffered  the  heaviest 
losses  of  any  city  in  the  entire 
area)  and  Helen  Willms  is  helping 
Dr.  Ditmanson  of  the  Taiwan  Luth- 
eran Mission  a little  farther  south 
in  the  city  of  Chia-yi. 

“Church  World  Service,  Chinese 
government  organizations.  Catholic 


(.continued  on  page  559) 


THE  MENNONITE 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NC 
MAN  LAY  THAN  THAT  I: 
LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIS 


i 


COVER 

Photo  by  Harold  Lambert 


ARTICLES 

HOW  CHRISTIAN  ARE  OUR 
CHRISTIAN  FUNERALS 

By  Lamont  Woelk  563 

COMMUNIST  YOUTH  FESTIVAL 564 

CONCERNS  AND  PROPOSALS 

OF  CITY  CHURCH  WORKERS  567 

THE  TASK  OF  THE  SUNDAY  SCHOOL 

By  James  DeForest  March  568 

OUR  UNITED  TASK 

By  John  Reimer  568 

FEATURES 

REPRESENTATIVES  OF  16 

NEW  CHURCHES  566 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIAL  562 

MENNONITE  YOUTH 

The  Right  O.K 269 

Frontier  Witness  570 

OUR  SCHOOLS  571 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES 573 

JOTTINGS  573 

MUTUAL  AID  PLACEMENT 575 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  576 


of  things  to  come 

Sept.  21 — Classes  begin  at  Mennonite 
Biblical  Seminary. 

Sept.  25 — Rosthern  Junior  College  opens 
Sept.  29 — Canadian  Mennonite  Bible  Col- 
lege opens 

Oct.  4 — Western  District  Sunday  School 
Convention,  Halstead  High  School 
Auditorium,  Halstead,  Kan. 

Oct.  4 — World  Communion  Sunday 
Oct.  7 — National  Day  of  Prayer 
Oct.  12 — Canadian  Thanksgiving  Day 
Oct.  24-28 — West.  Dist.  Conference 
Nov.  1- — Reformation  Sunday 
Nov.  26 — Thanksgiving  Day  (U.S.) 

Dec.  1-4 — Council  of  Boards 
Dec.  13 — Universal  Bible  Sunday 


THE  MEHNONITE 

Editor:  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 

J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Assistant:  Muriei 

Thiessen.  Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  36 


editorials 

WAS  THE  BLUFFTON  CONFERENCE  TOO  LONG?  This 
seemed  to  be  a widespread  feeling  as  the  days  between  Aug.  12 
and  20  went  by.  (The  following  week  the  (Old)  Mennonite  bien- 
nial general  conference  met  at  Goshen,  Ind.,  for  three  days  only !) 
A suggestion  which  merits  consideration  was  that  the  next 
conference  should  not  last  longer  than  five  days,  and  that  each 
of  the  Boards  be  given  not  more  than  a half  day  to  present 
their  reports. 

Does  this  seem  impossible?  Five  days  could  mean  fifteen  ses- 
sions— three  a day.  If  each  Board  were  given  a half  day  session 
to  be  used  as  they  carefully  planned,  without  any  interruption 
or  injection  of  any  other  matters,  perhaps  they  could  give  as 
effective  a witness  as  by  the  present  longer  plan. 

There  is  considerable  question  about  the  advisability  of  read- 
ing the  printed  reports  in  public  since  they  are  in  the  hands  of 
the  people.  If  a thousand  people  are  in  attendance  and  there  is 
one  hour  of  such  reading,  this  would  amount  to  a thousand  man- 
hours of  time.  Broken  down  a bit  more,  this  would  amount  to  an 
equivalent  of  125  eight-hour  days,  or  25  five-day  weeks,  or 
nearly  six  months  of  time.  This  seems  like  a lot  of  time  to  devote 
to  a public  reading  of  what  each  one  could  read  for  himself. 

During  the  Conference  all  public  reading  of  reports  might  be 
eliminated,  but  a dynamic  speaker  in  a thirty  minute  address 
could  present  the  aims  and  needs  and  hopes  of  the  Board.  A 
definite,  but  limited  block  of  time  could  be  designated  for  ques- 
tions and  discussions.  If  desired,  an  hour  of  group  discussion 
consideration  could  be  given  to  the  Board’s  work  and  plans,  then 
the  bringing  of  the  final  summary  report  and  recommendations 
before  the  whole  group,  and  the  election  of  Board  members.  K 
run-off  elections  are  required,  these  could  be  taken  care  of  in 
the  other  sessions,  but  not  encroaching  on  any  other  Board’s 
time. 

Addresses  might  be  between  twenty  minutes  and  a half-hour 
in  length — no  more.  Those  opening  with  a devotional  period 
should  not  feel  obligated  to  deliver  a sermonette,  but  simply 
direct  the  mind  to  the  sacred  words  of  Scripture  and  offer  a 
brief  sincere  prayer. 

The  evenings  could  continue  to  be  of  an  inspirational  and  in- 
formational nature,  but  of  a very  special  and  high  quality, 
geared  particularly  to  the  general  audience  of  visitors  and  young 
people. 

Five  sessions  for  the  complete  report  of  the  Boards  and  five 
inspirational  evenings  would  still  leave  five  sessions  for  other 
business  matters,  elections,  inspirational  addresses,  greetings, 
or  whatever  else  is  essential  to  the  running  of  a Conference. 

Shorter  talks,  briefer  reports,  dynamic  presentations  of  the 
great  issues,  could  make  a five-day  Conference  as  effective,  or 
perhaps  more  so,  as  the  present  eight-day  routine  into  which 
we  have  fallen.  The  work  need  not  suffer  but  could  even  be 
strengthened.  At  least  it  would  be  worth  giving  it  a fair  trial 
at  the  next  General  Conference. 


562 


THE  MENNONITE 


How  Christian  Are  Our 
Christian  Funerals? 


JESUS  SAID:  “I  am  the  resurrec- 
tion and  the  life;  he  who  believes 
in  me,  though  he  die,  yet  shall  he 
live,  and  whoever  lives  and  believes 
in  me  shall  never  die”  (John  11:25, 
26). 

It  is  our  faith  that  the  person 
who  belongs  to  Christ  will  enjoy 
eternity  with  Him,  and  that  death 
cannot  touch  him.  Yes,  he  will  die 
physically,  indeed,  he  must  to  enter 
heaven.  But  it  is  only  the  body 
that  dies.  All  too  often,  when  we 
read  the  above  passage,  we  stop  at 
the  end  of  verse  25  and  miss  half 
of  its  meaning.  The  great  truth 
for  Christians  is  that  “I  am  the 
resurrection  and  the  life;  . . . who- 
ever lives  and  believes  in  me  shall 
never  die.”  The  moment  we  accept 
the  forgiving  love  of  God  in  Christ 
and  become  His  children,  in  that 
moment  we  enter  eternal  life. 
Death,  then,  is  only  the  experience 
by  which  we  pass  from  this  world 
into  the  next  one.  Or  as  the  choral 
anthem  puts  it: 

“Thou  hast  made  death  glorious 
and  triumphant. 

“For  through  its  portals  we  enter 
into  the  presence  of  the  living  God.” 
The  sad  truth  is  that  modern 
funerals  belie  this  faith.  The  fact 
that  most  people  cut  off  thinking 
of  or  planning  for  death  and  fun- 
eral until  they  are  face  to  face  with 
them  is  a denial  of  a living  faith 
in  the  living  God  who  has  raised 
Jesus  Christ  from  the  dead. 

Many  people  do  feel  deeply  chat 
present  funeral  practices  are  not 
Christian  but  are  afraid  to  be  the 
first  to  break  the  customs  for  fear 
of  what  the  public  would  say.  Yet 
if  we  want  to  really  make  it  easy 
on  the  family  (as  say  we  do) 
when  death  comes,  and  if  we  want 
to  give  witness  to  our  faith  in  the 
resurrection  and  in  eternal  life, 
then  we  must  make  some  radical 
changes.  I propose  just  that. 

First,  I would  do  away  with  a 
public  viewing  and  all  emphasis  on 
the  body.  When  the  body  is  dead 


let  it  be  placed  in  the  casket  and 
the  lid  closed.  The  family  may  view 
if  they  choose,  but  I dare  say  they 
won’t.  In  physical  life  my  body  is 
an  integral  part  of  my  real  self, 
but  in  death  it  becomes  only  tlie 
house  in  which  I have  lived.  As 
long  as  there  is  life  in  my  body  it 
is  also  God’s  temple  so  when  death 
comes  it  should  be  respectfully  laid 
to  rest.  But  why  a ‘last  look”  at  the 
dead  body?  After  death  what  the 
person  looked  like  fades  from  mem- 
ory while  what  he  was  and  did 
continues  to  live  with  us.  If  what  I 
was  in  life  is  not  worth  remember- 
ing, a last  look  at  my  body  will  not 
tell  you  any  more  than  you  already 
know — that  it  is  dead. 

Then  I would  also  do  away  with 
a public  funeral.  Soon  after  the 
death,  the  next  day  if  possible,  I 
would  have  a brief  burial  service  at 
the  grave,  quietly  committing  the 
body  to  the  earth  from  which  it 
came  and  to  which  God  intends  it 
to  return.  There  would  be  only  the 
minister,  the  family,  and  selected 
friends  of  the  family  present.  If 
there  is  no  viewing,  there  is  no 
need  to  wait  for  family  members 
living  at  a distance  to  come.  This 
does  not  say  they  should  not  come; 
but  let  them  come  to  comfort  the 
living.  The  undertaker  and  grave 
diggers  can  adequately  bury  the 
dead  body. 

The  elimination  of  these  two  pub- 
lic services  would  also  cut  expenses 
drastically.  An  expensive  casket 
would  not  be  needed;  we  might  well 
return  to  using  a simple  homemade 
box  as  the  Amish  do.  'There  would 
be  no  need  for  banks  of  flowers  to 
create  a setting,  no  need  for  a new 
suit  of  clothes  for  the  dead  bod3'. 
And  no  need  for  the  undertaker  to 


Lamont  Woelk 

Pastor,  Fairfield  Menn.  Church 
Fairfield,  Pennsylvania 


spend  a lot  of  time  fixing  up  the 
body. 

R.  C.  Kauffman,  in  an  article  in 
the  July,  1947,  issue  of  Mennonite 
Life,  pointed  out  the  tremendous 
cost  of  modern  funerals.  In  1945,  he 
stated,  the  death  rate  in  the  US 
was  11  per  1,000  population  and  the 
average  cost  per  funeral  was 
$405.00.  There  were  at  that  time 
about  200,000  Mennonites  in  the  US. 
Assuming  that  our  death  rate  is  the 
average,  that  would  make  2,200 
deaths  per  year  at  a cost  of  more 
than  $891,000.  This,  Dr.  Kauffman 
went  on  to  point  out,  was  more 
than  the  total  annual  cost  of  all 
Mennonite  missions  put  together, 
more  than  the  annual  cost  of  oper- 
ating all  of  our  Mennonite  colleges, 
more  than  our  total  relief  program. 
When  we  spend  more  burying  dead 
bodies  than  we  do  spreading  the 
gospel  to  living  souls,  isn’t  it  time 
we  sit  up  and  take  notice?  And  to- 
day the  average  cost  per  funeral  is 
nearing  $700.00. 

A Christian  Service 

By  eliminating  these  things  that 
are  both  objectionable  and  a denial 
of  the  Christian  faith,  the  way 
would  be  open  to  a distinctly  Chris- 
tian service.  At  a time  convenient 
to  the  family  and  friends  I would 
hold  a memorial  service  in  church, 
honoring  the  memory  of  the  person 
who  has  died.  It  could  now  be  held 
in  the  evening  or  could  even  be  a 
Sunday  morning  worship  if  this 
worked  out  conveniently.  It  should, 
above  all,  be  a worship  service.  The 
great  hymns  of  the  Christian  faith 
should  be  sung  by  the  congregation 
— hymns  such  as  “O  Power  of  Love” 
and  “Come,  My  Soul,  Thou  Must  Be 
Waking.”  I would  have  the  congre- 
gation stand  and  sing  with  gusto 
as  the  opening  hymn  “Jesus  Christ 
Is  Risen  Today.”  If  there  is  special 
music,  let  it  be  in  addition  to,  not 
in  place  of,  congregational  singing. 
And  let  the  traditional  funeral 
songs  such  as  “Beautiful  Isle  of 


September  15,  1959 


563 


Somewhere”  and  “Going  Down  the 
Valley  One  By  One”  be  buried  and 
forgotten.  They  do  not  express  the 
Christian  faith 

The  sermon  should  proclaim  the 
great  truths  of  God’s  forgiving  love 
in  Christ,  the  resurrection,  and  eter- 
nal life.  Scripture  that  speaks  bold- 
ly of  our  faith  in  these  truths  should 
be  read.  Eulogy  and  obituary  would 
be  out  of  place.  A printed  folder 
giving  the  basic  facts  of  the  per- 
son’s life  could  be  distributed  but 
it  should  be  sentimentally  written. 

The  people  would  come  into  the 
church  and  sit  in  their  usual  places. 
Flowers,  as  are  normally  used  for 
a worship  service,  would  be  in  or- 
der. And,  if  the  family  chose,  an 
offering  could  be  taken  for  a cause 
of  special  concern  to  them.  An  of- 
fering, as  we  know  it,  is  an  integral 
part  of  the  worship  service  so  would 

Communist 

Youth 

Festival 

This  article  is  hosed  on  a repoi~t 
submitted  by  Clarence  Bauman, 
Peter  Dyck,  and  Doreen  Harms  who 
were  in  Vienna  during  the  Seventh 
World  Festival  (Communist)  of 
Youth  and  Students.  They  state, 
“We  were  not  delegates  nor  did  we 
have  observer’s  status;  we  officially 
represented  no  one  except  ourselves. 
The  purpose  of  our  attendance  was 
twofold:  to  learn  and  to  witness.” 


not  be  out  of  place  here. 

Planning  Your  Funeral 

This  is  a radical  departure  from 
traditional  funeral  practices. 
Though  you  may  resolve  to  follow 
a pattern  such  as  I have  suggested 
here,  when  death  actually  comes  to 
a loved  one,  the  emotional  strain 
and  fear  of  public  feelings  can  make 
you  give  in  to  tradition.  So  I also 
suggest  that  every  person,  or  fam- 
ily if  all  members  are  agreed,  make 
plans  and  write  out  instructions  for 
the  event  of  death.  Speak  to  your 
minister  about  the  kind  of  burial 
and  service  you  want.  Find  an  un- 
dertaker who  is  congenial  to  your 
views.  Then  discuss  the  entire  mat- 
ter as  a family  and  write  out  at 
last  three  copies  of  the  instructions 
— one  for  the  minister’s  file,  one  for 
the  undertaker’s  file,  and  one  to  be 
kept  in  the  home  for  the  family. 


This  year’s  Seventh  World  Fes- 
tival of  Youth  and  Students  was 
the  first  World  Youth  Festival  spon- 
sored this  side  of  the  Iron  Curtain. 
An  estimated  17,000  national  dele- 
gates participated  in  festivities  at 
Vienna,  Austria,  July  26  to  Aug.  4. 
Most  of  the  representatives  were 
talented  young  people  between  the 
ages  of  18  and  30,  representing  over 
100  nations.  The  new  90,000  seat 
Vienna  city  stadium,  not  quite  com- 
pleted, witnessed  a gathering  of 
65,000  people  for  the  Festival  open- 
ing Sunday  evening,  July  26. 

During  the  opening  day,  three 
airplanes  continuously  flew  over  the 
city  bearing  banners  protesting, 
“Festival  Without  Us,”  “Remember 
Hungary”  and  “Remember  Tibet.” 
Without  too  much  concern  for  the 
objecting  demonstrations  the  audi- 
ence gathered  in  the  stadium  and 
entered  into  the  spirit  of  the  Fes- 
tival, clapping  their  hands  and 
rhythmically  shouting,  “F  r i e d e 
Freundschaft  Friede  Freundschaft 
Friede  Freundschaft.”  Chants,  pa- 
rades, flying  balloons  and  the  re- 
lease of  a truckload  of  peace  pig- 


When  death  does  come,  just  the 
fact  that  the  matter  has  been  faced 
realistically  in  advance  will  be  an 
added  support  to  your  faith.  And 
the  emotional  strain  of  the  hour  will 
not  be  as  great,  for  a lot  of  things 
that  add  to  such  strain  will  have  ' 
already  been  taken  care  of.  ! 

One  matter  I have  not  dealt  with  I 
in  this  paper  is  that  of  cemeteries, 
burial  vaults,  and  tombstones.  Great 
expenses  can  be  involved  here,  for 
many  cemeteries  have  rigid  regula- 
tions governing  burial.  This  aspect 
needs  further  study  but  it  would  | 
seem  that  simplicity  and  economy  ' 
should  apply  here  also.  I personally  | 
like  the  idea  of  a simple  plaque  set 
flush  with  the  ground  rather  than  |] 
a tombstone.  And  a church-owned 
cemetery  would  permit  the  church 
to  make  its  own  burial  regulations. 

— The  Messenger 

Eastern  District  Conference 


eons  revealed  mob  psychology  pret- 
ty much  in  the  raw. 

The  participants  at  the  Festival, 
with  a few  exceptions,  were  mem- 
bers of  national  delegations.  The 
Russian  delegation  of  800  arrived 
in  a colony  of  buses  from  Moscow. 

The  delegation  from  Hungary 
came  by  river  boats  and  continued 
to  live  in  their  river  boats  during 
the  Festival.  The  British  and  other 
national  delegations  were  accommo- 
dated in  tents  surrounding  the  Fes- 
tival grounds.  About  400  representa- 
tives composed  the  American  repre- 
sentation. 

Regular  delegates  participated  in 
seminars,  lectures,  discussions,  ex- 
hibitions, displays,  and  exercises  of 
a cultural,  social,  and  scientific  na- 
ture. Non-delegates  were  not  permit- 
ted on  the  exhibition  grounds,  ex- 
cept to  attend  public  musical  and 
cultural  programs.  Overtones  of 
friendship  and  peace  filled  all  Vien- 
na! 

On  what  basis  the  delegates  had 
been  selected  seemed  a confused 
issue.  An  international  committee 
responsible  for  preparation  and  di- 
rection of  the  Festival  maintained 


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564 


THE  MENNONITE 


? that  no  political  motives  had  been 
i I involved  in  delegate  selection  and 
! that  the  only  purpose  of  the  Festival 
; i was  to  further  friendship  and  peace 
by  cultural  exchange.  American  and 
; I other  national  delegation  commit- 
1 tees  also  maintained  that  no  polit- 
ical motives  or  implications  were  in- 
1 ! volved  in  representing  one’s  coun- 
I try  at  the  Festival. 

. This  and  the  previous  Youth  Fes- 
tivals had  been  publicized  as  non- 
Communistic  cultural  and  social  ex- 
changes, yet  it  was  not  difficult  to 
j ! discern  the  true  nature  of  the  po- 
! litical  ambitions  sponsoring  the  ex- 
hibition. Western  Christians  as- 
sumed that  delegates  representing 
j Eastern-bloc  countries  were  exclu- 
j sively  pro-Communist.  We  were  in- 
j formed  that  this  also  applied  to  the 
West  Germany  representation.  The 
U.S.  delegation  was  split  into  two 
j groups,  with  a New  York  pro-Com- 
munist and  a Chicago  anti-Commu- 
I nist  group  of  88. 

Shortly  after  their  arrival  July 
25,  the  divided  American  delega- 
tion held  a stormy  meeting  with 
the  Festival  preparatory  committee. 
The  preparatory  committee  de- 
clared null  and  void  an  accredita- 
? tion  of  the  entire  United  States  Fes- 
i tival  delegation.  Officials  anticipat- 
ed that  the  final  meeting  Sunday 

■ morning,  which  was  to  determine 
i the  status  of  the  U.S.  delegation 
; and  settle  the  rift,  would  result  in 
r an  election  of  a chairman  from  the 

Communist-dominated  New  York 

■ j group.  The  differences  between  the 
I two  groups,  however,  were  never 

patched  up. 

For  us  the  most  important  day 
1 of  the  Festival  was  Saturday,  Aug. 

1.  During  the  week,  as  opportunity 
[ arose,  we  mingled  with  Commu- 
nists, we  conversed  with  them,  we 
tried  to  learn  from  them  and  to 
witness  to  them.  Saturday  the  “In- 
ternational Meeting  of  Young  Chris- 
[ tians”  in  the  Metro  Theater  dis- 
cussed the.  question  “Religion  and 
Peace.”  Ralph  Keithan,  a Gandhi 
I disciple  and  an  “American  by  birth 
I and  Indian  by  choice”  was  the 
> chairman.  The  Reverend  Mochalski 
of  the  German  Federal  Republic 
I and  the  Reverend  Michael  Scott  of 
England  (and  Africa)  gave  pre- 
pared messages.  Mochalski  ably  de- 
fended the  biblical  nonresistant  posi- 
. tion.  Scott  came  out  strongly  for 
peace  and  against  nuclear  weapons; 
but  he  granted  that  “if  necessary” 


war  with  conventional  weapons  is 
permissible  for  the  Christian. 

Mochalski  in  his  stimulating  dis- 
cussion declared  that  Jesus  Christ 
brought  a new  message  of  peace 
and  that  He  was  the  Peace. 
The  words  of  Jesus  were  never  di- 
rected at  abstract  purposes;  in  word 
and  deed  He  always  addressed  him- 
self to  concrete  people.  The  peace 
of  Jesus  in  word  and  in  deed  knows 
no  boundaries,  it  is  for  all  people. 
Jesus  not  only  loved  His  disciples 
but  also  His  enemies.  Jesus  is  our 
Peace.  The  sign  of  the  Peace  is  the 
gallows,  the  cross.  In  this  new  world 
and  new  eon  Jesus  invites  our  par- 
ticipation. There  is  no  place  for  the 
sword,  only  the  cross;  no  place  for 
violence,  only  love. 

Mochalski  recognized  the  political 
drive  of  the  Festival:  the  slogan 

of  the  Festival,  “Peace  and  Friend- 
ship,” he  said,  could  be  misconstrued 
and  used  for  political  means.  With 
our  warring  past,  the  Church  can- 
not guilt-free  point  its  finger  at  non- 
Christians  who  are  also  taking  up 
the  challenge  and  shouting  “Peace 
and  Friendship.”  Has  not  the 
Church  denied  the  peace  of  Christ? 
We  Christians  still  need  to  give  evi- 
dence to  the  world  that  we  actually 
are  messengers  of  peace! 

The  Russians  were  very  much  sur- 
prised at  what  they  heard  at  this 
meeting  from  the  Americans, 
brought  about  by  naive  and  rather 
shallow  comments  on  Communism 
and  life  in  Russia.  We  have  come 
here,  the  Russians  commented,  to 
meet  and  to  discuss  with  open 
hearts.  In  Russia  there  are  35,000 
priests,  80,000  Mohammedan 
mosques  and  religious  freedom  is 
guaranteed  to  everyone.  The  believ- 
ers and  unbelievers  are  all  united 
in  the  struggle  for  peace. 

Representing  China  at  the  “Inter- 
national Meeting  of  Young  Chris- 
tians” a speaker  asserted,  “I  am  a 
Christian.  I have  come  to  the  Fes- 
tival not  to  quarrel  but  to  find  un- 
derstanding and  friendship.”  A mo- 
ment later  he  said  that  the  record 
of  Communism  in  China  clearly 
shows  that  Communism  respects  re- 
ligion. There  are,  he  claimed,  3,700,- 
000  Christians  in  China  in  a popula- 
tion of  about  650  million.  The  num- 
ber of  Christians  today  is  the  same 
as  before  the  1949  “liberation.”  The 
speaker  went  on  to  say  that  the 
Christians  in  China  enjoy  normal 
religious  life,  being  permitted  to 


baptize  and  carry  out  other  Church 
functions.  No  recognition  of  Chris- 
tian holidays,  however,  is  given  new 
China,  but  Christians  may  get  ex- 
emption on  Christian  holidays.  He 
claimed  that  the  Church  may  pub- 
lish its  own  Christian  literature  and 
also  that  Christians  are  represented 
in  the  People’s  Government  at  all 
levels.  He  concluded  his  lengthy 
speech  by  saying,  “We  live  happy 
Christian  lives  in  China.” 

The  Americans,  we  feel,  made  a 
rather  cloudy  showing  at  the  Fes- 
tival. We  were  not  surprised  at  the 
voice  of  Russia  and  of  China,  but 
we  were  saddened  at  what  the 
Americans  said.  One  of  these  Amer- 
icans dramatically  concluded  his 
speech,  “If  it  is  necessary  that  we 
must  fight,  then  as  Christians  let 
us  go  forth  to  battle  in  the  name  of 
justice  and  truth.  But  if  we  go  with 
Christ  in  our  heart,  such  a fight  is 
different  from  any  other  because 
we  love  our  enemies  even  while  we 
must  kill  them.”  Unfortunately,  the 
Americans  revealed  the  current 
spiritual  schizophrenia  so  typical  of 
modern  pseudo-Christianity  — a 
peace  of  Christ  in  the  heart  with- 
out the  concomitant  ethical  dimen- 
sion in  life. 

Peter  Dyck  spoke  for  about  ten 
minutes  at  the  Saturday  session 
centering  his  discussion  on  the  truth 
that  God  will  not  leave  himself 
without  witnesses.  God  chose  the 
Hebrew  people  that  He  might  make 
himself  known  to  them  and  through 
them,  but  they  were  not  faithful  in 
witnessing  to  the  truth.  We,  the 
Church,  are  the  new  Israel.  God  is 
seeking  to  reveal  himself  through 
us.  To  us  God  has  entrusted  the 
ministry  of  peace.  We  are  to  wit- 
ness to  the  Christ  who  brings  peace 
into  our  hearts  as  well  as  to  the 
way  of  peace  among  men.  If  the 
Church  is  not  faithful  in  this  wit- 
ness, God  will  take  this  ministry 
away  from  us  and  give  it  to  an- 
other. 

In  conclusion  Dyck  referred  to 
the  booklet  The  Christian  and  War, 
containing  the  trilogy  of  two  Chris- 
tian biblical  pacifist  statements  and 
a brief  non-pacifist  rebuttal,  pub- 
lished by  the  Historic  Peace  Church- 
es and  the  International  Fellowship 
of  Reconciliation.  Within  a short 
time  after  he  had  clarified  the  book- 
let’s contents  the  100  copies  which 
had  been  brought  to  Vienna  were 
distributed. 


September  15,  1959 


565 


Representatives  of 

Sixteen 

New 

Churches 


NOTE:  A mistake  in  the  Sept.  1 
issue  of  The  Mennonite  is  the  omis- 
sion of  the  United  Mennonite  Church 
of  Mission  City,  B.  C.,  in  the  listing 
of  the  sixteen  new  churches  (page 
535).  Also,  the  United  Mennonite 
Mission  of  Vancouver,  B.  C.,  was 
mislabeled  “United  Mennonite 
Church.” 


Top:  Ronald  Krehbiel,  pastor  of 
the  Community  Mennonite  Church, 
Markham,  111. ; Lyman  Hofstetter, 
pastor  of  the  Bethel  Community 
Church,  Santa  Fe,  Calif.;  Menno 
Ediger,  pastor  of  the  Waters  Menno- 
nite Church,  Copper  Clif,  Ont.;  Dick 
Rempel,  representative  of  the  Unit- 
ed Mennonite  Church,  Mission  City, 
B.  C. ; John  Neufeld,  representative 
of  the  New  Westminster  Mennonite 
Church,  New  Westminster,  B.  C. 

Middle:  Walter  Gering,  pastor  of 
the  Elkhart  Mennonite  Church, 
Elkhart,  Ind.;  William  Block,  pas- 
tor of  the  United  Mennonite  Mis- 
sion, Vancouver,  B.  C.;  H.  H.  Neu- 
feld, pastor  of  the  East  Chilliwack 
Mennonite  Church,  Chilliwack,  B. 


C.;  Henry  Fransen,  pastor  of  the 
Grace  Mennonite  Church,  St.  Cath- 
arines, Ont.;  Max  Miller,  pastor  of 
the  Church  of  the  Good  Shepherd, 
Sioux  Falls,  S.  D. 

Bottom:  Howard  Nyce,  pastor  of 
the  Faith  Mennonite  Church,  New- 
ton, Kan.;  Richard  Ratzlaff,  pastor 
of  the  Church  of  the  Good  Samari- 
tan, Churchville,  Pa.;  Victor  Schroe- 
der,  pastor  of  the  North  Kildonan 
Mennonite  Church,  Winnipeg,  Man.; 
Stanley  Bohn,  pastor  of  the  Kansas 
City  Mennonite  Church,  Kansas 
City,  Kan.;  Arthur  D.  Dick,  pastor 
of  the  First  Mennonite  Church,  Ed- 
monton, Alta.;  Lowell  Troyer,  pas- 
tor of  the  McKinley  Mission,  Mio, 
Mich. 


566 


THE  MENNONITE 


Regarding  City  Churches 

Concerns  and  Proposals 


The  following  concerns  have  been 
lifted  out  of  the  three  discussion 
sessions  held  prior  to  the  confer- 
ence at  Bluffton  by  a group  of  city 
church  workers  and  other  interest- 
ed persons.  They  are  noted  here  be- 
cause it  was  believed  that  they  need- 
ed to  be  shared  with  a larger  group 
— perhaps  with  the  Conference  as 
a whole.  They  grow  out  of  our 
strong  desire  to  serve  more  ade- 
quately our  Lord  and  His  needy 
ones  in  the  cities  of  our  land. 

One  of  our  basic  problems  in  the 
city  grows  out  of  the  fact  that  we 
,as  rural  people  who  come  to  the 
city  have  generally  not  been  taught 
to  take  the  church  with  us.  Here, 
when  we  speak  of  ‘‘the  church”  we 
mean,  specifically,  a vital  mission- 
ary passion  which  compels  us  to 
seek  to  draw  others  to  our  Lord 
and  to  His  way.  We  have  too  much 
sought  to  protect  our  faith  racher 
than  to  share  it.  Can  a church  which 
lives  only  for  self-defense  be  true 
to  its  Lord,  a Lord  who  opened 
himself  freely  to  others  — giving 
even  His  life? 

We  confess  that  we  have  spent 
too  great  a proportion  of  our  time 
and  energies  in  the  cities  seeking 
to  find,  conserve,  and  maintain  “our 
own  people,”  rather  than  reaching 
out  in  love  to  all  the  needy — many 
of  whom  often  languish  in  the  very 
shadows  of  our  churches.  Thus  we 
have  often  been  untrue  to  the  way 
of  love  which  we  claim  to  follow. 
Indeed,  we  find  that  our  Mennonites 
in  the  city  are  more  attracted  to 
remain  with  our  Conference  church- 
es if  we  call  them  to  reach  others 
with  the  gospel. 

As  city  church  workers,  we  are 
not  sure  how  much  of  our  heritage 
can  profitably  be  shared  with  oth- 
ers. We  are  not  sure,  partly  be- 
cause we  ourselves  are  uncertain  as 


to  the  dividing  line  between  our 
religious  faith  and  our  ethnic  cul- 
ture. Are  we  seeking  at  times  to 
make  men  and  women  part  of  the 
“Mennonite  people”  or  part  of  the 
Mennonite  Church? 

We  are  therefore  often  afraid  of 
truly  indigenous  Mennonite  city 
churches  because  we  do  not  believe 
— and  perhaps  rightly  so  — that 
members  of  such  churches  could  be 
assimilated  into  our  culture.  (Per- 
haps when  barriers  of  culture  pre- 
vent the  building  of  true  Christian 
fellowship,  these  barriers  need  to 
be  broken  down,  like  all  dividing 
walls  of  hostility.) 

Often  our  outreach  in  the  city 
communities  where  we  work  is 
greatly  hampered  by  the  fact  that 
our  Mennonite  nucleus  is  scattered 
away  from  the  immediate  vicinity 
of  the  church.  This  often  leaves  the 
task  of  visitation  evangelism  com- 
pletely on  the  shoulders  of  the  pas- 
tor and  his  wife.  This  is  inadequate 
in  most  city  and  suburban  loca- 
tions if  an  effective  church  is  to  be 
built. 

We  surely  need  to  take  an  honest 
look  at  some  of  our  mission  sup- 
ported projects  in  the  city  to  de- 
cide whether  they  are  serving  or 
can  serve  a true  Christian  purpose 
in  their  present  locations.  It  may 
be  that  some  of  our  city  projects 
need  to  be  terminated  or  relocated 
for  the  good  of  the  entire  work. 

Out  of  the  above  concerns  have 
grown  the  following  proposals  to  be 
made  to  our  several  Conference 
committees  and  boards. 

We  need  and  request  more  liter- 
ature which  will  interpret  our  Men- 
nonite faith  to  those  who  are  un- 
familiar with  it  or  misinformed 
concerning  it.  This  needs  to  be  pri- 
marily intelligent,  not  technical, 
well  developed  (but  not  voluminous) 


material  for  the  layman  in  the  city. 
Some  of  the  questions  this  liter- 
ature must  ask  and  answer  are: 
Who  are  we?  What  is  our  past? 
What  do  we  believe?  Why  do  we 
believe  it?  How  do  these  beliefs 
affect  our  present  action  and  our 
future  goals? 

We  need  seriously  to  reconsider 
the  practice  of  forming  churches 
around  1-W  service  units.  This  is 
mentioned  in  the  light  of  the  tran- 
siency and  the  understandable  im- 
maturity which  so  often  character- 
izes such  groups.  However,  even 
more  importantly,  we  need  to  look 
strongly  to  the  possibility  of  more 
pointedly  co-ordinating  our  1-W  as- 
signments and  projects  with  our 
present  city  church  work.  Both  for 
the  good  of  existing  churches  and 
for  the  good  of  the  1-W  men,  it 
might  prove  helpful  to  direct  those 
young  men  primarily  toward  places 
where  we  have  city  churches. 

We  suggest  that  our  Board  of 
Missions  plan  for  a conference  on 
city  churches  to  be  held  before  the 
close  of  1960,  if  at  all  possible.  The 
conference  could  involve  city  church 
workers.  Mission  Board  members, 
district  committee  members.  Church 
Extension  Services,  Inc.,  and  some 
(Old)  Mennonite  city  pastors  who 
share  similar  concerns. 

Of  most  pressing  immediate  con- 
cern is  our  sense  of  need  for  some 
centralized  guidance  from  our  Con- 
ference in  the  area  of  city  church 
work.  We  deem  this  especially  im- 
portant in  the  light  of  the  surpris- 
ingly large  proportion  of  churches 
we  now  have  in  cities  of  more  than 
10,(X)0  persons  (more  than  1/4  of 
our  total  member  churches),  and  in 
the  light  of  our  general  lack  of 
knowledge  concerning  the  needs, 
problems,  and  great  opportunities 
to  be  found  in  the  city. 


September  15,  1959 


567 


National  Sunday  School  Week,  September  27  - October  4 

Task  of  the  Sunday  School 


D.  Campbell  Wycoff,  professor  of 
Christian  Education  in  Princeton 
Theological  Seminary,  in  his  provoc- 
ative new  book,  The  Gospel  and 
Christian  Education,  speaks  of  the 
ministry  of  teaching  in  communi- 
cating the  gospel.  Dr.  Wycoff  states 
that  Christian  education  has  the 
task  of  freeing  the  individual  from 
his  “tragic  bondage  to  self,  society, 
and  culture”  and  helping  him  be- 
come “a  free  person,  by  God’s 
Spirit,  through  his  response  in  com- 
plete devotion  to  Jesus  Christ.”  The 
business  of  getting  the  response  of 
the  individual  to  the  claims  of  the 
gospel  should  be  the  first  aim  of  the 
Sunday  school  teacher. 

Evangelicals  have  always  believed 
that  the  purpose  of  the  Sunday 
school  is  to  “win  souls  to  Christ, 
teaching  them  the  word  of  God,  and 

James  Deforest  Murch 
Managing  Editor  of 
‘^Christianity  Today” 


Our  United  Task 


Nine  per  cent  of  the  world’s  pop- 
ulation speak  English.  Ninety-four 
per  cent  of  all  Christian  workers 
minister  to  the  nine  per  cent.  Nine- 
ty-six per  cent  of  the  Christian  dol- 
lar goes  to  the  nine  per  cent. 

In  1950  approximately  700,000,000 
adults  were  illiterate.  At  the  pres- 
ent time  it  is  estimated  that  about 
10  to  20  million  adults  are  learning 
to  read  and  write  each  year. 

'The  desire  to  give  each  of  these 
new  literates  the  Word  of  God 
keeps  our  'Translations  Department 

John  Reimer 
Representative  of  the 
American  Bible  Society 


training  them  for  Christian  char- 
acter and  service.”  They  took  their 
cue  from  the  Great  Commission: 
“Go  ye  . . . teach  all  nations  . . . 
baptizing  them  . . . teaching  them 
to  observe  all  things  whatsoever  I 
have  commanded  you.” 

Evangelical  churches  secure  most 
of  their  members  through  active 
Sunday  school  endeavor.  Surveys 
have  shown  that  fifty-five  per  cent 
of  conversions  and  new  members 
recorded  each  year  have  a back- 
ground of  teaching  and  training  in 
the  Sunday  school. 

But  we  have  not  touched  the  “hem 
of  the  garment”  of  the  task  before 
us.  It  is  said  that  17,000,000  boys 
and  girls  in  America,  four  to  eight- 
een years  of  age,  never  darken  the 
door  of  the  church.  From  this  sec- 
tor of  our  population  come  the  po- 
tential and  actual  gunmen,  racket- 
eers, kidnappers,  murderers,  thieves, 
and  other  criminals  who  terrorize 
our  nation.  Judges  testify  that  nine- 
ty-seven per  cent  of  the  youths 


busy  in  aiding  Mennonite  mission- 
aries and  many  other  missionaries 
who  are  in  the  process  of  translat- 
ing the  Scriptures.  At  the  present 
time  some  parts  of  the  Bible  have 
been  translated  into  1136  languages 
but  there  are  still  at  least  one  thou- 
sand which  still  do  not  have  one 
word  of  Scripture. 

Last  year  the  Mennonite  churches 
contributed  $15,603.92  for  the  world- 
wide distribution  of  the  Scriptures 
through  the  Bible  Society.  For  this 
we  are  sincerely  grateful. 

“For  literally  millions  of  people, 
their  first  and  often  only  chance 
to  come  face  to  face  with  Christ  is 
when  they  face  Him  in  the  pages 
of  a Gospel  or  the  Testament.  For 


convicted  of  crime  have  never  been 
in  Sunday  school. 

We  are  also  confronted  with  the 
appalling  fact  that  half  the  popu- 
lation in  America  makes  no  pre- 
tense of  Christian  commitment. 
Half  of  the  other  half  are  either  in 
the  grip  of  false  religions  or  are 
such  nominal  Christians  that  they 
know  nothing  of  the  “new  birth.” 

The  Sunday  schools  of  America 
have  the  means  in  their  trained 
teachers,  their  Bible  classes,  and 
their  organized  workers  to  go  out 
and  reach  the  unreached  for  Christ. 
There  may  be  little  glamor  and  no 
big  headlines,  but  they  can  have 
the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that 
they  are  doing  the  greatest  work  in 
the  world. 

The  task  cannot  be  accomplished 
without  prayer.  One  great  reason 
the  apostolic  church  was  such  a 
great  soul-winning  church  was  its 
power  in  prayer.  Every  member  of 
the  Sunday  school  from  the  super- 
intendent down  to  the  lowliest  mem- 
ber of  the  smallest  Bible  class 
should  have  a personal  prayer  list. 
Remember  prospects  in  prayer  and 
ask  the  guidance  of  the  Holy  Spirit 
in  teaching  the  word,  in  personal 
visits,  and  in  persuading  individuals 
to  make  their  decisions  for  Christ 

— National  Sunday  School  Assoc. 


all  who  take  the  first  steps  of  faith, 
for  all  who  have  long  known  their 
Lord,  this  book  is  the  indispensable 
book.  By  it  their  faith  is  kept  warm 
and  glowing.  By  it  their  conduct 
as  Christians  is  guided.  Without  it 
they  cannot  live  as  Christians.  You 
cannot  create  and  maintain  the  be- 
lieving man  without  it;  you  cannot 
create  the  church  without  it;  you 
cannot  reach  without  it  the  great 
unhappy  striving  multitudes  of  the 
world  for  the  redemption  of  their 
life.  The  Bible  must  be  in  their 
hands”  (Eric  M.  North,  Purposes 
and  Processes) . World-wide  distribu- 
tion of  the  Scriptures  is  our  com- 
mon task,  the  task  of  the  Menno- 
nites  and  the  task  of  the  American 
Bible  Society. 


568 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  youth 


i 


I was  wishing  I could  fall 

through  the  floor.  But  the  floor 
didn’t  open.  It  never  does. 


structions.  He  sad,  “Today,  we  are 
to  study  the  live  paramecium  under 
the  microscope.  You  are  to  look  for 
certain  characteristics  described  in 
your  instructions.  Observe  the  cilia, 
minute  hairlike  projections  used  in 
the  locomotion  of  the  animal.  Care- 
fully observe  and  study,  and  then 
make  a recording  or  drawing  of 
your  own  observations.  Let  me  cau- 
tion you,'  draw  only  what  you  your- 
self see.”  He  then  left  the  room, 
leaving  us  in  the  care  of  an  assist- 
ant. 

It  was  very  important  to  me  that 
I finish  my  given  assignment  with- 
in the  allotted  two-hour  lab  period, 
because  I was  working  olf-campus 
for  my  board  and  room.  There  just 
was  not  time  for  me  to  return  to 
the  lab  for  make-up  work,  if  I 
failed  to  complete  the  lesson  during 
the  period.  Accordingly  I didn’t  fool 


AS  if  it  were  yesterday,  I recall 
the  simple  lesson  in  plain  hon- 
esty which  Professor  Fred  Elmer 
Pomeroy,  of  Bates  College,  Lewis- 
ton, Me.,  taught  us  freshmen  in 
biology  class. 

Eager,  fresh  young  students,  we 
faced  “Prof  Pom”  that  day  in  the 
laboratory  — with  microscopes  in 
front  of  us,  and  with  textbooks  and 
notebooks  closed.  Each  student  had 
a sheet  of  mimeographed  instruc- 
tions and  a sheet  of  drawing  paper. 

The  professor  stood  in  front  of 
the  class,  enlarging  a bit  on  the  in- 


The Right 

0.  K. 


by  Lola  Mitchell  Sigel 


September  15,  1959 


569 


any  time  away,  but  attended  strict- 
ly to  business. 

Our  lab  periods  were  two  hours 
long.  For  an  hour  and  a half,  I 
kept  one  eye  squinted  and  glued  to 
that  microscope,  while  I shifted 
back  and  forth  the  glass  slide,  try- 
ing to  keep  the  little  beast  within 
the  field  of  vision.  He  scooted  in 
and  out  like  a firefly.  Now  I saw 
him,  now  I didn’t.  Ever  the  will-o’- 
the  wisp.  Occasionally  I groped 
blindly  for  my  pencil,  only  to  drop 
it  pronto  to  return  to  guiding  the 
slide.  Every  student  was  doing  the 
same. 

Conversation  around  the  room 
went  like  this;  “Can  you  see  any- 
thing?” “No.  I can’t  keep  him  still 
long  enough.”  “Can  anybody  see 
those  cilia  things  that  make  him 
go?”  “What  about  that  buccal 
groove,  anyone  seen  that?”  And 
then  suddenly  some  bright  student 
produced  a book.  Sure  enough,  there 
the  paramecium  was,  all  drawn  and 
labeled.  “Quick,  let’s  see  it,”  went 
the  cry. 

And  the  book  with  the  picture 
traveled  around  the  room.  We  all 
looked  longingly  at  the  parameci- 
um’s  likeness,  and  then  returned 
sighing  to  our  microscopes.  Nobody 
had  said  that  we  couldn’t  look  at  a 
picture  or  read  about  him  in  a book. 
But  the  professor  had  plainly  > and 
emphatically  said  that  we  were  to 
draw  only  what  we  actually  saw 
under  the  microscope.  Our  mimeo- 
graphed instructions  so  stated,  too. 
And  there  was  the  rub. 

However,  by  now,  with  the  help 
of  their  imaginations,  the  book  pic- 
ture, and  wishful  thinking,  almost 
every  student  was  getting  down  on 


paper  a pretty  good  likeness  of  a 
paramecium.  I watched  with  envy 
the  girl  at  the  next  table.  She  was  a 
real  artist  and  was  drawing  a beau- 
tiful picture,  even  better  than  the 
book  one.  Naively  I asked  her,  “Did 
you  see  all  that  through  the  micro- 
scope?” 

“No.  But  what’s  the  difference? 
It’s  all  in  the  book.” 

Heart-heavy  with  despair,  I re- 
turned to  my  microscope.  I could 
not,  and  would  not,  copy  the  book 
picture  or  another  student’s  draw- 
ing. My  father  had  seen  to  that  part 
of  my  character.  But  how  was  I to 
draw  something,  clearly  and  accur- 
ately, which  streaked  in  meteoric 
flight  across  my  vision? 

The  crucial  part  of  the  last  hour 
was  drawing  near,  when  the  profes- 
sor would  return  to  put  his  stamp 
of  approval  or  disapproval  on  our 
work.  If  we  couldn’t  get  that  covet- 
ed okay,  then  our  lesson  was  incom- 
plete, and  we’d  have  to  make  it  up 
later,  on  our  own  time. 

Professor  Pomeroy  came  into  the 
room  with  his  usual  genial  smile 
and  a searchlight  in  his  eyes.  The 
line  began  forming  to  receive  the 
precious  okay.  To  the  first  student, 
he  said,  “Yes,  but  did  you  actually 
see  this?”  And  he  pointed  to  the 
“this.”  To  each  student  in  turn  he 
made  the  same  query. 

The  answer  was,  “No — but — ” 
The  student  would  get  no  further 
than  the  “but”  before  he  would  be 
sent  back  to  look  again  carefully. 

Finally  came  my  turn.  I had  not 
gone  up  with  the  rest.  I sat  with 
tears  spilling  out,  and  in  shame.  I 
hoped  he  would  not  notice  that  I 
was  there,  that  he  would  skip  me. 


From  a Canadian  frontier,  here’s  the  report  of  a 


Mining 

Town 

Witness 


Four  hundred  air  miles  north 
of  Winnipeg,  Manitoba,  there 
is  a new  town  taking  shape.  About 
three  thousand  men  are  presently 
employed  in  developing  the  world’s 
second  largest  nickel  mine.  This  in- 
volves the  mine  itself,  the  smelter, 
the  refinery,  and  the  residences  a- 
long  with  a twelve  room  school, 
thirty-five  bed  hospital,  thirty-five 
room  hotel,  stores,  etc.  Thompson 
has  been  planned  for  an  initial  pop- 


I wished  to  fall  through  the  floor. 
But  the  floor  didn’t  open  to  receive 
me.  It  never  does.  Finally  he  said, 
“And  yours.  Miss  Mitchell?  Let’s 
see  your  drawing.” 

I dabbed  at  my  eyes  and  mum- 
bled, “I  haven’t  any  drawing.” 

Oh,  if  only  he  would  spare  me,  I 
thought,  but  he  came  over  to  the 
table.  Picking  up  my  tear-stained, 
smudgy  paper,  he  took  it  to  the 
front  of  the  class.  By  now  I was 
weeping  silently. 

How  little  I knew  his  methods!^ 
And  how  little  did  I realize  the 
great  lesson  he  was  trying  to  teach! 
He  spoke  to  the  class:  “This  stu- 
dent, who  has  nothing  on  her  paper 
but  a blank,  has  done  the  best  and 
most  honest  work  of  all  today.  No 
one  of  you  actually  saw  what  you 
drew.  You  were  not  meant  to.  This 
lesson  was  to  teach  the  honest,  sci- 
entific approach  to  true  science. 

“Next  time  we  shall  arrange  mat- 
ters so  that  you  really  can  see  the 
paramecium.  We  shall  use  on  the 
slides  a gelatinous  substance  which 
will  hold  him  fast  so  that  he  can- 
not move.  And  then  without  dif- 
ficulty you  can  record  what  you  see. 

“The  scientist  does  not  go  for- 
ward to  advance  his  cause,  relying 
on  the  efforts  of  another.  There  is 
always  the  chance  that  you  may  be 
the  one  to  discover  something  yet 
undreamed.” 

Joy  and  relief  flooded  through  my 
soul.  We  were  chastened  but  wiser 
as  we  left  the  laboratory. 

I wish  that  Professor  Pomeroy 
might  knpw  the  truly  great  inspira- 
tion he  was  to  so  many  students, 
and  that  I might  be  one  who  re- 
turns to  give  thanks. 

— Young  People,  by  permission 


ulation  of  8000  but  conditions  are 
favorable  for  a much  larger  devel- 
opment. 

In  this  new  frontier  town,  where 
pioneers  have  modern  sewage  dis- 
posal, water  works,  electricity,  dial 
telephone,  and  taxi  service,  efforts 
are  being  made  by  various  church 
groups  to  establish  the  Christian 
church.  The  Anglican  and  United 
churches  co-operate  by  alternating 
services  in  a house  set  aside  for 


570 


THE  MENNONITE 


community  use,  and  an  interdenom- 
inational mission  is  building  a com- 
bination house-church.  The  Menno- 
nite  effort  is  being  spearheaded  by 
the  activities  of  a group  of  Chris- 
tian young  m.en  who  organized  into 
a Voluntary  Service  unit. 

Our  unit?  This  is  the  way  it  be- 
gan. The  Canadian  Mennonite  Bible 
College  fellows  who  had  been  led 
of  God  (as  we  see  it  now)  in  find- 
ing jobs  here  in  Thompson  a year 
ago,  rather  casually  suggested  re- 
turning this  last  summer.  The  Gen- 
eral Conference  Board  of  Christian 
Service  encouraged  the  idea  and 
strongly  suggested  the  formation  of 
a unit.  Through  the  contacts  of  the 
fellows,  jobs  were  found  for  sev- 
eral others.  We  were  challenged  to 
go  as  an  organized  group  of  Chris- 
tians with  some  definite  goals  be- 
yond merely  earning  the  needed 
school  money.  The  first  formal  or- 
ganizational meeting  was  held  May 
14,  1959,  when  purposes  and  goals 
were  agreed  upon. 


It  was  felt  that  in  order  to  en- 
courage an  inter-Mennonite  or  per- 
haps an  inter-denominational  unh. 
we  should  not  officially  become  pari 
of  the  G.  C.  summer  service  pro- 
gram. To  encourage  individual  in- 
itiative and  a personal  sense  of 
responsibility  in  our  venture,  we 
decided  against  electing  a unit  lead- 
er. The  secretary,  Tony  Enns,  would 
act  as  contact  man.  Jake  Friesen 
was  elected  treasurer. 

Qualifications  for  membership 
were  threefold: 

I.  A dedicated  Christian. 

II.  Interested  in  our  purpose: 

A.  To  witness  to  fellow-workers 
(and  their  families). 

B.  To  experience  intimate  Chris- 
tian fellowship. 

C.  To  evaluate  our  witness  and 
to  seek  new  and  permanent 
avenues  of  witness. 

III.  Willingness  to  pay  a unit  fee  of 
ten  dollars  a month. 

The  meeting  was  closed  in  prayer 
where  each  one  dedicated  himself 


to  the  task  and  asked  for  guidance 
and  blessing  from  God. 

It  was  an  interesting  beginning 
but  only  the  beginning. 

By  the  middle  of  July  our  unit 
had  grown  to  twelve  members. 
Among  us  were  students  from  Can- 
adian Mennonite  Bible  College, 
Mennonite  Brethren  Bible  College, 
Bethel  College,  university,  and 
teachers’  college,  plus  two  teachers. 

Presently,  some  hold  quite  re- 
sponsible positions  such  as  drag-line 
operating  and  supervision,  basement 
construction,  but  most  of  us  are 
regular  laborers  in  the  construction 
of  Thompson’s  first  group  of  homes. 

There  is  a large  variety  of  men 
that  we  work  with.  Some  are  young, 
adventurous,  and  seeking  wealth; 
some  are  hardened  by  a rough,  god- 
less life;  others  are  just  ordinary 
citizens  seeking  temporary  employ- 
ment. 

About  half  of  the  people  are  new 
Canadians.  To  these  men  lies  our 
first  responsibility  in  witnessing  of 
the  life-giving  power  of  our  God. 
And  that  is  why  our  first  request 
resulted  in  the  “buil-cock’s”  excla- 
mation: “Close  friends,  but  don’t 
want  to  live  together  in  one  cabin! 
I don’t  get  it!” 

Living  with  the  other  men  has 
resulted  in  closer  acquaintances  and 
offered  good  opportunities  for  cas- 
ual God-centered  discussions.  Often 
we  have  been  amazed  at  their  ig- 
norance of  the  gospel.  At  the  same 
time  we  have  seen  the  worship  of 
money  and  social  prestige,  appal- 
ling indifference  to  life,  resignation 
to  fate,  confirmed  atheism,  as  well 
as  complete  absence  of  morals.  But 
there  are  also  those  who  hesitat- 
ingly or  openly  discuss  their  inter- 
est in  the  Christian  life. 

Tiring,  long  work  days  in  a fron- 
tier environment  have  caused  us  to 
appreciate  the  intimate  Christian 
fellowship  of  our  weekly  unit  meet- 
ings of  Bible  discussion,  exhorta- 
tion, and  prayer. 

Following  our  devotional  periods, 
we  plan  and  discuss  avenues  of  wit- 
ness. New  avenues  are  discussed  as 
opportunities  arise.  Sunday  school 
work  opened  up  as  our  first  major 
activity  when  the  co-operating  Unit- 
ed-Anglican  church  stopped  Sunday 
school  for  the  summer  months.  Or- 
ganizing and  ordering  Sunday 
school  materials  proved  more  com- 
plicated in  this  northern  commu- 


The  setting  for  the  upper  picture  is  the  top  bunk  in  one  of  the  cabins. 
i The  occasion:  one  of  the  weekly  Bible  discussions.  Pictured  are  several 
of  the  fellows  who  were  in  the  Thompson  unit  this  last  summer:  (left  to 
right)  Hielke  DeJong,  Bernie  Klassen,  George  Peters,  Henry  Engbrecht, 
;i  Ted  Klassen,  Jake  Friesen,  Tony  Enns,  John  Franz,  and  John  Pankratz. 
■ The  lower  picture  shows  the  Burntwood  River  which  the  town  of 
I;  Thompson  mil  straddle. 

\ 

f September  15,  1959 


571 


nity  than  had  been  expected.  Twelve 
hour  work  days  proved  to  be  an 
obvious  hindrance  in  preparation  as 
well  as  in  contacting  the  many  pros- 
pective Sunday  school  pupils.  Plac- 
ing of  Bibles  into  the  homes  of  our 
Sunday  school  pupils  is  in  the  plan- 
ning stage. 

At  the  local  church  service,  at 
which  over  half  the  congregation 
sometimes  is  composed  of  unit  mem- 
bers, the  unit  quartet  has  occasion- 
ally sung.  By  practicing  in  various 
cabins  they  have  awakened  interest 
among  some  who  would  not  follow 
our  invitation  to  church. 

Our  first  effort  at  showing  a 


our  schools 

HIGH  ENROLLMENT  AT  RJC 

In  spite  of  below  average  econom- 
ic conditions  in  many  areas  of  Sask., 
present  registration  at  Rosthern 
Junior  College  indicates  that  ap- 
proximately 185  students  will  be  en- 
rolled when  classes  begin  on  Sept. 
24.  Although  this  figure  approaches 
the  saturation  point  for  present  fa- 
cilities at  the  school,  the  problem  of 
accommodation  has  not  been  as 
acute  as  anticipated  because  of  rath- 
er favorable  distribution  in  enroll- 
ment by  class.  In  addition  to  the 
over-all  student  record,  it  is  possible 
that  another  record  will  be  estab- 
lished in  terms  of  the  number  of 
graduates.  Present  registration  in- 
dicates that  the  Bible  department 
will  also  experience  a substantial 
increase  in  enrollment. 

The  students  enrolling  in  RJC 
eome  from  various  urban  and  rural 
communities  and  represent  the  four 
western  provinces.  The  majority  of 
students  are  of  Mennonite  back- 
ground but  there  is  also  representa- 
tion from  the  United  Church,  Lu- 
theran Church,  Church  of  God, 
Evangelical  Free  Church,  and  Rus- 
sian Orthodox  Church.  All  students 
are  required  to  take  the  standard 
religious  instruction  offered  by  the 
school. 

There  have  been  no  major  con- 
struction projects  on  the  campus 
this  summer.  However,  there  are 
three  major  “installation”  projects 
being  worked  on  at  the  present 
time.  The  water  and  sewer  installa- 
tions and  the  automatic  bell  sys- 


Moody  science  film  resulted  in  dis- 
appointment— the  film  didn’t  arrive 
on  time.  Since  approximately  400 
men  had  been  turned  away  from  the 
planned  two  showings,  we  plan,  God 
willing,  to  attempt  the  avenue  of 
Christian  films  again. 

Sunday  afternoon  English  classes 
for  new  Canadians  have  not  proven 
quite  as  successful  as  expected,  par- 
tially due  to  work  opportunities  for 
those  willing  to  work  Sundays. 

Plans  to  support  several  daily  va- 
cation Bible  school  teachers  for 
Thompson  were  not  abandoned  but 
only  postponed  until  next  summer. 
The  need  is  clearly  evident. 


tern  are  scheduled  to  go  into  opera- 
tion when  school  begins.  The  third 
project,  the  installation  of  modem 
institutional  laundry  equipment, 
which  is  being  supplied  by  the  Col- 
lege Ladies’  Auxiliary,  will  be  put 
into  operation  later  this  year.  We 
are  grateful  to  God  for  creating  the 
possibilities  that  these  milestone 
improvements  could  be  instituted  at 
the  school.  The  Board  of  Directors 
continues  to  appeal  to  churches  and 
individuals  to  assist  them  as  they 
seek  to  provide  facilities  that  are 
worthy  of  the  young  people  who 
represent  the  majority  of  church 
leadership  and  membership  of  the 
future. 

The  official  opening  at  RJC  will 
take  place  in  the  Rosthem  Menno- 
nite Church,  Sept.  27,  2:00  p.m.  Er- 
land  Waltner,  president  of  Menno- 
nite Biblical  Seminary  and  of  the 
General  Conference,  will  be  the 
guest  speaker. 

NIGHT  CLASSES  OFFERED 

Six  night  classes  totaling  12  quar- 
ter hours  of  college  credit  will  be 
offered  during  the  fall  quarter  at 
Bethel  College. 

A special  feature  will  be  the  or- 
chestra sessions  meeting  on  'Tues- 
day nights  under  the  combined  di- 
rection of  Dr.  Rupert  Hohmann  of 
Bethel  and  Gary  Fletcher  of  the 
Newton  Public  Schools.  Students 
may  earn  up  to  one  hour  per  quar- 
ter college  credit  if  they  qualify  for 
enrollment.  First  meeting  will  be 
September  8th  in  Maple  HaU.  All 
interested  persons  are  encouraged 
to  participate  even  though  not  in- 
terested in  college  credit. 


What  will  happen  when  the  unit 
is  gone?  Some  of  the  activities  and 
much  of  the  Christian  enthusiasm 
will  come  to  an  end.  Or  will  the  few 
resident  Christians  take  up  and  im- 
prove our  humble  efforts?  Perhaps. 
The  crucial  question  raised  in  our 
midst  is:  Does  God  want  one  or 

more  of  us  to  stay  here  this  winter? 
Or  is  He  perhaps  inviting  you  to 
Thompson? 

— Ivan  Unger  and  Tony  Enns 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People's  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  722 
Main  St.,  Newton,  Kansas. 


Meeting  on  Monday  nights  will 
be  courses  in  Galatians  and  Romans 
(3  hrs)  taught  by  Vernon  Neufeld; 
Public  and  Professional  Relations 
of  Teachers  (3  hrs)  taught  by  Er- 
vin H.  Schmidt;  and  swimming  (1 
hr)  taught  by  Milton  Goering. 

On  Tuesday  nights  Mildred  Beech- 
er will  teach  a course  in  First  Aid 
(1  hr),  and  on  Wednesday  nights 
Dr.  P.  E.  Schellenberg  will  teach 
Tests  and  Measurements  (3  hrs). 

Prospective  students  may  register 
during  the  regular  enrollment  pe- 
riods held  through  the  week  of  Sep- 
tember 7th  or  during  the  first  eve- 
ning each  class  meets,  September 
14,  15,  or  16th.  Further  informa- 
tion may  be  obtained  from  the 
dean’s  office  or  from  the  college 
catalog. 

THREE  NEW  FACULTY  MEMBERS 

Classes  began  at  Freeman  Junior 
College  began  Sept.  1.  A two-day 
faculty  workshop  and  retreat  was 
held  Aug.  27-28  with  Olin  Krehbiel, 
pastor  of  the  Salem-Zion  Church 
near  Freeman,  as  the  special  speak- 
er. The  rest  of  the  time  was  de- 
voted to  committee  planning  and 
fellowship  gatherings. 

The  formal  school  opening  was 
held  Sunday  evening.  Sept.  6 with 
Abe  Wiebe  as  speaker. 

New  faculty  members  this  year 
include  Wayne  Parry,  coach  and 
commercial  teacher,  graduate  of 
Sioux  Falls  College;  Mary  Bixler, 
home  economics,  and  James  Nuss- 
baum,  math  and  physics,  both 
graduates  of  Goshen  College. 


572 


THE  MENNONITE 


BETHEL  BOARD  MEETS 

“On  to  Bethel  Club”  interest  rates 
were  increased  from  three  to  four 
per  cent  in  one  of  several  matters 
considered  by  the  Bethel  College 
Board  of  Directors,  Sept.  1st. 

Other  items  discussed  covered 
routine  procedures  and  organization 
for  the  coming  school  year.  Pro- 
cedures for  selection  of  a college 
president  and  college  corporation 
charter  provisions  were  also  con- 
sidered. 

The  “On  to  Bethel  Club”  is  com- 
posed of  over  200  members  and  de- 
positors who  pay  periodically  to- 
ward a future  college  education  for 
younger  members  of  the  family. 
Acting  President  J.  Winfield  Fretz 
maintains  that  ‘for  many  people 
this  is  an  excellent  savings  plan 
and  further  guarantees  that  a col- 
lege education  will  be  available 
when  needed.” 

MCC  news  and  notes 

MCC  WORK  TO  BEGIN  IN  BOLIVIA 

AKRON — Meeting  at  Akron  Aug. 
29,  the  MCC  Exectuive  Committee 
took  action  to  close  the  relief  pro- 
gram in  Lebanon  and  to  open  a new 
unit  in  Bolivia. 

Following  his  July  visit  to  the 
Middle  East,  Executive  Secretary 
William  T.  Snyder  recommended 
that  with  the  cessation  of  the  Leb- 
anon emergency  the  material  aid 
program  there  be  terminated  and 
the  Lebanon  Em_ergency  Relief 
Fund  be  closed.  The  emergency  re- 
lief project  in  Beirut  was  begun  in 
mid-1958  because  of  the  urgent 
need  which  had  resulted  from  civil 
I war. 

To  advance  the  agricultural  pro- 
gram of  Bolivia  two  two-man  P8ix 
teams  will  work  as  part  of  Servicio 
Agricola  Interamericano  (U.  S. 
Point  Four  in  Bolivia) . It  is  planned 
that  two  Paxmen  will  be  stationed 
next  to  the  Mennonite  colonies  a- 
bout  15  miles  northeast  of  Santa 
Cruz,  while  two  will  live  in  the  Co- 
chabamba valley  where  work  will 
be  concentrated  on  dairy  and  milk 
production.  An  MCC  nurse  will 
serve  at  the  Santa  Cruz  clinic  in  the 
Mennonite  colonies. 

Other  Executive  Committee  ac- 
tions Aug.  29  included: 

Approving  plans  for  an  expanded 
witness  in  northern  Haiti  in  co- 
operation with  the  Haitian  govern- 


ment and  the  United  States  Opera- 
tions Missions. 

Referring  to  Peace  Section  the 
invitation  from  the  Church  of  the 
Brethren  to  study  whether  there 
might  be  a positive  alternative  pro- 
vided by  the  U.  S.  government  for 
persons  conscientiously  opposed  to 
paying  that  portion  of  income  taxes 
going  for  military  defense. 

Redeveloping  the  widows’  sewing 
project  at  Taegu,  Korea,  so  they 
may  earn  their  living  as  an  active 
part  of  the  community  in  which 
they  live. 

MEDICAL  UNIT  FOR  MID-1960 

VIETNAM — Plans  for  a mobile 
medical  unit  in  central  Vietnam  are 
moving  ahead.  As  a co-operative 
venture  between  the  Evangelical 
Church  of  Vietnam  and  MCC,  the 
proposed  project  would  begin  in 
mid-1960  following  termination  of 
the  medical  program  at  Banme- 
thout.  The  Banmethout  clinic  and 
leprosarium,  for  which  MCC  cur- 
rently provides  nine  staff  members, 
will  become  the  full  responsibility 
of  the  Christian  and  Missionary  Al- 
liance in  July,  1960. 

In  a letter  Aug.  5,  inviting  MCC 
to  share  in  the  new  medical  witness 
in  rural  Vietnam,  President  Le  van 
Thai  of  the  Evangelical  Church 
wrote,  “We  have  been  always  grate- 
ful to  the  Mennonite  Central  Com- 
mittee and  we  pray  that  your  work 
shadl  be  successful  for  the  glory  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ.” 

Over-all  administrative  responsi- 
bility for  the  projected  program  in- 
cluding the  spiritual  ministry  will 
be  directed  by  the  Vietnam  church. 
The  church  will  also  provide  capital, 
operating  budget  and  certain  per- 
sonnel. The  Mennonite  contribution 
will  probably  include  a doctor  cou- 
ple, two  nurses,  a vehicle,  some 
drugs,  and  medical  equipment. 

“In  ascertaining  the  medical 
needs  of  Vietnam,”  MCC  Executive 
Secretary  William  T.  Snyder  said 
following  his  June  visit,  “I  found  all 
signs  pointing  toward  a mobile 
clinic  in  the  rural  areas  where  there 
is  scarcely  any  medical  service  a- 
vailable.  Dr.  A.  E.  Brown  of  the 
World  Health  Organization  pointed 
out  that  three-fourths  of  Vietnam’s 
400  doctors  are  located  in  Saigon 
where  the  hospital  facilities  are  bet- 
ter than  elsewhere  in  the  country. 

“Adrian  Van  der  Bremdeler,  a 
Dutch  attorney  serving  with  the 


World  Council  of  Churches  in  Viet- 
nam, in  his  study  of  the  country  has 
found  extremely  bad  conditions  and 
urged  the  national  church  to  do 
something  about  Vietnam’s  medical 
needs.  President  Thai  iterated  that 
the  Evangelical  Church  would  like 
to  combine  evangelism  with  a medi- 
cal program  to  reach  those  who  are 
outside  the  Christian  fellowship.” 

PAKIS  NURSE  SHARES  IMPRESSIONS 

INDONESIA  — “Communication, 
or  a lack  of  it,  is  my  biggest  frustra- 
tion just  now,”  writes  Ruth  E. 
Hartzler  R.N.  (Goshen,  Ind.)  after 
eight  weeks  in  Pakis,  Java.  “But  I 
frequently  take  courage  from  the 
fact  that  it  probably  would  be  more 
difficult  had  I not  been  able  to  spend 
three  months  in  the  Netherlands 
studying  the  Indonesian  language. 
To  see  slow  but  steady  progress 
in  understanding  the  language  and 
increasing  vocabulary  is  a real  en- 
couragement.” 

Ruth  indicates  that  the  easy-going 
temperament  of  the  Indonesians  has 
impressed  her;  “I  had  heard  much 
about  the  slower  pace  of  life  here, 
but  hardly  expected  to  find  that 
people  very  rarely  get  upset  and 
angry.  Perhaps  low  hemoglobin  is 
a contributing  factor,  but  I doubt 
it!  Rather  it  seems  to  be  a part  of 
their  cultural  heritage.  'This  is  a 
pleasant  contrast  to  our  western 
way  of  living  where  heated  tempers 
are  too  common.” 

jottings 

MCC  AND  PAX  WORK  DISCUSSED 

First  Church^  Sugarcreek,  Ohio: 
Family  night  was  held  at  the  church 
on  Aug.  3.  Marlin  Gerber  was  in 
charge  of  the  program.  Panel  mem- 
bers for  a discussion  on  MCC  and 
Pax  work  were:  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wil- 
liam Ewert,  Mrs.  Lester  Hostetler, 
Mrs.  Ernest  Raber,  Jr.,  Mrs.  Earl 
Shutt,  Lois  Shutt,  Shirley  Mutschel- 
knaus,  and  Marlin  Gerber.  A fare- 
well reception  was  given  for  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Earl  Shutt  who  left  Aug. 
14  for  Austria.  The  Bethel  College 
Chorale  presented  a program  in  our 
church  on  Aug.  18.  The  executive 
committee  of  Youth  Fellowship 
made  preparations.  The  Youth  Con- 
ference of  the  Eastern  Ohio  Men- 
nonite Churches  was  held  in  our 
church  Aug.  29-30.  The  theme  of  the 
conference  was  “Neither  Hot  nor 
Cold.”  A committee  known  as  the 


September  15,  1959 


573 


Board  of  Christian  Education  was 
recently  organized.  It  consists  of 
nine  members  who  meet  once  a 
month  to  discuss  concerns  of  the 
church  program.  An  all  day  relief 
meeting  of  sewing  was  held  at  the 
church  on  July  25.  A number  of 
comforters  and  quilts  were  made. — 
Mrs.  Ernest  Gross 

CHICAGO  CHILDREN  VISIT 

Bethesda  Church,  Henderson, 
Neb.:  Eleven  homes  in  our  congre- 
gation enjoyed  Chicago  children  as 
guests  in  their  homes  for  two 
weeks.  The  Jr.  and  Inter.  S.  S. 
Dept,  raised  funds  for  transporta- 
tion. The  following  were  in  summer 
VS  work;  Irene  Friesen,  Patsy 
Janzen,  Marilyn  Mierau,  Marcella 
Thieszen,  Erna  Thieszen,  Velma 
Kroeker,  Erwin  and  Ivan  Friesen, 
and  Donald  Quiring.  Fourteen 
young  people  attended  the  Inter. 
Retreat  at  Swan  Lake,  Vilborg,  S. 
D.,  the  week  of  July  27.  Ten  more 
were  at  young  people’s  retreat  the 
following  week.  Pastor  Gaeddert  as- 
sisted with  the  retreat  at  Camp 
Mennoscah  for  one  week.  The  Gaed- 
dert family  spent  their  vacation  in 
Colo.  Children’s  Day  was  observed 
June  14.  Christmas  bundles  were 
dedicated  at  close  of  service.  In  the 
evening  the  children’s  choir  con- 
ducted by  Pastor  Gaeddert,  present- 
ed a program.  The  young  married 
couples’  fellowship  planned  a recep- 
tion and  grocery  shower  for  the 
Bernhard  Retzlaff’s,  who  helped 
with  the  church  work  this  summer. 
DVBS  was  held  in  early  summer 
with  Mrs.  James  Regier  supervis- 
ing the  program.  On  Pentecost  day 
39  young  people  were  baptized.  Com- 
munion was  observed  in  the  eve- 
ning. Children  were  consecrated  on 
Mother’s  Day.  Willard  Claassen  di- 
rected a clinic  for  DVBS  teachers. 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Merle  Schwartz,  mis- 
sionaries to  the  Congo  spoke  June  7. 
The  Wesley  Van  Nattans  reported 
on  their  work  in  Tanganyika  on 
July  28.  Recent  weddings  include 
Nadine  Janzen  and  Alvin  L.  Peters, 
Aug.  2;  Marilyn  Janzen  and  Ronald 
Hiebner,  June  16;  Rozella  Schmidt 
and  Oren  Click,  June  27.  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Dan  Goertzen  held  open  house 
July  12  in  observance  of  their  25th 
wedding  anniversary. — Mrs.  D.  P. 
Ratzlaff 

YOUTH  HOST  RALLY 

Lehigh  Church,  Lehigh,  Kan.:  In 
May  our  Men’s  Fellowship  cleaned 
and  painted  posts  and  cables  around 
our  cemetery.  Memorial  services 
were  held  there  May  30.  A.  R.  Ebel 
of  Tabor  College  brought  the  morn- 
ing message  May  31.  In  the  eve- 


ning our  young  people  were  hosts 
for  the  youth  rally  and  fellowship 
of  this  area.  June  14  we  commem- 
orated Children’s  Day  with  a pro- 
gram and  dedication  of  Christmas 
bundles.  In  the  evening  our  young 
people  gave  a program  at  the  Sa- 
lem Hospital  in  Hillsboro.  July  and 
Aug.,  Sun.  evening  services  were 
again  shared  by  Lehigh  and  Hills- 
boro churches  on  the  lawn  of  the 
First  Church,  Hillsboro.  Pastor  P. 
W.  Goering  and  family  attended  the 
Bluffton  Conference.  Harvey  Jantz 
brought  the  morning  message  Aug. 
9.  The  men  were  in  charge  of  the 
service  Aug.  23. — Mrs.  Wm.  Hiebert 

PASTOR  AND  WIFE  HONORED 

United  Church,  Rosthern,  Sask.: 
Every  fall  of  the  year  we  begin  our 
children’s  hour  every  Thurs.  eve. 
About  50  to  70  children  of  different 
nationalities  and  churches  attend. 
Our  project  last  winter  was  to  gath- 
er 600  Testaments  for  Greece  since 
one  of  our  boys  from  Rosthern  was 
serving  in  Pax  in  Greece.  Eight 
teachers  were  in  charge  of  the 
classes,  supervising  hand-work, 
Bible  stories  and  singing,  and  film- 
st  ips  on  the  Life  of  Christ.  By 
spring  we  reached  our  goal.  As  a 
special  treat  at  the  closing  program 
the  Gideon  Society  of  Rosthern,  to 
whom  we  gave  the  money  for  the 
Testaments,  gave  each  child  and 
teacher  a Gideon  New  Testament. 
Delegates  for  the  Centennial  Conf. 
at  Bluffton,  were  Pastor  J.  C. 
Schmidt,  David  Reimer,  and  Mrs. 
Joe  Neufeld.  Minnie  Goertzen  and 
Agnes  Koop  were  delegates  for  the 
women’s  sessions.  Pastor  and  Mrs. 
J.  C.  Schmidt  celebrated  their  25th 
wedding  recently.  Their  family  and 
many  friends  and  relatives  gath- 
ered to  praise  and  thank  the  Lord 
for  His  leading.  'There  were  mes- 
sages of  congratulations  by  some 
of  the  minister  brethren;  the  Ladies’ 
Aids  of  the  surrounding  areas 
served  with  songs  and  recitations. 
As  a token  of  appreciation  for  Pas- 
tor Schmidt’s  services,  the  congre- 
gations of  Osier,  Laird,  Horse  Lake, 
and  Rosthern  gave  them  a deep 
freeze  as  well  as  many  useful  gifts. 
The  wedding  cake  was  in  the  form 
of  an  open  Bible  with  Psa.  63:3 
written  on  it.  The  annual  DVBS 
was  held  Aug.  3-7,  with  151  children 
and  25  teachers.  The  closing  pro- 
gram was  held  with  group  songs, 
solos,  musical  items,  and  a skit  on 
the  second  coming  of  Christ.  The 
program  was  enjoyed  by  all  and 
we  fully  believe  this  work  was  not 
in  vain. — Helen  Lesser 

S.  A.  MCC  WORKERS  RETURN 

Hebron  Church,  Buhler,  Kan,: 


“Spiritual  Values  from  your  Vaca-  , 
tion’’  was  the  theme  presented  in 
an  illustrated  message  by  Harris 
Waltner  at  our  July  C.  E.  Meeting. 
Melvin  Goertzen,  Lowell  Klassen, 
Elaine  Neufeldt,  and  Elizabeth  Sie- 
mens were  received  into  the  church 
by  baptism  on  Aug.  2.  In  the  eve- 
ning a welcome  supper  was  held  in  ] 
honor  of  the  Alvin  Becker  family  - 
who  have  returned  from  Monte-  1 
video,  Uruguay,  where  they  spent 
over  two  years  as  MCC  workers. 
They  shared  their  experiences  with 
us  through  message  and  slides.  Pas- 
tor O’Ray  Graber  officiated  at  his 
brother’s  wedding  in  S.  D.,  and  then 
attended  the  Bluffton  Conference. 
During  his  absence  Curt  Siemens 
of  Buhler,  Kan.,  and  Dale  Brown  of 
McPherson  College  conducted  our 
worship  services. 

MISSIONARY  CONFERENCE  HELD 

Emmaus  Church,  Whitewater, 
Kan.:  July  19,  evening,  was  a spe- 
cial farewell  and  commissioning 
service  for  Eleanor  Entz  who  is 
going  to  Honduras  as  a missionary 
nurse.  Pastor  Amstutz  had  charge 
of  the  commissioning  service  and 
Wm.  Taylor,  Gen.  Sec.  of  the  Cen- 
tral American  Mission  was  the 
speaker.  Our  C.  E.  sponsored  a 
missionary  conference  July  29-31. 
Mary  Schrag  was  the  speaker  and 
told  about  her  work  in  India.  John 
Thiessen  showed  slides  of  the  work 
in  Africa,  India,  and  Japan.  There 
was  also  a short  commissioning 
service  for  Virginia  Claassen  who 
has  gone  to  Japan  as  a teacher  of 
missionary  children.  Raymond  Zuer- 
cher  spoke  and  also  showed  slides 
from  Colombia,  S.  A.  Our  pastor 
and  family  and  others  attended  the 
Bluffton  Conference.  Eleven  Negro 
children  from  Chicago  spent  two 
weeks  with  some  of  our  families. 
The  folks  here  enjoyed  them  very 
much. 

CRUSADE  IN  PROGRESS 

East  Swamp  Church,  Quakertown, 
Pa.;  Work  on  our  church  addition 
is  progressing.  This  includes  exten- 
sive alterations  in  the  present 
church  which  prevents  holding  serv- 
ices there.  At  present  we  have  been 
worshiping  at  the  Men-O-Lan  re- 
treat grounds.  Pastor  and  Mrs. 
Sprunger  attended  conference  in 
Bluffton  after  which  they  joined 
their  sons  for  a visit  in  Berne,  Ind. 
Filling  the  pulpit  during  our  pas- 
tor’s absence  were:  Earl  Stover; 
William  Dunn,  a Gideon  representa- 
tive; and  Milton  Morris,  a native  of 
San  Bias  Islands,  Panama.  Three- 
year-old  Robert  Sprunger  was  quite 
ill  upon  returning  from  Indiana 


574 


THE  MENNONITE 


and  had  to  be  taken  to  Allentown 
Hospital.  Hobey  Lowrance,  aviator 
for  Missionary  Aviation  Fellowship, 
spoke  on  Sept.  2.  Marlene  Ruth, 
Robert  and  James  Gerhart,  Jr.,  have 
resumed  studies  at  G.B.I.  John  W. 
George  entered  King’s  College,  N. 
Y.,  and  Janice  Awckland  has  begun 
nurses  training  at  Grand  View  Hos- 
pital. Cottage  prayer  meetings  were 
held  for  the  “Christ  for  Quaker- 
town  Crusade,”  Sept.  13-27,  with  Dr. 
Jack  Murray  as  evangelist. 

ERNEST  BOHNS  RETIRE 

Grace  Church,  Pandora,  Ohio:  On 
the  evening  of  July  15,  the  Lend-A- 
Hand  class  held  a dinner  in  honor 
of  our  pastor’s  wife,  Mrs.  E.  J. 
Bohn,  who  has  been  a member  of 
this  class.  A tribute  was  given  Mrs. 
Bohn  by  their  teacher,  Mrs.  Sidney 
Steiner.  Pastor  Bohn  was  also  a 
guest  at  the  dinner,  who,  with  Mrs. 
Bohn  are  leaving  for  Souderton, 
Pa.,  where  he  will  be  interim  pas- 
tor, after  which  they  will  move  to 
Goshen,  Ind.  Pastor  Bohn  was  also 
honored  on  his  birthday,  July  31, 
with  a surprise  “This  is  your  life” 
program  sponsored  by  the  YPU  and 
witnessed  by  approximately  300 
guests.  Pictures  of  Mr.  Bohn’s  early 
life  were  projected  on  the  screen, 
and  he  was  greeted  on  the  stage  by 
relatives  and  friends,  and  the  voices 
of  his  family  who  were  not  able  to 
be  present  had  been  recorded  and 
reproduced  for  the  occasion.  The 
honored  guest  was  presented  with  a 
scrapbook  depicting  his  past  life 
and  a recording  of  the  evening’s  pro- 
gram. He  has  served  our  church  14 
years.  Virgil  Gerig  of  the  Oak 
Grove  Church  of  Smithville,  Ohio, 
has  accepted  the  call  to  the  pastor- 
ate of  our  church.  He  will  assume 
his  duties  tentatively  as  of  June  1, 
1960.  Wilmer  Shelly,  who  retired  re- 
cently as  supt.  of  the  Old  People’s 
Home  at  Frederick,  Pa.,  now  resid- 
ing at  Blulfton,  will  serve  the 
church  as  interim  pastor  until  Rev. 
Gerig  arrives.  Construction  of  a 
new  parsonage  on  the  lot  east  of 
the  church  has  been  started.  Plans 
are  for  the  house  to  be  finished  by 
the  end  of  the  year. 

mutual  aid  placement 

A brotherly  service  for  the  upbuilding  of 
the  church  community  through  a mutually 
helpful  agency  providing  free  services  in 
the  interest  of  placement  or  re-location. 

WANTED 

Couple  to  live  in  and  care  for  in- 
valid father.  Write:  Mary  Kroeker, 
1531  South  Wichita  Street,  Wichita, 
Kan.  Phone  AM  2-8338.  (No.  596) 


conference  notes 

continued  from  last  page 

MISSIONARIES  ON  THE  MOVE 

According  to  word  received  by 
the  executive  secretary  of  the  Board 
of  Missions,  the  following  have  safe- 
ly reached  their  destination:  Glen- 
don  and  Rita  Klaassen,  Costa  Rica, 
August  28;  Helen  Ens  and  Rita 
Klassen,  Cuauhtemoc,  Mexico,  Aug- 
ust 29;  Mary  Schrag,  Bombay,  In- 
dia, September  6;  Ferd  and  Viola 
Ediger  and  Virginia  Claassen,  Koba- 
yashi,  Japan,  September  8. 

Hulda  Banman,  nurse  at  Kama- 
yala,  Belgian  Congo,  is  moving  to 
Tschikapa  temporarily,  then  to 
Charlesville  to  take  over  from  Mrs. 
John  Zook  as  the  Zooks  will  be 
leaving  for  furlough. 

Mary  Epp,  who  has  passed  her 
exams  in  French  in  Belgium,  left 
September  14  for  Africa  where  she 
will  teach  at  Kamayala. 

Missionaries  returning  to  J^e 
United  States  on  furlough  this 
month  are  the  Hugh  Sprungers 
from  Taiwan  and  Gerald  Stuckj^ 
from  Colombia.  Both  families  are 
at  home  in  Berne,  Ind. 

Harry  and  Ada  Spaeth,  who  have 
been  mission  workers  at  Paint  Rock, 
N.  C.,  for  the  past  three  years,  are 
now  living  in  Elkhart,  Ind.,  where 
Mr.  Spaeth  is  studying  at  Mennonite 
Biblical  Seminary. 

Norman  and  Mary  Bartel,  who 
have  been  serving  the  Hammon, 
Okla.,  church  for  the  past  year,  are 
studying  at  Bethel  College,  N.  New- 
ton, Kan.,  this  year.  Homer  Hart, 
lay  minister  from  Hammon,  is  pres- 
ently serving  as  leader  of  the 
church.  Later  on  in  the  year  Ed- 
ward Duerksen,  former  minister  at 
Carpenter,  S.  D.,  and  his  wife  will 
be  moving  to  Hammon  to  assist  in 
the  work. 

NEW  DVBS  MATERIAL  FOR  INDIA 

Translation  work  on  the  Herald 
Summer  Bible  School  series  is  near- 
ing completion,  according  to  a re- 
cent report  from  Helen  Kornelsen, 
teacher  in  India.  The  book  “Get- 
ting Acquainted  with  the  New  Tes- 
tament” goes  to  press  this  month, 
having  been  translated  into  Hindi 
through  the  joint  efforts  of  Miss 
Kornelsen  and  Eva  Sidh  from  Jag- 
deeshpur.  Marie  Moyer  from  the 


(Old)  Mennonite  mission  in  Dham- 
tari  gave  editoriad  correction  and 
suggestions. 

Miss  Kornelsen  writes  that  she 
is  also  working  on  a Bible  syllabus 
for  the  primary  schools,  using  J.  G. 
Rempel’s  “Biblische  Geschichten 
fuer  den  Sonntag”  as  a primary 
source. 

SUNDAY  SCHOOL  MATERIALS 
TO  BE  DISCUSSED 

The  Western  District  Sunday 
School  Convention  will  hold  its  an- 
nual meeting  on  Oct.  4 in  the  Hal- 
stead (Kansas)  High  School  audi- 
torium. 'The  main  speakers  for  the 
convention  will  be  Mary  Royer  and 
Mrs.  Paul  Erb.  Dr.  Royer  is  the 
consultant  for  the  new  nursery 
graded  Sunday  school  materials. 
Mrs.  Erb  is  one  of  the  writers  for 
the  primary  course. 

NEWS  FROM  THE 

BOARD  OF  CHRISTIAN  SERVICE 

The  following  Volunteers  have  re- 
cently completed  their  term  under 
the  Board  of  Christian  Service:  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Erwen  Graber,  one  year  in 
Philadelphia,  working  with  Negroes; 
Wilmer  Sprunger,  Pax  industrial 
arts  teacher  for  two  years  in  Bel- 
gian Congo;  and  ELfrieda  Rempel, 
nurse  in  Mexico  for  two  years. 

Dennis  Epp,  Paxman  in  Japan, 
has  completed  his  language  study 
in  Kobe  and  is  beginning  his  work 
on  Kyushu  Island,  teaching  English 
and  Bible  classes. 

Leo  Driedger,  associate  executive 
secretary  of  the  Board  of  Christian 
Service,  is  spending  three  months 
in  Chicago,  completing  his  graduate 
work.  Correspondence  regarding 
Voluntary  Service  or  other  business 
should  continue  to  be  addressed  to 
the  Newton  Office. 

The  statements  on  race  relations 
and  on  nuclear  power,  accepted  at 
the  conference  at  Bluffton,  are  being 
printed.  Copies  will  be  available  in 
the  near  future  from  the  Board  of 
Christian  Service,  722  Main,  Newton^ 
Kan. 

REPORTS  GET  WIDE  READING 

As  a result  of  an  editorial  in  a 
recent  issue  of  The  Christiin  Cen- 
tury, requests  from  various  denom- 
inations have  come  to  the  Central 
Offices  for  a copy  of  the  reports  to 
the  conference. 


September  15,  1959 


575 


conference  notes 


MEDICAL  NEEDS  IN  INDIA 

A prayer  request  has  come  from 
Lubin  Jantzen  in  India  stating  the 
great  need  for  more  medical  staff 
for  the  Sewa  Bhawan  Hospital  in 
Jagdeeshpur.  Joe  Duerksen  contin- 
ues as  the  only  doctor,  assisted  by 
Anne  Penner,  R.N.,  and  fifteen  In- 
dian people  serving  as  nurses,  tech- 
nicians, and  office  workers. 

With  adequate  room  for  only 
ninety  patients,  emergency  shelter 
has  been  provided  to  some  extent 
for  the  patient  population  which 
ranged  from  110  to  200  during  the 
summer  months.  According  to  Anne 
Penner,  the  front  verandah  of  the 
hospital  resembled  a bazaar  with 
people  literally  everywhere.  During 
the  rains  it  was  quite  common  to 
see  people  cooking  and  eating  under 
their  umbrellas  in  the  middle  of  the 
compound. 

The  question  arises  as  to  whether 
this  is  a temporary  or  a permanent 
situation.  The  needs  at  present  de- 
mand personnel  to  alleviate  the 
eleven-,  fourteen-,  and  sixteen-hour 
days  put  in  by  the  present  staff 
members,  and  also  additional  pa- 
tient rooms. 

NICHOLAS  DICK  ORDAINED 

The  ordination  of  Nicholas  Dick 
took  place  in  the  United  Mennonite 
Church,  Niagara-on-the-Lake,  Ont., 
Aug.  9.  J.  J.  Thiessen,  pastor  of 
First  Mennonite  Church  in  Saska- 
toon, Sask.,  officiated  at  the  ordi- 
nation and  William  Klassen,  Elk- 
hart, Ind.,  delivered  the  sermon. 

On  Sept.  1 Mr.  Dick  began  his 
duties  as  assistant  pastor  of  the 
First  Church  in  Saskatoon.  He  is  a 
graduate  of  Canadian  Mennonite 
Bible  College,  Bethel  College,  and 
a 1959  graduate  of  Mennonite  Bib- 
lical Seminary. 

RESULTS  OF  A BOOK  VENTURE 

A busy  place  at  the  conference  in 
Bluffton  was  the  display  of  our 
Mennonite  Bookstores.  From  eight 
o’clock  in  the  morning  until  ten- 
thirty  at  night  delegates  and  guests 
could  be  found  browsing  and  pur- 
chasing items  on  display. 

Persons  in  charge  of  the  display 
have  felt  this  to  be  the  most  suc- 
cessful experience  yet  attempted 
both  in  interest  shown  and  pur- 


chases made.  Sales  of  about  $3,700.- 
00  were  realized  and  hundreds  of 
inquiries  were  received  concerning 
the  work  of  the  Conference  book- 
stores. 

Interest  in  books  for  the  family 
continues  to  rate  high  among  Gen- 
eral Conference  ■ Mennonites.  Fam- 
ily devotional  books  and  other  aids 
to  family  religious  life  are  always 
sought  after  at  bookstore  displays. 
Books  for  children  are  also  in  de- 
mand as  parents  concern  themselves 
with  the  need  to  be  selective  in 
what  their  children  read. 

SHARING  ACROSS  THE  COLOR  BAR 

Five  men  ate  three  dinners  in  the 
Atlanta,  Ga.,  Airport  a number  of 
months  ago.  Two  of  these  men  were 
Negroes;  the  three  whites  included 
two  Mennonites,  Guy  Hershberger 
of  Goshen,  Ind.,  and  Elmer  Neufeld, 
Akron,  Pa.  When  the  group  was  told 
that  Negroes  could  not  be  served, 
the  whites  ordered  and  proceeded 
to  share  their  dinners  with  their 
companions. 

While  every  Negro  employee  man- 
aged to  get  a peep  into  the  dining 
room  to  see  the  group  which,  in 
spite  of  getting  only  food  and  uten- 
sils for  three,  was  succeeding  in 
feeding  all  five  of  its  members, 
white  customers  seemed  not  to  no- 
tice. The  meal  ended  with  the  wait- 
ress serving  dessert  to  all  five. 

The  men  were  on  their  way  home 
from  attending  a Southwide  Lead- 
ers Institute  Against  Segregation 
held  in  Atlanta. 

FOOD  SHORTAGE 
THREATENS  INDIA 

Present  food  production  in  India 
must  be  increased  by  55  per  cent 
before  1966  if  the  country  is  to  avoid 
serious  food  shortage,  a thirteen- 
man  team  of  agricultural  production 
experts  recently  warned. 

India’s  population  now  stands  at 
more  than  400,000,000  and  is  increas- 
ing at  a rate  of  nearly  10,000,000 
a year.  At  the  present  time,  ap- 
proximately 70,000,000  tons  of  food 
grains  are  produced  every  year.  To 
feed  its  people  at  subsistence  level 
in  1966,  India  will  need  110,000,000 
tons  of  food  grains  per  year. 

To  reach  this  target  by  1966,  In- 
dia must  increase  its  agricultural 


production  by  8.2  per  cent  a year. 
In  spite  of  all  efforts,  the  present 
rate  of  increase  is  only  3.2  per  cent 
a year. 

The  suggestion  has  been  made 
that  Indian  farmers  be  assured  of 
a floor  price  for  their  good  grains 
to  encourage  them  to  invest  in  fer- 
tilizers and  improved  seeds.  Local 
storage  should  be  provided  for  food 
grains  in  the  villages.  Unemployed 
and  under-employed  should  be  given 
work  in  public  works  programs,  par- 
ticularly irrigation.  There  is  the 
possibility  of  millions  of  acres  of 
land  being  reclaimed  and  made 
more  productive  by  improved  drain- 
age. 

DVBS  IN  MISSISSIPPI 

Summer  Bible  schools  were  con- 
ducted in  six  places  in  Mississippi 
this  last  summer:  North  Gulfport, 
Saucier,  Lyman,  Biloxi,  Mt.  Calvary, 
and  St.  John’s.  During  the  eight- 
week  period  approximately  650  chil- 
dren from  nursery  to  high  school 
were  enrolled.  In  addition  to  the 
Camp  Landon  workers  and  VSers, 
about  thirty-five  people  from  the 
local  Gulfport  community  served  as 
teachers  and  helpers. 

One  VSer  wrote:  “In  a senior 

class  one  of  the  lessons  was  about 
Peter’s  vision  asking  him  to  take 
the  gospel  to  the  Gentiles.  This 
started  a discussion  on  the  similar- 
ity of  Peter’s  problem  to  the  prob- 
lem of  race  relations  today.  ’The 
discussion  ended  with  a student’s 
question:  ‘When  we  get  to  heaven, 
will  God  have  separate  sections  for 
Negroes  and  Whites?’  ’’ 

WINTER  UNIT  IN  DENVER,  COLO. 

Six  to  ten  men  wiU  be  needed  for 
a period  of  time,  from  several  weeks 
to  several  months,  beginning  Oct.  1 
to  help  build  a General  Conference 
Mennonite  Church  in  suburban 
Denver.  Carpenters,  masons,  electri- 
cians, plumbers,  and  maintenance 
men  can  serve  in  this  project.  A 
married  man  may  bring  his  wife  to 
do  the  cooking  for  the  unit.  Hous- 
ing will  be  supplied  in  the  parson- 
age and  house  trailers  may  be 
parked  in  the  area. 

If  interested,  write  immediately 
to  the  Board  of  Christian  Service, 
722  Main,  Newton,  Kan. 


THE  MENNONIT 


Ei.KitAfEMBER  22,  1959 
MAN 

IS  JESUS  CHRIST 


OUNOATION  CAN  NO 

4'han  that  is 


Lord,  what  wilt  thou  have  me  to  do? 


in  this  issue 

COVER 

"Christ  and  the  Rich  Young  Ruler”  by 
Heinrich  Hofmann. 


ARTICLES 

LORD,  WHAT  WILT  THOU  HAVE 
ME  TO  DO? 

By  Harry  Martens  579 

MINISTERING  TO  THE  SICK 

By  Arnold  J.  Regier  581 

REFLECTIONS  ON  OUR  CENTENNIAL  582 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  578 

MENNONITE  MEN  584 

MENNONITE  YOUTH: 

The  Password  Is  Pax  585 

OUR  SCHOOLS  588 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  589 

JOTTINGS  589 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  592 


PHOTO  CREDITS 

Cover,  Three  Lions.  Page  586,  Dave 
Gingrich.  Page  587,  Bob  Schrag.  Page 
591,  Hugh  Sprunger.  Page  566  (in  last 
week's  issue).  The  Republican  Courier, 
Findlay,  Ohio. 

CORRECTION 

Apologies  to  Lamont  Woelk.  The  last 
line  of  the  first  complete  paragraph  in 
the  first  column  on  page  564  of  the 
Sept.  15  issue  should  read:  . . it 

shouldt  not  be  sentimentally  written.” 


of  things  to  come 

Sept.  25 — Rosthern  Junior  College  opens 
Sept.  29 — Canadian  Mennonite  Bible  Col- 
lege opens 

Oct.  4 — Western  District  Sunday  School 
Convention,  Halstead  High  School 
Auditorium,  Halstead,  Kan. 

Oct.  4— World  Communion  Sunday 

Oct.  7 — National  Day  of  Prayer 

Nov.  8 — Peace  Sunday 

Oct.  12 — Canadian  Thanksgiving  Day 

Oct.  24-28 — West.  Dist.  Conference 

Nov.  1 — Reformation  Sunday 

Nov.  26 — Thanksgiving  Day  (U.S.) 

Dec.  1-4 — Council  of  Boards 
Dec.  13 — Universal  Bible  Sunday 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor:  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 
J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Assistant:  Muriel 

Thiessen.  Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  37 


editorials 

A NATIONAL  DAY  OF  PRAYER  We  are  grateful  that  the 
United  States  Congress,  by  a joint  resolution  approved  in  1952, 
has  provided  “That  the  President  shall  set  aside  and  proclaim 
a suitable  day  each  year,  other  than  a Sunday,  as  a National 
Day  of  Prayer  on  'which  people  of  the  United  States  may  turn 
to  God  in  prayer  and  meditation  at  churches,  in  groups,  and  as 
individuals.”  President  Eisenhower  has  designated  October  7 
as  the  National  Day  of  Prayer  for  1959.  (Watch  for  the  full 
proclamation  next  week.) 

Quoting  from  the  statement  made  by  the  Committee  on  the 
Judiciary  in  its  report  to  the  Senate  on  the  proposed  resolution: 
“From  its  beginning  the  United  States  of  America  has  been  a 
nation  fully  cognizant  of  the  value  of  prayer.  . . . Prayer  has 
indeed  been  a vital  force  in  the  growth  and  development  of  this 
nation.  It  would  certainly  be  appropriate  if  . . . the  people  of  this 
country  were  to  unite  in  a day  of  prayer  each  year,  each  in 
accordance  with  his  own  religious  faith,  thus  reaffirming  in  a 
dramatic  manner  the  deep  religious  conviction  which  has  pre- 
vailed throughout  the  history  of  the  United  States.” 

As  Christians  we  should  respond  heartily  to  this  appeal  for 
prayer.  Ministers  could  call  attention  to  this  day  from  their 
pulpits.  Special  services  could  be  planned  for  the  Wednesday 
evening.  Each  home  and  each  individual  should  be  encouraged 
to  take  time  out  for  serious  meditation  and  earnest  prayer. 

The  world  has  yet  to  see  what  great  things  can  be  accom- 
plished by  the  effectual,  fervent,  united  prayers  of  God’s  people. 
God  is  waiting  to  do  greater  things  for  us  if  we  are  prepared 
through  prayer  to  co-operate  with  Him. 

GETTING  OR  GIVING  The  article  on  stewardship  found  in 
this  issue,  (Lord,  What  Wilt  Thou  Have  Me  to  Do?)  merits 
thoughtful  reading  and  study.  We  have  not  reached  the  limit 
of  our  total  support  for  the  Lord’s  work. 

For  “giving”  comes  very  close  to  the  heart  of  the  gospel. 
We  have  a “giving”  God,  without  whose  bounties  we  could  not 
live  one  day.  We  worship  a “giving”  Savior  who  paid  the  last 
full  measure  of  love  by  giving  himself  on  the  cross.  It  is  the 
“giving”  church  that  is  alive  and  healthy.  It  is  the  “giving” 
individual  who  is  rendering  the  most  effective  service  for  his 
Lord  and,  incidentally,  who  is  also  the  happiest  Christian. 

We  are  too  much  a “getting”  people,  seeking  to  accumulate 
for  ourselves  personally  all  we  can,  regardless  of  the  needs  of 
others.  Only  by  God’s  help  can  we  change  over  from  the  desire 
of  “getting”  to  the  high  spirit  of  “giving.”  What  we  keep  we 
lose;  what  we  give  we  retain. 

All  about  us  we  see  the  great  need  of  sharing,  not  only  our 
material  wealth  and  goods^ — though  these  are  desperately  needed 
in  many  places — but  also  the  sharing  of  the  gospel  "with  its  hope 
and  peace  and  pardon  and  power.  This  can  be  done  by  our  daily 
living  along  with  direct  effort.  We  can  all  be  faithful  stewards 
of  our  sharing  Lord. 


578 


THE  MENNONITE 


LORD,  WHAT  WILT  THOU  HAVE  ME  TO  DO? 


Harry  Martens 


(Condensed  from  an  address  given 
at  the  conference  in  Bluff  ton.) 

CHRISTIAN  stewardship  is  tre- 
mendously important.  Of  what 
profit  is  it  to  the  kingdom  and 
church  of  Jesus  Christ  and  even  to 
our  Conference  if  we  pass  resolu- 
tions for  expansion  and  extension  of 
our  work  unless  we  have  resources 
so  this  can  be  done?  Then  also  the 
question  of  Christian  stewardship 
is  a basic  concern  of  all  our  boards 
and  institutions. 

Early  this  summer  I noted  in  the 
Hutchinson,  Kansas,  newspaper  a 
brief  report  of  the  Church  of  the 
Brethren  Annual  Conference  held  in 
Hutchinson.  I quote  one  paragraph 
from  this  report: 

“It  was  reported  at  the  annual 
conference  this  week  that  the  em- 
phasis this  year  on  stewardship  and 
evangelism  had  brought  about  a 28 
per  cent  increase  in  benevolent 
giving,  had  helped  bring  about  the 
addition  of  an  average  of  13  new 
members  per  congregation  for  the 
first  221  churches  reporting,  and 
had  motivated  lay  leadership  and 
responsibility  on  a broader  scale 
than  ever  before.  Stewardship  and 
evangelism  will  continue  as  the  em- 
phasis of  the  church  for  another 
year.” 

I hope  you  observed  several  im- 
portant things  in  the  above  para- 
graph: (1)  the  very  close  relation- 
ship between  evangelism  and  stew- 
ardship, (2)  the  Church  of  the 
Brethren  membership  increased  sub- 
stantially as  their  benevolent  giv- 
ing increased,  (3)  an  active  pro- 
gram in  Christian  stewardship  mo- 
tivated lay  leadership  to  greater 


The  author  of  this  article  is  business 
manager  of  Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary. 


responsibility,  (4)  stewardship  and 
evangelism  will  continue  as  a spe- 
cial emphasis  of  the  church  for  an- 
other year. 

I challenge  this  Conference  to 
place  Christian  stewardship  on  our 
emphasis  list  for  the  next  trienni- 
um.  If  we  believe  in  the  impor- 
tance of  our  Conference  work  and 
the  light  that  has  been  given  to  us 
through  Jesus  Christ,  we  will  want 
to  do  something  special  about  it  in 
a time  such  as  this. 

Could  we  have  for  our  goal  that 
every  Conference  church,  at  least 
once  in  the  next  three  years  would 
sponsor  a workshop  in  Christian 
stewardship  ? 

In  some  churches  it  may  be  pref- 
erable to  sponsor  a Christian  stew- 
ardship emphasis  week  or  plan  for 
a school  on  Christian  stewardship 
for  the  midweek  meetings  as  we 
have  sponsored  schools  for  missions 
and  peace.  If  some  individual 
churches  find  it  difficult  to  arrange 
for  such  a program,  could  those 
churches  that  are  clustered  into  a 
community  together  sponsor  an  in- 
stitute on  Christian  stewardship? 
Consider  a twofold  purpose:  to  pre- 
sent Christian  stewardship  as  an 
opportunity  to  show  our  gratitude 
to  God  and  as  our  responsibility  to 
God,  and  that  this  may  create  a 
period  of  awakening  among  us  con- 
cerning the  far-reaching  importance 
of  Christian  stewardship  to  the 
total  program  of  the  church. 

We  need  to  be  clear  on  the  larger 
concept  and  meaning  of  Christian 
stewardship.  There  are  too  many  of 
us  who  think  that  the  primary  pur- 
pose is  to  raise  money  while  others 
think  it  is  synonymous  with  tithing. 
When  a pastor  preaches  one  sermon 
on  giving  just  before  the  annual 


church  pledges  are  to  be  received, 
he  has  not  fulfilled  his  obligations 
in  teaching  Christian  stewardship. 
If  a layman  has  the  notion  that 
when  he  has  given  a proportionate 
share  of  his  material  blessings  he 
has  fulfilled  his  responsibilities  in 
stewardship,  he  is  in  error.  The 
Lord  is  not  only  interested  in  the 
one-tenth  that  you  may  give  away 
but  also  the  other  nine-tenths  that 
you  keep,  not  only  in  your  posses- 
sions but  your  time  and  abilities  as 
well. 

The  United  Stewardship  Council 
has  defined  stewardship  in  these 
words:  “It  is  the  practice  of  syste- 
matic and  proportionate  giving  of 
time,  abilities,  and  material  posses- 
sions based  on  a conviction  that 
these  are  a trust  from  God  to  be 
used  in  His  service,  for  the  benefit 
of  all  mankind,  in  grateful  acknowl- 
edgment of  Christ’s  redeeming 
love.” 

It  is  this  larger  concept  that  we 
must  keep  before  us  at  all  times. 
It  is  fundamental  that  a Christian 
steward  recognize  that  God  is  cre- 
ator and  owner  of  all  things.  It  is 
He  that  hath  made  us  and  has  be- 
stowed us  with  talents,  abilities,  and 
grace  for  life  itself.  It  is  He  who 
has  permitted  material  and  spiritual 
blessings  for  us  to  inherit  and  to  ac- 
quire. In  other  words,  of  ourselves 
we  are  nothing  and  have  nothing; 
all  we  are  and  have  is  a trust  from 
God. 

It  is  within  this  type  of  context, 
that  stewardship  of  money  and  pos- 
sessions needs  to  be  presented. 
While  there  is  a danger  of  narrow- 
ing our  definition  of  Christian  stew- 
ardship to  giving  of  money  and  pos- 
sessions, there  is  also  the  danger  of 
broadening  our  definition  so  that  it 


September  22,  1959 


579 


includes  largely  our  time  and  tal- 
ents, thus  minimizing  our  steward- 
ship responsibilities  of  material 
things.  My  purpose  here  is  not  to 
exhaust  the  reasons  for  practicing 
Christian  stewardship  and  how  it 
should  be  practiced,  but  rather,  why 
we  should  shun  all  hesitancy  a- 
bout  teaching  and  preaching  Chris- 
tian steivardship  of  money  and  pos- 
sessions. I am  impelled  to  share 
with  you  several  reasons  why  we 
must  boldly  teach  and  preach 
Christian  stewardship. 

The  first  reason  we  have  just 
shared  with  you:  practicing  Chris- 
tian stewardship  is  a natural  and 
basic  part  of  a Christian  life.  All 
we  are  and  possess  is  a trust  from 
God. 

The  second  reason  why  we  cannot 
be  hesitant  about  encouraging 
Christian  stewardship  is  closely  re- 
lated to  the  first:  this  is  one  way  of 
expressing  our  gratitude  to  God.  We 
are  willing  to  share  our  possessions 
and  money  because  we  love  God. 
We  love  God  because  He  first  loved 
us.  “God  so  loved  the  world  that 
he  gave  his  only  begotten  Son.  . . 
This  Son,  Jesus  Christ,  loved  us  so 
much  that  He  gave  His  life  for  us. 
Even  that  isn’t  all,  because  we  have 
the  promise  . . that  whosoever 
believeth  in  him  should  not  perish, 
but  have  everlasting  life.”  Chris- 
tianity is  a religion  of  giving.  The 
Christian  gives  not  to  enlist  God’s 
favor  or  to  win  reward  but  in  grat- 
itude for  what  God  has  given.  He 
does  not  give  to  receive  but  because 
he  has  received. 

Jesus  gave  His  life  “a  ransom  for 
many.”  But  in  spite  of  facing  death, 
He  said  “I  will  build  my  church.” 
The  supreme  sacrifice  was  the 
cost.  The  church  of  today  can- 
not be  built  without  sacrifices.  The 
head  of  the  Church,  Jesus  Christ, 
paid  the  supreme  price  so  that  we 
may  have  our  church  today.  The 
practice  of  Christian  stewardship  is 
one  way  to  show  our  gratitude  for 
the  price  He  paid. 

Thirdly,  we  have  no  reason  to 
apologize  or  to  hesitate  to  encour- 
age Christian  stewardship  because 
Jesus  did  not  hesitate.  In  connec- 
tion with  this  thought,  allow  me  to 


directly  quote  from  Milo  Kauff- 
man’s book.  The  Challenge  of 
Christian  Stewardship-. 

“It  is  interesting  to  note  that 
Jesus  had  more  to  say  about  the 
relation  of  man  to  property  than 
any  other  subject.  He  gave  more 
time  to  teaching  on  possessions  than 
He  did  to  regeneration,  prayer, 
faith,  or  the  future  life.  Sixteen  of 
His  thirty-eight  parables,  one  verse 
out  of  every  seven  in  the  four  Gos- 
pels— in  fact,  one  half  of  His  teach- 
ings— relate  to  this  subject. 

“Christians  may  well  learn  from 
Jesus  in  His  emphasis  on  money. 
The  minister  who  is  too  spiritual 
to  preach  about  money  is  either 
more  spiritual  than  Jesus  or  has  a 
completely  false  notion  about  mon- 
ey or  spirituality.  If  the  love  of 
money  is  the  root  of  all  kinds  of 
evil,  if  riches  choke  out  the  Word, 
if  it  is  hard  for  a rich  man  to  enter 
the  kingdom  of  God,  and  on  the 
other  hand,  if  by  right  use  of  mon- 
ey one  can  lay  up  treasures  in  heav- 
en, then  upon  what  more  important 
or  greater  theme  can  a minister 
of  the  gospel  preach  than  money?” 

Fourthly,  we  should  have  no  apol- 
ogy or  hesitancy  to  further  encour- 
age Christian  stewardship  of  pos- 
sessions because,  we  have  a mes- 
sage to  be  shared.  We  mentioned 
above  that  we  should  have  no  hes- 
itancy about  encouraging  Christian 
stewardship  because  of  our  love  for 
God.  It  is  the  interpretation  of  our 
church  that  our  love  for  God  can 
best  be  manifested  by  loving  our 
fellow  men. 

The  world  is  waiting  for  evidence 
that  those  who  believe  on  Jesus 
Christ  have  something  special.  They 
are  looking  for  a kind  of  faith, 
hope,  and  love  that  is  not  just  or- 
dinary. Jesus  asked,  “What  do  ye 
more  than  these?”  The  world 
wants  to  see  a church  that  is  not 
only  a body  of  people  who  have 
their  names  in  a particular  church 
book  or  simply  belong  to  church. 
It  wants  to  see  believers  who  are 
demonstrating  what  this  belief 
means  to  them  and  what  it  can 
mean  to  all  those  who  will  believe. 
If  God  made  us  His  children,  He 
made  us  brothers  and  we  need  to 


live  like  that.  The  gospel  is  to  be 
alive  within  us. 

I believe  that  we,  as  a Menno- 
nite  church  have  been  called  in  a 
special  way,  to  be  a constant  re- 
minder to  the  larger  body  of  Chris- 
tian churches  that  we  must  take  ! 
Jesus’  teachings  literally  and  seri- 
ously. 

This  message  is  important  to  us 
and  to  the  world.  However,  if  this 
message  is  to  be  proclaimed  there 
must  be  workers  who  are  trained 
and  into  whose  hearts  is  engrained 
our  faith’s  concerns.  Let  us  not 
underestimate  the  far-reaching  im- 
portance of  our  church,  schools, 
and  seminary  in  whatever  outreach 
may  be  planned.  This  sometimes  we 
have  been  tempted  to  do.  Let  us 
not  be  deceived:  “short  cuts  are 
short-lived.”  New  vision  in  steward- 
ship practices  is  imperative  if  our 
institutions  are  to  meet  the  need 
they  will  be  called  upon  to  fill  in 
our  Conference  in  days  just  ahead. 

The  fifth  and  last  reason  that  I 
want  to  share  with  you  is  that  we 
cannot  afford  to  be  hesitant  or  be 
evasive  in  placing  a new  emphasis 
on  Christian  stewardship  because 
this  is  essential  to  the  life  and  fu- 
ture growth  of  our  Conference.  One 
hundred  years  ago  our  church  had 
no  organized  missions,  very  few 
Sunday  schools,  no  church  schools, 
no  hospitals,  and  no  organized 
Christian  service  programs.  Indeed 
there  has  been  progress.  This  prog- 
ress, however,  has  called  for  new 
demands  and  changes. 

In  our  own  fives  far-reaching  | 
changes  have  taken  place.  Our  fore- 
fathers’ ideas  of  emphasizing  sim- 
ple living  has  yielded  to  the  many 
pressures  of  the  day.  Many  of  our 
own  members  drive  cars  just  like 
their  non-Mennonite  neighbors  and 
enjoy  their  modern  houses  with 
modern  facilities.  Many  of  our  con- 
stituency members  share  of  their 
time  and  money  in  all  kinds  of 
community  sponsored  acitivities  and 
civic  organization.  We  buy  things 
bought  on  credit  just  as  our  neigh- 
bors do.  All  these  matters  have  a 
real  influence  on  our  giving  habits. 

continued  on  page  590 


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580 


THE  MENNONITE 


Ministering  to  the  Sick 


Arnold  J.  Regier 

Apiarists  have  observed  the 
care  which  bees  give  to  the  ones 
which  have  fallen  due  to  exhaustion 
or  disease.  A little  nectar  is  placed 
on  the  tongue  of  the  lifeless  bee 
and  if  it  begins  to  stir  the  “Good 
Samaritan”  will  help  its  mate  to  its 
feet  and  nourish  it  until  it  returns 
to  its  normal  duties. 

The  ability  to  carry  out  normal 
human  functions  is  a part  of  God’s 
ultimate  plans  for  all  of  us.  If  we 
are  not  able  to  do  so  because  of 
sickness,  we  can  anticipate  the  as- 
sistance of  our  fellow  men.  This 
also  is  in  God’s  plan  as  we  see  it 
exemplified  in  Jesus  Christ,  our 
Lord  and  Savior. 

Good  health  is  one  of  God’s  rich- 
est blessings.  Too  often  we  take  our 
strength  for  granted  and  we  do  not 
realize  how  important  the  bodily 
functions  are.  To  provide  us  with 
these  capacities  God  has  created  us 
in  a marvelous  manner.  The  psalm- 
ist recognized  this  when  he  wrote: 
“I  will  praise  thee;  for  I am  fear- 
fully and  wonderfully  made:  mar- 
velous are  thy  works;  and  that  my 
soul  knoweth  right  well,”  (Ps.  139: 
14). 

’There  are  times  when  these  nor- 
mal functions  fail  us.  Our  bodies 
are  temporal.  Diseases  plague  its 
members.  There  also  are  times  when 
we  are  poor  stewards  of  our  health, 
when  we  abuse  it  for  selfish  pur- 
poses. Even  emotional  disturbances 
hinder  the  proper  functioning  of  the 
body. 

Thus  sickness  can  be  attributed  to 
many  factors.  Physicians  today 


Arnold  Regier  is  chaplain  of  Bethel  Dea- 
coness Hospital  and  Home  for  the  Aged 
at  Newton,  Kan. 


sense  the  need  for  a wider  under- 
standing of  personal  needs,  spirit- 
ually as  well  as  physically.  They 
have  learned  that  many  factors  con- 
tribute to  ill  health. 

Thus  the  ministry  to  the  sick  in- 
corporates many  areas  of  service. 
We  are  grateful  for  the  medical 
assistance  which  our  doctors  and 
nurses  render  in  our  day.  We  would 
find  it  difficult  to  imagine  ourselves 
in  a society  where  such  services  do 
not  exist.  The  deep  concerns  which 
the  members  of  the  medical  disci- 
pline, together  with  church  institu- 
tions and  their  representatives 
have,  constitute  the  core  of  a Chris- 
tian ministry  to  the  sick. 

Emotional  Experiences  of  the  Sick 

Nearly  all  of  us  at  one  time  or 
other  have  been  sick.  What  are 
some  of  the  things  we  experience 
at  such  a time?  How  do  they  affect 
us?  Let  us  contemplate  a few  of 
these. 

Pain  We  think  of  pain  as  a 
warning  signal  for  some  ailment. 
Some  can  bear  more  pain  than 
others.  During  an  illness  it  often 
causes  us  much  distress.  The  suf- 
fering caused  by  accidents,  burns, 
and  other  physical  injuries  is  often 
most  severe. 

Fear  Patients  coming  into  a 
hospital  often  suffer  great  anxiety 
as  to  what  the  future  will  hold. 
They  ask,  “Will  I have  to  have  sur- 
gery? Will  the  doctors  find  a malig- 
nancy? How  will  my  family  get 
along  at  home  without  me?”  These 
questions  and  many  more  relate  the 
concerns  which  a sick  person  has. 

Guilt  We  all  make  mistakes. 
Patients  lying  ill  in  bed,  with  much 
time  to  think,  ponder  upon  many 
things  which  they  have  done  for 


which  they  are  sorry.  If  they  have 
hurt  someone  whom  they  cannot 
reach,  in  order  to  ask  for  forgive- 
ness, they  begin  to  fret  about  it. 
Sometimes  these  things  are  very  in- 
significant and  probably  would  not 
have  been  thought  of  had  the  per- 
son been  well.  Yet  for  a sick  person 
these  things  are  important  and  he 
should  be  able  to  discuss  these  feel- 
ings freely  with  the  minister,  doc- 
tor, or  even  the  nurse. 

Loneliness  Man  is  a social  be- 
ing. All  of  us  have  the  need  to 
fellowship  with  others  and  to  com- 
mune with  God.  Illness,  with  its  ac- 
companying weakness,  brings  about 
an  abnormal  feeling  of  being  left 
alone.  To  many  patients  it  seems 
as  if  no  one  cares  for  them. 

Despair  When  a patient  cannot 
see  any  improvement  in  his  condi- 
tion, or  if  he  has  a setback,  he  be- 
comes discouraged.  He  sees  how 
well  other  patients  are  doing,  walk- 
ing in  the  halls  or  ready  to  go 
home,  while  his  progress  is  so  slow. 
Sometimes  he  then  gives  up  in  de- 
spair. Hostility  toward  others  may 
enter  into  his  feelings  at  such  a 
time. 

Resources  in  a Christian  Ministry 

After  contemplating  a few  of  the 
experiences  which  a sick  person 
may  have,  let  us  think  of  some  of 
the  spiritual  resources  which  we 
have  at  our  disposai  when  minis- 
tering to  him. 

Faith  Jesus  told  the  woman 
who  touched  His  garment,  “Thy 
faith  hath  made  thee  whole.”  When 
we  minister  to  the  sick  we  seek 
to  inspire  faith  and  confidence.  We 
believe  that  we  have  a good  God 
and  that  He  is  concerned  about  all 
of  our  needs.  Thus  the  united  faith 
which  we  share  can  help  the  patient 
place  himself  in  God’s  care. 

Joy  A sick  person  needs  the 
encouragement  of  a radiant  and 
cheerful  friend.  Someone  who  is  ill 
can  soon  sense  a lack  of  genuine- 
ness. Christian  joy  radiates  from 
within.  It  is  outgoing  and  soon  finds 
a response  in  those  who  are  de- 
pressed and  discouraged. 

Understanding  The  feeling  of 
kinship  in  suffering  is  very  helpful. 
To  have  an  understanding  friend  is 
deeply  appreciated  by  those  who  are 
sick. 

Two  peasants  were  speaking  to 
each  other.  The  one  said:  “Tell  me. 


September  22,  1959 


581 


friend  Ivan,  do  you  love  me?”  Ivan 
replied,  “Yes,  I love  you  deeply.” 
“Do  you  know,  Ivan,  what  gives 
me  pain?”  “Pray,  how  can  I know 
what  gives  you  pain?”  “If  you  do 
not  know  what  gives  me  pain,  how 
can  you  say  you  truly  love  me?” 
This  little  conversation  depicts 
the  deeper  aspects  of  Christian  em- 
pathy. Just  as  Jesus  came  to  this 
world  to  share  with  us  the  expe- 
rience of  life,  so  we  need  to  enter 
into  the  experiences  of  those  who 
are  ill.  We  may  do  this  knowing 


that  we  are  doing  it  in  His  name 
and  that  He  is  always  ready  to  help 
us  in  this  ministry. 

Prayer  We  cannot  overestimate 
the  importance  of  intercessory 
prayers.  Patients  sense  this  power 
which  is  given  them  through  the 
prayers  of  those  at  home  and  in 
the  church.  The  reading  of  the  Bi- 
ble, having  prayer  with  the  pa- 
tient, and  listening  with  prayerful 
hearts  as  the  patient  shares  his 
concerns  is  also  a part  of  our  min- 
istry. Prayer  is  the  bond  which 


unites  our  souls  one  with  another 
and  with  the  heart  of  God. 

In  ministering  to  the  sick  we  be- 
lieve that  God  has  a purpose  in  all 
of  our  lives.  It  is  sometimes  dif- 
ficult for  us  to  understand  why  God 
permits  suffering  but  yet  we  know 
that  He  cannot  be  thwarted  in  car- 
rying out  His  purposes  (Job  42). 
Thus  we  learn  to  trust  Him  and  to 
have  confidence  in  His  providential 
care.  The  ministry  to  the  sick  is 
not  only  challenging  but  also  very 
rewarding. 


Reflecting: 

Our  Centennial  Conference 


Goal:  A United  Witness 

To  many  delegates  and  guests, 
our  triennial  conference  and  cen- 
tennial was  a week  of  mountain- 
top  experience.  We  saw  our  Lord’s 
work  from  a high  vantage  point. 
We  saw  our  mutual  tasks  with  new 
insights.  That  our  heavenly  Father 
called  our  church — the  Anabaptist 
Mennonite  Church — into  being  for 
a purpose  was  again  clarified  and 
freshly  appreciated. 

After  looking  back  from  the 
mountain-top,  we  also  looked  for- 
ward. In  the  last  scene  of  the  cen- 
tennial pageant,  the  draft  board 
member  said:  “Mennonites,  Menno- 
nites  . . . they’ve  come  a long  way, 
but  do  they  know  what  they  are 
doing  or  where  they  are  going?” 

Where  are  we  going?  Do  we  have 
a mission  that  we  as  Mennonites 
should  unitedly  present  to  the 
world?  Two  words  are  of  necessity 
lifted  out  here;  “unitedly”  and 
“mission.”  Has  a century  of  our 
denomination — have  four  centuries 
— some  united  action  to  show? 

We  have  been  unified  in  the  fac- 
ing of  persecution.  We  know  that 
during  the  first  fifty  years  of  our 
existence,  in  the  sixteenth  century, 
many  of  our  forefathers  sealed 
their  faith  with  their  life  blood. 


Our  people  have  had  to  face  perse- 
cution intermittently  until  this  day 
when  our  brethren  in  the  faith  in 
Colombia  face  persecution.  Persecu- 
tions did  not  and  do  not  weaken  our 
faith.  They  meant  becoming  pil- 
grims, pioneers.  The  faith  has  lived 
on. 

We  have  been  unified  in  disciple- 
ship.  From  the  very  beginning  of 
our  history,  discipleship  (nachfolge) 
has  been  one  of  the  chief  tenets  of 
our  faith,  with  the  exception  of 
where  other  infiuences  have  pre- 
vailed among  us  which  have  led 
many  of  our  own  people  to  trust  in 
what  Bonhoeffer  (in  The  Cost  of 
Discipleship)  calls  “cheap  grace.” 

We  have  been  unified  in  striving 
toward  high  ethical  conduct.  “Yes” 
is  “yes”  and  “no”  is  “no.”  We  stand 
for  truth  no  matter  what  the  con- 
sequences might  be.  We  practice  in- 
tegrity whether  we  gain  thereby  or 
lose.  There  has  been  and  still  is 
widespread  agreement  among  Men- 
nonites in  this  ethical  standard, 
though  we  well  know  how  far  from 
the  goal  of  reaching  this  high 
Christ-centered  standard  many  of  us 
are. 

We  have  been  unified  in  opposi- 
tion to  war.  Being  inspired  by  the 
apostolic  church,  our  forefathers  in 


the  Anabaptist  Mennonite  church 
and  we  today  maintain  a consider- 
able unity  in  this  position.  Here, 
too,  we  must  admit  that  with  a con- 
siderable percentage  of  Mennonites 
this  doctrine  has  become  vague  and 
unimportant.  But  the  more  seriously 
we  take  discipleship,  the  more  im- 
perative this  doctrine  will  become 
as  a renewed  conviction. 

There  are  other  areas  of  exten- 
sive unity  among  us,  such  as  the 
separation  of  church  and  state. 

But  to  our  pain,  we  must  admit 
that  there  are  also  areas  of  lack 
of  unity  which  we  have  never  yet, 
through  more  than  four  centuries, 
overcome.  One  of  these  is  the  area 
of  biblical  interpretation.  We  and 
our  forefathers  have  wrestled  with 
this  disunity.  Menno  Simons  and 
Dirk  Phillips  could  not  agree  on  it 
and  in  their  spiritual  progeny  there 
has  been  sharp  and  often  bitter  dis- 
unity. Many  Mennonites  (and  other 
denominations)  have  thought  that 
if  we  would  define  the  Bible  accord- 
ing to  a given  formula,  there  would 
be  Mennonite  (and  Christian)  unity. 
However,  defining  the  Bible  and  in- 
terpreting or  understanding  it  do 
not  necessarily  follow  each  other. 

By  word  of  mouth  we  confess 
that  Jesus  is  Lord.  Do  we  mean  it? 


582 


THE  MENNONITE 


I would  submit  that,  as  a result  of 
some  discussions  at  our  Centennial, 
some  brother  or  sister  be  asked  to 
make  an  intensive  study  on  the  use 
of  the  Old  Testament  by  Jesus  and 
the  references  to  Jesus  by  the  apos- 
tles in  their  writings.  I would  sug- 
gest that  such  research  be  then 
shared  with  our  whole  Conference 
and  with  other  Mennonites  — per- 
haps with  Protestant  bodies  as  a 
whole.  Such  a study,  I believe,  would 
open  a new  vista  of  a very  impor- 
tant area  of  unity,  that  of  biblical 
interpretation. 

— John  Thiessen 

Peter’s  Boat 

I always  come  away  from  the 
sessions  of  our  General  Conference 
greatly  impressed  by  the  magni- 
tude of  the  outreach  of  our  church. 
This  conference  marking  the  cen- 
tennial was  no  exception.  Our 
church  is  really  doing  a tremendous 
work  on  a great  many  fronts. 

I came  away  from  the  sessions  of 
this  conference  immensely  thrilled 
and  encouraged  for  another  reason. 
We  have  in  our  ranks  a growing 
core  of  young  men  and  women  who 
and  giving,  and  will  keep  on  giving 
a good  account  of  themselves.  I feel 
relatively  young.  Nonetheless, 
within  another  triennium  I will  be 
ineligible  for  re-election  to  the 
Board  of  Chrisitan  Service.  This  is 
as  it  should  be.  The  two  term  .lim- 
itation is  really  a good  idea.  When 
I attended  my  first  conference  twen- 
ty-five years  ago  it  was  run  almost 
entirely  by  older  men.  They  were 
fine,  consecrated  men,  doing  their 
best  within  a much  smaller  orbit. 

Today  our  outreach  is  much  larg- 
er. And  it  is  really  impressive  and 
encouraging  to  see  our  younger  men 
eager  and  able.  Much  of  this  I be- 
lieve is  the  result  of  CPS  and  our 
own  seminary. 

As  we  move  into  the  second  hun- 
dred years  in  our  General  Confer- 
ence, those  of  us  wh«  have  been 
in  the  harness  are  faced  with  a real 
challenge.  We  along  with  our  lay 
people  across  the  country  must  sol- 
idly stand  behind  our  growing  lead- 
ership. And  the  place  where  I be- 
lieve the  challenge  is  the  greatest 
is  in  the  field  of  stewardship.  Only 
the  sky  is  the  limit  to  what  we  can 
do  in  the  immediate  years  ahead 
if  we  believe  in  Christ’s  Church 
sufficiently  to  back  the  whole  pro- 
gram not  only  with  our  contribu- 


tions, but  also  with  our  invested 
capital. 

When  our  Lord  got  Peter  he  also 
got  Peter’s  boat.  Are  we  willing  to 
make  our  “boats”  work  for  the 
Lord?  Church  Extension  Services, 
Inc.,  presents  one  of  the  finest  and 
most  challenging  ways  for  all  of  us 
to  make  our  material  blessings  real- 
ly witness  for  Christ  and  His 
Church.  We  have  here  an  oppor- 
tunity to  make  our  material  re- 
sources work  for  the  Lord  and  at 
the  same  time  return  a twofold 
blessing  to  us.  We  retain  the  prin- 
cipal and  are  paid  for  the  use  of 
our  money.  But  much  more  than 
that.  By  investing  our  resources 
with  Church  Extension  Services, 
Inc.,  we  become  a genuine  part  of 
our  far-flung  outreach  around  the 
world.  — William  H.  Stauffer 

Honor  Where  It  Is  Due 

For  some  time  I have  sensed  a 
growing  resentment  on  the  part  of 
some  good  Mennonite  people  regard- 
ing the  “honor”  given  to  mission- 
aries and  their  work. 

This  was  especially  noticeable  at 
our  conference  in  the  reports  of  the 
discussion  groups  after  the  pageant 
given  by  the  representatives  of  the 
Women’s  Missionary  Association 
and  Mennonite  Men.  Sample  re- 
marks— “Why  should  there  have 
been  a parade  of  missionaries  in 
the  closing  scene?  Aren’t  we  all 
missionaries?  It  should  have  been 
a parade  of  everyone.” 

It  seems  to  me  that  some  missed 
the  point  of  the  pageant.  Each  scene 
in  the  pageant  depicted  the  work 
of  mission  societies  in  various  dis- 
tricts. These  societies  had  been  or- 
ganized for  the  set  purpose  of  help- 
ing the  missionaries  proclaim  the 
message  of  the  Savior  to  peoples 
who  had  not  yet  had  a chance  to 
know  Him. 

In  these  societies  the  women 
prayed  for  individual  missionaries, 
and  in  many  cases,  helped  to  raise 
the  money  for  their  support.  They 
felt  that  missionaries  were  their 
representatives  in  the  work.  And 
many  a worker,  far  from  home,  re- 
ceived strength  and  courage  to  go 
on  because  of  the  loyal  support 
given  by  church  women. 

When  those  missionaries  at  the 
conference — retired,  active,  and  un- 
der appointment — went  to  the  plat- 
form for  the  last  scene  in  the  pag- 


eant it  was  a climax  to  the  presen- 
tation of  the  work  of  mission  so- 
cieties. They  and  we  were  and  are 
laborers  together.  There  was  no 
special  halo  on  the  missionary’s 
head  but  rather  a glad  sharing  in 
the  work.  The  great  commission 
still  stands,  “Go  ye  into  all  the 
world  and  preach  the  gospel.” 

The  remark  that  we  are  all  mis- 
sionaries is  fine  if  it  is  true.  I main- 
tain, there  is  a difference  in  commit- 
ment for  a three  year  term  in  1-W, 
Voluntary  Service,  and  Pax  and  that 
of  one  who  goes  into  mission  work 
with  the  commitment  of  giving  a 
lifetime  “for  as  long  as  the  Lord 
wants  me  there.” 

As  far  as  I have  known  them, 
missionaries  never  feel  they  are  of 
more  importance  than  others.  They 
know  only  too  well  that  without  the 
backing  of  the  churches  at  home 
they  could  not  carry  on.  When  the 
missionaries  at  the  conference  filled 
the  platform,  it  meant  much  to 
many  in  the  audience  who  saw 
them.  They,  themselves,  had  not 
been  able  to  go  personally  to  carry 
the  good  news  but  they  had  had  a 
real  part  in  the  work  by  their  gifts 
and  prayers. 

Missionaries,  upon  retirement, 
very  often  have  no  property  of 
their  own,  no  house  and  no  bank  ac- 
count. Our  mission  doctors  have 
been  on  regular  mission  salaries 
through  the  years.  Often  they  have 
put  what  little  money  they  could 
spare  back  into  the  work  because 
they  saw  needs  so  great.  Mission- 
aries do  not  ask  for  your  sympathy 
or  for  honor — but  they  do  find  it 
hard  to  listen  to  remarks  that  are 
more  unkind  than  necessary. 

Let’s  not  begrudge  honors  given 
to  the  comparatively  few  mission- 
aries because  they  have  heard  the 
Lord’s  call  and  gone  out  to  regions 
beyond  our  own  borders.  Let  us  up- 
hold each  other  in  prayer  and  re- 
joice together  over  every  victory  in 
Jesus’  name,  whether  at  home  or 
abroad.  And  let  us  look  carefully 
into  our  own  hearts  and  see  wheth- 
er we  are  really  fulfilling  our  min- 
istry. 

— From  one  who  was  there 

And  . . . 

Hats  off  to  the  man  who  said, 
“Unity  in  essentials,  tolerance  in 
non-essentials,  love  in  all  things.” 
— One  who  wasn’t  there 


September  22,  1959 


583 


^ennonite  men 

Reporting: 

The  Conference  at  Bluffton 


Mennonite  Men  were  at  work  at 
the  recent  conference  at  Bluffton 
and  many  activities  kept  the  men 
busy.  Each  day  of  conference  week 
morning  prayer  meetings  were  held 
at  the  First  Mennonite  Church  for 
all  laymen  who  were  led  to  attend. 
Each  District  Conference  organiza- 
tion was  asked  to  be  in  charge  of 
one  morning  session.  Although 
these  meetings  were  not  widely  at- 
tended, they  were  filled  with  fer- 
vent prayer  and  a deep  feeling  of 
fellowship. 

Two  business  sessions  were  held 
by  the  Men  during  the  week.  These 
sessions  were  held  in  the  sanctuary 
of  the  First  Mennonite  Church  of 
Bluffton  on  Friday  afternoon  and 
on  Tuesday  morning.  John  O. 
Schrag,  president  of  the  Conference 
Mennonite  Men,  was  in  charge  of 
both  meetings. 

Friday  Meeting 

After  devotions  by  Elmer  Baum- 
gartner of  Berne,  Ind.,  the  chairman 
called  upon  Brother  Peter  Wiens  of 
Paraguay  and  Brother  Peter  Klas- 
sen  of  Brazil. 

They  both  brought  words 
of  greetings  and  appreciation  from 
their  respective  lands  for  the  help 
that  Mennonites  of  North  America 
have  given  them.  Brother  Wiens 
mentioned  the  roadway  projects,  the 
Mennonite  Industrial  Development 
Association,  and  the  experimental 
farm  as  being  particularly  helpful 
to  the  brethren  of  Paraguay. 

The  secretary  gave  a report  of 
the  work  of  the  executive  commit- 
tee for  the  last  triennium.  He  re- 
ported that  a total  of  $9525.83  was 
raised  by  the  brotherhoods  of  the 
Conference  for  the  projects  accept- 
ed at  the  Winnipeg  Sessions.  This 
figure  does  not  include  money  sent 
directly  to  MCC  through  the  Board 


of  Christian  Service  for  the  road- 
way project. 

Vice  president,  Menno  Schrag,  re- 
ported on  the  organization  and  work 
of  Boys  League.  He  reported  that 
there  were  over  a thousand  boys 
enrolled  in  over  twenty  clubs  in 
Conference  churches  scattered 
throughout  the  States  and  Canada. 
The  general  feeUng  expressed  at  the 
meeting  was  that  these  clubs  were 
quite  successful  and  fill  a great 
need  within  the  brotherhoods  where 
they  are  organized. 

The  executive  committee  present- 
ed a proposed  constitution  for  dis- 
cussion. After  some  deliberation  the 
proposed  constitution  was  adopted 
as  presented. 

The  delegation  elected  a vice 
president  and  secretary-treasurer  to 
serve  for  terms  of  six  years.  Elect- 
ed were  Carl  Ens,  Saskatoon,  Sask., 
as  vice  president  and  Maurice  Stah- 
ly,  Morton,  111.,  as  secretary-treasur- 
er. John  O.  Schrag  will  continue  as 
president  until  the  next  conference. 

A challenging  message  was  given 
by  Paul  W.  Stauffer,  purchasing 
agent  of  the  Triplett  Electrical  In- 
strument Co.  of  Bluffton.  The  topic 
of  his  address  was  “How  good  is 
your  Christian  salesmanship?”  Mr. 
Stauffer’s  address  was  very  inspir- 
ing and  challenged  the  laymen  to 
sell  the  gospel  in  their  everyday 
lives. 

Tuesday  Meeting 

Devotions  were  led  by  John  E. 
Fretz,  Telford,  Pa.,  and  a special 
number  of  music  was  rendered  by  a 
men’s  quartet  from  the  St.  John’s 
Church,  of  Pandora,  Ohio.  The  reso- 
lutions committee  composed  of  Clin- 
ton Kaufman,  John  Fretz,  J.  H. 
Ensz,  Frank  Epp,  and  Walter  Yoder 
reported  to  the  delegation.  These 
resolutions  stimulated  a great  deal 


of  discussion.  (A  list  of  the  resolu- 
tions that  were  adopted  will  appear 
in  a later  issue). 

The  budget  for  the  next  trien- 
nium as  proposed  by  the  executive 
committee  was  presented  by  the 
newly  elected  secretray,  Maurice 
Stahly,  as  follows:  general  expense, 
$2000;  promotion  of  Boys’  League, 
$1500;  completion  of  the  Paraguay 
Roadway  $11,500;  making  a total 
budget  of  $15,000.  'The  executive 
committee  of  Mennonite  Men  also 
proposed,  with  the  permission  of 
the  executive  committee  of  the  Con- 
ference and  upon  the  invitation  of 
the  Board  of  Christian  Service,  that 
for  a three  year  trial  period  Men- 
nonite Men  become  an  affiliate  mem- 
ber of  the  Board  of  Christian  Serv- 
ice. These  proposals  were  adopted 
by  the  delegation. 

A panel  discussion  moderated  by 
William  Juhnke  of  the  Western  Dis- 
trict and  panel  members  consisting 
of  Stanley  Hostetter  (Central  Dis- 
trict), John  Shettig  (Eastern  Dis- 
trict), Isaac  Tieszen  (Northern  Dis- 
trict), John  H.  Ensz  (Pacific  Dis- 
trict), and  Cornelius  Dyck  (Cana- 
dian District),  challenged  those 
present  by  reporting  on  the  work 
that  Mennonite  Men  are  doing. 

Chicken  Barbecue 

Undoubtedly,  the  high  light  of 
Mennonite  Men  activities  at  the  con- 
ference was  the  chicken  barbecue 
held  in  the  Pandora  Park  on  Tues- 
day evening.  Some  four  hundred 
men  gathered  at  this  occasion  for 
fellowship  and  worship.  'The  evening 
meal,  and  particularly  the  chicken, 
had  been  prepared  almost  to  per- 
fection and  was  enjoyed  greatly  by 
those  present. 

The  hillside  on  the  east  edge  of 
the  park  made  an  ideal  setting  for 
the  men  to  eat  their  meal  and  after 
the  meal  to  conduct  the  program. 
The  evening  was  cloudless  and  the 
lowering  sun  seemed  to  add  a wor- 
shipful atmosphere  to  the  peaceful 
scene. 

Brother  C.  O.  Neufeld,  Winnipeg, 
Man.,  was  chairman  of  the  program 
and  Professor  Russell  A.  Lantz, 
Bluffton,  led  in  the  singing.  And 
singing  there  was,  in  a spirit  of 
deep  adoration  and  praise,  unre- 
hearsed, and  unaccompanied.  The 
Continued  on  page  588 


Editor:  Richard  F.  Graber,  Moundridge,  Kan. 


584 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  youth 


Would  you  like  to  learn  a speck 
of  Japanese,  hear  about  a bike 
trip  through  Alsace,  help  build 
a “SiedlungJ’  run  a Congo 
linotype,  put  your  philosophy 
of  life  into  action? 


Last  heard  from,  Toni  Braun  re- 
ported that  the  Paraguay  road 
was  at  the  River  He-He.  Instead  of 
making  big  advances  to  be  meas- 
ured in  kilometers,  work  was  done 
to  make  the  road  higher.  This  was 
continued  until  the  temporary 
bridge  across  the  river  was  com- 
pleted. 

Toni  also  writes:  The  Spanish  lan- 
guage is  not  very  hard  to  learn  if 
a fellow  would  only  put  enough  ef- 
fort into  it.  He  should  be  able  to 
converse  fairly  fluently  after  hav- 
ing been  here  a year.  It  happens 
that  we  don’t  And  enough  time  to 
study  language  so  we  speak  it  as 
we  pick  it  up  from  daily  conversa- 
tions. The  German  language  comes 
in  very  handy  and  I use  it  quite 
frequently  when  I’m  at  the  MCC 
home  in  Asuncion.  I use  it  when- 
ever I’m  together  with  the  Para- 
guayan Mennonite  young  people  or 
the  colony  boys  that  are  at  camp. 
This  includes  both  high  and  low 
German. 

Dennis  Epp,  Missions-Paxman  in 
Japan  writes; 

Last  spring  the  principal  of  the 
school  where  I gave  an  English 
class  (in  Kobe)  invited  me  out  to  a 
Japanese  dinner  in  a Japanese  res- 
taurant. The  meal  consisted  of  “Lob- 
ster Tempura.’’  You  are  brought  a 
dish  of  dark  sauce  of  some  kind 


into  which  you  put  a sUce  of  lemon, 
a small  ball  of  pastry  which  dis- 
solves in  the  sauce,  and  something 
else  which  I can’t  quite  deflne.  This 
you  stir  with  your  chopsticks. 
When  the  lightly  fried  lobsters 
(three  or  four)  are  brought,  they 
are  put  into  the  sauce,  soaked,  and 
then  eaten  by  breaking  off  a small 
piece  at  a time  with  the  sticks. 

All  this  is  very  delicious,  in  spite 
of  the  fact  that  any  of  these  ingredi- 
ents seem  tasteless  by  themselves. 

Along  with  the  lobster  you  eat 
rice  and  some  cooked  vegetables  and 
drink  some  soup  from  the  bowl.  I 
don’t  know  what  kind  of  soup  it 
was,  but  it  was  also  very  good.  It 
seemed  to  have  some  pork  rinds, 
sea  plants,  and  a few  vegetables 
in  it.  To  finish  the  meal,  you  chew 
up  a piece  of  Japanese  radish  and 
especially  prepared  sea  food,  all  of 
which  is  quite  strong.  This  is  eaten 
to  clean  the  teeth  and  give  your 
mouth  a fresh  taste.  After  all  this 
the  principal  took  me  to  another 
cafe  for  some  apple  pie  with  ice 
cream.  I found  that  to  eat  for  two 
hours  straight  is  quite  Ailing! 

Language  study  is  over.  I have 
enjoyed  it  a lot  and  expect  to  make 
good  use  of  my  limited  knowledge 
of  it.  Though  many  Japanese  people 
have  a knowledge  of  English,  one 
needs  to  know  their  language  espe- 


September  22,  1959 


535 


dally  for  shopping  and  traveling. 

I should  tell  you  something  about 
the  Japanese  language. 

The  Japanese  write  in  three  sets 
of  charaders:  the  hirangana  (sim- 
ple Japanese  in  which  one  character 
represents  one  sound),  katakana 
(characters  used  only  for  the  writ- 
ing of  foreign  words),  and  kanji 
(Chinese  characters  which  may  rep- 
resent either  a sound,  a word,  or 
several  words). 

The  whole  language  could  actu- 
ally be  written  in  any  one  of  these, 
but  they  use  three. 

There  are  only  around  fifty 
sounds,  made  up  of  a consonant  and 
a vowel  (the  vowel  always  follow- 
ing the  consonant),  or  the  vowel 
by  itself.  Letters  like  1,  v,  c,  q,  and 
X don’t  exist  in  Japanese. 

In  character  writing,  the  charac- 
ters of  the  sounds  for  words  follow 
one  another  without  a break.  You 


must  determine  where  one  word 
ends  and  another  begins.  Itiseven 
moredifficulttoreadthanwhenwewrite 
ourenglishallinonelikethis. 

The  only  punctuation  they  use  is 
the  period  (denoted  by  a small  cir- 
cle) and  small  right  angles  to  indi- 
cate quotations.  They  wouldn’t  even 
need  these  as  there  are  words  to 
indicate  direct  and  indirect  quota- 
tions. A question  is  identified  by  the 
“ka”  sound  at  the  end  of  the  sent- 
ence. 

Besides  all  this  there  are  the 
plain,  polite,  and  very  polite  forms 
of  speech.  All  these  must  be  learned 
as  you  wouldn’t  use  the  same  vocab- 
ulary in  speaking  to  your  teacher 
as  you  would  to  a dog.  For  animals 
the  plain  form  is  used;  for  your 
equals  you  use  the  polite  form;  and 
for  your  superiors  you  use  the  very 
polite  form.  So  actually  one  must 
learn  three  languages  which  can  be 


written  in  three  ways. 

Remember  in  prayer  your  mis- 
sionaries in  language  study,  the  fol- 
low-up work  with  the  converts,  and 
the  need  for  Japanese  pastors  in 
our  Japanese  churches. 

Homer  ANDRES,  whose  term 
as  Paxman  in  Switzerland  ends 
in  September,  writes  about  his  two- 
wheeled adventures : 

The  weekend  of  June  20  I hiked 
down  into  the  Jura.  Since  I was 
heading  for  Porrentruy,  it  was 
shorter  for  me  to  go  through  the 
Alsace.  From  Porrentruy  I went  on 
to  a “Bauemhof”  and  spent  about  a 
day  there.  Biking  along  the  French- 
Swiss  border  is  really  beautiful, 
with  wooded  hills  on  either  side 
and  streams  rushing  through  the 
meadows  along  the  road.  I guess  I 
was  enjoying  the  scenery  too  much 
because  I got  caught  in  the  rain 
about  six  kilometers  from  where  I 
had  good  train  connections  to  Basel. 

On  the  first  Sunday  in  July  an- 
other fellow  and  I hiked  out  to  Bie- 
nenberg  in  the  afternoon  for  a con- 
cert. I stayed  for  supper  and  then 
went  to  St.  Chrischona  in  the  eve- 
ning with  George  and  Jakob  Rem- 
pel.  The  ordination  of  the  twenty- 
six  graduates  was  held  in  the  after- 
noon and  then  in  the  evening  the 
grads  gave  testimonies. 

John  Heese,  Pax  printer  in  the 
Belgian  Congo,  writes: 

It  is  in  a rapidly  changing  Congo 
that  the  mission  must  work.  Al- 
though large  numbers  of  Congo- 
lese have  heard  the  Gospel  and 
many  CIM  churches  are  largely 
self-supporting,  the  printing  of 
tracts  which  are  distributed  widely 
is  an  important  phase  of  literature 
work. 

Getting  acquainted  with  the  lan- 
guage and  with  the  press  took  up 
much  of  my  time  for  the  first  sev- 
eral months.  Tshiluba,  the  language 
spoken  in  the  Charlesville  area  is 
very  systematic  and  quite  interest- 
ing. 

Here  at  the  shop,  five  African 
printers  have  been  working  under 
the  supervision  of  Irena  Liechty. 
This  month,  September,  is  when  my 
work  with  the  press  will  begin  in 

TJie  picture  above  shows 

some  of  what  was  done  at  one  of 

tile  workcamps  in  Axistria. 

The  lower  picture  was  taken 
at  Krefeld,  Germany,  where 
one  of  the  Pax  units  is  located. 

THE  AAENNONITE 


1 


i 


earnest  as  Miss  Liechty  is  taking 
over  the  work  of  a new  home  eco- 
nomics school  for  girls. 

The  work  is  most  interesting.  We 
have  two  plate  presses.  All  the  type 
is  set  by  hand  and  the  work  is 
much  slower  than  in  America.  How- 
ever, the  African  workmen  are  cap- 
able of  doing  their  work  well.  There 
is  usually  quite  a backlog  of  work 
at  the  press. 

In  addition  to  the  work  at  the 
print  shop,  my  duties  include  keep- 
ing accounts  for  the  Charlesville 
station’s  three  vehicles  and  seeing 
to  it  that  the  5400  watt  electric 
plant  which  supplies  the  homes  and 
hospitals  with  light  is  supplied  with 
diesel-fuel,  oil,  and  water.  Routine 
chores  like  these  are  given  to  VSers 
so  as  to  relieve  missionaries  of  these 
burdens. 

We  need  to  praise  God  for  the 
work  that  has  been  done.  Continue 
to  pray  for  what  is  being  done. 

WHEN  I left  the  States,  writes 
Jim  Juhnke  from  Germany, 
three  years  away  from  home  and 
school  seemed  like  a very  long  time. 
I realize  now  that  it  is  actually  very 
short.  I won’t  nearly  be  ready  to 
go  home  when  my  time  is  up.  Why, 
I’m  just  beginning  to  get  “einge- 
lebt!” 

There  is  still  need  for  Pax  in 
Europe  and  I am  convinced  we 
should  be  here.  One  vital  factor  is 
the  contact  and  witness  among  the 
German  Mennonites.  A Pax  man  in 
overalls  is  in  a pretty  good  position 
to  show  real  Christian  discipleship. 

From  July  7-22  I worked  in  an 
MCC-sponsored  children’s  vacation 
camp  in  Annaberg,  Austria.  'The 
camp  was  organized  and  led  by 
Helene  Dueck,  MCC  worker  in  Vien- 
na. There  were  thirty-three  children 
attending  the  camp  which  was  held 
in  a beautiful  location  in  the  Aus- 
trian mountains.  'The  kids  were 
mostly  from  11  to  13  years  of  age 
and  came  from  poor  homes.  My  par- 
ticular responsibility  was  to  be  coun- 
sellor to  the  five  fellows  living  in 
the  tent  which  we  had  set  up  be- 
cause of  lack  of  living  space.  There 
were  also  things  to  be  done  in  or- 
ganizing recreation,  taking  over  the 
cash  box,  making  purchases,  taking 
injured  or  sick  campers  to  the  doc- 
tors, distributing  clothing.  The  camp 
i had  a distinct  evangelistic  tone  and 
I enjoyed  the  Christian  fellowship 


with  the  other  workers.  Working 
with  these  underprivileged  children 
was  a joy  and  these  two  weeks  real- 
ly gave  my  German  a boost.  The 
change  of  pace  from  office  routine 
and  big  city  life  was  a help  also. 

During  August,  Paxmen  moved 
back  to  Bechterdissen  with  a small 
unit.  Bechterdissen  is  a Pax-built 
Mennonite  settlement  and  we  are 
going  back  now  to  build  a church 
for  the  settlers.  A “Siedlung”  isn’t 
complete  before  it  has  a church 
building  and  we  hope  to  have  it 
finished  within  a year. 

TO  quote  Lowell  Goering  (also 
in  Germany): 

This  is  a once-in-a-lifetime  oppor- 
tunity of  which  more  fellows  should 
avail  themselves.  Especially  fellows 
from  German-speaking  backgrounds 
should  choose  to  come  into  Euro- 
pean Pax  as  the  majority  of  fellows 
here  serve  in  German-speaking 
countries  and  language  is  a vital 
asset.  More  of  the  fellows  now  are 
serving  in  individual  assignments, 
dealing  directly  with  people,  and 
without  an  understanding  of  the 
language  this  service  is  nearly  im- 
possible. 

Our  mission  now,  as  I see  it,  is 
to  build  bridges  of  love  and  under- 
standing even  more  than  to  build 
houses.  I feel  that  all  too  little  is 
said  in  our  Mennonite  communities 
about  the  opportunities  offered  by 
Pax  service. 

Our  building  program  has  pro- 
gressed nicely.  'Thus  far  this  year 
we  have  built  four  houses  and  are 
working  on  the  fifth.  . 

I was  in  West  Berlin  starting  the 
end  of  July  to  help  in  an  interna- 
tional MVS  workcamp.  We  had 
twenty-two  campers  from  twelve 
countries.  We  erected  playground 
equipment  in  a refugee  section  of 
town  and  did  some  landscaping, 
making  that  section  a little  more 
attractive.  Many  hundreds  of  refu- 


In  1952  work  was  begun  on  houses 
for  refugees  in  Backnang,  Ger- 
many. By  1955  the  first  Pax- 
built  church  was  completed  for  the 
Backnang  settlement.  Here  is 
the  church  and  the  people  who 
worship  in  it. 


gee  children  have  no  place  or  equip- 
ment to  help  pass  the  time. 

The  future  plans  here  at  Enken- 
bach  call  for  three  one-family 
houses  and  eight  double  houses  to 
be  built.  About  110  families  now  live 
in  the  Mennonite  community  here. 

I have  found  that  hitch-hiking  is 
a very  unique  way  to  talk  to  varied 
types  of  people  about  our  work.  As 
soon  as  they  learn  that  we  are 
Americans  they  ask  where  we  are 
stationed.  This  is  the  beginning  of 
a conversation  that  ends  in  the  rea- 
sons for  our  being  here.  Reactions 
and  comments  from  the  people 
vary,  but  most  of  them  are  im- 
pressed by  a service  of  this  type 
and  some  heartily  wish  for  a sim- 
ilar program  for  European  fellows. 

For  more  information  on  MCC 
Pax,  write  to  the  Mennonite  Cen- 
tral Committee  at  Akron,  Pennsyl- 
vania. If  Missions  Pax  is  what  you 
are  interested  in,  write  to  the  Board 
of  Christian  Service  at  722  Main  St., 
Newton,  Kan. 

Currently  there  are  nineteen  GC 
Mennonite  fellows  in  MCC  Pax:  one 
in  Switzerland,  seven  in  Germany, 
three  in  Paraguay,  two  in  Austria, 
one  in  Peru,  one  in  Vietnam,  two 
in  Indonesia,  one  in  Korea,  and  one 
in  Hong  Kong.  Seven  fellows  ended 
their  terms  in  the  middle  of  Sep- 
tember. 

There  are  eleven  in  Missions  Pax 
at  the  present  time;  eight  in  Congo, 
one  in  Taiwan,  one  in  Japan,  and 
one  in  India.  'Two  fellows  who  were 
in  Congo  Pax,  John  Jantzen  and 
Larry  Graber,  are  returning  to  the 
States  this  fall  “the  long  way  a- 
round,”  in  order  to  see  more  of 
Africa  and  the  Near  East. 

P.S.  Here’s  looking  for  the  day 
when  they  have  Missions  “Pax”  for 
girls ! 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People’s  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  722 
Main  St.,  Newton,  Kansas. 


h September  22,  1959 

ii 


587 


our  schools 

NEW  CLASS  NUMBERS  22 

The  22  members  of  the  incoming 
class  of  the  Bethel  Deaconess  Hos- 
pital School  of  Nursing  spent  Mon- 
day, September  7,  at  the  hospital  in 
orientation,  and  getting  chest  X- 
rays,  and  routine  laboratory  exam- 
inations. 

The  activities  of  the  day  included 
an  introduction  to  the  school’s  pro- 
gram by  Mildred  Harshbarger,  Di- 
rector of  Nursing,  and  a picnic  on 
the  lawn  of  the  Home  for  Aged  in 
the  evening. 

During  the  next  six  months  the 
class  will  be  enrolled  at  Bethel  Col- 
lege where  they  will  take  courses 
in  the  basic  sciences  and  other  pre- 
clinical  nursing  courses.  They  will 
live  on  the  college  campus  during 
this  time. 

Members  of  the  class  are  Lola 
Balzer  of  Mt.  Lake,  Minn.;  Ellen 
Claassen  of  Beatrice,  Neb.;  Gladys 
Ensz  of  Inman,  Kan.;  Myma  Frie- 
sen  of  Aurora,  Neb.;  Miriam  Funk 
of  Reedley,  Calif.;  Bernice  Goossen 
of  Colby,  Kan.;  Lynne  Hoopes  of 
Pueblo,  Colo.;  Marilyn  Hoover  of 
Detroit,  Kan.;  Beverly  Hutchens  of 
Harper,  Kan.;  Julia  Ann  Isaacs  of 
Turpin,  Okla.;  Eva  Kauffman  of 
Haven,  Kan.;  Diane  Major  of  Dor- 


MENNONITE  MEN 

Continued  from  page  584 

music  truly  befitted  the  beautiful 

setting. 

J.  W.  Fretz,  North  Newton,  Kan., 
then  presented  a message  entitled 
“Let’s  Drive  to  Paraguay.’’  In  his 
usual  interesting  way  he  painted  a 
word  picture  of  the  great  impor- 
tance of  the  Paraguay  Roadway 
program  not  only  to  the  Mennonites 
in  the  Chaco,  but  for  all  the  people 
of  Paraguay. 

The  occasion  came  to  a grand  cli- 
mcLX  as  the  Berne  Men’s  Chorus  so 
aptly  and  beautifully  sang  “How 
Great  Thou  Art”  and  “Ich  Weiss 
Einen  Strom.”  After  C.  J.  Dyck, 
Elkhart,  Ind.,  pronounced  the  bene- 
diction, the  men  returned  to  Bluff- 
ton  with  a feeling  of  spiritual 
blessing  and  a desire  to  do  even 
more  as  a fellowship  of  Mennonite 
Men. 


ranee,  Kan.;  Karen  Sue  Martens 
of  Burns,  Kan.;  Elaine  Schmidt  of 
Whitewater,  Kan.;  Kaye  Scott  of 
Burrton,  Kan.;  Mary  Unrau  and 
Carol  Unruh  of  Newton,  Kan.;  Wil- 
lodene  Vogt  of  Colony,  Okla.;  Marie 
Voth  and  Martha  Voth  of  Newton, 
Kan.;  Phyllis  Wiebe  of  Conway, 
Kan.;  and  Esther  Yutzy  of  Plain 
City,  Ohio. 

NICKEL  RECEIVES  DOCTORATE 

J.  W.  Nickel,  professor  of  Philos- 
ophy and  Languages  at  Bethel  Col- 
lege, was  granted  a Doctor  of  The- 
ology degree  at  Iliff  School  of  The- 
ology in  Denver  at  the  August  con- 
vocation this  summer. 

Dr.  Nickel’s  dissertation  is  en- 
titled, “An  Analytical  Approach  to 
Mennonite  Ethics.”  The  study  at- 
tempted to  search  out  the  factors 
that  influenced  the  ethics  of  the 
Mennonites  generally  in  view  of  the 
Mennonite  claim  to  a biblical  orien- 
tation in  ethics. 

Dr.  Nickel,  born  in  Russia,  came 
to  Canada  with  his  parents  in  the 
migration  of  1924.  Upon  graduation 
from  Bethel  in  1948  he  became  Gen- 
eral Conference  Mennonite  repre- 
sentative to  South  America  serving 
in  that  capacity  for  two  years. 

In  1952-53,  he  served  as  pastor 
of  the  First  Mennonite  Church  in 
Hillsboro.  While  attending  Iliff,  Dr. 
Nickel  served  as  pastor  of  the  Rog- 
gen  Episcopal  Community  Church 
and  as  an  assistant  instructor  at 
Iliff  and  at  Denver  U. 

In  1957,  he  became  a professor 
at  Bethel  College.  He  has  the  abil- 
ity to  teach  in  four  languages,  Span- 
ish, German,  Russian,  and  English 
with  further  extensive  study  in 
philosophy  and  theology. 

GAEDDERT  IS  SPECIAL  SPEAKER 

Registration  for  both  Freeman 
College  and  Academy  students  was 
held  Aug.  31,  followed  by  the  first 
day  of  class  work  on  September  1. 
September  4 the  students  were  the 
guests  of  the  faculty  at  the  annual 
faculty-student  reception.  The  re- 
ligious services  for  the  annual  for- 
mal school  opening  in  which  the 
whole  community  participates  was 
held  Sunday  evening,  September  6, 
with  Abe  Wiebe  as  the  speaker  of 
the  evening. 

Christian  Life  Week  was  held 
September  14-18  this  year.  John 


Gaeddert,  pastor  of  the  Bethesda 
Church  of  Henderson,  Neb.,  was  the  ® 
speaker  during  this  week  of  spirit-  ** 
ual  enrichm.ent.  He  is  a graduate  ^ 
of  Bethel  College  and  has  a Master 
of  Religious  Education  degree  from 
Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary.  Serv- 
ices began  at  8 o’clock  each  evening  ^ 
and  were  held  in  Pioneer  Hall.  He  ^ 
also  spoke  to  the  students  in  chapel 
each  morning. 


MCC  news  and  notes  : 

ELMER  NEUFELD  BEGINS  AS  ' 

PEACE  SECTION  SECRETARY 

AKRON — Sept.  7 Elmer  Neufeld  ' 
began  his  services  as  executive  sec- 
retary of  MCC  Peace  Section.  He 
replaces  Jess  Yoder  who  served  in 
a half-time  capacity.  Yoder  is  now 
teaching  in  the  Goshen  College 
speech  department.  Neufeld’s  ap- 
pointment on  a full-time  basis  will 
allow  for  intensified  work  in  the  j 
areas  of  militarism  and  war  and 
race  relations.  j 

From  study  seminars  and  con- 
tacts with  inter-racial  groups,  the 
Peace  Section  hopes  to  determine 
effective  and  relevant  ways  in  i 
which  Mennonites  can  witness  to  un-  ' 
just  racially-discriminating  prac- 
tices. A seminar  on  race  relations 
was  sponsored  by  the  Peace  Sec- 
tion, April  17-18,  in  Chicago.  Vari- 
ous Mennonite  groups  attended  the 
sessions.  July  22-24,  Elmer  Neufeld 
and  Guy  F.  Hershberger  attended 
the  First  Southwestern  Institute  on 
Non-Violent  Resistance  To  Segrega- 
tion in  Atlanta,  Ga.  Martin  Luther 
King,  Jr.,  and  Ralph  Abernathy, 
both  Christian  pacifists,  headed  the 
Atlanta  meeting. 


Studying  our  relationship  to  gov- 
ernment and  our  interests  in  mili- 
tary protest  projects — such  as  those 
at  Fort  Detrick,  Md.,  and  Omaha, 
Neb.  — are  among  the  Peace  Sec- 
tion’s concerns.  In  the  projected 
Peace  Section  agenda,  Neufeld 
hopes  to  participate  in  theological 
discussions  with  other  church 
groups  and  to  continue  MCC’s  in- 
terest in  Church  Peace  Mission,  an 
organization  composed  of  twenty 
religious  bodies.  Carrying  on  the 
peace  witness  in  Japan,  Europe,  and 
possibly  in  Africa  is  one  of  the 
Peace  Section’s  major  objectives. 


Neufeld  enters  his  new  assign- 
ment with  a wide  variety  of  expe- 


588 


THE  MENNONITE 


rience  as  well  as  an  extensive  edu- 
cation. He  is  an  MCC  Peace  Section 
member  and  served  as  associate  sec- 
retary of  the  National  Service 
Board  for  Religious  Objectors,  1951- 
1954.  Graduating  from  Bethel  Col- 
lege in  1951,  Neufeld  did  graduate 
work  in  philosophy,  1954-1959,  at  the 
University  of  Chicago  where  he  is  a 
doctoral  candidate. 

While  in  Chicago  he  worked  close- 
ly with  the  Woodlawn  Mennonite 
Church,  serving  with  the  youth  or- 
ganization and  as  chairman  of  the 
Woodlawn  congregation.  He  was  re- 
cently elected  to  the  General  Con- 
ference Mennonite  Board  of  Mis- 
sions. Neufeld’s  qualifications  in 
Peace  Section  work  are  augmented 
by  his  experience  on  the  General 
Conference  Committee  on  Peace 
and  Social  Concerns. 

GENERAL  HERSHEY  VISITS 
FRANKFURT  HEADQUARTERS 

FRANKFURT— General  Lewis  B. 
Hershey  visited  the  MCC  Frankfurt 
Office  on  Sept.  1.  Hershey  spent 
several  hours  with  Peter  Dyck 
(European  MCC  director),  with 
some  of  the  Pax  personnel,  and  with 
Harold  Row  (Executive  Secretary  of 
the  Brethren  Service  Commission). 
His  voluntary  visit  to  our  European 
program  headquarters  seems  to  in- 
dicate interest  the  United  States 
government  is  taking  in  what  our 
conscientious  objectors  are  doing  in 
overseas  alternative  service  proj- 
ects. 

Hershey  showed  keen  interest  in 
the  total  MCC  program,  but  his 
particular  interest  was  the  1-W 
man.  When  introduced  to  Pax  per- 
sonnel, General  Hershey  would  fre- 
quently ask,  “Is  this  one  of  my 
boys?”  He  plans  to  see  more  of 
“his  boys”  at  the  Enkenbach,  Kai- 
serslautern, and  Bad  Duerkheim 
Pax  stations  in  the  near  future. 

Peter  Dyck  reports,  “In  my  office 
we  talked  for  about  an  hour  re- 
garding the  MCC  European  pro- 
gram in  general  and  continued  our 
discussion  with  particular  reference 
to  Pax  work  in  the  Pax  office.  I be- 
lieve we  were  able  to  answer  all 
questions  and  we  felt  that  General 
Hershey  was  pleased  with  our  pro- 
gram. Everyone  in  the  house  appre- 
ciated the  fact  that  General  Her- 
shey joined  us  in  our  usual  after- 
noon coffee  break  and  that  the 
General  entertained  us  with  his 
stimulating  conversation.” 


jottings 

12  YOUNG  PEOPLE  JOIN  CHURCH 

West  Zion  Church,  Moundridge, 
Kan.:  On  May  17  six  young  people 
joined  church  by  baptism  and  six 
by  letter.  Forty  Christmas  bundles 
were  delivered  to  the  clothing  cen- 
ter at  North  Newton  from  our 
church.  Vacation  Bible  school  was 
held  again  this  summer.  Seven 
members  of  our  church  attended 
the  conf.  at  Bluffton.  The  Peter  Neu- 
felds,  our  summer  supply  pastor, 
left  for  the  Mennonite  Biblical  Sem- 
inary at  Elkhart,  Ind.,  to  resume 
their  studies.  On  Aug.  30  the  W.  C. 
Voths  gave  an  illustrated  report  on 
the  challenge  of  Christian  missions 
to  Taiwan  and  also  share  expe- 
riences of  their  encounter  with 
Communism  in  the  Orient. 

25TH  ANNIVERSARY  CELEBRATED 

United  Church,  Vineland,  Ont.:  A 
special  service  at  the  church  on 
Aug.  2 celebrated  the  25th  anniver- 
sary of  the  ordination  of  the  Rev. 
Nicholas  Fransen.  Speaker  for  the 
congregation  was  C.  K.  Neufeld  of 
Niagara-on-the-Lake,  who  was  cho- 
sen as  a ministerial  candidate  at 
Vineland  along  with  Mr.  Fransen 
several  years  before  the  ordination. 
It  was  recalled  that  the  ordination 
took  place  in  the  old  church,  later 
taken  over  and  remodeled  by  the 
Mennonite  Brethren  congregation. 
J.  J.  Wichert  was  in  charge  of  the 
service,  assisted  by  J.  W.  Neufeld 
and  A.  H.  Harder,  all  of  Vineland. 
Short  talks  were  given  by  visiting 
ministers  and  deacons,  including 
Peter  Derksen,  missionary  on  fur- 
lough from  Japan,  and  J.  Rempel, 
recently  arrived  from  Paraguay. — 
Herta  Fransen 

CONFERENCE  REPORT  GIVEN 

Butterfield  Church,  Butterfield, 
Minn.;  Bible  Meditation  League 
representative,  Darrel  Stark,  of 
Minneapolis  spoke  Tues.  eve,  Aug. 
4.  Our  young  people  presented  the 
C.  E.  program  and  held  a banquet 
on  the  second  and  third  Sun.  eve- 
nings in  Aug.  Missionary  Jack 
Toews  showed  interesting  slides 
from  Venezuela  on  Aug.  19.  Evan- 
gelists Lowell  Stoesz  and  J.  J.  Esau 
brought  challenging  messages  on 
the  fourth  and  fifth  Sun.  mornings 
in  Aug.  Holy  Communion  was  ob- 
served Aug.  30,  and  a report  of  the 
conf.  in  Bluffton  was  given  by 
brother  Esau  in  the  evening. 

MARRIAGE  VOWS  SOLEMNIZED 

CONGERVILLB  CHURCH,  CONGERVILLE, 
III.;  Lynda  Dosher  and  Clark  Wet- 
zel exchanged  marriage  vows  on 
Aug.  22  at  the  Congerville  Church. 


She  is  the  daughter  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Shelby  Dosher  of  Congerville; 
he  is  the  son  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Miles 
T.  Wetzel  of  Emmaus,  Pa.  Rev.  E. 
P.  Schaich  of  Toledo,  Ohio,  uncle  of 
the  bride,  officiated  at  the  cere- 
mony. The  Wetzels  will  be  at  home 
at  Van  Buren  State  Park,  Van  Bu- 
ren,  Ohio. 

S.  S.  PICNIC  HELD 

Warden  Church,  Warden,  V/ash.: 
June  28,  our  church  had  their  Sun- 
day school  picnic  at  the  Moses  Lake 
State  Park.  The  children  had  a 
short  program  and  then  games 
were  played.  The  mission  society 
met  at  the  Jim  Unruh  home  on  July 
9.  Mrs.  Menno  Boschman  gave  a 
talk  on  the  missionaries  at  the 
Mutena  Station  in  the  Congo.  The 
ladies  packed  clothing  for  relief. 
For  their  August  meeting  the  ladies 
cut  out  and  sewed  boys’  shirts  for 
relief.  The  meeting  was  held  at  the 
Vernon  Karber  home.  Mrs.  Paul 
Nachtigal  had  the  topic.  Our  first 
baptismal  service  was  held  in  our 
church  on  Sunday,  August  23,  when 
Ernie  Nickels  was  baptized  upon 
confession  of  faith.  In  the  evening 
a farewell  in  the  form  of  a potluck 
supper  was  held  at  the  Rev.  Ru- 
dolph Schmidt’s  home  for  Jane  Jan- 
zen,  who  is  at  Bethel  College  for 
the  school  year,  and  Ernie  Nickels 
who  is  making  his  home  at  Eph- 
rata.  Our  former  pastor,  Wilbur 
Schmidt,  and  his  family  visited  in 
the  community  a few  days  on  their 
return  trip  to  S.  D. — Mrs.  Menno 
Boschman 

MISSIONARIES  COME  AND  GO 

Gospel  Church,  Mt.  Lake,  Minn.: 
Many  boys  and  girls,  young  peo- 
ple, and  several  married  couples  en- 
joyed the  'Tri-State  Bible  Camp  at 
Lake  Shetek  beginning  July  24,  for 
the  young  people  and  concluding 
August  1 and  2 for  the  couples.  Rev. 
and  Mrs.  Ben  J.  Nickel  spent  seven 
v/eeks  in  Alaska  teaching  DVBS  at 
Anchorage  and  also  spent  two 
weeks  at  the  Minfield  Children’s 
Home.  Sam  Nickel  accompanied 
them  to  the  home  where  he  will 
spend  his  1-W  service.  Returning 
Iiome  with  the  Ben  J.  Nickels  were 
missionary  and  Mrs.  P.  J.  Nickel 
and  Lynette  for  a time  of  furlough. 
'Fne  wedding  of  Bernice  Klaassen 
and  John  Esau,  Jr.,  took  place  at 
our  church  June  24.  A combined  wel- 
come home  service  for  missionary 
P.  J.  Nickels  and  a farewell  service 
for  the  Glendon  Klaassen  family 
was  held  July  29  with  an  informal 
fellowship  folowing.  Our  men’s 
chorus  sang  at  the  Sioux  City,  Iowa, 
church  on  Aug.  6.  On  Aug.  30  they 
traveled  to  St.  Cloud  to  sing  at  the 
reformatory  and  at  a church  serv- 


September  22,  1959 


589 


ice  that  morning.  Among  the  special 
speakers  for  Wednesday  night 
prayer  meeting  recently  were  Chris- 
tian leader  from  India,  Vernon 
Duerksen  of  Omaha,  Neb.,  and  Mis- 
sionaries Wesley  Van  Nattans  of  Af- 
rica. August  2y  was  the  wedding  of 
Nancy  Jane  Quiring  and  John  W. 
Stafford  of  Waterloo,  Neb.  A num- 
ber of  our  members  attended  the 
General  Conference  sessions  at 
Bluffton,  Ohio.  Glendon  Klaassen, 
J.  J.  Esau,  P.  J.  Nickel,  and  H.  E. 
Wiens  were  among  the  guest  speak- 
ers Sunday  morning  during  the  pas- 
tor’s vacation  and  conference  days 
in  Aug. — Mrs.  Waldo  Stoesz 

RELIEF  WORKERS  HONORED 

Deep  Run  Church,  Deep  Run,  Pa.; 
Pastor  Claude  Boyer  and  family  left 
for  Ohio  Aug.  3,  and  before  going 
on  to  the  conference  at  Bluffton, 
spent  some  time  at  Sugarcreek, 
Ohio,  visiting  Mrs.  Boyer’s  parents. 
They  returned  home  on  Aug.  26. 
During  pastor  Boyer’s  absence,  one 
of  the  guest  speakers  for  the  morn- 
ing worship  service  was  Norman 
Dettra  of  the  Pa.  Temperance 
League.  The  Boyers  as  well  as  the 
many  others  from  Deep  Run  who 
attended  the  conference  shared  the 
wonderful  experiences  which  they 
received  with  the  congregation. 
Nancy  Wismer  of  Deep  Run  was 
elected  to  the  office  of  secretary  of 
the  General  Conference  Young  Peo- 
ple’s Union.  On  Aug.  31,  a service 
was  held  honoring  Don  and  Eleanor 
Kaufman  who  will  be  going  into  re- 
lief work  in  Indonesia  for  a period 
of  two  years.  There  was  a brief  pro- 
gram at  which  time  they  told  of 
some  of  the  things  they  will  be 
doing.  A period  of  fellowship  fol- 
lowed this  service.  Mrs.  Kaufman  is 
the  former  Eleanor  Wismer,  daugh- 
ter of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Norman  Wis- 
mer of  the  Deep  Run  Church.  On 
Aug.  14  the  youth  fellowship  jour- 
neyed to  Philadelphia  where  they 
enjoyed  a “Phillies”  Baseball  Game. 
The  women’s  missionary  society 
held  “Family  Night”  on  Friday 
night,  Aug.  21.  The  pastor  conduct- 
ed early  worship  at  the  Frederick 
Home  for  the  Aged,  Aug.  30.  A serv- 
ice was  held  on  Sept.  16  with  mis- 
sionary Albert  Jantzen  as  a special 
speaker.  Sept.  10  Deep  Run  conduct- 
ed the  Sunday  school  service  at  the 
Frederick  Home  for  the  Aged.  Our 
baseball  team  won  the  title  of  the 
Eastern  District  Conference  Soft- 
ball  Champions  on  Sept.  3 when 
they  defeated  Grace  Mennonite 
Church,  Lansdale,  at  the  playoff 
game.  A dinner  for  the  older  mem- 
bers of  the  women’s  missionary  so- 
ciety was  held  Sept.  19.  Harvest 
Home  was  observed  on  Sept.  20. 


Sept.  27  was  the  date  for  a special 
program  sponsored  by  the  Library 
Committee. — Doris  Moyer 

PLANS  FOR  A JUNIOR  CHOIR 
FESTIVAL 

North  Newton,  Kan.;  The  com- 
mittee of  The  Mennonite  Song  Fes- 
tival Society  announces  that  a Jun- 
ior Choir  Festival  will  be  held  on 
November  15,  1959,  at  2;  30  p.m.  in 
Memorial  Hall  on  the  Bethel  Col- 
lege Campus. 

We  are  fortunate  to  get  John 
Gaeddert,  pastor  of  the  Bethesda 
Mennonite  Church  at  Henderson, 
Nebraska,  to  be  the  guest  conductor 
for  this  occasion.  He  is  well  quali- 
fied and  has  worked  with  children’s 
choirs.  He  also  has  a deep  interest 
in  the  v/ork  of  the  church.  He  will 
also  talk  briefly  on  the  hymn  and 
its  place  in  worship. 

All  junior  choirs  will  join  in  the 
singing  of  hymns  planned  with  a 
definite  theme.  There  is  something 
wonderful  about  being  a part  of  a 
large  massed  choir  wherein  the 
hymn  makes  each  individual  real- 
ize the  oneness  of  which  Christ 
prayed.  That  should  be  one  of  the 
basic  objectives  of  a song  festival. 

mutual  aid  placement 

A brotherly  service  for  the  upbuilding  of 
the  church  community  through  a mutually 
helpful  agency  providing  free  services  in 
the  interest  of  placement  or  relocation. 

WANTED 

Couple  to  live  in  and  care  for  in- 
valid father.  Write;  Mary  Kroeker, 
1531  South  Wichita  Street,  Wichita, 
Kan.  Phone  AM  2-8338.  (No.  596) 

1-W  Couple  for  grounds  and  mainte- 
nance and  general  assistance  in 
Mennonite  home  for  the  aging.  Op- 
portunity for  nursing  service.  Hous- 
ing furnished.  Contact;  Mutual  Aid, 
722  Main,  Newton,  Kansas.  (P  597) 

into  the  beyond 

Miss  Helen  Epp,  member  of  the 
First  Mennonite  Church,  Beatrice, 
Neb.,  was  bom  near  Marienburg, 
West  Prussia,  on  Nov.  23,  1865.  She 
was  called  to  her  eternal  home  on 
Aug.  25,  1959. 

Samuel  P.  Schultz  of  Reedley, 
Calif.,  and  member  of  the  First 
Mennonite  Church,  Reedley,  was 
bom  May  15,  1878,  and  died  Aug.  28, 
1959. 


WHAT  WILT  THOU  HAVE  ME 
TO  DO? 

continued  from  page  580 

Please  understand  it  is  not  my 
purpose  to  condemn  or  condone 
these  changes  but  we  must  recog- 
nize that  these  changes  have  come 
and  definitely  will  affect  what  is 
left  over  for  Conference  boards  and'^ 
Conference  institutions. 

Often  the  Christian  contends 
that  we  are  under  grace  and  not 
under  the  law  and  therefore  not 
obligated  to  tithe.  In  the  legalistic 
sense  this  is  true  but  neither  must 
we  read  our  Bible,  attend  church 
service,  pray,  and  say  grace  before 
meals.  If  we  fail  to  do  them,  how- 
ever, we  certainly  lose  the  blessing 
that  only  these  things  can  bring. 

On  the  other  hand  I am  afraid 
that  often  what  makes  freewill 
offering  attractive  to  people  is  the 
fact  that  they  are  free  not  to  give 
or  free  to  give  far  less  than  may 
be  becoming  of  a Christian  steward. 

I cannot  believe  that  spasmodic, 
impulsive,  indiscriminate  giving 
is  businesslike  or  a credit  to  our 
interest  in  the  church.  Some  of  our 
churches  have  already  realized  the 
need  in  this  area  and  have  intro- 
duced a revised  program  that  has 
led  to  more  systematic  and  increas- 
ed giving.  I have  great  respect 
and  faith  in  the  system  of  volun- 
tary giving  and  freewiU  offerings 
but  under  present  day  pressures, 
our  church  will  not  get  its  fair 
share  without  some  planning,  in- 
struction, and  Christian  promotion. 
If  in  the  next  triennium  we  want 
our  Conference  to  go  forward  in  a 
dynamic  program  of  church  expan- 
sion, evangelism,  Christian  service, 
publication,  and  education,  we  say 
again  that  we  cannot  avoid  facing 
the  question  of  Christian  steward- 
ship. 

Rev.  Beaven,  in  his  book  Putting 
the  Church  on  a Full  Time  Basis, 
has  a chapter  entitled,  “Giving — 
An  Irritation  or  an  Inspiration?” 
Here  he  points  out  giving  under 
compulsion  is  usually  an  irritation 
but  if  it  comes  from  within,  of 
Christian  motive,  it  is  usually  an 
inspiration  and  joy. 

“Lord,  what  wilt  Thou  have  me 
to  do?”  You  will  recall  that  this 
was  Paul’s  question  on  the  road  to 
Damascus  when  the  Lord  suddenly 
stopped  him  in  the  middle  of  the 


590 


THE  MENNONITE 


road  chiding  him  for  his  behavior 
of  the  past,  but,  more  than  that, 
calling  him  to  a new  and  greater 
taslc.  We  have  talked  about  the 
Conference  needs  and  some  of  the 
things  that  need  to  be  done  about 
them,  but  actually  not  much  can  be 
done  unless  this  question  really  be- 
comes a personal  question,  “Lord, 
what  wilt  Thou  have  me  to  do?” 
When  we  ask,  “Is  our  church  a- 
live?”  we  must  also  ask,  “Am  I 
alive?” 

For  a time  such  as  this  Jesus 
Christ  was  born.  For  a time  such 
as  this  our  church  was  bom  (our 
Conference,  if  you  please).  For  a 
time  such  as  this  you  and  I were 
bom. 

The  task  before  us  is  never  as 
great  as  the  power  behind  us  if  we 
truly  have  Christ  within  us.  “If  God 
be  for  us  who  can  be  against  us?” 
“Lord,  what  will  Thou  have  me  to 
do?” 

conference  notes 

continued  from  last  page 

RETREATERS  DISCUSS  PROBLEMS 

That  older  people  want  to  be  and 
can  be  useful  in  later  life  was  the 
consensus  of  opinion  of  the  twenty- 
six  persons  who  attended  the 
Camp  Mennoscah  Family  Retreat 
for  Senior- Age  Couples  (over  45) 
September  5 to  7. 

The  retreat,  sponsored  by  the  re- 
treat committee  of  the  Western 
District  in  the  General  Conference 
Mennonite  Church,  gave  opportu- 
nity for  older  people  to  discuss  their 
concerns  and  challenge  the  thinking 
of  the  public  on  the  problem  of  ag- 
ing. Program  director  was  H.  B. 
Schmidt,  Moundridge,  Kan.,  assisted 
by  Elmer  Ediger,  North  Newton, 
and  Wilfred  Unruh,  Newton. 

Especially  appreciated  by  retreat- 
ers were  the  informal  discussions 
on  pertinent  topics:  “How  can 

grandchildren,  children,  and  we  en- 
joy and  help  each  other?”  “Things 
I really  like  to  do;  things  I would 
like  to  learn — how  can  I do  these 
things?”  “Where  shall  we  live  as 
we  grow  older?”  “How  shall  we 
think  of  life  alone?  of  accepting 
help?  of  death?  of  transferring  to 
] heaven?”  Discussion  leaders  were 
Elmer  Ediger,  Ernest  Bachman, 
Wilfred  Unmh,  William  Harms,  and 
Marvin  Ewert.  The  topic  discussed 


by  John  Thiessen,  of  North  New- 
ton, Sunday  morning  during  the 
worship  period  was  “To  Keep  on 
Growing  by  the  Grace  of  God.” 

It  was  evident  that  older  people 
want  to  be  useful.  The  majority  of 
those  attending  the  retreat  were 
nearing  what  is  usually  considered 
retirement  age.  They  approved  a 
“bill  of  rights”  of  which  the  main 
assertions  were  the  right  to  a 
chance  to  be  useful,  a chance  to  be 
active,  and  a chance  to  be  a free 
human  being  with  dignity  and  re- 
spect. Must  a person  retire  at  65? 
There  is  much  left  to  be  done  by 
persons  over  65,  retreaters  conclud- 
ed. 

A program  such  as  the  one  car- 
ried out  by  the  retreat  committee 
could  well  be  adapted  for  a Sunday 
school  class  or  a congregation.  Per- 
sons or  committees  interested  in 
sponsoring  this  type  of  a workshop 
are  invited  to  write  the  Board  of 
Christian  Service  for  assistance  in 
planning  and  suggestions  for  re- 
source leaders.  The  address  is  722 
Main,  Newton,  Kan. 

H.  T.  NEUFELDS  RETIRE 

Heinrich  T.  and  Anna  Neufeld, 
mission  workers  in  Oklahoma,  have 
retired  from  the  work  among  the 
American  Indians  at  Seiling.  Their 
successors  are  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Herman 
Walde  (see  Aug.  18  issue  of  The 
Mennonite,  Aug.  7 issue  of  Cana- 
dian Mennonite.) 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Neufeld  began  their 
work  among  the  Arapahoe  and 
Cheyenne  Indians  in  1912,  and  con- 
tinued until  1927,  with  about  four 
years’  absence  when  they  served 
the  Cheyennes  in  Montana.  After 
that  they  served  the  Bethel  Menno- 
nite Church  at  Enid,  Okla.,  for  many 
years.  During  this  time  Mr.  Neufeld 
also  taught  at  the  Oklahoma  Bible 
Academy  at  Meno.  The  Neufelds 
also  spent  two  years  in  Mexico. 

Being  in  semi-retirement  when  the 
need  for  workers  arose  in  the  mis- 
sion church  at  Seiling  in  1958,  the 
Neufelds  consented  to  help  there 
for  a year.  They  now  live  at  Enid, 
no  longer  directly  responsible  for 
a particular  field  of  service,  but  in- 
terested in  the  total  work  of  the 
church. 

Mr.  Neufeld’s  ability  as  a carpen- 
ter has  been  an  asset  on  the  mis- 
sion station.  He  has  built  the 
churches  and  parsonages  at  Clinton 
and  Seiling. 


Scenes  from  the  recent  flood  in  Tai- 
wan. The  center  picture  shows  relief 
grain  being  unloaded.  In  the  lower 
picture  Glen  Graber  helps  Tai- 
wanese roorhmen. 


. September  22,  1959 


591 


conference  notes 


BUILDING  BEGUN  AT  CACHIPAY 

With  an  enrollment  of  over  one 
hundred  at  our  school  at  Cachipay, 
Colombia,  classroom  space  has  be- 
come a problem.  Piles  of  steel 
framework,  bricks,  and  sand  on  a 
site  where  once  a little  garden 
flourished  spell  the  beginning  of  the 
solution  to  this  problem.  In  addition 
to  providing  an  extra  classroom,  the 
new  building  will  have  a social  room 
at  one  end  where  young  people’s 
groups  can  meet  and  where  chil- 
dren can  entertain  their  parents. 

The  new  building  is  being  built 
through  personal  gifts  and  a dona- 
tion from  the  women  of  the  English- 
speaking  church  of  Bogota.  Part  of 
the  work  is  being  done  by  Volun- 
tary Service  workers.  It  is  hoped 
that  the  building  will  be  ready  for 
use  at  the  beginning  of  school  in 
Feb.  of  1960. 

The  school,  begun  in  1947  by  Gen- 
eral Conference  Mennonite  mission- 
aries, is  for  healthy  children  of  lep- 
rous parents.  Present  staff  members 
are  the  Calvin  Flickingers,  the  Ar- 
thur Reisers,  and  Janet  Soldner  who 
has  just  recently  returned  from  a 
year  of  furlough  in  the  United 
States. 

FAITH  OF  CHRISTIANS  TESTED 

Aggressiveness  on  the  part  of  the 
Roman  Catholics  is  making  General 
Conference  Mennonite  mission  work 
increasingly  difficult  in  Central  In- 
dia. Helen  Kornelsen,  who  is  active 
in  women’s  work,  writes,  “In  three 
villages  where  the  Roman  Catholics 
made  inroads,  the  reception  from 
the  women  was  not  as  genuine  as  I 
experienced  last  year.  Perhaps  with 
time  and  patience,  and  by  carrying 
on  a definite  program  of  instruc- 
tion, we  may  be  able  to  win  their 
confidence  again.”  Some  of  the  In- 
dian Christians  who  have  been  won 
over  by  the  Catholics  have  admit- 
ted that  it  was  for  the  sake  of  ma- 
terial gain. 

This  summer  Miss  Kornelsen  and 
Esther  Wiebe,  nurse  in  Jagdeesh- 
pur,  spent  their  vacation  in  South 
India  enrolled  as  full-time  students 
in  language  school  to  become  bet- 
ter acquainted  with  Oriya,  a prev- 
alent dialect  in  Central  India.  After 
completion  of  the  course,  they  re- 
port, “Although  our  Oriya  speaking 


ability  is  still  pitifully  limited,  ev- 
ery stumbling  effort  seems  to  be 
greatly  appreciated  by  the  village 
people.  It  is  amazing  how  much 
more  accessible  we  are  to  the  peo- 
ple for  being  able  to  speak  just  a 
‘teekie,  teekie  Oriya’  (tiny,  tiny  bit 
of  Oriya).” 

WOMEN  PLAN  RALLY 

The  23rd  annual  Indiana  Menno- 
nite Women’s  Missionary  Rally  will 
be  held  Thurs.,  Oct.  15,  at  the  Evan- 
gelical Mennonite  Church  at  Berne, 
Ind.  The  theme  for  the  day,  “Who 
Is  My  Neighbor?”  will  be  presented 
by  speakers  representing  the  Men- 
nonite Central  Committee,  the  Do- 
minican Republic,  Colombia,  and 
Japan. 

Registration  will  begin  at  9:30 
on  Thurs.  morning.  Sessions  are 
scheduled  for  10:00  a.m.,  1:30  p.m.. 


and  6:45  p.m.  All  women  of  the 
General  Conference  and  Evangelical 
Mennonite  churches  in  Indiana  and 
northwestern  Ohio  are  invited  to 
this  convention. 

WEDEL  CALLED  TO  INMAN 

P.  A.  Wedel  of  Goessel,  Kan.,  heis 
accepted  a call  to  the  eldership  of 
the  Bethel  Mennonite  Church,  In- 
man, Kan.,  his  duties  to  begin  Feb. 
1,  1960.  Brother  Wedel  has  served 
the  Alexanderwohl  Church  for  fif- 
teen years,  and  the  congregation  ac- 
cepts with  regret  his  resignation 
which  is  to  take  effect  January  31. 

NEW  PASTOR  FOR  BURNS  CHURCH 

Theodore  Roth  of  Whitewater, 
Kan.,  has  accepted  a call  to  serve 
the  Burns  Mennonite  Church  at 
Burns,  Kan.  He  will  assume  his  new 
duties  this  fall. 


conference  stewardship 

August  31,  1958,  as  compared  to  August  31,  1959 


o o o o 

o tN  00  O 


BUDGET 


MISSIONS 


49.0%  1958 
48.3%  1959 


37.0%  1958 
49.2%  1959 


38.1  % 1958 
28.9%  1959 


28.7%  1958 
29.1%  1959 


49.4%  1958 
51.3%  1959 


lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 

CHRISTIAN  SERVICE 


lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll» 

EDUCATION  AND  PUBLICATION 


lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 

BUSINESS  ADMINISTRATION 


lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 

YOUNG  PEOPLE’S  UNION 


$670,000 

$700,000 


$193,500 

$177,600 


$ 70,000 
$ 75,400 


$ 26,500 
$ 41,500 


$ 7,450 

$ 7,400 


Receipts  to  August  31; 


I 1959  Budget 


SEPTEMBER  29,  1959 


THE  MENNONITE 

Almighty  God,  who  hast  given  us  this  good  land  for  our 
heritage;  we  humbly  beseech  thee  that  we  may  always 
prove  ourselves  a people  mindful  of  thy  favor  and  glad 
to  do  thy  will.  Bless  our  land  with  honorable  industry, 
sound  learning,  and  pure  manners.  Save  us  from  violence, 
discord,  and  confusion;  from  pride  and  arrogancy,  and 
from  every  evil  way.  Defend  our  liberties  and  fashion  into 
one  united  people  the  multitudes  brought  hither  out  of 
many  kindreds  and  tongues.  Endue  with  the  spirit  of  wis- 
dom those  to  whom  in  thy  Name  we  entrust  the  authority 
of  government,  that  there  may  be  justice  and  peace  at 
home,  and  that  through  obedience  to  thy  law,  we  may 
show  forth  thy  praise  among  the  nations  of  the  earth. 
In  the  time  of  prosperity,  fill  our  hearts  with  thankfulness, 
and  in  the  day  of  trouble  suffer  not  our  trust  in  thee  to 
fail;  all  which  we  ask  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  Amen. 


NATIONAL  OAY  OF  PRAYER  • OCTOBER  1 


in  this  issue 

COVER 

The  prayer  is  from  A Book  of  Worship 
for  Free  Churches,  Oxford  University 
Press,  1948. 

ARTICLES 

AWAKENING  TO  HUMAN  NEED 


By  Henry  A.  Fast  596 

MUST  WE  HELP? 

By  W.  F.  Unruh  598 

MCC  ASSISTS  REFUGEES 

By  Lowell  Telchroew  599 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  594 

MENNONITE  YOUTH 

Loyalties  601 

Abstinence  Temperance  602 

OUR  - SCHOOLS  604 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  605 

JOTTINGS  607 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  608 


PHOTO  CREDITS 

CARE,  page  595.  United  Nations,  pages 
597  and  599. 


of  things  to  come 

Oct.  4 — Western  District  Sunday  School 
Convention,  Halstead  High  School 
Auditorium,  Halstead,  Kan. 

Oct.  4 — World  Communion  Sunday 

Oct.  7 — National  Day  of  Prayer 

Nov.  8 — Peace  Sunday 

Oct.  12 — Canadian  Thanksgiving  Day 

Oct.  24-28 — West.  Dist.  Conference 

Nov.  1 — Reformation  Sunday 

Nov.  26 — Thanksgiving  Day  (U.S.) 

Dec.  1 -4 — Council  of  Boards 
Dec.  13 — Universal  Bible  Sunday 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor:  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 
J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Assistant:  Muriel 

Thiessen.  Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  38 


editorials 

CHURCH  MEMBERSHIP  INCREASES  The  Yearbook  of  ' 
American  Churches  for  1960  shows  the  highest  ratio  of  church  - 
membership  to  population  in  American  history,  with  a rise  of  j 
five  per  cent  over  the  previous  year.  In  1900  church  member-  ' 
ship  was  only  36  per  cent  of  the  total  population ; in  1920  it  was  |, 
43  per  cent,  while  in  1958  (latest  figure)  it  was  63  per  cent.  Total  j 
church  membership  for  all  faiths  stands  at  109,557,741. 

The  per-membership  contributions  for  all  causes  annually 
was  $63.27.  (For  congregational  expense  $50.39  and  for  benevo-  ■ 
lences  $12.88.) 

When  the  Protestant  church  bodies  are  grouped  into  “families,” 
the  five  largest  are;  Baptist  (27  bodies)  20,493,381;  Methodist 
(21  bodies)  12,213,097;  Lutheran  (18  bodies)  7,791,248;  Pres-  | 
byterian  (10  bodies)  4,126,583;  and  Latter-day  Saints  (6  bodies) 
1,546,751. 

These  figures  are  quite  impressive.  However,  two  conclusions 
may  be  drawn  from  them.  One  is  that  people  are  becoming  more 
religious  over  the  years  as  the  number  of  church  members 
grows.  The  other  conclusion  might  be  that  religion  has  been 
popularized  to  the  extent  that  it  has  lost  much  of  its  vitality 
and  has  been  made  so  soft  and  easy  and  undemanding  that  it 
merely  gives  a certain  outward  respectability  to  life  without 
making  any  real  demands.  K the  cost  is  lowered,  so  is  the  brand 
of  religion.  Real  Christianity  is  costly  and  deeply  demanding 
but  its  rewards  are  immeasurable. 

We  dare  not  be  satisfied  with  a mere  increase  in  numbers  of 
church  members.  We  must  strive  also  for  an  increase  in  depth  of 
religious  experience,  for  a closer  fellowship  with  God,  for  a 
fuller  manifestation  of  His  divine  love  for  all  people. 

RESPONSIVE  TO  HUMAN  NEED  This  being  Refugee  Year  | 
we  cannot  escape  facing  up  with  the  fact  that  there  are  tremen- 
dous needs  around  the  world.  When  we  speak  of  needs,  our  first 
thought  is  usually  of  food  and  clothing.  These  items  are  certainly 
necessary ; yet  there  may  be  greater  needs  than  these. 

Refugees  need  hope.  To  them  Life  looks  very  bleak  and  discour- 
aging. Friends,  home,  possessions,  and  country — these  may  all 
be  lost  to  them.  They  wonder  what  there  is  to  live  for.  To  be  of 
real  help  we  need  to  be  able  to  inspire  hope  in  their  wounded 
hearts  and  cause  them  to  believe  that  life  can  be  worth  while. 

They  also  need  to  be  shown  how  they  may  be  able  to  help 
themselves.  They  need  confidence  and  self-respect  and  guidance 
to  re-establish  themselves  in  society.  This  may  be  far  more 
difficult  than  handing  out  material  goods,  but  it  is  essential  for 
their  future. 

They  need  a healthy  spiritual  life  as  well  as  physical  suste- 
nance. In  fact,  to  feed  the  body  but  allow  the  soul  to  starve  is 
not  meeting  their  problem  at  all.  Both  need  to  be  nurtured  and 
developed  together.  This  is  the  new  emphasis  we  are  placing  on 
all  our  relief  activities.  Be  sure  to  read  the  article  “Awakening 
to  Human  Need.” 


594 


THE  MENNONITE 


Not  to  help  a person  in  distress  is  to  kill  him  in  your  heart.  So  goes  an  Af- 
rican proverb.  John  put  it  this  way:  “If  anyone  has  the  world’s  goods  and 
sees  his  brother  in  need,  yet  closes  his  heart  against  him,  how  does  God’s 
love  abide  in  him?  ” The  worst  curtain  in  the  world  today  is  not  the  iron  cur- 
tain, bamboo  curtain,  or  purple  curtain.  It  is  the  plush  curtain.  What  shall  1 
render  unto  the  Lord  for  all  His  benefits  toward  me? 


September  29,  1959 


595 


AWAKENING  TO  HUMAN  NEED 


Henry  A.  Fast 

(This  article  is  a portion  of  the  ad- 
dress delivered  at  the  conference  at 
Bluffton.  The  full  text  unit  appear 
in  the  next  issue  of  MENNONITE 
LIFE,  Ed.) 

People  hemmed  in  by  public 
pressure  or  persecution  over  a 
period  of  years  almost  inevitably 
develop  ingrown  tendencies.  Their 
interests,  sympathies,  and  concerns 
turn  inward  and  concentrate  on  car- 
ing for  their  own  group.  They  tend 
to  ignore  people  outside  their  own 
circle  because  they  are  afraid  their 
help  may  be  unwelcome  or  even 
resented. 

Something  like  this  happened  to 
our  Mennonite  forefathers.  For  cen- 
turies they  were  a minority  group, 
misunderstood  and  maligned,  often 
under  public  pressure,  often  hemmed 
in  and  despised  and  sometimes  per- 
secuted and  martyred  because  of 
their  Christian  convictions  and  their 
position  in  regard  to  participation 
in  war  and  military  training. 
Pushed  in  upon  themselves  as  they 
were  it  is  not  surprising  that  in- 
terest in  missions  and  in  welfare 
services  was  a little  late  in  develop- 
ing. The  concern  of  Christian  love 
was  present  among  them  but  it 
confined  itself  largely  to  minister- 
ing to  their  own  circles. 

With  the  development  of  mission- 
ary services  there  came  a larger 
orientation  to  human  suffering  and 
need.  Conference  church  papers 
with  a growing  circulation  and  with 
their  reports  about  missions  and 
world  needs  near  and  far  and  a 
church  leadership  trained  in  Men- 
nonite schools  all  combined  to  a- 
waken  in  the  congregations  a larg- 
er and  keener  awareness  of  human 
suffering  and  a finer  sensitivity  to 
need  beyond  their  own  borders. 
The  missionary  efforts  really 


served  to  demonstrate  how  impos- 
sible it  is  to  preach  the  gospel  of 
God’s  saving  love  and  then  leave 
men  to  live  in  poverty  and  in  de- 
grading circumstances.  Our  earliest 
mission  efforts  among  the  Amer- 
ican Indians  therefore  inevitably 
concerned  themselves  with  the  sick- 
ness, misery,  and  poverty  which 
were  so  prevalent  among  the  In- 
dians. 

Later  when  the  work  in  India 
started,  our  missionaries  were  deep- 
ly moved  by  the  pathetic  plight 
of  the  many  lepers  and  they  reach- 
ed out  a helping  hand  in  the  name 
of  Christ.  This  service  to  the  piti- 
able victims  of  disease  and  unclean- 
ness was  not  something  apart  from 
the  gospel.  It  was  in  truth  the  gos- 
pel as  Jesus  himself  had  incarnated 
it. 

The  sorrow  of  the  bereaved,  the 
sad  plight  of  orphans,  the  suffering 
of  the  sick,  the  need  of  the  aged 
had  always  aroused  deep  sympathy 
and  expressions  of  helpfulness  in  the 
members  of  our  churches.  As  the 
Conference  grew  in  numbers,  the 
churches  became  aware  how  large 
was  the  task  of  caring  for  their 
own  people  in  distress  and  how 
much  the  churches  needed  one  an- 
other in  meeting  these  multiplying 
needs  within  their  own  number  and 
how  much  more  they  could  accom- 
plish by  co-operation  and  by  pool- 
ing their  resources. 

Probably  nothing  in  the  early 
history  of  our  Conference  so  sharp- 
ly stabbed  awake  latent  Christian 
sympathies  as  the  tragic  stories  of 
desperate  famine  and  starvation  in 
India  during  the  years  1897  and 
following. 

Evidence  of  an  awakened  sensi- 
tivity to  human  suffering  is  a reso- 
lution, passed  by  the  1898  session 


of  Conference,  “that  the  General 
Conference  appoint  a relief  com- 
mittee of  six  which  is  to  receive 
gifts  for  the  support  of  all  welfare 
causes  and  which  is  to  disburse 
them  according  to  the  wishes  of  the 
donors.  Undesignated  gifts  are  to 
be  disbursed  according  to  their  own 
good  judgment.” 

This  broadened  sensitivity  to  hu- 
man suffering  having  once  been 
thoroughly  aroused  apparently  nev- 
er died.  Great  crises  brought  a new 
glow  to  the  concern  for  people, 
near  and  far,  hurt  by  the  experi- 
ences of  life.  The  Emergency  Relief 
Commission  was  set  up  to  function 
in  “emergencies.”  The  record  shows 
it  was  alert  to  discover  emergency 
needs  but  it  was  somewhat  slow  to 
act. 

The  year  1920  confronted  the 
Mennonite  brotherhood  with  a trag- 
edy of  staggering  proportions. 
Hopeless  hunger  and  starvation 
was  afflicting  Russia,  threatening 
vast  populations  including  the  large 
Mennonite  settlements.  Relief  was 
so  urgent  and  the  need  so  stagger- 
ing that  a joint  meeting  of  repre- 
sentatives of  relief  agencies  of  vari- 
ous Mennonite  bodies  formed  a Cen- 
tral Committee  which  would  seek  to 
pool  the  resources  and  co-ordinate 
and  unify  the  efforts  of  our  North 
American  brotherhood  in  a far- 
reaching  attempt  to  bring  food  to 
the  hungry  and  starving.  This  meet- 
ing in  Elkhart,  Ind.,  on  July  27, 
1920,  marked  the  beginning  of  the 
work  of  the  Mennonite  Central 
Committee. 

The  importance  of  this  venture  in 
inter-Mennonite  co-operation  in  alle- 
viating human  suffering  can  hardly 
be  overemphasized.  Not  only  did 
this  new  organization,  the  Menno- 


tHE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church. 
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596 


THE  MENNONITE 


nite  Central  Conunittee,  mobilize 
the  resources  of  the  North  Ameri- 
can brotherhood  for  the  overwhelm- 
ing need  of  this  particular  occasion 
but  it  opened  the  door  for  a con- 
tinuing ministry  of  love  and  relief 
which  over  the  years  reached  count- 
less thousands,  if  not  millions,  in 
far  corners  of  the  earth.  At  the 
same  time  it  served  to  keep  the  co- 
operating Mennonite  groups  alert 
and  responsive  to  a wide  variety  of 
human  need.  It  proved  to  be  an 
ever  ready  and  effective  channel 
I for  their  outreach  of  Christian  com- 
I passion.  Its  ministry  enlisted  gen- 
erous contributions  of  money  and 
I gifts-in-kind  and  challenged  many 
hundreds  to  offer  personal  service 
“in  the  name  of  Christ”  for  longer 
or  shorter  periods  of  time. 

The  situation  in  Russia  became 
politically  and  economically  so  des- 
I perate  that  thousands  of  Menno- 
nites  and  non-Mennonites  clamored 
for  a chance  to  migrate.  The  Cana- 
dian Board  of  Colonization  under 
the  leadership  of  David  Toews  with 
energetic  support  from  the  Menno- 
nites  in  the  United  States  helped 
some  21,000  immigrants  to  find  a 
new  home  in  Canada.  This  refugee 
resettlement  was  only  the  first  of 
several  large  waves  of  migration. 
In  all  these  succeeding  efforts.  Gen- 
eral Conference  leaders  and  church- 
es showed  a keen  and  growing  a- 
wareness  of  human  need  and  a gen- 
erous spirit  of  sharing. 

The  resettlement  of  large  num- 
bers of  refugees  sharpened  and 
made  compelling  the  insight  that 
these  people  needed  not  so  much 
charity  as  understanding  assistance 
which  would  safeguard  their  self- 
respect,  build  the  spirit  of  brother- 
hood, and  keep  alive  a vivid  sense 
of  mission.  This  insight  and  con- 
cern, therefore,  deeply  influenced 
the  type  of  service  our  Conference 
churches  extended  to  refugee  set- 
tlers in  the  years  following. 

World  War  II,  1939  to  1945, 
brought  unparalleled  suffering  all 
over  the  world — unparalleled  in  in- 
tensity, violence,  and  brutality,  and 
unparalleled  in  extent.  It  confront- 
ed the  Mennonite  brotherhood  with 
areas  of  human  need  they  had  nev- 
er really  faced  before  with  such 
piercing  reality  and  such  urgency. 

Tliousanus  of  drafted  conscien- 
tious objectors  to  military  training 
and  war  who  felt  that  as  Christians 

September  29,  1959 


they  could  have  no  part  in  this 
method  of  hate,  violence,  and  de- 
struction nevertheless  felt  con- 
strained to  do  all  they  could  to  heal 
the  wounds  of  war  and  to  give  pos- 
itive expression  and  witness  to 
Christian  love.  They  clamored  for 
opportunities  to  serve  in  areas  of 
tension,  need,  and  neglect.  Priceless 
and  widely  varied  opportunities  pre- 
sented themselves. 

Out  of  this  contact  with  the  raw 
side  of  human  life  there  grew  a 
deep  concern  for  better  care  for  the 
mentally  ill,  a rediscovery  of  how 
much  we  can  do  one  for  another,  a 
profound  sympathy  for  refugees, 
and  a desire  to  rehabilitate  them 
and  help  them  to  a new  home,  a 
livelihood,  good  health,  and  to  ac- 
tive church  life  and  to  good  schools. 

The  stark  tragedy  of  war  brought 
also  a new  realization  how  desper- 
ately urgent  is  the  proclamation  of 
the  gospel  of  reconciliation  and 
peace,  peace  with  God  and  with 
man,  in  a world  that  threatens  to 
destroy  itself. 

Out  of  concerns  like  these  there 
grew,  in  the  course  of  years,  a far- 
reaching  service  to  the  mentally  ill. 
A large  host  of  young  people  re- 
sponded to  the  challenge  of  this 
need  giving  themselves  for  longer 
or  shorter  periods  to  service  in  men- 
tal hospitals  in  the  name  of  Christ. 

Other  service  programs  developed 
from  these  concerns. 

• A greatly  expanded  and  diversi- 
fied program  of  mutual  aid  assist- 
ing people  within  the  brotherhood 
to  a home  and  livelihood.  This  serv- 
ice extended  its  helping  hand  even 
into  mission  fields. 

• A wide  range  of  rehabilitation 


projects  for  the  benefit  of  war  vic- 
tims and  poverty-stricken  peoples  in 
many  countries  of  the  world. 

• Pax,  1-W,  and  Voluntary  Serv- 
ice projects  in  many  lands.  These 
services  offered  to  drafted  young 
men  and  other  concerned  young 
people  priceless  opportunities  to  en- 
ter areas  of  real  need  and  to  bring 
there  a witness  of  Christian  love. 

• A large  and  varied  service  of 
gifts-in-kind  which  was  alert  to  ac- 
tual needs  in  the  field  and  which 
knew  how  to  appeal  to  a generous 
spirit  of  sharing  in  the  home 
churches. 

Out  of  the  discovered  need  for  a 
vital  Christian  peace  witness  grew 
peace  conferences,  peace  pamphlets, 
peace  missions  to  Europe  and  the 
Far  East,  renewed  peace  studies 
and  peace  education  efforts,  reaf- 
firmations of  our  Christian  peace 
position,  and  larger  works  on  peace 
subjects. 

We  were  beginning  to  sense  how 
relevant  and  indispensable  was  the 
gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  and  His  love 
to  the  total  need  of  man.  We  were 
beginning  to  discover  that  here 
head  and  heart,  lips  and  hand,  mus- 
cle and  money  must  work  hand  in 
hand  if  the  Christian  witness  is  to 
be  convincing  and  is  to  encompass 
the  totality  of  man’s  life. 

The  ministry  of  Christian  love 
cannot  be  relegated  to  “emergen- 
cies.” Want,  anguish,  disaster,  suf- 
fering, and  pain  are  always  with 
us  appealing  to  Christian  compas- 
sion and  we  must  never  be  deaf  or 
calloused  to  the  cry  of  human  need. 
For  this  reason  our  Conference  has 
ceased  to  think  of  this  ministry  as 
contimied  on  page  606 


Must 

We 

Help? 

IV.  F.  Unruh 


Has  the  question  of  who 

should  help  the  poor  of  the 
world  to  a better  life  ever  bothered 
you? 

The  annual  per  capita  income  in 
the  United  States  is  $2000.00.  The 
annual  per  capita  income  of  mil- 
lions of  people  in  Asia  and  Africa 
is  $60.00.  It  is  not  hard  to  imagine 
how  difficult  it  must  be  to  meet 
all  the  expenses  of  food,  clothing, 
and  housing  with  $60.00  a year.  At 
the  conference  session  in  Bluffton 
it  was  again  said  that  half  of  the 
world’s  population  goes  to  bed  hun- 
gry. 

Is  there  a realistic  hope  that  this 
condition  can  be  changed  so  that 

W.  F.  Unruh  is  field  secretary  of  the 
Western  District  Conference. 


people  will  have  enough  to  eat  and 
to  wear?  Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
was  very  optimistic  about  the  life 
that  would  result  if  we  will  obey 
Him  and  strive  to  be  as  good  as 
He  is.  Once  when  Jesus  was  speak- 
ing of  the  worry  people  have  about 
food  and  clothing.  He  said  this  sig- 
nificant word:  “Set  your  heart  on 
his  kingdom  and  his  goodness,  and 
all  these  things  will  come  to  you  as 
a matter  of  course”  (Matt.  6:33, 
Phillips). 

Here  Jesus  is  trying  to  indicate 
to  us  and  to  assure  us  that  if  we 
wiU  obey  Him  and  strive  to  be  as 
good  as  He  is,  a relationship  will 
develop  in  which  ways  will  be  found 
so  that  people  will  have  enough  to 
eat  and  to  wear.  There  is  enough 
food  and  clothing  in  this  world  for 
everyone  if  it  is  only  shared. 

In  this  World  Refugee  Year,  over 
fifty  nations  will  make  a concerted 
effort  to  resettle  and  rehabilitate 
some  2,000,000  refugees  who  are 
still  without  a home  and  without  a 
country  to  which  to  go.  This  chal- 
lenges us.  Since  our  President  has 
proclaimed  United  States  participa- 
tion in  the  World  Refugee  Year,  and 
since  MCC  has  given  our  govern- 
ment word  that  it  will  participate 
in  efforts  to  resettle  and  rehabilitate 
refugees,  we  will  have  opportunity 
to  help  these  unfortunate  people  to 
a home  again. 

The  CROP  surplus  foods  program 
is  another  avenue  through  which 
we  can  channel  our  help.  We  should 
not  wait  for  special  appeals  for 
CROP  but  contribute  regularly  to- 
ward this  world-wide  program  of 
sharing  our  abundance  with  the 
hungry. 

The  chairman  of  the  Kansas 
CROP  recently  made  a plea  for 
extraordinary  giving  saying  some- 
thing like  this:  “Millions  of  poor 
people  in  Asia  and  Africa  know  that 
the  great  wealth  of  America  is  in 
the  hands  of  professed  Christians. 
If  we  will  not  share  our  abundance, 
they  will  turn  against  Christianity 
and  against  Christ.  Now  is  the  time 
to  show  them  that  we  do  care.” 

The  people  of  Asia  and  Africa  are 
making  desperate  efforts  to  raise 
their  standard  of  living.  They  do 
some  strange  things.  In  the  state 
of  Kerala  in  India  we  find  more 
Christians  than  in  any  other  state 
of  India.  Yet  here  by  free  election 
the  people  elected  a Communist  gov- 


ernment into  power.  Why  did  they 
do  this?  By  now  they  are  in  deep 
trouble  because  the  Communist  re- 
gime tries  to  replace  Roman  Cath- 
olic and  Protestant  teachers  in  their 
schools  with  Communist  teachers. 

One  of  our  missionary  friends 
from  South  India  told  us  several 
years  ago  that  the  sons  of  some  of 
their  village  preachers  were  turn- 
ing Communist  sa5dng,  “You  mis- 
sionaries come  here  to  preach  to  us 
to  save  our  souls,  but  you  care 
nothing  about  the  misery  and  the 
povertv  in  which  we  live.  For  help 
in  this  we  must  turn  to  the  Commu- 
nists.” What  an  indictment  of  our 
unconcern  and  lovelessness!  The 
Archbishop  of  Ccmterbury  once  said 
that  the  most  materialistic  religion 
in  the  world  is  Western  Christianity. 

The  World  Refugee  Year  and  the 
surplus  foods  program  of  CROP  are 
not  the  only  channels  through  which 
to  express  our  love  and  concern  for 
the  poor  of  the  world.  Our  MCC 
relief  program,  our  Pax  service  and 
self-help  projects,  our  agricultural 
school  in  Indonesia,  our  agricultur- 
al experimentation  stations  in  the 
Chaco  and  in  Old  Mexico,  our  Vo- 
cation Boys’  School  in  Korea,  and 
our  Widows’  Knit  and  Stitch  Shop 
in  Taegu,  Korea,  are  some  other 
ways  of  sharing  not  only  our 
wealth,  but  also  our  know-how  amd 
our  personal  life  by  serving  in  their 
midst  and  together  with  them. 

Jesus  identified  himself  with  the 
poor,  the  hungry,  the  sick,  and  the 
imprisoned.  Plainly  He  teUs  us  that 
what  we  do  for  the  poor  we  do 
unto  Him,  and  that  this  will  be 
taken  into  account  on  the  judgment 
day.  When  we  realize  that  our  eter- 
nal destiny  is  linked  up  with  our 
concern  for  the  poor,  it  becomes 
clear  that  relief  dare  not  be  lightly 
brushed  aside.  Jesus  explains  that 
the  words  He  has  spoken  will  judge 
us  on  the  last  day  (John  12:48).  The 
rich  man  of  whom  Jesus  teUs  us 
was  not  lost  because  he  was  rich 
but  because  he  was  indifferent  and 
calloused  toward  the  poor  man  ly- 
ing at  his  gate.  He  was  able  to  help 
Lazarus  but  was  not  interested. 
Callousness  toward  the  poor  is 
lovelessness  which  will  not  stand  up 
in  the  judgment  day.  Jesus  has 
made  it  abundantly  clear  that  the 
moral  responsibility  to  help  the 
poor  lies  with  those  who  have  the 
means  to  help.  MUST  we  not  help? 


598 


THE  MENNONITE 


MCC  Reaches  Out  to  Hong  Kong,  Calcutta 


Lowell  Teichroew 


On  Aug.  29  the  MCC  Executive  Com- 
mittee revealed  plans  for  increasing 
assistance  in  two  of  the  world’s 
most  concentrated  refugee  areas — 
Calcutta  and  Hong  Kong.  700,000 
Chinese  refugees  huddle  in  the  over- 
crowded Hong  Kong  territory; 
Jf, 000,000  displaced  Hindus  who  have 
fled  from  Pakistan  since  that  Mos- 
lem state  was  formed  by  partition 
are  now  concentrated  in  and  around 
Calcutta. 

Hunger,  homelessness,  naked- 
ness, and  restlessness  continue 
to  nibble  on  the  lives  of  thousands 
of  human  beings.  Freedom-seeking 
peoples  and  politically  expelled 
men,  women,  and  children  continue 
their  existence-struggle  in  a dilem- 
ma of  misery  and  loneliness.  Re- 
sponsibilities pointed  out  by  this 
year’s  designation  as  World  Refu- 
gee Year  concretely  indicate  the  in- 
tensity of  the  refugee  problem.  Said 
Vernon  E.  Bergstrom  at  the  World 
Refugee  Year  inauguration  lunch- 
eon, “There  are  still  approximately 
fifteen  million  who  need  help,  either 
in  the  process  of  their  integration 
or  in  resettlement.  The  world  com- 
munity in  this  century  of  man’s  in- 
humanity to  man  must  act  collec- 
tively in  behalf  of  its  members  who 
have  been  forced  to  fiee  home,  fam- 
ily, and  livelihood.” 

MCC’s  intensified  efforts  brought 
about  by  the  Far  East  challenge  in 
this  World  Refugee  Year  resulted 
from  Executive  Secretary  William 
T.  Snyder’s  review  of  the  involved 
Calcutta  and  Hong  Kong  problem 
during  his  recent  world  tour.  Fu- 
ture aid  programming  in  Calcutta, 
which  the  MCC  Executive  Commit- 
tee accepted  and  encouraged  with 
deep  concern,  includes  setting  up  a 
food  distribution  program  through 
child  feeding  centers  in  selected  ref- 
ugee schools,  establishing  canteen 
services  for  undernourished  and 
needy  University  of  Calcutta  stu- 
dents, supporting  one  Paxman  and 
using  voluntary  service  workers 
from  India  Mennonite  and  Brethren 


Lowell,  a 1-W,  is  editorial  assistant  at 
the  MCC  headquarters,  Akron,  Pa. 


in  Christ  churches  to  help  in  the 
material  aid  distribution  program 
and  increasing  Calcutta’s  designat- 
ed funds. 

Calcutta:  Poverty  and  Restlessness 
We  need  to  work  with  the  tre- 
mendous refugee  problem  occa- 
sioned by  the  movement  of  people 
from  East  Pakistan  to  West  Ben- 
gal. West  Bengal  itself  is  marked 
with  pervading  poverty,  hunger, 
and  political  restlessness.  An  analy- 
sis of  the  West  Bengal  refugee  sit- 
uation indicates  that  about  240,082 
are  living  in  camps  and  homes,  a- 


bout 243,765  are  in  government  col- 
onies, and  2,778,560  are  existing  out- 
side camps,  homes,  and  colonies. 

At  present  MCC  is  working  with 
the  West  Bengal  Refugee  Welfare 
Committee  (Edward  Benedict,  MCC 
India  director,  is  committee  chair- 
man) in  four  colonies.  Milk,  wheat, 
and  other  foods  are  being  distrib- 
uted. Medical  care  is  being  given 
to  leprous  and  tubercular  patients. 
Though  William  Voth  (Chilliwack, 
B.  C.),  MCC  is  working  with  the 
Department  of  Agriculture  in  a 
poultry  project.  Attempts  will  be 
made  in  strengthening  the  poultry 


His  identification  card  and  ration  coupon  is  labeled:  “Carte  de  Refugie.” 


September  29,  1959 


599 


project  with  India  government  cred- 
it sources,  with  feeding  and  tech- 
nical assistance  from  the  Depart- 
ment of  Agriculture  and  with  the 
help  of  a Paxman. 

“Calcutta,  the  capital  city  in  the 
West  Bengal  state,  made  a great 
impression  on  me.  We  belong  in 
that  city,”  Snyder  says.  One  of  Cal- 
cutta’s major  problems  is  brought 
about  by  its  university  where  over 
forty  per  cent  of  its  undergraduate 
students  are  receiving  less  than  the 
minimum  nutrition  required  for 
good  health.  Several  years  ago  the 
university  reported  that  18,000  of 
its  43,000  students  were  in  the  un- 
dernourished category.  The  univer- 
sity vice  chancellor  expressed  hope- 
ful interest  in  the  Mennonite  Cen- 
tral Committee  setting  up  student 
feeding  stations  in  some  of  the  uni- 
versity colleges. 

The  help  planned  by  MCC  would 
provide  many  of  the  needy  students 
with  at  least  one  meal  a day.  Estab- 
lishment of  canteen  services  in  se- 
lected centers  will  be  made  in  co- 
operation with  the  university  vice 
chancellor;  the  university  will  pro- 
vide required  operating  space.  Sur- 
plus commodities  as  well  as  MCC 
processed  foods  will  be  used  in  car- 
rying out  the  feeding  program. 

University  Offers  Ideological 
Opportunities 

Evaluating  the  over-all  positive 
results  of  the  projected  program 
Snyder  concludes,  “The  need  of  the 
university  students  presents  not 
only  physical  aid  possibilities  but 
also  ideological  opportunities.  These 
are  the  future  leaders  of  West  Ben- 
gal. Doubtless  much  good  will  be 
accomplished  in  the  witness  if  we 
as  a Christian  organization  working 
with  other  Christian  agencies  will 
bring  them  assistance  during  their 
student  years.” 

The  Calcutta  refugee  problem  is 
augmented  by  India’s  entire  na- 
tional picture.  One  out  of  every  for- 
ty-two people  are  refugees.  India’s 
population  is  increasing  rapidly.  By 
1966  India’s  population  will  prob- 
ably have  grown  to  460  million.  In- 
creasing food  production  is  India’s 
primary  concern  for  the  next  seven 
years.  Without  enough  food,  her 
hopes  for  improving  human  welfare 
and  achieving  social  justice  will  be- 
come impossible.  If  India’s  food  pro- 


duction increases  no  faster  than  at 
the  present  rate,  the  gap  between 
supplies  and  the  total  amount  re- 
quired for  efficiency  will  be  22  mil- 
lion tons  annually  by  1966.  No  con- 
ceivable program  of  imports  or  ra- 
tioning can  meet  a crisis  of  this 
magnitude.  Food  production  is  im- 
peded by  inadequate  soil  and  water 
conservation,  too  much  livestock  for 
available  food  supplies,  antiquated 
equipment  and  methods,  and  lack  of 
effective  incentive  for  increasing 
production. 

Hong  Kong:  A Problem  of  People 

Hong  Kong,  a small  free  terri- 
tory located  near  Communist  China, 
is  also  in  desperate  need  of  help  be- 
cause of  its  complicated  refugee 
complex.  An  estimated  three  or  four 
thousand  refugees  arrive  in  Hong 
Kong  each  month.  About  a million 
Chinese  have  escaped  from  Red- 
controlled  China  by  sneaking  into 
Hong  Kong  in  the  decade  since  the 
Communists  conquered  China  main- 
land. Two  out  of  seven  people  in 
Hong  Kong  are  refugees. 

Elf  an  Rees  in  We  Strangers  and 
Afraid  claims  that,  “Out  of  a total 
population  in  the  colony  of  2,500,000, 
no  less  than  700,000  are  officially 
classified  as  refugees  from  main- 
land China.  Percentagewise,  this  is 
the  second  highest  incidence  of  ref- 
ugees in  a local  community  in  the 
whole  world.  They  present  massive 
problems  of  housing,  health  and 
fire  risks,  unemployment,  and,  on 
occasions,  political  instability.  De- 
spite heroic  efforts  and  quite  dis- 
proportionate expenditures  by  the 
government  in  Hong  Kong,  the  ma- 
jority of  these  refugees  still  live 
in  appalling  squalor  and  overcrowd- 
ing in  hillside  shanties  or  rooftop 
huts.  . . . Hong  Kong  has  lived  up 
to  the  highest  traditions  of  the  right 
of  asylum  but  quite  obviously  has 
been  limited  by  its  absorptive  ca- 
pacity.” 

In  a survey  of  the  work  in  Hong 
Kong,  Norman  Wingert,  MCC  Hong 
Kong  director  states,  “MCC  came 
here  in  the  summer  of  1950.  A big 
house  at  once  served  as  the  Far 
Eastern  Area  MCC  office,  as  a hos- 
tel for  twenty  T.B.  contact  children, 
and  as  a center  for  the  distribu- 
tion of  relief  goods.  Not  knowing 
that  the  refugee  problem  would  be- 
come critical,  MCC  discontinued  its 
activities  in  Hong  Kong  two  years 


later.  But  as  the  problem  of  people 
became  increasingly  acute  with  each 
successive  year,  our  consciences 
were  again  sensitized  to  Hong  Kong 
need.  In  the  fall  of  1957,  in  line 
with  its  policy  of  helping  where 
the  need  is  the  greatest  regardless 
of  race  or  nationality  or  religion, 
MCC  decided  to  work  with  the 
homeless  in  Hong  Kong.” 

Center  Reopened  in  1958 

Since  the  reopening  of  the  MCC 
center  in  1958  much  of  the  $172,829 
worth  of  relief  goods  distributed 
until  Aug.  10,  1959,  has  gone  to  two  i 
charity  hospitals,  Kwong  Wah  and 
Tung  Wah.  Last  year  there  were  |' 

23.000  births  at  Kwong  Wah,  the  , 
largest  maternity  hospital  in  the  | 
world.  To  an  average  of  about  63  | 
mothers  who  leave  the  hospital 
daily,  MCC  workers  have  been  giv- 
ing parcels  of  food  and/or  clothing. 
Also  included  in  Hong  Kong  mate- 
rial distribution  are  Christmas  and 
leprosy  bundles.  Approximately 

10.000  Christmas  bundles  were  hand- 
ed out  between  March,  1958,  and 
July,  1959. 

The  enlarged  program  approved 
by  the  Executive  Committee  will 
provide  canteen  service  to  make  a- 
vailable  hot  food  for  many  of  the 
needy  wooden  shack  and  sampan 
home  refugee  residents.  The  new 
food  service  intends  to  use  as  much 
surplus  commodity  material  as  pos- 
sible as  well  as  distributing  food 
purchased  or  processed  by  Menno- 
nites.  The  type  of  program  which 
MCC  proposes  to  inaugurate  in 
Hong  Kong  will  be  similar  to  MCC 
feeding  operations  in  Europe  after 
World  War  II. 

“Our  workers  (Mr.  and  Mrs.  Nor- 
man Wingert  and  John  E.  Epp),” 
states  Snyder,  “are  relating  strong- 
ly to  the  Christian  churches  in  Hong 
Kong.  In  many  of  the  distributions 
Chinese-speaking  Christians  give 
words  of  spiritual  food.  Our  plan- 
ning must  be  made  from  year  to 
year  because  it  is  difficult  to  tell 
how  long  we  will  have  freedom  of 
operation.  It  is  generally  agreed 
that  China  could  take  over  the  city 
anytime  it  desires — but  for  the 
present  it  is  open  and  there  is  great 
need  among  the  people  here  for  our  j 
ministry  in  the  name  of  Christ.”  i 

I 

—MCC 


600 


THE  MENNONITE 


I 


Mennonite  youth 


To  WHOM  do  I owe  my  greatest 
loyalties?  To  family  or  clan? 
When  it  is  from  Him  who  gives 
us  family  and  clan  that  these  stern 
words  come:  “He  who  loves  father 
and  mother  more  than  me  is  not 
worthy  of  me?”  And  daringly  chal- 
lenges us  to  take  notice  of  His  un- 
compromising, perplexing,  and  dis- 
turbingly unilateral  demands,  for 
He  is  greater  than  family  or  clan. 

Do  I owe  my  greatest  loyalties 
to  the  nation?  If  so,  what  do  I say, 
in  answer  to  Peter’s  invincible  dec- 
laration, that  a Christian  must  obey 
God  rather  than  man.  Or  when  I 
am  asked  to  defend  my  nation,  can 
I go  unaware  and  unapprehensive 
to  the  words  of  the  One  who  de- 
clared, “Ye  have  heard  that  it  hath 
been  said.  Thou  shalt  love  thy  neigh- 
bor, and  hate  thine  enemy.  But  I 
say  unto  you.  Love  your  enemies, 
bless  them  that  curse  you,  do  good 
to  them  that  hate  you,  and  pray  for 
them  which  despitefully  use  you 
and  persecute  you,  (Matt.  5:43,44).” 
Do  I owe  my  greatest  loyalties 
to  blood  and  race?  Then  why  not 
join  all  the  contemporary  Nietz- 
sches with  their  towering  illusions 
of  empire  built  mid  blood  and 
iron?  Why  not  join  the  Hitlers 


whose  grandeur  blew  up  in  their 
faces  at  their  Berchtesgadens?  Or 
the  Bilbos  and  Eastlands,  Byrds 
and  McClellands  who  see  so  much 
of  their  southern  ways  of  life  in 
black  and  white  . . . who  deride  our 
courts  and  legally  sabotage  the  in- 
tent of  our  constitution  by  their 
filibustering  and  parliamentary 
gymnastics  in  Congress. 

Why  not  join  any  number  of  our 
friends  and  neighbors  who  think 
this  is  all  right  . . . indeed  all  of  it 
is  the  right  way  since  the  Negroes, 
Mexicans,  or  nisei  are  not  ready 
for  first-class  citizenship. 

Then  we  can  remember  Paul  who 
tells  us  that  from  one  blood  God 
made  all  mankind.  Or  Jesus  who 
speaks  of  that  certain  road  from 
Jerusalem  to  Jericho  and  of  those 
who  passed  by,  until  the  Samaritan 
appeared. 

What  about  the  church?  Certainly 
the  body  of  believers  can  demand 
my  highest  loyalties.  But  can  we 
serve  God  with  a oneness,  whole- 
ness, and  fullness  of  purpose  if  we 
tie  His  works  and  His  Word  to 
some  human  institution  with  cathe- 
drals, liturgies,  creeds,  and  dogmas? 
If  we  make  the  church  a denomina- 
tional country  club  with  quota  sys- 


tems and  “stay  away”  signs  drawn 
across  the  totality  of  its  congrega- 
tional faces? 

What  is  left?  Am  I to  be  cast 
upon  my  own  resource  when  I know 
it  to  be  weak  and  unpredictable, 
sinful  and  lame.  And  this  comes  to 
me  whether  I consult  Sigmund 
Freud  or  Paul  of  Tarsus.  I know 
how  easy  it  is  for  me  to  become 
Willy  Loman  in  Death  of  a Sales- 
man— to  never  really  know  who  I 
am.  Furthermore,  the  whole  Bible 
attests  to  it.  My  pride  and  aggran- 
dizement shatter  even  the  good 
which  I would  do  and  direct  it  to 
the  evil  that  I am  about  at  all  times. 

Still,  if  man  was  created  to  be 
redeemed,  there  is  and  there  must 
be  a God  of  redemption  who  cares 
enough  for  His  world  that  He  is  not 
willing  that  any  should  perish  in 
the  darkness  of  separation  from 
Him  which  is  hell.  And  it  is  to  Him 
that  I owe  my  greatest  loyalties  for 
He  has  shown  me  in  a vividly  un- 
mistakable drama  that  “faith  hath 
still  its  Olivet  and  love  its  Galilee.” 
I can  say  as  did  Bach  in  Jesu  Todes- 
lagen,  “Jesus  lay  in  death’s  dark 
prison.  It  was  our  sin  which  bound 
Him.  Yet  that  prison  He  did  break. 
Plallelujah.”  — Ed  Riddick 


September  29,  1959 


601 


Nancy  Yoder 

If  we  are  going  to  look  for  proof 
texts  in  the  Bible  to  tell  us  whether 
or  not  a Christian  can  drink,  we 
simply  will  not  find  them.  Does 
this  mean  Christians  can  drink? 
No,  it  does  not! 

Let  us  see  first  what  the  Bible 
teaches  about  temperance.  The  Old 
Testament  as  well  as  the  New 
speaks  clearly  against  the  abuse 
of  wine  and  even  shows  it  as 
an  obstacle  to  economic  security 
(Proverbs  21:17,  23:21).  In  Isaiah 
we  find  drunkenness  included  a- 
mong  the  reasons  for  God’s  aban- 
donment of  Israel  (Isaiah  5:11-17, 
22;  Proverbs  20:1,  23:29-35). 

In  the  New  Testament,  Paul,  as 
well  as  Jesus,  speaks  out  against 
the  excessive  use  of  wine,  referring 
to  it  as  our  soul’s  enemy  and  a 
hindrance  to  entering  the  kingdom 
'Of  God  (Galatians  5:21;  1 Corinthi- 
ans 6:10;  Matthew  24:45-51;  Luke 
12:45  and  46,  21:34).  For  example, 
Paul  condemns  its  use  for  church 
leaders  (1  Timothy  3:2-3). 

Although  we  can  find  no  proof 
texts  against  the  use  of  alcohol,  we 
do  have  evidence  that  the  Bible 
teaches  not  only  temperance  but 
abstinence  as  well.  This  is  not  evi- 
dent in  a commandment,  “Thou 
Shalt  not  drink  intoxicating  bever- 
ages,” but  rather  in  commandments 
referring  to  purity  of  heart  and  a- 
gainst  sensualism  or  lust.  Or,  ob- 
serve the  fruits  of  the  spirit  out- 
lined by  Paul  in  Galatians.  It  is 
irrefutable  that  using  intoxicants 
prevents  one  from  reaching  his  best 


for  Christ;  therefore,  abstinence  is 
implied  in  these  teachings.  Any- 
thing that  keeps  us  from  being  our 
best  for  Christ  is  to  be  shunned, 
and  surely  intoxicants  fall  into  this 
class. 

Some  people  think  they  can  take 
a social  drink  occasionally  and  that 
this  is  justifiable.  It  is  silly  for  one 
to  think  he  can  drink  just  as  little 
as  he  wants  and  control  it;  he  sim- 
ply cannot  afford  to  take  that 
chance. 

However,  disregarding  personal 
danger,  Paul  says  our  actions  may 
lead  a Christian  brother  to  stumble, 
and  drinking  is  such  an  act.  It  is 
unnecessary  to  enumerate  here  the 
effects  of  drinking  on  society  or  how 
our  drinking  might  cause  a brother 
to  stumble;  we  see  its  effects  on 
traffic  injuries  and  deaths,  broken 
family  life,  absenteeism  and  acci- 
dents in  industry,  crime,  delinquen- 
cy, etc.  It  is  obvious,  then,  that  our 
love  for  our  fellow  men  requires  us 
to  be  abstainers. 

In  the  Light  of  Theology 

Now  that  we  have  looked  at  the 
Scriptures,  we  can  ask,  “Is  the  al- 
cohol problem  related  to  theology?” 
The  liquor  problem  “is  a theological 
one,  because  God  is  the  drink  and 
food  of  the  soul,  because  He  is  the 
medicine  that  cures  the  perverted 
appetites  and  the  physician  that 
keeps  the  sin-sick  soul  aUve  . . . 
because  it  involves  the  soul  and 
God’s  relation  to  it  . . . because  it 
involves  human  conduct,  character, 
and  immortal  destiny”  (Ferdinand 


Iglehart  in  King  Alcohol  Dethron- 
ed). 

A teaching  of  theology  is  that 
God  does  not  control  our  lives  and 
actions  in  the  same  sense  that  He 
controls  the  planets.  We  have  free 
choice  between  right  and  wrong. 
Evil  in  the  world  makes  this  choice 
difficult,  and  although  we  have  free- 
dom of  choice  we  cannot  escape  the 
consequences  of  our  choice.  Any 
Christian  choice  or  decision  must 
be  man  responding  to  God’s  de- 
mands in  faith  and  fellowship.  Our 
choice  to  use  or  abstain  from  the 
use  of  alcohol,  then,  involves  such 
a process. 

A Christian’s  responsibility,  how- 
ever, does  not  end  with  his  own 
choice.  He  sees  others  and  wants  to 
help  them;  for  they  also  are  the 
object  of  God’s  love.  He  cannot  help 
but  be  concerned  about  those  ad- 
dicted to  alcohol;  he  sees  a Chris- 
tian duty  here. 

In  the  Light  of  Ethics 

This  leads  us  to  look  at  the  alco- 
hol problem  as  it  relates  to  Chris- 
tian ethics.  The  first  thing  a Chris- 
tian must  do  is  look  at  Christ’s 
character  and  determine  our  ethics 
in  relation  to  His. 

First,  we  see  that  Christ  was  real- 
istic in  viewing  and  facing  life  and 
its  problems.  'This  Christlike  char- 
acter is  hindered,  if  not  halted,  by 
intoxicating  beverages. 

Second,  Christ  set  forth  and  ex- 
emplified highest  moral  standards; 
these  standards  are  drowned  when 
alcohol  is  used. 


602 


THE  MENNONITE 


Third,  Christ  not  only  considered 
himself  but  others  as  well.  A Chris- 
tian must  consider  not  only  what  al- 
cohol does  to  himself  and  his  im- 
mediate surroundings,  but  also  its 
utter  uselessness  and  resulting  ef- 
fects in  the  world. 

Fourth,  we  must  stop  using  dual 
standards  of  ethics — one  for  the 
minister  and  one  for  the  layman. 
We  must  stop  drawing  a sharp  line 
between  secular  and  sacred.  We 
must  begin  to  acknowledge  our  re- 
sponsibilities as  being  as  high  as 
those  of  ministers.  Man  has  a duty 
to  humanity,  too.  If  alcohol  keeps 
one  from  doing  his  best  for  man- 
kind and  God,  can  we  sanction  its 
use,  or  condone  anything  or  anyone 
that  contributes  to  its  use?  Not  ac- 
cording to  Christian  ethics. 

Fifth,  it  is  the  Christian’s  re- 
sponsibility to  try  to  create  a so- 
ciety in  which  Christian  ideals  can 
grow.  Such  ideals  do  not  thrive  on 
alcohol. 

In  the  Context  of  Youth 

It  is  our  duty  as  Christian  youth 
to  begin  thinking  how  we  can  meet 
the  alcohol  problem  “head  on.”  It  is 
our  responsibility  to  become  better 
acquainted  with  the  characteristics 
and  symptoms  of  alcoholism;  we 
must  try  to  understand  “why”  and 
“how”  persons  become  alcoholics. 

We  are  challenged  to  investigate 
the  different  methods  of  treatment 
for  alcoholics:  medical,  aversion, 

psychiatric,  religious.  We  must  be 
acquainted  with  and  give  our  sup- 
port to  Alcoholics  Anonymous.  'This 
unique  org.anization,  set  up  to  help 
alcoholics,  is  based  on  Christian 
principles  and  has  set  many  alco- 


holics on  the  road  to  recovery  and 
to  Christ. 

How  Do  You  Help  an  Alcoholic? 

If  we  are  to  help  an  alcoholic, 
we  must  be  ready  with  positive  ac- 
tion. The  first  thing  we  must  do  is 
become  informed  about  alcoholism 
and  have  a positive  attitude  toward 
the  alcoholic,  seeing  him  as  one  who 
is  ill,  needs  help,  and  can  be  helped. 

When  the  alcoholic  shows  interest 
in  curing  his  disease,  he  should  be 
encouraged  to  discuss  his  problem 
with  a qualified  person,  seek  com- 
petent medical  help,  make  contact 
with  Alcoholics  Anonymous,  seek 
psychiatric  help  if  necessary,  and 
eventually  attend  church  services. 

As  Alcoholics  Anonymous  has 
discovered,  the  biggest  help  in  this 
problem  is  the  strength  the  alco- 
holic can  receive  in  religion.  To  the 
Christian,  God  is  a great  God  and 
our  primary  source  of  help.  Contact 
and  communication  with  God  is 
made  through  prayer.  For  many 
Christians,  it  is  here  that  strength 
and  encouragement  are  received. 
Another  source  is  through  church 
worship  and  fellowship. 

The  Church  Has  a Role  to  Play 

Because  religion  can  play  such  an 
important  part  in  a person’s  life, 
it  is  even  more  essential  that  an 
alcoholic  with  such  an  enormous 
problem  has  the  opportunity  to  take 
advantage  of  the  power  of  God.  As 
youth  and  the  future  church,  we 
cannot  be  passive  about  a problem 
where  so  many  lives  are  involved. 
As  Christians,  we  must  see  the  part 
we  can  play  in  the  church  in  helping 
victims  of  alcohol. 

A church  can  help  in  several 


ways:  the  minister  and  church  of- 

ficers should  be  acquainted  with 
available  community  resources  and 
have  adequate  training  in  counsel- 
ing to  help  alcohol  addicts.  The 
church  may  wish  to  offer  their  fa- 
cilities for  AA  or  similar  group 
meetings.  Sermons  and  church  pub- 
lications or  periodicals  should  occa- 
sionally communicate  to  the  church 
group  concerning  the  alcohol  prob- 
lem. 

In  conclusion,  the  church  should 
not  only  discourage  drinking,  but 
take  a stand  for  abstinence.  Rea- 
sons to  back  up  this  stand  should 
be  given.  These  could  include  the 
following:  (1)  one  never  knows 

when  moderate  drinking  will  lead 
to  problem  drinking;  (2)  even  mod- 
eration gives  the  setting  for  prob- 
lem drinking;  (3)  new  recruits  are 
m*ade  by  moderate  drinkers;  no 
one  starts  drinking  after  watching 
the  behavior  of  an  excessive  drink- 
er; (4)  even  moderate  drinking 
lowers  one’s  efficiency  and  affects 
his  behavior  so  as  to  cause  trouble; 
(5)  our  bodies  are  the  temple  of 
God;  (6)  alcohol  prevents  us  from 
being  our  mental,  moral,  and  physi- 
cal best  and  therefore  keeps  us  from 
doing  our  best  for  Christ.  What- 
ever stand  or  action  a Christian 
takes,  he  must  keep  in  mind  that 
it  must  be  done  in  love. 

Study  Plus  Prayer  Pius  Action 

It  cannot  be  stressed  enough  that 
the  alcohol  problem  is  a big  one, 
big  enough  to  employ  the  efforts  of 
every  Christian  It  requires  not  only 
study  and  prayer,  but  action  as  well. 
Any  approach  without  Christian  in- 
sight will  not  be  sufficient  for  an 
alcoholic  in  his  fight  for  freedom. 
Who  can  give  this  approach  besides 
the  Christian?  Are  we  going  to  re- 
store health  and  joy  to  these  ill 
persons?  Are  we  ready  to  begin  the 
fight  by  taking  a stand  for  absti- 
nence ourselves? 


WHO’S  WHO 

Nancy,  the  author  of  the  temper- 
ance-abstinence article,  is  a junior 
at  Bluffton,  College. 

Ed  Riddick  (see  page  601)  is  a grad- 
uate student  at  the  University  of 
Chicago. 

The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People’s  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  722 
Main  St.,  Newton,  Kansas. 


JiU,  a high  school  student,  had  been  invited  out  for  dinner.  Before 
dimier,  cocktails  were  served.  Having  never  confronted  this  'problem 
before  and  not  wanting  to  appear  old-fashioned  and  backward,  Jill  took 
her  first  drink. 

Every  alcoholic  was  once  thought  of  as  only  a social  drinker.  An  alco- 
holic is  a person  who  cannot  control  his  drinking  without  help.  It  so 
enslaves  him  that  it  interferes  with  his  job  and  his  family  life.  A moderate 
drinker,  on  the  other  hand,  can  presumably  control  his  drinking,  but  for 
how  long?  One  in  twelve  of  all  who  start  to  drink  ends  up  as  an  alcoholic. 

Suppose  you  are  one  of  the  eleven  who  do  'not  become  an  alcoholic. 
Hov)  mil  drinking  affect  your  life?  In  the  first  place,  alcohol  costs. 
Second,  misuse  of  alcohol  endangers  your  health.  Third,  as  a moderate 
drinker,  you  are  a killer  on  the  highway.  Even  small  amounts  of  alcohol 
seriously  affect  a person’s  ability  to  drive  a car.  The  drinking  driver  and 
not  the  drunken  driver  is  responsible  for  most  accidents. 

The  solution  to  this  problem  is  strangely  simple.  When  asked  to  drink, 
simply  say,  “No,  thank  you,  I don’t  drink.” 

— Adapted  from  The  Nebraska  Issue 


September  29,  1959 


603 


our  schools 

NEWTON  SISTER  GOES  TO  HAITI 

Sister  Hilda  Mueller,  of  Bethel 
Deaconess  Hospital,  hsis  accepted  a 
one-year  appointment  by  the  Men- 
nonite  Central  Committee  to  serve 
as  a member  of  a medical  team  in 
Haiti.  The  medical  team  will  con- 
sist of  a physician  and  several 
nurses.  They  will  conduct  outpa- 
tient clinics  and  dispensaries,  going 
from  one  place  to  another,  in  areas 
where  almost  no  medical  care  is 
available  to  the  population. 

Sister  Hilda  will  leave  Newton  at 
the  end  of  Sept,  for  Akron,  Pa.,  to 
attend  a short  orientation  course 
before  beginning  her  assignment  in 
Haiti. 

FJC  CORPORATION  MEETS 

The  annual  meeting  of  the  Free- 
man Junior  College  Corporation 
was  held  Sept.  25  in  Pioneer  Hall. 

GUEST  CHAPEL  SPEAKER 

Bruno  Penner,  pastor  of  the  First 
Mennonite  Church  of  Glendive, 
Mont.,  attended  a meeting  of  the 
Northern  District  Conference  Exec- 
utive Committee  of  which  he  is 
the  vice  president.  While  here  in 
Freeman,  he  served  as  guest  chapel 
speaker  at  the  college. 

ARTS  AND  CRAFTS  OFFERED 

During  the  fall  quarter  an  Arts 
and  Crafts  Extension  Course  is  be- 
ing offered  by  FJC.  The  class  meets 
from  seven  to  ten  every  Thursday 
evening.  Mrs.  Rose  Ewert  teaches 
the  course  which  enables  teachers 
in  the  neighboring  communities  to 
earn  additional  credits  during  the 
school  year. 

WOMEN  PROCESS  FOOD 

Members  of  the  Women’s  Auxil- 
iary recently  processed  150  chickens 
from  Freeman  Junior  College.  This 
is  in  addition  to  all  the  foods  they 
canned  and  processed  for  the  freez- 
ers during  the  summer. 

CO-ORDINATING  COMM.  MEETS 

The  co-ordinating  committee  of 
the  Associated  Mennonite  Biblical 
Seminaries  met  on  the  campus  on 
Sept.  8 to  hear  reports  on  the  prog- 
ress of  the  joint  work  in  the  Asso- 
ciated Seminaries  program  and  to 
project  plans  for  the  future.  Those 
present  were  Nelson  Kauffman 
(chairman),  J.  N.  Smucker  (secre- 
tary), A.  E.  Kreider,  Reuben  Short, 


Orie  O.  Miller,  Paul  Mininger,  and 
Erland  Waltner.  Two  members  of 
the  committee,  A.  J.  Metzler  and 
C.  N.  Hostetter,  Jr.,  could  not  be 
present. 

VARIED  ACTIVITIES  OPEN 
SCHOOL  YEAR  AT  BLUFFTON 

The  Student  Christian  Association 
of  Bluffton  College  held  its  retreat 
at  Camp  Friedenswald,  Sept.  8-10, 
to  draw  up  plans  for  the  coming 
school  year. 

Big  brothers  and  sisters  arrived 
on  campus  Thursday  morning.  Sept. 
10. 

New  students  arrived  Sept.  11.  In 
the  afternoon  the  new  students 
were  welcomed  at  Ramseyer  Chapel 
and  then  took  tests  at  Founders 
Hall.  These  tests  are  used  in  coun- 
seling with  students  concerning 
their  course  program  for  the  school 
year. 

The  evening  of  Sept.  11  a banquet 
was  held  in  the  Ropp  Hall  dining 
hall  to  acquaint  new  students  with 
faculty  members,  campus  leaders, 
and  others. 

On  Sept.  12  the  new  students  met 
again  in  Ramseyer  Chapel  for  ex- 
planations of  dining  hall  etiquette, 
the  personnel  program,  and  intro- 
duction of  faculty  advisors.  The  stu- 
dents then  met  with  their  faculty 
advisors  in  groups  to  receive  gener- 
al information  regarding  registra- 
tion. 

The  first  football  game  of  the  sea- 
son was  played  Sept.  12  against 
Taylor  University  of  Upland,  Ind. 
This  was  the  only  opportunity  for 
the  local  fans  to  see  the  Beavers 
play  at  home  until  homecoming, 
Oct.  3. 

On  Sept.  13  the  Student  Christian 
Association  sponsored  a retreat  at 
the  college  cabin. 

On  the  evening  of  Sept.  14  the 
SCA  had  an  orientation  program  on 
“Traditions  and  Ideals  of  Bluffton 
College.”  This  was  followed  by  an 
all-college  sing,  sponsored  jointly 
by  the  SCA  and  the  men’s  and  wom- 
en’s Varsity  B clubs. 

Classes  met  for  the  first  time  on 
Sept.  16.  The  formal  all-college  for- 
mal reception  was  held  in  Founders 
Hall  the  same  evening.  The  SCA 
was  in  charge  of  this  program. 

DYCK  CONDUCTS  SERVICES 

Cornelius  J.  Dyck,  seminary  in- 
structor in  historical  theology,  con- 
ducted a series  of  special  youth 


services  at  the  First  Mennonite 
church  of  Berne,  Ind.,  Sept.  6-11.  1 

SHELLYS  MOVE  TO  NEWTON  T 

Andrew  R.  Shelly,  director  of  ' ^ 
seminary  public  relations,  and  his  f, 
family  have  moved  to  324  East  First  f( 
Street  in  Newton,  Kan.  He  continues  \ 
to  serve  the  seminary  until  Jan.  1,  a 
1960,  at  which  time  he  will  begin  j 
his  duties  as  executive  secretary  of  j 
the  Board  of  Missions.  I | 

SCHRAG  HANDLES  PUBLICITY 

Robert  Schrag,  first-year  student  | 
from  Newton,  Kan.,  has  been  ap-  j 
pointed  assistant  in  publicity  for 
Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary  for  the 
coming  year. 

ANNUAL  RETREAT  HELD 

In  the  beautiful  setting  of  Camp  ' 
Friedenswald,  the  seminary  faculty 
held  its  annual  retreat  on  Sept.  14, 
preparing  themselves  spiritually  for 
the  beginning  of  the  new  school 
year  and  giving  special  attention  to 
the  theme:  “Our  Image  of  the 

Christian  Worker.” 

ENZ  GIVES  OPENING  ADDRESS 

The  convocation  address  for  the 
opening  of  the  new  school  year  was 
given  this  year  by  Jacob  J.  Enz, 
professor  of  Old  Testament  and  He- 
brew. The  service  was  held  Sunday 
evening.  Sept.  20,  in  the  seminary 
chapel.  Topic  of  the  address  was; 
“The  Cross — Beyond  Coexistence.” 

NEWS  OF  FORMER  STUDENTS 

Oskar  Wedel,  German  theological 
exchange  student  of  last  year,  vis-  i 
ited  the  seminary  campus  before 
leaving  the  states  Sept.  12.  He  is  | 
returning  to  the  University  of  Ham- 
burg to  continue  his  theological 
studies.  ' 

Graduates  and  former  students  of  j 
Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary  who  ' 
left  this  summer  for  mission  fields 
are  Herman  and  Alice  Walde  to  | 
Soiling,  Okla.;  George  E.  and  Mar-  ' 
tha  Janzen  to  Japan;  Virginia  | 
Claassen  to  Japan;  Peter  and  Lydia  " 
Kehler  to  Taiwan;  Bruno  and  Eliza- 
beth Epp  to  Paraguay. 

44  STUDENTS  ENROLLED  j 

Fall  semester  classes  for  forty-  ' 
four  Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary 
students  began  Sept.  21  as  the  sem- 
inary opened  its  second  year  in  Elk- 
hart on  the  new  campus  at  3003 
Benham  Ave. 


604 


THE  MENNONITE 


Newcomers  to  the  seminary  this 
fall  include  twenty  new  students 
and  three  new  faculty  members. 

A two-day  orientation  for  new  stu- 
dents began  Sept.  16.  Registration 
for  all  students  was  held  Sept.  18, 
followed  by  a seminary  picnic.  Sept. 
22  marked  the  first  chapel  service 
and  a joint  meeting  of  all  students 
from  both  Goshen  College  Biblical 
Seminary  and  Mennonite  Biblical 
Seminary. 

ADDITIONS  TO  FACULTY 

The  two  additions  to  the  teaching 
faculty  of  Mennonite  Biblical  Sem- 
inary this  fall  are  Cornelius  J. 
Dyck,  instructor  of  historical  theol- 
ogy, and  John  Howard  Yoder,  lec- 
turer in  systematic  theology. 

Dyck,  who  will  become  a full  time 
instructor  this  fall,  commuted  from 
Chicago  last  year,  serving  as  part 
time  business  manager.  A native  of 
Saskatchewan,  he  received  his  A.B. 
at  Bethel  College,  an  A.M.  at  the 
University  of  Wichita,  and  is  pres- 
ently a Ph.D.  candidate  at  the  Uni- 
versity of  Chicago. 

Yoder  received  his  A.B.  at  Goshen 
College  and  his  Th.D.  at  the  Univer- 
sity of  Basel  in  Switzerland.  He 
taught  for  Goshen  College  Biblical 
Seminary  last  year  but  serves  both 
of  the  Associated  Seminaries  this 
year  as  well  as  the  Mennonite  Board 
of  Missions  and  Charities. 

Harry  Martens,  new  member  of 
the  administrative  faculty,  began 
his  duties  in  July  as  assistant  to 
the  president  and  business  manager. 
Having  previously  helped  to  plan 
the  new  seminary  campus.  Martens 
comes  to  Elkhart  from  Bethel  Col- 
lege, where  he  was  assistant  to  the 
president. 

ENROLLMENT  INCREASE 

Bethel  College  enrollment  totals 
released  by  Eldon  Graber,  registrar, 
as  of  September  17  show  an  in- 
crease of  23  over  last  year’s  com- 
parable date.  Total  enrollment  this 
year  is  532  as  compared  with  509 
last  year.  Men  students  increased 
from  280  to  295  and  women  stu- 
dents from  229  to  237. 

Night  class  enrollment  this  year 
is  lagging  over  last  year’s  totals. 

CHEMISTRY  PROF  PRESENTS  STUDY 

Ronald  Rich,  professor  of  chem- 
istry at  Bethel  College,  presented 
a paper  at  the  Wichita  section  con- 
clave of  the  American  Chemical 
Society  in  Wichita,  September  25th. 

Dr.  Rich’s  paper  is  entitled  “A 


New  Scheme  of  Qualitative  Analy- 
sis.” It  details  a study  of  a new  se- 
quence of  chemical  operations  used 
in  teaching  students  the  properties 
of  common  metal  elements. 

MCC  news  and  notes 

MCC  NEGOTIATES  FOR 
SURPLUS  PORK 

OTTAWA  — Negotiations  for  ob- 
taining Canadian  surplus  pork  have 
been  going  on  for  some  time  now 
between  the  Mennonite  Central 
Committee  and  officials  of  the  Can- 
adian Department  of  Agriculture. 
If  MCC  gets  any  of  the  surplus 
meat  which  is  commercially  packed 
and  labelled  “luncheon  meat”  (much 
like  American  “Spam”),  it  is  hoped 
that  the  meat  will  be  received  free 
of  charge  or  made  available  at  a 
nominal  fee. 

R.  K.  Bennett,  chief  of  the  Cana- 
dian Sales  Division  of  the  Agricul- 
ture Stabilization  Board,  has  an- 
nounced that  37  million  pounds  of 
pork  are  for  sale  to  export  com- 
panies, but  that  some  of  it  may  be 
given  to  some  “bonafide  relief  agen- 
cy without  any  strings  attached, 
other  than  it  be  shipped  in  bond  to 
a foreign  destination  and  that  the 
Canadian  government  receive  some 
recognition  for  making  the  product 
available.”  Stored  in  warehouses  a- 
cross  Canada,  the  product  could  be 
released  for  shipment  from  Toronto, 
Winnipeg,  Montreal,  or  elsewhere. 

Though  no  definite  arrangements 
have  been  made,  officials  of  the 
Agricultural  Stabilization  Board 
have  said  that  “MCC  is  the  first 
relief  agency  to  make  official  in- 
quiries about  the  availability  of  the 
surplus  pork.”  In  Bennett’s  discus- 
sion with  Harvey  Taves  (MCC  Wa- 
terloo Branch  Associate  Manager), 
he  stated,  “Keep  your  cause  before 
the  board  so  that  when  they  de- 
cide to  give  it  away  they  will  auto- 
matically think  of  you  and  your  or- 
ganization.” 

The  Canadian  Nonresistant  Relief 
Organization  has  assured  MCC  that 
it  would  like  to  help  purchase  some 
of  the  surplus  pork.  Western  Cana- 
dian relief  organizations  might  also 
help  with  the  project  if  contribu- 
tions are  needed. 

VS  FORESTRY  PROJECT  APPROVED 

CALIFORNIA  — Selective  Service 
and  the  MCC  Voluntary  Service  Ad- 


visory Committee  have  approved  a 
California  forestry  project  to  ful- 
fill alternative  service  requirements. 
To  be  known  as  the  Hartland  Chris- 
tian Association  project,  the  new 
out-of-doors  project  will  use  a unit 
of  at  least  six  men  and  one  matron 
to  care  for  the  VS  team.  The  newly 
approved  project  will  be  a part  of 
the  total  Voluntary  Service  pro- 
gram. 

Located  35  miles  west  of  the  Reed- 
ley-Dinu'oa,  Calif.,  vicinity  this  for- 
estry project,  which  is  the  first  VS 
muscle  project  in  the  VS  arrange- 
ment, will  require  mostly  manual 
labor.  Among  the  activities  neces- 
sary in  improving  and  developing 
the  160-acre  tract  of  forest  land 
are  fighting  forest  fires  and  cutting 
timber  for  conservation  purposes. 
Considerable  on-the-job  training  will 
be  necessary,  if  only  because  of  the 
rough  topographical  features  of  the 
forest  territory. 

Men  serving  in  the  Hartland  proj- 
ect will  be  encouraged  to  participate 
in  Reedley-Dinuba  Mennonite  activ- 
ities. Except  during  the  fire  season, 
all  but  one  or  two  of  the  unit  men 
will  be  released  from  week-end  duty 
so  that  they  can  attend  worship 
services  and  fellowship  with  the 
area  Mennonites. 

WEST  GERMANY  CONTINUES 
TO  ABSORB  REFUGEES 

BERLIN — In  spite  of  the  fourteen 
years  which  have  passed  since 
World  War  II,  refugees  are  still 
numerous  in  West  Germany.  Com- 
munist-controlled East  Germany  is 
causing  an  increasing  number  to 
fiee  from  their  homes  in  the  hopes 
of  finding  security  and  freedom. 

Peter  Dyck  (Europe,  MCC  direc- 
tor) reports  that  during  July,  7765 
refugees  from  Soviet-occupied  Ger- 
many arrived  at  the  Marienfelde 
reception  center  in  West  Berlin — 
1255  more  than  the  6510  refugees 
which  came  in  June.  The  daily  aver- 
age to  come  to  the  center  v/as  250. 
2075  or  26.7  per  cent  of  the  home- 
less were  unaccompanied  children. 

Most  of  the  incoming  refugees 
could  be  processed  immediately. 
5775  were  taken  to  various  areas 
for  resettlement;  484  were  flown  di- 
rectly to  West  Germany  without  any- 
screening  procedures  in  Berlin.  As 
of  July  31  there  was  no  backlog  of 
processed  refugees  in  Berlin  who 
were  waiting  transfer  to  West  Ger- 
many. 


September  29,  1959 


605 


DISCUSSION  WITH  KHRUSCHEV 
THOUGHT  NOT  HELPFUL 

AKRON — MCC  will  not  attempt 
to  discuss  its  concerns  with  the 
Soviet  ruler  Khrushchev  during  his 
American  visit,  says  Executive  Sec- 
retary William  T.  Snyder.  Inquiries 
directed  to  the  Mennonite  Central 
Committee  headquarters  have  asked 
whether  any  moves  will  be  taken 
by  Mennonite  leaders  to  see  Nikita 
Khrushchev  regarding  the  Menno- 
nites  still  in  Russia. 

Since  Mennonites  are  not  regis- 
tered and  since  they  are  not  a rec- 
ognized religious  group  (many  are 
working  with  Russian  Baptists),  it 
would  not  be  helpful  to  try  arrang- 
ing any  sort  of  discussion  with  the 
Communist  leader,  even  if  it  were 
feasible. 

Khrushchev  is  undoubtedly  ac- 
quainted with  Russian  Mennonites. 
He  was  bom  April  17,  1894,  in  the 
Kursh  region  of  southern  Russia, 
near  the  Ukrainian  region  where 
many  Mennonites  lived.  During  his 
youth  Khrushchev  worked  in  the 
coal  mines  of  the  Donhas  in  the 
Ukraine. 

EUROPEAN  MCC  WORKERS 
HOLD  RETREAT 

BIENENBERG— With  the  theme, 
“The  Call  to  Christian  Obedience,” 
the  European  MCC  workers  have 
scheduled  a retreat  at  Bienenberg, 
Germany,  Oct.  1-5.  This  annual  event 
will  feature  a symposium  on  mis- 
sions, round-table  discussion,  com- 
munion service,  and  informal  fel- 
lowship and  relaxation. 

The  general  theme  of  Christian 
obedience  has  been  broken  down 
into  three  major  concerns;  “Obedi- 
ence in  the  Life  of  People  of  the 
Bible,”  “Obedience  in  the  Life  of 
the  Anabaptist,”  and  “Obedience  and 
Service  in  the  Name  of  Christ.” 
Clarence  Hiebert,  the  new  Euro- 
pean Pax  pastor,  will  lead  the  Bible 
study  with  special  reference  to  the 
relationship  of  obedience  to  the 
temptations  of  Jesus. 
TWENTY-SEVEN  COMPLETE 
VS  ORIENTATION 

AKRON  — Seventeen  Voluntary 
Service  young  people,  eight  Pax- 
men,  and  two  new  overseas  MCC 
workers  have  completed  prepara- 
tory service  instruction  at  MCC 
headquarters  Sept.  7-18. 

VSers  who  participated  in  orien- 
tation school  will  be  serving  in  nine 
locations: 


Junior  Village,  Washington,  D.  C. 
— Mr.  and  Mrs.  Clyde  Goering 
(Moundridge,  Kan.). 

Brook  Lane  Farm,  Hagerstown, 
Md.  — Mary  Elizabeth  Jacobson 
(Copper  Cliff,  Ont.). 

Children’s  Center,  Laurel,  Md. — 
Helen  Paetkau  (Winnipeg,  Man.) 
and  Judith  Schroeder  (Walton, 
Kan.). 

Akron  Staff — Mr.  and  Mrs.  Har- 
leigh  Moyer  (Telford,  Pa.) 

Prairie  View  Hospital,  Newton, 
Kan. — Gertrude  Warkentin  (Superb, 
Sask.). 

Wiltwyck  School  for  Boys,  Eso- 
pus,  N.  Y. — Theodore  Hughes  (Lan- 
caster, Pa.),  Milton  Lehman  (Bird- 
in-Hand,  Pa.),  Clara  Nikkei  (Cal- 
gary, Alta.),  and  Katherine  Neufeld 
(Winnipeg,  Man.). 

Hartland  Christian  Association 
Forestry  Project,  Calif. — Tom  Parke 
(Downingtown,  Pa.)  and  John  Kon- 
rad (Matzqui,  B.  C.). 

Denver,  Colo. — Wallis  Goertzen 
(Henderson,  Neb.),  serving  as  Den- 
ver 1-W  unit  leader. 

To  serve  in  Haiti  are  Dr.  and 
Mrs.  John  Bender  (Snowhill,  Md.). 
They  arrived  in  Port-au-Prince,  Sept. 
19.  Dr.  Bender  will  serve  as  medical 
director  of  the  MCC  hospital  in 
Grande  Riviere  du  Nord,  which  is 
expected  to  begin  operation  early 
in  November. 

The  following  Paxmen  sailed  for 
their  destinations  Sept.  12,  to  begin 
assignments: 

In  Europe  are  Merrill  Kauffman 
(Fairview,  Mich.),  Kenneth  Von 
Gunten  (Berne,  Ind.),  Paul  Clemens 
(Lansdale,  Pa.),  Jared  Hoover  (De- 
troit, Kan.),  and  Stanley  Gerber 
(Walnut  Creek,  Ohio).  In  Timor, 
Indonesia,  are  Gordon  Harder 
(Bingham  Lake,  Minn.)  and  Mau- 
rice Penner  (Newton,  Kan.). 

In  Paraguay  is  Marvin  Klaassen 
(Mountain  Lake,  Minn.). 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Don  Kaufman  (Mar- 
ion, S.  D.)  will  be  serving  a three- 
year  term  in  Java  where  Mr.  Kauf- 
man will  be  director  of  the  Indone- 
sian MCC  program  and  also  work 
with  the  north  central  Java  Menno- 
nite church  in  a literature  program. 
Since  the  Kaufman’s  have  not  yet 
received  their  Indonesian  visas  they 
will  study  language  in  the  Nether- 
lands before  beginning  their  specific 
Far  Eastern  assignment.  They  were 
scheduled  to  arrive  in  Rotterdam  on 
Sept.  21. 


Awakening  . . 


continued  from  page  597 


“emergency”  service.  It  has  become 
in  our  thought  as  well  as  in  oui 
budget  an  inseparable  part  of  oui 
Christian  calling. 

God  helped  us  to  discover  the' 
man  by  the  wayside  bruised  and 
bleeding;  and  He  awakened  in  us 
compassion  so  that  we  stopped  oni 
our  journey  to  see  what  had  hap-j 
pened  to  him,  never  asking  whether 
he  was  Jew  or  Gentile,  sinner  or 
saint.  Under  the  prompting  of  God’s 
Holy  Spirit  we  were  moved  to  give 
emergency  aid  and  medical  care. 
And  then  love  constrained  us  to 
stay  by  him  long  enough  to  help 
put  him  back  on  his  feet. 


But  strangely  enough  God  would 
not  let  us  forget  the  “robbers” 
whose  violence  and  greed  had  caused 
all  this  trouble  and  pain.  Could  we 
do  something  about  them  and 
their  spirit  of  ruthlessness  and 
greed?  Would  the  manifestation  of 
unwearied,  outgoing,  God-inspired 
good  will  serve  to  transform  them 
and  other  men  of  ill  will  into  men 
of  good  will?  Would  that  help  to 
draw  them  near  to  God,  to  yield 
themselves  to  the  doing  of  His  will, 
to  overcome  their  hostility  toward 
others  and  redeem  them  to  a life 
of  peace  and  good  will?  A growing 
sensitivity  to  social  problems  like 
these  and  an  increasing  sense  of 
social  responsibility  led  to  the  crea- 
tion of  a committee  on  social  con- 
cerns to  give  special  thought  to  our 
Christian  witness  in  these  areas. 


It  is  a thrilling  story,  this  awak- 
ening to  human  need.  Hitherto  the 
Lord  has  indeed  guided  us  and 
helped  us.  Where  will  He  lead  next? 
Will  we  be  ready  to  follow? 


into  the  beyond 

Mrs.  Christian  Baehr,  of  Hal- 
stead, Kan.,  and  member  of  the 
First  Mennonite  Church,  Halstead, 
was  bom  June  16,  1881,  and  died 
May  23,  1959. 

Mrs.  Fred  Schowalter,  of  Hal- 
stead, Kan.,  and  member  of  the 
First  Mennonite  Church,  Halstead, 
was  bom  July  15,  1875,  and  died 
June  14,  1959. 

John  Showalter,  of  Topeka,  Kan., 
and  member  of  the  First  Mennonite 


606 


THE  MENNONITE 


Church,  Halstead,  was  born  July  18, 
1888,  and  died  June  29,  1959. 

Fred  A.  Nightingale,  of  Halstead, 
Kan.,  and  member  of  the  First  Meft- 
nonite  Church,  Halstead,  was  born 
May  29,  1889,  and  died  July  21,  1959. 

Mrs.  Marie  M.  Krehbiel,  member 
of  the  Zion  Mennonite  Church,  Don- 
nellson,  Iowa,  was  born  December 
12,  1880,  and  died  August  23,  1959. 

A.  D.  Krebill,  a member  of  the 
Zion  Mennonite  Church,  Donnellson, 
Iowa,  and  one  of  Donnellson’s  long 
time  businessmen,  was  bom  July 
29,  1875,  and  died  August  28,  1959. 

jottings 

PASTOR  RETURNS  FROM  S.A.  VISIT 

Grace  Church,  Dallas,  Ore.:  Pas- 
tor and  Mrs.  H.  D.  Burkholder  have 
returned  after  their  visit  to  South 
American  mission  stations  and 
from  the  conference  at  Bluffton. 
They  have  shared  with  us  some  of 
their  experiences  in  the  Latin  Amer- 
ican countries  and  have  shown  slides 
of  the  visit  to  the  head  shrinking 
people  of  the  Aguarana  Indians. 
Our  pastor’s  children  invited  the 
congregation  and  friends  to  help 
them  celebrate  Pastor  and  Mrs. 
Burkholder’s  25th  wedding  anniver- 
sary on  the  afternoon  of  Aug.  30. 
Many  came  to  enjoy  the  program 
and  reception  at  the  church.  One 
of  the  members  had  baked  and 
decorated  a cake  modeled  after  the 
new  church  which  is  now  being 
built.  On  Aug.  15  men  from  our 
other  Oregon  churches  came  to  help 
us  roof  the  entire  roof  of  our  new 
Sunday  school  unit.  Johannes  von 
der  Well,  who  came  from  Holland 
to  America  under  the  auspices  of 
the  MCC,  is  living  in  our  commu- 
nity for  six  months.  He  is  an  en- 
gineer and  is  helping  in  the  con- 
struction of  our  new  church.  He  is 
making  his  home  with  his  sponsors. 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  E.  A.  Flaming.  De- 
Wayne  Hoffman  and  Sandra  Owens 
were  married  Aug.  2.  They  are  liv- 
ing in  southern  California,  where 
DeWayne  is  attending  college  and 
Sandra  is  teaching  kindergarten. — 
Mrs.  E.  A.  Flaming 

FALL  MISSION  FESTIVAL  HELD 

Zion  Church,  Donnellson,  Iowa: 
Seven  members  of  the  church  at- 
tended Central  Dist.  Conf.  at  Go- 
shen, Ind.,  April  23-26.  Children’s 
Day  program  was  given  June  17 
followed  by  dedication  of  Christmas 
bundles  to  be  sent  overseas.  June 
13-14  youth  from  the  four  Menno- 
nite churches  of  southeast  Iowa  held 
a retreat  at  Lake  Darling  near 


Wayland,  Iowa.  On  June  28  we  were 
privileged  to  have  Warren  Stein- 
kraus,  professor  of  philosophy  at 
Iowa  Wesleyan  College  of  Mt.  Pleas- 
ant, as  guest  speaker.  July  5,  Rev. 
and  Mrs.  Vernon  Neufeld  and  sons 
were  with  us  and  Rev.  Neufeld 
brought  us  the  morning  message. 
A number  of  our  church  members 
attended  General  Conf.  at  Bluffton, 
Ohio,  Aug.  12-20.  The  Bethel  Col- 
lege Chorale  presented  us  with  a 
sacred  concert  on  Aug.  30.  Larry 
Krebill  and  Nadine  Wilson  were 
married  Aug.  16.  Our  Fall  Mission 
Festival  was  held  Sept.  13  with  Ar- 
thur and  Jeannie  Thiessen,  medical 
missionaries  of  India,  as  guest 
speakers.  A basket  dinner  was 
served  at  noon  for  all  families  and 
visitors. 

conference  notes 

continued  from  last  page 

MENNONITE  LIFE  FEATURES  CONF. 

Mennonite  Life,  a quarterly  jour- 
nal, will  be  featuring  the  centennial 
celebration  of  the  General  Confer- 
ence Mennonite  Church  in  the  Oc- 
tober, 1959,  issue.  Copies  may  be 
ordered  from  Mennonite  Life,  North 
Newton,  Kan. 

“CHRISTIAN  CENTURY”  EDITORIAL 

For  those  of  us  who  did  not  have 
access  to  the  Sept.  2,  1959,  issue  of 
The  Christian  Century,  here  are 
some  of  the  things  their  editors  had 
to  say  regarding  our  centennial  ob- 
servance at  Bluffton,  Ohio. 

“While  we  could  not  be  present 
(at  the  conference),  we  feel  it  is  in 
order  to  send  the  church  this  birth- 
day card — which  turns  out  to  be  a 
bread-and-butter  note  of  thanks  to 
the  church  for  letting  us  see  its 
triennial  report.  There  is,  of  course, 
usually  nothing  new  about  the  tri- 
ennial reports  of  ecclesiastical  bod- 
ies. As  a matter  of  fact,  that  is 
the  trouble  — nothing  new  about 
them.  But  the  report  produced  for 
the  General  Conference  Mennonites’ 
assembly  this  summer  is  not  only 
different,  it  is  the  best  we’ve  yet 
seen.  It  could  serve  as  a model  to 
others,  and  for  that  reason  we  do 
not  mind  setting  out  to  embarrass 
them  by  telUng  our  readers  where 
they  can  write  for  a copy  of  it.  . . . 
From  the  bright,  modem  hourglass 
symbol  on  the  cover  (‘walk  circum- 
spectly . . . redeeming  the  time’)  to 
the  clear  graphs  and  truly  impres- 
sive photographs,  the  brochure 
brings  across  to  the  reader  the 
spirit  of  the  denomination.  The 


document  and  the  centennial  are 
excellent  occasions  for  pondering 
the  future  of  the  Mennonites.  His- 
torically they  have  been  somewhat 
withdrawn  from  American  public 
life,  exerting  a quiet  influence  as 
a ‘peace’  church  with  due  stress  on 
the  durable  virtues.  'The  times  now 
deny  them  that  luxury  of  isolation, 
and  they  are  emerging  with  new 
confidence  in  the  public  life  of 
Protestantism.  There  is  no  question 
but  that  the  century  of  quiet  life 
has  helped  the  General  Conference 
Mennonites  store  up  challenges  that 
can  wear  away  at  that  resource. 
There  is  no  question  but  that  the 
Mennonites  wiU  now  more  than  ever 
influence  America  and  America  the 
Mennonites.  Their  enlarged  life 
brings  enlarged  questions  (and  in 
this  they  symbolize  a whole  family 
of  denominations) : Will  they  be 
able  to  retain  in  the  time  of  emer- 
gence the  values  they  nurtured  in 
the  time  of  withdrawal?  God  speed 
them  in  the  troublous  voyage  ahead 
in  their  second  century,  now  in  the 
American  mainstream.” 

FILM  REVIEW 

Overture.  Nine-minute  motion  pic- 
ture, black  and  white.  Produced  by 
the  United  Nations.  Available  from 
Contemporary  Films,  267  W.  25th 
Street,  New  York  1,  N.  Y.,  or  614 
Davis  Street,  Evanston,  Illinois. 
Rental:  $4.00. 

Here  is  a motion  picture  set  to 
music.  Accompanying  the  tempo, 
mood,  and  cadence  of  Beethoven’s 
Egmont  Overture  (as  interpreted  by 
the  Vienna  Philharmonic  Orchestra) 
are  the  eloquent  pictures  that 
breathe  man’s  hope  for  a peaceful 
world  in  the  face  of  war  and  dev- 
astation. 

This  is  a real  work  of  art  that 
speaks  so  profoundly  with  an  emo- 
tion that  everyone  can  understand, 
even  though  the  sound  track  con- 
tains not  a single  spoken  word. 

This  is  a worship  film  that  could 
introduce  any  meeting  on  Christian 
service,  peace,  or  rehef.  It  is  espe- 
cially appropriate  for  any  meeting 
which  deals  with  World  Refugee 
Year. 

Produced  by  the  United  Nations 
it  does  illustrate  the  work  of  the 
UN  agencies,  but  because  of  the 
film’s  spirit  of  reverence  and 
prayer,  we  do  not  feel  that  anyone 
will  find  the  UN  context  objection- 
able. 


September  29,  1959 


607 


THE  PRESIDENT’S  PROCLAMATION 
FOR  WORLD  DAY  OF  PRAYER 

Whereas,  this  continent  was  cho- 
sen by  men  and  women  of  pro- 
found religious  conviction,  seeking 
a free  land  where  they  and  their 
children  might  worship  God  and 
follow  his  commandments  as  they 
understood  them;  and 

Whereas,  our  nation  was  con- 
ceived in  the  same  faith  and  dedi- 
cated to  the  same  purpose;  and 

Whereas,  in  this  tradition  by  a 
joint  resolution  approved  April  17, 
1952,  (66  Stat.  64)  the  Congress  has 
provided  that  “The  President  shall 
set  aside  and  proclaim  a suitable 
day  each  year,  other  than  a Sunday, 
as  a National  Day  of  Prayer,  on 
which  the  people  of  the  United 
States  may  turn  to  God  in  prayer 
and  meditation  at  churches,  in 
groups,  and  as  individuals”: 

Now,  therefore,  I,  Dwight  D. 
Eisenhower,  President  of  the  United 
States  of  America,  do  hereby  set 
aside  Wednesday,  the  seventh  day 
of  October,  as  a National  Day  of 
Prayer;  and  I call  upon  my  fellow 
Americans  to  join  in  prayer  on  that 
day. 

Let  us  give  thanks  for  the  bounty 
of  Providence  which  has  made  pos- 
sible the  growth  and  promise  of  our 
land. 

Let  us  give  thanks  for  the  heri- 
tage of  free  inquiry,  sound  indus- 
try, and  boundless  vision  which 
have  enabled  us  to  advance  the  gen- 
eral welfare  of  our  people  to  unpre- 
cedented heights. 

Let  us  remember  that  our  God  is 
the  God  of  all  men,  that  only  as 
all  men  are  free  can  liberty  be  se- 
cure for  any,  and  that  only  as  all 
prosper  can  any  be  content  in  their 
good  fortune. 

Let  us  join  in  vigorous  concern 
for  those  who  now  endure  suffer- 
ing of  body,  mind,  or  spirit,  and  let 
us  seek  to  relieve  their  distress  and 
to  assist  them  in  their  way  toward 
health,  well-being,  and  enlighten- 
ment. 

Finally,  let  us  rededicate  our- 
selves and  our  nation  to  the  high- 
est loyalties  which  we  know;  and 
let  us  breathe  deeply  of  the  clean 
air  of  courage,  preparing  ourselves 
to  meet  the  obligations  of  our  day 
in  trust,  in  gratitude,  and  in  the 
supreme  confidence  of  men  who 
have  accomplished  much  united  un- 
der God. 


In  witness  whereof,  I have  here- 
unto set  my  hand  and  caused  the 
seal  of  the  United  States  of  America 
to  be  affixed.  Dwight  D.  Eisenhower 

conference  notes 

INDIAN  LEADER  SERIOUSLY  ILL 

Guy  Heap  of  Birds,  Indian  mis- 
sion worker  in  the  Clinton,  Okla., 
church  is  very  seriously  ill  with  a 
brain  infection.  He  is  in  the  Univer- 
sity Hospital  in  Oklahoma  City. 
Mission  friends  are  requested  to  re- 
member this  leader  as  well  as  his 
wife  in  prayer. 

CHURCH  BULLETIN  SERVICE 

For  World  Communion  Sunday, 
Oct.  4,  Faith  and  Life  Press  has 
prepared  a church  bulletin  featur- 
ing Rembrandt’s  painting  of  the 
supper  at  Emmaus.  Accompanying 
the  art  work  is  a communion  poem 
by  Charles  Wesley. 

The  bulletin  for  Oct.  11  is  a fall 
thanksgiving  theme,  this  time  min- 
us the  corn  shocks  and  pumpkins. 
The  words,  “Lord  of  the  harvest, 
here  we  own  our  joy  to  be  Thy  gift 
alone,”  make  this  a timely  bulletin 
for  the  Canadian  Thanksgiving, 
which  comes  in  October,  and  for  all 
harvest  festivals. 

Missions  is  the  emphasis  for  the 
Oct.  18  church  bulletin.  Pictured 
on  this  one  is  one  of  our  churches 
in  Japan.  The  editorial  on  this  bul- 
letin bears  two  or  maybe  three 
readings. 

On  the  Oct.  25  church  bulletin  will 
be  the  cover  design  of  A Century 
of  Witness,  the  book  published  in 
commemoration  of  our  Centennial. 
By  the  way,  this  book  may  be  pur- 
chased from  our  bookstores  for 
$1.75. 

For  churches  not  receiving  regu- 
lar church  bulletin  service,  orders 
for  these  bulletins  may  be  addressed 
to  Faith  and  Life  Press,  722  Main, 
Newton,  Kan. 

DEMONSTRATION  SCHOOL  HELD 

A demonstration  school  for  the 
instruction  of  Sunday  school  teach- 
ers was  held  in  connection  with  a 
Sunday  school  and  C.  E.  conven- 
tion held  Sept.  26-27  at  the  Menno 
Church,  Ritzville,  Wash. 

Leaders  for  the  demonstration 


• 

school  were  Maynard  Shelly,  Lester 
E.  Janzen  (Ritzville),  Mrs.  Vernon 
Karber  (Warden),  Miss  Stella 
Aeschlimann  (Colfax),  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Roy  E.  Albrecht  (Monroe),  Mrs. 
James  Block  (Monroe). 

If  you  are  interested  in  holding 
a demonstration  school  in  your 
church,  inquiries  may  be  sent  to 
Maynard  Shelly,  722  Main,  Newton, 
Kan. 

SIX  MISSIONARIES 
REACH  DESTINATIONS 

Janet  Soldner  arrived  in  Colom- 
bia on  Sept.  1 for  her  fourth  term 
of  service.  Janet  writes  about  the 
welcome  she  received:  “The  night 
I arrived,  there  seemed  to  be  an 
endless  stream  of  boys  and  girls  in 
pajamas  running  out  to  greet  me. 
The  shouts,  hugs,  and  laughter  were 
typical  of  that  which  we  experience 
every  time  a missionary  returns. 
These  are  the  boys  and  girls  I love, 
and  what  a challenge  they  present!” 

Rita  Klassen,  short-term  mission- 
ary, began  her  work  in  Mexico  at 
the  beginning  of  September.  She  is 
teaching  grades  one  to  three  and 
has  nineteen  pupils.  “With  eleven 
of  these  in  grade  one,  I feel  that  I 
have  my  hands  full,  but  they  are 
learning  to  sit  still  and  not  to  talk 
unless  asked  to.  ...  I find  Mexico, 
as  a whole,  a delightful  place  to 
live  in.  I enjoy  the  scenery  very 
much  and  take  great  pleasure  in 
walking  out  to  one  of  the  hills 
when  I feel  too  hemmed  in  here  in 
town.  As  far  as  school  work  is  con- 
cerned, there  is  much  to  be  done, 
far  more  than  one  can  accomplish 
under  one’s  own  strength.  But  with 
God’s  help  lots  can  be  done.” 

Peter  and  Lydia  Kehler  and  their 
family  report  a safe  arrival  in  Tai- 
wan and  write  that  they  “feel  right 
at  home  in  the  new  situation.”  Their 
ocean  voyage  was  rather  lonesome 
on  account  of  their  being  the  only 
passengers  on  the  ship.  The  Keh- 
lers’  new  address  is  Box  508,  Taipei, 
Taiwan. 

George  and  Martha  Janzen  have 
arrived  in  Japan.  Their  first  assign- 
ment is  language  study  in  Kobe. 
(122  Yamomoto  dori,  4 Chome,  Iku- 
taku,  Kobe,  Honshu  Island,  Japan.) 


i 

1 


i 

I 


in  this  issue 

COVER 

Photo  by  Dove  Smucker 


ARTICLES 

BUILDING  UPON  CHRIST 

By  Erwin  C.  Goering  611 

REDEMPTION  OR  DESTRUCTION 

By  Walter  Neufeld  613 

FROM  T V TO  CHRISTIAN  CONCERN 

By  Delton  Franz  614 

A ROOF  OVER  THEIR  HEADS 

By  Charles  Suderman  615 

WOULD  YOU  HAVE  COME? 

By  Mrs.  Arthur  Keiser  615 

MESSAGE  FROM  OUR  CONFERENCE 
PRESIDENT  616 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  610 

CHRISTIAN  CONCERNS 

By  Frank  Epp  613 

THE  READER  SAYS  616 

MENNONITE  YOUTH 

No  Cheating  617 

Tailored  618 

OUR  SCHOOLS  620 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  622 

JOTTINGS  623 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  624 


of  things  to  come 

Oct.  7 — National  Day  of  Prayer 

Nov.  8 — Peace  Sunday 

Oct.  12 — Canadian  Thanksgiving  Day 

Oct.  24-28 — West.  Dist.  Conference 

Nov.  1 — Reformation  Sunday 

Nov.  26 — Thanksgiving  Day  (U.S.) 

Dec.  1-4 — Council  of  Boards 

Dec.  1 3 — Universal  Bible  Sunday 


THE  MEmiONITE 

Editor:  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 
J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Assistant;  Muriel 
Thiessen.  Layout  Consultant;  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  39 


editorials 

AFTER  CONFERENCE— WHAT?  The  Bluffton  Centennial 

Conference  was  packed  with  important  reports,  addresses,  in- 
formation, future  plans  and  goals.  The  main  question  now  is, 
what  will  individuals  and  churches  do  about  carrying  out  these 
policies,  plans,  and  responsibilities  which  come  after  the  con- 
ference. 

Passing  resolutions  is  a simple  and  painless  process,  and 
demands  no  great  effort  or  sacrifice.  But  the  serious  carrying 
out  of  these  resolutions  may  be  a tremendous  undertaking. 

Lest  we  but  dimly  remember  what  we  passed,  it  would  be 
well  to  take  time  for  a serious  re-reading. 

In  the  goals  we  dedicated  ourselves  to  the  task  of  witnessing 
to  a number  of  specific  propositions  through  many  and  various 
means.  In  the  statement  on  race  relations  each  congregation  is 
asked  to  prayerfully  consider  the  adoption  of  the  affirmation 
that  any  person  of  whatever  color  or  national  origin,  is  welcome 
as  a brother  and  member  and  co-worker,  and  leader.  In  the 
statement  on  nuclear  power  we  agree  to  definite  commitments, 
reaffirming  our  confidence  and  faith  in  the  power  of  God 
through  love  and  good  will  to  all. 

We  have  adopted  far-reaching  propositions;  now  to  live  them  I 

COURTESY  TO  AN  INVITED  GUEST  There  has  been  much 
discussion  and  difference  of  opinion  concerning  the  visit  of 
Russia’s  Premier  Khrushchev  to  the  United  States.  His  recep- 
tion has  been  varied  from  hostility  or  coolness  to  warm  reception. 

Khrushchev  was  invited  to  our  country  by  the  President  him- 
self and  so  should  have  been  shown  the  courtesy  of  a guest. 
This  would  in  no  way  mean  that  we  are  in  agreement  with  him 
or  condone  his  past  acts.  It  is  no  secret  that  we  consider  Russia 
a serious  threat  to  the  peace  of  the  world.  But  so  does  Russia 
also  consider  us.  There  is  the  possibility  that  as  we  learn  to 
know  and  understand  each  other  better,  our  hostile  feelings  may 
be  softened.  It  was  certainly  worth  a serious  trial  to  see  if  it 
is  possible  to  work  out  more  peaceful  solutions  to  our  problems. 
The  plea  of  Khrushchev  for  total  disarmament  came  somewhat 
as  a surprise  but  certainly  deserves  serious  consideration. 

But  aside  from  the  political  aspects  of  the  visit,  as  Christians 
there  could  have  been  but  one  way  to  treat  him,  difficult  as  it 
may  seem  to  many.  The  Christian  spirit  of  love  must  go  out  to 
all  people,  including  enemies.  God  loves  everyone  and  asks  us 
to  do  likewise.  Had  Khrushchev  felt  true  Christian  love  while 
on  his  visit  his  heart  might  have  been  softened  under  the  power 
of  that  love  and  his  whole  attitude  toward  us  changed.  It  was 
heartening  to  know  that  calls  for  prayer  had  been  sent  out  by 
various  church  organizations  that  his  visit  might  bring  forth 
fruits  of  peace. 

Now  that  President  Eisenhower  will  soon  return  the  call,  our 
prayers  should  continue  that  the  will  of  God  may  be  done  through 
our  political  leaders.  Great  things  can  be  accomplished  by  sin- 
cere prayer. 


610 


THE  MENNONITE 


, among  peoples  of  the  world  . . . 

Building 

On 

Christ 


Erwin  C.  Goering 

The  Minister  of  Culture  and  Ed- 
ucation of  Czechoslovakia  said 
to  us  at  a reception  in  Prague  last 
April,  “I  am  not  a believer.  I have 
no  confidence  in  the  belief  of  a mys- 
tical hereafter.  I believe  in  man.  I 
believe  in  the  material  world  about 
us.  I want  my  fun  here  and  now, 
and  not  pie  in  the  sky  bye  and  bye. 
I am  a practical  man.” 

So  spoke  a Marxist,  an  out-in-the- 
open  atheist.  He  claimed  to  be  a 
practical  man.  Religious  beliefs  to 
him  are  not  practical.  He  is  a high 
official  in  the  affairs  of  Czechoslo- 
vakia. He  is  also  in  charge  of  re- 
ligious affairs  in  his  country.  He  be- 
lieves that  “religion  is  an  opiate  of 
the  people.”  Consequently  the  Chris- 
tian church  in  Czechoslovakia  is  be- 
ing sifted  and  carefully  scrutinized. 
The  sincere  Christian  faces  great 
difficulties  there. 

This  introduces  us  to  the  philoso- 
phy which  is  dominant  in  a great 
part  of  our  world  today.  Opposing 
political  and  economic  systems  are 
today  vying  with  each  other  for 
control  of  the  mind  and  body  of  the 
millions  of  human  beings  of  our 
world.  It  is  an  all-out  battle  of 
ideologies.  Each  system  seeks  to 
gain  control  of  additional  peoples, 
viewing  especially  the  so-called  neu- 
tral or  rmcommitted  nations. 

Into  this  category  of  uncommitted 


nations  fall  most  of  the  under- 
developed nations,  composed  pre- 
dominantly of  Moslems  and  Hindus 
by  religious  traditions.  On  the  one 
hand  are  the  Marxist-Socialists 
with  their  atheism,  and  on  the  other 
are  the  capitalistic,  democratic  na- 
tions, often  categorized  as  “Chris- 
tian” countries.  As  the  under-devel- 
oped countries  cast  about  for  the 
economic  assistance  which  they 
need,  they  attempt  to  scrutinize 
carefully  what  strings  may  be  at- 
tached to  accepting  such  assistance. 
They  desperately  need  aid  and  they 
view  with  bewilderment  the  statis- 
tics of  our  American  temples  of 
surplus  grains,  our  vast  storage  of 
deteriorating  surplus  commodities 
at  a time  when  two-thirds  of  the 
people  of  the  world  still  go  to 
sleep  with  insufficient  nourishment. 

Millions  of  children  have  never 
experienced  the  feel  of  a full  stom- 
ach. And  this  is  true  in  our  world 
of  today,  while  we  Americans  stum- 
ble over  surpluses. 

As  political  power  blocks  com- 
pete with  each  other,  they  fear 
each  other.  Their  fear  begets  more 
fear  among  the  less  powerful,  and 
especially  among  the  underprivi- 
leged who  are  subject  to  the  politi- 
cal and  economic  pressures  of  the 
powerful. 

Fear  is  the  underscored  prime 


mover  in  the  minds  of  more  men 
today  than  ever  before  in  man’s 
history.  Man  fears  what  he  does  not 
know;  he  then  hates  what  he  fears. 

The  technique  of  dividing  and 
conquering  peoples  psychologically 
is  a basic  method  of  cold  war.  The 
tensions  among  people  are  very 
great.  Mistrust  is  at  an  all-time 
high.  We  live  in  a highly  mobile 
age.  Economic,  psychological,  in- 
tellectual, and  social  warfare  is  be- 
ing waged  continually. 

We,  in  the  USA,  are  paying  a 
minimum  of  39  billion  dollars  a 
year  for  direct  US  military  pur- 
poses. It  is  frightening  to  see  so 
many  of  our  soldiers,  sailors,  air 
force,  and  so  much  of  our  military 
material  in  so  many  strategic 
places  around  this  world.  Why  are 
they  there?  Because  of  confidence? 
Or  is  it  fear? 

Why  do  I mention  this?  To  em- 
phasize the  kind  of  world  in  which 
we  live.  We  must  be  informed  if 
we  are  to  work,  serve,  and  minister 
effectively  “in  the  name  of  Christ.” 

As  one  gets  around  among  the 
different  nationalities  of  peoples, 
one  is  faced  with  many  questions. 
People  want  to  know  about  our 
wealthy  country;  about  our  televi- 
sion, monstrous  automobiles  — in 
fact,  our  entire  standard  of  living. 
Many  have  the  mistaken  idea  that 


October  6,  1959 


611 


everyone  in  the  US  is  wealthy — 
one  almost  gets  the  impression  that 
they  think  money  grows  on  trees 
in  America. 

Non-Christians,  such  as  Hindus 
and  Moslems  especially,  want  to 
know  where  the  Christian  church 
stands  on  (1)  the  discrimination 
between  peoples  because  of  racial 
differences.  What  stand  does  the 
church  take  on  segregation?  Do  the 
Christians  accept  and  act  on  Christ’s 
teachings  regarding  the  worth  of 
each  individual  in  the  sight  of  God? 
Where  is  the  church  witness  at  Lit- 
tle Rock,  the  symbol  of  discrimina- 
tion to  the  foreigner? 

(2)  What  does  the  Christian 
church  say  about  the  huge  surpluses 
of  food,  for  which  the  US  govern- 
ment pays  a cool  million  dollars  a 
day  for  storage  alone?  What  does 
the  Christian  do  in  this  regard  while 
2/3  of  the  people  go  to  sleep  hun- 
gry and  some  actually  starve?  What 
is  the  program  of  the  Christian 
church  in  this  regard?  What  is  the 
Christian’s  answer  to  this? 

(3)  What  does  the  Christian 
church  say  about  war?  Are  not  the 
so-called  Christian  nations  the  most 
warring  nations?  Are  they  not  the 
colonialists  who  take  advantage  of 
the  native  population  and  bleed 
them  economically?  Was  it  not  a 
so-called  Christian  nation  which  dis- 
covered, manufactured,  and  used  the 
atomic  bomb  on  Nagasaki  and  Hiro- 
shima? What  is  the  Christian  an- 
swer to  war?  These  are  the  ques- 
tions being  asked  by  intelligent 
Moslems,  Hindus,  and  others. 

These  questions,  not  being  satis- 
factorily answered  by  the  Chris- 
tians, form  an  effective  platform  of 
operation  for  the  atheistic  commu- 
nist. Professor  Dr.  Gollwitzer,  a 
Protestant  university  professor  from 
West  Germany,  made  the  following 
statement  at  the  Christian  Peace 
Conference  held  at  Prague  last 
April:  “The  church  is  the  collection 
of  human  beings  who  are  witnesses 
for  Christ.  They  must  witness  to 
the  reality  of  the  kingdom  of  God 
in  the  present  and  the  future.  God 
wants  the  active  lives  of  human- 
ity. . . . Christians  have  as  their 


task  to  be  light  and  salt  on  this 
earth.  They  need  to  make  known 
the  will  of  God.  They  are  called  out 
to  this  mission.  A Christian  cannot 
serve  two  masters;  loyalty  must  be 
first  to  Christ.  We  live  in  a new 
world.  War  is  of  the  old  world. 
We  do  not  quite  know  how  to  deal 
with  war.  War  is  to  force  our  enemy 
to  do  our  will.  This  is  an  expression 
of  the  old  world.  God  came,  through 
Christ,  and  showed  us  how  to  serve 
in  love,  rather  than  to  compel  a- 
gainst  one’s  will. 

“In  the  classical  Christian  period, 
the  church  refused  to  use  force. 
Then  in  the  Constantinian  era,  the 
church  accepted  being  part  of  the 
state  and  used  force  and  violence  as 
methods  of  operation.  Since  then 
the  church  has  been  involved  in 
war.  Before  Constantine  the  church 
faced  no  conscription,  the  soldier 
was  a professional  man.  Constan- 
tine compelled  the  church  to  accept 
the  war  method.  Martyrdom  showed 
how  being  a soldier  and  the  Chris- 
tian commitment  did  not  go  to- 
gether. We  Christians  are  the  serv- 
ants of  God;  we  cannot  fight!” 

This  is  the  testimony  of  a Luth- 
eran professor,  who  went  on  to  say 
that  the  historic  peace  churches 
can  teach  others  in  the  way  of 
peaceful  witness  and  action. 

But  how  can  we  make  our  wit- 


ness? What  opportunities  are  open 
to  us?  What  requirements  must  we 
meet? 

First  of  all,  we  need  to  equip  and 
prepare  ourselves  for  the  ever- 
growing opportunities  afforded  us 
for  service.  As  Christians  we  are 
called  upon  to  surrender  completely 
to  Christ  in  every  area  and  aspect 
of  life.  Nothing  short  of  a com- 
plete commitment  will  suffice. 


It  is  imperative  that  we  inform 
ourselves  of  the  facts  related  to  any 
given  field  or  area  of  service.  Good 
preparation,  development  of  proper 
skills,  training  to  do  the  assigned 
work,  information  about  areas  of 
service — all  these  are  important. 

A good  knowledge  of  the  Scrip- 
tures is  very  essential.  A working 
knowledge  of  the  teaching  of  the 
Scriptures  is  a must.  It  is  too  often 
assumed  that  a commitment  implies 
that  a knowledge  of  the  teachings 
of  the  Scriptures  is  present.  But  we 
must  “study  to  show  ourselves  ap- 
proved unto  God’’  if  we  are  to  be 
useful  servants  in  the  kingdom  and 
vineyard  of  Jesus  Christ. 

We  need  to  demonstrate  a prac- 
tical love-motivated  approach  to  the 
problems  of  the  total  man.  We  may 
not  have  all  the  answers  for  all  the 
people,  but  each  of  us  is  required  to 
do  his  part,  whatever  it  may  be  that 
the  Lord  has  opened  to  us. 

There  is  the  vast  field  of  training 
for  the  many  vocations.  But  we 
need  to  concern  ourselves  particu- 
larly with  education  and  training 
plus  Christian  education  or  educa- 
tion with  the  Christian  core  to  put 
eternal  value  into  the  motivation 
and  effort  which  one  puts  forth  in 
service. 

There  is  a large  and  varied  field 
of  volunteer  services.  If  one  takes 
time  to  reflect  one  is  almost  over- 
whelmed with  the  great  fact  that 
avenues  for  giving  a meaningful 
service  of  love  and  self-giving  are 
open  to  our  youth  all  over  the 
world,  literally!  A great  host  of 
doors  are  open  to  us. 

Why?  Why  has  the  Lord  chosen 
to  open  these  doors  for  us?  Volun- 
tary Service,  Pax  and  1-W,  the 
missionary  outreach,  youth  work  of 
all  kinds,  released  time  Christian 
education,  the  vast  field  of  teaching 
in  the  public  schools,  the  ministry — 
have  you  ever  really  tried  to  write 
down  all  the  avenues  of  Christian 
service  which  are  open  to  our 
youth? 

Why  are  all  these  opportunities 
given  to  us  in  this  generation?  Per- 
haps the  Lord  has  called  you  and 
continued  on  page  623 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
luesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church. 
Entered  at  North  Newton,  Kansas,  post  office  as  second  class  matter.  Acceptance  for  mailing  at  special  rate  of  postage:  section  1103,  Act 
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612 


THE  MENNONITE 


Redemption  or  Destruction? 


ONE  morning  not  too  long  ago, 
we  woke  up  to  find  on  the  pages 
of  the  daily  newspaper  the  headline 
story  that  Charles  Starkweather 
was  dead.  This  was  not  a surprise 
to  most  people  for  we  had  known 
for  quite  a while  that  he  was  to 
die.  Society  had  passed  judgment 
upon  him  and  the  decree  said  that 
I this  man  must  give  up  his  life.  As 
I sat  there  reading  the  morning 
paper,  I could  not  escape  in  my  own 
heart,  the  piercing  question  of  the 
Holy  Spirit  which  seemed  to  be 
saying,  “Did  you  have  a right  to 
this  man’s  life?  You  American  peo- 


ple, the  people  of  Nebraska,  you  the 
officers,  the  judge,  and  the  execu- 
tioner, just  who  has  placed  into  your 
hands  the  ‘right’  to  destroy  the  life 
of  another?” 

I suppose  that  neither  you  or  I 
would  ever  pull  the  switch,  yet  we 
are  a part  of  that  culture  which 
does  not  hesitate  to  do  so.  And  as 
our  culture  does  pull  the  switch,  we 
reveal  not  only  to  God,  but  to 
ourselves,  our  basic  frustration. 

Charles  Starkweather  is  a sym- 
bol of  the  frustration  of  a society 
that  does  not  share  the  vision  of 
Christ  which  is  to  seek  and  save 


focus  on  social  concerns 


indifference  is  unchristian 


Frank  H.  Epp 

IT  was  the  funeral  day  for  15-year- 
old  Theresa  Gee.  She  had  been 
killed  in  a New  York  juvenile 
gang  war.  But  the  officiating  clergy- 
man, C.  Kilmer  Myers,  did  not 
preach  a funeral  sermon  in  the  tra- 
ditional sense.  Instead,  he  scolded 
New  York  and  its  churches  for  in- 
difference to  the  needs  of  children 
from  the  slums  and  the  causes  of 
gangsterism.  “We  are  the  guilty 
ones,  the  social  workers,  the  clergy, 
the  citizenry,”  he  said. 

A Christian  girl  from  the  outside 
recently  took  up  employment  in  a 
Manitoba  town.  She  was  so  appalled 
by  the  messy  streets  and  alleys,  the 
coldness  and  selfishness  of  the  peo- 
ple, the  evils  in  a town  of  so  many 
churches,  that  she  broke  out  in  a 
letter  to  the  editor  of  the  commu- 
nity newspaper:  This  town  can’t 

be  Christian! 

From  almost  every  area  of  non- 
church life,  Christian  churches  to- 
day are  being  accused  of  lack  of 


concern.  And  rightly  so,  for  it  is 
only  too  true  that  we  are  not  in 
touch  with  the  issues  of  public  mor- 
ality. 

Our  practice  of  withdrawal  has 
given  us  an  attitude  of  indifference. 
To  protect  our  attitude  we  have  de- 
veloped an  argument,  which  runs 
something  like  this:  to  be  con- 

cerned means  to  be  involved,  and 
involvement  is  identification,  and 
identification  is  participation,  and 
participation  is  sin. 

This  biweekly  column,  “Christian 
Concerns,”  has  been  initiated  by  the 
Social  Concerns  Committee  of  the 
Board  of  Christian  Service.  Its  pur- 
pose is  to  show  how  the  love  of 
Christ  working  in  individual  Chris- 
tians and  the  church,  will  lead  to  a 
deep  concern  for  every  need  and 
evil  around  us. 

The  method  of  this  column  will  be 
to  be  present  information  and  com- 
ment on  issues  of  our  day:  hunger 
and  homelessness,  lawlessness,  race. 


the  lost.  For  when  we  resort  to 
capital  punishment,  we  are  admit- 
ting to  ourselves  that  we  do  not 
know  how  to  deal  with  the  problem. 
So  we  go  weakly  on,  thinking  that 
we  can  eliminate  the  problem  by 
eliminating  the  person’s  life.  Jesus 
has  called  us  to  a higher  plane,  for 
He  has  not  only  told  us,  but  showed 
us  that  the  solution  to  man’s  ills 
is  redemption,  not  destruction.  We 
read  in  scripture  the  words,  “While 
we  were  yet  sinners,  Christ  died  for 
the  ungodly.  . . .”  But  Christ  did  not 
die  for  Chcurles  Starkweather!  No, 
we  the  people  have  nobly  and  in  the 
line  of  our  “duty”  executed  him  and 
have  thereby  forever  placed  his  soul 
beyond  the  power  of  Jesus  Christ 
to  save  it. 

O Lord,  forgive  me,  for  I cannot 
escape  a share  in  this  guilt. 

—Walter  Neufeld 

In  the  Hillsboro  Star  Journal 
By  permission 


alcoholism,  gambling,  gangsterism, 
narcotics,  nuclear  problems,  juven- 
ile wars  . . . the  list  is  as  endless 
as  the  forms  in  which  sin  expresses 
itself. 

'The  approach  will  be  that  of  our 
Lord,  who  told  a certain  lawyer 
(Luke  10)  who  wanted  to  enter  the 
kingdom  of  heaven,  that  he  should 
seek  and  help  his  neighbor  fallen 
among  the  robbers,  who  described 
the  final  judgment  as  an  event 
when  men  and  women  would  be 
separated  on  the  basis  of  their  ac- 
tive concern  — or  lack  of  it  — for 
those  who  had  been  hungry  and 
poor,  social  outcasts,  or  criminal 
(Matt.  24). 

Christians  today  are  called  to  be 
deeply  concerned  about  need  and 
evil  in  whatever  form,  time,  and 
place  it  comes;  they  are  challenged 
to  witness  to  this  concern;  and  they 
are  compelled  to  act  on  their  con- 
cerns. 


October  6,  1 959 


613 


From 

TV 

To 

Christian  Concern 


Delton  Franz 


(At  the  recent  Bluffton  conference 
a statement  on  race  relations  was 
unanimously  adopted.  Concern  was 
expressed  that  each  congregation 
implement  this  statement  by  begin- 
ning to  live  out  this  resolution  at 
home.  A step  for  most  of  us  might 
be  to  read  some  of  the  good  liter- 
ature available.) 

The  “TV  Age”  is  characterized 
by  a generation  of  people  who 
use  a major  share  of  their  “off 
hours”  plunked  down  in  an  easy 
chair  in  front  of  television.  The  TV 
is  switched  on  and  the  mind  is 
switched  off  (or  into  neutral)  and 
the  rest  is  left  to  the  TV  program- 
ming, which  authorities  say  is 
gauged,  for  the  most  part,  to  ac- 
commodate the  mind  of  the  three- 
to  eight-year-old  age  level. 

Can  the  TV  caliber  mind  be  ex- 
pected to  make  valid  judgments  on 
the  major  issues  at  stake  in  the 
world  of  today?  Can  the  American 
people  (Mennonites  are  Americans 
too!)  really  be  expected  to  make  de- 
cisions of  such  far-reaching  signifi- 
cance as  a Christian  position  on 
race  or  war  when  relatively  few  of 
them  have  not  as  much  as  read  a 
good  book  on  the  subject  in  the 
last  ten  years? 

If  this  has  been  the  case,  it  is  not 
because  there  have  not  been  good 
books  available  on  the  great  moral 


issues  of  the  day.  There  are,  in  fact, 
more  good  books  to  be  read  than 
ever  before.  The  only  problem  is  to 
get  ourselves  concerned  enough  a- 
bout  these  issues  to  leave  our  TV 
sets  long  enough  to  read  and  think 
through,  these  issues  of  vital  impor- 
tance. 

Trusting  that  a start  can  be  made 
in  this  direction  with  a challenge 
to  pastors  and  church  librarians, 
the  following  reading  list  on  race 
relations  is  enthusiastically  suggest- 
ed as  one  from  which  at  least  sev- 
eral books  should  be  chosen  to  ap- 
pear in  every  church  library.  Pas- 
tors can  do  their  part  by  encourag- 
ing the  reading  of  these  books. 

Seeking  to  Be  Christian  in  Race 
Relations  by  Benjamin  Mays, 
Friendship  Press,  New  York,  84 
pages,  $1.00. 

This  little  paperback  could  be 
read  in  the  time  that  it  takes  to 
watch  one  late  TV  show!  Dr. 
Mays,  president  of  a southern  col- 
lege and  well-known  educator  states, 
“It  is  probably  easier  to  be  Chris- 
tian in  any  other  area  of  life  than 
it  is  in  the  area  of  race.  Here  the 
practices  of  the  Christian  religion 
seem  to  break  down  most  complete- 
ly.” 

Sense  and  Nonsense  about  Race 
by  Ethel  J.  Alpenfels,  Friendship 
Press,  New  York,  64  pages,  50c 
(paperback). 


Anyone  interested  in  people  and 
the  reasons  for  their  likenesses  and 
differences  would  find  this  a most 
fascinating  Little  book.  Many  long 
held  myths  are  exploded  by  this 
writer,  a Christian  anthropologist. 
The  author  shows  that  there  are  no 
pure  stocks  or  races.  Neither  is 
there  a superior  race,  only  superior 
individuals  and  they  are  all  mem- 
bers of  all  races.  Races  are  chcmg- 
ing  constantly,  contrary  to  general 
thought.  The  Jews  are  not  a race 
but  rather  a religious  group  with  a 
long  cultural  history. 

The  Racial  Problem  in  Christum 
Perspective  by  Kyle  Haselden,  Har- 
pers, New  York,  217  pages,  $3.50. 

This  undoubtedly,  is  one  of  the 
most  penetrating  analyses  of  the 
race  situation  from  a Christian 
viewpoint  written  in  this  decade. 
Anyone  interested  in  searching 
more  deeply  the  nature  of  preju- 
dice in  the  light  of  man’s  sinful- 
ness and  the  role  of  the  church  in 
the  light  of  God’s  redemptive  con- 
cern for  man  should  read  this  book, 
written  by  a Christian  minister  of 
the  South,  who  understands  from 
experience  the  situation  of  the  Ne- 
gro. The  words  of  the  author  carry- 
ing judgment:  “As  we  look  at  the 
Christian  church  in  the  mirror  of 
race,  we  are  struck  first  by  the  ob- 
vious fact  that  it  is  a divided 
church,  split  cleanly  and  almost 
completely  along  racial  lines.” 

Epistle  to  White  Christians  by 
Fred  D.  Wentzel,  Christian  Educa- 
tion Press,  96  pages,  $1.50. 

This  book  could  well  be  used  as  a 
book  for  daily  devotions.  It  would 
not  fill  the  bill  if  you  cire  looking 
for  nostalgic  poetry  to  soothe  your 
soul  to  sleep  each  night.  It  would 
read  more  like  the  Epistle  of  Paul 
as  originally  read  by  the  churches 
to  whom  they  were  written  . . . let- 
ters with  an  urgent  message  that 
would  shake  the  lethargy  of  every 
reader.  Epistle  to  White  Christians 
is  addressed  “To  My  White  Breth- 
ren in  the  Churches  of  America. 
I write  to  you  concerning  the  Ne- 
gro, whom  God  hath  made  to  differ 
from  us  in  color  only,  but  whom 
we  have  rejected  as  a lesser  crea- 
ture, committing  thereby  a grievous 
sin  against  the  impartial  Creator. 

“I  write  not  to  judge  but  to  urge 
repentance,  and  deeds  born  of  re- 
pentance.” 


614 


THE  MENNONITE 


The  Southern  Heritage  by  James 
McBride  Dabbs,  Alfred  A.  Knopf 
Co.,  270  pages,  $4.00. 

Unmistakably  one  of  the  most  dis- 
cerning commentaries  on  the  South 
written  in  recent  times.  This  book 
provides  a penetrating  look  into  the 
history  of  segregation  as  it  devel- 
oped following  the  Civil  War. 

Stride  Toward  Freedom  by  Mar- 
tin Luther  King,  Jr.,  Harpers,  224 
pages,  $2.95. 

This  is  the  Montgomery  story. 
Every  pacifist  and  every  serious 


Christian  disciple  should  read  this 
fascinating  personal  account  of 
Christian  love  in  action  in  one  of 
life’s  toughest  situations. 

What’s  Right  with  Race  Relations 
by  Harriet  Harmon  Dexter,  Harp- 
ers, 240  pages,  $4.00. 

To  become  better  acquainted  with 
the  Negro  in  every  kind  of  situa: 
tion,  labor,  schools,  church,  recrea- 
tion, etc.  etc.,  this  book  provides 
an  educational  experience  for  the 
reader. 

Segregation  and  the  Bible  by 


Would  You  Have  Come? 

Mrs.  Arthur  Keiser 


Aug.  3-7  marked  the  third  annual 
retreat  of  the  Mennonite  churches 
in  Colombia  and  was  held  at  the 
school  in  Cachipay.  Speakers  were 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harold  Burkholder  of 
Dallas,  Ore.;  Harold  Olson,  director 
of  the  Lutheran  Bible  Institute  in 
Bogota;  and  Aristobulo  Porras,  pas- 
tor of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of 
Girardot,  Colombia.  In  addition 
there  were  Bible  studies,  the  show- 
ing of  the  film  “MaHin  Luther,”  mu- 
sic, and  recreation.  On  the  last  day 
of  the  retreat  there  uxis  a baptis- 
mal service  and  Communion. 

The  attendance  at  our  retreat 
this  year  was  really  better  than 
we  had  expected.  'There  were  from 
around  ninety  to  over  250  in  some 
of  the  evening  services.  If  you  had 
been  there,  I wonder  if  you  would 
have  come. 

Would  you  have  come  if  you  were 
blind  and  had  to  leave  home  at 
seven  each  morning  to  be  on  time 
for  the  first  meeting?  (Some  peo- 
ple stayed  overnight,  but  most  of 
them  had  to  go  home  after  the  eve- 
ning service.)  Would  you  have  come 
if  your  small,  seven-year-old  son 
would  have  had  to  lead  you  over  a 
rough,  rocky,  mountainous  path 
which  takes  an  average  person  an 
hour  to  travel?  Would  you  have 


come  if  the  path  were  so  rugged 
that  a person  with  full  eyesight 
often  stumbles  on  it?  Don  Tulio  did. 

Would  you  have  come  if  you  had 
to  carry  your  eighteen-month-old 
child  over  an  even  longer  path,  a 
trip  of  an  hour  and  a half  into  a 
rural  section  where  no  cars  can  go? 
Would  you  have  come  if  you  would 
have  had  to  carry  the  child  home 
again  when  the  evening  service  was 
dismissed,  climbing  up  and  down 
the  mountains  and  fording  two 
streams,  finally  arriving  home  at 
11:00  p.m.?  Carmen  Bohorquez  did. 

Would  you  have  come  if  your 
whole  body  were  so  crippled  by 
arthritis  that  someone  had  to  lift 
you  into  the  jeep  to  take  you  to  the 
school  farm  where  the  retreat  was 
held?  That  would  mean  that  for 
five  days  you  would  never  leave  the 
chapel.  After  the  evening  service 
you  would  be  lifted  onto  a cot  that 
had  been  placed  inside  the  back 
entrance,  and  in  the  morning  some- 
one would  come  to  lift  you  off  a- 
gain.  Your  meals  would  be  brought 
to  you.  Would  you  have  come  under 
those  circumstances?  Don  Pablo  did, 
and  he  said  that  the  spiritual  joy 
he  received  helped  overshadow  the 
constant  pain  of  body  that  accom- 
panies him. 


Everett  Tilson,  Abingdon  Press 
Nashville,  176  pages,  $1.50. 

A thorough  treatment  of  the  sub- 
ject of  race  from  the  Biblical  view- 
point is  made  here.  All  of  the  major 
questions  are  dealt  with  giving  the 
historical  Biblical  position. 

We  do  not  all  have  daily  contact 
with  people  of  other  races  but  we 
can  all  begin  strengthening  this 
area  of  our  Christian  life  by  doing 
some  intelligent  reading.  There  is 
no  excuse  for  ignorance — especially 
not  on  the  part  of  Christians! 


Would  you  have  come  if  . , . but 
there  were  so  many  examples  of  a 
hunger  and  thirst  to  know  the 
things  of  God  and  the  self-sacrifice 
that  accompanied  that  hunger  so 
that  it  could  be  satisfied.  God  was 
in  our  midst,  and  His  blessing  was 
poured  out  abundantly.  We  saw  the 
hunger  filled,  the  thirst  satisfied.  We 
witnessed  answered  prayer.  We  felt 
the  Holy  Spirit  working  in  our 
midst. 

But  I still  wonder  — would  you 
really  have  come  had  you  been  liv- 
ing here  under  such  circumstances? 
By  the  way,  did  you  go  to  retreat 
at  all  this  year?  You  know,  you 
could  easily  have  traveled  there  by 
car,  and  perhaps  it  wasn’t  so  far 
away  from  your  home.  Or  I wonder 
if  you  were  at  the  midweek  service, 
or  even  at  the  Sunday  evening  serv- 
ice in  your  own  church  last  week. 
You  wouldn’t  have  had  to  walk  an 
hour  and  a half  over  a dark  moun- 
tain road  to  get  there. 

Can  our  Christian  brothers  in 
Colombia  speak  to  us  of  our  devo- 
tion to  God?  Can  we  who  have  re- 
ceived so  much  afford  to  do  less 
to  show  our  gratefulness  to  God 
than  they  who  have  not  tasted  of 
such  great  spiritual  and  material 
blessings  ? 


October  6,  1959 


615 


A Message  from  the  President 


EAR  Co-workers  in  Christ: 
Christian  greetings  in  the 
name  of  Him  who  is  called  “The 
Prince  of  Peace”  (Isaiah  9:6). 

On  recommendation  of  the  Board 
of  Christian  Service  and  by  approv- 
al of  the  General  Conference  Execu- 
tive Committee,  Sunday,  November 
8,  1959,  is  hereby  officially  designat- 
ed as  Peace  Sunday  in  the  congre- 
gations of  the  General  Conference 
Mennonite  Church. 

During  our  Conference  Centen- 
nial Year  it  is  appropriate  that  our 
peace  and  service  witness  should 
have  special  emphasis.  In  this  time 


the  reader  says 

Dear  Editor, 

I agree.  Conference  sessions 
should  and  could  be  shorter  (“Was 
the  Bluffton  Conference  Too  Long?” 
Editorial,  September  15).  Your  sug- 
gestions merit  consideration  by  the 
Program  Committee  — a committee 
which  needs  twice  as  much  author- 
ity as  it  has  now. 

But  when  it  comes  to  eliminating 
the  public  reading  of  reports,  I dif- 
fer a bit  with  your  conclusions.  Re- 
flecting my  own  experience,  I know 
that  reports  that  delegates  are 
asked  to  read  later  or  at  home  just 
don’t  get  read.  And  if  they  are  read, 
the  information  absorbed  cannot  be 
reflected  in  conference  action,  be- 
cause the  conference  is  over.  Confer- 
ence sessions  as  I understand  them 
are  for  the  purpose  of  hearing  re- 
ports and  doing  business  based  on 
those  reports.  After  all,  don’t  dele- 
gates come  to  conference  to  work 
rather  than  to  be  entertained? 

At  conferences  previous  to  this 
one  the  reports  were  two  or  three 
times  longer  than  the  reports  pre- 
pared for  this  conference.  But  was 
anyone  grateful  for  this  relief?  I 
am  sure  some  were,  but  the  rumble 
of  malcontent  and  hostility  about 


when  fear  and  conflict  tear  at  the 
hearts  of  men  around  the  world, 
Mennonites  have  a torch  to  hold 
high. 

Our  witness  to  Jesus  Christ  as 
Prince  of  Peace  must  always  be 
given  in  the  context  of  the  total 
gospel  of  redemption  through  the 
blood  of  His  Cross.  In  such  a con- 
text it  has  many  aspects  and  impli- 
cations. Some  of  these  find  expres- 
sion in  statements  which  have 
been  adopted  by  the  General  Con- 
ference on  “War,  Peace,  and  Mili- 
tary Service,”  “The  Christian  and 
Race  Relations,”  and  “The  Chris- 


reports has  never  been  greater.  How 
come? 

I don’t  know.  I wish  someone 
would  tell  me.  I can  only  guess 
that:  (1)  It  was  hot.  (2)  The  pro- 
gram was  crowded  with  other  so- 
called  features  that  seemed  more 
important  than  business.  (3)  Since 
reports  were  shorter.  Board  officials 
chose  to  read  them,  whereas  in  for- 
mer years  when  reports  were  long- 
er they  started  to  read  but  foimd 
the  task  so  formidable  that  they 
soon  uttered  those  blessed  words, 
“Read  the  rest  at  home.”  (4) 
Though  the  total  report  was  short- 
er, integration  of  all  concerns  for 
one  board  into  one  single  report 
produced  several  long  reports  rath- 
er than  a multitude  of  shorter  re- 
ports, meaning  that  when  a person 
chose  to  read  a report  everyone 
knew  he  was  in  for  a siege.  (5) 
The  weak  diction  of  some  who  read 
the  reports  was  further  aggravated 
by  a rebellious  public  address  sys- 
tem. (6)  While  I hate  to  admit  it, 
not  all  of  the  reports  could  be  clas- 
sified as  deathless  prose,  and  some- 
times failed  to  grapple  with  the 
crucial  issues.  Critical  observers 
might  find  some  reports  that  were 
too  matter-of-fact  in  their  develop- 


tian and  Nuclear  Power.”  Copies  of 
these  statements  are  shared  with 
the  congregations  for  their  prayer- 
ful consideration.  Suggestions  on  a 
fruitful  observance  of  Peace  Sun- 
day are  also  made  available. 

May  the  Lord  unite  our  hearts  in 
His  peace  as  we  give  witness,  as  in- 
dividuals and  as  congregations,  to 
Him  who  said,  “Peace  I leave  with 
you;  my  peace  I give  unto  you;  not 
as  the  world  giveth,  give  I unto 
you;  let  not  your  heart  be  troubled, 
neither  let  it  be  afraid,”  John  14:27. 

Yours  in  Christ, 
Erland  Waltner,  President 


ment.  One — the  report  of  the  Board 
of  Missions — was  so  good  that  I am 
willing  to  nominate  it  as  the  best 
written  report  ever  produced  by 
anyone. 

At  the  moment  I have  no  special 
plans  for  improving  our  procedure 
of  reporting — a system  which  I feel 
is  continually  improving.  But  I be- 
lieve we  must  continue  to  report, 
and  that  these  reports  should  be 
read  publicly.  If  we  rebel  at  the 
idea,  then  let  us  examine  our  entire 
Conference  business  procedure.  One 
choice  is  to  delegate  even  more  pol- 
icy-making authority  to  Board  mem- 
bers who  will  take  time  to  listen  to 
the  reports.  But  rather  than  that, 
let  us  prepare  delegates  to  come  to 
Conference  to  work.  Let  us  also  re- 
mind those  who  write  and  read  re- 
ports to  give  even  more  attention 
to  the  quality  of  their  presentations 
(though  they  have  already  done 
their  utmost). 

Oral  reading  of  the  reports  takes 
six-months  of  delegate  time  (as  you 
figured),  but  listening  to  inspira- 
tional addresses  that  stimulate  but 
do  not  give  substance  take  just  as 
much  time  and  leave  the  work  of 
the  church  undone. 

— Maynard  Shelly 


616 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  youth 


I 

a story  by  Esther  Loewen  Vogt 


Don  Ingram  had  given 
her  the  gate — and  for 
such  a piffling  reason,  too! 


IVelDA  graves  flew  down  the 
' stairs  two  steps  at  a time.  She  real- 
I ized  that  it  wasn’t  ladylike,  but 
I she  was  past  caring.  Don  Ingram 
I had  calmly,  but  definitely,  given  hei 
the  gate.  And  for  such  a piffling 
little  reason! 

“Any  girl  who  wilfully  pulls  a 
deal  like  that  is  no  girl  of  mine!” 
Don  had  told  her  bluntly  only  two 
days  ago.  And  he’d  avoided  her  like 
the  plague  ever  since.  All  she’d  done 
was  to  tell  her  mother  they  were 
going  to  a show.  Instead,  Don  had 
dragged  her  to  one  of  his  church 
parties.  Not  that  she  didn’t  like 
Don’s  church.  It  was  okay,  but  she 
thought  her  mother  might  not  ap- 
prove of  her  going  to  his  church, 
so  she’d  made  the  excuse.  And  that’s 
when  Don  had  said  it.  He  was  such 
a swell  boy;  and  she’d  enjoyed  his 
company  more  than  she  dared  ad- 
mit. 'That’s  why  it  hurt  to  be  tossed 
aside  like  an  old  shoe. 

“I’ll  — I’ll  show  Don  Ingram  a 
thing  or  two!”  she  said  bitterly. 
“He  can’t  treat  me  like  that!” 

Nelda  paused  in  front  of  the  drug- 
store. She  didn’t  really  want  to  see 
the  crowd,  but  she  wasn’t  going  to 
let  the  world  know  how  much  Don 
had  meant  to  her. 

She  slipped  past  the  coimters  and 
scooted  into  a booth  half  hidden 
behind  the  greeting-card  rack.  She 
and  Don  had  discovered  this  iso- 
lated booth  one  night  and  from 
then  on  it  was  theirs.  Memories 
tugged  at  her  heart  and  made  it 
race  wildly.  Don!  Why  couldn’t  he 
be  realistic?  What  was  one  little 
fib?  And  the  game  with  Queenstown 


was  tomorrow  night.  She’d  have  to 
be  off  alone. 

Don  had  talked  to  her  about  sal- 
vation, about  Christ’s  dying  on  the 
cross,  and  all  that  sort  of  stuff. 
Deep  stuff  she  didn’t  understand, 
but  then,  who  did? 

“I’m  just  as  decent  and  moral  as 
they  make  ’em,”  she  had  pointed 
out  to  him.  “What’s  one  little  lie 
matter  now  and  then?” 

“That  isn’t  the  point,”  he  had 
stated  ruefully.  “It’s  your  refusal  to 
let  Christ  into  your  heart,  Nel. 
That’s  what  really  makes  the  dif- 
ference. . . .” 

Okay,  so  let  him  feel  holy  and 
righteous.  Only  it  hurt.  Nelda  laid 
her  straw  beside  her  empty  glass 
and  sauntered  toward  the  display 
window.  She  ran  into  Pat  Mclver 
and  Toots  Davis  at  the  camera 
counter. 

“What’s  the  big  gloom  for,  Nel?” 
Pat  asked  lightly. 

She  sighed  briefly,  then  forced  a 
wry  smile.  “Don  Ingram  and  his 
wings!” 

“I  told  you  he  was  one  of  those 
deacons,  didn’t  I?”  Pat  nodded 
knowingly.  “What’d  you  do?” 

Toots’s  silvery  laugh  interrupted 
them.  “Don’t  tell  me  you  went  to 
church  with  that  big  brute  — par- 
don me  — that  big,  handsome  half- 
back!” 

Nelda’s  voice  was  flippant.  “How 
did  you  guess?  And  I told  Mom 
we’d  been  to  a show!  He  couldn’t 
take  that!” 

“And  so  he  heaved  you,  did  he?” 
Pat  snapped.  “Why,  the  big  square! 
I’d  like  to—” 


“O  Pat!”  Nelda  was  close  to  tears. 
“If  that’s  the  way  Don  wants  it — ! 
And  besides,  I — I did  sort  of  enjoy 
that  church  party.  It  wasn’t  a bit 
stuffy  and  — well,  the  kids  were 
swell.  Friendly  and  real,  somehow.” 

The  trio  was  on  the  street  now, 
walking  toward  Pat’s  car.  Nelda 
crawled  in  after  Toots  reluctantly. 
She  couldn’t  help  but  remember 
how  Don  had  always  held  the  door 
open  for  her. 

And  as  if  thinking  about  him  con- 
jured up  his  visible  presence,  Nelda 
caught  her  breath  sharply  as  Don’s 
green  car  passed  them  just  as  Pat 
was  pulling  away  from  the  curb. 
Don  and  another  girl! 

So  that’s  how  he  plays  the  game! 
Nelda  told  herself  fiercely.  All  right, 
Mr.  Donald  Ingram,  I’ll  have  a 
chance  to  get  even.  You  just  wait 
and  see!” 

Pat’s  car  zoomed  down  the  high- 
way, picking  up  speed  as  it  rolled. 
They  weren’t  heading  anywhere  in 
particular  — just  killing  time. 

Many  minutes  later  Toots  said, 
“Lucky  you’re  not  on  the  football 
team,  Pat,”  and  patted  his  arm  pos- 
sessively. “At  least,  you  don’t  have 
to  be  in  bed  by  ten!” 

Nelda  curled  up  in  the  comer  of 
the  car.  It  was  no  use  to  remind 
herself  that  Don  would  be  at  home 
by  now.  He  was  a stickler  for  rules, 
and  Coach  Lessing  would  accept  no 
excuses.  Why  couldn’t  she  have 
lost  her  heart  to  a fellow  Uke — oh, 
like  Pat  Mclver,  or  somebody  who 
wasn’t  a pushover  for  rules?  And 
yet,  wasn’t  that  one  thing  she  ad- 
mired most  in  Don? 


October  6,  1959 


617 


“Oh,  fiddle-faddle!”  she  burst  out 
aloud,  “Fiddledy-faddle!” 

“You  still  carrying  the  torch?” 
Pat  mumbled  from  his  side  of  the 
car.  “Forget  him,  he’s  not  worth 
chewing  your  nails  over!” 

Nelda  was  silent.  She  was  too 
mixed  up,  too  confused  to  think 
straight.  She  glanced  at  her  wrist 
watch.  Ten-forty-five.  Pat  pulled  in- 
to a roadside  snack  shop  on  the 
outskirts  of  Queenstown.  A coke 
would  taste  good  — at  least  she 
might  stop  thinking. 

As  the  girl  paused  at  Pat’s  side 
to  take  their  order,  Nelda  peered 
forlornly  out  of  the  opposite  win- 
dow. She  watched  the  endless 
stream  of  cars  as  they  sped  by, 
screeching  at  the  SLOW  sign  near 
the  diner.  The  dark  green  two-door 
that  eased  to  a half-stop  looked 
vaguely  familiar.  Nelda  felt  her 
face  flush  in  the  dark.  Don  Ingram 
and  the  little  brunette!  So  Don  was 
not  at  home  after  all.  With  Nelda, 
he  had  always  pushed  the  ten 
o’clock  curfew.  But  now  he  was 
blithely  hitting  the  road  with  Brown 
Eyes  at  almost  eleven! 

In  her  room  that  night  Nelda 
thought  about  the  evening.  Had  Pat 
and  Toots  seen  Don?  They  really 
would  throw  daggers.  Nelda  winced; 
somehow,  she  didn’t  want  that. 

Still,  here  was  he  chance  to  get 
even  with  Don  Ingram.  All  she  had 
to  do  was  to  report  his  breaking 
the  football  rules  and  he’d  be 
benched.  Get  even.  Get  even!  a 
small  voice  inside  of  her  hammered 
fiendishly.  ’That’s  what  she  wanted, 
wasn’t  it?  Wasn’t  it?  She  didn’t 
know.  She  — just  — didn’t  — know! 
The  next  day  Nelda  deliberately 


Tailored: 


kept  out  of  Don’s  way.  She  was  too 
mixed  up  to  face  him  just  now. 

The  grid  milled  with  the  maroon 
and  white  players  from  Queenstown 
High.  Nelda  had  forced  herself  to 
attend  the  game,  despite  her  usual 
liking  for  it.  Somehow  it  didn’t  mat- 
ter to  her  who  won  — not  without 
Don.  Now  the  Wellington  Raiders 
were  swarming  over  the  field — 
Terry,  Mike,  Stan.  Where  was  Don? 
It  was  then  she  saw  him,  sitting 
across  the  field  on  the  opposite 
bleachers  with  Brown  Eyes!  Don 
Ingram  had  been  benched.  Well,  it 
served  him  right.  He  had  no  busi- 
ness burning  up  the  highways  while 
in  training.  She  was  glad,  glad,  she 
tried  to  convince  herself  halfheart- 
edly. But  she  wasn’t,  really. 

The  Queenstown  eleven  were  in 
great  trim;  it  looked  as  if  the  Raid- 
ers had  met  their  match  for  once. 
At  half-time  the  score  was  tied. 

Nelda  was  tense  and  excited  in 
spite  of  her  determination  not  to 
care.  Wellington  High  had  a good 
team,  but  tonight  they  definitely 
needed  Don.  And  he  was  sitting  in 
the  bleachers. 

Wonder  what  Pat  Mclver  knows 
about  all  this,  Nelda  pondered  du- 
biously. She  was  glad  that  she  had 
not  told  on  Don;  she  just  hadn’t 
been  able  to  do  it.  But  if  he  would 
get  in  there  and  give  that  ball  the 
heave-ho!  Instead,  he  was  watch- 
ing from  the  side  lines,  a taut  smile 
working  his  grim  lips. 

Wellington  needs  Don!  she  decid- 
ed suddenly.  Maybe  if  I talked  to 
Coach  Lessing — begged  him.  Nelda 
hurried  toward  the  dressing  rooms. 
The  coach  stood  near  the  door,  talk- 
ing earnestly  with  several  of  the 


AILORED?  To  what? 

Well,  if  you  must  know,  to 
those  of  us  with  very  short  attention 
spans.  Here  at  last  are  two  pages 
about  which  you  won’t  have  to 
sweat  and  beat  your  brow  wonder- 
ing what  he,  she,  or  it  is  trying  to 
put  across  and  why  on  earth  it  isn’t 
being  said  in  fewer  words  because 
after  all  it’s  pretty  hard  to  spend 
twenty  minutes  reading  some  deep 
thing  let  alone  trying  to  concentrate 
on  it.  Right?  Right! 

So  much  for  that.  Here  goes: 

BIG  NEWS  'THIS  WEEK  is  that 
on  Friday  and  Saturday,  Oct.  9-10, 


Raiders.  ' ^ 

“Coach  Lessing,”  Nelda  burst  out  ^ 
wildly.  “Why  isn’t  Don  Ingram  , 
playing?  Just  because  he  stayed  out 
till  after  curfew?  Please  put  him  in 
on  the  last  half!” 

Coach  Lessing  stared  at  her,  then 
shook  his  head.  “You’re  Don’s  girl  i 
and  don’t  know?  Don  doesn’t  cheat,  ; 
Nelda.  You  ought  to  know  that.”  i 
There  it  was  again  — Don’s  tes-  • 
timony.  Once  she  had  believed  that, 
but  she  had  seen  him  and  the  bru- 
nette in  the  car,  hadn’t  she?  And 
it  had  been  after  eleven. 

Her  vigorous  nod  sent  her  blond  \ 
pony  tail  bobbing.  “I  always  figured  ,1 
Don  was  the  greatest.  But  last 
night.  . .”  li 

“The  other  night  when  Don  | 
rushed  to  the  hospital  at  Queens-  :| 
town,  you  mean?  He  had  to  give 
another  transfusion  to  his  uncle  j 
who  is  going  to  recover  from  a 
very  serious  operation  because  of 
Don’s  willingness  to  supply  the 
rare  blood  type  that  Don  also 
has.” 

“B — but.  . . .”  Nelda  stammered. 
“And  he  had  to  give  another 
transfusion  this  afternoon,”  the 
coach  continued,  “game  or  no  game. 
He  couldn’t  play  tonight,  but  he’s 
here — he  and  his  cousin.” 

A sudden  rush  of  warmth  flooded 
Nelda’s  heart.  This  was  Don! 
Whether  or  not  she  could  win  him 
back,  she  knew  now  that  she  needed 
Don’s  Christ.  After  the  game  she’d 
see  him  and  . . . 

Smiling,  Nelda  whirled  toward 
the  bleachers  — and  Don  — as  the 
whistle  blew  for  the  second  half. 

— Youth  Comrade 
By  permission 


the  YPU  cabinet  and  the  Committee 
on  Youth  Work  (appointed  last  faU, 
remember?)  will  be  meeting  in  Elk- 
art,  Ind.  This  will  be  the  “first”  for 
the  new  YPU  officers,  Marvin  Zehr 
and  Nancy  Wismer,  the  first  time 
that  Milton  Harder  will  be  meeting 
with  us,  and  also  the  first  time  these 
two  groups  are  meeting  together. 
The  starting  lineup  for  the  two 
days  sounds  interesting.  Gordon 
Dyck,  former  YPU  Fellowship  chair- 
man, has  been  invited  to  attend 
and  also  give  a short  talk  on  “The 
Road  We  Have  Come.”  Ray  Hack- 
er (a  member  of  the  Committee  on 
Youth  Work)  will  discuss  a dis- 


618 


THE  AAENNONITE 


trict’s  relation  to  the  General  Con- 
ference YPU.  And  there  are  lots 
[ more.  Tune  in  in  two  weeks  for  a 
: “you  are  there”  story.  In  the  mean- 
time. remember  us  in  prayer  as  we 
think  and  plan. 


WE’VE  BEEN  GETTING  quite  a 
bit  of  news  from  local  youth  groups 
lately.  The  youth  fellowship  at  Hen- 
derson, Neb.,  elected  new  officers 
at  the  beginning  of  Sept.  Pat  Hue- 
bert  is  the  new  president  and  Kar- 
ren  Friesen  is  secretary. 


The  senior  youth  fellowship  of 
the  First  Mennonite  and  Beatrice 
(Neb.)  churches  elected  the  follow- 
ing people  to  be  their  leaders:  Al- 

I vin  Linsmeyer,  president;  Jim 
von  Riesen,  vice  president;  Judy 
Claassen,  secretary;  Don  Wiebe, 
treasurer;  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Frank  W. 
1 Penner,  sponsors. 


Kathleen  Schrag  is  the  newly 
elected  president  of  the  Eden  Young 
People’s  Union  (Moundridge,  Kan.). 
Backing  her  up  are  Ronald  Flick- 
inger,  vice  president;  Leanna  Goer- 
ing,  secretary-treasurer;  and  Wanda 
Goering,  reporter. 

Last  summer  the  youth  fellow- 
ship in  Allentown,  Pa.,  took  it  upon 
themselves  to  help  their  church 
janitor  with  the  extra  cleaning  du- 
ties which  became  necessary  while 
the  church  was  remodeled.  Way 
to  go! 

“Weeding  parties”  seem  to  be  a 
specialty  of  the  Bally,  Pa.,  youth 
group.  Their  service  project  was 
a “Lord’s  Acre,”  planted  with  po- 
tatoes and  tomatoes,  and  with  pro- 
ceeds designated  for  Janet  Soldner, 
missionary  in  Colombia,  S.  A. 

The  Deep  Run  (Pa.)  group  has  a 
j system  worked  out  for  their  pro- 
grams. One  program  in  each  of  the 
three  areas  (Faith  and  Life,  Fellow- 
ship, Service)  is  given  each  month. 
“A  recent  and  very  successful  Faith 
and  Life  program  was  the  use  of 
[ ‘situation  drama’  to  present  the  fol- 
j lowing  topics:  concerns  of  a young 
I person  in  choosing  a college,  the 
proper  use  of  the  automobile,  and 
disciplining  a boy  at  camp.”  ('This 
information  comes  via  The  Eastern 
District  Messenger.) 


The  Zion  (Souderton,  Pa.)  fel- 
lowship turned  up  last  summer  with 
a neat  $277  for  Camp  Men-O-Lan. 
Behind  the  scenes  was  a carefully 
planned,  imagination  peppered,  and 
well  carried  out  paper  drive. 

June  highlight  for  the  Upper  Mil- 


ford (Pa.)  young  people  was  a visit 
to  a Jewish  synagogue  in  Bethle- 
hem, Pa.  Of  special  interest  was 
the  barmizvah  ceremony  at  which 
a Jewish  boy  who  has  completed 
his  13th  year  is  recognized  as  hav- 
ing reached  the  age  of  responsi- 
bility. 

A popular  service  activity  among 
Eastern  District  circles  is  the  pre- 
senting of  programs  and  music  in 
hospitals,  homes  for  the  aged,  and 
for  shut-ins.  One  group  got  even 
closer  home  and  mended  the  church 
hymnals ! 

Lorena  Quiring  (Pacific  District 
YPU  secretary)  wound  up  an  inter- 
esting and  thorough  report  of  the 
August  retreat  and  conference  in 
the  district  paper  by  saying,  “The 
retreat  was  a wonderful  experience 
spiritually  and,  as  the  Canadians 
would  say,  ‘We  had  a jolly  good 
time.’  ” 

George  Ediger,  reporting  on  the 
retreat  and  conference  at  the  Beth- 
el Church,  Inman,  Kan.,  summar- 
ized by  saying:  “Youth  retreats,  just 
like  Voluntary  Service  or  even  be- 
ing a Christian,  has  the  power  to 
portray  its  value  only  after  it  has 
been  experienced.” 

GEORGE  HAD  SOMETHING  else 
in  his  report  that  I’d  like  to  share 
with  you.  He  used  these  verses  as 
home  base:  “For  unto  whomsoever 
much  is  given,  of  him  shall  be  much 
required.  . . . Every  branch  in  me 
that  beareth  not  fruit  he  taketh 
away.  . . .”  Then  he  went  on  to  say, 
“By  sacrifice  we  grow.  We  as  1-W 
men  have  a responsibility  if  we  are 
to  conserve  our  religious  convic- 
tions. Why  do  we  ask  the  govern- 
ment to  release  us  from  armed  serv- 
ice when  we  are  reluctant  to  give 
two  of  our  years  for  the  welfare  of 
humanity?  If  we  must  go,  then  we 
will  go  where  we  will  get  $150.00  a 
month.  If  we  cannot  sacrifice  when 
the  sacrifice  is  practically  forced 
upon  us,  when  will  we?” 

The  area  of  1-W  service  has  real- 
ly been  under  study  recently  what 
with  various  committee  meetings 
and  ministers’  replies  to  question- 
naires. Watch  for  some  articles  by 
Fred  Unruh  which  will  be  in  The 
Mennonite  in  the  near  future. 

OUR  VS  UNIT  at  Gulfport  put 
out  a good  little  paper  this  year. 
Perhaps  some  of  you  get  it.  Harold 
and  Rosella  Regier  were  unit  lead- 
ers. Harold  wrote:  “At  Camp  Lan- 


don  last  summer  we  were  privileged 
to  have  a Negro  girl  from  the 
Woodlawn  Mennonite  Church  as 
a part  of  our  unit.  The  work  pro- 
ceeded as  usual — ^with  an  added  note 
of  appreciation  from  the  Negro 
churches  with  whom  we  worked. 
There  were  no  threats  or  bombings. 
We  did  receive  unfriendly  glances 
and  refusal  of  service  and  access 
to  facilities,  but  on  the  other  hand 
there  were  incidents  that  reminded 
us  that  many  in  the  South  dislike 
and  fight  integration. 

“Integration  at  Camp  Landon  is 
a testimony  to  the  community  it 
will  work.  When  and  how  integra- 
tion will  come  to  the  South,  I do  not 
know.  But  only  as  Christians  are 
willing  to  take  their  stand  for  Chris- 
tian love  and  the  rights  of  men 
can  it  come.” 

Rosella  told  of  an  incident  that 
occurred  in  public  school  last  win- 
ter. A teacher  asked  her  students  to 
list  five  rights  which  the  Constitu- 
tion gave  them.  One  fellow  asked: 
“Do  you  want  me  to  put  down  what 
the  books  say?" 

Rachel  Vernado,  VSer  from  Chi- 
cago, wrote:  “A  Northern  White 
person  is  usually  called  a ‘Nigger 
Lover'  if  he  gets  too  friendly  with 
the  Colored  people.  A Negro  can 
cook  and  serve  a White  but  can’t 
sit  down  and  eat  with  him.  A South- 
ern White  minister  said,  ‘To  keep 
my  congregation,  I cannot  invite 
Negroes  to  attend  my  church.’ 

“All  these  things  I have  heard 
about,  but  now  I have  not  only 
heard  them,  I have  seen  and  ex- 
perienced them  also.  Visiting  one  of 
the  larger  Southern  cities,  we  went 
as  an  integrated  group.  Sight-see- 
ing was  fine,  but  in  an  old  French 
restaurant  we  couldn’t  be  served.  As 
an  integrated  group  we  were  asked 
to  leave  a national  park  which  was 
state  maintained.  We  were  told  by 
two  policemen,  ‘We  just  don’t  do 
things  like  that  in  the  South.  If  she 
is  your  maid  it’s  all  right,  but  if 
she  is  part  of  your  group,  you  have 
to  leave.’  ” 

“CXir  VS  unit  is  not  the  first  nor 
the  last  group  that  will  be  coming 
to  the  South  to  show  others  that  all 
men  are  created  equal  and  that 
color  makes  no  difference.  To  God 
there  is  no  color  line.  Why  do  some 
people  — even  so-called  Christians 
—differ?” 

THERE  IS  NO  PLACE  better 
than  college  to  begin  wondering 


October  6,  1959 


619 


and,  you  may  as  well  admit,  doubt- 
ing. Here  is  what  one  editor  had 
to  say  recently:  “Don’t  be  afraid  to 
doubt.  As  you  struggle  to  find  for 
yourself  that  faith  about  which 
your  parents  and  church  have  in- 
structed you,  don’t  be  afraid  to 
shoot  questions  at  those  whom  you 
respect,  to  ponder  for  yourself. 
Honest  doubting  means  that  you’re 
trying  to  find  faith,  not  lose  it.’’ 

That  reminds  me  of  a quote  I 
stumbled  on  to:  “An  atheist’s  most 
embarrassing  moment  is  when  he 
feels  profoundly  thankful  for  some- 
thing and  can’t  think  of  anybody  to 
thank  for  it.’’ 

And  another  one:  “Never  wait  for 
a fitter  time  or  place  to  talk  to 
Him.  To  wait  till  thou  go  to  church 
or  to  thy  closet  is  to  make  Him 
wait.  He  will  listen  as  thou  walk- 

our  schools 

SEMINARY  CONVOCATION 

Jacob  J.  Enz,  professor  of  Old 
Testament  and  Hebrew  at  the  sem- 
inary, addressed  students  and  fac- 
ulty of  Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary 
Sunday  evening.  Sept.  20,  in  a con- 
vocation service  marking  the  open- 
ing of  the  fall  semester. 

Speaking  on  ‘“rhe  Cross— Beyond 
Co-existence,”  Enz  emphasized  that 
“We  must  recapture  the  biblical  re- 
lationship between  God  and  man  in 
Christ.” 

God  is  not  satisfied  to  merely  co- 
exist with  man,  declared  Enz,  but 
has  chosen  to  redeem  him  through 
the  cross  of  Christ.  Thus  Christ  is 
the  key  to  a working  relationship 
between  God  and  man. 

“In  Christ,  God  paves  the  way 
"back  for  sinful  man,”  stated  Profes- 
sor Enz.  ‘“rhis  is  the  way  God  re- 
deems those  estranged  from  Him, 
and  it  shows  us  how  we  should 
treat  our  enemies.” 

Enz  called  upon  Christians  to 
make  their  churches  meeting  places 
between  man  and  God  and  to  apply 
Christ’s  principle  of  redemption  to 
man’s  present  state  of  estrange- 
ment. 

On  the  seminary  faculty  since 
1954,  Professor  Enz  has  a bachelor 
of  sacred  theology  degree  from  New 
York  Biblical  Seminary  and  is  com- 
pleting requirements  for  a Ph.D. 
from  Johns  Hopkins  University.  He 
was  Menno  Simons  lecturer  at  Beth- 
el College  in  the  fall  of  1957. 


est.” 

You  know,  the  more  a person 
reads  and  experiences  the  more  he 
realizes  the  universality  of  man’s 
search  for  God.  In  the  17th  century 
August  Herman  Francke  wrote:  “O 
God,  if  Thou  art,  show  thyself  to 
me.”  In  the  20th  century  a student 
said,  “God,  if  You  are,  let  me  touch 
your  fingers.” 

'The  sequel  to  August  Herman’s 
story  begins  with  his  words:  “The 
more  I wanted  to  help  myself,  the 
deeper  I was  plunged  in  disquiet 
and  doubt.”  One  day  his  boarding 
house  master  saw  him  with  a New 
Testament  in  his  hand  and  re- 
marked to  him,  “Yes,  we  have  a 
great  treasure  in  this  book.”  At  the 
moment  Francke’s  eyes  were  on  the 
words,  “We  have  this  treasure  in 
earthen  vessels.”  He  was  startled  at 


NEW  CHIMES  FOR  BETHEL 

The  chimes  in  the  Bethel  College 
administration  building  will  be  re- 
placed soon  as  a result  of  last  year’s 
senior  class  gift. 

Professor  Kenneth  Deckert  is 
working  out  arrangements  accord- 
ing to  instructions  from  the  class  of 
’58.  The  chimes  in  the  present  in- 
stallation were  provided  by  donation 
of  the  faculty  and  student  body  in 
1935.  In  recent  years  these  chimes 
have  become  inoperative. 

Professor  Deckert  maintains  that 
modem  high  fidelity  pick-up  and 
amplifier  apparatus  wiU  carry  the 
music  up  to  a mile  with  good  fi- 
delity. 

BLUFFTON  HOMECOMING 

Bluifton  College  celebrated  home- 
coming on  Saturday,  October  3,  and 
Pairents’  Day  on  Sunday,  October  4, 
this  year. 

At  10:00  on  Saturday  morning, 
the  Homecoming  queen  was  crown- 
ed. This  was  followed  at  11:00  with 
groundbreaking  ceremonies  for  the 
new  music  hall  to  be  erected  dur- 
ing the  coming  year. 

Saturday  afternoon  was  opened 
with  the  annual  Tug  of  War  be- 
tween the  freshmen  and  sopho- 
mores. Ashland  College  was  the 
opponent  for  the  football  game  at 
2:00  p.m. 

A feature  of  the  Homecoming 
banquet  on  Saturday  evening  at 
6 : 00  was  the  announcement  of  plans 


the  seemingly  providential  coinci- 
dence.  A short  time  later  he  ; 
preached  on  John  20:31,  “These  ® 
things  are  written  that  ye  might  ® 
believe.”  ** 

J> 

DON’T  MISS  ERWIN  GOER-  “ 
ING’S  article  in  this  issue  of  The  ^ 
Mennonite.  It  was  addressed  pri- 
marily to  the  young  people  who  at-  * 
tended  the  conference  at  Bluffton.  ’ 
We  hope  to  have  Vincent  Harding’s  * 
on  “Building  on  Christ  in  the  City”  ' 
ready  for  publication  soon.  | 

And  if  an  occasional  bit  of  cutting 
satire  suits  your  taste,  watch  for 
“A  Theology  of  the  Devil”  in  next 
week’s  youth  section. 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People's  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  722 
Main  St.,  Newton,  Kansas. 


for  a development  program.'  The 
banquet  was  followed  by  a musical  ] 
comedy  “His  Majesty’s  Scholarly  | 
Faculty.”  This  program  is  a paro- 
dy based  on  Gilbert  and  Sullivan’s 
“H.M.S.  Pinafore.” 

Parents’  Day  on  Sunday  included 
Sunday  school  and  church  with  the 
students  at  the  various  churches 
of  the  community.  Open  house 
was  observed  at  the  various  dor- 
mitories between  1:15  and  2:15  in 
the  afternoon.  At  the  vesper  serv- 
ice in  Founders  Hall  at  2:30,  Rob- 
ert Ramseyer,  missionary  on  fur- 
lough from  Japan  where  he  has 
served  a term  under  the  General 
Conference  Mennonite  Church, 
spoke  on  “Foundations  for  Interna- 
tional Misunderstanding.”  'This  was 
followed  by  a reception  in  the 
Stauffer  Social  Room  at  3:30  p.m. 

FREEMAN  HOLDS  CHRISTIAN 
LIFE  WEEK  SERIES 

John  Gaeddert,  pastor  of  the  Be- 
thesda  Mennonite  Church  of  Hen- 
derson, Neb.,  was  the  speaker  for 
the  annual  Christian  Life  Week 
September  14  to  18.  During  the 
morning  chapel  services  he  spoke 
to  the  students  and  faculty  on  the 
topic:  “I  am  the  Light  of  the 

World”;  “I  am  the  Door”;  “I  am 
the  Good  Shepherd”;  “I  am  the 
Resurrection  and  the  Life”;  and  “I 
am  the  Vine.”  The  public  was  in- 
vited to  the  evening  meetings  which 
were  held  in  Pioneer  Hall.  Minis- 


620 


THE  MENNONITE 


ters  from  the  community  assisted 
5j:in  the  devotional  periods.  Those 
jjjjin  charge  were  T.  A.  van  der  Smis- 
jsen,  pastor  of  the  Bethesda  Church; 
iJ.  J.  Kleinsasser,  pastor  of  the  Sa- 
3'lem  KMB  Church;  Olin  Krehbiel, 
pastor  of  the  Salem  Zion  Church; 
j.  Peter  J.  Stahl,  pastor  of  the  Hut- 
t.  terdorf  Church;  Ralph  Graber,  pas- 
. tor  of  the  Bethel  Church.  Rev. 

J Gaeddert’s  evening  topics  were;  “A 
" Life  in  Search”;  “The  Freedom  to 
Choose”;  “Living  by  Decisions”; 

, “Shouldering  Responsibility”;  and 
“I  am  the  Vine.” 

President  and  Mrs.  John  Ewert 
were  host  to  the  members  of  the 
faculty  and  staff  and  their  families 
at  a fellowship  dinner  given  at  their 
home  Sept.  14.  John  Gaeddert  was 
guest  of  honor  for  the  occasion. 

FJC  TESTING  PROGRAM 

An  extensive  testing  program  for 
the  Academy  classes  was  carried  on 
Sept.  17-25.  The  tests  were  a part 
of  a state-wide  testing  program  be- 
ing carried  out  this  year.  The  re- 
sults will  be  used  for  diagnostic 
purposes  and  for  the  counseling 
program.  College  freshman  en- 
trance exams  were  given  a week 
earlier. 

33  NEW  STUDENT  NURSES 
AT  BLOOMINGTON 

Thirty-three  new  students  have 
enrolled  in  the  Mennonite  Hospital 
School  of  Nursing  this  fall.  Three, 
who  will  be  seniors,  are  transfer 
students.  Lu  Ann  Boshart  of  Way- 
land,  Iowa,  comes  from  Goshen 
College  School  of  Nursing  at  Go- 
shen, Indiana;  Anette  Shaffer  of 
Martinsburg,  Pennsylvania,  from 
the  Altoona  Hospital  School  of 
Nursing  at  Altoona,  Pennsylvania; 
and  Inez  Earlene  Pittman  of  Cham- 
paign, Illinois,  from  the  Julia  F. 
Burnham  School  of  Nursing  at 
Champaign,  Illinois.  The  others,  all 
freshmen,  are  as  follows:  Janalee 
Carlyle,  Minier,  Illinois;  Gayle  Cus- 
ter, Decatur,  Illinois;  Elizabeth  Dis- 
brow,  Wauseon,  Ohio;  Jennita  Det- 
weiler.  Eureka,  Illinois;  Barbara 
Dorman,  Chenoa,  Illinois;  Mary 
Ernst,  Gibson  City,  Illinois;  Linda 
Gard,  Mackinaw,  Illinois;  Celeste 
Gentes,  Chenoa,  Illinois;  Dee  Ann 
George,  Paxton,  Illinois;  Beatrice 
Heggerty,  Lockport,  Illinois;  Sylvia 
Horne,  Chicago,  Illinois;  Nancy 
Keene,  Ellsworth,  Illinois;  Mary 
Lay,  Shirley,  Illinois;  Miriam  Mitch- 
ell, Meadows,  Illinois;  Gerda  Mil- 
keraites,  Chicago,  Illinois;  Edith 


Neufeld,  Chicago,  Illinois;  Fannie 
Plank,  Arthur,  Illinois;  Virginia 
Redmond,  Danvers,  Illinois;  Mary 
Rosiere,  Pekin,  Illinois;  Mona  Sad- 
ler, Pekin,  Illinois;  Jeanette  Steck- 
mann,  Pekin,  Illinois;  Annette  Slu- 
pianek,  Danvers,  Illinois;  Mary 
Swaner,  Wapella,  Illinois;  Alice 
Terrell,  Bloomington,  Illinois;  Mary 
Thornton,  Heyworth,  Illinois;  Mary 
Totten,  Normal,  Illinois;  Mary 
Troyer,  Eureka,  Illinois;  Geraldine 
Unkruch,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Iowa;  Nor- 
ma Hooley,  Shipshewana,  Indiana; 
Donna  Kauffman,  Lebanon,  Oregon. 

CHORALE,  CHOIR  CHOSEN 

Membership  of  the  new  Bethel 
College  Chorale  was  announced  re- 
cently by  Dr.  David  Suderman,  con- 
ductor. 

Personnel  of  the  chorale  is  almost 
completely  changed  from  last  year. 
Dr.  Suderman  had  completed  over 
one  hundred  seventy  concerts  with 
some  of  the  members  constituting 
the  outgoing  group. 

The  new  chorale  will  make  at 
least  one  extensive  tour  during  the 
school  year. 

Members  and  their  hometowns  ac- 
cording to  high  school  last  attended 
are;  Sopranos:  Shirley  Unrau,  Goes- 
sel,  Kan.;  Donna  Jean  Albrecht, 
Pretty  Prairie,  Kan.;  Judy  Fair- 
child,  Kingman,  Kan.;  Ruth  M.  Ewy, 
Halstead,  Kan. 

Altos:  Carolyn  Friesen,  Mt.  Lake, 
Minn.;  Lois  Peters,  Goessel,  Kan.; 
Donna  Froese,  Inman,  Kan.;  Ruth 
Eitzen,  Mt.  Lake,  Minn. 

Tenors:  Charles  Flowers,  Gulf- 
port, Miss.;  Loren  Weinbrenner,  Le- 
high, Kan.;  Gerald  Leinbach,  Petos- 
key,  Mich.;  Bill  Brittain,  Newton, 
Kan. 

Basses:  Arlo  Kasper,  Hutchinson, 
Kan.;  Marvin  Thieszen,  Henderson, 
Neb.;  Harvey  Harms,  Vallejo,  Calif.; 
John  Zerger,  Kingman,  Kan. 

Accompanist  for  the  group  is 
Dorothy  Harms,  Whitewater,  Kan. 

Fifty-eight  students  were  chosen 
by  Conductor  Gordon  Corwin  to  be 
members  of  the  Bethel  College 
Choir. 

Music  for  this  choir  will  consist 
of  both  sacred  and  secular  numbers 
to  be  sung  either  a cappella  or  with 
accompanist.  A number  of  concerts 
are  to  be  scheduled  pending  com- 
pletion of  the  school  calendar.  Bar- 
bcira  Claassen  is  the  accompanist 
and  Gerhard  Claassen  the  student 
conductor. 


MEMBERS  ELECTED  TO  BOARD 

Professors  H.  A.  Fast,  J.  F. 
Schmidt,  and  Ronald  Rich  were 
elected  by  the  Bethel  College  fac- 
ulty last  week  to  assist  the  Board 
of  Directors  in  problems  relating  to 
the  selection  of  a new  president. 

Dr.  J.  Winfield  Fretz,  veteran 
facutly  member,  was  appointed  act- 
ing president  for  one  year  following 
the  resignation  of  Dr.  D.  C.  Wedel 
and  is  serving  as  chairman  of  an 
administrative  committee  charged 
with  directing  the  college  during 
the  interim. 

FALL  RETREAT  HELD 

“Sharing  the  Gospel  and  Our- 
selves” was  the  theme  of  the  an- 
nual fall  retreat  for  students  and 
faculty  of  Mennonite  Biblical  Sem- 
inary, held  Sept.  25  - 27  at  Camp 
Friedenswald. 

Robert  Kreider,  dean  of  Bluffton 
College,  spoke  to  the  retreaters 
Saturday  morning  and  evening,  with 
discussion  periods  following.  “At- 
tending seminary  can  become  one 
of  the  deepest  sharing  experiences 
of  life,”  said  Dr.  Kreider,  who  then 
pointed  out  some  of  the  character- 
istics of  sharing  in  the  Christian 
life. 

Harold  S.  Bender,  dean  of  Go- 
shen College  Biblical  Seminary, 
spoke  at  the  retreat  during  the  Sun- 
day morning  worship  service.  Other 
activities  included  a Friday  evening 
discussion  on  “Why  I Came  to  Sem- 
inary,” a campfire  hymn-sing  on 
Saturday  evening,  and  planned  rec- 
reation. 

SPEAKING  ENGAGEMENTS 

Erland  Waltner,  seminary  presi- 
dent, served  at  the  inauguration  of 
Elmer  Richert  as  president  of  Ros- 
thern  Junior  College,  Rosthern, 
Sask.,  on  Sunday,  Sept.  27.  He  also 
gave  the  opening  address  of  the 
Elkhart  County  Council  of  Churches 
Leadership  Training  school  on  Sept. 
28.  He  gave  two  messages  at  the 
Goshen  seminary  retreat  on  Sept. 
17  and  18  at  Camp  Friedenswald. 

Harry  Martens,  assistant  to  the 
president  and  business  manager, 
gave  the  morning  message  at  the 
First  Mennonite  Church,  Bluffton, 
Ohio,  on  Sept.  27,  and  presented  the 
work  of  the  seminary  at  the  eve- 
ning service.  These  services  were  in 
keeping  with  Christian  Education 
Sunday  as  planned  by  the  spiritual 
council  of  the  congregation. 


October  6,  1959 


621 


Jacob  J.  Enz  spoke  at  the  ordi- 
nation of  Gordon  Dyck  on  Sunday 
morning,  Sept.  20,  at  the  First  Men- 
nonite  Church,  Nappanee,  Ind.  A 
1959  graduate  of  the  seminary, 
Dyck  has  recently  taken  up  the  pas- 
torate there. 

Leland  Harder  and  C.  J.  Dyck 
met  Sept.  19  at  Ft.  Wayne,  Ind., 
with  Gordon  Neuenschwander  of 
Berne  and  several  representatives 
of  the  Berne  Mennonite  Church  to 
study  possibilities  for  location  of  a 
mission  and  church  extension  pro- 
gram. 

MCC  news  and  notes 

MMHS  MEETING  PLANNED 

NEWTON — Oct.  30-31  a semian- 
nual meeting  of  Mennonite  Mental 
Health  Services  will  take  place  in 
Newton,  Kan.,  with  Prairie  View 
Hospital  as  host.  The  meeting  will 
involve  the  seven  members  of 
MMHS,  the  administrators  of  Kings 
View  Hospital  (Reedley,  Calif.), 
Brook  Lane  Farm  (Hagerstown, 
Md.),  and  Prairie  View  Hospital 
(Newton,  Kan.)  and  board  repre- 
sentatives from  the  three  estab- 
lished hospitals  as  well  as  from  the 
Oaklawn  Psychiatric  Center,  Elk- 
hart, Ind.  (the  fourth  clinical  pro- 
gram which  is  now  being  planned). 
Business  matters  will  be  the  pri- 
mary concern  for  the  first  day’s 
session;  the  second  day  will  be  de- 
voted to  a study  of  the  interrela- 
tionship between  the  Christian  faith 
and  the  Mennonite  Mental  Health 
Services  program. 

Studying  the  interrelationship  be- 
tween the  Christian  faith  and  the 
hospital  program,  the  meetings  will 
particularly  emphasize  the  role  of 
the  church  in  rehabilitating  the 
mentally  ill.  Because  many  of  the 
professional  men  participating  in 
the  MCC-sponsored  hospital  pro- 
grams are  not  from  Mennonite 
churches,  the  relationship  of  the 
mental  health  program  to  the 
church  is  often  questioned.  Defining 
the  role  of  the  church,  states  MMHS 
co-ordinator,  Delmar  Stahly,  helps 
integrate  the  workings  of  the  ad- 
ministration, the  medical  men,  and 
the  governing  boards. 

Also,  the  study  sessions  will  eval- 
uate the  role  of  the  counseling  pas- 
tor and  the  professional  psychother- 
apist as  well  as  consider  the  rela- 
tionship between  the  two.  An  ex- 


ploration of  the  relationship  of  the 
chaplain  to  the  staff  members,  of 
the  chaplain  to  the  pastors  of  Men- 
nonite churches,  and  an  evaluation 
of  the  need  for  religious  services  in 
a hospital  program  will  be  made  in 
determining  the  position  of  a chap- 
lain in  a clinical  program. 

PURE  OIL  COMPANY  ENDS  SEARCH 

PARAGUAY — Hopes  of  finding  oil 
in  the  Paraguayan  Chaco  have  be- 
come almost  non-existent.  The  Pure 
Oil  Company  recently  gave  up  its 
oil-searching  attempts  after  some  of 
the  most  extensive  oil  drilling  yet 
done  in  the  Chaco.  During  the  past 
few  years  the  company  had  made 
an  extensive  investment,  building 
roads  and  wells,  all  in  hope  of  dis- 
covering oil. 

Since  the  oil  drilling  was  going  on 
in  an  area  north  of  the  Mennonite 
colonies,  relatively  close  however, 
there  was  much  speculation  as  to 
how  it  could  affect  the  economy  of 
the  Mennonite  population.  Several 
oil  companies  had  made  attempts 
before  Pure  Oil,  but  their  efforts, 
too,  failed. 

Equipment  used  by  the  oil  com- 
pany may  be  sold  to  the  Trans- 
Chaco  roadway  program  and  also 
may  be  made  available  to  MCC 
workers  in  the  road  building  proj- 
ect. 

DEMONSTRATIONS,  HARD  RAINS 
HURT  CALCUTTA 

CALCUTTA — Riotous  demonstra- 
tions recently  moved  through  Cal- 
cutta. “It  seems  as  though  India 
cannot  have  enough  ills,  it  always 
has  to  get  more  of  them,”  writes 
William  Voth  (Chilliwack,  B.  C.), 
India  relief  worker.  Shortly  after 
the  early  September  riots  heavy 
rains  began  hitting  the  city,  but  we 
hope  the  trouble  will  be  over  soon.” 

In  describing  the  riots,  Voth  re- 
ported that  before  the  demonstra- 
tions began  the  citizens  of  Calcutta 
were  given  warnings  that  objections 
would  take  place  against  the  high 
prices  charged  for  rice.  The  Price 
Increase  and  Famine  Resistance 
Committee,  moreover,  decided  to 
defy  all  laws  to  prove  to  the  gov- 
ernment that  the  people  of  Calcutta 
would  no  longer  stand  for  the  high 
rice  prices. 

Riotous  Rebellion  Against  Prices 

On  Aug.  31  the  sympathizers  of 
this  committee,  including  many  uni- 
versity students,  commenced  their 
regular,  but  this  time  stronger,  pro- 


cessions down  strategic  roads  in 
Calcutta.  Banners  with  various  slo- 
gans and  phrases  were  carried  by 
the  men  as  they  marched  in  a steady 
stream  past  the  residence  of  Ben-  , 
gal’s  Chief  Minister.  For  a full  j 
three  hours  the  processionists  un-  j 
ceasingly  shouted  at  the  top  of  their 
voices  in  disagreement  with  food  ; ^ 
policies.  J, 

The  Chief  Minister’s  house,  being 
opposite  a park,  seemed  almost  a j 
perfect  place  for  demonstration  j 
gatherings.  'Thousands  gathered,  h 
even  blocking  the  road  for  trains,  K 
buses,  and  private  vehicles.  Police 
were  on  hand  and  resorted  to  the  P 
use  of  tear  gas  when  the  crowd  be- 
came  uncontrollable.  Not  being  able  L 
to  continue,  with  smarting  eyes,  the  ^ 
crowd  gradually  left  for  fresher  i, 
air.  During  the  following  five  days  , 
the  events  alternated  between  peace  1 i 
and  riots  and  strikes.  I ' 

By  the  week’s  end  thirty-nine  peo-  j 
pie  had  lost  their  lives;  hundreds 
of  civilians,  police,  and  army  per- 
sonnel had  been  injured.  Thousands 
of  street  lights  had  been  broken, 
sidewalk  railings  had  been  torn 
down,  shops  had  been  looted,  and 
damage  had  been  done  to  innumer-  j 
able  public  and  private  buildings. 

As  a result,  finally  the  rice  prices 
went  down;  for  how  long,  however,  ’ 
no  one  knows.  i 

Rains  Increase  Misery  i 

Life  in  the  city  was  back  to  nor-  i 
mal  again  by  Sept.  6.  People  were 
going  about  their  usual  business,  | 
but  as  they  looked  towards  the  east  j 
and  south  they  noticed  that  ominous 
clouds  were  becoming  thicker  and 
darker.  Usually,  monsoons  begin  to 
recede  by  this  time  of  the  year,  but 
this  year  weather  conditions  are  dif- 
ferent. Suddenly,  Tuesday  evening. 
Sept.  8,  rains  mercilessly  began 
beating  upon  Calcutta.  Because  of 
the  poor  drainage  systems  in  many 
parts  of  the  city,  the  streets  soon 
became  reservoirs. 

The  rains  continued  their  attacks 
for  several  days.  In  a four  day  pe- 
riod fourteen  inches  of  water  fell 
on  Calcutta.  Unofficial  estimates 
placed  the  number  of  persons  affect- 
ed at  100,000  in  Calcutta  and  dis- 
tricts. 

Whether  a widespread  epidemic 
can  be  averted  remains  to  be  seen. 

A team  of  doctors  and  helpers,  in- 
cluding MCC  personnel,  are  in  these 
areas,  trying  to  help  prevent  a 


622 


THE  MENNONITE 


IserioLis  disaster.  Much  of  the  disas- 
ter prevention,  however,  will  depend 
on  the  people  living  in  the  affected 
areas. 

jottings 

NEW  PASTOR  INSTALLED 

Bethel  Church,  Mountain  Lake, 
Minn.:  The  Rev.  and  Mrs.  Albert 
M.  Gaeddert  and  their  daughter 
Kathryn,  from  Inman,  Kan.,  ar- 
rived Sept.  1 to  make  their  home 
here.  On  Sept.  6 Rev.  and  Mrs. 
Gaeddert  were  received  into  the 
church  fellowship,  and  Rev.  Gaed- 
dert was  installed  as  elder  of  the 
church  with  Willard  Wiebe  from 
the  First  Church  officiating.  A spe- 
cial word  of  gratitude  was  ex- 
pressed to  Harold  Warkentin,  di- 
rector of  the  local  Bible  school,  who 
was  our  interim  pastor  during  the 
months  of  June,  July,  and  August. 
In  the  evening  there  was  a wel- 
come service  with  the  three  church 
choirs  participating.  Tliis  was  fol- 
lowed by  a social  hour  and  refresh- 
ments in  the  church  basement. — 

I Mrs.  David  H.  Fast 

CONFERENCE  REPORTS  GIVEN 

Bethel  Church,  Hydro,  Okla.:  Pas- 
tor and  Mrs.  Paul  Isaak  and  family 
attended  a reunion  at  Wichita  for 
all  former  personnel  of  Prairie 
View  Hospital.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Val 
Krehbiel  and  their  daughter,  Mrs. 
Larry  Lee,  attended  the  conference 
at  Bluffton.  They  gave  a good  re- 
port of  it  on  Aug.  30.  The  church 
roof  was  reshingled  recently.  A son, 
Steven  Paul,  was  born  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Harold  Entz,  Aug.  24.  Gary 
Pankratz  was  painfully  injured  in 
football  practice.  X-rays  reveal  the 
, muscle  in  his  left  leg  was  pulled, 
the  bone  of  his  right  upper  thigh 
cracked,  and  his  right  hip  dislo- 

into  the  beyond 

John  Amstutz,  member  of  the 
Pulaski  Mennonite  Church,  Pulaski, 
Iowa,  was  bom  April  19,  1876,  and 
passed  away  July  19,  1959. 

John  Ronlet,  member  of  the  Pu- 
laski Mennonite  Church,  Pulaski, 
Iowa,  was  born  April  18,  1874,  and 
passed  away  Sept.  7,  1959. 

Mrs.  Frank  Regier  (Katherine 
Buller),  of  Moundridge,  Kansas, 
and  member  of  the  West  Zion  Men- 
nonite Church,  Moundridge,  was 
born  July  21,  1866,  and  died  Septem- 
ber 16,  1959. 

Christine  Beth  Peters,  infant 


cated.  He  is  improving  satisfactor- 
ily.— Wilfred  Ewy 

60TH  ANNIVERSARY  CELEBRATED 

Herold  Church,  Bessie,  Okla.:  Our 
pastor  and  family  attended  the  con- 
ference at  Bluffton.  Mrs.  Tschetter 
represented  our  mission  society  and 
brought  her  report  at  our  regular 
meeting.  Sept.  3.  Pastor  Tschetter 
brought  his  report  on  Sept.  6.  The 
evening  of  Aug.  5,  our  Sunday 
school  had  its  picnic  with  the  chil- 
dren in  the  Cordell  Park,  and  the 
evening  of  Sept.  4 we  had  our  S.S. 
election.  Sept.  13,  was  a great  day 
for  the  Herold  Church — the  sixtieth 
anniversary.  The  Lord  gave  a beau- 
tiful day  and  many  friends  had 
come  to  rejoice  with  us.  Rev.  and 
Mrs.  Paul  Dahlenburg  of  Bridge- 
water,  S.  Dak.,  and  Rev.  and  Mrs. 
C.  B.  Friesen  of  Hesston,  Kan.,  for- 
mer pastors,  were  asked  to  come. 
Also  Rev.  and  Mrs.  Menno  Kliewer 
of  Caldwell,  Idaho,  could  be  present. 
All  three  of  these  ministers  brought 
inspiring  messages,  also  Pastor 
Richard  Tschetter,  who  brought  the 
closing  message  of  the  afternoon. 
Themes  of  the  messages  were:  “The 
Invincible  Church,”  “The  Church 
Travels  On,”  “His  Invisible  Church,” 
and  “Unto  the  Praise  of  His  Glory.” 
In  the  evening  a song  service  with 
special  numbers  by  neighboring 
churches  and  groups  from  our 
church.  The  “History  of  the  Church” 
was  read  by  Jul.  A.  Harms  and  an 
anniversary  poem  was  brought. 
The  blessings  from  the  word  of  God 
flowed  richly. — Mrs.  Margaret  Horn 

FAMILY  NIGHTS  BEGUN 

First  Church,  Bluffton,  Ohio: 
Earl  Lehman  from  the  conservatory 
of  music  at  Bluffton  College  will 
again  serve  as  director  of  church 
music.  Paul  Emmert  will  direct  the 
junior  choir.  A welcome-home  recep- 
tion for  Robert  and  Alice  Ruth  Ram- 


daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edwin 
Peters,  died  Thursday  morning. 
Sept.  24,  in  the  Elkhart  General 
Hospital,  where  she  was  born  the 
previous  evening.  Peters  is  a second- 
year  seminary  student  from  Kansas. 
Graveside  services  were  held  Friday 
afternoon  at  Prairie  Street  cemetery 
with  Erland  Waltner  in  charge. 

Mrs.  Jacob  H.  Neufeld  (nee  Katie 
Friesen),  of  Inman,  Kansas,  and 
member  of  the  Bethel  Mennonite 
Church  there,  died  September  19, 
1959.  She  was  bom  at  Rosthern, 
Saskatchewan,  February  14,  1904. 


seyer  on  Sunday  evening  Sept.  13 
started  with  a carry-in  supper  in 
fellowship  hall  followed  by  a very 
clear  picture  of  their  mission  work 
in  Japan  told  through  slides,  tape 
recordings,  and  a question  and  an- 
swer period.  The  family  is  located 
in  the  Amstutz  house  on  the  cam- 
pus while  Robert  is  taking  graduate 
work  at  Michigan  University.  Our 
fall  series  of  family  church  nights 
began  Oct.  1 and  will  continue  every 
Thursday  evening  from  7 to  8 for 
seven  consecutive  Thursday  eve- 
nings, ending  Nov.  12.  During  the 
morning  service  Sept.  13  opportu- 
nity was  given  to  express  prefer- 
ences for  study  topics.  There  will 
be  three  different  groups  meeting 
for  the  first  half  of  the  hour  fol- 
lowed by  a general  assembly  in 
which  all  meet  together.  The  His- 
torical Committee  of  this  commu- 
nity and  the  General  Conference 
Mennonite  churches  of  this  area 
planned  a service  of  dedication  on 
Sept.  27  at  the  site  of  the  first  Men- 
nonite settlement  and  the  first  Men- 
nonite church.  Prof.  John  Klassen 
made  a plaque  to  mark  the  site. 

Building  on  Christ  . . . 

continued  from  page  612 

called  me  for  a time  such  as  this. 
He  is  calling  us  to  “give  of  our  best 
to  the  Master”  at  a time  when  mil- 
lions of  youth  are  being  challenged 
to  give  of  their  best  energies  to  a 
pagan  and  materialistic  philosophy 
which  makes  every  effort  to  dis- 
credit Christianity  and  the  Chris- 
tian. Our  task  is  to  witness  for 
Christ,  who  is  the  Savior  and  Lord 
of  our  lives. 

Jesus  Christ  emphasizes  the  high 
value  of  the  individual  soul.  To  Him 
we  owe  our  allegiance;  He  is  the 
answer  for  the  suffering  individual. 
But  we  are  called  to  be  His  wit- 
nesses, to  be  hands,  feet,  and  minds 
willing  to  carry  forward  His  pro- 
gram. He  has  a practical  program 
for  us. 

We  need  to  find  the  “working 
handles,”  then  carry  our  just  share 
of  the  witness  load.  Your  dedicated 
participation  will  encourage  anoth- 
er. Really,  you  are  called  for  a 
“time  such  as  this.” 


Oraibi,  Arizona:  Teacher  needed 
for  first  and  second  grades  in 
mission  school  at  Oraibi.  Write 
Board  of  Missions,  722  Main, 
Newton,  Kansas,  immediately. 
Opportunity  to  begin  at  once. 


October  6,  1959 


623 


conference  notes 


TRACT  CONTEST 
WINNERS  ANNOUNCED 

Three  prizes  were  awarded  by  the 
Committee  on  Evangelism  of  the 
General  Conference  Mennonite 
Church  for  manuscripts  submitted 
to  the  “Tract  That  Wins”  contest. 
Winners  were  Mrs.  Frances  Ens, 
Saskatoon,  Sask.  (Mayfair  Menno- 
nite Church),  first  prize;  Mrs.  Wal- 
ter A.  Claassen,  Whitewater,  Kan. 
(Emmaus  Mennonite  Church),  sec- 
ond; and  Carl  H.  Epp,  Saskatoon, 
Sask.  (Eigenheim  Mennonite 
Church,  Rosthern,  Sask.),  third. 

The  contest  was  sponsored  by  the 
Committee  on  Evangelism  to  en- 
courage congregations  to  work  in 
the  area  of  evangelism.  It  is  hoped 
that  when  these  tracts  are  printed, 
members  of  the  church  will  avail 
themselves  of  this  opportunity  to 
witness  through  the  printed  page. 

Twenty-four  manuscripts  were 
submitted  by  persons  from  nineteen 
congregations.  Judges  were  Willard 
Wiebe,  Mountain  Lake,  Minn.,  chair- 
man of  the  Committee  on  Evange- 
lism; Alfred  Schwartz,  Mountain 
Lake;  and  W.  F.  Unruh,  Newton, 
Kan. 

TAIWAN  REPORT 

Alvin  Friesen,  doctor  at  the 
Mennonite  Christian  Hospital  in 
Hualien,  Taiwan,  writes: 

“The  hospital  work  over  the  past 
months  has  known  both  the  en- 
couragement of  seeing  faith  and 
healing  come  to  diseased  spirits 
and  bodies,  and  the  inevitable  sad- 
ness of  dealing  with  incurable  dis- 
ease and  superstition  that  prevents 
treatment.  For  instance,  two  diffi- 
cult orthopedic  cases  required  a 
good  deal  of  patience  and  repeated 
surgery,  but  it  was  a day  of  deep 
satisfaction  to  see  them  discharged 
well  after  almost  a year  of  hos- 
pitalization— a year  during  which 
both  men  gradually  but  surely  came 
to  faith  in  Christ.  They  are  but  two 
examples  of  our  daily  privilege  and 
obligation  to  maintain  a vei^  def- 
inite Christian  emphasis  in  all  our 
medical  work.  It  is  not  only  our 
duty  to  perform  surgery  which  pa- 
tients cannot  afford  or  obtain  else- 
where; it  is  much  more  our  privi- 
lege to  bear  witness  to  Jesus  Christ, 
whose  gospel  is  not  heard  in  other 
clinics  and  hospitals. 


“The  hospital  work  has  other 
challenges  and  frustrations:  work- 
ing among  5 or  6 languages,  seeing 
strange  diseases  (often  in  hopeless- 
ly advanced  stages),  working  with 
a limited  budget.  But  there  are  re- 
wards! Our  patients  overcome  their 
communication  difficulties  very  eas- 
ily — they  express  their  gratitude 
with  gifts  of  bananas,  pineapple, 
papaya,  chickens,  takimuchi,  and 
even  lobsters.  Thus  rewards  are 
quite  tangible  at  times!  Another 
area  of  work  is  training  nursing 
staff,  and  although  my  share  in  this 
is  small  it  was  with  sense  of  a- 
chievement  that  we  saw  our  most 
recent  class  of  practical  nurses 
graduate  in  June.  May  they  regard 
their  work  as  a truly  Christian 
service. 


“As  usual,  requests  for  the  mo- 
bile clinic  have  exceeded  our  ability 
to  comply,  but  it  has  usually  been 
possible  to  go  out  for  one  week 
monthly.  Thus  the  clinic  has  taken 
its  Bibles,  medicines,  health  talks, 
Christian  literature,  vitamins,  and 
sermons  to  most  of  the  aboriginal 
villages  in  Hualien  county  this  year, 
visiting  Tayal,  Taroko,  Ami,  and 
Bunun  tribes-people  in  their  homes 
and  churches.  This  ministry  to  the 
‘whole  man’  is  eminently  necessary 
and  is  not  only  offering  medical  aid 
but  also  strengthening  the  church. 
In  this  young  church  with  inade- 
quate leadership  we  see  a dire  need 
for  Bible  teaching,  for  literature 
distribution,  leadership  conferences, 
and  hope  to  strengthen  this  empha- 
sis as  well  as  our  medical  program.” 


In  October  1959  Sunday  schools  begin  a 6 month  study  of  Acts. 
Here  are  three  nev\/  books  to  aid  the  interested  student  and  teacher 
in  preparing  lessons  from  this  important  portion  of  the  New  Testa- 
ment. 

THE  ACTS  OF  THE  APOSTLES 
by  William  Barclay 

Written  for  the  lay  person  this  commentary  discusses  the  plan 
in  Acts,  the  skill  of  Luke  as  a historian,  the  accuracy  of  his  sources, 
and  the  honesty  with  which  he  used  them.  One  in  a series  of  The 
Daily  Study  Bible.  $2.50. 

HOW  TO  TEACH  ACTS  and  HOW  TO  STUDY  ACTS 
by  Joseph  M.  Gettys 

These  are  excellent  aids  to  lesson  preparation  including  lesson 
development  plans,  advanced  study  suggestions,  and  pertinent 
questions.  The  books  are  intended  to  be  used  together  and  are 
ideal  for  Bible  study  courses  as  well  as  Sunday  school  preparation. 
$1.50  and  $2.00  respectively. 

Order  from 

MENNONITE  BOOKSTORES 

Berne,  Indiana;  720  Main  Street,  Newton,  Kansas;  Rosthern,  Sask. 


OCTOBER  13,  1959 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
MAN  LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIST 


in  this  issue 

COVER 

Eva  Luoma  Photo 


ARTICLES 

A NEW  COMMITMENT 

Andrew  R.  Shelly  627 

THE  DRAMA  OF  RECOVERY 

J.  Winfield  Fretz  628 

OUR  NEXT  WORLD  CONFERENCE 

H.  S.  Bender  and  Cornelius  J.  Dyck  630 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  626 

THE  READER  SAYS  631 

MENNONITE  YOUTH 

A Theology  of  the  Devil  633 

Letter  from  Lame  Deer  635 

OUR  SCHOOLS  636 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  636 

JOTTINGS  637 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  640 


of  things  to  come 

Oct.  24-28 — West.  Dist.  Conference 

Nov.  1 — Reformation  Sunday 

Nov.  8 — Peace  Sunday 

Nov.  26 — Thanksgiving  Day  (U.S.) 

Dec.  1 -4 — Council  of  Boards 

Dec.  13 — Universal  Bible  Sunday 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor;  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 
J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Assistant;  Muriel 
Thiessen.  Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  40 


editorials 

CONSIDER  A CHURCH  VOCATION  An  article  by  H.  A.  Driver, 
executive  secretary  of  the  Congo  Inland  Mission,  appeared  recently. 
He  spoke  of  the  continuing  need  of  the  CIM  workers.  In  view  of  the 
fact  that  the  CIM  has  seventy  workers  on  the  field,  with  substantial 
additional  personnel  on  furlough  or  under  appointment,  some  may  have 
believed  this  mission  to  be  adequately  staffed.  But  such  is  not  the  case. 
All  sorts  of  specialized  skills  and  personalities  are  needed. 

It  is  perhaps  worth  calling  to  the  attention  of  our  readers  the  fact  j 
that  the  same  thing  is  true  of  almost  all  other  aspects  of  the  church’s  j 
work.  Administrators  of  our  schools  speak  often  of  the  problems  in-  | 
volved  in  adequate  staffing.  Those  whose  task  it  is  to  see  that  the  j 
churches  are  supplied  with  pastors  are  always  hard  put  to  find  enough  ;i 
ministers  to  go  around.  | 

In  the  specialized  fields  one  finds  a serious  shortage  of  qualified  work-  | 
ers.  A veritable  multitude  of  church  agencies  are  looking  for  persons  with  | 
business  skills  who  are  willing  to  make  those  skills  available  to  the  ! 
kingdom  of  Christ.  Social  service  workers  are  needed  by  a whole  list 
of  benevolent  institutions  of  the  church.  MCC  offers  a suprising  list 
of  personnel  needs  from  time  to  time.  The  hospitals  operated  by  the 
church  seem  always  to  be  short  of  the  kind  of  help  they  need. 

Maybe  it’s  partly  a case  of  our  administrative  leaders  expecting  more 
than  we  can  deliver.  Maybe  it’s  partly  that  we’ve  not  developed  any 
good  way  for  bringing  togther  the  job  and  the  individual  qualified  and 
willing  to  do  it.  While  church  salaries  are  still  on  the  low  side,  they 
have  become  increasingly  adequate  so  there  is  no  longer  any  great 
need  for  hesitation  among  committed  Christians  on  this  score. 

The  rewards  of  Christian  service  are  substantial,  and  reach  quite 
beyond  the  monetary.  Young  people  reading  these  lines  would  be  weU- 
advised  to  reflect  upon  the  vocational  role  they  might  fill  in  the  pro- 
gram of  the  church.  Mature  individuals,  having  ground  the  money  mills 
long  enough,  might  look  around  to  see  where  their  skills  could  do  the 
most  good  in  the  organized  church  program.  One  need  no  longer  be 
young  to  offer  himself  to  a church  vocation;  nor  being  young,  need 
he  commit  himself  to  it  for  the  rest  of  his  natural  life. 

A SOCIAL  CLUB?  A prominent  Midwestern  bishop  recently  took  his 
people  to  task  for  causing  some  of  their  congregations  to  take  on  the 
aspects  of  a private  social  club,  according  to  newspaper  accounts.  He 
was  speaking  to  a denomination  which  in  the  past  has  been  notable  for 
its  inclusiveness,  welcoming  as  it  did  all  who  would  come  to  it.  One 
wonders  what  observations  along  these  lines  the  bishop  would  make  of 
our  Mennonite  organization. 

While  recognizing  of  course,  that  the  church  is  necessarily  made  up 
of  people  who  share  a certain  faith  and  commitment,  do  we  not  find  it 
astonishing,  however,  that  over  the  years  the  “private  club”  aspect  of 
our  church  has  loomed  so  large? 

Why  do  we  somtimes  put  up  these  invisible  barriers — invisible,  but 
strongly  felt — against  the  admission  of  others  to  our  fellowship?  Do 
we  feel  insecure  in  the  doctrines  to  which  we  hold?  Do  we  lack  trust 
in  the  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit  to  work  in  the  lives  of  all  men?  Are 
we  indulging  a primordial  instinct  to  acquire  for  ourselves  benefits 
denied  to  others? 

Among  the  several  values  more  important  than  the  preservation  of 
traditions  is  the  creation  of  new  ones.  It  may  be  that  we  need  to  find 
more  ways  to  break  out  of  the  rigid  patterns  of  the  past.  This  is  not 
to  suggest  the  abandonment  of  spiritual  ideals.  When  people  turn  to  the 
church  they  do  want  to  find  the  church  there,  not  some  caricature  of  it. 
The  church  must  be  preserved  with  all  the  power  and  purity  possible, 
provided  that  this  ideal  must  not  be  used  as  a weapon  to  keep  out  those 
whose  intention  is  good  and  whose  conversion  is  real. 

■ — Robert  W.  Hartzler 


626 


THE  MENNONITE 


A New  Commitment 


Andrew  R.  Shelly 

In  the  context  of  our  present 
world  we  must  see  the  words  of 
Jesus:  “Lift  up  your  eyes,  look  on 
the  fields;  for  they  are  white  al- 
ready to  harvest.” 

Ours  is  a world  of  exploding  pop- 
ulation, of  6,000  new  literates  each 
hour  with  the  rate  increasing,  of 
phenominal  activity  of  opposing 
forces,  a world  characterized  by  na- 
tion after  nation  becoming  inde- 
pendent. 

We  live  in  a time  of  statistics — 
and  they  are  impressive!  But  what 
about  those  involved  in  the  statis- 
tics? If  they  could  write  an  article 
entitled  “We  Are  the  Statistics,” 
what  would  they  say? 

In  this  brief  presentation  I will 
mention  five  special  emphases  or 
concerns. 

The  gospel  for  every  person 
everywhere.  This  must  be  our  goal 
— nothing  less.  We  must  do  our  part 
in  giving  everyone  everywhere  the 
opportunity  to  accept  the  only  pro- 
vision for  salvation  (Rom.  3:23; 
John  14:6;  Acts  4:12).  This  must 
start  where  we  are — wherever  we 
are — and  extend  to  the  last  person 
— wherever  he  is!  We  tend  to  look 
at  the  total  challenge  or  some  por- 
tion far  away.  We  must  start  where 
we  are,  whether  that  be  Lansdale, 
Pa.,  or  Champa,  India. 

Special  attention  to  literacy.  This 
does  not  mean  that  we  discount  the 
crucial  importance  of  medical  and 
other  phases  of  our  challenge,  but 
literacy  is  a dimension  which  has 
snowballed  on  us  during  the  past 
years.  Someone  has  said  that  Chris- 
tianity is  reaching  only  one  in  five 
of  the  new  readers  in  the  world. 
The  only  worthy  goal  we  can  have 
is  that  gospel  literature  be  given 
to  every  person  who  can  read.  Very 
significant  things  are  being  done  on 


Andrew  Shelly  is  director  of  public  rela- 
tions at  Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary  and 
is  under  appointment  as  executive  secre- 
tary of  the  Mission  Board. 


our  fields.  More  is  in  prospect.  To 
do  this  job  requires  such  things  as 
translation  work,  training  writers, 
writing,  printing,  and  distribution. 
During  the  1960’s  this  phase  of  work 
will  be  a major  challenge. 

Train  national  vx>rhers.  We  must 
always  remember  that  Matt.  9:36-39 
(“Pray  ye  therefore  the  Lord  of 
the  harvest.  . .”)  is  just  as  applica- 
ble to  Christians  in  India  and  Af- 
rica as  it  is  to  Christians  in  North 
America.  As  the  Lord  calls.  His  peo- 
ple need  to  respond  and  be  trained. 

Partnership  development.  One 
example  of  a fruitful  co-operative 
effort  is  Union  Biblical  Seminary  in 
Yeotmal,  India,  where  some  twelve 
church  groups  co-operate  in  doing 
what  no  single  group  could  do  a- 
lone.  Wonderful  progress  has  been 
made  in  inter-Mennonite  develop- 
ments. Phases  of  work  in  Japan  and 
Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary  in 
Montevideo,  Uruguay,  are  examples. 
This  partnership  also  involves  work- 
ing with  our  church  groups  all  over 
the  world  in  the  spirit  of  1 Corin- 
thians 3:11. 

New  ventures  in  the  spread  of  the 
gospel.  New  fields  will  be  found. 
Also  new  ventures  will  be  discov- 
ered. One  is  to  encourage  Christian 
laymen  to  take  jobs  abroad.  In 
many  parts  of  the  world  it  is  pos- 
sible to  get  a job  right  in  the  heart 
of  the  people  to  whom  we  send 
missionaries.  In  Liberia  a member 
of  an  American  business  firm  told 
us  that  Christians  could  have  good 
jobs  under  very  favorable  condi- 
tions and  with  unlimited  opportu- 
nities for  the  spread  of  the  gospel. 
This  is  only  one  of  the  new  ven- 
tures we  need  to  seek. 

It  is  difficult  to  lift  out  special 
challenges.  What  will  we  say  about 
the  spread  of  the  gospel  in  the 
cities  of  our  nation  (and  the  same 
challenge  exists  all  over  the  world), 
the  urgent  challenge  of  the  forgot- 
ten migrants,  the  five  million  in 


our  own  country  who  are  living 
lives  of  sin  outside  decent  society, 
the  rescue  mission  challenge,  the 
crisis  in  rural  America,  and  hosts 
of  others? 

What  will  we  do? 

The  Lord  has  unmistakably  given 
us  startling  opportunities.  We  have 
the  gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
We  have  the  raw  materials  to  send 
for  the  gospel.  We  have  the  re- 
sources in  money  and  personnel. 
We  have ' the  tools  for  the  spread 
of  the  gospel.  We  have  the  all- 
sufficient  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit. 

The  question  is,  are  we  willing 
to  pay  the  price?  We  cannot  meet 
the  present  urgency  with  “leftovers” 
after  we  have  “made  along”  with 
the  American  standard  of  living. 
We  need  to  unite  our  tears  with  our 
purses.  Can  we  come  to  the  place 
where  we  will  match  the  consecra- 
tion of  non-Christian  forces? 

Can  we  find  a way  to  interpret 
the  eternal  truth  of  Jesus:  “A  man’s 
life  consisteth  not  in  the  abundance 
of  the  things  which  he  possesseth”? 
Dare  we  pray  the  prayer  “Lord, 
what  wilt  Thou  have  me  to  do?”  in 
the  context  of  the  “accepted”  stand- 
ard of  living  about  us? 

In  a poll,  one-hundred  and  fifty 
mission  boards  said  the  main  in- 
gredient lacking  was  money.  The 
fact  remains  that  with  all  the  other 
essential  factors,  the  task  of  world 
missions  cannot  be  accomplished 
without  much  more  money  than 
Christians  have  been  giving  so  far. 
Are  we  willing  to  pray,  individually 
and  as  families,  “Thy  Will  be 
done”? 

In  closing,  let  us  realize  that  we 
face  a glorious  privilege  in  being 
permitted  to  be  used  of  the  Lord  in 
this  time  of  opportunity.  The  fuller 
our  participation  the  greater  will  be 
our  own  experience  of  the  abundant 
life,  and  the  Lord’s  work  will  go 
forward. 


October  1 3,  1 959 


627 


The  Drama  of  Recovery 

].  Winfield  Fretz 


A drama  is  a portrayal  of  life  or 
character  by  means  of  dia- 
logues or  action.  Every  good  drama 
has  the  element  of  conflict  or  strug- 
ble.  When  the  outcome  is  happy  the 
drama  is  called  comedy.  When  the 
outcome  is  unhappy  it  is  called  a 
tragedy.  The  more  I know  about  the 
Mennonites  of  South  America  the 
more  dramatic  I think  their  story 
is. 

The  drama  of  the  South  American 
Mennonites  has  a setting  in  a new 
and  strange  land.  Prior  to  1926  no 
Mennonites  were  living  in  South 
America.  Since  that  time  we  have 
had  our  attention  focused  many 
times  to  this  continent.  The  set- 
ting is  strange  to  most  Mennonites 
who  were  born  and  have  lived  in 
Europe  or  the  United  States.  This 
drama  has  taken  place  in  a Latin 
setting,  a Roman  Catholic  culture, 
in  a Spanish  speaking  country 
where  customs  and  morals  and  val- 
ues in  general  are  at  great  vari- 
ance with  those  with  which  we  are 
familiar.  Just  as  a drama  has  a set- 
ting, so  too  does  it  have  characters 
and  a theme  or  an  issue  or  plot. 

Among  the  12,000  Mennonites  in 
South  America  there  are  many 
great  characters.  There  are  modern 


Fretz,  presently  serving  as  acting  presi- 
dent of  Bethel  College,  spent  the  previous 
school  year  studying  in  South  America. 


Menno  Simonses,  Conrad  Grebels, 
Christopher  Docks,  Christian  Kreh- 
biels,  Bernard  Warkentins,  David 
Goerzes,  and  David  Toewses.  There 
are  heroes  of  the  faith  living  in 
South  America  today  — men  who 
have  been  robbed  of  all  their  pos- 
sessions, men  whose  lives  have  been 
threatened,  men  who  have  hungered 
and  thirsted,  men  who  have  seen 
their  own  loved  ones  torn  from 
them  and  slain,  men  who  have  suf- 
fered for  righteousness’  sake. 

The  drama  of  recovery  contains 
great  issues  and  great  themes.  Here 
are  people  who  have  been  pushed 
out  of  their  homelands,  men  and 
women  who  have  been  deprived  of 
the  peace,  comfort,  and  joy  of  liv- 
ing in  their  fatherland.  They  are 
people  who  have  set  out  on  a jour- 
ney like  Abraham  of  old.  They  are 
people  who  have  moved  forth  in 
the  faith  and  in  the  providence  and 
goodness  of  Almighty  God.  These 
modern  pilgrims  were  never  certain 
of  the  outcome  of  their  wanderings. 
They  struggled  against  great  dif- 
ficulties never  knowing  if  they 
would  triumph  or  meet  with  de- 
feat and  disaster?  This  is  the  great 
theme  of  the  drama  of  the  recovery 
of  Mennonites  in  South  America. 

Recovery  of  Wliat? 

What  were  they  seeking  to  re- 
cover? They  were  seeking  to  recov- 


er a place  where  they  could  earn  j; 
their  daily  bread.  They  were  seek-  |j 
ing  to  recover  freedom  from  tyran-  i 
ny  and  from  the  threat  of  persecu-  jj 
tion  and  death.  They  were  seeking  ! 
a place  where  they  could  worship  ; 
God  without  being  disturbed  and , j! 
threatened.  They  were  seeking  to  , | 
cultivate  their  own  lands  and  de-  ii 
velop  again  a way  in  which  each  ft 
man  could  sit  under  his  own  vine  1 
and  fig  tree.  They  were  seeking  to  r 
establish  homes,  churches,  schools,  |, 
and  hospitals  for  themselves  and  , 1 
their  children  in  a new  land. 

The  drama  of  the  South  American 
Mennonites  is  one  of  seeking  to  re-  j 
cover  their  lost  heritage  and  to  re-  | 
establish  it  in  a new  setting  with  ' 
a new  set  of  characters  and  in  the  \ 
midst  of  great  difficulties.  This  is  i j 
the  drama  that  is  now  being  played  | \ 
on  the  Latin  American  stage  by  our  kj 
contemporary  Mennonites.  ^ 

Population  Summary  f ! 

At  the  present  time  there  are  ; 

12.000  Mennonites  in  Paraguay.  ; ^ 
These  are  distributed  in  seven  col-  i 
onies.  About  one-third  of  them  have 
come  from  Canada  and  about  two- 
thirds  from  Russia.  There  are  about  i 

3.000  Mennonites  in  Brazil  settled  in 
five  colonies.  There  are  approxi-  ; 
mately  1,500  Mennonites  in  three  ! ) 
colonies  in  Uruguay  and  in  Argen-  j 
tina  about  800  Mennonites,  mostly  ! 
in  the  city  of  Buenos  Aires.  The  ' j 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every  j 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church 
Entered  at  North  Newton,  Kansas,  post  office  as  second  class  matter.  Acceptance  for  mailing  at  special  rate  of  postage:  section  1103,  Act 
if  Oct.  3,  1917.  Authorized  Jan.  22,  1910.  Subscriptions  $2.50;  foreign  $3.00.  Maii  subscriptions  and  payments  to  Mennonite  Publication 
Office,  North  Newton,  Kan.,  or  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan.  Address  manuscripts  for  publication  to  J.  N.  Smucker,  Edaor,  THE  MENNONITE, 
Woodward  Place,  Goshen,  Ind.  Poshnattert:  change  of  address  Form  3579  to  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan. 


628 


THE  MENNONITE 


IMennonites  in  all  of  these  countries 
[except  in  Argentina  are  established 
in  rural  agricultural  colonies.  The 
Mennonite  population  in  South 
America  is  steadily  growing  in  spite 
of  the  heavy  migration  from  some 
of  the  Latin  American  countries. 
For  instance,  between  1947  and  1958 
there  were  some  642  families  com- 
prising almost  2,200  individuals  who 
left  the  colonies  of  Paraguay  for 
Canada.  The  birth  rate  however  is 
very  high  and  the  net  total  of  births 
exceeds  the  deaths  and  the  number 
of  people  who  have  emigrated.  It  is 
my  opinion  that  emigration  will  de- 
cidedly slow  down  as  the  colonists 
become  more  firmly  established  and 
as  economic  and  social  conditions 
in  Latin  America  continue  to  stabil- 
ize. 

Struggle  of  Recovery 

In  the  drama  of  which  we  are 
at  the  moment  speaking  we  see  a 
struggle  going  on  in  several  areas. 
First  of  all  is  the  area  of  political 
stability.  In  all  of  the  Latin  Ameri- 
ican  countries  there  is  no  maturity 
:of  democracy  comparable  to  coun- 
tries in  Europe  or  in  North  Ameri- 
jca.  Each  of  the  countries  is  strug- 
gling to  become  democratically 
imore  mature.  It  is  true  that  most  of 
the  countries  have  at  one  time  or 
another  been  under  dictators,  but 
this  is  so  because  the  people  them- 
selves have  not  had  sufficient  edu- 
cation to  exercise  their  right  of 
franchise.  In  other  words,  people  in 
most  of  the  Latin  American  coun- 
tries must  be  prepared  for  demo- 
cracy through  a widespread  system 
of  general  education.  We  in  North 
America  assume  that  anybody  is 
ready  to  vote  and  choose  his  lead- 
ers. But  this  cannot  be  so  where 
people  have  not  been  broadly  edu- 
cated in  the  arts  of  democracy. 

Another  area  of  struggle  is  that 
of  the  economic.  We  assume  that 
every  country  has  roads  and  a modi- 
cum of  economic  development.  Ac- 
tually many  of  the  Latin  American 
countries  were  completely  undevel- 
oped at  the  time  of  the  settlement  of 
the  Mennonites  and  in  certain  areas 
of  the  countries  where  Mennonites 
settled  there  were  no  roads.  There 
were  no  railroads,  there  were  no 
transportation  systems  as  we  knew 
them.  Neither  were  there  markets 
for  goods  produced  and  there  was 
no  technological  development  to 
process  the  produce  that  Mennonite 
farmers  and  craftsmen  were  able 


to  provide.  These  had  to  be  devel- 
oped and  in  the  area  of  economic 
improvement,  the  struggle  for  re- 
covery was  great.  It  is  true  that 
man  does  not  live  by  bread  alone, 
but  bread  is  a very  essential  ingredi- 
ent in  order  to  live  and  the  Menno- 
nites have  had  to  wrestle  with  eco- 
nomic adversity  in  order  to  find 
means  of  earning  their  daily  bread. 

Another  area  of  struggle  is  that 
of  the  social  and  the  moral  area. 
Latin  American  people  have  a dif- 
ferent philosophy  of  morality  than 
North  Americans  do.  Mennonites 
find  themselves  in  a country  where 
the  social  and  moral  ideals  are  so 
much  at  variance  and  in  the  eyes 
of  Mennonites  far  below  what  they 
have  been  used  to  and  what  is  com- 
monly accepted  as  Christian  ideals. 
This  is  in  spite  of  the  fact  that 
Latin  Americans  call  themselves 
Christians.  The  term  means  Roman 
Catholicism,  not  evangelical  Protes- 
tantism. For  instance,  the  sacred- 
ness of  the  family  is  not  respected 
as  we  are  used  to  it.  The  govern- 
ment population  census  shows  that 
70%  of  the  births  in  Paraguay  are 
illegitimate.  This  does  not  mean 
that  the  parents  do  not  look  after 
their  children.  It  means  that  a great 
percentage  of  the  parents  are  not 
married  although  living  together. 
It  is  in  this  cultural  setting  that 
Mennonites  need  to  live  and  raise 
their  children  and  try  to  maintain 
their  ideals. 

Another  area  of  struggle  is  in  the 
area  of  religion.  All  South  America 
is  “religious”  but  again  in  the  Ro- 
man Catholic  sense.  One  has  the  im- 
pression everywhere  in  South  Amer- 
ica that  there  is  a kind  of  medieval 
Catholicism  abounding  and  one  has 
equally  strong  feeling  that  there  is 
need  for  Protestant  reformation  in 
South  America.  Mennonites  up  to 
this  point  have  been  so  busy  trying 
to  establish  their  own  homes  that 
they  have  not  been  able  to  pay 
much  attention  to  missions  and 
evangelism,  but  there  are  new  signs 
of  awakening.  The  missionary  inter- 
est is  beginning  among  the  Indians 
around  them  emd  now  with  the  es- 
tablishment of  the  new  seminary 
at  Montevideo,  Uruguay,  there  will 
be  new  ministers  and  missionaries 
trained  to  work  among  the  native 
speaking  South  Americans. 

Another  area  of  struggle  is  in  the 
area  of  climate.  The  majority  of  the 
Mennonites  live  south  of  the  equa- 


tor, some  in  the  tropical  zone.  This 
means  that  the  climate  is  hot  and 
the  human  resistance  is  worn  down 
so  that  people  over  a long  period 
of  time  do  not  express  the  same 
vitality  and  energy  that  people  in 
the  temperate  climates  do.  Since 
Mennonites  were  all  used  to  the 
colder  climates,  it  is  quite  difficult 
to  overcome  the  adjustments  neces- 
sary to  living  and  enjoying  life  in 
the  hot  climates.  It  has  however  its 
compensating  sides.  There  are  many 
who  prefer  the  more  temperate  and 
the  warmer  climates  to  the  extreme- 
ly severe  temperatures  and  the  long 
cold  winters. 

The  Outcome  of  the  Struggle 

All  in  all,  as  one  thinks  of  the 
future  I believe  one  must  conclude 
that  the  Mennonites  will  remain 
in  South  America  for  the  foresee- 
able future.  They  are  developing 
institutions  and  traditions.  Young 
people  are  being  bom  and  will  ad- 
just to  the  culture  and  climate  in 
such  a way  that  they  know  no  other 
home.  They  are  beginning  to  say 
that  they  expect  to  stay  there  and 
raise  their  children  there.  Churches 
are  built  in  aU  Mennonite  colonies. 
In  each  of  the  colonies  in  Paraguay 
there  are  hospitals,  village  schools, 
and  high  schools.  There  is  well  or- 
ganized government,  there  are  cus- 
toms and  traditions  being  developed 
so  that  plans  would  seem  to  be  made 
for  a permanent  future.  It  does  not 
seem  likely  that  all  of  these  people 
will  leave  even  though  some  of 
them  will  from  time  to  time  leave. 
As  economic  conditions  improve,  po- 
litical situations  stabilize,  religious 
organizations  and  institutions  be- 
come developed,  it  is  my  opinion 
that  life  in  South  America  will  be 
organized  on  the  permanent  basis 
very  much  as  it  has  been  in  North 
America  and  earlier  in  Europe. 

With  modern  means  of  transpor- 
tation ever  improved,  both  in  terms 
of  highway  construction  and  airline 
traffic.  South  America  is  of  course 
not  as  isolated  as  it  once  was.  This 
is  dramatized  by  the  new  jet  lines 
which  fly  from  New  York  to  Asun- 
cion in  ten  hours  and  thus  make  a 
trip  to  South  America  possible  in 
a shorter  time  than  it  takes  to  go 
by  rail  from  Chicago  to  Newton, 
Kansas.  The  drama  of  recovery  is 
going  on  in  South  America,  but 
there  are  all  evidences  that  this 
drama  will  end  happily  and  not  in 
tragedy. 


October  13,  1959 


629 


Anticipating  igSs 


Our  Next 

World 

Conference 


“The  Lordship  of  Christ”  is  to  be 
the  theme  of  the  Seventh  Menno- 
nite  World  Conference,  scheduled  to 
convene  in  Kitchener,  Ontario,  from 
August  1 to  7,  1962.  At  its  recent 
planning  session  in  Kitchener  the 
presidium  of  the  conference  decided 
unanimously  that  this  was  a topic 
of  great  concern  to  Mennonites  the 
world  over.  The  German  phrasing 
will  be  “Jesus  Christus  der  Herr.” 

Among  those  present  at  this  two- 
day  planning  session,  in  addition  to 
representatives  from  most  of  the 
North  American  Mennonite  groups, 
were  also  Ds.  Hendrik  W.  Meihuizen 
of  the  Netherlands,  Pastor  Paul 
Schowalter  of  Germany,  and  Peter 
Wiens,  teacher  from  Paraguay. 
Hosts  were  the  Mennonite  Brethren, 
Stirling  Avenue  Mennonite,  and 
First  Mennonite  churches.  Meeting 
at  the  exact  place  where  the  1962 
conference  is  to  take  place,  the 
members  of  the  planning  commis- 
sion already  sensed  in  anticipation 
something  of  the  spiritual  potential 
of  this  coming  event. 

One  of  the  first  items  on  the 
agenda  was  a careful  review  of  the 
preparatory  work  of  the  local  com- 
mittee. This  committee  is  responsi- 
ble for  all  the  local  arrangements 
including  food  and  lodging.  They  re- 
ported that  there  are  approximately 
10,000  church  members  representing 
eight  different  Mennonite  groups 
within  a thirty-mile  radius  of 
Kitchener-Waterloo.  The  Ontario 
host  churches  will  themselves  pay 
the  $2,300  rental  fee  for  the  Kitche- 
ner Memorial  Auditorium.  This  huge 
building  has  circa  7,500  auditorium 
seats  and  has  standing  room  for 
2,500  more.  An  armory  nearby  will 
also  be  available  and  may  possibly 
be  used  for  dining  hall  purposes. 
There  are  ample  parking  facilities. 
The  First  Mennonite,  Stirling  Ave- 
nue Mennonite,  and  Mennonite 
Brethren  churches,  all  located  at 
five  to  ten-minute  walks  from  the 
auditorium,  will  be  available  for 
special  sessions  and  group  discus- 
sion meetings.  Niagara  Falls,  the 
local  committee  said,  is  only  one  of 
several  attractions  that  can  be  in- 


cluded in  a tour  during  conference 
time. 

Considerable  time  was  spent  by  | 
the  presidium  in  discussing  the  | 
number  of  delegates  to  be  invited.  It  | 
was  agreed  that  the  designation  | 
“delegate”  does  not  mean  the  grant-  j 
ing  of  legislative  authority  but  | 
merely  the  privilege  of  full  parti-  j 
cipation  as  representatives.  The 
World  Conference  is  not  a legisla- 
tive body.  In  it  all  groups  retain 
their  full  conference  autonomy.  The 
World  Conference  is  a fellowship 
of  believers  gathering  to  encourage 
each  other  in  the  faith  and  to  wit- 
ness to  the  power  and  Lordship  of 
Jesus  Christ.  The  number  of  dele- 
gates was  finally  set  at  750,  of 
which  the  majority  would  probably 
be  from  North  America  since  the 
conference  is  so  easily  accessible  to 
them.  It  was  also  agreed  that  each 
participating  Mennonite  group  be 
encouraged  to  help  arrange  for  good 
representation  from  the  younger 
churches  in  Asia,  Africa,  North  and 
South  America.  Each  group  will  also 
pay  the  travel  costs  of  its  own 
speakers  on  the  conference  pro- 
gram. 

It  was  agreed  that  English  be  the 
official  language  of  the  conference 
and  that  a German  translation  be 
provided  through  IBM  simultaneous 
translation  machines,  if  possible.  At- 
tempts at  special  arrangements  will 
be  made  for  delegates  from  abroad 
speaking  neither  of  these  languag- 
es. 

Program  planning  received  the 
most  attention  at  the  Kitchener 
meeting.  The  presidium  was  con- 
cerned not  only  for  the  effective 
presentation  and  discussion  of  the 
conference  theme  but  also  for  the 
special  interest  groups  and  section- 
al meetings.  The  program  for  the 
special  interest  group  meetings  was 
prepared  by  representative  commit- 
tees from  North  America  and  Eu- 
rope. Representative  commissions  | 
will  study  in  advance  some  of  the 
implications  of  the  theme  “The  | 
Lordship  of  Christ”  for  the  practical 
life  of  the  church.  The  evening  pro- 
grams are  to  be  of  inspirational  • 
and  witnessing  nature. 

THE  MENNONITE  ^ 


630 


The  presidium  now  consists  of 
eighteen  elected  representatives,  of 
whom  thirteen  were  present  at  the 
Kitchener  meeting.  Since  requests 
for  a communion  service  have  been 
addressed  to  the  presidium  it  was 
agreed  that  the  local  churches  con- 
sider these  requests  together  and 
that  the  presidium  co-operate  to 
make  a communion  service  possible. 
It  was  agreed  also  to  invite  the 
Russian  Baptists  to  send  a visiting 
delegation  to  the  World  Conference 
in  1962  in  the  hope  that  this  might 
contribute  to  a Mennonite  counter- 
delegation to  Russia  either  before  or 
after  1962. 

The  planning  session  was  closed 
with  a period  of  prayer  for  guidance 
and  blessing  and  vision.  There  was 
a feeling  of  certainty  that  Menno- 
nites  are  brothers  in  the  Lord,  called 
to  the  common  task  of  proclaiming 
Jesus  Christ  as  Savior  and  as  Lord 
and  that  for  the  fulfillment  of  this 
mission  we  need  not  only  divine  aid 
but  each  other  also. 

— Harold  S.  Bender 
Cornelius  J.  Dyck 


the  reader  says 
Concerning 

1am  one  of  the  many  people  who 
would  be  afraid  to  break  the  cus- 
toms of  our  funerals,  not  because  of 
the  public  but  because  of  the  danger 
of  us  as  Christians  closing  the  door 
to  a funeral  service.  How  can  we 
be  a witness  to  our  faith  if  we  do 
away  with  services  which  are  an 
opportunity  to  have  people  go  to 
church  and  accept  the  fact  of  life 
and  death? 

For  me  it  would  be  one  of  the 
saddest  times  to  be  left  alone  with 
no  friends  (besides  the  family)  pres- 
ent at  the  time  of  bereavement. 
When  is  a v/ord  of  sympathy,  a 
hearty  hamdshake,  a little  deed  of 
kindness,  a feeling  of  love,  more 
important  than  in  time  of  bereave- 
ment? 

To  me  it  is  very  important  on 
how  I am  going  to  move  out  of  the 


Front  row  left  to  right:  C.  J.  Rempel,  Kitchener,  Ontario,  secretary  of  the 
committee  on  local  arrangements;  J.  B.  Martin,  Kitchener,  Ontario,  chair- 
man of  the  committee  on  local  arrangements;  Harold  S.  Bender,  Goshen, 
Indiana,  president  of  the  Mennonite  World  Conference;  Erland  Waltner, 
Elkhart,  Indiana,  vice  president  of  the  Conference;  Archie  Benner,  Stein- 
bach,  Manitoba,  presidium  member;  B.  J.  Braun,  Fresno,  Calif.,  presidum. 
Second  row  left  to  right:  Paul  Schowalter,  Weierhof,  Germany,  presidium; 
J.  R.  Barkman,  Henderson,  Nebraska,  presidium;  Jacob  Fast,  Waterloo, 
Ontario,  committee  on  local  arrangements;  Peter  Wiens,  Filadelfia,  Para- 
guay, vice  president  of  conference;  Harold  Schmidt,  Baden,  Ontario,  treas- 
urer and  member  committee  on  local  arrangements. 

Third  row,  left  to  right:  E.  J.  Swalm,  Duntroon,  Ontario,  presidium;  Isaac 
I.  Friesen,  Winnipeg,  Manitoba,  presidium;  H.  W.  Meihuizen,  The  Hague, 
Netherlands,  vice  president;  G.  H.  Penner,  Plum  Coulee,  Manitoba,  presidi- 
um; Cornelius  J.  Dyck,  Elkhart,  Indiana,  assistant  secretary. 


Funerals  . . . 


house  I have  lived  in.  I have  tried 
to  live  a Christian  life,  and  may  the 
Lord  forgive  me  where  I have 
failed.  But  I do  hope  and  pray  that 
when  I move  out  of  my  house,  I 
need  not  be  ashamed  that  anyone 
witness  my  body  in  a casket,  cheap 
and  simple,  yes,  and  with  fiowers  on 
it — just  good  enough  to  be  present- 
able to  the  public  in  the  church  and 
acceptable  in  the  sight  of  God.  And 
may  this  be  a reminder  to  the  pub- 
lic that  they,  too,  will  have  to  go 
the  same  way  some  day  and  that 
they  may  be  prepared  to  accept  the 
Resurrection  and  Life.  Jesus,  I 
think,  went  to  funerals  and  the  Bi- 
ble says  He  wept. 

The  article  compared  expenses  of 
fiowers  for  funerals  with  the  cost 
of  colleges  and  missions.  I dare  say 
if  we  close  our  doors  to  funeral 


services  because  of  time,  expenses, 
public  opinion,  etc.,  we  are  also  clos- 
ing the  doors  to  the  spirit  of  mis- 
sions. Some  people  may  at  no  other 
time  go  to  church  but  will  go  to  a 
funeral.  Isn’t  there  an  opportunity 
to  win  just  one  soul  for  Christ  by 
having  them  listen  to  a sermon  on 
such  a text  as  John  11:25,  26?  How 
can  we  expect  to  carry  out  any  mis- 
sion anywhere  else  if  we  do  not 
practice  it  at  home — if  we  carry 
the  dead  body  off  to  the  cemetery 
just  to  get  rid  of  it? 

If  we  are  to  ignore  the  traditional 
funeral  songs  such  as  “Beautiful 
Isle  of  Somewhere”  or  “Going  Down 
the  Valley  One  by  One”  because 
“they  do  not  express  the  Christian 
faith,”  then  I believe  it  is  high  time 
to  search  our  own  hearts  and  figure 
out  how  our  faith  is  Christian  if 


October  13,  1959 


631 


we  are  not  willing  to  accept  the 
message  that  we  are  going  down 
the  valley  one  by  one,  and  prepare 
to  look  towards  that  beautiful  isle 
of  somewhere.  Can  we  actually  say 
these  hymns  do  not  express  Chris- 
tian faith  and  God’s  forgiving  love? 
Have  they  had  no  meaning  to  any- 
one after  all  these  many  years  they 
were  sung  and  used? 

To  me  it  is  far  more  important  to 
plan  my  way  of  living  rather  than 
to  plan  my  funeral.  The  preacher, 
the  undertaker,  and  the  family  will 
know  what  to  do  without  my  writ- 
ing out  a copy  and  leaving  it  in 
their  possession.  As  for  a tombstone 
at  the  cemetery,  I need  no  arrange- 
ments either  since  I have  no  assur- 
ance where  I will  be  buried  and  my 
copy  may  not  even  be  suitable  for 
the  place. 

I am  not  writing  just  to  criticize, 
but  simply  because  I was  wondering 
and  concerned  what  may  happen  if 
we  actually  put  away  with  hymns 
and  funeral  services  and  have  no 
time  or  word  to  a friend  who  is  in 
need  in  time  of  bereavement. 

— Mrs.  Dave  Schrag 
Norwich,  Kan. 

EAR  Editor, 

In  the  Sept.  15,  1959,  issue  of 
The  Mennonite  was  an  article  en- 
titled “How  Christian  Are  Our 
Christian  Funerals?”  It  pointed  out 
a concern  that  we  should  plan  fun- 
erals so  they  express  our  Christian 
faith  rather  than  the  display  of  our 
great  devotion  or  of  our  over- 
idealization of  one  who  has  died.  It 
was  a good  article  and  I have  the 
same  concern  as  the  author  but  I 
think  I see  some  dangers  in  fol- 
lowing the  suggestions  in  the  article. 

The  author  points  out  that  the 
words  of  Jesus  are  that  the  believer 
never  dies.  In  pointing  out  these 
words,  he  would  probably  agree 
with  me  that  this  does  not  make 
death  no  problem  to  the  believer. 
Also  there  are  the  things  that  come 
with  death  such  as  separation,  the 
vacant  place,  the  loneliness,  rela- 
tionships with  the  one  who  has  died 
which  we  never  had  a chance  to  re- 
solve and  that  leave  us  who  sur- 
vive without  knowing  what  to  do 
or  how  we  can  pick  up  the  pieces. 

If  death  were  no  problem,  a 
change  from  funeral  services  to 


memorial  services  of  the  kind  de- 
scribed might  be  in  order.  Since, 
death  is  a very  real  problem,  it 
might  be  that  funeral  services  can 
help  us  just  as  much  and  perhaps 
more  than  the  more  private  serv- 
ices suggested  as  a substitute. 

For  example,  one  of  the  problems 
of  the  bereaved  is  to  accept  death 
and  separation  so  he  can  rebuild 
his  life.  In  a time  when  there  are 
funeral  parlors,  soothing  music,  ef- 
ficient funeral  directors  that  shuttle 
people  smoothly  through  the  day, 
memorial  services,  and  a quickly 
disposed  of  body,  there  seems  to  be 
a tendency  to  hide  death  or  soften 
the  problem  that  it  really  is  for  us. 

When  graveyards  were  located  be- 
side the  church  we  were  reminded 
at  least  once  a week  that  death 
was  a part  of  life  and  the  church 
could  stand  beside  it.  Graveyards 
now  are  often  in  out  of  the  way 
places,  planned  to  look  like  parks 
and  formal  gardens  far  from  the 
church,  with  pleasant  lawns  and 
shrubs.  I’m  not  recommending  any 
changes  in  the  location  of  churches 
and  cemeteries,  but  these  changes 
which  we  have  thought  were  for 
the  better  make  us  realize  that 
the  mortician  is  not  the  only  one 
who  cosmetizes  death. 

Since  escaping  the  fact  of  death 
might  be  more  of  our  problem,  the 
funeral  with  the  closed  casket  pres- 
ent, the  viewing  (not  for  morbidly 
curious  strangers)  for  friends,  a 
public  committal  service  at  the  cem- 
etery, can  be  very  valuable  aids 
in  accepting  the  fact  that  a person 
close  to  us  has  died.  The  realization 
of  this  fact  comes  to  us  in  a public 
service  in  a church  where  we  real- 
ize the  support  of  the  community 
gathered  all  around  us  and  where 
we  realize  the  support  of  God.  I 
would  rather  face  this  fact  in  such 
a situation  than  in  services  where 
the  problem  is  not  really  recognized 
and  I am  left  to  face  it  by  myself 
the  best  way  I can. 

I would  add  another  reason  to 
those  suggested  in  the  article  as  to 
why  funerals  seem  unchristian.  That 
is  that  the  people  who  attend  may 
not  be  Christian  enough  to  act  and 
think  in  a Christian  way  about  what 
is  going  on.  Some  people  come  to 
a public  service  to  find  something 
that  interests  them.  Others  come  to 
share  a common  loss  and  seek  re- 


sources to  help  them  do  this.  A lot  j 
of  things  can  be  added  to  our  funer-  * 
al  services  . . . offerings,  altar  calls,  i 
warnings,  and  instead  of  a public  , 
burial  in  the  ground,  have  a plat-  j 
form  that  raises  the  casket  towards 
heaven  to  the  music  of  the  “Hallelu- 
jah Chorus”  as  the  congregation  j 
fades  away  . . . but  should  we  side-  I 
step  the  problem  of  death  to  make 
the  service  inoffensive,  aesthetic, 
and  interesting  for  those  not  e-  | 
quipped  to  face  death? 

I don’t  want  to  disagree  with  the 
aritcle  you  printed  in  the  Septem- 
ber 15  issue  because  I think  I know  j 
how  the  author  feels.  I would  like  !' 
to  say  that  we  need  to  understand 
much  better  what  grief  and  the 
fear  of  death  mean  to  us  and  what  i 
goes  on  during  funerals.  We  need 
symbols  to  express  ourselves.  Be- 
fore we  do  away  with  fiower  gifts, 
public  services,  viewing,  and  even  • 
vaults  “that  preserve  forever”  as  j 
the  article  recommended,  we  should 
know  what  these  things  symbolize 
for  us  and  whether  or  not  there  are  j 
any  better  symbols  to  take  their  ^ 
place  that  will  be  just  as  effective  | 
in  helping  us  accept  death  and  find  j 
an  answer  in  God.  How  can  the  ! 
problem  and  the  answer  best  be  ex- 
pressed to  human  beings  in  a wor- 
ship service? 

The  most  helpful  book  I know  of 
is  Paul  Irion’s  The  Funeral  and  the 
Mourners  (Abingdon  Press,  N.  Y., 
1954).  Sigmund  Freud  treated  the 
needs  of  the  bereaved  in  a paper 
called  “Mourning  and  Melancholia” 
(Collected  Works,  1948,  IV,  152-170). 

In  the  next  eighteen  months,  one- 
day  study  conferences  on  the  funer- 
al are  being  held  in  six  localities 
in  Kansas  sponsored  by  the  Kansas 
Council  of  (Jhurches.  Such  studies 
as  these  can  help  us  plan  funerals 
in  accordance  with  human  needs 
and  God’s  answer  rather  than  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  criteria  of  wheth- 
er or  not  the  service  would  be  aes- 
thetic, soothing,  and  undisturbing. 
Death  is  not  aesthetic  and  it  is  dis- 
turbing. In  the  events  surrounding 
the  cross,  which  was  also  this  way, 
we  find  there  is  an  answer  to  this 
problem.  We  have  in  God  the  re- 
sources to  face  the  problem 
of  death,  so  let  us  not  move  too 
quickly  in  directions  that  hide  the 
problem  from  us. 

— Stanley  Bohn, 

Kansas  City,  Kansas 


632 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  youth 


A Theology  of  the  Devil 


Melvin  D.  Schmidt 


IT  is  strange  that  in  their  pre- 
occupations with  hailing  deluges 
of  decisive  deprecations  upon  the 
devil,  Christians  forget  the  valuable 
functions  which  he  serves.  In  fact, 
it  is  rather  sad  that  we  are  so 
feverishly  engaged  in  pointing  out 
how  bad,  ugly,  and  loathsome  a 
rascal  the  devil  is,  that  we  seldom 
really  need  him  for  sane  and  sensi- 
ble living. 

These  are  several  distinct  advan- 
tages in  making  room  for  the  devil 
in  our  theology.  In  fact,  whether 
we  admit  it  or  not,  the  devil  is  a 
virtual  necessity  for  several  rea- 
sons : 


I.  A.  scapegoat. 

The  devil  has  been,  is  being,  and 
will  continue  to  be  of  inestimable 
value  to  the  Christian  as  a handy 
scapegoat  who  can  easily  be  blamed 
for  almost  anything  that  goes 
wrong  in  the  Christian’s  life.  It  is 
really  not  the  Christian’s  fault  that 
he  sins  and  must  bear  the  brunt  of 
the  punishment  for  his  wrongdo- 
ings— it  is  the  devil’s,  who  caused 
him  to  sin  in  the  first  place.  (If 
there  were  no  tempter,  there  could 
be  no  temptation,  and  hence,  no 
sin.)  Sin  is  thus  traced  back  to  its 
ultimate  source  (where  it  belongs, 
of  course),  and  the  blame  for  sin 


October  13,  1959 


633 


is  conveniently  transferred  from  the 
sinner  to  the  sin  causer.  This  is, 
after  all,  as  it  should  be,  for  we 
should  always  be  interested  in  deal- 
ing with  causes,  and  not  with  symp- 
toms. As  long  as  we  are  continually 
blaming  ourselves  for  our  shortcom- 
ings, we  are  not  getting  to  the  heart 
of  the  matter. 

II.  A balancer  of  the  universe. 

A devil  is  needed  to  make  our  the- 
ology symmetrical.  Just  as  we  ac- 
count for  the  good  things  in  the 
universe  by  attributing  them  to  a 
good  God,  so  we  need  some  way  to 
account  for  the  bad  things  which 
we  see  around  us.  The  simplest  way 
out  is  to  have  a dualistic  theological 
system  which  includes  an  evil  god 
that  is  almost  like  the  good  God, 
only  the  exact  opposite.  This  type 
of  balanced  theology  is  very  con- 
venient, since  it  eliminates  the 
chances  for  much  confusion  in 
thinking  and  frustration  in  living 
for  we  know  whom  to  thank  for  the 
rose  and  whom  to  blame  for  the 
thorn.  We  know  whom  to  praise  for 
a rain  during  a drouth,  and  whom 
to  curse  for  a rain  during  the  flood; 
we  know  whom  to  adore  in  times 
of  prosperity  and  whom  to  abhor 
in  times  of  adversity. 

What  it  all  boils  down  to  is  this: 
with  the  devil  as  a balancer  of  the 
universe  who  stands  diametrically 
opposed  to  our  good  God,  we  are 
given  a way  to  account  for  the  un- 
pleasant things  about  life  that  we 
couldn’t  figure  out  any  other  way. 
Anything  we  like  comes  from  God, 
and  anything  we  don’t  appreciate 
comes  from  the  devil.  (We  know 
that  a loving  God  would  never  want 
to  hurt  our  feelings  and/or  make  us 
uncomfortable.)  What  a confused 
mess  life  would  be  without  a devil! 

Having  noted  two  of  the  main 
functions  of  the  devil,  let  us  now 
observe  several  ways  in  which  he 
can  be  recognized,  for  the  devil  can 
be  of  very  little  lasting  benefit  to 
us  unless  we  are  able  to  recognize 
him  and  give  him  credit  where  cred- 
it is  due.  Contrary  to  most  preach- 
ing nowadays,  it  is  actually  easy  to 
recognize  the  devil  and  his  works 
since  we  know  life  is  a polemic 
phenomenon  in  which  black  is  black 
and  white  is  white,  we  can  formu- 
late several  tests: 

First,  anything  which  does  not 
agree  with  the  American  way  of  life 
is  of  the  devil.  This  may  seem  like 


a bold  statement  to  a foreigner,  who 
possibly  doesn’t  realize  that  Amer- 
icans are  God’s  chosen  people  whom 
He  has  separated  unto  himself  for 
a peculiar  inheritance,  or  something 
like  that. 

Although  it  ought  to  be  obvious 
to  any  objective  observer  that  the 
American  way  of  life  is  God-or- 
dained, and  that  anything  which 
stands  in  its  way  is  of  the  devil, 
there  are  several  facts  which  we 
can  point  out  as  evidence  to  con- 
vince those  few  skeptical  readers 
who  may  not  be  entirely  convinced 
as  to  whose  God  the  Lord  is. 

God  has  helped  America  win  all 
her  wars.  Anyone  who  wonders  on 
whose  side  God  is  needs  only  to  look 
at  the  records.  America’s  history 
plainly  indicates  that  anything 
worth  getting  is  worth  fighting  for, 
and  America  has  consistently  fought 
to  establish  and  preserve  the  vedues 
which  God  himself  has  implanted 
in  the  human  breast — all  of  which 
is  why  God  is  on  America’s  side. 

Thus,  God  helped  America  win 
the  Revolutionary  War  because  free- 
dom from  George’s  tyranny  was 
worth  getting,  and  He  wanted  Amer- 
ica to  have  it.  God  helped  white 
Americans  wrench  the  land  from 
the  red  Americans  because  it  was 
worth  getting.  (In  case  you  are 
wondering  about  Custer’s  Last 
Stand,  which  is  a battle  the  white 
Americans  lost,  God  permitted  the 
white  Americans  to  lose  in  order 
to  teach  the  U.  S.  Field  Marshal 
that  more  recruits  were  needed.) 
God  helped  America  win  in  World 
War  I because  He  wanted  to  help 
make  the  world  safe  for  democracy 
(and  the  American  Way  of  Life). 
God  was  on  America’s  side  in  World 
War  II  because  Hitler,  Mussolini, 
and  Hirohito  were  bad  boys  who 
needed  the  punishment  America 
could  give  them.  God  always  fights 
on  the  side  of  the  right:  if  He  is 
for  us,  who  can  be  against  us?  It  is 
appalling  that  Americans  have  lost 
confidence  in  God,  and  have  become 
afraid  of  the  Communists. 

There  is  absolutely  no  basis  for 
this  fear,  since  we  know  that  God 
will  certainly  help  America  develop 
missiles,  anti-missiles,  and  anti  anti- 
missile missiles  that  fly  higher  and 
planes  that  roar  louder,  so  that  we 
can  destroy  those  godless  atheists 
who  are  hindering  the  spread  of  the 
gospel. 


Another  evidence  of  the  fact  that 
the  American  way  of  life  is  God- 
ordained  is  the  unprecedented  high 
standard  of  living  with  which  our 
capitalistic  economy  has  blessed 
us.  If  the  capitalistic  economy 
weren’t  divinely  instituted,  how 
would  it  have  managed  to  place 
fifty  per  cent  of  the  world’s  wealth 
in  the  hands  of  six  per  cent  of  its 
population?  How  would  it  have  been 
able  to  make  us  a people  who  are 
privileged  to  eat  excess  food  and 
carry  excess  tonnage  on  our  car- 
casses? 

Americans  are  a people  who  are 
enjoying  the  God-given  privilege  to 
be  wasteful.  Those  who  frown  upon 
our  “slothful”  way  of  living  should 
remember  that  a certain  amount  of 
excess  production  and  inefficiency 
are  necessary  in  order  to  keep  our 
capitalistic  economy  in  operation 
(e.g..  How  could  the  oil  companies 
hope  to  keep  increasing  their  profits 
if  car  manufacturers  suddenly  de- 
cided to  start  improving  carbure- 
tors ? ) . 

Second,  anything  which  does  not 
agree  with  Mennonitism  is  of  the 
devil.  This  is  a sweeping  generMiza- 
tion  which  needs  further  clarifica- 
tion since  the  term  “Mennonitism” 
itself  implies  some  irreconcilable 
contradictions.  'There  are  several 
dozen  of  different  existing  brands 
of  Mennonites  who  disagree  on 
some  important  and  majiy  unimpor- 
tant issues,  which  makes  it  neces- 
sary to  find  a more  restrictive  term 
for  our  purposes. 

I would  therefore  suggest  that 
anything  which  does  not  agree  with 
General  Conference  Mennonitism  is 
of  the  devil  since  the  General  Con- 
ference Mennonites  have  long  been 
noted  for  being  right  on  all  issues. 

Third,  anything  which  does  not 
agree  with  this  article  is  of  the 
devil.  Since  the  writer  of  this  article 
is  a God-chosen  American  who  revels 
in  our  glorious  heritage  of  military 
and  economic  triumphs,  and  since 
he  is  also  a General  Conference 
Mennonite,  it  is  difficult  to  conceive 
of  a situation  or  problem  to  which 
he  would  not  be  able  to  give  the 
correct  answer.  Let  us  be  clear  on 
this  point:  there  is  no  excuse  for 
confusion  or  uncertainty  as  to  what 
is  of  the  devil  (and  what  isn’t)  when 
we  can  observe  such  definite  evi- 
dences of  God’s  manifestations  all 
about  us. 


634 


THE  MENNONITE 


first 

person 

story 

missions- 
t rigger  ed 
i-W 


Letter 

from 

Lame  Deer 


Lyman  J.  Mueller 

WHAT?!  No  phones?  Well, 
mabye  half  a dozen. 

Most  likely  you  cannot  imagine 
such  a town  and  its  surrounding 
rural  area — just  as  I could  not  a 
year  ago.  However,  Lame  Deer, 
Montana,  with  a population  of  900, 
is  such  a community.  Possibly  you 
know  only  a little  about  it — as  I 
did:  that  it  is  on  one  of  our  mission 
fields  among  the  American  Indians 
and  that  it  is  located  on  the  North- 
ern Cheyenne  Indian  Reservation. 

However,  within  the  past  year  I 
have  learned  many  interesting 
things  about  Lame  Deer  as  well  as 
about  the  Indians  who  live  on  the 
reservation,'  for  this  is  where  I am 
doing  my  1-W  service. 

You  are  wondering  what  I do  on 
a mission  field  for  my  1-W  service? 
No,  it  is  not  all  maintenance  work 
on  the  mission  property.  Nor  is  it 
specifically  helping  with  the  spirit- 
ual life  at  the  mission.  I have  the 
opportunity  of  combining  the  chal- 
lenge of  both  of  these  with  my  spe- 
cial assignment,  which  is  sparking 
a crafts  and  recreation  program  in 


the  community.  The  purpose,  more 
specifically:  to  provide  grade 

school  and  high  school  young  peo- 
ple with  cr8Lfts  and  recreation  op- 
portunities. 

I soon  learned,  after  arriving  last 
November,  that  it  takes  much  effort 
and  work  to  try  to  achieve  this 
purpose.  Before  starting  with  the 
actual  work  of  the  crafts  and  rec- 
reation program,  I spent  many 
hours  repairing  and  remodeling  the 
building  which  I was  to  use.  The 
“cabin,”  as  the  youngsters  call  it, 
had  been  a grocery  store  many 
years  back,  and  changes  'were  nec- 
essary. These  changes,  I hoped, 
would  make  the  cabin  better  equip- 
ped for  the  activities  that  were  to 
follow. 

Finally  in  January,  I began  a 
crafts  program  for  the  grade  school 
children.  Their  response  was  so 
great  that  I had  to  expand  in  order 
to  have  time  for  all  who  wanted  to 
“make  things.”  As  for  the  type  of 
crafts,  the  youngsters  chose  the 
smaller  projects  that  require  little 
time  to  complete.  Among  these 
were  reed  baskets,  pot  holders,  and 
copper  modeled  pictures.  Some  of 
the  larger,  longer  projects  were  not 
attempted;  when  buying  the  crafts 
materials,  I had  forgotten  to  “think 
as  a child”  and  to  get  what  children 
would  like. 

With  crafts  comes  recreation. 
Nearly  every  time  when  some  chil- 
dren were  working  on  a project, 
others  played  one  of  the  table 
games  I have  bought  or  made.  Al- 
most every  game  is  given  a try; 
but  only  those  that  are  fast-mov- 
ing, simple  and  provide  real  compe- 
tition hold  the  youngsters’  contin- 
ued interest.  Besides  table  games,  I 
tried  having  nights  when  just  group 
games  were  played.  A difficulty  a- 
rose  when  only  four  or  five  children 
would  come.  In  this  situation  I let 
them  play  table  games.  I did,  how* 
ever,  need  to  be  prepared  for  a 
large  group,  in  case  more  children 
did  decide  to  come  to  the  cabin. 

Those  were  the  activities  duiing 
the  school  year,  but  what  about  the 
summer  months?  Once  again  I had 
failed  to  recall  my  childhood  and 
to  realize  the  “pull”  that  the  warm, 
sunny  days  have  on  children.  The 
youngsters  decreased  the  activities 
more  than  I had  anticipated — sim- 
ply by  not  coming.  This  was  espe- 
cially true  in  the  crafts  8irea,  but  it 
happened  with  recreation  also.  The 


children  stay  outdoors  xmless  the 
weather  drives  them  inside.  A sum- 
mer activity  that  did  not  material- 
ize was  a softbeOl  league  for  the 
younger  boys.  I was  eager  for  the 
people  in  the  community  to  take 
interest  and  go  ahead  with  the  work 
connected  with  starting  a small  lo- 
cal league.  However,  in  attempting 
to  go  at  it  in  this  way,  I failed  to 
get  any  league  started  during  the 
summer. 

Once  again  I have  turned  my 
thoughts  to  crafts  and  recreation 
for  this  school  year.  For  crafts  I 
will  have  to  consider  enlarging  the 
program,  which  materials  to  have 
available,  and — another  new  plan — 
trying  to  have  some  local  people 
help  with  the  leadership.  My  main 
desire  in  the  recreation  area  is  to 
set  up  a program  that  will  be  better 
accepted  than  last  year’s. 

'The  work  thus  far — as  you  may 
have  noted — has  been  done  with  the 
grade  school  children.  This  coming 
school  year  I am  hoping  to  start 
some  activity  for  the  high  school 
young  people. 

Besides  the  crafts  and  recreation, 
I work  with  two  organizations  that 
meet  during  the  school  year.  One 
is  the  youth  fellowship  of  the  Men- 
nonite  church  here  in  Lame  Deer; 
the  other  is  the  boy  scout  troop  of 
which  I am  scoutmaster.  These 
groups  will  resume  activites  when 
school  begins.  Another  group,  the 
junior  Sunday  school  class,  pro- 
vides interesting  work.  Being  its 
teacher,  this  is  year-round  work 
that  helps  me  learn  the  children 
better. 

All  of  these  activities  provide  a 
varied  but  exceedingly  interesting 
1-W  service.  'They  are  a great  chal- 
lenge, and  it  is  my  prayer  that  with 
effort,  perseverance,  and  courage 
something  worthwhile  will  be  ac- 
complished. 

Who’s  Who 

Melvin  Schmidt,  author  of  “A 
Theology  of  the  Devil,”  is  a recently- 
arrived  Pax  man  in  Indonesia. 

Lyman  Mueller,  who  writes  from 
Montana,  is  now  beginning  his  sec- 
ond year  of  1-W  service  there. 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored' 
by  the  Young  People's  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  722 
Main  St.,  Newton,  Kansas. 


October  13,  1959 


635 


our  schools 

MENNO  SIMONS  LECTURES 

Gordon  D.  Kaufman,  professor  of 
theology  at  Vanderbilt  University, 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  will  be  the  speaker 
for  the  Menno  Simons  Lectures  at 
Bethel  College,  Nov.  1-3.  “The  The- 
ological Context  of  the  Christian 
Ethic”  is  the  genercd  theme  of  Dr. 
Kaufman’s  series  of  six  lectures, 
to  be  given  in  the  Bethel  College 
Mennonite  Church. 

Dr.  Kaufman  was  graduated 
from  Bethel  College  in  1948.  He  re- 
ceived the  M.A.  degree  in  sociology 
from  Northwestern  University  in 
1948;  the  B.D.  from  the  Yale  Di- 
vinity School  in  1951;  and  the  Ph.D. 
degree  in  philosophical  theology 
from  Yale  University  in  1955. 

He  h£is  distinguished  himself  both 
as  a teacher  and  as  a speaker  at 
student  conferences  and  has  writ- 
ten articles  in  the  Journal  of  Reli- 
gion, Journal  of  Philosophy,  The 
Christian  Scholar,  and  others. 

LAUBACH  VISITS  BLUFFTON 

Frank  C.  Laubach,  famed  for  his 
work  in  literacy,  prayer,  and  per- 
sonal devotion,  will  be  on  the  Bluff- 
ton  College  campus  on  October  14- 
15.  He  will  speak  to  the  Bluffton 
College  Student  Christian  Associa- 
tion on  Wednesday  and  to  the  stu- 
dent body  on  Thursday  morning. 

Dr.  Laubach  has  worked  with  the 
Moros  on  Mindanao  Island,  from 
where  he  went  to  Malaya,  Sinaza- 
poo,  Ceylon,  Palestine,  Syria,  Tur- 
key, India  and  countless  other  coun- 
tries to  help  local  governments  and 
educators  prepare  literacy  charts 
in  their  language.  His  teaching 
method  of  “each  one  teach  one”  has 
taught  over  60,000,000  people  in  275 
languages  to  read  and  write  and 
learn  the  story  of  Christ. 

Dr.  Laubach,  referred  to  as  one 
of  the  20th  century  mystics,  received 
his  B.A.  degree  in  sociology  from 
Princeton  University  in  1909,  re- 
ceived his  M.A.  and  Ph.D.  in  soci- 
ology from  Columbia  University  and 
has  received  many  honorary  degrees 
here  and  abroad. 

HARDING  SPEAKS  AT  BETHEL 

Vincent  Harding,  associate  pastor 
of  the  Woodlawn  Mennonite  Church 
of  Chicago,  spoke  in  the  Christian 
Life  Week  series  sponsored  by  the 


Student  Christian  Fellowship  at 
Bethel  College  Oct.  5-8. 

The  morning  series  of  lectures 
were  centered  around  the  topic  ‘"The 
Dangers  of  Being  a Christian  in  a 
Modem  World,”  and  the  evening 
services  were  on  “Racial  Conflict; 
The  Agony  of  Our  Time.” 

MILLER  APPOINTED  TO 
ADMINISTRATIVE  STAFF 

Edmund  J.  Miller,  professor  of 
Bible  and  speech  and  pastor  of  the 
First  Mennonite  Church  of  Chris- 
tian in  Moundridge,  has  accepted  a 
position  on  the  administrative  staff 
at  Bethel  College,  as  announced  by 
J.  Winfield  Fretz,  acting  president. 
Professor  Miller  will  work  in  the 
areas  of  public  relations  and  finance, 
taking  over  some  of  the  duites  for- 
merly performed  by  the  assistant  to 
the  president  and  director  of  public 
relations. 

The  vacancy  Miller  will  fill  was 
precipitated  last  spring  when  Harry 
Martens  resigned  to  take  a position 
with  the  Associated  Mennonite  Bib- 
lical Seminaries  at  Elkhart,  Indiana. 
In  the  public  relations  area,  Erwin 
C.  Goering  will  end  his  service  at 
Bethel  this  calendar  year. 

For  the  past  eight  years.  Miller 
has  been  pastor  of  the  Moundridge 
church  with  additional  duties  as  pro- 
fessor of  Bible  and  of  speech  at 
Bethel.  Full  time  duties  at  Bethel 
will  be  assumed  on  March  1st.  Mrs. 
Miller  has  served  as  instructor  in 
English  and  speech  at  Bethel  since 
1953. 

NURSING  INSTRUCTOR 
MARKS  40  YEARS  OF  SERVICE 

Newton,  Kan:  The  fortieth  anni- 
versary of  Sister  'Theodosia  Harms 
as  a deaconess  at  Bethel  Hospital 
was  celebrated  on  October  3. 

J.  J.  Voth  gave  a devotional  mes- 
sage using  a portion  from  Deuter- 
onomy 8 as  a text.  Sister  Lena  Mae 
Smith  recalled  some  of  the  expe- 
riences of  Sister  Theodosia’s  years 
of  service  and  presented  greet- 
ings from  the  deaconess  sisters.  G. 
F.  Harms,  a brother,  presented 
greetings  from  the  Harms  family. 

In  her  response.  Sister  ’Theodosia 
also  reviewed  many  interesting  ex- 
periences from  her  years  as  nurse, 
laboratory  technologist.  X-ray  tech- 
nician, and  a term  of  service  among 
the  Mennonites  of  South  America. 

Sister  ’Theodosia  entered  training 
as  a deaconess  on  Oct.  1,  1919,  and 


was  consecrated  as  a deaconess 
May  29,  1927.  She  is  a graduate  of 
Bethel  College,  and  has  also  taken 
courses  in  laboratory  and  X ray  in 
addition  to  being  a registered  nurse. 
Presently  she  serves  the  hospitM  as 
an  X-ray  technician,  and  the  school 
of  nursing  as  director  of  student 
health,  and  clinical  instructor  in 
the  student’s  geriatric  studies  at 
the  home  for  aged. 

MCC  news  and  notes 

MENNONITES  DEDICATE  CHURCH 

ARGENTINA— Sept.  20  Menno- 
nites in  Buenos  Aires,  Argentina, 
dedicated  a new  church.  Beginning 
Friday  evening  with  Rev.  Ernst 
Harder  from  the  Mennonite  Bibli- 
cal Seminary  at  Montevideo,  Uru- 
guay, .speaking  on  “The  Practical 
Life  of  the  Christian,”  the  dedication 
festivities  climaxed  with  the  Sun- 
day services.  On  Sunday  morning  a 
special  children’s  meeting  was  held 
with  about  100  children  plus  many  i 
parents  present.  In  the  afternoon 
about  300 — including  visitors  from 
other  churches,  representatives  from 
the  Confederation  of  Churches  and 
from  the  Buenos  Aires  Pastor’s 
Association — attended  the  service. 

Martin  Duerksen,  pastor  of  the 
Buenos  Aires  congregation  writes, 
“We  can  really  be  thankful  to  God 
for  the  dedication  services.  'They 
will  serve  as  an  impulse  towards 
renewed  efforts  in  the  development 
of  our  work.” 

In  addition  to  a reception  which 
was  held  for  the  visitors,  a paint- 
ing exhibition  by  Mrs.  Birckholtz,  a 
well-known  Mennonite  artist  in 
Buenos  Aires,  drew  much  attention. 

DISCUSS  RESPONSIBILITY  OF 
HISTORIC  PEACE  CHURCHES 

PENNSYLVANIA  — With  leaders 
the  from  peace  sections  of  the  Men- 
nonite Centred  Committee,  Church  of 
the  Brethren,  and  the  Friends  in  at- 
tendance, Laurelville  Mennonite 
Camp,  Mt.  Pleasant,  Pa.,  was  the 
scene  of  a retreat,  Oct.  8-10.  French 
Christian  pacifist  Andre  Trocme, 
discussing  concernes  he  wanted  to 
share  with  the  Historic  Peace 
churches,  was  one  of  the  partici- 
pants. 

The  three  day  occasion  consider- 
ing the  responsibility  of  the  Peace 
Churches  had  Elmer  Neufeld  (MCC 
Peace  Section)  speaking  on  “The 
Christian  Church  Challenges  Dis- 


636 


THE  MENNONITE 


crimination  and  War”;  William 
Beahm  (Dean  of  the  Brethren  Bib- 
" lical  Seminary)  on  “What  the 
® Scriptures  Say  on  Peace” ; and  Ora 
" Huston  (Brethren  Service  Commis- 
^ sion)  on  experiences  and  concerns 
on  the  peace  witness  growing  out 
* of  his  travel  in  the  Far  East  and 
’ other  areas.  Wilmer  J.  Young 
^ (Friends  World  Commission  led 
a discussion  of  principles  of  social 
action,  including  experiences  con- 
nected with  protest  projects  such  as 
Fort  Detrick  and  Omaha  and  wth 
the  Golden  Rule. 

IMPROVEMENT  IS  EMPHASIS 

KOREA — Reports  from  Korea 
M C C project  stations  indicate 
stepped-up  activity  in  the  fall 
months.  Jacob  M.  Klassen  (Stein- 
bach,  Man.)  Korea  MCC  director, 
reports:  “With  the  coming  of  the 
John  Zooks  (Elkhart,  Ind.)  things 
are  again  looking  up.  It  is  too 
early  to  report  drastic  changes  and 
improvements,  but  it’s  not  too  early 
to  say  that  we  expect  to  launch  a 
real  upgrading  of  the  entire  pro- 
gram at  the  Kyong  San  Mennonite 
Vocational  School. 

“In  the  meantime,  we  have  found 
ourselves  confronted  with  some  le- 
gal problems  in  connection  with  the 
ownership  of  the  school  property. 
We  also  discovered  that  the  water 
from  all  four  wells  on  the  farm  is 
contaminated  and  unfit  for  human 
consumption.  Mrs.  Zook  has  ex- 
pressed a desire  in  improving  san- 
itary conditions  in  the  kitchen.  These 
problems,  along  with  the  recommen- 
dations recently  passed  by  the  MCC 
Executive  Committee,  will  keep  us 
well  occupied  for  the  next  few 
months.” 

Among  the  recommendations 
which  the  Executive  Committee  en- 
couraged for  the  Vocational  School 
project  were  1)  improving  the 
school  curriculum  to  provide  ade- 
quate training  to  meet  vocational 
needs;  2)  improving  the  plant  over 
a four  or  five  year  period  to  better 
facilitate  the  program  objectives;  3) 
following  up  the  school’s  graduates 
with  help  in  finding  employment 
and  relating  the  boys  to  Christian 
churches;  4)  upgrading  the  faculty 
to  meet  Christian  and  teaching 
standards;  5)  providing  conditions 
for  acceptance  of  tuition  students 
from  the  Kyong  San  community, 
mainly  in  the  study  of  agriculture. 

Mabel  Brunk  (Goshen,  Ind.),  re- 
porting from  the  Pusan  Children’s 


Charity  Hospital,  states  that  Oct. 
3 was  an  important  date.  The 
Koreans  celebrated  their  country’s 
founding  and  the  Pusan  Children’s 
Charity  Hospital  held  a rummage 
sale  to  raise  money  needed  to  sup- 
plement the  almost  non-existent 
fuel  and  emergency  fund.  A com- 
mittee of  Korean  and  Western  hos- 
pital board  members  made  plans 
for  the  occasion. 

Contacting  im.portant  people,  such 
as  the  governor,  the  mayor’s  wife, 
and  the  chief  of  police  to  get  their 
moral  support  was  one  of  the  first 
steps.  A radio  station,  a prominent 
Pusan  newspaper,  and  an  excellent 
girl’s  high  school  have  been  asked 
to  contribute  entertainment  fea- 
tures ; other  welfare  institutions  and 
women’s  clubs  have  also  shown  in- 
terest in  the  hospital.  “We  hope 
that  besides  raising  money  the  sale 
will  publicize  the  hospital  to  both 
Koreans  and  Westerns  and  even 
more  that  the  Korean  board  mem- 
bers will  begin  to  feel  intimately 
responsibile  for  the  hospital’s  oper- 
ation,” says  Miss  Brunk. 

jottings 

UNION  MEETINGS  HELD 

Hoffnungsau  Church,  Inman, 
Kan:.  On  June  14  the  Junior  SS 
Dept,  gave  their  program,  followed 
by  a dedication  of  Christmas  bun- 
dles. For  our  fellowship  noon  meal 
v/e  all  went  to  Buhler  City  Park.  On 
June  28  our  first  union  meeting, 
with  the  four  neighboring  churches, 
was  held  in  our  church  with  the 
Arthur  Thiessens  showing  slides  of 
their  medical  work  in  India.  On 
July  26  Herb  and  Laverna  Ediger, 
home  on  furlough  from  Ethiopia, 
showed  slides  of  their  work.  Four- 
teen Negro  boys  and  girls  from 
Chicago  spent  two  weeks  in  our 
church  community  the  latter  part 
of  July.  Aug.  16,  while  our  pastor 
and  others  attended  the  conf.  in 
Bluffton,  Herb  Ediger  brought  the 
morning  message.  On  Aug.  30  we 
had  our  farewell  for  Pastor  and 
Mrs.  Gaeddert  and  family.  They 
left  the  next  day  for  their  future 
home  in  Mountain  Lake,  Minn.  Pas- 
tor Gaeddert’s  message  at  this  time 
was  “We  Are  Pilgrims.”  A fellow- 
ship meal  followed.  On  Sept.  6 Curt 
Siemens,  lay  minister  of  our  sister 
church  brought  the  morning  mes- 
sage. Three  couples  recently  cele- 
brated their  silver  wedding  anni- 
versaries: July  26,  Arnold  Ratz- 

laffs;  Aug.  7,  Jacob  V.  Regiers;  and 


Aug.  9,  Ernest  Heidebrechts.  The 
following  homes  have  been  blessed 
with  new  babies:  Aug.  2,  Jerridan 
Allerd,  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edwin 
Unruh;  Aug.  2,  Darrel  Dewayne, 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Norman  Dick; 
Aug.  15,  Randall  Floyd,  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Floyd  Butz;  Aug.  16, 
Scott  Bradley,  bom  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Arley  Loeffler.  New  homes  estab- 
lished are:  July  19,  Rosalie  Voth 

and  Randall  Schmidt;  July  31,  Leon 
Schmidt  and  Janet  Gisel;  Aug.  2, 
Carol  Jean  Schmidt  and  Harvey 
Toews;  and  Sept.  4,  Max  Froese 
and  Loretta  Voth. — Kathryn  Klas- 
sen 

COMMUNION  COMMEMORATION 

Church  of  the  Good  Shepherd, 
Sioux  Falls,  S.  D.:  Deeper  Faith 
and  Life  Services,  with  J.  J.  Esau 
of  Mountain  Lake,  were  held  on 
September  27.  Rev.  Esau  spoke  at 
both  evening  and  morning  services. 
A potluck  supper  was  served  before 
the  evening  meeting.  Church  plans 
are  getting  under  way  in  that  mem- 
bers of  the  church  board  met  and 
approved  basic  plans  for  the  sanc- 
tuary. After  the  necessary  detailed 
blueprints  are  acquired,  construc- 
tion will  begin.  The  new  Advisory 
Council  has  played  an  important 
part  in  building  moral  support  and 
unity  for  all  who  have  a part  in  it. 
A representative  of  each  organiza- 
tion of  the  church  makes  up  the 
personnel  of  this  group.  It  meets 
once  in  three  months.  Co-ordination 
of  the  church  program  is  one  of  its 
most  important  functions.  Oct.  4 
marked  world-wide  communion  Sun- 
day. Reception  of  new  members 
took  place  after  which  a light  fel- 
lowship meal  was  served.  This  rep- 
resented Christ’s  Last  Supper,  or 
“The  Love  Feast”  held  preceding 
Christ’s  betrayal  and  death.  Fol- 
lowing immediately  was  singing  by 
the  group  assembled.  Communion 
is  served  after  this  informal  hour. 
This  year  the  new  Communion  set, 
which  was  purchased  recently,  was 
used  for  the  first  time.  Gene 
Schmidt,  son  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Elias 
Schmidt,  left  for  Norfolk,  Virginia, 
to  do  his  service.  He  will  be  gone 
for  two  years.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harry 
Kunkel.  celebrated  their  25th  wed- 
ding anniversary  on  Sept.  26.  A red 
rosebud  at  a Sunday  morning  serv- 
ice was  in  honor  of  Byron  Lynn, 
who  was  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Verlyn  Pudwill  on  Sept.  14. — Joyce 
Gering 

JOINT  REVIVAL  SERVICES  HELD 

Friedenstal  Church,  Tampa, 
Kan.:  It  was  our  joy  to  have  the 
following  accept  Christ  and  unite 
with  our  fellowship  by  baptism: 
Ernest  Unruh,  Gloria  Dirks,  and 


October  13,  1959 


637 


Flora  Jantz.  In  our  summer  Bible 
school  we  had  27  children  enrolled, 
and  as  teachers  we  had  Mrs.  Clar- 
ence Goentzel,  Pastor  Peters,  Lois 
Peters,  Karen  Unruh,  Norma  Un- 
ruh,  and  Lillian  Richert.  As  guest 
speakers  for  our  worship  services 
this  summer  we  had  W.  F.  Unruh, 
North  Newton,  Kan.;  Orlando  Walt- 
ner,  Newton;  John  Duerksen,  Hess- 
ton;  and  Melvin  Warkentin,  Hills- 
boro. Pastor  Peters  represented  us 
at  the  general  conference  at  Bluff- 
ton.  The  young  people  of  the  church 
with  their  sponsors  and  pastor,  held 
a one-day  retreat  at  Kanapolis  Dam, 
Sept.  6.  A total  of  31  were  present. 
Several  of  our  young  people  are  ac- 
tively interested  in  Christian  Serv- 
ice: Larry  Unruh  is  in  Pax  Service 
in  Africa;  Jean  Unruh  is  teaching 
in  an  Indian  Government  School  in 
Arizona;  Mary  Jane  Unruh  was  in 
Summer  Service  in  Gulfport,  Miss., 
this  summer.  Aug.  2-9  we  had  union 
revival  meetings  with  the  Tampa 
M.  B.  Church  and  Durham  Baptist 
Church  with  Victor  Becker  from 
Wichita  as  speaker.  This  was  a 
blessed  fellowship. 

MEMBERS  SERVE  FRIEDENSWALD 

Pulaski  Church,  Pulaski,  Iowa: 
Mary  Blanche  Grim  was  married 
at  our  church  to  Edward  Haworth 
of  Whittier,  Calif.,  on  Aug.  9 by 
Rev.  Toni  Van  de  Doel.  Gale  Baugh- 
man was  married  at  our  church  to 
Charles  McGrew  of  Long  Beach, 
Calif.,  by  Rev.  Harold  Harryman. 
The  YPU  meets  biweekly  with  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Donald  Payne  as  leaders. 
The  Dorcas  Missionary  Society 
meets  every  second  and  fourth  Wed. 
The  following  attended  the  senior 
retreat  at  Camp  Friedenswald : Joy 
Baughman,  Karen  Sherman,  David 
Widmer,  Edwin  and  Sam  Augspur- 
ger.  J.  Ogden  Augspurger  served  as 
counselor  one  week  at  Camp  Frie- 
denswald. Mrs.  Charles  Bachman 
served  nine  weeks  as  VS  worker  on 
the  kitchen  staff  of  Camp  Friedens- 
wald. 

NEW  PASTOR  ARRIVES 

Bethel  Church,  Frazer,  Mont.: 
Henry  Franz,  Mrs.  Alvin  Eitzen, 
and  Leatha  Unger  attended  the 
Northern  Dist.  Conf.  at  the  Salem- 
Zion  Church  near  Freeman  S.  Dak. 
in  June.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  D.  Huebert 
celebrated  their  silver  wedding  an- 
niversary on  July  2.  Our  S.  S. 
Children’s  Day  program  combined 
with  a fellowship  meal  was  held  at 
the  Big  Porcupine  July  4.  The  next 
night  Jerry  Huebert,  home  on  vaca- 
tion from  Alaska,  showed  pictures. 
On  July  8 Harold  C.  Etter  of  the 
International  Christian  Leprosy 
Mission  presented  this  work  in 
words  and  pictures.  We  were  very 


happy  for  the  arrival  of  our  new 
pastor,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Walter  Dirks, 
and  their  children,  Dianna,  Ronnie, 
Aaron,  and  Esther.  A special  instal- 
lation service  was  held  Aug.  2 with 
Abe  Friesen  officiating.  Nolan  Le- 
Roy  was  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jacob 
Teichroew  July  22.  A service  was 
held  Aug.  13  with  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Jacob  Unruh,  Jackson,  Miss.,  show- 
ing pictures  of  their  work.  Un- 
dergoing major  surgery  in  Aug. 
were  Jacob  Teichroew  and  Mrs. 
Otto  Kliever.  A.  Dick,  missionary 
to  Equador,  brought  the  message 
Aug.  16.  Marlene  Fay  was  bom  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry  Rahn  on  Sept. 
2. — Mrs.  Clarence  Baerg 

HARVEST  FESTIVAL  PLANNED 

JOHANNESTAL  CHURCH,  HILLSBORO, 

Kan.:  Pastor  and  Mrs.  Esko  Loe- 
wen  gave  interesting  conference  im- 
pressions recently.  We  had  the  fol- 
lowing visiting  ministers  during 
their  absence:  John  Thiessen,  H.  T. 
Unruh,  Melvin  Warkentin.  The 
Mennonite  Men’s  organization  was 
in  charge  one  Sun.  Eleven  young 
people  from  the  church  attended 
the  retreat  at  Camp  Mennoscah. 
The  needs  and  program  of  the  Men- 
nonite Biblical  Seminary  in  Monte- 
video, Uruguay,  were  presented 
Sept.  9 by  Peter  Wiens,  chairman 
of  the  seminary  board,  and  Nelson 
Litwiller,  president  of  the  semi- 
nary. They  are  making  a deputa- 
tion tour  in  North  America.  The 
new  Centennial  hymns  are  sung 
during  the  worship  service.  Henry 
Guhr  and  Mrs.  Esko  Loewen  were 
elected  as  the  new  S.  S.  superin- 
tendents for  the  senior  and  junior 
departments  respectively.  A decision 
has  been  made  to  have  a harvest 
festival  on  Nov.  22  in  the  morning 
and  afternoon  with  Roland  Goering 
as  speaker.  He  will  speak  for  spe- 
cial services  during  the  week. 

MISSIONARIES  SPEAK 

Woodland  Church,  Warroad, 
Minn.:  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Walter  Metz- 
ler  of  St.  Louis  visited  at  the  home 
of  his  parents,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Fred 
Metzler,  recently.  Prayer  and  Bible 
study  are  now  held  on  Thurs.  of 
every  other  week,  alternating  with 
choir  practice.  Evangelistic  services 
are  held  each  Sunday  night  except 
the  last  of  each  month  when  the 
young  people  have  their  program. 
On  Aug.  23  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bill  A- 
dams,  missionary  candidates  for 
France,  brought  the  message.  The 
following  day  they  went  to  Middle- 
bro,  Man.,  where  A.  F.  Ortman  is 
pastor.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Melvin  Matti- 
son  welcomed  Terry  Allan  into  their 
home  on  Aug.  20.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Abe 
Harder  are  parents  of  a new  daugh- 


ter, Laura  Jean.  A daughter  was  ' 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gerhard  Har- 
der recently.  John  T.  Fast  has  been  i‘ 
a patient  in  the  Warroad  Hospital 
but  is  now  better.  Rev.  Burkhalter 
of  Henderson,  Neb.,  brought  us  a ‘ 
message  on  Sept.  20.  Rev.  and  Mrs.  ' 
Alan  Sharp,  missionaries  to  the  Ba- 
hama  Islands,  were  guest  speakers 
Sept.  27.  Luella  Thiessen  is  attend- 
ing  Grace  Bible  Institute  at  Omaha, 
Neb. — Mrs.  Nick  Fast.  ' 

VS  REPORT  GIVEN 

Hutterthal  Church,  I^eeman,  S. 
D.:  The  young  people  enjoyed  a pic-  ■ 
nic  at  Swan  Lake  on  August  9.  Ar-  j 
lyss  Hofer  showed  us  pictures  of  ^ 
her  Voluntary  Service  in  Gulfport,  j 
Miss.,  this  past  summer  on  Sept.  13.  ' 
A clothing  drive  was  chosen  as  the  j 
women’s  missionary  society  project  I 
for  the  month  of  Sept.  Mrs.  Ken  j 
Ontjes  spoke  to  us  about  her  work  1 
in  Jamaica  on  Sept.  6.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  | 
Norman  Hofer  have  started  their  i 
1-W  service  at  Lancaster,  Pa.  Mr.  | 
and  Mrs.  Merle  Epp  have  moved  ' 
to  Lincoln,  Neb.,  from  Akron,  Pa., 
where  Mr.  Epp  has  finished  his  1-W 
service  with  the  MCC.  Several  of 
our  members  are  attending  college  . 
this  year:  Don  and  Richard  Hofer 
at  Bethel  College;  Owen  Hofer  at 
the  University  of  Iowa;  Lavonne 
Hofer  at  Minneapolis,  Minn.;  Wes- 
ley Glanzer  at  Freeman  Junior  Col-  ' 
lege.  Gladys  Hofer  is  doing  gradu- 
ate work  at  the  Polytechnic  Insti- 
tute at  Blacksburg,  Va.  John  P. 
Kleinsasser  gave  a report  on  the 
conference  on  Sunday,  Sept.  6. 
Dorothy  Imhoff  is  again  with  us 
and  will  be  directing  our  choir.  She 
is  also  teaching  music  at  Freeman 
College. 

PASTOR  ATTENDS  BOARD  MEETING 

Hanston  Church,  Hanston,  Kan.: 
The  dedication  service  for  Christ- 
mas bundles  was  held  the  evening 
of  June  14  at  which  time  an  offer- 
ing for  Testaments  and  transporta- 
tion was  taken.  Pastor  Harley  King 
attended  the  Board  of  Missions 
meeting  at  Elkhart,  Ind.,  June  22-26. 
The  Sunday  school  took  an  offering 
for  the  SS  Literature  Committee, 
July  19.  The  CE  sponsored  a bas- 
ket picnic  for  the  congregation  at 
the  Herbert  Ziesch  home,  Aug.  2. 

It  was  an  evening  of  fellowship  and 
devotion.  Pastor  and  Mrs.  King  left 
Aug.  5 for  the  Missionary  Retreat 
and  the  conference  at  Bluffton.  Dur- 
ing their  absence  Don  Roberts,  pas- 
tor of  the  Hanston  Baptist  Church, 
served  us  Aug.  9 and  Mr.  James 
Rittenhouse,  a layman,  brought  us 
the  message  Aug.  16.  Many  from 
our  church  attended  the  funeral 
services  for  Ernest  Ewy,  a former 


638 


THE  MENNONITE 


nember  of  the  Hanston  Mennonite 
Church,  at  the  Pawnee  Rock  Church 
)n  Sept.  3.  Arnold  Miller,  formerly 
)f  Hanston  but  who  had  been  living 
n Dodge  City  for  ten  years,  passed 
iway  suddenly.  Sept.  1.  Pastor  King 
conducted  his  funeral  in  our  church 
m Sept.  4.  Arnold  had  been  a life 
ong  member  of  the  Hanston 
Church.  Bert  Schnetzer  has  been  in 
poor  health  for  several  months.  He 
las  been  hospitalized  for  five  weeks. 
The  Ministerial  Alliance  of  the  coun- 
ty sponsored  a reception  for  the 
teachers  of  the  county  Sept.  14  at 
the  Hanston  Grade  School  Audito- 
rium. Jeanette  Sperling  returned  to 
Bethel  College  Sept.  7 for  her  jun- 
ior year.  Linda  Sebes  and  Leo  Ziesch 
are  attending  the  Dodge  City  Col- 
lege as  freshmen. — Mrs.  E.  E. 
Hirschler 

ARTIST  PLANS  ITINERARY 

Chalk  artist-evangelist  Peter  Pen- 
ner  of  Winnipegosis,  Man.,  is  plan- 
ning a six  week  itinerary  through 
N.  D.,  S.  D.,  Neb.,  Iowa,  111.,  and 
Minn.  The  Lord  willing,  he  intends 
I to  begin  on  Simday,  November  1st 
in  N.  D.,  spending  a week  in  each 
state. 

Mr.  Penner  has  a ministry  of 
spreading  the  gospel  of  Christ 
through  the  medium  of  spoken 
word,  music,  and  chalk  illustrations. 
His  is  a Mennonite  witness  to  “out 
of  the  way”  places.  In  the  past  he 
has  ministered  in  churches  of  many 
different  denominations,  Bible 
camps,  migrant  camps,  prisons, 
schools,  and  communities  in  the 
north  that  are  without  a gospel  wit- 
ness. 

Those  interested  in  having  him 
minister  in  their  churches  may 
write  him  at  Box  64,  Winnipegosis, 
Man. 

Mr.  Penner  works  with  the  recom- 
mendations of  the  Home  Missions 
Committee  of  the  Conference  of 
Mennonites  in  Canada  but  is  not 
undeiAvritten  by  them. 

into  the  beyond 

Mrs.  Peter  Goertz,  member  of 
the  Johannestal  Church,  Hillsboro, 
Kan.,  was  born  April  10,  1870  and 
passed  away  Sept.  23,  1959. 

Guy  Heap  Of  Birds,  member  and 
Indian  minister  of  the  Mennonite 
Church  of  Clinton,  Okla.,  was  born 
March  16,  1903  and  died  Sept.  30, 
1959. 


conference  notes 

continued  from  last  page 

MISSIONARIES  ON  THE  MOVE 

Waldo  Harder,  missionary  to  the 
Belgian  Congo  in  Africa,  returned 
to  his  home  in  Newton,  Kan.,  Oct.  11 
for  medical  treatment.  The  Harders 
were  in  the  third  year  of  their 
second  term  on  the  field. 

Eva  Pauls,  nurse  in  India  for  22 
years,  arrived  on  furlough  in  In- 
man, Kan.,  Sept.  28. 

Mary  Epp  of  Hanley,  Sask.,  ar- 
rived in  the  Belgian  Congo  in  Af- 
rica Sept.  16,  after  spending  two 
years  in  Brussels,  Belgium,  study- 
ing French.  She  will  teach  school  at 
the  Kamayala  station. 

HYMN  TUNE  CONTEST 

The  Mennonite  Song  Festival 
Committee  is  sponsoring  a hymn 
tune  contest  to  follow  the  hymn 
text  contest  held  recently.  Four 
texts  were  chosen  as  winners 


In  regard  to  World  Refugee  Year 


The  General  Federation  of  Wom- 
en’s Clubs  urges  its  members  to  par- 
ticipate in  the  World  Refugee  Year 
by  co-operating  with  the  U.S.  Com- 
mittee for  Refugees,  assisting  major 
religious  agencies  in  their  programs, 
undertake  special  events  that  will 
bring  this  to  the  attention  of  wom- 
en throughout  the  U.S. 

The  National  Lutheran  Council 
expresses  its  readiness  to  co-operate 
“toward  the  attainment  of  the  pro- 
posed objectives  by  whatever  meas- 
ures are  appropriate  to  it  and  with- 
in its  means.” 

The  United  States  Conference  of 
Mayors  urges  its  members  to  initi- 
ate official  observance  of  World 
Refugee  Year  in  their  respective 
communities. 

The  American  National  Red  Cross 
pledges  its  continued  efforts  and 
also  renewed  efforts  to  alleviate  suf- 
fering and  hardships  of  refugees 
throughout  the  world. 

The  U.  S.  Committee  for  UNICEF 
“indicates  its  unqualified  interest  in 
programs  developed  in  furtherance 
of  refugee  year  for  the  assistance 
of  refugees.” 

The  Orange  Grove  Monthly  Meet- 
ing of  Friends  “will  be  alert  to  help 


by  the  Hymn  Society  of  America 
and  were  performed  at  the  General 
Conference  Centennial  at  Bluffton 
in  August. 

Contestants  may  write  hymn 
tunes  suitable  for  any  one  of  the 
four  texts.  Awards  of  $25,  $15,  and 
$10  will  be  given  to  the  three  win- 
ning entries.  The  hymns  will  be 
performed  at  the  1960  Song  Fes- 
tival. Write  to  Hymn  Contest,  North 
Newton,  Kansas,  for  copies  of  the 
texts  and  contest  rules.  The  dead- 
line for  entries  will  be  February  1, 
1960. 

NEW  PRESS  INSTALLED 

Mennonite  Press,  North  Newton, 
Kansas,  has  installed  a new  22  x 34 
Ebco  offset  press.  This  addition 
was  necessitated  by  the  growing 
volume  of  business. 

Mennonite  Press  is  owned  jointly 
by  Bethel  College  and  the  Board  of 
Education  and  Publication  of  the 
General  Conference. 


in  whatever  ways  possible  and 
hopes  the  Administration  and  Con- 
gress will  seek  every  possible  cre- 
ative way  in  which  war  and  con- 
flicts can  be  ended  and  so  remove 
the  reasons  we  have  refugees.” 

The  American  Baptist  Convention 
“calls  for  the  revision  of  our  immi- 
gration and  naturalization  law;  To 
make  it  non-discriminatory  and  pro- 
tective of  all  of  the  rights  of  indi- 
viduals and  nations;  to  allow  for 
the  admission  of  a maximum  num- 
ber of  immigrants  consistent  with 
the  resources  of  our  country.” 

Paul  M.  Butler,  chairman  of  the 
Democratic  National  Committee 
urges  support  for  World  Refugee 
Year  saying  that  it  “should  be  a 
time  both  for  action  and  for  soul- 
searching  as  we  examine  once  more 
our  stewardship  in  carrying  for- 
ward those  ancient  principles  of 
freedom,  brotherhood,  and  democ- 
racy. . . .” 

G.  Mennen  Williams,  chairman  of 
Nationalities  Division  of  the  Demo- 
cratic National  Committee,  appeals 
for  action  during  World  Refugee 
Year.  “The  coming  months  should 
be  a time  of  challenge  for  us.” 


WHAT  OTHERS  HAVE  RESOLVED  TO  DO 


October  13,  1959 


639 


conference  notes 


KATIE  KEHLER 
RETURNS  TO  ARIZONA 

Because  of  increased  enrollment 
in  the  General  Conference  Men- 
nonite  mission  school  in  Oraibi,  Ar- 
izona, Katie  Kehler  gave  up  studies 
at  Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary  to 
return  to  Arizona  October  2.  Miss 
Kehler  taught  at  the  Oraibi  school 
for  two  years  and  this  summer  left 
the  field  in  order  to  continue  her 
education.  She  will  teach  the  first 
and  second  grades. 

GENERAL  CONFERENCE 
OBSERVES  PEACE  SUNDAY 

November  8 has  been  officially 
designated  Peace  Sunday  in  the  con- 
gregations of  the  General  Confer- 
ence Mennonite  Church.  In  the 
words  of  Conference  President  Er- 
land  Waltner,  “During  our  Confer- 
ence Centennial  year  it  is  appropri- 
ate that  our  peace  and  service  wit- 
ness should  have  special  emphasis. 
In  this  time  when  fear  and  conflict 
tear  at  the  hearts  of  men  around  the 
world,  Mennonites  have  a torch  to 
hold  high.  Our  witness  to  Jesus 
Christ  as  Prince  of  Peace  must  al- 
ways be  given  in  the  context  of  the 
total  gospel  of  redemption  through 
the  blood  of  His  cross.” 

Program  possibilities  and  sug- 
gested activities  to  make  more 
meaningful  the  observance  of  Peace 
Sunday  in  every  congregation  can 
be  secured  from  the  Board  of  Chris- 
tian Service.  Literature  for  distribu- 
tion to  the  congregation,  books 
written  on  the  subject  of  peace, 
and  films  suitable  for  showing  at 
-■a  Peace  Sunday  program  can  be 
listed  upon  request.  Write  to  the 
Board  of  Christian  Service,  722 
Main,  Newton,  Kansas. 

STATEMENTS  NOW  AVAILABLE 

The  statements,  “The  Christian 
and  Race  Relations”  and  “The 
Christian  and  Nuclear  Power” 
adopted  by  the  General  Conference 
at  Bluffton,  Ohio,  in  August  are 
available  in  pamphlet  form  from  the 
Board  of  Christian  Service.  These 
may  be  had  without  cost  from  the 
board  office  at  722  Main,  Newton, 
Kansas. 

MISSIONARIES  REPORT 

Four  times  a year  each  of  the  al- 
most 250  General  Conference  Men- 
nonite missionaries  faces  the  inevi- 


table: that  quarterly  report  to  their 
board.  Sometimes  a missionary  ap- 
proaching this  task  feels  as  Susan 
Martens  in  Taiwan  describes  it: 

“Writing  reports  always  arouses 
a variety  of  feelings  within  me.  Why 
do  I write  them?  Is  it  because  my 
mission  board  likes  me  to?  I argue 
that  the  bit  of  information  that  I 
pass  on  in  my  reports  can  just  as 
well  be  secured  from  other  sources. 
But  that  is  not  the  end  of  my  argu- 
ment. I have  also  discovered  in  my 
short  time  here  that  my  co-workers, 
my  board,  as  well  as  many  of  my 
friends  at  home  are  actually  inter- 
ested in  what  I do,  and  they  want 
to  know  what  I’m  doing  so  they 
can  pray  more  intelligently.  With 
such  a view,  reports  take  a new 
meaning.” 

Susan  reports  that  she  has  com- 
pleted two  years  of  Chinese  lan- 
guage study,  which  she  feels  is  just 
a beginning  in  communicating  with 
the  people.  Paul  Boschman  reports 
as  follows  from  Japan: 

“Before  coming  back  to  the  sta- 
tion (Kobayashi),  we  expected 
things  to  be  different  than  they 
were  at  the  end  of  our  first  term. 
During  our  absence,  brother  Ya- 
mada  and  his  wife  have  become  the 
full-time  workers  in  the  Kobayashi 
church,  which  makes  aU  the  differ- 
ence in  the  world  as  far  as  the  role 
of  the  missionary  is  concerned.  . . . 
Before  going  on  furlough  I was 
virtually  gone  every  night  of  the 
week  for  some  kind  of  meeting, 
whereas  now  I have  only  one  or 
two  meetings  a week  which  are  at 
places  other  than  Kobayashi.  The 
pastor  is  in  charge  of  the  work 
here  in  the  city  and  whenever  he 
needs  me,  he  calls  on  me,  and  vice 
versa.  . . . Perhaps  I should  write 
an  article  on  the  subject,  ‘A  Mis- 
sionary Loses  His  Job.’  ” 

PYom  the  Peter  Vorans  in  Japan 
comes  the  report  that  work  is  be- 
coming more  difficult:  “The  people 
are  becoming  indifferent  to  the  gos- 
pel, or,  we  should  say,  to  anything 
religious  at  all.  False  cults  are 
really  on  the  rise,  but  these  are  all 
materialistically  based  religions 
which  promise  a material  benefit 
for  the  follower.” 

The  Bernard  Thiessens,  also  of 
Japan,  report  on  the  Bob  Pierce 
Crusade  in  Osaka:  “The  meetings 


were  held  in  Osaka’s  largest,  most 
modem,  beautiful  Festival  Hall 
which  seats  4,000.  All  seats  were  re- 
served every  night  during  the  three 
weeks  of  the  crusade.  The  five- 
hundred-voice  Japanese  choir,  the 
Kyoto  symphony  orchestra,  and  the 
American  musicians  were  attraction 
features. 

“Someone  has  recentiy  said  that 
since  the  Japanese  are  lovers  of  the 
arts  and  we  have  a difficult  time 
getting  them  to  come  to  plain  evan- 
gelistic meetings,  it  might  be  that 
we  could  use  the  arts  to  draw  them 
to  the  gospel.  We  feel  this  was 
tried  with  success  in  this  crusade 
....  About  ninety  thousand  people 
heard  the  gospel  at  least  once.  . . . 
Seven  thousand  people  made  known 
their  willingness  to  follow  Christ.” 

AID  TO  RUSSIA  POSSIBLE 

Parcels  of  clothing  and  medicines 
may  now  be  sent  to  specific  address- 
es in  the  Soviet  Union  through  a 
program  sponsored  by  the  Frank- 
furt, Germany,  office  of  Mennonite 
Central  Committee.  Every  kind  of 
clothing  and  yardage  may  be  sent, 
but  warm  quality  goods  for  the 
winter  are  the  most  useful. 

Parcels  must  be  sent  through  an 
agency  which  is  offically  licensed  by 
the  Russian  Intourist  Office  to  han- 
dle packages.  It  is  necessary  to  pre- 
pay duty  and  other  charges  (post- 
age, shipping  and  customs  papers, 
packaging  and  license  fee)  so  that 
the  parcel  is  delivered  to  the  re- 
cipient entirely  free.  Duty  is  as 
high  on  cheap  goods  as  on  better 
quality  materials. 

The  best  way  to  send  parcels  to 
relatives  or  others  in  Russia  is  to 
send  your  order  to  the  Frankfurt 
office,  enclosing  check  or  bank  draft 
in  the  amount  to  be  spent  for  the 
package  and  costs,  and  the  follow- 
ing information:  names,  ages,  and 
sex  of  each  member  of  the  family 
to  receive  the  parcel;  sizes  and 
measurements  if  possible;  list  of 
specific  items  to  be  included;  com- 
plete and  correct  address  of  the  re- 
cipient in  both  German  and  Russian. 
For  medicines,  the  order  should 
contain  the  exact  prescription  and 
quantity. 

The  MCC  office  address  is  Eys- 
seneckstrasse  54,  Frankfurt /Main, 
Germany. 


NONITE 


OCTOBER  20,  1959 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
MAN  LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIST 


BUILD  ON  CHRIST  IN  THE  CITY— Vincent  Harding 


in  this  issue 

COVER 

Photo  by  Willard  Claassen 


ARTICLES 

WHAT  THINK  YE  OF  CHRIST? 

By  Walter  D.  Frey  643 

BUILD  ON  CHRIST  IN  THE  CITY 

By  Vincent  Harding  644 

WHAT  ABOUT  CAPITAL  PUNISHMENT? 

By  J.  R.  Burkholder  646 

STOP!  LOOKI  LISTEN! 

By  Mrs.  Frances  Ens  648 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  642 

MENNONITE  MEN  647 

CHRISTIAN  CONCERNS  648 

MENNONITE  YOUTH 

Enter:  Taiwan  ,..649 

OUR  SCHOOLS  652 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  653 

•JOTTINGS  654 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  656 


of  things  to  come 

Oct.  24-28 — West.  Dist.  Conference 

Nov.  1 — Reformation  Sunday 

Nov.  8 — Peace  Sunday 

Nov.  26 — Thanksgiving  Day  (U.S.) 

Dec.  1-4 — Council  of  Boards 

Dec.  1 3 — Universal  Bible  Sunday 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor:  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 
J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Assistant:  Muriel 

Thiessen.  Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  41 


editorials 

GOALS  FOR  THE  1959-1962  TRIENNIUM 

1.  Every  member  a devoted  disciple  of  Jesus  Christ. 

2.  Every  member  giving-  the  Lord  His  proportionate  share  of 
his  income. 

3.  Every  congregation  conducting  a study  of  its  Christian 
stewardship. 

4.  Every  congregation  using  the  new  Living  Faith  Sunday 
school  materials. 

5.  Every  congregation  and  institution  adopting  the  statement  | 

on  “The  Christian  and  Race  Relations.”  I 

6.  As  a Conference,  taking  positive  steps  toward  a more  united  u 

witness  with  the  whole  Mennonite  brotherhood.  " 

7.  Every  member  a part  of  the  total  mission.  ^ 

The  seven  Conference  goals  above,  adopted  at  the  conference 

at  Bluffton,  must  not  simply  be  filed  away  with  the  minutes. 
They  are  to  be  taken  seriously  and  set  before  us  both  as  indi- 
viduals and  as  churches  that  they  may  really  serve  as  “goals”  j 
towards  which  we  seriously  strive.  j 

To  be  a truly  devoted  disciple  and  to  give  the  Lord  His  propor- 
tionate share  of  our  income  is  not  easy.  It  will  demand  constant 
searching  of  heart  and  prayer  for  guidance.  To  urge  our  congre- 
gations to  conduct  studies  in  Christian  stewardship;  to  use  our 
own  Sunday  school  materials ; and  to  seriously  live  out  the  state- 
ment on  “The  Christian  and  Race  Relations”  (as  found  in  the 
September  1 issue  of  THE  MENNONITE),  will  require  time 
and  effort  and  a deep  concern. 

When  it  comes  to  a more  united  witness  with  the  whole  Men- 
nonite brotherhood  some  “positive  steps”  will  certainly  be  need- 
ed; mere  wishing  it  were  so  will  not  do  it. 

If  every  member  were  to  feel  that  he  really  is  a part  of  the 
total  work  of  the  Conference  in  its  world-wide  mission,  the  cause 
of  Christ  would  be  strengthened. 

The  goals  have  been  set  and  adopted.  This  is  a mere  begin- 
ning. To  achieve  them  in  the  next  three  years  will  require  divine 
wisdom  and  guidance  and  hard  work  on  the  part  of  everyone. 

CHRISTIAN  CONCERNS  In  this  issue  under  the  title  of 
“Christian  Concerns”  is  the  second  in  a series  of  articles  to  ap- 
pear the  first  and  third  issue  of  each  month.  We  feel  it  is  a hope- 
ful sign  that  we  have  genuine  concerns  about  living  the  Christian 
faith  and  making  it  work  in  all  kinds  of  present  day  situations. 

Too  often  is  religion  thought  of  as  something  to  make  us 
happy  and  comfortable,  and  not  enough  attention  is  paid  to  the 
real  concerns  that  Christians  must  feel  wherever  there  is  wrong  i 
and  injustice  and  sin  and  need. 

Isolationism  is  past.  We  live  so  closely  knit  in  our  world  that 
all  are  tied  together  in  the  bundle  of  life.  If  the  Christian  is  not 
concerned  in  making  all  phases  of  life  Christian  and  according  to 
the  will  of  God  he  is  not  fulfilling  his  duty  as  a witness.  May  we 
ponder  with  care  these  presentations  with  a real  desire  to  gain 
guidance  in  the  difficult  present-day  issues. 


642 


THE  MENNONITE 


What  Think  Ye 
Of  Christ? 

Walter  D.  Frey 


CHRISTIANITY,  apart  from  all 
other  religions,  is  not  based  up- 
! on  a system,  a theory,  or  upon 
[tradition.  It  is  founded  upon  a per- 
' son,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  As  W. 
H.  Griffith  Thomas  has  stated, 

’ “Christianity  is  Christ.” 

By  Him  we  were  created  (John 
1:3).  By  him  all  things  consist  and 
continue  in  their  proper  order  (Col. 
1:17).  By  Him  salvation  is  provided 
for  all  men  (Acts  4:12).  By  him 
we  have  peace  of  heart  and  mind 
in  the  midst  of  a restless  and  tu- 
multuous world  (John  14:27).  By 
Him  we  have  a blessed  hope  for  the 
future  (Titus  2.T3).  As  the  writer 
in  Hebrews  12:2  states,  “Looking 
unto  Jesus  the  author  and  finisher 
(or  perfecter)  of  our  faith.” 

Your  answer  to  the  question, 
“What  think  ye  of  Christ?”  will  re- 
veal what  you  believe  about  Jesus 
Christ  and  the  things  for  which  He 
stands. 

Jesus  asked  the  disciples  (Matt. 
16:13),  “Whom  do  men  say  that  I 
the  son  of  man  am?”  They  an- 
swered him,  “Some  say  thou  art 
John  the  Baptist,  some  Elias,  and 
others  Jeremiah  or  one  of  the 
prophets.”  Then  it  was  that  Jesus 
brought  that  all  important  question 
to  the  disciples,  “But  whom  say  ye 
that  I am?”  Peter  answered,  “Thou 


Walter  Fry  is  pastor  of  the  Smith  Corner 
Church,  East  Freedom,  Pa. 


art  the  Christ,  the  Son  of  the  living 
God.” 

This  same  question  today  would 
bring  forth  perhaps  a more  varied 
array  of  answers  than  these  which 
have  been  recorded.  Is  this  so  be- 
cause the  Scriptures  are  not  clear 
in  their  teaching  regarding  the  per- 
son and  work  of  Christ?  Or  is  it 
because  men  are  trying  to  picture 
Christ  as  they  would  like  to  see 
and  know  Him?  It  is  always  easy 
to  make  oneself  believe  the  thing 
one  wants  to  believe,  but  also  easy 
to  set  aside  or  discard  that  which 
one  does  not  want  to  believe.  In 
the  face  of  overwhelming  evidence, 
Israel  rejected  the  very  Messiah  for 
which  she  was  waiting.  Why?  Be- 
cause she  did  not  want  to  believe 
that  He  would  come  as  a lowly  Naz- 
arene.  Somehow  He  just  didn’t  fit 
into  their  plans,  ideas,  and  expecta- 
tions. Among  many  people  today 
this  same  line  of  thought  is  preva- 
lent. 

Recently  in  conversation  with  a 
person  the  question  was  raised, 
“What  do  you  believe  about  Jesus 
Christ?”  Came  the  answer  “He  was 
the  greatest  man  that  ever  lived. 
There  never  was  a greater  teacher. 
He  certainly  had  some  supernatural 
power  to  be  able  to  do  some  of  the 
things  He  did.  He  certainly  is  the 
greatest  example  that  any  man  can 
pattern  his  life  after.” 

Undoubtedly  these  things  are  true 
regarding  Jesus  Christ  but  there 


was  a firm  denial  of  the  deity  of 
Jesus  Christ. 

Today  there  is  the  tendency  to 
belittle  the  matter  of  sin  as  it  af- 
fects man.  The  expressions  “we’re 
only  human,”  “everybody  does  it,” 
“it  is  expected  of  us,”  are  all  too 
prevalent. 

As  our  picture  of  the  awfulness 
of  sin  fades,  the  need  for  a divine 
Savior  also  diminishes.  Thus  we 
try  to  formulate  that  which  we  want 
losing  sight  of  that  which  we  need. 

Isaiah  53:6  says,  “All  we  like 
sheep  have  gone  astray:  we  have 
turned  every  one  to  his  own  way: 
and  the  Lord  hath  laid  on  him  the 
iniquity  of  us  all.”  Romans  3:23 
reminds  us,  “For  all  have  sinned 
and  come  short  of  the  glory  of 
God.”  Then  in  Romans  6:23,  “For 
the  wages  of  sin  is  death.”  This  is 
a dark  picture  yet  it  is  the  true  pic- 
ture of  the  natural  man  in  sin. 

Jesus  says  in  Luke  19:10,  “For 
the  Son  of  man  is  come  to  seek  and 
to  save  that  which  was  lost.”  In 
John  10:10  He  states,  “I  am  come 
that  they  might  have  life,  and  that 
they  might  have  it  more  abundant- 
ly.” “I  lay  down  my  life  for  the 
sheep”  (John  10:18).  Peter  sums  it 
up  in  these  words  in  1 Peter  1:24: 
“Who  his  own  self  bare  our  sins  in 
his  own  body  on  the  tree,  that  we, 
being  dead  to  sins,  should  live  unto 
righteousness:  by  whose  stripes  ye 
were  healed.” 

Following  the  provision  to  take 
care  of  our  sin,  comes  the  wonder- 
ful invitation  in  Matt.  11:28:  “Come 
unto  me,  aU  ye  that  labour  and  are 
heavy  laden,  and  I will  give  you 
rest.”  “But  as  many  as  received 
him,  to  them  gave  he  power  to  be- 
come the  sons  of  God,  even  to  them 
that  believe  on  his  name”  (John 
1:12).  Paul  boldly  proclaims  in  his 
message  at  Antioch  (Acts  13:38-39), 
“Be  it  known  unto  you  therefore, 
men  and  brethren,  that  through  this 
man  is  preached  unto  you  the  for- 
giveness of  sins:  and  by  him  all  that 
believe  are  justified  from  all  things, 
from  which  ye  could  not  be  justi- 
fied by  the  law  of  Moses.”  John  in 
the  most  simple  larnguage,  using 
only  one-syllable  words,  tells  us  in 
1 John  5:12,  “He  that  hath  the  Son 
hath  life;  and  he  that  hath  not  the 
Son  of  God  hath  not  life.” 

Man  may  try  to  formulate  and 
fit  the  Christ  into  his  own  thinking, 
God  has  given  us  his  word.  To  you 
comes  personally  the  word  of  Christ 
himself,  “What  think  ye  of  Christ?” 


October  20,  1 959 


643 


Build  on  Christ  in  the  City 

Vincent  Harding 


The  persecution  of  the  early  An- 
abaptist-Mennonites  was  similar 
to  that  of  the  early  church,  when 
the  sword  and  whip  of  the  persecu- 
tor also  spread  the  faith  abroad. 
Christians  have  often  witnessed  as 
they  ran,  and  have  composed  hymns 
in  the  midst  of  flames. 

In  the  last  hundred  years,  the 
years  we  now  celebrate,  we  have 
faced  no  persecutions  in  this  coun- 
try. Indeed,  we  have  been  rather 
well  off,  perhaps  too  well  off.  There 
have  been  no  persecutions,  and  there 
has  been  no  significant  spreading 
of  our  faith. 

Now  the  days  of  ease  are  ended. 
The  storms  of  persecution  have 
again  begun  to  gather  around  us; 
and  they  are  sharply  directed  at 
young  people  with  a frightening 
fury.  Our  time  of  trial  has  not  come 
with  whips  or  Are  or  murky  lakes 
or  chopping  blocks.  It  has  assumed 
another  form.  It  comes  upon  us 
in  the  great,  grim  farm  mechaniza- 
tion that  spreads  over  the  hills  and 
plains  and  broad  savannahs  like  a 
wild  and  hungry  Are,  leaving  us  with 
no  hope  of  making  a living  from 
the  land.  It  faces  us  in  the  sprawl- 
ing urban  centers  which  chop  into 
our  rural  areas  with  amazing  speed 
and  ruthless  efficiency. 

Our  persecution,  then,  is  fast  up- 
on us.  These  are  the  inexorable 
forces  which  drive  us  from  the  land 


Vincent  Harding  is  associate  pastor  of  the 
Woodlawn  Church  in  Chicago.  This  address 
was  given  on  youth  night  at  the  confer- 
ence in  Biuffton. 


into  the  waiting  cities.  These  are 
the  weapons  which  break  down  our 
closed  communities  after  so  many 
years  of  too  easy  isolation. 

During  the  last  hundred  years 
our  fathers  and  grandfathers 
would  not  go  voluntarily  to 
the  cities.  There  were  many  rea- 
sons. Sometimes  they  loved  the 
land  too  much — perhaps  more  than 
they  loved  their  fellow  man. 

Now  we  are  being  driven.  First 
by  the  scores,  now  by  the  hundreds, 
soon  by  the  thousands.  Often  we 
go  by  way  of  the  college  door.  Some- 
times the  path  of  1-W  service  is 
most  direct.  Always  it  is  employ- 
ment which  beckons.  And  before 
another  ten  years  have  passed,  eight 
out  of  every  nine  Young  People’s 
Union  delegates  and  guests  now 
gathered  here  will  probably  be  liv- 
ing and/or  working  in  one  of  the 
cities  or  suburbs  of  our  land.  We 
are  being  driven. 

So  the  cry  goes  up:  “We  must 
build  in  the  city!”  “We  must  build 
on  Christ  in  the  city!”  How  shall 
we  build  when  we  have  so  long  been 
blind  and  deaf  to  the  needs  of  the 
city? 

Four  of  every  five  Americans  live 
in  cities  or  suburbs.  Three  of  every 
four  of  our  Mennonite  churches  are 
in  the  country.  Is  it  too  late?  Per- 
haps. 

If  we  stay  in  the  country,  dream- 
ing of  Asia  and  Africa  as  great  mis- 
sion fields  (and  they  are),  yet  at 
the  same  time  stubbornly,  blindly, 
fearfully  refusing  to  catch  the  vi- 


sion of  the  city’s  needs,  it  will  be 
too  late,  and  we  wiU  surely  perish. 

Our  choice  is  largely  to  build  or 
perish,  for  the  American  path  now 
seems  clear.  This  country,  if  it 
lasts,  will  be  an  urbanized  industrial 
nation  for  the  forseeable  future.  It 
has  been  predicted  that  by  1980 
there  will  be  only  four  milion  farms 
left  with  a force  of  five  million 
workers — one  and  one  quarter  per- 
sons per  farm.  Either  we  start 
building  on  Christ  more  deeply  and 
more  extensively  and  more  intelli- 
gently in  the  city  or  we  are  destined 
to  decay  and  die. 

I tell  you  this  because  you  are  the 
human  agents  who  stand  between 
life  and  death  for  this  General  Con- 
ference Church.  Whatever  happens, 
you  will  go  to  the  cities.  That  is  now 
certain,  whether  we  like  it  or  not. 
But  if  you  do  not  go  to  the  city  to 
build  the  Mennonite  Church  on 
Christ’s  foundation,  then  our  church 
will  probably  never  observe  its 
200th  anniversary  — perhaps  not 
even  its  150th. 

Here  may  be  the  real  reason  why 
you  are  being  driven  to  the  cities. 
America  has  become  an  urban  na- 
tion. Our  church  needs  to  build 
where  the  people  are.  And  you  have 
been  chosen  for  the  job. 

But  let  those  who  aspire  to  the 
vocation  of  builder  first  consid- 
er some  things.  In  most  cities, 
land  is  so  scarce  that  before  a new 
building  can  go  up,  old  ones  must 
come  down.  The  process  of  tear- 
ing down  is  almost  always  joined 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church 
Entered  at  North  Newton,  Kansas,  post  office  as  second  class  matter.  Acceptance  for  mailing  at  special  rate  of  postage;  section  1103,  Act 
of  Oct.  3,  1917.  Authorized  Jan.  22,  1910.  Subscriptions  $2.50;  foreign  $3.00.  Mail  subscriptions  and  payments  to  Mennonite  Publication 
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644 


THE  MENNONITE 


to  the  work  of  construction  in  the 
city. 

So,  too,  with  us  as  builders.  There 
are  things  we  must  tear  down  be- 
fore we  can  build.  And  if  we  begin 
to  look  in  honesty  upon  ourselves 
we  shall  find  them.  How  can  we 
fail  to  see,  for  instance,  the  great 
wall  of  fear  that  has  so  long  been 
built  up?  Such  fear  has  often  been 
passed  from  an  older  generation  to 
a younger  one.  This  wall  must 
come  down. 

We  fear  the  sinfulness  of  the  city. 
Were  not  Christians  meant  to  exist 
in  the  midst  of  sin,  so  that  they 
might  call  sinners? 

We  fear  the  city  because  it  seems 
so  lonely  and  desperate.  Often  it 
is,  and  that  is  just  why  we  need 
to  be  there.  For  in  the  city  there 
are  many  lonely  and  desperate  men 
and  women  who  need  to  know  the 
fellowship  of  reconciliation. 

We  fear  the  city  because  it  is  far 
from  home.  Yes,  it  is,  and  mil- 
lions live  there  far  from  any  physi- 
cal or  spiritual  home.  Who  will  go 
to  them,  bringing  them  into  a new 
family,  if  not  we? 

Then  let  the  wall  of  fear  come 
down.  And  with  it  must  tumble 
the  structures  of  our  old,  unworthy 
motivations  for  going  to  the  city. 
Surely  we  have  too  long  gone  in 
search  of  “our  own  people,”  forget- 
ting that  the  gospel  was  meant  for 
all  people.  We  have  been  moved  by 
sincere  concern  for  the  lost  Menno- 
nite  sheep,  neglecting  the  dying 
fiocks  of  Christ’s  other  sheep  who 
often  wandered  blindly  in  the  very 
shadows  of  our  churches. 

What  of  our  cultural  pride  and 
our  all-too- American  prejudices? 
Must  not  these  barriers  also  be  cast 
down  if  we  would  take  seriously 
our  task  to  go  to  .all  men?  In  the 
city  the  face  of  need  wears  many 
colors,  and  starvation  for  the  bread 
of  life  is  not  limited  to  any  class 
lines.  He  who  would  serve  must 
be  servant  to  aU. 

When  in-  honesty  we  tear  down 
the  harmful  or  useless  structures 
which  stand  in  the  way  of  our  build- 
ing, not  least  among  them  must  be 
our  old,  outmoded  concept  of  “city 
missions.”  No  longer  must  we  sep- 
arate the  church  from  its  mission; 
for  every  city  church  must  be  and 
have  a mission.  This  means,  then, 
that  a nucleus  of  workers  is  always 
needed,  and  we  must  be  done  with 
the  time  when  a man  and  his  wife 


were  sent  in  to  a store  front  with 
the  direction:  “Build.” 

Who  dares  to  be  blind  to  the  idol 
of  selfishness  which  so  often  holds 
our  young  lives  in  a grip  of  death, 
forbidding  us  to  reach  out  beyond 
the  confines  of  our  own  needs  and 
wants  ? 

This  selfishness  causes  us  to 
choose  our  vocations  in  terms  of 
prestige  or  income,  rather  than  in 
terms  of  the  needs  we  can  fiU. 

This  selfishness  allows  us  to 
choose  our  place  of  residence  on  the 
basis  of  its  respectability  rather 
than  on  the  basis  of  opportunity  it 
provides  us  to  be  witnesses  to  our 
faith. 

This  selfishness  lets  us  select  our 
alternative  service  in  the  places 
closest  to  home  or  with  the  highest 
pay  rather  than  allowing  us  to  look 
for  need  and  for  challenging  oppor- 
tunities to  serve  others. 

This  selfishness  makes  us  look  on 
the  church  that  we  attend  in  the 
city  as  simply  a comfortable  place 
of  fellowship  and  refuge  rather  than 
as  a base  of  operations  in  the  con- 
stant missionary  task  of  the  Chris- 
tian faith.  This  is  the  selfishness  we 
mean.  Is  this  not  the  dearest  idol  we 
have  known?  Then  let  it  be  torn 
from  the  throne  of  God. 

When  the  walls  and  idols  and  use- 
less structures  begin  to  fall  down  all 
around  us,  bruising  our  spirits,  tear- 
ing a part  out  of  us — at  such  times 
of  falling  we  seem  left  with  noth- 
ing at  all.  Nothing?  Rather  we 
are  left  with  nothing  but  the  true 
foundation  which  so  long  had  been 
covered  up. 

What  is  that  foundation?  Who 
is  that  foundation?  Does  this  mean 
that  w^  must  put  up  a sign  outside 
of  our  churches  in  the  city  announc- 
ing the  fact  that  our  Foundation  is 
Jesus  Christ?  Maybe  so.  Maybe 
not.  Does  it  mean  that  we  are  sure 
to  sing  “The  Church’s  One  Foun- 
dation Is  Jesus  Christ  Her  Lord” 
every  week  during  worship?  May- 
be so.  Maybe  not.  Does  it  mean 
that  we  print  in  our  church  bulle- 
tin each  week:  “This  church  is  built 
on  the  foundation  of  Jesus  Christ”? 
Maybe  so.  Maybe  not. 

Could  it  be  that  to  build  on  Christ 
means  to  build  our  worshipping  fel- 
lowships and  our  serving  communi- 
ties on  His  love  and  His  welcome? 
A love  and  welcome  which  tenderly 
embrace  all  men,  even  the  unlovely, 
even  those  with  the  wrong  kind  of 


names,  even  those  with  the  wrong 
kind  of  color — is  this  it? 

Could  it  be  that  to  build  on  Christ 
is  to  build  strongly  with  His  burning 
compassion  as  a motivating  power? 
Let  us  beware,  though,  for  building 
with  this  compassion  may  drive  us, 
like  Him,  completely  into  the  midst 
of  need  and  sufiering,  and  it  may 
give  us  no  rest.  Such  compassion 
might  make  us  fearfully  uneasy 
about  living  in  a community  that 
is  clearly  closed  to  our  brothers  of 
other  colors.  Such  compassion  might 
make  us  think  twice  about  sending 
our  children  to  schools  where  other 
children  cannot  go  simply  because 
they  were  born  with  the  wrong 
complexion.  Such  compassion  might 
wrench  our  hearts  and  make  it  im- 
possible for  us  easily  to  pass  by  men 
and  women  and  young  people  who 
seem  surely  headed  toward  the 
chasm  of  self-destruction.  Could 
this  be  building  on  Christ? 

And  is  it  possible  that  the  com- 
plete surrender  to  the  wiU  of  God 
that  we  saw  in  Christ  is  also  part 
of  the  foundation  we  seek?  This 
is  the  surrender  that  calls  us  to 
deny  ourselves  in  the  seeirch  for  the 
good  of  others,  the  surrender  that 
casts  us  abjectly  upon  God  in  utter 
dependence. 

This — all  this  is  our  Foundation! 
Not  words  on  signs,  but  lives  lived 
out  in  the  struggles  of  each  day, 
lives  bound  up  in  the  risen  Christ. 

When  this  foundation  is  beneath 
us  and  above  us  and  within  us  and 
around  us,  then  we  shall  find  much 
building  to  do,  wherever  we  go.  As 
we  walk  the  streets  of  the  city  we 
shall  find  countless  numbers  of  men 
and  women  and  children  who  know 
no  true,  vital  relation  to  the  living 
God.  We  shall  be  able  to  help  them 
build  this. 

We  shall  find  in  the  cities  lives 
which  have  been  broken  and  crush- 
ed through  the  living  of  many  bur- 
dened, desperate  days.  Builders  are 
needed  to  help  such  persons  find 
newness  and  inner  health  again. 

We  shall  find  families  shattered 
and  divided  by  some  of  the  pres- 
sures which  build  up  without  paral- 
lel in  cities.  Here  builders  may 
bring  a wholeness  and  a joyful 
sense  of  the  sacred  into  the  midst 
of  experiences  which  have  too  long 
known  only  the  profane. 

On  the  crowded  streets  we  shall 
see  young  people  acting  out  twist- 
continued  on  page  655 


October  20,  1 959 


645 


What  about 

Capital 

Punishment? 


J.  R.  Burkholder 

SPOTLIGHT  of  public  opinion 
has  focused  on  the  issue  of  cap- 
ital punishment  in  recent  months. 
Last  fall,  television’s  “Omnibus” 
program  set  a high  standard  for 
mass  media  responsibility  with  at- 
torney Joseph  Welch  as  guide.  / 
Want  to  Live  and  Compulsion,  books 
based  on  actual  happenings,  have 
been  made  into  films  which  have 
attracted  a great  deal  of  attention. 

/ Want  to  Live  is  the  story  of  Bar- 
bara Graham,  a girl  of  disreputable 
background  who  was  tried  and  exe- 
cuted for  murder  in  1955.  The  case 
for  Mrs.  Graham’s  innocence  was 
cogently  developed  through  the 
work  of  star  reporter,  Ed  Montgom- 
ery, but  appeals  were  denied.  Al- 
though the  evidence  for  innocence 
may  be  disreputed,  it  seems  obvious 
that  Mrs.  Graham  was  convicted  be- 
cause of  her  reputation  rather  than 
substantial  proof  of  her  guilt. 

The  sensational  Loeb-Leopold 
murder  of  a generation  ago  pro- 
vides the  framework  for  the  fiction- 
al Compulsion.  A dramatic  high 
point  is  the  plea  by  the  defense 
lawyer  to  spare  the  lives  of  these 
young  men  who  killed  for  a thrill. 
His  humanitarian  concern  has  been 
vindicated  by  the  action  of  Nathan 
Leopold,  paroled  from  a life  sen- 
tence and  now  serving  his  fellow 
men  through  a Brethren  service 
project  in  Puerto  Rico. 

The  fallibility  of  human  attempts 
at  justice  was  highlighted  by  the 
release  of  James  Foster  from  the 
Georgia  death  row  last  year.  In 


1956  Mrs.  Charles  Drake  had  posi- 
tively identified  Foster  as  the  slayer 
of  her  husband.  There  seemed  to  be 
no  doubt  in  the  minds  of  the  jury 
who  sentenced  Foster  to  death,  but 
appeals  delayed  the  execution  for 
over  two  years.  Then,  in  July  1958, 
Charles  Rothchild  confessed  in  de- 
tail to  the  murder. 

Why  Capital  Punishment? 

The  defenders  of  the  death  pen- 
alty usually  advance  two  reasons: 
1)  the  threat  of  capital  punishment 
is  a deterrent  to  murder;  2)  justice 
demands  a life  for  a life.  We  may 
best  answer  these  arguments  by  ask- 
ing two  questions. 

Why  Do  People  Murder? 

Studies  show  that  murder  is  usual- 
ly a crime  of  amateurs  and  not  pro- 
fessional criminals.  It  is  an  act  of 
passion,  unpremeditated.^  Murder, 
like  other  crimes  of  violence,  is 
committed  in  a blind  rage  or  under 
great  stress.  The  death  penalty 
means  nothing  to  a person  in  such 
a situation.  Thieves  who  are  sur- 
prised by  the  police  will  often  shoot 
it  out  rather  than  face  capture.  Are 
they  weighing  the  five  years  for 
robbery  over  against  the  death 
sentence? 

Statistics  show  no  significant  dif- 
ference in  the  homicide  rate  be- 
tween abolition  and  death  penalty 
states.2  “I  have  yet  to  see  any  evi- 
dence which  indicates  that  the 
death  penalty  is  effective  as  a deter- 
rent to  major  crimes.  As  a matter  of 
fact,  the  murderer  more  often  than 
not  is  one  of  the  best  prospects  for 
parole.  In  most  instances  the  crime 
for  which  he  was  sentenced  was 
his  first  serious  offense — a single 
violent  act  committed  under  ex- 
treme provocation  which  will  likely 
never  be  repeated.’’^ 

Who  Are  Executed? 

Former  Warden  Lawes  of  Sing 
Sing  writes:  “In  the  twelve  years 
of  my  wardenship,  I have  escorted 
150  men  and  one  woman  to  the 
death  chamber  and  the  electric 
chair.  In  ages  they  ranged  from 
seventeen  to  sixty-three.  They  came 
from  all  kinds  of  homes  and  envi- 
ronments. In  one  respect  they  were 
all  alike.  All  were  poor,  and  most 
of  them  friendless.”^ 

The  death  penalty  is  predomi- 
nantly imposed  upon  Negroes,  the 
poor  and  less  educated,  and  upon 
men.  Over  a 23-year  period  in  a 
Southern  area,  seventy-eight  Ne- 


groes were  executed  for  rape,  whik 
not  a single  white  man  was  execut 
ed  for  this  crime,  although  man>| 
were  convicted. 

Lengthy  and  costly  trials  and  re- 
peated appeals  take  place  in  states 
retaining  the  death  penalty.  With 
the  high  stakes  set  up  by  capital 
punishment  laws,  men  use  every  re- 
source to  avoid  conviction.  The  less 
fortunate  must  trust  their  fate  to  a 
court-appointed  attorney.  Is  this 
justice? 

What  Do  Christians  Say? 

Many  Christians  feel  that  the 
spirit  of  Christ  and  the  New  Testa- 
ment forbids  capital  punishment. 
They  stress  the  ever-present  possi- 
bility of  repentance  which  is  cut 
off  by  the  death  penalty.  Human  life 
is  sacred  and  only  He  who  gave  it 
has  the  right  to  take  it.  “Vengeance 
is  mine  . . . saith  the  Lord.” 

Other  churchmen  defend  capital 
punishment  on  the  Old  Testament 
principle  of  “an  eye  for  an  eye.”  In 
a recent  series  of  debates  on  this 
issue,  sponsored  by  the  Episcopal 
churches  of  Philadelphia,  the  de- 
fenders of  the  death  penalty  in- 
cluded several  clergymen,  while  rep- 
resentatives of  the  courts  and  the 
legal  profession  led  the  forces  for 
abolition.  Are  the  children  of  this 
world  wiser  than  the  children  of 
light? 

Society  has  come  a long  way  since 
1801  when  a thirteen-year-old  boy 
was  hung  for  stealing  a spoon  in 
England,  in  order  to  “make  an  ex- 
ample of  him.”  But  so-called  Chris- 
tian people  still  call  for  vengeance 
on  much  the  same  basis,  as  though 
they  had  never  heard  of  the  gospel 
of  forgiveness. 

A Better  Way 

Significant  efforts  at  redemptive, 
rather  than  retributive,  justice  are 
taking  place  in  our  society.^  Chris- 
tians ought  to  be  in  the  front  of 
movements  that  seek  to  rehabilitate 
the  murderer  and  prepare  him  for 
a useful  life.  Violence — even  the  con- 
trolled violence  of  the  penal  death 
chamber — can  only  breed  more  vio- 
lence. Christian  love  shows  us  a 
better  way. 


lArthur  Koesthler,  Reflections  on  Hanging, 
p.  145. 

2Teevor  Thomas,  This  Life  We  Take,  p.  10. 

sGovernor  Kohler  of  Wisconsin  in  a letter 
to  The  Nation,  April  28,  1956. 

4Lewis  Lawes,  20,000  Years  in  Sing  Sing, 
p.  336. 

sThomas,  This  Life  We  Take,  p.  22. 


646 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  men 

1959  Resolutions 


These  resolutions  were  adopted  at 
the  Mennonite  Men’s  meeting  at 
Bluffton.  The  resolutions  commit- 
tee consisted  of  Clinton  Kaufman, 
Wichita,  Kan.;  John  Fretz,  Telford, 
Pa.;  J.  H.  Ensz,  Reedley,  Calif.; 
Frank  Epp,  Altona,  Man.;  and  Wal- 
ter Yoder,  Bloomington,  111. 

1.  Whereas  we  have  again  expe- 
rienced the  blessings  of  a deep 
Christian  fellowship  during  this  con- 
ference, be  it  resolved  that  we  thank 
Almighty  God  for  the  privilege  of 
meeting  together  and  that  we  ex- 
press this  thanks  by  sharing  with 
others  at  home  what  we  have  ex- 
perienced here. 

2.  Be  it  resolved  that  we  express 
our  sincere  appreciation  to  our  hosts 
for  the  conference  at  Bluffton,  and 
especially  to  their  representatives 
on  the  program  committee  for  their 
warm  hospitality  throughout  this 
conference. 

3.  Resolved  that  Mennonite  Men 
encourage  its  executive  committee 
to  consult  with  the  Mission  Board 
regarding  a possible  program  of 
Bible  distribution  such  as  “A  Thou- 
sand Bibles  by  a Thousand  Lay- 
men” and  to  promote  such  a pro- 
gram with  Mennonite  Men  in  the 
next  triennium. 

4.  Whereas,  the  late  Dr.  Jacob  S. 
Schultz  was  in  a large  way  respon- 
sible for  the  successful  organization 
of  Mennonite  Men  and  work  in  oth- 
er lay  activities  of  our  Conference 
and  by  his  untiring  efforts  made  a 
great  contribution  to  this  Confer- 
ence and  its  membership, 

Therefore  be  it  resolved  that  for 
his  untiring  devotion  and  positive 
leadership,  we  this  day  rise  in  honor 
of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Schultz  for  a mo- 
ment of  silent  meditation  and 
thanks  to  God  for  this  good  man’s 
contribution  to  our  cause  while  he 
was  with  us. 

5.  Be  it  resolved  that  Mennonite 


Men  lead  their  congregations  in  pro- 
viding adequate  salaries  and  pen- 
sions for  their  ministers. 

6.  Whereas  there  is  a grave  con- 
cern for  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the 
rather  large  number  of  Mennonite 
brethren  residing,  working,  or 
studying  in  areas  and  cities  away 
from  their  home  communities  and 
churches  and  where  there  are  no 
centers  of  Mennonite  worship,  be 
it  resolved  that  in  consultation  and 
with  the  approval  of  the  Board  of 
Missions,  we  encourage  the  study 
of  possibilities  and  formation  of 
Mennonite  fellowships  in  these 
areas  whenever  possible. 

7.  Resolved  that  laymen  show 
their  Christian  love  and  concern  for 
the  brethren  and  co-operation  with 
their  pastor  by: 

Encouraging  new  members  to  en- 
ter into  the  services  of  worship  and 
the  program  of  the  congregation 
and  its  auxiliaries,  and  thus  aid  in 
the  development  of  a deeper  spirit- 
ual life. 

Upon  learning  of  a member  mov- 
ing from  the  community  either  tem- 
porarily or  permanently,  promptly 
notifying  a layman  or  pastor  in  the 
new  community,  in  order  that  an 
invitation  of  worship  with  a con- 
gregation in  the  new  community 
may  be  extended. 

We  recommend  that  the  Execu- 
tive Committee  of  Mennonite  Men 
study  ways  to  promote  this  effort 
among  Mennonite  Men  during  the 
next  triennium. 

8.  Be  it  resolved  that  we  encour- 
age individual  Mennonite  Men  and 
Mennonite  Men’s  organizations  to 
assume  greater  responsibility  for 
all  the  areas  of  the  church’s  work 
such  as  Mennonite  Disaster  Serv- 
ice, lay  evangelism,  stewardship, 
financial  responsibility,  pensions, 
church  extension,  relief,  peace  wit- 
ness, Mutual  Aid,  Christian  educa- 


tion, and  positive  community  proj- 
ects, and  thus  become  greater  wit- 
nesses by  contributions  of  service 
as  well  as  financial  support. 

9.  That  we  instruct  the  executive 
committee  to  try  to  arrange  for  a 
Laymen’s  Chorus  to  sing  at  our 
next  Mennonite  Men’s  meetings  at 
the  next  triennial  conference. 

10.  Inasmuch  as  there  is  an  acute 
shortage  of  pastors  and  Christian 
workers  of  all  types  in  our  Con- 
ference and  its  programs,  be  it  re- 
solved that  we  urge  laymen  to  give 
serious  consideration  to  urging 
qualified  young  people  to  consider 
making  commitment  to  full-time 
Christian  service  and  that  such  de- 
cisions be  supported  by  the  brother- 
hood. Be  it  further  resolved  that 
laymen  prepare  themselves  to  meet 
the  existing  need  for  work  as  lay 
preachers  in  our  congregations. 

The  budget  adopted  by  Mennonite 
Men  for  the  next  triennium  is  as 
follows: 

General  expenses  $2,000.00 

Promotion  of  Boys  League-  1,500.00 
Paraguay  Roadway 10,500.00 


TOTAL  $14,000.00 

'This  budget  is  somewhat  lower 
than  the  $23,000.00  budget  proposed 
at  the  conference  at  Winnipeg  for 
the  past  triennium  in  which  only 
$9,525.83  was  raised.  It  would  seem 
that  a proposal  of  $5,000.00  per  year 
would  not  be  burdensome  for  all  the 
brotherhoods  of  the  General  Con- 
ference. 

Perhaps  it  would  be  well  if  each 
local  brotherhood  would  discuss 
these  resolutions  and  proposed 
budget  at  one  of  their  meetings. 
These  resolutions  can  only  be  ac- 
complished if  they  eire  interpreted 
and  adopted  by  the  local  church 
groups. 


Editor:  Richard  F.  Graber,  Moundridge,  Kan. 


October  20,  1959 


647 


First  prize  winner  in  the  tract  writing  contest 

Stop  Look  Listen 

Mrs.  Frances  Ens 


Will  you  give  your  undivided  at- 
tention to  this  leaflet?  It  can  mean 
a turning-point  in  your  life! 

STOP  your  mad  dash  for  happi- 
ness by  means  of  the  baubles  and 
bubbles  of  this  world.  Long  ago 
King  Solomon  tried  all  the  pleasures 
life  had  to  offer,  and  at  last  he  had 
to  confess:  “Behold,  all  was  vanity 
and  vexation  of  spirit”  (Eccl.  2:11). 

STOP  your  restless  craving  for 
bigger  houses,  better  wages,  and 
flashier  cars.  A “greater  than  Sol- 
omon,” even  Jesus  Christ,  said,  “Lay 
not  up  for  yourselves  treasures  up- 
on earth,  where  moth  and  rust  doth 
corrupt,  and  where  thieves  break 
through  and  steal;  but  lay  up  for 
yourselves  treasures  in  heaven  . . .” 
(Matt.  6:19,20). 

STOP  your  vain  search  for  a 
smoke  to  truly  satisfy  and  a drink 
to  really  quench  thirst.  Instead,  cen- 


Mrs.  Ens  is  from  the  Mayfair  Church  in 
Saskatoon,  Sask. 


ter  your  affections  in  a Person, 
Christ.  “For  he  satisfleth  the  long- 
ing soul,  and  filleth  the  hungry  soul 
with  goodness.”  Jesus  said,  “He 
that  cometh  to  me  shall  never  hun- 
ger, and  he  that  believeth  on  me 
shall  never  thirst”  (John  6:35). 

LOOK  at  the  fact  of  universal  sin. 
God’s  Word  says,  “There  is  none 
righteous,  no,  not  one.  There  is 
none  that  understandeth,  there  is 
none  that  seeketh  after  God.  They 
are  all  gone  out  of  the  way,  they 
are  together  become  unprofitable; 
there  is  none  that  doeth  good,  no 
not  one”  (Rom.  3:10-12). 

LOOK  at  the  wages  of  sin.  “For 
the  wages  of  sin  is  death”  (Rom. 
6:23).  “Be  not  deceived;  God  is  not 
mocked;  for  whatsoever  a man  sow- 
eth,  that  shall  he  also  reap”  (Gal. 
6:7).  “The  soul  that  sinneth,  it  shall 
die”  (Ezek.  18:20). 

LOOK  at  the  only  remedy  for  sin. 
“Behold  the  Lamb  of  God,  which 
taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world” 


focus  on  social  concerns — second  in  the  biweekly  series 

information  to  action 

Frank  Epp 


CHRISTIAN  concerns  begin  with 
information,  issue  forth  in  com- 
passion, and  must  be  resolved 
in  some  form  of  action. 

The  information  comes  to  us  as 
we  look  and  listen  to  (sometimes 
also  smell)  the  environment  around 
us.  The  amount  of  information  will 
depend  on  the  intensity  with  which 
we  hear  or  observe  and  the  radius 
of  the  circle  in  which  we  move. 

The  compassion  of  the  Christian 
heart  is  the  fruit  of  the  Spirit  and 
is  nurtured  by  the  knowledge  which 
we  have  of  people  and  their  condi- 
tions around  us. 

The  action,  which  must  follow  if 
compassion  is  not  to  be  shortcircuit- 
ed,  takes  on  many  forms.  Some- 
times it  is  a word  of  witness,  some- 


times a deed  of  kindness,  sometimes 
both. 

The  Good  Samaritan  (Luke  10) 
saw  the  man  fallen  among  the 
thieves  (information);  realizing  the 
man’s  need,  he  was  moved  to  pity 
(compassion);  obedient  to  the  Spir- 
it’s moving,  he  picked  the  man  up, 
gave  him  lodging  and  food  and  paid 
his  bills  (action). 

Christian  concerns  can  be  ob- 
structed at  all  three  levels.  Our 
knowledge,  for  instance,  may  be 
limited  by  neglect  or  intent.  A 
Hutterite  leader  explained  that  his 
reason  for  not  having  a radio  or 
newspaper  was  “not  to  be  in  the 
know.”  But  ignorance  is  not  bliss; 
intentional  ignorance  is  a curse. 


(John  1:29).  “.  . . the  blood  of  Jesu; 
Christ  his  Son  cleanseth  us  fron 
all  sin”  (1  John  1:7).  “.  . . Chris 

died  for  the  ungodly”  (Rom.  5:6) 

LISTEN  to  the  voice  of  God,  call 
ing  you  to  repentance.  “As  I live 
saith  the  Lord  God,  I have  nc 
pleasure  in  the  death  of  the  wick- 
ed, but  that  the  wicked  turn  from 
his  way  and  live;  turn  ye,  turn  ye  1 
from  your  evil  ways;  for  why  will 
ye  die?”  (Ezek.  33:11).  “.  . . Except  ^ 
ye  repent,  ye  shall  all  likewise  per- 
ish” (Luke  13:3). 

LISTEN  to  the  voice  of  God,  call- 
ing you  to  faith  in  Christ.  “For  by 
grace  are  ye  saved  through  faith, 
and  that  not  of  yourselves,  it  is  the 
gift  of  God,  not  of  works,  lest  any  | 
man  should  boast”  (Eph.  2:8,9).  ' 
“.  . . Believe  on  the  Lord  Jesus  j 
Christ,  and  thou  shalt  be  saved”  , 
(Acts  16:31). 

LISTEN  to  the  voice  of  God,  call- 
ing you  to  complete  surrender. 
“Come  unto  me,  all  ye  that  labour 
and  are  heavy  laden,  and  I will  give 
you  rest.  Take  my  yoke  upon  you, 
and  learn  of  me;  for  I am  meek  and 
lowly  in  heart;  and  ye  shall  find  rest 
unto  your  souls.  For  my  yoke  is 
easy,  and  my  burden  is  light” 
(Matt.  11:28-30). 

Will  you  come  to  Him  now? 


Strength  at  one  level  will  not  ex- 
cuse weakness  at  other  levels.  A 
heart  overflowing  with  compassion 
may  simply  be  zeal  without  knowl- 
edge. It  is  also  true  that  in  the  aca- 
demic situation  hearts  frequently 
cool  from  warm  to  lukewarm. 

Likewise  our  activism  may  be 
purely  on  a secular  or  political  level, 
far  removed  from  the  real  essence 
of  the  Christian  mission.  And  that 
is  probably  why  so  many  in  our 
Conference  shy  away  from  a social 
concerns  program  that  includes  ac- 
tion. 

Nonetheless,  our  threefold  re- 
sponsibility is  clear.  As  followers 
of  Christ  we  are  obligated  to  know, 
to  feel,  and  to  act. 


648 


THE  AAENNONITE 


;Xv 

© 


4 

"X 


^Enter:  Taiwan 

' Ardys  and  Palmer  Becker 


Mennonite  youth 


Recently  ninety-four  young 
people  from  the  six  Mennonite 
chapels  here  in  Taiwan  joined 
in  singing,  discussion,  prayer,  and 
recreation  at  our  annual  Youth  Re- 
treat. 

While  strolling  over  the  retreat 
grounds  which  are  spectacularly 
placed  between  the  ocean  and  moun- 
tains I was  discussing  with  Han 
Vandenberg,  another  one  of  our 


workers,  what  a privilege  it  was  to 
work  side  by  side  with  these  active, 
brilliant,  and  stimulating  youth.  He 
agreed  that  Taiwan’s  youth  rate 
among  the  highest  he  has  known 
in  any  country.  Their  dark  eyes, 
black  hair,  and  sun-tanned  complex- 
ion make  them  an  extremely  attrac- 
tive group  which  we  are  proud  to 
work  with. 

Taiwan’s  youth  are  bright,  intel- 


ligent scholars,  seekers  of  truth,  and 
excellent  helpers  in  Christian  wit- 
ness. They  serve  as  interpreters, 
evangelists,  Sunday  school  and 
DVBS  teachers,  cooks,  nurses,  choir 
members.  The  Taiwanese  church 
is  largely  built  around  the  young 
people  and  their  assistance,  as  ap- 
proximately half  of  our  church  at- 
tendance group  is  composed  of 
school  und  university  aged  youth. 


October  20,  1 959 


649 


Palmer  and  Ardys  Becker  are 
short  term  mission  workers 
in  Taiwan — Palmer  as  a 
Missions-Paxman. 

They  are  partially  supported 
by  the  Northern  District 
Young  People’s  Union.  Check 
the  Oct.  14,  1959,  issue  of 
THE  MENNONITE  for  a 
picture  and  more  infor- 
mation on  this. 


This  condition  makes  a church 
which  is  fresh,  vigorous,  and  active. 

A few  illustrations  of  some  of  the 
youth  we  work  with  may  help  to 
illustrate  the  joys  we  have. 

Dick  Lin  communicates  the  Chi- 
nese, Taiwanese,  Japanese,  and  Eng- 
lish languages  fluently  as  the  need 
arises  to  interpret  our  evangelistic 
messages,  children’s  stories,  speak 
to  the  police  officials,  or  close  the 
sale  on  a book.  Dick  is  twenty- 
three  years  old.  Although  young, 
his  deep  devotional  life  and  exten- 
sive reading  produce  messages  with 
a challenge.  His  winning  smile,  per- 
sonality and  tact  bring  his  messages 
across  to  the  audience  in  an  ap- 
pealing way. 

Sywen  Chen  just  joined  our  Mei- 
lun  Chapel  as  full-time  evangelist 
a few  weeks  ago.  In  his  twenty- 
five  years  of  life  he  has  become  a 
trained  expert  in  his  field.  He  pre- 
sents the  gospel  message  with  the 
vigor  of  a ballplayer.  Several  weeks 
ago  we  attended  an  impressive  ori- 
ental service  as  Sywen  became  en- 
gaged to  Mae  Ong.  We  are  looking 
forward  to  having  his  young  bride 
working  with  us  in  the  future. 

Gwang  Dzung  wants  to  have  a 
well  rounded  education  and  he  be- 
lieves cooking  and  baking  should 
be  included.  He  comes  at  7:00  on 
Saturday  morning  to  observe  the 
first  steps  in  making  zwiebach  and 
returns  again  on  Sunday  evening 
to  see  how  waffles  are  made.  Later 
we  see  him  at  the  typewriter  typ- 
ing recipes  from  the  Mennonite 
cookbook.  In  another  phase  of  his 
education  we  find  him  at  the  organ, 
searching  the  scales  for  do,  re,  and 
mi.  He  tells  us,  “I’m  searching  for 
truth  in  everything.”  He  has  found 
the  truth  of  the  gospel  through  Eng- 
lish Bible  classes. 

Mary  Gau  almost  seems  like  a 
story  book  figure  in  the  way  she 
has  come  out  of  poverty  and  poor 
education  into  full  bloom  through 
her  work  at  the  hospital.  Although 
only  twenty-four  years  old,  Mary 
has  already  won  severed  patients 
to  the  Lord.  Her  hospital  and  nurs- 
ing technique  is  probably  not  the 
best  but  the  spirited  energy  with 
which  she  does  her  work  wins  our 
admiration. 

Contacts  with  the  Mennonite 
churches  of  the  China  Mainland 
have  long  been  cut  off,  but  one  frag- 
ment, Gwa  Tyan  En,  has  joined  us 
in  Taiwan.  Tyan  En’s  father  was 


a Mennonite  minister  working  with 
H.  P.  Brown  and  Marie  Regier  at 
the  Da  Ming  Fu  station.  Tyan  En 
was  forced  to  join  the  national  army 
at  the  age  of  fourteen  while  enemy 
bullets  were  driving  him  from 
home.  After  fifteen  years  of  rough 
and  hopeless  army  life,  he  heard 
about  our  Mennonite  churches  here 
in  Taiwan  and  came  to  join  us.  Since 
his  release  from  the  army  last  July, 
he  has  been  helping  at  the  Meilun 
chapel.  His  aim  is  to  go  to  Bible 
School  and  follow  in  his  father’s 
footsteps. 

The  young  people  of  Tedwan 
have  a great  desire  to  learn 
English.  They  feel  the  knowl- 
edge of  English  is  the  key  to  their 


Sywen  and  Mae 


M ary  ( foreground ) 


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650 


THE  MENNONITE 


future.  At  times  they  find  many 
sounds  difficult  to  pronounce  and 
occasionally  the  Scriptures  take  on 
a new  meaning.  According  to  one 
young  student,  Acts  10  relates  that 
the  apostle  Peter  fell  into  a “trench” 
instead  of  a “trance.” 

It  is  through  such  a class  that  a 
trio  of  interesting  and  promising 
young  boys  has  come  to  us.  As 
they  were  struggling  with  the  Eng- 
lish grammar,  they  gradually  be- 
came more  interested  in  the  Bible 
teaching  at  the  end  of  each  lesson. 
Now  we  find  them  seated  in  their 
special  corner  of  the  chapel  each 
Sunday  morning  and  evening. 

A few  weeks  ago  we  were  sur- 
prised to  find  three  assistants  wedg- 
ing their  way  through  the  crowd  of 
DVBS  children,  helping  with  cut- 
ting, pasting,  and  discipline.  Volun- 
tarily they  decided  to  come  and  help 
with  this  important  phase  of  church 
work.  Each  of  the  boys  has  set 
his  future  goal  high.  Short  Jin 
Jang  with  his  wide  nose,  short  hair, 
and  broad  smile  reminds  us  of  an 
American  Negro  boy.  He  is  one  of 
the  top  three  in  scholastic  achieve- 
ment in  a boys’  school  of  1000.  He 
plans  to  become  a doctor — we  hope 
and  pray  a Christian  doctor  who 
will  minister  to  spiritual  needs  as 
well  as  to  the  physical. 

Recently  I heard  someone  say  that 
he  thought  of  missions  as  concern- 
ing only  the  older  generation.  I 
wish  such  people  could  take  a one- 
day  field  trip  to  our  mission  sta- 
tions and  observe  them  firsthand! 


Gwang 


Prayer  --  What  Is  It? 


PRAYER  is  being  with  God.  We 
do  not  choose  the  course  of 
prayer.  Nor  are  we  allowed  to 
bring  stipulations  wth  us  when  we 
choose  to  converse  with  God. 

Prayer  is  yielding  to  God’s  will. 
He  may  lead  us  to  mountaintop  ex- 
periences or  through  a valley  of 
mist  £md  darkness.  He  may  lead 
through  paths  of  loneliness.  He  may 
show  us  pain  smd  strife. 

Prayer  is  often  difficult.  Often  we 
read  that  our  Savior  “departed  into 
a solitary  place  to  pray.”  The  Sav- 
ior spent  a whole  night  in  prayer. 


Is  it  enough  if  we  spend  ten  min- 
utes in  prayer  and  then  expect  to 
do  great  things  ? 

Prayer  means  forgetting  selfish 
pride,  self-indulgence,  unkindness, 
and  misgivings. 

Prayer  me8ms  that  the  channel 
between  God  and  man  is  open  for 
two-way  communication. 

Prayer  is  worship.  Prayer  may 
be  becoming  quiet  before  God.  God 
does  not  request  much  speaking. 
It  may  be,  as  the  author  says,  “the 
soul’s  sincere  desire  . . . the  falling 
of  a tear  . . . the  upward  glancing 


of  an  eye  . . . Prayer  is  the  Chris- 
tian’s vital  breath.”  It  is  the  only 
time  that  man  is  really  drawn  close 
to  God. 

When  we  have  communed  with 
God,  we  are  refreshed,  revived,  and 
filled  with  power  to  continue  the 
Christian  life  of  service. 

— Marina  Dyck  in  Gulf  Breeze 


The  AAENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People's  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  722 
Main  St.,  Newton,  Kansas. 


October  20,  1959 


651 


our  schools 

CHOIR  AT  STATE  CONVENTION 

The  Freeman  College  Choir,  di- 
rected by  Lavera  Schrag,  sang  at 
the  South  Dakota  State  Sunday 
School  Convention  which  met  at 
Sioux  Falls  on  Sept.  29.  This  is  the 
second  consecutive  year  the  choir 
has  been  asked  to  appear  before 
this  group  at  its  annual  convention. 

FJC  PRESENTS  PROGRAM 

President  John  Ewert  visited  the 
Avon,  S.  D.,  community  Sept.  30- 
Oct.  1.  He  and  Leola  Schultz  (teach- 
er of  English  and  Bible)  and  a girls’ 
trio  gave  a program  in  the  Friedens- 
berg  Church  on  Sept.  30.  The  trio, 
made  up  of  Della  Kehn,  Mary  Ratz- 
laff,  and  Goldie  Becker,  presented 
both  vocal  and  instrumental  music. 

PLAY  TO  BE  GIVEN  AT  FREEMAN 

A cast  of  twenty  is  rehearsing 
for  the  annual  college  play.  Kath- 
erine Kaufman,  director  of  dramat- 
ics, has  chosen  “Dr.  Hudson’s  Se- 
cret Journal”  based  on  the  well- 
known  Lloyd  C.  Douglas  novel  for 
this  year’s  production.  The  perform- 
ance dates  have  been  set  for  Oct. 
29-30. 

FJC  CHAPEL  SPEAKERS 

Recent  chapel  speakers  include  J. 
Herbert  Fretz,  pastor  of  the  Sa- 
lem Church;  Gerhard  Buhler,  prin- 
cipal of  the  Freeman  Academy;  and 
Mrs.  Elsie  Eckhoif,  home  economics 
instructor  at  Viborg  High  School. 
Mrs.  Eckhoff  spent  a year  in  Nic- 
aragua as  an  exchange  teacher  and 
gave  an  illustrated  talk  on  her  ex- 
periences in  that  country. 

HOMECOMING  ACTIVITIES 

'The  homecoming  activities  at 
Bluffton  College,  Oct.  3-4,  featured 
the  crowning  of  Queen  Frances 
Mauger,  senior  from  Bechtelsville, 


Pa.  She  was  attended  by  Sandra 
Strotheide,  junior  from  Flanagan, 
111.,  and  Carolyn  Sauder,  sophomore 
from  Grabill,  Ind.  The  queen’s  es- 
cort was  Ronald  Lora,  senior  from 
Columbus  Grove  and  president  of 
the  Men’s  Varsity  “B.” 

Groundbreaking  ceremonies  for 
the  new  music  hall  also  took  place 
Oct.  3.  Elmer  W.  Baumgartner, 
Berne,  Ind.,  president  of  the  Bluff- 
ton  College  Board  of  Trustees,  de- 
livered an  address. 

The  new  music  hall  will  be  lo- 
cated facing  College  Avenue  in  the 
grove  a little  to  the  north  of  Col- 
lege Hall.  It  will  be  of  modified 
Georgian  architecture,  featuring  red 
brick  in  harmony  with  most  other 
buildings  on  the  campus.  The  build- 
ing will  be  126  feet  long  and  77  feet 
wide.  It  is  estimated  to  cost  about 
$180,000  including  equipment. 

Sunday,  Oct.  4,  was  observed  as 
Parents’  Day.  Robert  Ramseyer, 
missionary  on  furlough  from  Japan 
spoke  on  the  topic  “Foundations  for 
International  Misunderstanding”  at 
the  afternoon  vesper  service. 

HARTZLER  SPEAKS 

J.  E.  Hartzler  was  the  speaker  at 
a recent  Bluffton  College  vesper 
service.  His  subject  was  “Russia; 
Pretense  and  Reality.” 

Dr.  and  Mrs.  Hartzler  returned 
at  the  beginning  of  Sept,  from  a 75- 
day  trip  mostly  in  Russia  on  which 
they  covered  about  2,700  miles. 

ENROLLMENT  UP  20  PER  CENT 

Fifty-seven  students  are  regis- 
tered for  fall  semester  classes  at 
Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary,  an  in- 
crease of  more  than  twenty  per  cent 
over  last  year,  according  to  the 
dean’s  final  revised  enrollment  sta- 
tistics. 

Of  the  total,  thirty-seven  are  full- 
time students  and  twenty  are  part- 
time,  compared  to  thirty  full-time 


and  seventeen  part-time  last  year. 

Thirty-three  students  are  from  the 
United  States,  twenty-three  from 
Canada  and  one  from  Japan.  Totals 
for  states  and  provinces  are:  Kan- 
sas, 12;  Manitoba,  11;  Indiana,  10; 
Saskatchewan,  7;  Illinois,  Pennsyl- 
vania and  Ontario,  3 each;  Minne- 
sota, 2;  Ohio,  South  Dakota,  Mon- 
tana, Alberta  and  British  Columbia, 
one  each. 

SEMINARY  STUDENT  OFFICERS 

Recently  elected  to  student  body 
offices  were:  secretary,  Helmut 

Harder,  junior  of  Beamsville,  Ont.; 
treasurer,  Reuben  Krehbiel,  junior 
of  Moundridge,  Kan.;  spiritual  life 
committee,  Vernon  Lohrentz,  senior 
of  Moundridge,  Kan.;  and  Leonard 
Wiebe,  senior  of  Whitewater,  Kan.; 
inter-seminary  movement  represent- 
ative, Victor  Fast,  junior  of  Stein- 
bach,  Man. 

LEADERSHIP  TRAINING  SCHOOL 

Seminary  faculty  members  recent- 
ly served  as  teachers  and  lecturers 
in  the  fall  sessions  of  the  Elkhart 
County  Leadership  'Training  School. 

Mrs.  Bertha  Harder  of  the  Chris- 
tian Education  department  taught 
the  course,  “Creative  Arts  in  Chris- 
tian Education,”  which  had  an  en- 
rollment of  forty-seven  persons 
from  fifteen  county  churches. 

C.  J.  Dyck,  instructor  in  historical 
theology,  gave  several  lectures  on 
“Our  Protestant  Heritage.”  William 
Klassen,  instructor  of  New  Testa- 
ment, taught  a class  on  “The  Life  of 
Paul.” 

STUDENTS  DO  FIELD  WORK 
IN  22  AREA  CHURCHES,  AGENCIES 

Thirty-five  Mennonite  Biblical 
Seminary  students  are  currently  en- 
gaged in  practical  field  work  as- 
signment in  twenty-two  churches 
and  agencies  in  Elkhart  and  the 
surrounding  area. 

Doing  a variety  of  church  work — 
such  as  assisting  pastors,  working 
with  youth,  or  teaching  Sunday 
school — gives  students  an  opportu- 
nity to  put  their  seminary  training 
to  use  in  real  life  situations. 

There  are  many  more  field  work 
openings  than  can  be  filled  with 
available  personnel,  according  to 
Leland  Harder,  director  of  the  pro- 
gram. He  has  made  extensive  con- 
tacts with  area  churches  and  agen- 
cies with  the  goal  of  setting  up  a 
program  representing  a variety  of 
denominations  and  types  of  work. 


Plan  for  new  Bluffton  College  music  hall 


652 


THE  MENNONITE 


^ Our  Schools,  continued 

a SERVICE  AT  RESCUE  MISSION 

j[j  Seminary  students  will  conduct 
u.  regular  monthly  services  at  the 
Hope  Rescue  Mission  in  nearby 
-i’  South  Bend.  The  first  of  these  serv- 
ices  was  held  Oct.  12  with  a semi- 
nary  deputation  group  in  charge 
^ and  other  students  participating. 
Regular  Sunday  preaching  at  the 
mission  is  one  student’s  field  assign- 
ment. 

S'  The  seminary  requires  each  stu- 
t dent  to  do  practical  work  for  at 
; least  two  of  his  three  years’  study 
■ for  the  bachelor  of  divinity  degree. 

' Seven  students  have  also  received 
credit  for  summer  pastoral  work. 

Since  field  work  assignments 
usually  involve  Sunday  or  week- 
end activities,  the  seminary  sched- 
ules classes  only  four  days  a week, 
leaving  Monday  free  for  study. 

The  number  of  students  in  the 
various  types  of  work  are;  Sunday 
schools,  13;  pastoral  assistants,  6; 
pastors,  4;  youth  workers,  4;  depu- 
tation group,  4;  'iHVlCA,  2;  YWCA, 
1;  and  rescue  mission,  1. 

MCC  news  and  notes 

! ANDRE  TROCME  SPEAKS 

AKRON — “The  only  alternative 
to  the  forces  of  Communism  is 
Christian  nonresistance,’’  empha- 
sized Andre  Trocme  in  presenting 
the  tremendous  urgency  of  the 
Christian  pacifist  witness.  Rev.  An- 
dre Trocme,  a pastor  of  the  French 
Reformed  Church  and  a leader  in 
the  Christian  nonresistant  position, 
met  with  Mennonite  Central  Com- 
mittee personnel  at  Akron  Oct.  8. 
Trocme  is  a leader  of  the  Inter- 
national Fellowship  of  Reconcilia- 
tion and  a well-known  lecturer  and 
an  author  on  Christian  peace  con- 
cerns. 

'Trocme,  one  of  the  leaders  re- 
sponsible for  setting  up  Eirene  in 
Morocco,  asserted  that  the  Eirene 
project  was  established  without  the 
“paternalistic  approach”  which  so 
often  characterizes  Western  Chris- 
tian missionary  activity.  Instead  of 
humiliating  the  Arabs  with  prolific 
handouts  of  material  aid  the  Ei- 
rene team  (composed  of  American 
and  European  conscientious  objec- 
tors) works  with  interested  native 
Arabs,  helping  them  improve  their 
almost  destitute  living  conditions  so 
that  natives  will  be  able  to  meet 


their  own  needs  with  their  own 
resources. 

The  Eirene  project  greatly  boosted 
the  conscientious  objector  position 
in  the  eyes  of  the  European.  The 
project  showed  European  Christians 
that  nonresistance  is  not  a coward- 
ly escape  from  military  service, 
rather  that  the  CO  is  ready  to  serve 
and  that  he  is  eager  to  exemplify 
his  Christian  convictions.  Pessimis- 
tic theology  — which  agrees  that 
nonresistance  is  definitely  Christian, 
but  nevertheless  says  that  it  is  “un- 
realistic and  impractical” — is  grad- 
ually loosening  its  grip.  The  church 
and  its  theologians  are  becoming 
convinced  that  the  militaristic  tra- 
dition is  unchristian  and  that,  in- 
stead, the  duty  of  the  church  is  to 
help  develop  impoverished  coun- 
tries.* 

“What  Christians  have  in  com- 
mon,” said  Trocme  summarizing  his 
description  of  the  church’s  responsi- 
bility, “is  infinitely  more  important 
than  the  details  in  which  they  dif- 
fer. And  a source  of  real  unity 
within  the  church  lies  in  the  non- 
resistant  stand.”  Concluding  his  dis- 
cussion at  Akron  headquarters, 
Trocme  re-emphasized  that;  “The 
only  alternative  to  Communism  is 
Christian  nonresistance  and  the 
Communists  recognize  this!” 

HAITI  CHURCH  LEADER  VISITS 

AKRON — H.  Ormonde  McConnell, 
Deputy  Chairman  of  the  English 
Methodist  Church  in  Haiti  and  a 
Church  World  Service  worker  in 
charge  of  material  aid  distribution, 
visited  Mennonite  Central  Commit- 
tee headquarters  Oct.  2-3.  As  a re- 
sult of  assistance  MCC  is  giving  in 
a Methodist  operated  agricultural 
project  in  Petit-goave  which  Mc- 
Connell directs,  he  came  to  Akron 
desiring  to  become  better  acquaint- 
ed with  American  Mennonites.  He 
visited  with  MCC  personnel,  with 
parents  of  Haiti  workers,  and  Sun- 
day he  spoke  in  two  Mennonite 
churches. 

Oct.  12  three  more  new  workers 
left  for  Haiti  to  help  in  the 
MCC-operated  hospital  at  Grande 
Riviere  du  Nord;  Sister  Hilda  Muel- 
ler, R.N.  (Newton,  Kan.)  a nurse 
from  the  General  Conference  who 
served  as  director  of  nursing  at 
Bethel  Deaconess  Hospital  prior  to 
her  MCC  assignment;  Esther  Eshle- 
man,  R.N.  (Lititz,  Pa.)  who  has 
served  in  the  Lancaster  Conference 


Voluntary  Service  program,  helping 
with  migrant  work  at  Homestead, 
Fla.;  and  Dietrick  Stoesz  (Mt.  Lake, 
Minn.)  who  is  to  help  in  the  hos- 
pital’s maintenance,  from  the  Evan- 
gelical Mennonite  Brethren  Church. 

SUMMER  BIBLE  SCHOOLS 

AUSTRIA — With  the  passing  of 
the  summer  months,  Helena  Duerk 
(Winnipeg,  Man.),  Austria  relief 
worker,  reports  that  summer  Bible 
school  in  Austria  has  very  satis- 
factorily concluded  and  regular 
children’s  Sunday  school  activities 
have  resumed  in  the  Vienna  MCC 
center.  MCC-sponsored  vacation 
Bible  schools  operated  programs  in 
four  vicinities  — Sitzenthal,  Melk, 
Loosdorf,  and  Vienna — with  an  av- 
erage attendance  of  forty-five  in 
each  of  the  six-day  programs.  The 
first  school  program  began  Aug.  3 
and  the  last  Bible  school  session 
ended  Aug.  28. 

In  addition  to  MCC  help,  the 
schools  were  conducted  with  the  as- 
sistance of  Austrians;  occasionally 
help  was  offered  by  personnel  from 
other  European  countries.  The  first 
school,  for  instance,  used  workers 
from  the  European  Evangelistic 
Crusade  and  from  the  Slavik  Gos- 
pel Mission.  Another  Bible  school 
program  was  held  with  the  help  of 
a missionary  from  England. 

PROGRESS  IN  SOUTH  AMERICA 

PARAGUAY  — Paraguay  is  show- 
ing new  signs  of  progress,  writes 
Frank  J.  Wiens  (Reedley,  Calif.) 
Paraguay  MCC  director.  Air  service 
is  becoming  very  efficient.  Two  dif- 
ferent jet  lines  are  now  serving 
Asuncion  — Pan  American  World 
Airways  with  a 707  (American  jet), 
Argentine  Airlines  with  a comet 
(British  jet) ; and  Pluna  from  the 
Unaguayan  airlines  operate  in  As- 
uncion with  a Viscount  Vickers,  a 
jet  propelled  type.  Asuncion’s  new 
two  million  dollar  airport  is  the 
best  in  South  America ; it  is  the  only 
South  American  airport  which  can 
handle  a fully  loaded  707  jet,  ac- 
cording to  Pan  American  World 
Airway  officials. 

The  first  shipments  of  machinery 
resulting  from  the  million  dollar 
loan  arrangement  between  the  Unit- 
ed States  and  Paraguay  are  now  ar- 
riving for  the  colonies.  “Optimism 
is  pretty  fair  because  last  year’s 
crop  prices  are  good.  Yet  emigra- 
tion still  plagues  some  of  the  col- 
onies.” 


October  20,  1 959 


653 


jottings 

PASTOR  ORDAINED 

Bethel  Church,  Fortuna,  Mo.: 
Our  pastor,  Ernest  Porzelius,  was 
ordained  May  31.  Mrs.  Porzelius  also 
dedicated  her  life  as  a partner  in 
the  ministry.  R.  L.  Hartzler  of 
Bloomington,  111.,  presented  the 
morning  message  from  1 Tim.  4:6. 
Harry  Yoder  of  Bluffton,  Ohio,  read 
the  ordination  service.  Both  were 
former  pastors  of  Brother  Porze- 
lius’ home  church.  Forty-nine  chil- 
dren were  enrolled  for  the  two 
weeks  of  Bible  school  in  June.  A 
father-son  banquet  was  held  June 
19  with  60  attending.  Loris  Habeg- 
ger  of  Wayland,  Iowa,  was  guest 
speaker.  Mrs.  Clifford  Garber  was 
received  in  church  membership  by 
letter  from  the  Lutheran  Church 
on  June  28.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  S.  T. 
Moyer  of  Pekin,  111.,  spoke  to  us 
July  27  about  the  work  and  needs 
of  the  mission  field  in  India.  The 
young  people’s  retreat  was  held  at 
Lake  of  the  Ozarks,  July  29-Aug.  1. 
Six  young  people  and  Ernest  Neu- 
feld  of  Summerfield,  111.,  joined  the 
group  at  the  Lake.  Marvin  Dirks 
of  Elkhart,  Ind.,  was  the  guest 
speaker.  Classes  were  taught  by 
Pastor  Neufeld  and  our  pastor.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Albert  Jantzen  worshiped 
with  us  Aug.  2,  and  told  of  their 
work  among  the  Hopi  Indians  in 
Oraibi,  Ariz.  Our  former  pastor  and 
his  wife,  E.  A.  Albrechts  of  Bloom- 
field, Mont.,  were  with  us  Aug.  9. 
Mr.  Albrecht  gave  the  morning 
message.  Loretta  Hilty  served  in 
Voluntary  Service  at  a hospital  in 
Fergus  Falls,  Minn.,  this  summer. 
Sixteen  of  our  members  attended 
the  conference  in  Bluffton.  The 
Bethel  College  Chorale  presented  a 
program  at  the  church  Aug.  10.  The 
“Gideons”  had  charge  of  the  morn- 
ing worship  service  Aug.  16;  Fre- 
mont Regier,  on  Aug.  23.  Rev.  and 
Mrs.  Jacob  Unruh,  former  pastor 
of  our  church,  spoke  about  their 
work  among  the  Negroes  in  Jack- 
son,  Miss.  Rev.  P.  P.  Hilty,  our 
pastor  from  1919  to  1926,  passed 
away  Sept.  14.  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Leh- 
man, our  oldest  member,  passed  a- 
way  Sept.  19.  On  Sept.  25  Arthur 
Thiessen  spoke  to  us  about  their 
medical  work  among  the  lepers  in 
India.  Holy  Communion  was  ob- 
served Oct.  4.  Earl  Roth  of  Carlock, 
111.,  will  be  the  guest  speaker  for 
our  special  fall  meetings. 

CONFERENCE  REPORTS  GIVEN 

Bethel  Community  Church,  Santa 
Fe  Springs,  Calif.:  The  conference 
at  Bluffton  was  attended  by  five 


people  from  our  church,  who  gave 
their  interesting  reports  to  the 
church  and  the  women’s  mission- 
ary fellowship.  Several  of  our  young 
people  attended  retreats  at  Camp 
Gaines  in  Sequoia  and  Tarquitz 
Pines  and  came  back  with  good  re- 
ports and  pictures.  I.  J.  Stevanus 
had  major  surgery  and  is  progress- 
ing satisfactorily  at  home.  The 
Ray  Widmer  family  were  at  fam- 
ily retreat  at  Cambria  Pines  over 
Labor  Day.  On  Sept.  23  we  had 
monthly  family  night  gathering. 
Sept.  26  the  young  adult  class  had 
a party  at  Ray  Widmer’s  home. 
The  adult  class  had  their  annual 
class  dinner  and  election  of  officers 
on  the  same  night.  We  had  our  first 
missionary  conference,  Oct.  2-4. — 
Edith  Huser 

PASTOR  RESIGNS 

Alexanderwohl  Church,  Goessel, 
Kan.:  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Herb  Ediger, 
Duane,  Joan,  and  Merle  are  home 
on  furlough  after  serving  as  mis- 
sionaries at  Goba,  Ethiopia,  for  five 
years.  Mr.  Ediger  brought  us  an 
interesting  message  July  19.  Mrs. 
Adolf  Schmidt,  who  spent  three 
months  vacationing  in  Europe  and 
England,  returned  home  on  July  17. 
July  19,  our  pastor  P.  A.  Wedel  read 
his  letter  of  resignation  as  pastor 
of  our  church,  effective  Jan.  31, 
1960.  We  want  to  wish  him  well  as 
he  leaves  to  serve  another  congre- 
gation. Melvin  Dean,  son  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  E.  J.  Schmidt  left  July  27  for 
Akron,  Pa.,  for  orientation  before 
leaving  for  Indonesia  for  a three- 
year  term  as  the  MCC  foreign  re- 
lief secretary  of  that  area.  Quite  a 
few  from  our  church  attended  the 
conference  at  Bluffton.  The  30th 
annual  Gift  Day  of  the  Bethesda 
Hospital  and  Home  Society  was 
held  Sept.  9 on  the  lawn  of  the 
Home.  In  the  afternoon  H.  B. 
Schmidt,  pastor  of  the  Hopefield 
Church,  near  Moundridge,  brought 
a message  in  German.  Arnold  Epp, 
pastor  of  the  First  Church,  New- 
ton, spoke  in  English.  Peter  Wiens 
of  Filadelfia,  Paraguay,  brought 
greetings  from  South  America.  In 
the  evening  choral  groups  from  the 
Walton,  Lehigh,  Meridian,  Spring 
Valley,  Tabor,  Goessel,  and  Spring- 
field  churches  rendered  musical 
numbers.  Offerings  were  received 
at  both  services  amounting  to 
$2,223.28. 

ELMER  FRIESEN  TO  BE 
SPECIAL  SPEAKER 

Grace  Church,  Enid,  Okla.:  Pastor 
and  Mrs.  Albert  Unruh  had  one 
week  of  vacationing  in  New  Mex- 
ico. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Orlando  Janzen 
recently  announced  the  arrival  of 


a daughter,  Brenda  Kay.  Mr.  and  i 
Mrs.  Albert  Janzen  were  in  our  ! 
midst,  telling  us  of  the  work  in 
Arizona.  Walter  Gomez  was  in  our  I 
midst  telling  of  the  work  in  Mex-  I 
ico.  He  also  showed  pictures.  We 
are  having  a good  group  attendance  ‘ 
at  our  Wed.  night  services.  The  ,j 
young  people  have  a separate  ! 
prayer  and  Bible  study  under  the 
supervision  of  Richard  Froese.  Our  ! 
sewing  circle  had  a day  of  jelly 
canning  for  the  Okla.  Bible  Acad- 
emy. We  canned  1401?^  qts.  of  grape, 
peach,  apricot,  wild  plum.  Our  fall 
Communion  service  was  held  Oct. 

4.  Special  fall  meetings  will  be  held 
Nov.  8-13.  Elmer  Friesen  from  Pret- 
ty Prairie,  Kan.,  will  be  guest  speak- 
er. Our  choir  has  had  their  first  1 
meeting,  we  trust  that  all  our  voices  I 
will  be  blending  in  singing  the  won- 
derful  songs  which  we  have.  We  are 
looking  for  a great  time  together. 

SS  PUPILS  PRESENT  PROGRAM 

Butterfield  Church,  Butterfield,  | 
Minn.:  Leona  Tieszen  of  Mountain 
Lake,  spoke  and  showed  pictures 
of  her  work  with  missionary  chil- 
dren in  Ecuador,  S.  America,  Sept.  | 
2.  The  CE  presented  a program 
Sept.  13  in  the  New  Hutterthal 
Church  at  Bridgewater,  S.  D.  On  the 
following  Sun.,  Joseph  Schmidt, 
president  of  Grace  Bible  Institute, 
delivered  the  morning  message  on 
the  theme  “Fruit  Bearing.”  The 
Free  Church  of  St.  James  brought 
a stimulating  sacred  service  Sept. 

20.  During  Sunday  school  on  Pro- 
motion Day,  Sept.  27,  a varied  pro- 
gram was  presented  by  thirty-four 
Jr.  SS  pupils,  fifteen  of  whom 
were  promoted.  Seven  children  were 
dedicated  to  the  Lord  during  the 
worship  service. — Willis  Linscheid. 

EVANGELISTIC  SERVICES  PLANNED 

Goessel  Church,  Goessel,  Kan.: 
The  panel  of  delegates  gave  an  in- 
teresting discussion  of  the  confer- 
ence at  Bluffton  for  the  CE,  Sept. 

13.  The  SS  has  again  made  arrange- 
ments for  the  coming  year  by  elect- 
ing officers  and  teachers.  Four  e- 
vangelistic  services  are  arranged  for 
the  first  week  of  Nov.  with  Harris 
Waltner  as  speaker.  Preliminary 
plans  are  under  way  for  the  build- 
ing of  the  Rev.  P.  P.  Buffer  Educa- 
tional Building.  The  annual  Gift 
Day  of  the  Bethesda  Hospital  and 
Home  observed  Sept.  9,  again  proved 
of  great  interest.  The  large  tent 
erected  on  the  grounds  did  not  hold 
the  large  gathering  for  the  evening 
session.  Both  programs,  afternoon 
and  evening,  were  very  interesting. 
The  traditional  borscht  supper  was 
served  between  the  two  services. 


654 


THE  AAENNONITE 


PASTOR  VISITS  IN  HAWAII 

Eden  Church,  Schwenksville,  Pa.: 
Pastor  Frank  G.  Ward  and  family 
visited  Mrs.  Ward’s  relatives  in 
Hawaii  recently.  At  a recent  meet- 
ing of  the  ladies’  missionary  soci- 
ety, M.  Lawrence  Smith  (newly  ap- 
pointed administrator  of  The  Men- 
nonite  Home  for  the  Aged,  Fred- 
erick, Pa.)  showed  slides  of  the 
home  and  everyday  activities  and 
spoke  to  the  group  concerning  the 
work  and  life  of  those  who  live 
there.  At  the  Oct.  meeting  of  the 
missionary  societies,  the  ladies  were 
hosts  to  members  of  the  Zion  Men- 
nonite  missionary  society  from  Sou- 
derton.  Pa.  One  of  our  high  school 
graduates,  Luise  Kraft,  spent  July 
and  Aug.  working  with  an  MCC 
service  unit  at  the  Fergus  Falls 
State  Hospital  in  Minn.  Luise  is 
continuing  her  psychiatric  work  at 
the  State  Hospital  in  Norristown, 
Pa.  Mr.  Samuel  W.  Reiff,  for  many 
years  a deacon  of  our  congrega- 
tion, passed  away  Aug.  23  after  a 
lengthy  illness.  Another  deacon. 

Build  on  Christ  in  the  City 

continued  from  page  6^5 

I ed,  misdirected,  hell-boimd  lives. 

[ With  them  we  may  be  able  to  help 
build  new  goals  and  to  discover  a 
new  Center  around  which  they  may 
develop. 

Let  us  look  to  the  cities,  for  there 
we  will  find  great  dividing  walls 
of  hostility  between  men  of  differ- 
ent races  and  nationalities.  These 
must  be  broken  down,  and  builders 
may  then  go  on  to  the  task  of  con- 
structing tender  bridges  of  love  and 
trust,  the  kind  that  some  of  us  have 
known  already  in  the  city. 

Such  bridges  surely  help  to  build 
a fellowship  which  includes  all  peo- 
ple, and  which  shall  last  forever. 
Here  is  the  great  joy  of  this  build- 
ing: the  knowledge  that  we  are 
helping  to  build  temples,  not  of 
brick  or  aluminum  or  glass,  but  hu- 
man temples  dedicated  to  God,  tem- 
ples in  which  He  has  chosen  to  live. 
He  makes  these  new  lives,  new  lives 
which  will  never  end. 

Now,  do  not  ask  who  will  build. 
You  know  the  answer.  You.  You 
will  build.  You  who  are  still  young. 
It  is  for  this  that  the  great  hand 
of  God  drives  you,  and  shall  con- 
tinue relentlessly  pressing  you  to 
your  true  vocation,  your  great  task. 

You  will  build.  You  will  build 


Howard  Hasson,  passed  away  July 
7 after  a three-day  illness. 

FRESH  AIR  PROGRAM  SPONSORED 

First  Church,  Beatrice,  Neb.:  The 
fresh  air  program  was  sponsored 
by  the  Peace  Com.  and  the  youth 
fellowship  of  the  two  local  Men- 
nonite  churches.  Six  boys  from 
the  Woodlawn  Church  of  Chi- 
cago spent  two  weeks  in  various 
homes  of  our  churches.  May  such 
an  experience  be  meaningful  to  the 
community  and  to  those  who  par- 
ticipate. Pastor  Buller  and  family 
spent  part  of  their  vacation  in 
Mountain  Lake,  Minn.,  and  then  at- 
tended the  retreat  at  Camp  Frie- 
denswald  and  the  conference  at 
Bluffton.  The  pastor  and  delegates 
reported  on  the  conference  at  a 
CE  meeting.  Aug.  30  the  summer 
fellowship  choir  presented  a musi- 
cal program  under  the  direction  of 
Eldred  Thierstein.  Our  church  com- 
memorated fall  Communion  on 
World  Communion  Sunday.  Ernest 
Jantzen,  one  of  our  members,  re- 
ported and  showed  pictures  on  his 


as  teachers,  as  doctors,  as  secretar- 
ies. You  will  build  as  mechanics, 
as  students,  as  nurses,  as  librcirians, 
as  ministers,  as  Voluntary  Service 
workers.  Whatever  your  passing 
vocation,  your  true  calling  must  be 
as  builders. 

Listen  to  this  call  when  you 
choose  your  vocation.  Let  it  come 
deeply  into  you  when  you  seek  your 
place  of  residence  and  of  service. 
Listen  to  the  call  for  builders,  be- 
cause the  call  is  for  you. 

Listen  to  the  voice  of  Him  who 
calls.  He  speaks  to  our  doubts  and 
to  our  fears:  “I  will  not  leave  you 
or  forsake  you.  When  you  grow 
discouraged,  when  the  bricks  are 
heavy,  cutting  your  hand,  and  the 
temples  seem  ready  to  topple  all 
around  you  — when  the  going  is 
rough  and,  in  fact,  almost  unbear- 
able— when  such  times  come  (and 
they  will)  I wiU  be  with  you.  In- 
deed, my  child,  you  must  remember 
that  it  is  really  I who  build  through 
you.  And  as  I build  others  through 
you,  I will  also  build  you,  according 
to  my  specifications.  So,  do  not 
lose  heart.  For  I will  be  with  you. 
I will  be  with  you  in  the  heart  of 
every  city.  I will  be  with  you  to 
the  end  of  the  world.”  Amen. 


two  years  of  Pax  service  in  Ger- 
many and  Greece. — M.  Albrecht 

CHURCH  RETREAT  HELD 

Kansas  City  Church,  Kansas  City, 
Kan.:  The  Sept.  27  services  of  the 
Kansas  City  Mennonite  Church  were 
held  in  a wooded  area  at  Wyan- 
dotte County  Park,  outside  of  Kan- 
sas City,  Kan.  Guest  speaker  for 
this  Mission  Sunday  was  Arthur 
Thiessen,  medical  missionary  to  In- 
dia, who  told  of  the  situation  there 
and  also  presented  the  areas  of  chal- 
lenge with  which  our  mission  pro- 
gram is  faced.  He  stated  that  the 
anti-Christian  attitude  of  local  Hin- 
du groups  forced  those  who  became 
Christians  to  be  stronger  in  their 
faith  than  ever  before.  He  also 
pointed  out  that  the  need  for  Chris- 
tian literature  at  this  time  is  of 
great  importance  since  the  people 
are  becoming  more  difficult  to  reach 
through  the  preaching  ministry.  A 
discussion  followed  in  which  sev- 
eral ways  were  brought  out  for 
those  at  home  to  get  better  ac- 
quainted with  the  mission  program. 
One  of  the  suggestions  was  to  make 
a point  of  including  visits  to  (home) 
mission  stations  in  vacation  trips. 
Family  and  Sunday  school  groups 
could  carry  on  activities  such  as 
telling  stories  of  the  mission  work, 
writing  letters  to  missionaries,  and 
making  scrapbooks  of  the  mission- 
aries. At  dusk  the  group  gathered 
on  a hillside  for  vesper  services, 
following  which  Dr.  Thiessen 
showed  slides  of  India  and  spoke  of 
his  work  in  the  leprosy  hospital. 
— Mrs.  Norma  Wiens 

into  the  beyond 

Henry  A.  Reimer,  member  of  the 
Goessel  Mennonite  Church  of  Goes- 
sel,  Kan.,  was  a bom  February  4, 
1884,  and  passed  away  August  2, 
1959. 

Mrs.  Sarah  Gardner,  bom  in 
Holmes  County,  Ohio,  May  1,  1874, 
died  in  Wayne  County,  Ohio,  hos- 
pital, September  9,  1959,  at  the  age 
of  85. 

Mrs.  Rosa  Albrecht,  (nee  Sch- 
wartz), of  Reedley,  Calif.,  was  born 
November  27,  1885,  and  died  Sep- 
tember 19,  1959. 

Amy  G.  Oberholtzer,  of  Alburtis, 
Pa.,  and  member  of  the  Hereford 
Mennonite  Church,  Bally,  Pa.,  was 
bom  July  4,  1900,  and  died  Septem- 
ber 24,  1959. 

Martha  D.  Suter,  member  of  the 
Grace  Mennonite  Church  of  Pan- 
dora, Ohio,  was  born  June  26,  1887, 
and  died  Aug.  24,  1959. 


October  20,  1959 


655 


conference  notes 

THREE  BOARDS  ELECT  CHAIRMEN 

A number  of  members  of  Con- 
ference boards  completed  their 
term  in  office  with  the  triennial 
conference  at  Bluffton,  Ohio,  in  Aug- 
ust. Three  board  chairmen  retired 
from  their  positions,  requiring  re- 
organization. 

The  Board  of  Business  Adminis- 
tration elected  C.  J.  Dyck,  Elkhart, 
Ind.,  chairman,  to  replace  C.  Kauf- 
man. Other  board  members  are 
Walter  A.  Yoder,  Bloomington,  111., 
vice-chairman;  Ted  E.  Claassen, 
Newton,  Kan.;  August  Epp,  New- 
ton, Kan.;  Earl  I.  Eymann,  Reed- 
ley,  Calif.;  C.  H.  Goering,  Mound- 
ridge,  Kan.;  P.  R.  Harder,  Arnaud, 
Man.;  Robert  W.  Hartzler,  Goshen, 
Ind.;  Carl  M.  Lehman,  Bluffton, 
Ohio;  A.  M.  Lohrentz,  McPherson, 
Kan.;  C.  C.  Neufeld,  Winnipeg, 
Man.;  Betty  van  der  SmisSen,  Iowa 
City,  Iowa. 

Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Mis- 
sions is  Willard  Wiebe,  Mountain 
Lake,  succeeding  P.  A.  Wedel.  Other 
members  are  Walter  H.  Dyck,  Aber- 
deen, Idaho;  Henry  H.  Epp,  Water- 
loo, Ont.;  George  Greening,  Win- 
nipeg, Man.;  W.  Harley  King,  Han- 
ston,  Kan.;  Elmer  Neufeld,  Akron, 
Pa.;  S.  F.  Pannabecker,  Elkhart, 
Ind.;  Ward  Shelly,  Lancaster,  Pa.; 
John  P.  Suderman,  Pandora,  Ohio; 
Lotus  Troyer,  Meadows,  111.;  and  Es- 
ther Wiens,  Rosthern,  Sask. 

Albert  Gaeddert,  Mountain  Lake, 
Minn.,  will  be  acting  chairman  of 
the  Board  of  Christian  Service  un- 
til Council  of  Boards  in  December. 
Former  chairman  was  H.  A.  Fast. 
Board  members  are  Harry  M.  Det- 
wiler,  Souderton,  Pa.;  Peter  Ediger, 
Fresno,  Calif.;  J.  Winfield  Fretz, 
North  Newton,  Kan.;  H.  N.  Harder, 
Bloomington,  111.;  Robert  Kreider, 
Bluffton,  Ohio;  Esko  Loewen,  Hills- 
boro, Kan.;  David  P.  Neufeld,  Rose- 
mary, Alta.;  J.  C.  Neufeld,  Wheat- 
ley,  Ont.;  David  Schroeder,  Winni- 
peg, Ont.;  William  T.  Snyder,  Ak- 
ron, Pa.;  and  William  Stauffer, 
Sugarcreek,  Ohio. 

The  Board  of  Education  and  Pub- 
lication retains  its  chairman,  Lloyd 
L.  Ramseyer,  Bluffton,  O.  Members 
are  George  G.  Dick,  Winton,  Calif.; 
Jacob  J.  Enz,  Elkhart,  Ind.;  Elmer 
R.  Friesen,  Pretty  Prairie,  Kan.; 
Jacob  T.  Friesen,  Bluffton,  Ohio; 


H.  T.  Klassen,  Winnipeg,  Ont.;  E.  J. 
Miller,  Moundridge,  Kan.;  Vernon 
Neufeld,  North  Newton,  Kan.;  Hen- 
ry Poettcker,  Winnipeg,  Ont.;  Men- 
no  Schrag,  Newton,  Kan.;  Paul  R. 
Shelly,  Bluffton,  Ohio;  and  D.  C. 
Wedel,  Winfield,  Kan. 
MISSIONARIES  ON  THE  MOVE 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ben  Sawatzky  are 
returning  for  their  second  term  of 
missionary  service  in  India  under 
the  General  Conference  Mennonite 
Church.  They  sailed  from  New  York 
October  15  on  the  SS  “Balong.” 
During  their  furlough,  the  Sawatz- 
kys  did  extensive  itineration,  and  for 
several  months  Mr.  Sawatzky  served 
the  Bethel  Mennonite  Church,  Moun- 
tain Lake,  Minn.  In  India  they  will 
be  in  charge  of  the  mission  work 
at  the  Champa,  M.P.,  station.  Mr. 
Sawatzky’s  parents  are  the  J.  Sa- 
watzkys  of  Newton,  Kan.;  Mrs.  Sa- 
watzky’s are  the  John  Friesens  of 
Mountain  Lake.  The  Sawatzkys 
have  two  sons  and  two  daughters. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Glen  Habegger,  who 
have  served  in  migrant  work  at 
Eloy,  Ariz.,  for  a number  of  years, 
are  presently  at  home  in  Berne,  Ind. 
They  are  studying  Spanish  at  Fort 
Wayne,  Ind.,  in  order  to  facilitate 
communication  with  the  many  Span- 
ish-speaking migrants  at  Eloy. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry  Dueck  will 
leave  Asuncion,  Paraguay,  Oct.  18 
for  the  United  States  and  Canada. 
Mr.  Dueck’s  home  is  at  Aldergrove, 
B.  C.,  and  Mrs.  Dueck’s  at  Leam- 
ington, Ont.  They  have  spent  five 
years  in  Paraguay  representing  the 
colonies,  drawing  together  the 
scattered  Mennonites  in  the  city, 
and  conducting  church  services. 
They  plan  to  resume  duties  there 
after  their  furlough. 

MINISTERS’  CONFERENCE 

The  Western  District  Ministers’ 
Conference  will  be  held  Oct.  24, 
1959,  in  the  Hopefield  Mennonite 
Church,  Moundridge,  Kan.  Levi 
Koehn  is  chairman  of  the  confer- 
ence. Elmer  Friesen  will  give  the 
Communion  sermon  for  the  morn- 
ing’s service  which  will  begin  at 
9:30.  Later  in  the  morning,  Harold 
Buffer  will  lead  a book  study  of  the 
Epistle  to  the  Galatians. 

At  the  afternoon  service,  begin- 
ning at  1:30,  Esko  Loewen  will  pre- 
sent a study  on  “The  Place  of  Mu- 


sic in  the  Church  Program.”  Follow- 1 
ing  this,  Waldo  Kaufman  will  lead 
a discussion  on  the  topic.  After  a 
business  meeting  and  offering,  Hen- 
ry Goossen  will  discuss  “Considera- 
tion of  the  General  Conference.; 
Goals.” 

LEADERSHIP  DEMONSTRATION 
SCHOOL  AT  MOUNDRIDGE 

'Two  Moundridge,  Kan.,  churches 
— First  Mennonite  Church  of  Chris- 
tian and  West  Zion  Mennonite 
Church — co-operated  in  a leadership 
demonstration  school  on  October  18. 
Demonstration  classes  were  conduct- 
ed in  the  Sunday  school  hour  in 
both  churches,  and  a joint  evalua- 
tion session  was  held  in  the  after- 
noon. 

Local  teachers  taught  the  classes: 
Mrs.  Gilbert  Gaffe,  nursery;  Mrs. 
Harris  V/altner,  primary;  Agnes  | 
Graber,  junior;  and  Mrs.  Willis  Vo-  j 
ran,  intermediate.  Guest  leaders  j 
were  Mrs.  Galen  Koehn,  North  | 
Newton;  Mrs.  Carl  Voth  and  May- 
nard Shelly,  Newton. 

The  school  was  sponsored  by  the 
education  committees  of  the  church- 
es with  the  co-operation  of  the 
Western  District  Education  Com- 
mittee and  its  demonstration  school 
subcommittee. 

HYMNARY  APPEARS  IN 
LOOSE-LEAF  - 

The  fifty-two-thousandth  copy  of 
The  Mennonite  Hymnary  has  just 
been  printed.  Something  that  many 
church  organists  have  been  waiting 
for  is  an  organ  copy  of  the  hym- 
nary. This  eleventh  edition  includes 
a special  loose-leaf  copy  for  the  or- 
ganist. The  hymnary  may  be  pur- 
chased for  $3.75  at  our  bookstores. 

EPP  INSTALLED  AS  PASTOR 

Henry  P.  Epp  has  been  installed 
as  pastor  of  the  St.  Catharines 
United  Mennonite  Church,  St.  Cath- 
arines, Ontario.  He  succeeds  P.  J. 
Heinrichs. 

NEW  CHURCH  IN  CALIFORNIA 

A new  church  has  been  estab- 
lished as  an  outgrowth  of  the  work 
of  interested  persons  from  the  First 
Mennonite  Church,  Reedley,  Calif. 
While  various  activities  had  been 
conducted  at  Selma  for  some  time, 
the  first  worship  service  took  place 
in  the  Neighborhood  Church  on 
September  27.  The  pastor  is  Floyd 
Quenzer  of  Fresno. 


I 


MENNO 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
MAN  LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIST 


OCTOBER  27,  1959 


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REFORMATION  DAY— OCTOBER  31 


in  this  issue 

COVER 

The  book,  ''Evongelisches  Gesangbuch, 
has  the  name  of  Peter  Linscheid  written 
on  a flyleaf  and  is  dated  1867.  It  is 
now  in  the  Mennonite  Historical  Library 
at  North  Newton,  Kan.  Photo  by  Renee. 

PHOTO  CREDITS 

S.  F.  Pannabecker,  page  668. 

ARTICLES 

LIVING  SIMPLY 

By  James  Reusser  659 

PROMOTING  MISSION  INTEREST 

By  John  Thiessen  660 

MOBILITY  IN  THE  GENERAL 
CONFERENCE 

By  Leland  Harder  661 

A WORLD  OF  MISERY  IN  ASIA 

By  Joe  Smucker  663 

JOHNNY  LONGS  TO  ENTER  IN 


By  Mrs.  Walter  Claassen  664 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  658 

MENNONITE  YOUTH 

Focus  on  Youth  at  Elkhart  665 

Experiment  With  Prejudice  667 

OUR  SCHOOLS  668 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  669 

JOTTINGS  670 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  672 


of  things  to  come 

Nov.  1 — Reformation  Sunday 

Nov.  8 — Peace  Sunday 

Nov.  26 — Thanksgiving  Day  (U.S.) 

Dec.  1-4 — Council  of  Boards 

Dec.  13 — Universal  Bible  Sunday 


THE  HEHNONITE 

Editor:  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 
J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Assistant:  Muriel 

Thiessen.  Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  42 


editorials 

A DEVOTED  DISCIPLE  Just  what  does  the  first  goal  adopt- 
ed at  Bluffton  for  our  new  Conference  triennium  mean  (To  strive 
to  be  a devoted  disciple  of  Jesus  Christ)  ? How  much  should  we 
“strive”  to  be  a yielded  recipient  of  the  inflow  of  the  Holy 
Spirit? 

To  be  devoted  to  Christ  would  imply  loving  Him  so  much 
that  we  seek  to  please  Him  rather  than  ourselves.  We  are  eager 
to  be  of  some  service  and  to  obey  His  wishes  and  directions. 
Then  we  should  really  seek  to  know  Him  more  fully  and  to 
understand  His  plan.  The  devoted  study  of  His  life  and  teachings 
is  essential. 

Our  study  of  the  Book  of  Acts  in  the  Sunday  school  lessons 
during  this  six-month  period  gives  us  some  splendid  examples 
of  faithful  followers  of  “The  Way”  who  were  truly  devoted  to 
their  Lord.  They  were  open  to  God  and  the  leading  of  the  Spirit 
in  a way  that  we  have  almost  lost.  Theirs  was  not  a divided 
and  tradition-choked  church.  It  was  a simple,  infectious,  new 
fellowship  where  people  were  really  changed  and  where  a new 
and  mighty  power  was  released. 

MENNONITES  ON  THE  MOVE  In  THE  MENNONITE  of 
October  20,  Vincent  Harding  sharply  pointed  out  the  fact  that 
our  young  people  are  rapidly  being  whisked  out  of  the  country 
and  into  the  city.  He  challenged  us  to  face  the  temptations  and 
the  opportunities  of  this  trend.  In  an  article  in  this  issue,  Leland 
Harder  shows  how  this  trend  of  moving  is  affecting  the  whole 
Mennonite  community  life  and  practice. 

The  physical  mobility,  social  mobility,  and  ecclesiastical  mo- 
bility is  forming  a different  and  more  complex  pattern  of  our 
denomination.  It  is  affecting  the  whole  church  in  subtle  and 
almost  unnoticed  ways,  and  unless  we  are  aware  and  alive  to 
these  trends  we  suffer  serious  loss  of  influence  and  usefulness. 

In  order  that  we  may  be  kept  alert  on  what  is  really  happen- 
ing, and  what  adaptations  are  necessary  because  of  these 
changes,  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  Conference  is  spon- 
soring a project  of  intensive  research  and  study.  This  detailed 
study  is  to  involve  all  our  congregations  and  each  individual 
member.  As  any  one  can  see,  this  is  a tremendous  under- 
taking and  can  be  brought  to  a successful  and  satisfactory  con- 
clusion only  if  every  church  will  co-operate  fully  in  supplying 
the  information  needed. 

Pastors  and  others  asked  to  help  in  this  project  by  supplying 
the  needed  information  are  kindly  urged  to  be  prompt  and 
thorough  in  responding.  Naturally  it  will  take  some  time,  but 
such  a diagnosis  is  necessary  if  we  are  to  remain  a healthy 
spiritual  group.  We  need  to  be  keenly  aware  of  the  present 
situation  and  future  trend  in  order  to  wisely  plan  accordingly. 

So  please,  don’t  lay  the  questionnaire  aside  as  just  another 
bothersome  intrusion,  but  give  it  the  careful  and  prayerful 
consideration  it  deserves.  The  future  role  of  our  denomination 
is  at  stake. 


658 


THE  MENNONITE 


^7"  HY  do  I want  to  go  to  India 
W as  a missionary  doctor?” 
asked  John  Bauman  at  the  mission- 
ary retreat  prior  to  the  conference 
this  summer.  “Because  when  my 
I life  is  over  I want  to  be  able  to 
I look  back  on  it  and  have  the  satis- 
faction of  knowing  that  I have  done 
something  worthwhile  with  it.” 

God  has  given  each  of  us  a life 
to  live.  We  can  use  this  life  strug- 
gling to  catch  hold  of  the  short 
term  “satisfactions  of  life,”  or  we 
can  expand  it  in  service  and  gain 
real  and  permanent  satisfaction. 
Jesus’  advice  was:  “Seek  ye  first 

the  kingdom  of  God  and  his  right- 
eousness; and  aU  these  things  shall 
be  added  unto  you.  . . Lay  not  up 
for  yourselves  treasures  upon  earth, 
where  moth  and  rust  doth  corrupt, 
and  where  thieves  break  through 
and  steal.  But  lay  up  for  yourselves 
treasures  in  heaven.” 

Our  forefathers  felt  strongly 
I about  the  “simple  life.”  To  them  it 
meant,  among  other  things,  farm- 
I ing  as  an  occupation,  solid  Menno- 
nite  communities,  a certain  cut  of 
clothes,  strong  family  life,  a deep 
and  personal  faith,  a loyalty  to  the 
church,  and  a willingness  to  help 
anyone  of  the  congregation  in  need. 

The  pattern  in  many  ways  is  dif- 
ferent today.  We  are  not  all  rural, 
let  alone  farmers.  Our  young  people 
increasingly  live  and  work  in  town. 
No  longer  do  clothing  and  lan- 
guage set  us  apart.  We  live  in  a 
much  more  complex  age  than  did 
our  grandparents,  morally  as  well 
as  materially.  This  is  not  only  the 
age  of  jets,  automatic  washers,  satel- 
lites, and  moon  rockets.  It  is  also 
the  age  of  ICBM’s  nuclear  sub- 
marines, of  “push-button  war,”  of 
hydrogen  bomb  tests  and  their  dead- 
ly fallout. 

In  this  complex  age  Christ’s  plea 
for  the  simple  life  is  more  urgent 
and  relevant  than  it  was  in  our 
grandparent’s  day.  The  simple  life 
has  to  do  with  our  standard  of  liv- 
ing, with  putting  first  things  first, 
with  putting  life  and  its  values  in 
their  proper  order,  with  putting 
Christian  values  in  right  relation  to 
the  world’s  values.  It  is  an  attempt 
to  live  a simple  uncluttered  life  of 
faith  in  Christ,  a testimony  against 
the  complexity  and  meaninglessness 
of  modern  life. 

Living  simply  as  a Christian 


The  author  of  this  article  is  pastor  of  the 
Salem  Church,  Dalton,  Ohio. 


means  that  things  are  not  the  end, 
but  a means  to  an  end.  As  Chris- 
tians we  don’t  spend  our  lives  in 
work  merely  to  accumulate  a house, 
a car,  a TV  set,  and  a sizable  bank 
account.  We  do  acquire  some  of 
these  so  that  we  can  begin  to  do 
the  real  work  for  which  we  were 
reborn. 

Not  long  ago  there  was  a story 
in  Christian  Living  and  Mennonite 


Living 

Simply 


James  Reusser 


Life  which  bore  the  unpronounce- 
able title  “Yticilpmis”  (“simplicity” 
spelled  backwards).  This  is  the 
story  of  a missionary  home  on  fur- 
lough from  Japan,  of  his  surprise 
at  the  beauty  and  extravagance  of 
the  new  church  building,  of  his  im- 
pressions of  the  visibly  prosperous 
deacon  at  whose  home  he  eats  din- 
ner. As  the  conversation  is  directed 
from  new  car  to  new  house  to  new 


appliances,  the  missionary  begins 
to  realize  how  subtly  materialism 
has  undermined  and  replaced  vital 
Christian  faith,  real  trust  in  God, 
and  a sacrificial  love  for  men  in 
need.  At  last,  sick  at  heart  and 
sensing  the  spiritual  distance  be- 
tween himself  and  American  Chris- 
tians, he  longs  for  the  fellowship 
of  the  Japanese  Christians,  who 
though  poor  have  a simple  but  deep 
Christian  faith  and  trust. 

The  1-W  Mirror  quotes  Kermit 
Eby,  University  of  Chicago  sociolo- 
gist: “The  Mennonites  and  Breth- 
ren could  stand  persecution.  They 
withstood  separation  and  isolation, 
but  they  haven’t  been  able  to  live 
with  respectability  and  prosperity.” 

We  dare  not  forget  that  the  way 
in  which  we  use  our  money  and 
wealth  is  a measure  of  the  impact 
the  cross  has  made  on  our  lives. 
The  simple  life  is  not  receiving  and 
accumulating;  it  is  giving.  Strange- 
ly, life  is  much  less  complex  when 
we  give  than  when  we  just  take  in. 
We  have  fewer  fears  and  anxieties. 
We  are  less  critical  and  less  prone 
to  gossip. 

The  heart  of  the  Christian  life  is 
giving  of  one’s  self  for  others.  We 
have  so  much  that  we  often  lose 
sight  of  how  much  we  have,  how 
little  the  rest  of  the  world  has,  and 
how  little  we  actually  do  share.  In 
this  regard,  Andrew  Shelly’s  state- 
ment at  the  conference  in  Bluffton 
is  haunting:  “We  cannot  live  on  the 
American  standard  of  living  and 
still  bring  the  gospel  to  the  uncount- 
ed persons  who  have  not  heard  it. 
It  simply  cannot  be  done.” 

God  expects  us  to  live  differently 
regarding  our  wealth  because  of  our 
relationship  to  Him.  Our  lives  will 
be  more  simple,  our  homes  less  ex- 
travagant, our  hearts  more  compas- 
sionate. 

Living  simply  depends  upon  a 
deep  personal  relationship  with 
Jesus  Christ.  It  means  trust  and  a 
child-like  faith.  All  that  we  experi- 
ence in  life  should  add  to  and  not 
detract  from  our  simple  faith  and 
dependence  on  Him.  Christ  alone 
is  wise  enough  to  make  the  decisions 
in  our  lives.  Real  peace  of  heart 
begins  when  we  begin  to  live  simp- 
ly, when  we  come  to  the  place  where 
we  are  willing  to  let  Christ  manage 
our  lives. 

“Seek  ye  first  the  kingdom  of  God 
and  his  righteousness;  and  all  these 
things  shall  be  added  unto  you.” 


October  27,  1959 


659 


Promoting 

Mission 


Interest 


John  Thiessen 


The  Apostle  Paul  told  the  church 
in  Corinth  that  the  love  of 
Christ  constrained  him  in  his  un- 
ceasing activity  of  bringing  salva- 
tion to  all  people  he  could  reach. 
He  also  told  the  same  church  that 
no  matter  how  active  and  busy  a 
person  might  be,  if  he  does  not  have 
love  he  is  mere  sounding  brass  or 
clanging  cymbal. 

Consider  with  me  the  promotion 
of  mission  interest  and  mission 
work.  We  agree  that:  (1)  Christian 
mission  work  is  at  the  very  center 
of  our  spiritual  life.  (2)  That  mis- 
sion interest  is  not  only  for  a day 
or  a given  period  in  a Christian’s 
life,  but  that  it  must  be  a sustained 
interest  from  childhood  to  the 
grave.  (3)  That  mission  interest  re- 
sults in  prayer,  intercession,  work. 


John  Thiessen  was  formerly  executive  sec- 
retary of  the  Mission  Board.  This  article 
is  adapted  from  a recent  radio  address. 


and  material  support. 

Centering  around  these  three 
facts,  I wish  to  invite  us  all  to 
“think  on  these  things.” 

The  first  remarks  pertain  to  our 
homes.  Of  all  the  influences  that 
work  in  a child,  the  greatest  and 
most  lasting  is  the  home  influence. 
The  child  literally  absorbs  every- 
thing that  is  said  and  done  at  home. 
Our  question  in  all  seriousness  now 
is:  How  much  is  missions  being 

talked  about  in  the  home?  Are  mis- 
sionaries’ names  mentioned  around 
the  family  table?  Is  there  a mission 
map  in  your  home?  Are  mission- 
aries and  leaders  of  our  national 
churches  mentioned  in  audible  fam- 
ily prayers?  Are  at  least  a few  sta- 
tistical facts  repeated  occasionally 
in  family  conversation,  such  as  the 
fact  that  we  have  200  missionaries 
on  our  mission  flelds,  that  we  have 
over  20,000  Christians  in  our  nation- 
al churches,  that  we  have  over 
20,000  children  in  our  mission 
schools? 

Then  also  in  our  own  thinking 
and  in  our  conversation,  is  it  known 
that  we  Christians  have  increasing 
religious  competition  to  face?  We 
have  all  heard  that  many  of  the 
ancient  non-Christian  religions  now 
powerfully  reassert  themselves.  We 
all  too  often  think  of  Hinduism  as 
being  in  far-off  India  and  that  it 
does  not  pertain  to  us.  But  do  we 
really  keenly  realize  in  the  first 
place  that  our  Christian  brothers 
and  sisters  and  our  missionaries 
have  to  face  Hinduism  every  day? 
And  further,  do  we  realize  that  Hin- 
duism seeks  converts  in  our  own 
land?  Hinduism  has  become  mis- 
sionary-minded and  has  mission  sta- 
tions in  America. 

Do  we  realize  that  ancient  Bud- 
dhism is  not  only  in  China  and  Japan, 
but  is  spreading  all  over  the  world? 
Buddhist  leaders  are  building  a sem- 
inary in  South  India  which  is  re- 
ported to  be  second  to  none  in  the 
world,  no  matter  what  religion  we 
may  think  of.  From  this  seminary 
the  keenest  and  best  Buddhist  mis- 
sionaries will  be  sent  out  to  all  na- 
tions. 

Do  we  realize  that  for  decades 


Mohammedanism  has  been  the  mos 
effective  missionary  movement  or 
earth?  We  say  that  Africa  is  oui 
most  productive  mission  field.  Thai 
is  true.  But  it  is  also  Islam’s  most 
productive  mission  field.  Why  is  this 
true?  At  least  one  answer  is  that 
every  Mohammedan  traveler,  mer- 
chant, and  diplomat  is  an  ardent 
disciple  of  Mohammed.  He  is  con- 
stantly urged  and  encouraged  by 
his  home  people  to  remain  true  to 
the  faith  and  present  his  faith  to 
all  who  will  listen.  Millions  are  “re- 
ligion hungry”  and  the  advocates 
of  Mohammedanism  vigorously  pre- 
sent their  faith.  Let  us  also  note 
that  Mohammedanism  has  a strong 
foothold  in  America. 

Do  we  realize  that  Shintoism  in 
Japan,  which  was  largely  discredit- 
ed and  neglected  when  the  Second 
World  War  closed,  is  powerfully  re- 
asserting itself?  'The  old  shrines  are 
repaired  or  rebuilt.  New  temples 
are  constructed  on  good  farm  land 
which  the  ninety  million  people  des- 
perately need  to  produce  food.  Our 
converts  are  discriminated  against 
when  it  comes  to  job  hunting  if 
they  do  not  bow  to  the  Shinto 
shrine.  So  it  increasingly  means  for 
our  Christians  that  they  adhere  to 
Shintoism  or  go  hungry. 

In  the  light  of  what  has  been 
said,  doesn’t  it  mean  that  our  mis- 
sionaries on  the  flelds  should  be  en- 
couraged by  us  all  to  keep  on,  in 
season  and  out  of  season,  to  present 
our  Savior  who  is  willing  to  be 
everyone’s  Savior?  Yet  we  de- 
mand that  the  missionarv  must 
spend  a goodly  portion  of  his  time 
and  energy  coming  and  encourag- 
ing us  to  keep  up  our  mission  inter- 
est. If  he  cannot  come  to  us  on  a 
Sunday  morning,  we  will  not  bother 
to  go  to  hear  him.  Or  if  he  does 
not  come  to  our  church,  we  will  not 
go  to  a sister  church  to  hear  him. 
In  some  cases  our  Board  of  Mis- 
sions has  asked  the  missionary  to 
do  less  mission  work  and  spend 
more  time  visiting  churches,  re- 
treats, and  conferences.  In  the  light 
of  the  overwhelming  darkness  in 
the  whole  world,  are  our  demands 
right  before  the  Judge  of  nations? 


rHE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church. 
Entered  at  North  Newton,  Kansas,  post  office  as  second  class  matter.  Acceptance  for  mailing  at  special  rate  of  postage:  section  1103,  Act 
of  Oct.  3,  1917.  Authorized  Jan.  22,  1910.  Subscriptions  $2.50;  foreign  $3.00.  Mail  subscriptions  and  payments  to  Mennonite  Publication 
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Woodward  Place,  Goshen,  Ind.  Postmasters:  change  of  address  Form  3579  to  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan. 


660 


THE  MENNONITE 


'si: 

Oil;  introducing  a research  project 

uif 

at 


Mobility  in  the  Conference 


: Leland  Harder 


y 

t>: 

3, 

Mobility  means  “movement.” 
The  kind  of  mobility  referred 
to  in  this  article  is  illustrated  in 
■ the  cases  of  my  parental  family, 

1 and  that  of  my  wife’s.  Of  four  chil- 
i dren  who  grew  up  in  the  one  Men- 
, nonite  family,  two  (50%)  are  still 
I Mennonite  by  virtue  of  belonging 
! to  two  new  urban  outposts — Kansas 
I City  and  Elkhart.  The  other  two 
I are  also  urban  dwellers,  but  the 
' one  is  now  a Methodist  and  the  oth- 
er a Congregationalist. 

In  my  wife’s  case,  of  five  children 
who  grew  up  on  the  old  homestead 
near  Mountain  Lake,  only  two  are 
still  Mennonite.  The  oldest  daughter 
and  her  family  now  own  the  family 
farm  and  are  active  in  the  home 
church.  The  one  in  Los  Angeles  is  a 
Presb5Tterian,  the  one  in  Chicago  an 
Episcopalian,  and  the  one  in  New 
York  a Presbyterian. 

No  one  knows  at  this  point  wheth- 
er the  above  two-out-of-four  or  two- 
out-of-five  represents  the  approxi- 
mate proportion  of  second  genera- 
tion departures  from  the  Confer- 
ence; but  certainly  everyone  who  is 
observant  knows  that  mobility  is 
taking  place. 

There  is  physical  mobility,  social 
mobility,  and  ecclesiastical  mobility. 
Physical  mobility  is  the  geograph- 
ical movement  of  people.  For  our 
purpose  it  is  the  distance  a person 
moves  from  the  home  church.  If 
the  distance  is  not  great,  the  per- 
son could  conceivably  retain  mem- 
bership in  his  home  church.  If  the 
distance  is  great,  and  there  is  no 
Mennonite  church  nearby,  he  must 
either  become  inactive,  transfer  to 
another  denomination,  or  participate 
in  the  establishing  of  a new  Menno- 
nite congregation  in  his  new  loca- 


Leland  Harder  is  director  of  practical 
work  and  instructor  at  Mennonite  Bib- 
lical Seminary. 


tion.  Several  score  new  Mennonite 
churches  have  been  formed  in  the 
past  decade,  mostly  in  urban  cen- 
ters to  which  Mennonites  have 
moved. 

I recall  how  the  Kansas  City 
church  began  less  than  three  years 
ago.  An  enlightened  district  home 
missions  committee  found  a vacant 
church  in  an  accessible  location,  and 
lost  no  time  in  acquiring  it.  In  the 
meantime,  several  interested  per- 
sons made  a list  and  visited  the 
mobile  Mennonites  in  the  area.  Soon 
there  was  a congregation  of  twenty, 
then  forty,  then  sixty  persons.  Be- 
cause our  church  “shot  on  the  wing” 
as  urban  church  executives  are  fond 
of  saying,  my  sister  and  her  family 
found  a new  Mennonite  church  on 
their  way  to  the  big  city. 

Then  there  is  social  mobility.  In 
my  family,  and  my  wife’s,  going  to 
college  or  professional  school  went 
hand-in-glove  with  our  respective  de- 
partures from  Hillsboro  and  Moun- 
tain Lake,  respectively,  which  in 
turn  inevitably  affected  our  church 
affiliation  in  one  way  or  another. 
In  terms  of  occupations  we  number 
among  our  siblings  (or  their 
spouses)  three  teachers,  two  engi- 
neers, one  farmer,  one  doctor,  and 
one  junior  executive.  Social  mo- 
bility is  defined  as  movement  from 
one  status  position  or  stratum  to 
another.  The  three  factors  of  social 
mobility  usually  considered  most 
important  are  education,  occupation, 
and  income. 

Take  education  for  instance.  Our 
Mennonite  church  schools  were 
started  in  large  part  to  train  our 
youth  to  be  effective  church  mem- 
bers and  workers,  assuming  that  the 
majority  of  them  would  return  to 
their  rural  communities  upon  grad- 
uation. But  in  our  country,  the  a- 
chievement  of  graduating  from  an 
accredited  college  (whether  Men- 


nonite or  not)  is  a steppingstone 
to  higher  echelons  and  bigger  sal- 
aries. No  one  knows  exactly  how 
education  is  affecting  the  status  of 
this  Mennonite  generation.  Is  it  true 
that  the  more  formal  education  a 
person  has,  the  greater  the  likeli- 
hood of  his  leaving  the  Mennonite 
faith?  With  appropriate  sorts  of 
information  carefully  gathered  on  a 
wide  geographical  basis,  we  could 
shed  light  on  this  and  similar  ques- 
tions. 

Or  take  the  factor  of  occupation. 
Mennonitism  as  a “way  of  life”  has 
long  been  identified  with  agriculture 
as  a means  of  livelihood.  Of  the 
members  of  the  present  generation, 
are  those  who  were  raised  on  the 
farm  less  mobile  than  than  those 
who  were  not?  No  one  really  knows 
because  we  haven’t  taken  the  pains 
to  find  out.  One  might  guess  that 
members  who  are  engaged  in  non- 
farm pursuits  tend  to  leave  the  Con- 
ference at  a higher  rate  than  those 
in  agricultural  occupations,  but  we 
need  more  information.  The  US 
Census  Bureau  has  perfected  an 
elaborate,  though  simple,  index  of 
occupations.  With  a scale  such  as 
this,  it  is  possible  to  compare  the 
social  status  of  present  members  of 
the  Conference  with  that  of  former 
members,  to  discern  whether  social 
mobility  is  tied  up  with  physical 
mobility,  and  both  in  turn  with  leak- 
age of  members. 

Then  there  is  ecclesiastical  mobil- 
ity. We  know,  of  course,  about  Men- 
nonites who  join  the  Methodists  and 
the  Presbyterians  and  the  Baptists. 
But  what  does  this  mean  in  terms 
of  ecclesiastical  mobility?  We  ap- 
propriately take  this  question  to  the 
sociologists  of  religion.  J.  Milton 
Yinger  of  Oberlin  states  that  as 
church  bodies  rigidify,  there  is  an 
observable  continuum  from  with- 
drawal to  accommodation.  The  six 
stages  along  the  way  he  defines  as 
“cult,”  “sect,”  “established  sect,” 
“denomination,”  “ecclesia,”  and  “un- 
iversal church.” 

The  Methodists,  for  instance,  be- 
gan as  a sect  and  became  a denom- 
ination. The  Mennonites,  however, 
began  as  a sect  and  became  an 
established  sect.  Why  the  differ- 
ence? According  to  Yinger,  “A  sect 
will  become  a denomination  instead 
of  an  established  sect  if  the  protest 
it  represents  can  readily  be  ab- 


October  27,  1959 


661 


sorbed  into  the  dominant  religious 
stream  without  a serious  challenge 
to  the  secular  social  structure.  . . 

In  the  light  of  this  criterion,  are 
Mennonites  who  join  the  Methodists 
embarrassed  by  the  fact  that  Men- 
nonitism  still  does  constitute  some- 
thing of  a challenge  to  the  secular 
social  structure?  Do  they  wish  to 
be  absorbed  into  the  dominant  reli- 
gious stream?  Frankly,  I think 
there  is  much  mobility  among  Men- 
nonites which  cannot  be  explained 
in  these  terms.  But  no  one  really 
knows  how  much  defection  from 
the  Mennonite  Church  is  explainable 
in  this  way.  We  need  to  study  why 
Mennonites  join  the  Methodists,  the 
Presbyterians,  or  the  Baptists. 

Another  sociologist  of  religion,  H. 
Richard  Niebuhr  of  Yale,  shows 
that  church  groups  are  stratified 
according  to  social  class. 2 The  Pen- 
tecostals  draw  largely  from  the  low- 
er classes,  the  Baptists  from  the 
lower-middle,  the  Methodists  from 
the  upper-middle,  and  the  Presby- 
terians and  Episcopalians  (depend- 
ing, to  be  sure,  on  geographical 
area)  from  the  upper  classes. 

Where  do  the  Mennonites  fit  into 
this  picture?  As  long  as  most  of  us 
were  farmers,  we  hardly  fit  at  all 
because  the  great  agricultural  seg- 
ment of  the  population  constituted 
a class  of  its  own.  But  when  we  be- 
gan to  leave  our  farms  in  larger 
numbers  we  had  opportunity  to  find 
“our  place”  within  the  class  struc- 
ture of  the  larger  society.  And 
where  did  we  aspire  to  be?  No  one 
really  knows  for  sure,  but  some  ob- 
servers in  our  brotherhood  feel  that 
we  have  become  upper-middle  with 
no  great  deviancy  in  either  direc- 
tion. 

It  is  interesting  to  note  that  in 
Goshen,  Indiana,  8%  of  those  gain- 
fully employed  are  professional  peo- 
ple, 9%  are  proprietors  and  man- 
agers, and  29%  are  factory  workers. 
In  the  Eighth  Street  Mennonite 
Church  of  Goshen,  21%  are  profes- 
sional people,  18%  are  proprietors 
and  managers,  and  7%  are  factory 
workers.  Is  the  membership  of  our 
Conference  significantly  short  of  the 
laboring  classes  of  people?  We 
need  to  do  research  in  this  area. 

Some  research  has  been  done  in 
previous  years  relating  to  mobility 
among  Mennonites.  In  1944  S.  F. 


Pannabecker  made  a thorough  study 
of  “The  Development  of  the  General 
Conference  Mennonite  Church  in  the 
American  Environment.”  The  theme 
which  runs  throughout  the  673  pages 
of  this  book  is  stated  on  page  608  as 
follows:  “Inasmuch  as  the  greatest 
defections  from  the  doctrine  of  the 
church  occur  in  those  areas  where 
there  is  the  longest  history  of  en- 
vironmental interaction  and  the 
closest  contacts,  it  is  reasonable  to 
expect  that  as  time  passes  envi- 
ronment will  exert  a similar  infiu- 
ence  in  other  areas  of  the  church.” 

Pannabecker  has  remarked  re- 
cently that  since  he  wrote  his 
dissertation  in  1944,  several  things 
have  come  about  to  change  the 
deterministic  picture  of  his  ear- 
lier findings.  One  of  these  is  a re- 
newed interest  among  our  young 
people  in  the  Mennonite  doctrine 
and  heritage.  Another  development 
is  urban  church  extension. 

Just  last  month,  for  instance, 
there  was  a Mennonite  fellowship 
meeting  in  the  Washington,  D.  C., 
area,  to  which  110  came.  These 
Mennonite  fellowship  meetings  in 
urban  centers  of  our  land  were 
practically  unknown  several  decades 
ago,  and  the  newer  research  must 
take  it  into  account. 

Another  study  related  to  mobility 
among  Mennonties  is  John  Hostet- 
ler’s dissertation,  “The  Sociology  of 
Mennonite  Evangelism.”  Sponsored 
by  the  (Old)  Mennonite  Board  of 
Missions  and  Charities  through  the 
facilities  of  the  Mennonite  Re- 
search Foundation,  this  research 
project  was  called  the  “Mennonite 
Outreach”  study.  There  were  two 
groups  about  which  information  v/as 
desired:  those  who  “joined”  the 

Mennonite  Church  from  the  “out- 
side,” and  those  who  left  the  Men- 
nonite Church  after  having  been 
within.  Churches  of  the  Conference 
were  asked  to  compile  a list  of 
these  “out-group  converts  and  ex- 
members” and  questionnaires  were 
then  sent  out  to  discern  their  rea- 
sons for  acting  as  they  did — choos- 
ing the  Mennonite  Church  in  one 
case,  and  leaving  it  in  the  other. 
This  study  has  been  both  a source 
of  inspiration  and  challenge  as  well 
as  a fund  of  facts  and  figures  that 
continue  to  guide  pastors  and  church 
leaders  of  the  (Old)  Mennonite 
Church  in  the  area  of  evangelism. 


church  extension,  and  local  church 
administration. 

Sensing  the  need  for  potential 
value  of  a thorough  study  of  our 
entire  membership,  the  Executive 
Committee  of  the  General  Confer- 
ence Mennonite  Church  has  recent- 
ly acted  to  sponsor  a research  proj- 
ect of  major  dimensions.  It  is  pro- 
posed to  include  every  congregation 
in  the  United  States  and  Canada. 
Basic  information  concerning  age, 
occupation,  education,  and  residence 
will  be  tabulated  on  every  resident 
and  non-resident  member.  Then 
there  will  be  a master  listing  of  all 
those  whose  membership  in  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  has  terminated 
since  1950,  together  with  compar- 
able background  data  concerning 
them.  Realizing  that  much  of  this 
information  is  not  immediately 
available,  we  have  asked  the  pas- 
tors to  recruit  one  or  several  in- 
formed and  interested  persons  in 
each  congregation  to  work  with  us 
in  gathering  the  required  data. 
These  people  will  constitute  a re- 
search team  of  perhaps  200  persons 
across  our  two  countries,  sending 
completed  data  sheets  to  Elkhart 
where  tabulation  will  be  done  and 
the  findings  prepared  for  publica- 
tion. 

No  doubt  by  now,  some  readers 
are  wondering  what  relation,  if 
any,  research  has  to  the  work  of 
the  church.  There  are,  to  be  sure, 
two  orders  of  truth:  that  timth 

which  we  can  discover  through  our 
study,  and  that  truth  which  God 
must  disclose  to  us  through  revela- 
tion. The  second  order  of  truth  is 
vastly  more  important  than  the  first 
for  it  is  the  source  of  our  salvation; 
but  that  does  not  mean  that  in 
God’s  sight  the  first  order  of  truth 
is  insignificant.  I believe  that  God 
wants  us  to  perceive  patterns  of 
relationship  in  human  behavior 
where  they  can  be  discovered 
through  the  discipline  of  objective 
observation;  for  as  long  as  we  don’t 
substitute  science  for  faith,  we  can 
employ  the  tools  of  study  and  re- 
search for  the  sake  of  Christ  and 
the  extension  of  His  Church. 


ij.  Milton  Yinger,  Religion,  Society  and 
the  Individual.  (New  York:  The  Mao- 
millan  Company,  1957),  p.  152. 

2H.  Richard  Niebuhr,  The  Social  Sources 
of  Denominationalism.  (New  York: 
Henry  Holt  and  Co.,  1929). 


662 


THE  MENNONITE 


A World  of  Misery  in  Asia 


Joe  Smucker 

k SK  almost  anyone  what  first 
l\  comes  to  his  mind  when  he 
hears  the  word  “Asia.”  Chances  are 
you  will  get  two  types  of  answei’s. 
The  questioned  person  may  say  that 
he  thinks  of  lotus  blossoms,  strange 
music,  and  mysticism  and  mention 
other  exotic  notions.  On  the  other 
hand  he  may  say  that  he  thinks  of 
swarms  of  people,  starving  children, 
filthy  streets,  dirty  beggars;  a place 
made  up  of  emotionless  people,  ap- 
parently insensitive  to  the  crying 
needs  around  them. 

Both  of  these  pictures  are  ex- 
tremes. The  idea  of  exotic  mysti- 
cism of  the  Orient  comes  about  only 
because  we  haven’t  bothered  to  real- 
ly study  and  learn  to  know  the  peo- 
ples of  Asia.  We  would  rather  rest 
in  the  illusion  of  a strange,  rather 
exciting  land,  unknown  to  the  west- 
ern mind.  If  we  would  learn  to 
know  these  areas,  we  could  more 
fully  grasp  the  meaning  behind 
their  actions.  We  would  gain  fresh 
insight  into  human  relations  and 
come  to  learn  something  of  the 
basis  for  their  way  of  thinking. 

The  second  picture,  that  of  total 
abject  poverty,  is  equally  exagger- 
ated. True,  Asia  does  have  its  mal- 
nourished people.  It  does  have  beg- 
gars and  homeless  refugees.  Pov- 
erty can  easily  be  seen.  However, 
in  the  same  breath,  we  must  men- 
tion its  schools,  roads,  vehicles,  e- 
lectricity,  radios,  and  other  fruits 
of  what  we  call  an  advanced  tech- 
nology. After  getting  these  extremes 
into  perspective,  this  leads  us  to  the 
question:  What  is  the  misery,  the 
real  misery  of  Asia? 

In  countries  where  Mennonite 
Central  Committee  has  been  and 
is  now  stationed  in  the  Far  East, 


Joe  recently  returned  from  a term  as  MCC 
worker  in  Korea.  This  address  was  given 
at  the  conference  in  Bluffton. 


emergency  relief  distributions  by  it 
and  other  agencies  have  been  han- 
dled on  a comparatively  large 
scale.  In  Korea  alone,  Mennonite 
Central  Committee  has  been  dis- 
tributing corn  meal  and  milk  soup 
to  over  2,000  people  every  day.  Ev- 
ery month,  65  tons  of  foodstuffs  are 
given  to  institutions  sheltering  over 
12,000  orphans,  abandoned  babies, 
widows,  and  old  people.  Last  year, 
over  110,000  pounds  of  clothes  were 
distributed  in  Korea.  We  have  been 
distributing  food  and  clothing  dur- 
ing emergencies  since  immediately 
after  the  Korean  Conflict,  one  of  the 
most  destructive  wars  fought.  MCC 
is  still  distributing  food  and  cloth- 
ing to  refugees,  orphan  children, 
and  widows.  In  each  distribution, 
the  Christian  motive  for  our  work 
is  explained.  We  continue  to  meet 
emergency  need  with  the  onslaught 
of  annual  floods  and  similar  disas- 
ters in  Korea. 

Hong  Kong,  a unique  place  in  that 
it  has  become  a huge  refugee  area 
while  continuing  to  be  ruled  by  the 
British,  has  the  problem  of  intense 
overcrowding  with  a continued  high 
birth  rate.  In  spite  of  great  strides 
in  housing  these  people  250,000  of 
them  live  in  inadequate  or  unsani- 
tary shelters.  75,000  of  these  people 
are  living  in  staircases,  on  roof 
tops,  or  sleeping  on  the  open  streets. 
To  cope  with  this,  MCC  carries  on 
a program  of  individualized  distri- 
butions and  channels  supplies  to 
worthy  institutions. 

Material  aid  work  by  MCC  is  also 
meeting  the  need  in  Vietnam,  In- 
donesia and  in  parts  of  India. 

But  we  must  remember,  especial- 
ly in  those  areas  having  self-govern- 
ment, no  matter  how  many  tons  of 
supplies  we  may  distribute,  no  mat- 
ter how  many  dollars  we  may 
spend,  when  the  need  for  emergency 
aid  has  become  less  acute,  there 


still  remains  a misery  far  more 
basic  than  the  physical  misery 
caused  by  the  lack  of  material 
goods. 

To  get  at  the  crux  of  the  problem 
of  this  phase  of  misery,  we  must 
ask  ourselves  some  searching  as  well 
as  informative  questions.  Take  Ko- 
rea for  example:  Why  in  a city  of 
500,000  are  three  to  four  babies 
abandoned  every  day?  Why  is  tu- 
berculosis so  prevalent?  Why  are 
farmers  barely  able  to  support 
themselves?  Why  are  there  no  jobs 
for  trained  college  graduates?  Why 
such  an  unequal  distribution  of 
wealth?  Why  is  there  no  hope  in 
the  future?  Why  are  people  dis- 
illusioned? Why  does  there  seem 
to  be  a lack  of  sustaining  faith  for 
these  people  to  cling  to?  Try  to 
answer  these  questions  with  their 
economic,  cultural,  social,  and  re- 
ligious implications  and  you  will  be- 
gin to  grasp  the  real  misery  of 
Asia. 

Asia  is  in  a period  of  rapid  transi- 
tion. Many  countries  of  Asia  are 
trying  to  do  in  ten,  twenty,  or  thirty 
years  what  has  taken  the  western 
world  200  to  400  years  to  accom- 
plish. The  Asian  college  student  is 
intelligent.  He  can  discuss  the  de- 
velopments of  the  modern  day  with 
amazing  precision  and  insight.  But 
the  conflicts  and  frustrations  met 
in  trying  to  catch  up  with  and  thus 
compete  successfully  with  the  west- 
ern world  has  resulted  in  a misery 
unnoticed  by  the  casual  observer, 
but  very  real  in  the  life  of  most 
Asian  peoples.  Especially  is  this  so 
in  Korea.  Can  you  imagine  a more 
trying  situation  than  if  the  United 
States  were  arbitrarily  cut  in  half 
with  opposing  ideologies  controlling 
these  halves?  To  make  matters: 
worse,  the  Koreans  had  nothing  to 
do  with  the  division.  We — the 
western  people — imposed  this  mis- 


October  27,  1959 


663 


ery  upon  them! 

People  in  Asia  are  self-respecting 
individuals.  They  want  jobs  and 
skills  to  get  those  jobs.  They  want 
to  take  their  rightful  place  with 
the  rest  of  the  nations  of  the  world. 
Almost  all  of  the  countries  in  the 
Far  East  have  suffered  under  long 
periods  of  foreign  rule  and  humili- 
ation as  secondary  citizens.  This 
explains  in  part,  the  rising  nation- 
alism. They  want  to  see  these  past 
evils  corrected.  There  is  a tendency 
among  some  people  in  Asia  to  be 
reminded  that  the  richness  of  the 
west  has  often  been  the  cause  of 
their  poverty.  This  was  done 
through  exploitation  by  western 
powers. 

What  can  we  as  Christians  do? 
In  the  final  analysis,  no  one  can 


hope  to  solve  satisfactorily  the 
problems  of  the  Asian  countries  ex- 
cept the  Asian  people  themselves. 
But  we  can  help  them  in  achieving 
their  goals  if  we  are  conscious  of 
their  real  needs. 

How,  then,  is  this  to  be  done? 
First  we  must  realize  that  sharing 
material  things  is  a noble  emer- 
gency gesture  and  one  that  is  vital- 
ly needed  in  certain  areas,  but  we 
must  be  aware  of  the  false  idea  that 
this  alone  can  solve  the  problems 
of  poverty.  Second,  we  must  get  rid 
of  the  out-dated  idea  of  the  so- 
called  white  man’s  burden  and  its 
implications  of  a superior  race  help- 
ing an  inferior  people.  We  must 
start  from  basics:  practicing  our 

belief  in  the  equality  of  man  be- 
fore God  and  that  we  have  all  been 


A prize-winning  entry  in  the  tract-writing  contest 

Johnny  Longs  to  Enter  In 


Mrs.  Walter  A.  Claassen 


Johnny,  poor  and  ragged,  was 
walking  along  the  residential  streets 
of  New  York  where  he  definitely 
did  not  belong.  He  enjoyed  seeing 
the  beautiful  homes,  the  flowers, 
lawns,  and  shrubs  that  surrounded 
these  mansions.  His  young  heart 
thrilled  as  he  peeked  through  an 
iron-barred  gate,  and  the  beauty 
that  lay  beyond  it.  The  house  stood 
as  a castle — white,  huge,  and  attrac- 
tive in  every  way.  Yet  this  was  as 
far  as  he  could  go — he  was  barred 
out.  He  could  not  enter,  he  could 
not  see  the  beauties  and  marvels 
of  the  inside.  He  was  born  in  the 
wrong  section  of  that  great  city; 
bom  to  the  wrong  parents.  His  life 
and  his  joy  were  not  complete. 

Just  so  is  the  life  of  every  indi- 
vidual, of  you  and  me.  We  were 
born  in  sin,  and  came  short  of  the 
glory  of  God  (Romans  3:23).  “There 
is  none  righteous,  no,  not  one”  (Ro- 
mans 3:10).  We  are  nothing  but 
filthy  rags  without  Christ  (Isaiah 
64:6).  We  are  bom  lost,  unhappy. 


Mrs.  Claassen  is  a member  of  the  Emmaus 
Church,  Whitewater,  Kan. 


and  without  peace. 

Just  like  Johnny,  we  see  the  beau- 
ty of  nature  and  rejoice  over  it, 
but  nature  can  never  give  us  Sal- 
vation. God  is  the  Creator  of  na- 
ture, yet  nature  has  never  saved 
anyone.  Many  use  the  Lord’s  Day 
to  take  drives  in  the  country,  pic- 
nic, outings  of  all  sorts,  and  claim 
they  are  drawn  nearer  to  God  by 
this  then  by  going  to  church.  They 
are  peering  through  iron  bars  at 
the  work  of  God,  but  they  are  not 
seeing  the  real  thing,  Jesus  the  Son 
of  God  who  could  cleanse  them 
from  all  sin. 

Shall  we  be  satisfied  just  to  look 
at  creation  without  seeing  and 
knowing  the  Creator  and  Redeem- 
er? Oh  no,  let  us  accept  His  bid- 
ding, for  He  says,  “Come  unto  me” 
(Matt.  11:28),  “I  am  the  Way,  the 
Truth  and  the  Life”  (John  14:6). 
“Him  that  cometh  to  me  I will  in 
no  wise  cast  out”  (John  6:37). 

When  Nicodemus  came  to  Jesus, 
he  was  informed  that  unless  he 
was  ‘born  again’  he  could  not  “en- 
ter into  the  kingdom  of  God.”  John- 
ny could  not  enter  the  gates  to  see 


created  in  the  image  of  God. 

Having  these  two  thoughts  in 
mind,  our  best  role  in  Asia  is 
through  dedicated,  trained,  Chris- 
tian individuals,  sharing  their 
skills  and  their  convictions  with 
others  in  an  attempt  to  help  reduce 
the  misery  of  inferiority  due  to 
lack  of  opportunity.  We  need  to 
make  real  what  we  mean  by  a prac- 
ticing Christian.  We  also  have  to 
be  able  to  accept  as  well  as  give. 

This  means  then,  that  we  can 
concentrate  on  improving  farming 
methods  as  we  are  doing  in  Indo- 
nesia and  Korea.  We  can  train  med- 
ical personnel  as  we  have  done  in 
Taiwan.  We  can  share  our  teachers 
as  has  been  done  in  Japan.  We  can 
share  our  medical  personnel  as  we 
(Continued  on  page  669) 


the  inside  of  the  mansion,  because 
he  was  poor,  dirty  and  not  bom  on 
the  right  side  of  the  tracks.  Has 
your  heart  been  made  clean  by  the 
blood  of  Christ  (1  John  1:9);  are 
you  rich  with  spiritual  blessings 
(Gal.  5:22,23);  because  you  have 
been  born  again  and  you  became  a 
new  creature  in  Christ  Jesus  (2  Cor. 
5:17)?  If  so,  you  are  ready  to  enter, 
and  to  see,  for  Jesus  informs  Nico- 
demus further,  “Except  a man  be 
born  again,  he  cannot  see  the  king- 
dom of  God”  (John  3:5). 

“Eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard, 
neither  have  entered  into  the  heart 
of  man,  the  things  which  God  hath 
prepared  for  them  that  love  him” 
(1  Cor.  2:9). 

If  you  will  believe  His  word,-  and 
accept  Him  as  your  personal  Sav- 
ior, you  will  enter  into  the  man- 
sions Jesus  has  gone  to  prepare 
for  you,  you  will  see  Him  face  to 
face,  and  will  have  everlasting  life 
with  Him  in  heaven. 

Won’t  you  open  your  heart’s  door 
and  let  Him  in  just  now?  He  is 
waiting  for  you. 


664 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  youth 


Focus  on  Youth  at  Elkhart 


“A  Young  People’s  Union  summit 
meeting.”  That’s  what  Jacob  T. 
Friesen  called  the  joint  meeting  of 
the  youth  cabinet  and  the  committee 
on  youth  work,  held  October  9-10  at 
Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary,  Elk- 
hart, Indiana.  Purpose  of  the  meet- 
ing, said  Jake  in  his  introduction, 
was  “sharing,  orientation,  and  the 
pooling  of  our  very  best  understand- 
ing of  youth  work.” 

Absent  from  the  meeting  were 
Peter  Letkemann,  fellowship  chair- 
man, and  Bill  Block,  vice  president. 
Parenthetically  (or  perhaps  not  so 
parenthetically)  Bill  and  his  wife  re- 
cently became  parents  of  a little  boy 
named  Mark  Harris. 

Some  time  was  spent  introducing 
ourselves  to  each  other.  This  was 
interesting — would  you  like  to  hear 
some  of  what  was  said? 

Ralph  Shelly,  service  area  chair- 
man, is  now  a science  teacher  in 
the  Quakertown  (Pa.)  Junior  High 
School.  He  is  a graduate  of  Bluffton 
College  and  spent  twenty-three 
months  as  a Paxman  in  Greece. 

John  Bertsche,  faith  and  life 
chairman,  is  a second-year  medical 
student  at  the  University  of  Illinois. 
He  and  his  wife,  Evelyn,  live  at 
Woodlawn  in  Chicago. 

Gordon  Dyck,  former  fellowship 
chairman  (for  six  years),  was  pres- 
ent at  this  meeting  to  share  a 
study  on  “The  Road  We  Have  Come 
As  a Young  People’s  Union.” 

Jack  Purves,  member  of  the  com- 
mittee on  youth,  was  born  in  New 
York,  went  to  school  at  Oberlin, 
met  a Swiss  Mennonite  named 
Christine,  was  in  business  for  five 
years,  worked  with  MCC  four  years, 
and  is  now  admissions  counselor 
at  Bluffton  College. 

Milton  Harder,  who  begins  his 
work  in  the  youth  office  next  week, 
was  bom  on  a farm  in  Minnesota, 


attended  the  Mt.  Lake  Bible  School 
and  Bethel  College,  went  on  a three- 
months  student  tour  to  Europe  and 
stayed  three  years,  graduated  from 
Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary,  re- 
turned to  Europe  for  five  years,  and 
then  accepted  a job  at  722  Main, 
Newton,  Kansas,  from  where  you’ll 
be  hearing  more  of  him. 

Nancy  Wismer,  secretary,  con- 
fessed that  she  and  Milton  are  eith- 
er second  or  third  cousins  through 
marriage.  She  will  graduate  next 
spring  from  Bluffton  College  with  a 
music  major. 

Jake  Friesen,  representing  the 
Board  of  Education  and  Publication, 
grew  up  the  same  place  as  Milton 
but  got  there  a few  years  sooner. 
He  is  a graduate  of  Freeman  Junior 
College,  Bethel  College,  and  New 
York  Biblical  Seminary.  He  served 
a church  in  Beatrice,  Nebraska,  for 
ten  years,  was  director  of  MCC 
work  in  Germany  for  three  years, 
and  is  now  a pastor  in  Bluffton, 
Ohio. 

Marvin  Zehr,  president,  is  a semi- 
nary middler,  Bluffton  College  grad- 
uate, newly  married,  and  has 
worked  as  summer  pastor  in  his 
home  church  in  the  Oak  Grove 
Church  at  Smithville,  Ohio. 

Ray  Hacker,  member  of  the  com- 
mittee on  youth  work,  is  also  East- 
ern District  YPU  president.  He  is 
librarian  at  the  West  Chester  State 
Teachers’  College  in  Pa.,  and  he  and 
his  wife  have  a daughter  thirteen 
weeks  old. 

Muriel  Thiessen,  youth  editor,  is 
India  born,  Kansas  raised,  Bethel- 
Bluffton-Elkhart  educated,  and  Men- 
nonite Publication  Office  employed. 

The  history  of  the  Young  Peo- 
ple’s Union  which  Gordon  gave 
will  appear  in  the  youth  section  in 
the  near  future.  Did  you  know  the 
first  interest  shown  in  young  people 


at  a General  Conference  session 
was  in  1917?  That  D.  D.  Eitzen 
(now  professor  of  psychology  at 
Clairmont  College  in  California) 
was  the  first  president  elected  by 
the  young  people  themselves  — in 
1933?  That  the  same  year  A.  J.  Neu- 
enschwander  served  as  part  time 
field  secretary,  and  that  exactly 
twenty  years  later  the  first  full  time 
youth  worker  was  appointed? 

John  summed  up  his  discussion 
of  the  three-area  emphasis  with  the 
concern  that  these  be  maintained 
proportionately — making  meetings 
of  youth  groups  more  than  “a  jolly 
good  time.” 

Jake’s  main  emphasis  was  that 
the  committee  on  youth  work  will 
be  a common  meeting  ground  for 
suggestions  back  and  forth  between 
the  Young  People’s  Union  and  the 
Board  of  Education  and  Publication. 
This  is  not  a steering  committee  for 
the  YPU.  His  concern  was  that 
young  people  continue  carrying  the 
ball,  exercising  independence  and 
initiative. 

Ray  summarized  the  relationship 
between  district  and  Conference 
level  youth  organization  by  saying 
that  the  districts  interpret,  promote, 
and  inform  the  local  youth  groups 
about  the  Conference-wide  youth  ac- 
tivity. The  Conference  provides 
leadership,  publications,  opportuni- 
ty for  sharing  (at  council  meet- 
ings), and  co-ordination  for  the  local 
youth  groups  through  the  district 
organization. 

Jack’s  assignment  was  “What 
Does  Our  Youth  Need  Most.”  And 
this  is  what  he  said;  “More  than 
anything,  freedom  to  express  is 
needed.  . . . Freedom  to  say  any- 
thing and  have  it  accepted  as  a 
point  of  view,  criticized  and  ana- 
lyzed, yes — but  not  brushed  off. 
Youth’s  honest  doubts  and  bizarre 


October  27,  1959 


665 


acts  are  not  to  be  merely  smiled  at. 
Youth  wants  the  opportunity  to  in- 
vestigate — investigate  anything  — 
and  then  to  be  understood  by  adults. 
Youth  wants  a purification  of  accept- 
ed language,  an  evaluation  of 
“scare”  words.  We  can’t  pontificate 
an  ethical  system  without  explana- 
tion. Youth  needs  creative  channels 
for  energy — a Mennonite  motive  in 
Christian  art,  drama,  music,  journal- 
ism, etc.  Youth  needs  consistency 
on  the  part  of  adults.  . . . There 
seems  to  be  a conflict:  young  people 
want  to  say  what  they  think,  but 
so  often  they  don’t  say  what  they 
think.  Is  this  because  of  fear  of 
adult  reaction?  Or  is  it  because  of 
lack  of  vocabulary  to  express  feel- 
ings? Is  having  conversant  leaders 
the  crux?” 

Marvin  spoke  of  his  visions  for 
emphasizing  the  goals,  adopted  by 
the  YPU  at  the  conference  in  Bluff- 
ton,  for  furthering  co-operation  with 
other  Mennonite  youth  organiza- 
tions, for  work  in  the  area  of  youth 
evangelism  — perhaps  beginning 
with  a study  conference,  for  en- 
couraging more  meetings  of  young 
people  — more  than  business  meet- 
ings, for  getting  a student  confer- 
ence on  the  road,  for  having  an  in- 
spirational youth  conference. 

In  the  area  of  publications  we 
asked  whether  we  were  doing  the 
impossible  by  attempting  to  speak 
to  young  people  — ages  twelve  to 
thirty.  Canadian  youth  groups  re- 
port the  Program  Helps  to  be  too 
juvenile  while  groups  in  the  States 
say  they  are  over  the  heads  of  mem- 
bers of  the  group.  It  was  mentioned 
that  we  are  working  on  the  assump- 
tion that  our  young  people  are 
Christian  which  isn’t  necessarily 
the  case.  Some  are  searching  to 


know  where  they  stand  in  relatior 
to  the  Christian  faith.  Perhaps  w( 
need  more  program  helps  directlj 
concerned  with  conversion. 

John’s  concern  was  that  there  bt 
more  leadership  training  through 
clinics — to  help  youth  sponsors  “ofl 
the  ground.” 

Gordon  aptly  said  that  while 
youth  leaders  might  consider  faith 
and  life  the  hub  of  other  activities, 
the  young  person’s  need  is  more  of 
a social  one.  We  need  to  Christian- 
ize this  need. 

Ralph  said  that  the  area  of  serv- 
ice is  difficult  to  put  across  in  a 
youth  group — for  two  reasons:  (1) 
there  are  so  few  people  who  see  the 
claim  of  Christianity  on  their  lives 
and  (2)  the  poor  example  of  par- 
ents. You  can  have  five  or  six  pro- 
grams emphasizing  service  and  ev- 
eryone thinks  “it’s  a nice  thing,” 
but  when  the  chance  comes  to  do 
something,  there  always  happens 
to  be  a confiict. 

Young  people  make  basic  deci- . 
sions  sooner  these  days  than  they 
used  to.  We  fail  when  we  don’t  hit 
them  with  a challenge  until  they’re 
fifteen  years  old.  . . All  of  our 
Young  People’s  Union  members  are 
church  members  but  are  not  aU 
basically  committed  to  Christ. 

Milton  listed  some  of  the  basic 
questions  that  he  faces  as  he 
begins  work  with  the  young  people 
of  our  Conference  in  the  U.S. 
and  Canada.  Where  are  we  going? 
What  is  our  mission?  Why  are  we 
Mennonites?  What  do  we  have  to 
contribute  to  the  world? 

Young  people,  he  said,  must  feel 
that  they  have  something  to  con- 
tribute. The  purpose  of  a youth 
worker  is  to  deepen  a sense  of  pur- 
pose. 


Your  first  impression  might  he  that  there  was  nothing  but  men  and  papers! 
For  one  side  of  the  table,  you’re  correct.  Starting  at  the  left  in  the  top 
picture  are  Ralph  Shelly,  John  Bertsche,  Gordon  Dyck,  Jack  Purves.  On 
the  other  side  of  the  table  were  Nancy  Wismer,  Jake  Friesen,  Marvin 
Zehr,  and  Ray  Hacker.  Milton  Harder  was  seated  at  the  end  of  the  table. 
The  youth  editor,  who  served  as  pseudo-photographer  for  the  occasion  was 
also  present.  Jake  Friesen  was  chairman  for  this  meeting.  At  the  moment 
the  fourth  picture  was  taken,  he  was  saying:  “We’ue  got  to  be  interested 
in  out-goingness,  not  just  self-preservation.”  The  fifth  picture  shows  Ray 
Hacker  in  the  middle  of  his  presentation  of  local-district-Conference  rela- 
tionships in  the  Young  People’s  Union.  . . . Then  halfway  through  the  after- 
noon we  shoved  the  papers  aside  and  had  tea.  The  bottom  picture  shows 
Betty  Quiring  and  Hedy  Sawadsky,  students  at  the  seminary. 


666 


THE  MENNONITE 


From  his  experience  with  young 
jeople  in  Europe,  Milton  drew  an  il- 
ustration:  The  war  was  a frustrat- 
ng  experience  for  European  youth. 
**  They  found  they  needed  to  bulid 
'rom  the  bottom.  When  they  consid- 
ired  how  to  begin,  they  chose  Bible 
study.  Yes,  there  would  be  a balance 
^*3f  fellowship,  but  they  had  to  first 
^ be  willing  to  come  to  grips  with  the 
^ basis  of  faith.  If  this  is  lacking  in 
Dur  youth  groups,  we’re  building 
“ a superstructure  on  something  that 
won’t  last.  Already  there  is  too 
' much  of  an  attitude  which  says, 
^ “The  church  exists  and  one  has  to 
,1 

e 


Experiment 


When  sixteen-year-old  Karen  Des- 
landes,  a high  school  student  at 
Berkley,  Michigan,  saw  a re-show- 
Ing  of  “Gentleman’s  Agreement,” 
she  found  the  plot  difficult  to  accept. 
It  is  the  story  of  a Christian  maga- 
zine writer  who  posed  as  a Jew 
for  six  months  to  study  anti-Semi- 
tism. 

“I  thought  it  farfetched  that  a 
Jewish-sounding  name  should  make 
its  owner  unwanted,”  she  said.  “I 
thought  prejudices  like  that  didn’t 
happen  any  more.” 

Karen  decided  to  see  for  herself. 
Thus  began  her  secret  experiment. 

By  coincidence  her  father  gave 
her  a charm  bracelet.  When  school- 
mates asked  what  the  charms  rep- 
resented, Karen  simply  stated  that 
they  were  Jewish  symbols. 

“I  said  nothing  else,”  Karen  ex- 
plained. “Many  of  my  friends  im- 
mediately assumed  I was  Jewish. 
For  six  weeks  I let  them  think 
so.”  (Actually  she  is  of  Scotch  and 
French  ancestry  and  attends  a Prot- 
estant church.) 

It  was  a different  world.  Girls 
who  had  long  been  friendly  sudden- 
ly became  cold  and  aloof.  “My  social 
life  suffered;  people  just  ‘forgot’  to 
invite  me  to  parties.  There  was  no 
one  with  whom  to  walk  home  from 
school.  When  there  was  stray  com- 
parJonship,  it  was  strained,”  she 
said. 

As  Karen  and  a friend  were  talk- 
ing one  day  about  their  baby-sit- 


make the  best  of  it,  but  all  that 
it  offers  is  a boring  experience.” 

What  is  the  role  of  the  youth 
worker?  He  is  a key  person  in  the 
work  of  leadership  training  work- 
ing on  the  assumption  that  the  local 
youth  fellowship  is  only  as  good  as 
its  leaders.  He  is  a mediator  be- 
tween young  people  and  the  pastor 
and  leaders.  He  is  a mediator  be- 
tween the  Board  of  Education  and 
Publication  and  the  Young  People’s 
Union.  He  must  know  how  to  inspire 
other  people  to  work. 

Some  of  Milton’s  specific  duties 
will  include:  the  administration  of 


YPU  activities,  informing  and  assist- 
ing district  leaders,  planning  leader- 
ship training,  studying  and  recom- 
mending material,  promoting  stu- 
dent conferences,  editing  of  our  own 
youth  materials,  work  in  inter-Men- 
nonite  activities,  visiting  key  meet- 
tings  of  young  people. 

The  final  item  of  business,  for 
which  only  cabinet  members  met, 
was  the  coming  council  meeting. 
This  will  be  held  on  November  27- 
28  at  Canadian  Mennonite  Bible  Col- 
lege, Winnipeg.  Keep  your  eyes 
peeled  for  more  information  in  com- 
ing weeks. 


with  Prejudice 


ting  jobs,  the  friend  told  Karen  about 
her  rates.  Karen  said  that  she  usual- 
ly asked  for  a little  more.  “Oh,”  the 
girl  sneered,  “that’s  probably  be- 
cause you  sit  for  your  friends  in 
Huntington  Woods.”  Huntington 
Woods  is  a nearby  well-to-do  Jewish 
suburb. 

The  entire  family  felt  the  blow 
of  the  sudden  change  in  social  sta- 
tus. Karen’s  kid  sister  ran  into  re- 
jection from  her  friends — sisters  of 
Karen’s  classmates.  Most  of  the 
friends  of  the  adult  Deslandes  be- 
came too  busy  to  make  social  calls. 
Karen’s  parents  wondered  what  had 
happened. 

None  of  her  family  knew  about 
her  experiment.  She  was  entirely  on 
her  own. 

Suddenly  “prejudice”  wasn’t  just 
a word  in  the  dictionary.  “To  me  it 
meant  a small  child’s  skin  being 
made  into  a lampshade  because  his 
name  was  Goldberg  and  not 
Schmidt.” 

After  six  weeks  Karen  felt  she 
had  learned  enough  to  confirm  the 
truth  of  “Gentleman’s  Agreement.” 
She  went  to  her  speech  teacher  in 
Berkley  High  School  and  told  him 
the  whole  story.  Mr.  Adler  spoke  to 
the  school  officials.  They  were  first 
astonished,  then  sympathetic  to  Kar- 
en’s plan.  Together  they  arranged 
a full  school  assembly,  heralded 
only  as  a BARP  meeting. 

None  of  the  students  knew  what 
was  in  store  until  after  Karen  was 


introduced.  BARP,  she  explained, 
stood  for  “Berkley  Attacks  Race 
Prejudice.”  Then  she  told  them 
about  her  six  weeks  as  a Jew.  She 
told  her  schoolmates  how  they  had 
reacted  and  about  the  barbs  she 
and  her  family  had  felt. 

“What  caused  this  assortment  of 
reactions?”  she  asked.  “Now  I un- 
derstand how  prejudice  warps  and 
twists;  how  it  can  result  in  the  hide- 
ous burnings  of  Jews  in  Germany, 
the  mob  violence  against  Negroes, 
the  man-against-man  attitudes. 

When  she  finished  her  speech, 
Karen’s  friends  and  many  stran- 
gers gathered  about  her  in  the  audi- 
torium. 

“They  asked  me  many  questions,” 
she  said.  “Most  of  all  they  asked, 
‘But  I didn’t  do  those  horrible 
things,  did  I?’  I couldn’t  answer 
them.  All  I could  do  was  suggest 
that  they  search  their  own  souls.” 

“I  don’t  know  if  anyone  changed 
their  minds  that  day.  I do  know  that 
it  made  some  of  them  think.  Per- 
haps they  saw,  as  I did,  that  where 
prejudice  lives  and  fiourishes,  free- 
dom withers  and  dies.” 

— Luther  Life,  by  permission 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People's  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  722 
Main  St.,  Newton,  Kansas. 


October  27,  1959 


667 


our  schools 

SCHOOL  YEARBOOK  BEGUN 

An  early  start  was  made  on  Free- 
man Junior  College’s  yearbook,  The 
Pioneer,  this  year.  The  general 
theme  has  been  selected,  and  all 
the  campus  scenery  shots  have  been 
made.  This  week  photographer  Abe 
Wiebe  started  taking  the  portrait 
pictures.  Much  of  the  credit  for  the 
early  start  goes  to  the  Pioneer  staif 
and  their  advisors.  Lucille  Glanzer 
is  the  college  editor  with  Karen 
Graber  as  academy  co-editor.  Mar- 
ian Kaufman,  the  college  business 
manager,  is  assisted  by  Norman 
Gross,  academy  co-manager.  Rich- 
ard Waltner  is  faculty  advisor  and 
LaVera  Schrag  assistant  advisor. 

PROGRAM  GIVEN 

On  October  4 a group  from  Free- 
man College  presented  a Christian 
Endeavor  program  at  the  Salem- 
Zion  Church  of  which  Olin  Krehbiel 
is  the  pastor.  Participating  were 
President  Ewert  and  Leola  Schultz, 
both  of  whom  spoke.  LaVera  Schrag 
directed  the  music  and  a girls’  trio 
— Esther  Preheim,  Marie  Preheim, 
and  Winifred  Kaufman — ssmg.  Free- 
man College  groups  annually  render 
many  programs  of  this  nature  in 
different  churches. 

ORCHESTRA  CONCERT 

The  Bethel  College-Newton  Com- 
munity Orchestra  presented  its 
first  concert  Sunday  afternoon,  Oc- 
tober 18  at  3 p.m.,  in  Memorial 
Hall. 

Jointly  directed  by  Dr.  Rupert 
Hohmann  of  Bethel  College  and  Mr. 
Gary  Fletcher  of  the  Newton  Pub- 
lic Schools,  the  fifty  piece  orchestra 
also  includes  players  from  Wichita, 
Florence,  Moundridge,  and  Hills- 
boro. 

This  orchestra  is  a new  attempt 
in  the  direction  of  a combined  com- 
munity type  orchestra  designed  to 
pool  resources  to  increase  better 
music  variety  in  this  area  and  to 
raise  the  quality  of  performance  of 
local  musicians. 

Selections  performed  were  Suite 
in  B Minor  for  String  Orchestra  and 
Flute  by  Bach,  Symphony  in  G 
Minor  by  Mozart,  Slavonic  Dance 
in  E Minor  by  Dvorak,  and  Egmont 
Overture  by  Beethoven. 


FACULTY  ACTIVITIES 

Several  faculty  members  of  Men- 
nonite  Biblical  Seminary  have  re- 
cently participated  in  various  Chris- 
tian conferences  and  institutes  as 
well  as  board  meetings  of  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  Mennonite  Church. 

Dean  S.  F.  Pannabecker  and  John 
H.  Yoder,  lecturer  in  theology, 
served  as  resource  persons  for  an 
Institute  of  Christian  World  Rela- 
tions on  Oct.  24,  sponsored  by 
churches  of  Elkhart  County.  Dr. 
Pannabecker  participated  in  the 
area  of  “Church  Witness  in  Foreign 
Missions’’  and  Dr.  Yoder  in  “The 
Church,  Conscience  of  Society.” 

Leland  Harder,  director  of  evan- 
gelism and  practical  work,  partici- 
pated in  a panel  discussion  on  “Un- 
derstanding Ourselves  and  Others” 
at  the  annual  Indiana  YWCA  con- 
ference on  Oct.  10.  He  also  spoke 
on  “Understanding  the  Urban  Mind” 
at  Illinois  Mennonite  Ministers  con- 
ference on  Oct.  12. 

Seminary  personnel  attending  Gen- 
eral Conference  board  meetings  at 
the  Atlantic  Hotel  in  Chicago  in- 
clude; Andrew  R.  Shelly  and  S.  F. 
Pannabecker,  executive  committee 
of  board  of  missions;  Jacob  J.  Enz, 
board  of  education  and  publication 
and  editorial  committee;  and  Mar- 
vin J.  Dirks,  music  committee. 

MCC  news  and  notes 

MENNONITES  ASSIST 
TORNADO  VICTIMS 

FAR  EAST — Typhoon  victims  in 
two  Far  Eastern  localities  are  re- 
ceiving Mennonite  assistance.  MCC 
has  cabled  $1000  to  Japan  to  enable 
Mennonite  missionaries  there  to  be- 
gin rehabilitation  aid  following  Ty- 


phoon Vera’s  a*ttack  Sept.  26. 

Eight  days  earlier,  typhoon  Sarah 
stormed  through  southeastern  Ko- 
rea. Because  MCC  workers  were  on 
the  scene,  immediate  help  was  pos- 
sible. Fifteen  tons  of  cornmeal  were 
distributed  to  6,000  within  hours 
after  the  disaster  which  some  claim- 
ed was  the  worst  in  20  years. 

Harry  Harms  (Greendale,  B.  C.), 
now  in  Korea  for  a second  term,  re 
ported  a missionary  as  saying  that 
even  during  the  war  he  did  not  see 
disaster  such  as  he  witnessed  when 
Sarah  brought  flood  waters  as  high 
as  telephone  lines  within  Twenty 
minutes. 

Regarding  the  Japan  storm,  the 
brunt  of  which  hit  in  south  central 
Honshu  around  the  city  of  Nagoya, 
MCC  Peace  worker  Paul  Peachey 
wrote  Oct.  5: 

‘"Two  wards  of  the  city,  Minami 
and  Minato,  are  completely  flooded 
with  many  outlying  towns  and  vil- 
lages likewise  affected.  Already 
more  than  4,000  persons  are  listed 
as  officially  dead,  though  the  num- 
ber is  certainly  greater.  Destruc- 
tion came  from  both  wind  and  wa- 
ter, with  many  buildings  flattened 
even  where  there  were  no  flood 
waters. 

“The  relief  picture  is  the  follow- 
ing,” Peachey  continued.  “Both  city 
and  territorial  governments  have 
taken  full  command.  Emergency 
food  and  medical  supplies  have 
come  in  from  many  quarters.  The 
churches  have  organized  to  do  what 
they  can  locally.  Funds  and  goods 
are  being  raised  by  churches  else- 
where in  Japan. 

“The  real  task  before  us  then  is 
rehabilitation  rather  than  emergen- 
cy relief.  All  of  the  Mennonite  mis- 


Sunday  morning  worship  service  at  the  annual  Mennonite  Biblical  Semi- 
nary fall  retreat.  Harold  S.  Bender  was  the  speaker  for  this  service. 


668 


THE  MENNONITE 


sions  have  been  contacted  and  to- 
gether we  propose  joint  action  when 
a project  opens,”  Peachey  conclud- 
ed. To  enable  the  Japan  workers  to 
get  under  way  as  soon  as  advisable, 
the  MCC,  besides  cabling  an  initial 
grant  of  $1000,  is  making  plans  to 
ship  1000  Christmas  bundles  imme- 
diately. 

TRANS-CHACO  ROADWAY 
PROJECT 

PARAGUAY — Negotiations  for  a 
new  construction  company  to  help 
with  the  Chaco  roadway  program 
are  going  on  between  Williams 
Brothers  Company — a Tulsa,  Okla., 
pipe  line  engineering,  construction 
firm — and  the  Paragua,yan  govern- 
ment. With  the  recent  termination 
of  oil  drilling  in  Paraguay,  $400,000 
worth  of  road  building  equipment 
used  by  Williams  Brothers  for  Pure 
Oil  Company  road  work  is  now 
available  for  the  Chaco  road  project. 

Williams  Brothers  officials  are 
hoping  to  employ  their  machinery 
north  of  Asuncion,  starting  near 
Filadelfia  at  the  extreme  north  end 
of  the  Chaco  roadway  project  and 
working  south  to  the  present  Trans- 
Chaco  roadway  construction.  The 
Williams  Company  desires  to  build 
130  kilometers  of  the  road  which 
will  eventually  extend  over  300  kil- 
ometers. US  Point  Four  and  the 
Paraguayan  government,  with  whom 
MCC  is  working,  have  already  com- 
pleted some  90  kilometers.  Building 
through  marshy  forest  land,  thus 
far,  has  proceeded  slowly  and  •be- 
cause of  heavy  rains  has  occasional- 
ly been  stalled.  With  less  topograph- 
ical obstacles,  the  north  end  of  the 
road  will  not  be  as  difficult  to  build. 

If  accepted  by  Paraguay,  Wil- 
liams Brothers’  assistance  would  be 
financed  out  of  a five  per  cent  tax 
which  the  government  is  placing  on 
all  imported  goods.  Since  the  com- 
pany would  start  near  Filadelfia, 
where  many  Mennonites  are  located 
the  village-  would  naturally  receive 
benefits  from  the  company’s  con- 
struction activity. 

NSBRO  REPORTS  CONTINUED 
ASSISTANCE  TO  DRAFT  AGE  MEN 

WASHINGTON — A growing  num- 
ber of  men  are  seeking  discharges 
from  Air  Force,  Army,  and  Navy 
Reserves,  reported  Executive  Secre- 
tary J.  Harold  Sherk  at  the  annual 
meeting  of  the  Executive  Commit- 


tee of  the  National  Service  Board 
of  Religious  Objectors  in  Washing- 
ton, D.  C.,  Oct.  13.  These  reserve 
men,  thoroughly  disgusted  with  mil- 
itarism and  recognizing  its  unchris- 
tian manifestations,  have  come  out 
convinced  pacifists  but  have  diffi- 
culty being  released  from  their  mil- 
itary service  commitments. 

Reported  Sherk,  “Many  persons 
seeking  separation  from  the  armed 
services  on  account  of  conscicmtious 
objection  are  still  meeting  extreme 
difficulty.  Bonafide  CO’s  can  usually 
obtain  a discharge  from  the  Air 
Force  with  little  difficulty.  Dis- 
charges from  the  Navy  are  often 
more  difficult,  but  separations  from 
the  Army  are  much  more  difficult. 
We  have  a growing  list  of  persons 
who  have  sought  discharge  from 
the  Army  Reserve  but  have  been 
unsuccessful  and  whom  we  need  to 
help. 

Among  NSBRO’s  significant  con- 
tribution this  year,  Sherk  pointed 
out,  were  the  production  of  the  peace 
film  Alternatives  and  maintaining 
contact  through  active  case  work — 


(continued  from  page  664) 


have  done  in  Vietnam. 

In  short,  we  must  be  ready  to 
share  our  very  selves  as  well  as 
our  skills.  Highly  trained  Christian 
specialists,  divorced  from  past  for- 
eign traditions  in  Asian  countries 
can  make  the  greatest  contribution. 
I think  it  worthwhile  to  note,  as 
DeBoer  has  done  in  his  book  The 
Bridge  Is  Love  where  he  quotes 
Nehru,  that  only  those  missions  or 
foreign  groups  who  are  willing  to 
work  up  from  a common  starting 
point  with  the  Indian  people  have 
any  real  value  in  India.  Nehru  goes 
on  to  cite  the  Friends,  the  Quakers, 
and  the  Mennonites  as  having  his 
respect  for  working  in  this  way. 

This  means  then  that  we  can’t  be 
satisfied  with  merely  giving  old 
clothes  or  surplus  foodstuffs.  We 


helping  fellows  who  have  Selective 
Service  difficulties — with  150  men 
seeking  the  1-0  classification. 

At  the  Washington  meeting  the 
NSBRO  Executive  Committee,  made 
up  of  persons  from  church  groups 
which  have  peace  concerns,  met 
with  several  Selective  Service  offi- 
cials to  discuss  CO  work  projects; 
with  Colonel  Lewis  Kosch,  advisor 
to  the  director  of  Selective  Service 
(General  Lewis  B.  Hershey);  with 
Colonel  Daniel  Omer,  deputy  direc- 
tor of  Selective  Service  and  with 
Alfred  Oddo  who  is  in'  charge  of  the 
alternative  service  work  programs. 
Representing  the  Mennonite  Central 
Committee  were  NSBRO  board 
member  William  T.  Snyder  and 
Peace  Section  Executive  Secretary 
Elmer  Neufeld. 

Statistics  from  Selective  Service 
and  NSBRO  files  indicate  that  1,825 
men  are  now  doing  1-W  service. 
Since  the  opening  of  the  1-W  pro- 
gram on  July  1,  1952,  approximate- 
ly 8,000  have  completed  alternative 
service  requirements. 


seem  to  be  easily  satisfied  when 
we  can  note  the  thousands  of  tons 
of  supplies  sent  out.  It  is  more  dif- 
ficult than  one  may  realize  to  con- 
vey the  message  that  we  are  work- 
ing for  the  betterment  of  others 
and  not  for  our  own  selfish  gains. 

We  must  continue  to  aid  them 
through  the  Christian  mode  of  giv- 
ing material  goods.  But  more  than 
that,  we  need  to  work  toward  the 
alleviation  of  the  misery  of  the 
spirit,  the  mind,  and  the  soul 
through  the  efforts  of  highly  train- 
ed, dedicated,  and  disciplined  indi- 
viduals who  can  share  their  tal- 
ents in  a truly  Christian  manner. 
The  outward  results  won’t  look 
earth  shaking  on  paper,  but  the 
long  range  benefits  go  deeper  than 
that! 


A World  of  Misery  in  Asia 


October  27,  1959 


669 


jottings 

MISSIONARY  CONFERENCE  HELD 

West  Abbotsford  Church,  Abbots- 
ford, B.  C.:  The  missionary  confer- 
ence at  our  church  received  special 
emphasis  this  year  because  of  the 
presence  of  our  own  missionaries, 
Peter  and  Mary  Derksen  from  Ja- 
pan. On  furlough  after  one  term  of 
service,  they  plan  to  return  to  Japan 
after  a year  in  the  homeland.  The 
theme  of  the  conference  was;  “Go 
ye  therefore  . . . teaching  them  to 
observe.  . .”  (Matt.  28:19,20).  A 
large  poster  at  the  front  of  the 
church  made  the  bold  statement; 
The  world  is  our  field.  Maps  of  the 
various  mission  fields  served  by 
General  Conference  missionaries 
were  put  up  along  the  sides  of  the 
church.  Also  of  great  interest  were 
the  displays  of  pictures  of  all  the 
missionaries  of  the  Conference  as 
well  as  many  interesting  articles 
brought  by  the  Derksens  from  Ja- 
pan. Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Derksen 
served  with  inspiring  and  challeng- 
ing messages  and  reports  of  their 
work.  Mr.  Derksen  stressed  the  fact 
that  Christ’s  command  to  go  and 
teach  was  meant  for  all  Christians 
regardless  of  the  position  they  were 
filling.  The  teacher,  nurse,  business- 
man, homemaker,  and  farmer  have 
as  great  a responsibility  to  witness 
as  does  the  missionary.  Mrs.  Derk- 
sen told  of  the  work  among  the  chil- 
dren in  Japan.  Much  has  been  done 
in  kindergartens  with  children  of 
ages  three  to  six.  Another  effective 
way  of  reaching  children  in  Japan 
is  through  children’s  tracts  — they 
just  love  them.  Japan  received  the 
main  emphasis  during  the  confer- 
ence but  other  mission  fields  were 
by  no  means  forgotten.  Reports 
were  given  on  the  work  in  Africa, 
China,  India,  South  America,  and 
the  homeland.  We  were  particularly 
urged  to  remember  the  Chinese 
Christians  who  are  no  longer  under 
the  guidance  of  foreign  mission- 
aries. The  fifty-five  minute  film,  Ma- 
koto,  showing  the  problems  and 


struggles  of  a young  Japanese  con- 
vert, and  the  play  “Out  of  Darkness 
Into  Light,’’  presented  by  the  girls’ 
club,  intensified  the  already  evident 
feeling  of  urgency  to  reach  the  lost 
for  Christ  and  to-  support  with  much 
prayer  those  who  have  accepted 
Him.  In  his  final  message  Mr.  Derk- 
sen said  that  whether  we  will  be 
used  of  God  depends  on  three 
things:  motive,  loyalty,  and  passion. 
In  the  brief  dedication  service  that 
followed,  many  parents  signified 
their  willingness  to  encourage  their 
children  to  enter  full  time  service, 
and  almost  all  present  promised  to 
pray  more  faithfully  and  intensely 
for  Christian  workers  as  well  as  for 
the  unsaved.  The  prayer  and  prepa- 
ration that  preceded  the  actual  con- 
ference were  definitely  not  in  vain. 
God’s  presence  was  felt  at  all  ses- 
sions and  many  of  those  who  attend- 
ed returned  to  their  homes  with  a 
new  zeal  and  feeling  of  responsi- 
bility to  reach  the  lost  for  Christ 
which,  we  trust,  will  be  translated 
into  action. — Doreen  Dueck 
PASTOR  ATTENDS  CONFERENCE 
Bethel  Church,  Marion,  S.  D.; 
Pastor  and  Mrs.  Graber  attended 
the  conference  in  Bluffton  and  then 
took  their  vacation.  During  the  pas- 
tor’s absence,  Orlando  Goering, 
Wayne  Parry,  and  Hugo  Mierau 
supplied  the  pulpit.  On  Sept.  6 Pas- 
tor Graber  gave  a report  of  the 
conference.  On  Sept.  27  the  junior 
SS  gave  a program.  Promotions 
have  been  made  and  the  new  year 
of  the  Sunday  school  has  been 
started.  Cleon  Graber  and  Mar- 
jorie Ewert  were  married  Aug.  8, 
and  Leroy  Ortman  and  Margaret 
Benz  on  Aug.  11.  Catherine  Joan 
was  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Edwin 
Jantzen  on  Aug.  15,  Rhonda  Renee 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  James  Ortman  on 
Sept.  24.  Communion  was  observed 
Oct.  4.  Rev.  and  Mrs.  W.  C.  Voth 
were  guest  speakers  in  our  church 
Oct.  22.  On  Oct.  25  the  women’s 
missionary  society  gave  the  CE  pro- 
gram including  a playlet  with  the 
ladies’  choir  participating. 

J.  E.  HARTZLER  TO  VISIT 

First  Church,  Hillsboro,  Kan.: 


This  community  celebrated  its  75th 
anniversary  in  June.  All  churches 
participated  in  an  evening  service. 
“Faith  of  Our  Fathers,”  “Grosser 
Gott  wir  loben  Dich,”  and  other 
songs  were  rendered  by  a massed 
choir  of  150  voices.  Dr.  A.  J.  Harms 
was  the  guest  speaker.  Union  serv- 
ices were  conducted  on  our  church 
lawn  this  summer.  Sixty-four  Christ- 
mas bundles  and  nine  leper  bundles 
were  taken  to  the  North  Newton 
relief  center.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry 
W.  Classen,  who  have  served  our 
church  faithfully  for  many  years, 
have  taken  up  residency  in  Wichita, 
where  Mr.  Classen  has  a teaching 
position.  Our  pastor  and  family 
were  at  the  conference  at  Bluffton. 
They  also  visited  points  of  interest 
on  the  east  coast,  MCC  headquar- 
ters at  Akron,  Pa.,  and  visited  rel- 
atives in  Wisconsin.  Willard  Unruh 
and  H.  T.  Unruh  served  in  the  morn- 
ing worship  service  in  Pastor 
Koontz’s  absence.  Our  church  assist- 
ed the  hospital  auxilia:^  in  serving 
meals  during  the  Marion  Co.  Fair. 
Recent  weddings  in  our  congrega- 
tion were:  Katherine  Jost  to  Robert 
Sommerfeld;  Rosa  Bartel  to  Ran- 
dolph Thimm;  Carol  Calem  to  La- 
von  Jost;  and  Wayne  Wiens  to  Ver- 
nabelle  Siemens.  Vernon  Lyle  was 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Arthur  Jantz; 
Bradley  Mitchell  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Bob  Stratman.  Dr.  Arthur  Thiessen 
reported  on  their  work  in  the  Leper 
Hospital  in  India,  Oct.  1.  Dr.  J.  E. 
Hartzler  will  be  our  guest  speaker 
Nov.  8-13.  He  will  give  illustrated 
talks  on  Russia  prior  to  each  eve- 
ning’s service.  The  date  for  our 
harvest  and  mission  festival  has 
been  set  for  Nov.  22. — Mrs.  Jacob 
E.  Klassen 

EXCHANGE  CHOIR  PROGRAMS 

Bethesda  Church,  Marion,  S.  D.; 
The  junior  choir  from  the  Bethany 
Church  of  Freeman  gave  a program 
Jul^  19  for  our  junior  choir.  July 
8 Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lester  Enz  were 
blessed  with  twin  boys.  July  29  a 
son  was  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jesse 
Hofer,  and  a daughter  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Arvel  Wiens,  Sept.  13.  The 
following  attended  the  Intermediate 
Bible  Camp  at  Swan  Lake,  July  26- 
31:  Rita  Tieszen,  Jeanine  Schmidt, 
Janice  Kehn,  Frieda  Schartner.  The 
junior  choir  gave  a program  Aug. 
16  at  a mission  center  in  Yankton 
where  Helen  Tieszen  is  in  charge. 
Our  group  took  gifts  and  light  re- 
freshments along.  Pastor  and  Mrs. 
T.  A.  van  der  Smissen  attended 
the  conference  in  Ohio.  In  the  ab- 
sence of  our  pastor,  John  Unruh 
served  Aug.  16,  and  Hugo  Mierau 
brought  the  message  Aug.  23.  Sept. 
3 the  ladies’  mission  society  had 
their  regular  meeting  and  also 
made  quilts.  The  ladies  of  the  Sa- 
'.em-Zion  (North)  Church  gave  a 
program.  An  hour  of  fellowship  fol- 
lowed with  light  lunch.  Sept.  27,  in 
the  morning,  the  junior  SS  dept, 
held  their  promotion  for  all  classes. 
In  the  evening  the  junior  CE  pre- 
sented a program  for  the  adult  CE. 


Scene  at  the  missionary  conference  held  in  Abbotsford,  B.  C.:  all  the 
ministers  and  deacons  of  the  West  Abbotsford  Church  with  their  wives 
and  the  Peter  Derksen  family  in  the  center. 


670 


THE  MENNONITE 


MISSIONARY  SOCIETY  PLANS  SALE 

Walton  Church,  Walton,  Kan.; 
Virgil  Dirks,  principal  of  Berean 
Academy,  Elbing,  brought  the  morn- 
ing message  Aug.  16,  while  our  pas- 
tor was  at  conference  in  Bluffton. 
Pastor  and  Mrs.  C.  D.  Boese  and 
Mary  Sue  Graves  were  our  dele- 
gates at  conference.  D.  J.  Unruh  of 
Newton  preached  Sept.  6.  Andrew 
Shelly,  public  relations  representa- 
tive of  Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary 
in  Elkhart,  Ind.,  was  guest  min- 
ister Sept.  13.  In  the  evening  he  pre- 
sented a film  on  Christian  service 
opportunities  at  the  seminary.  Rose 
Marie  Friesen  was  married  to 
Charles  Maltbie  on  July  5.  Ruth 
Wiebe  and  Gus  Regehr  were  mar- 
ried Sept.  20.  Our  mission  society 
is  planning  a sale  Nov.  6.  Ruby 
Woelk  is  taking  a year’s  education- 
al leave  from  her  work  with  the 
Kansas  Children’s  Service  League 
in  Wichita  and  attending  New  York 
School  of  Social  Work  at  Columbia 
University.  Norma  Woelk  has  com- 
pleted her  MCC-VS  work  at  Wilt- 
wyck  School,  Esopus,  N.  Y.  She  is 
now  in  their  New  York  office. — 
Harold  Peters 

THREE  MEMBERS  IN  ARIZ.  VS 

First  Church,  McPherson,  Kan.; 
The  nlay,  ‘"The  Eternal  Hills,”  was 
given  by  the  youth  fellowship  of  the 
First  Church  of  Halstead,  Kan.  On 
Pentecost  Sun.  three  young  people 
were  baptized  and  united  with  the 
church.  DVBS  was  held  June  1-12. 
Our  annual  SS  program  and  basket 
dinner  was  held  Children’s  Day. 
Those  going  out  for  summer  VS 
were  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Paul  Stucky  and 
daughter  Barbara.  They  spent  ten 
weeks  among  the  Hopi  Indians  in 
Oraibi,  Ariz.  A promotion  program 
was  held  Sept.  27.  'The  evening  was 
opened  with  a covered  dish  supper. 
The  SS  teachers  and  officers  were 
installed  and  the  children  were  pro- 
moted to  their  classes.  The  speaker 
for  the  evening  was  Amelia  Mueller. 

S.  A.  SEMINARY  REPRESENTED 

Salem  Church,  Dalton,  Ohio;  At 
our  Sept.  6 morning  worship  service 
we  had  Nelson  Litwiller  and  Peter 
Wiens  speak  in  behalf  of  the  Sem- 
inary in  Uruguay.  At  a vesper  serv- 
ice at  the  parsonage,  two  of  our 
young  people  who  were  in  Volun- 
tary Service  this  summer  gave  in- 
teresting reports  of  their  work.  At 
another  Sun.  evening  meeting  we 
had  Wilmer  Sprunger  of  Bluffton, 
who  seized  in  1-W  service  in  the 
Congo,  show  slides  and  tell  of  his 
work  there.  Midweek  Bible  study 
for  adults,  prayer  cell  for  young 
people,  and  choir  practice  have  a- 
gain  started  for  the  fall  and  winter 
months.  There  was  a good  attend- 
ance at  each.  A father-son  banquet 
for  Mennonite  Men  was  held  in  the 
church  basement  on  Oct.  13.  Dr. 
Robert  Tuck  of  Wooster  was  the 
speaker.  Service  Group  2,  of  the 
women’s  missionary  society  served 
the  meal.  Oct.  11  the  Harmonaires 
of  Orrville  and  Smithville,  Ohio, 


presented  a program  of  sacred  mu- 
sic at  our  church.  This  quartet 
serves  re^larly  at  the  Calvary 
Hour  radio  program. 

BIBLE  CONFERENCE  HELD 
Deep  Run  Church,  Bedminster, 
Pa.;  Preparatory  service  was  held 
the  eve  of  Sept.  29.  The  following 
Sun.  Holy  Communion  v»^as  ob- 
served. Henry  Poettcker,  president 
of  Canadian  Mennonite  Bible  Col- 
lege is  the  speaker  at  our  annual 
Bible  conference  being  held  Oct. 
25-28.  His  m.essages  are  from  the 
Book  of  i^mos  on  the  theme  “Living 
for  God.”  Oct.  3 the  Eastern  Dist. 
Young  People’s  Union  held  a “hay- 
ride”  leaving  from  Deep  Run  and 
going  to  the  Norman  Wismer  farm 
for  refreshments.  Howard  Habeg- 
ger,  pastor  of  Lansdale,  was  speak- 
er at  Deep  Run  Oct.  18,  our  pulpit 
exchange  Sunday.  On  this  day  Pas- 
tor Boyer  spoke  at  the  Fairfield 
Church,  Fairfield,  Pa.  The  youth 
fellowship  will  have  a Halloween 
party  Oct.  31. 

HARVEST  HOME  SERVICE 

Flatland  Church,  Quakertown, 
Pa.;  The  SS  gave  a plant  to  each 
mother  on  Mother’s  Day.  Mrs.  Ida 
Baringer  received  a geranium  for 
being  the  oldest  mother  present. 
Mrs.  Mahlon  Swartz  passed  away  at 
the  Quakertown  Community  Hos- 
pital May  17  after  being  ill  for 
some  time.  A daughter,  Brenda  Sue, 
was  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ralph 
Loux  on  June  7.  Vacation  Bible 
school  was  held  June  15-26  in  the 
evenings  from  7 to  9 o’clock.  About 
49  boys  and  girls  attended.  After 
returning  from  the  conference  at 
Bluffton,  Pastor  Denlinger  gave  a 
report  on  the  highlights  of  the  conf. 
Everyone  enjoyed  the  picnic  held 
Aug.  15  at  the  church.  Missionary 
Albert  Jantzen  spoke  and  showed 
slides  of  their  mission  work  among 
the  American  Indians  on  Sept.  8. 
Flatland  held  its  harvest  home  serv- 
ice Sept.  20.  The  supplies  went  io 
the  Frederick  Home  for  the  Aged. 
A campfire  and  dedication  service 
was  held  Sept.  20. — Myrna  Baringer 
NEW  MUSIC  DIRECTOR 
First  Church  of  Christi\n,  Mound- 
RiDGE,  Kan.;  Interesting  reports  of 
the  conference  were  given  by  the 
following  delegates  during  our  wor- 
ship service;  Janet  Wedel,  Pdch^rd 
Graber,  Eric  Goering,  and  Mrs.  Eric 
Goering.  July  14  the  ladies  of  the 
congregation  were  guests  of  the 
Mission  Study  Circle  of  the  First 
Church  of  Newton,  where  they  en- 
joyed hearing  Mrs.  Ella  Mae  Miller, 
Harrisonburg,  Va.,  of  the  “Heart  to 
Heart”  radio  program.  The  Disaster 
Service  Com.  of  our  church  was  in 
charge  of  the  clean  up  work  at  the 
Wallace  Stucky  home,  after  the  de- 
struction of  their  home  by  fire.  Har- 
vey Harms,  a music  major  from 
Bethel  College,  is  our  new  director 
of  both  our  junior  and  senior 
choirs.  Mrs.  Lydia  Goebel  was  hon- 
ored on  her  90th  birthday,  July  19, 
with  open  house  to  which  the  con- 


gregation was  invited.  'The  men’s 
fellowship  had  a fellovv^ship  meal 
at  the  Guest  House  in  Newton  on 
Oct.  5 after  which  they  visited  the 
Historical  Library  at  Bethel  Col- 
lege. The  youth  fellowship  also  had 
the  opportunity  to  visit  the  Histor- 
ical Library  for  their  meeting  Sept. 
20.  We  are  looking  forward  to  our 
Harvest  Thanks  Day  to  be  observed 
the  first  week  in  Nov.  followed  by 
a week  of  special  meetings  with  Dr. 
J.  E.  Hartzler  as  speaker. 

MISSION  FESTIVAL 

Bethany  Church,  Kingman,  Kan.: 
While  Pastor  and  Mrs.  P.  P.  Tschetr 
ter  were  attending  the  conference 
in  Bluffton,  our  guest  speakers  were 
Marvin  Eck  and  family  from  Har- 
per, Kan.,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  P.  W.  Dirks 
of  Halstead,  and  Rudolf  Klassen. 
Kenny  Krehbiel,  four  month  old  son 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dean  Krehbiel,  re- 
entered St.  Francis  Hospital.  He 
has  been  quite  ill  for  some  time.  We 
pray  for  his  recovery.  Marilyn 
Krehbiel,  daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Herman  Krehbiel,  was  married  to 
Clifford  Regier,  Burrton,  Sept.  19. 
Sept.  27  was  our  harvest  mission 
festival.  The  offering  was  $1,182.50. 
Our  guest  speakers  were  Ben  Sa- 
watzky  (India),  and  his  father  from 
Newton,  Kan.  The  women’s  mission 
society  sent  out  25  Christmas  bun- 
dles this  summer  and  31  bundles  for 
leprosy  patients.  Oct.  4 Rev.  Zim- 
merman from  Hutchinson  was  in 
our  church  while  Pastor  and  Mrs. 
Tschetter  were  in  S.  D.  Oct.  4 the 
annual  children’s  mission  program 
was  given.  We  had  Communion  Oct. 
18. — Mrs.  Dave  Schrag 

MISSION  EMPHASIS  AT  FESTIVAL 

Bethel  Church,  Mountain  Lake, 
Minn.;  Oct.  11  was  observed  as 
harvest  festival  day.  The  emphasis 
throughout  the  day  was  on  missions. 
Olin  Krehbiel,  pastor  of  the  Salem- 
Zion  Church  at  Freeman,  S.  D.,  was 
our  special  speaker.  At  noon  a fel- 
lowship meal  was  served  to  some 
600  people.  'The  evening  service  was 
a farewell  for  the  Missionary  Ben 
Sawatzky  family  who  left  for  their 
second  term  of  service  in  India  the 
following  morning.  They  were  ac- 
companied to  New  York  by  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  John  S.  Friesen,  parents  of 
Mrs.  Ben  Sawatzky.  They  were  due 
to  sail  on  the  “S.  S.  Bombay”  Oct. 
15.  During  their  furlough.  Rev.  Sa- 
watzky served  as  our  supply  pastor 
for  several  months. — Mrs.  David  H. 
Fast 


into  the  beyond 

Mrs.  Maria  (nee  Seiler)  Allert, 
member  of  the  Menno  Church,  Ritz- 
ville.  Wash.,  was  born  Nov.  2,  1869, 
in  Russia  and  died  Sept.  26,  1959. 
Mrs.  Allert  also  lived  in  Beatrice, 
Neb.,  early  in  her  life. 


October  27,  1959 


671 


conference  notes 


CHILDREN’S  HYMNAL  PLANNED 

Many  hours  were  spent  before 
and  during  the  meeting  of  the 
Church  Music  Committee  in  Elk- 
hart, Ind.,  this  summer,  evaluating 
h3Tnns  presently  being  used  in  Gen- 
eral Conference  Mennonite  congre- 
gations and  other  hymns.  The  com- 
mittee is  doing  the  groundwork  for 
a possible  revision  of  The  Menno- 
nite Hymnary  within  the  next  ten 
or  fifteen  years. 

Arlene  Hartzler  of  Goshen,  Ind., 
has  accepted  the  task  of  preparing 
a manuscript  for  a children’s  hym- 
nal. Work  on  this  has  already  be- 
gun. 

Members  of  the  Church  Music 
Committee  are  Marvin  Dirks,  chair- 
man; Walter  Hohmann,  Lester  Hos- 
tetler, Russell  Lantz,  and  George 
Wiebe. 

BETHESDA  CHURCH  CALLS 
ASSOCIATE  PASTOR 

Paul  Isaak  of  Hydro,  Oklahoma, 
has  accepted  a call  to  the  associate 
pastorship  of  the  Bethesda  Menno- 
nite Church,  Henderson,  Neb.  Pas- 
tor of  the  church  is  John  Gaeddert. 
The  Isaaks  will  make  the  transfer 
early  in  December. 

NELLIE  PENNER  ARRIVES 

Nellie  Penner  of  India  has  arrived 
at  Hillsboro,  Kansas,  to  visit  her 
mother,  Mrs.  P.  W.  Penner  who 
with  her  late  husband  spent  many 
years  in  missionary  service  in  In- 
dia. Miss  Penner  plans  to  remain 
in  the  United  States  for  a year.  Al- 
though she  holds  a college  degree, 
.she  has  enrolled  in  classes  at  Tabor 
College.  Miss  Penner  has  for  a num- 
tber  of  years  been  principal  of  a 
large  school  in  India. 

MISSIONARIES  ON  THE  MOVE 

At  least  four  General  Conference 
Mennonite  missionaries  who  are  at 
present  on  furlough  will  be  partici- 
pating in  a rotating  missionary  con- 
ference in  the  Bergthal  churches 
of  Manitoba  October  18  to  Novem- 
ber 1.  They  include  Martha  Burk- 
halter,  India;  the  Peter  Derksens, 
Japan;  Betty  Quiring,  Belgian  Con- 
go; and  Donavin  Diller,  Montana, 
Cheyennes. 

Martha  Burkhalter  will  visit 
churches  in  the  Pacific  District  and 
in  Montana  for  several  weeks  fol- 
lowing her  Manitoba  trip. 


The  Albert  Jantzens  from  Oraibi, 
Arizona,  will  be  in  churches  of  the 
Western  District  in  October. 

TRAVEL  SCHOLARSHIPS  OFFERED 
TO  WELFARE  MEETING 

The  Association  of  Mennonite 
Homes  and  Hospitals  will  meet  in 
Columbus,  Ohio,  February  17-19. 
This  association  annually  brings  to- 
gether representatives  of  Mennonite 
homes  and  hospitals  and  other  wel- 
fare institutions  to  discuss  their 
services  to  the  Mennonite  commu- 
nity and  to  share  experiences,  needs, 
and  visions  of  service  for  Christ  in 
the  church.  The  meeting  is  sched- 
uled just  prior  to  the  annual  meet- 
ing of  the  Protestant  Hospitals  As- 
sociation. 

The  Board  of  Christian  Service 
of  the  General  Conference  Menno- 


nite Church  is  making  available 
travel  grants  to  college  students 
who  are  interested  in  exploring 
welfare  service  as  a career.  Persons 
interested  should  write  to  the  Board 
office  at  722  Main,  Newton,  Kansas, 
supplying  the  following  informa- 
tion: a report  of  present  training 
plans,  a statement  of  recommenda- 
tion and  evaluation  by  your  major 
professor,  a statement  of  career 
and  service  interests  and  experience 
to  date. 

The  selection  of  persons  receiv- 
ing scholarship  grants  will  be  made 
under  the  direction  of  the  Commit- 
tee on  Homes  and  Hospitals  of  the 
Board  of  Christian  Service  and  will 
be  announced  about  a month  before 
the  annual  meeting  of  the  Associa- 
tion of  Mennonite  Homes  and  Hos- 
pitals. 


conference  stewardship 

September  30,  1958,  as  compared  to  September  30,  1959 


54.2  % 
53.4% 


42.8  % 
56.2  % 


42.3  % 
32.7% 


1958 

1959 


1958 

1959 


1958 

1959 


ooooooooooo 

— CNCOTftOOfvOOO'-O 


MISSIONS 

tmamam 


CHRISTIAN  SERVICE 


EDUCATION  AND  PUBLICATION 


llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 

BUSINESS  ADMINISTRATION 


59.8  % 
54.1  % 


1958 

1959 


YOUNG  PEOPLE’S  UNION 


llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll 
Receipts  to  Sept.  30; 


BUDGET 

$670,000 

$700,000 


$193,500 

$177,600 


$ 70,000 
$ 75,400 


$ 26,500 
$ 41,500 


$ 7,450 

$ 7,400 


1959  Budget 


NOVEMBER^  1959 

THE  MENNONITE 


in  this  issue 

COVER 

Based  on  Parable  of  Prodigal  Son 
Designed  by  Robert  Regehr. 

ARTICLES 

AT  THE  ALTAR — THE  MOCKING  SIRENS 


By  Elmer  Neufeld  675 

BUILDING  BRIDGES  OF  PEACE  AND  LOVE 

By  Albert  Gaeddert  676 

MEDITATION  ON  A BATTLEFIELD 

By  Nancy  Negelspach  677 

MEETING  FOR  PEACE  679 

TOWARD  PEACE 

By  David  Habegger  679 

LETTER  TO  PRESIDENT  EISENHOWER  678 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  674 

CHRISTIAN  CONCERNS  680 

MENNONITE  YOUTH 

College  Is  a Mirror  682 

it  Doesn't  Matter  Whether  You're 

Rich  or  Poor  683 

OUR  SCHOOLS  684 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  685 

JOTTINGS  686 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  688 


of  things  to  come 

Nov.  8 — Peace  Sunday 

Nov.  26 — Thanksgiving  Day  (U.S.) 

Nov.  27,  28 — Young  People's  Union 
Council  meeting,  Winnipeg 
Dec.  1-4 — Council  of  Boards 
Dec.  1 3 — Universal  Bible  Sunday 

THE  MENNONITE 

Editor:  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 
J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Assistant:  Muriel 

Thiessen.  Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  43 


editorials 

PEACE  SUNDAY— NOVEMBER  8 The  General  Conference  j 
Executive  Committee  has  officially  designated  November  8 as 
“Peace  Sunday”  for  our  congregations. 

It  is  with  a sigh  of  relief  that  we  note  something  of  an  easing  ' 
of  tensions  between  the  nations.  But  this  is  precisely  the  time  , 
to  promote  actively  the  divine  cause  of  peace,  and  who  would  ;| 
more  logically  be  expected  to  emphasize  this  cause  than  the 
Peace  Churches?  This  may  be  our  golden  opportunity.  | 

There  are  hopeful  signs  about  us:  the  visit  of  the  Russian  |! 
Premier,  the  growing  protest  against  continuing  the  nuclear  , 
tests  and  atomic  stock-piling,  the  serious  talk  about  disarma- 
ment, the  hopes  of  a summit  conference,  and  perhaps  most  | 
powerful  of  all,  the  great  wave  of  popular  desire  for  a peaceful  j 
world  among  the  common  people  everywhere.  li 

On  Peace  Sunday  special  effort  can  be  made  to  inspire  hope  [ 
and  action  in  everyone.  The  Sunday  school  can  emphasize  it, 
the  sermon  can  be  a strong  challenge  for  peace-action,  the  eve-  i 
ning  meeting  can  continue  to  emphasize  this  hope.  Individuals 
can  offer  heart-deep  prayers  for  the  rulers  of  the  nations  and 
for  the  cause  of  peace.  Letters  can  be  sent  to  the  President  and 
wherever  they  may  have  some  influence.  Plans  can  be  formu- 
lated for  a continuing  group  study  of  possible  ways  of  influenc- 
ing the  world  in  ways  of  peace.  Through  all  of  this,  a new  devo- 
tion can  be  solemnly  pledged  to  the  Prince  of  Peace,  and  a new 
dedication  made  to  His  great  cause  of  peace. 

THE  LORD’S  PROPORTIONATE  SHARE  The  second  of  the 
adopted  General  Conference  goals  for  the  1959-1962  triennium 
deals  with  a delicate  matter — our  giving.  The  aim  is  for  every 
member  to  give  the  Lord  His  proportionate  share.  While  it  is 
not  stated  in  so  many  words,  the  implication  seems  to  be  that 
this  proportionate  share  should  be  at  least  the  tenth  of  our 
income. 

Arguments  against  the  tithe  usually  come  from  two  opposite 
sources.  One  group  argues  against  it  largely  because  they  do 
not  want  to  practice  it.  So  they  call  it  legalism,  an  Old  Testa- 
ment rule  now  out-moded,  and  emphasize  the  “freewill”  method 
— giving  when  and  what  one  feels  like  doing.  Usually  the  real 
reason  is  that  the  person  finds  it  hard  to  give  as  much  as  the 
tenth  and  so  wishes  to  justify  himself. 

But  the  other  group  seriously  feels  that  the  tithe  is  not  giving 
the  Lord  His  full  proportionate  share.  Their  point  is  that  the 
tenth  is  a good  place  to  start,  but  we  should  go  beyond  that  and 
present  our  “offerings”  from  a joyous  and  grateful  heart.  These 
are  usually  the  unselfish  souls  who  consider  themselves  merely 
as  stewards,  and  share  generously  for  all  phases  of  the  Lord’s 
work. 

True,  giving  cannot  be  legislated  for  another.  It  is  a problem 
each  individual  must  solve  for  himself.  But  it  should  be  solved 
and  not  merely  shelved.  The  happiest  people  seem  to  be  those 
who  are  most  generous  in  their  giving  to  the  Lord’s  cause  wheth- 
er it  be  the  tenth  or  the  tenth-plus. 


674 


THE  MENNONITE 


At  the  Altar  --  Mocking  Sirens 

Elmer  Neufeld 

Peace  Section  Executive  Secretary,  MCC 


The  warmth  and  the  peace  of 
that  summer  morning  on  the 
shores  of  Lake  Michigan  were  un- 
usually captivating.  The  deep  blue 
of  the  lake,  the  quiet  beauty  of  the 
seminary  campus  and  the  towering 
chapel  spires  spoke  compellingly  of 
the  depth,  the  breadth,  and  the 
height  of  the  love  of  the  heavenly 
Father. 

It  was  good  to  be  there.  The  ex- 
perience on  the  Mount  of  Transfigu- 
ration must  have  been  something 
hke  this. 

Inside  the  stately  chapel,  semi- 
nary students  and  ministers  seeking 
new  inspiration  for  their  return  to 
pastoral  work  were  drawn  together 
in  the  fellowship  of  Christian  wor- 
ship. The  minister  was  reaching  the 
I climax  of  an  inspiring  message. 

I Then  it  happened! 

Beginning  in  a low,  cold,  moan- 
ing sound  and  gradually  building 
up  into  sobbing,  convulsive  wails, 
the  sirens  began  to  sound.  As  one 
was  about  to  sink  into  oblivion,  the 
wails  of  another  were  rising  to 
frantic  heights.  Finally,  they  all 
died  away,  and  a painful  hush  a- 
gain  covered  the  seminary  commu- 
nity. 

The  worshipper  was  dumb-struck. 
Why  did  the  sirens  sound  at  this 
very  hour?  Perhaps  at  some  other 
time,  some  time  when  he  was  not 
engaged  in  the  solemn  worship  of 
God!  Ah,  yes,  the  worshipper  had 
momentarily  forgotten.  He  had  for- 
gotten that  it  was  Tuesday  morning 
— ^10:30  in  fact — and  that  the  sirens 
were  only  the  mocTc  sirens  of  the 
area  Civil  Defense.  But  yet  they 
effectively  called  the  worshipper’s 
thoughts  away  from  the  altar. 

Why  is  it  that  a man  standing  in 
the  presence  of  God  should  be  so 
rudely  interrupted?  What  were 
those  difficult  words  that  Jesus  had 
spoken?  “So  if  you  remember,  even 


when  offering  your  gift  at  the  altar, 
that  your  brother  has  any  grievance 
against  you,  leave  your  gift  at  the 
very  altar  and  go  away;  first  be 
reconciled  to  your  brother,  then 
come  back  and  offer  your  gift” 
(Matt.  5:23,  Moffatt). 

But  surely  there  was  nothing  that 
he  could  do!  That  great  enemy  of 
whom  the  sirens  spoke  was  far  a- 
way — behind  the  iron  curtain.  It  is 
said  that  the  enemy  is  godless.  Per- 
haps he  needn’t  even  be  counted  as 
a “brother.”  There  seems  to  be  no 
other  way  but  to  build  powerful 
violent  defenses  against  his  evil  de- 
signs. And  so  Christians  remain  un- 
easily silent  as  “better,”  more  dead- 
ly weapons  are  being  built  and  as 
the  sirens  wail  every  Tuesday 
morning  lest  we  forget  our  terrible 
foe. 

And  so  it  was,  some  days  hence, 
that  the  worshipper,  now  listening 
to  the  Christian  broadcasts  of  a 
church-owned  radio  station,  heard 
the  program  interrupted  by  the  an- 
nouncer’s patriotic  plea  for  Chris- 
tian listeners  to  join  the  Ground  Ob- 
server Corps  to  keep  watch  against 
the  terrible  enemy! 

And  now  he  realized  that  the 
mock  sirens  were  mocking  sirens! 
In  them  were  gathered  -all  the  vi- 
cious forces  of  evil  in  respectable 
guise,  mocking  those  who  sought  to 
take  seriously  the  way  of  the  cross 
— the  way  of  faith  and  love.  More 
and  more  clearly  he  now  recognized 
the  disguised  sounds  of  the  sirens. 
They  had  wailed  before.  They  had 
wailed  when  the  armies  of  Phar- 
aoh made  that  mad  attempt  to 
recapture  the  children  of  Israel, 
God’s  chosen  people.  In  a strange 
mixture  of  Caesar  and  High  Priest 
they  reached  the  climax  of  mockery 
when  that  awful  cross  was  lifted 
skyward  in  the  place  of  a skull. 
They  had  mocked  in  a new  mix- 


ture of  “church”  and  state  when 
those  first  Anabaptists  were  rebap- 
tized on  confession  of  faith  against 
the  warnings  of  religious  and  po- 
litical authority.  And  they  reached  a 
new  frenzy  of  mockery  when  Amer- 
ican Christians  prayed  for  the  suc- 
cess of  those  bombers  that  show- 
ered death  and  hell  on  Hiroshima 
and  Nagasaki. 

And  they  continue  their  mockery. 
As  the  wails  of  one  die  away,  the 
throbs  of  another  are  bursting  upon 
us.  They  are  the  voices  of  fear  and 
hate  and  of  violence  and  war,  with 
their  undertones  of  bombed  cities, 
maimed  and  dying  survivors,  bro- 
ken homes,  orphaned  children,  and 
guilt-ridden  soldiers. 

The  mockery  might  not  have  cut 
so  deeply,  had  the  sounds  not  been 
mingled  with  the  voices  of  those 
who  wore  the  sign  of  the  cross. 
How  could  it  be?  Was  there  after 
all  no  other  way? 

The  worshipper  lingered  for  a 
moment  at  the  altar,  crushed  with 
the  realization  that  ofttimes  he  had 
yielded  to  the  mocking  taunts  of 
the  sirens.  He  stood  in  need  of  for- 
giveness. He  realized  that  the  na- 
tionalistic sounds  of  the  sirens  were 
not  likely  to  be  changed  to  the  quiet 
words  spoken  from  the  cross — -“Fa- 
ther, forgive  them;  for  they  know 
not  what  they  do.” 

But  in  his  heart  he  was  assured 
that  there  is  another  way — the  only 
way.  The  way  to  which  he  had  been 
called  through  the  grace  of  God  at 
Golgotha.  A way  of  love  and  recon- 
ciliation whose  weapons  are  not  of 
this  world.  A way  of  humble  self- 
giving, of  deeds  of  comfort  and  mer- 
cy. A way  of  faith,  of  faithfulness 
to  the  only  One  worthy  of  supreme 
loyalty.  A way  of  hope,  of  confi- 
dence that  He  who  hath  begun  a 
good  work  in  the  Church  will  bring 
it  to  completion  in  the  day  of  Jesus 
Christ. 

The  sirens  have  wailed  before, 
and  they  will  continue  to  wail — as 
long  as  man  stands  in  fear  and  hate 
against  his  brother,  as  long  as  man 
and  nation  stand  in  proud  rebellion 
against  God.  But  the  One  who  ut- 
tered those  simple  but  haunting 
words  from  the  cross  shall  yet  pre- 
vail. Sin  and  death  have  no  more 
dominion  over  Him.  He  shall  reign 
forever  and  ever!  Man  must  ac- 
knowledge or  reject  His  reign. 


November  3,  1959 


675 


Building  Bridg  es 


Albert  Gaeddert 


November  8 has  been  desig- 
nated as  a special  Peace  Sun- 
day. 

Our  churches  will  want  to  observe 
this  in  a meaningful  manner,  for  we 
recognize  clearly  the  need  of  build- 
ing for  peace.  Christ  is  the  Prince 
of  Peace,  and  only  as  we  build 
upon  this  solid  rock  can  we  build 
for  eternity. 

We  have  the  foundation  on  which 
to  build — Jesus  Christ.  And  we  have 
also  a program  already  in  operation 
around  which  to  put  our  emphasis. 
I mean  the  1-W  program.  I know 
this  does  not  meet  our  desires  at 
many  points;  but  the  reason  it  does 
not  is  because  we  are  not  making 
the  most  of  it.  Neither  the  church 
nor  the  1-W  man  is  making  the 
most  of  it,  and  I would  like  to  call 
the  church  especially  to  take  an- 
other look. 

Can  we  help  our  1-W  men  to  feel 
that  they  are  a part  of  a movement 
that  is  building  bridges  of  under- 
standing and  of  love  in  action?  Can 
we  help  them  to  feel  that  they  are 
a part  of  the  greatest  cause  on 
earth?  Can  we  ourselves  think  of 
our  convictions  as  followers  of  the 
Prince  of  Peace  in  that  way?  If  we 
can,  then  we  can  go  to  work  on  this 
great  cause. 

Why  not  correspond  with  1-W’s 
along  such  lines  of  thought?  Why 
not  find  out  what  their  best  think- 
ing is  of  how  such  a cause  can  be 
furthered  ? And  when  the  1-W  comes 
home  next  time,  why  not  have  him 


Albert  Gaeddert  is  pastor  of  the  Bethel 
Church  in  Mountain  Lake,  Minn. 


share  some  of  his  thinking  with 
groups  of  interested  people  in  the 
church? 

Some  time  ago  an  article  was 
written  which  found  its  way  into 
the  1-W  Mirror.  Do  you  agree  with 
the  very  last  statement  of  the  ar- 
ticle? Whether  you  do  or  not,  it 
may  be  a very  good  question  to  dis- 
cuss with  some  fellows  in  1-W  or 
with  some  people  in  the  church. 
(Following  is  the  article  referred 
to,  written  by  Brother  Gaeddert, 
and  published  under  the  title,  “The 
Necessity  for  Mutual  Responsibil- 
ity.” Ed.) 

There  are  still  a few  things  that 
do  not  click  about  our  1-W  pro- 
gram: the  church  and  the  1-W 

man  are  not  close  enough  and  there 
is  an  absence  of  feeling  that  here 
is  a cause,  a mighty  movement  for 
which  one  is  ready  to  suffer  and  die 
if  necessary. 

The  Church’s  Responsibility 
There  ought  always  to  be  a work- 
ing together  of  the  church  and  the 
1-W.  Occasionally,  the  church  has 
almost  lost  sight  of  the  1-W;  this 
is  perhaps  explainable,  but  certain- 
ly not  excusable.  It  may  be  ex- 
plained in  terms  of  the  program  not 
costing  the  church  anything.  She 
says,  “The  program  seems  to  run 
on  its  own,  we  need  not  pay  atten- 
tion here.” 

Often  the  church  is  not  close  to 
individual  members  who  are  away 
from  the  immediate  program  and 
whom  she  thus  seldom  sees.  Mak- 
ing provisions  to  see  those  who  are 
away  becomes  a matter  of  neces- 
sary organization  in  the  home 


church  to  be  responsibly  effective. 

The  1-W’s  Responsibility 

The  1-W  needs  to  help  his  local 
church  so  that  those  at  home  will 
not  so  easily  forget  him.  He  needs 
to  set  up  communication  lines  with 
the  home  church,  giving  informa- 
tion, asking  questions  and  sharing  i 
his  thinking  with  his  church.  In  i; 
this  way  he  ties  himself  to  the  ' 
church  and  the  church  to  himself. 

Service  orientation  is  reciprocal. 
At  least  in  part  orientation  for  both 
the  church  and  the  1-W  should  be 
mutually  identifiable.  The  1-W 
should  be  thoroughly  orientated  to 
his  work  and  the  church  to  the 
place  and  work  where  her  men  are  j 
witnessing  for  Christ  and  the  I 
church.  [ 

An  Established  Cause 

The  second  problem  is  the  absence 
of  feeling  that  here  is  a great  cause 
or  a mighty  movement  of  which  the 
participant  is  a part.  Here,  again, 
the  church  needs  to  help  this  be- 
come a reality.  But  it  will  depend 
even  more  upon  the  1-W,  finding 
himself  engaged  in  a cause  much 
greater  than  he  is. 

Rufus  Jones,  the  Quaker  philoso- 
pher, declared:  “There  are  four 

things  that  give  beauty  and  radi- 
ance to  one’s  life;  they  are  a great 
cause,  a great  purpose,  a great 
faith,  and  a great  love.”  We  have 
not  yet  established  1-W  work  as  a 
great  cause,  consequently  the  pro- 
gram lacks  the  required  beauty  and 
radiance. 

In-service  orientation  ought  to 
have  as  its  objective  the  establish- 
ment of  the  cause.  The  church 
should  make  available  its  leaders 
for  the  1-W  program,  and  together 
with  the  men  who  are  in  the  pro- 
gram they  should  work  out  a two- 
year  program  to  which  the  1-W 
would  want  to  give  his  very  best 
as  a builder  of  peace  and  goodwill.  | 
In  a day  when  we  pour  billions 
into  national  armament  programs, 
there  is  desperate  need  for  build- 
ing bridges  of  peace  and  love.  Can 
our  1-W  program  become  such  a 
cause?  The  church  and  the  1-W  are  | 
at  a crucial  point  in  history! 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
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676 


THE  MENNONITE 


Meditation 
on  a 

Battlefield 


Nancy  Negelspach 


The  turning  point  in  the  Civil 
War  was  the  Battle  of  Gettys- 
burg. 

The  turning  point  in  the  Battle  of 
Gettysburg  was  a Union  break- 
through after  Pickett’s  charge  at  a 
little  copse  of  trees  called  High 
Water  Mark. 

Exactly  96  years  later  I strolled 
over  the  battlefield  trying  to  con- 
jure up  the  scene  of  devastation.  It 
was  difficult  for  me  to  imagine  the 
thousands  of  dead  and  dying  that 
the  twilight  of  July  3,  1863,  had  wit- 
nessed. And  even  more  difficult  it 
was  to  try  and  reason  “why”  and 
“how”  this  could  have  happened. 
Both  sides  were  fighting  for  what 
they  believed  “right.”  Both  sides 
felt  justified  in  killing  their  broth- 
ers. 

One  hundred  years  from  now  will 
our  children  walk  over  today’s  bat- 
tlefields to  ask  “why”  and  “how”? 
Will  they  seek  to  find  our  justifica- 
tion for  hydrogen  bombs  and 
plague-spreading  germs?  It  may  be 
optimistic  to  speak  of  our  descend- 
ants, and  it  may  be  naive  to  en- 
vision grass-covered  battlegrounds 
marked  with  impressive  monuments. 
Modem  warfare  makes  the  cannons 
of  Civil  War  vintage  look  like  over- 
grown toys.  Each  heavy  rifie  had  to 
be  loaded  for  a single  shot.  Horses 
were  slain  with  their  riders,  and 
fighting  stopped  at  nightfall.  To- 
day we  have  made  “progress.” 

At  Fort  Detrick  in  Frederick, 
Maryland,  some  30  miles  from  Get- 
tysburg, we  are  preparing  for  an- 
other Armageddon.  Biological  or 
germ  warfare  has  been  perfected  to 
such  a degree  that  the  entire  hu- 
man race  could  be  wiped  out  in  a 
few  hours  by  an  amount  of  Botu- 
linus  toxin  that  could  be  held  in  the 
palm  of  one’s  hand.  Even  more  “de- 
sirable” than  the  messy  hydrogen 
weapons,  which  destroy  property, 
are  the  plagues,  nerve  gases,  and 
epidemic  germs  which  destroy  only 
life. 

So  incomprehensible  is  this  horror 
that  the  average  American  can  only 
say:  “Surely  our  government  does 
not  mean  to  use  these”  or  “We  must 
outsmart  the  Russians”  or  “Slavery 


is  worse  than  death”  or  “We  must 
build  for  defense  against  commu- 
nism” or  “The  men  in  Washington 
know  what  they’re  doing.”  A blank- 
et of  apathy  is  cloaking  our  dread. 
We  stifle  our  fears  by  wearing  men- 
tal blinders  and  losing  ourselves  in 
illusory  security. 

Yet  there  are  a few  Americans 
facing  up  to  this  awesome  fact  of 
possible  race  extermination.  During 
July  and  part  of  August  a few  have 
kept  a dawn-to-dusk  vigil  at  Fort 
Detrick.  “A  vigil  is  an  occasion  for 
watching  and  for  the  self-discipline 
of  patient  ‘waiting  upon  the  Lord. 
It  implies  penitence,  self-examina- 
tion and  expectancy.”  These  are  or- 
dinary people  made  extra-ordinary 
by  demonstrating  sacrificial  love  for 
their  nation  and  for  all  mankind. 
The  town  of  Frederick  has  been 
prodded  into  thinking  by  the  silent 
speech  of  the  protest. 

In  November  1863,  Lincoln  re- 
turned to  the  scene  of  human  sac- 
rifice and  said:  “We  here  highly  re- 
solve that  these  dead  shall  not 
have  died  in  vain.”  Turning  points 
in  great  historical  events  can  often 
be  traced  to  one  small  incident.  A 
breakthrough  in  the  Confederate 
forces  occurred  at  a tiny  copse  of 
trees.  The  High  Water  Mark  or 
turning  point  against  modern  war- 
fare could  begin  with  a handful  of 
men  and  women  “dedicated  to  the 
great  task  remaining  before  us.” 
Those  who  call  themselves  peace- 
makers must  be  willing  to  sacrifice 
with  a dedication  as  did  those  “who 
gave  the  last  full  measure  of  devo- 
tion.” Peace  is  not  just  a hopeful 
word  engraved  on  war  memorials 
but  as  much  of  a reality  as  war. 
Lincoln’s  final  word,  “this  nation, 
under  God  . . . shall  not  perish  from 
the  earth,”  was  spoken  to  a war- 
weary  crowd.  Must  we  wait  for 
another  catastrophe  to  learn  that 
war  and  not  man  is  our  enemy? 
Even  a war  with  germs  certainly 
could  not  produce  this  realization. 
There  would  be  no  one  left  to  learn 
the  lesson. 

— American  Friends  Service  Com- 
mittee 


November  3,  1959 


677 


A Letter  to  the  President 

Drawn  up  by  the  Consultative  Peace  Council 
See  the  next  article,  “Toward  Peace” 


Dear  Mr.  President: 

The  ideal  of  world  peace  has  been 
proclaimed  by  the  prophets  of  all 
nations  and  faiths.  The  realization 
of  this  hope  has  been  made  imper- 
ative by  the  development  of  nuclear 
and  other  weapons  of  mass  extermi- 
nation. You  and  many  other  politi- 
cal and  military  leaders  have  point- 
ed out  that  nuclear  war  would  be 
suicidal  and  must  be  prevented. 

Therefore,  universal,  total  disarm- 
ament can  no  longer  be  regarded 
as  an  ideal  to  be  achieved  in  a re- 
mote future.  It  must  be  made  the 
actual  basis  of  national  policy  now. 

The  survival  of  our  own  nation, 
of  civilization,  perhaps  of  the  hu- 
man race  itself,  depends  upon  the 
abolition  of  war  and  the  perpetual 
threat  of  war.  Only  on  this  condi- 
tion can  the  way  be  opened  for  the 
constructive  utilization  of  nuclear 
powei’,  for  the  conquest  of  the  evils 
of  poverty,  undernourishment,  and 
disease  which  still  afflict  vast  num- 
bers of  human  beings,  and  for  a 
new  era  of  social,  cultural,  and  spir- 
itual advance  for  the  whole  human 
race. 

We  urge  that  you,  on  behalf  of 
the  American  people,  firmly  com- 
mit the  United  States  Government 
to  universal,  total  disarmament  as 
the  actual  basis  of  its  policy  from 
now  on.  Many  fear  that  negotiations 
on  disarmament  will  bog  down  in 
interminable  discussions  over  de- 
tails of  the  control  system  and  oth- 
er matters.  It  would  be  utterly  trag- 
ic if  this  should  indeed  prove  to  be 
the  case  and  thus  the  hopes  for 
peace  which  you  have  helped  to 
arouse  should  be  dashed. 

We  commend  your  initiative  in 
extending  an  invitation  to  Premier 
Khrushchev  to  visit  the  United 
States  and  in  arranging  an  exchange 
visit  by  yourself  to  the  Soviet  Union. 
This  has  contributed  to  the  relax- 
ation of  international  tension  and 
has  opened  the  way  to  fresh  discus- 


sion of  the  urgent  problem  of  the 
freeing  of  mankind  from  the  threat 
of  a nuclear  catastrophe. 

We  urge  a positive  reaction  to  the 
recent  proposals  at  the  United  Na- 
tions by  Premier  Nikita  Khrush- 
chev and  British  Foreign  Minister 
Selwyn  Lloyd  for  total  disarma- 
ment. We  urge  you  to  initiate  imme- 
diate consultations  with  other  gov- 
ernments about  a plan  to  achieve 
universal  disarmament  within  a few 
years  and  to  place  concrete  pro- 
posals before  the  United  Nations 
and  the  ten-nation  disarmament 
group. 

There  are  many  in  our  own  and 
other  lands  who  suspect  that  gov- 
ernments and  individuals  in  posi- 
tions of  power  and  responsibility, 
in  the  Soviet  Union,  the  United 
States  and  other  lands  treat  the 
matter  of  total  disarmament  as  a 
propaganda  weapon  in  the  cold  war. 
It  is  imperative  that  insofar  as  it 
is  in  the  power  of  our  own  govern- 
ment, evidence  of  the  seriousness 
of  our  commitment  to  total  disarm- 
ament be  provided  in  the  form  of 
actions  which  will  speak  for  them- 
selves and  challenge  emulation  on 
the  part  of  other  governments. 

It  is  impossible,  for  example,  to 
move  seriously  toward  the  universal 
disarmament  if  any  great  nation, 
such  as  the  People’s  Republic  of 
China,  is  excluded  from  full  par- 
ticipation in  the  discussion  and  exe- 
cution of  the  plan.  We  urge,  there- 
fore, that  the  principle  of  universal 
membership  in  the  United  Nations 
be  put  into  effect  immediately,  and 
that  in  line  with  your  deep  desire 
to  promote  peace,  you  use  your 
great  influence  to  secure  the  seating 
of  the  People’s  Republic  of  China 
in  that  body  and  its  immediate  in- 
clusion in  disarmament  negotia- 
tions. 

A genuine  commitment  to  the 
early  achievement  of  total  disarma- 
ment will  require  the  most  serious 


adjustments  of  various  kinds  in  all 
countries,  including  the  Soviet  Un- 
ion and  the  United  States.  Indeed, 
even  the  serious  commitment  to 
this  goal  will  itself  set  many 
changes  in  motion.  We  therefore 
urge  that  your  administration  make 
funds  immediately  available  for 
studies  of  the  economic,  social,  and 
international  adjustments  which 
will  have  to  be  made  and  for  neces- 
sary consultation  with  the  various 
interests  that  will  be  affected  by 
such  changes. 

In  the  process  of  working  toward 
the  goal  of  universal  disarmament, 
solution  must  be  found  for  outstand- 
ing political  questions,  such  as  Ber- 
lin, Laos,  and  other  international 
danger  spots,  as  well  as  the  longer- 
term  problems  of  relations  between 
states  in  a world  where  people  ur- 
gently seek  a better  economic  life 
and  political  independence. 

World  disarmament  must  also  be 
accompanied  by  the  development 
and  strengthening  of  international 
institutions  for  peaceful  change,  so 
that  nations  may  feel  some  assur- 
ance that  their  legitimate  national 
interests  can  be  protected  without 
resort  to  arms. 

In  order  to  give  evidence  of  our 
readiness  to  exert  moral  initiative 
in  the  interests  of  world  peace  and 
to  help  in  creating  an  atmosphere 
of  mutual  trust  among  nations,  we 
urge  that  it  be  the  policy  of  the 
United  States  government  to  ex- 
tend the  moratorium  on  nuclear 
weapons  testing  indeflnitely  and  un- 
conditionally. In  your  further  talks 
with  Premier  Khrushchev  we  urge 
you  to  seek  to  conclude  final  ar- 
rangements on  an  agreement  at 
Geneva  to  end  such  tests. 

We  also  strongly  urge  the  United 
States  to  take  the  initiative  in  those 
areas  where  such  action  might  rea- 
sonably stimulate  negotiations  to 
achieve  universal  total  disarma- 
ment. Three  such  areas  would  be: 
a reduction  in  the  United  States 
arms  budget  by  ten  per  cent  and 
using  the  savings  for  world  eco- 
nomic development,  an  end  to  mili- 
tary missiles  tests,  and  an  end  to 
preparation  for  chemical,  bacterio- 
logical, and  radiological  warfare. 

In  the  carrying  out  of  such  meas- 
ure you  will  have  the  support  and 
prayers  of  multitudes  in  our  own 
land  and  throughout  the  world. 


678 


THE  MENNONITE 


TOWARD  PEACE 


David  Habegger 

ON  September  17-20  representa- 
tives from  about  twenty  differ- 
ent peace  organizations  met  at  Pen- 
dle  Hill,  Wallingford,  Pa.,  to  discuss 
the  present  world  situation,  to  con- 
sider what  message  and  programs 
of  action  are  appropriate  and  rele- 
vant, and  to  explore  the  strategies 
and  resources  that  are  necessary 
for  communicating  the  message 
and  for  carrying  out  the  action  pro- 
grams. 

Attending  this  meeting  for  the 
Mennonite  Central  Committee  were 
Elmer  Neufeld  and  J.  Harold  Sherk, 
and  for  the  Board  of  Christian  Edu- 
cation, David  Habegger. 

The  group  noted  that  the  follow- 
ing heartening  developments  lead- 
ing to  a new  climate  for  the  be- 
ginning of  negotiations  leading  to 
total  disarmament  have  occurred 
in  the  past  months; 

A new  ten-nation  disarmament 
committee  has  been  formed,  thus 
opening  the  way  for  the  first  real 
disarmament  negotiation  in  two 
years.  An  exchange  of  visits  be- 
tween President  Eisenhower  and 
Premier  Khrushchev  is  taking 
place. 

August  26,  1959,  the  Department 
of  State  announced  a two-months’ 
extension  of  the  year-long  suspen- 
sion of  nuclear  weapons  tests  be- 
yond October  31,  1959.  The  next 


David  Habegger  is  pastor  of  the  First 
Church  in  Ailentown,  Pa. 


Meeting 

for 

Peace 


November  3,  1959 


day  Great  Britain  announced  it 
would  also  refrain  from  testing  “so 
long  as  useful  discussion  continue” 
on  a test-ban  treaty.  On  August  28 
the  Soviet  Union  said,  and  Premier 
Khrushchev  at  the  United  Nations 
on  September  18  reiterated,  that  the 
Soviet  Union  would  not  conduct  any 
nuclear  weapons  tests  as  long  as 
the  Western  powers  did  not  resume 
theirs. 

The  President  noted,  during  his 
television  discussion  with  Prime 
Minister  Harold  Macmillan  in  Great 
Britain  on  August  31,  “Indeed,  I 
think  that  people  want  peace  so 
much  that  one  of  these  days  govern- 
ments had  better  get  out  of  their 
way  and  let  them  have  it.  . . 

At  the  United  Nations  on  Sep- 
tember 17,  1959,  Secretary  of  State 
Christian  Herter  and  British  For- 
eign Minister  Selwyn  Lloyd  made 
significant  pleas  for  an  early  pact 
on  the  cessation  of  nuclear  tests. 
Mr.  Herter  said  negotiations  could 
lead  to  “progress  toward  limitation 
and  control  of  armaments.”  Mr. 
Lloyd  offered  a comprehensive 
three-stage  plan  leading  to  reduc- 
tion of  armaments  and  manpower 
“to  the  levels  required  for  internal 
security  purposes  only.” 

On  September  18,  1959,  in  a dra- 
matic speech  at  the  United  Nations 
Premier  Khrushchev  called  for  total 
disarmament  of  all  nations  within 
a four-year  period.  In  the  absence 
of  such  a comprehensive  plan  he 


Representatives  of  peace 
and  service  organizations  from 
all  the  Mennonite  groups  in  Canada 
gathered  in  Winnipeg  September  25 
and  26  at  the  call  of  the  Historic 
Peace  Church  Council  of  Canada  to 
consider  matters  of  common"  inter- 
est and  concern. 

The  sessions  during  the  first  day 
discussed  Mennonite  Disaster  Serv- 
ice while  the  second  day’s  delibera- 
tions focused  on  the  relief  activities 
of  Canadian  Mennonites.  The  con- 
centrated interest  of  the  delegates 
found  welcome  relief  in  the  gener- 


suggested these  partial  steps:  re- 

duction of  foreign  troops  in  Western 
Europe,  a “denuclearized”  zone  in 
Central  Europe,  withdrawal  of  all 
foreign  troops  from  Europe,  a con- 
clusion of  a nonaggression  pact  be- 
tween the  NATO  and  Warsaw 
Treaty  nations,  and  an  agreement 
on  the  prevention  of  surprise  at- 
tack. 

The  group  then  drew  up  a letter 
to  be  sent  to  President  Eisenhower. 
Representatives  of  seventeen  organ- 
izations that  were  present  when  the 
final  draft  was  made  signed  the 
letter. 

A delegation  was  chosen  to  take 
the  letter  to  the  White  House  on 
Monday,  September  21  who  deliver- 
ed it  to  the  Reverend  Frederic  E. 
Fox,  the  White  House  staff  member 
dealing  with  religious  organizations 
and  activities.  The  delegation,  com- 
prised of  Harold  Sherk,  Annalee 
Stewart,  Burns  Chalmers,  and  Ray- 
mond Wilson,  spent  about  fifty  min- 
utes explaining  the  letter  and  the 
concerns  of  the  peace  organization 
to  Mr.  Fox. 

It  was  the  suggestion  of  the  Con- 
sultative Peace  Council  that  each 
group  should  urge  its  constituents 
to  write  the  President  of  the  United 
States  on  the  need  for  total  world 
disarmament.  Similar  letters  should 
also  be  sent  to  the  senators  and 
representatives. 

During  the  coming  months  it 
would  be  fruitful  for  the  churches 
to  spend  some  time  discussing  the 
issues  relating  to  total  disarma- 
ment. What  position  should  we 
take?  If  we  are  for  total  disarma- 
ment, then  we  should  be  willing  to 
pray,  talk,  and  work  for  it. 


ous  hospitality  of  the  Elmwood 
Mennonite  Brethren  Church  where 
the  sessions  were  held. 

The  conference  was  the  most  rep- 
resentative gathering  of  Mennonite 
organizations  ever  held  in  Canada. 
Representatives  from  the  Menno- 
nite Disaster  Services  from  all  five 
provinces  from  Ontario  to  British 
Columbia  were  present.  The  four 
Canadian  relief  organizations  were 
represented,  as  well  as  delegates 
from  the  various  Mennonite  confer- 
ences. The  purpose  of  the  confer- 
ence was  to  share  information  and 

679 


explore  possibilities  of  more  effec- 
tive co-operation. 

It  was  a new  venture  for  organi- 
zations who,  because  of  history,  ge- 
ography, and  other  reasons,  had 
usually  worked  independently  of 
each  other  although  they  had  a 
common  connection  with  the  Men- 
nonite  Central  Committee,  the  relief 
organization  for  North  American 
Mennonites.  The  Canadian  repre- 
sentation on  the  MCC  has  always 
been  through  the  four  relief  organi- 
zations rather  than  through  confer- 
ences as  in  the  U.S.  Another  factor 
leading  to  the  conference  was  the 
recent  emergence  of  Disaster  Serv- 
ice organizations  and  the  need  to 
think  together  on  some  of  the  re- 
sulting programs. 

Report  of  Findings  Committee 

The  following  concepts  and  con- 
cerns summarize  our  common  con- 
victions as  expressed  in  the  address- 
es and  discussion  of  the  conference. 

1.  The  centrality  of  our  message 
is  that  men  and  women  might  be 


focus  on  Christian  concerns 


Say  It  Again 

Frank  H.  Epp 

After  Howard  M.  Jenkins  had 
been  editor  of  the  Friends  In- 
telligencer for  a while,  one  of  his 
friends  came  to  him,  “Thee  is  get- 
ting on  well,  Howard,  except  that 
almost  all  of  the  editorials  are  about 
peace.” 

Jenkins  replied,  “As  long  as  civil- 
ized nations  believe  in  war,  I expect 
to  give  about  fifty  editorials  a year 
to  the  subject.  That  will  leave  two 
weeks  for  other  concerns.” 

This  is  our  first  concerns  column 
dealing  with  war  and  peace,  but  it 
won’t  be  the  last,  at  least  not  if 
militarism  will  continue  as  a dom- 
inant note  of  the  twentieth  century. 

It  was  so  difficult  to  abolish  slav- 
ery, we  are  told,  because  as  an  in- 
stitution of  long-standing  it  had  be- 
come totally  enmeshed  in  the  fab- 
ric of  southern  culture.  Abolishmg 
the  slave  trade  was  like  taking  the 
sole  out  of  a shoe. 


redeemed  and  saved  by  Jesus  Christ, 
the  Savior  of  mankind.  It  is  the  re- 
demptive love  of  Christ  that  must 
be  the  motivation  for  our  work  and 
witness.  This  differentiates  our  serv- 
ice from  that  which  is  simply  ben- 
evolent, philanthropic,  or  humane. 

2.  Mennonite  Disaster  Service  is 
an  integral  part  of  the  church’s 
ministry,  requiring  the  co-operation 
of  the  whole  church,  laity  and  cler- 
gy, in  giving  expression  to  the  love 
of  Christ  in  obedience  to  His  com- 
mand to  love  our  neighbor. 

3.  We  recognize  a growing  appre- 
ciation of  our  unity  in  Christ.  We 
further  realize  that  the  challenge 
of  Mennonite  Disaster  Service  is  of 
such  scope  that  we  can  best  meet  it 
by  working  together. 

4.  Our  motivation  depends  not  a- 
lone  upon  some  urgent  spectacular 
need,  but  on  the  indwelling  Spirit 
who  daily  transforms  our  lives  with 
the  compassionate  love  of  Christ. 
This  will  mean  a growing  sensitiv- 
ity to  all  human  need. 


So  it  is  with  modern  militarism. 
Our  involvement  is  deep  and  broad. 
Among  the  first  questions  asked  by 
American  diplomats,  when  Khrush- 
chev proposed  total  disarmament 
was,  “Can  we  relax  and  still  con- 
tinue our  prosperity?” 

We  are  embarrassed  like  the  Ital- 
ian government  for  whom  the  con- 
tinuance of  the  cold  war  has  become 
a political  necessity.  Elected  pri- 
marily on  an  anti-Communist  plat- 
form, the  party  faces  political  ruin, 
if  its  main  talking  point  suddenly 
is  no  longer. 

Should  the  cold  war  cease,  many 
of  our  national  structures  would 
suddenly  collapse,  or  nearly  so.  Can 
you  imagine  what  would  motivate 
us  in  religion,  in  education,  in  sci- 
ence, and  in  politics,  if  it  wouldn’t 
be  the  Communist  menace? 

The  Church  of  Christ  has  much 
occasion  for  gratitude  for  tempo- 


To implement  these  basic  assump- 
tions we  make  the  following  rec- 
ommendations : 

1.  That  all  provincial  Mennonite 
Disaster  Service  organizations  work 
toward  a unified  statement  of  pur- 
pose in  their  constitutions. 

2.  That  a statement  concerning 
our  relation  to  Civil  Defense  be 
formulated  that  would  be  useful 
in  our  contacts  with  government 
and  for  the  information  of  our  own 
people.  We  suggest  the  statement 
of  guiding  principles  about  Civil 
Defense  approved  at  a joint  meet- 
ing of  the  MCC  Peace  Section  and 
Mennonite  Disaster  Service  repre- 
sentatives at  Chicago,  111.,  March  1 
and  2,  1956,  with  any  necessary 
changes  for  our  Canadian  situation. 

3.  That  a Dominion-wide  Menno- 
nite Disaster  Service  organization 
be  formed  for  the  purpose  of  co- 
ordination, sharing  information,  and 
a common  representation  to  govern- 
ment on  matters  relating  to  Civil 
Defense  and  disaster  aid. 


rary  easing  of  tensions  in  the  world 
and  top  level  considerations  of  dis- 
armament proposals.  Peace  Sunday, 
November  8,  must  find  us  in  a spirit 
of  thanksgiving  for  recent  moves 
made  by  the  heads  of  various  gov- 
ernments. 

But  we  may  not  rest.  The  psychol- 
ogy of  cold  and  hot  wars  will  al- 
ways be  with  VIS,  at  least  as  long  as 
our  hearts  are  given  to  carnality 
(James  4:1-2).  Over  a period  of 
time  this  condition  of  our  hearts 
produces  the  economic,  cultural,  so- 
cial, and  political  institutions  which 
nurture  this  war  psychology.  In  the 
end  and  the  beginning  of  this  vicious 
circle  of  sin  is  the  ideology  and  the- 
ology which  finally  not  only  makes 
all  this  necessary  but  also  gives  it 
divine  sanction. 

This  means  that  the  Christian 
peace  mission  never  ends,  even  if 
there  is  a temporary  truce  at  the 
top. 


680 


THE  MENNONITE 


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YOUNG  PEOPLE’S  UNION  COUNCIL 

Meeting  at  Canadian  Mennonite  Bible  College. 

600  Roblin  Blvd.,  Tuxedo,  Winnipeg  9,  Manitoba 

District  officers  and  representatives  from  the  colleges:  Write  to  Menno 
Wiehe,  president  of  the  CMBC  student  council,  notifying  hAm  of  the  num- 
ber of  people  coming,  lodging  needs,  and  transportation  needs. 

Delegates  should  bring  copies  of  the  Young  People’s  Union  reports  to 
General  Assembly  and  also  the  goals  which  were  adopted  at  the  conference 
in  Bluffton. 

Preview:  To  be  emphasized  is  “Evangelism.”  To  be  discussed  are  a study 
of  the  Program  Helps  and  Prayer  Calendar,  the  Gulfport  project,  reports 
of  districts  and  colleges.  To  be  elected  is  a new  Faith  and  Life  area 
chairman. 


November  3,  1959 


68? 


College 
Is  a Mirror 


Held  Up 


SIXTY-FIVE  per  cent  of  the  peo- 
ple beginning  college  (on  the  na- 
tional average)  drop  out  without 
finishing.  Why  did  they  go  in  the 
first  place? 

If  you  ask  the  typical  student 
this  question,  you  get  some  typical 
answers.  One  will  say,  “To  satisfy 
my  family.” 

This  is  a good  answer  in  some 
ways,  for  the  experience  of  one’s 
elders  usually  puts  value  on  learn- 
ing, and  this  judgment  saves  your 
time.  Further,  to  belong  to  a fam- 
ily of  similar  educational  standing 
usually  adds  to  congeniality. 

But  motives  for  important  things 
must  ultimately  be  your  own.  Suc- 
cess in  college  is  not  probable  un- 
less you  have  your  own  reasons 


for  being  there.  The  catapulted 
plane  goes  into  the  “drink”  mighty 
soon  unless  its  own  propellers  be- 
gin to  bite  into  the  air. 

Or  another  will  say,  “I  came  to 
college  to  keep  up  with  the  times.” 
And  this  is  good  too.  To  be  alive 
and  alert  to  the  best  thoughts  and 
most  significant  happenings  of  the 
time  insures  excitement  and  some 
degree  of  happiness.  Capacity  to 
wring  meaning  from  the  hubbub  of 
events  in  one’s  own  time  is  a mark 
of  a mind  at  home  in  its  own  gen- 
eration. 

Yet  many  of  man’s  best  achieve- 
ments were  in  the  past.  The  task 
is  to  learn  of  the  timeless  as  well 
as  the  timely.  One  could  get  a kind 
of  education  without  going  to  col- 


lege, by  reading  only  the  newspa- 
pers and  television  screens.  But 
what  a hodgepodge  would  likely  re,- 
sult,  where  no  landmarks  in  learn- 
ing were  established! 

‘To  earn  a better  living,”  will  be 
a third  reply.  And  you  will  earn 
25  to  50  per  cent  more  by  virtue  of 
your  going  to  college.  There  is  no 
higher  return  on  any  investment 
than  that  put  into  your  college  edu- 
cation. “He  who  empties  his  purse 
in  his  head  shall  never  be  in  want,” 
as  Benjamin  Franklin  put  it.  Nev- 
ertheless, wealth  can  never  be  more 
than  a means  to  an  end. 

Another  will  say,  “I  go  to  college 
to  make  contacts.”  'True,  friend- 
ships in  college  are  likely  to  be 
rich  and  life-long.  They  may  intro- 


682 


THE  MENNONITE 


duce  you  to  others  who  will  help 
you  at  the  start  of  your  career.  In 
the  end,  however,  success  in  your  life 
depends  on  what  you  can  do  far 
more  than  on  the  people  you  know. 

Willy  told  his  brother  Ben  in 
Death  of  a Salesman,  “It’s  con- 
tacts, Ben,  contacts,’’  that  matter  in 
the  business  world.  But  Willy  lost 
his  grip  and  drove  his  car  off  into 
suicide  when  he  discovered  that  con- 
tacts were  not  enough. 

When  you  find  the  student  who 
says,  “I  came  to  college  to  find  out 
who  I am,’’  follow  him! 

How  do  I know  who  I am?  Sup- 
pose you  ask  yourself  first,  “What 
do  I do?’’  Your  grades  show  you 
how  you  perform  in  class.  Your 
speech  habits,  your  food  and  health 
habits,  choice  of  clothes,  procedures 
in  study,  show  you  what  you  are 
doing.  You  are,  in  an  important 
sense,  what  you  do. 

How  do  you  meet  people?  Are 
you  confident  or  shy?  Do  you  re- 
spect or  fiaunt  authority?  Do  you 
j get  on  with  your  teachers?  How  do 
I you  think? 

At  these  points  you  touch  the 
i outline  of  your  personality.  Col- 
I lege  is  a mirror  held  up  to  allow 
you  to  see  what  you  are  doing.  A 
normal,  healthy,  personality  is  one 
that  understands  itself.  Delusions, 
whether  of  grandeur,  persecution, 
or  failure,  are  cloudy  pictures  of 
oneself  and  reveal  the  wrong  ex- 
pectations of  college. 

I Next,  you  find  out  who  you  are 
by  seeking  to  find  out  what  you  can 
do.  Try  out  for  plays,  the  choir, 
the  basketball  team,  the  newspaper 
staff.  Take  some  music  lessons,  some 
speech  trials.  Write  some  poems, 
stories,  plays.  Experiment  in  a lab- 
[ oratory.  How  do  you  know  what 
you  can  do  until  you  try?  Per- 
formance under  the  competent  criti- 
cism and  guidance  of  responsible 
teachers  tests  your  metal.  You  will 
not  be  able  to  do  everything  equally 
well.  But  the  pattern  of  your  abili- 
ties will  show  as  you  try  to  use 
them. 

You  may  not  know  what  you  want 
to  do  in  life  when  you  start  college. 
But  the  college  will  give  you  some 
tests  that  will  get  beneath  the  sur- 
face of  your  mere  whims.  Choose 
your  major  as  an  hypothesis  to  be 
explored,  so  you  may  see  whether 
you  want  it  badly  enough  to  pay 
the  hours  and  concentration  it  will 


require.  Choose  your  summer  job, 
if  possible,  by  reference  to  your  life 
ambition,  so  you  can  test  yourself 
out.  Would  you  really  like  to  be  a 
doctor  if  you  must  deal  with  pa- 
tients who  are  at  their  worst  when 
they  are  sick?  You  can  find  out  by 
being  an  orderly  in  a hospital  dur- 
ing the  summer.  “Be  careful  what 
you  set  your  heart  on,  for  it  surely 
will  be  yours,”  was  Emerson’s  epi- 
gram. 

In  the  end,  find  out  what  needs 
doing.  You  can  find  out  mighty 
quickly  who  you  are  if  you  con- 
sider whether  what  needs  doing 
makes  any  sense  to  you. 

If  you  can  learn  in  college  to  de- 
velop your  abilities  to  the  point 
where  you  are  needed  by  your  gen- 
eration, and  you  realize  it,  you  are 
bound  to  live  a satisfying  life. 

What  you  do  do,  what  you  can 
do,  what  you  want  to  do — all  these 
must  be  lined  up  alongside  of  what 
needs  doing.  To  plan  a life  around 
what  doesn’t  need  doing,  to  make 
buttonholes  where  there  are  no  but- 
tons, will  wreck  your  morale  and 


your  generation. 

You  don’t  have  to  go  to  college  to 
get  an  education.  But  the  chances 
are  that  you  will  not  get  one  com- 
plete, balanced  and  relevant  imless 
you  do.  It  will  consist  primarily  in 
your  discovery  of  who  you  are  un- 
der the  discriminating  judgment  of 
those  who  are  most  likely  to  know 
the  answer  to  that  question. 

—motive  by  permission 


alternatives  to  war 

Rich  or  Poor  - It  doesn’t  matter 


Wilfred  Unruh 

PAX  service  under  MCC  or  our 
General  Conference  Missions 
Pax  program  is  one  of  the  excellent 
opportunities  for  alternative  service 
available  to  the  young  men  of  our 
churches  today. 

Many  of  these  young  men,  we  dis- 
cover, feel  that  they  cannot  serve 
in  Pax  unless  they  or  their  family 
provide  the  total  financial  commit- 
ment needed.  This  is  not  correct. 

Pax  is  designed  to  be  an  accept- 
able alternative  for  anyone  regard- 
less of  his  financial  means.  It  is 
true  that  it  takes  from  seventy-five 
to  one  hundred  dollars  to  support 
a Pax  man  each  month  during  the 
time  of  his  service.  MCC  Pax  boys 
must  be  supported  at  the  rate  of 
seventy-five  dollars  per  month.  Be- 
cause our  own  Missions  Pax  pro- 
gram is  smaller,  we  calculate  that 
it  takes  one  hundred  dollars  per 


month  to  provide  all  of  the  room 
and  board,  transportation,  and  other 
necessary  maintenance  required. 

We  ask  each  Pax  man  and  his 
family  to  indicate  how  much  of  this 
amount  they  think  they  would  be 
willing  to  sacrifice  for  his  service. 
We  do  not  require  the  family  or 
the  Pax  boy  to  supply  ail  of  this, 
however!  Some  families  are  able  to 
provide  nearly  the  full  amount; 
others  provide  token  payments  ac- 
cording to  their  means. 

In  any  case,  the  point  we  wish  to 
make  is  that  you,  as  a young  man 
considering  alternative  service, 
ought  to  consider  serving  under  our 
Pax  programs.  Our  General  Confer- 
ence Mennonite  Church  through  the 
Board  of  Christian  Service  guaran- 
tees that  we  will  provide  the  sup- 
port for  all  the  Pax  men  who  are 
accepted  into  the  program  regard- 


November  3,  1959 


683 


less  of  the  amount  of  money  they 
themselves  are  able  to  make  avail- 
able. 

Christ  calls  you  to  give  your  life 
to  Him.  For  the  dedicated  Christian 
there  can  be  no  finer  expression  of 
service  to  Christ  than  to  dedicate 


our  schools 

GOSPEL  TEAM  QUARTETS 

The  personnel  for  the  Men’s  and 
Women’s  Gospel  Team  Quartets  of 
Bluffton  College  have  now  been  an- 
nounced. Members  of  the  Women’s 
Gospel  Team  Quartet  are  Kathryn 
Conrad,  Toledo,  Ohio,  first  soprano; 
Jeannette  Sprunger,  Elkhart,  Indi- 
ana, second  soprano;  Nancy  Mees, 
Paulding,  Ohio,  first  alto;  and  Sara 
Radebaugh,  Findlay,  Ohio,  second 
alto. 

In  the  Men’s  Gospel  Team  Quar- 
tet are  John  Lehman,  Dalton,  Ohio, 
first  tenor;  James  Hahn,  Lantwerp, 
Ohio,  second  tenor;  Gary  Lora,  Co- 
lumbus Grove,  Ohio,  baritone;  and 
Willis  Stemen,  Ft.  Jennings,  Ohio, 
bass. 

The  quartets  are  a part  of  the 
Gospel  Team,  a commission  of  the 
Bluffton  College  Student  Christian 
Association.  According  to  Sara 
Kratz,  who  is  in  charge  of  itinerary, 
the  teams  will  be  traveling  during 
Christmas  vacation:  the  men’s  team 
toward  eastern  states  and  the  wom- 
en’s, Midwestern  states. 

URUGUAY  FEATURED 

Alvin  J.  Becker,  director  of  MCC 
in  Uruguay  for  two  and  a half 
years,  described  a few  of  his  expe- 
riences in  chapel  at  Bethel  College, 
Wednesday,  October  21. 

With  the  love  chapter  of  Corin- 
thians as  his  text,  Becker  testified 
that  each  point  of  this  chapter  had 
new  meaning  as  a result  of  such  a 
period  of  service. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Becker  and  daugh- 
ter, Frances  Ann,  age  9,  returned 
to  their  farm  home  near  Burrton 
last  July.  Mr.  Becker  is  presently 
enrolled  at  Bethel  College  working 
to  renew  teaching  certification  re- 
quirements. Mrs.  Becker  is  the  for- 
mer Ruth  Randall  of  Burrton. 

The  South  American  has  entirely 
different  thought  patterns  and  re- 


two years  of  service  overseas  for 
the  witness  of  the  gospel  by  word 
and  deed  through  Pax  service  with 
our  foreign  relief  or  mission  pro- 
grams. Rich  or  poor,  Canadian  or 
American,  there  is  a place  for  you 
in  Pax  if  you  are  ready  to  dedicate 


ligious  traditions  than  the  North 
American,  Becker  said.  It  is  impos- 
sible for  us  to  countenance  some  of 
their  ways  and  equally  impossible 
for  them  to  understand  our  ways. 
Love  is  finally  the  only  answer.  Even 
though  people  cannot  agree  on  ways 
of  living,  they  can  finally  learn  to 
love  each  other.  The  ability  to  love 
is  finally  a most  important  attribute 
of  the  person  who  is  to  serve  effec- 
tively in  such  an  assignment.  Among 
major  differences  mentioned  were 
such  as,  for  example,  the  universal 
reading  of  sermons,  the  absence  of 
the  passing  collection  plate,  the 
Uruguayan  contempt  for  right  of 
the  machine  as  reflected  in  traffic 
laws,  and  rather  universal  use  of 
tobacco  and  hard  beverages.  Help 
with  economic,  social,  and  educa- 
tional problems  can  and  must  be 
given,  but  the  typical  Uruguayan 
is  likely  to  resist  and  negate  the 
spirit  and  intent  of  such  aid  until 
he  is  satisfied  that  his  dignity  is 
being  upheld. 

The  Beckers’  count  it  a rich  expe- 
rience to  have  served  in  this  respect 
and  above  all  as  a direct  leading  of 
the  spirit  of  God.  A major  ability 
needed  for  such  service,  Mr.  Becker 
insists,  is  the  ability  to  use  the  Ger- 
man and  Spanish  languages  to  en- 
able the  worker  to  communicate  and 
sell  himself  and  his  ideas  effectively. 

GERMAN  PROGRAM 

The  German  Language  Depart- 
ment at  Bethel  College  wiU  present 
a “Schiller  Abend,’’  Monday,  Novem- 
ber 10,  in  observance  of  the  bi- 
centennial anniversary  of  Schiller’s 
birth. 

A dramatization  of  Wilhelm  Tell 
with  songs  and  readings  all  in  the 
German  language  wUl  use  talents  of 
many  of  the  ninety-five  students 
currently  enrolled  in  various  Ger- 
man classes.  Professors  directing 
the  production  and  also  appearing 


your  life  in  service.  Inquiries  should  [ 
be  addressed  to  the  Board  of  Chris-  ; e 
tian  Service,  722  Main,  Newton,  Kan.  | * 


Fred  Unruh,  author  of  this  article,  , \ 
is  Associate  Secretary  of  the  Board  ' 
of  Christian  Service.  t 


on  the  program  will  be  Dr.  Come-  ' 
lius  Krahn  and  Dr.  Jacob  W.  Nickel.  ' 
The  program  wiU  stsirt  at  8:00  p.m.  ' 
in  Memorial  Hall.  There  will  be  no 
charge  for  admission. 

MENNO  SIMONS  LECTURES 

Gordon  D.  Kaufman,  Professor  of 
Theology  at  Vanderbilt,  University, 
Nashville,  Tenn.,  is  the  1959  Menno 
Simons  lecturer  at  Bethel  College, 
Nov.  1-3. 

Dr.  Kaufman’s  general  theme  for 
the  lectures  is  “The  Theological  Con-  i 
text  of  the  Christian  Ethic.’’ 

Topics  for  the  lectures  on  Sunday 
are:  “What  is  a Mennonite?”  and 
“The  Nature  of  Christian  Ethics”; 
for  Mon.:  “God  and  Man”  and  “The 
Church  and  the  World”;  for  Tues- 
day: “The  Individual  Disciple”  and 
“The  Problem  of  Decision.” 

Lectures  begin  at  9:30  a.m.  and 
8:00  p.m.  and  are  all  being  given 
in  the  Bethel  College  Mennonite 
Church. 


MCC  news  and  notes 

THREE  WORKERS  TO  HAITI 

'Three  new  Voluntary  Service 
workers  left  for  Haiti  Oct.  12  to 
assist  in  the  medical  program  there: 


from  left  to  right.  Esther  Eshleman,  i 
R.N.  (Lititz,  Pa.),  Sister  Hilda  Muel- 
ler, R.N.  (Newton,  Kan.)  and  Diet-  ' 
rick  Stoesz  (Mountain  Lake,  Minn.). 
They  will  help  at  Hospital  Albert  * 
Schweitzer,  Port-au-Prince,  and  in  i 
an  MCC-operated  hospital  in  Grande  ' 


684 


THE  MENNONITE 


Riviera  du  Nord,  located  in  north- 
ern Haiti,  which  will  open  in  early 
November.  Sister  Hilda  and  Mr. 
Stoesz  will  serve  at  the  Grande  Ri- 
viere du  Nord  hospital. 

Prior  to  her  MCC  assignment  Sis- 
ter Hilda  worked  as  director  of 
nursing  at  Bethel  Deaconess  Hos- 
pital (Newton,  Kan.)  for  ten  years. 
Stoesz,  from  the  Evangelical  Men- 
nonite  Brethren  church,  is  to  help 
in  the  hospital’s  maintenance;  he 
worked  in  the  Mt.  Lake  vicinity  be- 
I fore  beginning  his  1-W  service  in 
Haiti.  (Dr.  John  Bender,  Snowhill, 
Md.,  will  serve  as  the  hospital  phy- 
sician; he  and  his  family  arrived 
in  Haiti  Sept.  19.)  Miss  Eshleman, 
who  is  to  serve  at  Hospital  Albert 
Schweitzer,  worked  at  Grand  Cen- 
* tral  Hospital  in  New  York  City  be- 
fore accepting  her  Haitian  nursing 
I duties.  She  has  served  several  short 
terms  under  the  Eastern  Mennonite 
Board  of  Missions  and  Charities  at 
Homestead,  Fla.,  helping  at  the  mi- 
grant child  care  center. 

MCC  WORKERS’  REUNION 

A reunion  and  fellowship  meeting 
, of  past  and  present  MCC  workers 
I will  be  held  Friday,  November  6, 
at  the  Gnadenau  Mennonite  Breth- 
ren Church,  South  Main  Street, 
Hillsboro,  Kansas.  Dr.  J.  Winfield 
Fretz  who  recently  spent  a year  in 
South  America  will  be  the  speaker. 
All  MCC  personnel  having  served 
in  relief,  CPS,  VS,  mental  health. 
Pax,  or  Akron  and  foreign  students 
' attending  Bethel,  Hesston,  or  Tabor 
colleges  are  invited. 

The  basket  dinner  will  begin  at 
5:30  p.m.  The  menu  consists  of  cas- 
serole, sandwiches,  salad,  pie.  Bring 
your  own  table  service.  Coffee  will 
be  provided. 

' The  program  will  begin  at  7:30 
p.m. 

JAPAN  TYPHOON  ASSISTANCE 

JAPAN  — Mennonite  missionaries 
in  Japan,  representing  various  Men- 
nonite conferences,  continue  to  give 
■ rehabilitation  aid  to  victims  of  ty- 
phoon Vera  which  hit  the  island 
Sept.  26,  killing  4,580  persons.  As- 
sociated Press  counted  35,285  in- 
jured with  685  still  missing. 

Paul  Peachey,  MCC  Peace  worker, 
reports  that  the  $1000  emergency 
fund  cabled  by  MCC  Oct.  16  is  being 
used  co-operatively  by  all  the  Men- 
' nonite  groups  in  helping  set  up  a 
volunteer  camp  to  assist  in  the  phys- 


ical ministry  to  the  storm  victims. 
The  Mennonite  Brethren,  working 
in  the  disaster  area,  are  serving  in 
advisory  capacity. 

On  Oct.  16  the  Mennonite  Breth- 
ren arrived  in  Kuwana  (one  of  the 
cities  badly  attacked  by  the  ty- 
phoon) with  their  camp  and  work- 
ing equipment  to  set  up  a camp  cen- 
ter which  will  function  as  the  nu- 
cleus of  the  Mennonite  rehabilitation 
activity.  Volunteers  for  this  camp 
will  include  persons  from  the  Men- 
nonite Brethren  school,  from  the  Ja- 
pan Christian  College,  and  from 
other  church  groups. 

Dennis  Epp,  a General  Conference 
Missions-Paxman,  was  released  from 
his  regular  duties  at  Kobe,  Japan,  to 
assume  ieadership  of  the  Mennonite 
emergency  program.  Along  with 
Epp,  two  Japanese  men — one  a car- 
penter and  the  other  a social  work- 
er— have  been  secured  to  help  with 
the  supervision  of  the  work.  With 
additional  supervisory  help  from 
Osaka  and  Tokyo  church  leaders,  a 
strong  program  lasting  until  the 
winter  months  will  be  possible. 

Clothing  gathered  by  the  Menno- 
nite churches  and  perhaps  some 
materials  collected  by  other  church 
groups  will  be  distributed  through 
the  volunteer  camp  set  up  at  Ku- 
wana. “It  is  the  intention  of  the 
Mennonite  groups  to  channel  mate- 
rials given  by  the  Mennonite  church- 
es in  Japan  through  our  team  for 
distribution,”  Peachey  states.  “We 
will  take  the  necessary  time  to  work 
out  the  procedure.  But  for  the  most 
part,  these  distributions  will  come 
a bit  later.” 

The  1000  Christmas  bundles  sent 
to  Japan  by  MCC  will  be  distribut- 
ed during  the  early  winter  months, 
by  Christmas  time  if  possible. 

Peachey  concludes  that  the  Men- 
nonite typhoon  assistance  project 
“is  important  not  only  because  it 
is  helping  victims  of  the  vast  de- 
struction in  the  Nagoya  area,  but 
also  because  it  has  aroused  feeling 
among  many  missionaries  that  some 
standby  emergency  organization 
should  be  set  up  among  the  mis- 
sions. We  hope  therefore  that  this 
may  become  a pilot  project  which 
will  point  the  way  for  further  de- 
velopment.” 

MENNONITE  VOLUNTEERS  NEEDED 

BETHESDA,  MARYLAND  — Vol- 
unteers are  needed  for  the  National 


Institutes  of  Health.  As  a result  of 
an  expanding,  intensified  research 
program  at  this  Bethesda,  Md.,  med- 
ical center,  more  young  men  and 
women  are  wanted  who  can  par- 
ticipate as  normal  volunteers  and 
be  used  as  control  patients.  Since 
1954  MCC  has  helped  NIH  with  its 
research  by  recruiting  volunteers 
for  either  short  term  or  long  term 
service  periods. 

At  present  the  Mennonite  Central 
Committee  has  eight  VSers  serving 
at  the  institution;  at  least  fourteen 
more  are  needed  by  the  well-trained 
staff  of  650  doctors  in  studying  the 
heart,  blood,  diets,  body  processes, 
and  the  effects  of  drugs  to  help 
them  determine  what  is  normal 
health  and  how  a sick  body  really 
differs  from  a normal  one.  Though 
tests  are  not  conducted  with  hopes 
of  finding  dramatic  cures,  the  re- 
search carried  on  is  very  important 
in  understanding  illnesses  and  in 
eventually  constructing  the  needed 
solutions. 

Together  with  the  Mennonite  vol- 
unteers, fifteen  volunteers  from  the 
Church  of  the  Brethren  are  serving 
in  150  various  projects  in  three  of 
the  seven  institutes  of  NIH:  the 

National  Institute  of  Arthritis  and 
Metabolic  Diseases,  the  National 
Heart  Institute,  and  the  National 
Institute  of  Mental  Health. 

All  research  projects  are  careful- 
ly screened,  processed,  and  calcu- 
lated. Volunteers  serve  without  haz- 
ard, although  some  of  the  tests  may 
result  in  temporary  discomforts. 
Writes  one  of  the  NIH  volunteers: 
“Though  the  procedures  cannot  be 
called  ‘enjoyable’  from  the  normal 
volunters’  standpoint,  they  do  have 
certain  intangible  compensations. 
Primarily,  of  course,  these  volun- 
teers have  a deep  satisfaction  of 
knowing  that  they  are  helping  in  a 
program  of  research  that  may  ul- 
timately lead  to  the  discovery  of 
better  ways  of  treating  the  sick.” 

Any  persons  interested  in  the  NIH 
program  and  who  would  like  to 
serve  as  normal  volunteers  should 
write  to  Personnel  Office,  Menno- 
nite Central  Committee,  Akron,  Pa. 

PSYCHIATRIC  TRAINING  COURSES 

NEWTON — Prairie  View  Hospital 
(Newton,  Kansas)  invites  graduate 
nurses  to  take  a one-year  course  in 
advanced  psychiatric  nursing  in 
Prairie  View’s  own  nurses  training 


November  3,  1959 


685 


program.  The  course  with  limited 
enrollment  is  scheduled  several 
times  each  year.  At  present  there 
is  an  opening  for  someone  to  begin 
between  now  and  Jan.  1,  1960. 

Each  of  the  Mennonite  Mental 
Health  Services  hospitals  is  devel- 
oping in  its  own  way  to  meet  its 
respective  needs.  Prairie  View,  in 
addition  to  the  inpatient  and  out- 
patient treatment  program,  gives 
special  emphasis  to  the  staff  train- 
ing program,  particularly  to  the 
one-year  psychiatric  training  pro- 
gram for  graduate  nurses  from  the 
United  States  or  Canada. 

Individuals  who  recently  entered 
this  program  are  Gertrude  Warken- 
tin,  R.N.  (Superb,  Sask.)  and  Or- 
letta  Brandt,  R.N.  (Hillsboro,  Kan.). 

Also  included  in  the  hospital’s 
training  program  are  classes  taught 
by  the  Prairie  View  Hospital  profes- 
sional staff  in  Newton  and  Wichita 
which  are  open  to  any  nurses  from 
the  community.  Last  year  there 
were  twelve  in  the  Newton  class 
and  thirteen  in  the  Wichita  class. 
Classes  for  the  current  year  will  be 
getting  under  way  during  October. 
College  credit  is  available  for  this 
general  training  course  as  well  as 
for  certain  areas  of  the  advanced 
psychiatric  one-year  training. 

Nurses  interested  in  more  infor- 
mation should  contact  Elsie  Mar- 
tin, R.N.,  Director  of  Nursing,  Prai- 
rie View  Hospital,  Newton,  Kan. 


OUR  SCHOOLS 

(Continued  from  page  684) 

“THE  CRUCIBLE"  PRESENTED 

Arthur  Miller’s  drama  “The  Cru- 
cible” will  be  staged  in  Founders 
Hall  on  the  Bluffton  College  cam- 
pus Nov.  10,  11,  and  13  under  the 
direction  of  Mrs.  John  Purves. 

Members  of  the  cast  are  Gary  Yo- 
der, Jim  Weaver,  Barbara  Lehman, 
Dan  MacLachlan,  Pat  Gross,  Neil 
Lehman,  Mary  Margaret  Younk- 
man,  Phyllis  Bixler,  Leonard  Myers, 
Ellen  Poole,  Gary  Sprunger,  Walter 
Sprunger,  Mary  Steiner,  Robert  Su- 
ter,  and  Dorothy  Thiessen. 

Although  the  setting  of  the  play 
is  Puritan  New  England,  this  pres- 
entation will  be  given  in  modem 
dress. 

BETHEL  PARENTS’  DAY 

Parents’  Day  at  Bethel  College 
will  be  observed  Sunday,  Nov.  8, 
with  parents  of  all  students  invited 
to  spend  the  day  on  the  campus. 


In  the  principal  feature  of  the 
day.  Dr.  J.  E.  Hartzler,  noted  lec- 
turer, world  traveler,  and  professor, 
will  tell  of  what  he  saw  in  a recent 
tour  of  Russia.  This  address  will  be 
at  3:00  p.m.  in  Memorial  Hall. 

Other  activities  of  Parents’  Day 
include  a dormitory  open  house  from 
1:00  to  3:00  p.m.,  a 5:30  p.m.  din- 
ner with  students  and  parents  in- 
vited as  guests  of  the  college  and  a 
7:30  p.m.  concert  by  the  a cappella 
choir  in  Memorial  Hall,  Professor 
Gordon  Corwin,  conducting. 

Parents  and  visitors  are  also  in- 
vited to  the  regular  church  services 
that  morning  which  include  the  wor- 
ship service  at  9:30  a.m.  and  the 
Sunday  school  hour  starting  at 
10:30  a.m. 

Dr.  Hartzler,  the  speaker  of  the 
day,  is  a Mennonite  of  note  having 
served  as  president  of  Goshen  Col- 
lege in  Goshen,  Ind.;  Bethel  Col- 
lege, North  Newton;  and  of  Wit- 
marsum  Theological  Seminary.  He 
later  served  for  many  years  as  Pro- 
fessor of  Philosophy  and  Ethics  at 
Hartford  Theological  Seminary  in 
Hartford,  Conn.,  and  taught  for 
several  years  in  Beirut  in  Lebanon. 
His  recent  tour  of  Russia,  in  which 
he  traveled  some  5,000  miles  by  bus, 
brought  him  in  close  contact  with 
the  common  people  of  this  vast 
country. 

jottings 

MISSION  FESTIVAL 

Bethel  Church,  Inman,  Kan.:  Rec- 
ord Sunday  school  attendance  for 
the  third  quarter  was  378.  About 
twelve  ladies  of  our  church  attend- 
ed the  Kansas  All-Mennonite  Wom- 
en’s m.eeting  in  Hesston,  Kan.,  this 
fall.  Eva  Pauls,  missionary  nurse 
from  our  church  who  served  in  In- 
dia, arrived  home  Sept.  28.  Miss 
Pauls,  Miss  Agnes  Harder,  P.  A. 
Wedel,  and  Arthur  and  Jeannie 
Thiessen  were  the  speakers  for  our 
mission  festival  held  Oct.  11.  Our 
congregation  has  purchased  a lot  in 
Inman  and  is  building  a parsonage. 
A group  of  ladies  from  the  Charity 
Society  gave  a program  in  the  Hope- 
field  Church  recently.  Groups  from 
our  church  serve  at  the  Wichita 
Union  Rescue  Mission  on  the  fourth 
Wednesday  of  each  month.  'The  fol- 
lowing people  attended  the  confer- 
ence in  Bluffton:  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  H. 
Ediger,  George  Ediger,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Elmer  Neufeld,  Pastor  P.  T.  Neu- 
feld,  Mrs.  George  Regehr,  John 
Thiessen,  John  F.  Enns,  Mrs.  H.  A. 
Toews,  Paul  Toews,  Anna  Grace 
Wiens.  Officers  for  this  Sunday 
school  year  are:  Art  Pauls,  sup’t.; 


Simon  Wiens,  sec. ; Herb  Neufeld,  f 
treas.  On  Sept.  6 Mr.  and  Mrs.  „ 
George  Becker  observed  their  sil- 
ver wedding  with  open  house  and  a q 
short  program  in  the  church.  Mr.  . 
and  Mrs.  J.  T.  Doerksen  celebrated  '■ 
their  silver  wedding  Oct.  18.  The 
silver  wedding  anniversary  of  Mr.  ;V 
and  Mrs.  Martin  E.  Kroeker  will  be 
observed  Nov.  29.  In  our  church  ' 
there  are  eighty-four  children  in  j' 
grade  school,  thirty-two  students  in  i( 
high  school,  eighteen  in  college,  one  s 
in  Bible  institute,  one  in  seminary,  i[, 
and  one  in  university.  Margaret  j ' 
Kroeker,  student  at  Bethel  College  ^ 
from  Bolivia,  S.  America,  spoke  to 
us  Sept.  20.  Terry  Doerksen  and  ia 
Lois  Doerksen  were  married  Aug. 

30.  Dewayne  Pauls  and  Elizabeth 
Schrag  were  married  Sept.  12.  Gus  ‘ 
Regehr  and  Ruth  Wiebe  were  mar-  '1 
ried  Sept.  20.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  De-  | 
Wayne  Pauls  are  now  in  Akron  for  | 
two  years  of  alternative  service 
with  MCC.  Wildan  Kroeker  recently  ' 
began  his  1-W  service  in  Denver.  i 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Goertzen  are  i 
at  Honey  Brook,  Pa.,  for  his  service. 

NEW  PASTOR 

Pulaski  Church,  Pulaski,  Iowa: 
We  have  enjoyed  Dr.  and  Mrs.  J.  E. 
Hartzler  of  Goshen,  Ind.,  with  their 
message  in  pictures  and  sermon. 
Mrs.  Hartzler  spoke  to  the  Dorcas 
Missionary  Society  about  women  in 
Russia.  We  are  eagerly  looking  for- 
ward to  the  arrival  of  the  new  pas- 
tor, Rev.  and  Mrs.  Myron  Kreh- 
biel,  from  Conway,  Kan. — Mrs. 
Chas.  Bachman 

HYMN  TUNE  CONTEST 

The  Mennonite  Song  Festival 
Committee  is  sponsoring  a hymn 
tune  contest  to  follow  the  hymn 
text  contest  held  recently.  Four 
texts  were  chosen  as  winners  \ 
by  the  Hymn  Society  of  America  i 
and  were  performed  at  the  General  1 
Conference  Centennial  at  Bluffton.  t 

Contestants  may  write  hymn 
tunes  suitable  for  any  one  of  the 
four  texts.  Awards  of  $25,  $15,  and 
$10  will  be  given  to  the  three  win-  i 
ning  entries.  The  hymns  will  be  | 
performed  at  the  1960  Song  Fes-  .j 
tival.  Write  to  Hymn  Contest,  North 
Newton,  Kansas,  for  copies  of  the 
texts  and  contest  rules.  The  dead- 
line for  entries  will  be  February  1, 
1960. 

into  the  beyond 

Mrs.  Lavina  May  (Baughman) 
Miller,  member  of  the  Pulaski  Men- 
nonite Church,  Pulaski,  Iowa,  widow 
of  Rev.  W.  W.  Miller,  long  time  pas- 
tor of  this  church,  was  born  Febru-  ^ 
ary  3,  1865  and  passed  away  October 
11,  1959. 


^86 


THE  MENNONITE 


'conference  notes 

j:ontinued  from  last  page 

OFFICERS  ELECTED  AT 
CONVENTION 

Newly  elected  officers  of  the 
Western  District  Sunday  School 
Convention  are:  Ralph  Peters 

(Hillsboro),  president;  Eldon  Franz 
(Inman),  vice  president;  Dorothy 
Schmidt  (Newton),  secretary;  Ro- 
land Bartel  (Hillsboro),  treasurer; 
and  Dean  Stucky  (Wichita)  board 
member.  Elections  were  held  at  the 
annual  meeting  in  Halstead,  Oct.  4. 

Alta  Mae  Erb,  writer  of  children’s 
curriculum  materials,  and  Mary 
Royer,  curriculum  consultant,  were 
the  guest  speakers  for  the  conven- 
|tion.  Mrs.  Erb  explained  how  cur- 
Iriculum  materials  are  prepared,  dis- 
[ cussed  problems  in  writing  for  chil- 
dren, and  explained  the  use  of  the 
teacher’s  manual  and  teaching  pic- 
tures of  the  Faith  and  Life  Graded 
I Sunday  School  Lessons.  Dr.  Royer 
: spoke  of  the  challenge  of  teaching 
three-year-olds.  She  explained  the 
I philosophy  underlying  the  course 
for  nursery  children  which  was  pre- 
pared by  her  sister,  Katherine 
Royer. 

The  convention,  at  its  business 
session,  voted  to  contribute  $800  to 
the  Board  of  Education  and  Publi- 
cation for  the  development  of  the 
Faith  and  Life  Graded  Sunday 
School  Lessons. 

MISSIONARIES  ON  THE  MOVE 

Anna  Quiring,  Belgian  Congo,  is 
itinerating  in  North  Dakota,  Illi- 
nois, and  Indiana.  The  Earl  Roths, 
also  from  the  Congo,  are  spending 
a month,  October  7 to  November  8, 
in  the  Pacific  District  churches. 
Vernon  Sprunger,  formerly  of  the 
Congo,  now  assistant  executive  sec- 
retary of  the  Congo  Inland  Mission, 
Elkhart,  Ind.,  spoke  at  the  Western 
District  Conference  in  North  New- 
ton, Kansas,  October  24-28. 

Gerald  Stucky  of  Colombia  was 
in  Montana  until  the  middle  of  Oc- 
tober and  wiU  spend  three  weeks 
in  November  on  the  Hopi  mission 
field  in  Arizona,  and  a week  in 
churches  in  Kansas  and  Nebraska. 

The  Arthur  Thiessens  did  inten- 
sive itineration  in  Kansas  and  Okla- 
homa in  October,  and  will  spend 
some  time  in  Canada  in  November. 
They  will  return  to  India  in  De- 
I cember. 

The  W.  C.  Voths,  China,  Japan, 


Taiwan,  and  presently  of  Oraibi, 
Arizona,  will  take  out  several 
weeks  to  itinerate  in  South  Dakota 
and  speak  at  the  missions  confer- 
ence in  Bessie,  Oklahoma. 

OPERATION  IS  SUCCESSFUL 

Waldo  Harder,  a missionary  in 
the  Belgian  Congo  who  recently  re- 
turned to  Newton,  Kan.,  because  of 
ill  health,  underwent  major  surgery 
in  Kansas  City  October  17.  He  is 
reported  to  be  in  good  condition 
and  was  able  to  leave  the  hospital 
after  two  weeks. 

GENERAL  CONFERENCE 
STATEMENTS  AVAILABLE 

The  statements,  “The  Christian 
and  Race  Relations”  and  “The  Chris- 
tian and  Nuclear  Power”  may  be 
obtained  by  writing  the  Board  of 
Christian  Service,  722  Main,  New- 
ton, Kan. 

1960  STUDY  CONFERENCE 

Delegates  representing  all  Gen- 
eral Conference  Mennonite  congre- 
gations will  meet  in  the  summer  of 
1960  to  evaluate  the  achievements 
and  failures  of  the  first  one  hundred 
years  of  the  Conference.  Founders 
of  the  General  Conference  felt  that 
Mennonites  should  achieve  greater 
unity,  and  leaders  today  feel  that 
the  need  for  true  Christian  unity 
is  as  great  as  it  was  in  the  day  of 
their  predecessors. 

The  conference  will  be  held  in  the 
vicinity  of  West  Point,  Iowa,  the 
birthplace  of  the  General  Confer- 
ence. Today  there  are  General  Con- 
ference congregations  at  Donnell- 
son,  Pulaski,  and  two  at  Wayland 
in  Iowa. 

On  the  program  are  such  topics 
as  a study  of  the  contemporary  ecu- 
menical movements,  the  biblical 
and  theological  basis  for  unity  of 
Christians,  unity  and  disunity  a- 
mong  Mennonites  in  the  past,  co- 
operative efforts  in  education  and 
publication,  in  missions,  and  in  re- 
lief service  through  Mennonite  Cen- 
tral Committee.  Attending  will  be 
delegates  from  the  various  congre- 
gations. 

The  Centennial  Committee  mak- 
ing the  necessairy  preparation  for 
the  study  conference  consists  of  Cor- 
nelius Krahn,  North  Newton,  Kan., 
chairman;  H.  E.  Nunemaker,  Way- 
land,  Iowa;  C.  C.  Neufeld,  Winni- 
peg, Man.;  C.  J.  Dyck,  Elkhart,  Ind.; 
Vernon  Neufeld,  North  Newton; 
and  the  executive  secretaries  of  the 
General  Conference. 


WOMEN’S  MISSIONARY  RALLY 

The  Evangelical  Mennonite 
Church  of  Berne,  Ind.,  was  filled 
when  approximately  314  women  met 
for  the  23rd  Annual  Indiana  Men- 
nonite Women’s  Missionary  Rally 
on  Oct.  15.  The  group  represented 
twelve  General  Conference  and 
Evangelical  Mennonite  Churches  in 
Indiana,  and  five  in  Northwestern 
Ohio. 

The  theme  for  the  day  was  “Who 
Is  My  Neighbor?”  Very  challenging 
meditations  were  presented  by  Mrs. 
Lloyd  Rediger,  Mrs.  Robert  Sutton, 
and  Mrs.  Vernon  Sprunger.  The 
field  of  Belgian  Congo  was  present- 
ed by  Miss  Anna  Quiring.  Mrs.  Ger- 
ald Stucky,  missionary  to  Colombia 
told  of  the  needs  of  the  people  in 
that  country  and  expressed  their 
need  of  a true  knowledge  of  Christ. 

The  Woodlawn  Mennonite  Church 
in  Chicago  was  represented  by  Mrs. 
Delton  Franz.  Her  topic  was  “How 
Can  I Live  As  a Neighbor?”  Rev. 
Andrew  Rupp,  missionary  from  the 
Dominican  Republic  told  of  several 
Dominicans  whose  lives  and  homes 
have  been  changed  as  a result  of 
learning  to  know  God. 

In  the  closing  message,  Mrs.  Rob- 
ert Ramseyer  from  Japan  expressed 
her  deep  concern  for  the  friends  in 
that  country  who  are  curious  about 
the  gospel  but  do  not  seem  to  grasp 
its  full  meaning  for  their  lives. 

The  following  officers  were  elect- 
ed for  the  1960  year:  chairman,  Mrs. 
Daniel  Graber,  Eighth  St.  Menn. 
Church,  Goshen,  Ind.;  vice  chair- 
man, Mrs.  Lloyd  Rediger,  Highland 
Bethel  Menn.  Church,  Fort  Wayne, 
Ind.;  recording  secretary,  Mrs.  Ves- 
ta Slagel,  Topeka  Menn.  Church, 
Topeka,  Ind.;  corresponding  secre- 
tary, Mrs.  Paul  Augsburger,  Evan- 
gelical Menn.  Church,  Berne,  Ind.; 
treasurer,  Mrs.  Gordon  Dyck,  First 
Menn.  Church,  Nappanee,  Ind. 

mutual  aid  placement 

A brotherly  service  for  the  upbuilding  of 
the  church  community  through  a mutually 
helpful  agency  providing  free  services  ia 
the  interest  of  placement  or  relocation. 

PERSONNEL  WANTED 

Secretary:  Full  time  position  open 
December  1 for  secretary  with 
skills  in  typing,  transcribing,  and 
filing.  For  information  and  applica- 
tions write  to  Board  of  Christian 
Service,  General  Conference  Men- 
nonite Church,  722  Main  Street,, 
Newton,  Kan. 


November  3,  1959 


687 


conference  notes 

CONFERENCE  TO  BE  HELD  ON 
“THE  CHURCH  AND  THE  AGING” 

Ministers  from  various  Menno- 
nite  conferences  and  administrators 
and  employees  of  homes  for  the 
aged  will  meet  at  Moundridge  and 
Hesston,  Kan.,  November  5.  Their 
purpose  is  to  “explore  and  plan  to- 
gether’’ the  relationship  of  the 
church  and  the  aging.  Planning  was 
done  by  J.  K.  Siemens,  Allen  Erb, 
A1  Weaver,  Elmer  Ediger,  and  Mar- 
vin Ewert. 

Brief  presentations  of  topics  will 
be  made;  “What  Are  the  Facts 
about  Aging?”  by  Elmer  Ediger, 
administrator  of  Prairie  View  Hos- 
pital; “The  Local  Congregation  and 
the  Aging,”  by  Marvin  Hein,  Men- 
nonite  Brethren  pastor  from  Hills- 
boro, Kan.,  and  “Planning  Our 
Church  Homes  for  the  Aged”  by 
Allen  Erb,  who  is  in  charge  of  the 
Schowalter  Villa,  a new  project  for 
the  aging  at  Hesston.  Group  discus- 
sion will  follow. 

Otto  Klassen,  psychiatrist  from 
Wichita,  Kan.,  is  the  speaker  at  the 
recognition  dinner  to  be  given  for 
workers  in  homes  for  the  aged. 

NEW  PSYCHIATRIC  CENTER 

Plans  are  progressing  on  the  Oak- 
lawn  Center  at  Elkhart,  Ind.  This 
newest  Mennonite  Central  Commit- 
tee mental  health  service  will  not 
only  establish  a place  to  serve  the 
emotionally  ill  but  also  will  spon- 
sor a strong  program  of  education 
pertaining  to  mental  health.  A 
Speakers  Bureau  has  been  estab- 
lished which  makes  arrangements 
with  qualified  speakers  on  the  sub- 
ject of  mental  health  to  serve 
churches  in  Indiana,  Michigan, 
Ohio,  and  Illinois,  as  requested.  A 
staff  of  more  than  twenty  speakers 
has  been  developed. 

Several  plays  on  mental  health 
are  available  for  use  by  youth 
groups  or  others  interested.  A list 
of  them  may  be  secured  from  the 
Oaklawn  Center,  Box  6,  Elkhart, 
Ind. 

Mennonite  congregations  in  the 
MCC  constituency  are  actively  plan- 
ning to  provide  substantial  sums  of 
money  to  make  possible  the  estab- 
lishment of  the  psychiatric  center. 
One  conference  has  already  contrib- 


uted $3  per  member,  representative 
of  the  interest  of  the  church  in 
this  project.  The  Peace  and  Service 
Committee  of  the  Central  District 
carries  the  primary  responsibility 
for  fund  raising  in  General  Confer- 
ence congregations.  Chairman  is 
Robert  Coon,  pastor  of  First  Menno- 
nite Church  in  Chicago. 

VOLUNTEERS  BEGIN 
SERVICE  TERMS 

Four  volunteers  began  one-  and 
two-year  terms  of  Voluntary  Serv- 
ice in  October  and  two  are  sched- 
uled to  begin  December  1.  Rita 
Baergen  from  Tofield,  Alberta,  left 
for  Mexico  beginning  of  October 
and  will  assume  nursing  duties  in 
the  Community  Hospital  at  Cuauh- 
temoc. 

Rudy  and  Ruth  Friesen,  of  Ros- 
thern  and  Waldheim,  Sask.,  respec- 
tively, are  working  in  the  Gulfport, 
Miss.,  unit  for  a year.  Rudy  will 
teach  Bible  classes  in  the  public 
schools  of  Gulfport  and  with  his 
wife  will  help  in  the  recreational 
program  and  other  Bible  classes. 

Alana  Graber,  Kingman,  Kan.,  ar- 
rived at  Gulfport  October  20.  Her 
work  is  mainly  with  children  in 
Bible  school,  recreation  activities  at 
the  Community  Center,  and  club 
work.  She  will  also  help  with  secre- 
tarial work. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  E.  P.  Graber  of 
Freeman,  South  Dakota,  plan  to 
leave  for  Mexico  December  1.  Mr. 
Graber  will  be  doing  repair  and  re- 
construction work  at  the  Cuauhte- 
moc station  and  Mrs.  Graber  will 
help  with  the  housekeeping  at  the 
unit  house.  They  will  remain  in 
Mexico  until  spring. 

RECOGNITION  FOR  HOSPITAL 
SERVICE 

Twenty-six  employees  of  Menno- 
nite Hospital,  Bloomington,  111., 
were  recently  given  service  pins 
upon  completion  of  five  years  of 
service  to  the  hospital.  Three  em- 
ployees had  served  ten  years,  and 
three  members  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  had  served  five,  fifteen, 
and  twenty  years.  The  presentation 
was  made  at  a banquet  attended  by 
180  persons. 

Mennonite  Hospital,  an  inter-Men- 


nonite  hospital,  this  year  received  I 
official  recognition  as  a welfare  in-  i 
stitution  of  the  General  Conference 
Mennonite  Church. 

WCV  MEMBER  JOINS 
NEWTON  STAFF 

Another  member  of  the  organiza- 
tion “Women  in  Church  Vocations” 
has  established  herself  in  church-  , 
related  service.  Cornelia  Lehn  of 
Sardis,  B.  C.,  joined  the  staff  of  the 
General  Conference  office  at  New- 
ton, Kan.,  Oct.  19.  She  edits  two 
children’s  storypapers,  the  Junior 
Messenger  and  Der  Kinderbote,  and 
translates  the  graded  Sunday  school 
materials  into  German. 

Miss  Lehn  was  commissioned  at 
Elkhart,  Ind.,  in  May  1959  in  a 
service  for  four  women,  all  of  whom  y 
are  presently  in  church-related 
work;  Virginia  Claassen  of  White- 
water,  Kan.,  is  teaching  missionary 
children  in  Japan;  Martha  (Gies- 
brecht)  Janzen  is  in  mission  work 
in  Japan;  and  Muriel  Thiessen 
serves  as  editorial  assistant  on  The  | 
Mennonite.  I 

WESTERN  DISTRICT 
OFFICERS  ELECTED 

Henry  Goossen  was  elected  as 
president  of  the  Western  District 
Conference  at  the  recent  sessions. 
Ralph  Weber  is  the  new  vice  presi-  I 
dent,  and  Irvin  Richer!  is  secretary.  | 

New  Officers  of  the  Western  Dis-  I 
trict  Youth  Fellowship  are;  Arlo 
Kasper,  president;  Dorothy  Galle, 
re-elected  as  secretary;  Robert  Un- 
ruh,  trustee;  Kay  Ann  Schrag,  pro- 
gram chairman;  and  Vernon  Pauls, 
retreat  committee  member. 

The  Women’s  Missionary  Organ- 
ization of  the  Western  District 
elected  Mrs.  Ed  Harms  of  Wichita 
as  vice  president  and  Mrs.  Lester 
Ewy  of  Arlington  (Kan.)  as  secre- 
tary. Mrs.  August  Ewy  continues  ; 
as  president. 

William  Juhnke  was  re-elected  as 
president  of  the  Mennonite  Men’s 
Organization  of  the  Western  Dis- 
trict. Herb  Regier  is  vice  president, 
Louis  Regier  is  secretary  treasurer, 
Ralph  Peters  and  Arnold  Siemens 
are  on  the  program  committee,  and 
Jake  Fretz  was  elected  for  the  re-  j 
treat  committee. 


NOVEMBER  10,  1959 


THE  MENNONITE 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
MAN  LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIST 


in  this  issue 


ARTICLES 

HOLINESS  IN  LIFE 

By  Vernon  Neufeld  691 

THE  CHALLENGE  OF  MISSIONS 

By  Anna  Dyck  692 

ALCOHOL  IN  OUR  COMMUNITIES 

By  Henry  B.  Grimm  694 

THE  JESUS  WAY 

By  Carl  H.  Epp  695 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  690 

THE  READER  SAYS  695 

BOOKMARKS  696 

MENNONITE  YOUTH 

Karlsschule  Comes  Back  697 

To  and  From  a Pastor  699 

WITNESS  OR  WASTE?  699 

OUR  SCHOOLS  700 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  702 

JOTTINGS  703 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  704 


of  things  to  come 

Nov.  26 — Thanksgiving  Day  (U.S.) 

Nov.  27,  28 — Young  People’s  Union 
Council  meeting,  Winnipeg 
Dec.  1-4 — Council  of  Boards 
Dec.  13 — Universal  Bible  Sunday 

THE  MENftONITE 

Editor:  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 

J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Assistant:  Muriel 

Thiessen.  Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  44 


editorials 

A STUDY  OF  CHRISTIAN  STEWARDSHIP  The  third  goal 
of  our  Conference  as  adopted  at  Bluffton  is:  “Every  congrega- 
tion conducting  a study  of  its  Christian  Stewardship.”  The 
initiation  of  such  a congregational  study  would  logically  be  by 
the  pastor  or  through  the  church  board. 

An  interesting  report  has  just  been  released  of  a study  of  con- 
tributions among  forty  denominations.  This  study  shows  the  per 
member  average  contribution  for  congregational  expenses  as 
$49.82,  while  the  per  member  average  for  benevolences  was 
only  $12.43.  In  other  words,  four  times  as  much  was  spent  for 
church  expenses  and  upkeep  as  was  spent  for  helping  other 
people.  Many  of  our  congregations  try  to  have  their  budgets 
show  at  least  as  much  for  benevolences  as  for  their  own  comfort 
and  support. 

A thorough  study  of  Christian  stewardship  could  well  include 
such  questions  as:  Is  the  tithe  the  answer?  How  many  sermons 
should  be  preached  on  “giving”?  How  could  the  Sunday  school 
teach  stewardship?  What  is  the  proper  ratio  of  spending  for 
ourselves  and  for  others?  How  many  luxuries  may  we  allow 
ourselves  as  Christians?  What  should  be  the  spirit  of  our  giving? 
What  makes  the  difference  between  joyous  or  painful  giving? 
Should  we  dispense  with  Sunday  collections  and  have  other 
methods  for  raising  the  needed  funds  ? Should  all  our  giving  be 
through  regular  Conference  and  church  channels  only?  When 
does  a “thrifty”  man  become  “stingy”  ? Is  true  giving  a burden 
or  a by-product? 

This  is  but  a beginning  of  a list  of  topics  that  could  be  selected 
for  profitable  congregational  study.  This  whole  matter  of  stew- 
ardship needs  careful  rethinking  and  a new  emphasis.  Carrying 
out  this  third  goal  of  our  Conference  could  work  a revolution 
in  our  church  life  and  activity.  Dare  we  try  it? 

ANOTHER  STUDY  OPPORTUNITY  For  six  months  we  are 
having  the  opportunity  of  a careful  study  of  the  Book  of  Acts 
in  our  Sunday  school. 

One  cannot  help  but  be  impressed  by  the  steady  onward  sweep 
of  the  new  Christian  movement,  and  marvel  at  its  power  of 
progress  and  survival  in  spite  of  all  opposition.  It  bowed  to  no 
political  authority;  it  crossed  all  barriers  of  race  and  nation; 
it  thrived  on  persecution.  Weak  lives  were  made  strong  and 
heroic;  sinful  souls  were  filled  with  a new  hope  and  love. 

Could  it  be  that  our  present  churches  are  so  encrusted  with 
formal  traditions,  and  so  influenced  by  the  material  and  political 
world  that  we  have  not  much  real  message  left?  Are  we  no 
longer  able  to  “turn  the  world  upside  down”?  Have  we  no  de- 
cisive and  courageous  message  to  give  to  our  nuclear-mad  and 
moon-struck  age? 

A serious  and  searching  study  of  the  power  and  influence  of 
the  early  church  may  show  us  how  to  regain  something  of  that 
joyous  faith,  that  unswerving  loyalty,  and  that  undaunted  cour- 
age, and  transforming  love  that  was  so  vividly  manifested  in 
the  early  days  of  the  church’s  history. 


690 


THE  MENNONITE 


Holiness  in  Life 


Vernon  Neufeld 

A recent  article  in  Christianity 
Today  (Sept.  14,  1959,  p.  29)  made 
the  following  brief  notice: 

The  6,000  delegates  to  the  Na- 
tional Convocation  of  Methodist 
Youth,  held  at  Purdue  Univer- 
sity August  24-28,  had  the  option 
of  attending  daily  6:30  a.m. 
services  in  which  John  Wesley’s 
“Order  for  Morning  Prayer” 
was  presented  in  a jazz  setting. 
Some  ministers  who  attended 
weren’t  at  enthusiastic.  Reli- 
gious News  Service  reported,  as 
youth  delegates  who  said  of  the 
nine-man  combo  accompani- 
ment, “It  really  gets  you.  . . .” 
This  is  a dramatic  reminder  of  the 
tendency  in  our  time  to  confuse  the 
sacred  and  the  secular.  This  is  the 
incongruity  of  an  advertisement 
seen  across  the  country  last  week, 
in  which  bottles  of  liquor  were  at- 
tractively pictured  upon  the  back- 
ground of  a stained  glass  window. 

This  practice  of  mixing  the  sacred 
and  the  secular  is  called  “syncre- 
tism” in  the  study  of  religions.  Syn- 
cretism is  the  phenomenon  whereby 
conflicting  beliefs  and  principles  are 
brought  into  a union. 

Thus  one  may  see  in  the  history 
of  Israel  how  the  monotheistic  faith 
came  at  times  to  embrace  the  fertil- 
ity cults  of  Baal  and  Ashtoreth. 
Here  one  finds  the  worship  of  the 
one  true  God  fused  with  the  worship 
of  other  gods  and  combined  with 
such  foreign  practices  as  idolatry 
and  prostitution. 

Syncretism  is  also  to  be  noted  in 
modern  day  “lodgism,”  a curious 
combination  of  mystery  religion, 
medieval  occult,  theism,  and  a 
sprinkling  of  Christianity. 

It  may  also  be  noted  in  modem 
entertainment.  One  finds  for  exam- 
ple the  crooner  who  sings  his  sensu- 

Vernon  Neufeld  is  on  the  faculty  of  Bethei 
College.  This  article  was  a chapel  address. 


ous  love  songs  but  concludes  his 
program  by  rendering  the  Lord’s 
Prayer.  Or  take  the  comedian  who 
conducts  his  hilarious,  nonsensical 
program  but  concludes  by  saying 
“God  bless  you.”  It  is  seen  in  the 
movie  star,  whose  conversion  has 
been  broadly  advertised,  but  who 
continues  to  make  motion  pictures 
which  appeal  to  man’s  basest  na- 
ture. 

Perhaps  you  have  noticed  how  or- 
ganizations of  various  kinds  always 
seem  to  have  chaplains  or  other 
high-sounding  religious  officers  in 
their  organization,  as  if  there  is  a 
deliberate  attempt  to  attach  some 
semblance  of  religiosity  to  a society 
which  often  is  not  only  unchristian 
but  sometimes  anti-Christian  in  its 
primary  emphasis. 

I read  some  time  ago,  for  exam- 
ple, how  a certain  brewery  conven- 
tion in  Chicago  invited  a well-known 
churchman  from  Iowa  City  to  speak. 
In  the  course  of  his  speech  the  man 
was  heard  to  say,  “We  are  all  in- 
terested in  temperance.” 

And  then  there  is  perhaps  the 
foulest  mixture  of  all,  where  the 
name  of  God  and  the  name  of  Jesus 
Christ  is  stepped  into  the  mud  of 
profanity  and  cursing. 

These  examples  reveal  the  fact 
that  essentially  God  is  being  secu- 
larized. Man  is  guilty  of  bringing 
God  down  to  his  own  level,  where, 
to  restate  Genesis  1:26,  he  creates 
God  in  his  own  image.  How  fre- 
quently man  is  guilty  of  attempt- 
ing to  have  God  bless  his  own  ac- 
tivity, even  to  the  point  that  evil 
is  sanctioned  in  the  name  of  God. 
For  example,  during  the  Civil  War 
the  South  could  support  slavery 
as  the  divine  intention  of  God  while 
the  North  with  equal  vigor  could 
support  the  conflict  as  one  of  liber- 
ation and  in  keeping  with  the  desire 
of  God. 


Throughout  most  of  history  the 
attempt  has  been  made  to  define 
major  wars  as  righteous  or  reli- 
gious, whether  one  thinks  of  the 
time  of  Constantine  in  the  fourth 
century,  the  Crusades  in  the  Middle 
Ages,  the  Thirty  Years  War  follow- 
ing the  Reformation,  or  the  more  re- 
cent World  Wars. 

But  even  in  a more  personal  way, 
how  glibly  one  can  ascribe  the  will 
of  God  to  the  errors  of  man.  When 
a youth  is  killed  in  an  automobile 
accident  because  of  reckless  driving 
or  excessive  speed,  how  frequently 
is  this  “justified”  in  terms  of  the 
will  of  God.  It  is  so  easy  to  place 
the  Christian  tag  upon  unchristian 
action. 

Perhaps  in  a less  dramatic  way, 
we  tend  to  make  the  holy  to  be 
common  and  secular  by  reserving 
only  a corner  of  life  which  we  like 
to  label  religious  or  Christian.  When- 
ever materialism  in  its  several 
forms  remains  uppermost  in  life, 
and  God  is  given  only  a secondary 
place,  then  one  is  guilty  of  relegat- 
ing that  which  is  holy  to  an  inferior 
position.  The  desecration  of  the  sa- 
cred occurs  when  one  conveniently 
fits  the  holy  to  suit  the  daily  rou- 
tine, when  holiness  is  conceived  of 
in  terms  of  sasdng  prayers,  attend- 
ing church,  conforming  to  outer  pi- 
ety, but  where  life  remains  secular 
and  ungodly  in  its  innermost  being. 

WHAT  do  we  say  then?  If  this 
is  the  status  quo  in  Christian- 
ity and  out  of  it,  what  should  it  be? 
Since  the  process  we  have  described 
is  bringing  God  to  man’s  level,  per- 
haps the  answer  then  lies  in  having 
God  bring  us  to  His  level.  If  we  secu- 
larize what  is  sacred,  namely  the 
realm  of  God,  then  why  not  have 
our  little  worlds  be  made  holy  by 
God? 

We  need  to  begin  with  the  holi- 


November  10,  1959 


691 


ness  of  God  and  its  corollary,  the 
holiness  of  the  Christian  life.  We 
need  to  begin  by  accepting  fully 
what  Peter  says  in  1 Peter  1:15, 16; 
“As  he  who  called  you  is  holy,  be 
ye  holy  yourselves  in  all  your  con- 
duct; since  it  is  written,  you  shall 
be  holy,  for  I am  holy.”  The  begin- 
ning point  must  be  one’s  relation- 
ship to  God.  The  imperative  of  our 
situation  is  directed  to  consummat- 
ing that  experience  whereby  man 
becomes  a son  of  God.  This  is  what 
Jesus  meant  when  He  emphasized 
that  one  needs  to  be  born  from 
above.  This  is  what  Paul  meant 
when  he  spoke  in  terms  of  the  new 
creation.  This  is  what  John  meant 
when  he  spoke  of  being  bom  of 
God.  It  is  then  that  the  holiness  of 
God  is  granted  to  the  Christian  and 
sacredness  becomes  an  essential  in- 
ner quality.  If  there  is  a dichotomy 
of  the  sacred  and  the  secular,  as 
has  been  inferred,  then  the  Chris- 
tian belongs  to  the  former. 

WHAT  then  is  the  Christian's  re- 
lation to  the  secular?  He 
needs  to  gain  the  sensitivity,  the 
inner  visibility,  to  diiferentiate  be- 
tween black  and  white,  between  the 
profane  and  the  holy.  And  here  the 
words  of  the  Lord  spoken  to  Aaron 
(Lev.  10:10)  apply:  “You  are  to  dis- 

Challenge 

of 

Missions 

Anna  Dyck 
Missionary  in  Japan 


tinguish  between  the  holy  and  the 
common,  between  the  imclean  and 
the  clean.” 

With  the  basic  and  critical  center 
of  our  being  belonging  to  God,  we 
view  all  of  life  from  this  perspec- 
tive. And  with  this  critical  view,  one 
cannot  mix  the  two  realms. 

There  are  some  things  which 
must  be  excluded  from  life.  One 
does  not  ask  God  to  bless  the  liquor 
industry,  the  unchristian  orgamiza- 
tion,  the  frivolous  activity  — the 
Christian  boycotts  these.  One  does 
not  say  it  is  God’s  will  when  our 
loved  ones  are  killed  on  the  Main 
Street  drag  strip — the  Christian  rec- 
ognizes the  wrong  in  speeding  and 
reckless  driving  and  he  himself 
drives  like  a morally  responsible 
person.  One  does  not  try  to  justify 
religiously  his  several  forms  of  ac- 
tivity— the  Christian  cuts  these  out 
when  they  are  inconsistent. 

Other  items  in  life  then  become 
transformed  by  the  radiance  of  God. 
Our  education  takes  on  meaning 
and  purpose.  Our  colleges  become 
Christian  colleges  not  because  they 
are  so  named  in  the  catalog  or  be- 
cause it  is  a tag  that  has  been  ap- 
plied, but  because  the  students  and 
faculty  are  Christian  in  their  belief 
and  in  their  action.  Our  life’s  work 
is  then  seen  in  terms  of  the  higher 


Overlooking  a shallow  little 
stream  in  the  shade  of  large,  over- 
hanging boughs  sat  a girl  who  had 
but  very  recently  come  from  the 
conference  sessions  at  Clearbrook, 
B.  C. 

She  was  reminiscing  on  what  had 
been  said  during  the  Mission  Board 
session.  One  statement  stood  out 
with  painful  clarity.  A veteran  mis- 
sionary had  said  that  he  no  longer 
had  the  courage  to  appeal  to  young 
people  to  dedicate  their  lives  to  mis- 
sion work — the  reason  being  a lack 
of  funds. 

In  her  mind’s  eye  the  girl  could 
still  visualize  scenes  in  The  Miya- 


vocation  we  have  as  (]k)d’s  children. 

We  need  ever  to  be  careful  about 
relegating  that  which  is  holy  to  the 
realm  of  the  profane.  We  need  to 
watch  that  we  do  not  drag  the  name 
of  God  into  the  mire  of  life,  either 
by  trying  to  sanction  our  present 
selfish  way  or  by  confusing  the  sa- 
cred with  the  worldly. 

Rather  we  need  to  accept  the 
dictum,  “You  shall  be  holy  for  I am 
holy,”  and  its  corollary,  “Distinguish 
between  the  holy  and  the  common.” 

All  of  us  in  various  v/ays  seek  a 
place  for  God  in  life.  When  we 
reach  for  His  hand,  let  us  not  try  to 
pull  Him  down  to  our  level,  but  let 
us  ask  Him  to  raise  us  where  He  is. 

The  words  of  the  apostle  Paul  to 
the  Christians  at  Rome  commend 
themselves  to  us  at  this  point; 

“With  eyes  wide  open  to  the  mer- 
cies of  God,  I beg  you,  my  brothers, 
as  an  act  of  intelligent  worship  to 
give  him  your  body  as  a living  sac- 
rifice, consecrated  to  him  and  ac- 
ceptable by  him.  Don’t  let  the  world 
around  you  squeeze  you  into  its  own 
mold,  but  let  God  remold  your  minds 
from  within,  so  that  you  may  prove 
in  practice  that  the  plan  of  God  for 
you  is  good,  meets  all  his  demands 
and  moves  toward  the  goal  to  true 
maturity”  (Romans  12:1,  2,  Phil- 
lips). 


saki  Story.  It  was  true  that  she  had 
not  been  able  to  really  look  at  it 
objectively,  for  people  with  whom 
she  had  shared  joys  and  sorrows 
had  been  shown.  And  again  her  one 
keen  desire  was  to  go  back  to  them. 

As  she  allowed  her  thoughts  to 
wander  she  saw  the  multitudes  in 
Japan  worshiping  in  darkness  with 
only  a bare  few  holding  up  the 
torch  of  life.  She  heard  again  the 
screaming  of  the  little  five-year-old 
next  door  as  he  was  being  beaten 
by  his  father — beaten  thus  because 
the  love  of  Jesus  had  never  pene- 
trated the  cruel  hardness  of  that 


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692 


THE  MENNONITE 


father’s  heart. 

She  saw  again  the  swollen  face 
of  the  mother  who,  because  of  her 
faith  had  been  sorely  maltreated 
by  an  overbearing  husband  while 
he  was  under  the  influence  of  liq- 
uor. She  saw  again  the  hardness 
of  an  impenitent  heart  of  a Chris- 
tian who  once  knew  peace  and  joy 
but  was  now  defeated — a victim  in 
the  clutches  of  Satan. 

Thus  the  needs  of  a land  where 
Christ  is  not  pre-eminent  came  to 
her  with  vivid  clarity.  And  shall  we 
not  arouse  the  interests  of  our 
young  people  to  go  simply  because 
we  lack  funds? 

We  have  lovely  and  comfortable 
homes.  We  have  cars  and  deep- 
freezes and  overstuffed  chairs.  We 
eat  rich  and  palatable  foods.  We 
live  in  luxury  from  morning  till 
night. 

Yet  the  fact  remains  that  the 
veteran  missionary  has  not  the 
courage  to  appeal  to  young  people 
to  bear  the  precious  gospel  to  the 
far  corners  of  the  earth  for  lack 
of  funds. 

' Consequently,  may  we  appeal  to 
I those  who  have  chosen  the  vocation 
! of  teaching,  nursing,  office  work, 
farming,  carpentry,  to  consider  their 
vocation  a vital  part  of  the  Lord’s 
plan  and  purpose? 

As  we  realize  we  are  laborers 
together  with  Him,  there  will  be 
funds  available  to  carry  the  gospel 
to  those  who  need  it. 

But  we  need  not  only  mission- 
aries whose  portion  it  is  to  support 
the  work  materially.  We  also  need 
those  who  will  be  willing  to  work 
hard  in  the  ministry  of  prayer.  We 
need  those  who  will  avail  them- 
selves of  the  opportunities  to  get 
acquainted  with  the  fields  of  serv- 
ice. Those  who  will  recognize  work- 
ers by  name,  and  know  the  physi- 
cal, mental,  and  spiritual  problems, 
and  will  know  the  condition  of  the 
national  church  in  the  given  area, 
and  will  spend  moments  and  hours 
and  years  in  prevailing,  intercessory 
prayer. 

Prayer  on  the  mission  field  is  the 
most  difficult  task.  As  is  the  case 
with  all,  it  requires  self-discipline, 
perseverance,  and  a profound  faith 
to  carry  on  an  effective  prayer  life 
for  the  missionary  as  well. 

'The  girl  who  sat  musing  had  seen 
the  immediate  need  of  teaching  the 
value  of  prayer  to  the  newborn 


Christians.  Thoughts  again  sought 
out  answers  to  prayer  which  some 
of  the  Christians  had  experienced. 

She  thought  of  the  girl  who  had 
prayed  for  four  years  until  her 
mother  had  finally  accepted  Christ 
as  her  personal  Savior.  She  thought 
of  the  woman  ill  with  septicemia 
and  of  the  prayers  of  the  Christians, 
and  how  the  doctor  had  said  he  did 
not  really  know  how  she  had  re- 
covered. Her  thoughts  also  went 
back  to  the  lady  who  had  wanted  a 
new  pair  of  white  dress  socks,  and 
how  she  had  prayed  for  them  and 
received  the  answer  the  same  eve- 
ning. 

It  is  strange  and  wonderful  to 
find  that  as  we  pray  for  people  in 
faraway  places  their  concerns  be- 
come our  concerns,  their  burdens 
become  our  burdens.  As  we  pray 
our  hearts  and  hands  will  be  o- 
pened  to  give  as  well.  In  fact,  it 
works  both  ways.  If  we  give,  even 
though  only  half-heartedly  at  first, 
we  will  sit  up  and  take  notice  of 
what  has  been  accomplished  through 
that  gift,  and  the  chances  are  that 
we  will  begin  to  pray  for  the  ac- 
complishment. 

Perhaps  a word  of  warning  is  in 
place.  Praying  and  giving  is  so 
much  a part  of  mission  work  that 
it  cannot  be  separated  from  it.  But 
it  is  dangerous  to  become  involved 
in  praying  and  giving — especially  if 
you  are  a young  person  who  might 
be  an  eligible  candidate  for  the  mis- 
sion field.  It  is  possible  that  the 
Lord  may  place  His  hand  gently  on 
your  shoulder  and  ask  you  the  age- 
old  commissioning  question,  “Who 
will  go  for  us?’’ 

God  will  catch  your  eye  and  in 
His  gentle,  probing  way  await  your 
answer.  If  you  get  involved,  it  is 
difficult  to  withdraw.  As  long  as 
you  hesitate  you  will  be  very,  very 
miserable,  but  as  soon  as  you  yield 
and  share  in  His  love  and  compas- 
sion for  lost  souls,  you  will  find  a 
penetrating  and  uplifting  joy  and 
confidence  in  the  knowledge  of 
being  in  His  will. 

Once  you  have  declared  yourself 
willing  to  enter  His  service  you  will 
likely  find  many  hindrances  clever- 
ly hidden  in  your  path  by  the  tempt- 
er. His  desire  is  to  hinder  the  work 
of  Christ. 

You  will  find  your  efforts  thwart- 
ed in  different  ways.  People  in  gen- 
eral will  refuse  to  recognize  the 


Bible  as  the  inspired  Word  of  God. 
To  many  it  is  simply  just  another 
book.  They  refuse  to  recognize 
Christ  as  the  Son  of  God.  There  will 
be  so  little  evidence  of  repentance. 
There  will  be  class  distinction  and 
caste  systems. 

There  will  be  unfavorable  condi- 
tions in  our  home  churches  and  lack 
of  support.  There  will  be  language 
and  custom  problems.  There  will  be 
the  hindering  testimony  of  non- 
Christian  fellow-countrymen. 

Our  American  wealth  will  stand 
in  the  way  of  the  gospel,  and  per- 
haps even  our  own  superiority  com- 
plex. 

In  all  this  remember  that  the 
devil  is  not  opposing  you,  he  is 
endeavoring  to  hinder  the  work  of 
Christ. 

The  hymn  writer’s  words  are  so 
true:  “The  work  is  thine,  O Christ, 
our  Lord.”  It  is  His  work  from  be- 
ginning to  end,  but  He  needs  willing 
representatives. 

There  are  the  positive  aspects  as 
well,  for  the  love  of  Christ  cannot 
help  but  penetrate.  Jesus  Christ  is 
the  eternal  conqueror  over  sin  and 
death.  His  love  through  Christians 
has  an  overpowering  effect.  There 
is  sympathy,  love  and  forgiveness 
with  Christ.  In  the  end  this  will 
bring  victory. 

The  mission  field  of  the  world  is 
a challenge  to  you,  young  people. 
In  coming  months  hundreds  will  be 
writing  examinations  and  wonder- 
ing what  to  do  with  the  future.  May 
I suggest  the  challenge  of  missions. 

The  future  of  missions  is  not  dark 
although  we  sometimes  wonder 
what  to  do  for  funds.  “The  future 
of  missions  is  as  bright  as  the 
promises  of  God.”  But  it  does  need 
your  obedience,  your  consecration, 
your  willingness  to  follow  all  the 
way. 

Let  the  challenge  of  the  crying 
millions  in  darkness  prompt  you  to 
say  “yes”  to  Him.  And  again  I would 
say  yours  shall  be  a joyful  freedom 
in  knowing  that  you  are  in  His  will, 
helping  to  save  the  lost. 

As  the  girl,  who  had  come  from 
the  conference  sessions  at  Clear- 
brook  rose  from  her  reverie,  she 
felt  strangely  uplifted  because  she 
realized  anew  the  strength  of  the 
Lord  and  His  ultimate  victory — and 
that  new  recruits  for  the  mission 
field  would  respond  and  that  funds 
would  be  available. 


November  10,  1959 


693 


Alcohol 

in 

Our 

Communities 


Henry  Grimm 
Pastor,  Hereford  Church 
Bally,  Pa. 


Alcohol  means  many  things  to 
many  people.  To  understand  the 
“drink”  problem  we  need  to  under- 
stand social  and  cultural  groups 
and  their  attitudes  toward  the  use 
of  alcoholic  beverages. 

This  is  necessitated  by  the  fact 
that  most  young  people  learn  to 
drink  in  their  own  homes.  Many 
parents  believe  that  they  can  teach 
their  children  to  drink  moderately. 
It  is  by  the  influence  and  example 
of  this  generation’s  parents,  more 


than  by  any  other  factors  combined, 
that  our  young  people  today  are 
led  into  drinking  habits. 

For  the  sake  of  honesty  let  us 
willingly  admit  that  most  drinkers 
are  moderate.  (85%  of  a distiller’s 
product  is  bought  by  only  22%  of 
those  who  drink,  while  only  15%  is 
bought  by  the  remaining  78%.)  They 
are  moderate  because  of  certain  psy- 
chological, physical,  and  social  fac- 
tors which  have  made  moderation 
possible — not  because  of  any  teach- 
ing or  training.  When  psychological, 
physical,  and  social  factors  are  ad- 
verse, a person  who  starts  to  drink 
becomes  immoderate — wise  counsel 
and  good  example  to  the  contrary 
notwithstanding.  'The  best  argument 
that  abstainers  have  for  their  posi- 
tion is  that  every  excessive  drinker 
was  at  one  time  a moderate  drinker. 

The  moderate  use  of  a habit- 
forming drug  is  something  that  can- 
not be  taught.  Modem  science  has 
demonstrated  that  alcohol  is  just 
such  a habit  forming  drug  and 
should  never  in  any  form  be  used 
as  a beverage.  It  is  a narcotic. 

HURCH  members  today  drink 

J about  as  generally  as  do  non- 
church members.  We  are  shocked  to 
leam  that  more  than  $11,000,000 
was  spent  for  alcoholic  beverages 
by  the  people  of  the  United  States 
in  1958.  This  was  more  than  5% 
of  our  national  income  for  the  same 
year.  It  is  equally  shocking  to  know 
that  sixty-eight  million  people  fif- 
teen years  of  age  and  over  in  the 
United  States  are  consistent  drink- 
ers (forty  million  men  and  twenty- 
eight  million  women).  We  need  to 
remind  ourselves  and  our  neighbors 
that  when  excessive  use  of  alcohol 
becomes  a government  problem, 
then  the  legislature  must  take  over 
the  responsibility  of  regulating  its 
use. 

Christians  must  answer  these  two 
questions  for  themselves: 

1.  Is  it  ever  right  for  Christians 
to  turn  their  living  rooms  into  tav- 
erns, no  matter  how  carefully  these 
taverns  may  be  administrated? 

2.  Is  it  Christian  for  a person  to 
take  into  his  system  a drug  which 
begins  immediately  the  deteriora- 
tion of  those  aspects  of  his  life 
which  differentiate  him  from  the 
lower  animals? 

Any  solution  to  the  alcohol  prob- 
lem must  include  rehabilitation  of 


the  alcoholic  or  it  is  an  incomplete  . 
solution.  . " 

There  are  1,650,000  problem  drink- j 
ers  or  alcoholics  (men  and  women)  j - 
in  industry  (factories  and  offices)  'I 
today.  Most  alcoholics,  contrary  to  ] 
our  usual  assumption,  do  remain  in 
their  homes,  with  their  families,  and 
in  their  jobs.  One-flfth  of  our  alco- 
holics are  known  to  be  women.  (An  0, 
estimate  is  that  the  figure  may  be 
as  high  as  one-third  since  women 
are  more  hesitant  to  seek  help  in  jj 
clinics.)  $1,000,000  or  more  is  the 
yearly  cost  of  keeping  alcoholics  in  j, 
our  mental  hospitals,  jails,  etc.,  j i. 
plus  absenteeism. 

The  social  drinker  who  gets  1 ^ 
“drunk”  even  as  often  as  once  a j 
week  is  not  necessarily  an  alcoholic,  j 
although  he  is  just  as  dangerous  on  - 
the  highway  as  an  alcoholic.  If  he 
isn’t  an  alcoholic,  he  could  have 
stopped  drinking  any  time  before 
he  became  “drunk.” 

Our  sympathy  is  more  with  the 
alcoholic  who,  having  taken  one 
drink,  cannot  stop  as  long  as  he  j 
can  figure  out  some  way  to  get  more 
at  any  cost.  An  alcoholic  is  a per- 
son to  whom  alcohol  is  the  most  * I 
important  thing  in  life.  Most  people 
who  need  help  the  most  resist  it 
the  most  because  they  know  (al-  i 
though  they  will  seldom  admit  it)  1 
that  they  are  slaves — body,  soul, 
and  mind — to  the  drink  habit.  A j 
drink  means  more  to  them  than  | 
family,  reputation,  or  religion.  Al- 
cohol has  become  their  god. 

The  problem  drinker  notoriously  j 
refuses  to  recognize  his  need  for  1 
therapy,  and  it  was  assumed  until 
very  recently  that  until  an  alcoholic 
seeks  and  wants  help  there  was  no 
help  for  him.  Even  Alcoholics  A- 
nonymous  offers  no  hope  for  an 
alcoholic  who  has  not  hit  “bottom,” 
and  asked  for  help.  Recently  it  has 
become  obvious  that  good  results 
have  been  attained  when  alcoholics 
have  been  forced  to  take  treatment. 

A man  who  becomes  alcoholic  in 
middle-age  responds  to  treatment 
much  better  and  with  more  lasting 
results  than  the  youthful  alcoholic. 

He  usually  has  a family  and  a busi- 
ness or  some  established  position  he 
wants  to  return  to,  in  contrast  to 
the  young  alcoholic.  These  would  be 
words  of  encouragement,  if  it  were 
not  for  the  fact  that  the  average 
age  of  alcoholics  is  quickly  becom- 
ing lower  and  lower. 


694 


THE  MENNONITE 


a prize-winning  entry  in  the  tract-writing  contest 

|The  Jesus  Way 


Carl  H.  Epp 

Ten-year  old  Barry  couldn’t  sleep. 
It  was  Monday  night,  and  after  a 
long  day  of  school,  chores,  and 
homework,  he  was  really  tired. 
“Help  me  to  obey  Mom  and  Dad,  and 
help  me  to  obey  Thee,  Lord  Jesus, 
Amen,”  he  had  prayed  at  bedtime. 

Now  the  house  was  all  quiet. 
Everyone  was  asleep,  except  Barry. 
He  turned  his  pillow  for  the  ump- 
teenth time,  tucked  the  covers  in 
once  more,  and  lay  still,  but  no 
slumber  came.  Barry  was  afraid  of 
something,  and  every  time  he 
thought  of  it,  his  heart  began  to 
pound  very  fast.  It  wasn’t  the  dark 
that  was  so  scary,  nor  the  queer 
sounds  at  night.  It  was  something 
else. 

In  Sunday  school  the  day  before, 
Mr.  Good,  the  teacher,  had  told 
Barry’s  class  about  “Jesus,  the  Way 


Carl  Epp  is  a member  of  the  Eigenheim 
Church  in  Saskatoon,  Sask. 


the  reader  says 

About  O.T.  teaching  . . . 

In  a Sunday  school  discussion 
some  time  ago  someone  asked  the 
question,  “Why  is  there  such  a dif- 
ference of  opinion  among  Christian 
people?  We  read  the  same  Bible, 
believe  in  the  same  Christ,  and  wor- 
ship the  ’same  God.”  Some  think 
that  to  participate  in  war  is  wrong 
and  a Christian  should  have  noth- 
ing to  do  with  it,  while  others  think 
it  is  the  Christian’s  responsibility 
to  do  everything  he  can  to  help 
along  the  war  effort. 

One  cause  of  this  difference,  I 
believe,  we  find  in  our  last  quar- 
ter’s Sunday  school  lessons,  and  es- 
pecially in  the  lesson  of  March  10, 


to  Heaven.”  Mr.  Good,  had  ex- 
plained that  God,  and  Jesus,  His 
Son,  had  been  from  eternity  to  eter- 
nity. And  eternity  was  like  a ring, 
it  had  no  beginning,  and  no  end. 
How  long  eternity  must  be!  It’s  very 
length  terrified  Barry  as  he  won- 
dered where  he  would  spend  eter- 
nity. How  could  he  be  sure  he’d 
enter  heaven  some  day?  What  hap- 
pens to  those  who  are  wicked  and 
don’t  get  there?  Barry’s  heart  beat 
very  fast  indeed.  If  it  only  wouldn’t 
pound  so  loudly! 

Yesterday’s  memory  verse  had 
been  Jesus’  words,  “I  am  the  Way, 
the  'Truth,  and  the  Life,  no  man 
cometh  unto  the  Father  but  by  me” 
(John  14:6).  Yes,  I believe  in  Jesus, 
Barry  thought,  almost  out  loud. 
Mr.  Good  had  discussed  believing 
in  Jesus.  However,  believing  wasn’t 
enough.  'The  right  thing  to  do  was  to 
ask  for  forgiveness  of  sins  and  let 


1959,  where  God  gives  instructions, 
according  to  Samuel,  to  kill  the 
Amalakites,  both  men  and  women, 
infant  and  suckling.  We  are  a Chris- 
tian church  and  here  we  emphasize 
a lesson  which  encourages  to  kill 
and  destroy.  Very  little  explanation 
is  given  that  this  happened  at  a 
time  when  people  were  still  groping 
in  the  dark  and  the  complete  will 
of  God  was  not  available  to  them. 
Since  we  are  Christians,  why  then 
don’t  we  concentrate  on  the  teach- 
ing of  Jesus? 

If  we  want  to  go  back  to  Judaism 
and  forget  the  teaching  of  Christ 
these  lessons  are  good.  But  if  we 
want  to  progress  and  increase  in 
the  knowledge  and  teaching  and 
life  of  Christ,  these  lessons  must  be 
put  in  the  background.  In  Hebrews 


Jesus  enter  your  heart.  “I’m  not  as 
bad  as  a sinner,”  Barry  whispered, 
and  tried  not  to  remember  when 
he  had  been  disobedient. 

But  only  last  Thursday  he  had 
cheated  in  an  arithmetic  test,  and 
the  teacher  hadn’t  found  out.  Had 
Jesus  seen  that?  Today  he  had 
hurt  little  sister  Sue  for  no  reason 
at  all,  and  she  had  cried.  Had  Jesus 
heard  that?  Yes,  Jesus  saw  and 
heard  everything,  even  knew  our 
thoughts,  Mr.  Good  had  told  the 
class.  Barry  shuddered.  Jesus  had 
seen  him  cheat,  hurt  sister  Sue,  and 
disobey  his  parents  so  many  times. 
How  could  he  ever  get  to  heaven? 
Barry  was  so  miserable,  he  almost 
cried. 

Then  Rev.  Gerber’s  text  sounded 
in  his  ears,  as  if  he  were  in  church 
again:  “Him  that  cometh  unto  me, 
I will  in  no  wise  cast  out.” 

“If  Jesus  said  that.  I’ll  try  it.” 
Barry  prayed,  “Oh  Lord  Jesus,  for- 
give me,  I’ve  been  so  bad,  and  I — 
I’m  afraid  of  eternity.  Help  me  to 
be  good.  Show  me  the  Jesus  Way, 
the  way  to  heaven.  Amen.” 

This  time  Barry  settled  dowm  to 
sleep  without  turning  his  pillow,  or 
tucking  in  the  covers.  There  was  a 
happy,  peaceful  look  on  his  face  as 
he  fell  asleep.  Jesus  had  answered 
speedily  and  does  so  for  everyone 
who  asks  Him  for  help. 


8:7  we  read,  “For  if  the  first  cove- 
nant had  been  faultless,  then  should 
no  place  have  been  sought  for  the 
second.”  In  verse  13:  “Now  that 
which  decayeth  and  waxeth  old  is 
ready  to  vanish  away.”  It  seems  as 
though  some  of  us  are  taking  the 
same  position  the  early  Judaizing 
Christians  took.  Are  we  trying  to 
get  back  to  Judaism? 

Does  not  the  thought  run  through 
the  Old  Testament  that  God  is  not 
fully  understood  but  the  Messiah 
will  come  and  when  He  comes  He 
will  reveal  the  complete  will  of  God 
to  us?  Since  the  Messiah  has  come, 
would  it  not  be  logical  to  discount 
or  discard  everything  that  is  in  con- 
tradiction with  what  Jesus  taught? 
Is  not  this  just  what  Jesus  meant 
when  He  said,  “Ye  have  heard  that 


November  10,  1959 


695 


it  hath  been  said,  Thou  shalt  love 
thy  neighbor  and  hate  thine  enemy. 
But  I say  unto  you,  Love  your  ene- 
mies. . . .”  He  made  this  statement, 
“But  I say  unto  you”  repeatedly, 
also  when  referring  to  other  mat- 
ters. 

I have  been  a farmer  all  my  life. 
We  discarded  the  binder  in  favor  of 
the  combine,  but  after  that  we  are 
not  spending  much  time  in  studying 
the  binder  and  how  to  operate  it. 
We  study  the  combine.  We  claim  to 
be  Christians.  Why  then  don’t  we 
concentrate  on  Christ’s  teachings  in- 
stead of  getting  us  and  our  children 
all  confused  about  teachings  which 
Jesus  repudiated?  Is  it  any  wonder 
that  so  many  young  men  enter  the 
army  instead  of  alternative  service? 

It  seems  to  me  there  are  too  many 
preachers  who  are  afraid  to  say 
what  they  really  think.  There  are 
so  many  Christians  who  think  all 
parts  of  the  Bible  are  equally  im- 
portant. To  make  a statement  that 
certain  portions  are  obsolete  and 
should  not  be  used  could  get  a per- 
son into  serious  trouble.  But  it 
seems  to  me  there  is  no  way  out. 
If  some  portion  of  the  Bible  does 
not  harmonize  with  the  spirit,  the 
teaching,  life  and  example  of  Jesus, 
that  portion  should  be  disregarded 
if  we  want  to  consider  ourselves 
followers  of  Christ. 

Sam  Regier 

North  Newton,  Kan. 

About  weddings  . . . 

Dear  Editor: 

I thought  you  might  be  interested 
in  the  following  results  from  an 
article  “Make  Your  Wedding  Chris- 
tian” published  in  The  Mennonite 
June  2.  Our  daughter,  attending  a 
teachers  college,  lives  in  a home 
with  four  other  Christian  girls.  A 
young  man  engaged  to  one  of  the 
girls,  while  waiting,  picked  up  The 
Mennonite  and  read  that  article.  He 
liked  it  real  well  and  decided  to  try 
it. 

At  their  wedding  last  August,  for 
the  processional  the  organ  and  pi- 
ano played  “Fairest  Lord  Jesus.” 
Then  the  church  choir  sang,  “O 
Master  Let  Me  Walk  With  Thee.” 
The  whole  audience  sang  “Savior, 
Like  a Shepherd  Lead  Us.”  Then 
followed  the  marriage  ceremony. 
Then  while  the  couple  knelt,  a solo- 
ist sang  “O  Perfect  Love.”  For  the 


recessional  the  piano  and  organ 
played,  “Lead  On,  O King  Eternal.” 

There  have  been  no  end  of  com- 
ments among  that  group  of  friends 
about  how  delighted  they  were  with 
the  sacredness  of  the  ceremony. 
Another  of  the  girls  now  plans  a 
similar  wedding  for  November.  Our 
daughter  will  be  playing  the  piano 
also  for  this  one.  I can’t  help  but 
believe  her  Christian  testimony 
caused  the  young  friends  to  believe 
in  her  church  paper. 

Mrs.  Ben  H.  Pankratz 

Inola,  Okla. 

About  demonology  . . . 

Dear  Editor: 

The  article,  “A  Theology  of  the 
Devil,”  in  the  Oct.  13  issue  of  The 
Mennonite  cannot  pass  without  com- 
ment. Is  it  any  better  to  be  pre- 
occupied with  hailing  deluges  of 
decisive  deprecations  upon  Chris- 
tians than  hailing  them  upon  the 
devil? 

More  positively  this  article  justi- 
fiably points  out  that  a Christian  is 
personally  responsible  for  sin  and  is 
not  helplessly  caught  up  in  an  ir- 
resistible fiood  of  evil.  It  is  also 
wise  in  pointing  out  that  many  mis- 
guided evangelicals  boldly  rush  in 
where  even  a Toynbee  would  fear 
to  tread,  and  they  say,  without  much 
evidence,  that  America  is  a Chris- 
tian nation  which  has  always  been 
guided  by  Christian  principles. 

Becoming  more  critical,  one  no- 
tices that  the  general  tone  of  the 
article  implies  that  the  devil  is  a 
figment  of  the  imagination.  Thus 
the  writer  disagrees  with  the  Gene- 
sis account  of  the  fall,  the  book  of 
Job,  the  temptation  stories  in  the 
Gospels,  and  the  book  of  Revela- 
tion. Perhaps  a study  conference  on 
inspiration  is  far  more  necessary 
than  we  have  believed,  not  only  for 
ministers  and  college  teachers,  but 
also  for  writers  and  editors. 

Though  perhaps  there  should  be 
better  reasons  for  believing  in  the 
devil  than  merely  for  the  sake  of 
symmetry,  no  less  a mind  than  Ed- 
win Lewis  has  explored  this  possi- 
bility in  his  books,  such  as  A Philos- 
ophy of  the  Christian  Revelation. 
Does  the  writer  believe  in  a limited 
God,  or  perhaps  one  who  is  not  all 
holy  and  all  loving?  The  problem  of 
the  origin  of  moral  evil  and  natural 
evil  is  indeed  a thorny  one,  and  it 


will  not  be  solved  by  biting  satire 
without  any  positive  Christian  affir- 
mations. 

Satire  can  be  used  for  construc- 
tive purposes,  and  should  anyone 
desire  to  know  the  truth  on  demon- 
ology through  better  satire,  they 
should  consult  C.  S.  Lewis’  The 
Screwtape  Letters. 

Heinz  Janzen 
Washington,  111. 

bookmarks 

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696 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  youth 


Karlsschule  Comes  Back 


The  story  of  a school 
begun  by  an 
Austrian  emperor 
and  continued  by  Pax 


Joyce  Zuercher 


I ^ LASSES  are  again  being  held 
I in  the  Lutheran  Karlsschule  in 
Vienna,  after  fifteen  empty  years. 

On  Sept.  8,  1959,  110  boys  and 
\ girls,  neat  and  clean,  shining  eyed 
and  beaming,  walked  proudly  into 
the  door  with  their  even  prouder 
; and  happier  parents. 

School  began  officially  the  day  be- 
fore, when  all  the  children  attended 
a regular  church  service  and  heard 
a sermon  by  School  Superintendent 
[ Georg  Traar.  And  then,  on  this 
( memorable  and  long-awaited  first 
^ day  of  school,  chalk  dust  and  chil- 
dren’s voices  again  drifted  through 
I the  Karlsschule. 

I The  Karlsschule,  on  Karlsplatz  in 
Vienna,  Austria,  began  in  1860,  when 
Emperor  Franz  Josef  I donated  a 


plot  of  ground  to  aid  the  Lutheran 
church  survive  in  a dominantly 
Catholic  nation.  As  a Protestant 
school  it  gained  reputation  for  high 
academic  standing  until  the  Nazis 
took  over  in  1939.  After  this  the 
school  functioned  as  a public  school 
for  five  more  years. 

Destroyed  in  1945 

In  the  spring  of  1945,  the  build- 
ing was  almost  eradicated  when 
the  retreating  German  army  which 
had  occupied  it  for  a year,  set  fire 
to  it  to  prevent  the  Russians  from 
occupying  the  property.  The  work  of 
neighbors  in  removing  munitions 
which  had  been  stored  there  pre- 
vented total  destruction.  But  the 
building  was  left  a burned-out  shell. 

Lack  of  sufficient  funds  were 


making  possibilities  for  rebuilding 
the  school  dim.  Then  in  1954  men 
from  the  Church  of  the  Brethren 
began  providing  labor  for  recon- 
struction. And  in  January  of  1955 
Paxmen  joined  the  Brethren  to 
make  a combined  Brethren-Menno- 
nite  unit. 

Under  the  direction  of  Austrian 
Engineer  Reinhold  Liebe,  the  men 
cleared  the  building  of  rubble,  ce- 
mented, plastered,  laid  floors,  and 
formed  and  finished  rooms. 

Since  the  city  of  Vienna  has  ap- 
proved the  Karlsschule  as  a city 
memorial  and  granted  funds  for 
restoration  work,  the  outside  of  the 
Karlsschule  must  be  kept  as  it  was 
before  the  destruction.  This  required 
careful  work  in  cleaning  and  re- 
pairing window  frames  and  design 
work,  refacing  and  painting  bricks, 
and  applying  gold  leaf  to  the  letter- 
ing over  the  door.  Using  Pax  labor 
for  this  made  it  possible  to  save 
some  of  the  funds  to  channel  into 
building  materials  furthering  the 
program. 

Restored  in  1959 

Today  from  the  Karlsplatz,  the 
front  with  its  three  massive  doors 
and  the  statues  of  the  four  apostles 
watching  over  them  looks  much  the 
same  as  it  did  before. 

The  children,  however,  do  not  yet 
use  the  main  entrance.  Their  classes 
are  held  in  five  finished  classrooms, 
closed  from  the  rest  of  the  building 
with  access  only  by  an  insulated 
door,  and  their  entrance  is  a side 
door  on  busy  Wiednerhauptstrasse. 

These  children  sing,  recite,  and 

Peter  Derksen,  former  Paxman  ivho 
is  now  at  home  in  Alberta,  Canada, 
worked  at  Karlsschule  for  some 
time. 

697 


study  to  the  accomplishment  of  the 
clang  and  buzz  of  workmen  above 
and  beside  them,  the  clatter  of 
streetcars,  whiz  of  automobiles,  and 
whirr  of  motorcycles  rushing  by  on 
the  busy  street. 

Everyone  entered  the  school  the 
first  morning  sparkling  with  excite- 
ment— the  tiny  six-year-old  boys, 
carefully  dressed  in  their  best  white 
shirts  and  ties,  the  proud  parents, 
some  stopping  to  pose  their  off- 
spring for  a picture  in  front  of  the 


The  signs  say:  “AT.TERNATIVE 
SERVICE  OF  THE  UNITED 
STATES  OF  AMERICA.  This  serv- 
ice has  been  set  up  by  the  American 
Government  for  those  young  men 
who  are  conscientiously  opposed  to 
military  service.  It  is  our  belief  that 
we  accomplish  more  by  working 
with  the  people  of  the  world  in 
Peace  and  Friendship.  As  members 
of  the  Church  of  the  Brethren  and 
Mennonite  Churches  we  are  rebuild- 
ing this  v:ar  'damaged  Protestant 
school  in  the  Spirit  of  Reconcilia- 
tion.” 

These  silent  witnesses  to  a positive, 
constructive  peace  position  are  print- 
ed in  French,  German,  Russian,  and 
English,  and  hundreds  of  people 
read  them  as  they  pass  by  on  the 
busy  street. 


Mrs.  Joyce  Zuercher,  author  of  this 
article,  is  an  MCG  worker  in  Frank- 
furt, Germany. 


Dan  Harder  (left),  Paxman  from 
Mountain  Lake,  Minn.,  working  on 
the  elevator  with  an  Austrian  work- 
man. Dan  is  presently  in  Bechter- 
dissen,  Germany. 

school,  and  the  studious  twelve-year- 
olds,  carrying  brief  cases. 

Classes  moved  from  temporary 
quarters  this  year  are  the  Austrian 
counterpart  of  first  grade  boys,  and 
both  boys’  and  girls’  classes  cor- 
responding to  the  first  year  of  an 
American  junior  high.  The  second 
junior  high  class  was  added  to  the 
system  this  year  and  is  also  held  in 
the  Karlsschule. 

System  to  Be  Completed  in  1961 

Plans  call  for  the  addition  of  the 
third  next  year  and  the  fourth  class 
in  1961,  making  the  list  of  classes  in 
the  system  complete  again.  All  the 
classes  separate  boys  and  girls. 

A school  day  for  the  first  graders 
is  from  eight  till  eleven,  while  a 
junior  high  child  remains  in  school 
until  one.  The  school,  in  co-operation 
with  Evangelisches  Hilfswerk  (the 
relief  agency  of  the  German  and 
Austrian  Protestant  church),  also 
has  an  afternoon  program  to  care 


for  children  of  working  parents.  i 

These  children  remain  at  school  ) 
where  they  are  given  a noon  meal  Jl 
and  are  supervised  in  study  and  < 
play  periods  until  their  parents  can 
pick  them  up  at  five  or  six  in  the 
evening.  Most  of  the  children  at-  j 
tending  the  school  are  from  the 
supporting  Lutheran  congregations, 
although  each  year  the  school  pro- 
vides education  for  a certain  num-  ' 
ber  of  children  from  families  un-  i 
able  to  pay  for  it. 

Karlsschule  stands  as  a monu- 
ment in  the  city  of  Vienna.  In  ad-  | 
dition  to  its  historical  significance, 
Karlsschule  symbolizes  the  religious  I 
and  educational  liberty  of  the  Prot- 
estant churches  in  largely  Catholic 
Austria.  It  is  a monument  to  the 
Christlike  spirit  of  love  which  com- 
pels men  to  construct  in  service 
for  peace  what  strife  has  destroyed. 

It  is  a monument  to  hours  of  V 
work — back-breaking  work,  tedious 
work,  finely  skilled  work  — freely 
given  to  put  into  concrete  terms 
the  compulsion  of  Christ’s  love.  And 
the  monument  is  made  complete 
with  the  voices  of  children  within 
the  building  lifted  in  prayer  and 
songs  of  praise. 


698 


THE  MENNONITE 


Beginning  a weekly 
feature  by  Don  Wismer, 
pastor  of  the  Mennonite 
1 church  in  Denver,  Colo. 


To  and  From  a Pastor 


I Dear  Pastor, 

I’m  glad  for  the  church  bulle- 
tins you  send  me  here  at  college. 
Thanks  for  your  letters,  too.  It’s 
good  to  get  news  from  home. 

It  seems  I’ve  had  my  share  of 
1 dates  lately.  Jim’s  a real  nice  guy. 
I I wish  you  could  meet  him.  But 
I sometimes  we  run  out  of  ideas  on 
j what  to  do  on  dates.  We  get  tired 
1 of  just  going  to  the  same  places 
all  the  time.  So  when  I got  your 
letter  I thought  I’d  ask  you  if  you 
have  any  ideas  on  what  we  can  do 
on  our  dates. 

Mary 

. Dear  Mary, 

I was  glad  to  get  your  letter.  I 
would  like  to  meet  Jim. 

Maybe  if  you  and  Jim  would  ask, 
“What  is  the  purpose  of  dating?” 
you  could  better  answer  your  own 
question. 

. It  seems  to  me  that  dating  is  a 
I way  by  which  you  can  learn  to 
know  different  fellows  better,  sim- 


ply for  the  enjoyment  of  friend- 
ships. As  you  date  you  begin  to 
have  a particular  fondness  for  one. 
Then  dating  becomes  an  opportunity 
for  you  to  learn  to  know  his  likes 
and  dislikes,  his  interests,  his  char- 
acter, and  to  see  if  his  personality 
is  really  pleasant  to  you  after  you 
know  him  better.  And  as  you  come 
to  know  him  better  you  begin  to 
feel  this  person  to  be  or  not  to  be 
the  one  and  only  for  you. 

Each  time  you  accept  a date, 
whether  it  is  the  same  fellow  or  a 
different  one,  it  doesn’t  have  to 
mean  that  it  will  lead  to  the  altar, 
but  it  may  mean  that  eventually! 

So,  when  you  plan  your  dates 
you’ll  want  to  do  things  that  will 
allow  you  to  get  to  know  what  kind 
of  a guy  he  is.  What  you  do  or 
don’t  do  can  be  indications  of  that. 
Dates  may  be  going  to  plays, 
church,  working  on  projects,  eating 
out,  going  for  walks,  rides,  or  nature 
hikes.  It  may  be  visiting  in  each 
other’s  homes,  spending  quiet  eve- 


nings playing  records,  or  games,  or 
visiting  the  family  or  other  mutual 
friends. 

A general  rule  would  be  that  your 
dates  should  give  you  as  varied  ex- 
periences as  possible  within  the  lim- 
its of  decency  and  the  time  and 
money  available. 

Permit  me  to  say  this  quite  frank- 
ly because  I know  it  eventually  be- 
comes a problem  to  many  well-in- 
tentioned couples.  Undue  interest  in 
each  other’s  bodies  on  dates  is  a 
sign  that  one’s  interests  have  turned 
to  the  physical  relationship  and  may 
be  a sign  that  the  couple  are  bored 
with  each  other — or  don’t  have  e- 
nough  interests  to  know  what  else 
to  do.  It  may  mean  the  person  is 
interested  in  marrying  a body  rath- 
er than  a whole  person. 

I hope  these  thoughts  can  help 
you. 

Best  to  you,  Mary,  as  you  grow 
together  with  Jim,  and  as  you  grow 
in  your  relationship  to  Christ. 

Your  Pastor 


alternatives  to  war 

Witness  or 
Waste? 

Wilfred  Unruh 

SOME  fellows  have  the  idea  that 
1-W  service  is  one  last  fling  be- 
fore they  need  to  become  responsi- 
ble citizens. 

Some  parents  have  helped  their 
sons  to  arrive  at  this  conclusion 
about  1-W  because  they  have  not 
gone  to  the  trouble  of  helping  their 
sons  to  think  maturely  for  them- 
selves. 

Frankly,  the  church  is  embar- 
rassed by  the  fact  that  some  of  its 
young  men  in  1-W  reflect  all  too 
well  the  character  of  our  own  con- 
gregations. Men  whose  concerns 


center  around  their  new  cars,  the 
amount  of  money  they  receive  for 
their  services,  and  their  attempts 
to  see  “just  how  much  they  can 
get  away  with”  reflect,  we  are  a- 
fraid,  all  too  truly  the  real  nature 
of  our  church.  Some  complaints 
about  the  behavior  of  1-W  men  have 
been  supported  by  unhappy  experi- 
ences these  men  have  had. 

Repeated  visits  by  Conference  rep 
resentatives  and  MCC  administra- 
tive personnel  to  1-W  employers 
have  indicated  that  the  institutions 
employing  1-W  men  are  overwhelm- 
ingly satisfied  with  the  service  and 
contributions  our  young  men  are 
making.  There  is  no  question  about 
the  contribution  of  our  young  men 
during  their  eight  hours  of  employ- 
ment. The  concern  of  the  church 
rests  with  the  young  man  and  use 
of  his  time  during  his  off-work 
hours. 

Surprisingly,  it  isn’t  always  the 
other  guy  who  goofs  off  in  his  1-W 
service!  Our  young  men  reflect. 


more  than  anything  else,  our  own 
attitudes  to  non-work  activities.  If 
we  waste  our  time  saturating  our 
minds  with  dull  TV  programs  in  our 
homes  instead  of  creative  activities 
with  our  children,  can  we  expect 
our  1-W  men  to  live  creatively  for 
Christ  in  their  service  away  from 
home? 

The  point  we  wish  to  make  is  that 
we,  the  families,  are  responsible  for 
the  men  representing  our  church  in 
1-W  service  more  than  any  other 
group  of  persons.  We  are  molding 
the  men  who  represent  the  church 
in  1-W.  If  we  are  not  happy  with 
1-W  service  then  we  should  not  be 
happy  with  the  character  of  the 
church  and  should  begin  to  look  at 
our  congregation  for  ways  in  which 
we  can  improve  our  fellowship. 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People's  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  722 
Main  St.,  Newton,  Kansas. 


November  10,  1959 


699 


our  schools 

CAMPUS  LIFE  DAYS 

This  fall  the  Chapel  and  Reli- 
gious Life  Committee  of  the  fac- 
ulty at  Freeman  Junior  College 
sponsored  a series  of  chapel  pro- 
grams devoted  to  the  strengthening 
of  the  daily  Christian  living  of  the 
students.  The  series  was  called 
“Campus  Life  Days”  and  included 
discussion  on  the  day-to-day  living 
habits  of  the  students,  family  rela- 
tionships, courtship  and  dating  prac- 
tices, and  personal  hygiene. 

These  topics  were  discussed  by 
panels  of  students,  through  group 
discussions,  skits,  and  by  members 
of  the  community  who  came  to  serve 
as  panel  members  and  guest  speak- 
ers. Among  those  participating  in 
this  manner  were:  Mrs.  Otto  Pre- 
heim,  Mrs.  Palmer  Graber,  Mrs. 
Palmer  Schrag,  Dr.  E.  J.  Hofer,  Dr. 
Irvin  Kaufman,  and  Rev.  William 
Unrau. 

It  is  the  belief  of  the  Freeman 
staff  that  the  Christian  experience 
must  be  expressed  in  all  areas  of 
life.  Because  this  is  true  it  is  neces- 
sary for  each  individual  to  face  his 
daily  problems  and  social  contacts 
with  parents,  teachers,  students, 
and  friends  with  Christian  motives 
and  attitudes.  Through  these  chapel 
sessions  students  and  faculty  sought 
together  with  one  another  and  God 
to  look  at  the  present  situation  with 
frankness  and  face  the  future  with 
renewed  Christian  dedication. 

CYV  ACTIVITIES 

The  Christian  Youth  Volunteers 
of  Freeman  Junior  College  will  a- 
gain  give  monthly  programs  in  the 
Homes  for  the  Aged  in  Freeman 
and  Marion  and  will  hold  services 
in  the  Freeman  Community  Hos- 
pital. Besides  the  monthly  programs 
held  on  campus  for  the  members, 
the  group  sponsors  weekly  prayer 
services  each  Wednesday  noon. 

It  has  been  customary  for  the 
CYV  to  give  programs  in  any  of  the 
churches  of  the  surrounding  area 
which  make  such  requests.  Plans 
are  under  way  to  continue  this  dep- 
utation work. 

Officers  for  the  year  include 
Doyle  Preheim,  president;  Naomi 
Waltner,  vice-president;  and  Naomi 
Graber,  secretary-trea  surer. 


PRESIDENT  ATTENDS  MEETINGS 

Dr.  John  Ewert  and  Richard  H. 
Graber  of  Freeman  Junior  College 
attended  a hearing  on  the  problem 
of  school  district  reorganization 
sponsored  by  a subcommittee  of  the 
South  Dakota  Legislative  Research 
Committee  at  Mitchell,  S.  D.  The 
purpose  of  the  hearing  was  to  get 
suggestions  for  the  improvement  of 
the  present  re-organization  law  so 
that  the  next  legislative  session  can 
deal  with  the  problem  more  effec- 
tively. 

President  Ewert  also  attended  the 
South  Dakota  College  Deans’  and 
Registrars’  meeting  on  the  Huron 
College  Campus,  Oct.  26. 

FJC  PRESENTS  PLAY 

After  several  weeks  of  intensive 
practice,  an  all-college  cast  present- 
ed “Doctor  Hudson’s  Secret  Jour- 
nal” Oct.  29  and  30.  The  play,  based 
on  the  well-known  Lloyd  Douglas 
novel,  was  well  received.  Double- 
casting of  some  of  the  parts  gave 
more  students  the  opportunity  to 
participate. 

Included  in  the  cast  were:  Marian 
Kaufman,  Charleen  Waltner,  Pa- 
tricia Preheim,  Darla  Albrecht, 
Doyle  Preheim,  Loren  Preheim, 
Delmar  Wipf,  Virginia  Ortman, 
Mavis  Preheim,  Lois  Thieszen, 
Mary  Ratzlaff,  Ronnie  Preheim, 
Doris  Senner,  Ida  Gross,  Goldie 
Becker,  Phyllis  Tschetter,  Betty  Un- 
ruh,  Marie  Preheim,  Jeral  Becker, 
Glennis  Waltner,  Erna  Thieszen, 
and  LeRoy  Harder.  Flora  Schrag 
assisted  Miss  Kaufman  in  directing 
the  play. 

BLUFFTON  FACULTY  PERSONALS 

Prof.  Russel  A.  Lantz  of  Bluffton 
College  attended  the  music  section 
of  the  Northwestern  Ohio  Teachers 
meeting  in  Toledo  on  Friday,  Octo- 
ber 23. 

Lloyd  L.  Ramseyer,  president  of 
Bluffton  College,  did  solicitation  for 
the  Ohio  Foundation,  of  Independent 
Colleges  in  Toledo  on  Nov.  3,  4, 
and  5,  and  will  be  in  Dayton  for 
the  same  purpose  on  Nov.  10,  11, 
12. 

On  Nov.  9 he  will  be  speaking 
about  Russia  before  the  Y-Cradale 
Sorority  at  the  YMCA  in  Findlay 
at  7:30  p.m.  The  Tiffin  and  Lima 
Chapters  will  be  invited  as  guests. 

BETHEL  MATH  TEAM 

The  Mathematics  Department  at 


Bethel  College  will  enter  a team  of  Ij  v 
three  students  in  the  Twentieth  An-  1 f 
nual  William  Lowell  Putnam  Math-  ' £ 
ematical  Competition.  The  examina-  \ 

tion  will  be  administered  locally  on  , 
November  21.  j 

Students  on  the  Bethel  team  will  , 

be  Nabil  Khabbaz,  senior  from  Leb-  ] 
anon,  George  Dick,  junior  from  | 

Winton,  California,  and  Alfred  Ha-  * ' 
begger,  sophomore  from  Reedley, 
California.  Dr.  Arnold  Wedel  and 
Mr.  Kenneth  Deckert,  professors  in 
mathematics,  are  coaching  the 
team. 

This  is  the  first  time  Bethel  has 
entered  a team,  however  Samir 
Khabbaz,  brother  to  Nabil,  entered 
as  an  individual  and  placed  in  the 
upper  third  when  he  attended  Beth- 
el. 

The  examination  will  require  two  ! 

three-hour  sessions  for  administra-  ^ 

tion  and  is  designed  to  test  orig-  ' 
inality  as  well  as  technical  com- 
petence. Questions  will  cut  across 
the  bounds  of  various  disciplines  i 
and  will  include  rather  sophisticat- 
ed mathematical  concepts  as  well  as 
mathematical  lore.  i 

Cash  prizes  are  offered  both  to  ( 
ranking  institutions  and  individuals  ' 
and  scholarships  for  advanced  study 
may  be  influenced  by  rank  on  test 
scores. 

Kansas  University  has  entered 
this  competition  the  past  two  years 
and  will  probably  be  the  only  other 
Kansas  school  represented  this  year.  I 

The  Mathematical  Association  of 
America  sponsors  the  competition  ; 

and  will  list  the  ranking  institu- 
tions and  individuals  in  the  Ameri- 
can Mathematical  Monthly.  The 
competition  is  designed  to  stimu- 
late a healthful  rivalry  in  the  un-  | 
dergraduate  work  of  departments  of  | 
mathematics  in  colleges  and  univer- 
sities of  the  United  States  and  Can- 
ada. 

WINTER  NIGHT  CLASSES 

Night  classes  for  the  winter  quar- 
ter at  Bethel  College  were  an- 
nounced by  assistant  registrar,  Ver- 
nelle  Waltner. 

Nine  different  courses  will  be  of- 
fered for  a total  of  twenty-five  hours 
of  credit.  Several  classes  will  meet 
concurrently  on  Monday,  Tuesday,  ^ 
and  Wednesday  nights.  The  winter 
quarter  begins  on  November  30  and 
ends  on  March  1. 

In  the  Art  Department,  Miss  Lena 


700 


THE  MENNONITE 


Waltner  will  teach  metal  enameling 
for  three  hours  of  credit  with  the 
class  meeting  on  both  Monday  and 
Wednesday  nights.  Dr.  H.  A.  Fast 
will  have  a class  on  teachings  of 
Jesus  for  three  hours  of  credit, 
meeting  on  Wednesday  nights.  Dr. 
Eldon  Graber  will  give  Introduc- 
tion to  Guidance,  three  hours  on 
Wednesday.  Mr.  Menno  Stucky  will 
teach  welding,  three  hours  on  Mon- 
days and  Wednesdays.  Dr.  Rupert 
Hohmann  will  continue  with  the 
orchestra  for  one  hour  credit  on 
Mondays.  A special  feature  will  be 
the  course  in  church  choir  adminis- 
tration with  a possible  five  hours  of 
credit  taught  by  Dr.  David  H.  Suder- 
man,  sessions  on  Tuesday  nights 
and  by  appointment.  Milton  Goer- 
I ing  will  teach  intermediate  swim- 
ming for  men  for  one  hour  on  Mon- 
days. Ed  Miller  will  teach  public 
speaking  I for  three  hours  on  Mon- 
days, and  Dr.  Ronald  Rich  will  teach 
a three  hour  course  in  astronomy  on 
Monday  nights. 

The  Bible,  choir  adminstration  and 
guidance  courses  are  for  upper  level 
credit. 

^ Enrollment  for  these  courses  may 
i be  completed  in  the  Registrar’s  Of- 
I fice  between  the  9th  and  20th  of 
November  or  during  the  first  eve- 
ning the  class  meets. 

COURSE  FOR  CHOIR  DIRECTORS 

Church  Choir  Administration,  a 

I 

( five  hour  course,  will  be  offered  as 
! a night  class  during  the  winter 
quarter  at  Bethel  College. 

! The  course  may  be  taken  with  or 
without  college  credit.  Sessions  will 
be  held  on  Tuesday  evenings  with 
the  first  session  on  the  1st  of  De- 
I cember.  The  Winter  Quarter  con- 
I tinues  through  February. 

Additional  study  and  laboratory 
time  will  be  necessary  on  the  part 
of  students  for  lesson  preparation 
and  for  field  work  in  visiting  and 
studying  choirs  in  the  Newton  area. 
The  course  is  for  upper  class  credit 
but  interested  persons  may  also  take 
it  without  college  credit  purely  for 
the  information  and  techniques  to 
be  acquired  in  such  a course.  Ex- 
perienced choir  directors  may  find 
the  course  valuable  as  a refresher 
and  as  a workshop  in  choir  prob- 
\ lems. 

Dr.  David  H.  Suderman,  head  of 
the  Humemities  Division,  will  be  the 
instructor  and  is  in  charge  of  ar- 


rangements. Interested  persons 
should  contact  Dr.  Suderman  or  the 
registrar  at  Bethel  College  to  regis- 
ter interest  and  complete  enroll- 
ment. 

SEMI-ANNUAL  BOARD  MEETING 

The  Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary 
board  held  its  semi-annual  meeting 
at  Elkhart  Oct.  28  and  29  to  hear 
reports  of  the  administration,  fac- 
ulty, and  the  various  board  commit- 
tees. 

Reorganization  of  officers  and 
committees  was  a major  item  of 
business.  Olin  Krehbiel,  Freeman, 
S.  D.,  is  the  new  board  vice-presi- 
dent and  J.  Herbert  Fretz,  also  of 
Freeman,  is  the  new  secretary. 

Members  of  the  reorganized  com- 
mittees are:  Finance  — Elmer  W. 
Baumgartner,  Harry  E.  Martens, 
Olin  Krehbiel,  and  A.  E.  Kreider; 
Building — S.  F.  Pannabecker,  John 
Wickert,  Elmer  Baumgartner,  and 
Harry  E.  Martens;  Faculty  Plan- 
ning— Willard  Claassen,  J.  Herbert 
Fretz,  and  A.  E.  Kreider;  Co-ordi- 
nating Committee  representatives — 
A.  E.  Kreider  and  Willard  Claassen. 

Arthur  S.  Rosenberger,  Quaker- 
town.  Pa.,  is  board  president.  Retir- 
ing from  the  board  this  year  are 
Vice  President  J.  N.  Smucker,  Go- 
shen, Ind.,  and  Secretary  R.  L. 
Hartlzer,  Bloomington,  111. 

WCV  CONFERENCE 

A conference  of  Women  in  Church 
Vocations  was  held  on  the  Seminary 
campus  the  weekend  of  Oct.  30  to 
Nov.  1.  A highlight  of  the  confer- 
ence was  the  presentation  of  “The 
Bridge,”  a twenty-minute  one-act 
play  by  Cornelia  Lehn. 

Among  those  addressing  various 
sessions  were  Marvin  Ewert,  admin- 
istrator of  Bethel  Hospital,  Newton, 
Kan.;  Mrs.  O’Ray  Graber,  Buhler, 
Kan.;  and  Bertha  Harder  and  Mar- 
vin J.  Dirks,  members  of  the  semi- 
nary faculty. 

NEW  STAFF  MEMBER 

Kathleen  Froese  of  Gretna,  Man., 
recently  joined  the  seminary  staff  as 
secretary  for  the  Institute  of  Men- 
nonite Studies  and  the  public  rela- 
tions department.  She  was  formerly 
in  MCC  work  at  Akron,  Pa.,  and 
has  come  to  the  seminary  on  a 
temporary  voluntary  service  basis. 

FIELD  TRIP  TO  CHICAGO 

The  Old  Testament  class  at  the 
seminary,  taught  by  Prof.  Jacob  J. 


Enz,  made  a field  trip  Oct.  30  to  the 
Oriental  Institute  at  the  University 
of  Chicago  to  view  Middle  Eastern 
archaeological  finds  pertaining  to 
biblical  studies. 

Together  with  a number  of  other 
students,  the  class  also  attended 
lectures  at  Bethany  Biblical  Sem- 
inary and  visited  the  Woodlawn 
area  to  fellowship  with  some  of  the 
Mennonite  pastors  and  church  work- 
ers of  Chicago. 

SEMINARY  FACULTY 
SPEAKING  ENGAGEMENTS 

Christian  answers  to  the  problems 
of  youth  were  stressed  by  Prof.  Cor- 
nelius J.  Dyck  in  a week  of  meet- 
ings Oct.  19  to  25  at  United  Men- 
nonite Educational  Institute,  Leam- 
ington, Ont.  He  spoke  to  students 
each  afternoon  in  the  institute  chap- 
el and  each  evening  at  the  Essex 
United  Mennonite  Church,  as  well 
as  doing  extensive  counseling. 

Before  going  to  Leamington,  Prof. 
Dyck  was  speaker  and  discussion 
leader  on  Oct.  17  and  18  at  the  pro- 
vincial Sunday  school  teachers  con- 
vention held  at  Niagara-on-the-Lake, 
Ont. 

Speaking  in  chapel  at  Goshen 
College  Biblical  Seminary  were 
President  Erland  Waltner  on  Oct. 
19  and  Dean  S.  F.  Pannabecker  on 
Oct.  27.  Dr.  Waltner  addressed  the 
Mishawaka  Ministerial  Assn,  on  Oct. 
21  concerning  the  work  of  the  As- 
sociated Mennonite  Biblical  Semi- 
naries. The  centennial  of  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  Mennonite  Church 
was  the  subject  of  an  address  by 
Dean  Pannabecker  to  the  Menno- 
nite Historical  Society  at  Goshen 
College  on  Oct.  28. 

Prof.  Marvin  J.  Dirks  sang  a short 
sacred  concert  on  Sunday  evening, 
Oct.  18,  at  the  fifth  anniversary  serv- 
ices of  the  Lombard  Mennonite 
Church,  Lombard,  111. 

Prof.  William  Klassen  addressed 
the  seminary  board  Oct.  28  on  “The 
Purpose  of  Theological  Education.” 
On  Sunday  evening,  Nov.  1,  he  spoke 
at  the  Church  of  the  Brethren,  Go- 
shen, Ind. 

Harry  E.  Martens,  assistant  to  the 
president  and  business  manager, 
has  recently  returned  to  Elkhart 
after  making  public  relations  con- 
tacts in  Kansas  and  representing 
the  seminary  at  the  inauguration 
of  Tilman  R.  Smith  as  president  of 
Hesston  College. 


November  10,  1959 


701 


MCC  news  and  notes 

MCC  WORKERS  REPORT 

INDONESIA — “How  best  to  iden- 
tify ourselves  with  the  Indonesian 
church  is  not  always  easy  or  clear, 
yet  we  dare  not  stop  working  at 
it.”  So  wrote  Wilbert  and  Juanita 
Shenk  (Sheridan,  Ore.)  after  com- 
pleting a combined  six-year  term  in 
the  Far  East. 

In  their  final  report  the  Shenks 
summarized,  “To  have  been  a part 
of  the  MCC  program  and  the  church 
in  Indonesia  has  been  a real  privi- 
lege for  us.  There  have  been  many 
changes  and  developments  and  we 
hope  a maturing  of  purpose  for 
continuing  to  work  in  this  country.” 

MILK  DISTRIBUTION  SUPPLY  CUT 

WASHINGTON  — The  United 
States  Department  of  Agriculture 
announced  Oct.  13  that  the  current 
low  level  surplus  milk  supply  will 
allow  no  further  commitments  of 
government  surpus  milk  for  either 
domestic  or  foreign  donation.  As  of 
Oct.  7,  uncommitted  stocks  of  non- 
fat dry  milk  in  the  Commodity 
Credit  Corporation  inventory  a- 
mounted  to  less  than  three  million 
pounds,  compared  to  122  million 
pounds  a year  ago. 

As  a result  of  the  almost  exhaust- 
ed availability  of  US  government 
surplus  milk  supplies  for  distribu- 
tion by  relief  agencies,  cuts  will  be 
necessary  in  the  present  year’s  milk 
distribution  program.  Having  milk 
feeding  programs  in  two  countries, 
Korea  and  Vietnam,  the  Mennonite 
Central  Committee  will  be  affected 
by  the  Department  of  Agriculture’s 
action. 

MCC’s  request  for  514,000  pounds 
of  milk  needed  for  Korea  to  facili- 
tate feeding  10,000  who  are  in  in- 
stitutions and  9000  needy  persons 
will  be  cut  to  250,000  pounds.  The 
200,000  pounds  needed  for  Vietnam 
to  feed  200  families  plus  12,000  per- 
sons in  institutions  has,  however,  al- 
ready been  received.  Limiting  MCC’s 
requested  supply  will  not  require 
drastic  changes  in  its  milk  feeding 
program.  It  means,  rather,  that  in- 
stead of  receiving  milk  without 
charge  MCC  will  have  to  purchase 
the  needed  quantity. 

Agriculture  department  officials 
emphasized  that  the  milk  distribu- 
tion program  has  been  extremely 


important  in  moving  the  huge  price 
support  accumulation  of  milk  into 
consumption.  As  supplies  permit, 
the  government  will  again  release 
milk  surplus  for  distribution  pur- 
poses. Until  the  recent  USDA  action, 
milk  commodities  had  been  made 
available  to  relief  agencies  since 
1954  through  a special  government 
program. 

PEACE  WITNESS  EXTENSION 

CHICAGO  — Intensive  discussion 
centering  around  the  relationship  of 
peace  workers  under  the  Mennonite 
Central  Committee  and  missionaries 
under  constituent  mission  boards 
headlined  the  Peace  Section  Execu- 
tive Committee  meeting  Oct.  24  in 
Chicago. 

The  discussion  was  a follow  up 
of  the  Mennonite  Mission  Board 
Secretaries  Continuation  Committee 
meeting  held  Sept.  30,  which  studied 
the  relationship  question  thoroughly 
and  made  several  recommendations 
to  the  MCC  Peace  Section  for  pos- 
sible changes  in  future  working  pol- 
icy. The  concern  will  receive  fur- 
ther discussion  at  a meeting  of  the 
Mennonite  Mission  Board  Secreta- 
ries and  the  MCC  Executive  Com- 
mittee Nov.  6. 

In  line  with  the  broadening  out- 
reach of  the  Peace  Section  witness, 
discussion  also  centered  on  the  be- 
ginning of  an  East  Asian  area  peace 
program.  William  T.  Snyder’s  rec- 
ommendations outlined  several  ob- 
jectives for  an  East  Asian  program 
which  were  approved  by  the  Com- 
mittee: 

1)  Constantly  studying  problems 
and  trends  affecting  the  Christian 
churches  in  matters  relating  to  war, 
revolution,  nationalism,  hatred,  and 
violence.  2)  Arousing,  sharpening, 
and  deepening  Christian  peace  un- 
derstanding and  conviction.  3)  Main- 
taining contact  with  secular  peace 
and  related  movements  for  our  own 
orientation  and  for  witness  as  feas- 
ible but  in  ways  which  will  safe- 
guard our  own  integrity  and  non- 
affiliation with  non-Christian  forces. 
4)  Seeking  reconciliation  and  un- 
derstanding between  North  Amer- 
ican and  East  Asian  Christians, 
particularly  as  this  entails  our  own 
sins  and  lack  of  understanding  of 
the  Orient.  5)  Consulting  with  Men- 
nonite missions  or  churches  in  any 
country  that  may  be  served  in  East 
Asia  and  looking  upon  them  as  the 


spiritual  base  for  the  peace  witness.  { 

The  agenda  concerns  included  a 
review  of  the  Peace  Section  mem-  , 
bership  list,  race  relations,  and  I 
Peace  Section  work  in  Japan,  Eur- 
ope, and  Africa.  For  some  time  the 
MCC  Peace  Section  has  been  study- 
ing the  possibility  of  sending  a 
peace  worker  to  Africa  in  the  hopes 
of  strengthening  the  peace  witness 
in  a continent  which  is  presently 
racked  by  racial  conflicts  and  surg- 
ing nationalism. 

Attention  was  given  to  plans  for 
setting  up  a seminar  on  govern- 
ment, probably  to  be  held  in  Wash- 
ington, D.  C.,  this  coming  spring.  | 
Elmer  Neufeld  (MCC  Peace  Section  I 
Executive  Secretary)  outlined  the 
objectives  and  purposes  for  such  a 
seminar  which  would  concern  itself 
with  the  Christian  and  his  relation- 
ship to  government. 

SPONSORS  NEEDED  FOR  TRAINEES 

AKRON — Sponsors  for  a second 
six  month  period  are  needed  for  the 
international  trainees  who  began  I 
their  work  in  the  United  States  Aug. 

21.  Thirty-eight  young  people — from 
Germany,  Switzerland,  France,  j 
Greece,  Paraguay,  and  Uruguay — ■ | 
are  presently  working  in  all  kinds 
of  professions  or  trades  in  thirteen 
states. 

Playing  a key  role  in  making  the 
trainee  program  a success  are  the 
sponsors  who  help  personalize  the 
trainees’  American  experience.  Paul- 
ine Jahnke,  trainee  program  admin-  j 
istrator,  requests  sponsor  applica-  'j 
tions  and  that  those  interested  write 
to  the  Akron,  Pa.,  office  before  Nov. 

25. 

Each  trainee  gets  an  opportunity 
of  living  and  working  in  two  states.  i 
The  first  six  month  term  is  over  i 
Feb.  21  and  the  trainees  will  then  1 
be  moving  to  new  locations  to  serve 
as  farmers,  nurses,  druggists,  chem- 
ists, carpenters,  and  domestics  to 
increase  their  knowledge  of  Ameri- 
can people  and  professions  as  well 
as  of  American  social  activity  and 
church  life. 

The  trainee  program  is  in  its 
ninth  year  of  operation.  Thus  far 
the  268  youth  sponsored  by  MCC 
have  worked  only  in  the  United 
States.  Canadian  immigration  of- 
ficials and  MCC  are  now  discussing 
the  possibility  of  Canadian  Menno- 
nites  also  being  permitted  to  partici- 
pate in  the  trainee  program  as  spon- 
sors. 


702 


THE  MENNONITE 


jottings 

ANNUAL  MUSICALE  HELD 

Carlock  Church,  Carlock,  III.  : The 
church  choirs  have  resumed  re- 
hearsals vv^ith  Dick  King  from  Eu- 
reka, 111.,  as  adult  choir  director 
and  Karen  Schelle,  Normal,  111.,  as 
junior  choir  director.  Xvir.  and  Mrs. 
Clifford  Dovel  celebrated  their  25th 
wedding  anniversary  with  open 
house  Aug.  30.  Our  church  was  host 
to  the  freshman  class  of  Mennonite 
Hospital  School  of  Nursing  at  their 
annual  picnic.  Sept.  23.  Promotion 
Day  exercises  were  held  Sept.  27 — 
also  installation  of  newly  elected 
SS  officers  and  teachers.  The  ladies 
of  our  church  spent  a “work  day” 
at  the  Meadows  Mennonite  Home. 
Oct.  18  was  observed  as  “Layman’s 
Sunday.”  Committee  in  charge  were: 
Melvin  Hendriks,  J.  H.  Stutzman, 
i Lawrence  Arras.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Rob- 
ert Stutzman  and  family  have  re- 
turned to  Carlock  after  completing 
I two  years  of  service  with  the  US 
Public  Health  Service  in  Anchorage, 
Alaska.  Dr.  Stutzman  will  begin  the 
general  practice  of  medicine  in  as- 
sociation with  Dr.  R.  L.  Oyer  in 
Chenoa,  111.  The  annual  musicale 
I of  the  111.  church  will  be  held  at 
[ the  Carlock  grade  school  gymnasi- 
I um,  Sun.  evening,  Nov.  15. 

! NEW  PARSONAGE  DEDICATED 

Tabor  Church,  Newton,  Kan.:  Dur- 
ing Pastor  James  Waltner’s  absence 
at  conf.  time,  our  guest  speakers 
were  H.  T.  Unruh  and  Ed.  R.  Stucky. 
W.  F.  Unruh  showed  a film  on  social 
drinking  to  YPU  Sept.  6.  A panel 
then  discussed  it.  Sept.  13  we  heard 
conference  reports.  The  pastor 
showed  slides  taken  at  Bluffton. 

I Sept.  21  the  Mennonite  Men  met 
I in  Newton  for  a tour  of  the  Gen. 
Conf.  central  offices.  Sept.  24  a par- 
sonage benefit  supper  was  served 
and  also  a congregational  meeting 
held.  Some  reports  were  given  and 
W.  D.  Conf.  delegates  were  elected. 
Holy  Communion  was  observed  Oct. 
4.  Three  new  members  were  re- 
ceived into  the  church.  The  cate- 
chism class  has  begun.  Midweek 
meetings,  adult  and  junior  choirs, 
adult  Bible  study,  also  classes  for 
the  preschool  and  primary  children 
all  meet  on  Wed.  evenings.  Oct.  11 
the  dedication  service  for  the  new 
parsonage  was  held  during  the 
morning  worship  service  with  open 
house  at  the  parsonage  afternoon 
and  evening.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Glenn 
Harder,  returned  MCC  workers 
showed  slides  of  Newfoundland 
Oct.  18  at  a program  sponsored  by 
the  Tabor  Sewing  Society.  Consecra- 
tion service  for  SS  officers  and 
teachers  took  place  Oct.  18.^ — Mrs. 
Jake  J.  Goerzen 

BIBLE  CONFERENCE 

Deep  Run  Church,  Bedminster, 
Pa.:  Henry  Poettcker,  president  of 
Canadian  Mennonite  Bible  College 


was  the  speaker  for  the  annual  Fall 
Bible  Conference  held  at  our  church. 
The  theme  for  the  conference  was: 
“Living  Before  God.”  Topics  of  the 
addresses,  based  on  the  book  of 
Amos  were:  “When  Evil  Runs 

Wild,”  “Heart-Rending  Appeals,” 
“When  Two  Are  Agreed,”  “Doom 
and  Promise,”  “Here  I Stand.” 
While  a graduate  student  at  Prince- 
ton Theological  Seminary  during  the 
summer  of  1953,  Henry  Poettcker 
served  as  an  interim  pastor  of  the 
Deep  Run  Church. 

EDUCATIONAL  UNIT 
COMPLETED  AND  DEDICATED 

West  Swamp  Church,  Quakertown, 
Pa.:  On  August  2 our  church  joined 
with  the  other  churches  of  the 
community  in  an  evening  of  sacred 
music  and  hymn  singing  held  at  St. 
John’s  Lutheran  Church,  in  their 
chuich  grove,  in  Spinnerstown. 
During  the  month  of  August  both 
our  senior  and  junior  choirs  had 
vacation.  These  choirs  serve  the 
church  very  faithfully  the  rest  of 
the  year.  Special  music  was  fur- 
nished by  our  own  people  and  also 
by  members  of  neighboring  church- 
es. Eleven  of  our  members  served 
as  delegates  to  the  General  Confer- 
ence sessions  held  at  Bluffton,  Ohio. 
Pastor  Rosenberger  and  some  of 
the  delegates  gave  reports  of  the 
conference.  Some  of  our  people  at- 
tended sessions  as  visitors.  The  Al- 
bert Jantzens,  missionaries  to  the 
Hopi  Indians  in  Arizona,  visited 
churches  in  the  E.  D.  Conference 
during  the  summer.  The  Jantzens 
spoke  at  the  Labor  Day  Bible  Con- 
ference held  at  Men-O-Lan.  They 
spoke  and  showed  pictures  at  West 
Swamp.  They  were  a challenge  and 
inspiration  to  us.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Mar- 
vin Wall  and  daughter,  Marjorie, 
worshipped  with  us  on  Sunday 
morning,  September  6.  Mr.  Wall 
took  part  in  the  service.  They  spent 
the  week  end  in  our  community 
while  on  their  way  to  Paint  Rock, 
N.  C.,  where  they  have  taken  over 
the  work  after  Harry  and  Ada 
Spaeth  left  for  Elkhart,  Ind.,  where 
Harry  is  attending  the  seminary. 
On  September  13,  as  part  of  the  reg- 
ular services,  seven  babies  were 
brought  to  the  Lord  for  consecra- 
tion. Sept.  27  marked  the  day  of 
dedication  for  our  new  educational 
unit.  This  was  a day  of  rejoicing 
for  all  of  us,  but  perhaps  we  knew 
the  greatest  joy  when  we  first  used 
our  new  classrooms.  In  the  formal 
dedication  service  we  expressed  our 
desire  of  using  these  facilities  only 
to  the  honor  and  glory  of  God’s 
name,  and  the  advancement  of  His 
kingdom. — Mrs.  Harold  Rosenberger 

into  thtbeyond 

Clarence  E.  Lung,  85;  of  Ligonier, 
Ind.,  member  of  the  Topeka  Menno- 
nite Church,  was  born  July  2,  1894, 
and  died  August  9,  1959. 


conference  notes 

continued  from  lost  page 

JUNIOR  CHOIR  FESTIVAL 

The  executive  committee  of  the 
Mennonite  Song  Festival  Society 
has  completed  plans  for  the  Jimior 
Choir  Festival  to  be  held  Sunday, 
November  15,  at  Memorial  Hall  on 
the  Bethel  College  Campus,  begin- 
ning at  3:00  p.m. 

Junior  choirs  within  driving  dis- 
tances have  been  invited.  Approxi- 
mately 400  children  are  expected  to 
participate.  John  Gaeddert,  pastor 
of  the  Bethesda  Mennonite  Church 
at  Henderson,  Nebraska,  will  be  the 
guest  conductor.  Rev.  Gaeddert  will 
also  talk  briefly  on  “The  Hymn  in 
Worship.” 

The  program  is  centered  on  the 
theme  of  thanksgiving.  The  opening 
group,  expressing  thankfulness  to 
God,  includes:  “Come  Ye  Thankful 
People,  Come,”  “Praise  Ye  the 
Lord,”  “Deck  Thyself,  My  Soul,” 
“Praise  to  the  Lord,”  and  “Sing  to 
the  Lord.” 

The  second  group  expresses  thank- 
fulness for  Jesus  including:  “Away 
in  a Manger,”  “Fairest  Lord  Jesus,” 
and  “I  Want  Jesus  to  Walk  With 
Me.” 

The  closing  group  expresses  thank- 
fulness for  God’s  goodness.  It  will 
include  “Lo!  the  Heavens  Are  Break- 
ing,” “The  Lord  Is  My  Shepherd,” 
and  “The  Daylight  Fades.” 

All  choirs  will  join  in  the  singing 
of  these  hymns.  There  will  be  a re- 
hearsal prior  to  the  performance  at 
1:45  p.m.  in  Memorial  Hall. 

The  public  is  cordially  invited  to 
hear  this  Thanksgiving  Festival  in 
Song. 

Song  Festival  Committee  mem- 
bers are  Dr.  David  H.  Suderman, 
president;  Dr.  Harold  Moyer,  vice- 
president;  Evelyn  Voth,  secretary; 
and  Novalis  Toews,  treasurer. 
CENTRAL  ILLINOIS  MEN 
DISCUSS  AGING 

A meeting  of  Mennonite  men  from 
central  Illinois  has  been  called  for 
November  14  at  the  Calvary  Men- 
nonite Church,  Washington,  111. 
“Preparing  for  Later  Life”  is  the 
topic  to  be  discussed  by  H.  Clair 
Amstutz. 

Dr.  Amstutz,  formerly  a medical 
practitioner  in  Goshen,  Ind.,  and 
now  on  the  staff  of  Goshen  College, 
is  chainnan  of  Mennonite  Mental 
Health  Services. 


November  10,  1959 


703 


conference  notes 

COUNCIL  OF  BOARDS 
TO  MEET  IN  DECEMBER 

The  Council  of  Boards  of  the 
General  Conference  Mennonite 
Church  will  be  in  session  at  Berne, 
Ind.,  December  2-4,  and  the  Ex- 
ecutive Committee  will  meet  De- 
cember 1-5.  This  is  the  annual  meet- 
ing at  which  the  four  boards,  the 
Conference  officers,  and  representa- 
tives of  the  district  conferences  and 
related  organizations  meet  to  review 
the  work  of  the  Conference  and  to 
plan  for  the  following  year. 

Besides  reorganizing  the  various 
committees,  each  board  faces  an 
extensive  agenda.  The  major  con- 
cern of  the  Board  of  Business  Ad- 
ministration is  to  set  up  the  1960 
budget  for  the  Conference.  Being 
a service  organization  for  the  other 
boards,  this  board  will  consider 
means  of  Conference  promotion.  A 
stewardship  film,  “Treasures  in 
Heaven,”  will  be  viewed  by  the 
council. 

The  Board  of  Education  and  Pub- 
lication must  give  time  to  the  se- 
lection of  writers  and  editors  for 
the  church  papers,  curriculum  mate- 
rials, and  sundry  publications.  The 
manuscript  for  a youth  problems 
quarterly  will  be  before  the  board 
for  final  review.  Also  before  the 
board  for  approval  will  be  a sug- 
gested Sunday  school  standard  and 
a book  list  for  teachers  and  church 
libraries.  Groundwork  will  be  done 
on  two  proposed  magazines;  a lead- 
ership education  magazine  and  a 
family  worship  magazine.  With  fur- 
ther ernphasis  on  the  Christian 
home,  the  board  will  discuss  the 
feasibility  of  a Conference-wide  in- 
stitute on  family  life. 

The  Board  of  Christian  Service 
has  scheduled  its  sessions  with  ma- 
jor emphasis  on  policy  and  strategy 
planning.  Members  will  consider 
how  to  implement  study  and  action 
in  line  with  the  race  relations  and 
nuclear  statements  adopted  at  the 
General  Conference.  Together  with 
Mennonite  Central  Committee  execu- 
tives, they  wiU  decide  what  direction 
to  take  in  the  foreign  relief  pro- 
gram. They  will  also  study  ways  of 
counseling  congreg^,tions  regarding 
service  concerns. 

The  Board  of  Missions  is  consid- 
ering organizing  its  work  into  two 


areas:  the  American  hemisphere; 

and  the  European,  African,  Asian 
hemisphere.  Attention  will  be  given 
to  defining  the  policies  and  proced- 
ures of  the  new  Committee  on  City 
Churches  and  to  reviewing  the  city 
church  situation  in  relation  to  the 
committee.  The  needs  of  the  Men- 
nonite colonies  in  South  America 
will  be  studied,  and  the  possibilities 
of  more  unified  programing  with 
the  Board  of  Christian  Service  and 
other  Mennonite  churches  in  the 
mission  program  in  Lower  Latin 
America  will  be  explored. 

New  developments  in  India  and 
the  Belgian  Congo  need  to  be  con- 
sidered. Since  the  government  of 
India  is  assuming  larger  responsi- 
bility for  educational  programs,  the 
Board  of  Missions  must  decide 
whether  or  not  to  continue  the  An- 
nie Funk  Memorial  Girls  School  in 
Janjgir.  The  board  will  study  the 
procedures  outlined  by  the  Congo 
Inland  Mission  by  which  the  mission 
organization  would  become  integrat- 
ed with  the  Congolese  church. 

The  Berne  community,  which  is 
host  to  the  council,  has  arranged  to 
have  the  Mennonite  Choral  Society 
present  Handel’s  Messiah  on  Decem- 
ber 5 and  6 and  is  inviting  council 
members  to  remain  to  hear  this 
rendition. 

Although  only  a limited  number 
of  persons  participate  directly  in 
the  making  of  decisions  at  the  an- 
nual sessions,  it  is  the  privilege  of 
each  member  of  the  Conference  to 
voice  his  concern  to  the  boards 
throughout  the  year  and  to  pray  for 
the  work  of  the  church.  As  prepara- 
tions are  made  for  the  Council  of 
Boards  this  year,  the  request  goes 
out  to  all  those  interested  in  the 
progress  of  the  church  to  pray  for 
wisdom  for  their  leaders  to  plan 
effectively  the  work  of  the  Confer- 
ence for  another  year. 

NEW  YOUTH  DIRECTOR 
FOR  GENERAL  CONFERENCE 

Milton  Harder  of  Butterfield, 
Minn.,  took  office  as  director  of 
youth  work  in  the  General  Confer- 
ence November  2. 

A graduate  of  Bethel  College  and 
Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary,  Mr. 
Harder  brings  to  his  new  position 


considerable  experience  in  youth 
work.  Voluntary  Service,  and  in  pas- 
torship. He  recently  completed  a 
five-year  assignment  with  Menno- 
nite Central  Committee  in  Europe 
where  he  served  as  executive  sec- 
retary for  Eirene  (International 
Christian  Service  for  Peace).  An 
earlier  assignment  kept  him  in  Eur- 


ope three  years.  Mr.  Harder  is 
married  and  has  two  sons,  aged  five 
and  three. 


As  director  of  youth  work  Mr. 
Harder  will  be  occupied  with  lead- 
ership training,  editorial  work  on 
youth  publications,  and,  in  general, 
co-ordination  of  Conference  youth 
work.  Young  people’s  groups  are  in- 
vited to  write  to  him  for  informa- 
tion and  counsel.  The  address  is 
Director  of  Youth  Work,  General 
Conference  Mennonite  Church,  722 
Main,  Newton,  Kansas. 

PEACE  MATERIAL  AVAILABLE 

Among  the  resources  of  peace 
literature,  the  Board  of  Christian 
Service  has  a bibliography  of  peace 
plays,  which  is  an  annotated  list  of 
plays  suitable  for  presentation  by 
church  groups. 

Another  source  for  peace  educa- 
tion is  audio-visual  material.  The 
board  has  deposited  a number  of 
films  in  the  Audio-Visual  Library 
and  these  may  be  rented  from  the 
Mennonite  Publication  Office,  720 
Main,  Newton,  Kan.  Besides  films 
owned  by  the  board,  an  attempt  is 
made  to  keep  informed  on  the  avail- 
ability of  films  on  peace  from  other 
sources.  The  board  will  be  glad  to 
suggest  suitable  films  upon  request. 

Recently,  the  major  effort  of  the 
board  has  been  its  peace  and  serv- 
ice mailings  to  young  people  six- 
teen and  over. 


NOVEMBER  17,  1959 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
MAN  LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIST 


in  this  issue 


COVER 

Calligraphy  by  Robert  Regier 

ARTICLES 

THE  CHRISTIAN  WALK 

By  Kenneth  D.  Ross  

FOR  SUCH  A TIME  AS  THIS 

By  Omer  R.  Galle  

DISCUSSIONS  ON  RACE  RELATIONS 
By  Esther  Groves  


DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  706 

FOCUS  ON  CHRISTIAN  CONCERNS  711 
MENNONITE  MEN  712 


MENNONITE  YOUTH 

Woodlown  Workcamp  713 

To  and  From  a Pastor  714 

Think  Before  You  Say  It  715 

OUR  SCHOOLS  716 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  717 

JOTTINGS  718 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  720 


PHOTO  CREDIT 

S.  F.  Pannabecker,  pages  716  and  720. 


of  things  to  come 

Nov.  26 — Thanksgiving  Day  (U  S.) 

Nov.  27,  28 — Young  Peopie's  Union 
Councii  meeting,  Winnipeg 
Dec.  1-4 — Council  of  Boards 
Dec.  13 — Universal  Bible  Sunday 

THE  MEHHONITE 

Editor;  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 
J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Assistant;  Muriel 
Thiessen.  Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  45 


editorials 

LIVING  THANKFULLY  Giving  thanks  on  Thanksgiving  Day 
is  good ; living  thankfully  all  the  days  of  the  year  is  far  better. 

It  is  a relatively  simple  matter  to  attend  a Union  Thanks- 
giving service,  sing  songs  of  gratitude,  listen  to  good  music  and 
a short  sermon.  It  is  a pleasure  to  gather  around  the  table  for 
a good  family  Thanksgiving  dinner.  It  is  a welcome  relief  to 
have  a holiday  free  from  the  usual  routine  of  a busy  work  pro- 
gram. Thanksgiving  Day  can  be,  and  should  be,  a joyous  occa- 
sion. It  is  good  to  take  time  to  ponder  upon  the  goodness  of  God, 
and  to  try  to  count  our  many  blessings — an  endless  task. 

But  to  live  thankfully  all  our  days  is  the  real  test  of  our  feel- 
ing of  gratitude.  This  is  a high  art  that  requires  time,  discipline, 
and  much  practice.  One  does  not  become  adept  at  this  art  by 
occasional  days  of  celebration.  But  through  long  years  of  disci- 
pline and  practice  one  should  have  developed  a grateful  and 
appreciative  spirit;  one  who  finds  some  good  in  the  most  un- 
likely circumstances. 

Some,  alas,  never  have  this  quality  developed  and  come  to  the 
“golden  years”  with  a leaden  spirit.  Instead  of  being  experts  in 
gratitude  and  appreciation  they  are  critical  and  complaining. 
They  see  the  thorns  in  every  rose-bush. 

Thanksgiving  Day  is  a good  time  to  resolve  to  take  the  time 
and  effort  to  develop,  with  the  help  of  God,  a thankful  disposi- 
tion and  a life  of  continuous  gratitude. 

OUR  SUNDAY  SCHOOL  MATERIALS  The  fourth  goal  as 
adopted  at  the  Blulfton  Conference,  was  “Every  Congregation 
Using  the  New  Living  Faith  Sunday  School  Materials.”  This  is 
the  material  that  has  been  worked  out  by  our  own  Board  of 
Education  and  Publication  after  years  of  careful  work. 

Some,  who  are  now  using  other  material,  may  ask.  Why  should 
we  drop  what  we  have  and  adopt  this  series  ? Does  it  pretend  to 
be  better  than  any  other?  Is  it  lower  in  price?  Is  it  strictly 
biblical  and  evangelical  ? Does  it  meet  our  particular  need  ? These 
are  legitimate  questions  which  our  Board  would  be  glad  to 
answer. 

One  can  readily  think  of  reasons  for  having  a uniform  series  ^ 
throughout  the  churches  of  our  Conference.  These  materials 
have  been  carefully  worked  out  with  our  particular  needs  in 
mind ; they  fit.  Our  basic  beliefs  are  strengthened  in  the  churches 
as  we  have  them  emphasized  in  our  constant  study.  In  such 
important  matters  as  our  attitude  toward  war,  a uniform  em- 
phasis upon  the  principles  of  peace  upon  which  our  church  was  . 
founded  will  strengthen  us  all. 

When  each  congregation  uses  our  Sunday  school  material,  we 
may  expect  more  unity,  coherence,  and  emphasis.  Unity  in  that 
we  will  be  more  of  one  mind  concerning  the  great  issues  facing  I 
us;  coherence  in  that  there  is  a consistency  in  our  beliefs  and 
practices;  and  emphasis  in  that  we  concentrate  together  on  the 
great  present-day  issues,  as  well  as  keep  our  attention  on  the  | 
central  and  spiritual.  I 


706 


THE  MENNONITE 


The  Christian  Walk 


f 

i 

I 

I 

Kenneth  D.  Ross 

ONE  OF  THE  PROVERBS  of  the 
Old  Testament  exhorts  man- 
kind, “In  all  thy  ways  acknowledge 
Him  (God)  and  he  shall  direct  thy 
paths”  (Prov.  3:6). 

Here  is  a promise  that  if  we 
acknowledge  or  know  God  person- 
ally He  will  be  with  us  on  every 
turn  of  life’s  road. 

One  of  the  biggest  problems  of 
the  Christian  is  how  to  know  the 
will  of  God.  The  second  biggest 
problem  is  to  do  the  will  of  God. 
Many  a Christian  knows  better  than 
he  is  doing. 

: Such  Christian  living  is  like  hir- 

ing a guide  to  take  you  through 
I an  unknown  territory  and  then  re- 
! fusing  to  place  confidence  in  him  to 
take  you  through. 

' The  Christian  walk  requires  three 
things:  wisdom,  will,  and  work. 

IT  was  James  who’  said  “If  any 
man  lack  wisdom  let  him  ask  of 
God.  . . .”  But  it  takes  David  to 
point  out  that  wisdom  is  not  for 
our  heads  but  for  our  shoes  when 
he  says,  “Thy  word  is  a lamp  unto 
my  feet  and  a light  unto  my  path.” 
The  wisdom  which  God  would  give 
is  that  which  would  direct  us  around 
the  pitfalls  of  life.  This  wisdom  em- 
bodies a knowledge  of  our  fellow 
men  and  our  enemies. 

The  word  of  God  places  mankind 
into  three  categories;  the  natural, 
the  carnal  and  the  spiritual.  “The 
natural  man  receiveth  not  the  things 
of  the  Spirit  of  God  for  they  are 
foolishness  unto  him;  neither  can 
he  know  them,  because  they  are 
spiritually  discerned.” 

The  natural  man  is  born  in  sin 
and  “is  by  nature  a child  of  wrath.” 
He  may  be  moral,  religious,  he  may 
even  pray  and  go  to  church  but  if 
he  has  not  been  regenerated  he  is 
still  in  his  natural  state. 

The  second  type  of  person  spoken 
of  in  Scripture  is  the  carnal  person. 
They  are  people  who  have  accepted 


Kenneth  Ross  is  pastor  of  the  Roaring 
Spring  Church  in  Pa. 


Christ  as  Savior  of  their  souls  but 
not  Lord  of  their  lives.  The  Apostle 
Paul  had  them  in  his  church  at  Cor- 
inth and  says  to  them,  “I  could  not 
speak  unto  you  as  unto  spiritual 
but  as  unto  carnal,  even  as  unto 
babes  in  Christ.”  In  short,  carnality 
is  a lack  of  Christian  growth  which 
grieves  the  Holy  Spirit  of  God.  It  is 
manifested  in  our  tempers,  our  ir- 
ritability, our  prayerlessness,  our 
worldliness  and  various  other  ways. 

The  third  type  of  people  spoken 
of  is  the  spiritual  Christian.  These 
are  they  “who  searched  the  scrip- 
ture daily  . . .”  and  who  “discern  all 
things,  even  the  deep  things  of 
God.”  They  need  not  have  a college 
education  but  must  be  willing  to  be 
disciples  (learners). 

The  natural  man  can  become  a 
child  of  God  by  faith  and  the  car- 
nal Christian  can  become  a spiritual 
Christian  by  Bible  study,  prayer, 
and  willing  Christian  service. 

We  also  need  a knowledge  of  our 
enemies.  Again  the  word  of  God 
points  out  three;  the  world,  the 
flesh  and  the  devil.  The  world  is 
anything  that  leads  us  to  sin  such 
as  evil  companions,  pleasures,  pos- 
sessions. The  fiesh  is  the  fallen  hu- 
man nature  manifesting  itself  in 
temper,  moodiness,  jealousy,  pride, 
selfishness,  criticism,  lust.  Paul  said, 
“I  know  that  in  me,  that  is  my  fiesh, 
dwelleth  no  good  thing.”  The  devil 
is  that  evil  being  that  is  called  the 
“prince  of  the  power  of  the  air” 
who  controls  the  affairs  of  the  evil 
world.  His  objective  is  to  defeat  the 
program  of  God  in  the  church,  the 
home,  and  the  world. 

TO  LIVE  separated  from  the 
world  unto  God  requires  a 
strong  will  to  serve  God  instead  of 
Satan.  It  was  the  willfulness  of  Cain 
that  caused  the  rejection  of  his  sac- 
rifice. The  prophets  of  the  Old  Tes- 
tament were  constantly  warning  the 
people  of  inclusivism  and  compro- 
mise. It  was  the  compromise  with 
the  heathen  people  round  about  Pal- 
estine that  eventually  brought  about 


the  downfall  of  Israel  in  the  land 
of  promise. 

The  New  Testament  warns  us 
that  following  Christ  will  not  be  a 
“bed  of  roses.”  Rather,  it  says  there 
will  be  persecution  and  people  will 
say  all  manner  of  things  against  us. 
The  words  of  Christ  cause  us  to 
take  heart:  “Be  of  good  courage,  I 
have  overcome  the  world.” 

The  believer  also  needs  a strong 
will  to  guard  his  children  from 
worldly  infiuences  which  can  creep 
into  the  home  through  the  tele- 
vision screen  or  the  mail.  We  need 
to  make  up  our  minds  that  nothing 
will  invade  the  sanctity  of  our  home 
which  would  turn  us  from  God. 

i ' O walk  the  Christian  walk,  as 

i Christ  would  have  us,  requires 
work  on  the  part  of  the  Christian. 
James  said,  “Faith  without  works  is 
dead.”  We  need  “to  present  our 
bodies  a living  sacrifice,  holy  ac- 
ceptable unto  God  which  is  our  rea- 
sonable service.”  Salvation  is  not  of 
works  as  Ephesians  2:8,  9 points 
out,  but  Christianity  is  that  force 
which  storms  the  citadels  of  Satan 
going  forth  conquering  and  to  con- 
quer in  the  power  of  Christ. 

To  work  the  work  of  Christ  is  to 
preach  Christ  with  our  lives  and 
with  our  lips.  The  world  today 
would  rather  see  a sermon  than 
hear  one. 

As  we  minister  to  the  needy  and 
share  what  God  has  intrusted  us 
with,  we  in  our  small  comer  are 
administering  the  cup  of  cold  water 
in  the  name  of  Christ.  May  we  never 
forget  that  all  must  be  in  the  name 
of  Christ  and  in  faith,  “for  without 
faith  it  is  impossible  to  please  Him.” 

Our  vision  can  constantly  be  re- 
newed by  consistency  in  the  Lord’s 
house,  by  Bible  reading,  prayer,  and 
by  allowing  the  Spirit  of  God  to  fill 
us  with  His  power.  These  things 
will  result  in  the  fruit  of  the  Spirit 
which  are  “love,  joy,  peace,  long- 
suffering,  gentleness,  goodness, 
faith,  meekness,  and  self-control.” 

The  Christian  can  thank  God  for 
precious  promises  like  this;  “now  if 
any  man  build  upon  this  foundation, 
gold,  silver,  precious  stones  . . . and 
if  any  man’s  works  abide  which  he 
hath  built  thereupon,  he  shall  re- 
ceive a reward.  . . .”  May  this  prom- 
ise spur  us  on  to  “walk  worthy  of 
the  vocation  wherewith  we  are 
called”  ever  striving  to  be  like  Him, 
knowing  also  that  “the  night  com- 
eth  when  no  man  can  work.” 


November  17,  1959 


707 


FOR  SUCH  A TIME  AS  THIS 


0?ner  Galle 


WE  belong  to  that  segment  of 
the  human  family  which,  for 
want  of  a better  term,  shall  be  re- 
ferred to  as  “western  man”  in  this 
discussion. 

Western  man’s  spiritual  heritage 
is  derived  from  Judaism,  from  the 
humanism  of  the  ancient  Greeks, 
and  from  the  teachings  of  Jesus 
Christ. 

Judaism  gave  western  man  the 
concept  of  justice  under  God’s  law. 
Greece  gave  western  man  the  belief 
in  the  human  individual  as  a ra- 
tional being  and,  hence,  the  concepts 
of  freedom  of  thought,  freedom  of 
expression,  and  political  democracy. 
Christianity  brought  the  assertion 
of  the  brotherhood  of  man,  from 
which  flowed  its  teaching  of  broth- 
erly love,  compassion,  and  nonvio- 
lent resistance  to  aggression. 

Our  civilization  has  for  centuries 
practiced  neither  the  Jewish  teach- 
ing of  justice  under  moral  law  nor 
the  Greek  teaching  of  rational 
thought  and  behavior,  and  least  of 
all  the  Christian  teaching  of  love, 
compassion,  and  human  brother- 
hood. Since  the  birth  of  Christ,  the 
West  has  produced  no  great  apostle 
of  nonviolence  equivalent  to  Mahat- 
ma Gandhi.  Our  civilization  has 


Omer  Galle  is  a graduate  student  at  the 
University  of  Chicago. 


spawned  crusaders,  inquisitors,  con- 
querors, and  tyrants  but  not  a single 
great  prophet  of  brotherhood  and 
peace. 

The  western  world,  which  we  like 
to  think  of  as  the  “cradle  of  civiliza- 
tion,” has  been  the  breeding  ground 
of  most  of  the  fratricidal  conflicts 
with  which  the  human  race  has 
been  afflicted  for  the  past  two  thou- 
sand years. 

In  his  endless  quarrels,  western 
man  has  reached  for  ever  more  dead- 
ly weapons  of  murder  and  destruc- 
tion. His  moral  sense  has  been  more 
and  more  subordinated  to  expedi- 
ence and  to  false  concepts  of  pa- 
triotism. 

In  World  War  I it  was  still  con- 
sidered a moral  atrocity  to  bombard 
an  open  city  with  long-range  artil- 
lery. In  World  War  II,  scarcely  a 
moral  protest  was  raised  against 
thousand-bomber  raids  upon  sleep- 
ing cities. 

Today  a single  plane  or  missile 
can  carry  more  destruction  than 
was  inflicted  by  all  the  air  raids  of 
World  War  II.  Every  hour  of  day 
and  night,  planes  or  missiles,  each 
carrying  this  lethal  load,  are  ready 
to  slay  innocent  millions  at  a mo- 
ment’s notice  and  to  make  the  earth 
uninhabitable  for  the  human  race. 

Ironically,  western  man  in  mate- 


rialism unrestrained  by  moral  scru- 
ples has  now  all  but  destroyed  the 
foundations  of  his  own  supremacy. 
Where  western  man  might  have 
gained  the  respect  and  admiration 
of  the  masses  of  mankind  through  ! 
emphatic  understanding  and  co-op- 
eration, he  has  undermined  his  own 
influence  by  his  selfishness,  his  cal-  I 
lous  inhumanity,  and  his  failure  to  I 
live  up  to  the  moral  standards  of  ' 
his  religious  beliefs  which  he  so 
militantly  proclaimed. 

Thus,  western  man  missed  his 
great  opportunity  to  establish  what 
might  have  been  a world  leadership 
based  upon  consent  rather  than  con- 
quest. 

All  Christians  agree  that  God  is 
actively  interested  in  what  is  going  ] 
on  in  the  world  and  what  is  hap- 
pening to  the  individual.  But  there 
is  a point  of  divergence  here.  Many 
Christians  disagree  on  how  active 
a part  God  takes  in  history. 

Some  believe  that  God  works  in  | 
history  to  save  individuals  from  the 
world,  leaving  the  world  for  the 
most  part  to  shift  for  itself.  Thus, 
they  regard  the  future  of  the  world 
very  darkly.  God  is  not  greatly 
concerned  about  the  world;  He  is 
concerned  only  to  deliver  man  from 
the  toils  of  an  earthly  existence  and 
to  prepare  him  for  entrance  into 
that  unseen  world  of  the  spirit 
where  alone  His  kingdom  is  or  ever 
can  be.  In  the  eyes  of  G6d,  accord- 
ing to  this  view,  history  is  impor- 
tant only  insofar  as  it  provides  a 
training  ground  for  eternal  life. 
This  training  may  be  filled  with 
miseries,  sufferings,  pitfalls,  injus- 
tice, war,  or  bondage,  but  God  will 
not  change  it.  No  doubt,  the  historic  j 
field  is  violently  different  from  | 
what  it  would  have  been  if  man 
had  not  sinned.  It  is  not  what  God 
meant  it  to  be.  It  is  what  man  caused 
it  to  be.  But  not  even  God  is  now 
undertaking  to  transform  it.  His 
one  great  concern  being,  according 
to  this  view,  to  bring  human  beings 
safely  out  of  a world  such  as  this 
into  a world  that  is  unseen  and 
eternal. 

I suspect  that  this  view  is  partly 


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708 


THE  MENNONITE 


responsible  for  many  professed 
Chi'istians  who  find  the  best  place 
they  can  work  today  is  in  munition 
factories,  defense  plants,  and  re- 
lated industries  where  they  are  bus- 
ily engaged  in  forging  the  weapons 
of  their  own  destruction. 

For  centuries  Christians  have  be- 
lieved that  there  was  nothing  they 
could  do  to  change  the  existing  or- 
der— only  God  could  do  it,  and  He 
didn’t  want  to.  They  accepted  the 
existing  order  of  society,  however 
saturated  it  might  be  with  injustice, 
violence,  and  cruelty — seeking  from 
time  to  time  to  curb  its  excesses 
but  making  no  attempt  to  change 
and  improve  its  essential  character. 

Now  it  seems  to  me,  that  there 
must  be  something  wrong  with  a 
view  of  God  that  leads  men  to  be- 
lieve that  any  attempt  to  correct 
outrageous  conditions  is  not  only 
futile  but  presumptuous.  I contend 
that  one  underlying  assumption  is 
wrong:  this  assumption  that  the 

human  soul  is  independent  of  its 
earthly  environment.  It  is  believed 
that  God  profoundly  cares  for  the 
human  souls.  It  is  not  believed,  how- 
ever, that  He  is  very  much  con- 
cerned about  the  social  conditions 
in  which  the  soul  is  placed.  It  is 
assumed  that  social  conditions  of 
whatever  kind  can  neither  promote 
nor  obstruct  the  soul’s  salvation. 

But  if,  as  all  Christians  believe, 
God  is  profoundly  concerned  for  the 
human  soul,  it  cannot  be  that  He  is 
unconcerned  about  the  social  condi- 
tions in  which  the  soul  is  placed. 
Hence,  we  must  say  that  God’s  very 
concern  for  the  salvation  of  indi- 
viduals necessarily  leads  Him  to 
work  for  the  salvation  of  the  world 
itself,  those  political  institutions,  so- 
cial customs,  and  economic  practices 
that  so  largely  condition  the  spir- 
itual development  of  men. 

To  believe  that  God  in  history  is 
seeking  alike  the  redemption  of  the 
individual  and  the  redemption  of  so- 
ciety is  not  to  believe  that  the  prog- 
ress of  civilization  is  inevitable. 

It  is  to  believe  that  the  issues  of 
history  are  not  merely  in  the  hands 
of  natural  forces  productive  of  cli- 
matic changes,  nor  merely  in  the 
hands  of  human  forces  such  as 
man’s  heart.  It  is  to  believe  that 
the  issues  of  history  are  finally  in 
the  hands  of  God,  who  transcends 


both  nature  and  man. 

Given  the  Christian  faith  concern- 
ing the  nature  of  God,  it  is  to  be- 
lieve that  the  incalculably  greatest 
of  all  forces  now  at  work  in  the 
world  is  a power  that  is  Christlike 
in  character. 

NOW  ONE  CAN  HARDLY  hold 
this  view  of  God’s  activity  in 
history  and  still  remain  passive  in 
the  presence  of  outrageous  condi- 
tions. The  first  Christian  view  I 
stated  allowed  Christians  to  feel 
comfortable  in  social  conditions  that 
afforded  them  many  delightful  op- 
portunities but  which  for  the  multi- 
tude of  men  provided  only  a bare 
existence  frought  with  insecurity, 
misery,  and  fear.  This  latter  view 
will  not  allow  this.  We  must  do 
something  about  this  misery. 

All  over  the  world,  because  of 
improved  communications,  people 
are  finding  out  that  they  do  not 
have  to  live  in  the  poverty  to  which 
they  are  accustomed.  There  are 
some  people  who  don’t  live  this  way 
— who  have  enough,  even  too  much 
to  eat.  The  march  of  the  have-nots 
is  on,  and  they  are  determined  to 
acquire  that  which  the  “haves” 
possess — food,  health,  freedom. 

No  matter  how  much  we  like  or 
dislike  the  world  situation  as  it  is 
today,  we  must  face  the  fact  that  it 
is  not  going  to  stay  that  way.  The 
world  is  changing,  and  we  can  only 
try  to  help  change  it  for  the  better- 
ment of  all  of  mankind.  How? 

One  of  the  greatest  things  we 
can  do  is  just  to  become  aware  of 
the  problem  and  be  fully  concerned 
about  it.  Once  we  have  become  con- 
cerned about  such  a problem,  as 
Christians,  the  biggest  step  is  com- 
pleted. For  if  we  are  striving  to  be 
Christlike,  and  we  do  hear  of  a 
wrong  in  the  world,  we  can  do  no 
less  than  to  try  in  every  way  pos- 
sible to  correct  this  situation. 

1FEEL  that  this  situation  brings 
a question  before  the  church, 
specifically  the  Mennonite  Church. 
We  who  have  become  noted  for  our 
withdrawal  from  the  rest  of  soci- 
ety, must  face  up  to  the  question  of 
involvement.  We  must  ask  again 
what  it  means  to  be  in  the  world 
but  not  of  the  world. 

More  and  more  the  Mennonites 
are  moving  from  the  rural  areas, 
because  of  the  difficulty  in  making 
farming  profitable,  and  moving  to 


the  cities.  Here,  they  find  the  ques- 
tion of  separation  from  society  ex- 
tremely hard  to  maintain  under  the 
pressures  around  them  for  group 
conformity. 

In  becoming  willing  to  look  at 
the  other  person’s  point  of  view, 
we  must  not  foster  an  inferiority 
complex  about  the  traditional  Men- 
nonite point  of  view.  I think  it  very 
sad,  but  highly  significant,  that 
while  we  as  Mennonites  are  seem- 
ing to  lose  many  of  our  number 
from  the  pacifistic  belief,  the  world 
population  is  gaining  rapidly,  per- 
centage wise,  in  number  of  pacifists. 

When  noted  military  experts,  who 
have  given  their  lives  to  the  mili- 
tary services,  become  strong  advo- 
cates of  unilateral  disarmament 
and  the  use  of  pacifistic  means  of 
dealing  with  aggression,  I begin  to 
wonder  whether  the  admonition 
given  to  Esther  in  the  Old  Testa- 
ment is  applicable  to  us:  If  we  keep 
silent  at  a time  like  this,  deliverance 
will  rise  from  another  quarter,  but 
we  shall  perish. 

And  who  knows  whether  we  were 
not  born  into  this  world  for  such 
a time  as  this.  If  we  lose  out  in  this 
opportunity  to  lead  the  world  to- 
ward a time  when  violent  warfare 
is  completely  abolished  and  a mu- 
tual attitude  of  trust  rather  than 
fear  is  held  between  nations — if  we 
lose  out  in  this,  then  what  can  his- 
tory say  about  us?  Whatever  it 
would  be,  it  would  not  be  good. 

We  can  do  no  less  than  to  follow 
the  admonition  of  James,  which  in- 
cidentally was  one  of  Menno  Si- 
mons’ favorite  verses,  that  faith 
without  works  is  dead.  We  can  do 
no  less  than  try  to  make  our  faith 
live  by  our  strivings  toward  peace. 

Along  with  this,  I would  ask  a 
secondary  question:  Instead  of  the 
idea  of  nonresistance,  what  about 
the  idea  of  nonviolent  resistance? 
Historically,  Mennonites  have  been 
nonresistant.  Nonviolent  resistance, 
as  exemplified  in  Gandhi’s  work  in 
India  and  the  Negro  bus  boycott  in 
Montgomery,  I feel  has  great  po- 
tentiality. Here  is  a creative  con- 
structive way  to  meet  evil  with  good 
will  and  a chance  for  the  winning 
of  souls. 


If  you  do  not  wish  for  His  kingdom, 
do  not  pray  for  it.  But  if  you  do 
pray,  you  must  do  more  than  pray. 
You  must  also  work  for  it. — Ruskin 


November  17,  1959 


709 


1.  Race  Relations 

Conference  Discussion 


Reported  by  Esther  Groves 

Delegates  to  the  conference  at 
Bluff  ton  last  summer  found  as  part 
of  the  program  four  foirty-five-min- 
ute  discussion  periods.  In  these  pe- 
riods, after  listening  to  speeches, 
reports,  motions,  and  recommenda- 
tions, delegates  who  had  remained 
silent  might  feel  free  to  discuss  mu- 
tual concerns  in  the  smaller  discus- 
sion group. 

One  discussion  period  was  de- 
voted to  the  work  of  the  Board  of 
Christian  Service.  Stimulated  hy 
the  introduction  of  the  race  state- 
ment, the  delegates  spent  much  of 
this  period  talking  about  race  rela- 
tions. Here  are  some  of  the  things 
your  representatives  were  thinking. 

IS  there  really  a race  problem 
among  us,  some  delegates  asked, 
or  are  we  creating  an  artificial 
guilt?  After  all,  rural  Mennonites 
often  have  no  contact  with  mem- 
bers of  other  races. 

A number  felt  that  the  problem 
certainly  does  exist  and  that  we 
have  prejudices  we  may  not  be 
aware  of.  One  church  reported  that 
it  did  not  know  there  was  race 
prejudice  in  its  membership  until 
a Negro  began  to  attend  services 
and  some  church  members  pro- 
tested. 

Lack  of  fellowship  with  other 
races  does  not  mean  lack  of  preju- 
dice. In  fact,  we  might  ask,  as  one 
discussion  group  member  did,  “Why 
haven’t  we  done  more  if  we  are 
as  free  of  prejudice  as  we  think?” 
Discussion  groups  also  asked  why 
and  how  prejudice  begins.  Some 
suggestions  were:  we  “inherit  our 
prejudices  from  others;  we  are  ig- 
norant about  race  and  therefore 
believe  superstitions  and  not  facts; 
we  are  naturally  sinful  and  there- 
fore selfish;  we  want  to  be  the  ma- 

Esther  Groves  is  a homemaker  In  Newton, 
Kan. 


jority,  the  group  which  has  the 
upper  hand;  we  think  God  has  cre- 
ated racial  differences;  we  are  fear- 
ful of  losing  our  identity  and  there- 
fore are  exclusive  not  only  to  Ne- 
groes but  to  others  too;  we  use 
color  as  a scapegoat  for  our  inner 
needs. 

It  was  recognized  that  there  are 
many  economic  and  cultural  bar- 
riers. A member  of  a city  church 
complained  about  slum  conditions; 
he  thought  his  church  should  pro- 
tect itself  by  remaining  all-white. 
In  another  it  was  mentioned  that  a 
visit  by  Mennonite  children  to  a 
Negro  church’s  worship  service  pro- 
duced the  opposite  of  better  under- 
standing because  of  differences  in 
the  service.  Others  replied  that 
Christian  faith  and  love  could  over- 
come these  barriers,  and  that  we 
ourselves  make  such  barriers  be- 
cause we  associate  culture  with 
Mennonitism. 

Three  groups  said  that  integra- 
tion involved  intermarriage.  Some 
delegates  felt  this  was  not  an  issue 
in  any  event  as  “Negroes  do  not 
want  to  marry  whites.”  “What  Ne- 
groes really  want  is  acceptance.” 

Is  racial  intermarriage  unbibli- 
cal?  Did  God  set  boundaries  and 
forbid  us  to  mix?  Many  delegates 
said  in  various  ways  that  racial  in- 
termarriage is  not  unscriptural, 
that  it  is  for  those  concerned  to  de- 
cide, that  we  are  one  in  Christ,  that 
the  great  concern  should  be:  Are 
they  marrying  in  the  Lord?  Many 
said  that  racial  intermarriage  is  not 
a moral  problem  but  a social  one. 

Ten  delegates  felt  that  intermar- 
riage was  too  big  a risk,  even 
though  right,  because  of  “the  pen- 
alties our  society  would  impose  on 
such  a couple  and  their  children.” 
Why,  two  other  persons  asked,  is 
intermarriage  with  Negroes  less  tol- 
erated than  intermarriage  with  peo- 


ple of  other  races?  This  is  incon- 
sistent. 

Several  discussion  groups  stated 
that  “We  dare  not  ask:  what  will 
happen?  as  much  as:  Is  it  right? 
God  will  take  care  of  the  conse- 
quences. We  are  prepared  to  take 
consequences  in  other  areas.”  “If 
we  really  have  Christ,  our  attitude 
toward  race  will  be  transformed.” 
“The  Christian  life  does  not  free 
us  from  risks.” 

A number  of  suggestions  applied 
to  the  wording  and  meaning  of  the 
race  statement  as  presented  on  the 
conference  floor.  Then  came  some 
discussion  on  whether  or  not  to 
adopt  the  statement  at  this  time. 
One  delegate  felt  it  was  “out  of 
place  for  rural  churches  to  decide 
for  urban  churches.”  Others  felt 
the  statement  was  necessary  as  a 
matter  of  witness.  A few  thought 
the  country  was  not  ready  for  inte- 
gration and  that  equality  couldn’t 
be  legislated.  More  delegates  said 
that  “Negroes  should  not  be  a down- 
trodden race,”  that  we  must  have 
compassion  and  concern  for  our  op- 
pressed brethren,  and  that  we  ex- 
pect missionaries  to  make  adjust- 
ments and  sacrifices  which  we  are 
not  willing  to  make  ourselves.  A 
number  of  groups  expressed  appre- 
ciation for  the  opportunity  provided 
by  the  statement  for  the  local 
churches  to  grapple  with  the  issue. 
It  was  suggested  that  the  Board  of 
Christian  Service  follow  the  adop- 
tion of  the  statement  with  a pro- 
gram of  discussion  and  education. 

Out  of  these  discussion  groups 
also  came  some  ideas  on  what  to 
do,  such  as  parents  teaching  chil- 
dren to  relate  to  others  as  persons 
rather  than  as  members  of  another 
race.  Several  groups  felt  more 
Bible  study  would  be  helpful,  so 
that  we  can  more  clearly  see  that 
in  Christ  we  are  one  fellowship  of 
believers,  integrated  and  not  sepa- 
rate. Delegates  noted  that  all  of 
our  institutions — homes,  hospitals, 
and  colleges — must  face  the  issue. 
Several  persons  asked  for  guidance 
in  solving  race  problems  in  commu- 
nities where  discrimination  is  prac- 
ticed, and  two  groups  voiced  ap- 
proval of  the  “fresh-air”  program 
which  brings  city  children  into  ru- 
ral Mennonite  homes. 

Watch  for  reports  of  discussions 
on  capital  punishment,  nuclear  test- 
ing, and  income  taxes  in  following 
issues  of  The  Mennonite. 


710 


THE  MENNONITE 


Focus  on  Christian  Concerns 


Frank  H.  Epp 

WHO  cares  what  the  other  side 
of  the  moon  looks  like! 

With  a forced  indifference  we 
write  off  the  Russian  feat  in  photog- 
raphy as  being  of  little  conse- 
quence. What  really  matters,  we 
say,  are  the  problems  which  still 
trouble  us  in  this  world. 

With  Americans  this  is  rational- 
ization, of  course.  We  know  good 
and  well  that  if  we  would  have 
taken  the  picture  first,  it  would 
have  been  great! 

But  rationalization  or  not,  it 
tells  us  something.  In  every  gen- 
eration of  Christians  there  has 
been  more  speculation  about  the 
mansions  of  heaven  than  about  hu- 
man need  and  suffering.  In  fact, 
intense  preoccupation  with  the  other 
world  has  often  been  a pious  ex- 
cuse for  not  being  concerned  with 
*what  went  on  in  this  world.  Much 
Christian  energy  has  been  spent  in 
photographing  the  other  side  of  the 


moon. 

In  sending  His  Son,  God  told  us 
of  His  infinite  concern  for  this 
world  and  humanity.  God  became 
man.  Jesus  Christ  left  the  glory  of 
heaven  for  the  slums  of  earth.  Love 
took  on  the  form  of  fiesh.  The  ab- 
stract became  concrete.  God  “tab- 
ernacled” among  “the  children  of 
the  levee.” 

To  make  known  His  divine  will. 
He  outlined  two  aspects  of  the 
greatest  of  all  commandments  and 
concerns:  love  God  and  love  your 
neighbor.  Yet  the  two  were  not  to 
be  considered  separately.  Each 
should  be  the  expression  of  the 
other.  In  fact,  at  one  point  he  wiped 
away  all  difference:  who  can  love 
God  whom  he  does  not  see  if  he 
doesn’t  love  his  neighbor  whom  he 
sees.  If  anything.  He  placed  the 
second  before  the  first. 

In  Jesus  Christ,  then,  we  have  our 
biblical  basis  for  our  social  concern. 


His  concerns  were  always  personal, 
always  directed  to  saving  individual 
personalities,  but  never  apart  from 
the  context  of  environment  and  so- 
cial involvement. 

So  we  find  Him  having  some  very 
definite  things  to  say  on  capital 
punishment  (John  8:3 — 11),  on  eco- 
nomic injustices  (Matt.  23:14),  on 
physical  suffering  (John  5:8 — 9),  on 
the  defense  of  childhood  (Mark  10: 
13 — 15),  and  many  issues  of  social 
consequence. 

When  the  love  of  God  as  mani- 
fested in  Jesus  Christ  fully  takes 
over  in  the  hearts  of  His  followers 
this  love  becomes  their  law.  They 
cannot  help  being  disturbed  by  all 
the  evils  that  encompass  the  soul  of 
man  from  within  and  without,  be 
they  individual  or  collective,  per- 
sonal or  institutional. 

God  sent  His  Son  into  the  world, 
and  “as  the  Father  hath  sent  me, 
so  send  I you.” 


a 

thanksgiving 

prayer 


by  Esther  Hicks 


For  those  who  influenced  my  life  for  Thee  as  a child, 

1 thank  Thee. 

For  those  who  led  me  to  the  foot  of  Calvary, 

1 thank  Thee. 

For  those  who  inspired  and  encouraged  me  from  day  to  day, 

1 thank  Thee. 

For  those  who  You  send  to  me  for  strength  and  help, 

I thank  Thee. 

For  the  fellowship  of  my  brothers  and  sisters  in  Christ, 

1 thank  Thee. 

For  my  local  church  and  pastor, 

1 thank  Thee. 

For  the  heavenly  hope  I have  in  Christ,  my  Savior, 

1 thank  Thee. 

’’Giving  thanks  always  for  all  things  unto  God  and  the  Father  in 

the  name  of  our  Lord  fesus  Christ”  (Ephesians  5:30). 


November  17,  1959 


711 


Mennonite  men 

W.  D.  Men  Hold 
Annual  Meeting 


The  Mennonite  Men  of  the  West- 
ern District  Conference  held 
their  annual  meeting  at  the  First 
Mennonite  Church  of  Newton  on 
the  afternoon  of  October  24.  Over 
one  hundred  delegates  and  guests 
were  present  representing  most  of 
the  conference  brotherhoods  for  the 
business  session. 

William  Juhnke,  high  school  prin- 
cipal of  Lehigh,  Kan.,  and  chairman 
of  Western  District  Mennonite  Men, 
presided  during  the  business  session. 
Special  music  was  rendered  by  the 
men’s  chorus  of  the  Hoffnungsau 
Church  near  Inman.  Harold  Jack- 
son,  secretary-treasurer,  presented 
the  financial  report.  He  indicated 
that  $4365.51  had  been  disbursed 
through  the  treasury,  the  major 
portion  of  $2500  going  to  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  Mennonite  Men’s 
treasury  for  the  Trans-Chaco  Road- 
way and  Boy’s  League  Work.  J.  M. 
Fretz  of  Wichita  and  Willis  Voth 
of  Newton  reported  on  the  retreat 
activities  during  the  past  summer 
and  the  progress  of  Camp  Mennos- 
cah  development. 

Albert  Ediger,  representing  Cen- 
tral Kansas  Mennonite  Disaster 
Service,  and  Walter  Foth  of  Cor- 
dell, Okla.,  reported  on  disaster 
work  during  the  past  year.  No  ma- 
jor disasters  occurred  in  the  area 
during  the  year;  however,  both  the 
Kansas  and  Oklahoma  units  ren- 


dered clean  up  service  following 
fall  floods. 

The  following  budget  was  adopt- 


ed: 

Operating  expense  $ 750.00 

Trans-Chaco  Roadway  . . 2000.00 

Boys  work  100.00 

Camp  Mennoscah 

development  1500.00 


TOTAL  $4350.00 


Men  elected  to  serve  as  officers 
for  the  coming  term  were  William 
Juhnke  of  Lehigh,  president;  Louis 
Regier,  Wichita,  secretary-treasurer; 
Ralph  Peters,  Goessel  and  Arnold 
Siemens,  Buhler,  members  of  the 
Program  Committee;  and  J.  M. 
Fretz,  Wichita,  member  of  Young 
People’s  Retreat  Committee.  Herb 
Regier,  Buhler,  will  continue  as  vice 
president  and  Willis  Voth  of  New- 
ton will  continue  as  member  of 
Young  People’s  Retreat  Committee. 

Curt  Siemens,  Buhler,  challenged 
the  thinking  of  the  delegation  with 
a message  entitled  “Man’s  Need 
and  the  Church’s  Action.’’  Brother 
Siemens  has  only  recently  been  li- 
censed as  a lay  evangelist  in  our 
conference. 

These  resolutions  were  adopted  by 
the  delegation. 

We  endorse,  wholeheartedly,  the 
resolutions  adopted  at  the  Centen- 
nial sessions  of  the  General  Confer- 
ence in  Bluffton,  Ohio. 

1.  Be  it  resolved  that  we  express 
our  sincere  appreciation  to  our  hosts 
both  for  the  business  meeting  and 
also  for  the  banquet  this  evening. 

2.  Be  it  resolved  that  we  continue 
to  support  the  Paraguayan  road 
building  project. 

3.  Resolved  that  Mennonite  Men 
lead  their  congregations  in  provid- 
ing adequate  salaries  and  pensions 
for  their  ministers. 

4.  Be  it  resolved  that  we  encour- 
age individual  Mennonite  men  and 
Mennonite  Men  organizations  to  as- 
sume greater  responsibility  for  all 
the  areas  of  the  church  work  such 
as  Mennonite  Disaster  Service,  lay 
evangelism,  stewardship,  and  finan- 
cial responsibility,  pensions,  church 
extension,  relief,  peace  witness,  and 
Mutual  Aid,  Christian  Education, 
and  positive  community  projects 
and  thus  become  a greater  witness 
by  contributions  of  service  as  well 
as  financial  support. 

5.  Whereas  an  editor  for  our  pa- 
per The  Spotlight  is  badly  needed; 


Be  it  resolved  that  any  member 
of  the  Men’s  Brotherhood  who  would 
like  to  make  a significant  contribu- 
tion to  the  furthering  of  the  work  of 
the  Men’s  Brotherhood,  contact  the 
executive  committee  about  assuring 
leadership  in  the  editing  of  the 
Mennonite  Men’s  paper,  The  Spot- 
light. 

6.  In  view  of  the  importance  of 
wholesome,  Christian  group  expe- 
rience, we  feel  that  our  camp  re- 
treat facilities  should  give  young 
people  experiences  of  the  highest 
level; 

Be  it  resolved,  therefore,  that  we 
provide  adequate  development  of 
our  camp  buildings,  grounds,  and 
recreational  facilities. 

7.  We  also  feel  that  our  Boy’s 
League  is  a particular  area  of  our 
over-all  youth  program; 

Be  it  resolved  that  we  continue 
our  support  of  the  program. 

Following  the  close  of  the  busi- 
ness session,  about  two  hundred 
men  participated  in  a banquet  held 
in  the  fellowship  hall  and  served 
by  the  ladies  of  the  First  Church  of 
Newton.  Harold  Jackson  served  as 
toastmaster  for  the  occasion  and  J. 
Winfield  Fretz  of  Bethel  College 
was  the  banquet  speaker.  Brother 
Fretz  reported  on  the  progress  of* 
the  Trans-Chaco  Roadway.  In  his 
usual  interesting  way,  he  pointed 
out  the  tremendous  importance  in 
economic  as  well  as  spiritual  value 
this  road  will  have  in  the  life  of 
the  Mennonite  colonists  and  for  the 
whole  nation  of  Paraguay.  He  chal- 
lenged the  men  to  continue  to  sup- 
port the  project  until  it  is  complet- 
ed probably  within  the  next  three  or 
four  years. 

Mennonite  Men  also  sponsored  an 
evening  public  program  following 
the  banquet.  Herb  Regier  was  chair- 
man of  the  evening  program  and 
Dr.  Harry  K.  Zeller,  pastor  of  a 
Church  of  the  Brethren  congrega- 
tion of  LaVerne,  Calif.,  gave  the 
message.  Pastor  Zeller’s  message 
was  entitled  “The  Face  of  Sin.”  The 
men’s  chorus  of  the  Eden  Church  of 
Moundridge  gave  the  special  music 
for  this  occasion. 

Undoubtedly,  the  fellowship  and 
activities  of  the  day  inspired  and 
challenged  the  men  of  the  Western 
District  to  greater  service  in  the 
work  of  the  church. 


Editor:  Richard  F.  Graber,  Moundridge,  Kan. 


I 

I 

I 


i 


t 


712 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  youth 


Woodlawn 

Workcamp 


by  Kenneth  Dixon  and  Henry  Jackson 
High  school  students  in  Chicago 


Woodlawn  Mennonite  Church 
of  Chicago  was  host  to  a 
group  of  young  people  for  a week 
end  of  work  and  fun  on  October  16- 
18.  The  participants  were  from  the 
Central  District  Young  People’s 
Union. 

Friday  evening  was  spent  in  be- 
coming orientated  to  Woodlawn 
Church  and  community.  Speaker 
was  Pastor  Delton  Franz.  Next 
came  a short  devotional  period  led 
by  YPU  president,  Marvin  Zehr. 
By  this  time  everyone  was  ready 
for  a good  night  of  sleep  with  the 
wonder  of  a new  day  to  come. 

The  young  people’s  sleeping  quar- 
ters were  in  the  church  basement. 
Everyone  either  had  a cot  or  sleep- 
ing bag  to  use. 

Saturday  morning  at  6:45  break- 
fast was  served  with  all  the  camp- 
ers eating  heartily.  After  breakfast 
work  assignments  were  given  out 
by  John  Bertsche  and  Paul  Selman; 
then  work! 

The  group  was  divided  into  two 
work  EU’eas.  One  group  was  assigned 
to  paint  the  fire  escape  at  4626 
Woodlawn  and  the  other  group  to 
paint  the  office  belonging  to  Vincent 
Harding,  our  assistant  pastor.  At 
10:00  the  workers  had  a break  for 
doughnuts,  coffee,  and  milk. 

Then  back  to  work  until  1:30 
when  it  was  lunch  time  when  we 
were  served  a seven  layer  casserole. 

When  the  paint  was  finally  washed 
off,  everyone  boarded  the  bus  for 
what  promised  to  be  a very  inter- 
esting as  well  as  informative  tour 
of  Chicago. 

On  our  tour  we  visited  many  areas 
of  the  city  as  well  as  suburbs,  vari- 
ous educational  institutions,  housing 
projects,  and  various  interracial 
communities  which  show  many  dif- 
ferent cultures.  We  took  a ride 
down  the  famous  Michigan  Avenue 
which  then  led  to  the  end  of  the 
tour  and  the  beginning  of  an  ex- 
cellent supper  in  Chinatown. 

Reservations  had  been  made  at 
one  of  Chinatown’s  finest  restau- 
rants, “Guey  Sam.”  The  menu  of- 
fered a very  appetizing  array  of 
Chinese  food  that  proved  to  be  a 


713 


very  good  meal — that  is,  if  you  like 
Chinese  food. 

After  supper  back  to  Woodlawn 
for  a discussion  led  by  Vincent  Hard- 
ing entitled  “The  City  Challenges 
Youth”  which  gave  everyone  a 
chance  to  bring  out  different  views 
on  different  topics  such  as  racial 
problems  and  the  reasons  for  the 
vast  amount  of  store  front  churches. 

Sunday  morning’s  schedule  in- 
cluded slides  entitled  “The  Wood- 
lawn  Story.”  At  9:45  the  campers 
visited  the  various  Sunday  school 
classes  at  Woodlawn.  At  11:00  we 
all  attended  morning  worship  hear- 
ing a sermon  entitled  “Count  the 
Cost  — Have  the  Faith”  given  by 
Pastor  Franz. 

The  noon  meal  was  served  in 
homes  of  some  of  the  church  mem- 
bers. 

HOW  do  traditional  rural  Men- 
nonite  young  people  feel  about 
life  in  the  big  city  and  what  do  you 


think  of  the  workcamp?  These  were 
questions  that  popped  up  time  and 
time  again  in  our  little  craniums,  so 
we  decided  to  ask  some  of  them. 
The  following  are  some  of  the  re- 
plies. 

This  little  gem  came  from  Mary 
Jo  Diller  who  attends  Bluffton  Col- 
lege. “To  me  one  of  the  important 
things  was  learning  to  know  the 
Woodlawn  community  and  the  peo- 
ple involved  at  Woodlawn.  Secondly, 
I think  the  workcamps  should  be 
encouraged.  Workcamp  helps  you  to 
learn  to  know  new  people  and  to 
have  fellowship  with  people  of  dif- 
ferent races  and  backgrounds.  Third 
and  last,  I was  most  impressed  to 
see  how  areas  so  close  together 
differ  and  how  the  Negro  people 
live — some  in  slums  and  then  some 
in  beautiful  homes.  What  most  de- 
pressed me  was  the  lack  of  play 
space  and  the  general  dullness  of 
the  city.” 


To  and  From  a Pastor 


■j^EAR  Pastor, 

I’m  bothered  about  something 
that  I thought  you  could  help  me 
work  out.  It’s  this:  It  seems  that 
every  week  it’s  getting  harder  for 
me  to  put  up  with  Mom  and  Dad.  I 
feel  bad  about  it,  but  sometimes  I 
just  can’t  stand  them.  So  many 
times  they  interfere  with  my  plans 
— ^“You  have  to  do  this.  You  can’t 
do  that!  Where  are  you  going? 
When  will  you  be  home?” 

Am  I not  old  enough  to  make  up 
my  own  mind? 

Joe 

EAR  Joe, 

I don’t  want  to  make  light  of 
your  problem  but  it  sounds  to  me 
that  you  are  growing  up  normally. 
I understand  how  you  feel. 

To  answer  you,  Joe,  I’m  going  to 
first  ask  you  to  look  at  yourself. 
Do  you  know  who  you  are?  Only  a 
few  years  ago  you  were  a baby.  You 


depended  on  your  parents  for  every- 
thing— food,  clothing,  protection,  se- 
curity. ’They  made  all  the  decisions 
for  you.  You  didn’t  know  how.  (Did 
you  ever  stop  to  think  that  it  might 
be  in  order  for  you  to  express  your 
appreciation  to  them  for  all  the 
yeairs  of  care  they  gave  to  you?) 

Now  it’s  obvious  that  you  are  no 
longer  a baby.  You  have  an  adult 
body.  You  are  able  to  come  and  go 
places  by  yourself.  You  can  make 
up  your  own  mind  on  a lot  of 
things.  But,  Joe,  are  you  really 
ready  to  get  along  without  any  help? 
Are  you  fully  an  adult  yet? 

Could  you  right  now  run  a busi- 
ness yourself?  Could  you  mamage  a 
home?  Do  you  know  what  you 
want  in  life?  Don’t  you  sometimes 
need  some  guidance  and  help?  Can 
your  parents  depend  on  you  to  do 
the  things  you  must  do?  Do  you 
voluntarily  take  responsibilities  in 
the  home,  like  other  adults? 

I’d  say  if  you  can  answer  all  these 


Most  of  the  other  workcampers 
had  the  same  ideas.  When  inquiring 
about  the  humorous  side,  it  was 
unanimous  that  the  painting  job  at 
4626  and  the  eating  with  chopsticks 
in  Chinatown  were  about  the  funni- 
est things  of  this  week-end  camp. 

Participants  from  Elkhart  were 
Marvin  and  Jeannie  Zehr.  A “neigh- 
bor” from  Nappanee,  Ellen  Penner, 
a teacher,  also  came  with  the  Zehrs. 
The  car-full  that  came  from  Bluffton 
College  included  Mary  Krebiel,  Tom 
Lehman,  Mary  Jo  Diller,  Nancy  Wis- 
mer,  and  Jane  Herstine. 

Representing  Woodlawn  were 
Edna  Calloway,  Henry  Jackson,  and 
Kenneth  Dixon. 

As  always  good  things  must  come 
to  an  end,  and  so  these  young  people 
departed  Sunday  afternoon  taking 
with  them  a memory  of  a wonder- 
ful week  end  — one  we  hope  we  all 
shall  never  forget. 


questions  with  a “yes”  you  are  a 
mature  adult.  But  be  careful  and 
extremely  honest  here! 

A baby  needs  a lot  of  care.  An 
adult  needs  little  help.  If  you  are 
honest  with  yourself  you’ll  find  you 
are  pretty  much  in  between.  Some- 
times you  are  an  adult.  Sometimes, 
by  the  way  you  act,  you  still  look 
like  a pretty  small  child.  Your  par- 
ents will  lessen  their  demands  on 
you  as  they  see  you  becoming  more 
and  more  adult-like. 

So  what  I have  said  to  you  a- 
mounts  to  this.  As  soon  as  you  prove 
to  your  folks  that  you  are  a stable, 
trustworthy,  mature  adult,  able  to 
take  responsibility  and  make  deci- 
sions well,  they  won’t  need  to  guide 
you.  Believe  me,  they’ll  be  happy 
for  that  day! 

Keep  working,  Joe,  you’ll  get 
there,  I’m  sure. 

Write  again  if  I can  help  you 
more. 

Your  Pastor 


714 


THE  AAENNONITE 


WHAT  makes  a minister  tick? 

Why  do  people  go  into  the 
ministry? 

On  a bus,  I once  overheard  a con- 
versation that  made  my  ears  burn. 
One  man  said  to  another,  “What’s 
become  of  Johnny  H.  . . ?’’  “Oh,” 
his  friend  replied,  “he  got  tired  of 
working  and  decided  to  go  into 
the  ministry.” 

I know  a man  who  went  into  the 
ministry  because  he  was  the  young- 
est boy  in  his  family.  “What  is 
that?”  you  say. 

Well,  his  mother  had  a big  fam- 
ily, and  in  their  clan  tradition,  one 
of  the  boys  in  each  family  group 
was  “lent  to  the  Lord,”  like  Samuel. 
When  this  boy  came  along  to  high 
school,  his  older  brothers  had  all 
become  established  in  other  lines  of 
work.  So  it  was  up  to  him  to  uphold 
the  family  tradition  and  to  please 
his  mother  by  going  into  the  min- 
istry! 

You  have  heard  people  talk  about 
a “call”  to  the  ministry.  It  is  true 
that  early  in  life  many  young  peo- 
ple definitely  feel  that  they  want  to 
choose  their  careers  in  the  church, 
for  they  have  an  honest  and  sin- 
cere conviction  that  bringing  people 
to  know  God  in  Christ  is  the  most 
important  thing  anyone  can  do.  And 
they  are  right!  Let  us  not  for  a 
moment  belittle  God’s  call  to  those 
who  are  by  nature  fitted  to  render 
this  important  service. 

But,  like  true  religion,  a genuine 
“call”  will  stand  any  kind  and  a- 
mount  of  investigation  and  illumi- 
nation. A “misfit”  in  the  ministry 
, can  do  more  harm  than  he  can  in 
any  other  profession.  And  it  is  not 
impossible  that  one  may  feel 
“called”  whose  calling  is  not  gen- 
i uinely  from  God  and  who  will  not 
stand  being  tested. 

Scientifically  reliable  tests  are  not 
yet  available  for  the  vocation  of  the 
ministry.  Recently  a grant  of  $85,000 
was  made  to  the  Educational  Test- 
ing Service  at  Princeton  to  finance 
the  research  necessary  to  establish 
tests  for  the  prospective  minister. 
Already  you  can  take  tests  at 
Princeton  to  determine  your  fitness 
to  be  a lawyer  or  an  engineer;  and 
yet  this  most  important  field  of  all, 
the  ministry,  has  been  wide  open  to 
anyone  who  “felt  like”  going  into  it! 

One  seminary  has  established  a 
series  of  six  tests,  including  a tem- 
perament survey  that  it  gives  to  all 


Here  am  I,  Lord. 
Send  me. 


Think 
Before 
You 
Say  It 


its  applicants.  In  the  past  six  years 
seventeen  of  the  men  have  been 
dropped  from  the  course.  Yet  these 
are  comparatively  simple  tests  and 
are  not  based  on  extensive  research 
as  the  new  standard  test  will  be 
when  developed  by  the  research 
laboratories. 

A person  who  stands  for  Christ 
in  the  eyes  of  the  world  must  be 
prepared  to  live  a goldfish-bowl  life. 
His  every  look,  thought,  and  act 
must  commend  Christian  motivation 
and  the  Christian  life  to  others. 
While  he  will  not  and  cannot  be 
perfect,  he  must  unfailing  strive  to- 
ward perfection,  in  all  humility  put- 
ting Christ  and  His  cause  first  and 
himself  second  in  every  decision  he 
makes. 

Every  minister  worthy  of  the 
name  wants  to  be  well  prepared  for 
his  task.  If  you  are  seriously  think- 


ing of  the  ministry  as  your  voca- 
tion, you  will  plan  ahead  with  your 
pastor  or  counselor.  You  will  choose 
the  academic  course  in  high  school; 
graduate  from  college,  probably 
with  a bachelor  of  arts  degree;  and 
then  take  three  years  of  graduate 
work  in  an  accredited  seminary. 
Meanwhile,  you  will  be  reading  your 
Bible  constantly,  and  picking  up 
other  books  as  helpful  background 
for  your  ministry.  You  will  plan 
your  summer  jobs  to  include  camps 
or  mission  projects,  so  as  to  know 
and  understand  people  and  how  to 
help  them  in  their  needs.  You  may 
take  a part-time  job  as  assistant  to 
a minister  or  as  a volunteer  with 
young  people. 

While  you  are  in  college,  you  will 
want  to  keep  in  close  touch  with 
the  church.  You  will  run  into  many 
problems  in  religion  and  morality  as 
your  horizons  begin  to  widen.  Talk 
these  over,  not  with  your  philosophy 
professor,  but  with  your  pastor.  Re- 
member, a pastor  has  had  as  much 
education  and  preparation  in  the 
field  of  religion  as  a professor  has 
had  in  his  specialized  field.  In  mat- 
ters of  “faith  and  morals”  the  pas- 
tor, not  the  professor,  is  the  expert! 
As  your  pastor  is  a “layman”  in  the 
field  of  psychology,  so  your  teacher 
of  psychology  is  a “layman”  in  the 
fields  of  religion.  Too  often,  profes- 
sors themselves  do  not  seem  to  rec- 
ognize these  facts,  but  you  will  do 
well  to  keep  them  in  mind. 

Don’t  go  into  the  ministry  be- 
cause it  is  a respected  profession 
. . . because  someone  wants  you  to 
. . . because  a minister  governs  his 
own  time  and  you  think  you  can  be 
as  lazy  as  you  like!  . . . because  it  is 
“a  good  way  to  help  people.” 

Do  go  into  the  ministry  if  you 
are  convinced  that  you  have,  in 
Christ,  the  answer  to  the  world’s 
need  and  to  every  individual’s  need 
...  if  you  know  that  you  would  be 
miserably  unhappy  and  frustrated 
trying  to  give  your  life  to  anything 
else  ...  if  you  can  say  with  all  your 
heart  and  soul  and  mind  and 
strength,  “Here  am  I,  Lord!  Send 
me!” 

Young  People  by  permission; 

The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People’s  Union  of  the  Generol 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  722 
Main  St.,  Newton,  Kansas. 


November  17,  1959 


715 


our  schools 

BILL  GERING  SIGNS  CONTRACT 

William  Gering,  former  youth 
work  director  in  the  General  Con- 
ference, has  signed  a contract  as 
assistant  professor  of  drama  and 
speech  at  Bethel  College,  as  an- 
nounced by  J.  Winfield  Fretz,  acting 
president. 

Mr.  Gering  is  currently  working 
on  his  doctoral  siudies  at  Indiana 
University  in  Bloomington,  Ind.  He 
is  a graduate  of  Freeman  Jr.  Col- 
lege, Bethel  College,  and  Mennonite 
Biblical  Seminary.  More  recently  he 
completed  work  on  masters  degree 
in  Religious  Drama  at  the  Chicago 
Theological  Seminary  where  he 
studied  under  Fred  Eastman. 

Mr.  Gering  will  begin  his  duties 
at  Bethel  in  the  fall  of  1961. 

Mrs.  Gering  is  the  former  Lucille 
Peters  from  Henderson,  Neb.  She 
graduated  from  Bethel  in  1956  and 
is  currently  teaching  in  Blooming- 
ton. 

DELEGATES  TO  STATE  MEETING 

Miriam  Gierman  and  Virginia 
Duncan,  junior  students,  at  Menno- 
nite Hospital  School  of  Nursing  in 
Bloomington,  111.,  were  delegates 
from  the  Sixth  District  Student 
Nurses’  Association  to  the  Illinois 
Student  Nurses  Association  conven- 
tion in  Chicago  on  October  28,  29, 
and  30.  At  this  state  convention  stu- 
dent nurses  from  all  parts  of  Illi- 
nois convened  to  discuss  problems, 
changes,  and  progress  which  are  im- 
portant to  the  student  nurse. 

FRESHMAN  OFFICERS 

'The  freshman  class  of  the  Bloom- 
ington school  of  nursing  has  recent- 
ly organized,  choosing  Miriam 
Mitchell  of  Meadows,  111.,  as  chair- 
man and  Mary  Thornton  of  Hey- 
worth.  111.,  as  co-chairman. 

SPECIAL  LECTURESHIPS 

Gordon  D.  Kaufman,  1959  Men- 
no  Simons  lecturer,  has  presented 
a series  of  five  addresses  at  Menno- 
nite Biblical  Seminary  Nov.  15  to  17. 
He  previously  gave  the  series  at 
Bethel  College. 

Dr.  Kaufman,  associate  professor 
of  theology  at  Vanderbilt  Univer- 
sity, Nashville,  Tenn.,  spoke  on  the 
general  theme,  “The  Theological 
Context  of  the  Christian  Ethic.” 

Dr.  Wayne  Oates  of  Southern  Bap- 
tist Theological  Seminary,  Louis- 


ville, Ky.,  will  present  the  annual 
Associated  Seminaries  Lectures  dur- 
ing the  first  week  in  March  on  the 
theme,  “Pastoral  Counseling  and 
Christian  Experience.” 

SEMINARY  FACULTY  PERSONALS 

Cornelius  J.  Dyck,  instructor  in 
historical  theology,  is  currently  pre- 
senting a series  of  six  Sunday  morn- 
ing lectures  on  “Understanding  the 
Bible”  at  the  Elkhart  YMCA.  Con- 
tinuing each  Sunday  through  Dec. 
6,  the  series  is  sponsored  by  the 
board  of  religious  education  of  the 
First  Congregational  Church. 

Harry  E.  Martens,  assistant  to  the 
president  and  business  manager, 
spoke  at  a series  of  youth  meetings 
at  the  St.  Catharines  (Ont.)  Menno- 
nite Church  on  Nov.  13  to  15. 

Dr.  and  Mrs.  S.  F.  Pannabecker 
attended  the  funeral  of  D.  W.  Bix- 
ler  at  Bluffton,  Ohio,  on  Nov.  3.  A 
brother-in-law  of  Mrs.  Pannabecker, 
the  late  Mr.  Bixler  was  a former 
commerce  teacher  at  Bluffton  Col- 
lege and  a friend  of  the  seminary. 

SEMINARY  RADIO  PROGRAM 

A group  of  Mennonite  Biblical 
Seminary  students  is  shown  rehears- 
ing and  tape  recording  for  a new 
series  of  Christian  radio  broadcasts 
which  began  at  5 p.m.  (CDT)  Sun- 
day, Nov.  1,  on  WCMR,  Elkhart,  Ind. 
Entitled  “Christian  Radio  Work- 
shop,” the  15-minute  program  is 
scheduled  for  weekly  broadcast  un- 
der the  direction  of  Prof.  Marvin  J. 
Dirks  of  the  seminary  faculty. 

A goal  of  the  program  is  to  give 
Christian  answers  to  everyday  situ- 
ations. The  group  plans  to  use  a 
variety  of  techniques,  including 
drama,  panel  discussion,  interview. 


and  documentary  programs,  in  ad- 
dition to  the  usual  devotional  and 
musical  presentations. 

Shown  (clockwise)  are  Prof. 
Dirks,  Leonard  Wiebe,  Whitewater, 
Kan.;  Ronald  Ropp,  Normal,  111.; 
Reuben  Krehbiel,  McPherson,  Kan.; 
Victor  Fast,  Chortitz,  Man.;  Peter 
Fast,  Winnipeg,  Man.;  Helmut  Har- 
der, Beamsville,  Ont.;  Vem  Preheim, 
Hurley,  S.  D.;  and  Ernest  Sawatsky, 
Swift  Current,  Sask. 

SCHOLARSHIPS  AWARDED 

Honor  scholarships  awarded  each 
year  to  the  highest  and  second  high- 
est students  in  each  class  have  been 
announced  by  Dr.  Lloyd  L.  Ram- 
seyer,  president  of  Bluffton  College. 

Recipients  from  last  year’s  junior 
class  are  first,  Eugene  Weber,  Fort 
Jennings,  Ohio,  and  second,  Pat 
Gross,  Sugarcreek,  Ohio.  From  last 
year’s  sophomore  class  are  first, 
Phyllis  Bixler,  Dalton,  Ohio,  and 
Elizabeth  Clemens,  Sellersville,  Pa. 
From  last  year’s  freshman  class  are 
first,  Lucia  Galloway,  Normal,  111., 
and  second,  Barbara  McDowell, 
Sugarcreek,  Ohio. 

BLUFFTON  BIBLE  LECTURES 

Dr.  H.  H.  Kalas,  president  of 
Westmar  College,  LeMars,  Iowa,  is 
the  speaker  for  the  Bible  lectures 
at  Bluffton  College  from  Nov.  15-20. 
Dr.  Kalas  is  a graduate  of  West- 
mar  College  and  was  later  granted 
an  honorary  doctorate  by  his  alma 
mater.  He  also  received  a B.D.  de- 
gree from  the  Evangelical  Theolog- 
ical Seminary  and  an  M.A.  from 
Northwestern  University. 

Dr.  Kalas  has  been  active  in  the 
Evangelical  United  Brethren  church. 


716 


THE  MENNONITE 


He  has  held  a pastorate,  taught  in 
the  Evangelical  Theological  Semi- 
nary, and  was  director  of  the  Na- 
tional Teaching  Mission.  He  was 


also  Associate  Executive  Secretary 
for  Education  for  the  National 
Council  of  Churches. 


MCC  news  and  notes 

ROADWAY  CONTRACT 

PARAGUAY — A new  construction 
firm  will  soon  begin  its  building  as- 
sistance in  the  Paraguayan  Trans- 
Chaco  Roadway  program.  The  Par- 
aguayan government  and  Williams 
Brothers  Company — a large  pipe 
line  construction,  engineering  firm 
; from  Tulsa,  Okla.,  which  had  been 
with  the  Pure  Oil  Company  in  the 
Chaco  until  recent  oil  digging  ter- 
mination— have  finalized  roadbuild- 
ing negotiations:  Oct.  30  the  Par- 
aguayan government  and  Williams 
Brothers  signed  a contract  which 
I will  have  Williams  Brothers  Com- 
pany working  two  years  on  130  kil- 
ometers of  highway. 

More  than  half  a million  dollars 
worth  of  road  equipment  will  be 
available  for  the  new  company’s 
construction  work.  Since  working 
arrangements  have  been  cleared, 
the  company  will  proceed  immedi- 
ately with  construction  on  the  north 
end  of  the  road  project.  It  will  be- 
gin near  Filadelfia  and  move  south- 
ward toward  Asimcion  where  road 
building  has  gone  on  for  the  past 
three  years. 

Ninety  kilometers  of  a road  that 
will  eventually  extend  over  300  kil- 
ometers have  already  been  built  by 


the  Mennonite  Central  Committee, 
US  Point  Four,  and  Paraguay.  The 
work  thus  far  has  proceeded  rather 
slowly  through  marshy  forest  land. 
With  less  topographical  obstacles, 
however,  the  northern  part  of  the 
proposed  road,  it  is  speculated, 
should  be  completed  without  much 
difficulty. 

Williams  Brothers  construction 
work  will  be  managed  by  its  Asun- 
cion office.  Since  its  work  will  be- 
gin near  Filadelfia  — an  area  where 
many  Mennonites  are  located,  Fila- 
delfia will  possibly  become  an  un- 
official base  for  the  company’s  build- 
ing activity.  The  city  will  receive 
economical  benefits  brought  about 
by  Williams  Brothers  purchasing 
food  stuffs,  timber  for  bridges  from 
Filadelfia’s  mills  and  other  mate- 
rials needed  for  the  company  road 
building  camps  and  for  their  con- 
struction work.  Attempts  will  be 
made,  Williams  Brothers  officials 
say,  to  employ  men  from  the  colo- 
nies and  to  use  as  much  material  as 
possible  from  Paraguayan  sources. 

Officials  from  Williams  Brothers 
have  also  pointed  out  that  the  con- 
tract allowing  Williams  Brothers  to 
assist  in  the  Paraguayan  roadway 
project  is  very  significant  because 
of  the  contract’s  financial  arrange- 
ments. Williams  Brothers  Company 
work  on  the  Trans-Chaco  Roadway, 
its  entire  two  year  project,  will  be 
financed  with  local  Paraguayan  cur- 
rency. 

CHURCH’S  ROLE  IN  MENTAL 
HEALTH 

NEWTON  — In  an  attempt  to 
clarify  the  church’s  role  in  rehabili- 
tating the  mentally  ill.  Dr.  Otto 
Klassen  reviewed  at  the  Mennonite 
Mental  Health  Services  semiannual 
meeting  Oct.  31  five  underlying  pre- 
suppositions which  seem  to  have 
directed  the  Mennonite  mental 
health  program  during  its  first  11 
years : 

1)  There  is  an  immet,  unfulfilled 
need  for  expressing  concern  for  per- 
sons mentally  ill. 

2)  State,  community,  and  private 
agencies  appear  to  have  only  par- 
tial answers. 

3)  Christians  are  concerned  for 
man’s  wholeness  as  an  individual. 

4)  The  Mennonite  brotherhood  has 
the  capacity  to  do  something  in  the 
area. 


5)  Here  is  a ministry  needed  in- 
volving reconciliation;  the  mission 
of  the  church  is  to  move  in  areas 
requiring  reconciliation. 

Meeting  at  Newton,  Kan.,  the 
MMHS  board  of  directors  along 
with  representatives  from  each  of 
the  three  Mennonite  mental  hos- 
pitals (Brook  Lane  Farm,  Kings 
View  Hospital,  Prairie  View  Hos- 
pital) as  well  as  Oaklawn  Psychi- 
atric Center  heard  presentations  by 
Dr.  Paul  Pruyser,  psychologist  at 
Menninger  Clinic,  Topeka,  Kan.,  and 
Orie  O.  Miller,  MMHS  board  mem- 
ber. 

Describing  psychologically  what 
hope  involves.  Dr.  Pruyser  made 
clear  that  hope,  as  opposed  to  de- 
spair, is  not  the  same  as  certainty 
as  over  against  doubt.  Hope  is  not 
wishing  but  awaiting.  Hope  is  not 
a departure  from  reality  but  con- 
fident surrender  to  an  unknown 
knowledge. 

Healing  and  wholeness  are  inte- 
gral to  the  gospel  and  to  the  life  of 
the  church  Brother  Miller  empha- 
sized. “We  move  ahead  under  divine 
guidance  and  direction  with  the  as- 
surance that  the  total  impact  of  our 
mental  health  program  will  be  to 
lift  up  Christ.” 

During  the  business  session  MM- 
HS approved  recommendations  for 
more  effective  relationships  with 
Mennonite  professional  workers  in 
the  mental  health  field,  including  a 
plan  of  financial  aid  for  graduate 
students  and  a brochure  designed 
specifically  for  professional  persons. 

1-W’S  ACCEPT  FULL 
RESPONSIBILITY  OF  UNIT  LEADER 

DENVER  — Recognizing  the  im- 
portance of  a unit  leader,  Denver 
area  1-W’s  recently  agreed  to  as- 
sume full  support  of  a leader  who 
would  co-ordinate  unit  activities  and 
who  would  be  effective  in  strength- 
ening the  total  impact  of  the  162- 
man  1-W  unit.  Denver  1-W’s  serve 
in  about  fifteen  institutions.  They 
are  the  first  1-W’s  to  accept  full 
charge  of  a unit  leader.  On  Sept.  7 
Wallis  Goertzen  (Henderson,  Neb.) 
began  a term  as  imit  leader. 

Also  in  process  in  the  Denver  proj- 
ect is  a transfer  of  the  chaplaincy 
from  the  Mennonite  Central  Com- 
mittee to  the  Health  and  Welfare 
Committee  of  the  Mennonite  Board 
of  Missions  and  Charities. 


November  17,  1959 


717 


jottings 

MISSIONARY  DAY  OBSERVED 

First  Church,  Upland,  Calif.:  Mis- 
sionary Day  was  observed  Oct.  7 
with  the  Rev.  and  Mrs.  Earl  Roth, 
missionaries  to  the  Belgian  Congo, 
as  guests  at  a potluck  luncheon.  The 
Roths  spoke  and  showed  interesting 
slides  of  their  work.  On  Promotion 
Sunday,  Sept.  27,  awards  were  given 
many  Sunday  school  pupils  for 
faithful  attendance  and  work.  The 
new  officers  and  all  the  teachers 
were  installed  during  the  worship 
service.  To  add  to  the  impressive- 
ness of  the  service  the  Carol  Choir 
helped  the  Chancel  Choir  with  the 
anthem,  “O  Master  Let  Me  Walk 
With  Thee.”  To  start  the  new  Sun- 
day school  year  the  newly  elected 
superintendent,  Bruce  A.  Boshart, 
called  together  all  officers  and 
teachers  for  a get-acquainted  meet- 
ing on  Oct.  6.  Plans  for  the  coming 
year  were  made  and  the  year’s 
calendar  was  accepted.  The  4-volume 
Mennonite  Encyclopedia,  given  to 
our  church  library  by  the  Friend- 
ship Sunday  School  Class,  was  for- 
mally presented  and  received  at  a 
recent  morning  worship  service.  A 
daughter,  Laura  Lynn,  was  born  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Marvin  Brandt  on  Oct. 
1.  John  Schrock  was  hospitalized 
and  Chris  C.  Lichti  had  surgery. 
Both  are  now  recuperating  at  home. 
— Mrs.  T.  C.  Boshart 

SS,  CE  CONVENTION 

Menno  Church,  Ritzville,  Wash.: 
The  summer  months  had  many  ac- 
tivities including  the  Sunday  school 
picnic,  June  26;  junior  retreat,  June 
29- July  1;  the  film  “Martin  Luther” 
-Shown  July  18;  YPU  retreat  held  at 
Tall  Timber  Ranch  near  Wenatchee, 
Aug.  19-22.  During  Aug.,  Pastor  and 
Mrs.  Janzen  and  family  visited  their 
families  in  the  east  and  attended 
the  conference  at  Bluffton.  In  the 
pastor’s  absence,  A.  Hausauer  of 
Odessa,  A.  Rehn  of  Ritzville,  E. 
Schmidt  of  Lind,  and  Don  Aeschil- 
man,  missionary  to  Africa,  brought 
the  Sunday  morning  messages.  The 
Washington  Sunday  School  and  CE 
Convention  was  held  Sept.  26-27  at 
our  church.  Maynard  Shelly,  New- 
ton, Kan.,  was  the  guest  speaker. 
Speaker  for  the  banquet  Saturdav 
evening  was  Homer  Cunningham  of 
Whitworth  College  in  Spokane.  Of- 
ficers for  1960  are:  president,  Frank- 
lin Toews  of  Warden;  vice  president, 
Don  York  of  Monroe;  secretary 
treasurer,  Mrs.  Frank  Hiebert  of 
Newport.  “The  Heart  Is  a Rebel” 
was  shown  Oct.  2. 

SS  CLASSES  MINISTER 
AT  REST  HOME 

Inman  Church,  Inman,  Kan.: 
“Highlights  of  the  Conference” 
were  shared  with  us  by  the  dele- 
gates who  were  privilege  to  attend 
at  Bluffton.  We  were  happy  to  have 
three  families  and  two  young  peo- 


ple represent  the  church.  A panel 
discussion  by  the  delegates,  dealing 
primarily  with  the  racial  question 
was  further  presented  at  our  Sept. 
CE  meeting.  The  Ferd  Edigers  have 
returned  to  Japan  for  their  second 
term  of  service.  A farewell  service, 
together  with  a fellowship  supper, 
was  held  on  Ayg.  24.  May  the  Lord 
use  and  bless  them  to  the  growth 
and  strengthening  of  His  church. 
The  seventh  and  eighth  grade  SS 
classes  went  to  Becker  Rest  Home 
in  McPherson  recently  during  their 
SS  hour  to  minister  to  them  through 
a service  program.  Ted  Roth  of 
Whitewater,  and  Curt  Siemens  from 
Buhler  gave  us  the  message  from 
God’s  word  during  our  pastor’s  ab- 
sence at  conference  time.  Connie 
Ruth  was  born  Aug.  31  to  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Walter  Wiens. 

PASTOR  RESIGNS 

Bethel  Church,  Hydro,  Okla.: 
Paul  Isaak  resigned  as  pastor  of 
our  church,  effective  Dec.  1.  Pie  has 
accepted  a call  as  associate  pastor 
at  Henderson,  Neb.  The  Isaaks’ 
three  and  a half  years’  stay  here 
has  been  a fruitful  ministry.  May 
the  Lord  richly  bless  them  as  they 
assume  their  new  duties.  Roy  Dick 
is  attending  Okla.  University  where 
he  won  a scholarship  from  the  Na- 
tional Science  Foundation.  Several 
workers  from  our  church  joined  the 
many  volunteers  to  clean  the  de- 
bris caused  by  recent  floods  at  Guth- 
rie. Mr.  and  Mrs.  Herman  Buller 
are  the  proud  parents  of  a son, 
Royce  Dean,  born  Sept.  14. — Wilfred 
Ewy 

MISSIONARY  RALLY  HELD 

First  Church,  Normal,  III.:  Verlin 
Harder  and  Roberta  Magee  were 
married  in  the  Martha-Mary  Chapel 
at  Dearborn,  Mich.,  Sept.  26,  by  the 
groom’s  father,  H.  N.  Harder.  They 
are  at  home  at  2208  Sherman,  Evan- 
ston, 111.  The  annual  111.  Women’s 
Missionary  Rally  was  held  Oct.  22 
at  the  Normal  Church.  Speakers 
were  Mrs.  Robert  Ramseyer  (Ja- 
pan), Miss  Anna  Quiring  (Africa), 
Kenneth  Imhoff,  Pax  (Greece),  and 
Gerald  Stucky  (Colombia,  S.  A.).  Dr. 
Dorothea  Franzen  of  111.  Wesleyan 
Univ.  presented  an  illustrated  lec- 
ture on  the  theme  “Studying  A- 
broad,”  at  the  Friendship  Circle 
meeting  Oct.  27.  Dr.  Franzen  taught 
in  England  in  1958-59.  The  children 
of  the  primary  dept,  went  “'Trick 
or  'Treating”  for  UNICEF. — Alma 
Galloway 

CHURCH  SERVICE  HELD  AT 
CAMP  FRIEDENSWALD 

Topeka  Church,  Topeka,  Ind.:  A 
number  from  our  church  attend- 
ed the  conference  at  Bluffton,  Aug. 
12-20.  The  Bethel  College  Chorale 
presented  a concert  of  sacred  music 
here  on  Aug.  14.  Youth  representa- 
tives to  the  Young  People’s  Union 
meeting  at  the  conference  were  San- 
dra Dunithan  and  Karen  Pletcher. 


Roy  Emery,  pastor  of  the  Baptist 
Church,  brought  the  morning  mes- 
sage Aug.  16.  Harry  Yoder  brought 
the  morning  message  Aug.  23  and 
called  on  members  in  the  interest 
of  Bluffton  College.  Regular  choir 
practice  has  been  resumed  on  Thurs. 
evenings.  A series  of  studies  for 
adults  on  the  Believers’  Church  is 
also  being  held  on  Thursday  eve- 
nings. An  impressive  YPU  installa- 
tion service  for  the  officers  and  com- 
mittees of  our  Youth  Fellowship 
was  help  Sept.  13.  Marvin  Zehr, 
president  of  the  General  Conference 
YPU,  brought  the  message.  Pastor 
Henry  was  in  charge  of  the  installa- 
tion service.  Harvest  Festival  was 
observed  Sept.  20.  Canned  goods 
and  produce  were  brought,  dis- 
played, and  then  given  to  a church 
institution.  The  Youth  Fellowship 
was  host  to  young  people  from  other 
area  Mennonite  churches  Sept.  27. 
Marvin  Zehr  was  the  speaker.  Pro- 
motion exercises  were  held  during 
the  Sunday  school  Oct.  4 for  the 
children  in  the  different  depart- 
ments. Bibles  were  given  those  pro- 
moted to  the  junior  dept.  Holy  Com- 
munion was  observed  on  World- 
Wide  Communion  Sun.,  Oct.  4.  The 
young  people  spent  the  week  end 
of  Oct.  10  at  Camp  Friedenswald 
for  a time  of  recreation  and  fellow- 
ship. The  sponsors,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Lloyd  Woodworth  and  Pastor  and 
Mrs.  Henry,  accompanied  them.  The 
Oct.  11  worship  service  was  held  at 
Camp  Friedenswald.  'This  was  fol- 
lowed by  a carry-in  dinner  at  noon 
and  a time  of  fellowship.  Approxi- 
mately 120  people  from  our  congre- 
gation attended.  'Twenty-three  wom- 
en from  our  church  attended  the  An- 
nual Indiana  Women’s  Conference 
held  at  the  Evangelical  Mennonite 
Church  near  Berne  on  Oct.  15.  Rose 
buds  on  the  pulpit  announced  the 
birth  of  a daughter,  Laurie  Jo,  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Larry  Beaty  on  Aug. 
16,  and  a daughter,  Jody  Ann,  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Dale  Showalter  on 
Sept.  16. — Opal  King 


SS  OFFICERS  ELECTED 

Waters  Church,  Copper  Cliff, 
Ont.:  Three  DVBS  sessions  were 
held  in  the  district.  Broder  II  and 
Waters  Schools  were  held  in  July, 
and  Broder  III  in  Aug.  There  was 
good  interest  and  attendance  at 
these  schools.  A baby  girl  arrived 
at  the  Pastor  Ediger  home  in  Aug. 
Mary  Jacobson  is  serving  a VS 
term  at  Brook  Lane  Farm,  Mary- 
land. Paul  Martin  is  taking  the  first 
year  pre-med  course  at  Toronto  Uni- 
versity. He  boards  at  Menno  House, 
Toronto.  David  Klassen  returned  to 
Leamington  High  School  for  his  sec- 
ond year.  Bertha  'Thiessen  from 
Leamington  is  teaching  school  in 
the  district.  Her  services  to  the 
church  and  Sunday  school  are  also 
much  appreciated.  SS  officers  were 
elected  in  Sept.:  supt.,  Henry 

Schroeder;  asst,  supt.,  Erwin  Al- 
brecht; sec.-treas.,  Mrs.  Wes  Alken- 
brach. — Mrs.  Thomas  Martin 


718 


THE  MENNONITE 


conference  notes 

continued  from  last  page 

NEW  WORKERS  IN  TAIWAN,  INDIA 

Peter  and  Lydia  Kehler  and  their 
children  of  Vancouver,  B.  C.,  ar- 
rived in  Taipei,  Taiwan,  in  August 
and  are  being  oriented  to  a new 
way  of  living. 

“Taipei  seems  like  a restless  city,” 
they  write.  “It’s  a far  cry  from  the 
quiet,  contemplative  country  life  of 
the  peasant  which  we  had  always 
heard  about.  The  merchants  are  a- 
wake  at  the  crack  of  dawn,  force- 
fully reminding  everyone  by  their 
noise  that  it’s  time  to  begin  the 
day.  . . . 

“But  there  are  also  other  noises 
which  have  a more  somber  note: 
The  exploding  firecrackers  which 
are  to  chase  away  the  evil  spirits; 
the  weird  music  at  the  funeral  serv- 
ices, and  the  accompanying  drums 
of  an  ‘idol  dedication’  ceremony.  We 
find  it  hard  to  believe  that  the  peo- 
ple are  actually  that  superstitious. 
However,  as  one  visits  the  temples 
there  is  no  longer  any  doubt  that 
many  of  the  people’s  lives  are  con- 
trolled by  their  esteem  of  these 
fearful-looking  gods. 

“We  have  been  impressed  by  the 
fine  spirit  of  Christian  love  which 
exists  between  the  nationals  and  the 
missionaries.  The  national  ministers 
seem  to  have  a sense  of  mission  in 
their  ministry.  Other  Christians, 
too,  seem  to  be  ready  to  serve,  even 
I though  many  of  them  have  been 
j Christians  for  only  a short  time.” 

John  and  Ruth  Bauman  of  Bluff- 
ton,  Ohio,  arrived  in  South  India  in 
October.  Dr.  Bauman  is  on  the  fac- 
ulty of  Vellore  Christian  Medical 
College.  They  were  pleased  to  find 
I the  Indian  people  “extremely  friend- 
ly and  accommodating.”  Of  the  col- 
lege Dr.  Bauman  says,  “We  were 
surprised  to  find  Vellore  both  fa- 
mous and  very  well  thought  of  by 
all  types  of  people.  ...  It  is  too 
early  to  form  any  real  impressions 
of  Vellore,  but  I was  surprised  to 
see  how  nice  the  buildings  of  both 
hospital  and  college  were.  . . . They 
are  certainly  doing  a great  work 
in  the  name  of  Christ.” 

Dr.  Bauman  is  the  second  Gen- 
eral Conference  Mennonite  to  serve 
on  the  Vellore  Christian  Medical 
College  faculty.  Albert  Bauman  of 
Quakertown,  Pa.,  instructs  classes 
in  pharmacy. 


MINISTERS’  AND  WOMEN’S  CONF. 

A ministers’  conference  will  be 
held  on  Wednesday  and  'Thursday, 
Nov.  18  and  19,  in  conjunction  with 
the  Bible  lectures  at  Bluffton  Col- 
lege. Virgil  Gerig  of  Smithville, 
Ohio,  and  pastor-elect  of  the  Grace 
Mennonite  Church  in  Pandora,  Ohio, 
will  conduct  a study  of  the  book  of 
Amos.  In  the  afternoon  Reuben 
Short,  president  of  the  Evangelical 
Mennonite  Conference,  will  present 
“The  Approach  of  the  Mennonites 
to  Social  Issues:  Drinking,  Tobacco, 
etc.”  and  David  Habegger,  Allen- 
town, Pa.,  will  lead  a discussion  on 
the  topic. 

On  Nov.  19,  C.  J.  Dyck,  professor 
of  historical  theology  at  Mennonite 
Biblical  Seminary,  Elkhart,  Ind., 
will  present  “The  Relation  of  Men- 
nonite Principles  to  Our  Task”  and 
Paul  N.  Roth,  Carlock,  111.,  will 
chair  a discussion  on  the  topic.  In 
the  afternoon  the  Bible  lecturer.  Dr. 
Harry  H.  Kalas,  will  speak  on 
“Successful  Evangelism  Methods  for 
Today”  and  Walter  Gering,  pastor 
of  the  Elkhart  (Ind.)  Mennonite 
Church,  will  chair  a discussion. 

A women’s  conference  will  also 
be  held  on  Nov.  18  and  19  under  the 
general  theme  “Renewing  Our 
Strength”  based  on  Isaiah  40:31.  On 
Wednesday  morning  at  10:30  Mrs. 
S.  F.  Pannabecker,  Elkhart,  Ind., 
will  moderate  a discussion  on  “Wait- 
ing Upon  the  Lord.”  In  the  after- 
noon at  1:30  Mrs.  Gerald  Stucky, 
missionary  from  Colombia,  S.  A., 
will  give  a “Message  from  Colom- 
bia.” Students  of  Mennonite  Biblical 
Seminary,  Elkhart,  Ind.,  will  give  a 
play,  “The  Bridge,”  written  by  Cor- 
nelia Lehn. 

On  'Thursday,  Mrs.  Robert  Ram- 
seyer,  missionary  from  Japan,  and 
Umeno  Nishimura,  Japanese  student 
now  attending  Bluffton  College,  will 
bring  a message  from  Japan.  In 
the  afternoon  there  will  be  a busi- 
ness session  followed  by  a “Mes- 
sage from  Congo”  delivered  by 
Wilmer  Sprunger,  who  recently  re- 
turned from  1-W  service  in  the  Bel- 
gian Congo.  Devotionals  and  special 
music  will  also  be  featured  in  each 
of  the  sessions. 

WILLIAM  BLOCK  ORDAINED 

William  Block  was  ordained  to 
the  ministry  in  the  Vancouver  Men- 
nonite Church,  Vancouver,  B.  C., 
Nov.  8.  J.  C.  Schmidt  of  Rosthern, 
Sask.,  officiated,  with  N.  N.  Friesen 


of  Aldergrove,  B.  C.,  assisting. 

A 1959  graduate  of  Mennonite 
Biblical  Seminary,  Elkhart,  Ind.,  Mr. 
Block  has  served  the  mission  church 
in  Vancouver  since  July.  He  is  for- 
merly of  Steinbach,  Man. 

HARDER  MAKES  A STUDY 
OF  SS  DEVELOPMENT 

'The  Sunday  school  movement  in 
the  United  States  has  had  four 
stages,  the  first  beginning  in  1674, 
according  to  Leland  Harder’s  ar- 
ticle, ‘“The  Beginning  and  Growth 
of  the  Sunday  School,”  in  the  De- 
cember Herald  Teacher. 

The  origin  of  the  General  Confer- 
ence runs  parallel  to  the  beginning 
of  the  third  period,  1859,  says  Har- 
der, and  early  leader  John  H.  Ober- 
holtzer  as  early  as  1847  gathered 
children  in  his  home  on  Sundays  to 
practice  singing  and  learn  to  use 
the  Bible  in  life. 

Sunday  school  teachers  and  oth- 
ers will  want  to  read  this  article 
and  be  informed  on  the  development 
of  one  of  the  greatest  institutions  of 
the  church.  Copies  of  this  teacher’s 
monthly  magazine  may  be  ordered 
through  your  Sunday  school  treas- 
urer or  direct  from  Mennonite  Pub- 
lication Office,  720  Main  Street, 
Newton,  Kan. 

ONE  WORKER  FOR  120,000  SOULS 

“Why  go  to  Formosa?”  is  a ques- 
tion that  Palmer  and  Ardys  Becker 
of  Marion,  S.  D.,  probably  had  to 
answer  many  times  before  they  left 
the  United  States  last  year.  Some- 
one may  have  pointed  out,  “There 
are  already  nearly  500  Protestant 
missionaries  for  that  small  dot  on 
the  map.”  However,  the  Beckers 
knew  why  they  were  going  to  Tai- 
wan. About  the  500  missionaries 
they  say,  “Most  of  these  mission- 
aries came  from  the  China  main- 
land; therefore,  over  400  mission- 
aries work  with  the  three  million 
mainland  refugees.  This  means  one 
missionary  for  20,000  mainland  peo- 
ple. 

“But  the  Mennonite  mission  came 
to  work  with  the  original  Taiwanese 
people.  In  contrast  to  the  three  mil- 
lion mainland  Chinese,  Taiwan  has 
six  million  Taiwanese,  with  fifty 
Taiwanese  - speaking  missionaries 
concentrating  their  work  on  these 
people.  That  means  120,000  people 
to  one  missionary!  Is  it  any  wonder 
that  only  2 to  3 per  cent  of  Tai- 
wan’s population  is  Christian?  We 
feel  there  is  plenty  of  work  here 
for  us.” 


November  17,  1959 


719 


conference  notes 

UNRUH  COMPLETES  10-YEAR  TERM 

W.  F.  Unruh  ended  ten  years  of 
service  as  field  secretary  for  the 
Western  District  Conference  at  the 
end  of  October.  This  completes  his 
fourth  ten-year  period  in  one  type 
of  employment. 

Beginning  the  first  ten-year  span 
was  his  college  and  seminary  edu- 
cation. Mr.  Unruh  was  graduated 
from  Bethel  College  in  1925  and 
continued  his  studies  at  Witmarsum 
Seminary,  Bluffton,  Ohio,  and  New 
York  Biblical  Seminary.  Then  he 
went  to  India  as  a missionary  and 
spent  ten  years  on  the  field.  For  ten 
more  years  he  was  a pastor — two 
years  in  Pulaski,  Iowa,  and  eight 
years  in  Moundridge,  Kan. 

Mr.  Unruh’s  duties  as  field  secre- 
tary for  the  Western  District  Con- 
ference included  promotion  of  the 
District’s  various  projects  and  in- 
forming its  churches  about  peace, 
temperance,  Sunday  school  curricu- 
lum, the  General  Conference,  and 
other  subjects. 

THIRD  WCV  CONFERENCE 

The  main  speakers  at  the  third 
annual  Women  in  Church  Vocations 
Conference,  held  at  Mennonite  Bib- 
lical Seminary,  Oct.  30-Nov.  1,  were 
two  members  of  the  WCV  Executive 
Committee. 

Marvin  Ewert  (Newton,  Kan.), 
chairman,  and  Mrs.  O’Ray  Graber 
(Buhler,  Kan.),  secretary,  addressed 
students  from  Bethel  College,  Bluff- 
ton  College,  Canadian  Mennonite 
Bible  College,  Mennonite  Biblical 
Seminary,  as  well  as  church  work- 
ers from  Central  offices  in  Newton, 
Woodlawn  Mennonite  Church  in 
Chicago,  and  Bluffton  College. 

They  discussed  the  history  and 
purpose  of  WCV  and  the  rea- 
sons for  Biblical  training  at  the 
seminary  and  served  as  resource 
persons  throughout  the  conference. 
The  third  member  of  the  WCV  Ex- 
ecutive is  Mrs.  Russell  Mast  of 
North  Newton,  treasurer  and  repre- 
sentative of  the  Women’s  Missionary 
Association. 

Participants  in  the  conference  in- 
cluded members  of  WCV  as  well  as 
other  interested  girls.  The  meetings 
provided  inspiration,  guidance,  in- 
formation, and  fellowship  for  pres- 


ent and  prospective  church  workers. 
Reports  from  members-in-service, 
commissioned  in  May  of  this  year, 
were  heard  for  the  first  time. 

The  Saturday  evening  feature, 
open  to  the  entire  seminary  family, 
was  the  presentation  of  the  drama 
“The  Bridge’’  written  by  Cornelia 
Lehn.  Other  aspects  of  the  confer- 
ence included  a tour  of  Mennonite 
institutions  in  the  immediate  area 
and  an  informal  showing  of  slides 
of  church  vocational  activity  in 
MCC,  in  the  local  church,  and  in 
summer  camps.  Marvin  Dirks  spoke 
on  opportunities  for  music  majors 
in  church-related  capacities.  Mrs. 
Bertha  Harder  presented  the  topic 
“Women  in  the  Mennonite  Church.” 

Those  attending  the  conference 
represented  a variety  of  vocational 
interests  including  Christian  educa- 
tion, recreation,  journalism,  sten- 
ography, teaching,  psychology,  mu- 
sic, and  nursing. 

Absent  WCV  members  in  church 
service  overseas  are  Virginia  Claas- 


sen,  teacher  in  Japan,  Martha  Jan- 
zen,  missionary  in  Japan  and  Mary 
Epp,  missionary  in  the  Congo. 

Women  in  Church  Vocations,  a- 
dopted  at  the  triennial  sessions  in 
Winnipeg,  1956,  is  a part  of  the 
Board  of  Christian  Service  of  the 
General  Conference  Mennonite 
Church. 

ALTERNATIVE  SERVICE  STATISTICS 

One  hundred  and  thirty-eight  Gen- 
eral Conference  Mennonite  men  are 
giving  two  and  three  years  in  al- 
ternative service.  One  hundred  of 
these  are  serving  in  the  United 
States  and  thirty-eight  overseas.  Of 
the  thirty-eight,  twenty-one  are  in 
MCC  Pax  and  fourteen  in  General 
Conference  Missions  Pax. 

The  total  number  of  1-W  men  of 
all  Mennonite  groups  and  Brethren 
in  Christ  is  1,003.  Of  these,  863  are 
in  the  United  States  and  140  over- 
seas. Colorado,  Illinois,  and  Kansas 
employ  the  largest  number  of  those 
in  the  States. 


Participants  in  the  WCV  conference  included  persons  from  Bluffton,  Ohio; 
Chicago,  III.;  Newton,  Kan.;  and  Winnipeg,  Man. 


Bottom  row,  left  to  right:  Cornelia  Lehn,  Doris  Liechty,  Margaret  Wiens, 
Dorothy  Thiessen,  Muriel  Thiessen,  Hedy  Sawadsky. 

Second  row:  Julie  Neufeld,  Nancy  Yoder,  Elda  Hiebert,  Loretta  Hilty, 
Barbara  Mosiman,  Anne  Thiessen. 

Third  row:  Mariellen  Shellenberger,  Mrs.  O’Ray  Graber  (Edith),  Mar- 
garet Ens,  Mrs.  Peter  Neufeld  (Onale),  Martha  Friesen,  Mrs.  Leland 
Harder  (Bertha),  Marvin  Ewert. 

Missing:  Mrs.  Vern  Preheim  (Marion). 


NOVEMBER  24,  !959 


THE  MENNONITE 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
MAN  LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIST 


in  this  issue 

COVER 

Illustration  from  a drawing  by  Kathe 
Kollwitz.  Reproduction  by  courtesy  of  the 
Museum  of  Fine  Arts,  Boston. 


ARTICLES 

LABOR  SHORTAGE  FOR 
BOUNTIFUL  HARVEST 

By  P.  A.  Wedel  723 

THE  DEATH  PENALTY 

By  John  Howard  Yoder  724 

WHEN  SOCIETY  PLAYS  GOD 

By  G.  S.  Stoneback  725 

DISCUSSION  GROUP  REFLECTIONS  ...  727 
WHAT  S IN  YOUR  CHURCH  NAME? 

By  Irene  Wiens  727 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  722 

THE  READER  SAYS  728 

MENNONITE  YOUTH 

I Am  There  733 

The  Road  We  Have  Come  734 

To  and  From  a Pastor  735 

From  Our  Readers  735 

OUR  SCHOOLS  736 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  737 

JOTTINGS  738 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  740 


of  things  to  come 

Nov.  26 — Thanksgiving  Day  (U.S.) 

Nov.  27,  28 — Young  People's  Union 
Council  meeting,  Winnipeg 
Dec.  1-4 — Council  of  Boards 
Dec.  13 — Universal  Bible  Sunday 
December  25 — Christmas 


THE  mmmii 

Editor:  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 
J Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Assistant:  Muriel 

Thiessen.  Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  46 


editorials 

CHRISTIAN  RACE  RELATIONS  The  fifth  goal  for  our 
Conference  triennium,  as  adopted  at  Bluffton,  deals  with  a very- 
real  present-day  problem:  “Every  congregation  and  institution 
adopting  the  statement  on  ‘The  Christian  and  Race  Relations.’  ” 
This  statement  was  adopted  at  the  General  Conference,  but  to 
assure  its  being  kept  alive  and  meaningful,  the  goal  requests 
that  each  congregation  and  each  church  institution — school,  hos- 
pital, home  for  aged, — likewise  adopt  the  statement  locally  and 
personally.  This  focuses  it  from  the  general  to  the  particular. 

This  would  imply  that  a careful  study  be  made  of  the  Confer- 
ence statement  (as  recorded  in  the  Sept.  1 issue  of  THE  MEN- 
NONITE) with  a prayerful  consideration  of  its  adoption  by 
each  local  group.  A series  of  sermons  or  Sunday  evening  or  mid- 
week studies  might  be  one  way  to  bring  this  before  the  congre- 
gation. Whatever  method  is  used,  the  whole  issue  of  race  rela- 
tions is  so  vital  and  alive  that  we  cannot  ignore  it.  The  whole 
world  is  being  aroused  on  this  issue  with  a widespread  feeling 
of  revolt  against  white  domination.  What  we  have  been  referring 
to  as  the  “backward  nations”  are  rapidly  becoming  bold  and 
forward-looking.  Whites  may  well  take  careful  note  of  this 
movement  for  they  are  in  the  minority  in  the  world. 

We  do  well  to  ponder  deeply  such  truths  in  the  statement  as: 
“Christian  people  cannot  remain  silent  under  conditions  like 
these.  ...  It  is  clear  that  before  God  all  mankind  is  one.  . . . 
God  does  not  make  distinctions  on  the  basis  of  physical  fea- 
tures. ...  In  Christ  all  barriers  of  race  and  nation  are  shattered 
for  time  and  eternity.  . . . Before  God  aU  men,  without  exception, 
are  sinners  and  all  stand  in  need  of  God’s  redeeming  grace.” 

We  will  need  to  admit  our  own  guilt  and  “confess  that  we  as 
a Conference  fellowship  have  sinned  and  are  guilty  of  the  spirit 
of  exclusiveness  . . . wrapped  around  ourselves  a robe  of  self- 
righteousness.”  We  need  “to  examine  ourselves  and  to  purge 
ourselves  from  prejudiced  attitudes  and  practices  toward  racial 
and  minority  groups  . . . surrender  ourselves  completely  to  the 
love  of  God  that  we  may  become  channels  of  His  reconciling 
purpose  ...  we  will  conscientiously  strive  to  free  ourselves  from 
pride,  condescension,  and  scorn,  toward  any  group.”  “By  the 
grace  of  God  we  as  individuals  and  congregations  will  strive 
sincerely  and  prayerfully  to  love  every  person  as  we  are  loved 
by  Christ.” 

These  are  tremendous  statements.  It  is  clear  that  they  should 
not  be  considered  lightly — and  then  forgotten.  They  need  to  be 
studied,  weighed,  discussed,  and  prayerfully  considered.  If 
found  true  and  in  line  with  the  gospel,  then  they  should  be  adopt- 
ed by  individuals,  congregations,  and  institutions,  and  made  vital 
by  being  actively  lived  in  each  life. 

This  is  not  some  marginal  matter  that  can  be  accepted  or 
brushed  aside  at  our  pleasure.  This  is  a matter  affecting  the 
very  foundation  of  our  Christian  faith — love  to  God  and  man. 
If  we  do  not  meet  this  issue  squarely,  we  fail  God. 


722 


THE  MENNONITE 


Labor  Shortage 

P.  A.  Wedel 


rp  HE  LABOR  SUPPLY  in  the  har- 
X vest  field  of  the  Lord  is  of  great 
importance.  When  Christ  was  on 
earth,  there  were  teeming  multi- 
tudes of  people  around  Him  on  every 
side.  The  sight  of  these  needy  and 
neglected  people  stirred  and  touched 
His  heart.  His  compassion  for  them 
was  great. 

It  was  not  enough  that  the  Master 
be  moved  with  compassion  at  the 
sight  of  the  needy  masses.  The  dis- 
ciples, too,  must  be  aroused  to  their 
desperate  condition  and  need.  And 
so  Jesus  turns  to  His  disciples  and 
tells  them,  “The  harvest  truly  is 
great,  but  the  laborers  are  few  . . . 
pray  ye  therefore  . . . behold,  I send 
you  forth.  . .”  (Luke  10:2,3). 

First,  let  us  note  this  arousing 
declaration:  “The  harvest  truly  is 
great.”  Look  at  our  nation  today — 
its  lax  morals  and  indifferent  Chris- 
tians. 

When  Jesus  said,  “The  harvest 
truly  is  great,”  He  was  thinking  of 
the  population  of  Palestine  with 
some  three  million  people  who  would 
not  receive  His  saving  message.  He 
saw  in  these  multitudes  a harv'est 
for  God. 

What  do  we  as  Christians  see  in 
the  multitudes  around  us?  The  pop- 
ulation of  the  US,  according  to  the 
census  bureau,  reached  178,804,190 
as  of  Nov.  2,  1959.  Part  of  this  in- 
crease represents  the  population  of 
Hawaii  and  Alaska  which  were 
added  to  our  nation  and  which  rep- 
resent a combined  population  of 
750,000.  The  fact  still  remains  that 
the  harvest  truly  is  plenteous.  These 
are  all  eternity-bound  souls.  Do  we 
see  in  them  a people  whom  we  wish 
to  exploit  for  commercial  gains,  or 
are  we  looking  with  grave  concern 
upon  their  eternal  welfare? 

Secondly,  what  are  the  forces 
that  lessen  the  effective  work  of  the 
Christian?  We  all  must  admit  there 
are  forces  of  opposition  at  work. 
Wlien  Nehemiah  came  to  Jerusalem 


P.  A.  Wedel  is  pastor  of  the  Alexander- 
wohl  Church  near  Goessel,  Kan. 


to  rebuild  the  walls  of  the  city,  he 
encountered  the  fierce  opposition  of 
Sanballat  and  Tobiah.  Every  at- 
tempt was  made  to  hinder  the  work. 
But  the  opposition  was  successfully 
defeated  through  constant  prayer 
and  diligent  work. 

Workers  today,  whether  at  home 
or  in  the  mission  fields  are  opposed 
bjf  enemies  that  are  powerful  and 
strong.  This  requires  the  united 
prayers  of  God’s  children  in  order 
to  bring  victory.  When  discourage- 
ments come  as  we  bring  the  gospel 
to  others,  let  us  never  forget  that 
the  Lord  is  mindful  of  His  own.  The 
poet  has  expressed  it: 

“I  am  the  Lord,  O hear  my  voice. 
Arise  ye  Christians  and  follow! 
Deny  yourself,  forsake  the  world. 
My  name  alone  to  hallow. 

Take  up  your  cross,  your  burdens 
bear 

And  follow  Me,  my  life  to  share.” 
The  Lord  is  mindful  of  His  own. 

There  is  abundant  evidence  that 
the  Lord  works  mysteriously  in  the 
lives  of  His  children  and  keeps  them 
safe  from  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 
“But  the  laborers  are  few.”  Jesus 
saw  the  great  masses  and  desired 
that  others  should  help  Him. 

There  were  the  Pharisees,  scribes, 
Sadducees,  and  Herodians.  They 
claimed  to  be  shepherds  of  the 
masses.  Yet  they  misdirected  the 
people. 

In  our  country  today,  we  have 
many  Christians,  but  how  many 
true  laborers?  Missionaries  are  said 
to  number  one  to  every  80,000  in 
Africa;  in  Korea  one  to  every 

100,000;  in  India  one  to  every 

320,000;  in  Japan  one  to  every 

370,000. 

Think  of  over  two  billion  people 
on  the  earth  today,  marching  speed- 
ily to  the  grave  and  to  a vast  be- 
yond. For  their  present  and  eternal 
happiness,  we  too  should  have  a con- 
cern. Over  a billion  and  a half  of 
the  world’s  population  are  non- 

Christian.  “The  harvest  truly  is  plen- 
teous, but  the  laborers  are  few.” 

A missionary  from  Palestine  tells 


how  one  day  on  a journey  he  came 
past  a field  absolutely  white.  He 
asked  his  companion  what  it  was. 
“A  field  of  wheat,”  was'  the  reply. 
“But  why  is  it  so  white?”  was  the 
inquiry.  “It  is  over-ripe,”  was  the 
answer.  “There  are  not  enough  men 
around  here  to  cut  it  with  the 
scythe  and  it  has  been  left  too  long. 
Unless  it  is  cut  at  once,  the  owner 
will  have  no  harvest,  for  the  birds 
will  eat  much  of  it  and  the  rest  will 
fall  to  the  ground  and  be  lost.”  And 
even  as  these  words  were  spoken, 
from  two  different  directions  came 
large  flocks  of  birds  and  settled  on 
the  field  to  enjoy  the  feast  so  tempt- 
ingly spread  before  them.  The  har- 
vest truly  is  plenteous,  but  the  la- 
borers are  few. 

Does  not  this  tragic  fact  stab  our 
consciences?  Pray  ye  therefore  the 
Lord  of  the  harvest  that  He  may 
send  laborers  into  His  vineyard. 

Because  of  the  vastness  of  the 
harvest,  we  should  pray.  We  should 
also  pray  that  God  would  make  us 
more  conscious  of  the  seriousness  of 
those  who  are  lost.  Before  men  .and 
women  are  trained  to  win  souls  to 
Christ  they  must  be  trained  in  the 
school  of  prayer.  First  prayer,  and 
then  service.  God  must  send  labor- 
ers if  the  work  shall  thrive. 

Self-appointed  laborers  do  more 
harm  than  good.  Jesus  did  not  ask 
the  disciples  to  go  out  and  find  more 
laborers,  but  He  did  ask  them  to 
pray  that  the  Lord  of  the  harvest 
should  send  forth  laborers.  We  are 
to  request  that  God  send  forth  la- 
borers. 'This  calling  forth  of  laborers 
is  not  limited  only  to  missionaries 
and  ministers  or  other  Christian 
workers.  God  takes  laymen,  sets 
them  afire  for  God,  and  uses  them 
mightily  in  bringing  in  the  harvest. 
They  have  a share  as  they  give — 
as  they  witness  and  as  they  pray. 

Make  me  an  intercessor. 

One  who  can  really  pray. 

One  of  the  Lord’s  remembrancers 
By  night  as  well  as  day. 

Make  me  an  intercessor. 

In  spirit  touch  "with  Thee, 

And  given  the  heavenly  vision. 

Pray  through  to  victory. 

Make  me  an  intercessor. 

Teach  me  how  to  prevail, 

To  stand  my  ground  and  still 
pray  on 

Though  powers  of  hell  assail. 
Make  me  an  intercessor. 

Sharing  Thy  death  and  life 
In  prayer,  claiming  for  others. 
Victory  in  the  strife. 


November  24,  1959 


723 


from  an  extensive  study  on  the  subject  of  capital  punishment 


The  Death  Penalty 


John  H.  Yoder 


ON  JULY  18,  1957,  19-year  old 
Cleo  Eugene  Peters  shot  and 
fatally  wounded  the  young  farmer, 
Paul  Coblentz,  of  Holmes  County, 
Ohio. 

The  occasion  was  the  “celebration” 
following  the  release  from  prison  of 
a friend  Peters  had  met  while  him- 
self serving  a prison  sentence.  There 
was  never  any  doubt  that  Peters 
would  be  found  guilty,  and  after  all 
the  possibilities  of  appeal  to  higher 
courts  were  exhausted  the  date  for 
his  death  in  the  electric  chair  was 
set  at  November  7,  1958.  Peters 
faced  a death  like  that  of  the  forty- 
eight  other  men  who  were  gassed, 
hanged,  or  electrocuted  in  the  USA 
in  1958. 

But  there  was  a difference.  Paul 
Coblentz  was  an  Old  Order  Amish 
Mennonite,  and  his  death  stirred  the 
Amish  community  of  Holmes  Coun- 
ty, one  of  the  nation’s  major  centers 
of  Amish  population,  in  a surprising 
way.  Their  reaction  to  the  unrea- 
soningly  brutal  deed  of  this  intruder 
from  the  outside  world  was  not  one 
of  hostility  but  of  forgiveness.  Twen- 
ty-eight persons,  many  being  Amish, 


John  Howard  Yoder  is  working  with  the 
Mennonite  Board  of  Missions  and  Charities 
in  Elkhart,  Ind.,  and  is  also  special  lec- 
turer at  Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary. 


were  refused  for  jury  duty  because 
of  their  conscientious  unwillingness 
to  inflict  the  death  penalty.  During 
the  trial  numerous  Amish  families 
invited  Peters’  parents  into  their 
homes.  After  the  conviction  was 
flnal  the  Amish  signed  petitions  and 
wrote  to  Governor  C.  William  O’Neil 
requesting  a commutation  of  the 
sentence,  in  such  numbers  as  to  sur- 
prise those  who  thought  the  Amish 
cared  nothing  for  the  outside  world. 

The  commutation  was  granted  by 
Governer  O’Neil  seven  hours  before 
the  scheduled  time  for  the  execution. 
Meanwhile  a few  Amish  Mennonites 
(not  only  of  the  Old  Order  group) 
had  been  attempting  to  draw  a spir- 
itual lesson  from  the  event  which 
had  so  deeply  shaken  their  commu- 
nity. “God  has  been  speaking  to 
many  of  us  Amish  people  through 
this  act,”  some  of  them  concluded. 
“We  believe  that  God  allowed  this, 
especially  to  call  us  back  to  Him  in 
the  work  of  winning  souls  to  His 
Kingdom.”  Soon  after  the  commu- 
tation a delegation  of  two  ministers 
visited  Peters  in  the  Ohio  peniten- 
tiary, bearing  a letter  from  which 
the  above  words  were  quoted.  'There 
they  learned  that  Peters  had  become 
a Christian  a few  months  earlier 
and  was  deeply  appreciative  of  let- 
ters he  had  received  from  Amish 
people,  some  of  them  as  far  away 


as  Iowa,  among  them  the  widow  of 
his  victim. 

What  does  it  signify  that  the  ! 
Amish,  who  in  the  minds  of  many 
are  the  classic  example  of  religious-  i 
ly  motivated  “withdrawal”  caring 
nothing  for  the  outside  world,  should 
have  contributed  thus  to  Peters’  par- 
don? In  effect  they  thereby  inter- 
fered with  the  execution  of  a legiti- 
mate ruling  of  the  courts.  'They  did 
not  object  to  or  interfere  with  the 
proceedings  of  the  court,  but  then 
asked  that  the  guilty  should  not  be 
punished,  at  least  not  by  death.  Was 
this  proper  for  Christians?  Was  it 
proper  for  nonresistant  Christians, 
who  themselves  take  no  further  re- 
sponsibility for  the  State’s  affairs? 

'These  lines  are  written  because  of 
a conviction  not  only  that  it  is  right 
for  Christians  to  ask  “mercy”  for 
particular  criminals,  but  in  fact  that 
Christians  should  support  efforts  to 
abolish  the  death  penalty  as  a legal 
way  of  dealing  with  offenders. 

It  should  hardly  need  to  be  argued 
that  the  whole  teaching  and  work  of 
Christ  lead  Christians  to  challenge  * 
the  rightness  of  taking  life  under 
any  circumstauices,  even  where  “jus- 
tice” might  seem  to  permit  killing. 
When  Jesus  himself  was  asked  to 
rule  on  an  offense  which  by  the  laws 
of  the  time  called  for  the  death  pen-  j 
alty.  His  answer  was  clearly  such  ^ 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church. 
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724 


THE  MENNONITE 


as  to  abolish  it;  not  directly  by  de- 
claring it  a wrong  institution,  but 
indirectly  by  demanding  that  the 
judges  and  executioners  must  first 
be  sinless  (John  8). 

This  is  in  line  with  everything 
He  taught  about  the  worth  of  every 
life  before  God  (Matt.  6)  and  our 
responsibility  to  see  Christ  himself 
in  the  needy  neighbor  (Matt.  25). 
The  reason  for  this  respect  for  life 
is  not  a childish,  literal  interpreta- 
tion of  the  sixth  commarndment,  but 
a,  deep  spiritual  ground;  the  life  (or 
the  “soul”  or  the  “personality”)  of 
the  neighbor  is  sacred  because  man 
is  made  “in  the  Image  of  God” 
(Genesis  9).  “No  man  has  ever  seen 
God”  (1  John  4) ; if  we  love  God  it 
must  show  in  our  love  for  our  fel- 
low man,  and  this  love  always  in- 
cludes a concern  for  his  bodily  wel- 
fare. Far  from  being  purely  “other- 
worldly,” Christian  faith  is  more 
this-worldly,  more  “materialistic” 
than  any  other  religion;  it  knows  of 
no  way  to  love  a man  without  car- 
ing for  his  bodily  life.  If  there  were 
no  Ten  Commandments  and  no  Ser- 
mon on  the  Mount,  what  we  know 


about  Christ,  how  He  lived  and  why 
He  died,  would  still  suffice  to  sanc- 
tify human  life.  To  “sanctify”  means 
to  set  apart  as  belonging  to  God 
alone,  and  that  is  just  what  the 
Bible  says  about  human  life:  it  is 

not  ours  to  take. 

What  does  it  mean  that  man  is 
made  in  God’s  image?  Why  is  his 
life  sacred?  To  be  made  in  God’s 
image  means  to  be  capable  of  fel- 
lowship; as  far  as  we  know,  our 
bodily  existence  is  the  only  basis  for 
our  fellowship;  with  men  and  with 
God.  Only  in  this  life  can  we  repent; 
only  while  he  lives  can  our  brother 
be  benefited  by  our  love.  This  is  why 
Menno  Simons  argued  “that  it  would 
hardly  become  a true  Christian  ruler 
to  shed  blood.  For  this  reason,  if  the 
transgressor  should  truly  repent  be- 
fore his  God  and  be  reborn  of  Him, 
he  would  then  also  be  a chosen 
saint  and  child  of  God,  a fellow  par- 
taker of  grace.  . .;  and  for  such  an 
one  to  be  hanged  on  the  gallows  . . . 
or  in  any  manner  be  hurt  in  body  or 
goods  by  another  Christian,  who  is 
of  one  heart,  spirit,  and  soul  with 
him,  would  look  somewhat  strange 


and  unbecoming  in  the  light  of  the 
compassionate,  merciful,  kind  na- 
ture, disposition,  spirit,  and  example 
of  Christ,  the  meek  Lamb.  . . . 

“Again,  if  he  remain  impenitent, 
and  his  life  be  taken,  one  would  un- 
mercifully rob  him  of  the  time  of 
repentance  of  which,  in  case  his  life 
were  spared,  he  might  yet  avail 
himself  . . . the  Son  of  Man  says: 
Learn  of  me,  I have  given  you  an 
example;  Follow  me,  I am  not  come 
to  destroy  souls  but  to  save  them” 
(Complete  Writings,  p.  920f). 

This  is  all  clear  for  Christians, 
but  can  we  ask  of  unbelieving  so- 
ciety and  of  the  state  that  they  have 
this  kind  of  respect  for  life?  Did 
not  God  ordain  the  State  to  punish 
evildoers?  'There  are  serious  argu- 
ments raised  at  this  point.  But  we 
must  be  clear  where  we  begin.  We 
begin  with  the  clear  certainty  that 
death  is  not  God’s  highest  will  for 
any  man.  If  lives  may  be  taken,  even 
by  the  State,  that  must  be  proved  in 
the  face  of  what  the  gospel  says  to 
the  contrary.  The  advocates,  and  not 
the  opponents,  of  capital  punishment 
have  the  burden  of  the  proof. 


When  Society  Plays  God 


George  S.  Stoneback 


from  a recent  sermon 


SOME  MEN  dragged  a guilty  wom- 
an before  Jesus.  She  had  com- 
mitted a sin  for  which  the  Old  Tes- 
tament decreed  capital  punishment 
(stoning  until  dead). 

Jesus  didn’t  deny  her  guilt.  He 
didn’t  say  she  didn’t  deserve  punish- 
ment. He  didn’t  say  the  Old  Testa- 
ment was  wrong.  But  He  intro- 
duced a new  dimension  of  the  prob- 
lem. He  said  that  only  the  guiltless 
had  the  right  to  do  the  killing. 

“He  that  is  without  sin  among 
you,  let  him  cast  the  first  stone,” 
He  said.  They  all  dropped  their 


George  Stoneback  is  pastor  of  the  Lor- 
raine Avenue  Church  in  Wichita,  Kan. 


stones  and  went  home!  They  knew 
that  in  Jesus’  view  no  human  being 
was  qualified  to  take  the  life  of  an- 
other for  any  reason. 

On  another  occasion  Jesus  said 
that  the  people  should  not  call  Him 
good — that  there  was  none  good  but 
one,  the  Father  in  Heaven.  Even 
Jesus  did  not  take  up  one  of  the 
dropped  stones  to  kill  the  guilty 
woman.  Instead  He  said,  “Neither 
do  I condemn  thee,  go  and  sin  no 
more.” 

Only  the  guiltless  have  the  right 
to  take  the  life  of  one  worthy  of 
death.  Even  Jesus  would  not  take 
this  prerogative.  Evidently  then,  ac- 
cording to  this  (the  only  gospel  pas- 


sage dealing  directly  with  capital 
punishment),  when  society  takes  a 
life,  society  is  playing  God! 

First  let  us  consider  the  argu- 
ments for  capital  punishment.  They 
say  we  need  capital  punishment  to 
deter  crime.  If  I know  that  if  I get 
caught  doing  this  crime  I will  likely 
be  given  a death  sentence.  I’ll  not 
likely  commit  this  crime.  That’s  the 
reasoning.  It  sounds  fine,  but  does 
it  work  that  way? 

If  convicts  are  executed  to  fright- 
en other  people  from  crime,  why  are 
executions  no  longer  public  as  they 
were  formerly?  In  this  country  they 
are  all  private  except  in  a few  cases. 

If  capital  punishment  is  a deter- 


November  24,  1959 


725 


rent  to  crime,  why  the  following 
fact:  Between  1919  and  1928  the 

homicide  rate  in  the  states  having 
capital  punishment  was  8.3  per 
100,000  population.  In  the  states  not 
having  capital  punishment,  the  rate 
was  3.6  per  100,000  population. 

The  second  argument  for  capital 
punishment  is  that  it  is  necessary 
to  protect  society  against  men  whom 
we  know  are  criminally  inclined. 

Early  society  took  the  lives  of 
criminals,  but  they  did  not  consider 
it  punishment.  They  thought  of  it 
as  eliminating  from  society  one  who 
Vv'ould  contaminate  society  in  a cere- 
monial way.  The  criminal  had  of- 
fended the  gods,  and  unless  the  so- 
ciety would  eliminate  him,  the  gods 
would  be  angry  at  the  society. 

Now  modern  man  no  longer 
thinks  this  way,  but  he  still  feels 
that  he  must  kill  some  offenders 
to  protect  society! 

The  argument  in  favor  of  capital 
punishment  that  weighs  most  in 
some  religious  circles  is  the  biblical 
theological  argument  which  says 
that  we  need  capital  punishment  to 
maintain  the  justice  of  God. 

Genesis  9:6  says,  “Whoso  shed- 
deth  man’s  blood,  by  man  shall  his 
blood  be  shed.”  That  sounds  very 
clear,  but  wait — - 

This  “life  for  a life”  is  part  of  a 
larger  system  we  call  Lex  Tallonis. 
It  says,  “an  eye  for  an  eye,  and  a 
tooth  for  a tooth,  hand  for  hand, 
foot  for  foot,  burning  for  burning, 
wound  for  wound,  stripe  for  stripe” 
(Ex.  21:24;  Lev.  24:20;  Deut.  19:21). 

Jesus  repeats  this  in  Matt.  5:38 
and  then  says,  “But  that’s  not  Chris- 
tian!” 

Do  you  think  any  court  would 
hire  someone  to  gouge  out  the  eye 
of  a fellow  who  gouged  out  yours? 
Silly,  you  say?  But  the  one  at  the 
very  top  of  the  list — this  very  same 
Old  Testament  principle,  the  life  for 
a life — we  still  retain.  And  the  State 
hires  a man  to  do  it  for  you!  We 
have  no  trained  foot-choppers,  eye- 
gougers,  or  tooth-knockers,  but  we 
have  professional  executioners.  Well, 
so  much  for  Lex  Talionis,  about 
which  Jesus  said,  “But  I say.  . . .” 

Genesis  9:6  was  fine  for  the  peo- 
ple of  Noah’s  day,  but  it  does  not 
apply  for  Christians.  As  Christians, 
we  believe  that  expiation  for  the 
sins  of  the  world  was  achieved  by 
Jesus  Christ. 

That  is  what  we  mean  by  “being 


under  the  blood.”  If  we  believe  in 
that,  then  to  insist  on  capital  pun- 
ishment is  to  suggest  that  here  is 
one  sin  not  covered  by  the  blood  of 
Jesus  Christ,  that  here  every  man 
must  expiate  for  his  own  sin.  That 
makes  Christ  of  no  effect.  That 
makes  Jesus  irrelevant  in  this  case, 
and  if  in  this  case  why  not  in  all  of 
history? 

The  place  where  these  arguments 
break  down  completely  is  here:  they 
don’t  fit  into  the  shadow  of  the 
cross.  There  is  a meeting  of  colos- 
sal opposites  in  the  heart  of  the 
Eternal:  the  holy  wrath  which  must 
condemn  sin  and  the  Father  love 
which  yearns  for  the  sinner’s  par- 
don and  restoration.  Both  are  there. 
You  can’t  escape  them!  God’s  wrath 
must  move  in  its  ordained  direc- 
tion— to  condemn.  God’s  love  must 
move  in  its  ordained  direction — to 
forgive.  They  must  intersect.  Where 
they  intersect  you  find  the  cross  of 
Christ,  not  a gallows  for  sinners. 

Let  us  turn  to  a few  arguments 
against  capital  punishment.  In 
line  with  man’s  inherent  revulsion 
against  killing,  capital  punishment 
is  steadily  on  the  decline.  Eight 
states  have  abolished  it.  In  the 
states  where  it  is  still  on  the  books, 
it  is  being  used  less  and  less. 

When  we  do  use  capital  punish- 
ment, we  are  partial  in  its  use. 
At  one  time  in  Sing  Sing  Prison, 
there  were  three  men  each  charged 
with  the  murder  of  his  wife.  One 
got  the  chair,  one  got  twenty  years, 
and  the  third  got  five  years.  All 
three  wives  were  equally  dead  and 
buried.  The  mitigating  circum- 
stances were  identical.  But  there 
were  three  different  juries,  judges, 
and  attorneys. 

Several  years  ago  a committee 
of  Congressmen  studied  the  matter 
of  the  abolition  of  capital  punish- 
ment in  the  District  of  Columbia. 
This  is  what  they  said: 

“As  it  is  now  applied,  the  death 
penalty  is  nothing  but  an  arbitrary 
discrimination  against  an  occasional 
victim.  It  cannot  even  be  said  that 
it  is  reserved  as  a weapon  of  retri- 
butive justice  for  the  most  atrocious 
criminals.  For  it  is  not  necessarily 
the  most  guilty  who  suffer  it.  Al- 
most any  criminal  with  wealth  or 
influence  can  escape  it,  but  the  poor 
and  friendless  convict,  without 
means  or  power  to  fight  his  case 
from  court  to  court  or  to  exert  pres- 


sure upon  the  pardoning  executive, 
is  the  one  singled  out  as  a sacrifice 
to  what  is  little  more  than  a tradi- 
tion.” Remember,  these  were  not 
tenderhearted  preachers,  but  hard- 
boiled  congressmen  who  spoke  thus! 

Not  only  is  capital  punishment 
declining  in  use,  not  only  are  we 
partial  in  its  application,  but  capital 
punishment  is  too  irreparable  a 
thing  to  be  used  by  humans  who 
do  make  mistakes. 

As  far  back  as  1811,  a committee 
of  the  English  Parliament  pointed 
to  cases  where  guiltless  people  had 
been  executed.  In  1845  a New  York 
legislative  committee  reported  sim- 
ilar findings. 

TTie  late  Judge  Jerome  Frank  of 
the  Second  District  Court  of  Ap- 
peals has  stated:  “No  one  knows 
how  many  innocent  men,  erroneous- 
ly convicted  of  murder,  have  been 
put  to  death  by  American  govern- 
ments. For  once  a convicted  man  is 
dead,  all  interest  in  vindicating  him 
usually  evaporates.”  In  his  book, 
“Not  Guilty,”  Judge  Frank  docu- 
ments thirty-six  cases  in  which  men 
were  convicted  of  crimes  they  did 
not  commit. 

But  the  strongest  argument  a- 
gainst  capital  punishment  comes 
from  Jesus. 

He,  who  within  a few  days  would 
go  to  the  cross  to  expiate  for  man’s 
sin,  would  not  take  up  a stone  to 
condemn  to  death  a woman  taken 
in  a capital  (according  to  Jewish 
law)  drime. 

For  more  than  four  hundred 
years,  we  Mennonites  have  objected 
to  killing.  We  have  v/orked  hard  ■! 
to  keep  aloof  from  any  killing  sys-  I 
tern,  such  as  army  service.  We  have 
circled  the  globe,  leaving  homes  and 
property  rather  than  become  in- 
volved in  killing. 

However,  we  do  not  raise  our 
voices  against  killing  by  the  state.  )i 
It  is  my  opinion  that  as  long  as  we  I 
fail  to  raise  our  voices  on  this  mat- 
ter, we  have  no  right  to  ask  for 
exemption  from  military  duty.  As 
members  of  society  we  do  take  part 
every  time  some  poor  fellow  dies  in 
the  gas  chamber  or  “hangs  by  his  ! 
neck  until  dead.” 

We  can’t  escape  our  part  in  so- 
ciety— not  even  by  saying  we  don’t 
vote!  Every  time  there  is  an  execu- 
tion, society  plays  God.  And  every 
time  a state  in  which  I live  plays 
God,  I am  playing  God  also. 


726 


THE  MENNONITE 


2.  Conference  Loyalty 

Conference  Discussion 


Reported  by  Esther  Groves 

Four  discussion  groups,  in 
looking  at  lack  of  Conference 
loyalty,  placed  the  blame  on  insuf- 
ficient information.  Some  delegates 
felt  that  v/e  do  not  know  enough 
about  the  actual  work  of  the  Con- 
ference or  about  the  spiritual  con- 
' cems  of  our  workers  and  mission- 
aries. It  was  suggested  that  each 
church  do  more  Conference  educa- 
tion through  the  use  of  bulletin 
boards  and  all  other  means  avail- 
able to  acquaint  everyone  with 
what  our  church  is  doing. 

In  connection  with  this,  two  dis- 
cussion groups  expressed  apprecia- 
tion for  the  visits  of  Board  mem- 
' bers  and  central  office  workers  to 
local  churches.  The  visits  helped 
people  to  learn  what  was  going  on 
and  created  interest,  and  the  groups 
I asked  that  this  type  of  visit  be  con- 
tinued. 

Five  discussion  groups  suggested 
that  “ministers  are  largely  responsi- 
ble for  churches  stressing  other 
causes,”  that  “church  giving  reflects 
the  loyalty  of  the  minister,”  and 
that  the  problem  of  Conference  sup- 

What’s  in 
Your 

Church  Name? 


Irene  Wiens 


port  is  not  so  much  in  the  need  for 
ministers  to  be  informed  as  for  min- 
isters to  inform  their  congregations. 
“The  link  is  the  minister,”  one  dele- 
gate said. 

It  was  pointed  out  that  for  a long 
time  we  did  not  have  our  own  sem- 
inary and  that  many  ministers  have 
been  trained  in  non-Conference 
schools.  This  has,  of  course,  con- 
tributed to  lack  of  Conference  loy- 
alty. 

Six  discussion  groups  tied  lack  of 
Conference  loyalty  to  appeals  from 
outside  causes,  both  through  the 
mail  and  through  outside  speakers 
in  the  church.  Some  of  these  outside 
speakers  are  former  church  mem- 
bers who  have  chosen  to  work  un- 
der a non-Mennonite  board. 

Should  a church  support  non-Men- 
nonite  missions  and  allow  outside 
speakers  to  come  in  and  take  up 
offerings  for  non-Conference  causes? 
One  delegate  said,  “Leave  it  to  the 
individual”;  another  said,  “We  must 
draw  the  line  in  some  way”;  quite 
a few  more  said  that  our  missions 
are  faith  missions  also,  and  that 


WHAT  MESSAGE  is  in  your 
church  name?  Is  there  a mes- 
sage for  both  the  churched  and  un- 
churched? Does  it  express  some- 
thing about  the  Christian  faith  to 
the  by-passer?  Does  it  witness  to  all 
within  the  community? 

The  Mennonite  Church  of  Sioux 
Falls,  S.  D.,  now  known  as  Good 
Shepherd,  had  to  give  consideration 
to  the  subject  of  selecting  a perma- 
nent name.  This  was  necessitated  by 
the  incorporation  of  the  church  and 
the  state,  and  by  the  contemplated 
building  program.  Further  consider- 
ation of  this  subject  was  encour- 


since  we  have  obligations  to  certain 
mission  fields  and  evangelistic  proj- 
ects, we  should  meet  those  responsi- 
bilities first  before  giving  to  other 
causes.  While  “the  Kingdom  of  God 
is  larger  than  the  General  Confer- 
ence,” we  are  a part  of  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  Mennonite  Church’s 
evangelistic  outreach  and  should  let 
outside  giving  be  over  and  above 
our  own  obligations  and  commit- 
ments. 

Other  Concerns 

Some  discussion  centered  on  the 
new  Church  Extension  Services,  Inc. 
Delegates  asked  questions  on  its 
operation,  asked  how  to  promote  it, 
and  in  general  approved  of  its  exist- 
ence with  comments  such  as; 
“Church  Extension  Services  provides 
a wonderful  Christian  channel  for 
. . . people  to  invest  their  money 
for  good  causes.” 

Other  areas  touched  on  in  this 
discussion  period  included  the  need 
for  more  stewardship  training;  the 
unified  budget  plan,  pro  and  con; 
the  Pension  Plan  for  ministers; 
Ministers’  Aid;  and  the  area  of  min- 
isters’ salaries. 

In  the  last-mentioned  area,  dele- 
gates asked  what  ministers’  salaries 
were,  why  ministers  were  often  un- 
derpaid, what  a fair  salary  should 
be,  and  what  to  do  when  a small 
church  feels  it  cannot  pay  the  same 
salary  paid  by  a larger  church.  Ex- 
amples were  given  of  ten  people 
giving  a tithe  of  their  income  to 
support  a minister. 


aged  also  because  of  the  great  dif- 
ficulty in  changing  an  established 
church  name. 

With  the  qualifications,  previously 
mentioned,  in  mind,  our  congrega- 
tion set  forth  to  find  a name  that 
not  only  satisfied  our  own  needs,  but 
referred  the  honor  and  respect  due 
the  church  to  Jesus  Christ  and  to 
God. 

It  was  called  to  our  attention  that 
basically  there  are  three  tyi)es  of 
names  undesired  and  discouraged 
among  even  church  leaders.  They 

Irene  Wiens  is  church  secretary  for  the 
Good  Shepherd  Menu.  Church  In  Sioux 
Falls,  S.  D. 


November  24,  1959 


727 


are  arithmetical,  geographical,  and 
biblical  names. 

Arithmetical  names  as  First  and 
Second  serve  only  for  identification 
or  that  it  was  the  first  church  of 
its  kind  in  the  city  or  area.  It  fur- 
thermore lacks  witness  to  the  com- 
munity and  fails  to  foresee  a future. 

Geographical  names  for  the  names 
of  a city,  town,  street,  or  lake  may 
well  be  changed  or  renamed  in  the 
future.  Great  problems  arise  when 
a church  selects  the  name  of  an 
avenue  or  street,  and  later  deciding 
to  relocate,  finds  the  present  name 
obsolete. 

Previous  generations  have  been 
more  dedicated  students  of  the 
Bible,  but  in  this  age  the  meaning 
of  such  biblical  names  as  Salem, 
Bethel,  Zion,  Ebenezer  are  unknown. 
Such  names  may  have  pious  origins, 
but  today  serve  only  for  purposes  of 
identification,  having  lost  the  rich 
meaning  once  theirs. 

Names  received  as  memorials  to 
individuals,  or  some  great  saint  of 
the  church,  as  well  as  sensational 
names  as  “Church  Around  the  Cor- 
ner,” have  no  place  as  titles  of  the 
house  of  God.  There  is  little  evidence 
of  genuine  interest,  thought,  and 
creativeness  in  the  choosing  of  any 
such  name. 

It  was  our  aim  to  select  a name 
that  represents  the  very  foundation 
of  our  Christian  faith,  one  that  is 
capable  of  calling  forth  the  interest, 
devotion,  and  loyalty  of  all  mem- 
bers, and  a name  with  a goal  that 
challenges  every  Christian. 

Our  name  is  familiar  to  all  read- 
ers of  the  Bible.  It  is  referred  to  in 
both  the  Old  and  New  Testament, 
and  is  revealed  most  clearly  through 
the  life  of  Jesus  Christ  himself. 

Good  Shepherd  Mennonite  Church 
presents  to  its  members  those  di- 
vine qualities  that  we  hope  to  ful- 
fill in  our  lives.  Shepherds  in  Jesus’ 
day  were  willing  to  assume  great 
responsibility  for  their  masters,  and 
so  it  is  our  aim  to  accept  such  re- 
sponsibility in  faithful  devotion  and 
service  to  the  eternal  Good  Shep- 
herd. 

Our  name  also  carries  a message, 
not  only  for  those  within  the  fold, 
but  also  those  without,  as  the  Shep- 
herd would  seek  and  watch  over  the 
lost  until  they  were  found  and  safe- 
ly taken  home. 

What  then  is  in  a church  name? 
Have  you  ever  stopped  and  consid- 


ered the  importance  of  it?  Can  your 
church  claim  a name  that  is  able 
to  fulfill  its  purposes?  If  the  church 
is  to  become  a witness  in  our  time, 
it  may  be  well  to  give  more  careful 
consideration  to  the  names  selected. 
Unless  the  name  of  your  church 
means  something  to  you,  its  mean- 
ing is  lost.  Churches  should  become 
concerned  when  very  few  members 
can  explain  the  meaning  of  their 
name,  or  refer  to  it  as  identification 
purposes  alone. 

It  is  true  that  such  an  opportunity 
as  selecting  a church  name  is  not 
available  to  every  church  member, 
and  therefore,  it  should  be  of  their 
concern  to  express  that  especially 
new  churches  be  challenged  to  the 
selection  of  a name. 

May  the  names  we  select  embody 
the  task  and  truth  of  the  church. 
With  this  in  mind  we  trust  and  pray 
God’s  blessing  upon  Good  Shepherd 
Mennonite  Church  as  we  strive  to 
minister  to  those  of  our  city  con- 
cerning the  message  and  truth  of 
the  Christian  church  and  Menno- 
nite faith. 

the  reader  says 

. . . more  about  funerals 

Among  the  many  blessings  the 
Mennonites  of  the  Fraser  Val- 
ley in  British  Columbia  experience 
are  those  derived  from  the  services 
of  a Christian  mortician. 

Morticians,  in  general,  meet  all 
the  legal  requirements  in  the  prepa- 
ration of  the  dead  body,  the  casket, 
and  the  grave  for  the  funeral.  A 
Christian  mortician  considers  his 
service  as  a calling  from  God  and 
gives  all  his  services  with  a Chris- 
tian plus. 

Garden  Chapel  Funeral  Home, 
Abbotsford,  B.  C.,  is  known  for  its 
many  specialized  and  friendly  tasks 
at  times  of  bereavement  in  the  com- 
munity. Upon  request,  it  comes  for 
the  body,  embalms  it,  registers  the 
death,  provides  burial  permits, 
makes  funeral  announcements  over 
the  radio  and  in  newspapers,  as- 
sists in  the  selection  of  caskets, 
memorial  cards,  flowers,  grave- 
stones, appreciation  cards,  and  spon- 
sors the  sale  of  Gideon  Bibles  in 
memory  of  loved  ones.  Its  staff  is 
always  ready  with  words  of  comfort 
for  the  bereaved,  especially  when  it 
arrives  before  the  minister  does.  Es- 
pecially is  this  appreciated  when 


death  strikes  suddenly  as  in  the 
case  of  car  accidents  and  strokes. 

Mennonites  had  long  been  waiting 
for  such  service  in  their  commu- 
nity. Morticians  given  to  alcoholism 
and  smoking,  seeking  relaxation  in 
restaurants  during  the  funeral  serv- 
ice, and  not  being  ‘on  the  spot’  pro- 
vided for  embarrassing  situations. 
The  proprietors  of  Garden  Chapel, 
members  of  the  Mennonite  Church, 
join  in  with  the  funeral  service,  do 
not  consider  a lengthy  funeral  a 
burden,  and  are  available  for  help 
and  consultation  at  all  times. 

This  funeral  home  is  located  in 
the  vicinity  of  nine  Mennonite 
churches.  These  churches  are  joint- 
ly responsible  for  their  own  ceme- 
tery given  them  by  the  municipal- 
ity. A committee  of  nine,  a member 
from  each  church,  administers  its 
maintenance.  Fences  are  kept  up, 
lawns  clipped  and  financial  prob- 
lems solved.  The  committee  meets 
monthly  and  never  undertakes  any 
change  in  policy  or  procedure  unless 
all  members  agree  to  do  so.  Often 
the  mortician  is  present  at  the  meet- 
ings. 

Garden  Chapel  Funeral  Home 
serves  at  six  to  eight  funerals  a 
month.  During  its  period  of  opera- 
tion, it  has  made  striking  observa- 
tions; 

1.  'The  death  rate  among  people  j 
meeting  death  normally  is  highest 

in  spring  and  autumn.  When  the 
trees  begin  to  bud  and  again  when 
the  foliage  begins  to  fall,  death  har-  ' 
vests  most  of  earth’s  pilgrims,  espe-  j 
cially  among  those  who  are  old  and 
bedridden. 

2.  Non-Christians  tend  to  purchase 

costlier  caskets  for  the  dead  than  do 
Christians.  , 

3.  People  gladly  purchase  Gideon 
Bibles  ($2.00  each)  in  memory  of  ' 
loved  ones  passed  away.  There  is 
record  of  a family  who  yearly  do- 
nates $25.00  in  memory  of  its  par- 
ents. These  Bibles  are  then  distrib- 
uted among  students  in  schools. 

Funeral  homes  generally  do  not 
go  out  of  business.  It  is  a source  of 
strength  to  know,  where  death  is  a 
certainty,  that  there  are  those  dedi- 
cated to  the  task  of  comfort  and  joy- 
ous service  in  the  hour  when  death  , 
strikes.  May  God  continue  to  sum-  I 

mon  men  to  the  calling  of  a Chris-  I 

tian  mortician.  * 

— Bruno  Epp  i 

South  America  J 


728 


THE  MENNONITE 


Union  of  All  Mennonites  of  North  America 

It  is  a matter  of  gratification  to  every  friend  and  supporter  of  Mennonite 
doctrines  to  know  that  within  the  United  States  there  are  about  128,000  Menno- 
nites. But  at  the  same  time  it  is  humiliating  to  know  that  this  denomination  has 
never,  since  its  existence  in  America,  constituted  an  ecclesiastical  organization; 
that  is,  it  has  failed  entirely  to  co-operate  as  a general  church.  But  most  deplorable 
of  all,  seems  to  us,  is  the  fact  that,  just  because  of  the  lack  of  fraternity  among 
those  who  hold  to  the  Mennonite  doctrines,  there  is  in  many  places  a constant 
increase  in  factionalism  and  a corresponding  decline  in  spiritual  life.  Because  they 
recognized  this  state  of  affairs,  many  ministers  and  members  have  for  many 
years  earnestly  desired  that  an  intimate  and  fraternal  co-operation  might  be  gained. 

Accordingly,  a number  of  ministers  and  members  in  the  western  states  issued 
a call  for  a general  conference,  to  meet  at  West  Point,  Lee  County,  Iowa,  on 
May  28,  1860,  for  the  purpose  of  considering  ways  and  means  for  the  unification 
of  all  Mennonites  of  North  America,  conformable  to  1 Corinthians  12:12-27. 

After  this  great  and  important  matter  had,  under  devout  prayer  and  supplication, 
been  deliberated  upon,  the  following  resolutions  were  adopted: 

1.  That  all  branches  of  Mennonites  in  North  America,  regardless  of  minor 
differences,  should  extend  to  each  other  the  hand  of  fellowship. 

2.  That  fraternal  relations  shall  be  severed  only  when  a person  or  church 
abandons  the  fundamental  doctrines  of  the  denomination;  namely  those  concerning 
baptism,  the  oath,  etc.  (wherein  we  follow  Menno  Simons),  as  indeed  also  all 
those  principal  doctrines  of  the  faith  which  we  with  Menno  base  solely  upon 
the  gospel  as  received  from  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  and  His  apostles. 

3.  That  no  brother  shall  be  found  guilty  of  heresy  unless  his  error  can  be 
established  on  unequivocal  scriptural  evidence. 

4.  That  the  General  Conference  shall  consider  no  excommunication  as  scrip- 
turally  valid  unless  a real  transgression  or  neglect,  conflicting  with  the  demands 
of  Scripture,  exists. 

5.  That  every  church  or  district  shall  be  entitled  to  continue,  without  molestation 
or  hindrance  and  amenable  only  to  their  own  conscience,  any  rules  or  regulations 
they  may  have  adopted  for  their  own  government,  provided  they  do  not  conflict 
with  the  tenets  of  our  general  confession. 

6.  That  if  a member  of  a church,  because  of  existing  customs  or  ordinances 
in  his  church,  shall  desire  to  sever  his  connection  and  unite  with  some  other  church 
of  the  General  Conference,  such  action  shall  not  be  interfered  with. 

The  cause  of  missions  was  also  considered,  and  the  following  resolutions  were 
adopted: 

1.  That  hereafter  home  and  foreign  missions  shall  be  carried  on  according  to 
ability  by  our  denomination.  There  shall  be  one  treasury  at  Franklin  Centre,  Lee 
Co.,  Iowa,  and  another  at  Milford  Square,  Pa.,  the  latter  to  be  in  charge  of  the 
treasurer  of  the  Mennonite  Printing  Union.  Into  these  treasuries  all  money  intend- 
ed for  missionary  purposes  or  for  the  distribution  of  tracts  shall  be  paid,  and  the 
fund  thus  contributed  shall  be  considered  the  common  property  of  the  denomina- 
tion. This  arrangement  shall  continue  until  changed  by  some  future  session  of  the 
Conference. 

2.  Every  church  is  requested  to  collect  money  in  the  manner  as  it  seems  right 
and  best  and  then  to  remit  the  money  to  one  of  the  treasurers,  designating  to 
what  cause  the  money  is  to  be  devoted. 

3.  That  the  Publishing  House  already  in  existence  in  our  denomination  is  appre- 
ciated as  a helpful  institution  and  that  it  is  hereby  fraternally  recommended  to 
general  support. 

4.  That  an  institution  for  theological  training  shall  be  established  as  soon  as  it 
can  be  accomplished  through  the  support  of  the  denomination. 


I 

A 


Goals  for  the 
Next  Centenary 

As  we  of  the  General  Conference 
stand  at  the  threshold  of  our  second 
century,  we  look  back  to  the  work  of 
those  who  walked  before  us,  faithful 
in  the  cause  of  Christ  and  His  church. 
We  also  look  up  in  gratitude  to  our 
Heavenly  Father  for  His  merciful  guid- 
ance in  the  century  now  closing;  and 
we  look  forward  humbly  to  the  cen- 
tury ahead,  aware  of  the  far-reaching 
warfare  we  may  be  called  upon  to 
wage  against  unprecedented  demonic 
power. 

So  we  stand  at  the  threshold,  seek- 
ing inspiration  from  the  past  and  pray- 
ing for  God’s  strengthening  in  the 
present  and  the  future  as  we  surrender 
ourselves  in  deeper  discipleship  to  Him 
who  is  our  Saviour  and  Lord,  dedicat- 
ing ourselves  to: 


860 

960 


Witness  to  the  saving  power  of  Jesus 
Christ  our  Lord,  to  the  unity  of  all 
believers  in  Christ,  to  the  gospel  of 
peace  and  reconciliation  through  Jesus 
Christ,  and  to  the  priesthood  of  all 
believers. 

Witness  to  the  growing  multitudes 
of  our  cities,  to  all  who  have  not  heard 
the  gospel,  and  to  each  succeeding  gen- 
eration. 

Witness  against  the  spirit  of  mate- 
rialism of  this  age,  against  the  spirit  of 
exclusivism  in  our  fellowship,  against 
the  spirit  of  division  in  the  Christian 
church,  and  against  the  rising  tide  of 
moral  laxity. 


Witness  through  personal  evange- 
lism and  church  life,  through  the  wit- 
ness of  the  printed  page,  and  through 
our  institutions  of  higher  learning  and 
all  Conference  institutions. 

Witness  by  reaffirming  our  faith  in 
the  inspiration  and  authority  of  the 
Scriptures,  and  by  dedicating  ourselves 
anew  as  disciples  of  Christ,  by  living 
a life  of  dedicated  stewardship,  by  keep- 
ing open  our  hearts  to  the  regenera- 
tive and  sanctifying  work  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  by  strengthening  the  Christian 
family,  by  manifesting  concern  over 
social  evils  of  our  culture,  and  by  a 
prophetic  witness  to  state  and  society. 


\ 


Two  Centuries  With  One  Fa>ith 


On  May  28,  1860,  John  H.  Oberholtzer  of  Pennsylvania 
met  in  Iowa  with  Daniel  Krehbiel,  Christian  Schowalter, 
and  others  to  look  forward  in  faith  across  the  years. 
Abraham  Lincoln  had  just  been  nominated  for  the 
presidency  of  the  United  States.  The  strange  new 
leaven  of  the  Industrial  Revolution  was  at  work  build- 
ing factories  all  across  our  rural  landscapes.  Some 
parts  of  the  country  still  practiced  slavery;  and  the 
Civil  War,  the  first  and  bloodiest  of  modern  wars,  was 
ten  months  away. 

The  revival  fires  started  by  the  preaching  of  Charles 
G.  Finney  were  still  warming  the  spiritual  life  of  the 
American  churches.  New  religious  groups  were  forming 
in  the  wake  of  the  camp  meetings  then  a part  of 
American  frontier  life. 

In  a time  like  this,  Mennonites  responded  in  faith 
to  claim  their  birthright  which  they  had  neglected  for 
too  many  years.  The  Plan  of  Union  of  1860,  as  the 
first  statement  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite 
Church,  testifies  to  a deep  faith  in  God  which  has 
proved  itself  in  one  hundred  years  of  faithful  witness 
for  God. 


Except  for  a few  dated  references,  the  Plan  of 
Union  sounds  as  if  it  could  have  been  written  yester- 
day. Its  faith  is  still  our  faith.  Its  hope  is  still  our  hope. 

Compare  it  with  the  Goals  for  the  Next  Centenary 
adopted  by  the  General  Conference  at  Bluffton,  Ohio, 
just  this  summer.  Here  is  another  dedication  made  in 
faith  in  a time  of  international  and  racial  tension. 

The  growing  program  of  the  General  Conference 
Mennonite  Church  gives  evidence  of  the  quality  of 
the  faith  of  our  fathers.  Beginning  with  nothing,  the 
General  Conference  now  has  over  250  missionaries  in 
fourteen  distinct  fields  of  service  plus  several  hundred 
others  working  in  relief  and  voluntary  service  projects. 
Beginning  with  no  schools,  the  Conference  now  has 
three  colleges,  two  junior  colleges,  and  one  theological 
seminary.  Starting  with  less  than  a half  dozen  congre- 
gations in  1860,  today  over  270  congregations  are  part 
of  the  General  Conference. 

With  much  given  to  us,  much  is  expected  of  us.  An 
annual  budget  of  a million  dollars  is  not  only  evidence 
of  our  faith;  it  is  a test  of  our  faith. 

We  cannot  rely  on  the  accomplishment  of  the  past. 
Faith  perishes  when  not  exercised  regularly. 


Other  foundation  can  no  man  lay  than  that  is  laid,  which  is  Jesus  Christ. 


I AM  THERE 


Mennonite  youth 


Do  you  need  Me? 

I am  there. 

You  cannot  see  Me,  yet  I am  the  light  you  see  by. 

You  cannot  hear  Me,  yet  I speak  through  your  voice. 

You  cannot  feel  Me,  yet  I am  the  power  at  work  in  your  hands. 

I am  at  work  though  you  do  not  understand  My  ways. 

I am  at  work  though  you  do  not  recognize  My  words. 

I am  not  strange  visions.  I am  not  mysteries. 

Only  in  absolute  stillness,  beyond  self,  can  you  know  Me 
as  I am,  and  then  but  as  a feeling  and  a faith. 

Yet  I am  there.  Yet  I hear.  Yet  I answer. 

When  you  need  Me,  I am  there. 

Even  if  you  deny  Me,  I am  there. 

Even  when  you  feel  most  alone,  I am  there. 

Even  in  your  fears,  I am  there. 

Even  in  your  pain,  I am  there. 

I am  there  when  you  pray  and  when  you  do  not  pray. 

I am  in  you,  and  you  are  in  Me. 

Only  in  your  mind  can  you  feel  separate  from  Me,  for  only  in 
your  mind  are  the  mists  of  “yours”  and  “mine.” 

Yet  only  with  your  mind  can  you  know  Me  and  experience  Me. 

Empty  your  heart  of  empty  fears. 

When  you  get  yourself  out  of  the  way,  I am  there. 

You  can  of  yourself  do  nothing,  but  I can  do  all. 

And  I am  in  all. 

Though  you  may  not  see  the  good,  good  is  there,  for  I am  there. 

I am  there  because  I have  to  be,  because  I am. 

Only  in  Me  does  the  world  have  meaning;  only  out  of  Me  does 
the  world  take  form;  only  because  of  Me  does  the  world 
go  forward. 

I am  the  law  on  which  the  movement  of  the  stars  and  the  growth  of 
living  cells  are  founded. 

I am  the  love  that  is  the  law’s  fulfilling.  I am  assurance. 

I am  peace.  I am  oneness.  I am  the  law  that  you,  can  live  by. 

I am  the  love  that  you  can  cling  to.  I am  your  assurance. 

I am  your  peace.  I am  one  with  you.  I am.  - 

Though  you  fail  to  find  Me,  I do  not  fail  you. 

Though  your  faith  in  Me  is  unsure.  My  faith  in  you  never  wavers. 
Because  I know  you,  because  I love  you. 

Beloved,  I am  there. 

— James  Dillet  Freeman 


November  24,  1959 


733 


THE  ROAD  WE  HAVE  COME 


Historical  sketch  of  the  Young  People’s  Union 
from  igiy  to  1939.  Prepared  by  Gordon  Dyck  for  the 
cabinet  meeting,  Oct.  9-10,  1959  (See  article  in 
MENNONITE  LIFE,  July,  1933,  by  Grace  Miller 
Neufeld  entitled  “The  Young  People’s  Union.”) 


1917  Interest  in  young  people  first  expressed  at  a session  of  the  General  Conference. 

1920  First  young  people’s  program  planned  at  a session  of  the  General  Conference.  An 
executive  committee  was  elected:  C.  E.  Krehbiel,  P.  R.  Schroeder,  and  Anna  Stauffer. 

1923  Two  youth  programs  given  at  conference,  both  were  repeated.  C.  E.  Krehbiel  was 
made  chairman  of  a committee  called  “The  Sunday  School  and  Christian  Endeavor 
Committee  of  the  General  Conference.” 

1923  (November)  First  youth  page  in  The  Mennonite  under  the  title  of  “The  Sower.” 

1926  Election  policy  changed.  Now  each  district  of  the  Conference  elected  one  member 
to  “TTie  Youth  Committee”  (the  new  name),  with  responsibilities  for  two  pages  in 
The  Mennonite  and  for  the  youth  programs  at  the  sessions  of  the  General  Con- 
ference. 

1933  More  organization  needed  by  the  young  people  themselves.  D.  D.  Eitzen  (now 
psychology  prof  at  Clairmont  College  in  Calif.)  was  elected  president.  The  main 
emphasis  of  the  first  Conference  youth  business  meeting  was  retreats.  A part  time 
field  secretary  was  appointed — A.  J.  Neuenschwander.  In  one  year  he  visited  almost 
all  the  churches  of  the  Middle,  Western,  and  Eastem  districts.  (It  is  interesting  to 
note  that  exactly  twenty  years  later  Bill  Gering  began  his  duties  as  youth  worker.) 

1935  First  Conference-wide  young  people’s  retreat  held  at  Seven  Oaks,  Calif. 

1938  First  Young  People’s  Committee  constitution  rejected.  It  was  too  long  and  involved. 
Olin  Krehbiel  was  elected  president. 

1941  Our  present  Young  People’s  Union  came  into  being  with  Ted  Claassen  (now  bank 
cashier  at  Newton,  Kan.)  as  president.  The  next  president,  Elmer  Ediger  (1945- 
1947)  wrote  the  Youth  Manual.  Kenneth  Bauman  served  as  president  from  1947- 
1953.  Harris  Waltner  served  from  1953-1959. 

1941  First  Young  People’s  Union  Prayer  Calendar  printed. 

1946  The  Young  People’s  Union  Council  (which  meets  yearly  in  November  and  which 
meets  this  week  end)  was  organized. 

1946  The  Missionary  Education  Fund  was  begun  as  YPU  mission  project  (and  continued 
until  1955).  This  fund  provided  for  the  sponsoring  of  young  people  from  mission 
fields  for  education  in  our  colleges. 

1949  First  Program  Helps  printed. 

1950  First  appointments  for  Young  People’s  Union  area  chairmen:  Faith  and  Life, 
Vemey  Unruh;  Service,  David  Schroeder;  Fellowship,  Myrtle  Wasser. 

1950  Beginning  of  emphasis  on  leadership  workshops  or  clinics. 

1953  Part  time  youth  worker  secured.  From  1955-1958  Bill  Gering  served  as  full  time 
youth  worker. 

1963  Youth  Manual  published. 

1955  GuLfport  becomes  the  mission  project.  Emphasis  turning  to  fields  and  activities 
rather  than  focusing  on  one  person. 

1959  Committee  on  Youth  Work  organized  for  better  organizational  relationship  to  the 
Board  of  Education  and  Publication. 

1959  Fellowship  and  Service  Area  manuals  and  counselor’s  manual  published. 

1959  Milton  Harder  begins  service  as  director  of  youth  work. 


734 


THE  MENNONITE 


To  and  From  a Pastor 


jj^  EAR  Pastor, 

I hope  you  don’t  mind  my  writing 
again.  But  this  week  the  admissions 
counselor  was  here  from  college  and 
talked  to  me  about  entering  college 
when  I’m  through  high  school.  I 
told  him  I had  thought  about  going, 
but  I didn’t  know  at  all  what  I was 
I going  to  do  after  high  school. 

How  do  you  decide  what  you  want 
to  be?  I can  see  several  things  that 
I’d  like  to  do  as  a vocation.  And  I 
want  to  do  the  Christian  thing,  too. 
Shouldn’t  a person  know  what  he’s 
I going  to  do  before  he  goes  to  col- 

I lege?  Joe 

EAR  Joe, 

I’ll  answer  your  second  question 
first.  No,  you  don’t  have  to  know 
what  your  vocation  will  be  before 
you  enter  college.  Many  don’t  know 
until  their  second  or  third  year. 
Some  aren’t  really  sure  until  after 
they  graduate.  College  can  be  a 
place  where  you  discover  it! 

Your  first  question  was  pretty 
tough.  Let  me  first  say  that  no  one 
wiU  tell  you  what  you  should  be. 
They  can  help,  but  you’ll  finally 
have  to  decide  for  yourself.  I can 
suggest  four  things  for  you  to  ask 
yourself  that,  if  you  give  good  an- 
swers, might  help  you  know  what 
to  do. 

1.  What  are  your  interests?  What 
do  you  like  to  do?  What  seems  chal- 
lenging and  exciting  to  you? 

2.  What  can  you  do?  What  tal- 
ents do  you  have?  Do  you  have  the 

i physical  and  mental  capacity  to  do 
the  kind  of  work  you  are  interested 
in?  Do  you  have  resources  for  the 
! training  that  will  be  involved  or  to 
get  set  up  for  your  vocation? 

3.  What  needs  impress  you? 
Where  will  your  life  coimt  to  allevi- 

^ ate  some  particular  need  of  man- 
kind today?  To  answer  this  you’ll 
have  to  open  your  eyes  to  the  world 
all  about  you.  God  calls  to  you 
through  the  voices  of  men,  women, 
and  children  who  are  begging  for 
help  to  meet  their  physical,  social, 
or  spiritual  needs.  When  you  are 
particularly  moved  by  some  specific 
problem  of  humem  need,  stop  and 
look  at  it  carefully,  and  see  if  you 
can  do  anything  about  it.  It  may  be 
the  answer  to  your  searching.  (Read 
again  Matthew  25.  The  parables  of 
the  talents  and  the  Last  Judgment 
speak  to  this.) 


4.  When  you  begin  to  get  some 
ideeis,  talk  them  over  with  someone 
who  knows  you.  Other  people  can 
look  at  you  more  objectively  and 
can  soon  tell  you  if  you  are  aiming 
too  high  or  too  low.  You  might  want 
to  talk  to  people  who  are  already 
in  the  work  you  are  considering. 
God  counsels  us  through  the  mouths 
of  men  who  are  dedicated  to  Him. 
Seek  their  help. 

If  you  prayerfully  consider  all 
these  things,  trying  to  see  where 
you  can  make  your  life  count  most 


My  biggest  concern  about  the  ar- 
ticle “The  Theology  of  the  Devil” 
is  that  it  ignores  what  the  Word 
of  God  teaches  concerning  the  devil 
and  his  doings.  . . . May  we  never 
be  found  to  be  a self-righteous  peo- 
ple. May  we  rather  humble  our- 
selves and  be  diligent  in  doing  the 
work  which  God  has  entrusted  to  us. 

— G.E.K.,  Kansas 
Schoolboy  satire  mixed  with  plain 
ignorance  in  regard  to  the  truth  of 
God’s  Word  does  no  credit  to  any 
college  product.  Nor  should  such  a 
low  standard  of  editorial  policy  pre- 
vail in  The  Menncmite. 

— N.K.B.,  Pennsylvania 
...  on  the  article  “A  'Theology  of 
the  Devil” — I loved  it.  A beautiful 
piece  of  satire.  I wonder,  though,  if 
there  will  be  repercussions. 

— J.S.,  Austria 
Several  times  I have  been  asked 
by  church  members  about  the  ap- 
propriateness of  the  use  of  satire 
in  “A  Theology  of  the  Devil.”  One 
of  our  members  didn’t  catch  the 
satire  and  thought  the  author  was 
completely  off  his  rocker  theolog- 
ically. 

— W.J.D.,  Idaho 
I believe  it  would  be  good  if  the 
meaning  of  “A  Theology  of  the 
Devil”  were  published  in  The  Men- 
nonite.  We  have  too  many  who  are 
trying  to  find  some  fault  with  the 
Mennonites,  even  in  our  denomina- 
tion. A few  words  of  explanation 
would  clear  up  this  matter. 

— D.H.R.,  Kansas 


for  Christ,  the  answer  will  begin  to 
come.  Some  jobs  will  be  eliminated. 
You’ll  stiU  probably  have  to  make 
some  choices.  It  may  take  another 
ten  years  before  your  vocational 
problem  is  really  settled.  You  may 
know  for  sure  next  month.  God 
speaks  to  each  of  us  in  different 
circumstances  and  ways.  But,  if  you 
deeply  strive  to  find  God’s  will  for 
your  life  He  will  finally,  in  one  way 
or  another,  show  His  will  to  you. 

I’ll  be  praying  that  you  might 
know  His  wiU.  Your  Pastor 


For  some  time  we  have  been  deep- 
ly grieved  at  the  sight  of  the  so- 
called  “modern  art”  used  in 
illustrating  articles  in  The  Menno- 
nite — for  instance,  “A  'Theology  of 
the  Devil”  and  “College  Is  a Mir- 
ror Held  Up,”  and  the  cover  for 
Jan.  28,  1959  on  ‘“The  Good  Samari- 
tan.” 'These  are  caricatures  which  are 
not  fit  for  a CJiristian  paper.  I feel 
that  money  spent  to  produce  such 
“art”  is  worse  than  wasted.  Such 
illustrations  are  a poor  commentary 
on  our  witness  for  Christ. 

— H.J.D.,  Kansas 

I think  the  criticism  of  “A  'The- 
ology of  the  Devil”  voiced  in  the 
Nov.  10,  1959,  issue  is  unfair.  'The 
writer  finds  implications  in  the  ar- 
ticle which  are  not  there,  and  which 
he  would  not  have  found  if  he  had 
not  been  so  eager  to  find  these  im- 
plications. 

— H.P.,  Kansas 

If  “A  'Theology  of  the  Devil” 
passes  for  Christian  literature,  then 
I would  prefer  to  see  the  pages  left 
blank. 

— Mrs.  A.W.P.,  Washington 

Unfortunately  some  persons  failed 
to  see  the  satire  in  “A  Theology  of 
the  Devil.”  Surely  we  are  not  sO‘ 
blind  as  to  fail  to  see  our  faults 
or  so  proud  as  to  fail  to  acknowl- 
edge them. 

— E.M.,  Kansas 

The  AAENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People's  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  722 
Main  St.,  Newton,  Kansas. 


From  Our  Readers 


November  24,  1959 


735 


our  schools 

MUSIC  HALL  UNDER 
CONSTRUCTION 

Construction  is  now  in  process  for 
the  new  music  hail  on  the  Bluffton 
Coliege  campus.  While  the  exact 
amount  of  the  total  cost  is  not  yet 
determined,  it  is  apparent  that  costs 
will  run  slightly  higher  than  earlier 
estimated. 

This  building  is  the  first  phase  of 
a ten  year,  $900,000  development 
program  which  was  announced  at 
the  homecoming  banquet  in  October. 
Other  buildings  which  are  included 
in  the  program  are  dormitories  for 
men  and  women  and  an  addition  to 
the  library. 

CHRISTIAN  LIFE  WEEK 

George  Greening,  pastor  of  the 
Bethei  Church  in  Winnipeg,  was 
the  speaker  for  this  year’s  Christian 
Life  Week  at  Rosthem  Junior  Col- 
lege. Services  were  held  both  in  the 
morning  and  evening.  Preparation 
for  the  services  was  made  meaning- 
ful through  various  prayer  groups 
meeting  many  times  during  the 
week. 

The  evening  services  were  opened 
by  the  teachers.  Specieil  music  and 
testimonies  by  the  students  served 
to  enhance  the  services  and  to  pre- 
pare our  hearts  for  the  messages 
that  followed. 

Rev.  Groening’s  topics  were  di- 
vided into  two  main  areas : surrender 
to  Christ  and  commitment  to  His 
will.  The  final  meeting  was  a con- 
secration service.  The  theme  was 
“The  Call  of  Elisha.’’  Rev.  Groening 
showed  us  that  God  demands  com- 
plete surrender.  He  has  no  job  for 
Tialf-hearted  followers.  There  is  no 
Joy  of  salvation  without  complete 
surrender  and  service.  Many  stu- 
dents accepted  the  challenge  and 
pledged  their  lives  to  Him  who  died 
for  us. 

In  planning  the  week,  hours  were 
allotted  as  counselling  sessions. 
Time  spent  for  this,  on  Rev.  Groen- 
ing’s part,  was  greatly  appreciated. 

COMMUNITY  SERVICE 

John  Ewert,  president  of  Freeman 
Junior  College,  had  charge  of  the 
Sunday  morning  worship  service  at 
the  Salem  Mennonite  Church  re- 
cently. James  Nussbaum  spoke  at 
the  Salem-Zion  young  people’s 
meeting  and  Miss  Adeline  Bartel  ad- 


dressed the  primary  and  junior 
Sunday  school  teachers  at  the  Sa- 
lem Church.  Miss  Leola  Schultz 
spoke  on  parent-teacher  relation- 
ships at  an  East  Freeman  Parent- 
Teacher  Association  meeting..  The 
Academy  Choir,  directed  by  Dorothy 
Imhoff,  sang  at  the  Sunday  evening 
services  at  the  South  Church  and 
the  College  Choir,  directed  by  La 
Vera  Schrag,  gave  Schubert’s  “Mass 
in  G”  at  Sunday  Vesper  services  at 
the  Bethany  Church  in  Freeman. 

EXPANSION  DISCUSSED 

Members  of  the  Freeman  College 
Board  of  Directors  and  their  wives 
were  guests  of  the  faculty  at  the 
October  faculty  meeting.  With  Dr. 
John  Ewert  as  moderator,  six  guest 
panelists  discussed  the  possibility  of 
expanding  the  present  curriculum 
scope  of  Freeman  College.  Members 
of  the  panel  were  Dr.  Irvin  Kauf- 
man, Richard  H.  Graber,  Eldon  Sen- 
ner  (mayor  of  Freeman),  Ray  Un- 
ruh.  Max  Miller  (pastor  of  the  Men- 
nonite Church  in  Sioux  Falis),  and 
Erwin  Gross. 

INTER-STATE  CONTEST 

The  inter-state  Academy  Declam- 
atory Meet  was  held  on  the  Free- 
man College  campus  Nov.  13.  Local 
elimination  tryouts  were  held  with 
Rev.  Wiiiiam  Unrau,  Mrs.  M.  J. 
Wollman,  Mrs.  Wallace  Haar,  Mrs. 
John  Neufeld,  Mrs.  Leo  Laber,  and 
Mrs.  Jerry  Krehbiel  serving  as 
judges.  Immediateiy  after  this  the 
winning  contestants  went  to  Ver- 
miliion  to  participate  in  the  Declam- 
atory Clinic  sponsored  for  high 
school  students  by  the  University  of 
South  Dakota. 

COMPOSER’S  FESTIVAL 

Harold  Moyer,  assistant  professor 
of  music  at  Bethel  College,  attended 
the  University  Composer’s  Ex- 
change Festival  held  in  Valparaiso, 
Ind.,  Nov.  13-15.  One  of  his  choral 
pieces,  entitled  “Psalm  136,’’  was 
performed  by  the  Goshen  Motet 
Singers,  a group  of  about  twenty- 
five  students  of  Goshen  College 
singing  under  the  direction  of  Dr. 
Mary  Oyer.  This  was  the  first  public 
performance  of  this  number. 

The  festival  draws  university  fac- 
ulty members  from  a Midwest  nine 
state  area. 

BOARD  OF  DIRECTORS  MEETS 

The  Executive  Committee  of  the 
Freeman  College  Board  of  Directors 
for  the  present  year  includes:  Wil- 
lard Waltner,  president;  Felix  Walt- 


ner,  vice-president;  and  Sam 
Schmidt,  secretary.  At  the  annual 
corporation  meeting  this  fall,  Felix 
Waltner  was  re-elected  to  serve 
another  term  and  Paul  L.  Hofer 
and  William  Ortman  were  elected 
for  the  first  time.  They  take  the 
place  of  Dr.  Isaac  Tieszen  and  Jake 
T.  Gross  who  retired  after  many 
years  of  faithful  service.  Recent 
constitutional  changes  limit  tenure 
on  the  Board  to  two  consecutive 
three-year  terms.  P.  A.  Regier  of 
Madrid,  Neb.,  who  was  selected  to 
fill  Walter  Gering’s  unexpired  term 
as  Northern  District  representative 
passed  away  recently.  He  attended 
a Board  session  shortly  before  his 
death. 

EIGHT  SENIORS  HONORED 

Eight  seniors  are  representing 
Bluffton  College  in  the  1959-1960 
Who’s  Who  Among  Students  in 
American  Universities  and  Colleges. 

Seniors  elected  and  their  majors 
are:  Patricia  Gross,  Sugarcreek, 

Ohio,  English;  Margaret  Litwiller, 
Wooster,  Ohio,  biology;  Ronald 
Lora,  Columbus  Grove,  Ohio,  busi- 
ness education;  Frances  Mauger, 
Bechtelsville,  Pa.,  English;  Glenn 
Snyder,  Mayfield  Heights,  Cleveland, 
Ohio,  business  education;  Gary 
Sprunger,  St.  Joseph,  Mich.,  Eng- 
lish; James  Weaver,  Girard,  Ohio, 
biology;  and  Nancy  Yoder,  Topeka, 
Ind.,  elementary  education. 

The  above  seniors  were  selected 
by  the  faculty  from  a list  of  six- 
teen nominees  submitted  to  them  by 
the  student  council.  Students  are 
chosen  on  the  basis  of  their  scholar- 
ship and  leadership  in  college. 
READING  CLUBS 

Two  reading  clubs  on  the  Bluff- 
ton College  campus  met  recently. 
On  Nov.  6 faculty  members  par- 
ticipated in  a discussion  of  selections 
from  Plato  as  published  by  the 
Great  Books  Series.  The  selections 
included  Euthyphro,  Crito,  Apology, 
and  Symposium.  The  meeting  was 
held  at  the  home  of  Dr.  Delbert 
Gratz.  Nov.  8,  students  and  faculty 
who  had  read  Anne  Frank-.  The 
Diary  of  a Young  Girl  met  at  the 
home  of  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Richard 
Weaver. 

Both  groups  plan  future  meet- 
ings. The  faculty  appointed  Miss 
Brenneman  and  Dr.  E.  G.  Kaufman 
to  select  a book  for  their  next  meet- 
ing. 'The  student  and  faculty  group 
has  chosen  James  B.  Conant’s  book. 
On  Understanding  Science. 


736 


THE  MENNONITE 


MCC  news  and  notes 

PEACE  WITNESS  ALLIED 
WITH  MISSIONS 

CHICAGO  — Discussions  between 
MCC  and  the  Mennonite  mission 
boards  concerning  an  overseas  wit- 
ness have  brought  into  focus  a 
strong  concern  for  an  evangelical 
peace  testimony  overseas  complete- 
ly allied  with  a mission  program. 

Meeting  jointly  in  Chicago  Nov. 
6,  the  Continuation  Committee  of 
Mennonite  Mission  Board  secretaries 
and  the  MCC  Executive  Committee 
agreed  that  for  maximum  effective- 
ness overseas  peace  witness  projects 
in  countries  where  Mennonite  mis- 
sions are  working  should  be  spon- 
sored by  one  of  the  mission  boards. 
Projects  would  be  planned  in  co- 
operation with  the  MCC  Peace  Sec- 
tion and  in  co-ordination  with  the 
other  Mennonite  and  Brethren  in 
Christ  boards. 

Under  this  arrangement,  the  mis- 
sion boards  will  assume  initiative 
in  discovering  qualified  persons  for 
assignment  to  a peace  ministry. 
Such  assignees  would  be  regular 
members  of  the  missionary  team, 
although  their  services  would  be 
available  to  other  Mennonite  affili- 
ated missions  in  that  area. 

Japan  is  the  first  country  in  which 
this  plan  will  be  effected.  The  Nov. 
6 joint  meeting  considered  the  of- 
fer of  the  Mennonite  Board  of  Mis- 
sions and  Charities,  Elkhart,  Ind., 
to  assume  responsibility  for  admin- 
istering the  Japan  peace  witness  be- 
ginning in  September,  1960. 

DIRECTOR  NOTES 
NEW  DEVELOPMENTS 

KOREA — Koreans  helping  flood 
victims,  new  quarters  for  a boys’ 
hostel,  and  the  beginning  of  MCC’s 
fall  clothing  distribution  are  the 
new  Korea  developments  according 
to  Director  Jacob  Klassen  (Stein- 
bach,  Man.). 

Koreans  Assist  Koreans 

Koreans  are  beginning  to  look 
to  the  needs  of  their  fellow  men. 
After  typhoon  Sarah  struck,  people 
all  over  the  country  rallied  by  do- 
nating money,  food  and  clothing  to 
assist  the  victims.  One  day  we  were 
pleased  to  see  12  Korean  army 
trucks  drive  past  our  warehouses. 
These  trucks  were  loaded  with  con- 
tributions by  the  Korean  people  for 
the  typhoon  victims.  If  we  have 


been  able  to  teach  the  Koreans  to 
have  open  eyes  and  hands  for  the 

needs  of  their  own  people,  we  will 
have  accomplished  a great  part  of 
our  mission. 

New  Boys’  Hostel  Rented 

Oct.  19  we  rented  new  quarters 
for  our  boys’  hostel  in  Taegu.  The 
owner  of  the  present  hostel  sold  the 
house  to  another  owner  who  wants 
it  for  his  own  use.  Fortunately,  we 
were  able  to  find  an  even  more 
suitable  place  which  is  large  enough 
to  accommodate  the  next  graduating 
class  of  35  from  the  Mennonite  Vo- 
cational School  at  Kyong  San.  The 
yard  has  enough  room  for  a small 
vegetable  garden  and  also  several 
chicken  pens  we  can  use.  We  expect 
to  move  sometime  in  November. 

Fall  Clothing  Distribution  Begins 

In  the  material  aid  program,  the 
workers  are  beginning  to  prepare 
for  the  fall  clothing  distribution. 
Clothing  will  be  distributed  to  about 
8,000  people  in  the  typhoon  disaster 
area.  Bob  Gerber  (Leesburg,  Ind.)  is 
now  working  on  his  fifth  feeding 
station.  At  the  other  four,  5,800  peo- 
ple are  fed  a hot  meal  of  cornmeal 
and  milk  daily. 

ESSENTIALS  IN  1-W 

CHICAGO — Much  greater  church 
involvement  is  necessary  in  the  1-W 
program.  So  concluded  the  1-W  Re- 
view Committee  in  its  report  to  a 
combined  meeting  of  the  MCC  Ex- 
ecutive, Peace  Section  Executive, 
and  1-W  Co-ordinating  Committee 
in  Chicago  Nov.  5. 

In  its  study,  the  Review  Commit- 
tee observed  that  an  objective  com- 
mon to  all  MCC-constituent  groups 
is  that  the  1-W  man  keep  his  con- 
gregational and  conference  tie 
strong  during  his  service  period. 
To  vitalize  this  tie  the  committee 
suggested  that  1-W  administration 
should  provide  for:  a solidly  spir- 

itual base  while  in  service;  assist- 
ance in  solving  personal  problems 
and  adjusting  to  the  assignment; 
helpful  educational  and  recreational 
opportunities;  an  increased  aware- 
ness by  the  1-W  man  of  personal 
responsibility  to  the  church  as  well 
as  awareness  of  the  church’s  inter- 
est in  the  1-W  man  during  service. 

Based  on  visits  to  1-W  units,  a 
church-wide  meeting  with  1-W  lead- 
ers and  a questionnaire  distributed 
to  pastors,  the  findings  indicated 
that  there  is  general  satisfaction 


with  the  current  selective  service 
policy. 

Additional  findings  revealed:  al- 
most universal  satisfaction  on  the 
job  level  both  by  the  1-W  and  the 
employer;  the  proportion  of  men  en- 
tering service  as  conscientious  ob- 
jectors is  higher  than  during  World 
War  II;  most  pastors  believe  there 
is  improvement  in  spiritual  life  of 
1-W’s  by  time  of  release;  those 
groups  having  the  largest  propor- 
tion in  1-W  also  have  the  largest 
group  in  VS  and  Pax. 

“Because  a program’s  vitality  is 
measured  by  openness  to  the  lead- 
ing of  the  Spirit,”  concluded  the 
committee  report,  “we  urge  that 
there  be  a creative  seeking  of  ever 
new  ways  to  express  our  peace  wit- 
ness on  the  part  of  those  in  and 
responsible  for  the  1-W  program.” 

CLOTHING  NEEDS  CONTINUE 

AKRON  — Churches  throughout 
the  Mennonite  brotherhood  have  re- 
cently received  information  — in- 
struction sheets,  posters,  flyers  — ■ 
explaining  the  1959-60  clothing  ap- 
peal. 

Entitled  You  Clothed  Me,  the  spe- 
cial clothing  drive  flyer  stresses  the 
need:  “War,  underdeveloped  na- 

tional resources,  and  natural  disas- 
ters have  placed  many  of  the  world’s 
people  in  critical  need.  In  Hong 
Kong  300,000  refugees  from  Red 
China  have  no  shelter.  A half  mil- 
lion refugees  are  crowded  in  the  des- 
ert camps  of  Jordan.  In  Korea,  Viet- 
nam, Indonesia,  and  other  countries, 
people  live  at  bare  subsistence  level. 
Under  such  conditions  obtaining 
adequate  clothing  is  often  impos- 
sible.” 

Good  used  clothing  with  at  least 
six  months’  wear  can  be  contributed. 
All  types  of  clothing  are  needed,  in- 
cluding men’s,  women’s,  children’s, 
and  infants’  clothing  for  dress  and 
for  work,  cold  climate,  and  warm 
weather.  Clothing  should  be  clean 
and  mended  if  possible. 

Although  relief  clothing  is  need- 
ed the  year  around,  the  purpose  of 
this  special  emphasis  is  to  focus 
attention  on  continuing  need  and  to 
receive  larger  amounts  of  clothing 
for  the  winter  clothing  shipments. 

Also  urged  this  year  are  commu- 
nity projects.  If  a community  is  not 
planning  a clothing  drive  of  its  own 
this  may  be  a good  opportunity  to- 
help  the  people  share  their  clothing 
with  people  overseas. 


November  24,  1959 


737 


jottings 

ANNA  QUIRING  VISITS 

Swiss  Church,  Alsen,  N.  D.:  Duane 
Loewen,  son  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry 
Loewen,  was  married  to  Arlene  Mul- 
let from  Northwood,  N.  D.,  at  the 
Washington  Church,  Aug.  30.  Mrs. 
Leonard  Harder  and  family  left 
for  Reedley,  Calif.,  Sept.  8.  Pastor 
Harder  left  later,  where  he  will  be 
pastor  of  the  EMB  Church.  Mrs. 
Bill  Unruh  was  hostess  for  our  Sept, 
mission  society  meeting.  Missionary 
Fernando  Fasts  from  Belgian  Con- 
go spoke  in  our  church  Sept.  22. 
Pictures  were  also  shown.  Mission- 
ary Anna  Quiring  from  Belgian  Con- 
go showed  slides  of  her  work  Oct. 
5.  The  joint  mission  society  meeting 
was  held  at  Munich  with  the  “Be 
Ye  Doers”  as  hostesses.  Main  speak- 
er was  Anna  Quiring.  Our  harvest 
festival  was  held  Oct.  11.  —Mrs.  T. 
Fell 

EXCHANGE  PROGRAMS 

Butterfield  Church,  Butterfield, 
Minn.:  Members  of  our  two  mis- 
sion societies  were  invited  to  the 
North  church  on  Oct.  1.  Guest  speak- 
er was  Norma  Faust.  The  following 
Sun.  evening  our  CE  presented  a 
program  at  the  North  church.  SS 
workers  saw  the  filmstrip,  “Johnny 
Don’t  Do  That,”  at  a teachers’  meet- 
ing Oct.  8.  Keith  Davey  spoke  to  our 
CE  Oct.  11.  The  following  evening 
Dr.  Richard  Elvee  of  Minneapolis 
addressed  the  Watonwan  County 
Men’s  Fellowship  on  the  theme 
“Christian  Attitudes.”  The  yoimg 
people  held  a devotional  meeting  at 
the  Carl  Pankratz  home  Oct.  18. 
Thirteen  ladies  donated  their  serv- 
ices in  cleaning  the  church  Oct.  27. 
Pastor  Peter  Tschetter  has  recently 
brought  four  messages  pertaining 
to  the  FTuits  of  the  Spirit. 

TEACHER  TRAINING  COURSE 

Immanuel  Church,  Downey,  Cal.: 
A number  of  our  young  people  at- 
tended Bible  camps  and  retreats 
this  summer.  They  gave  a report 
at  our  joint  CE  Aug.  30,  our  pastor 
being  in  charge.  While  Pastor  Al- 
bert Epp  was  attending  the  confer- 
ence in  Bluffton,  different  men  filled 
the  pulpit  among  whom  was  Martin 
Rosen,  a young  Jewish  Christian 
who  serves  under  the  American 
Board  of  Missions  to  the  Jews  in 
Los  Angeles.  Joanne  and  Betty 
Sprunger  were  baptized  and  accept- 
ed into  the  fellowship  of  the  church 
on  Aug.  23.  Rev.  and  Mrs.  Lyman 
Sprunger  showed  pictures  and  gave 
a report  of  the  work  among  the  Ne- 
groes in  Miss,  at  the  midweek 
prayer  meeting.  A fellowship  lunch 
followed.  Gladys  Wiens,  daughter 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ferd  Wiens,  was 
married  to  Don  Friesen  of  Aber- 
deen, Idaho,  in  Newton,  Kan.,  on 
Sept.  6.  Our  annual  SS  business 
meeting  was  held  Sept.  27,  follow- 
ing a pot-luck  dinner.  The  Young 
Adult  class  was  happy  to  welcome 

738 


back  the  Dick  Guengerich  family 
with  a house-warming  party.  Mr. 
Guengerich  has  been  teaching  in 
San  Diego  the  past  few  years.  Oct. 
7 Missionary  Earl  Roths  spoke  at 
the  midweek  prayer  service.  Rev. 
and  Mrs.  Henry  Kliewer,  mission- 
aries at  Oraibi,  Ariz.,  were  guests 
in  our  midst  Oct.  11.  Rev.  Kliewer 
spoke  at  the  Sun.  morning  service. 
Following  a delicious  chicken  din- 
ner, on  Oct.  16,  Joe  Sanchez  showed 
pictures  of  his  ’round  the  world 
trip  to  the  combined  groups  of  the 
men’s  fellowship  and  women’s  mis- 
sionary society.  A six-weeks  teacher- 
training course  under  the  instruc- 
tion of  Dr.  Henry  Dirks  was  begun 
Oct.  19.  All  SS  teachers  are  asked 
to  attend. — Mrs.  Leonard  Kliewer 

DEACONESS’S  ANNIVERSARY 

Grace  Hill  Church,  Whitewater, 
Kan.:  A service  of  praise  to  God 
was  held  Oct.  1 in  celebration  of  the 
40  years  of  service  Sister  Theodosia 
Harms  has  rendered  in  deaconess 
work  in  the  Bethel  Deaconess  Hos- 
pital. Carol  Franz,  daughter  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  R.  U.  Franz,  and  Max  Pat- 
terson were  united  in  marriage  Oct. 
2,  in  the  Grace  Hill  Mennonite 
Church.  Joyce  Unruh,  daughter  of 
Henry  Unruh,  and  David  Schroeder 
of  the  Grace  Hill  Church  were  unit- 
ed in  marriage  Oct.  3,  in  the  Tabor 
Church.  A report  of  the  conference 
in  Bluffton  was  given  by  the  dele- 
gates in  an  interesting  panel  dis- 
cussion for  the  Sept.  6 CE  program. 
Dr.  and  Mrs.  Arthur  Thiessen  spoke 
in  our  church  Oct.  4.  J.  K.  Warken- 
tin,  pastor  of  the  Bergthal  Church 
at  Com,  Okla.,  brought  our  Sun. 
morning  rriessage  Oct.  25. — Mrs.  Dan 
Harms. 

MISSION  WORKERS  BEGIN  YOUNG 

Bethel  Church,  Hydro,  Okla.: 
Our  Young  Mission  Workers  made 
a used  clothing  drive  for  clothing  to 
be  sent  to  MCC  for  needy  children 
overseas.  Many  useful  articles  were 
given.  The  “Workers”  meet  once  a 
month  and  make  and  repair  toys 
to  be  given.  These  eager  little  work- 
ers go  about  their  work  with  much 
enthusiasm.  Alva  Swartzindruber, 
pastor  of  the  Mennonite  Church 
north  of  Hydro,  brought  the  morn- 
ing message  in  the  absence  of  Pas- 
tor Isaak,  who  with  his  family,  at- 
tended the  conference  and  spent  a 
week  vacationing  at  Henderson, 
Neb. — Wilfred  Ewy. 

CHURCH  ADDITION  COMPLETED 

East  Swamp  Church,  Quakertown, 
Pa.:  Mrs.  Minnie  Endy  was  received 
into  our  church  fellowship  recently. 
We  have  concluded  a week  of  re- 
vival meetings  with  Rev.  John  Car- 
rara as  evangelist.  This  was  a time 
of  heart  searching  for  which  we 
need  to  be  thankful.  We  are  truly 
grateful  to  the  West  Swamp  con- 
gregation for  the  privilege  of  using 
their  church  for  Sunday  worship 
during  our  building  operations.  This 
necessitates  holding  afternoon  serv- 
ices. We  have  been  visiting  other 
churches  on  the  Sunday  evenings 


when  we  cannot  have  services.  Thus  ! C 
far  we  attended  Bethel,  Perkasie,  i 
and  Springfield.  Infant  consecration  r 
was  held  Nov.  8.  Presented  for  con-  » 
secration  were:  JoAnn,  daughter  of  |1 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Russel  Geiger;  Dean  i 
Richard,  son  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wal-  | 
ter  Landis;  and  Jill  Annette,  daugh-  ‘ 
ter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Raymond  Swav-  |i' 
ely.  Don  Shidler,  representative  of  jj] 
the  Gospel  Missionary  Union,  spoke  || 
at  our  afternoon  service  Nov.  15.  'li, 
Don  Schultz,  returned  missionary 
from  Nigeria  spoke  at  our  midweek  I 
service  Nov.  18.  The  cornerstone  1] 
laying  ceremony  of  our  church  ad-  i, 
diition  was  held  on  Nov.  22.  Pastor  I 
Sorunger’s  sermon  that  day  was  , 
“Cornerstones.”  ' 

ORLANDO  WALTNER  SPEAKS  ' 

AT  MISSION  FESTIVAL  j 

Burrton  Church,  Burrton,  Kan.: 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Harold  Martens  and  , 
Lonnie,  John  V.  Dick,  and  Pastor 
Gideon  Yoder  attended  the  confer- 
ence in  Bluffton.  We  had  our  an- 
nual harvest  mission  festival  Nov. 

1 with  O.  A.  Waltner  as  guest  speak- 
er for  both  morning  and  P.M.  serv- 
ices. A basket  dinner  was  served  at 
noon.  Special  music  was  furnished 
by  a girls’  trio  from  the  Burrton  , 
Methodist  Church,  and  Danny  Weav- 
er, a college  student  at  Hesston,  who 
provided  violin  selections.  Nov.  8, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Alvin  Becker  (who 
served  in  Uruguay  recently)  gave 
an  illustrated  lecture  describing 
their  experiences.  Several  members 
of  the  congregation  have  decided  to 
feed  cattle  this  winter  as  a project 
to  raise  money  to  reduce  the  deficit 
on  our  new  church.  Sara  Ann  Claas- 
sen,  from  the  Hesston  College  fac- 
ulty, serves  as  song  leader  for  our 
worship  service.  Our  pastor  ex- 
changed pulpits  with  Curt  Boese  . 
of  the  Walton  Church  Nov.  22. — ' 
Mrs.  Pete  Klassen 

into  the  beyond 

Peter  A.  Regier,  member  of  the 
First  Mennonite  Church,  Madrid, 
Neb.,  was  born  July  25,  1887,  and 
passed  away  October  25,  1959. 

Elmer  J.  Neuenschwander,  mem- 
ber of  the  First  Mennonite  Church,  i 
Berne,  Ind.,  was  born  May  16,  1882  t 
and  passed  away  Oct.  5,  1959.  Dur- 
ing his  life  he  served  as  pastor  of 
General  Conference  Mennonite 
churches  in  Aberdeen,  Idaho;  Free- 
man, S.  D.;  Bluffton,  Ohio;  Moimd- 
ridge,  Kan.;  and  Kingman,  Kan. 

Mary  Ann  Sprunger,  member  of 
the  First  Mennonite  Church,  Berne, 
Ind.,  was  born  Oct.  8,  1874  and 

passed  away  on  Nov.  1,  1959. 

John  H.  Latshaw  of  Bechtels- 
ville.  Pa.,  and  member  and  deacon  , 
emeritus  of  the  Hereford  Church  in 
Bally,  was  born  April  26,  1871  and  1 
died  Oct.  28,  1959. 


THE  MENNONITE 


conference  notes 

continued  from  lost  page 

TENSION  RISING  IN  CONGO 

Missionaries  in  the  Belgian  Con- 
go have  been  advised  by  the  Amer- 
ican Consulate  to  have  their  pass- 
ports in  order  and  to  keep  in  reserve 
food,  gasoline,  and  medical  supplies 
in  case  of  an  emergency.  This  is 
not  an  alarm  but  a common-sense 
preparation,  according  to  the  sec- 
retary of  the  Congo  Inland  Mission. 

The  government  is  expecting  a 
crisis  in  December  and  on  into  Jan- 
uary. According  to  Missionary  R.  F. 
Schnell  of  the  Banga  station,  there 
will  be  an  election  for  the  territory 
on  December  6,  and  in  January  the 
revolutionaries  are  demanding  in- 
dependence. 

John  Zook,  missionary  at  Charles- 
ville,  reports  that  the  political  and 
'racial  tension  is  rising.  The  idea  of 
i independence  is  growing  and  some- 
' times  takes  on  bizarre  forms  of  ex- 
j pression.  Intertribal  rivalry  is  worse 
I than  it  has  ever  been  and  has  taken 
I place  even  on  some  of  the  mission 
stations.  Missionaries,  however,  have 
felt  no  threat  to  their  activities  or 
to  their  lives  and  are  trusting  God 
for  protection. 

Missionaries  as  well  as  board 
members  request  prayer  for  the  Af- 
rican church  at  this  critical  time — 
that  it  might  be  a stabilizing  influ- 
ence in  these  days  of  uncertainty. 
Pray  also  for  wisdom  and  patience 
for  the  missionaries. 

MATERIAL  ON  REFUGEE  YEAR 
AVAILABLE  ON  REQUEST 

Co-operating  in  the  World  Refu- 
gee program,  the  Board  of  Chris- 
tian Service  is  prepared  to  send 
without  cost  the  November-Decem- 
ber  issue  of  World  Communique,  a 
magazine  published  by  The  Inter- 
national Committee  for  World  Refu- 
gee Year.  This  magazine  features 
in  four  languages  and  pictures  the 
plight  of  the  refugee  in  various 
parts  of  the  world.  Copies  will  be 
sent  upon  request. 

The  Board  of  Christian  Service  is 
recommending  films  and  filmstrips 
on  relief  for  showing  in  churches. 
Pastors  may  write  for  suggestions 
to  722  Main  Street,  Newton,  Kan. 

ILLINOIS  MISSIONARY  RALLY 

The  Illinois  women  met  at  the 
Normal  Mennonite  Church  in  Nor- 
mal, 111.,  Oct.  22  for  their  annual 


missionary  rally.  The  theme  for  the 
day  was  “We  Are  Laborers  Togeth- 
er with  God”  (1  Cor.  3:9). 

All  the  main  messages  of  the  day 
were  based  on  this  theme  and  were 
dealt  with  by  each  speaker  in  the 
light  of  his  experiences  in  his  par- 
ticular field  of  service.  Kenneth  Im- 
hoff  spoke  about  work  with  MCC, 
Anna  Quiring  about  Congo,  Mrs. 
Robert  Ramseyer  about  Japan,  and 
Gerald  Stucky  about  South  America. 
Meditations  given  by  Mrs.  Heinz 
Janzen  and  Mrs.  Ernest  Schirch 
were  very  timely  and  fitting.  Special 
music  was  furnished  by  nurses  from 
the  Mennonite  Hospital  at  Bloom- 
ington and  the  Carlock  and  Flana- 
gan churches.  Mrs.  Dorothy  Cross 
directed  a volunteer  ladies’  choir  in 
a special  number. 

Hereafter  this  group  will  be 
known  at  the  Illinois  Mennonite 
Women’s  Fellowship.  The  new  of- 
ficers elected  were  Mrs.  S.  T.  Moy- 
er, president;  Mrs.  Earl  Salzman, 
vice  president;  and  Mrs.  Ralph  Ver- 
cler,  secretary-treasurer. 

SUGGESTIONS  FOR  CROP  GIVING 

The  Board  of  Christian  Service 
encourages  Mennonites  to  give  reg- 
ularly to  support  the  relief  and  serv- 
ice outreach  programs  of  their 
church  through  their  congregations 
or  Conference. 

At  the  same  time,  we  recognize 
Christian  Rural  Overseas  Program 
as  a worthy  inter-church  relief  or- 
ganization and  feel  that  community 
co-operation  in  CROP  campaigns 
gives  good  opportunity  for  a united 
Christian  witness  within  a commu- 
nity. Numerous  Mennonite  churches 
and  individuals  are  already  con- 
tributing and  participating  in  CROP. 

We  recommend  that  Mennonites 
who  contribute  to  CROP  carefully 
designate  their  gifts  as  follows: 
(a)  for  use  by  the  Mennonite  Cen- 
tral Committee,  and  (b)  clearly  in- 
dicate your  particular  church  group, 
i.e..  General  Conference  Mennonite 
Church. 

If  this  is  done,  the  CROP  offices 
will  forward  all  such  gifts  to  MCC 
in  Akron,  Pa.,  without  any  deduc- 
tions for  overhead  expense,  and  the 
full  amount  can  be  used  in  our  MCC 
foreign  relief  and  service  program. 

CONF.  ON  CONFERENCE  WORK 

“Our  General  Conference  Work” 
was  the  theme  of  the  October  19 


quarterly  meeting  of  the  Eastern 
District  Conference  held  at  Spring- 
field  Mennonite  Church.  The  mo- 
tive behind  the  selection  of  this 
theme  was  one  of  disseminating  in- 
formation to  the  local  congregations 
in  an  effort  to  stimulate  and  in- 
crease interest  in  and  support  for 
the  activities  of  the  General  Con- 
ference. 

Members  of  the  District  who  are 
on  the  four  Boards  and  the  Semi- 
nary Board,  or  associated  with  them, 
presented  the  work  and  activities 
of  these  Boards.  William  Friesen, 
treasurer  of  the  General  Confer- 
ence, from  Newton,  Kan.,  was  with 
us.  In  addition  to  presenting  the 
work  of  the  Board  of  Business  Ad- 
ministration, he  brought,  by  means 
of  slides,  a fine  picture  of  the  finan- 
cial programs  of  the  General  Con- 
ference as  well  as  a charted  pic- 
ture of  the  support  of  the  various 
districts. 

The  afternoon  session  was  cen- 
tered around  slides  depicting  the 
work  of  the  Boards  and  the  Semi- 
nary. 'The  evening  session  was  given 
over  to  a factual  presentation  of 
the  work  and  challenges  connected 
with  it.  Two  discussion  periods  were 
held  in  the  evening,  at  which  time 
questions  were  asked  and  concerns 
shared.  This  was  most  helpful.  A 
special  effort  was  made  to  have  lay- 
men, especially  members  of  church 
councils  present  for  the  evening  ses- 
sion. 

A closing  challenge  given  by  one 
of  the  ministers  centered  around  the 
theme,  “This  Is  Our  Work!”  Not 
only  did  this  conference  give  op- 
portunity to  relive  the  summer  ses- 
sions of  the  centennial  conference, 
but  also  it  served  as  a means  for  the 
District  to  grapple  with  this  real 
problem  of  General  Conference 
support. 

CONCERN  FOR  THE  AGING 

The  Board  of  Christian  Service 
of  the  General  Conference  Menno- 
nite Church  is  concerning  itself  with 
problems  related  to  the  aging.  Con- 
gregations are  encouraged  to  devel- 
op a concern  for  their  aging  mem- 
bers. The  Board  is  interested  in  see- 
ing congregations  sponsor  work- 
shops on  this  subject  and  would  be 
ready  to  suggest  resource  persons, 
program  ideas,  films,  and  to  assist 
as  needed.  For  information  write  to 
Board  of  Christian  Service,  Gen- 
eral Conference  Mennonite  Church, 
722  Main,  Newton,  Kan. 


November  24,  1959 


739 


conference  notes 


FAITH  FOR  100  YEARS 

“Faith,  1860-1960”  is  the  theme  of 
a series  of  publications  promoting 
interest  in  the  work  of  the  General 
Conference  Mennonite  Church.  In- 
cluded in  this  set  of  publications  are 
two  folders  and  a poster. 

The  first  folder  which  has  been 
mailed  to  every  General  Conference 
home,  contains  ten  quotations  from 
prominent  General  Conference  lead- 
ers during  the  last  one  hundred 
years.  Leaders  quoted  are  David 
Hege  (1826-62),  John  G.  Stauffer 
(1837-1911),  A.  B.  Shelly  (1834-1913), 
John  Penner  (1850-1926),  Frieda 
Kaufman  (1883-1944),  J.  W.  Kliewer 
(1869-1938),  David  Toews  (1870- 
1947),  Henry  A.  Fast,  C.  E.  Kreh- 
biel  (1869-1948),  and  Orlando  A. 
Waltner. 

Daniel  Hege  served  the  Confer- 
ence as  its  first  traveling  evangelist 
and  home  missionary.  An  ardent 
supporter  of  higher  education,  he 
visited  congregations  to  raise  funds 
for  the  Wadsworth  school. 

John  G.  Stauffer  was  a Pennsyl- 
vania publisher  who  established  his 
own  print  shop  after  a number  of 
years  as  assistant  in  the  print  shop 
of  John  H.  Oberholtzer. 

A.  B.  Shelly,  a Pennsylvania  min- 
ister, was  president  of  the  Confer- 
ence for  many  years  as  well  as  sec- 
retary of  the  Foreign  Missions 
Board. 

John  Penner  was  a teacher  and 
minister  at  Beatrice,  Nebraska. 

Frieda  Kaufman  was  the  leader 
of  the  Mennonite  deaconess  move- 
ment who  participated  in  the  estab- 
lishment of  hospitals  at  Newton, 
Kan.,  and  Mountain  Lake,  Minn. 

J.  W.  Kliewer  was  president  of 
Bethel  College  for  a number  of 
years  as  well  as  a member  of  the 
Foreign  Missions  Board.  He  visited 
mission  fields  in  India  and  China. 

David  Toews,  minister  and  edu- 
cator, taught  school  in  Kansas,  Man- 
itoba, and  Saskatchewan.  He  was 
one  of  the  founders  of  Rosthern 
Junior  College  and  a member  of 
the  Home  Missions  Board.  As  chair- 
man of  the  Canadian  Mennonite 
Board  of  Colonization,  he  assisted 
in  the  immigration  of  a large  num- 
ber of  Mennonites  to  Canada. 

Henry  A.  Fast,  Bethel  College  pro- 
fessor, served  as  Conference  field 


secretary  from  1936-40  and  has  been 
active  in  the  work  of  the  Menno- 
nite Central  Committee  and  the 
Board  of  Christian  Service  for  the 
last  three  decades. 

C.  E.  Krehbiel  served  both  as 
secretary  and  president  of  the  Con- 
ference as  well  as  its  field  secre- 
tary from  1921-30. 

Orlando  A.  Waltner  went  to  India 
as  a missionary  in  1939.  At  present 
he  is  acting  executive  secretary  of 
the  Board  of  Missions. 

This  folder  of  testimonies  on  Gen- 
eral Conference  work  carries  a com- 
pass motif  illustrative  of  the  de- 
pendence of  the  Conference  on  faith 
as  its  way.  Robert  W.  Regier  de- 
signed this  piece  as  well  as  the 
other  items  in  this  series. 

The  second  folder  is  being  pre- 


pared as  an  insert  for  The  Menno- 
nite, November  24. 

A poster  carrying  the  visual  theme 
of  both  of  these  pieces  will  be  pre- 
pared for  distribution  in  General 
Conference  churches. 

MISSIONARIES  ON  THE  MOVE 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hugh  Sprunger  and 
their  children  left  Taiwan  Nov.  13 
on  their  way  home  to  Berne,  Ind., 
for  their  first  furlough.  They  have 
been  in  Taiwan  for  five  years. 

Dr.  and  Mrs.  Peter  J.  Pankratz 
have  completed  their  three-year 
term  of  missionary  service  in  Tai- 
wan and  are  returning  to  their  home 
in  Mountain  Lake,  Minn.,  in  Decem- 
ber. They  will  travel  home  via 
Japan. 


conference  stewardship 

October  31,  1958,  as  compared  to  October  31,  1959 


o o o o 

— CS  CO 


MISSIONS 


o o 

If)  -o 


o o o o 

K 00  O'  O 


64.9  % 
66.6  % 


1958 

1959 


CHRISTIAN  SERVICE 


EDUCATION  AND  PUBLICATION 


IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 

BUSINESS  ADMINISTRATION 


YOUNG  PEOPLE’S  UNION 


64.7  % 
60.2  % 


1958 

1959 


lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllli 
Receipts  to  Oct.  31:  liillllllllll 


BUDGET 

$670,000 

$700,000 


$193,500 

$177,600 


$ 70,000 
$ 75,400 


$ 26,500 
$ 41,500 


$ 7,450 

$ 7,400 


1959  Budget 


DECEMBER  1,  1959 


THE  MENNONITE 


i 

I 

I 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 


ADVENT  IN  YOUR  CHURCH  AND  HOME— Norma  V 


in  this  issue 

COVER 

Junior  Choir  Festival,  held  Nov.  15,  1959, 
at  North  Newton,  Kan.,  with  about  four 
hundred  children  representing  sixteen 
churches  as  participants.  Conductor  for 
the  occasion  was  John  Gaeddert,  Hender- 
son, Neb.  Photo  by  Don  Goertzen. 

ARTICLES 

ADVENT  IN  THE  CHURCH  AND  HOME 


By  Norma  Jost  Voth  743 

WE'RE  MOVING  TO  THE  CITY 

By  Walter  H.  Dyck  744 

CONFERENCE  DISCUSSION  745 

A CHRISTIAN  PACIFIST  WITNESS 

IS  NEEDED  746 

CRISIS  DAYS  IN  THE  BELGIAN 
CONGO  747 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  742 

THE  READER  SAYS  748 

FOCUS  ON  CHRISTIAN  CONCERNS  . 748 
MENNONITE  YOUTH 

Mennonite  College  Students  749 

B.  C.  Workshop  750 

To  and  From  a Pastor  751 

OUR  SCHOOLS  752 

JOTTINGS  753 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  756 


of  things  to  come 

Dec.  1-4 — Council  of  Boards 
Dec.  1 3 — Universal  Bible  Sunday 
December  25 — Christmas 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor;  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors: 
J.  Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Assistant;  Muriel 
Thiessen.  Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  47 


editorials 

ADVENT — ^PERIOD  OF  PREPARATION  As  suggested  in  the 

article  concerning  Advent,  certain  European  countries  seem  to 
make  much  more  of  the  Advent  season  than  do  the  people  of 
North  America.  Should  we  not  strive  to  recapture  the  value  of  a 
definite  period  of  preparation  for  the  great  Christmas  event? 

To  devote  a whole  month  to  the  thought  of  God’s  great  gift 
to  man  in  the  form  of  His  Son  on  Christmas  would  be  a fine 
preparation  of  (Tur  hearts  to  receive  again  the  Christ.  It  would 
lead  our  thoughts  away  from  the  mere  commercial-gift  idea  of 
Christmas  and  make  us  more  keenly  aware  of  the  supreme  love 
manifested  in  the  coming  of  the  Christ.  It  would  stimulate  a 
joyous  wonder  at  so  marvelous  a gift. 

Each  year  merchants  are  taking  more  time  to  advertise  and 
display  their  Christmas  wares,  and  attempt  to  induce  people  to 
think  of  buying  their  gifts  even  before  the  Thanksgiving 
season.  The  church  should  certainly  be  as  ready  to  encourage 
people  to  take  time  to  prepare  their  hearts  and  minds  and  lives 
for  the  real  meaning  of  Christmas. 

Praying  more  attention  to  Advent,  both  in  the  home  and  in 
the  church,  would  give  us  a greater  appreciation  of  the  real  i 
meaning  of  Christmas.  Let  not  the  world  outdo  the  church  in  i 
its  Christmas  preparation! 

9N  DEMONOLOGY  In  the  Oct.  13  issue  of  THE  MENNONITE 
there  appeared  an  article  entitled  “A  Theology  of  the  Devil” 
which  has  occasioned  some  criticism  and  misunderstanding 
among  our  readers.  No  doubt  the  author  meant  it  as  satire  (a 
rather  dangerous  literary  weapon),  using  sarcasm  and  irony 
to  attack  certain  wrong  ideas  and  attitudes. 

What  the  author  probably  intended  to  do  was  twofold:  to 
show  how  frequently  and  often  how  lightly  we  excuse  our  own 
sins  by  blaming  them  “on  the  Devil” ; and  to  expose  our  feeling 
of  superiority  and  self-righteousness  when  we  think  that  we 
are  always  right  and  anyone  not  agreeing  with  us  must  be  on 
the  wrong  side. 

Some  readers  felt  that  the  idea  of  there  being  a devil  was 
ridiculed  and  discarded.  The  editor  regrets  that  such  impres- 
sions were  received.  Certainly  we  believe  that  there  is  a real 
Satan  and  that  he  is  hard  at  work  in  the  world  to  undermine 
God’s  work  and  teaching  and  to  overthrow  Christian  character. 
He  is  no  laughing  matter,  and  we  hope  the  article  did  not  convey 
that  impression.  There  is  a continuous  warfare  between  us  and 
Satan,  and  only  by  the  grace  of  God  can  we  be  spared  from 
being  overpowered  by  him. 

The  fact  also  remains  that  when  we  try  to  excuse  our  own 
sins,  and  when  we  become  so  sure  of  our  own  righteousness  that 
we  feel  everyone  disagreeing  with  us  is  surely  in  the  wrong,  we 
are  on  dangerous  ground  and  need  to  repent  in  deep  humility 
with  contrite  hearts.  Jesus  was  very  severe  with  the  self-right- 
eous Pharisees.  We  felt  the  article  was  meant  to  jolt  us  out  of 
the  smugness  of  such  self-righteousness. 


742 


THE  MENNONITE 


for  your  church  and  home 


Advent  in  the  Christian  year  is 
the  period  of  preparation  and 
expectancy  that  precedes  Christmas. 
During  these  weeks  we  can  prepare 
our  hearts  and  minds  for  the  cele- 
j bration  of  the  birthday  of  Christ. 
Those  who  have  had  the  privilege 
of  celebrating  Advent  with  Chris- 
tian friends  in  Europe  realize  how 
meaningful  these  four  weeks  can  be. 
On  the  first  Sunday  of  Advent  an 
evergreen  wreath  is  brought  into 
the  home.  Four  candles,  one  to  be 
lit  each  Sunday,  are  a reminder  of 
the  approaching  day.  During  the 
afternoon  the  candle  is  lit,  a portion 
of  Scripture  read,  and  Advent 
hymns  sung.  Often  friends  shared 
this  time.  The  mother  often  served 
Christmas  delicacies  and  coffee.  This 
was  repeated  each  Sunday. 

An  Advent  Workshop 

A Methodist  church  here  in  the 
city  of  Chicago  began  their  Advent 
season  with  an  Advent  workshop. 
The  purpose  was  to  help  families 
celebrate  this  season  in  a more 
meaningful  way.  Families  came  to- 
gether late  in  the  afternoon  of  the 
first  Advent  Sunday.  A committee 
had  provided  materials  and  various 
activities  for  them. 

In  one  room  materials  — ever- 
green, candles,  wire,  etc. — were  a- 
vailable  for  each  family  to  make  an 
Advent  wreath  or  a family  worship 
center  for  their  home. 

In  the  church  kitchen  some  fam- 
ilies made  Christmas  cookies  togeth- 
er. There  was  a choice  of  other 
possible  feimily  activities  such  as 
making  Christmas  cards  and  decora- 
tions. 

All  families  joined  together  for  a 
pot  luck  supper  after  which  one 
family  led  in  the  first  Advent  wor- 


Norma Voth  is  a member  of  the  Committee 
on  Education  in  the  Church,  Home,  and 
Community. 


ADVENT 

Norma  Jost  Voth 


ship  service  and  also  lit  the  first 
candle  on  their  wreath.  This  same 
worship  service  had  been  duplicated 
for  each  family’s  own  worship  serv- 
ice and  candle  lighting  that  same 
night.  During  the  following  weeks 
three  more  such  services  were  sent 
to  member  families. 

This  same  church  incorporated  a 
model  family  Christmas  Eve  wor- 
ship service  in  their  Christmas  Eve 
program.  Duplicated  copies  of  this 
same  service  were  given  to  families 
as  they  left  the  church. 

Advent  in  the  Family 

We  need  to  prepare  for  this  im- 
portant day  even  in  our  homes. 
How  shall  we  prepare? 

1.  Arrange  a time  for  daily  fam- 
ily worship.  Each  day  have  one 
member  tell  his  favorite  story  about 
Jesus  or  read  from  the  Bible  a fa- 
vorite passage  about  Him. 

2.  Use  prophetic  readings  about 
the  coming  of  Christ  during  Advent 
devotionals. 

3.  Set  aside  a time  for  family 
carol  singing.  Pages  522-523  {Youth 
Hymnal)  and  65-69  (Mennonite 
Hymnary)  are  rich  in  Advent  music. 
Learn  also  some  of  the  delightful 


Christmas  carols  from  the  Youth 
Hymnal. 

4.  Talk  about  ways  of  making 
Christmas  more  joyful  for  less  for- 
tunate families.  Plan  a sacrificial 
gift. 

5.  Visit  a new  family  in  the  com- 
munity. 

6.  Provide  ways  for  elderly  peo- 
ple to  attend  Christmas  programs. 

7.  Advent  calendars  or  cards  may 
be  purchased  for  the  home.  These 
contain  numbered  windows  for  the 
days  of  December  prior  to  Christ- 
mas. As  a window  is  opened  daily 
it  will  reveal  a portion  of  Scripture 
or  a carol.  Children  especially  en- 
joy this. 

8.  Enjoy  programs  of  fine  music 
which  are  offered  in  the  commu- 
nity, on  the  radio,  and  television. 
Excellent  recordings  of  Christmas 
oratorios  and  carols  are  available. 
Invite  friends  or  lonely  people  to 
share  these  times  with  your  family. 

9.  Plan  early  for  a more  spiritual 
Christmas.  Do  not  let  the  business 
and  hurry  rob  you  of  family  and 
church  fellowship  which  contribute 
the  deepest  meaning  to  the  season. 

A Prayer  for  Parents 

Dear  Father,  we  thank  Thee  for 
the  privilege  of  celebrating  Christ- 
mas in  our  home.  We  are  so  grate- 
ful for  the  wondrous  gift  you  have 
sent  us  in  thy  Son,  Jesus  Christ, 
and  for  His  daily  presence  with  us 
in  the  home.  Help  us  to  so  plan  the 
Christmas  season  that  our  family 
may  be  keenly  aware  of  His  abid- 
ing presence.  Direct  us  in  sharing 
the  joys  of  Christmas  with  others 
that  we  may  do  our  part  in  making 
real  the  angel  song  of  peace  on 
earth  and  good  will  among  men. 
This  we  ask  in  the  name  of  Him 
who  came  long  ago  as  a babe  to 
Bethlehem,  even  Jesus  Christ  our 
Lord.  Amen. 


December  1,  1959 


743 


We’re  Moving 
To  the  City 


Walter  H.  Dyck 


WE  have  tried  to  make  ourselves 
believe  that  Mennonites  have 
always  been  rural  people.  We  have 
wished  that  we  might  always  be 
part  of  a rural  culture. 

Most  of  us  have  continued  with 
our  children  in  close-knit  commu- 
nities. We  hoped  against  hope  that 
the  tides  of  accommodation  to  an 
Americanized  secular  culture  might 
be  stayed — that  the  trend  toward 
urbanization,  too,  might  be  halted. 
But  we  are  moving — at  least  our 
children  are — into  the  cities. 

Coming  to  think  of  it,  the  first 
of  our  Anabaptist  forebears  did  not 
grow  up  in  the  country.  Felix  Manz, 
the  first  of  our  martyrs,  lived  and 
took  his  stand  in  the  city.  The 
threat  hanging  over  him  was  that 
he  would  be  “banished  from  the 
city”  of  Zurich.  He  was  executed 
and  buried  in  that  city.  The  cities 
were  the  centers  of  the  Anabaptist 
movement. 

True,  many  early  Anabaptists 
were  driven  into  secluded  areas. 
Many  became  rural  as  they  were 
made  to  subsist  in  mountainous 
heights  which  were  not  regarded 
as  fruitful  enough  to  support  ani- 
mal nor  human  life.  But  they  lived 
and,  to  the  surprise  of  their  per- 
secutors, produced  butter  and  cheese 

Walter  Dyck  is  pastor  of  the  First  Church 
in  Aberdeen,  Idaho,  and  secretary  of  the 
Pacific  District  Home  Missions  Committee. 


in  their  frugal  existence  for  sale 
in  city  markets. 

They  became  the  quiet  in  the 
land  and  have  remained  too  quiet 
ever  since.  As  a century — and  sev- 
eral more — went  by,  we  find  them 
owners  of  the  rich  steppes  in  Rus- 
sia, large  industrial  enterprises  in 
Holland,  the  owners  of  the  best 
farms  in  Lancaster  County,  Pa. 
They  had  forgotten  that  the  early 
churches  in  the  New  Testament 
were  city  churches — Jerusalem,  An- 
tioch, Philippi,  Ephesus,  and  the 
other  six  churches  of  Asia  Minor. 
To  one  of  these  (and  may  this  not 
apply  to  us,  too?)  the  seer  writes, 
“Thou  sayest,  T am  rich  (heritage) 
and  increased  with  goods,  (posses- 
sions) and  have  need  of  nothing 

> ii 

Yes,  we  have  a wonderful  her- 
itage. We  ought  to  be  grateful  for  it. 

But,  as  pointed  out  forcefully  at 
the  recent  conference  at  Bluffton, 
we  have  permitted  those  of  our 
number  to  go  to  the  cities  who  have 
been  least  prepared  for  it.  With  the 
enlarging  of  farm  operations  and 
the  growth — natural  growth — in  our 
church  communities,  the  “haves” 
have  often  been  able  to  stay  and 
the  “have  nots”  have  had  to  go. 

Those  who  have  gone,  and  con- 
tinue to  go,  to  the  cities  have  for 
the  most  part  not  been  missionaries 
to  the  cities.  The  rural  home  church 
has  not  had  the  vital  missionary 
passion  to  seek  to  draw  others  to 
the  Lord.  And  those  who  landed  in 
the  larger  cities  because  of  the  at- 
traction of  higher  wages,  better 
security  often  have  even  less. 

If  we  had  emphasized  the  sharing 
of  the  Christian  faith  rather  than 
the  protecting  of  it,  would  we  not 
today  have  more  small  but  growing 
centers  of  witness  in  more  of  the 
cities  to  which  our  sons  and  daugh- 
ters have  gone?  Wouldn’t  our  Men- 
nonites in  the  cities  be  more  strong- 
ly drawn  to  remain  with  our  church- 
es if  they  had  learned  to  love  and 
reach  others? 

The  second  of  six  concerns 
brought  to  the  conference  by  repre- 
sentatives of  our  city  church  work- 


ers was  this:  “We  confess  that  we 
have  spent  too  great  a proportion  of 
our  time  and  energies  in  the  cities 
seeking  to  find,  conserve,  and  main- 
tain ‘our  own  people,’  rather  than 
reaching  out  in  love  to  all  the 
needy — many  of  whom  often  lan- 
guish in  the  very  shadows  of  our 
churches.  Thus  we  have  often  been 
untrue  to  the  way  of  love  which  we 
claim  to  follow.” 

Our  city  workers  told  us  that  they 
were  not  too  sure  of  how  much  of 
our  “heritage”  could  profitably  be 
shared  with  others.  They  were  not 
sure,  partly  because  they  were  not 
always  certain  as  to  where  one 
should  divide  between  the  Christian 
faith  and  ethnic  culture.  Mission- 
aries in  foreign  fields  face  this  con- 
stantly: What  is  Mennonite  (or 

American)  culture  and  what  is  basic 
to  a Christian  faith  and  life? 

Don’t  most  of  us  expect  mission- 
aries to  be  what  we  neglect — or  re- 
fuse— to  be  at  home?  Must  we  rec- 
ognize ourselves  as  a Macedonia 
and  call  for  Christians  from  India 
and  Africa  to  come  and  evangelize 
our  home  communities?  What  if  an 
African  missionary’s  family  would 
come  from  the  Congo  and  set  up  a 
“mission”  in  our  vicinity,  trying  to 
reach  our  neighbors?  Would  we  ‘ 
have  fellowship  with  them — sit  on 
the  same  bench  with  them  in  our 
church  — or  would  we  “whisper” 
warnings  to  our  children  about  the 
“danger”  of  integration?  How  would 
we  look  to  an  African  missionary? 

Point  5 brought  to  conference 
floor  stated,  “Often  our  outreach  in 
the  city  communities  where  we  work 
is  greatly  hampered  by  the  fact 
that  our  Mennonite  nucleus  is  scat- 
tered away  from  the  immediate  vi- 
cinity of  the  church.  This  often 
leaves  the  task  of  visitation  evan- 
gelism completely  on  the  shoulders 
of  the  pastor  and  his  wife.  This  is 
inadequate  in  most  city  and  subur- 
ban locations  if  an  effective  church 
is  to  be  built.” 

This  may  call  for  a relocation 
of  some  of  our  mission-supported 
city  mission  projects.  Some  may 
need  to  be  terminated  altogether. 


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744 


THE  MENNONITE 


Your  Home  Missions  Committee 
has  had  numerous  calls  from  Men- 
nonites  living  in  our  larger  cities. 
It  is  one  of  the  duties  of  our  com- 
mittee “to  provide  spiritual  nurture 
for  church  members  that  live  in 
areas  where  we  do  not  have  organ- 
ized churches”  (Art.  XI). 

A recent  letter  from  Phoenix, 
Ariz.,  says,  “There  are  several  fam- 
ilies from  the  Eastern  District  Con- 
ference living  here  in  Phoenix  who 
feel  the  need  of  a church  home  and 
feel  sure  there  are  many  more  if 
we  could  contact  them.  We  are  ap- 
pealing for  help.  . . .”  Would  you, 
who  are  reading  this,  write  Mrs. 
Ethel  Rosenberger,  7250  N.  Canyon 


Way  West,  Phoenix,  Ariz.,  about 
any  from  your  community  who  are 
now  living  either  in  Phoenix,  Tem- 
pe,  Glendale,  Sunnyslope,  or  Scotts- 
dale. 

The  other  task,  that  of  reaching 
out  to  the  spiritually  needy  of  what- 
ever background  or  race  they  may 
be,  deserves  an  equal  or  greater 
impetus.  The  gathering  of  those  of 
Mennonite  background  in  itself  is 
not  the  answer  to  the  greater  “open 
door.”  How  to  proceed  judiciously 
needs  careful  study.  There  are  many 
housing  projects  in  our  cities.  Oth- 
ers are  grov^dng  up.  People  are 
coming  from  “everywhere”  and  need 
a church  in  their  vicinity.  We  can’t 


3.  The  New  Sunday  School  Material 

Conference  Discussion 


Discussion  of  the  new  lAving 
Faith  Graded  Curriculum  re- 
flected some  misunderstanding  and 
uncertainty  as  to  how  one  teaches 
three-year-olds.  The  nursery  mate- 
I rials  are  built  around  the  interests 
[ and  ability  to  understand  of  three- 
year-old  children.  However,  the  dis- 
cussion revealed  that  delegates  often 
consciously  or  unconsciously  com- 
pared nursery  materials  with  the 
kind  of  materials  older  children  can 
use  effectively,  and  that  they  ex- 
pected the  same  treatment  of  mate- 
rial and  the  same  classroom  pro- 
cedures as  those  used  with  older 
I children. 

; Thus  there  was  some  criticism 
of  the  interest  center  as  a vehicle 
for  teaching:  “not  adaptable,”  “too 
much  tune  for  playing.”  This  kind 
of  criticism  was  answered  by  other 
delegates  with  such  comments  as, 
‘"There  are  certain  truths  that  chil- 
dren don’t  learn  sitting  down  or 
through  stories,  but  through  activ- 
ity.” 

Some  of  the  discussion  had  to  do 
with  the  three-year-old’s  conception 
of  Jesus.  One  person  said,  “Jesus  is 
made  to  look  too  common.”  An- 
other person  thought  that  “the  pic- 
ture of  Jesus  is  not  meaningful  as 
an  Oriental,  but  more  as  a father, 
and  that  the  representation  of  Jesus 


in  the  nursery  material  was  there- 
fore fine  from  a three-year-old’s 
viewpoint.” 

A few  criticisms  were  of  choice  of 
material.  ’Two  persons  felt  that 
there  was  too  much  material  on  na- 
ture and  not  enough  biblical  mate- 
rial. In  response  to  this  criticism, 
one  discussion  group  read  the  lesson 
titles  of  an  entire  year’s  nursery 
material,  and  a delegate  said,  “This 
age  level  material  must  be  seen  as 
a part  of  the  whole  curriculum. 
There  will  be  natural  disagreement 
as  to  what  year  various  things  are 
introduced.” 

A complaint  was  raised  in  con- 
nection with  the  introduction  of  the 
new  curriculum.  A sample  of  the 
new  material  was  mailed  to  pastors, 
with  the  request  that  the  material 
be  returned  unless  the  pastor  wished 
to  keep  it  and  pay  for  it.  But  should- 
n’t samples  be  free?  This  question 
was  not  answered  in  the  discussion 
period  because  of  insufficient  infor- 
mation. Later  on  the  Publication 
Office  explained  that  the  sample 
sent  out  represented  material  for  an 
entire  year,  not  for  a single  quar- 
ter, and  that  it  included,  in  the  case 
of  nursery  materials,  three  pupil 
books  plus  an  activity  packet  and 
parent-teacher’s  guide,  totaling  $5.25. 
Obviously  this  presents  a different 


enter  everywhere.  But  we  must  en- 
ter somewhere.  How  are  we  to  know 
where  the  Lord  is  leading  us? 

We  want  to  maintain  strong  rur- 
al churches.  But  we  are  slowly  mov- 
ing to  the  city.  Are  we  preparing 
our  people  to  go — if  they  must? 

Jesus  wept  over  Jerusalem,  not 
that  it  seemed  hopeless  to  Him.  He 
had,  and  continues  to  have,  the  an- 
swer to  the  problems  of  the  city. 

Will  you  join  your  Home  Mis- 
sions Committee,  the  Home  Missions 
Section  of  the  Board  of  Missions, 
and  especially  our  city  church  work- 
ers, in  a prayerful  study  of  our  obli- 
gation to  the  city  masses? 

— The  Messenger 


situation  from  that  of  the  quarter- 
ly leaflet. 

In  view  of  the  need,  however,  for 
new  ministers  to  acquaint  them- 
selves with  available  materials,  the 
Board  of  Education  and  Publication 
is  making  some  samples  of  Confer- 
ence publications  free  to  them  on 
request. 

Other  Concerns 

A number  of  discussion  groups 
that  talked  about  Sunday  school  ma- 
terials also  talked  about  teacher 
training.  This,  some  said,  was  just 
as  important  as  materials,  and  two 
persons  felt  that  it  was  the  major 
problem.  Suggestions  for  improve- 
ment of  teaching  included  work- 
shops and  laboratory  schools,  non- 
credit college  courses,  Bible  studies 
for  general  background,  midweek 
training  classes  or  an  annual  school 
of  six  to  eight  classes  provided  by 
local  churches,  use  of  high  school 
juniors  and  seniors  as  assistants  to 
prepare  them  for  teaching,  use  of 
husband-wife  teams  in  departments 
and  classes,  and  use  of  films  and 
filmstrips  as  helps  in  recruitment 
and  training. 

Other  subjects  of  discussion  in- 
cluded The  Mennonite,  requested 
publications,  the  conference  report 
of  the  Board  of  Education  and  Pub- 
lication, and  our  support  of  our  ed- 
ucational institutions. 


December  1,  1959 


745 


A Christian 
Pacifist  Witness 
Is  Needed 


July  22-24  Elmer  Neufeld  (MCC 
Peace  Section  Executive  Secretary), 
Guy  F.  Hershberger  (Executive  Sec- 
retary of  Peace  Problems  Commit- 
tee of  the  Mennonite  Church),  Ches- 
ter K.  Lehman  (Eastern  Mennonite 
College),  and  J.  Lloyd  Spaulding 
(Bethel  College)  attended  the  First 
Southwide  Institutes  on  Nonviolent 
Resistance  to  Segregation. 

Numerous  organizations,  both 
Christian  and  secular,  have  been 
formed  to  help  untangle  racial  and 
minority  groups  from  their  unjust 
circumstances.  Church  groups,  too, 
have  spoken  up,  clearly  defining 
their  position  and  responsibility  a- 
midst  the  unchristian  practices  of 
fear,  hate,  pride,  suspicion,  strife, 
and  violence  which  have  set  man 
against  man  and  race  against  race. 

In  the  South,  the  Montgomery 
(Alabama)  Improvement  Associa- 
tion was  formed  in  1955-1956  under 
the  leadership  of  Martin  Luther 
King,  Jr.,  as  an  organized  means 
of  carrying  on  the  protest  against 
segregated  buses  in  Montgomery, 
Ala.  This  organization  continues  to 
serve  the  cause  of  Negro  rights  in 
Montgomery.  Similar  organizations 
have  been  formed  in  numerous  cities 
throughout  the  South  to  deal  with 
the  problem  of  segregation  in  its 
various  forms  locally. 


The  next  step  in  establishing  a 
persuasive  witness  was  the  federa- 
tion of  local  organizations  into  a 
Southwide  organization  now  known 
as  the  Southern  Christian  Leader- 
ship Conference.  This  organization 
is  frankly  committed  to  the  removal 
of  all  forms  of  racial  discrimina- 
tion and  segregation  in  the  United 
States. 

As  the  Montgomery  crisis  e- 
merged,  Martin  Luther  King,  Jr., 
and  his  close  associate,  Ralph  Aber- 
nathy, revealed  themselves  as  con- 
vinced Christian  pacifists.  This  is 
most  remarkable,  since  the  back- 
ground of  neither  of  these  men  in- 
cludes a pacifist  tradition.  King’s 
seminary  and  graduate  training, 
moreover,  was  not  really  conducive 
for  establishing  strong  convictions 
on  Christian  pacifism. 

Hershberger’s  report  of  an  earlier 
meeting  at  Tallahassee  indicates  the 
sincerity  of  King’s  and  Abernathy’s 
struggle:  “I  feel  convinced  that 

King  and  Abernathy  are  sincerely 
trying  to  follow  the  way  of  the 
cross.  They  wamt  to  obtain  justice 
for  the  Negro,  to  be  sure,  but  they 
are  doing  their  best  to  follow  the 
way  of  love  and  suffering  in  their 
search  for  justice.  In  this  they  de- 
serve all  the  encouragement  which 
we  can  give  them.” 

“It  is  equally  clear,”  Hershberger 
states,  “that  many  of  King’s  and 


Abernathy’s  followers  do  not  have 
a clear  understanding  of  the  course 
which  King  is  trying  to  foUow.  They 
are  ‘fighters  for  freedom’ — ^the  term 
is  freely  used.  'They  follow  King 
because  they  respect  him — in  some 
cases  almost  worship  him — but  their 
understanding  of  Christian  nonre- 
sistance is  very  meager.” 

King  gave  one  of  the  keynote  ad- 
dresses at  the  Atlanta  opening 
meeting.  ‘"The  present  crisis,”  he 
said,  “has  come  about  because  the 
Negro’s  aspirations  have  collided 
with  the  old  order  which  does  not 
want  to  give  way,  but  which  must 
do  so.  The  struggle  is  a world-wide 
one  which  cannot  be  stopped.  Hence 
we  are  confronted  with  the  question 
of  how  best  to  bring  in  the  new 
order.” 

King  definitely  rejected  violence 
and  warned  against  those  who  are 
wavering  on  this  point.  King  assert- 
ed that  someone  must  have  enough 
sense  to  cut  off  the  chain  of  vio- 
lence; he  pleaded  for  a serious  study 
of  the  nonviolent  way  and  sum- 
moned the  Negro  to  follow  this  way. 

Glen  Smiley,  the  general  field  sec- 
retary of  the  Fellowship  of  Recon- 
ciliation, also  gave  one  of  the  ma- 
jor addresses.  In  his  emphasis  on 
power  he  pointed  out  that  Negroes 
do  not  have  numerical,  financied,  or 
political  power.  Smiley  went  on  to 
say  that,  “If  we  are  dependent  on 


746 


THE  MENNONITE 


traditional  types  of  power,  we  might 
\ as  well  stay  in  bed.  There  is  another 
I power  which  we  must  have,  a spir- 
itual power  of  nonviolent  Christian 
love.”  His  emphasis  on  spiritual 
power,  however,  seemed  to  be  more 
grounded  in  Gandhi  than  in  Jesus 
Christ:  “Gandhi  has  come  to  be 
thought  of  as  the  leading  exponent 
of  nonviolence.  But  we  know  that 
the  idea  was  thought  of  in  part  by 
Jesus.” 

This  point  of  view  was  elaborated 
in  the  address,  “Philosophy  and 
Ethical  Roots  of  Nonviolence,”  by 
Dean  William  Stuart  Nelson  of 
Howard  University.  If  his  address 
could  have  been  a presentation  of 
the  Christian  doctrine  of  the  atone- 
ment, which  is  based  on  the  love  of 
God,  and  the  self-emptying,  sacri- 
ficial, reconciling  work  of  Christ — 
who  in  turn  has  given  unto  us  the 
ministry  of  reconciliation — a founda- 
tion for  Christian  pacifism  in  hu- 
man relations  could  have  been  laid. 

In  his  survey  of  the  philosophy  of 
nonviolence  Nelson  asserted  that 
cLfter  it  was  evidenced  in  the  Hindu 
philosophy  3000  years  ago,  the  phi- 
losophy of  nonviolence  was  again 
revived  in  Buddhism.  Jesus  had 


something  of  it.  The  early  church, 
the  Quakers,  the  Mennonites,  Tol- 
stoi, Thoreau,  the  vegetarians,  emd 
Gandhi  have  kept  up  the  tradition. 
While  Nelson’s  presentation  of  paci- 
fism, which  was  an  interpretation 
of  the  humanitarian  philosophy, 
could  provide  inspiration  for  some 
type  of  social  action,  it  is  not  enough 
for  a theological  foundation  for 
Christian  pacifism.  In  the  discussion 
which  followed  Nelson’s  address, 
the  Mennonite  delegation  openly  ex- 
pressed its  views  and  concerns  re- 
garding the  Biblical  pacifist  position. 

Throughout  the  institute,  two  lev- 
els of  conflict  were  apparent  in  the 
thinking  represented.  On  one  level 
there  was  the  conflict  between  the 
way  of  the  cross  growing  out  of 
faith  in  Christ  as  the  revelation  of 
God  himself  and  nonviolence  as  a 
way  of  life  growing  out  of  liberal 
humanitarian  thought.  This  conflict 
was  apparent  not  only  to  the  Men- 
nonites present,  but  also  to  Southern 
Negroes,  especially  older  ministers, 
who  asked  questions  about  the  rela- 
tion of  nonviolence  and  Christianity. 
On  another  level  were  the  diverging 
attitudes  in  the  presentation  of  non- 
violence as  a strategy  to  be  accepted 


Crisis  in  Congo 


The  situation  in  the  Congo  is  one 
of  much  tension  and  uncertainty. 
Missionaries,  along  with  the  nation- 
al Christians,  are  experiencing  some 
difficulty  and  frustration  due  to  the 
unrest  and  agitation  among  the 
masses  of  Congo  for  independence. 
Any  small  incident  may  set  off  mob 
spirit  which  self-seeking  agitators 
may  direct  against  Europeans  and 
Americans. 

'The  attitude  of  most  Africans  is, 
“We  don’t  want  the  white  man  to 
leave,  but  we  want  to  be  masters 
in  our  own  house.” 

Mr.  Kabeya  Noe,  Tshiluba  editor 
of  Envoi  magazine  and  former  Con- 
go Inland  Mission  church  member 
at  Charlesville,  recently  told  Henry 
Crane,  Presbyterian  missionary 


leaving  for  America,  “Tell  the 
church  people  in  America  that  we 
are  grateful  for  all  they  have  done 
for  us,  for  sending  us  missionaries 
and  for  teaching  us  the  gospel.  Be- 
cause of  what  you  have  taught  us 
we  are  what  we  are  today.  But  we 
are  children  no  longer,  nor  do  we 
want  to  be  treated  as  children.  As 
our  older  brethren  in  the  faith  we 
need  you  and  we  welcome  you,  but 
many  of  you  will  have  to  change 
your  attitude  toward  us  if  you  want 
us  to  work  with  you.”  'Then  Rev. 
Crane  thanked  him  and  asked,  “Do 
you  mind  if  I tell  you,  and  if  I tell 
the  American  people,  that  you  too 
must  change?  You  must  accept  the 
responsibility  that  goes  with  part- 
nership of  an  older  and  younger 
brother  working  together.”  Mr.  Ka- 


or  to  be  rejected  in  the  immediate 
situation.  Questions  were  repeatedly 
asked  about  the  practical  effective- 
ness of  nonviolence,  especially  in 
the  face  of  violent  opposition. 

Our  Task 

As  a result  of  their  Atlanta  dis- 
cussion meetings,  Neufeld  and 
Hershberger  suggest  that  Menno- 
nites continue  the  development  of 
an  aggressive  program  in  the  area 
of  race  relations.  This  means  a pro- 
gram of  working  aggressively  for 
social  justice,  both  by  word  and  in 
deed,  within  the  framework  of  our 
Anabaptist  tradition.  ’The  opportuni- 
ties for  such  witnessing  at  Gulfport, 
Mississippi;  Blountstown  and  Sara- 
sota, Florida;  and  in  parts  of  Vir- 
ginia, for  example,  have  not  been 
exploited  as  they  should. 

The  Mennonite  approach  should 
not  be  too  critical  of  secular  move- 
ments’ attempts  at  injustice  if  we 
do  not  witness  as  Christians  ought 
to  do.  Present  day  human  need  obli- 
gates us  to  re-examine  and  re-evalu- 
ate  our  Mennonite  social  action  pro- 
gram as  a whole,  to  become  more 
effective,  and  to  achieve  more  fully 
the  mission  of  the  Church  in  the 
world.  — MCC  Information  Service 


beya  thought  for  a moment  and 
then  replied,  “Yes,  tell  them  that 
we  too  must  change.  Before  the 
cross  of  Christ  we  must  as  brethren 
be  reconciled.  That  is  the  only  way 
for  us  in  Congo.” 

'The  Congo  Inland  Mission  Board 
in  semiannual  session  recently  took 
action  to  accept  the  plan  of  the  mis- 
sionaries in  Congo  for  total  integra- 
tion of  the  mission  program  with 
the  national  church  and  authorized 
transfer  of  property  and  responsi- 
bility to  the  national  church. 

All  Christians  are  implored  to 
pray  for  great  wisdom  and  clear 
guidance  for  missionary  and  Congo- 
lese leaders  as  they  confront  the 
revolution  in  Congo  with  the  recon- 
ciling gospel  of  Jesus  Christ. 


December  1,  1959 


747 


the  reader  says 

Dear  Editor: 

This  is  an  echo  to  Sam  Regier’s 
letter  in  the  Nov.  10  issue  of  The 
Mennonite.  That  gory  lesson  both- 
ered our  women’s  group  in  the 
Grace  Hill  Church  too.  Did  the  same 
God  command  utter  extermination 
of  entire  nations  and  then  send  His 
dear  Son  into  the  world  on  the 
wings  of  the  angels’  song  heralding 
peace  on  earth? 

We  found  an  enlightening  answer 
in  the  hymn  we  sang  for  assembly, 
“Once  to  Every  Man  and  Nation’’ 
(words  by  James  Russell  Lowell). 
These  lines  from  the  second  stanza 
we  claimed  in  answer  to  our  trou- 
bled question: 


New  occasions  teach  new  duties, 
Time  makes  ancient  truth  uncouth. 
They  must  upward  still  and  onward 
Who  would  keep  abreast  of  truth. 

Farmers  have  changed  from  bind- 
ers to  combines,  and  their  wives 
gladly  forsook  the  fuel-hungry,  heat- 
belching  old  bake-oven  for  the  ther- 
mostat and  timer.  But  it  still  takes 
the  same  good  grain  and  the  knead- 
ing skill  to  make  the  golden  wheat 
loaves.  Is  there  a philosopher  among 
us  who  can  take  it  from  there? 

Mrs.  Herbert  Schmidt 
Rt.  3,  Newton,  Kan. 

Dear  Editor: 

In  the  Nov.  10  issue  of  The  Men- 
nonite, the  letter  from  Sam  Regier 
greatly  interested  me.  I,  too,  have 
often  wondered  why  we  spend  so 
much  time  in  Sunday  school  study- 


ing things  that  are  in  contradiction 
with  the  teachings  of  Jesus. 

We  often  use  flannelgraph  in  tell- 
ing Bible  stories  to  the  junior  de- 
partment of  our  Sunday  school.  We 
have  made  it  a practice  to  omit 
stories  dealing  with  war  and  de- 
struction of  human  life,  lest  the 
children  fail  to  grasp  the  true  scope 
of  things.  Are  we  wrong  in  so 
doing? 

Mrs.  H.  R.  Widmer 
Bloomfield,  Iowa 

Lamont  Woelk,  in  a recent  article 
concerning  conducting  of  funerals, 
needs  to  be  commended  on  his  pro- 
gressive idea.  I am  sure  some  of 
these  changes  are  in  order. 

Melvin  Buller 
Ulysses,  Kansas 


Focus  on  Christian  Concerns 

Frank  Epp  comments  on  the  price  of  a strike 


OUR  first  impulse  is  to  measure 
the  cost  of  the  116-day  steel 
strike,  which  paralyzed  85%  of  the 
nation’s  basic  industries,  with  the 
dollar — the  near-utimate  measure  of 
American  values. 

And  so  we  calculate  that  the  cost 
to  the  twelve  steel  companies  and 
their  customers  was  1.5  billion  dol- 
lars in  profits;  the  loss  to  labor  in 
steel  and  dependent  industries  was 
slightly  more,  1.75  billion  dollars; 
the  federal  government  came  in  be- 
tween with  a loss  of  1.6  billion  dol- 
lars in  taxes. 

Telling  as  these  losses  for  the  na- 
tional economy  may  be,  they  still 
do  not  represent  the  total.  Consider 
also  the  loss  to  industry,  labor,  and 
nation  through  the  failure  of  collec- 
tive bargaining  and  the  resulting  ap- 
plication of  the  force  of  law. 

The  problem-solving  ability  of  the 
strike  and  related  techniques  have 
reached  a dead-end.  Government  of- 
ficials now  consider  the  Taft-Hartley 
Act,  the  nation’s  strongest  industrial 
emergency  measure,  as  inadequate. 
The  power  of  capital  and  the  power 


of  labor  are  likely  to  face  the  power 
of  law  in  even  harder  form. 

Add  to  this  another  intangible  rep- 
resented in  the  idleness  of  500,000 
men  for  over  one  hundred  days.  Ab- 
sence of  work  affects  man’s  moral 
welfare  as  much  as  absence  of 
wages  affects  his  material  well- 
being. 

The  values  gained  by  strike  action 
must  be  very  high  if  they  are  even 
to  cancel  the  demoralization  of  116 
days  of  hibernation.  What  can  offset 
the  disgrace  of  11,000  families  on 
relief  in  a single  community  when 
so  much  work  waits  to  be  done? 

It  would  be  easier  to  pay  this 
price  if,  in  the  end,  we  had  some 
answers.  Is  a strike  ethical,  and  does 
labor  really  have  a right  to  with- 
hold its  product  in  the  same  way 
that  a store  has  a right  to  with- 
hold its  groceries  to  the  non-paying 
customer? 

What  is  an  equal  and  fair  distri- 
bution of  the  increased  earnings  of 
industry  to  the  worker,  to  the  pro- 
ducer, and  to  the  consumer?  What 
is  the  relation  between  the  demands 
of  single  groups,  whether  labor  or 


capital,  in  relation  to  the  total  pub- 
lic good  with  respect  to  infiation? 
What  are  industry’s  responsibilities 
for  maintaining  job  security  in  the 
face  of  increasing  automation? 

Where  is  the  delicate  balance  be- 
tween the  rights  of  labor  and  the 
responsibilities  of  labor,  if  it  was 
not  in  labor’s  status  in  pre-union 
days  and  most  certainly  is  not  in 
the  era  of  featherbedding? 

These  are  some  of  the  questions 
that  await  an  answer  before  the 
eighty  days  are  over.  Can  the  church 
of  Christ  help  to  answer  them?  If 
there  is  no  word  for  the  institu- 
tions of  capital,  labor,  and  law,  is 
there  at  least  some  guidance  for 
the  individual  steelworker  who  is 
caught  and  almost  crushed  by  the 
complexities  of  capitalism,  yet  who 
also  wants  to  be  a Christian? 

Would  a team  of  experts  in  eco- 
nomics and  industrial  relations,  but 
also  in  Christian  ethics,  experts 
known  also  for  their  devotion  to 
the  Lord,  be  able  to  help  us?  Where 
is  such  a team?  Who  can  fill  the 
gap?  Someone  should! 


748 


THE  MENNONiTE 


Overheard  in  a faculty  lounge 
...  A thought  or  two  on  the 
general  subject  of 

Mennonite 

College 

Students 


by  Reinhart  ‘‘Roy”  Vogt 


^pHIS  could  be  entitled  The  True 
A Confession  of  a Sneak,  but  I 
really  couldn’t  help  it  that  I found 
myself  eavesdropping  that  day.  The 
fact  that  it  was  the  professors’ 
lounge  where  I overheard  some  pri- 
vate conversation  was  something 
else  that  I just  couldn’t  help. 

I was  standing  idly  in  the  admin- 
istration building  glancing  at  the 
bulletin  board  when  a secretary 
from  the  main  office  suddenly 
popped  her  head  out  of  a nearby 
door  and  beckoned  anxiously  to  me. 
“There  is  a long  distance  call  for 
you,”  she  informed  me  quickly,  “but 
I am  afraid  that  you  cannot  take  it 
on  our  telephone  since  the  president 
wants  to  place  an  important  call  of 
his  own  at  this  moment.”  She 
thought  quickly  and  then  suggested, 
“Run  upstairs  to  the  faculty  lounge 
and  I will  connect  you  with  the 
telephone  there.  'The  lounge  is  usual- 
ly deserted  at  this  time,  and  it  is 
the  nearest  private  phone  we  have.” 

Without  hesitation  I followed  her 
directions.  It  was  only  after  I had 
found  the  booth  and  had  made  the 
connection  that  I noticed  that  the 
room  was  not  empty,  and  that  in 
fact  one  of  my  professors  was  en- 
gaged in  a lively  discussion  with 
someone  else.  I remember  little  of 
the  telephone  conversation  as  my 
attention  was  drawn  to  the  discus- 
sion in  the  lounge. 

I would  have  left  the  booth  when 
the  call  was  completed,  but  just  as 
I was  about  to  step  out  I heard  my 
own  name  mentioned.  With  an  elec- 
trified impulse  I stepped  back.  Ob- 
viously the  two  professors  were  not 
aware  that  I was  in  the  booth  and 
I felt  that  to  emerge  now  would 
embarrass  both  them  and  myself. 
They  could  not  see  me  where  I was, 
but  there  was  a good  chance  that 
they  would  spot  me  if  I left.  You 


Mennonite  youth 


must  admit  that  my  position  was 
extremely  awkward. 

As  people  usually  do  in  such  situa- 
tions, I acted  foolishly.  Though  no 
one  could  see  me,  I grabbed  the 
telephone  receiver  again  in  such  a 
way  that  my  presence  in  the  booth 
seemed  justified. 

That  this  action  was  foolish 
hardly  occurred  to  me  as  I tried  to 
follow  the  interesting  conversation 
in  the  room.  I found  myself  being 
classified  as  “A  Mennonite  Student 
in  Revolt.”  But  to  my  amazement 
I seemed  to  be  defended  by  my  own 
professor  in  this  discussion.  Here, 
briefiy,  is  how  the  talk  went.  Let’s 
call  the  professors  “H”  (my  regular 
history  professor)  and  “S”  (the  so- 
ciology professor). 

H;  You  mentioned  the  other  day 
that  the  Mennonite  students  at  this 
college  seem  to  be  both  the  blackest 
and  the  whitest  sheep  that  we  have. 
We  have  those  who  work  hard  at 
their  studies  and  seem  to  have  a 
deep  and  meaningful  religious  faith. 
On  the  other  hand,  we  have  those 
who  do  not  work  as  well  and  ap- 
pear to  have  gone  off  the  deep  end 
in  their  religious  and  moral  life. 

S:  Yes,  this  has  struck  me  a 

number  of  times — this  contrasting 
black  and  white  picture.  I often  wish 
there  were  some  “grays”  in  the 
group.  But,  perhaps  you  would  like 
to  say  something  further  on  this. 

H:  Well,  I have  taken  a closer 

look  at  some  of  my  Mennonite  stu- 
dents on  the  basis  of  what  you  said, 
and  I think  that  I have  noticed 
many  more  “grays”  than  you  sug- 
gest. In  fact,  they  are  so  prevalent 
that  I have  come  to  the  conclusion 
that  they  present  a far  greater  prob- 
lem than  do  the  “blacks.” 

S:  Explain  a little  further  just 

what  you  mean. 

H:  Take  one  of  my  students. 


December  1,  1959 


749 


George  L.  (that’s  me)  for  example. 
I think  we  would  aill  agree  that  he 
is  one  of  the  blackest  sheep,  with 
his  open  defiance  of  Cfhristianity. 
Yet,  in  my  history  class  and  through 
some  personal  talks  with  him  I have 
discovered  that  he  carries  strong 
convictions  and  that  he  rejected 
Christianty  because  he  found  so  lit- 
tle meaning  in  it.  I suspect  that  this 
is  a great  deal  more  honest  than 
many  who  also  see  little  meaning 
in  it  but  hang  on  with  sad  indiffer- 
ence. 

S:  Yes,  didn’t  Jesus  himself  say 

somewhere  that  He  preferred  those 
who  were  hot  or  cold,  and  that  He 
would  spew  the  lukewarm  out  of 
His  mouth? 

H:  I think  so.  And  yet  it  is  sad 

that  the  “cold”  like  George  cannot 
see  the  futility  of  the  convictions 
which  they  do  hold,  when  these  are 
contrasted  with  the  message  of 
Christ.  Jesus  was  also  a revolution- 
ary but  He  always  revolted  from 
the  inferior  to  the  best. 

S:  I think  you  are  right.  These 


students  want  to  be  original,  but 
they  seem  so  confused  as  to  what 
they  want  to  be  original  for. 

H:  Even  worse,  I think,  are  those 

students  who  profess  a belief  in 
Jesus  and  then  bring  so  little  zeal 
to  this  belief.  The  other  day  I tested 
one  of  these  by  asking  him  who 
he  felt  was  the  most  important  per- 
son in  history.  It  took  him  a while 
to  answer,  but  finally  he  replied  in 
a halting  way  that  it  was  either 
Napoleon  or  Aristotle.  After  the 
class  I stopped  him  and  asked  why 
he  hadn’t  said  Jesus  Christ  since  he 
professed  a belief  in  Him.  Again  he 
replied  in  a halting  way  that  he 
hadn’t  been  able  to  think  of  this 
on  the  spur  of  the  moment.  Also,  he 
added,  he  was  a little  afraid  to 
mention  that  name  in  a classroom 
where  ‘history’  was  being  taught. 
'The  poor  fellow!  He  does  not  realize 
that  those  people  who  ignore  Jesus 
Christ,  which  includes  some  of  his 
own  professors,  still  are  forced  to 
believe  in  other  things,  and  these 
things  are  often  much  less  defensi- 


Spotlights turned  to  Youth  and  Christian  Education” 


B.  C. 

Workshop 


Shirley  Hildebrand 


“You,”  stated  John  Neufeld,  B.  C. 
youth  president,  speaking  to  the 
approximately  one  hundred  young 
people,  “will  be  our  speakers  for 
this  workshop.”  Then  John  asked 
what  he  called  “a  very  personal 
question.”  By  having  each  person 
stand  when  his  age  was  called,  dis- 
cussion groups  were  assigned  ac- 
cording to  ages. 

The  committee  must  have  known 
that  young  people  like  to  talk.  Being 
motivated  by  common  concerns,  they 
asked  some  profitable  questions  and 
found  some  practical  answers.  For 
example: 

Is  it  better  to  go  to  a Mennonite 
high  school  than  to  a public  high 
school ? 


ble  than  Christianity  is.  I suppose 
it  is  really  our  duty  to  show  these 
students  that  while  no  person  can 
reason  his  way  to  a personal  belief 
in  Jesus  Christ,  yet  Christianity  is 
the  most  reasonable  faith  that  there 
is.  As  for  the  lack  of  zeal — only  God 
can  inspire  that,  and  they  spend  so 
little  time  with  Him  that  here,  too, 
they  are  badly  off. 

'They  were  just  beginning  to  dis- 
cuss those  students  who  in  a re- 
markable way  live  victorious  Chris- 
tian lives  when  I suddenly  noticed 
that  they  were  leaving  the  lounge 
together,  still  absorbed  in  their  dis- 
cussion. Ducking  hurriedly  in  the 
small  booth  I managed  to  escape 
detection,  but  it  was  now  impossible 
to  catch  the  rest  of  their  conversa- 
tion. Yet,  for  many  days,  after  that, 
what  they  had  said  continued  to 
haunt  me.  It  was  of  me  that  they 
had  said,  “He  wants  to  be  original, 
but  he  doesn’t  know  what  he  wants 
to  be  original  for”  while  of  my 
friends  who  are  often  so  indifferent 
they  had  said,  “they  are  the  ones 
who  will  be  spewed  out!” 


To  stimulate  discussion  on  this 
question,  a debate  was  held.  “Re- 
solved: that  it  is  better  to  go  to  a 
Mennonite  high  school  than  to  a 
public  high  school.”  For  the  affirm- 
ative, Eleanor  Loewen  and  George 
Schmidt  pointed  out  the  following. 

• The  Mennonite  school  is  God- 
centered  rather  than  self-centered. 

• The  Mennonite  school  gives  for- 
mal and  much  needed  instruction 
in  Bible,  doctrine,  and  Christian 
ethics. 

• The  Mennonite  school  gives 
spiritual  nourishment  to  the  young 
growing  Christian,  proper  emphasis 
on  evangelism,  and  a chance  to 
serve  in  the  church. 


750 


THE  MENNONITE 


To  and  From  a Pastor 


• History  tells  of  other  faiths 
which  were  strong  because  they 
maintained  their  own  schools. 

• Mennonite  schools  emphasize 
that  man’s  truth  is  relative  and 
God’s  truth  is  absolute. 

• Mennonite  schools  help  to  de- 
velop Christian  principles  in  every 
subject. 

For  the  negative  side,  Shirley 
Hildebrand  and  Peter  Bartel  gave 
these  points: 

• By  the  time  a student  reaches 
the  age  of  twelve  his  home  and 
church  should  have  taught  him  that 
he  must  expect  to  defend  his  faith 
against  opposition  from  the  world. 

• Parents  of  children  in  Menno- 
nite high  schools  may  feel  less 
strongly  their  own  responsibility  in 
bringing  up  a God-fearing  genera- 
tion. 

• In  Mennonite  schools  there  is 
a danger  of  pupils  accepting  princi- 
ples without  thinking  them  through 
or  really  living  them. 

• Tax-supported  schools  are  bet- 
ter able  to  pay  for  new  books,  ex- 
pensive equipment,  and  teachers 
with  specicdized  training. 

• 'There  is  an  extra  financial  bur- 
den on  parents  who  send  children  to 
a Mennonite  high  school. 

• Many  public  schools  have  active 
inter-school  Christian  fellowship 
groups.  These  give  good  training  in 
working  together  with  other  church- 
es. 

The  important  conclusion  reached 
after  these  discussions  was  that  each 
young  person  should  be  able  to  an- 
swer “Yes”  to  the  question;  “Am 
I doing  all  I can  for  Christ  where 
[ I am  now?” 

The  guest  speaker  for  Saturday 
and  Sunday  evenings  was  William 
Block,  pastor  of  the  Vancouver 
Mennonite  Mission  Church  and  vice 
I president  of  the  YPU.  His  messages 
I were  entitled  “Nothing  Less  than 

Jesus  Christ”  and  “Nothing  Less 

than  You.’.’  All  young  people  search 
for  “something  big”  and  often  find 
cheap  substitutes  for  what  they 
really  need.  “Nothing  less  than 

Jesus  Christ  is  good  enough  for  us 
— we  must  give  in  return  nothing 
less  than  ourselves.”  After  pointing 
out  the  great  need  for  consecrated 
Christians,  he  concluded  with;  “To 
those  who  give  themselves  fully, 

Christ  gives  His  abundant  life,  joy, 
and  peace.” 


EAR  Pastor, 

The  other  night  some  of  us 
girls  had  a “hen  session”  and  one 
of  the  girls  asked  what  it  means 
when  we  say,  “Believe  on  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  and  you  shall  be 
saved”  (for  example,  like  in  John 
3:16).  My  roommate  said  right  a- 
way  that  if  anyone  believes  that 
Jesus  lived  and  died  and  rose  again 
that  he  would  then  have  Eternal 
Life.  I guess  she’s  right.  I’ve  heard 
that  answer  before.  But  it  seems  to 
me  there’s  more  than  just  that.  That 
almost  seems  that  if  you  said  the 
right  words,  presto!  you’re  saved! 

I told  them  I thought  the  answer 
was  too  simple  and  that  it  wouldn’t 
help  me.  But  I was  not  able  to  give 
them  a satisfying  answer  either. 

How  would  you  answer  them? 

Mary 

EAR  Mary, 

Your  roommate’s  right  as  far 
as  she  went.  But  she  didn’t  really 
finish  the  answer,  so  in  a sense  she 
was  wrong.  Just  like  half  a ball  is 
not  a ball  at  all,  is  it? 

She’s  right  when  she  says  you 
have  to  believe  in  the  existence  of 
Christ,  both  in  history  and  as  being 
alive  today.  But  to  believe  that 
someone  lived  does  not  mean  we  be- 
lieve on  him.  For  example,  I believe 
Pilate  lived,  too,  but  I don’t  believe 
on  him. 

Webster  helps  us  a bit  here.  He 
says  “believe”  means  “to  have  faith 
or  confidence  in  or  on.”  Now  if  I 
believe  in  Jesus,  I have  trust  or 
confidence  in  Him.  I want  to  know 
Him  as  a friend.  I want  to  learn 
all  I can  about  Him. 

The  more  I learn  about  Him,  the 
more  I like  Him  and  the  more  I 
want  to  be  like  Him.  He  becomes 
my  ideal.  I try  to  think  and  to  live 
like  Him.  It’s  a lot  like  two  people 
who  have  common  interests.  The 
more  they  get  to  know  each  other, 
the  more  they  think  and  do  the  same 
things. 

When  I learn  to  know  Jesus  I see 
that  He  loved  people  and  helped 
them  at  great  cost  to  himself,  and 
I find  myself  caring  more  for  peo- 
ple in  need  about  me.  As  Jesus  knew 
God  and  was  very  close  to  Him,  I 


find  myself  being  drawn  closer  to 
God  till  loving  God  and  loving  my 
neighbors  become  the  most  impor- 
tant things  in  my  life.  Now  my  life 
is  full  of  joy  and  peace  because  I 
am  at  peace  with  God  and  in  fel- 
lowship with  Him.  And  I am  at 
peace  with  my  fellow  men!  I find  I 
have  really  found  life!  Or  as  it  is 
usually  said,  I am  saved. 

Lest  you  think  that  this  is  simply 
a process  of  pulling  one’s  self  up 
by  one’s  bootstraps,  I want  to 
hasten  to  add  this:  Salvation  is 
still  a gift — given  through  the  grace 
of  God.  Christ  himself  was  a gift 
to  the  human  race,  and  to  myself. 
The  message  of  Christ  was  a gift 
to  me  personally  through  one,  or  a 
host  of  faithful  witnesses.  'The  de- 
sire within  me  to  respond  to  Christ 
was  created  in  me  by  God.  Most  im- 
portant of  all,  it  was  because  God 
wanted  to  make  himself  known  to 
me  that  I could  find  Him.  That  is 
the  greatest  gift! 

I have  been  saved — not  by  what 
I have  done.  I have  simply  respond- 
ed to  Him  who  gave  to  me  what  I 
most  desired  for  life — peace,  joy, 
and  love — both  for  my  fellow  men 
and  for  God. 

I hope  this  helps  you,  Mary. 

Your  Pastor 

If  you  would  like  to  send  questions 
of  your  own  to  the  pastor  who 
writes  this  column,  address  them  to 
THE  MENNONITE,  722  Main  St., 
Newton,  Kan. 

Who’s  Who 

Roy  Vogt,  spokesman  for  George 
L.  in  the  first  article  of  the  youth 
section,  is  a second  year  student  at 
Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary.  He 
has  a master’s  degree  in  economics 
and  has  taught  at  United  College  in 
Winnipeg. 

Shirley  Hildebrand  is  an  elemen- 
tary schoolteacher  in  the  Chilliwack, 
B.  C.,  school  district. 

The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People’s  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  722 
Main  St.,  Newton,  Kansas. 


December  1,  1959 


751 


our  schools 

ANNUAL  CORPORATION  MEETING 

The  annual  corporation  meeting 
of  Bethel  College  was  held  Nov.  27 
in  the  college  chapel  room  in  the 
administration  building.  A reorgan- 
ized type  of  meeting  was  held  with 
a series  of  discussions  on  the  topic 
“What  I Expect  of  Bethel  College” 
taking  up  the  main  part  of  the  meet- 
ing. Religious  values,  curricula,  ex- 
tracurricular activities,  standards  of 
conduct,  and  finances  were  discussed 
from  constituent  and  faculty  view- 
points. 

Included  also  were  Acting  Presi- 
dent J.  Winfield  Fretz’s  report  and 
presentations  by  board  members  of 
conditions  and  changes  under  con- 
sideration. 

Following  the  last  session,  a ban- 
quet was  held  with  board  members, 
faculty  and  wives  in  attendance. 

SOLOISTS  NAMED 

Student  soloists  have  been  an- 
nounced for  the  December  13  presen- 
tation of  Handel’s  “The  Messiah”  at 
Bethel  College. 

Chosen  through  faculty  audition 
were:  sopranos,  Elaine  Banman, 

sophomore  from  North  Newton,  and 
Rita  Fliginger,  junior  from  Hurley, 
S.  D.;  altos,  LaVera  Goering,  senior 
from  Pretty  Prairie,  and  Phyllis 
Collier,  junior  from  Upland,  Calif.; 
tenor,  Don  Peters,  senior  from  Hen- 
derson, Neb.;  and  basses,  Gerald 
Dyck,  senior  from  Aberdeen,  Idaho, 
Gerhard  Klaassen,  junior  from 
Laird,  Saskatchewan,  and  Arlo  Kas- 
per, senior  from  Hutchinson,  Kan. 

FREEMAN  CHAPELS 

Although  chapel  attendance  at 
Freeman  Junior  College  is  compul- 
sory, most  students  are  hardly  a- 
ware  of  this  fact.  This  is  so  because 
the  great  majority  want  to  come  to 
the  daily  chapel  services.  The  quiet 
devotional  atmosphere,  the  worship 
services,  the  sharing  of  Christian 
experiences  by  staff  members  and 
guest  speakers,  and  the  opportunity 
for  students  themselves  to  partici- 
pate is  something  that  Freeman 
students  learn  to  appreciate.  It  is 
something  that  they  miss  when  they 
are  away  from  it. 

One  important  feature  in  the 
chapel  program  is  the  appearance 
of  guest  speakers.  The  Chapel  and 
Religious  Life  Committee  plans  the 
chapel  programs  well  in  advance 


and  guest  speakers  are  never  in- 
vited simply  to  “fill  time.”  They  are 
selected  and  invited  when  available, 
but  only  if  it’s  felt  that  they  may 
have  a real  contribution  to  offer  to 
enrich  the  lives  of  the  students.  Be- 
cause of  this  the  so-called  guest 
speakers  are  an  important  part  of 
the  chapel  schedule  and  do  much  to 
enrich  it. 

Recent  chapel  speakers  include 
Menno  A.  Schellenberg,  the  new 
pastor  of  the  Silver  Lake  Menno- 
nit(f)  Brethren  Church  near  Free- 
man, and  Missionary  W.  C.  Voth 
who  is  well  known  for  his  mission- 
ary work  in  China,  Japan,  and  For- 
mosa and  presently  working  among 
the  Arizona  Indians.  Dwight  Wiebe, 
representing  the  Voluntary  Service 
and  1-W  program  of  MCC  spoke  in 
chapel  as  well  as  to  a special  meet- 
ing of  the  Freeman  College  Peace 
Club.  Andrew  Shelly,  from  Menno- 
nite  Biblical  Seminary,  Elkhart, 
Ind.,  was  also  a recent  speaker. 
LECTURE  ON  FAR  EAST 

“The  Far  Eastern  Puzzle”  was  the 
topic  of  John  A.  Bekker  as  he  spoke 
in  the  Bluffton  College  Music-Lec- 
ture Series  recently. 

Mr.  Bekker,  professor  at  Duquesne 
University,  has  devoted  many  years 
to  intensive  studies  of  world  condi- 
tions and  problems.  He  also  has 
command  of  several  foreign  lan- 
guages and  has  traveled  widely  in 
Central  Europe,  Asiatic  Russia,  Mon- 
golia, Manchuria,  China,  Korea,  Ja- 
pan, and  the  Scandinavian  countries. 

Bom  of  Dutch  parentage  in  the 
Ukraine,  he  experienced  the  Rus- 
sian Revolution  of  1917-1918,  the 
Civil  War,  the  Starvation  of  1921, 
as  well  as  the  New  Economic  Pol- 
icy experimentation  and  the  intro- 
duction of  the  First  Five  Year  Plan. 
In  1928  he  fled  via  Siberia  to  China 
where  he  spent  a number  of  years. 
Mr.  Bekker  is  now  a citizen  of  this 
country. 

BIBLE  DEPARTMENT  EXPANDS 

Abe  Wiebe  will  join  the  Freeman 
Junior  College  staff  as  part-time  in- 
structor in  the  Bible  Department 
during  the  winter  quarter.  He  is  a 
graduate  of  Goshen  College  and 
studied  for  an  additional  year  at 
Goshen  Seminary,  Ind.  He  has 
served  as  pastor  of  the  Bethel  Men- 
nonite  Church  of  Lancaster,  Pa., 
and  of  the  Hutterthal  Mennonite 
Church  of  Freeman,  S.  D.  He  has 
also  served  as  business  manager 
for  the  Board  of  Education  and 


Publication  of  the  General  Confer' 
ence.  $6 

During  the  winter  quarter  Rev 
Wiebe  will  be  teaching  “Acts  and  ^ 
the  Early  Church.”  The  class  is 
scheduled  to  meet  every  day  at  12:5C 
to  enable  anyone  interested  who  is 
not  of  the  regular  student  body  to 
enroll. 

Also  being  offered  during  the  win- 
ter  quarter  as  a night  course  will  ^ 
be  “Methods  of  Christian  Educa-  ' 
tion.”  This  class  will  be  taught  each  * 
Thursday  evening  from  7 to  10  p.m.  *' 
by  Miss  Leola  Schultz.  This  course  ' 
is  designed  for  anyone  interested  in  ' 
learning  more  about  the  teaching  \ 
program  of  the  church.  Special  em-  ' 
phasis  will  be  given  to  Sunday 
school  teaching  for  kindergarten, 
primary,  and  junior  departments. 
Teaching  methods,  materials,  and 
equipment  will  be  studied  and  eval-  i 
uated.  ! 

“Background  of  Our  Bible,”  a | 
three-hour  course,  will  also  be  of-  ! 
fered  during  the  winter  quarter.  It 
will  be  taught  during  the  regular  1 
daily  class  schedule  by  Miss 
Schultz.  It  is  a study  of  how  the 
manuscripts  of  the  various  books 
of  our  English  Bible  came  to  be 
gathered  together,  preserved,  select-  ' 
ed,  copied,  and  finally  translated. 

In  these  ways  the  Bible  Depart-  ! 
ment  is  seeking  to  become  a more 
vital  part  of  the  school  and  a more 
useful  avenue  of  service  to  the  com- 
munity. 

ALUMNI  CLUB  MEETINGS 

Two  alumni  clubs  of  Bluffton  Col- 
lege held  meetings  recently.  The  Indi- 
ana Alumni  Club  met  at  the  Howard 
Johnson  Restaurant,  Fort  Wayne, 
Ind.,  on  Nov.  14.  The  program  in- 
cluded a duet  by  Elizabeth  Clemens, 
Sellersville,  Pa.,  and  Doris  Liechty, 
Berne,  Ind.,  accompanied  by  Lloyd 
Geissinger,  Zionsville,  Pa.,  a drama 
by  Harlene  Hicks,  Continental, 
Ohio;  a reading  by  Gary  Yoder, 
Middlebury,  Ind.;  and  a flute  solo 
by  Ann  Stauffer,  Bluffton,  Ohio.  The 
main  speaker  was  John  Purves,  Di- 
rector of  Admissions,  and  the  mas- 
ter of  ceremonies  was  Harry  Yoder, 
Assistant  to  the  President. 

The  Lima  Alumni  Club  met  Nov. 

15,  for  a covered  dish  dinner  in  the 
Shawnee  Grange.  The  program  in- 
cluded a vocal  solo  by  John  Miller, 
Lima,  Ohio;  drama  by  Harlene 
Hicks;  and  speeches  by  John  Pur- 
ves and  Harry  Yoder. 


752 


THE  MENNONITE 


s- 

Sewing  Project  Helps  Rehabilitate  Korean  Widows 


:„j  Marks  left  by  war  are  deep  and 
is  often  long  lasting.  Korea’s  1950-1953 
50  war  experience  is  no  exception, 
is  Three  years  of  conflict  between 
:d  Communist  and  non-Communist 
forces  left  a devastated  Korea  in 
1.  need  of  large  scale  rehabilitation. 
11  The  many  refugees  who  needed  care 
i.  — food,  clothing,  and  medical  assist- 
i ance  — immediately  after  the  war 
I have  decreased  substantially.  What 
j is  now  needed  is  assistance  which 
1 will  help  needy  war  victims  get  back 
r on  their  feet  by,  among  other  things, 

. integrating  them  back  into  the  na- 
I tional  economy  of  Korea. 

Begun  in  1954,  the  Widows’  Sew- 
ing Project  in  Taegu  is  an  example 
of  helping  to  rehabilitate  one  group 
i of  people — all  widows.  The  sewing 
j project  has  as  its  objective  to  teach 
I impoverished  widows  to  support 
I themselves  and  to  care  for  their 
children. 

As  the  work  is  now  arranged  the 
project  provides  a training  school 
for  six  women  at  a time.  Maximum 
time  spent  in  the  training  school  is 
one  year.  Widows  are  taught  to  sew, 
to  become  accomplished  in  their 
own  Korean  clothes  construction, 
and  also  to  make  simple  western 
garments. 

Fifteen  widows  graduated  from 
the  project  Oct.  15.  All  of  them  had 
been  in  the  workroom  two  years  or 
longer.  When  they  left  they  received 
new  sewing  machines  to  encourage 
them  to  go  out  into  society  and 
make  themselves  financially  self- 
sufficient.  Receiving  the  sewing  ma- 
chine was  at  once  a grand  climax 
to  their  experience  with  the  project 
and  a challenge  symbol  for  their 
future  livelihood. 

While  the  widows  are  in  the  train- 
ing school  MCC  provides  them  with 
a food  ration  plus  the  clothing  they 
must  have  for  themselves  and  their 
children.  Their  clothing  comes  ei- 
ther from  some  of  the  things  they 
have  made  or  from  donated  cloth- 
ing. Contrary  to  the  group  which 
recently  left,  however,  the  newly 
enrolled  widows  will  not  receive  a 
salary  while  training  in  the  work- 
room. 

The  project  provides  a certain  a- 
mount  of  security.  It  had  become  a 
place  of  employment  instead  of  re- 
m^aining  a training  school  as  was 
originally  planned.  The  women 


worked  five  days  a week,  received 
a small  salary  every  two  weeks, 
and  were  given  a noon  meal  of 
rice,  soup  and  kimchi — the  three  es- 
sentials of  a Korean  meal. 

For  the  fifteen  women  who  have 
been  “graduated”  the  future  does 
not  look  and  will  naturally  not  be 
as  simple.  Long  working  hours  and 
hardly  enough  time  to  eat  a simple 
meal  which  they  can  afford  will 
characterize  their  life.  They  will 
have  to  use  their  own  intelligence 
and  be  discriminatory  in  managing 
their  self-earned  finances. 

Three  of  the  widows  have  already 
returned  asking  if  they  can  again 
become  a part  of  the  project.  Most 
of  them,  however,  are  very  grate- 
ful for  their  machines  and  are  con- 
scientiously working  to  earn  a liv- 
ing. Two  aggressive  ones  are  form- 
ing a partnership,  setting  up  a stall 
in  the  Taegu  market  which  they  will 
use  as  their  business  post. 

How  did  we  choose  the  six  new 
women  for  the  project?  Apparently, 
the  project  is  so  popular  it  has  not 
even  been  necessary  to  advertise 
vacancies  in  the  newspaper,  the 
news  traveled  fast  enough  by  word 
of  mouth.  We  interviewed  prospec- 
tive trainees  and  we  visited  them  in 
their  own  homes  to  make  final  eval- 
uations. All  of  those  we  chose  have 
young  children  and  will  have  to  sup- 
port themselves  and  their  children 
for  a long  time. 

Though  the  Widow’s  Sewing  Proj- 
ect is  helping  only  a small  group  of 
individuals,  its  results  are  convinc- 
ing enough  to  reach  beyond  the  im- 
mediate recipients.  Ultimately  we 
hope  the  Koreans  themselves  will 
manage  the  entire  project  and  that 
MCC  partnership  will  no  longer  be 
needed.  — Ruth  Keim 

into  the  beyond 

Robert  Kenneth  Kaufman,  son 
of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Kenneth  Kaufman, 
Marion,  S.  D.,  was  born  Feb.  19, 
1949,  and  passed  away  at  his  home 
when  a gunshot  tragedy  claimed  his 
life,  Nov.  7,  1959. 

Cornelius  D.  Goossen,  member  of 
the  Meadow  Mennonite  Church,  Col- 
by, Kan.,  was  bom  Sept.  30,  1918, 
and  died  Nov.  3.  1959. 


jottings 

SS  OFFICERS,  TEACHERS  INSTALLED 

Gospel  Church,  Mountain  Lake, 
Minn.:  Beginning  in  Sept,  the  pas- 
tor has  been  preaching  a series  of 
messages  based  upon  our  Confession 
of  Faith.  Two  members  of  our 
church  were  married  in  Sept.:  Den- 
nis Peters  to  Arbadella  Engler  on 
Sent.  13,  and  Orville  Stoesz  to  Ar- 
dythe  Ress  on  Sept.  28.  Thirteen  of 
our  young  people  left  in  Sept,  for 
higher  education.  Elroy  Pankratz, 
working  under  the  Marine  Medical 
Mission,  spent  some  time  at  home 
and  reported  and  showed  pictures  of 
his  work  Wednesday  evening.  Sept. 
16.  Marvin  Klaassen,  son  of  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Jacob  A.  Klaassen  left  Sept.  5 
for  a two-year  period  as  a Pax  work- 
er. He  went  to  Akron,  Pa.,  for  a 
week  before  flying  to  Asuncion, 
Paraguay.  Jacob  A.  Froese,  pastor 
of  the  M.  B.  church  was  the  guest 
speaker  at  the  CE  program  Sunday 
evening.  Sept.  13.  Our  three  mission 
societies  were  invited  to  the  Delft 
mission  society  for  a program  on 
Oct.  1.  Sunday  school  teachers  were 
elected  in  Sept,  and  took  over  their 
duties  the  first  Sunday  in  Oct.  Of- 
ficers and  teachers  were  installed  at 
the  morning  worship  service  on 
Oct.  18.  Sunday  morning,  Oct.  4, 
Holy  Communion  was  observed.  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  J.  J.  Esau  left  Oct.  2 for 
Manitoba  where  he  is  preaching  for 
ten  weeks.  Oct.  25  harvest  festival 
services  were  held.  The  morning 
service  opened  with  a processional 
by  the  children  of  the  beginner, 
primary,  and  junior  departments 
bringing  their  harvest  gifts  to  the 
front.  Messages  were  brought  by 
Rev.  P.  J.  Nickel  and  Pastor 
Schultz.  A fellowship  meal  was  held 
at  noon.  That  evening  a film,  “The 
Unfinished  Task”  was  shown. 

RELIGIOUS  EMPHASIS  WEEK 

First  Church,  McPherson,  Kan.: 
Oct.  9 Dr.  and  Mrs.  Arthur  'Thiessen 
showed  slides  and  told  about  their 
work  in  India.  The  Friendship  Circle 
had  Mrs.  Thiessen  as  their  guest  in 
the  P.M.  Oct.  11  we  had  the  film, 
“Our  Bible — How  It  Came  to  Us.’' 
For  Religious  Emphasis  Week,  Oct. 
14-16,  Russell  Mast  was  the  speaker. 
His  topics  were:  “Recovery  of  Rev- 
erence,” “The  Peril  of  Excuses.”  and 
“Frustration  and  Fulfillment.”  For 
the  harvest  and  mission  festival. 
Rev.  Mast  spoke  on  che  topic  “How- 
Much  Is  Enough?”  At  noon  a fellow- 
ship dinner  was  served.  In  the  eve- 
ning Orlando  Waltner  was  the 
speaker.  Oct.  25  Walter  Regier  of 
Clinton,  Okla.,  was  our  speaker. 

NEW  YOUTH  LEADER 

Lorraine  Ave.  Church,  Wichita, 
Kan.:  On  Oct.  11  high  school  and 
college  youth  and  parents  met  i:i 
Fellowship  Hail  for  a light  lunch 
and  to  meet  our  hew  youth  leader, 
Jake  Friesen.  Mr.  Friesen  is  the  son 
of  Rev.  N.  N.  Friesen,  Alder- 


December  1,  1959 


753 


grove,  B.  C.,  and  a senior  at  Bethel 
College.  Omer  Galle,  our  former 
youth  leader,  is  attending  school  in 
Chicago.  Ralph  Weber,  pastor  of 
the  Beatrice  Church,  was  guest 
speaker  Oct.  25.  Nov.  1 was  Fellow- 
ship Day;  special  guests  were  those 
who  had  joined  church  since  the  last 
annual  meeting  and  new  people  in 
the  community.  The  adult  and  youth 
met  in  the  sanctuary  for  the  open- 
ing service  prepared  by  the  youth 
on  the  theme  of  “Christian  Fellow- 
shio  in  Action.”  Our  pastor’s  sermon 
was  “What  are  we  seeking  to  do  at 
Lorraine  Ave.  Church?”  (Col.  3:16, 
17).  Nov.  22  was  harvest  festival 
and  thanksgiving  Sunday.  On  this 
occasion,  foods  and  staples  will  be 
brought  to  the  sanctuary  to  be  do- 
nated to  Bethel  College.  The  choir 
is  working  on . parts  of  the  Bach 
“Christmas  Oratorio,”  which  will  be 
used  for  the  Dec.  13,  TV  appearance 
and  for  the  Christmas  choir  service. 

BASEMENT  CHAPEL  DEDICATED 

Stirling  Avenue  Church,  Kitchen- 
er, Ont.:  The  chapel  in  the  base- 
ment of  our  church  has  now  been 
completed  and  a special  dedication 
was  held  Oct.  11.  This  chapel  will 
be  used  for  Sunday  school  purposes 
and  also  during  the  week  for  the 
various  auxiliaries  of  the  church. 
The  chapel  will  be  open  for  prayer 
and  meditation  each  weekday  from 
1:00  p.m.  to  6:00  p.m.  Our  fall  evan- 
gelistic services  were  held  Oct.  18-25. 
The  guest  minister  was  Willard 
Wiebe,  pastor  of  First  Mennonite 
Church,  Mounatin  Lake,  Minn.  His 
messages  were  most  inspiring  and 
the  meetings  were  well  attendSl.  On 
the  evening  of  Oct.  24  Rev.  Wiebe 
spoke  to  the  committees  and  boards 
of  the  church  and  an  open  discussion 
was  held  on  “How  the  city  church 
can  be  more  effective  in  its  ministry 
in  the  community.”  The  women’s 
missionary  societv  had  a Thanks- 
giving program  on  Oct.  13  with  the 
Vesper  Circle  as  guests.  Rev.  U.  K. 
Weber  was  the  speaker.  The  women 
presented  jars  of  canned  fruit  to 
the  House  of  Friendship  and  also  to 
the  Ailsa  Craig  Boys’  Farm.  On 
Nov.  8.  Dr.  Arthur  Thiessen  was  the 
guest  speaker  and  showed  slides  of 
their  work  in  India.  The  young  peo- 
ple sponsored  a service  Sunday 
evening,  Nov.  22,  in  which  ‘"rhe 
Billy  Graham  Southern  Cross  Cru- 
sade” film  will  be  shown. 

MISSIONARIES  GIVE  REPORTS 

United  Church,  Wolf  Point, 
Mont.:  Sept.  2 the  Brenneises,  mis- 
sionary candidates  to  Mexico,  spoke 
and  showed  pictures  of  that  coun- 
try. Betty  Quiring,  missionary  on 
furlough  from  Belgian  Congo,  spoke 
to  us  Sept.  13,  after  which  a fellow- 
ship lunch  was  served.  She  is  study- 
ing at  our  seminary  while  on  fur- 
lough. The  church  basement  floor 
was  painted  before  the  harvest  mis- 
sion festival.  Oct.  3 the  young  people 
of  the  church  had  a wiener  roast  at 
the  park  and  welcomed  new  mem- 
bers. We  had  our  harvest  mission 
festival  Oct.  4 with  Orlando  Walt- 


ner,  returned  missionary  from  India 
now  serving  as  acting  executive  sec- 
retary of  the  Mission  Board,  as  our 
speaker  for  the  forenoon  and  after- 
noon services.  In  the  evening  we 
had  farewell  services  for  Earl  Nefz- 
gers  who  are  now  at  school  in  Car- 
onport,  Sask.  Oct.  6-11  we  had  mis- 
sionary emphasis  week  with  the 
Missionary  Peter  Derksens,  on  fur- 
lough from  Japan,  as  our  speakers. 
Both  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Derksen  gave  in- 
spiring and  challenging  messages 
ard  reports  of  their  work.  Oct.  11 
the  film,  “Miyazaki  Story,”  was 
shown.  Oct.  15  Gerald  Stucky.  mis- 
sionary on  furlough  from  Colombia, 
showed  pictures  and  also  told  of 
their  work.  A son.  Lane  Wade,  was 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gordon  Pea- 
body on  Oct.  21. 

NEW  MEMBERS  RECEIVED 

First  Church,  Sugarcreek,  Ohio: 
New  members  received  into  the 
church  membership  on  Communion 
Sunday  were  Mrs.  Richard  Hersh- 
berger, Jonas  Keim,  and  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Oscar  Miller  of  Berlin,  Ohio. 
A son  was  born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Fred  Pixler,  Jr.,  of  New  Philadel- 
phia, Ohio.  Oct.  18  Pastor  Harold 
Thieszen,  Anita  Gross,  and  Robert 
Raber  attended  sessions  sponsored 
by  the  Ohio  Christian  Youth  Move- 
ment in  Canton,  Ohio.  The  theme  of 
the  conference  was  “International 
Affairs  Are  Our  Affairs.”  A confer- 
ence in  co-operation  with  Salem 
Church  at  Dalton,  Oak  Grove  at 
Smithville,  and  First  Mennonite  at 
Wadsworth,  Ohio,  was  held  Oct. 
29,  30,  and  Nov.  1.  The  theme  was 
“The  Christian  Serving.”  Robert 
Ramseyer,  missionary  to  Japan, 
spoke  on  “The  Christian  Serving 
the  World  Through  Missions”;  Jo- 
hannes de  Jonge,  assistant  professor 
in  French  at  Bluffton  College,  “The 
Christian  Serving  the  World  by 
Meeting  Special  Needs”;  Vincent 
Harding,  associate  pastor  of  Wood- 
lawn  Church  in  Chicago,  “The  Chris- 
tian Serving  His  Neighbors”;  and 
J.  Winfield  Fretz,  acting  president 
of  Bethel  College,  “The  Christian 
Serving  His  Community.”  Nov.  6 
World  Community  Day  was  ob- 
served. The  service  was  in  our 
church.  During  the  month  of  Oct. 
we  enjoyed  using  the  hymn 
“Once  to  Every  Man  and  Nation”  in 
our  worship.  It  is  a hymn  that  ex- 
presses an  urgency  of  deciding  be- 
tween “truth  and  falsehood.”  Dec. 
13  J.  E.  Hartzler  will  share  with  us 
his  experiences  and  pictures  from 
his  trip  to  Russia.  — Mrs.  Ernest 
Gross. 

ELDER  ATTENDS  SEMINARY 

Tiefengrund  Church,  Laird,  Sask.: 
Our  elder,  A.  E.  Regier,  has  been 
absent  for  some  time  now  while  at- 
tending the  Seminary  at  Elkhart, 
Ind.  Before  leaving,  he  officiated  at 
the  communion  services  in  the  Ro- 
senort  churches,  including  Tiefen- 
grund. Earlier,  on  Aug.  30,  he  had 
officiated  at  the  ordination  of  Wal- 
ter Funk  as  deacon.  Our  thanksgiv- 
ing and  mission  festival  took  place 


on  Oct.  11.  Our  SS  superintendent,  a 
B.  E.  Regier,  spoke  to  the  children,  p 
Of  the  two  guest  speakers,  Henry  v 
Funk,  instructor  at  the  Rosthem  p 
Junior  College,  Rosthem,  spoke  on  p 
thanksgiving  and  Verner  Friesen,  i p 
presently  of  Saskatoon,  spoke  on  | s 
missions.  Oct.  30-Nov.  1,  we  had  the  ! ( 
privilege  of  hearing  H.  A.  Fast,  in-  ] 
structor  at  Bethel  College,  N.  New-  i ( 
ton,  Kan.,  speak  on  the  Sermon  on  1 1 
the  Mount  according  to  his  book  ! | 
“Jesus  and  Human  Conflict.”  He  i 
pointed  out,  among  other  things, 
how  Jesus  was  concerned  that  the 
victim  of  injustice  might  learn  to  j 
react  in  a spirit,  transcending  the 
way  of  the  world,  and  subject  to  the  ! 
will  of  God.  i 

W.  C.  VOTHS  BRING  MESSAGES  | 

FOR  MISSIONARY  CONFERENCE 

Herold  Church,  Bessie,  Okla.: 
Sept.  20  there  were  no  services  in 
our  church  as  most  of  us  attended 
the  Okla.  SS  convention  in  Clinton. 
Roland  Goering  was  the  guest  speak-  i 
er.  Our  fall  relief  drive  came  to  a 
close  in  Oct.;  we  also  had  a food 
shower  for  Oklahoma  Bible  Acad- 
emy. Oct.  18  the  mission  society 
brought  a special  program;  the  film, 
“Every  Christian  a Missionary,” 
was  shown.  For  Conference  Sunday, 
Oct.  25,  Allen  Fast  of  the  Bessie 
M.  B.  Church  brought  an  inspiring 
message  in  our  church  during  the 
SS  hour.  Nov.  5 the  mission  society 
had  the  annual  all-day  business  j 
meeting.  Nov.  1-8  W.  C.  Voth  was 
with  us  for  a missionary  confer-  1 
ence.  Every  evening  we  heard  of  the 
work  in  the  three  countries  where 
the  Voths  have  served.  On  Sun., 
Nov.  8th,  Mrs.  Voth  spoke  to  us  in 
the  evening.  It  was  a profitable  week 
for  our  church.  Our  annual  church 
business  meeting  was  held  Nov.  11-  I 
12. — Mrs.  Margaret  Horn  i 

VS’ER  RETURNS  FROM  MEXICO  | 
First  Church,  Mountain  Lake, 
Minn.:  Elmer  A.  Wall  brought  us 
the  morning  message  while  our  pas- 
tor and  his  family  were  on  vacation. 
Peter  Wiens  from  South  America 
spoke  to  us  in  Aug.  Joseph  Schmidt 
was  the  special  speaker  for  our 
Community  Bible  Conf.  The  film 
“God’s  Navy  in  Action”  was  shown 
at  the  Young  People’s  Fellowship 
Sept.  13.  The  young  married  couples 
fellowship  met  Sept.  14  for  a sup- 
per in  the  park;  later  they  saw  the  ^ 
film  “If  You  Have  Love,”  and  dis- 
cussed the  teaching  of  stewardship 
to  children.  Elfrieda  Rempel  re- 
turned from  two  years  of  Voluntary 
Service  in  Mexico.  She  is  presently 
employed  in  our  local  hospital.  Sept. 

29  the  ladies  of  the  local  churches 
met  for  the  annual  United  Women’s 
Mission  Rally.  Mrs.  Milton  Harder 
and  Miss  Elfrieda  Rempel  were  the 
speakers.  The  adult  Bible  Class  is 
studying  the  subject  of  “Church  Dis- 
cipline.” The  children  are  studying 
the  Congo  mission  field  at  their 
Bible  study  classes.  The  Mountain 
Lake  Ministerial  Association  spon- 
sored a reception  for  the  teachers 
of  the  community,  school  board 


754 


THE  MENNONITE 


members,  church  board  members, 
and  pastors  at  our  church  Oct.  4. 
Pastor  Willard  Wiebe  conducted  a 
week’s  evangelistic  services  at  the 
Stirling  Ave.  Mennonite  Church, 

■ Kitchener,  Ont.,  Oct.  18-25.  Milton 
, Harder  brought  the  morning  mes- 
sage Oct.  18,  and  Alvin  Ysker  on 
Oct.  25,  during  the  absence  of  our 
pastor.  Andrew  R.  Shelly  represent- 
ed the  ministry  of  our  seminary  at 
our  Nov.  8 services.  We  began  our 
harvest  festival  and  school  of  mis- 
sions services  Nov.  15  with  Rev.  and 
Mrs.  S.  T.  Moyer  as  speakers.  A 
mission  pageant  written  and  direct- 
ed by  Mrs.  Moyer  was  also  given. 
There  was  also  a mortgage  burning 
service  and  a fellowship  supper. — 
Mrs.  Sam  Quiring 

MISSIONARY  CONFERENCE  HELD 

t Grace  Church,  Dallas,  Ore.:  Nov  8, 
marked  the  close  of  five  great  days 
of  blessings  received  during  our  mis- 
sionary conference.  Those  who  came 
to  share  their  missionary  experi- 
ences with  us  were:  Rev.  and  Mrs. 
Don  Aeschliman  of  Colfax,  Wash., 
who  have  served  one  term  in  the 
Union  of  South  Africa  under  the 
Evangelical  Alliance  Mission;  Mar- 
that  Burkhalter  of  Berne,  Ind.,  who 
is  a veteran  missionary  from  In- 
dia; Rev.  and  Mrs.  Herbert  Ediger 
I of  Kan.,  who  were  sent  out  by  Su- 
dan Interior  Mission,  and  have 
served  one  term  in  Ethiopia;  and 
Rev.  and  Mrs.  Earl  Roth  of  Albany 
' who  have  served  one  term  on  the 
I Congo  Inland  Mission  field.  Pastor 
Burkholder  held  a series  of  meet- 
I ings  in  Glendive,  Mont.,  during  the 
first  part  of  Oct.  During  his  absence 
Wayne  Carr  and  Ben  C>wen,  both  of 
Salem,  supplied  the  pulpit.  We  had 
our  annual  harvest-thanksgiving  fes- 
tival on  Oct.  18.  Our  pastor  brought 
the  morning  and  an  illustrated  eve- 
ning message,  and  P.  B.  Loewen  of 
Albany  brought  the  afternoon  mes- 
sage. “Land  Down  Under,”  a Billy 
Graham  film  was  shown  Oct.  14. 
Mrs.  Helen  Goossen  passed  away 
Nov.  1,  after  an  illness  of  several 
years,  at  the  home  of  her  daughter. 
— Mrs.  E.  A.  Flaming 


mutual  aid  placement 

A brotherly  ser/ice  for  the  upbuilding  of 
the  church  comnnunity  through  a mutually 
helpful  agency  providing  free  services  in 
the  interest  of  placement  or  relocation. 

PLACEMENT  WANTED 

College  graduate  looking  for  teach- 
ing position  that  would  qualify  for 
1-W  service.  College  major  in  physi- 
cal education  and  industrial  arts. 
Contact  Mutual  Aid,  722  Main  St., 
Newton,  Kan. 


conference  notes 

continued  from  lost  page 

FILM  REVIEW 

ATOMIC  POWER,  19-minute  mo- 
tion -picture,  black  and  -white.  Pro- 
duced by  McGraw-Hill  Co.,  Text- 
film  Department,  330  West  lt2nd  St., 
New  York  36,  N.  Y.  Available  for 
rental  from  -producer. 

Produced  in  1957,  this  film  gives 
a pictorial  historical  survey  of  the 
development  of  the  atomic  bomb. 
Some  of  these  historic  moments  are 
re-enacted  by  the  actual  scientists 
who  took  part  in  this  process. 

The  film  attempts  to  raise  the 
problem  of  moral  responsibility  for 
the  continued  use  of  atomic  weap- 
ons in  international  struggles.  A 
number  of  scientists  speak  on  this 
subject,  but  one  gets  the  impres- 
sion that  the  major  concern  of  the 
producer  is  that  atomic  power  may 
be  used  to  defeat  our  country.  In 
spite  of  (or  perhaps  because  of)  the 
film’s  military  frame  of  reference, 
this  is  a good  film  to  be  used  for  a 
discussion  of  the  problems  of  peace 
and  war  especially  as  it  involves 
moral  responsibility  in  social  rela- 
tions. 

TO  EACH  A GIFT.  16mm.,  sound, 
thirty  minutes.  Rental:  black  and 
white,  $9.00  (in  December,  $13.50); 
color,  $15.00  (in  December,  $22.50). 
Produced  by  Concordia,  available 


The  American  Council  for  Ju- 
daism Philanthropic  Fund  pledges 
its  support  saying,  “We  shall  con- 
centrate our  philanthropic  as  well 
as  educational  efforts  in  assisting 
the  U.  S.  to  lead  the  free  world  in 
shouldering  its  fair  share  of  the 
world  refugee  problem.” 

Jami’at  al  Islam,  Inc.,  pledges  to 
work  with  and  through  the  U.  S. 
Committee  for  Refugees  through 
their  generous  support. 

The  Catholic  Association  for  In- 
ternational Peace  supports  the  ob- 
jectives of  the  World  Refugee  Year 
and  urges  wholehearted  and  effec- 
tive co-operation  with  all  efforts  on 
behalf  of  refugees. 

’The  Minnesota  Annucil  Confer- 


from  Religious  Film  LAbraries:  220 
W.  Monroe  St.,  Chicago  6,  III.  Re- 
ligious Libraries  are  also  located  in 
the  following  cities:  Columbus,  Dal- 
las, Dayton,  Denver,  Indianapolis, 
Min-neapolis,  New  York,  Los  Ange- 
les, Philadelphia,  Pittsburgh,  Port- 
land, Richmond,  Seattle,  and  St. 
Louis.  Catalogs  and  addresses  are 
available  at  the  Chicago  library. 

The  film,  “To  Each  a Gift,”  is  for 
Christmas.  It  tells  the  story  of  a 
family  of  Swedish  immigrants  com- 
posed of  a husband  and  wife  and 
one  young  daughter.  'This  family  is 
facing  a bleak  Christmas  with  the 
father  being  out  of  work.  The  moth- 
er and  daughter  find  joy  in  prepar- 
ing for  Christmas  even  with  the 
difficulties  the  family  is  facing. 

The  father,  however,  feels  that 
with  all  of  the  problems  that  the 
family  is  facing  he  will  not  be  able 
to  enter  into  the  spirit  of  Christmas. 
He  feels  God  has  let  him  down.  The 
story  revolves  around  each  member 
of  the  family  finding  the  meaning 
of  Christmas  in  preparing  a gift 
for  another  member  of  the  family 
by  giving  up  something  that  means 
much  to  him.  'The  sermon  of  the 
minister  also  helps  the  family  to 
find  the  real  meaning  of  Christmas. 

'The  film  is  well  done  and  the 
story  would  fit  into  a family  night 
type  of  service.  The  committee  pre- 
viewed the  film  in  color.  Color 
makes  the  film  even  more  mean- 
ingful. 


ence  of  the  Methodist  Church 
pledges  co-operation  by  making  ag- 
gressive efforts  to  relocate  a sub- 
stantial number  of  refugees  in  Min- 
nesota. 

Abram  Ribicoff,  governor  of  Con- 
necticut says,  “May  the  message  of 
welcome  to  the  homeless,  which  is 
extended  by  the  Statue  of  Liberty, 
apply  throughout  Connecticut  and 
throughout  all  the  states  of  the  na- 
tion.” 

Michael  DiSalle,  governor  of 
Ohio,  urges  “the  citizens  of  this 
state  to  support  generously,  either 
through  the  voluntary  welfare  a- 
gencies  or  the  U.  S.  Committee  for 
Refugees  the  programs  developed  in 
furtherance  of  World  Refugee  Year 
for  the  assistance  of  refugees.” 


EFFORTS  FOR  WORLD  REFUGEE  YEAR 


December  1,  1959 


755 


conference  notes 

ERWIN  GOERING  BEGINS  AS 
NEW  CONFERENCE  EXECUTIVE 

Erwin  Goering  assumes  the  office 
of  Executive  Secretary  of  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  Mennonite  Church 
on  Dec.  1.  He  takes  over  the  posi- 
tion held  by  P.  K.  Regier  who  re- 
tires at  the  end  of  the  year. 

Mr.  Goering,  who  has  the  B.  A. 
and  M.R.E.  degrees,  has  been  on 
the  staff  of  Bethel  College  since 
1946,  working  in  the  Public  Rela- 
tions Department  and  for  a number 
of  years  as  director  of  that  depart- 
ment. Earlier  he  taught  in  Kansas 
elementary  and  high  schools. 


In  1957  Mr.  Goering  obtained  a 
leave  of  absence  from  Bethel  Col- 
lege to  direct  the  Mennonite  Central 
Committee’s  Voluntary  Service  pro- 
gram in  Europe.  He  returned  from 
Europe  this  summer.  During  the 
war,  he  served  in  MCC’s  Civilian 
Public  Service  program  in  an  admin- 
istrative capacity. 

At  a meeting  of  International 
Voluntary  Work  Camp  Organizers 
in  New  Delhi,  India,  in  1957,  Mr. 
Goering  was  elected  chairman  of 
the  co-ordinating  committee  of  this 
organization  which  operates  under 
the  youth  section  of  UNESCO. 

The  retiring  executive  secretary, 
P.  K.  Regier,  has  served  in  this  ca- 
pacity since  March  1950.  Previously 
he  was  a pastor  in  Wayland,  Iowa, 
for  several  years;  in  Moundridge 


for  fourteen  years;  and  in  Reedley, 
Calif.,  for  seven  years.  Beginning 
Jan.  1,  Mr.  Regier  will  serve  as 
interim  pastor  of  the  Hoffnungsau 
Church  near  Inman,  Kansas. 
MUSCLES  FOR  . WINTER  SERVICE 

Beginning  January  1960  about  ten 
men  are  needed  for  Voluntary  Serv- 
ice in  Denver.  The  church,  pastured 
by  Don  Wismer  is  constructing  a 
building  in  a Denver  suburb.  A reg- 
ular contractor  has  been  engaged; 
however,  \^dlunteers  for  various 
jobs  would  be  appreciated  by  the 
church. 

Electricians,  plumbers,  bricklay- 
ers, carpenters,  cabinet  makers,  as 
well  as  unskilled  workers  are  need- 
ed. Men  would  work  five  days  a 
week.  Provision  will  be  made  for 
Bible  study,  discussion,  and  worship 
with  the  church  group  on  Sundays. 
Besides  allowing  time  off  for  relax- 
ation on  Saturdays,  sightseeing 
tours  will  be  planned.  These  will  in- 
clude trips  to  the  mountains.  Pike’s 
Peak,  Royal  Gorge,  Echo  Lake, 
Mount  Evans,  Long’s  Peak,  and 
Winter  Paradise  are  only  a few 
miles  away.  Denver  has  numerous 
parks,  museums,  and  the  state  cap- 
ital building. 

Board  and  housing  can  be  provid- 
ed for  ten  people.  Parking  space  is 
available  for  house  trailers.  Several 
women  would  be  welcome  to  take 
care  of  the  housekeeping  for  the 
unit. 

This  service  project  is  sponsored 
jointly  by  the  Board  of  Christian 
Service,  the  Western  District  Home 
Missions  Committee,  and  the  Denver 
church.  Persons  interested  in  serv- 
ing several  weeks,  a month,  or  sev- 
eral months  after  January  1 should 
write  to  Voluntary  Service,  722  Main 
Street,  Newton,  Kan. 
SASKATCHEWAN  MENNONITE 
CONFERENCE  ORGANIZED 

Delegates  and  friends  traveled  to 
Rosthern  recently  for  the  purpose 
of  organizing  the  Mennonite  Gener- 
al Conference  church  into  a Sas- 
katchewan Conference.  Representa- 
tion was  sent  from  twenty-two 
churches  with  108  registered  dele- 
gates. The  executive  for  the  coming 
year  consists  of  president,  Paul 
Schroeder,  Drake;  vice  president, 
Henry  Wiens,  Langham;  and  secre- 
tary, J.  J.  Wiens,  Hershel. 


J.  J.  Nickel  led  in  the  prayer 
session  which  was  followed  by  the  jl 
conference  message  in  which  Pastor  | 
G.  G.  Epp  used  Eph.  4:1-7  as  his  i 
text.  Next  there  were  three  papers 
presented  dealing  with  the  home,  ' 
the  school,  and  publication.  These  , 
will  be  appearing  in  print. 

Some  of  the  important  business 
was  the  acceptance  of  the  constitu-  j 
tion.  The  question  about  the  Swift  ! 
Current  Bible  School  was  discussed 
as  to  whether  the  school  should  be  | 
taken  over  as  a project  of  the  Sas-  i 
katchewan  Conference.  After  some 
discussion,  it  was  decided  to  ask  a 
committee  to  study  the  matter.  The 
“Wings  of  Peace”  (radio  program) 
report  created  interest  in  keeping 
this  English  program  and  starting  ! 
another  one  in  the  German  lan- 
guage. 

LOOSE-LEAF  HYMNARIES 
NOW  IN  STOCK 

After  a slight  delay,  Mennonite 
Publication  Office  has  received  ship-  ! 
ment  of  the  loose-leaf  copies  of  The 
Mennonite  Hymnary  and  is  present- 
ly filling  orders.  Those  who  did  not  ' 
receive  their  supply  immediately  : 
upon  request  will  receive  it  soon. 

The  book,  selling  for  $3.75,  is  espe-  . 
cially  useful  to  the  organist  or  pian-  j 
ist.  I 

GRADED  CURRICULUM  TRANSLATED  ' 

Henry  Wall,  retired  professor  of 
Canadian  Mennonite  Bible  College,  < 
has  been  engaged  by  the  Board  of 
Education  and  Publication  to  trans-  . 
late  into  German  the  intermediate  ' 
materials  of  the  Living  Faith  Grad- 
ed  Sunday  School  Lessons.  The  pri- 
mary and  junior  materials  are  being 
translated  in  the  board  office  by 
Cornelia  Lehn.  Sunday  schools  in  j 
Paraguay,  Uruguay,  Mexico,  and  , 
Canada  are  using  the  German  cur- 
riculum in  their  studies.  ‘ 

6000  STATEMENTS  DISTRIBUTED 

The  Board  of  Christian  Service  | 
reports  the  distribution  of  3,000  f. 
copies  of  each  of  the  statements,  “A 
Christian  Declaration  on  Race  Re- 
lations” and  “A  Christian  Declara- 
tion on  Nuclear  Power,”  adopted  at 
the  General  Conference  in  August. 
Additional  copies  have  been  printed 
and  are  again  available.  Write  to 
Board  of  Christian  Service,  722  Main 
Street,  Newton,  Kan. 


DECEMBER  8,  1959 


THE  MENNd 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
MAN  LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIST 


December  13,  1959  — Bible  Sunday 


editorials 

UNIVERSAL  BIBLE  WEEK  December  6 to  13  has  been  desig- 
nated Universal  Bible  Week.  This  week  begins  on  the  second 
Sunday  in  AvLrent,  and  the  high  point  is  reached  on  Universal 
Bible  Sunday,  December  13.  The  theme  for  this  year,  “The 
Everlasting  Light,”  was  chosen  to  remind  us  that  the  divine 
light  of  the  knowledge  of  the  glory  of  God,  shining  in  the  minds 
and  hearts  of  all  men,  can  make  this  a different  world. 

In  this  Advent  season,  may  we  all  devote  ourselves  to  a more 
thoughtful  and  prayerful  reading  of  God’s  Word,  the  “Everlast- 
ing Light.” 


in  this  issue 

PHOTO 

Koreans  receiving  the  Word  of  God. 
Photo  courtesy  of  American  Bible  Society. 


ARTICLES 

WHAT  DARKNESS  CANNOT  DIM 

Joseph  R.  Sizoo  759 

WHY  GOOD  PEOPLE  SUFFER 

Robert  W.  Youngs  760 

MASS  SUICIDE 

John  D.  Unruh  761 

WESTERN  DISTRICT  CONFERENCE 

W.  F.  Unruh  763 

CONFERENCE  DISCUSSION 

Esther  Groves  764 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS  758 

MENNONITE  YOUTH 

One  Miracle  765 

To  and  From  a Pastor  767 

OUR  SCHOOLS  768 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES 769 

JOTTINGS  770 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  772 


of  things  to  come 

Dec.  13 — Universal  Bible  Sunday 
December  25 — Christmas 

THE  MENNONITE 

Editor;  J.  N Smucker.  Associate  Editors.- 
I Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Assistant:  Muriel 

Thiessen.  Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  48 


TOWARD  A UNITED  WITNESS  The  sixth  goal  for  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  triennium  as  adopted  at  the  conference  at  Bluff- 
ton  is:  “As  a Conference,  taking  positive  steps  toward  a more 
united  witness  with  the  whole  Mennonite  brotherhood.”  This 
gets  close  to  the  heart  of  the  original  objective  in  the  founding 
of  the  General  Conference.  It  was  the  hope  of  the  early  founders 
just  a hundred  years  ago  that  some  means  could  be  devised 
whereby  the  various  Mennonite  bodies  might  be  drawn  together 
into  a united  group  of  Mennonites;  hence  the  name,  “General 
Conference.” 

The  first  hundred  years  has  left  this  task  largely  unaccom- 
plished. In  fact,  for  most  of  those  years  there  seemed  to  be 
little  inclination  on  the  part  of  the  various  Mennonite  bodies  to 
co-operate.  But  during  these  last  years  there  have  been  some 
significant  indications  of  growth  toward  unity. 

For  one  thing,  the  Mennonite  Central  Committee  has  done  a 
marvelous  work  in  demonstrating  that  it  is  possible  for  various 
groups  to  work  together  harmoniously  in  various  types  of  king- 
dom work.  If  possible  in  some  areas,  why  not  in  others  as  well? 

In  the  work  of  publication  there  has  been  a growing  unity. 
If  several  branches  of  the  Mennonite  family  can  work  together 
on  their  Sunday  school  material,  then  that  field  of  co-operative 
effort  could  be  broadened  to  include  still  other  fields  of  endeavor. 

In  the  field  of  seminary  training  there  is  another  indication 
that  it  is  possible  to  work  together  satisfactorily.  Here  there  are 
joint  classes,  joint  faculty  meetings,  exchange  of  instructors,  and 
various  other  ways  of  inter-seminary  co-operation. 

All  this  is  to  the  good  and  helps  form  a more  united  witness. 
But  we  need  to  seek  yet  other  ways  of  co-operation,  not  only 
with  one  group,  but  with  all  groups.  We  could  show  a united 
front  in  our  peace  witness;  our  emphasis  upon  the  simple  life; 
upon  the  great  cause  of  missions,  not  only  in  foreign  fields  but, 
more  and  more,  right  in  our  own  cities  and  communities. 

This  centennial  year  should  not  merely  be  a time  to  celebrate 
the  fact  that  we  have  existed  a hundred  years,  but  a time  to 
seek  out  ways  whereby  we  can  work  more  fully,  and  thus  more 
effectively  with  other  groups,  and  show  ourselves  ready  and 
willing  for  closer  co-operation. 


758 


THE  MENNONITE 


What  Darkness  Cannot  Dim 


Joseph  R.  Sizoo 


There  are  two  things  the  Bible 
never  takes  into  consideration. 
One  of  these  is  geography.  The  Bi- 
ble leaps  across  the  barriers  of  the 
nations  and  disregards  the  frontiers 
of  peoples.  It  is  at  home  in  every 
land  and  language. 

Then,  too,  the  Bible  never  takes 
time  into  consideration.  Written 
thousands  of  years  ago,  it  is  as  rele- 
vant today  as  when  the  words  were 
first  recorded.  It  is  meant  for  all 
lands,  all  languages,  and  all  times. 
The  Bible  belongs  to  the  ages. 

The  Bible  lights  up  the  road  to 
significance.  Almost  every  page  is 
afiame  with  the  story  of  what  man 
can  do  when  he  is  willing  to  let 
God  take  possession  of  him.  It  is 
always  saying,  “Look  what  you  can 
do  with  life  when  it  is  God-guided.” 
Moses  may  think  himself  inadequate 
for  the  responsibilities  which  con- 
front him,  but  when  he  placed  his 
hands  in  the  hands  of  God  he  be- 
came one  of  the  five  great  men  of 
history  and  the  foimder  of  a great 
nation. 

A supplanter  becomes  a prince  of 
God;  a plowman  in  Tekoa  becomes 
a prophet  of  social  justice;  a man  of 
imclean  lips  becomes  a herald  of  the 
righteous  Redeemer;  a tax  collector, 
never  a popular  man,  becomes  the 
writer  of  the  first  Gospel;  a fallen 
girl  by  the  well  becomes  a city  mis- 
sionary. 

A slave  girl  becomes  the  instru- 
ment through  which  a general  is 
cleansed  of  leprosy;  a boy’s  noon- 
day lunch  becomes  a feast  for  thou- 

Joseph  Sizoo  is  professor  of  religion  at 
George  Washington  University. 


sands;  an  intolerant  bigot  becomes 
a preacher  of  the  imiversal  gospel 
of  love.  The  stone  which  the  build- 
ers rejected  becomes  the  headstone 
of  the  corner. 

Beneath  the  thin  surface  of  the 
humblest  are  inestimable  values. 
Deep  in  the  human  heart  are  tal- 
ents which  grace  can  transform  and 
glorify.  In  spite  of  what  you  say, 
man  is  made  a little  lower  than  the 
angels,  capable  of  thinking  God's 
thoughts  after  Him. 

“What  can  a man  give  in  ex- 
change for  his  soul?”  If  you  ever 
doubt  the  worth  of  life,  go  to  Cal- 
vary and  read  the  story  of  Christ 
dying  for  you.  To  an  age  over- 
whelmed with  frustration  and  in- 
significance, the  Bible  calls  out, 
“Put  yourself  in  the  hands  of  God 
and  leave  yourself  there.”  There  are 
no  iron  curtains  to  keep  the  power 
of  God  from  lifting  the  humblest 
and  weakest  to  places  of  infiuence 
and  power. 

When  Evangeline  Booth  returned 
from  a world  tour  for  the  Salvation 
Army,  she  told  me  of  a little  village 
in  India  where  lived  the  families 
and  members  of  the  robber  caste. 
The  village  was  full  of  robbers, 
thieves,  and  thugs.  Every  attempt 
by  the  government  to  stamp  out  the 
wrong  failed.  Then  the  government 
resolved  to  destroy  the  village  en- 
tirely and  scatter  the  people. 

The  Salvation  Army  asked  if  it 
could  have  a chance  to  do  some- 
thing to  save  the  village  before  the 
decree  was  carried  out;  so  a little 
band  of  Salvationists  preached  on 
the  street  comers  and  in  the  rice 
fields.  The  redeeming  grace  of 
Christ  began  to  work  in  the  village. 


The  chief  of  the  robber  caste  was 
converted,  and  the  entire  village 
population  was  baptized. 

Strangely  enough,  stealing 
stopped,  not  a complaint  reoccurred. 
The  village  had  been  made  over. 

The  government  police  thought 
this  was  too  good  to  last  and,  sure 
enough  robbers  broke  out  in  the 
next  village.  The  police  sent  a secret 
agent  to  shadow  the  leader.  They 
saw  him  late  one  evening,  slinking 
down  a narrow  trail  with  a bundle 
imder  his  arm  wrapped  up  in  a 
newspaper.  They  were  sure  he  was 
at  it  again.  They  followed  him  to 
his  home,  and  then  they  watched 
through  the  window  as  he  entered 
his  house,  closed  the  door,  gath- 
ered his  family  about  him  and  rm- 
wrapped  the  bundle.  They  expected 
to  see  loot  tumble  out  of  the  pack- 
age. To  their  surprise  they  saw  that 
the  bundle  was  a Bible  which  he 
had  borrowed  from  a neighbor  in 
another  village.  The  children  gath- 
ered about  him  near  the  light,  and 
through  the  open  window  they 
heard  a clear  voice  reading: 
“Though  your  sins  be  as  scarlet, 
they  shall  be  white  as  snow;  though 
they  be  red  like  crimson,  they  shaU 
be  as  wool.”  This  is  the  Book  which 
pierces  the  darkness  of  sin  and  of- 
fers redemption. 

Some  years  ago,  early  in  my  min- 
istry, I came  to  know  and  to  be- 
friend a man  who  was  later  con- 
victed of  murder.  I stayed  with  him 
through  his  long  trial  and  his  im- 
prisonment in  Sing  Sing.  I visited 
him  often  in  the  death  house. 

One  day  I asked  the  guard,  who 
was  always  vidth  me  when  I talked 
with  him,  if  I could  give  him  a 


December  8,  1959 


759 


copy  of  the  New  Testament.  The 
guard  looked  the  book  over  very 
carefully  and  handed  this  New  Tes- 
tament to  this  condemned  man 
through  the  steel  screen  which  sep- 
arated us. 

I remember  well  the  last  visit  I 
had  with  him  a week  later.  It  was 
his  last  night  on  earth;  the  follow- 


Robert IV.  Youngs 


WE  ARE  ever  baffled  by  the  in- 
justice of  the  moral  world. 
“Why?”  is  the  most  timeless  and 
universal  of  all  questions,  as  old  as 
the  first  tear  and  as  recent  as  the 
latest  newscast.  We  can  see  a rea- 
son for  scoundrels  dying  young,  but 
why  the  untimely  death  of  saints? 
We  can  justify  a gangster’s  being 
stricken  with  disease,  but  why  lit- 
tle children?  We  can  accept  ad- 
versity in  the  life  of  an  infidel,  but 
why  in  the  life  of  the  faithful?  The 
Bible  gives  us  answers  to  these 
questions. 

For  one  thing,  the  Bible  reminds 
us  that  good  people  sometimes  suf- 
fer because  God  through  nature 
can  be  no  respecter  of  persons, 
(“He  maketh  His  sun  to  rise  on  the 
evil  and  on  the  good,  and  sendeth 
rain  on  the  just  and  on  the  unjust.”) 
This  is  a world  of  law  and  order, 
where  all  people  are  subject  to 
cause  and  effect  regardless  of  their 
virtue  or  lack  of  it.  Good  people 
are  just  as  susceptible  as  bad  peo- 
ple when  they  are  exposed  to  con- 
tagious diseases.  They  strike  the 
ground  just  as  forcibly  as  wicked 
people  when  they  slip  and  fall.  The 
world  would  be  an  unscientific  and 

Robert  W.  Youngs  is  minister  of  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church,  Wichita,  Kansas, 


ing  morning  he  paid  the  penalty.  As 
I walked  through  the  corridor  with 
the  guard,  he  heard  me  come,  and 
walked  to  the  door  of  his  steel  cage 
and  said  tc  me,  “That  man  Luke 
wrote  a great  story.”  His  face  was 
lit  up  with  a light  and  a peace  that 
I have  never  seen  before.  It  would 
be  Luke,  the  Gospel  of  redemption 


0 


unpredictable  place  in  which  to  live 
if  it  were  not  this  way. 

For  the  sake  of  an  orderly  world, 
good  people  have  to  live  under  the 
same  conditions  as  wicked  people, 
except  that  good  people  have  a 
faith  and  fortitude  which  make 
them  masters  of  fate  and  of  ad- 
versity. 

Then,  too,  the  Bible  shows  us  that 
good  people  sometimes  suffer  be- 
cause they  do  not  temper  goodness 
with  other  necessary  qualities  in 
life.  (“Be  ye  therefore  wise  as  ser- 
pents, and  harmless  as  doves.”)  In 
His  parable  of  the  dishonest  stew- 
ard, Jesus  was  suggesting  to  His  fol- 
lowers that  they  might  suffer  less 
if  they  had  foresight  as  well  as 
faith,  realism  as  well  as  idealism, 
and  industriousness  as  well  as  spiri- 
tuality. We  can  be  good  as  gold, 
and  yet  suffer  poverty  if  we  do  not 
work  and  save.  Very  often,  good 
people  suffer  because  they  have  no 
prudence  to  go  with  their  prayers. 

Furthermore,  the  Scriptures  re- 
veal repeatedly  that  good  people 
suffer  because  suffering  is  one  of 
the  best  ways  that  God  has  of  bring- 
ing out  the  best  in  life.  Consider 
how  the  Apostle  Paul,  suffering  the 
infirmities  of  his  flesh,  found  that 
when  he  was  weak,  he  was  strong. 
Such  godlike  qualities  as  love,  pa- 
tience, and  compassion  are  called 


for  all  those  who  have  lost  their 
way,  for  sheep  that  are  lost,  for 
lilies  that  fade,  and  of  prodigals 
who  step  across  the  pathway  of  in- 
discretion, “This  my  son  was  dead, 
and  is  alive  again;  he  was  lost,  and  I 
is  found.”  This  is  the  Book  which  | 
sheds  a light  which  no  darkness  can  i 
dim.  — American  Bible  Society 


forth  in  us  by  suffering.  Without 
suffering,  life  would  be  mechanistic 
and  animal-like,  not  godlike.  A life 
that  knows  at  least  a little  suffer- 
ing never  grows  complacent. 

And,  most  important  of  all,  suf- 
fering is  God’s  way  of  improving 
the  world.  If  no  one  but  wicked 
people  suffered,  we  would  harden 
our  hearts  and  say,  “They  deserved 
it.”  But  when  saints  suffer,  we  cry, 
“This  must  not  be.”  Nothing  moves 
us  more  to  contribute  generously  to 
the  cure  of  cancer  than  what  cancer 
does  to  the  noblest  people.  Our 
world  is  evolving  from  chaos,  sav- 
agery, and  imperfection  toward 
some  final  realization.  The  suffer- 
ing of  good  people  has  ever  been  a 
prime  factor  in  motivating  its  rise. 
It  takes  Edith  Cavell  before  a fir- 
ing squad,  Joan  of  Arc  at  the  stake, 
millions  crippled  with  arthritis,  con- 
fined with  tuberculosis,  paralyzed 
with  palsy,  before  we  really  attack 
these  enemies  of  life  with  our 
moneys  our  brains,  and  our  blood. 

With  consummate  understanding 
and  skill,  Cyrus  Bartol  wrote  of  suf- 
fering; “What  pains  and  tears  the 
slightest  steps  of  man’s  progress 
have  cost!”  Every  hairbreadth  for- 
ward has  been  in  the  agony  of  some 
soul,  and  with  bleeding  feet  human- 
ity has  reached  blessing  after  bless- 
ing of  all  its  vast  achievement  of 
good.” 

Reprints  of  this  article  are  avail- 
able by  writing  to  the  Laymen’s 
Movement  for  a Christian  World, 
Inc.,  Wainwright  House,  Rye,  N.  Y. 
Prices:  10— $.30;  100— $2.25;  500 
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By  permission  The  Reader’s  Digest 


Why  Do  Good  People  Suffer? 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church. 
Entered  at  North  Newton,  Kansas,  post  office  as  second  class  matter.  Acceptance  for  mailing  at  special  rate  of  postage:  Section  1103,  Act 
of  Oct.  3,  1917.  Authorized  Jan.  22,  1910.  Subscriptions  $2.50;  foreign  $3.00.  Mail  subscriptions  and  payments  to  Mennonite  Publication 
Office.  North  Newton,  Kan.,  or  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan.  Address  m-inuscripts  for  publication  to  J.  N.  Smucker,  Editor,  THE  MENNONITE, 
Woodward  Place,  Goshen,  Ind.  Postmasters:  change  of  address  Form  3579  to  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan. 


760 


THE  MENNONITE 


SUICIDE 


John  D.  Unruh,  Jr. 


John  Unruh  works  for  the 
Section,  Akron,  Pa. 


MOC  Peace 


IMAGINE  for  an  instant  that  you 
are  traveling  in  outer  space,  and 
that  you  are  looking  down  upon  the 
activity  in  the  world  you  have  just 
left.  The  hustle  and  bustle  of  every- 
day living  is  evident  as  people  are 
frantically  scurrying  to  and  fro  in 
an  unending  quest  for  wealth  and 
the  happiness  it  supposedly  brings. 
Suddenly,  something  happens.  One 
after  another,  men,  women,  chil- 
dren of  every  color,  every  creed, 
every  walk  of  life,  drop  writhingly 
to  the  earth  in  the  agony  of  death. 

Is  this  war?  If  so,  where  are  the 
sharp  staccato  sounds  of  machine 
guns  and  the  hissing  whine  of  rifle 
bullets?  Where  are  the  frightening 
clouds  depicting  the  tragedy  of  the 
hydrogen  bombs?  Where  are  the 
planes,  the  rockets,  the  missiles? 
Why  are  not  the  air  raid  sirens 
screaming  their  shrill  monotonous 
tones  of  death?  And  through  it  all 
the  sun  continues  to  smile  benignly 
upon  the  tragic  scene  below.  In  a 
matter  of  minutes  all  activity  has 
stopped,  no  longer  is  there  move- 
ment or  life. 

The  twenty-five  scientists  who 
gathered  at  the  International  Con- 
ference on  Biological  Warfare  at 
Pugwash,  Nova  Scotia,  in  late  Au- 
gust were  told  by  Sir  Robert  Wat- 
son-Watt,  the  inventor  of  radar,  that 
eight  ounces  of  an  available  toxic 
substance,  properly  distributed, 
could  kill  every  human  being  on  the 
planet.  Imagine,  eight  ounces — the 
weight  of  an  average  Time  maga- 
zine— could  conceivably  obliterate 
the  human  race  from  the  face  of  the 
earth. 

British  philosopher  Lord  Bertrand 
Russell,  who  rates  biological  war- 
fare a greater  menace  than  nucle- 
ar weapons,  claims  that  “although 
the  cost  of  human  destruction  has 
been  reduced  to  a few  pennies  a head 
by  the  hydrogen  bomb,”  biological 
warfare  may  make  it  even  cheaper. 

What  is  this  grim  menace  which 
has  suddenly  reared  its  head  like 
a prehistoric  monster  to  mock  hu- 
manity? Why  have  we  not  previous- 
ly been  aware  of  this  ignominious 
mode  of  warfare? 


In  1943  President  Franklin  D. 
Roosevelt  announced  to  the  world 
that  we  will  never  use  gas  or  germ 
warfare  unless  it  is  first  used  a- 
gainst  us.  That  announcement  al- 
layed whatever  fears  had  arisen 
from  the  shrouded  reports  of  the  ef- 
forts of  the  Nazi’s  in  this  area  dur- 
ing World  War  II.  Since  that  time, 
American  people  have  received  liter- 
ally no  information  concerning  this 
new  warfare.  In  fact,  to  most  Amer- 
icans it  is  nonexistent.  Chemical, 
biological,  and  radiological  research 
and  development  have  been  secretly 
carried  on  by  both  the  United  States 
and  Russia  and  other  countries  un- 
der a tight  veil  of  secrecy. 

CBR — shorthand  for  chemical,  bio- 
logical, and  radiological  warfare — is 
toxic  warfare  against  man  and  his 
animals  and  crops,  rather  than  ex- 
plosive warfare  which  destroys 
both  man  and  his  material  posses- 
sions. 

Chemical  Warfare 

Chemical  warfare  is  the  intention- 
al employment  of  poisonous  gases, 
liquids,  or  solids  to  produce  casual- 
ties. The  lethal  gases  are  exempli- 
fied by  the  nerve  gases.  These  agents 
may  be  disseminated  either  in  gas- 
eous or  liquid  particle  form  and  are 
odorless  and  colorless.  When  in- 
haled, they  cause  death  in  a matter 
of  seconds,  and  a minute  quantity  in 
liquid  form  will  kill  through  the 
unbroken  skin.  Physiologically  these 
gases  destroy  the  connections  be- 
tween nerve  endings  and  muscles 
controlled  by  the  nerve  endings, 
which  result  in  an  eventual  paraly- 
sis of  the  respiratory  system.  These 
gases  could  be  delivered  by  shells, 
bombs,  missiles,  or  be  sprayed  from 
tanks  in  manned  planes  over  a huge 
area. 

The  non-lethal  gas  is  what  is  pop- 
ularly termed  the  psychochemical. 
The  psychochemicals  attack  the  vari- 
ous sensory,  perception,  and  nerve 
centers  of  the  body,  resulting  in  ir- 
rational action.  These  particular 
gases,  reputed  to  be  harmless,  in- 
capacitate defenders  until  a country 
or  area  is  overrun  by  the  enemy. 

To  illustrate  the  effects  of  a non- 
lethal  gas — perhaps  some  of  you 


December  8,  1959 


761 


have  seen  pictures  of  the  cat  that 
was  exposed  to  this  agent  and  was 
consequently  cowering  in  fear  of  a 
mouse.  It  is  said  that  should  this 
chemical  be  administered  to  Con- 
gress, half  of  the  Senators  would 
jump  up  and  dance  on  their  desks 
and  the  other  half  would  clap.  They 
would  not  realize  that  anything  un- 
usual was  going  on;  only  an  out- 
sider coming  into  the  room  who  had 
not  been  exposed  to  the  chemical 
would  notice  something  amiss. 
Biological  Warfare 

Biological  warfare  (BW)  is  the 
military  use  of  living  organisms  or 
their  toxic  products  to  cause  death, 
disability,  or  damage  to  man,  his 
domestic  animals  or  crops.  Little 
experimentation  has  been  done.  Nev- 
ertheless, for  the  future  it  is  being 
relied  upon  as  the  most  potent  and 
selective  weapon  available.  Various 
forms  of  bacteria,  fungi,  viruses  can 
be  released  in  such  a way  that  an 
entire  population  can  be  infected  and 
immobilized  simultaneously.  Crops 
can  be  destroyed  in  this  way,  and, 
as  military  strategists  provocatively 
point  out,  Russia  would  be  hindered 
more  than  the  United  States,  for 
they  are  not  as  agriculturally  diver- 
sified. 

It  is  reported  that  infected  insects 
are  kept  constantly  available  at 
Fort  Detrick  in  Maryland  (one  of 
the  installations  in  which  biological 
warfare  research  is  being  carried 
on)  ready  to  spread  yellow  fever, 
malaria,  plague,  Colorado  fever, 
cholera,  and  many  other  devasting 
diseases. 

In  testimony  before  a Senate 
Committee,  a former  Chief  Chemical 
Officer  of  the  Army  stated  that  there 
are  at  present  biological  warfare 
agents  for  use  against  humans  and 
animals  for  which  there  is  no  coun- 
ter measure  or  inoculant.  He  also 
asserted  that  BW  diseases  could  be 
selected  which  would  kill  up  to  90 
to  95  per  cent  of  the  people. 

Militarists  maintain  that  the  most 
“humane”  type  of  BW  is  the  attack 
on  the  food  supply.  “The  enemy 
could  capitulate  at  the  starvation 
point  and  food  could  be  shipped  in.” 
Certainly  the  word  “humane”  cannot 
mean  starving  people  to  death. 
Radiological  Warfare 

By  this  time  we  are  familiar  with 
the  colossal  hazards  of  nuclear  ex- 
plosions. Radioactivity  has  become 
household  terminology.  Our  avowed 


goal  is  the  “clean  bomb.”  Yet  in  the 
event  of  war,  it  is  highly  probable 
that  stored  quantities  of  radioiso- 
topes will  b £ released  for  the  specific 
purpose  of  rendering  mountain  pas- 
ses, canal  zones,  and  other  strategic 
areas  inaccessible.  There  is  no  limit 
to  the  possibilities  of  such  diabolical 
warfare. 

This  is  CBR.  Additional  statistics 
qould  be  given  such  as  those  theoret- 
ically tabulated  by  the  State  De- 
partment when  calculating  the  “re- 
sults” of  war  games  held  in  the 
Far  East  several  years  ago:  along 
with  75  per  cent  of  the  enemy  fic- 
tionally killed  or  incapacitated, 
some  600,000  casualties  were  record- 
ed among  friendly  and  neutral  civil- 
ians. With  the  increased  killing  pow- 
er of  modern  CBR  these  figures 
would  certainly  skyrocket. 

CBR  in  Current  Military 
Philosophy? 

President  Roosevelt’s  categorical 
announcement  that  the  US  will  nev- 
er use  CBR  agents  unless  first  used 
against  us  is  presently  under  heavy 
attack.  Military  leaders  challenge 
this  doctrine  continually,  stating 
that  we  must  express  to  the  world 
our  willingness  to  use  these  weap- 
ons among  the  “normal,  usable 
means  of  war.” 

CBR  weapons  are  perhaps  the  ul- 
timate deterrent.  “The  best  immedi- 
diate  guarantee  the  US  can  possess 
to  insure  that  CBR  is  not  used  any- 
where aginst  the  free  world  is  to 
have  a strong  capability  in  this  field, 
too.” 

One  of  the  strong  points  of  CBR 
weapons  is  the  fact  that  they  make 
it  possible  to  wage  a “limited  war” 
without  propelling  the  world  beyond 
the  point  of  no  return  which  nucle- 
ar weapons  might.  In  other  words, 
fighting  in  Laos,  Tibet,  various 
African,  Latin  American,  or  Mid- 
dle Eastern  hot  spots  could  be 
stopped  by  the  usage  of  certain  CBR 
agents,  and  the  “war”  would  be  over 
and  America  would  once  again  have 
escaped  invasion. 

CBR,  compared  to  other  defense 
preparations,  is  inexpensive  and 
most  countries  can  afford  to  stock- 
pile these  agents  of  destruction. 
America  feels  it  must  diligently 
stockpile  these  weapons  lest  some 
“Johnny  come  lately”  David  will 
overtake  the  United  States  and  slay 
the  Goliath. 

In  order  to  acquaint  the  Ameri- 


can people  with  CBR,  its  propo- 
nents are  carrying  on  an  extensive 
publicity  campaign.  The  drive  is  be- 
ing handled  in  such  a way  that  the 
American  public  will  accept  it  with- 
out any  hesitations  or  misgivings. 
Should  controversy  and  criticism  a-  j 
rise  from  such  a publicity  campaign,  ' 
the  Defense  Department  plans  to 
“sit  tight  and  not  get  excited  and  | 
weather  the  storm.  Then  when  it’s 
over  we’ll  pick  up  where  we  left  j 
off  and  continue  the  campaign.”  j 

“If  we  are  forced  into  a war  with  | 
Soviet  Russia  or  Communist  China,” 
writes  Brig.  General  J.  H.  Roths- 
child, “we  will  have  a much  great- 
er advantage  if  we  use  these  (CBR) 
weapons.  We  are  more  able  eco- 
nomically— and  probably  more  will- 
ing— than  either  Russia  or  China 
is  to  furnish  the  individual  soldier 
and  the  civilian  community  with  the 
* means  to  detect  this  kind  of  attack 
and  to  protect  themselves  against 
it.  Our  economic  prosperity,  our 
smaller  population,  our  tradition  of 
regard  for  individual  life  all  confer 
advantages  in  defending  against 
chemical  and  biological  warfare.” 

Preparations  for  mass  death  and 
destruction  in  any  and  all  forms 
surely  fail  to  show  to  mankind  our 
“tradition  of  regard  for  individual 
life.”  We  cannot  let  fear  overcome 
us  and  drive  us  to  a selfish  national- 
ism and  individual  irresponsibility. 

We  must  ask  ourselves  whether 
our  witness  includes  participation  in 
a vigil  such  as  has  been  Ccirried  on 
at  Fort  Detrick  since  July  1,  or 
whether  our  protest  must  take  other 
forms.  A number  of  concerned  in- 
dividuals representing  pacifist  or- 
ganizations have  initiated  a vigil 
outside  this  installation.  Daily,  peo- 
ple from  all  walks  of  life  come  to 
stand  silently  in  protest  of  the  bio- 
logical warfare  research  carried  on 
behind  the  heavily  guarded  walls. 

Christ  calls  us  to  “love  your  en- 
emies, bless  them  that  curse  you,  do 
good  to  them  that  hate  you,  and 
pray  for  them  which  despitefully  use 
you,  and  persecute  you.”  Our  ap- 
proach to  these  crises  must  be  posi- 
tive— we  must  exemplify  the  love  of 
God  in  our  every  relation.  If  the 
Sermon  on  the  Mount  holds  any  real 
meaning  for  us,  then  we  must  take 
a definite  stand  against  CBR,  as 
well  as  against  nuclear  weapons, 
but  it  must  be  a stand  with  con- 
structive, positive  alternatives. 


762 


THE  MENNONITE 


i Western  Distriet  Holds 
Sixty-Eighth  Session 


Reported  by  W.  F.  Unruh 


Reporting  on  a conference  ses- 
sion is  a hazardous  undertak- 
i ing.  The  reporter  may  not  say  what 
I the  delegates  who  attended  the  con- 
\ ference  think  should  be  said. 

This  may  be  particularly  true  of 
the  sixty-eighth  annual  session  of  the 
Western  District  Conference  which 
was  held  at  North  Newton,  Kansas, 
October  24-28,  1959. 

Some  people  say  that  it  was  a 
good  conference;  it  was  quiet  and 
I peaceful.  Others  say  that  it  was 
I too  peaceful;  there  were  no  great 
disturbing  concerns,  no  burning  con- 
victions expressed.  One  pastor  said 
that  for  him  the  high  point  of  con- 
ference were  the  inspirational  mes- 
sages of  the  conference  speaker.  An- 
other pastor  thought  that  if  the 
speaker  had  left  out  his  jokes,  there 
would  have  been  little  left  of  his 
messages. 

With  such  differing  evaluations 
it  would  be  presumptuous  for  the 
writer  of  this  report  to  think  that 
he  can  express  the  feelings  of  every- 
one present  and  to  do  justice  to  the 
conference.  I should  like  to  point 
out,  however,  what  in  my  estima- 
tion were  real  efforts  at  seeking  the 
kingdom  of  God. 

Saturday  had  been  set  aside  for 
meetings  of  auxiliary  organizations. 
At  the  Ministers’  Conference  held 
in  the  Hopefield  Mennonite  Church, 
the  place  of  music  in  worship  was 
discussed  on  the  basis  of  a paper 
presented  by  Esko  Loewen.  Un- 
doubtedly this  discussion  will  keep 
pastors  alert  to  the  need  of  a very 
careful  choice  of  hymns  and  music 
when  they  plan  the  worship  experi- 
ence for  their  parishioners. 

The  Mennonite  Men,  in  their 
meeting  held  in  the  First  Menno- 
nite  Church  of  Newton,  decided  to 

W.  F.  Unruh  Is  the  retiring  Western 
District  Conference  field  secretary. 


continue  their  support  of  the  con- 
struction of  the  Trans-Chaco  Road- 
way. This  became  a spiritual  experi- 
ence when  J.  W.  Fretz,  who  had 
seen  the  construction  going  on, 
pointed  out  the  far-reaching  con- 
tribution which  this  roadway  will 
make  toward  the  economic  future 
of  Paraguay  and  to  the  future  of 
Mennonite  life,  because  it  will  open 
trade  with  Brazil  and  Bolivia  which 
has  not  been  possible  until  now. 
Helping  the  poor  to  a better  exist- 
ence will  ever  remain  a Christian 
duty. 

In  the  W.  D.  Youth  Fellowship 
meeting,  held  in  the  Bethel  Col- 
lege chapel,  a decision  of  far-reach- 
ing significance  was  made  when  the 
young  people  offered  to  give  the 
ownership  aind  management  of 
Camp  Mennoscah  to  a conference 
retreat  committee  which  is  to  be 
elected  by  conference.  This  bold 
step  was  taken  because  the  young 
people  feel  that  the  camping  pro- 
pram is  such  an  important  phase 
of  religious  education  that  it  should 
be  sponsored  and  directed  by  con- 
ference. A further  reason  for  tak- 
ing this  step  was  the  fact  that  the 
youth  leaders  had  found  the  camp- 
ing program  so  exacting  and  time 
consuming  that  they  had  little  time 
left  to  help  local  fellowships  to  de- 
velop leadership  and  service  out- 
reaches.  One  of  the  high  points  of 
the  meetings  of  the  Women’s  Mis- 
sionary Organization  was  Mission- 
ary Vernon  Sprunger’s  report  on 
the  turbulent  drive  for  freedom  and 
self-realization  of  the  Congoese 
people  in  which  the  church  also  is 
involved  and  must  play  its  part. 

On  Sunday  morning  the  pastors 
of  our  conference  churches  of  Okla- 
homa, Nebraska,  Colorado,  Texas, 
Old  Mexico,  and  western  Kansas 
preached  in  the  pulpits  of  churches 
within  easy  driving  distance  of 


Newton.  At  least  twenty-two  of  the 
churches  of  the  neighborhood  of 
Newton  had  visiting  ministers.  This 
sharing  of  the  gospel  and  the  fel- 
lowship with  the  visiting  ministers 
strengthened  the  ties  between  our 
churches. 

The  banner  which  had  been  used 
at  the  conference  at  Bluffton  was 
spread  across  the  front  of  the  Me- 
morial Hall,  where  the  sessions  of 
conference  were  held.  This  helped 
to  keep  our  emphasis  on  Jesus 
Christ,  our  Foundation.  In  his  con- 
ference sermon  Sunday  afternoon, 
Henry  W.  Goossen,  acting  president, 
spoke  on  Christ’s  demand  that  we 
be  His  disciples  and  that  we  con- 
sider realistically  the  cost  of  dis- 
cipleship. 

The  business  sessions  were  inter- 
spersed with  helpful  messages  by 
the  conference  speaker,  Harry  K. 
Zeller  from  the  Church  of  the 
Brethren.  The  spiritual  truths  he 
brought  to  our  hearts  kept  us  a- 
ware  of  sin  and  of  our  need  of  a 
Redeemer  and  Lord. 

The  Committee  on  Welfare  Insti- 
tutions again  reminded  us  of  the 
fact  that  the  healing  ministry  is  a 
part  of  the  church’s  responsibility. 
The  scope  of  this  phase  of  service 
was  widened  when  the  Meadowlark 
Homestead  was  accepted  by  con- 
ference as  a Western  District  Con- 
ference related  institution.  From 
now  on  the  Executive  Committee 
of  conference  will  select  three  nom- 
inees from  whom  the  Meadowlark 
Homestead  Board  will  elect  a rep- 
resentative to  their  board. 

The  Home  Missions  Committee 
report  made  us  all  keenly  aware 
again  of  how  much  money  is  need- 
ed for  church  extension  in  our  cit- 
ies. For  the  present  the  committee 
is  giving  special  attention  to  the 
Denver  project  where  Don  Wismer 
was  recently  ordained  as  elder  of 
the  church.  The  Denver  Mennonite 
Church  has  engaged  an  architect  to 
draw  up  plans  for  the  new  church 
building  that  is  to  be  built  in  the 
Arvada  housing  area.  The  old  par- 
sonage has  been  sold  and  a new 
parsonage  bought  in  Arvada  near 
the  site  where  the  church  is  to  be 
built. 

The  Education  Committee  is  mak- 
ing efforts  to  strengthen  the  religi- 
ous education  program  within  our 
churches  by  helping  them  organize 
as  effectively  as  possible  for  the 
teaching  ministry.  The  committee 


December  8,  1959 


763 


has  sent  out  three  different  plans 
of  organization  which  are  now  in 
operation  in  our  churches,  one  in 
a city  church,  one  in  a village 
church,  and  the  third  in  a country 
church.  These  are  suggested  as  pos- 
sibilities. 

The  Peace  and  Service  Committee 
has  been  active  helping  prospective 
VS  and  1-W  fellows  and  their  par^ 
ents  to  see  the  signficant  contribu- 
tions which  1-W  personnel  can  make 


through  their  work.  The  committee 
feels  strongly  that  the  home  must 
undergird  this  program  by  giving 
young  men  and  women  visions  of 
service  and  vital  contributions  in 
the  kingdom  of  God.  The  committee 
is  also  trying  to  help  our  young  peo- 
ple to  meet  the  temptations  of  social 
drinking  which  .is  fast  becoming 
the  vogue  in  American  life.  They  are 
offering  to  show  a film,  “The 
Choice,”  as  a basis  for  a discussion 


on  social  drinking  in  our  churches. 
This  is  an  effort  to  help  young  peo- 
ple to  remain  faithful  to  their  com- 
mitment to  Christ  imder  the  pres- 
sures of  present  day  liquor  adver- 
tisements and  low  social  fife. 

The  leadership  of  conference  weis 
entrusted  for  next  year  into  the 
hands  of  the  following  brethren: 
Henry  W.  Goossen,  president;  Ralph 
K.  Weber,  vice-president;  Irvin  E. 
Richert,  secretary. 


4.  Church  Extension 

Conference  Discnssion 


The  last  in  a series  of  reports  on 
ivhat  delegates  to  the  triennial  con- 
ference said  about  various  issues 
raised  for  group  discussion. 

While  delegates  showed  concern 
for  the  shrinking  rural  church,  they 
seemed  to  be  still  more  challenged 
by  the  growing  opportunities  in  city 
work.  If  our  young  people  are  go- 
ing to  the  city,  city  church  work 
“is  a matter  of  financing  the  fu- 
ture.” 

Four  discussion  groups  wondered 
why  moving  church  members  do  not 
more  often  take  the  church  wdth 
them.  Why  are  they  content  to  join 
a denomination  already  there?  An- 
swers to  this  question  made  the 
same  point:  “We  do  not  have  an  ad- 
equate missionary  program  at 
home.”  “If  every  church  had  an  out- 
post, our  people  would  be  better  e- 
quipped  to  carry  the  gospel  when 
they  moved.”  “Young  people  catch 
the  vision  of  witnessing  by . . . local 
witness.” 

Seven  delegates  felt  that  it  was 
very  important  for  the  city  church 
to  minister  to  its  immediate  area. 
“Are  we  interested  in  establishing 
city  churches  for  the  salvation  of 
souls  or  for  the  propagation  of  Men- 
nonite  traditions  ^md  principles?” 
“The  Church  began  with  the  ex- 
press purpose  of  ministering  to  the 
local  community.” 

Discussion  groups  said  in  various 
ways  that  what  we  need  for  suc- 
cessful church  extension  is  a deep- 
ening of  spiritual  convictions,  a 
greater  passion  for  the  lost,  a pri- 


macy of  values  with  “the  crucified 
Savior  for  salvation”  taking  priori- 
ty, more  prayer  and  Bible  study, 
and  love  which  reaches  over  cul- 
tural barriers. 

A few  discussion  groups  asked 
who  does  what:  that  is,  we  need  to 
clarify  relationships  bewteen  the 
Board  of  Missions,  the  district  mis- 
sion committees,  and  the  local 
churches. 

How  do  we  go  about  the  work  of 
church  extension?  One  group  said, 
“Perhaps  the  best  form  of  church 
extension  is  that  when  a local 
church  starts  an  extension  in  a 
nearby  community,  so  that  the 
workers  are  from  the  local  church 
and  the  work  is  supported  by  the 
local  church.”  One  person  empha- 
sized going  to  the  man  next  door 
and  holding  services  in  jails  and 
homes  for  aged.  Another  asked, 
“What  place  does  rescue  mission 
work  have  in  our  planning?” 

Mention  was  made  of  a men’s  fel- 
lowship which  is  undertaking  the 
establishment  of  a church  in  a near- 
by city.  Other  miscellaneous  sugges- 
tions included  the  use  of  a city 
mission  field  worker  who  would  be 
available  for  help  and  advice,  the 
need  to  exercise  care  in  choosing 
a location,  and  ways  to  get  names 
of  people  who  have  moved  to  the 
city. 

Three  discussion  groups  suggest- 
ed that  what  we  now  call  “mission” 
churches  we  should  call  “young” 
churches.  Several  persons  felt  there 
should  be  a “definite  program  of  de- 
creasing subsidization  for  small 


churches”  because  we  “can  keep 
people  dependent  too  long.”  Dele- 
gates looked  at  the  larger  churches 
as  well,  and  said  that  they  should 
divide  rather  than  build  on,  to  en- 
courage growth. 

The  challenge  of  church  extension 
was  found  by  some  to  be  the  op- 
portunities in  unchurched  mining 
and  mountain  areas,  large  cities, 
exurbia  and  strip  cities,  church  out- 
post projects,  and  the  mission  to 
witness  for  our  historic  beliefs 
which  are  the  special  contribution 
of  the  Mennonite  church  to  Chris- 
tendom. 

Other  Concerns 

The  conference  discussion  groups 
also  took  up  missionary  salaries, 
missionary  recuitment,  and  mission- 
ary itineration.  In  respect  to  the  lat- 
ter, the  general  feeling  seemed  to 
be  that  missionary  reports  are 
sometimes  stereotyped,  that  mis- 
sionaries could  do  more  to  relate 
their  task  to  the  Christians  at  home. 
Some  felt  that  “some  churches 
have  too  many  visiting  missionar- 
ies, others  too  few.” 

Also  included  in  the  fourth  and 
last  discussion  period  was  an  ap- 
praisal of  the  discussion  group 
method.  Every  group  produced 
some  expression  of  approval;  some 
made  suggestions  as  to  size  of 
group  and  length  of  discussion. 

Concerning  the  conference  pro- 
gram itself,  a number  of  groups 
said  that  speeches  and  devotionals 
were  too  long  and  that  conference 
as  a whole  should  be  shorter. 


764 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  youth 


A story 

by  Esther  Loewen  Vogt 


Betty  miller  glanced  at  her 
husband’s  profile,  immobile  as  a 
telephone  pole  at  the  steering  wheel 
of  the  car.  His  temples  were  faintly 
gray,  his  blue  eyes  staring  straight 
ahead.  They  were  nearing  the  air- 
port. Betty  was  sure  they  would  rec- 
ognize this  Hungarian  girl  from 
Marlene’s  description. 

“Vanya’s  tall  and  slim,  and  wears 
her  dark  hair  in  a braided  bun,” 
Marlene  had  written.  “It’s  because 
we  here  in  Austria  feel  that  she 
needs  a special  kind  of  love — and 
the  love  of  Christ  — to  erase  the 
haunting  shadows  from  her  eyes, 
that  we  are  sending  her  to  you.  . . .” 
How  can  Paul  and  I be  of  real 
help?  Betty  mused.  Their  only  child 
had  felt  the  call  to  do  relief  work  in 
Europe,  and  the  pain  of  separation 
from  her  was  still  keen. 

“She  speaks  English  fairly  well,” 
Marlene  had  written  further,  “for 
she  is  educated.  But  she’s  been  hid- 
eously orphaned.  . . . Just  give  her 


my  room;  let  her  wear  my  clothes — 
pretend  she’s  me!” 

As  they  nosed  their  car  toward  a 
parking  place,  the  great  silver  bird 
was  circling  the  landing  field  and 
presently  taxied  up  to  the  runway. 

How  like  Marlene,  to  share  with 
someone  else  a bit  of  her  life!  But 
could  they,  Marlene’s  parents — 
would  they  fail  this  girl? 

“I  wish  it  were  Marlene  instead!” 
Paul  burst  out  impulsively. 

Betty  smiled  to  herself.  Paul 
wouldn’t  often  give  vent  to  his  feel- 
ings, but  now  and  then  they  showed. 
He  did  miss  his  daughter. 

At  that  moment  a slender  young- 
figure  emerged  from  the  unloading: 
cabin  and  walked  hesitantly  down, 
the  ramp.  Her  eyes  glanced  about 
furtively,  then  fell  upon  Paul  and 
Betty. 

Betty  half-ran  toward  the  foreign 

Mrs.  Vogt  is  a homemaker  in  Hillsboro, 
Kan. 


December  8,  1959 


765 


girl.  “You  must  be  Vanya  Matusek!” 
A faint  smile  lighted  the  shadow- 
lined  face  of  the  girl  coming  to- 
wards them.  “Yes — you  are  Marlene 
Miller’s — family?” 

Betty’s  heart  went  out  toward  the 
forlorn  refugee,  and  she  clasped  her 
in  her  arms.  “Welcome,  Vanya.  You 
are — home  now,  my  dear!” 

Paul  shook  the  thin  white  hand 
warmly  and  responded  as  fervently. 
“A  friend  of  Marlene’s  is  one  of  us!” 
On  the  way  home  the  Hungarian 
girl  appeared  to  relax,  and  her  face 
grew  softer  as  she  rambled  on  some- 
what abashed. 

“This  America — it  is  so  big,  so 
full,  and  yet  so  empty!  I mean — 
there  is  so  much  room — even  for 
me . . .”  her  voice  shaking  with  emo- 
tion. 

Betty  laughed  lightly.  “Oh,  we  in 
America  like  things  big!” 

“This  house — you  mean,  you  live 
in  it  by  yourselves — all  these 
rooms?”  Vanya  gasped,  unbelieving. 

Paul  and  Betty  Miller  laughed  a- 
gain.  ’They  knew  they  would  love 
Vanya  Matusek  as  if  she  were  an- 
other Marlene. 

'The  days  sped  by  on  wings.  The 
hunted  look  began  to  fade  from  Van- 
ya’s dark  eyes  and  she  smiled  more 
often.  Sometimes  she  would  even 
hum  a lonely  Hungarian  folk  tune. 
She  loved  the  vastness  of  the  sur- 
rounding terrain  and  took  long 
walks  in  the  autumn  countryside. 
“It’s  all  so — big!”  she  would  re- 


peat. “Not  crowded  and  sordid — 
like  Hungary.”  And  the  shadows 
would  return  to  her  eyes. 

“How  would  you  like  to  go  to 
church  with  us  next  Sunday?”  Betty 
asked  the  young  refugee  one  day. 
They  hadn’t  urged  her  to  attend 
with  them^'jhus  far,  as  they  sensed 
she  was  not  yet  ready  to  meet  so 
many  strangers. 

“You  mean — I can  go  to  worship 
and  no  one  will  watch  me — how  do 
you  say — persecute  me?”  Her  eyes 
grew  round  with  wonder. 

“We  have  freedom  of  worship 
here,  Vanya.  No,  no  one  will  bother 
you,”  Paul  told  her  kindly. 

“Then  I will  go,”  she  responded 
eagerly.  “America  is  like — heaven. 
It  is  so — wonderful.  But  why  did 
Marlene  leave  it?” 

Betty  looked  slyly  at  Paul.  They 
hadn’t  quite  admitted  it  to  them- 
selves that  Marlene  had  chosen  to 
leave  them  to  serve  “in  the  name 
of  Christ.” 

VANYA  looked  very  becoming 
next  Sunday  morning,  in  Mar- 
lene’s blue  suit  and  cloche  hat.  Her 
face  glowed  with  a peace  in  a way 
that  it  never  had  before.  She  was 
going  to  be  happy  here  and,  if  Mar- 
lene’s influence  with  the  proper  of- 
flcials  would  have  any  effect,  Van- 
ya might  receive  permanent  papers 
towards  her  citizenship,  thought 
Betty. 

As  Pastor  Shank  began  his  ser- 
mon in  the  little  white  church  that 
morning,  Betty  watched  with  de- 
light the  play  of  rapt  attention  on 
the  Hungarian  girl’s  face. 

Betty  helped  Janet  Byler  sing  a 
duet  for  the  closing  number.  It  was 
a new  song,  but  one  they  had  grown 
to  love. 

“It  took  a miracle  to  put  the 
stars  in  place; 

It  took  a miracle  to  hang  the 
world  in  space; 

But  when  He  saved  my  soul, 
cleansed  and  made  me  whole. 

It  took  a miracle  of  love  and 
grace.” 

At  dinner  Vanya  had  grown  very 
quiet.  He  eyes  were  dimmed  once 
more  with  the  haunting  shadows, 
and  she  merely  toyed  with  her  food. 
At  Betty’s  suggestion  she  went  up  to 
her  room. 

“I  wonder  what  got  into  Vanya  to- 
day,” Paul  uttered  Betty’s  unspoken 
thoughts. 


“I’ve  been  wondering  about  it  my-  | 
self,”  she  answered  quietly.  i 

“Maybe  she  didn’t  like  the  service.  j 
After  all,  it  was  different  from  the 
secluded  meetings  they  conducted 
in  her  own  country.” 

“No-o-o,”  Betty  spoke  slowly,  “I  i 
don’t  think  it  was  that.  She  seemed  ^ 
to  be  intrigued  with  Pastor  Shank’s  | 
sermon,  I could  tell.  'There  was  1 
something  else.” 

Later,  Vanya  came  down  to  the 
stair-landing,  her  face  as  white  as  a 
marble  statue.  Betty’s  heart  con- 
tracted with  love  and  pity  for  the 
Hungarian  girl,  at  the  sudden 
change  that  had  come  over  her.  At  I 
first  she  had  seemed  so  happy,  so  , 
alive.  Now  it  was  as  if  the  light  had 
been  snuffed  from  a candle. 

“Vanya,”  Betty  called  out  soft- 
ly. “What  is  it,  dear?” 

For  an  instant  the  apathetic  eyes 
blazed;  then  the  flame  died  out,  and 
she  mumbled  tunelessly,  “You — you 
confuse  me.  'The  minister — he  says 
God  can  do  all  things — forgive  all 
sins — then  you  sing — it  isn’t  God 
— it  takes  America!”  And  wraithe- 
like,  she  vanished  quietly  up  the 
stairs  again. 

Betty’s  puzzled  eyes  sought  Paul’s. 
“Paul!  What  did  she  mean?  How 
have  we  failed  her?” 

He  shook  his  head  slowly.  “I 
don’t  know,  Betty.  I just — don’t 
know!” 

Betty’s  head  throbbed  as  she  tried 
to  think.  Where  had  they  failed  this 
child  Marlene  had  entrusted  to  their  j 
care?  Hadn’t  they  shown  her  love?  i 
Kindness?  Then  suddenly  she  re-  I 

membered  Vanya’s  last  words.  “It 

isn’t  God — it  isn’t  God.  It  takes  il 
America. . . .”  | 

“Paul!”  Betty  exclaimed  eagerly. 

“I  think  I know  the  answer!”  ,, 

And  with  that  she  dashed  up  the  | 
stairs  to  Marlene’s — only  it  was  Van-  : 

ya’s  room  now.  She  tapped  softly 
on  the  closed  door.  After  what 
seemed  a long  time  she  heard  a i 
slight  movement  and  then  the  knob  j 
turned  slowly  and  the  door  opened.  j 
“Vanya,  my  dear!  May  I come  in?”  i 
Betty  cried  out  tenderly. 

The  girl’s  white  face  paled  even  i 
more,  but  she  motioned  Betty  in.  i 

“Let’s  sit  down,  Vanya.  I want  ! 
to  try  to  explain. . . .”  Betty’s  voice 
was  gently  imperative.  i 

“Yes,  Mrs.  Miller.  Sit  here.”  Van- 
ya pushed  her  lightly  into  Mar- 
lene’s old  chintz-covered  armchair. 


766 


THE  AAENNONITE 


J Betty  Miller  took  a deep  breath, 
j “Vanya,  I realize  that  our  ways 
i must  seem  foreign  — different  — to 
I you.  And  what  Pastor  Shank  said 
about  the  Lord’s  creating  all  things 
— forgiving  all  our  sins,  is  true.  We 
* believe  it  and  accept  it.  Oh,  maybe 

iwe  haven’t  fully  accepted  the  fact 
that  Marlene  chose  to  follow  His 
leading  to  Austria  to  serve  ‘in  the 
( name  of  Christ.’  But  we  have  re- 
! signed  ourselves,  especially  since 

(you  have  come  to  us,  my  dear.  But 
you  said — we  sing — it  took  America.’’ 

To 

and 

From 

a 

' Pastor 


If  you  missed  the  first  one  of  this 
series  and  are  wondering  who  our 
pastor  is,  he  is  Don  Wismer,  pastor 
of  the  new  Mennonite  church  in 
Denver,  Colo. 

Dear  Pastor, 

A lot  of  guys  I pal  with  smoke. 
Mom  and  Dad  always  told  me  it 
was  a sin  to  smoke.  To  tell  the 
truth,  I can’t  see  that  it’s  einy  worse 
than  drinking  coffee  or  coke.  I 
know  a lot  of  really  good  people 


Here  Betty’s  voice  softened  to  a 
whisper.  “It  isn’t  America,  Vanya 
— it  took  a miracle!  A miracle  from 
God — that  His  love  and  grace  should 
abound  for  us,  to  save  us  from  sin! 
You  misunderstand  ‘a  miracle’  for 
‘America!’  ’’ 

Vanya’s  face  had  suddenly  begun 
to  glow,  and  the  shadows  vanished 
as  she  seemed  to  emerge  from  doubt 
to  genuine  peace.  She  threw  herself 
on  her  knees  and  thrust  her  dark 
head  in  Betty’s  lap. 

“But,  yes.  I see  it  now!”  she 


that  do  smoke — even  some  minis- 
ters, and  I don’t  see  any  sense  in 
being  a “queer”  when  you  don’t 
have  to.  I should  know  better  than 
to  ask  you  because  I’m  sure  you’ll 
say  “No!”  But  I thought  you  might 
give  me  some  better  reasons  than 
to  just  say  it’s  a sin. 

Joe 

Dear  Joe, 

This  might  surprise  you,  but  I’ll 
tell  you  it’s  aU  right  to  smoke  if, 
after  you  answer  some  questions  I 
have,  you  still  think  it  is  all  right 
for  you  to  do  as  a Christian.  Ready? 

1.  Is  it  something  “good”  that  a 
Christian  should  do  to  enhance  his 
testimony  for  Christ? 

2.  Is  it  possible  that  you  are  vic- 
tim to  advertising  that  makes  you 
believe  that  smoking  is  good  for 
you,  and  necessary  to  “belong”? 

3.  Considering  the  high  incidence 
of  lung  cancer  with  smokers,  does 
it  seem  wise? 

4.  Considering  the  needs  of  men, 
women,  and  children  all  over  the 
world  who  do  not  even  have  enough 
to  eat,  is  it  a good  way  to  spend 
your  money? 

5.  Can  you  control  the  smoking 
habit,  or  will  it  control  you? 

6.  Is  it  necessary  to  life,  or  can 
you  live  well  without  it? 

7.  Does  it  show  consideration  of 
other’s  feelings  when  you  blow 
smoke  in  their  faces,  or  smoke  up 
their  homes,  or  cars?  Is  it  polite? 

8.  If  you  think  you  must  smoke  to 
quiet  your  nerves,  had  you  not  bet- 
ter see  a physician  about  possible 
physical  disorders,  or  your  pastor 
about  a possible  emotional  or  spirit- 
ual disorder,  so  you  can  give  up 
this  expensive  prop? 

9.  If  your  reason  is  simply  that  you 


cried  out  joyfully.  “It  took  Ameri- 
ca, wonderful  though  she  is,  to 
save  my  physical  body.  But  it  took 
a miracle — from  God — to  save  my 
soul.  I know  it  now — I believe  it, 
yes!  I understand  it  fully  now.  Oh, 
Mamma  Miller,  forgive  me!  For  my 
life  is  indeed  one  miracle  that  He 
saved!” 

One  miracle?  Betty  smiled  to  her- 
self. But  of  course!  Marlene,  Vanya, 
she  and  Paul — Christ  needed  them 
all  to  help  perform  it. 

«> 


like  it,  must  you  not  as  a Christian 
consider  it  necessary  to  give  up 
things  you  like  so  that  you  can  be 
as  good  a steward  of  your  money 
and  health  as  possible? 

10.  Could  you  imagine  Christ 
smoking? 

I’ll  let  you  decide  for  yourself 
now  whether  or  not  it’s  a sin. 

I can  guess  that  your  pals  get 
after  you  once  in  a while  for  not 
smoking.  They  probably  forget  that 
it  is  a sign  of  weakness  for  anyone 
to  do  something  simply  because  the 
rest  are.  They  want  you  to  weaken 
and  go  along  with  them.  Be  strong! 

To  be  able  to  make  up  your  mind 
on  something  and  stick  to  it  is  a 
sign  of  maturity.  By  refusing,  you 
are  being  more  grown-up  than  they. 
They’ll  see  this  sooner  or  later,  and 
if  they  have  any  character  at  all, 
they’ll  respect  you  for  it. 

I’m  sure  you  can  live  without 
smoking.  If  you  can’t,  yoim  doctor 
will  prescribe  it,  I suppose.  But  I 
haven’t  heard  yet  of  anyone  dying 
because  he  couldn’t  smoke.  On  the 
other  hand  I’m  sure  many  have 
lived  longer  because  they  haven’t! 

May  the  courage  of  Christ  be  an 
inspiration  to  you! 

Your  Pastor 

If  you  would  like  to  send  questions 
of  your  own  to  the  pastor  who 
writes  this  column,  address  them  to 
THE  MENNONITE,  122  Main  St., 
Newton,  Kan. 


The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People's  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  722 
Main  St.,  Newton,  Kansas. 


December  8,  1959 


767 


1 


our  schools 

NEW  PAYMENT  PLAN 

The  Bluffton  College  Board  of 
Trustees  met  in  its  semiannual  ses- 
sion on  Nov.  17. 

Among  other  action  taken  by  the 
board  was  the  decision  to  start  a 
new  schedule  of  payments  for  stu- 
dents. All  students  will  be  required 
to  make  their  first  payment  in  ad- 
vance of  the  school  year  and  no 
later  than  Aug.  1.  This  policy  is  de- 
signed to  discourage  former  stu- 
dents from  withdrawing  at  the  last 
moment  and  new  students  from  reg- 
istering at  several  schools  and  then 
deciding  at  the  opening  of  school 
where  they  will  go.  This  often  ex- 
cludes some  students  when  enroll- 
ments are  restricted  and  causes 
other  inconveniences  in  making 
housing  arrangements,  assigning 
counselors,  and  hiring  faculty  for 
courses  to  be  offered. 

James  Bassett,  a landscape  archi- 
tect from  Beaverdam,  was  given  a 
contract  to  draw  up  a campus  plan 
for  future  development.  Roland  Bix- 
ler  was  re-elected  to  a six  year  term 
as  a member  at  large  of  the  board 
of  trustees. 

NCA  CO-ORDINATOR  ON  CAMPUS 

Arnold  J.  Petersen,  co-ordinator  of 
the  North  Central  Association  of 
Colleges  and  Secondary  Schools, 
was  on  the  Bluffton  College  campus 
Nov.  20.  Dr.  Petersen  is  an  Associ- 
ate Professor  of  Biology  at  St.  Olaf’s 
College,  Northfield,  Minn,  and  has 
a Ph.  D.  from  the  University  of  Wis. 

Dr.  Petersen  served  as  a resource 
person  to  advise  on  organization  and 
continuation  of  projects  which  are  a 
concern  to  the  college.  During  the 
day  he  met  with  each  of  the  Bluffton 
College  NCA  committees  as  well  as 
the  Student  Council  and  Student 
Christian  Association  and  attended 
a tea  with  the  faculty  in  the  after- 
noon at  Mara  Alva  House. 

FACULTY  ATTENDS  MEETING 

Several  faculty  members  of  Bluff- 
ton  College  attended  the  Regional 
Meeting  of  the  Faculty  Christian 
Fellowship  held  at  the  Student  Un- 
ion, Defiance  College,  Defiance, 
Ohio,  on  Nov.  21. 

The  main  speaker  was  J.  Edward 
Dirks,  Professor  of  Christian  High- 
er Education,  Yale  Divinity  School 


and  Editor  of  the  Christian  Scholar. 
In  the  morning  Dr.  Dirks  spoke  on 
the  subject,  “The  Meaning  of  Aca- 
demic Freedom  in  the  University.” 

In  the  afternoon  he  spoke  about 
“The  Faculty’s  Responsibility  in  Re- 
lation to  Academic  Freedom.”  Fol- 
lowing this  talk  there  were  discus- 
sion grodps  led  by  persons  (f}om 
Bowling  Green  College,  Bluffton  Col- 
lege, O.  N.  U.,  and  Findlay  College 
on  the  topic  of  Academic  Freedom. 
William  Keeney,  Associate  Profes- 
sor of  Bible,  was  Bluffton  College’s 
representative  as  discussion  leader. 

IMS  RECEIVES  RESEARCH  GRANT 

The  Foundation  for  Reformation 
Research  in  St.  Louis  has  granted 
$1,250  for  part  of  the  publication 
expense  of  a comprehensive  Ana- 
baptist Bibliography,  a current  proj- 
ect of  the  Institute  of  Mennonite 
Studies,  research  arm  of  the  As- 
sociated Mennonite  Biblical  Semi- 
naries. 

An  earlier  grant  of  $3,000  from  the 
Foundation  financed  the  compilation 
of  the  bibliography,  which  is  ex- 
pected to  be  ready  for  publication 
early  in  1960.  Author  of  the  biblio- 
graphy is  Hans  Hillerband  of  the 
Goshen  College  faculty.  Dr.  HUler- 
brand  began  work  on  the  project 
more  than  a year  ago  under  the 
direction  of  Harold  S.  Bender,  dean 
of  Goshen  College  Biblical  Semi- 
nary. 

5,500  Separate  Titles 

A total  of  about  5,500  titles,  most 
of  them  pertaining  to  the  Anabap- 
tist wing  of  the  Reformation,  has 
thus  far  been  assembled  by  Dr.  Hil- 
lerband. In  his  opinion,  the  Ana- 
baptist part  of  the  bibliography  can 
now  claim  “practical  completeness.” 
Dr.  Bender  described  Hillerbrand’s 
work  as  thoroughly  competent  and 
+he  new  bibliography  as  a “first- 
class  tool  for  Anabaptist  research.” 

Other  IMS  Projects 

Several  other  projects  have  been 
sponsored  by  the  Institute  of  Menno- 
nite Studies.  John  Howard  Yoder, 
who  last  year  served  on  Goshen  Col- 
lege Biblical  Seminary  faculty,  con- 
ducted an  investigation  of  Christian 
responsibility  in  society.  In  a third 
project,  Myron  Ebersole,  a graduate 
student  at  the  University  of  Chicago, 
is  doing  research  on  the  relation- 
ship of  theology  and  Christian  psy- 
chiatric services.  A fourth  project 
now  under  way  is  the  compilation 
of  a Mennonite  bibliography  to  com- 


plete the  work  begun  in  the  Ana- 
baptist bibliography. 

Functioning  at  an  inter-Menno- 
nite  level,  IMS  was  established  as 
a part  of  the  Associated  Seminaries 
program  to  deal  with  research  top- 
ics that  are  of  interest  to  more  than 
a single  group.  It  aims  to  comple- 
ment, not  replace,  other  research 
agencies. 

Director  of  the  Institute  is  Cornel- 


ius J.  Dyck  of  the  Mennonite  Bib- 
lical Seminary  faculty.  Harold  S. 
Bender  is  assistant  director. 


THREE  SPECIAL  SPEAKERS 

Addresses  by  three  special  speak- 
ers highlighted  seminary  activities 
of  November  15-19.  A series  of 
five  lectures  on  Christian  ethics  was 
given  by  Gordon  D.  Kaufman,  as- 
sistant professor  of  theology  at  Van- 
derbilt University,  Nashville,  Tenn. 

Henry  Hitt  Crane  of  Detroit  and 
Andre  Trocme  of  Versailles,  France, 
spoke  at  the  seminary  on  Wednes- 
day and  Thursday,  respectively. 

ASSOCIATED  SEMINARIES  SOCIAL 

Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary  stu- 
dents, faculty  members,  and  wives 
were  guests  of  Goshen  College  Bib- 
lical Seminary  for  a social  evening 
in  the  Goshen  College  Union,  No- 
vember 20.  Principal  speaker  of  the 
evening  was  Dr.  S.  C.  Yoder,  a for- 
mer president  of  Goshen  College. 

The  social  included  afternoon  rec- 
reation in  the  gym,  followed  by  a 
cafeteria  supper  and  a program  by 
Goshen  seminary  students.  In  the 
spring,  Goshen  seminary  students 
will  be  guests  of  MBS  at  Elkhart. 

DIRECTS  MOBILITY  STUDY 

Leland  Harder,  instructor  in 
church  extension  is  directing  a Men- 
nonite mobility  study,  an  extensive 
survey  of  members  and  ex-members 
of  General  Conference  churches. 
Contact  persons  in  approximately 
200  co-operating  churches  will  be 
gathering  information  for  the  study. 


768 


THE  MENNONITE 


MCC  news  and  notes 

OFFICE  CONTINUES  TRACING 
I SERVICE 

FRANKFURT — “There  are  per- 
haps 40,000  to  50,000  Mennonites  in 
Russia  today,”  the  Frankfurt  MCC 
East-West  Office  estimated  in  a re- 
cent report.  Of  this  number,  the 
office  has  traced  12,000  which  are 
alphabetically  listed  along  with  ad- 
dresses and  other  pertinent  infor- 
mation obtained  from  relatives  in 
the  West. 

Fifty-eight  Mennonite  church  lead- 
ers or  ministers  have  been  recorded. 
Information  has  been  secured  about 
the  religious  life  and  activity  in  at 
least  thirty-two  provinces  (Obla- 
stjs). 

The  East-West  Office,  established 
in  1953,  seeks  to  compile  and  inter- 
pret information  affecting  Menno- 
nite people  in  the  Soviet  Union;  to 
record  names  and  locations  of  rela- 
tives— those  in  exile,  deportation, 
and  internment;  and  to  publicize  in- 
formation concerning  the  Menno- 
nites in  Russia,  reporting  movement 
of  people,  resettlement,  and  church 
life  in  general.  Limited  co-operation 
is  maintained  with  other  tracing  a- 
gencies  such  as  the  German  Red 
Cross  and  the  Heimatortskartei  fuer 
Ostumsiedler. 

In  addition  to  compiling  name 
lists,  parcels  of  clothing,  shoes,  and 
bedding,  as  well  as  medicine,  are 
being  sent  by  Mennonites  in  North 
and  South  America  to  relatives  and 
friends  in  Russia  with  the  assistance 
of  the  East-West  Office. 

The  tracing  service  for  missing 
relatives  continues  and  even  now, 
fourteen  years  after  the  war  has 
ended,  the  office  is  still  occasionally 
able  to  locate  “missing  persons” 
and  to  get  specific  word  concerning 
them.  In  spite  of  the  Russian  Red 
Cross  declaring  itself  in  agreement 
with  the  principle  of  family  reunion 
it  has  been  virtually  impossible  to 
bring  together  immediate  family 
members  separated  during  the  war. 

“This  job  requires  the  highest  de- 
gree of  faith,”  stated  European  MCC 
Director  Peter  Dyck.  “Doreen 
Harms  (Whitewater,  Kan.)  contin- 
ues day  after  day  typing  and  classi- 
fying cards  with  the  hope  that  one 
day  this  act  of  faith  will  be  reward- 
ed in  a way  which  no  one  can  pre- 
dict now.” 


Yet  the  tracing  work  does  not 
proceed  with  only  future  hope.  It 
has  immediate  results:  within  a re- 
cent ten-day  period  the  relatives  of 
four  people  were  found  and  brought 
into  contact  with  family  members 
who  had  had  no  contact  with  each 
other  since  the  war. 

MONEY  FOR  POST-TYPHOON 
RELIEF 

JAPAN — A second  $1,000  needed 
for  rehabilitation  aid  has  been  re- 
quested for  Japan.  MCC  Peace  work- 
er Paul  Peachy,  in  his  request  to 
Akron  headquarters  for  further  aid, 
suggested  the  urgency  of  the  post- 
typhoon situation:  “Winter’s  food 
outlook  for  fiood  victims  is  grim. 
Can  you  send  $1,000  immediately  for 
children’s  milk  feeding  program?” 

The  typhoons  which  struck  Japan 
in  September  have  not  yet  been  to- 
tally remedied,  though  many  church- 
es from  numerous  countries  have  co- 
operated in  giving  aid.  With  winter 
coming,  the  shelter-food-clothing  out- 
look for  the  victim  areas  is  critical. 

KANSANS  BUILD  RELIEF  CENTER 

NORTH  NEWTON— It  is  hoped 
that  construction  will  begin  soon  on 
an  MCC  relief  warehouse  at  North 
Newton,  Kan.  As  approved  by  the 
MCC  Executive  Committee  Nov.  2, 
the  building  will  cost  $15,500  and 
will  be  located  on  North  Newton 
relief  center  property. 

Utilizing  volunteer  labor  from 
area  churches,  Ernest  Bachman, 
chairman  of  the  Kansas  Relief  Com- 
mittee, will  implement  the  building 
program.  Money  needed  for  build- 
ing will  come  from  the  sale  of  the 
present  quonset  warehouse  and  land 
as  well  as  from  funds  raised  by  the 
Kansas  Relief  Committee  and  Kan- 
sas Mennonite  Disaster  Service. 

The  structure  will  also  be  used  to 
house  the  mobile  equipment  of  the 
Kansas  MDS  unit. 

GOOD  IS  NEW  PAX  DIRECTOR 

EUROPE — Since  Oct.  4 Robert 
Good  (Kouts,  Ind.)  has  been  serv- 
ing as  European  Pax  director.  In 
taking  his  place  at  the  Frankfurt 
Pax  Office,  Good — an  ex-Pax  man — 
succeeds  Ray  Kauffman  (Lebanon, 
Ore.)  who  recently  terminated  his 
assignment.  Kauffman  served  as  Pax 
Director  in  Europe  from  1957  to 
1959. 

Good  served  in  Pax  Europe,  1956- 
58.  He  studied  at  Goshen  College 
and  at  Indiana  State  Teachers  Col- 


lege (Terre  Haute,  Ind.)  from  which 
he  is  a 1959  graduate. 

Also  on  the  Pax  front.  Pastor 
Clarence  Hiebert  began  a three- 
month  teaching  term  Nov.  11  at  the 
European  Mennonite  Bible  School 
in  Bienenberg,  Switzerland. 

REFUGEE  APPRECIATES  HELP 

VIENNA  — With  winter  months 
arrival,  clothing  needs  will  be  in- 
tensified. In  almost  every  instance 
political  situations  being  what  they 
are  and  poverty  affecting  as  it  does, 
clothing  distributions  are  grateful- 
ly received.  In  a thank  you  note  to 
Irene  Bishop  (Perkasie,  Pa.),  Aus- 
tria relief  worker,  an  Hungarian 
refugee  wrote: 

“I  would  like  to  sing  a song  of 
praise  to  God  Almighty.  You  have 
made  me  so  happy  with  your  pack- 
age. Not  only  was  I happy  because 
of  the  helpful  contents  of  the  pack- 
age but  also  because  of  the  Chris- 
tian spirit  with  which  you  work.  I 
had  never  heard  of  the  Mennonites; 
however,  I have  found  their  beliefs 
are  those  of  mine.  How  thankful  I 
am  and  how  I wish  I could  attend 
one  of  their  services  so  that  I could 
meet  those  of  like  belief. 

“We,  the  Hungarians,  have  been 
tried  and  tested  for  a long  time.  I 
could  write  volumes  explaining  how 
Jesus  Christ  always  comes  to  our 
rescue,  yet  each  time  when  life  was 
trying  or  difficult  a ray  of  light 
shone  through  and  we  could  go  on. 
You  came  in  the  name  of  Christ.  I 
thank  you  again  for  this  assist- 
ance. Would  you  transmit  my  grati- 
tude to  those  who  made  this  help 
possible?” 

Miss  Bishop  indicated  that  she 
visited  this  family  last  April.  The 
husband  had  spent  over  eleven  years 
in  jail  after  World  War  II.  He  was 
released  in  1956  after  the  Hungarian 
Revolution.  He  then  went  to  Austria 
where  his  wife  has  been  living  since 
the  war  days.  “In  using  material 
goods  to  give  strength  and  encour- 
agement MCC  helps  accomplish 
God’s  will  and  purpose,”  said  Miss 
Bishop. 

HOSPITAL  OPENS  DEC  7 

HAITI— On  Dec.  7 an  MCC-admin- 
istered  hospital  is  being  opened  at 
Grande  Riviere  du  Nord  in  northern 
Haiti.  The  hospital’s  opening  cul- 
minates several  months  of  negoti- 
ating, planning,  renovating,  and  ar- 
ranging. What  will  function  as  the 
hospital  building  was  constructed 


December  8,  1959 


769 


five  years  ago  by  the  Haitian  gov- 
ernment but  has  never  been  used. 
The  hospital’s  sixteen  beds  have  re- 
mained empty,  even  though  medical 
service  is  desperately  needed. 

The  hospital  has  been  made  avail- 
able for  five  years  on  a rent-free 
lease  basis.  While  the  Haitian  gov- 
ernment is  providing  a limited  grant 
for  the  purchase  of  medicine  and 
supplies,  US  Point  Four  has  e- 
quipped  the  hospital  and  MCC  will 
be  responsible  for  the  medical  pro- 
gram. In  July  an  agreement  signed 
between  MCC  and  the  Republic  of 
Haiti  presented  the  opportunity  of 
operating  the  unused  hospital  which 
had  existed  without  staff  and  with- 
out funds  in  spite  of  obvious  med- 
ical need. 

To  include  both  curative  and  pre- 
ventive medicine,  the  medical  pro- 
gram will  be  supervised  by  Dr.  John 

M.  Bender  (Snowhill,  Md.)  He  and 
his  wife,  Naomi,  have  been  serving 
in  Haiti  since  September,  receiving 
medical  orientation,  and  seeking  to 
establish  the  hospital  program  at 
Grande  Riviere  prior  to  its  opening 
to  the  public  in  December. 

Nurses  helping  in  the  hospital  are 
Sister  Hilda  Mueller  (Newton, 
Kan.),  Ann  Eby  (Paradise,  Pa.), 
and  Fannie  Bontrager  (Buffalo, 

N.  Y.).  Miss  Eby  has  been  in  Haiti 
VS  serving  at  Hospital  Albert  Sch- 
weitzer since  July.  Sister  Hilda  came 
to  Haiti  in  October  and  has  helped 
make  the  new  hospital  ready.  In 
charge  of  hospital  maintenance  is 
Dietrich  Stoesz,  Jr.,  (Mt.  Lake, 
Minn.). 

In  addition  to  clinic  and  hospital 
services,  the  hospital  will  emphasize 
an  outpatient  clinic  service.  The  en- 
tire medical  program  will  be  car- 
ried out  in  co-operation  vnth  the 
Haitian  department  of  public  health 
according  to  the  MCC-Haiti  agree- 
ment. 

MCC  has  eighteen  workers  in 
three  agriculture  and  medical  proj- 
ects in  Haiti.  In  addition  to  the 
Grande  Riviere  du  Nord  program, 
there  are  projects  at  Petit  Goave 
and  at  Hospital  Albert  Schweitzer, 
both  which  have  been  in  progress 
for  almost  two  years. 

With  the  opening  of  Grande  Ri- 
viere hospital  comes  the  inaugura- 
tion of  an  increased  emphasis  on 
medical,  agricultural,  and  education- 
al assistance  as  well  as  a more  in- 
tensified Christian  outreach  pro- 


gram which  is  so  badly  needed  for 
the  Haitian  people. 

32,000  CHILDREN 
RECEIVE  BUNDLES 

AKRON — For  more  than  32,000 
youngsters  around  the  world,  Christ- 
mas 1959  will  be  more  joyful  be- 
ca’jse  of  receiving  a Christmas  bun- 
dle. 

Need,  resulting  from  erjiergency 
situations  or  prolonged  poverty,  has 
called  forth  these  bundles  for  boys 
and  girls  in  four  major  world  areas. 
Children  in  Europe  will  receive  8,477 
bundles,  the  Near  East  4,481,  the 
Far  East  18,914,  and  South  America 
498. 

This  year  about  5,000  more  bun- 
dles were  distributed  than  in  1958, 

jottings 

YOUTH  BIBLE  CONFERENCE 

First  Church,  Aberdeen,  Idaho: 
Annual  Young  People’s  Bible  Con- 
ference was  held  Nov.  8-12  with 
Albert  Epp,  pastor  of  the  Immanuel 
Church,  Downey,  Calif.,  as  speaker. 
Rev.  Epp,  in  a series  of  challenging 
messages,  directed  his  first  message 
to  the  church,  his  second  to  the  par- 
ents, and  the  four  remaining  mes- 
sages as  a challenge  to  youth.  In 
preparation  for  these  meetings  a 
number  of  Cottage  Prayer  Meetings 
were  held  and  our  pastor  brought 
several  Sunday  morning  messages 
on  revival  themes.  The  annual  har- 
vest dinner  was  held  Nov.  20.  Union 
Thanksgiving  Services  were  planned 
by  the  Ministerial  Association  for 
Nov.  26.  Pastor  Walter  Dyck  held  a 
series  of  meetings  at  Ritzville, 
Wash.,  Thanksgiving  week.  This 
week  he  attended  the  Council  of 
Boards.  A number  of  work  days 
have  been  held  at  our  church  camp- 
grounds near  Palisades,  Idaho.  Much 
work  has  been  done  on  the  new  san- 
itation building  which  is  scheduled 
for  completion  before  another  camp- 
ing season  begins.  Clearing  and 
burning  of  brush  in  the  area  con- 
tinues along  with  other  maintenance 
work. 

AFRICA  STUDY  CLIMAXED 
BY  MISSION  PROGRAM 

Bethel  College  Church,  North 
Newton,  Kan.  : Guest  ministers  and 
missionaries  speaking  in  our  church 
recently  were  the  following:  Edwin 
Weaver,  Hesston;  Leonard  Wiebe, 
Elkhart,  Ind.;  W.  F.  Unruh,  N.  New- 
ton; L.  R.  Kurth,  Newton;  Janet 
Soldner,  Colombia,  S.  A.;  Peter 
Wiens,  Montevideo,  Uruguay;  Ar- 
thur Thiessen,  India;  Vincent  Hard- 
ing, Chicago;  J.  W.  Nickel,  Newton; 
Stanley  Bohn,  Kansas  City;  Gordon 
Kaufman,  Nashville,  Tenn.;  and  Er- 
win Goering,  N.  Newton.  Our  mid- 


week meetings  began  Wed.  Sept.  9,  j 
and  continued  through  Nov.  18,  with 
weekly  classes  for  adults,  children,  ] 
and  young  people.  All  were  well  at-  ' 
tended.  There  were  two  classes  for 
adults;  the  one  a study  of  Paul’s  ; 
letter  to  the  Ephesians,  conducted  j 
by  Pastor  Mast;  the  other  a study 
on  church  history  taught  by  C. 
Krahn.  An  interesting  study  on  Af- 
rica was  arranged  for  the  children.  ? 
Sunday  school  promotion  was  ob-  i 
served  Sept.  6.  On  Sept.  27,  sixteen 
new  members  were  received  into  the 
congregation.  The  annual  student  : 
reception  was  held  Sept.  20  in  the  | 
Fellowship  Hall.  A short  program 
followed  the  meal.  The  two  mis-  ' 
sionary  societies  sponsored  a moth-  ; 
er-daughter  dinner  in  the  Fellowship  ; 
Hall  on  Oct.  13.  A spirit  of  rejoicing 
was  evident  in  the  congregation  on 
Oct.  25,  when  our  goal  was  reached 
— the  liquidation  of  our  church  build- 
ing debt.  The  thanksgiving  mission 
program  was  held  Nov.  29  with 
an  African  supper  preceding  the 
mission  program. 

MEN  AID  IN  DISASTER 

Brudertal  Church,  Hillsboro, 
Kan.:  Our  annual  SS  business  meet- 
ing was  held  Sept.  6.  New  officers 
were  elected  and  new  business  dis- 
cussed as  to  improve  our  SS.  Elec- 
tion for  teachers  the  following  Sun. 
The  primary  teachers  are  appointed 
by  the  SS  executive.  Consecration  of 
officers  and  teachers  took  place  Oct. 
18.  Sept.  27  our  church  held  its  an- 
nual church  fall  retreat  at  Rock 
Springs.  'The  young  people  had  left 
the  day  before  for  an  overnight  re- 
treat. Nellie  Penner  from  India, 
daughter  of  missionary  Mrs.  P.  W. 
Penner,  arrived  home  the  first  part 
of  Oct.  for  a year’s  stay.  She  enjoys 
her  visit  and  stay  with  her  mother 
and  also  takes  some  college  work 
at  Tabor  College.  Mrs.  Tenner’s 
health  is  not  very  good  but  she  at- 
tends church  regularly.  Several  men 
from  our  congregation  traveled  to 
the  fiood-stricken  areas  around  Ba- 
zine,  Kan.,  Sept.  25,  to  assist  in  a 
disaster  project.  On  Western  Dist. 
Conf.  Sun.,  I.  W.  Harder,  pcistor  of 
Bethel  Church,  Waka,  'Texas,  was 
our  guest  speaker.  The  following 
Sun.  our  delegates  gave  a report  of 
the  conf.  We  are  having  Wed.  eve 
services  beginning  Oct.  28.  There  is 
a mixed  choir,  men’s  choir,  junior 
choir,  and  Bible  classes  for  all  ages. 
'The  young  people  sponsored  a car 
wash  Nov.  21  to  raise  money  for  a 
project.  'They  also  sponsored  a relief 
clothing  drive  Nov.  28.  Nov.  22  El- 
mer Childress  from  Wichita  was  in 
our  church  with  a program  of  sa- 
cred music.  ’The  juniors  joined  the 
mass  junior  choir  at  Memorial  Hall, 
North  Newton,  for  the  Junior  Song 
Festival,  Nov.  15.  Kenton  Scott  was 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Emerson 
Wiens  Sept.  2;  Sandra  Dee  was  bom 
to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Marion  Flaming, 
Topeka,  Sept.  17;  Terri  Lynn  was 
born  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Jim  Goering 
Nov.  3,  East  Lansing,  Mich.;  and  a 


770 


THE  MENNONITE 


son,  Lonnie  Jon,  was  bom  to  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Marvin  Plenert,  Manhat- 
tan, Nov.  5.  Arnold  Nickel,  pastor  of 
the  Eden  Church,  Moundridge,  was 
guest  speaker  at  the  annual  fall 
week  of  meetings,  Nov.  15-20.  His 
topics  were:  What  are  you  doing 
here?  Where  have  you  been?  Why 
will  you  run?  Doest  thou  well? 
Where  are  you  going?  What  will 
you  do?  Nov.  25,  26,  Missionary 
Gerald  Stucky  of  Colombia,  S,  A., 
was  our  missionary  speaker. — Mrs. 
J.  J.  Funk 

THREE  MEN  BEGIN  1-W  SERVICE 

Zion  Church,  Elbing,  Kan.:  Guest 
ministers  during  the  past  several 
months  have  included  John  Thies- 
sen  on  Aug.  30,  Herbert  Miller  on 
Sept.  20,  and  Norman  Bartel  on 
Oct.  25.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Paul  Regier 
celebrated  their  25th  wedding  anni- 
versary on  Sept.  20.  Rev.  and  Mrs. 
H.  J.  Dvck  marked  fifty-five  years 
of  sharing  God’s  blessings  on  Oct. 
28.  Christian  Endeavor  sponsored  il- 
lustrated talks  concerning  Pax  and 
Voluntary  Service  work  during  the 
past  two  years  by  Homer  Andres, 
Kenneth  Wedel  and  Charles  Suder- 
man.  Volunteers  give  a service  of 
song  and  testimony  at  the  convales- 
cent home  and  the  jail  in  ElDorado, 
Kan.,  on  the  first  Thurs.  of  each 
month.  Mrs.  Edwin  Janzen  and  Ar- 
nold Regier  were  hospital  patients 
recently.  Raymond  Buller  has  also 
been  sick.  Diane  Beth  was  bom  Sept. 
13  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Silas  Stucky. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilmer  Wedel  are 
parents  of  a daughter,  Nancy  Diane, 
bom  on  Nov.  5.  Graveside  services 
were  held  for  Elaine  Marie,  infant 
daughter  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gerhard 
Jantzen  on  Sept.  10.  The  baby  died 
a short  time  after  birth.  Young 
men  who  left  for  their  1-W  service 
this  fall  are:  Theodore  J.  Regier, 
serving  in  Kings  View  Hospital  at 
Reedley,  Calif.;  Jerold  Stucky,  doing 
maintenance  work  at  Bethel  Col- 
lege; and  Eldon  Regier,  who  is  em- 
ployed at  Indiana  University  Medi- 
cal Center  in  Indianapolis. 

CHURCH  LEADER  CALLED  BY  DEATH 

First  Church,  Madrid,  Neb.:  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  AUen  Friesen  of  Brighton, 
Colo.,  are  parents  of  a son.  Dean 
Allen.  Paternal  grandparents  are 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  A.  H.  Friesen.  Pastor 
B.  H.  Janzen,  assisted  by  J.  F.  Sa- 
watzky  and  J.  Winfield  Fretz,  con- 
ducted funeral  services  for  P.  A. 
Regier  who  passed  away  suddenly 
on  Oct.  25  as  the  result  of  a heart 
attack.  John  Thiessen  was  speaker 
at  our  mission  harvest  festiveil  on 
Nov.  1 and  also  conducted  meetings 
on  Mon.  and  Tues.  On  Oct.  9,  P.  A. 
Regier  attended  the  Freeman  Col- 
lege board  meeting  at  Freeman,  and 
on  Oct.  17-18  he  and  others  from  our 
church  attended  Bethel  College 
homecoming.  In  Aug.  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
P.  A.  Regier  and  Ivan  emd  our  pas- 
tor and  wife  attended  the  confer- 
ence at  Bluffton.  Our  church  took 
part  in  the  teachers’  reception  held 


in  the  Methodist  Church.  Mission- 
ary Jake  Loewen  and  Rev.  Allen 
Fast  were  speakers  at  the  local  M. 
B.  Mission  Harvest  Festival  and 
40th  anniversary  of  the  church.  Our 
church  was  invited  to  this  event 
which  occurred  on  Oct.  4.  A gen- 
erous offering  went  to  the  religious, 
non-advertising  North  Platte  radio 
station  KJLT  when  our  CE  present- 
ed a musical  program  on  Oct.  11  in 
our  church.  The  CE  showed  the 
film,  “Home  Front,’’  on  Aug.  9. — 
Mrs.  Herman  Regier 

LEPROSY  BUNDLES  ASSEMBLED 

Woodland  Church,  Warroad,  Minn.  : 
Our  annual  harvest  festival  was 
held  Oct.  4 ' with  J.  G.  Wiebe  of 
Lowe  Farm,  Man.,  as  the  guest 
speaker.  A fellowship  meal  was 
served  at  noon.  At  2 o’clock  a mis- 
sion program  was  given  and  lunch 
following  in  the  evening.  Rev.  Wiebe 
showed  slides  of  various  mission 
fields  including  Haiti  and  Panama. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  C.  I.  Krahn  visited 
their  son  David  who  is  in  1-W  serv- 
ice in  Topeka,  Kan.  Sylvia  Fast  left 
for  Steinbach,  Man.,  where  she  is 
attending  Bible  School.  Oct.  23,  A. 
F.  Ortman  held  his  annual  harvest 
festival  at  Middleboro.  Rev.  Janzen 
of  Piney  (Canada)  was  the  guest 
speaker.  Oct.  25  a representative  of 
the  Gideons  spoke  in  the  morning 
service.  Rev.  Alvin  Ysker  of  Mt. 
Lake  brought  the  morning  and  eve- 
ning message  Nov.  15.  They  were 
house  guests  at  the  Peter  H.  Hepp- 
ner  home.  A son,  DuWayne  Wesley, 
was  bom  to  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bennie 
Heppner,  Nov.  10.  Young  people’s 
meeting  was  held  at  the  home  of 
Nick  Fast  Nov.  3.  The  next  meet- 
ing will  be  held  at  the  Ted  Mitter- 
ling  home.  Mrs.  C.  I.  Krahn  was 
hostess  to  the  Nov.  aid  meeting. 
Leprosy  bundles  were  brought.  Elec- 
tion of  new  officers  was  held.  Our 
next  meeting  will  be  a Christmas 
party. — Mrs.  Nick  Fast 

MISSION  PROJECTS 

Warden  Church,  Warden,  Wash.: 
Oct.  4 was  our  Sunday  school  elec- 
tion. The  new  officers  are  as  fol- 
lows: supt.,  Vemon  Karber;  asst, 
supt.,  Paul  Nachtigal;  sec.,  Mrs. 
Menno  Boschman;  tfeas.,  Mrs.  Leo 
Janzen;  and  pianist,  Mrs.  Paul  Nach- 
tigal. The  ladies’  mission  society 
met  at  the  Joe  Marcum  home  for 
their  Sept,  meeting.  The  all-day  Oct. 
meeting  was  at  the  Menno  Bosch- 
man home.  'The  ladies  cut  out  and 
sewed  children’s  pajamas  and  lay- 
ettes. 'They  also  cut  quilt  blocks  and 
sorted  Christmas  cards.  Ethel  Nach- 
tigal gave  a report  on  the  mission- 
aries at  the  Leopoldville  station  in 
the  Congo.  Sept.  25  a group  from 
the  Newport  Church  brought  an  in- 
spiration musical  program  at  our 
church.  Most  of  the  members  of 
our  church  attended  the  SS  and  CE 
convention  at  the  Ritzville  church. 
Those  who  attended  received  many 
blessings.  A carload  of  our  ladies 
attended  the  Women’s  Mission  So- 


ciety meeting  at  Colfcix  on  Oct.  22. 
It  was  very  interesting  to  discuss  to- 
gether the  different  projects  that 
we  do  in  our  societies.  Mrs.  Don 
AeschUman  told  of  her  work  with 
the  African  women  and  was  also  a 
challenge  to  each  one  of  us. — Mrs. 
Menno  Boschman 

MISSION  HARVEST  FESTIVAL 

New  HoPEaiALE  Church,  Meno, 
Okla.:  The  film,  “Home  Front,”  was 
shown  June  21.  We  had  a repre- 
sentative at  all  our  retreats  at  Hy- 
dro, Okla.,  last  summer.  Christmas 
bundles  were  dedicated  between  Sun- 
day school  and  worship  service  be- 
fore being  taken  to  the  MCC  relief 
center  at  Newton,  Kan.  In  the  after- 
noon of  July  12  open  house  was  held 
at  the  home  of  Rev.  and  Mrs.  H.  U. 
Schmidt  in  honor  of  Rev.  Schmidt’s 
80th  birthday.  We  again  participated 
in  solicitation  and  giving  for  CROP. 
July  19  the  film,  “Voice  of  the 
Deep,”  was  shown.  July  26  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  Albert  Jantzen  from  the  Ari- 
zona Indian  Mission  were  ivith  us 
in  the  evening.  'They  showed  pic- 
tures cind  told  of  the  work.  Richard 
Boehr  served  morning  and  evening 
in  the  absence  of  our  pastor  when 
he  and  his  family  went  to  attend  the 
farewell  of  Mrs.  Friesen’s  sister, 
Mary  Schrag,  before  she  returned 
to  India  as  missionary.  A.  G. 
Schmidt  served  us  while  pastor  Ben 
Friesen  and  family  and  Mr.  and 
Mrs.  H.  H.  Unruh  attended  the  con- 
ference in  Bluffton.  Aug.  30  a report 
of  the  conference  was  given.  On  Sept. 
13  Rosella  Wahl,  Sylvia  and  Dale 
Koehn  were  baptized  and  accepted 
into  our  fellowship.  On  Oct.  6 Mr. 
and  Mrs.  Elroy  Ratzlaff  joined  our 
fellowship  as  associate  members. 
Mr.  Ratzlaff  is  instructor  at  O.B.A. 
He  also  directs  the  church  choir. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Arthur  Thiessen,  med- 
ical missionaries  in  India  were  with 
us  Oct.  11.  'They  showed  pictures  and 
told  of  the  need  in  India.  Dr.  Ladd, 
speech  instructor  at  Phillips  Uni- 
versity, Enid,  served  in  the  morn- 
ing on  the  Western  District  Confer- 
ence Sunday.  In  the  evening  the 
film,  “Cry  in  the  Night,”  was  shown. 
We  had  election  of  Sunday  school 
teachers  and  officers  Sept.  27.  'The 
film,  “The  Miyazaki  Story,”  was 
shown  in  the  evening  of  Nov.  1. 
'The  annual  business  was  transacted 
in  the  evening  of  Nov.  5.  Mission 
harvest  festival  was  Nov.  8.  The 
speaker  in  the  morning  was  Orlan- 
do Waltner,  acting  executive  secre- 
tary for  the  Board  of  Missions.  In 
the  afternoon  Herman  Walde  spoke 
to  us.  Rev.  and  Mrs.  Walde  and 
three  small  daughters  come  from 
Canada  to  SeiUng,  Okla.  They  are 
taking  the  place  of  Rev.  and  Mrs. 
H.  T.  Neufeld,  who  have  retired 
from  active  missionary  service.  In 
the  evening  Anne  Neufeld  spoke. 
She  is  from  Canada,  is  taking  her 
senior  year  at  Bethel  College,  and 
is  planning  on  going  to  the  Congo 
Inland  Mission  this  summer. — Mrs. 
H.  J.  Becker 


December  8,  1959 


771 


conference  notes 

FORMER  PRIEST  JOINS  FACULTY 

Luis  Padrosa  of  Buenos  Aires,  Ar- 
gentina, and  formerly  of  Spain,  has 
joined  the  faculty  of  Seminario  Bib- 
lico  Evangelico,  the  Mennonite  sem- 
inary in  Montevideo,  Uruguay.  He 
teaches  courses  in  psychology,  phi- 
losophy, Greek,  and  music. 

Dr.  Padrosa,  who  until  1950  was 
a priest  in  the  Roman  Catholic 
Church,  holds  advanced  degrees  in 
medicine,  philosophy,  theology,  and 
music.  While  still  a member  of  the 
Society  of  Jesus,  he  founded  the 
Loyola  Institute  of  Psychiatric 
Studies  in  Barcelona,  Spain.  He  now 
maintains  a private  psychiatric  prac- 
tice besides  teaching. 

His  book.  Why  I Became  a Prot- 
estant, has  been  published  in  nine 
languages. 

The  seminary  is  operated  by  the 
Mennonite  churches  of  South  Amer- 
ica through  a board  and  supported 
by  the  (Old)  Mennonite  and  General 
Conference  Mennonite  Conferences. 
In  November  of  this  year  the  sem- 
inary graduated  its  first  class.  Four 
of  the  five  graduates  were  transfer 
students  from  the  (Old)  Mennonite 
Bible  School  and  Seminary  in  Bra- 
gado  which  joined  with  Seminario 
Biblico  Evangelico  a year  ago.  The 
seminary,  in  operation  for  four 
years,  offers  a five-year  program 
for  the  Licentiate  in  Theology  De- 
gree. 

CONFERENCE  MINUTES  PUBLISHED 

Two  thousand  copies  of  the  min- 
utes of  the  General  Conference  Men- 
nonite Church  sessions  at  Bluffton, 
Ohio,  August  12-20,  1959,  have  been 
published  and  are  being  distributed 
to  congregations. 

The  minutes,  printed  in  a thirty- 
two  page  book  as  a companion  vol- 
ume to  The  General  Conference 
Mennonite  Church  Report  1959,  give 
a full  account  of  the  conference  ses- 
sions and  include  the  minutes  of  the 
auxiliary  meetings,  the  statements 
adopted  on  race  and  on  nuclear  pow- 
er, a register  of  resolutions,  and  an 
index  of  750  references. 

The  cover  is  a black  and  white 
version  of  the  three-color  cover  on 
the  Conference  Report. 

There  are  still  a number  of  copies 
of  the  Conference  Report  book  avail- 
able and  will  be  sent  upon  request 


0 

from  the  General  Conference  Men- 
nonite Church,  722  Main  Sty^t, 
Newton,  Kansas. 

CALENDAR  NEARS  COMPLETION 

The  1960  calendar  published  by 
Faith  and  Life  Press  for  the  Gen- 
eral Conference  Mennonite  Church 
is  another  item  featuring  the  Cen- 
tennial of  the  Conference.  It  will  be 
mailed  to  all  General  Conference 
homes  about  the  middle  of  Decem- 
ber. 

Although  the  calendar  has  the 
appearance  of  antiquity,  it  is  up  to 
date  even  to  the  listing  of  the  solar 
and  lunar  eclipses  for  1960.  Besides 
giving  the  dates  for  happenings  in 
the  Conference  for  the  year,  it  gives 
dates  and  incidents  important  to 
the  church  in  the  past. 

Write  to  General  Conference  Men- 
nonite Church,  722  Main,  Newton, 
Kansas,  if  you  do  not  receive  your 
copy  by  the  end  of  the  year. 

PROGRESS  IN  COLOMBIA 

In  Colombia,  South  America,  mis- 
sionaries do  not  always  have  an 
easy  time,  so  it  is  encouraging  to 
hear  of  progress  in  the  Lord’s 
work.  Helen  Keiser,  who  with  her 
husband  is  stationed  at  Cachipay, 
writes : 

“We  have  witnessed  the  working 
of  God’s  hand  in  this  section  of  the 
country  in  a very  wonderful  way  in 
recent  weeks.  There  is  an  awaken- 
ing of  interest  in  many  places,  rural 
as  well  as  in  some  neighboring 
small  villages.  'The  door  is  open. 
We  are  thankful  for  our  Colombian 
laymen  who  feel  the  necessity  of 
going  out  to  testify,  for  there  is 
much  more  than  missionary  per- 
sonnel alone  can  accomplish.  We 
pray  for  more  national  workers  and 
more  missionaries  to  share  in  this 
awakening.” 

Gerald  Stucky  of  Berne,  Ind.,  pres- 
ently on  furlough  from  Colombia, 
has  been  presenting  the  challenge 
of  witnessing  to  congregations  in 
the  United  States.  Pictures  and  tape 
recording  tell  the  life  story  of  a 
convert  whose  enthusiastic  testi- 
mony has  won  many  of  his  friends 
and  neighbors  to  Christ. 

COMMITTEE  WORKING  FOR 
REFUGEES 

Action  has  been  taken  by  the  Unit- 


ed States  Committee  for  Refugees 
in  a number  of  areas  prior  to  and 
since  the  beginning  of  World  Refu- 
gee Year,  July  1,  1959. 

$2,260,000  has  been  contributed 
for  refugee  needs.  Additional  ship- 
ments of  surplus  commodities  to 
needy  persons  overseas  were  author- 
ized. Certain  allowances  are  being 
made  for  refugees  to  enter  the  Unit- 
ed States;  for  example,  persons  suf- 
fering from  tuberculosis  may  now 
join  a close  relative  in  the  country, 
and  suitable  families  are  permitted 
to  adopt  a refugee.  A family  re- 
union immigration  measure  was 
passed  which  facilitates  entry  on 
visa  of  some  refugees  with  close 
relatives  who  are  United  States  citi- 
zens or  resident  aliens. 

After  reviewing  the  accomplish- 
ments to  date,  the  United  States 
Committee  further  recommends  the 
following:  1)  Expenditure  by  the 

Administration  of  the  $10  million 
of  the  President’s  Contingency  Fund 
authorized  by  Congress  for  World 
Refugee  Year  needs;  2)  New  legis- 
lation permitting  the  annual  immi- 
gration of  20,000  refugees  beyond 
those  authorized  by  existing  quotas; 
and  3)  Further  allocation  of  surplus 
commodities. 

THE  EVERY  HOME  PLAN 

The  General  Conference  at  its 
Bluffton  sessions  voted  to  raise  the 
rate  of  the  Every  Home  Plan  from 
$1.00  to  $1.50  effective  January  1. 
This  plan,  instituted  in  1950  to 
make  church  papers  available  to 
more  people,  is  a group  plan  where- 
by each  church  pays  $1.50  per  year 
for  each  family  in  its  membership, 
entitling  each  home  to  receive  one 
of  the  Conference  papers.  The  Men- 
nonite or  Der  Bote.  The  regular  sub- 
scription rates  remain  the  same: 
$2.50.  For  $3.00  per  year,  a family 
(ordering  through  church)  may  re- 
ceive both  Conference  papers. 

The  Every  Home  Plan  is  intended 
to  help  both  the  congregation  and 
the  Conference.  As  the  boards  re- 
port on  their  activities  and  projects 
through  the  church  papers,  members 
throughout  the  Conference  keep  in- 
formed and  thus  are  able  more  in- 
telligently to  pray  for  the  work  of 
the  church  and  to  contribute  to  its 
support.  , 


DECEMBER  15,  1959 


THE  MENNONITE 


in  this  issue 

COVER 

The  artist,  Antonio  Correggio  (1494- 
1534),  named  his  picture  "Holy  Night." 
The  picture  is  reproduced  by  the  cour- 
tesy of  Gemaldegalerie  in  Dresden. 


ARTICLES 

CHRISTMAS,  DAY  OF  JOY 

By  J.  E.  Enz  775 

BELIEVING  IS  SEEING 

By  Dora  Hall  McCandless  776 

CHRISTMAS  IN  THE  HOSPITAL  777 

BLACK  AND  WHITE 

By  Heinz  Janzen  778 

WHY  THE  DIFFERENCE? 

By  Orlin  F.  Frey  778 

A STRIKING  CONTRAST 

By  Aganetha  Fast  779 

DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIALS 

By  Menno  Schrag  774 

MENNONITE  MEN 

Survey  on  Laymen's  Work  780 

Trans-Chaco  Roadway  780 

MENNONITE  YOUTH 

Why  Christmas?  781 

Keep  In  Touch  782 

OUR  SCHOOLS  784 

MCC  NEWS  AND  NOTES  785 

JOTTINGS  787 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  788 


NEXT  WEEK 

Eollowing  a custom  of  many  years,  there 
will  be  no  issue  of  The  Mennonite,  next 
week — the  week  of  Dec.  25.  The  next 
issue  will  be  dated  Dec.  29. 

CORRECTION 

In  the  Nov.  10,  1959,  issue  of  The 
Mennonite,  page  694,  the  amount  quoted 
as  spent  on  alcohol  in  1958  should  be 
$1  1 ,000,000,000  instead  of  $1  1 ,000,000. 


THE  iENHONITE 

Editor:  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors; 

I Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J.  Dyck.  Editorial  Assistant:  Muriel 

Thiessen.  Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  49 


editorials 

Menno  Schra^',  guest  writer 

THE  GLORY  OF  THE  MANGER  When  this  writer  toured 
Palestine  some  twelve  years  ago,  one  of  the  most  impressive  , 
experiences  was  the  visit  to  the  traditional  site  of  the  manger, 
in  the  1,600-year-old  Church  of  the  Nativity  at  Bethlehem.  | 

Naturally  the  manger  is  no  longer  there.  But  in  its  place 
(if  this  actually  was  the  place)  is  a cave-like  room  of  costly 
ornaments  and  jewels.  The  purpose  is  to  hallow  the  spot  where 
the  Savior  was  born  and  likely  also  to  symbolize  the  gifts  which 
the  wise  men  brought.  i 

But  it  is  all  so  disappointingly  inadequate  in  portraying  the 
real  glory  of  the  manger.  The  glory  of  that  manger,  and  of  that 
memorable  night,  involves  a divine  paradox  which  can  be  com- 
prehended only  through  the  eyes  of  faith. 

The  glory  of  the  manger  lies  in  its  simplicity.  Here  God’s  sal- 
vation came  down  in  a manner  that  even  the  humblest,  the  poor- 
est, and  the  most  uneducated  could  understand.  Not  the  officials 
or  the  clergy,  but  the  common  shepherds  were  the  first  to  wor- 
ship the  Christ  Child. 

The  glory  of  the  manger  lies  in  the  fact  that  it  was  a place  of 
birth  and  not  of  death.  A look  at  the  Incarnate  Son  brings  re- 
newal and  transformation.  “God  gave  unto  us  eternal  life,  and 
this  life  is  in  his  Son.  He  that  hath  the  Son  hath  life.” 

The  glory  of  the  manger  lies  in  its  timelessness.  The  Incarna- 
tion is  not  merely  an  event  of  past  history.  It  is  forever  contem- 
porary. The  Savior  of  Bethlehem  is  our  daily  companion,  coun- 
selor and  friend.  “And  hereby  we  know  that  he  abideth  in  us,  by 
the  Spirit  which  he  gave  us.”  “Lo,  I am  with  you  always,  even  to 
the  end  of  the  age.” 

As  we  turn  away  from  the  manger  scene  in  the  historic  church, 
its  ornamentation  and  artificiality  is  soon  forgotten.  But  the 
Christ  who  was  born  there  the  world  can  never  forget,  sidestep 
or  ignore.  Once  again  at  this  Christmastime  it  is  up  to  us  Chris- 
tians to  show  that  Christ  still  knocks  at  the  door  of  the  world’s 
heart — and  that  having  .Him  in  the  heart  really  makes  a dif- 
ference. A difference  in  our  affections!  A difference  in  the  way 
we  live!  A difference  in  our  destiny! 

“In  this  was  manifested  the  love  of  God  toward  us,  because 
that  God  sent  his  only  begotten  Son  into  the  world,  that  we 
might  live  through  him.”  | 

LET’S  IMAGINE  that  this  Christmas  everyone  of  our  more  i 
than  50,000  General  Conference  members  would  decide  to  do  | 
such  an  unheard-of  thing  as  to  cut  their  Christmas  gift  spend- 
ing in  half.  The  rest  of  what  they  normally  would  have  spent  ' 
would  be  given  to  Conference  causes.  Off  the  list  probably  would 
have  to  come  such  items  as  a new  TV,  wall-to-wall  rugs,  an  ex- 
pensive electric  train  for  Johnny,  or  perhaps  even  a new  car.  ' 
Nobody  can  of  course  know  for  sure,  but  we  wouldn’t  be  sur- 
prised if  with  a single  stroke  our  nearly  one-million-dollar  Con- 
ference budget  would  be  put  over  the  top — and  even  a tidy  little 
sum  left  over. 


774 


THE  MENNONITE 


Christmas  --  Day  of  Joy 


> J.  E.  Entz 


IN  this  was  manifested  the  love 
of  God  toward  us,  because  that 
God  sent  his  only  begotten  Son 
into  the  world  that  we  might  live 
through  him”  (1  John  4:9). 

Christmas  is  a day  of  love,  a day 
of  great  and  holy  joy  for  us.  But 
what  was  it  for  God  the  Father 
and  God  the  Son?  The  Father  gave 
the  best!  Even  God  could  give  from 
His  heart — give  His  only  begotten 
Son,  the  unspeakable  gift  of  His 
love!  The  Son  exchanged  heaven’s 
glory  for  a life  on  this  earth  of 
ours  in  order  to  bring  us  back  into 
the  fellowship  of  God.  He  gave  His 
all  that  we  might  be  saved. 

We  see  here  a blaze  of  light  shin- 
ing forth  the  love  of  God  the  Fa- 
ther and  God  the  Son.  These  good 
tidings  of  great  joy  fill  the  hearts 
of  millions  and  are  the  triumphant 
strain  that  echoes  through  church 
aisles  and  lifts  its  choral  harmony 
from  home  altars  in  these  days. 

The  glad  tidings  of  the  birth  of 
Christ  are  a truth  so  full  of  joy 
that  it  caused  the  angel  who  came 
to  announce  it  to  be  filled  with  glad- 
ness as  he  exclaimed,  “I  bring  you 
tidings  of  great  joy  which  shall  be 
to  all  people.  For  unto  you  is  born 
this  day  in  the  city  of  David  a 
Savior,  which  is  Christ  the  Lord.” 
It  was  so  glad  a message  that  an- 
gels could  not  let  it  be  simply  spo- 
ken by  a solitary  voice.  The  gates 
of  heaven  were  set  open  at  their 
widest  as  the  multitude  of  the  heav- 
enly host  came  forth  to  this  old 
earth  which  was  but  a speck  in  the 
universe  and  serenaded  this  earth 
with  the  music  of  the  land  of  eter- 
nal melody  as  they  sang,  “Glory  to 
God  in  the  highest,  and  on  earth 
peace,  good  will  toward  man.”  For 
unto  us  a child  is  born,  unto  us  a 
Son  is  given,  and  the  government 
shall  be  upon  his  shoulder:  and  his 


J.  E.  Entz  Is  pastor  emeritus  of  First 
Church,  Newton,  Kan. 


name  shall  be  called  Wonderful, 
Counsellor,  the  Mighty  God,  the 
Everlasting  Father,  the  Prince  of 
Peace. 

O,  the  love  that  drew  salvation’s 

plan, 

O,  the  grace  that  brought  it  down 

to  man. 

It  is  delightful  to  go  back  in 
thought  to  the  time  when  the  hills 
were  bom,  when  the  hoary  moun- 
tain was  yet  an  infant,  and  when 
the  aged  ocean  was  but  a babe.  But 
if  we  go  back  as  far  as  that  we 
have  not  begun  to  get  anywhere 
near  the  time  when  God  thought 
of  us  in  His  infinite  and  eternal 
love. 

We  have  here  before  us  the  great 
mystery  of  the  Incarnation.  An  event 
so  inconceivable  that  we  could  nev- 
er have  imagined  it  possible  and 
would  never  have  thought  of  it  to 
come  to  pass  as  it  did  had  it  not 
been  revealed  by  God.  ’The  Incarna- 
tion points  to  the  fact  that  the  Son 
of  God  should  enter  our  race  as  a 
little  child,  that  the  One  who  in- 
habits eternity  would  be  seen  among 


sinful  men,  that  He  who  from  ever- 
lasting has  dwelt  in  light  unapproach- 
able, would  assume  the  form  of  a 
man’s  body  of  flesh  and  blood  and 
make  His  entrance  upon  this  globe — 
that  the  Invisible,  Everglorious, 
whom  no  man  had  seen  or  could  see, 
the  Eternal  forever  concealed  be- 
hind stars  and  suns — would  veil  His 
divine  glory  and  come  into  our 
flesh.  He  laid  aside  the  outward 
glorious  form  of  deity  which  He  was 
seen  to  resume  for  a moment  on 
the  mount  of  transfiguration.  As 
God-man,  He  was  the  true  Mediator 
and  finished  our  salvation. 

In  God’s  redeeming  love,  in  His 
mercy  to  sinful  man,  we  see  His 
greatest  glory.  Let  us  give  our  all 
to  Him  who  loved  us  so  and  live 
alone  for  Him.  The  praise  and  serv- 
ice of  redeemed  souls  for  whom 
Christ  has  come,  exalts  God  more 
than  even  that  of  angels. 

Christmas  joy  will  come  to  us  ony 
in  one  way:  by  standing  in  deep 
humility  and  with  a penitent  heart 
before  the  Christ,  taking  Him  in 
faith  as  God’s  greatest  gift  of  love 
to  us — the  Savior  who  has  redeemed 
us  from  sin  and  gives  etemeil  life. 
He  has  opened  the  way  to  the  Fa- 
ther’s heart  and  house.  God’s  eter- 
nal Spirit  has  deigned  to  dwell  in 
these  hearts  of  ours.  He  quickens 
death  into  life;  He  fills  the  thirsty 
soul  with  rivers  of  divine  grace. 

O Lord  and  Master  of  us  all, 
Whate’er  our  name  or  sign. 

We  own  'Thy  sway,  we  hear  Thy  call. 
We  test  our  lives  by  Thine. 


Let  us  go  unto  Bethlehem  and  see 

The  shepherds  came  wondering;  hearts  open,  eyes  wide 
To  behold  God’s  plan.  They  could  not  push  the  years  aside 
And  know  the  shadow  of  the  cross — the  glory  of  the  tomb 
Lay  bidden  in  that  humble,  star-lit  room. 

Now  joy  is  linked  with  wonder;  throughout  the  troubled  earth 
We  see  His  footprints.  We  watch  the  mystery  of  rebirth 
In  barren  lives.  Lifted  high  in  far-off  places 
The  cross  unites  all  colors,  lands,  and  races. 

Grant  deeper  vision.  Lord;  enlarge  our  inner  sight; 

Make  clear  our  path  by  Bethlehem’s  holy  light. 

Sharpen  thy  tools.  Lord;  make  instruments  strong — 

Then  use  us! 

Lightened  by  thy  Spirit;  and,  in  our  hearts,  a song! 

— Elsie  V.  Rowe 


December  15,  1959 


775 


Believing:  Is  Seein; 


Dora  Hall  McCandless 

Ruth  looked  at  me  with  an 
amused  twinkle  in  her  eye. 
“ ‘Believing  is  seeing’?  Why,  you’ve 
gotten  the  cart  before  the  horse! 
You  mean  ‘Seeing  is  believing’, 
don’t  you?” 

How  much  alike,  I mused  later, 
are  modem  day  folks  to  the  Is- 
raelites of  Christ’s  day— always  de- 
manding a sign.  Like  those  Jews, 
their  constant  plaint  is  ‘‘Show  me 
something  I can  see.”  Lacking  out- 
ward evidence,  the  subject  is  dis- 
missed and  their  minds  are  closed. 

Yet  these  same  people  who  refuse 
to  commit  themselves  to  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  for  lack  of  “sufficient 
evidence,”  are  daily  jeopardizing 
their  lives  when  they  carelessly  hop 
into  an  unpredictable  car  and  swing 
onto  our  heavily  traveled  highways. 
They  haven’t  the  slightest  doubt 
but  what  approaching  drivers  will 
be  on  their  own  side  of  the  road, 
properly  observing  all  the  traffic 
laws  that  make  for  safe  and  sane 
driving. 

So  that  the  excuse  offered  for 
not  yeilding  to  Christ,  namely,  that 
they  must  first  “see,”  is  no  excuse 
after  all  because  they  do  not  want 
to  “believe.”  Even  were  they  vouch- 
safed a sign,  most  of  them  would 
probably  be  like  Judas  Iscariot  who, 
although  he  saw  many  of  the  mira- 
cles the  Lord  performed,  neverthe- 
less refused  to  accept  Him  as  the 
Messiah. 

Why,  then,  is  it  so  hard  to  apply 
the  same  principle  of  trust  to  spiri- 
tual matters?  For,  unless  belief 
does  come  first,  sight  seldom  comes 
later,  because  “the  natural  man  re- 
ceiveth  not  the  things  of  the  Spirit 
of  God:  for  they  are  foolishness 
unto  him:  neither  can  he  know 

them,  because  they  are  spiritually 
discerned”  (1  Cor.  2:14). 


But  we  Christians  have  received 
the  Holy  Spirit  that  we  might  know 
the  things  that  are  freely  given  to 
us  of  God  (1  Cor.  2:12).  Therefore 
only  those  who  through  faith  have 
been  made  partakers  of  His  Spirit 
can  comprehend  spiritual  truths  and 
it  is  only  to  these  believers  that  the 
Lord  has  revealed  himself  in  an 
intimate,  personal  way. 

And  just  how  does  He  reveal  him- 
self to  His  own?  First  of  all, 
through  that  flood  of  joy  that  surges 
through  our  being  when  the  Holy 
Spirit  does  enter  in  and  takes  pos- 
session. One  of  our  hymns  expres- 
ses it  very  fittingly:  “In  my  heart 
there  rings  a melody,”  and  it  is  this 
melody  within  that  causes  every 
nerve  to  thrill  with  the  priceless  as- 
surance of  our  salvation. 

Again  we  “see”  Him  within  the 
pages  of  His  Word.  Not  through 
careless  reading  but  by  incorporat- 
ing its  teaching  into  our  everyday 
living.  Christ  stated  a solemn  truth 
in  John  14:21,  “He  that  hath  my 
commandments,  and  keepeth  them, 
he  it  is  that  loveth  me:  and  he  that 
loveth  me  shall  be  loved  of  my  Fa- 
ther, and  I will  love  him,  and  wiU 
manifest  myself  to  him.”  In  short,  it 
is  only  when  we  strive  to  live  daily 
in  obedience  to  His  will  that  He  does 
manifest  himself.  As  we  continue  to 
walk  each  day  in  conformity  to  His 
teachings,  the  first  “joy”  of  our  sal- 
vation deepens  and  we  become  in- 
creasingly conscious  of  His  pres- 
ence in  the  deep  sense  of  peace  that 
fills  our  being. 

To  these  the  Spirit  opens  up  the 
Scriptures  and  gives  the  enlighten- 
ment that  is  “foolishness”  to  the 
natural  man,  thus  fulfilling  Christ’s 
promise:  “But  the  Comforter,  which 
is  the  Holy  Ghost,  whom  the  Fa- 
ther will  send  in  my  name,  he  shall 


teach  you  all  things,  and  bring  all 
things  to  your  remembrance,  what- 
soever I have  said  unto  you”  (John 
14:26). 

God  reveals  himself,  too,  through 
prayer.  As  we  talk  with  Him,  we  , 
can  not  only  sense  His  nearness  in 
a real  and  vital  way,  but  we  can  i 
also  see  very  clearly  His  interest  in  ' 
us  and  in  our  everyday  affairs 
through  answered  prayer.  This  does 
not  necessarily  mean  that  He  al- 
ways grants  our  petitions  any  more  ! 
than  we  give  our  children  every-  : 
thing  they  may  think  they  want  or  ' 
need.  Like  all  wise  fathers.  He  fre-  j 
quently  says  “no.”  However  many  ' 
times  He  does  graciously  give  us  the 
desired  favor. 

Then,  too,  the  Lord  talks  to  us  by 
means  of  a still,  small  voice.  He 
may  speak  to  us  any  time,  any- 
where. One  afternoon  an  inner  voice 
suddenly  said,  “Take  your  Bible  and 
go  over  to  Helen’s  and  talk  to  her 
about  me.”  Immediately  I remon- 
strated, “But,  Father,  I can’t  go  to- 
day. I’ve  got  just  too  much  to  do.’' 
But  the  urge  persisted  and  finally, 
very  reluctantly,  I left  my  work  and 
went  and  I had  the  wonderful  priv- 
ilege of  leading  her  to  the  Lord. 

Moreover,  every  day  we  can  dis- 
cern His  hand  in  the  commonplace 
events  of  our  lives,  in  His  loving 
care.  His  wise  provision  for  our  | 
needs.  His  turning  our  disappoint- 
ments into  blessings. 

Thus  we  find  Him  announcing 
His  coming  into  our  heart  by  that 
first  soul-stirring  joy.  We  get  ac- 
quainted with  Him  through  the  Bi- 
ble. We  come  to  know  Him  as 
guide,  counsellor,  sustainer,  through 
prayer.  He  talks  to  us  intimately 
and  personally  through  an  inner 
voice  and  we  see  the  tender  hand 
of  a loving  Father  in  our  daily  lives. 

And  just  what  set  this  program  in 
motion?  Was  it  because  we  saw 
all  these  various  operations  at  work 
in  our  hearts  and  in  our  lives  that 
we  came  to  believe  in  Him  as  Sav- 
ior? Far  from  it!  It  all  came  about 
because  we  first  “believed.”  Believ- 
ing is  the  cause — seeing  is  the  ef- 
fect. “Believing  is  seeing?”  Yes,  in- 
deed, there  is  no  other  way. 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church. 
Entered  at  North  Newton,  Kansas,  post  office  as  second  class  matter.  Acceptance  for  mailing  at  special  rate  of  postage:  Section  1103,  Act 
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Woodward  Place,  Goshen,  Ind.  Postmasters:  change  of  address  Form  3579  to  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan. 


776 


THE  MENNONITE 


Christmas  in  the  Hospital 


HOW  DO  YOU  describe  Christ- 
mas in  a hospital?  How  do  you 
1 put  on  paper  the  various  emotions — 
the  little  pleasantries,  the  human 
r tragedy,  and  the  profound  sense  of 
. compassion  — that  only  a hospital 
i can  know  during  the  holiday  sea- 
I son?  How  do  you  put  loneliness  into 
words  ? 

Truly  Christmas  is  the  epitome  of 
the  concept  underlying  medical  and 
hospital  care — the  great  humanitari- 
an spirit,  the  selflessness,  the  ten- 
derness of  thought  and  action,  the 
annual  renewal  of  man’s  belief  in 
goodness  and  brotherhood,  and  in 
doing  unto  others.  . . . 

The  hospital  is  a sad  place  at 
Christmastime,  but  it  has  its  joys 
as  well.  Most  of  the  patients  who 
were  able  to  leave  have  gone  home. 

! Only  those  who  are  seriously  ill  or 
I disabled  remain — and  those  to  whom 
home  is  just  a dream,  a memory, 
or  a hope. 

With  the  younger  patients  there 
is  brightness  and  cheer,  and  the 
youngsters  are  proving  that  Christ- 
mas really  is  for  children.  Mater- 
nity, too,  is  a happy  place,  for  whaf 
could  be  more  delightful  and  more 
hopeful  for  the  future  than  a baby 
bom,  like  another  infant  twenty 
centuries  ago,  at  Christmastime? 
And  what  could  be  more  tragic, 
more  shattering,  more  soul  searing, 
than  the  loss  of  a loved  one  at 
Christmas? 

The  hospital  sees  all  these  things, 
and  shares  all  these  emotions. 

And  after  the  visitors  are  gone 
and  the  carolers  have  departed  and 
the  hospital  is  left  once  again  to 
the  patients  and  the  nurses,  to  the 
maids  and  porters,  the  cooks  and 
dishwashers,  the  maintenance  men, 
the  technicians,  and  the  doctors, 
who  have  given  up  so  much  of 
themselves  to  work  as  one  in  a 
common  purpose,  an  odd  sort  of 
quiet  settles  over  the  hospital. 

Perhaps  from  the  student  nurses’ 
quarters  comes  the  muffled  sob  of 
a girl  spending  her  very  first 
Christmas  away  from  home.  And 
on  the  wards  a patient  stirs  fitfully 
and  wonders  what  it  would  have 
been  like  to  have  had  just  one  vis- 


itor, and  perhaps  he  dreams  of  other 
days  when  there  was  someone  who 
cared.  To  some  the  hospital  is  al- 
ways home  when  holidays  come. 

But  those  who  work  in  hospitals 
can  have  satisfaction  in  knowing 
that  they  are  living  the  Christmas 
spirit,  not  just  at  Christmastime  but 


all  the  time,  and  this  is  the  noblest 
aim  to  which  man  may  aspire.  To 
this  end  may  the  spirit  of  Him 
whose  birth  we  celebrate  ever  rich- 
ly abide  in  our  institutions. 

— Board  of  Trustees 
Mennonite  Hospital 
Bloomington,  111. 


BEHOLD  THE  HANDMAID  OF  THE  LORD; 

BE  IT  UNTO  ME  ACCORDING  TO  THY  WORD 

The  angel  said: 

Hail  thou  highly  favored — blessed  art  thou  anio?2g  women. 

But — When  she  was  found  to  he  with  child  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  Joseph  'was  minded  to  put  her  away. 

The  angel  said: 

Thou  hast  found  favor  with  God. 

But — When  the  child  was  to  be  born  there  was  no 
room  for  them  in  the  inn. 

The  angel  said: 

Thou  shalt  bring  forth  a son  and  shalt  call  his  na?ne  Jesus. 

But — Simeon  said  to  her,  "Yea,  a sword  shall  pierce 
through  thine  own  soul  also.” 

The  angel  said: 

He  shall  be  great  and  shall  be  called  the  Son  of  the  Highest. 

But — The  people  s?2eered,  "Is  not  this  the  carpenter’s 
son?”  And  they  were  offended  in  Him. 

The  angel  said: 

The  Lord  shall  give  Him  the  throne  of  His  father  David. 

But — The  022ly  crou/72  He  wore  was  one  of  thorns. 

The  angel  said: 

But — When  Pilate  said,  "Behold  your  king,”  the 
He  shall  reign  over  the  house  of  Jacob  forever. 

multitude  cried,  "Crucify  him.  We  have  220 
kmg  but  Caesar.” 

The  a22gel  said: 

That  holy  thing  which  is  born  of  thee  shall  be  called  the  Son  of  God. 
But — Because  He  said  He  was  the  S022  of  God,  they  crucified  Hm. 
Though  Mary  cotild  not  imder stand  all  that  happened,  yet  she  kept  all  these 
thhtgs  222  her  heart  and  whe22  her  son  gretu  to  full  ma22hood — 

She  recognized  His  poiver  for  she  said  to  the  servants  at 

the  Cana  wedding,  "Whatsoever  He  saith  U22to  you,  do  it.” 
She  saw  His  great  love  poured  out  on  the  cross  when  the 
stuord  pierced  through  he2'  heart. 

She  believed  022  Him  and  teas  fou22d  among  the  believers  at 
the  prayer  meetmg  in  the  upper  room. 

She  remained  the  handmaid  of  the  Lord  to  the  very  end. 

— Christena  Duerksen 


December  15,  1959 


777 


Black  and  White 


Heinz  Janzen 


WHILE  browsing  through  the 
US  News  and  World  Report 
recently  I noticed  the  ads  for  the 
shiny  new  1960  models,  symbolic  of 
rich  America.  Paging  a little  fur- 
ther took  me  from  the  glitter  to  the 
ghastly  as  the  title  read,  “Black 
Supremacy  Cult  in  US — How  Much 
of  a Threat?”  Shades  of  the  Ku 
Klux  Klan.  Truly  the  iniquities  of 
the  (white)  fathers  are  visited  unto 
the  third  and  fourth  generation.  I 
had  been  told  about  the  Wicked 
White  Warriors  taking  advantage 
of  the  needy  Negroes.  Here  was  a 
new  wrinkle  to  race. 

The  day  before  my  wife  had  read 
another  shocking  excerpt  from  no 
less  than  Christian  Living,  noted  for 
its  emphasis  that  Christian  Living 
is  rural  living.  One  Jan  Gleysteen 
had  the  audacity  to  ask: 

Why  do  Mennonite  writers  have 
this  compulsion  to  mention  the  neg- 
ative side  of  city  life  only?  Why  do 
they  always  contrast  the  city  (world- 


Why  the  Difference? 


ly,  evil,  ugly)  and  the  country 
(quiet,  inspiring,  religious)  ? Is  it 
impossible  to  worship  God  in  the 
city?  Can  we  maintain  this  view- 
point when  sociologists  tell  us  that 
because  of  improved  communica- 
tions “the  country  bumpkin  and  the 
city  slicker  are  far  more  alike  than 
either  one  of  them  would  admit” 
(Dr.  Lynes)? 

(quoted  from  Nov.  ’59  issue) 

Parallel  illustrations  could  be 
multiplied  such  as  the  myth  that 
all  the  poor  lost  heathen  live  across 
the  ocean.  While  it  is  true  that 
multitudes  are  lost  over  there,  we 
find  ourselves  surrounded  by  poor 
lost  heathen,  lost  from  God  and 
Christ,  in  the  midst  of  respectability 
and  creature  comforts. 

The  point  of  all  this  is  to  remind 
us  of  the  ancient  truth  so  succinctly 
stated  by  Paul,  “For  there  is  no 
distinction  to  be  made  anywhere: 
everyone  has  sinned,  everyone  has 
fallen  short  of  the  beauty  of  God’s 
plan”  (Rom.  3:23,  Phillips). 

The  sin  of  racial  prejudice  needs 


to  be  eradicated  from  the  white] 
race — and  the  colored.  The  cityj 
slickers  need  to  be  saved — and  the] 
rural  Mennonites.  The  gospel  has] 
to  be  preached  to  heathen  Japan- 
and  to  heathen  America. 

All  of  us,  myself  included,  are] 
tempted  to  ride  hobbies  and  to  take] 
one  facet  of  truth  almost  as  far  as] 
the  point  of  heresy.  (Heresy  is  truth] 
out  of  context.)  We  are  tempted  to] 
categorize  races,  nations,  and  social] 
groups.  Therefore  we  need  to  absorb] 
ourselves  again  in  the  Word  of  God,  j 
particularly  the  New  Testament,] 
that  the  Spirit  may  speak  to  us,f 
correcting  our  errors,  prejudices,] 
and  misinterpretations,  and  bring] 
us  face  to  face  with  Him  who  is] 
the  way,  the  truth,  and  the  life. 

Black  and  white  truths,  seen! 
from  our  perspective,  are  so  clear 
cut  and  definite.  We  can  crusade] 
so  vehemently  for  such  truths.  How ; 
upsetting  it  is,  when  confronted  by  ^ 
God’s  Word,  issues  are  seen  from 
a new  perspective,  and  often  we , 
see  our  whites  become  black,  and 
our  blacks  white.  - 

May  God  grant  us  grace  to  see 
all  things  from  the  viewpoint  of 
our  forefather  Menno  who  re-af- 
firmed  that  “The  foundation  is  laid 
all  ready,  and  no  one  can  lay  an- 
other, for  it  is  Jesus  Christ  himself” 
•d  Cor.  3:11,  Phillips). 


Orlin  F.  Frey  ' 


WE  HAD  no  cranberries  for 
Thanksgiving.  We  may  not 
have  them  even  for  Christmas.  And 
we  thank  our  national  and  state 
health  departments  for  being  cilert 
to  the  dangers  of  contaminated 
foods. 

There  are,  however,  two  other 
things  that  the  American  public  has 
been  warned  about  repeatedly  as 
contributive  to  the  growth  of  can- 
cer. On  these  our  public  health  de- 
partments have  not  taken  any  ac- 
tion, official  or  unofficial. 

The  American  Cancer  Socitey  has 
put  the  statistics  before  us  show- 
ing that  cigarette  smoking  is  a con- 
tributive factor  to  lung  cancer.  In 


1959  the  people  of  the  United  States 
will  consume  a record-breaking 
number  of  cirgarettes. 

Continued  use  of  alcoholic  bever- 
ages has  also  been  proven  to  be  a 
strong  contributive  factor  to  can- 
cer of  the  liver.  But  the  American 
public  goes  right  on  drinking  rec- 
ord amounts  of  beer,  wine,  and 
other  alcoholic  beverages. 

One  expert  has  said  that  it  would 
be  necessary  to  eat  15,000  pounds  of 
contaminated  cranberries  to  produce 
the  same  cancerous  result  in  a hu- 
man being  that  was  produced  in 
laboratory  rats.  We  don’t  have  the 
figures  on  the  number  of  cigarettes 
or  gallons  of  alcoholic  beverages 
it  takes  to  produce  cancer  in  rats 


or  human  beings.  We  do  know  that 
they,  like  the  aminotriazole  treated 
cranberries,  do  cause  cancer. 

Why  haven’t  the  tobacco  and  alco- 
holic beverage  stocks  on  hand  been 
seized  by  the  public  health  depart-  ; 
ments?  (Huge  financicd  losses  have 
been  suffered  by  both  the  farmers 
and  dealers  of  cranberries  that  have 
been  contaminated  by  the  weed 
spray  aminotriazole.)  The  person 
who  dies  of  cancer  caused  by  tobac- 
co or  alcoholic  beverages  is  just  as 
dead  as  the  person  who  gets  too  I 
much  aminotriazole.  1 

Is  it  consistent  to  make  the  cran-  ■ 
berry  farmer  look  like  a criminal,  I 
and  then  do  nothing  about  the  other  8 
cancer  merchants  ? 


778 


THE  MENNONITE 


A Striking  Contrast 


Aganetha  Fast 

ONE  day  as  I stepped  into  a Chi- 
nese courtyard,  I found  a very 
dejected  group.  A young  woman  in 
their  midst,  gripping  at  her  heart, 
looked  distractedly  toward  the  gate. 
A man  slipped  past,  bearing  a bur- 
den on  his  back.  Wrapped  around 
a straw  mat  was  a thin  rope,  which 
hung  from  a pole  borne  on  his  shoul- 
der. 

The  man  looked  sort  of  guilty, 
furtively  sideways  like  a fugitive 
who  was  trying  to  get  away  in  the 
dark.  His  fleeing  form  was  followed 
by  the  eyes  of  the  women,  but  they 
seemed  to  be  trying  not  to  watch 
him. 

I looked  back  at  the  fleeing  man. 
He  slipped  through  the  gate  and 
then,  hugging  the  walls  along  the 
street,  disappeared  in  the  darkness. 
“What  does  this  mean?”  I asked. 
The  women  replied;  “The  father 
is  carrying  his  dead  child  into  the 
field  to  throw  it  away.” 

My  heart  cringed.  The  mother 
disappeared  in  the  shadow  of  the 
dark  room  and  began  a pitiful  wail- 
ing. 

The  next  day  was  a beautiful  day. 
I walked  along  a path  beside  a road 
that  led  to  a village.  A dog  ran 
across  the  fleld  and  in  its  mouth  was 
a child’s  arm.  I shuddered.  Thrown 
away  . . . discarded.  Did  that  settle 
it  for  the  grieving  father  and  moth- 
er? 

Some  months  later  I stepped  into 
a courtyard  on  another  occasion.  A 
group  of  people  with  loving  hearts 
and  hands  were  lining  and  covering 
a coarse  wooden  box  with  white 
cloth.  Then  they  tenderly  laid  a 
small  child  into  its  last  bed.  They 
put  a few  sprays  of  flowers  beside 
its  head  and  into  its  hands.  The 


Aganetha  Fast  is  a former  missionary  to 
China. 


father  and  mother  stood  back  a 
little — sad,  but  with  such  a peace 
evidenced  on  their  faces.  There  was 
no  haunting  expression. 

As  I stepped  close  to  them,  they 
said  quietly,  “A  little  child,  a little 
girl,  counts  as  a being.  It  has  a 
soul.  The  Lord  has  received  it.” 

What  made  the  difference?  God,  a 
loving  heavenly  Father,  the  Creator 
of  life,  body,  and  soul.  He  had  en- 
tered into  the  experiences  of  the 
parents  and  those  who  ministered 
so  tenderly  to  the  body  of  the  child. 

Again  and  again  we  have  heard 
Christians  and  non-Christians  re- 
mark that  they  came  to  believe  and 
regard  the  Christian  religion  be- 


cause of  the  reverence  and  dignity 
of  Christian  funerals,  regardless  of 
whether  the  funeral  was  for  a man, 
woman,  or  child.  It  had  pointed  to  a 
loving  God  and  Creator  from  whom 
the  soul  came  and  returned  again. 
And  we  thanked  the  Lord  for  Chris- 
tian funerals. 

The  body  of  a Christian  is  the 
temple  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  it  has  a 
soul,  a great  soul  with  which  God, 
in  His  great  and  infinite  love  and 
mercy,  has  dealt  with  all  its  life. 
Because  of  it  and  for  what  it  stood, 
we  reverently  lay  the  body  to  rest, 
and  then  let  it  rest.  After  that,  we 
look  up,  for  real  life  is  now  beyond 
the  grave. 


Lo!  The  Morn  of  Gladness! 

Sin’s  dark  night  is  ending,  Sweeter  in  fulfillment 


Dawn  is  drawing  near, 

God,  the  light,  is  sending 
In  His  Son  so  dear. 

Lol  The  morn  of  gladness  I 
How  earth’s  shadows  flee! 
Trouble,  tvoe,  and  sadness 
Turn  to  melody! 

God  in  flesh  appearing 
Comes  with  man  to  dtvell. 
Heaven  on  earth  is  nearing — 
’Tis  Emmanuel ! 

Close  as  touch — and  eager 
Life  down  here  to  face. 
Healer  He — and  seeker 
III  all  to  erase! 


Than  by  seers  foretold. 

Risen,  Lo!  Triumphant 
Over  death’s  dread  hold. 

What  could  be  more  glorious 
Thati  the  dawn  we  see — 

Tdooding  life  victorious. 

Truth  to  make  men  free! 

Eden  so  returning 
Gardens  earth  anew. 

Men  hate’ s way  unlearning 
Love’s  sweet  will  now  do. 

Race  and  creed  heart-binding. 

All  one  family — 

Seeking  God — and  finding 
Through  eternity! 

— Ralph  W.  Berky 


December  15,  1959 


779 


Mennonite  men 


Survey  Completed 


r'. 


Recently,  the  officers  of  Gen- 
eral Conference  Mennonite  Men 
worked  out  a survey  questionnaire 
that  was  sent  to  the  churches  of  the 
Conference.  The  purpose  of  the 
questionnaires  was  to  discover  in- 
formation about  local  brotherhoods, 
their  problems,  concerns,  interests, 
and  suggestions. 

A total  of  265  copies  of  the  sur- 
vey was  sent,  one  to  each  General 
Conference  congregation.  These  were 
sent  either  to  the  minister,  presi- 
dent of  the  local  organized  group, 
or  to  some  key  layman.  The  Board 
of  Christian  Service  was  in  charge 
of  printing  and  mailing  of  the  let- 
ters. A self-addressed  stamped  en- 
velope was  included  in  each  ques- 
tionnaire and  the  complete  ques- 
tionnaires were  sent  to  the  president 
of  the  Conference  Mennonite  Men. 

The  response  was  somewhat  dis- 
appointing. Out  of  the  265  copies 
sent,  124  were  returned  which  is 
some  less  than  fifty  per  cent  parti- 


Work  on  the  Trans-Chaco  Road- 
way program  will  be  accelerated  as 
a result  of  additional  assistance  by 
a US  construction  firm.  Work  on  the 
roadway  was  begun  more  than  three 
years  ago  at  the  Asuncion  end  which 
is  the  south  end  of  the  project.  Re- 
cently the  Paraguayan  government 
and  Williams  Brothers  Company,  a 
large  pipe  line  construction  and  en- 
gineering firm  from  Tulsa,  Okla- 
homa, have  entered  into  a contract 
in  which  the  construction  firm  will 
begin  work  at  the  Filadelfia  or  the 
north  end  of  the  project.  Until  re- 
cently, the  Williams  Brothers  Com- 
pany was  employed  by  the  Pure 
Oil  Company  in  their  effort  to  dis- 
cover oil  in  the  Chaco  of  Paraguay. 
Since  the  Pure  OH  Company  has 


cipation.  Of  the  124  groups  that  re- 
sponded, 61  indicated  they  had  or- 
ganized brotherhoods  and  63  indicat- 
ed they  were  not  organized.  A few 
indicated  their  group  had  been  or- 
ganized but  discontinued  for  vari- 
ous reasons.  Others  stated  that  they 
were  in  the  process  of  organizing. 

One  of  the  questions  included  in 
the  survey  questionnaire  was:  “If 
not  organized,  why  not?”  Such  em- 
swers  were  prevalent:  “congrega- 
tion too  small,”  “not  enough  inter- 
est,” “feel  no  apparent  need,”  “too 
many  organizations  in  the  church 
already,”  “lack  of  time.” 

To  the  question  aimed  at  organ- 
ized groups  “What  are  your  major 
problems?”  these  were  given:  1)  at- 
tendence,  2)  programs,  3)  lack  of 
interest,  4)  boys  not  in  attendance. 

Most  groups  showed  interest  in 
local  areas.  It  was  expressed  that 
General  Conference  work  seems  so 
distant. 

Comments  regarding  contribu- 


terminated their  effort  for  oil  dis- 
covery, the  Williams  Brothers  Com- 
pany was  made  available  for  the 
roadway  project. 

More  than  a half  a million  dollars 
worth  of  road  equipment  will  be 
available  for  the  new  company’s 
construction  work.  They  will  pro- 
ceed immediately  with  construction 
on  the  north  end  of  the  project 
which  is  near  Filadelfia  and  will 
move  southward  toward  Asuncion. 

About  sixty  miles  of  the  two 
hundred  and  fifty  miles  have  al- 
ready been  completed  by  the  joint 
efforts  of  the  Mennonite  Central 
Committee,  US  Point  Four,  and  the 
Paraguayan  government.  The  work 
thus  far  has  proceeded  rather  slow- 
ly through  swampy  forest  land; 


tions  were  that  they  1)  meet  local 
needs,  2)  that  they  are  relatively 
negligible,  3)  that  they  are  used  pri- 
marily for  fellowship,  outreach  (dis- 
aster service  and  Pax) , and  for  '] 
boys’  work. 

These  comments  were  included  on 
some  completed  questionnaires:  “It 
has  shown  spiritual  potential  of  : ^ 
some  of  our  members”;  “Have 
learned  to  work  as  a group”;  “We 
have  now  become  a part  of  our 
church  life”;  “Added  stability  to  our  ! . 
congregations.” 

The  results  of  this  survey  are  ! 
both  encouraging  and  discouraging,  j* 

It  is  apparent  that  some  groups  1 ' 
have  been  challenged  and  encour- 
aged by  organization.  They  see  the 
advantages  that  organization  af- 
fords both  in  opportunities  for  serv- 
ice and  fellowship.  I 

On  the  other  hand  some  groups  i 

find  organization  burdensome  and  t 

unchallenging  and  feel  they  can  be 
of  service  without  formal  organiza- 
tion. Still  other  groups  seem  totally 
unaware  of  any  opportunities  of  | 

service  and  do  not  want  to  be  both-  [ 
ered  by  any  new  responsibilities.  ' 

However,  it  is  clear  that  in  what- 
ever category  we  find  ourselves,  i 

many  problems  are  apparent  and 
much  work  is  still  unfinished  in 
Mennonite  Men  circles. 


however,  with  less  topographical 
obstacles  the  northern  end  of  the 
roadway  should  be  completed  with 
much  less  difficulty  than  the  marshy 
southern  area. 

Since  Williams  Brothers  construc- 
tion work  will  begin  near  the  Men- 
nonite colonies,  Filadelfia  will  prob- 
ably become  an  unofficial  base  for 
the  company’s  building  activities. 
'The  city  will  receive  economical 
benefits  brought  about  by  Williams 
Brothers  purchasing  food  stuffs, 
timber  for  bridges  from  Filadelfia’s 
mills,  and  materials  needed  for  the 
company  road  building  camps.  Un- 
doubtedly men  from  the  colonies 
will  be  employed  by  the  company 
and  as  much  material  as  possible 
will  be  obtained  from  local  sources. 

This  new  turn  of  events  will  cer- 
tainly be  welcomed  by  the  brethren 
in  Paraguay  and  should  be  an  en- 
couragement for  our  Conference 
Mennonite  Men,  who  have  a definite 
part  in  the  roadway  project. 

Editor:  Richard  F.  Graber,  Moundridge,  Kan. 


Trans-Chaco  Roadway 


780 


THE  MENNONITE 


To  and  From  a Pastor 


Mennonite  youth 


Why  Christmas? 


EAR  Pastor, 

Christmas  used  to  be  such  an 
exciting  time  for  me.  I could  hardly 
wait  for  Christmas  morning  to  see 
the  tree  and  all.  This  year  things 
seem  different.  I can’t  get  excited 
about  lights,  or  presents,  or  hardly 
anything.  The  music  and  decorations 
everywhere  are  pretty  all  right.  But 
it  doesn’t  seem  to  me  that  Christ- 
mas is  just  music  and  lights. 

I don’t  see  any  sense  in  fussing 
about  Christmas  if  it  doesn’t  mean 
anything.  I feel  guilty  about  it,  be- 
cause I know  that  it  celebrates 
Christ’s  birth  and  it  was  impor- 
tant. But  all  that  seems  so  far  away 
from  me. 

I’m  not  even  sure  that  I know 
what  does  bother  me.  I guess  I just 
want  to  know  what  Christmas 
means  for  me.  Joe 

EAR  Joe, 

Christmas  means  different 
things  to  different  people.  It  may 
mean  extra  profits,  Santa  Claus,  en- 
joyable family  gatherings,  or  just 
another  day  off.  It’s  easy  for  us  to 
become  distracted  by  all  the  tinsel 
and  glitter  and  lose  real  meaning. 


I like  to  think  of  Christmas  this 
way.  Christmas  was  the  beginning 
of  a Life  that  literally  changed  the 
world.  It  changed  my  life,  too. 
Basically,  then,  it  is  a time  of  re- 
joicing in  the  deepest  sense. 

It  might  not  be  a bad  idea  for 
you  to  sit  down  and  make  a list 
of  things  that  benefit  you  that  have 
come  into  the  world  because  of  the 
birth  of  Jesus.  Let  me  get  you 
started: 

1.  The  knowledge  that  God  looks 
on  us  kindly  and  desires  fellowship 
with  us.  We  no  longer  need  to  fear 
Him  (as  men  used  to)  but  simply 
accept  His  love. 

2.  The  worth  and  dignity  of  each 
human  in  God’s  sight,  no  matter 
how  high  or  low  he  appears  to  men. 

3.  The  knowledge  that  this  life 
is  not  all,  but  merely  a prelude  to 
a much  greater  life. 

4.  A world  in  which  human  free- 
dom is  honored.  Think  how  fortun- 
ate we  are  to  be  living  in  a land 
where  Christian  ideals  have  become 
a part  of  life. 

5.  Educational  systems  largely  be- 
gun by  the  Church. 


6.  Hospitals  — an  outgrowth  of 
Christian  concern  for  needy  and  ill. 

You  can  finish  the  list.  These  are 
only  a few  of  the  major  gifts  given 
to  us  personally  and  to  the  world. 
This  is  why  we  call  Christ  a gift  to 
man.  He  really  was  a gift  from  God, 
and  His  life  set  off  a chain  of  love 
that  magnified  the  influence  of  His 
personal  life. 

When  we  realize  how  much  we 
have  received  through  Christ, 
Christmas  becomes  a time  when 
we  feel  we  must  give  thanks  in  deep 
humility.  It  is  a time  of  rejoicing. 
It  is  a time  for  thorough  soul- 
searching.  (Have  I fully  used  those 
gifts?  Have  I been  anxious  to  help 
others  receive  them?)  And  it  is  a 
time  of  commitment,  when  we  once 
again  renew  our  vows  to  serve  this 
great  Gift-giver  through  our  own 
lives. 

I think  if  you  look  at  Christmas 
this  way  the  real  meaning  of  Christ- 
mas will  warm  your  soul.  And 
Christmas  will  become  a real  spir- 
itual experience  that  will  lead  you 
to  greater  service  to  God  out  of 
your  gratitude  for  His  generosity  to 
you.  Your  Pastor 


78  T 


December  15,  1959 


! 


keep 

in 

toueh 

while 

they’re 

away 


adapted  by  permission  from  an 
article  by  Lawrence  Fitzgerald 
in  the 

INTERNATIONAL  JOURNAL 
OF  RELIGIOUS  EDUCATION 


Conscientious  objectors  do- 
ing alternative  service  are 
known  as  “the  forgotten  men  of  the 
churches.”  If  this  is  true,  it  is 
tragic. 

Each  family  usually  does  a pretty 
good  job  in  sending  letters  and 
packages  and  keeping  in  touch  with 
their  absent  member. 

But  what  about  the  church?  Isn’t 
it  a family,  too?  Shouldn’t  it  be 
concerned  to  keep  in  touch  with 
its  young  people  who  are  expected 
to  be  away  for  some  time? 

Unfortunately,  some  churches  do 
not  even  know  who  these  people 
are,  how  many  there  are,  or  where 
they  are. 

If  your  church  is  in  this  embar- 
rassing predicament,  one  of  the  first 
things  to  do  is  to  have  a committee, 
or  perhaps  an  individual,  compile 
an  up-to-date  listing  or  card-index 
file  of  those  who  are  away  with  in- 
formation on  where  they  are.  'There 
are  people  in  every  church  who  can 
do  this  well  and  who  will  do  it  if 
they  see  the  need. 

Every  name  listed  stands  for  a 
person,  and  every  person  is  impor- 
tant in  his  own  right.  Also,  the  list 
must  be  kept  up  to  date,  and  that 
will  take  some  doing.  But  the  end 
in  view  makes  it  worthwhile. 

Now  for  some  ways  in  which 
your  church  can  keep  in  touch  with 
its  absentee  members.  The  follow- 
ing suggestions  are  not  theoretical; 
they  come  directly  from  the  absen- 
tees themselves,  who  know  best 
what  is  appreciated. 

Write  personal  letters.  For  keep- 
ing up  morale,  as  someone  has  said, 
nothing  is  so  effective  as  “warm 
socks  and  letters  from  home.” 
Letter  writing  is  not  only  the 
most  satisfying  way  to  keep  in 
touch,  but  it  costs  very  little.  Per- 
sonal letters  from  the  pastor  and 
members  of  the  youth  groups  are 
always  welcome.  Be  sure  to  make 
them  newsy,  cheerful,  and  spiritual 
in  tone.  Occasionally  you  will  want 
to  include  snapshots  of  some  of  the 
people  back  home  and  some  of  the 
activities  going  on. 


Avoid  the  possibility  of  this  com-  | 
plaint  from  one  member  who  had 
been  away:  “The  only  time  I ever 
got  a letter  from  the  church  was 
when  it  was  time  for  raising  the 
annual  budget.  And  then  all  I got 
was  a mimeographed  form  letter 
signed  by  the  pastor  and  the  chair- 
man of  the  church  finance  commit- 
tee.” 

Granted  that  the  budget  is  im-  j 
portant,  it  is  a serious  indictment 
of  a church  if  that  is  the  only  com- 
munication received  by  its  members. 

Some  churches  encourage  the  con- 
gregation to  write  to  absent  mem- 
bers by  publishing  the  name  and 
address  of  a different  person  each 
week  in  the  church  bulletin.  But 
there  is  no  guarantee  that  a fellow 
will  ever  get  another  letter  from 
anyone  in  the  church  for  the  rest 
of  the  year. 

While  this  method  assures  that 
no  one  is  overlooked,  it  would  be 
preferable  to  have  fewer  people 
write  regularly  and  more  often  to 
every  absent  member. 

Bend  printed  materials.  Church 
papers,  bulletins,  Sunday  school 
quarterlies,  youth  fellowship  materi- 
als, devotional  booklets — these  are 
always  well  received.  Some  youth 
groups  issue  a mimeographed  pub- 
lication which  they  send  out  regu- 
larly to  those  in  service,  reporting 
youth  activities  and  items  of  spe- 
cial interest  to  them. 

How  about  a subscription  to  some 
other  religious  publication  or  to  a 
favorite  secular  magazine?  Or  the 
young  man  or  woman  might  like  a 
copy  of  an  important  new  book. 
And  of  course  there’s  always  that 
best  seller:  the  Bible.  Even  if  he 
already  has  one,  he  might  welcome 
a new  copy  or  a new  translation. 

Another  idea  is  to  send  him  a 
church  hymnal.  Many  young  people 
enjoy  singing  familiar  hymns  as 
they  learned  them  at  home. 

Bend  occasional  packages. 
There’s  a difference  of  opinion  about 
sending  food  to  those  in  service, 


782 


THE  AAENNONITE 


though.  Some  say,  “Don’t.  They’ve 
got  everytliing  they  need.” 

Others  recall  that  a boy  wrote 
home,  “Say  that  box  of  cookies  sure 
J was  good — even  if  they  were  all 
‘ crumbled.” 

But  you  don’t  always  have  to  send 
food.  In  addition  to  the  proverbial 
handmade  socks,  you  might  include 
a personalized  desk  calendar.  There 
are  many  useful  and  original  or 
amusing  articles  that  would  please 
him  and  that  you  would  have  fun 
buying  or  making.  The  important 
thing  with  any  gift  is  that  it  be 
carefully  chosen  just  for  him. 

' Remember  birthdays  and  holi- 
days. While  you  don’t  always  have 
to  send  a gift  on  these  occasions, 
it  would  surely  be  appreciated.  Al- 
ways welcome  is  a gift  of  money 
so  that  this  young  person  can  take 
a trip  to  some  famous  place  not  too 
far  from  where  he  is  serving,  or 
to  do  something  else  that  really 
interests  him.  In  any  case,  be  sure 
i to  let  a fellow  know  you’re  think- 
ing of  him  by  writing  a letter  or 
sending  a greeting  card  with  a note 
enclosed.  The  note  will  mean  much 
more  than  the  printed  message. 

A wonderful  surprise,  if  it’s  at  all 
possible,  is  a telephone  call.  Two  or 
three  of  you  might  share  the  cost 
and  the  conversation,  so  that  your 
friend  would  have  a real  telephone 
visit. 

Send  a tape  recording  or  a film- 
strip. Here’s  a personal  greeting 
that  will  really  warm  a fellow’s 
heart.  Some  young  adults  who  got 
together  to  tape-record  a message 
to  one  of  their  absent  members  liv- 


ing in  Germany  invited  his  family 
to  be  in  on  it  too.  Another  group 
took  slides  of  their  Christmas  party, 
which  they  then  sent  along  with 
greeting  cards  bearing  beautiful  re- 
productions of  the  church  interior. 

It  would  be  a nice  idea  to  record 
on  tape  the  special  church  events, 
such  as  a youth  service  or  play,  or 
some  animated  discussion.  You 
might  even  include  a selection  by 
the  church  choir  or  organist.  And 
by  all  means  include  the  pastor. 
The  quality  of  your  work  will  re- 
flect your  regard  for  the  person  for 
whom  it  is  intended. 

Above  all,  remember  them  in 
prayer.  Pray  often  for  those  who 
are  away,  both  privately  and  in 
group  devotions.  'The  pastor  should 
mention  them  in  his  prayer  in  the 
Sunday  morning  service  as  well  as 
in  special  prayer  meetings.  Remem- 
ber what  the  prophet  Samuel  once 
said  to  the  people  of  Israel:  “Far 
be  it  from  me  that  I should  sin 
against  the  Lord  by  ceasing  to  pray 
for  you”  (1  Sam.  12:23). 

How  can  you  honor  them  pub- 
licly? When  young  people  come 
home,  make  their  church  home- 
coming a joyous  occasion.  Greet 
them  warmly  and  welcome  them 
into  the  groups  where  there  are  old 
acquaintances.  1-W  men  and  couples 
and  Pax  men  usually  come  back 
unannounced  and  are  easily  over- 
looked. 

You  may  want  to  do  what  some 
churches  are  doing  in  setting  aside 
on  day  a year  as  Peace  Sunday. 
Plan  a special  service  for  that  day, 
built  around  an  appropriate  theme 


such  as  “A  Program  of  Peace” 
(Luke  4:16-20  and  Psalm  67).  Ex- 
tend invitations  to  all  fellows  re- 
turning home  as  well  as  ex-service- 
men to  serve  as  ushers,  choir  mem- 
bers, or  speakers.  After  the  serv- 
ice, there  should  be  opportunity  for 
fellowship  in  another  part  of  the 
church  building.  As  many  of  the 
congregation  as  can  do  so  will  want 
to  invite  the  men  into  their  homes 
for  dinner  that  day. 

But  remember  that  a special  trib- 
ute to  those  in  service  can  only  be 
a fitting  climax  to  a year-round  pro- 
gram of  Christian  friendliness  and 
concern.  A church  that  includes  in 
its  circles  of  love  the  members  who 
are  presently  away  from  home  is 
the  church  that  remembers  them 
the  year  around. 


Alternatives  to  War 

l-W  service  has  serious  implica- 
tions. The  church  cannot  take  it 
lightly.  Teaching  preparation  early 
in  a boy’s  life  will  enable  him  to 
understand  the  total  scope,  the  re- 
ligious and  ethical  consequences  of 
the  nonresistant  position.  Nonre- 
sistance is  more  than  a “passive 
feeling.”  It  is  a Arm,  integral  part 
of  the  life  of  our  church. 

1-W  service  demands  maturity 
and  helpfulness.  Fellows  need  to 
understand  why  they  oppose  army 
participation.  Perhaps  the  church 
can  give  them  a form  to  prepare 
like  Form  150. 

1-W  workers  must  appreciate 
work.  The  church  insists  that  the 
only  grounds  for  the  nonresistant 
stand  is  based  on  Christian  love — 
on  an  experience  of  Christ’s  love. 
Since  1-W  service  is  a witness  for 
the  church,  its  demands  naturally 
go  beyond  the  limited  concerns  of 
military  requirements. 

The  church  must  continue  to  pro- 
vide constructive  opportunities  for 
its  1-W  men.  If  the  church  neglects 
developing  a challenging  service 
setup,  difficulties  in  the  program 
and  in  its  personnel  are  inevitable. 

— The  1-W  Mirror 

The  MENNONITE  YOUTH  section  is  sponsored 
by  the  Young  People's  Union  of  the  General 
Conference.  Editor,  Muriel  Thiessen,  722 
Main  St.,  Newton,  Kansas. 


The  Great  Glad  Tidings  Tell 

The  Princeton  campus  was  quiet  and  beautiful  in  the  falling  snow, 
and  the  carol  singers  in  the  distance  were  an  added  touch  to  the  Christmas 
Eve  scene.  I was  walking  my  dog  when  I met  the  carolers  going  into 
the  garden  entrance  of  Dr.  Albert  Einstein’ s home.  One  of  the  boys  started 
to  sing,  ‘O  little  town  of  Bethlehem,  how  still  we  see  thee  lie,’  and  the 
others  took  it  up.  The  front  door  opened  suddenly  and  Dr.  Einstein  stood 
there  for  a moment.  Then  he  turned  back  into  the  house  and  reappeared 
with  his  violin.  Without  a word  he  started  to  play  with  the  singers— 
each  verse  through  the  hymn. 

Without  a word  to  break  the  spell,  the  young  people  turned  away 
silently,  and  Dr.  Einstein  closed  the  door  slowly  on  the  snowy  scene.  It 
was  a Christmas  Eve  to  remember.” 

Frank  S.  Mead  in  TARBELL’S  TEACHERS’  GUIDE 
(Fleming  H.  Revell  Company) 


December  15,  1959 


783 


our  schools 

CMBC  SYNOPSIS 

Ninety-two  students  are  enrolled 
at  Canadian  Mennonite  Bible  Col- 
lege this  term.  This  is  a record 
number  for  the  fall  term. 

The  formal  school  opening  was 
held  Oct.  18.  The  installation  of 
Henry  Poettcker  as  president  of  the 
college  took  place,  with  J.  J.  Thies- 
sen  officiating.  J.  M.  Pauls  assisted 
in  the  service.  The  main  message, 
“Verantwortung  mit  Gefahr,”  was 
given  by  David  Schroeder.  The 
choir,  under  the  direction  of  Vernon 
Neufeld,  served  for  the  first  time. 
(The  regular  conductor,  George  Wie- 
be,  is  at  present  continuing  his  mu- 
sic studies  in  Los  Angeles.) 

Deeper  Life  Week  was  held  Oct. 
20-23  with  J.  J.  Thiessen  as  speaker 
and  counselor. 

On  Oct.  20,  Harvey  Taves  and  Ted 
Miller  were  speakers  for  the  chapel 
service  and  acquainted  us  with  chal- 
lenging opportunities  in  Voluntary 
Service. 

On  Oct.  23  a group  of  six  students 
from  CMBC  left  for  Matheson  Is- 
land to  help  the  Larry  Kehlers 
(alumni  of  CMBC)  in  their  mission 
work  among  the  Metis  Indians. 
Physical  help  was  rendered  in  the 
construction  of  a new  building. 

Jack  Wyrtzen,  director  of  “Word 
of  Life,”  was  in  Winnipeg,  Nov.  14- 
22  for  a “Crusade  for  Christ”  cam- 
paign in  the  civic  auditorium.  Stu- 
dents of  CMBC  helped  in  counseling 
those  seeking  the  Savior. 

Our  twenty-six-voice  a cappella 
choir  toured  Southern  Manitoba 
Nov.  22,  presenting  programs  at 
Morden,  Winkler,  and  Plum  Coulee. 

NEW  PROBATION  PROCEDURE 

A new  academic  probation  pro- 
cedure has  been  adopted  by  faculty 
action  at  Bethel  College  requiring 
students  who  are  in  difficulty  be- 
cause of  low  grades  to  spend  more 
time  in  study  and  eliminating  such 
students  from  extracurricular  activ- 
ities in  which  they  might  represent 
the  school. 

The  statement  of  procedure  elim- 
inates students  on  probation  from 
such  activities  as  intercollegiate  ath- 
letics, public  performances  in  music, 
forensics,  dramatics,  and  deputation 
on  teams.  Heretofore,  only  athletics 
was  formally  involved. 


The  policy  is  a move  in  the  direc- 
tion of  higher  academic  standards 
and  eliminates  the  one-quarter 
which  up  to  now  has  been  a “grace” 
period. 

Not  many  students  are  on  proba- 
tion at  present — perhaps  four  per 
cent.  It  is  hoped  the  percentage 
will  drop  even  lower  in  view  of  this 
requirement. 

The  probationary  standard  at 
Bethel  is  1.6  grade  points  for  fresh- 
man and  sophomores,  1.8  for  juniors. 

While  on  academic  probation,  the 
student  must  observe  regular  study 
hours  from  7:00  to  10:00  p.m.  Mon- 
day through  Thursday  evenings. 
After  a second  consecutive  quarter 
on  probation,  the  student  will  be 
dismissed  and  may  not  re-enter 
within  one  year  from  that  time. 

Students  in  academic  difficulty  are 
referred  to  appropriate  faculty  ad- 
visers and  student  counselors  as 
soon  as  possible.  Freshmen  enter- 
ing college  “on  condition”  are  not 
on  probation  for  the  first  quarter 
by  definition  of  this  policy. 

MISSION  EMPHASIS  WEEK 

Robert  and  Alice  Ramseyer,  mis- 
sionaries on  furlough  from  Japan, 
were  the  speakers  for  Bluffton  Col- 
lege’s annual  mission  emphasis 
week,  Dec.  9-11.  They  spoke  at  joint 
house  devotions,  in  chapel,  and  at 
the  meeting  of  the  Student  Chris- 
tian Association. 

The  topics  for  the  chapel  talks 
were:  “The  Call:  Deaf  and/or 

Dumb”;  ‘The  Motive:  What  Differ- 
ence Does  It  Make”;  “The  Message: 
Is  There  Only  One?”  For  the  SCA 
meeting,  the  topic  was  “Our  Mission 
in  Japan”  and  included  an  illustrat- 
ed talk  with  recorded  Japanese  mu- 
sic for  background. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Ramseyer  have 
served  a term  in  Japan.  They  were 
most  recently  located  at  Miyazaki 
City  on  Kyushu  Island.  They  have 
three  children. 

DISCUSSIONS  OF  GREAT  BOOKS 

Professor  John  F.  Schmidt  of 
Bethel  College  is  serving  as  co- 
chairman  of  one  of  the  two  sections 
meeting  in  Newton  holding  discus- 
sions on  great  books. 

A number  of  North  Newton  resi- 
dents are  participating  in  the  twice 
a month  sessions  meeting  in  the 


library  of  the  AxteU  Clinic.  Sched-  jni 
ules  and  discussion  patterns  are  jai 
furnished  by  the  Great  Books  Foun-  S 
dation  in  Chicago.  The  most  recent 
meeting  was  held  November  19  with  ici 
a discussion  on  the  Book  of  Matthew  j t! 
in  the  Bible.  .ib 

'ifi 

SCHOLARSHIP  FUND 

Arrangements  have  been  complet-  ® 
ed  in  the  setting  up  of  the  Henry  J.  j* 
Brown  Scholarship  Fund  at  Menno- 
nite  Biblical  Seminary,  created  in  ' 
honor  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry  J. 
Brown,  pioneer  General  Conference  i/ 
Mennonite  missionaries  to  Cfiiina,  by  j 
their  children,  other  relatives,  and  ' ' 
friends.  This  scholarship  fund  pro- 
vides  that  earnings  or  interest  I 
gained  through  the  investment  of  ' 
the  original  amount  shall  be  made 
available  as  a scholarship  grant  to 
nationM  students  coming  from  for- 
eign mission  fields  to  attend  Men- 
nonite Biblical  Seminary  in  prepa-  j 
ration  for  returning  to  their  own  | 
land  to  carry  on  Christian  service. 
Preference  is  to  be  given  to  students 
from  China  and  Formosa. 

While  an  initial  amoimt  has  al- 
ready been  received  for  this  purpose, 
the  fund  remains  open  at  this  time 
for  additional  contributions  from 
those  who  may  desire  to  contribute 
to  the  cause  of  missions  and  Chris- 
tian training  in  this  way.  Additional 
contributions  to  the  fund  may  be 
sent  to  Mennonite  Biblical  Semi- 
nary, 3003  Benham  Avenue,  Elkhart, 
Ind. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Henry  J.  Brown 
were  pioneer  missionaries  to  China, 
who  first  went  out  in  1909  and 
helped  to  found  the  General  Confer- 
ence Mission  there  in  1914.  After 
forty  years  of  active  service  they 
made  their  home  at  Freeman,  S.  D., 
Mrs.  Brown’s  home  community.  Rev. 
Brown,  originally  of  Mt.  Lake,  Min- 
nesota, died  September  18,  1959.  The 
children  are  Linda  (Mrs.  John  War- 
kentin)  of  Atlanta,  Ga.,  Jessie  (Mrs. 
Menno  Gaeddert)  of  Newton,  Kan., 
and  Dr.  Roland  P.  Brown,  tempor- 
arily of  Detroit,  Mich. 

CONGRESSMAN  IS  GUEST  SPEAKER 

Congressman  George  McGovern, 
representing  the  First  District  of 
S.  D.,  was  the  guest  speaker  at  the 
November  faculty  social  at  Freeman 
College  Nov.  16.  His  talk  on  “Chris- 
tianity and  the  Impact  of  Commu- 


784 


THE  MENNONITE 


nism”  was  followed  by  a question 
and  answer  period.  Dr.  McGovern 
served  a S.  D.  church  college  as  pro- 
fessor of  government  before  he  be- 
came a congressman  and  now  has 
the  exceptional  opportunity  to  com- 
bine theory  with  practice  in  the 
field  of  government.  Ministers  of  the 
area  churches  and  their  wives  were 
also  guests  of  the  faculty.  Hosts  for 
the  social  hour  and  the  tea  which 
followed  were  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Gerhard 
Buhler  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Arlan  Ort- 
man. 

FOUNDERS  DAY 

Freeman  College  commemorated 
its  annucd  Founders’  Day  Dec.  14. 
Arnold  Nickel,  pastor  of  the  Eden 
Mennonite  Church  of  Moundridge, 
Kan.,  was  the  speaker  for  the  day. 
At  the  forenoon  program  his  sub- 
ject was  “Gates  Without  Walls”  and 
for  the  afternoon  session  he  will 
speak  on  “Serving  the  Present  Age.” 
The  college  a cappella  choir  under 
the  direction  of  Miss  Lavera  Schrag 
1 sang  in  the  forenoon  and  the  College 
Ensemble  in  the  afternoon.  In  the 
evening  the  band  and  the  Academy 
Choir  'wiU  present  their  annual 
Christmas  concert.  Both  are  direct- 
ed by  Miss  Dorothy  Imhoff. 

During  the  noon  hour  the  home 
economics  students,  under  the  super- 
vision of  Miss  Mary  Bixler,  served 
the  traditional  fellowship  luncheon. 
FACULTY  MEETINGS 

The  Bethel  College  Faculty  Fel- 
lowship and  Devotional  Hour  is  ob- 
served regularly  Monday  evenings 
at  4:00  p.m.  Participants  decided  to 
meet  quietly  for  meditation,  and 
sharing  of  concerns  but  to  do  this 
in  an  unstructured  way.  No  one  is 
asked  to  prepare  specially  — the 
meetings  are  to  be  “Quaker  type,” 
unstructured  but  with  ready  listen- 
ing and  discussion  if  someone  has 
something  to  share. 

COLLEGE  RELATIONSHIPS 
DISCUSSED 

Two  seminar  groups  of  college, 
pastoral,  and  community  leaders  in 
the  Newton,  Kan.,  area  are  meeting 
regularly  at  4:00  p.m.  the  second 
Thursday  of  each  month  to  consider 
readings  from  Elton  Trueblood’s 
book  “The  Idea  of  a College.”  New 
discussion  leaders  are  elected  from 
the  groups  for  each  succeeding 
meeting.  The  relationships  of  Beth- 
el College  to  her  constituencies  are 
discussed  in  the  light  of  readings 
agreed  upon. 


MCC  news  and  notes 

TYPHOON  REHABILITATION 

JAPAN — “The  dramatic  push  is 
now  over,  and  people  are  faced  with 
the  long  slow  struggle  to  come 
back,”  reports  Japan  MCC  peace 
worker  Paul  Peachey  in  recapitu- 
lating some  of  the  events  of  the 
Japan  typhoon  clean-up  activity.  Ex- 
tensive work  by  many  churches 
has  gone  into  rehabilitating  storm 
victims.  Clothing  and  nutrition 
needs  have  had  to  be  met.  Camps, 
set  up  by  volunteers  to  clean  up  bad- 
ly stricken  communities,  have  oper- 
ated for  several  weeks  with  vary- 
ing degrees  of  success. 

Workcamp 

The  Mennonite  sponsored  work- 
camp  program  established  Oct.  16 
has  been  temporarily  ended  after 
six  continuous  weeks  of  operation — 
five  weeks  in  Kuwana  and  one  in 
Tsushima.  “We  are  helping  other 
groups  take  up  the  workcamp  pro- 
gram where  we  felt  compelled  to 
drop  it,”  Peachey  says.  In  a few 
weeks  the  camp  program  will  be 
resumed. 

“The  workcamp  has  been  a most 
gratifying  effort.  Participants  came 
from  a number  of  schools  and  de- 
nominations to  help.  The  fourth 
week’s  camp  work  was  one  of  the 
most  eventful.  One  evening  as  many 
as  twenty  persons  assisted  in  the 
camp.  Seven  came  from  a mission- 
ary language  school  in  Kobe;  with 
them  our  hope  of  a^  missionary 
group  coming  as  a group  and  mak- 
ing an  impact  as  missionaries  was 
realized  when  the  event  was  singled 
out  by  the  press.” 

A Church  of  Christ  group  from 
their  Bible  School  in  Osaka  also 
helped.  ’These  people  worked  on  the 
neighboring  island  in  the  river 
mouth  in  the  town  of  Nagashima. 
Samuel  Lee  (one  of  the  Japanese 
men  helping  with  the  camp  reha- 
bilitation) served  as  a go-between 
for  a chaplain-led  group  of  marines 


who  came  to  work  there  after  read- 
ing about  the  camp.  ’The  entire 
group  went  into  Nagashima  to  clean 
out  the  narrow  little  streets  filled 
with  washed  in  debris. 

In  Kuwana  some  of  the  work  had 
to  be  repeated  recently,  since  in  the 
heavy  Nov.  2 rain  dikes  broke  and 
water  again  rushed  in.  Workcamp 
volunteers  cleaned  a hospital,  a 
horrie  for  the  aged  and  a nursery, 
as  well  as  doing  some  street  work. 
The  group  was  asked  to  disinfect 
the  outlying  villages.  “The  city  staff 
is  understandably  overtaxed  at  pres- 
ent,” reports  Peachey. 

Feeding  Program 

MCC’s  immediate  interest  focuses 
on  two  milk  projects.  In  a village 
adjoining  Tsushima  (with  a popula- 
tion of  44,000)  a daily  bread  and 
milk  program  which  is  to  run  daily 
until  Christmas  was  started  on  Nov. 
27  in  a recently  resumed  school  of 
nearly  300.  The  families  represent- 
ed by  the  children  are  rice  farmers 
who  lost  their  income,  whose  houses 
were  severely  damaged  and  who  are 
too  poor  to  furnish  school  lunches 
for  their  own  children.  Fresh  bot- 
tled milk  is  being  purchased  as  an 
emergency  measure  until  the  city 
can  make  other  arrangements. 

In  Kuwana  on  Dec.  7,  milk  will 
be  given  to  nearly  1,000  children. 
Other  possible  food  projects  are  be- 
ing studied.  In  addition  to  milk  and 
clothing,  scores  of  futons  have  been 
distributed  within  the  last  six  weeks. 
(A  futon  is  a special  Japanese  bed 
and  cover  combination  which  is  used 
to  sleep  directly  on  the  straw  mat 
covered  floors.)  The  first  futon  dis- 
tributions were  made  Oct.  29  to  fam- 
ilies in  evacuation  centers  in  Na- 
goya, Kuwana,  Aichi  Ken  and  Tsu- 
shima. 

Area  of  Need 

The  pocket  of  real  need,  reports 
Peachey,  is  a sort  of  triangle  in 
Aichi  Ken,  the  apex  of  which  is 
Tsushima  and  the  base  formed  by 
Kuwana  and  Nagoya.  On  Nov.  12 


To  us  the  thought  of  shepherds  watching  their  flocks  is  romantic  and 
as  far  removed  from  life  as  a picture  on  a Christmas  card.  But  the  shep- 
herds were  just  men  going  about  their  daily  work.  To  these  men  came 
God’s  sudden  revelation.  Christianity  is  not  man’s  search  for  God  hut 
God’s  good  news  to  man;  not  the  elevation  of  man  hut  the  revelation  of 
God. 

Donald  T.  Kauffman  in  the  GIST  OF  'THE  LESSON 
(Fleming  H.  Revell  Company) 


December  15,  1959 


785 


the  dike  was  temporarily  closed  for 
the  first  time  which  enabled  the 
water  to  be  pumped  from  Tsushima. 
No  private  agencies  have  worked  in 
Tsushima  thus  far.  With  the  water 
starting  to  recede,  the  inimdated 
part  of  the  city  is  now  at  the  point 
where  Kuwana  was  nearly  a month 
ago  when  the  workcamp  team  ar- 
rived there. 

“Publicity  given  the  Mennonite 
sponsored  project  has  brought  over 
$4,000  from  various  groups,  some  of 
which  came  out  of  the  blue  and 
which  was  really  more  than  we  were 
prepared  to  handle  at  the  time.  One 
of  the  important  and  thrilling  by- 
products of  our  effort  has  been  stim- 
ulation to  other  denominations,”  as- 
serts Peachey. 

CANADA  APPROVED  FOR  TRAINEES 

OTTAWA — Canadians  will  be  able 
to  participate  as  sponsors  in  the 
1960-1961  MCC  international  trainee 
program.  In  early  November,  Can- 
ada approved  the  entry,  on  a tem- 
porary basis,  of  six  of  approximate- 
ly 45  young  people  to  come  to  North 
America  in  August,  1960.  Their  ap- 
proval resulted  from  negotiations 
between  Canadian  immigration  offi- 
cials represented  by  Colonel  Luvel 
Fortier  and  MCC  represented  by 
Rev.  J.  J.  Thiessen  and  Harvey 
Taves. 

The  six  trainees  will  Live  with 
Canadian  Mennonite  families  and 
become  acquainted  with  as  well  as 
participate  in  the  social  and  reli- 
gious activity  of  the  community  in 
which  they  live. 

According  to  the  Mennonite  Cen- 
tral Committee  agreement  with 
Canada,  Canada  will  accept  a lim- 
ited number  of  trainees  from  five 
countries : Germany,  Netherlands, 

France,  Switzerland,  Luxembourg. 

The  38  youths  which  are  a part  of 
this  year’s  trainee  arrangement  8ire 
presently  working  in  all  kinds  of 
professions  or  trades  in  thirteen 
states  from  Maryland  to  Oregon. 
Feb.  21  they  will  be  moving  to  new 
areas  of  work  and  living. 

All  trainees  report  exciting  and 
educational  experiences,  says  trainee 
administrator  Pauline  Jahnke,  even 
though  many  are  not  working  in 
their  native  occupations.  Quite  a 
number,  for  instance,  serve  on 
farms  although  they  had  never  been 
accustomed  to  agriculture  work  pre- 
vious to  their  US  life. 

Miss  Jahnke  emphasizes  the  need 


for  more  families  to  sponsor  the  38 
youth  for  their  second  six-month 
period.  Sponsors  from  all  across  the 
US  are  wanted,  particularly  from 
Wec<-)of  the  Mississippi.  Among  oc- 
cupations from  which  sponsors  are 
especially  welcome  are  baking,  hos- 
pital laboratory  technician,  office 
work,  plumbing,  and  farming. 

ROADWAY  BUILDING  PROGRESSES 

PARAGUAY  — Steady  building 
progress  for  nine  months  is  unprece- 
dented in  Trans-Chaco  construction 
history,  reports  Paxman  James  R. 
Plummer  (Waterloo,  Ont.).  Although 
some  machines  are  waiting  repairs, 
about  one-half  of  the  equipment  has 
been  maintained  in  constant  oper- 
ation. 

The  road  has  reached  Kilometer 
89,  about  3%  kilometers  past  the 
Rio  Aguay-Guazu  (Riacho  Jhe-e). 
Because  there  are  still  about  15 
kilometers  of  unfinished  road  be- 
fore reaching  the  river,  workmen 
are  divided  into  two  groups — one 
working  at  Km.  76  and  the  other  at 
Km.  89. 

Two  bridges  are  being  built  at  the 
Rio  Aguay-Guazu.  One,  a timber 
pile  bents  structure,  is  about  half 
finished.  Fortunately  the  river  has 
been  low,  facilitating  ease  of  con- 
struction. The  second  bridge  is  sup- 
ported on  two  masonry  abutments 
and  is  well  on  its  way  to  completion. 

“We  hope  to  be  using  both  these 
bridges  within  the  next  few 
months,”  Plummer  continues.  “The 
completion  of  these  structures 
should  certainly  boost  the  Trans- 
Chaco  road  in  the  esteem  of  the 
Paraguayans.” 

PORTABLE  CANNER 
NOW  AT  WORK 

AKRON — 'Since  early  November 
the  MCC  portable  canner  has  been 
operating  its  annual  meat  canning 
program.  To  cover  over  twenty-five 
communities,  the  canner  will  be 
serving  about  2(K)  churches  which 
will  solicit  and  process  contributed 
meat  in  the  next  three  months.  MCC 
processed  meat  is  used  in  at  least 
seven  countries  to  supplement  the 
low  nutritional-value  food  that  many 
victims  of  war,  natural  disaster  or 
under-developed  countries  receive. 

Maintained  by  Maurice  Slagell 
(Hydro,  Okla.)  and  Melvin  Bitikofer 
(Salem,  Ore.),  the  canner  will  be 
operated  until  March  in  the  Men- 
nonite communities:  Kansas  (In- 


man-Buhler, Hutchinson,  Hillsboro,  1. 
Moundridge,  Pretty  Prairie,  White-  || 
Water-Bums,  Hesston-Newton,  Pro- 
tection-Greensburg,  Harper,  Scott 
City,  and  Copeland-Montezuma),  Ne-  ei 
braska  (Beatrice,  Shickley,  Hender- 
son,  Hampton,  Beemer),  Minnesota  b 
(Mountain  Lake),  Illinois  (Freeport,  tl 
'Tiskllwa,  and  Morton),  Indiana  j 
(Wakarusa  and  Montgomery),  Ohio  j 
(Archbold,  West  Liberty,  Hartville,  , 
and  Wayne-Medina),  Missouri  (Ver-  j 
sailles  and  Harrisonville). 

Two-thirds  of  the  world’s  popula-  ■ ] 
tion  is  undernourished.  In  many  | | 
countries  available  food  supplies 
make  well-balanced  diets  impossible. 
Meat,  though  high  in  nutritional 
value,  is  absent  from  the  diet  of  ,, 
many  because  of  its  scarcity  and  | 
expense.  Meat  is  needed  in  Asia  to  i 
supplement  the  rice  diet,  in  Europe 
to  supplement  potatoes.  | 

Because  of  this  special  need,  MCC  j 
has  distributed  over  a million  cans 
of  meat  during  the  last  six  years. 
Last  year  meat  went  to  Austria, 
Germany,  Hong  Kong,  Indonesia, 
Jordan,  Korea,  and  Vietnam.  Even 
though  the  need  is  great,  MCC  is  I 
the  only  relief  organization  that  dis-  j 
tributes  meat  in  large  quantities 
overseas,  making  this  a unique  and 
highly  appreciated  contribution  of 
Mennonites.  i 


mutual  aid  placement 

A brotherly  service  for  the  upbuilding  of 
the  church  community  through  a mutually 
helpful  agency  providing  free  services  in 
the  interest  of  placement  or  relocation. 

JOB  WANTED 

Registered  nurse  looking  for  posi- 
tion as  clinic  nurse  or  doctor’s  as- 
sistant preferably  in  Mennonite 
community.  Has  had  two  and  one- 
half  years  experience  in  the  field  of 
nursing. 

POSITION  OPEN 

Beginning  January  15  to  30  the 
Mennonite  Publication  Office  needs 
a man  (or  woman)  with  mechanical 
aptitude  to  serve  as  mailing  room 
supervisor  and  multilith  operator. 
Previous  experience  helpful  but  not 
required.  This  position  is  cleared  for 
1-W  service.  Apply  or  write  to  Wal- 
ter D.  Unrau,  Manager,  720  Main 
Street,  Newton,  Kan. 


786 


THE  MENNONITE 


into  the  beyond 

Mrs.  Cornelius  K.  (Sarah  Hie- 
bert)  Janzen,  member  of  the  First 
Mennonite  Church,  Newton,  was 
bom  Jan.  31,  1886,  and  passed  from 
this  life  on  Oct.  13,  1959. 

Hans  Bartsch,  member  of  the 
First  Mennonite  Church,  Newton, 
was  born  June  3,  1884,  and  departed 
this  life  on  Sept.  14,  1959. 

Eldon  Voth,  member  of  the  First 
Mennonite  Church,  Newton,  was 
born  Feb.  17,  1914,  and  died  Aug.  30, 
1959. 

Preston  J.  Hxjnsicker,  61,  of  Em- 
maus.  Pa.,  member  of  the  First 
Mennonite  Church,  Allentown,  Pa., 
was  born  Oct.  11,  1898,  died  Nov.  12, 
1959. 

Mrs.  Sarah  (Widmer)  Wenger, 
member  of  the  Eicher  Mennonite 
Church,  Wayland,  Iowa,  was  bom 
Aug.  13,  1883,  and  died  Nov.  2,  1959. 

Lewis  Hering,  76,  member  of  the 
Eicher  Mennonite  Church,  Wayland, 
Iowa,  died  Nov.  15,  1959. 

Jacob  G.  Graber,  77,  a member  of 
the  First  Mennonite  Church  of  Pret- 
ty Prairie,  Kan.,  was  bom  Sept.  17, 
1882,  in  Marion,  S.  D.,  and  died 
Oct.  9,  1959. 

George  W.  Schroeder,  61,  a mem- 
ber of  the  First  Mennonite  Church 
of  Pretty  Prairie,  Kan.,  was  born 
Feb.  22,  1898,  near  Pretty  Prairie, 
and  died  Nov.  14,  1959. 

Carl  Muller,  of  Reedley,  Calif., 
and  member  of  the  First  Mennonite 
Church,  Reedley,  was  bom  Nov.  23, 
1878,  and  died  Nov.  25,  1959. 

Funeral  services  were  held  in  the 
Pretty  Prairie  Mennonite  Church 
for  Mrs.  Elda  Graber  Coplen,  24,  a 
former  member  of  the  church  who 
was  bom  Oct.  12,  1935,  at  Pretty 
Prairie,  and  died  Nov.  20,  1959,  in 
Wichita,  Kansas. 

H.  J.  Brown,  former  missionary 
to  China,  was  born  Dec.  9,  1879, 
and  died  Sept.  18,  1959. 

Cornelius  Pankratz,  member  of 
the  Salem-Zion  Mennonite  Church 
was  bom  June  11,  1876,  and  died 
Nov.  8,  1959. 

Mrs.  Peter  Schroeder  (Nee  Mar- 
tha Knak)  of  Hillsboro,  Kan.,  and 
member  of  the  First  Mennonite 
Church,  Hillsboro,  was  bom  Dec.  13, 
1896,  and  died  Nov.  19,  1959. 


jottings 

LAMONT  WOELK  ACCEPTS  CALL 

Hoffnungsau  Church,  Inman, 
Kan.:  Sept.  20,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Alvin 
Becker,  who  spent  two  years  in  S. 
America,  told  of  their  work  and 
showed  slides.  The  week  of  Sept. 
27  our  church  took  part  in  commu- 
nity meetings  when  J.  N.  Smucker 
was  guest  speaker.  His  topics  were 
from  Psalm  23.  Oct.  4 our  church 
had  holy  Communion.  Oct.  29  our 
men’s  brotherhood  and  their  wi\es 
visited  the  aged,  sick,  and  shut-ins. 
Our  church  retreat  was  held  at 
Camp  Mennoscah  Oct.  31.  Roland 
Goering  was  our  guest  speaker.  Nov. 
1-3  Lamont  Woelk  from  Fairfield, 
Pa.,  was  our  guest  speaker.  The 
week  of  Nov.  2,  the  relief  canner 
was  in  Buhler.  Our  church  also 
canned  one  day,  chicken,  pork,  and 
beef.  Nov.  5 was  our  annual  mis- 
sion supper  and  sale.  Nov.  18  we  had 
our  annual  church  business  meet- 
ing. Our  church  extended  a call  to 
Lamont  Woelk  for  a three  year 
term  and  he  accepted  the  call,  be- 
ginning July,  1960.  Starting  Jan.  1, 
1960,  P.  K.  Regier  will  be  interim 
pastor.  Our  Thanksgiving  message 
was  brought  by  P.  K.  Regier.  Dec. 
2 our  midweek  Bible  study  classes 
for  all  ages  began.  Dec.  3 the  Sen- 
ior Mission  Society  had  their  annual 
Christmas  program.  A daughter, 
Kirsten  Dineen,  was  bom  Oct.  29  to 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  John  Calvin  Franz. — 
Kathryn  Klassen 

CORNERSTONE  LAID 

First  Church,  Pretty  Prairie, 
Kan.:  The  cornerstone  laying  cere- 
mony for  the  Prairie  Sunset  Home 
was  held  Aug.  30  at  the  time  of  the 
75th  anniversary  of  the  church. 
Work  on  the  home  is  nearing  com- 
pletion. A very  stimulating  report 
of  the  conference  in  Bluffton  was 
given  Sept.  6 in  the  form  of  a nanel 
discussion  by  six  of  the  delegates, 
led  by  the  pastor.  Sept.  23,  the  Alex- 
anderwohl  CE  gave  a CE  program 
in  our  church.  Oct.  7 Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Arthur  Thiessen  spoke  and  showed 
pictures  of  their  medical  work  in 
India.  Andrew  Shelly  was  the  guest 
speaker  at  our  Harvest  Mission  Fes- 
tival Oct.  11  and  for  the  fall  evan- 
gelistic services  held  that  week.  A 
commissioning  service  for  Betty 
Schrag,  who  is  serving  under  the 
Go  Ye  Mission,  was  held  during  the 
morning  service  Oct.  11.  She  is  the 
seventh  missionary  being  supported 
by  our  SS.  Oct.  25  Herbert  Dalke  of 
Clinton,  Okla.,  brought  the  morn- 
ing message.  Nov.  1 Mrs.  P.  R.  Lin- 


scheid  spoke  about  her  experiences 
in  Newfoundland.  Our  junior  choir 
took  part  in  the  Junior  Choir  Fes- 
tival held  at  North  Newton  Nov.  8. 
The  evening  service  on  Nov.  29  was 
in  charge  of  the  Gideons.  Dec.  6 
Willard  Claassen  gave  an  illustrat- 
ed message  on  our  Conference  work 
in  education  and  publication.  Mem- 
bers of  the  Bethany  Church  of 
Kingman  joined  with  members  of 
our  church  Nov.  27  and  28  in  can- 
ning for  relief;  9(K)  cans  of  beef, 
1,071  pork,  and  849  cans  of  lard 
were  processed. 

WEEK  OF  SPECIAL  MEETINGS  HELD 

Spring  Valley  Church,  Newport, 
Wash.:  We  had  special  meetings 
the  week  of  Nov.  9-15.  Our  speaker 
was  P.  D.  Unmh  of  Colfax,  Wash. 
Nov.  19  Martha  Burkhalter,  a mis- 
sionary of  India,  spoke  to  the  Will- 
ing Workers  in  the  afternoon.  In  the 
evening  we  had  our  annual  sale 
followed  by  a message  by  Miss 
Burkhalter.  A children  dedication 
was  held  Nov.  22.  There  are  four 
little  ones  who  have  come  to  par- 
ents from  our  congregation  since 
last  summer.  Joan  Woelk  and  Syl- 
via Hiebert  are  in  school  at  Grace 
Bible  Institute,  and  Eva  Marie  Hie- 
bert is  in  Bethel  of  Newton,  Kan. 
We  wish  them  all  the  best  and  the 
Lord  bless  them. — Mrs.  J.  W.  Riffel 

MCC  WORKERS  COMMISSIONED 

Salem-Zion  Church,  Freeman, 
S.  D.:  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Larry  Eisen- 
beis  were  commissioned  for  service 
in  Greece  under  the  MCC  in  spring. 
In  Aug.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Don  Kauf- 
man were  ordained  for  service  in 
Indonesia.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  C.  Voth 
were  the  speakers  at  our  mission 
society  meeting  Oct.  26.  Edmund 
Miller  of  the  First  Church  of  Mound- 
ridge,  Kan.,  had  a series  of  meet- 
ings in  our  church  during  Thanks- 
giving week.  His  messages  were 
based  on  the  N.  T.  concept  of  the 
Church.  The  high  school  and  college 
age  girls  have  organized  a Junior 
Mission  Society.  In  Nov.  they  gave 
a program  for  the  King’s  Daugh- 
ters of  the  Salem  Church.  The  jun- 
ior choir  is  rehearsing  again  and 
rendering  the  special  music  for  the 
morning  service  once  a month.  Vir- 
ginia Ortman  is  the  director.  The 
Salem  Church  people  were  our 
guests  this  year  for  the  joint 
Thanksgiving  service.  J.  Herbert 
Fretz  of  the  Salem  Church  brought 
the  message  entitled  “Treasures  in 
Heaven.”  The  annual  church  busi- 
ness meeting  was  held  Dec.  4.  The 
Freeman  Jr.  College  vocal  ensemble 
presented  a sacred  concert  in  our 
church  Nov.  29. 


The  challenge  of  simplicity  is  a magnet  to  the  human  spirit.  Much  of 
the  beauty  of  Christmas  lies  in  its  challenge  to  look  further,  deeper,  until 
we  find  its  secret  in  the  heart  of  God. 

Dale  Evans  Rogers  in  CHRIS'TMAS  IS  ALWAYS 
(Fleming  H.  Revell  Company) 


December  15,  1959 


787 


conference  notes 

CONFERENCE  ON  RACE  HELD 
IN  EASTERN  DISTRICT 

A race  conference,  sponsored  by 
the  Eastern  District  Conference  Mis- 
sions Committee  and  the  Peace  and 
Service  Committee,  was  held  in  the 
Deep  Run  Mennonite  Church,  Bed- 
minster,  Pa.,  Nov.  20  and  21.  Speak- 
ers at  this  conference  were  Elmer 
Neufeld,  secretary  of  the  MCC  Peace 
Section,  Akron,  Pa.,  and  Vincent 
Harding,  associate  pastor  of  the 
Woodlawn  Mennonite  Church,  Chi- 
cago, 111. 

Saturday  most  of  the  time  was 
given  to  discussion.  Short  presenta- 
tions were  made  in  the  morning 
by  David  Habegger,  pastor  of  the 
First  Mennonite  Church,  Allentown, 
Pa.,  and  Curtis  Bedsworth,  pastor 
of  the  First  Mennonite  Church,  Phil- 
adelphia, Pa.,  to  stimulate  discus- 
sion. Their  topics  were:  “The  Race 
Question  and  Mission  Work  at  Home 
and  Abroad”  and  “Mission  Work 
with  Negroes — Why  and  How?”  The 
discussion  groups  were  led  by  J. 
Richard  Burkholder,  Lament  Woelk, 
and  Howard  Habegger. 

Saturday  afternoon  the  discussion 
was  stimulated  by  a pamel  that  dis- 
cussed the  questions  of  interracial 
housing,  employment,  and  marriage. 

The  conference  did  not  seek  to 
come  forth  with  a statement,  but 
the  discussion  recorders  did  present 
findings.  Crucial  to  the  whole  mat- 
ter of  race  relations,  the  group  felt, 
was  the  concept  of  the  church  as  a 
fellowship  of  believers  under  the 
Lordship  of  Christ.  If  Christians 
recognize  all  men  as  in  need  of  the 
forgiving  grace  of  God,  and  see  that 
in  Christ  there  is  no  discrimination, 
then  we  must  accept  all  believers 
as  brothers  and  be  willing  and  hap- 
py to  fellowship  with  them  irrespec- 
tive of  racial  background  or  social 
class.  This  conference  will  be  long 
remembered  for  the  freedom  of  dis- 
cussion and  the  intense  fellowship 
that  was  experienced. 

— David  Habegger 

A GREAT  PROJECT  COMPLETED 

The  release  last  August  of  Vol- 
ume IV  of  the  Mennonite  Encyclo- 
pedia brought  to  completion  a ma- 
jor publishing  project.  It  actually 
turned  out  to  be  much  more  time- 
consmning  and  expensive  than  was 


anticipated  when  the  project  was 
undertaken  by  three  co-operating 
publishing  houses — -Newton,  Hills- 
boro, and  Scottdale— in  1946. 

Total  editorial  costs  of  more  than 
$40,000  are  being  absorbed  by  the 
publishing  organizations  of  the 
three  largest  Mennonite  groups  of 
America.  From  the  sales  of  the 
Encyclopedia  it  is  hoped  that  most 
of  the  printing  and  merchandising 
cost  can  be  recovered. 

This  heavy  investment  of  time 
and  money  has  produced  such  a 
source  of  denominational  informa- 
tion as  probably  no  other  denom- 
ination has  provided  for  its  people. 

It  is  not  only  Mennonites  whom 
this  encyclopedia  will  serve.  In  the 
libraries  of  non-Mennonite  scholars 
and  in  university  and  public  libra- 
ries throughout  the  world  it  will  be 
the  authentic  answer  to  the  ques- 
tions that  thousands  are  asking  con- 
cerning the  Mennonite  Cliurch.  This 
is  an  effective  part  of  the  Menno- 
nite witness  to  the  world. 

The  files  of  material  are  joint 
property  but  will  be  held  in  cus- 
tody at  Goshen,  Ind.,  by  a Commit- 
tee of  Voluntary  Editors  which  will 
continue  on  its  own  expense  to  col- 
lect materials  and  record  any  errors 
in  the  encyclopedia.  Anyone  discov- 
ering errors  should  report  them  to 
any  of  the  publishers.  No  plans  are 
being  made  for  a future  reprint. 
Complete  sets  are  still  available  and 
can  be  ordered  from  any  of  the 
publishers.  An  alphabetical  index  of 
articles  with  writers  is  being  pre- 
pared in  multilith  form,  and  can 
be  ordered  from  Scottdale. — Paul 
Erb. 

WHAT  MAKES  A FURLOUGH? 

On  Dec.  12,  1959,  Arthur  and 
Jeannie  Thiessen,  medical  mission- 
aries to  India,  left  the  States  with 
their  four  daughters.  They  had  just 
completed  their  first  furlough. 

A little  girl  is  supposed  to  have 
once  said  that  when  she  grew  up 
she  would  like  to  be  a missionary 
on  furlough.  Before  leaving,  Mrs. 
Thiessen  summarized  what  consti- 
tuted their  furlough. 

From  their  apartment  headquar- 
ters in  Wheaton,  111.,  the  Thiessens 
sent  out  three  major  mailings  (200- 


500  letters).  Mrs.  Thiessen  audited 
a two-week  course  at  Wheaton  Col-  ] 
lege  while  Dr.  Thiessen  took  ad- 
vantage of  facilities  at  the  medical  | 
center  in  Chicago.  Speaking  engage- 
ments for  Mrs.  Thiessen  totaled 
forty.  Dr.  Thiessen  counted  eighty- 
seven.  f 

The  major  trips  taken  during  the 
furlough  period  (twelve  months  for  1 
Mrs.  Thiessen,  nine  months  for  Dr.  I 
Thiessen)  were  to  the  following  l| 
places:  Kansas  in  March;  Bluff  ton,  I 
Ohio,  in  April;  Central,  Northern,  1 
and  Pacific  District  conferences  held  • 
respectively  in  Goshen,  Ind.,  Free- 
man, S.  D.,  and  Barlow,  Ore.,  in  . 
spring;  Kansas  in  June;  Eastern  ! 
Ohio  in  July;  Camp  Friedenswald  ; 
and  conference  at  Bluffton  in  Aug-  , 
ust;  Iowa,  Kan.,  Mo.,  and  Okla.  in  j 
Sept,  and  the  beginning  of  Oct.; 
Ontario  in  Nov.;  and  Kan.  in  Dec. 
The  family  went  along  to  Kan.  and 
to  the  General  Conference  sessions 
and  retreat.  ! 

Not  to  be  overlooked  are  the  in- 
evitable duties  of  housekeeping,  un- 
packing and  washing  and  then  pack- 
ing again  for  another  trip,  and  final- 
ly shopping  and  sorting  for  the 
next  six  years.  And  there  was  the 
important  event  in  May  when  the 
proper  people  took  time  out  to  add 
another  daughter  to  the  family. 

A concern  mentioned,  somewhat 
ruefully,  was  that  it  becomes  diffi- 
cult to  find  time  for  reading,  relax- 
ation, inspiration,  and  “intake”  dur- 
ing a furlough.  Another  thing,  which 
becomes  a problem,  is  trying  to 
maintain  a sense  of  security  for 
small  children.  For  the  Thiessens 
this  was  partially  accomplished  by 
taking  three  small  pillows  every- 
where three  small  girls  went. 

Looking  back  on  their  furlough, 
the  Thiessens  express  gratitude  for 
relatives  and  friends  who  went  the 
second  and  third  miles,  for  the  hos- 
pitality and  graciousness  of  church- 
es, for  strength  and  health  given  by 
God. 

Dr.  and  Mrs.  Thiessen  will  again 
be  working  at  the  leper  hospital  in 
Champa,  M.P.,  India.  It  was  due  to 
lack  of  medical  help  at  this  hos- 
pital that  they  stayed  here  only  a 
limited  time. 


DECEMBER  29,  1959 


OTHER  FOUNDATION  CAN  NO 
MAN  LAY  THAN  THAT  IS 
LAID,  WHICH  IS  JESUS  CHRIST 


1959  Council  of  Boards 


in  this  issue 

PKOTO  CREDITS 

Cover,  page  791:  Leland  Gerber. 

See  back  page  for  cover  caption 

ARTICLES 

THE  1959  COUNCIL  OF  BOARDS  791 
prayer — THE  NEGLECTED  POWER 

By  J.  N.  Smucker  792 

FOCUS  ON  CHRISTIAN  CONCERNS 
By  Frank  Epp  792 


DEPARTMENTS 

EDITORIAL  790 

MENNONITE  YOUTH 

Youth  Prayer  Calendar  1960  793 

1959  Young  People's  Council  794 

OUR  SCHOOLS  795 

MCC  NEWS  NOTES  795 

CONFERENCE  NOTES  796 

INDEX  797 


ABOUT  THE  BUDGET 

November  budget  receipts  reached  an  all- 
time  high  for  November  ($117,000).  If 
December  gifts  this  year  run  about  the 
same  as  in  December  1958,  Education 
and  Publication,  and  Business  Adminis- 
tration will  not  meet  their  budgets;  Mis- 
sions will  very  nearly  meet  its  budget; 
end  Christian  Service  will  reach  “the 
top."  We  would  urge  church  treasurers  to 
send  in  contributions  promptly  so  that 
they  can  be  applied  to  this  year's  budget. 

Wm.  L.  Friesen,  Conference  Treasurer 

Edna  Ruth  Mueller,  Asst.  Conf.  Trees. 


THE  MENNONITE 

Editor;  J.  N.  Smucker.  Associate  Editors; 
I Herbert  Fretz,  Robert  W.  Hartzler, 
Maynard  Shelly,  Menno  Schrag,  Cornelius 
J Dyck.  Editorial  Assistant;  Muriel 
Thiessen.  Layout  Consultant:  Robert  Regier. 

VOLUME  74  NUMBER  50 


editorials 

J.  Herbert  Fretz,  guegt  writer 

BEYOND  PLENTY  The  sands  of  1959  are  running  out.  Per- 
haps this  year  shall  be  known  in  America  as  the  year  of  the 
great  steel  strike  and  infamous  TV  scandal,  the  year  of 
Christmas  gifts  for  “the-man-who-has-every thing”  and  “the- 
man-on-his-way-up.”  Whether  in  wages  or  winnings,  conspicu- 
ous consumption  or  status-seeking,  it  has  been  a year  of  mate- 
rial plenty  across  America.  But  these  have  also  proved  harbingers 
of  an  uneasy  national  conscience.  Is  material  plenty  the  purpose 
of  our  society? 

The  Khrushchev  visit  pointed  up  two  rather  amazing  things: 
compared  to  Russia  we  lack  a clear-cut  sense  of  national  pur- 
pose. Yet,  at  bottom,  and  though  differing  in  ideology,  Russia 
and  the  United  States  seem  to  have  in  common  a kind  of  con- 
temptuous materialism  which  crys  out,  “We  will  have  the  big- 
gest and  best!”  Already. Republicans  and  Democrats  are  predict- 
ing that  “national  purpose”  will  be  a more  important  issue  in 
the  1960  campaign  than  in  any  previous  campaign. 

As  Mennonite  Christians  we  welcome  this  new  emphasis  upon 
“national  purpose.”  Indeed,  here  is  an  opportunity  for  us  to  show 
that  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ  in  our  own  lives  is  the  purpose 
that  carries  us  beyond  material  plenty,  or  are  we,  too,  so  en- 
meshed in  materialism  to  rise  above  it?  Can  we  live  in  this  day 
and  still  show  that  beyond  the  plenty  of  our  lives  there  is  a 
power  and  a purpose  in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  that  transcends 
mere  things?  Last  April  the  poet  Robert  Frost  told  a group  of 
Iowa  students  that  a poem  always  says  something  beyond  its 
words:  “I  call  this  ulteriority.  An  old  farmer  I know  says, 
‘There’s  alius  somethin’  more  to  everything.’  ” 

TIME  PROVINCIALISM  The  dawn  of  1960  approaches.  Dur- 
ing the  coming  year  we  can  expect  new  advances  in  space, 
whether  they  be  between  nations  on  earth  or  toward  planets 
beyond  earth.  We  live  in  a day  when  mankind  seems  to  be  more 
conversant  with  space  than  with  time.  Everyone  wants  to  “live 
in  the  present”  and  be  “relevant”  to  an  age  of  rock  and  roll, 
delinquency,  space  travel,  sex,  and  conformity. 

Van  Wyck  Brooks,  quoting  Professor  Whitehead’s  phrase, 
“Men  can  be  provincial  in  time  as  well  as  in  place,”  comments: 
“Americans,  more  than  other  people,  feel  that  they  must  be  up 
to  the  minute,  as  if  this  last  minute  were  more  important  than 
any  of  the  great  realities  of  life  and  death.”  Our  forebears  too 
had  to  face  a world  of  austere  reality,  but,  he  adds,  “It  was 
their  reading  of  the  Bible  and  the  classics  that  saved  them  from 
time-provincialism;  and,  having,  in  consequence,  equipose  and  a 
standard  of  value,  they  knew  their  present  better  than  we  know 
ours.” 

Certainly  the  General  Conference  Centennial  year  marks  an 
ever  increasing  emergence  of  Mennonites  into  the  mainstream  of 
American  life,  but  let  us  never  forget  our  singular  heritage  in 
history  and  the  Scriptures,  There  is  a power  and  purpose  in 
Jesus  Christ  beyond  the  plenty  of  our  lives  today,  because  He 
once  entered  human  history  and  once  died  for  all. 


790 


THE  MENNONITE 


1959  Council  of  Boards 


AMILLION-DOLLAR  partner- 
ship program  of  missions,  re- 
lief, stewardship,  and  education  is 
the  1960  goal  for  the  General  Con- 
ference Mennonite  Church. 

The  almost  one  hundred  men  and 
women  elected  to  plan  the  outreach 
and  nurture  activities  of  our  60,000- 
member  denomination  met  this  year 
at  the  First  Mennonite  Church, 
Berne,  Indiana,  Dec.  1-5. 

The  annual  business  meeting  got 
under  way  on  Tuesday  morning,  De- 
cember 1,  with  an  all-day  meeting 
of  the  Conference’s  eleven-man  ex- 
ecutive committee  which  reviewed 
and  acted  on  recommendations  com- 
ing from  last  summer’s  conference 
at  Bluffton.  Most  of  these  items 
were  assigned  by  the  executive  com- 
mittee to  one  of  the  Conference’s 
four  boards  for  action. 

The  annual  meetings  of  these  four 
boards — missions,  Christian  service, 
education  and  publication,  and  busi- 
ness administration — began  on  Wed- 
nesday morning,  following  an  open- 
ing address  by  Conference  Presi- 
dent Erland  Waltner.  The  board 
meetings  concluded  on  Friday  with 
a special  budget  session  in  the  First 
Mennonite  Church  of  Berne,  though 
the  executive  committee  continued 
in  session  through  Saturday. 

At  a special  commimity  service 
on  Wednesday  evening,  messages 
highlighted  the  important  areas  of 
Conference  activity.  William  L.  Frie- 
sen,  Newton,  Kansas,  outlined  the 
purpose  of  the  Council  of  Boards  in 


the  program  of  the  Conference.  De- 
scriptions of  the  church’s  teaching 
program,  world  refugee  year,  and 
new  frontiers  in  missions  were 
given  by  Willard  K.  Claassen,  New- 
ton, Kan.;  William  T.  Snyder,  Ak- 
ron, Pa.;  and  Andrew  R.  Shelly, 
Newton,  Kan. 

Growing  political  unrest  in  the 
Belgian  Congo  threatens  the  mis- 
sions program  of  the  Conference. 
Feeling  the  need  to  preserve  the 
gains  of  its  fifty  years  of  activity 
in  the  Congo,  the  Board  of  Mis- 
sions, in  co-operation  with  other 
Mennonite  groups  involved  in  this 
program,  will  send  a special  depu- 
tation to  Africa  early  in  1960  to 
initiate  a leadership  program  that 
will  bring  Congoese  Christians  into 
responsible  positions  in  the  building 
of  the  church.  Lotus  E.  Troyer, 
Meadows,  111.,  will  represent  the 
General  Conference  on  this  expedi- 
tion. 

As  a result  of  a joint  decision  by 
the  Boards  of  Missions  and  Chris- 
tian Service,  the  Conference  will 
raise,  in  co-operation  with  the  (Old) 
Mennonite  Church,  a total  of  $110,- 
000  for  the  enlargement  of  a sem- 
inary and  Bible  training  school  in 
Montevideo,  Uruguay.  This  school 
will  train  ministers  to  work  with 
South  American  nationals  and  ab- 
origine Indian  tribes  as  well  as  in 
the  colonies  of  German-speaking 
Mennonites. 

While  over  half  of  all  General 
Conference  students  attend  one  of 


our  four  colleges,  other  students 
are  attending  other  colleges  and 
state  universities  for  specialized 
training.  To  maintain  contact  with 
these  students,  the  Board  of  Edu- 
cation and  Publication  will  estab- 
lish a co-operative  program  of  stu- 
dent fellowships  with  the  (Old) 
Mennonite  Church  and  possibly 
other  groups.  These  fellowships,  in 
addition  to  enriching  student  life, 
will  aid  students  in  finding  areas 
of  service  in  the  denomination. 

Partnership  with  other  Mennonite 
groups  is  not  a new  thing  for  our 
Conference.  In  addition  to  the  new 
programs  outlined  above,  we  have 
long  participated  in  joint  relief  ac- 
tivities as  well  as  Sunday  school 
publications.  Founded  to  provide  an 
outreach  organization  for  all  Men- 
nonite congregations,  our  Confer- 
ence will  sponsor  a study  confer- 
ence at  Donnellson,  Iowa,  next  June 
to  study  still  further  avenues  of 
inter-Mennonite  co-operation.  ’This 
study  conference  will  be  a part  of 
the  observance  of  the  Conference’s 
one  hundredth  anniversary. 

Elected  to  serve  as  chairmen  of 
the  four  boards  were  the  follow- 
ing: Willard  Wiebe,  Mountain  Lake, 
Minn.,  missions;  Robert  E.  Kreider, 
Bluffton,  Ohio,  Christian  service; 
Lloyd  L.  Ramseyer,  Bluffton,  Ohio, 
education  and  publication;  and  C.  J. 
Dyck,  Elkhart,  Ind.,  business  admin- 
istration. 

Also  meeting  during  this  period 
were  the  following  organizations: 
Committee  on  Women  in  Church  Vo- 
cations, Committee  on  the  Ministry, 
Program  Committee,  Women’s  Mis- 
sionary Association,  and  the  presi- 
dents of  the  district  conferences. 


Conference  Executive  Committee  in 
session  at  Berne,  Ind.  Around  the 
table  left  to  right;  I.  I.  Friesen,  vice 
president]  Henry  Poettcker  and 
Lloyd  Ramseyer,  representing  edu- 
cation and  publication;  August  Epp, 
representing  business  administra- 
tion; John  P.  Suderman,  missions; 
Albert  Gaeddert,  Christian  service; 
Harris  Waltner,  secretary;  Carl  Leh- 
man, business  administration;  Wil- 
lard Wiebe,  missions;  Erland  Walt- 
ner, president;  William  T.  Snyder, 
Christian  service. 


December  29,  1 959 


791 


Prayer  - Neglected  Power 


week  of  January  3-9  has 
X been  designated  as  the  “Univer- 
sal Week  of  Prayer.”  The  first  full 
week  in  January  has  been  observed 
as  such  since  1846  in  Protestant 
churches  throughout  the  nation,  to 
emphasize  how  vital  a force  prayer 
is  for  developing  a closer  relation- 
ship with  God  and  ourselves.  It  is  a 
fitting  way  to  begin  the  New  Year. 

It  is  important  to  correct  some 
wmong  impressions  of  prayer.  It  is 
not  trying  to  change  God’s  plan  to 
suit  ours.  It  is  not  a substitute  for 
work  by  making  God  our  errand 
boy.  It  is  not  some  last  resort  to 
which  we  can  turn  and  have  some 
magic  performed.  It  is  not  begging, 
“Give  me  what  will  make  life  easy 
and  comfortable.”  Too  often  we  do 
not  fully  outgrow  these  childish 


conceptions  of  prayer. 

Prayer  is  resting  in  a great  fel- 
lowship. There  are  two  sides  to  life: 
the  outer  activity  and  the  inner 
serenity.  The  continual  strenuous  ac- 
tivities in  which  we  engage  must  be 
balanced  by  resting  back  in  the  di- 
vine fellowship  of  Him  who  said, 
“Come  unto  me  all  ye  that  are 
weary  and  heavy-laden,  and  I will 
give  you  rest.”  But  we  need  some- 
thing permanent  to  rest  upon,  and 
we  find  that  “underneath  are  the 
everlasting  arms.”  Such  a serene 
communion  with  God  causes  the 
soul  to  be  repaired,  adjusted,  and 
sustained.  Here  the  roots  of  life 
feed  upon  God  and  the  fruitage  is 
a natural  result. 

Prayer  is  affirming  a dominant 
desire.  It  is  far  more  than  pious 


words.  It  is  the  hunger  and  thirst 
of  the  soul.  Prayer  must  represent 
the  soul’s  sincere  desire,  and  unless 
that  desire  is  in  line  with  the  char- 
acter and  will  of  God,  no  great 
results  can  be  expected.  We  need 
to  have  our  souls  filled  with  the 
great  affirmations  of  the  spirit  that 
focus  our  attention  on  God,  rather 
than  on  our  little  troubles. 

Prayer  means  victorious  power.  It 
is  tapping  the  great  and  limitless 
resources  of  God  and  channeling 
them  into  our  lives.  Our  conflicts, 
problems,  and  deep  desires  are 
brought  into  God’s  presence  and 
exchanged  for  victory  through  Him! 
We  do  not  create  power.  We  only 
give  it  an  opportunity  to  be  released 
and  to  flood  our  lives.  Abiding  in 
Him,  we  are  constantly  on  the  over- 
coming side.  This  is  victorious  liv- 
ing! 

— J.  N.  Smucker 


Focus  on  Christian  Concerns 


Mass  deception  of  the  masses 


The  AMERICAN  PUBLIC  pre- 
tends to  have  been  shocked  by 
the  uncovery  of  mass  deception  in 
the  mass  media  during  recent 
months.  We  say  “pretends”  because 
we  don’t  think  the  shock  is  genuine. 
Much  of  the  expressed  surprise  and 
professed  ignorance  may  be  partly 
true,  but  in  essence  it  is  a self- 
righteous  washing  of  the  hands. 

This  mass  deception  thus  far  has 
been  pinpointed  on  three  fronts: 
• Rigged  television  quiz  shows  on 
which  contestants  were  given  an- 
swers in  advance  and  then  made  to 
pretend  otherwise. 

• Payola,  a term  now  denoting 
the  payment  of  fees  to  disk  jockeys 
by  large  record  manufacturers  for 
the  ‘favor’  of  plugging  their  records 
on  the  air. 

• Deceptive  advertising  as  in  mis- 
leading commercials  on  certain 
products,  e.g.,  reducing  pills. 
Government  policing  agencies  are 


pressing  for  a clean-up.  This  clean- 
up we  fear  may  turn  out  to  be  an- 
other deception.  By  shouting  loudly 
about  these  specifics,  like  rigged 
shows  and  payola  and  false  com- 
mercials, the  disease  of  deception 
itself  may  remain  untouched.  They 
will  cry  “clean”  when  all  is  not 
clean. 

A case  in  mass  deception  in  an- 
other area  may  soon  shape  up. 
When  all  the  facts  are  in,  a shame- 
ful story  of  fraud  in  advertising 
will  be  revealed  that  should  make 
our  “Christian  civilization”  turn 
crimson  red  in  its  face. 

Since  the  cigarette  cancer  scare 
of  1953,  the  tobacco  trusts  with  the 
help  of  their  motivational  research- 
ers and  advertising  agencies  have 
staged  a colossal  selling  campaign 
— very  cleverly  conceived,  very  lib- 
erally financed,  and  dished  out  with- 
out conscience  scruples  to  the  Amer- 
ican public. 


As  the  public  health  service  offi- 
cials press  their  warnings  this  selling 
campaign  will  intensify.  The  under- 
ground war,  in  which  the  Goliath  of 
tobacco  profits  and  the  subtlety  of 
the  hidden  persuaders  stand  up  a- 
gainst  the  courage  and  honesty  of 
public  officials,  is  already  under 
way.  Labelled  as  “do-gooder  bureau- 
crats,” many  of  these  initially  coura-  j 
geous  Davids  will  be  driven  into 
hiding. 

Before  we  can  witness  to  this 
mass  deception,  we  Christians  need 
cleansing  and  healing  for  ourselves. 
But  from  whom  shall  leadership 
and  guidance  come  for  Mennonite 
believers?  And  through  whom  shall 
they  present  their  corporate  witness? 

The  MCC  Peace  Section  in  the 
US  and  the  Historic  Peace  Church 
Council  of  Canada  serve  them  in 
matters  of  peace  and  war.  But  who 
carries  the  ball  on  issues  of  mass 
deception,  alcoholism,  political  cor- 
ruption, gambling,  and  wheat  sur- 
pluses? 

Is  it  not  time  that  the  MCCPS  and 
HPCCC  be  requested  to  enlarge  the 
tents  of  their  (our)  concern  and 
witness?  Frank  Epp 


THE  MENNONITE  is  a weekly  religious  journal  devoted  to  the  interest  of  the  Mennonite  Church  and  the  cause  of  Christ.  Published  every 
Tuesday  except  the  weeks  of  July  4 and  Dec.  25  by  the  Board  of  Education  and  Publication  of  the  General  Conference  Mennonite  Church. 
Entered  at  North  Newton,  Kansas,  post  office  as  second  class  matter.  Acceptance  for  mailing  at  special  rate  of  postage:  Section  1103  Act 
of  Oct.  3,  1917.  Authorized  Jan.  22,  1910.  Subscriptions  $2.50;  foreign  $3.00.  Mail  subscriptions  and  payments  to  Mennonite  Publication 
Office,  North  Newton,  Kan.,  or  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan.  Address  manuscripts  for  publication  to  J.  N.  Smucker,  Editor,  THE  MENNONITE 
Woodward  Place,  Goshen,  Ind.  Postmasters;  change  of  address  Form  3579  to  720  Main,  Newton,  Kan. 


792 


THE  MENNONITE 


1959  Index 


SUBJECT  INDEX 

ADVENT 

ADVENT  — PERIOD  OF  PREPARA- 


TION, editorial  742 

Voth.  Norma  Jost 

ADVENT  743 

AGING 

Amstutz,  H.  Clair 

CARING  FOR  THE  AGED,  388 

PREPARING  FOR  THE  GOLDEN 
YEARS,  editorial  386 

[SENIOR  CITIZENS,  editorial  50 

iSmucker,  Carl  F. 

THE  INCREASED  SPAN  390 

AGRICULTURE 

ARE  WE  LOSING  OUR  WAY  OF 
LIFE?  71 

SOIL  CONSERVATION  248 

Stauffer,  William 

GOD’S  GOOD  EARTH  244 

Stucky,  Harley  J. 

AGRICULTURAL  CRISES  AND 
MENNONITES  70 

ART 

Luginbuhl,  Darvin 


ENRICHMENT  THROUGH  ART  422 
ATOMIC  ENERGY 
Bryant,  Alice  Franklin 

RADIATION  AND  THE  RACE  486 
CHRISTIAN  AND  NUCLEAR 


POWER.  THE  549 

Deckert,  Kenneth 

RADIOACTIVE  FALLOUT  341 

Dyck.  Cornelius  J.  and  Dick, 
Nicholas 

WORD  OF  GOD  IN  THE 
NUCLEAR  AGE,  THE  308 

i NUCLEAR  GIANTS  AND  ETH- 
! ICAL  INFANTS,  editorial  194 

SHOULD  NUCLEAR  TESTS  BE 
DISCONTINUED?  editorial  242 

AUDIO-VISUAL  LIBRARY 
I ALTERNATIVES  78,  221,  301 

i MIYAZAKI  STORY,  THE  221 

STORY  OF  THE  PROPHETS, 

THE  221 

BAPTISM 
Unger,  P.  A. 

SIGNIFICANCE  OF  BAPTISM, 

THE  435 

BIBLE 

PASSPORT  TO  FELLOWSHIP  456 
BIBLE  VERSUS  COMMUNIST 

LITERATURE,  THE  504 

BRINGING  THE  BIBLE  TO  THE 
PEOPLE,  editorial  242 

Buller,  Harold 

BIBLE  AND  OUR  DAILY 
PROBLEMS,  THE  163 

Chirgwin.  Arthur  M. 

VERY  THING  YOU  NEED, 

THE  391 

Reimer,  John 

OUR  UNITED  TASK  568 

Sizoo,  Joseph  R. 

WHAT  DARKNESS  CANNOT 
DIM  759 

UNIVERSAL  BIBLE  WEEK, 

editorial  758 

Youngs,  Robert  W. 

WHY  DO  GOOD  PEOPLE 
SUFFER?  760 

BIBLE  STUDY 
Bartel,  Floyd  G. 

REASONS  FOR  REJOICING  67 

Frey,  Walter  D. 

WHAT  THINK  YE  OF  CHRIST?  643 
Mast,  Russell  L. 

UNDERSTANDEST  THOU?  468 

Poettcker,  Henry 

MARK’S  PICTURE  ALBUM  228 

BLIND 

LeSourd,  Gilbert  Q. 

RELIGIOUS  LITERATURE 
FOR  THE  BLIND  19 

BOOK  BEVIEWe 
Alpenfels,  Ethel  J. 

SENSE  AND  NONSENSE 
ABOUT  RACE  614 

Berry,  Ruth  Muirhead 

HIGH  IS  THE  WALL  394 

Bethers,  Ray 

ART  ALWAYS  CHANGES  75 

Boyer,  Claude 

CDUNSELING  YOUTH  347 


Briggs,  Argye  M. 

CHRIST  AND  MODERN 
WOMAN  472 

Cassel,  J.  C. 

FEDERAL  TAX  PRIMER 
FOR  CLERGYMEN  56 

Chabut,  Elaine  Rice 

PREACHER  MIKE  75 

Dabbs,  James  McBride 
THE  SOUTHERN  FIERITAGE  615 

DeRuischer,  C. 

LOOK  BEYOND  THE  VALLEY  75 

Dexter,  Harriet  Harmon 
WHAT’S  RIGHT  WITH 
RACE  RELATIONS?  615 

Ebv,  Esther 

THE  MILLER  FIVE  344 

Harner,  Nevin  C. 

I BELIEVE  394 

Haselden,  Kyle 

THE  RACIAL  PROBLEM  IN 
CHRISTIAN  PERSPECTIVE  614 

Howard,  Frank 

FOR  TEEN-AGERS  ONLY  75 

Kee,  Howard  Clark 

MAKING  ETHICAL  DECISIONS  344 
King,  Martin  Luther 
STRIDE  TOWARD 
FREEDOM  8,  394,  615 

Lockyer,  Herbert 

ALL  THE  MEN  OF  THE  BIBLE  696 


Macek,  Dr.  Josef 

AN  ESSAY  ON  THE  IMPACT 
OF  MARXISM  56 

Maston,  T.  B. 

RIGHT  OR  WRONG?  394 

Mays,  Ben,iamin 

SEEKING  TO  BE  CHRISTIAN 
IN  RACE  RELATIONS  614 

Paradis,  Adrian  A. 

DOLLARS  FOR  YOU  75 

Peace  Churches  and  FOR 
THE  CHRISTIAN  AND  WAR  552 
Rich,  Elaine  Sommers 


BREAKING  BREAD  TOGETHER  8 
Schacklack,  Floyd 

THIS  REVOLUTIONARY  FAITH  311 
Siewert,  F.  E. 

THE  AMPLIFIED  NEW 
TESTAMENT  696 

Tilson,  Everett 

SEGREGATION  AND  THE 
BIBLE  615 


Wentzel,  Fred  D. 

EPISTLE  TO  WHITE 
CHRISTIANS  614 

Yoder,  John  Howard 

THE  ECUMENICAL  MOVE- 
MENT AND  THE  FAITHFUL 
CHURCH  412 

BOYS  LEAGUE 
Schrag,  Menno 

LIKE  BOYS  . . . MENNONITE 
BOYS’  LEAGUE  IS  GROWING  54 

CAPITAL  PUNISHMENT 

Burkholder,  J.  R. 

WHAT  ABOUT  CAPITAL 
PUNISHMENT?  646 

Neufeld,  Walter 
REDEMPTION  OR 
DESTRUCTION?  613 

Stoneback,  George  S. 

WHEN  SOCIETY  PLAYS  GOD  725 
Yoder,  John  Howard 

THE  DEATH  PENALTY  724 

CHINA 

Voth,  W.  C„  Mr.  and  Mrs. 

CHRISTIANS  IN  CHINA 
CHRISTIAN  LIFE 
Auckland,  David  C. 

INCONSISTENT  CHRISTIANS 
Boehr,  John 

ARE  WE  CONSISTENT? 

Bohn,  Ernest  J. 

OUR  CHRISTIAN  WITNESS 
WHO  DO  YOU  SAY  I AM? 
Bonebrake,  Boyd  E. 

CROSS  OF  CHRIST,  THE 
Buller,  Harold 

BIBLE  AND  OUR  DAILY 
PROBLEMS,  THE 
CHRISTIANS  FACING  GREAT 
MORAL  ISSUES  278,  325,  373 

CREATIVE  INSECURITY, 
editorial 

DEVOTED  DISCIPLE,  A, 
editorial 

Dick,  George  G. 

LAW  OF  THE  LORD,  THE  195 


36,  53 


99 

213 


275 

227 


307 


163 


338 

658 


Driver,  Harvey  A. 

DIFFICULTIES  IN  OUR 
WITNESSING  103 

Fast,  Aganetha 

STRIKING  CONTRAST,  A 779 
Galle,  Omer 

FOR  SUCH  A TIME  AS  THIS  708 
Garber,  Twila  Hilty 


MEDITATIONS  AT  NIGHT  277 

Harder,  Leonard 

FOUR  TREES  419 

Hartzler,  Robert  W. 

SEVEN  DEADLY  SINS,  THE 

88,  103,  120,  136,  151,  168,  183 
King  Herbert  R. 

DEFINITE  AIM,  A 83 

McCandless,  Dora  Hall 

BELIEVING  IS  SEEING  776 

MOVING  OUT  OF  SECLUSION, 
editorial  82 

Neufeld,  Vernon 

HOLINESS  IN  LIFE  691 

Page,  Kirby 

PEACE  OF  MIND  CAN  BE 
BLINDING  85 

POWER  OF  HIS  RESURRECTION, 
THE,  editorial  18 

Reusser,  James 

LIVING  SIMPLY  659 

Ross,  Kenneth  D. 

THE  CHRISTIAN  WALK  707 

SEEDTIME  BEFORE  HARVEST, 
editorial  226 

Thlessen,  Harold 

HOLY,  HOLY,  HOLY  147 

Tschetter,  Peter 

WHAT  IS  YOUR  LIFE?  211 

WE  ARE  WITNESSES,  editorial  194 
WHAT  DO  WE  SEE?  editorial  418 


CHRISTMAS 

CHRISTMAS  IN  THE  HOSPITAL  777 
Duerksen,  Christine 

BEHOLD  THE  HANDMAID  OF 
THE  LORD  777 

Entz,  J.  E. 

CHRISTMAS,  DAY  OF  JOY  775 
Rowe,  Elsie  V. 

LET  US  GO  UNTO  BETH- 
LEHEM AND  SEE  775 

Schrag,  Menno 

THE  GLORY  OF  THE  MANGER, 
editorial  774 

CHURCH 

AVOID  THAT  SLUMP  520 

Baumgartner,  Elvera  A. 

BLESSED  ARE  THE 
QUIET  ONES  343 

CHURCH  MEMBERSHIP 

INCREASES,  editorial  594 

Erb,  Paul 

MORE  RELIGIOUS,  LESS 
MORAL  406 

Fast,  Henry  A. 

INVOLVING  THE  CHURCH  360 

Gerig,  Virgil  M. 

CHURCH’S  ONE  FOUNDATION, 
THE  339 

Nickel,  Arnold 

TO  SERVE  THE  PRESENT 
AGE  355 

SOCIAL  CLUB,  A,  editorial  626 

Wiens,  Irene 

WHAT’S  IN  YOUR  CHURCH 
NAME?  727 

CHURCH  EXTENSION 
CHURCH  EXTENDS,  THE  40 

CHURCH  EXTENSION  SERVICES, 
INC.  312 

Enns,  John  F. 

CHALLENGE  OF  CHURCH 
EXTENSION,  THE  101 

Groves,  Esther 

CONFERENCE  DISCUSSION  764 

Richer!,  A.  J. 

PLANNING  FOR  OUTREACH  40 

CHURCH  inSTORY 

ANOTHER  STUDY  OPPOR- 
TUNITY, editorial  690 


Mast,  Russell  L. 

PIONEERS  OF  CONSCIENCE  531 

CITY 

Dyck,  Walter  H. 

WE’RE  MOVING  TO  THE  CITY  744 
Harding,  Vincent 

BUILD  ON  CHRIST  IN  THE 
CITY  644 


December  29,  1959 


797 


Janzen,  Heinz 

BLACK  AND  WHITE  778 

REGARDING  CITY  CHURCHES, 
CONCERNS  AND  PROPOSALS  567 
SIXTEEN  CHURCHES  ADDED  535 

CONFERENCES 
Boyer,  Claude  F. 

EASTERN  DISTRICT 
CONFERENCE  CONVENES  358 

Fretz,  J.  Herbert 
NORTHERN  DISTRICT 
CONFERENCE  436 

Hofstetter,  Lyman  K. 

PACIFIC  DISTRICT  CON- 
FERENCE 437 

MESSAGE  TO  OUR  CHURCHES,  A 392 
Unruh,  W.  F. 

WESTERN  DISTRICT  HOLDS 
SIXTY-EIGHTH  SESSION  763 

WESTERN  DISTRICT  LEADER- 
SHIP CONFERENCE  184 

CONSCRIPTION 

Bauman,  Clarence 
CONSCIENTIOUS  OBJECTION 
IN  GERMANY  231 

CHURCH  AND  PEACETIME 

CONSCRIPTION,  THE  68 

Loewen,  Esko 

BETTER  THAN  MILITARY 
CONSCRIPTION  115 

DEVIL 

ON  DEMONOLOGY,  editorial  742 

EASTER 

CONTRASTS  AT  THE  CROSS, 
DEFEAT  VS.  VICTORY,  editorial  178 
Gaeddert,  Albert 
CROSS  AND  THE 
RESURRECTION,  THE  243 

Graber,  Edwin  C. 

CROSS  IS  MADE,  A 173 

King,  W.  Harley 
POWER  OF  THE 

RESURRECTION,  THE  183 

Rossetti,  Christina  G. 

EASTER  CAROL  193 

Salzman,  Earl 

THIS  IS  LIFE  ETERNAL  179 


EDUCATION 

Byrne,  H.  W. 

PURPOSE  AND  PROGRAM  OF 
CHRISTIAN  EDUCATION,  THE  55 
Claassen,  Willard 
TOWARD  MORE  EFFECTIVE 


BIBLE  STUDY  295 

Keidel,  Levi 

CHRISTIAN  LITERATURE  IN 
CONGO  488 

LITERATURE  FOR  CONGO  199 

Martens,  Harry  E. 

FINANCING  CHRISTIAN 
EDUCATION  471 

MINISTRY  OF  BOOKS,  THE  453 

Richer!.  Elmer 
IS  THE  CHURCH  HIGH 
SCHOOL  NECESSARY?  150 

Shelly,  Paul 

OUR  TOTAL  CHURCH 
CURRICULUM  261 

SHOULD  WE  HAVE  OUR  OWN 

HIGH  SCHOOLS?  editorial  146 

SUMMER  BIBLE  SCHOOL, 

editorial  338 

EVANGELISM 
Franz.  Harold  A. 

LAYMAN’S  VIEW  OF 
EVANGELISM,  A 451 

FAITH 

Buller.  Harold 

SONNET  TO  FAITH  195 

Mellick,  J.  W. 

EXTENDED  FAITH  467 

FAMILY 

CHILDREN'S  DAY,  editorial  354 

Edman,  V.  Raymond 

MY  BEST  FOR  MY  CHILDREN  260 
Hostetter,  Mrs.  Stanley 

PEACE  AND  CHILDREN  423 

Kliewer.  Mrs.  Walter  H. 

TRIBUTE  TO  MOTHERS,  A 277 
MOTHERS  ARE  MOLDERS, 
editorial  274 

NATIONAL  FAMILY  WEEK, 

editorial  258 

Raid,  Mrs.  Howard 
TRUTHS  LEARNED  AT  HOME  359 
Regier.  Daniel  G. 

GUARD  RAILS  OF  A 
CHRISTIAN  HOME  371 

Stauffer.  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Stanley 

PEACE  AND  PARENTS  424 

FILM  REVIEWS 

ATOMIC  POWER  755 

BIBLE  AND  THE  PRESIDENTS, 
THE  310 


CAMPUS  PARISH  76 

FACE  OF  THE  SOUTH,  THE  8 

HE  LIVES  76 

HOME  AGAIN  76 

JAPAN  56 

KNOW  YOUR  CHILD  408 

LIFE  OF  JOSEPH  152 

MAGNIFICENT  ADVENTURE  OF 
ST.  PAUL,  THE  408 

MEANING  OF  LENT,  THE  76 

MEET  BILL  HAYDEN:  DIRECTOR 
OF  CHRISTIAN  EDUCATION  76 

OVERTURE  607 

PART  II:  PHOPHETS,  THE  424 

RUSSIA  152 

STORY  OF  THE  PROPHETS  365 

TEEN-AGER'S  CHOICE  347 

TO  EACH  A GIFT  755 

FUNERALS 
Fast,  Aganetha 

A STRIKING  CONTRAST  779 

Woelk,  Lament 
HOW  CHRISTIAN  ARE  OUR 
CHRISTIAN  FUNERALS?  563 

GENERAL  CONFERENCE 
AFTER  CONFERENCE— WHAT?  610 

ARE  WE  REACHING  OUR  GOALS, 
editorial  2 

CENTENNIAL  RETREATS  279 

CHRISTIAN  AND  RACE 

RELATIONS.  THE  540 

CHURCH  EXTENDS,  THE  40 

CONFERENCE  ACTIVITIES 
PLANNED  440 

CONFERENCE  GOALS, 


editorials,  418,  434,  450,  466 

CONFERENCE  NEWS  PICTURES  550 
CONFERENCE  PARTICIPANTS 
SHARE  THEIR  IMPRESSIONS  538 
CONFERENCE  SUNDAY,  March  8 116 


COUNCIL  OF  BOARDS  791 

Dyck,  Cornelius  J. 

FELLOWSHIP.  DISCUSSION, 
RENEWAL,  editorial  530 

FAITH  1860-1960,  Insert  728 

Fast,  Henry  A, 

AWAKENING  TO  HUMAN 
NEED  596 

GOALS  548 

GOALS  FOR  THE  1959-1962 

TRIENNIUM.  editorial  642 

GREAT  EXPECTATIONS, 
editorial  98,  258 

Groves,  Esther 


CONFERENCE  DISCUSSIONS, 

710,  727,  745,  764 

Harding,  Vincent 

BUILD  ON  CHRIST  IN  THE 
CITY  644 

Krahn,  Cornelius 

WE  ARE  APPROACHING  THREE 
CONFERENCE  CENTENNIALS  245 
LOOKING  TOWj'RD  BLUFFTON  184 
Martens,  Harry  E. 

LORD,  WHAT  WILT  THOU 
HAVE  ME  TO  DO?  579 

Mast.  Russell  L. 

PIONEERS  OF  CONSCIENCE  531 

mennonites  on  the  move, 

editorial  658 

NOTES  ON  THE  BLUFFTON 

CONFERENCE  536 

OBSERVING  CONFERENCE 

SUNDAY,  editorial  114 

ON  LOOKING  BACK,  editorial  402 

OUR  FOUNDATION— JESUS 

CHRIST,  editorial  498 

PREPARING  FOR  GENERAL 

COi'TERENCE.  editorial  370 

PROGRAM  OF  THE  GENERAL 

CONFERENCE  SESSIONS  292 

REFLECTING:  OUR  CENTEN- 
NIAL CONFERENCE  582 

REGARDING  CITY  CHURCHES, 
CONCERNS  AND  PROPOSALS  567 

REPRESENTATIVES  OF  SIXTEEN 
NEW  CHURCHES  566 

SHARING  THE  CONFERENCE, 

editorial  482 

Shelly,  Maynard 

MENNONITES  IN  THE  PUBLIC 
EYE,  editorial  546 

SIXTEEN  CHURCHES  ADDED  535 

A WORLD  OF  MISERY  IN  ASIA  663 
SO  YOU  ARE  A DELEGATE, 

editorial  450 

SURVEY  COMPLETED  780 

THOSE  CONFERENCE  GOALS, 
editorial  210 

TOWARD  A UNITED  WITNESS, 
editorial  758 

TRAILS  OF  LIGHT,  editorial  466 

Waltner,  Erland 

BUIDEPS  FOR  ETERNITY  515 

WAS  THE  BLUEFTON  CONFER- 
ENCE TOO  LONG?  editorial  562 

WHAT  GOD  HATH  WROUGHT, 
editorial  514 


GOD 

Ediger,  Menno  J. 

I AM  WITH  YOU 
FATHER— A PATTERN  OF  GOD, 
editorial 

GOD  IS  NOT  ON  VACATION, 
editorial 

HAITI 

CHRISTIAN  SELF-HELP 
FOR  HAITI 
HOGS  FOR  HAITI 
HOME 

Burkholder,  J.  R. 

GUEST  IN  THE  HOME 
Carlson,  Arvid  F. 

WHAT  MAKES  HOMES 
WONDERFUL 
Garber,  Twila  Hilty 
PRACTICAL  CHRISTIAN 
HOUSEKEEPING 
HOME— THE  LABORATORY 
OF  LOVE,  editoral 
Regier,  Daniel  G. 

GUARD  RAILS  OF  A 
CHRISTIAN  HOME 
Stoneback,  G.  S. 

MAKING  RELIGION  REAL 
IN  THE  HOME 
HONG  KONG 
NO  ROOM  TO  LIVE 
HOPE 

Buller,  Harold 
HOPE  SONG 
Waltner,  James  H. 

JOY  IN  THE  MORNING 
HOSPITALS 

CHRISTMAS  IN  THE  HOSPITAL 
Regier,  Arnold 

MINISTERING  TO  THE  SICK 


J: 

K 


547 

H 

370 

1 

f 

482 

470 

l|l 

248 

323 

500 

264 

354 

371 

H 

\ 

499 

I 

52 

1 

307 

1 

3 

i 

777 

581 

1 

INSTITUTIONS 
Amstutz,  H.  Clair 

CARING  FOR  THE  AGED  388 

Smucker,  Carl  F. 

THE  INCREASED  SPAN  390 

INTO  THE  BEYOND 
Allert,  Mrs.  Maria  671 

Albrecht,  Mrs.  Molly  77 

Albrecht,  Mrs,  Rosa  (Schwartz)  655 
Amstutz,  John  623 

Amstutz,  Mrs.  Persis  126 

Augspurger,  Mrs.  Kate  (Troyer)  269 
Augspurger,  Milton  G.  383 

Baehr,  Mrs.  Christian  606 

Baerg,  Jacob  G.  351 

Bartel,  Mrs.  H.  J.  525 

Bartel,  John  A.  93 

Bartel,  John  A.  414 

Bartsch,  Hans  787 

Basinger,  Mrs.  Barbara  446 

Baughman,  Jacob  N.  205 

Berg,  Gerhard  H.  287 

Bergman,  Arthur  175 

Bixel,  'Verdi  126 

Brader,  Mrs.  John  (Mary  Kunkel)  219 
Brand,  Mary  C.  511 

Brown,  H.  J.  787 

Claassen,  Mrs.  Margaret  (Goossen)  77 
Claassen,  Marie  383 

Coplen,  Mrs.  Eida  (Graber)  787 

Daike,  Mrs.  Anna  558 

Deizeil,  Wesley  126 

Derksen,  Mrs.  Abram  F. 

(Luella  M.)  302 

Dyck,  Mrs.  Jake  414 

Engebrecht,  Mrs.  Helena  (Deckert)  175 
Epp,  Abram  414 

Epp,  Helen,  Miss  590 

Ewert,  Johann  P.  383 

Ewert,  Mrs.  Menno  93 

Fast,  Nick  383 

Friesen,  David  Ray  383 

Friesen,  Mrs.  Katherine  (Epp)  47 

Gardner,  Mrs.  Sarah  655 

Gering,  Otto  287 

Gery,  Anna  N.  (Clemmer)  511 

Glaser.  Mrs.  Helen  (Komoromy)  431 
Goering,  Jonas  L.  383 

Goertz,  Cornelius  P.  142 

(Joertz,  Daniel  191 

Goertz,  Daniel  414 

Goertz,  Mrs.  Peter  639 

Goossen,  Cornelius  D.  753 

Graber,  Jacob  G.  787 

Graber,  John  A.  47 

Graves,  Jacob  414 

Harder,  Henry  Hans  446 

Harder,  Mrs.  John  M. 

(Sarah  Enns)  302 

Harms,  Mrs.  Karolina^  142 

Heap  of  Birds,  Guy  639 

Hering,  Lewis  787 

Hiebert,  Linda  L.  31 

Huebert,  Mrs.  John  F.  63 

Hunsicker,  Preston  J.  787 

Hunsinger,  John  558 

Janzen,  Corneiius  K.  383 

Janzen,  Mrs.  Cornelius  K. 

(Sarah  Hiebert)  787 


798 


THE  MENNONITE 


Janzen,  John  M.  47 

Johnson,  Elmer  E.  S.  446 

Kaufman.  Robert  Kenneth  753 

Klassen,  Isaak  D.  319 

Kliewer,  P.  A.  320 

Krahn.  John  R.  431 

Krebill.  A.  D.  608 

Krehbiel,  Mrs.  Marie  M.  608 

Kuehny,  Clara  L.  525 

Latshaw,  Anna  C.  446 

Latshaw,  John  H.  738 

Lichti,  Mrs.  Frieda  494 

Lung,  Clarence  E.  703 

May.  Mrs.  Lavina  (Baughman)  686 

Muller,  Carl  787 

Neuenschwander,  Elmer  J.  738 

Neufeld,  Mrs.  Jacob  H. 

(Katie  Friesen)  623 

Nightingale.  Fred  A.  608 

Norlin,  (Jarl  H.  31 

Oberholtzer,  Amy  G.  655 

Oberholtzer,  Ida  C.  142 

Oberholzer.  Ralston  G.  287 

Pankratz.  Cornelius  787 

Pe  ers,  Christine  Beth  623 

Penner.  John  J.  142 

RatzlaR,  Henry  A.  219 

Regehr,  George  525 

Regier,  Mrs.  Frank 

(Katherine  Buller)  623 

Regier,  Mrs.  H.  R.  (Anna)  205 

Regier.  Peter  A.  738 

Reimer.  Henry  A.  655 

Relph.  Raymond  511 

Rhoads,  Lynn  A.  126 

Rhodes,  Mary  L.  446 

Ronlet,  John  623 

Rupp,  Mrs.  Effie  (Kaegi)  558 

Rupp.  Edward  334 

Schierling.  Mrs.  George  (Marie 

Kroeker)  47 

Schindler,  Lizzie  126 

Schmidt,  Adolf  15 

Schmidt.  Henry  B.  334 

Schmidt.  Mary  383 

Schowalter,  Mrs.  Fred  606 

Schroeder,  George  W.  787 

Schroeder,  Mrs.  Peter  (Martha 

Knak)  787 

Schroer,  Mrs.  Ruth  (Slonecker)  47 
Schultz,  Samuel  P.  590 

Schumacher.  Fanny  15 

Showalter,  John  606 

Sprunger,  Mary  Ann  738 

Smoltz,  Mrs.  Emma  108 

Stucky,  Peter  P.  383 

Suter.  Martha  D.  655 

Trover.  Mrs.  Elizabeth  334 

Unruh,  Alfred  W.  47 

Unruh,  David  B.  237 

Unruh.  Mrs.  Martha  (Riesen)  431 

Unzicker,  Mrs.  Emma  383 

Voth,  Eldon  787 

Waltner,  Mrs.  Joe  525 

Waltner,  Mrs.  Marie  (Schrag)  287 

Warkentin,  Ella  (Ewert)  175 

Warkentin,  Mrs.  Kathe  (Wlllmsen)  126 
Weber,  Mrs.  Ketherine  319 

Wenger,  Mrs.  Sarah  (Widmer)  787 
Widmer.  Peter  383 

Wiebe,  Kurt  P.  47,  77 

Wiebe,  Peter  334 

Wiens,  Mrs.  John  (Frieda 

Schowalter)  142 

Yoder,  Clara  15 

Yoder,  Erman  B.  334 

Zehr,  Arthur  31 

JOITrnALISM 
Miller.  Ed. 

USE  SHORT  WORDS!  95 


LENT 

LENT— SPIRITUAL  RENEWAL, 

editorial  82 

CONTRASTS  AT  THE  CROSS, 
editorials  98,  114,  130,  146,  162 

MARRIAGE 
Hiebert,  Waldo 

CHRISTIAN  WEDDING,  THE  38 
Nelson.  Eloise 
MAKE  YOUR  WEDDING 
CHRISTIAN  340 


MENNONITE  BIBLICAL  SEMINARY 
Shelly.  Andrew  R. 

SEMINARY  BOARD  MEETS  182 
MENNONITE  CENTRAL  COMMITTEE 
MCC  ANNUAL  MEETING  REPORT  87 
RESOLUTIONS  ON  EAST-WEST 
PROGRAMS  AND  POLICIES  357 
Teichroew.  Lowell 
MCC  REACHES  OUT  TO 
HONG  KONG,  CALCUTTA  599 
Wingert,  Norman  A. 

LINES  THROUGH  THE  EARTH  420 
Zuercher,  Joyce 

FRANKFURT/MAIN  WELCOMES 
YOU  503 

MENNONITE  DISASTER  SERVICE 
Derstine,  David  Jr. 


THE  GOOD  SAMARITAN 
LIVES  ON  180 

MDS  ANNUAL  MEETING  142 

READY  FOR  RESCUE  239 

MENNONITE  ENCYCLOPEDIA,  THE 
MENNONITE  ENCYCLOPEDIA 

COMPLETED  551 

MENNONITE  MEN 


J-U*!,  XO*i, 

248.  312,  376,  440,  520,  584,  647,  712,  780 
MENTAL  ILLNESS 
Janzen,  Waldemar 
CHURCH  AND  MENTAL 
ILLNESS,  THE  212 

MEXICO 

PILGRIIMS  FROM  MEXICO  72 

MINISTRY 

MINISTER’S  PLACE  IN  CHURCH 
ACTIVITIES,  THE,  editorial  306 
MISSIONS 
Dyck,  Anna 

MISSIONARY  COMES  HOME,  A 7 
Ra'zlaff.  Mrs.  Harold 
FROM  WICHITA  TO 
JERUSALEM  196 

Thiessen,  John 

PROMOTING  MISSION 
INTEREST  660 

MISSIONS  UNLIMITED,  editorial  34 
Pannabecker,  S.  F. 

MISSON  VS,  MISSIONS  20 

MISSIONS— AFRICA 
CRISIS  IN  CONGO  747 

Driver,  H.  A. 

ALL  THINGS  TO  ALL  MEN  518 

Enns,  John  F. 

CHANGE  IN  THE  CONGO  342 

Keidel,  Levi 

CHRISTIAN  LITERATURE  IN 
CONGO  488 

LITERATURE  FOR  CONGO  199 

Schwartz,  Merle  and  Dorothy 
MATERNITY  WORK  IN  THE 
CONGO  328 

Zook,  Mrs.  John  E, 

WE  VISIT  CHARLESVILLE  229 

MISSIONS— COLOMBIA 
Keiser,  Mrs.  Arthur 

HYMNS  IN  THE  NIGHT  263 

IN  THE  HAND— OR  IN  THE 
HEART?  456 

WOULD  YOU  HAVE  COME?  615 


Waltner,  Orlando  6. 

INFORMATION  ON  COLOMBIA  519 


MISSIONS— FORMOSA 
Friesen,  Alvin 

‘•.  . . AND  HE  HEALED 
THEM  ALL”  455 

MOBILE  CLINIC  IN  THE 
MOUNTAINS  247 

TA  TUNG  MENNONITE  CHURCH 
DEDICATED  272 

Zehr,  William 

ONE  DAY  IN  HWALIEN  24 

MISSIONS— HOME 

MENNONITE  MOUNTAINEERS  407 
MISSIONS— INDIA 

BUILDING  AT  BETHESDA  280 

TOTAL  WITNESS  TO  INDIA,  A 407 

MISSIONS— INDIAN  AMERICAN 
Bartel,  Norman 

MOST  SERIOUS  TASK,  THE  438 

MISSIONS— JAPAN 
Boschman,  Paul 
ORDINATION  OF  TAKASHI 
YAMADA  149 

Dyck,  Anna 

CHALLENGE  OF  MISSIONS  692 

JAPANESE  PROTESTANTS  CELE- 
BRATE CENTENARY,  editorial  434 

Wiebe,  Willard 

MIYAZAKI  STORY,  THE  230 

MOROCCO 
de  Jonge,  Hans 

INSIDE  MOROCCO  454 

MUSIC 

SINGING  ORGANIST,  THE, 
editorial  306 

TEACHING  THE  GREAT  HYMNS, 
editorial  322 

PEACE 

Bauman,  Clarence 

OUR  WITNESS  FOR  PEACE  404 
CHRISTIAN  PACIFIST  WITNESS 
IS  NEEDED,  A 746 

LETTER  TO  THE  PRESIDENT,  A 678 
Epp,  Frank  H. 

SAY  IT  AGAIN  680 

Gingerich,  Melvin 

PEACE  WITNESS,  A 197 

Goering,  Erwin  C. 

BUILDING  ON  CHRIST  611 

CHRISTIAN  PEACE 
CONFERENCE  502 

Habegger,  David 

TOWARD  PEACE  679 

ed  Jonge,  Hans 

INSIDE  MOROCCO  454 


Loewen,  Esko 

BETTER  THAN  MILITARY 
CONSCRIPTION  115 

MEETING  FOR  PEACE  679 

MESSAGE  TO  OUR  CHURCHES,  A 392 
Negelspach,  Nancy 

MEDITATION  ON  A BATTLE- 
FIELD 677 

Neufeld,  Elmer 

AT  THE  ALTAR— MOCKING 
SIRENS  675 

PEACE— THE  WAY  OF  THE 
CROSS  374 

PEACE  SUNDAY— NOVEMBER  8, 
editorial  674 

Peachey,  Paul 

PEACEMAKERS  IN  THE 
PACIFIC  102 

Rempel,  C.  J. 


MENNONITE  DELEGATION  VISITS 
CANADIAN  PRIME  MINISTER  167 


Tiplady,  Thomas 

PEACE  FOR  ALL  51 

Waltner,  Erland 

MESSAGE  FROM  THE 
PRESIDENT,  A 616 

Waltner,  James 

PACIFIST  WITNESS  AT 
OMAHA  483 

PENTECOST 

PENTECOST  SUNDAY,  MAY  17, 
editorial  290 

POEMS 

Berky,  Ralph  W. 

LO,  MORN  OF  GLADNESS  779 

Buller,  Harold 

CROSS  OF  CHRIST,  THE  307 

PRAYER,  A 243 

SONNET  TO  FAITH  195 

Duerksen,  Christena 

BEHOLD  THE  HANDMAID  OF 
THE  LORD  777 

Graber,  Eldwin  C. 

CROSS  IS  MADE,  A 173 

IT'ctViOT* 

THANKSGIVING  PRAYER,  A 711 
Hudelson,  Bertha  R. 

FAITH-FILLED  HEART  246 

MY  PRAYER  TODAY  151 

WHEN  I HEAR  MUSIC  OF  A 
BLUEBIRD'S  SONG  403 

I FORGOT  GOD  IN  THE  SUMMER 
TIME  520 

Rowe,  Elsie  V. 

LET  US  GO  UNTO  BETHLEHEM 
AND  SEE  775 

Stucky,  Vernon  J. 

SECRET  CALL,  THE  467 

Tiplady,  Thomas 
LET  NOT  THY  KINDNESS 
WAIT  518 

PEACE  FOR  ALL  51 

PKAYEK 
Buller,  Harold 

PRAYER,  A 243 

FEBRUARY  13— WORLD  DAY 

OF  PRAYER,  editorial  66 

Hudelson,  Bertha  R. 

MY  PRAYER  TODAY  151 

NATIONAL  DAY  OF  PRAYER,  A, 
editorial  578 

PRESIDENT’S  PROCLAMATION 
FOR  WORLD  DAY  OF  PRAYER, 
THE  608 

PUBLICATIONS 
Shelly,  Maynard 
CHURCH  PAPER  SPEAKS  UP, 

THE  326 

RACE  RELATIONS 
CHICAGO  RACE  SEMINAR  294 

CHRISTIAN  PACIFIST  WITNESS 
IS  NEEDED,  A 746 

CHRISTIAN  RACK  RELATIONS, 
editorial  722 

CHRISTIAN  AND  RACE 
RELATIONS,  THE  540 

Dahlberg,  Edwin  T. 

WHAT  DOES  THE  LORD 
REQUIRE?  69 

Driedger,  Leo 

WE  WEPT  TOGETHER  344 

Dyck,  Gordon 

GROWING  INVOLVEMENT  39 

Franz,  Delton 

ISLAND  OF  HOPE  IN  A SEA 
OF  DESPAIR  119 

NOTES  ON  A SOUTHERN 
JOURNEY  4 

FROM  TV  TO  CHRISTIAN 
CONCERN  614 

Groves,  Esther 

CONFERENCE  DISCUSSION  710 

Kaufman,  Orlo 

RACIAL  TENSIONS  278 

RACE  RELATIONS  SUNDAY, 
editorial  66 

RECONCILIATION  BETWEEN 
RACES  ON  A CITY  STREET  200 

SOMETHINCJ  NEW,  editorial  290 


December  29,  1959 


799 


KEADEB  SAYS,  THE 

8,  152,  232, 

311,  343,  360,  504,  616,  631,  695,  728,  748 
BELIEF 

CHISTIAN  SELF-HELP  FOR 

HAITI  470 

DeFehr,  C.  A. 

PARAGUAY  REVISITED  164 

Fast,  Henry  A, 

AWAKENING  TO  HUMAN 
NEED  596 

HOGS  FOR  HAITI  248 

Keim,  Ruth 

SEWING  PROJECT  HELPS 
REHABILITATE  KOREAN 
WIDOWS  753 

MENNO-HEIM  148 

MOBILE  CLINIC  IN  THE 

MOUNTAINS  247 

ONE  GEAT  HOUR  OF  SHARING, 
editorial  130 

OUR  RESPONSIBILITY  TOWARD 
KOREAN  CHILDREN  439 

REFUGEES— "FORGOTTEN 

PEOPLE"  327 

RELIEF  AND  REHABILITATION  215 
Smucker,  Joe 

WORLD  OF  MISERY 
IN  ASIA,  A 663 

Snyder,  Alice 

EMERGENCY  RELIEF 
IN  BEIRUT  214 

Teichroew,  Lowell 

CRISIS  AND  CHANGE  517 

MCC  REACHES  OUT  TO 
HONG  KONG,  CALCUTTA  599 

USED  CLOTHING  DRIVE  246 

Wingert,  Norman  A, 

LINES  THROUGH  ALL  THE 
EARTH  420 

YOU  ARE  NEEDED  372 


EETBEATb 

CENTENNIAL  RETREATS  279 

CENTENNIAL  RETREATS, 
editorial  274 

Dyck,  Frank 

CAMP  FRIEDENSWALD— ’59  534 

MEN'S  RETREAT  312 

RUSSIA 

COURTESY  TO  AN  INVITED 

GUEST,  editorial  610 

Mayer,  Theodore  C, 

AGONIZING  REAPPRAISAL  6 

RESOLUTION  ON  EAST-WEST 

PROGRAMS  AND  POLICIES  357 

SAFETY 

PLEASE  DRIVE  CAREFULLY! 


editorial  386 

SALVATION 
Albrecht,  E,  A, 

THY  FAITH  HATH  SAVED 
THEE  387 

Claassen,  Mrs,  Walter  A. 

JOHNNY  LONGS  TO  ENTER  IN  664 
Deckert,  Ivan  P, 

AND  ON  EARTH,  PEACE  51 

Ens,  Mrs.  Frances 

STOP!  LOOK!  LISTEN!  648 

Epp,  Carl  H, 

JESUS  WAY,  THE  695 

Koontz,  Elbert 

MASTER  OF  NATURE,  THE  403 

SCIENCE 

Unruh,  John  D.,  Jr, 

MASS  SUICIDE  761 


SEMINABIO  BIBLICO  MENONITA 

86 


SERVICE:  CHRISTIAN 

Albrecht,  E,  A, 

THY  FAITH  HATH  SAVED 
THEE  387 

ARE  WE  DOING  ENOUGH?  373 

DARE  TO  DEDICATE  376 

Goering,  Erwin  C. 

SERVICE  325 

BUILDING  ON  CHRIST  611 

Goering,  Paul 

WORK  IS  ONE,  THE  278 

Landis,  Robert  M, 

ABOUNDING  IN  THE  LORD’S 
WORK  291 

OUR  SERVICE  PROGRAM, 
editorial  130 

Rahn,  Ben 

CHURCH  AND  VOLUNTEERS, 
THE  134 

Schmidt,  H.  B. 

WEEK-END  WORK  CAMPING 
FOR  CHURCHES  135 

Shelly,  Andrew  R, 

NEW  COMMITMENT,  A 627 

Wedel,  P,  A, 

LABOR  SHORTAGE  723 

WHAT  LOVE  CAN  DO  356 

SERVICE : 1-W 

Gaeddert,  Albert 

BUILDING  BRIDGES  676 

SERVICE:  PAX 

PARAGUAY  ROAD  PROJECT  248 


SERVICE:  VOLUNTARY 

Driedger,  Leo 

FOURTEEN  YEARS  OF 
CHALLENGE  133 

Gaeddert,  Albert 

WORKING  WITHOUT  PAY  131 
Goering,  Erwin  C. 

MENNONITE  VOLUNTARY 
SERVICE  IN  EUROPE  22 

Rahn,  Ben 

CHURCH  AND  VOLUNTEERS, 

THE  134 

SERVICE  AT  GULFPORT  184 

WHYS  OF  VOLUNTARY  SERVICE, 
THE  132 

SOCIAL  CONCERNS 
CHRISTIAN  CONCERNS,  editorial  642 
Epp,  Frank  H, 

I’OCUS  ON  CHRISTIAN 
CONCERNS  613  , 648,  711,  748 

Franz,  Delton 

FROM  TV  TO  CHRISTIAN 
CONCERN  614 

Frey,  Orlin  F, 

WHY  THE  DIFFERENCE?  778 

Grimm,  Henry 

ALCOHOL  IN  OUR 
COMMUNITIES  694 

Mast,  Russell  L, 

THREE  CRUCIAL  FACTS  35 

MONSTROUS  EVIL,  A,  editorial  34 
NEWSPAPERS  AND 
LIQUOR  ADS,  editorial  226 

Parish,  Herbert  H, 

TWELVE  POINTS  FOR 
TEMPERANCE  408 

SOUTH  AMERICA 

ABOUT  THE  BUDGET  104 

DeFehr,  C,  A, 

PARAGUAY  REVISITED  164 

Fretz,  J,  Winfield 

DRAMA  OF  RECOVERY^  THE  628 

MENNONITES  IN  BOLIVIA  181 

Miller,  Orie  O, 

PARAGUAYAN  DIARY  484 

PARAGUAY  ROAD  PROJECT  248 

Schmidt,  Dr,  and  Mrs,  John  R, 

AN  UNFORGETTABLE  TRIP  264 

SOUTH  AMERICA  PROGRESS, 

editorial  162 

TRANS-CHACO  ROADWAY  780 

STEWARDSHIP 

ABOUT  THE  BUDGET  104 

DARE  TO  DEDICATE  376 

GETTING  OR  GIVING,  editorial  578 

LORD’S  PROPORTIONATE 

SHARE,  THE,  editorial  674 

Martens,  Harry  E, 

LORD,  WHAT  WILT  THOU 
HAVE  ME  TO  DO?  579 

Schrag,  Menno 

LET’S  IMAGINE,  editorial  774 

SECRE’IARY  REPORTS,  THE  440 

SOIL  CONSERVATION  248 

Stauffer,  Williafn 

GOD’S  GOOD  EARTH  244 

STEWARDSHIP  AND  THE 

MINISTER’S  SALARY  104 

Stucky,  Harley  J, 

AGRICULTURAL  CRISES  AND 
MENNONITES  70 

STUDY  OF  CHRISTIAN 

STEWARDSHIP,  A,  editorial  690 

Thorp,  Roy  L, 

MAKING  CHRISTIAN  WILLS  276 

SUNDAY  SCHOOL 
Claassen,  Willard 

TOWARD  MORE  EFFECTIVE 
BIBLE  STUDY  295 

Groves,  Esther 

CONFERENCE  DISCUSSION  745 

Luginbuhl,  Darvin 

ENRICHMENT  THROUGH  ART  422 
Miller,  Mrs,  Herbert 

KINDERGARTEN  INTEREST 


CENTERS  324 

Murch,  James  DeForest 
TASK  OF  THE 

SUNDAY  SCHOOL  568 

OUR  SUNDAY  SCHOOL 

MATERIALS,  editorial  706 

Schauffele,  Charles  G, 

SUNDAY  SCHOOLS  MEET 
THE  FAMILY  452 

Shelly,  Paul 

OUR  TOTAL  CHURCH 
CURRICULUM  261 

TELEVISION 
Franz,  Delton 

FROM  TV  TO  CHRISTIAN 
CONCERN  614 

THANKSGIVING 
Hicks,  Esther 


THANKSGIVING  PRAYER,  A 711 
LIVING  THANKFULLY,  editorial  706 
TRACTS 

Claassen,  Mrs,  Walter  A. 

JOHNNY  LONGS  TO  ENTER  IN  664 


Ens,  Mrs.  Frances 

STOP!  LOOK!  LISTEN!  648 

Epp,  Carl  H. 

JESUS  WAY,  THE  695 

URBANIZATION 
Dyck,  Walter  H. 

WE'RE  MOVING  TO  THE  CITY  744 


Enns,  John  F. 

CHALLENGE  OF  CHURCH 
EXTENSION,  THE  101 

Harder,  Leland 

MOBILITY  IN  THE 
CONFERENCE  661 

URBANIZATION  IN  THE 
MENNONITE  CHURCH  84 

Janzen,  Heinz 

BLACK  AND  WHITE  778 

MENNONITES  ON  THE  MOVE, 
editorial  659 

MOVING  OUT  OF  SECLUSION, 

editorial  82 


TOWARDS  THE  CITY,  editorial  18 


VOCATIONS 
Hartzler,  Robert  W. 

CONSIDER  A CHURCH 
VOCATION,  editorial  626 

WAR 

Epp,  Frank  H. 

SAY  IT  AGAIN  680 

Kaufman,  Don  and  Eleanor 
CAN  CHRISTIANS  PAY  FOR 
WAR?  359 

CHRISTIAN  AND  WAR,  THE  552 

Unruh.  John  D.,  Jr. 

MASS  SUICIDE  761 

WOMEN 
Preheim,  Marion 

WOMEN  IN  CHURCH 
VOCATIONS  296,  310 

WORLD  CONFERENCE 
Bender,  H.  S.,  and  Dyck,  Cornelius  J. 
OUR  NEXT  WORLD 
CONFERENCE  630 

WORLD  REFUGEE  YEAR 
ARE  WE  REACHING  OUR 
GOALS,  editorial  2 

EFFORTS  FOR  WORLD  REFUGEE 
YEAR  755 

REFUGEES—'  ‘FORGOTTEN 
PEOPLE"  327 

RESPONSIVE  TO  HUMAN  NEED, 
editorial  594 

Unruh,  W.  F. 

MUST  WE  HELP?  598 

WHAT  OTHERS  HAVE 

RESOLVED  TO  DO  639,  755 

WORLD  REFUGEE  YEAR, 
editorial  322 

YOU  ARE  NEEDED  372 


YOUTH 

Bauman,  Clarence;  Dyck,  Peter; 
Harms,  Doreen 
COMMUNIST  YOUTH 
FESTIVAL  564 

Harding,  Vincent 

BUILD  ON  CHRIST  IN  THE 
CITY  • 644 

YOUTH  WEEK,  editorial  50 


YOUTH  SECTION 
SUBJECT  INDEX 


ATOMIC  ENERGY 
Thiessen,  Muriel 
WHAT  ABOUT 

ATOMIC  ENERGY?  107 

CHRISTIAN  LIFE 

DARE  WE  LIVE  IN  THE 

HOUSEHOLD  OF  GOD?  57 

Enz,  Jacob  J. 

WANTED:  MORE  MEANINGFUL 
BIBLE  READING  25 

Epp,  Aaron  J. 

YOKES  FOR  YOUTH  186 

Epp,  Frank  H. 

RAW  MATERIAL  FOR  A 
PROGRAM  266 

Neufeld,  John  H. 

THERMOMETERS  AND 
THERMOSTATS  105 

Riddick,  Ed. 

NOTE  FOR  NEW  YEAR,  A 9 

Sayers,  Dorothy  L. 

POINT-BLANK  LETTER.  A 331 

WHAT  PRICE  HONESTY?  425 


CHURCH  ARCHITECTURE 

Spitznagel,  Harold 

ARCHITECT  REPLIES,  AN  410 

CHURCH  HISTORY 

Leisy,  Elva  Krehbiel 


800 


THE  MENNONITE 


Mennonite  youth 


IN  simple  trust  like  theirs  who 
heard, 

; Beside  the  Syrian  sea, 

The  gracious  calling  of  the  Lord, 
Let  us,  like  them,  without  a word 
Rise  up  and  follow  Thee. 

It  is  in  the  spirit  of  these  words 
of  John  G.  Whittier  that  we  dedi- 
cate the  1960  Youth  Prayer  Cal- 
endar— to  you  as  members  of  the 
Young  People’s  Union  and  to  God, 
with  the  prayer  that  He  will  speak 
through  our  guided  and  united 
prayers. 

The  theme  for  the  month  of  Jan- 
uary — “Dedication”  — - sets  the  tone 
for  the  whole  year.  Pointing  us 
toward  this  area  of  prayer  is  the 
verse:  “Then  Jesus  said  to  his 

disciples,  ‘If  anyone  wants  to  follow 
in  my  footsteps  he  must  give  up 
all  right  to  himself,  take  up  his 
cross,  and  follow  me’  ” (Matt.  16:24, 

I Phillips). 

At  the  back  of  the  calendar  is  a 
prayer  memo.  Perhaps  your  youth 
fellowship  would  like  to  discuss  and 
then  decide  on  specific  prayer  con- 
cerns for  a certain  week  or  month. 
This  would  help  us  pinpoint  rather 
than  forget  the  often  repeated  re- 
quest to  “Remember  us  in  prayer.” 
To  do  this  as  a group  adds  strength, 
both  to  the  prayer  and  to  the  group. 

1959  marks  the  nineteenth  birth- 
day of  the  prayer  calendar.  This 
year  Vern  and  Marion  Preheim 
served  as  editors.  Every  young  per- 
son is  entitled  to  a free  copy,  made 
available  by  the  Young  People’s 
Union.  The  calendars  have  been  sent 
to  you  through  your  pastor.  Addi- 
tional copies  may  be  received  by 
writing  to  722  Main,  Newton,  Kan. 

'This  year  the  calendar  has  been 
distributed  to  young  people  in  our 
Mennonite  churches,  colleges,  and 
Bible  schools  in  U.S.  and  Canada; 
to  Mennonite  students  in  non-Con- 
ference  schools;  to  those  in  1-W,  VS, 
Pax,  and  MCC  service;  to  young 
people  whom  our  mission  workers 
have  learned  to  know  in  Taiwan, 
India,  Japan,  Colombia,  Montana, 
Arizona,  and  Gulfport,  Miss.  A spe- 
cial imprint  was  made  for  the 
Brethren  in  Christ  Church.  This  is 
our  prayer  fellowship  for  1960.  A 
united  youth  in  Christ  is  also  unit- 
ed by  prayer  when  each  member 
prays. 


Photo  on  calendar  reproduced  by  permission  of  the  National  Gallery  of  Art,  Kress 
Collection,  Washington,  D.  C. 


December  29,  1959 


793 


Reporting: 

1959  Young' People’s  Union  Council 


Here  is  a flashback  on  the  Young 
People’s  Council  meetings  held 
at  Winnipeg,  on  Nov.  27  and  28. 

A period  of  worship  together  with 
the  students  of  Canadian  Mennonite 
Bible  College  marked  the  beginning 
of  the  meetings.  The  rest  of  the 
morning  was  filled  with  welcomes, 
introductions,  and  reports  from  the 
district  youth  fellowships  and  col- 
leges. In  the  afternoon  came  the  re- 
ports of  the  president,  director  of 
youth  work,  treasurer,  and  a report 
of  publications.  Here  are  some  things 
that  stand  out  as  one  thinks  back 
about  the  1959  council. 

Northern  District  is  the  one  that 
tops  its  budget.  When  asked,  “How 
do  you  do  it?’’  Prexy  John  Harder 
replied,  “We  give  most  of  the  credit 
to  having  individual  and  group  proj- 
ects at  various  times  through  the 
year.’’ 

'The  Western  District  Youth  Fel- 
lowship is  beaming  toward  stronger 
organization  on  the  state  level,  in 
order  to  spread  district  activity  fur- 
ther into  the  outlying  areas  and  to 
strengthen  contacts  with  young  peo- 
ple in  these  areas.  Momentous  for 
this  fellowship  in  the  past  year  has 
been  the  turning  over  of  Camp 
Mennoscah  administration  to  the 
Western  District  Conference. 

'The  big  problem  of  the  Pacific 
District  YPU  continues  to  be  dis- 
tance, within  the  district  and  from 
other  districts.  A unique  project  last 
year  was  the  preparation  of  a com.- 
plete  program  on  missions  in  Japan, 
centering  around  the  work  of  Paul 
and  Laverne  Boschman.  (LaVerne 
is  from  Idaho.)  We  regretted  that 
Pacific  District  was  not  able  to  have 
a representative  at  the  council  meet- 
ing. 

Central  District  notices,  with  a cer- 
tain amount  of  concern,  that  almost 
all  the  members  of  its  executive 
are  in  college.  A highlight  of  the 
year  was  the  recent  workcamp  held 
in  Chicago.  Success  was  reported  in 
organizing  areas  within  the  district, 
but  there  was  also  weakness  ob- 
served in  following  through  with 
activity. 

Eastern  District’s  main  concern  is 
that  its  activities  are  strong  in  the 


area  of  fellowship,  weak  in  the  area 
of  service.  Although  several  age 
groups  are  represented  on  its  execu- 
tive, this  district  finds  that  the 
young  people’s  work  centers  in  the 
high  schoolers. 

The  Canadian  young  people  have 
most  of  their  activity  — retreats, 
workshops,  support  of  radio  pro- 
grams— on  the  provincial  level.  The 
CMYO  (Canadian  Mennonite  Youth 
Organization)  as  a whole  has  some 
interesting  items  on  their  budget. 
They  set  aside  $200  every  year  for 
gift  subscriptions  to  The  Canadian 
Mennonite,  $100  for  a music  scholar- 
ship, $150  for  the  sponsoring  of  a 
foreign  representative  to  the  Men- 
nonite World  Conference. 

Since  the  problem  of  contact  with 
areas  within  districts  came  in  al- 
most every  report,  some  suggestions 
were  made:  1)  Add  a representative 
from  each  area  (state  or  geographi- 
cal) to  the  district  executive.  2) 
When  an  activity — like  a leadership 
clinic — is  held  in  any  particular  area, 
this  representative  is  then  the  key 
person,  working  with  local  youth 
group  presidents. 

Milton  Harder  requested  that  car- 
bon copies  of  secretaries’  minutes  be 
sent  to  him  so  that  if  he  is  traveling 
in  or  near  your  area,  he  will  know 
what  is  going  on. 


During  the  past  year  John  Bert- 
sche  (outgoing  Faith  and  Life  chair- 
man) made  a study  and  survey  on 
the  Program  Helps  Calendar  put  out 
by  the  Young  People’s  Union.  This 
was  both  discouraging  and  encour- 
aging. Program  Helps  plans  for  1960 
include  the  preparation  of  five  sep- 
arate editions,  each  with  five  pro- 
grams, and  the  introduction  of  a 
$5.00  honorarium  for  writers.  The 
first  edition  of  Program  Helps  will 
be  released  Feb.  15. 

Big  news  at  this  year’s  council 
meeting  was  the  election  of  a new 
Faith  and  Life  Area  chairman.  Du- 
ane Friesen,  sophomore  at  Bethel 
College  is  the  new  member  of  the 
Young  People’s  Union  cabinet. 

On  Saturday  our  meeting  cen- 
tered on  a skit  presented  by  the 
CMBC  students.  The  topic,  “Evange- 
lism.” The  medium  was  role-play. 
The  follow-up  was  discussion.  The 
result  was  an  explosion  of  thoughts, 
reverberating  into  resolutions  for 
action.  This  skit  will  be  spelled  out 
for  your  use  in  the  February  Pro- 
gram Helps.  Here  is  a good  chance 
to  follow  up  the  theme  of  last  sum- 
mer’s retreat  — “Evangelism  and 
Youth.” 

With  the  business  sessison  Satur- 
day afternoon,  the  council  meetings 
came  to  a close.  Those  of  us  who 
were  guests  appreciate  no  end  the 
chance  of  getting  acquainted  with 
CMBC  and  all  the  people  in  it. 

P.S.  Next  year’s  council  meetings 
will  be  at  Bethel  College. 


794 


THE  MENNONITE 


our  schools 

BLUFFTON  QUARTETS  ITINERATE 

Men’s  and  women’s  quartets  from 
the  Bluffton  College  Gospel  Team 
are  traveling  Dec.  26- Jan.  4.  The 
women’s  quartet  began  its  tour  Dec. 
27,  singing  at  Hopedale,  111.,  in 
the  morning  and  Carlock,  111.,  in 
the  evening.  The  rest  of  the  itiner- 
ary is  as  follows:  Dec.  28,  at  the 
Mennonite  Hospital,  Bloomington, 
and  at  Tiskilwa,  111.;  Dec.  29,  Eicher 
Church,  VVayland,  Iowa;  Dec.  30, 
Pulaski,  Iowa;  Dec.  31,  Fortuna, 
Mo.;  Jan.  1,  Sununerfield,  111.;  Jan. 

2,  Congerville,  111.;  Jan.  3,  Normal, 
111.;  Meadows  Home  for  the  Aged; 
and  Goodland,  Ind. 

Members  of  the  women’s  quartet 
are  Kathryn  Conrad,  Toledo,  Ohio; 
Jeannette  Sprunger,  Elkhart,  Ind.; 
Nancy  Mees,  Paulding,  Ohio;  Sara 
Radebaugh,  Findlay,  Ohio.  Speaker 
is  Robert  McCrory,  Oaklawn,  111., 
and  Edna  Ramseyer,  dean  of  wom- 
en, is  the  adviser. 

The  itinerary  for  the  men’s  quar- 
tet began  Dec.  27  at  Lancaster  and 
Allentown,  Pa.,  and  continues  as 
follows:  Dec.  28,  Upper  Milford 

Church;  Dec.  29,  Eastern  District 
Young  People’s  party;  Dec.  30,  Lans- 
dale;  Dec.  31,  Deep  Rim  and  Flat- 
land;  Jan.  1,  First  Mennonite  in 
Philadelphia;  Jan.  2,  Mennonite 
Home  for  the  Aged,  Frederick;  Jan. 

3,  Schwenksville  and  Souderton. 

Personnel  of  this  quartet  are: 

Merlin  Marshall,  Bluffton,  Ohio; 
James  Hahn,  Antwerp,  Ohio;  Gary 
Lora,  Columbus  Grove,  Ohio;  Willis 
Stemen,  Ft.  Jennings,  Ohio.  Lloyd 
Geissinger,  Zionsville,  Pa.,  is  pian- 
ist; James  Smith,  Des  Moines,  Iowa, 
is  speaker;  Paul  Shelly,  faculty  ad- 
viser for  the  Gospel  Team,  is  ac- 
companying the  group. 

63rd  RENDITION  OF  THE  MESSIAH 

Two  hundred  voices  of  the  Bluff- 
ton College  Choral  Society  present- 
ed the  sixty-third  annual  rendition 
of  Handel’s  Messiah  on  December 
13,  1959. 

Conducting  the  Messiah  for  his 
thirtieth  season  was  Russell  A. 
Lantz,  professor  of  school  music. 

The  soloists  were  Lillian  E.  Wei- 
chel,  soprano  from  Willowdale,  Ont., 
Canada;  Ruth  Slater,  contralto  from 
La  Grange,  111.;  Jeff  Morris,  tenor 
from  Lima,  Ohio;  and  Miles  Ne- 
kolny,  bass  from  Chicago,  111. 


CHRISTMAS  OPERA  GIVEN 

“Amahl  and  the  Night  Visitors,” 
a one-act  Christmas  opera  by  Gian 
Carlo  Menotti  was  given  by  the 
Bethel  College  choir  December  17. 

The  opera  followed  the  all-school 
Christmas  banquet,  given  by  the 
faculty  in  honor  of  the  students  and 
staff. 

The  opera  tells  the  story  of  a 
poor  crippled  boy  who  experiences 
a remarkable  evening  on  the  night 
of  the  birth  of  the  Christ  Child. 
Cast  members  and  the  parts  they 
played  for  the  presentation  were: 
Amahl,  a twelve  year  old  boy  by 
Rita  Fliginger;  the  mother  by  Elaine 
Banman;  the  three  kings  by  Don 
Peters,  Harvey  Harms,  and  Arlo 
Kasper;  the  page  by  Charles  Flow- 
ers; and  the  chorus  of  shepherds  by 
the  choir.  Professor  Gordon  Corwin 
directed  the  production. 

DRAMA  PRESENTED 

On  November  29,  Canadian  Men- 
nonite Bible  College  was  the  scene 
of  the  presentation  of  “The  Return 
of  Chandra”  by  a cast  of  college 
students.  This  challenging  drama  de- 
picts how  Chandra,  a native  Chris- 
tian from  India,  comes  to  America 
to  study  medicine  and  sees  our 
Christianity  in  practice.  He  is  con- 
vinced by  what  he  witnesses  that 
Christianity  is  merely  talk,  and  not 
action  motivated  by  the  love  of 
Christ.  When  he  returns  to  his  na- 
tive country  after  two  years  he  re- 
nounces Christianity  for  that  very 
reason,  until  he  sees  the  self-sacri- 
fice of  the  missionary  doctor  who 
jeopardizes  the  life  of  his  own  son 
in  order  to  save  that  of  a poor 
native  “outcast.” 

CHRISTMAS  EVENTS 

At  this  season,  the  Mennonite  Bib- 
lical Seminary  family  again  has 
looked  forward  to  commemorating 
the  birth  of  Jesus,  our  Lord  and 
Savior.  The  year  1959  has  been  one 
of  great  blessing  to  the  seminary, 
for  which  we  thank  and  praise  Him. 

Before  the  beginning  of  Christ- 
mas vacation  Dec.  18,  many  stu- 
dents took  part  in  seasonal  activi- 
ties as  a part  of  their  practical 
work  in  churches  in  the  Elkhart 
area.  Christmas  events  at  the  Elk- 
hart Mennonite  Church  included  a 
Sunday  evening  hymn-sing  on  Dec. 
6 and  “All  Nations  Worship  at  the 
Manger,”  a pageant  by  the  Sunday 
school,  on  Dec.  13.  The  pageant, 
which  included  a number  of  stu- 


dents, was  directed  by  Bertha  Hard- 
er of  the  seminary  faculty.  A Christ- 
mas tea  was  held  Dec.  17  for  fac- 
ulty, studetns,  and  wives. 

ANNUAL  CHRISTMAS  PROGRAM 

The  annual  Christmas  program 
at  Canadian  Mennonite  Bible  Col- 
lege was  presented  in  word  and  song 
on  Dec.  5 and  6.  Gerhard  Lohrenz 
and  Henry  Poettcker  brought  the 
messages  on  the  two  days  respec- 
tively. The  a cappella  choir  sang 
Bach’s  “Uns  ist  ein  Kind  Geboren,” 
and  the  college  choir  sang  several 
Christmas  carols.  The  Hallelujah 
Chorus  was  a fitting  conclusion  to 
the  program. 

REGIER  VISITS  CAMPUS 

P.  K.  Regier  visited  the  Menno- 
nite Biblical  Seminary  campus  Dec. 
7 and  8 to  interview  students  in  the 
interest  of  ministerial  placement. 
Rev.  Regier  also  spoke  in  chapel 
concerning  some  qualifications  of  the 
minister. 

ACADEMY  RANKS  SECOND 
IN  INTER-STATE  CONTEST 

Eight  schools  participated  in  the 
Inter-State  Academy  Declamatory 
and  Speech  meet  held  on  the  Free- 
man Campus  at  the  end  of  the  first 
quarter.  Freeman  Academy  ranked 
second  in  the  number  of  points 
scored  by  participating  students. 
Those  placing  included  Della  Kehn, 
Norman  Gross,  Duane  Pankratz,  Co- 
rene  Mierau,  Kenny  Graber,  Judy 
Senner,  Karen  Waltner,  Winston 
Miller,  and  Naomi  Walter.  Judges 
for  the  meet  were  Wayne  Knutson, 
James  McDearman,  and  Martin 
Bush — all  from  the  Speech  Depart- 
ment of  the  University  of  South 
Dakota. 

MCC  news  and  notes 

PAX  TO  RELOCATE  IN  ARIDEA 

GREECE  — Changes  in  program 
structure  and  location  for  Pax 
Greece  are  under  way.  Associate 
Relief  Director  Robert  W.  Miller 
recommended  relocation  following 
an  evaluation  tour  of  Greece  Pax 
projects,  Nov.  11-18. 

MCC  has  been  working  in  the  vil- 
lage of  Panayitsa  since  1952  and  in 
the  village  of  Tsakones  since  1954. 
Situated  in  northern  Greece  near 
Salonica,  these  projects  have  been 
essentially  agricultural  with  some 
emphasis  on  village  development. 

“Our  work  in  Panayitsa  and  Tsa- 


December  29,  1959 


795 


kones  has  been  very  helpful  to  the 
villagers,”  Miller  said,  “but  we  feel 
that  we  have  remained  here  long 
enough.  If  the  present  program 
would  continue,  it  would  probably 
mean  that  the  people  would  remain 
dependent.” 

The  proposed  new  structure  would 
center  in  a base  of  operations  in 
the  principal  town  of  the  area;  Pax- 
men  would  then  work  out  into  per- 
haps ten  villages  rather  than  just 
one  or  two  as  is  now  the  case.  Team 
members  would  return  to  the  base 
over  week  ends.  Under  this  arrange- 
ment, the  base  would  be  on  the  edge 
of  the  town  of  Aridea.  The  envi- 
sioned program  would  include  a 
four-acre  plot  for  demonstration 
and  experimentation,  a workers’ 
residence,  livestock  barns,  and  a 
storage  shed. 

Miller  and  Dyck  recommended  a 
five-year  program  of  agricultural 
and  village  development  in  the  Ari- 
dea Valley,  emphasizing  4-H  work, 
home  economics,  and  health  and 
sanitation  services.  Greek  govern- 
ment co-operation  is  being  sought 
in  this  new  location  venture.  It  is 
recommended  that  Pax  furnish  labor 
for  construction  with  the  govern- 
ment providing  land  and  building 
materials.  After  Pax  leaves,  the  fa- 
cilities would  be  turned  over  to  the 
government.  Miller’s  eight  day  stop 
in  Greece  was  part  of  a month-long 
survey  of  the  entire  MCC  European 
program. 

US  AMBASSADOR  VISITS  CHACO 

PARAGUAY— On  Nov.  27-28  the 
recently  appointed  US  ambassador 
to  Paraguay,  Harry  Stimpson,  Jr., 
visited  the  Chaco  to  acquaint  him- 
self with  the  area.  Ambassador 
Stimpson,  along  with  MCC  workers 
Robert  Unruh  (from  the  MCC  ex- 
perimental farm),  John  R.  Schmidt 
(a  medical  doctor  in  the  Leprosy 
Project),  and  Frank  Wiens  (MCC 
Director  for  South  America)  and 
representatives  from  the  Mennonite 
colonies,  visited  Filadelfia,  the  larg- 
est city  in  the  Fernheim  colony. 

“The  Ambassador  said,”  reported 
Wiens,  “that  he  was  highly  pleased 
with  his  visit  and  believes  the  Men- 
nonites  with  their  integrity  will 
come  through  successfully.” 

MCC  personnel  and  Oberschulz 
Wall,  Peter  Neufeld,  and  Andres 
Balzer  from  the  colonies  met  and 
greeted  the  Ambassador  and  his 
party  at  the  airport  in  Filadelfia. 


1959  SHIPMENTS  ENTER  20 
COUNTRIES 

AKRON — Medical  supplies,  a gar- 
den tractor,  station  wagons,  flour, 
clothing,  milk  and  soap,  plus  many 
more  items,  were  included  in  MCC 
relief  shipments  during  the  past 
year.  'Twenty  countries  in  the  Far 
and  Near  East,  Europe,  and  in  South 
America  were  the  receivers  of  more 
than  six  million  pounds  of  goods — 
goods  which  were  needed  for  MCC 
personnel,  for  the  relief  feeding  and 
clothing  programs  or  for  develop- 
ment projects.  An  estimated  value 
of  the  year’s  shipments  totals  over 
one  million  dollars,  according  to 
John  Hostetler,  material  aid  admin- 
istrator. 

conference  notes 

MISSIONS  NEWS 

Sixteen  students  were  graduated 
from  the  mission  school  at  Cachi- 
pay,  Colombia,  in  November,  re- 
ports Calvin  Flickinger  of  Hutch- 
inson, Kan.,  General  Conference 
Mennonite  missionary  teaching 
there.  Many  leaving  the  five-year 
mission  school  have  no  opportunity 
for  further  education.  Some  learn  a 
trade  or  attend  business  school  after 
graduation. 

Henry  and  Helga  Dueck  from  A- 
suncion,  are  on  furlough,  visiting 
their  parents  at  County  Line,  B.  C., 
and  Kingsville,  Ont.  Mr.  Dueck  will 
attend  Mennonite  Biblical  Seminary 
the  second  semester. 

The  Arizona  mission  lists  the  fol- 
lowing needs  for  1960:  business 

manager  and  principal  of  the  mis- 
sion school  at  Oraibi;  teachers  for 
kindergarten,  grades  1,  2,  7,  and  8; 
maintenance  man,  missionary  for 
Oraibi,  and  missionary  for  Bacabi- 
Hotevilla. 

The  1960  budget  for  the  Board  of 
Missions  is  $740,000. 

NEW  VS  PROJECTS  OPENING 

The  Board  of  Christian  Service 
at  its  recent  session  in  Berne,  Ind., 
approved  several  winter  voluntary 
service  projects.  Service  units  will 
be  operating  in  Denver,  Colo.,  Chi- 
cago, 111.,  and  in  Mexico. 

The  Denver  unit  is  scheduled  to 
help  construct  a church  building  for 
the  Denver  Mennonite  Fellowship, 
work  to  begin  early  in  the  new 
year.  The  first  volunteers  for  this 
project  are  Arlyn  and  Arline  Ewert 
of  Drake,  Sask. 


Volunteers  for  Mexico  began  serv- 
ice about  the  middle  of  December. 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  E.  P.  Graber  of  Free- 
man, S.  D.,  are  at  Cuauhtemoc,  Mr. 
Graber  doing  carpentry  and  Mrs. 
Graber  helping  with  the  housekeep- 
ing duties  at  the  unit  house.  Their 
term  ends  in  spring. 

Two  men  will  be  placed  in  the 
Woodlawn  area  of  Chicago  Jan.  1. 
They  are  Abe  Suderman,  Haskett, 
Man.,  and  Alfred  Neufeldt,  Ros- 
thern,  Sask.  Both  are  anticipating 
missions  Pax  terms  in  the  Belgian 
Congo  later  on. 

Other  board  business  relating  to 
Voluntary  Service  included  approval 
of  plans  to  increase  the  number  of 
Missions  Paxmen  in  the  foreign 
service  program,  and  approval  of  a 
students-in-industry  program.  The 
latter  involves  seminary,  university, 
and  college  students  who  will  be 
employed  in  various  types  of  in- 
dustry in  the  summer. 

For  seminary  students,  this  proj- 
ect may  mean  credit  for  practical 
work,  since  this  kind  of  experience 
should  give  prospective  ministers  in- 
sight into  an  effective  ministry  for 
the  working  man.  It  is  an  attempt 
to  relate  the  Christian  faith  to  the 
vocation  and  to  the  industrial  work- 
er’s role  in  society.  For  this  year,  a 
unit  is  anticipated  in  the  Elkhart- 
South  Bend,  Ind.,  area.  Interested 
students  may  write  to  the  Board  of 
Christian  Service,  722  Main,  New- 
ton, Kan. 

NEW  PUBLICATIONS  AUTHORIZED 

A study  guide  dealing  with  typical 
problems  faced  by  youth  will  be 
published  in  1960,  according  to  a 
resolution  passed  by  the  Board  of 
Education  and  Publication  of  the 
General  Conference  Mennonite 
Church  at  a recent  meeting.  The 
manuscript  was  prepared  by  Edith 
Claassen  Graber  and  deals  with  top- 
ics such  at  dating,  relationship  to 
parents,  choosing  a career,  and  the 
meaning  of  the  church  and  the 
Christian  faith.  The  Board  is  con- 
fident that  this  will  be  a valuable 
publication  for  young  people. 

Other  publications  scheduled  for 
the  coming  year  are  a book  on  nu- 
clear power  written  by  Erwin  Hie- 
bert  and  co-ordinated  by  the  Board 
of  Christian  Service,  the  papers  pre- 
sented to  the  evangelism  study  con- 
ference in  August  1958,  and  the 
Menno  Simons  Lectures  given  at 
Bethel  College  and  Mennonite  Bib- 
ilcal  Seminary  in  1959. 


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THE  MENNONITE 


CHRISTIAN  KREHBIEL, 
PIONEER  AND  PATRIARCH 
MODERN-DAY  MOSES  (DAVID 
TOEWS) 

Rosenberger,  Arthur  S. 

WITH  JOY  IN  MY  HEART 
(JOHN  H.  OBERHOLTZER) 

CITY 

Dise.  Don 
RAIN 

Harder,  Leland 

BILL  AND  THE  GOLDEN 
DRAGONS 

DE^TL 

Schmidt,  Melvin  D, 

THEOLOGY  OF  THE  DEVIL,  A 
EASTER 

PRAYER  FOR  EASTER 

EDUCATION 

COLLEGE  IS  A MIRROR 
HELD  UP 
Hiebert,  Ken 
AGAPE- VERLAG 
Hildebrand.  Shirley 
B,  C.  WORKSHOP 
Liechtv.  Ruth  Ann 
LEARNIN' 

Ramsever,  Robert  L. 

JAPAN’S  STUDENTS 
Thiessen,  Muriel 

JUST  OUTSIDE  MY 
DORMITORY  WINDOW 
WHEN  YOU  PRAY,  REMEMBER 
EVELYN 
Unrau.  John 

ON  SHOULDERS  OF  GIANTS 
Vogt.  Roy  H. 

MENNONITE  COLLEGE 
STUDENTS 

WITH  CHRIST  ON  CAMPUS 
FIRST  CLASS  MAIL 

FROai  OUR  READERS 

GENERAL  CONFERENCE 
CALENDAR 
Rosenberger,  Arthur  S. 

WTTH  JOY  IN  MY  HEART 
(JOHN  H.  OBERHOLTZER) 

GOD 

Freeman.  James  Dillet 
I AM  THERE 
JOURNALISM 
Haskin.  Dorothy  C. 

PENNY  A WORD,  A 
KOREA 

TWO  NATIONAL  WINNERS 

LOVE 

Cheh  Sahng  Yuli 
LOVE’S  POWER 
Ee  Juhng  Eel 

TRUE  ROAD  TO  SUCCESS.  THE 
LOYALTY 
Janzen,  George  E. 

SHALL  I REMAIN  A 
MENNONITE  ? 

Riddick,  Ed 
LOYALTIES 
MINISTRY 

THINK  BEFORE  YOU  SAY  IT 
MISSIONS— AFRICA 
Dyck,  Sadie 

DRAMA— CONGO  STYLE 
MISSIONS— COLOMBIA 
Keiser,  Mrs.  Arthur 
SCHOOL  BEGINS  AT 
EIGHT  O’CLOCK 
jnSSIONS— INDIAN  AMERICAN 
Mueller.  Lyman  J. 

LETTER  FROM 
LAME  DEER,  A 
MISSIONS— JAPAN 
Ramseyer,  Robert  L. 

JAPAN’S  STUDENTS 
MISSIONS— TAIWAN 
Becker,  Ardys  and  Palmer 
ENTER:  TAIWAN 
NEW  YEAR 
Riddick,  Ed  . 

NOTE  FOR  NEW  YEAR,  A 
NEW'FOUNDLAND 
Liechty,  Ruth  Ann 
LEARNIN’ 

NEWFOUNDLAND— THE 
ETERNAL  CHALLENGE 
NEWFOUNDLAND  INVENTORY 
PEACE 
EIRENE 
Epp,  Henry  H. 

BEAT— OR  BURDENED? 

PEACE  CONFERENCE  AT  THE 
U.  N. 

POEMS 

Klie\ver,  Warren 
DIE  WANDERER 
Stucky,  Vernon 
I SOUGHT  FOR  TRUTH 
Vogt,  Roy  H. 

IN  QUIET  KNEELING 


473 

521 

458 

409 

345 

633 

185 

682 

328 

750 

217 

169 

346 
282 
394 

749 

249 

187 

735 

489 

458 

733 

490 
507 

507 

507 

153 

601 

715 

267 

361 

635 

169 


217 

27 

395 

89 

154 

107 

457 

362 

123 


PRAYER 

Dyck,  Marina 

PRAYER— WHAT  IS  IT?  651 

PRAYER  FOR  EASTER  185 

Vogt,  Roy  H. 

IN  QUIET  KNEELING  123 

RACE  RELATIONS 
Kehler,  Peter 

UNWANTED,  THE  139 

Preheim,  Birdie 

TOK  121 

Schmidt,  Esther 

WHEN  YOU  PRAY, 

REMEMBER  JOHNNIE  282 

Yoder,  Don 

WHEN  YOU  PRAY, 

REMEMBER  NOLAN  282 

RELIEF 

Klassen,  Katherine,  Mrs. 

KOREA,  "LAND  OF  THE 
MORNING  CALM’’  42 

RETREATS 

EVANGELISM  AND  YOUTH  443 

Galle,  Dorothy 

THE  YPU  RETREAT- 
FIRSTHAND  554 

Mueller,  Amelia 

FIVE  DAYS  TO  REMEMBER  543 

YPU  RETREAT  378 

SERVICE : CHRISTIAN 

NEED  AN  IDEA?  523 

Unger,  Ivan  and  Enns,  Tony 

MINING  TOWN  WITNESS  570 

SERVICE : 1-W 

ALTERNATIVES  TO  WAR  783 

1-W  VS  IN  CHICAGO  363 

KEEP  IN  TOUCH  WHILE 

THEY’RE  AWAY  782 

LONG-TERM  SERVICE  138 

Mueller,  Lyman 

LETTER  FROM  LAME  DEER, 

A 635 

SIX  THOUSAND  SERVE  GOD 

AND  COUNTRY  187 

SO  WHAT  IS  1-W?  298 

Unruh,  Wilfred 
AFTER  EIGHTEEN— 

WHICH  WAY?  315 

WITNESS  OR  WASTE?  699 

WITNESS  ...  OR  WORSE  74 

SERVICE : PAX 
Juhnke,  Jim 

AMERICAN  ABROAD,  AN  377  - 

PAX:  “A  GREAT  LIFE’’  107  ' 

LONG-TERM  SERVICE  138  — 

MOOSA  TO  MASONRY  393  - 

PAX  585  ^ 

PAX:  "A  CHALLENGE”  107- 

Regier,  Fremont 

PAX,  CONGO,  AND  ME  201 

Unruh,  Wilfred 
RICH  OR  POOR— 

IT  DOESN’T  MATTER  683 

Zuercher,  Joyce 

KARLSSCHULE  COMES  BACK  697 
SERVICE:  VOLUNTARY 
AFTER  THE  MEETING  WAS 


OVER  313 

CALLING  ALL  HIGH  SCHOOL 
SENIORS,  JUNIORS, 

SOPHOMORES  281 

FORTY  VOLUNTEERS  SO  FAR 
FOR  CONFERENCE  SERVICE  203 

Hartzler,  Bertha 

STORY  OF  A WORKCAMP  441 

Kehler,  Peter 

TIME  FOR  EVERYTHING  73 

UNWANTED,  THE  139 

Krahn,  Susan 
GUIDED  TOUR  OF  MCC 
VS  UNITS  170 

VISIT  TO  A VILLAGE  202 

WHAT  IT’S  LIKE  IN  MCC 
VOLUNTARY  SERVICE  106 

Kreider,  Anna 

LETTER  TO  A VOLUNTEER  299 

Kreider,  Emil 

ONE  OPINION  363 

Liechty,  Ruth  Ann 
LEARNIN’  217 

LONG-TERM  SERVICE  138 

LOOKING  BACK  AT  THE 
TEEN-AGE  WORKCAMP  553 

LOOKING  BACK  ON 
LAST  SUMMER  218 

MORE  LIGHT  363 

Musselman,  Joyce 
BEST  PART  OF  EUROPE  WAS 
WORK  CAMP,  THE  233 

NEWFOUNDLAND  INVENTORY  395 

ONE  HUNDRED  SEVENTY- 

EIGHT  IN  SUMMER  SERVICE  505 
Preheim,  Birdie 

TOK  121 

SUMMER  SERVICE  IN  1959  137 

SUMMER  SERVICE  WITH  MCC  203 

THREE  SUMMER  PROJECTS  235 

VS  REFLECTIONS  140 


VOLUNTARY  SERVICE: 

RETROSPECT  AND  PROSPECT  155 
WANT  A MEMORY?  123 

YOU  TOO  CAN  SERVE  10 

SOCIAL  CONCERNS 
Anderson,  J.  William 

REAL  ENEMY,  THE  265 

Yoder,  Nancy 

ABSTINENCE,  TEMPERANCE  602 
SOUTH  AMERICA 
Fretz,  Stephen 

THAT  SOUTH  AMERICAN 
SLANT  90 

Warkentin,  Lydia 

VISIT  TO  THE  CHACO  363 

TO  AND  FROM  A PASTOR 
Wismer,  Don  699,  714,  735,  751,  767,  781 
TRUTH 
Stucky,  Vernon 

I SOUGHT  FOR  TRUTH  362 

VIETNAM 
Bixler,  Phyllis 

REFLECTIONS  ON  VIETNAM  442 

VISUAL  AIDS 

WANT  A MEMORY?  123 

VOCATION 
Harder,  M.  S. 

VOCATIONS  10 

THINK  BEFORE  YOU  SAY  IT  715 

WAR 

TIN  CANS  AND  TIME  BOMBS  362 

WORKCAMP 

Dixon,  Kenneth  and  Jackson,  Henry 


WOODLAWN  WORKCAMP  713 

Musselman,  Joyce 

BEST  PART  OF  EUROPE 
WAS  WORKCAMP,  THE  233 

YOUNG  PEOPLE’S  UNION 
COMMITTEE  ON  YOUTH  WORK  27 
Coon,  Helen  Neufeld 

IT’S  IN  THE  BAG  475 

Epp,  Frank 

EVANGELISM  AND  YOUTH  443 

FOCUS  ON  YOUTH  AT 

ELKHART  665 

Galle,  Dorothy 
YPU  RETREAT- 

FIRSTHAND,  THE  554 

NEW  CONFERENCE  YOUTH 

WORKER  297 

1959  COUNCIL  794 

PRAYER  CALENDAR  793 

ROAD  WE  HAVE  COME,  THE  734 
TAILORED  618 

TEN  GOALS  FOR  THREE 
YEARS  541 

Waltner,  Dianne 

INTRODUCING:  NORTHERN 

DISTRICT  YPU  11 

LEADERSHIP  CLINIC  122 

Waltner,  Harris 

COME  . . . GO  . . . GIVE  ...  542 
Wiens,  Arthur 

INTRODUCING:  CANADIAN 

YPU  59 

YPU  ACTIVITIES  281 

YPU  CABINET  MEETS  43 

YPU  EXECUTIVE,  THE  378 

YOUNG  PEOPLE’S  UNION 

COUNCIL  681 

YOUTH  NEWS  427,  506,  523 

YOUTH 
Epp,  Aaron  J. 

YOKES  FOR  YOUTH  186 

Epp,  Frank  H. 

RAW  MATERIAL  FOR  A 
PROGRAM  266 

Epp,  Henry  H. 

BEAT— OR  BURDENED?  154 

EXPERIMENT  WITH 

PREJUDICE  667 

Gross,  Leonard 
NORTH  GERMAN 
MENNONITE  YOUTH  58 

Harder,  Leland 

BILL  AND  THE  GOLDEN 
DRAGONS  345 

Hildebrand,  Shirley 
B.  C.  WORKSHOP  750 

Krueger,  Edna 

LEADERS,  LEARNING  AND 
LEADERSHIP  CLINICS  283 

Lind,  Loren 
COMMUNIST  YOUTH 
DEDICATION  379 

Martens,  K.  J. 

S.M.Y.O.  WORKSHOP  331 

Mueller,  Amelia 

FIVE  DAYS  TO  REMEMBER  543 
NEED  AN  IDEA?  523 

‘‘PLEASE  USE  INK”  314 

Sigel,  Lola  Mitchell 

RIGHT  O.K.,  THE  569 

Thiessen,  Muriel 

WHY  DO  WE  REBEL?  41 

TO  AND  FROM  A PASTOR 

699,  714,  735,  751,  767,  781 


December  29,  1959 


801 


Unruh,  Wilfred 
AFTER  EIGHTEEN— 

WHICH  WAY?  315 

Vogt,  Esther  Loewen 
NO  CHEATING  617 

ONE  MIRACLE  765 

Wedel,  Oskar 

TRAINING  GERMAN  YOUTH 
LEADERS  74 

WITH  CHRIST  ON  CAMPUS  249 

YOUTH  GROUP  SETS  BUDGET  155 


AUTHOR  INDEX 


Albrecht,  E.  A. 

THY  FAITH  HATH  SAVED 
THEE  387 

Amstutz,  H.  Clair 

CARING  FOR  THE  AGED  388 

Amstutz,  J.  E. 

CONFERENCE  PARTICIPANTS 
SHARE  THEIR  IMPRESSIONS  538 
Anderson,  J.  Willicim 


REAL  ENEMY,  THE  265 

Andres,  Homer 

PAX  586 

Auckland,  David  C. 

INCONSISTENT  CHRISTIANS  99 
Balzer,  Renata 

WITH  CHRIST  ON  CAMPUS  250 
Bartel,  Floyd  G. 

REASONS  FOR  REJOICING  67 

Bartel,  Norman 

MOST  SERIOUS  TASK,  THE  438 

Bauman,  Clarence 

COMMUNIST  YOUTH  FESTIVAL  564 
CONSCIENTIOUS  OBJECTION 

IN  GERMANY  231 

OUR  WITNESS  FOR  PEACE  404 

Baumgartner,  Elvera  A. 

BLESSED  ARE  THE  QUIET 

ONES  343 

Becker,  Ardys  and  Palmer 

ENTER : TAIWAN  649 

Bender,  Harold  S. 

OUR  NEXT  WORLD 

CONFERENCE  630 


Berky,  Ralph  W. 

LO.  MORN  OF  GLADNESS  779 
Bixler,  Phyllis 

REFLECTIONS  ON  VIETNAM  442 


Boehr,  John 

ARE  WE  CONSISTENT?  213 

Bohn,  Ernest  J. 

OUR  CHRISTIAN  WITNESS  275 

WHO  DO  YOU  SAY  I AM?  227 

Bonebrake,  Boyd  E. 

CROSS  OF  CHRIST,  THE  307 

Boschman,  Paul 
ORDINATION  OF 
TAKASHI  YAMADA  149 

Boyer,  Claude  F. 

EASTERN  DISTRICT 
CONFERENCE  CONVENES  358 

Braun,  Toni 

PAX  585 

Bryant,  Alice  Franklin 


RADIATION  AND  THE  RACE  486 


Buller,  Harold 

BIBLE  AND  OUR  DAILY 
PROBLEMS,  THE  163 

CROSS  OF  CHRIST,  THE  307 

PRAYER,  A 243 

SONNET  TO  FAITH  195 

Burkholder,  J.  R. 

GUEST  IN  THE  HOME  323 

WHAT  ABOUT  CAPITAL 
PUNISHMENT?  646 

Hyrne,  H.  W. 


PURPOSE  AND  PROGRAM  OF 
•CHRISTIAN  EDUCATION,  THE  55 
Carlson,  Arvid  F. 

WHAT  MAKES  HOMES 
WONDERFUL?  500 

Cheh,  Sahng,  Yuli 

LOVE'S  POWER  507 

Chirgwin,  Arthur  M. 

VERY  THING  YOU  NEED,  THE  391 


Claassen,  Virginia 

LOOKING  BACK  ON  LAST 
SUMMER  218 

Claassen,  Mrs.  Walter  A. 

JOHNNY  LONGS  TO 
ENTER  IN  664 

Claassen,  Willard 

TOWARD  MORE  EFFECTIVE 
BIBLE  STUDY  295 

Coon.  Helen  Neufeld 

IT’S  IN  THE  BAG  475 

Dahlberg,  Edwin  T. 

WHAT  DOES  THE  LORD 
REQUIRE?  69 

Deckert,  Ivan  P. 

AND  ON  EARTH,  PEACE  51 


180 

195 


308 

409 


713 


133 

344 


218 

518 


193 


777 

692 


530 

630 


308 

534 


39 

651 


Deckert,  Kenneth 

RADIOACTIVE  FALLOUT  341 

DeFehr,  C.  A, 

PARAGUAY  REVISITED  164 

Derstine,  David  Jr. 

GOOD  SAMARITAN  LIVES  ON, 
THE 

Dick,  George  G. 

LAW  OF  THE  LORD,  THE 
Dick,  Nicholas 

WORD  OF  GOD  IN  THE 
NUCLEAR  AGE,  THE 
Dise,  Don 
RAIN 

Dl.xon,  Kenneth 
WOODLAWN  WORKCAMP 
Driedger,  Leo 
FOURTEEN  YEARS  OF 
CHALLENGE 
WE  V/EPT  TOGETHER 
Driedger,  Leona 
LOOKING  BACK  ON 
LAST  SUMMER 
Driver,  H.  A. 

ALL  THINGS  TO  ALL  MEN 
DIFFICULTIES  IN  OUR 
WITNESSING 
Duerksen,  Christina 
BEHOLD  THE  HANDMAID 
OF  THE  LORD 
Dyck,  Anna 

CHALLENGE  OF  MISSIONS 
MISSTONARY  COMES  HOME,  A 7 
Dyck,  Cornelius  J. 

FELLOWSHIP,  DISCUSSION, 
RENEV/AL,  editorial 
OUR  NEXT  WORLD 
CONFERENCE 
WORD  OF  GOD  IN  THE 
NUCLEAR  AGE,  THE 
Dyck,  Frank 

CAMP  FRIEDENSWALD— '59 
Dyck,  Gordon 

GROWING  INVOLVEMENTS 
Dyck,  Marina 

PRAYER— WHAT  IS  IT? 

Dyck,  Peter 
COMMUNIST  YOUTH  FESTIVAL  564 
Dyck,  Sadie 

DRAMA— CONGO  STYLE  267 

Dyck,  Walter  H. 

VS  REFLECTIONS  141 

WE’RE  MOVING  TO 
THE  CITY  744 

Ediger,  Menno  J. 

I AM  WITH  YOU  547 

Edman,  V.  Raymond 
MY  BEST  FOR  MY  CHILDREN  260 
Ee,  Juhng  Eel 

TRUE  ROAD  TO  SUCCESS,  THE  507 
Enns,  John  F. 

CHALLENGE  OF  CHURCH 
EXTENSION,  THE  100 

Enns,  Tony 

MINING  TOWN  WITNESS  570 

Ens,  Mrs.  Frances 

STOP!  LOOK!  LISTEN!  648 

Entz,  J.  E. 

CHRISTMAS— DAY  OF  JOY  775 

Enz,  Jacob  J. 

WANTED:  MORE  MEANINGFUL 
BIBLE  READING  25 

Epp,  Carl  H. 

JESUS  WAY,  THE  695 

Epp,  Aaron  J. 

CONFERENCE  PARTICIPANTS 
SHARE  THEIR  IMPRESSIONS  539 
YOKES  FOR  YOUTH 
Epp.  Dennis 
PAX 

Epn.  Frank  H. 

EVANGELISM  AND  YOUTH 
FOCUS  ON  CHRISTIAN 
CONCERNS  613,  648,  680,  711, 

RAW  MATERIALS  FOR  A 
PROGRAM 
Epp.  Henry  H. 

BEAT— OR  BURDENED? 

Erb.  Paul 

MORE  RELIGIOUS,  LESS 
MORAL 

Fast.  Aganetha 
STRIKING  CONTRAST,  A 
Fast,  Henry  A. 

AWAKENING  TO  HUMAN 
NEED 

INVOLVING  THE  CHURCH 
Ferntheil.  Carol 

■‘PLEASE  USE  INK.  . .” 

Fitzgerald.  Lawrence 
KEEP  IN  TOUCH  WHILE 
THEY’RE  AWAY 
Fliginger,  Ardis 
LOOKING  BACK  ON 
LAST  SUMMER 
Franz.  Delton 

FROM  TV  TO  CHRISTIAN 
CONCERN  614 


186 

585 


443 

748 


266 

154 


406 

779 


596 

360 


314 


782 


218 


119 


451 

733 


4.36 

790 


790 


628 

181 


778 


455 

676 


243 

130 


554 

708 

277 

264 


ISLANDS  OF  HOPE  IN  A 
SEA  OF  DESPAIR 
NOTES  ON  A SOUTHERN 
JOURNEY 
Franz.  Harold  A. 

LAYMAN’S  VIEW  ON 
EVANGELISM,  A 
Freeman.  James  Dillet 
I AM  THERE 
Fretz.  J.  Herbert 
NORTHERN  DISTRICT 
CONFERENCE 
BEYOND  PLENTY,  editorial 
TIME  PROVINCIALISM, 
editorial 

Fretz,  J,  Winfip’ri 

DRAMA  OF  RECOVERY.  THE 
MENNONITES  IN  BOLIVIA 
Frev.  Orlin  F. 

WHY  THE  DIFFERENCE 
Frey.  Walter  D, 

WHAT  THINK  YE  OF  CHRIST?  643 
Friesen,  Alvin 

“ - . AND  HE  HEALED 

THEM  ALL” 

Gaeddert.  Albert 

BUILDING  BRIDGES 
CROSS  A>'D  THE 
RESURRECTION.  THE 
WORK  WITHOUT  PAY 
Galle  Dorothy 
YPU  RETREAT- 
FIRSTHAND,  THE 
Galle.  Omer 

FOR  SUCH  A TIME  AS  THIS 
Garber.  Twila  Hiltv 
MEDITATIONS  AT  NIGHT 
PRACTICAL  CHRISTIAN 
HOUSEKEEPING 
Gerig.  Virgil  M. 

CHURCH’S  ONE  FOUNDATION, 
THE  339 

Gingerich,  Melvin 

PEACE  WITNESS,  A 197 

Goering.  Erwin  C, 

BUILDING  ON  CHRIST  611 

CHRISTIAN  PEACE 
CONFERENCE  502 

CHRISTIANS  FACING  GREAT 
MORAL  ISSUES  325 

MENNONITE  VOLUNTARY 
SERVICE  IN  EUROPE  22 

Goering,  Lowell 

PAX  587 

Goering,  Paul 

WORK  IS  ONE,  THE  2’’8 

Graber.  Edwin  C. 

CROSS  IS  MADE,  A 173 

Graber.  Erwen  and  Ruth 

VS  REFLECTIONS  140 

Graber,  Larry 

MOOSA  TO  MASONRY  393 

Grimm.  Henrv 
ALCOHOL  IN  OUR 
COMMUNITIES  694 

Gross.  Leonard 
NORTH  GERMAN 
MENNONITE  YOUTH  58 

Groves.  Esther 

CONFERENCE  DISCUSSIONS 

710,  727,  745,  764 

Habegger,  David 

TOWARD  PEACE  679 

Harder,  Leland 

BILL  AND  THE  GOLDEN 
DRAGONS  345 

l''TOBILTTY  IN  THE 
CONFERENCE  661 

URBANIZATION  IN  THE 
MENNONITE  CHURCH  84 

Harder.  Leonard 

FOUR  TREES  419 

Harder,  M.  S. 

VOCATIONS  10 

Hardin,g,  Vincent 

BUILD  ON  CHRIST  IN 
THE  CITY  644 

Harms,  Doreen 

COMMUNIST  YOUTH 
FESTIVAL  564 

Hartzler,  Bertha 

STORY  OF  A WORKCAMP  441 

Hartzler,  Robert  W. 

SEVEN  DEADLY  SINS, 

THE  88.  103,  120.  136,  151,  168,  183 
Haskin,  Dorothy  C. 

PENNY  A WORD,  A 490 

Heidebrecht,  Lois 
VOLUNTARY  SERVICE, 
RETROSPECT  AND  PROSPECT  155 
Henry,  Roy  W. 

CONFERENCE  PARTICIPANTS 
SHARE  THEIR  IMPRESSIONS  539 
Hicks.  Esther 

THANKSGIVING  PRAYER,  A 711 
Hiebert,  Eva 
LOOKING  BACK  ON 
LAST  SUMMER  218 


S02 


THE  MENNONITE 


328 


Hiebert,  Ken 
AGAPE-VERLAG 

“'SEkTYANVEDDING.  THE  38 

^^“5'olSilgp  750 

Hofstetter,  Lyman  K. 

PACIFIC  DISTRICT 
CONFERENCE  437 

Hostetler,  Mrs.  Stanley 

PEACE  AND  CHILDREN  423 

Hudelson,  Bertha  R. 

FAITH-FILLED  HEART  246 

MY  PRAYER  TODAY  151 

WHEN  I HEAR  MUSIC 
OF  A BLUEBIRD’S  SONG  403 

■^'‘WOODLAIVN  WORKCAMP  713 

Janzen.  George  E. 

SHALL  I REMAIN  A 
MENNONITE?  153 

Janzen.  Heinz 

BLACK  AND  WHITE  778 

Janzen,  John  M. 

MOOSA  TO  MASONRY  393 

Janzen,  Waldemar 

CHURCH  AND  MENTAL 
ILLNESS.  THE  212 

de  Jonge,  Hans 

INSIDE  MOROCCO  454 

Juhnke,  Jim 

AMERICAN  ABROAD,  AN  3^ 

PAX  587 

PAX;  “A  GREAT  LIFE”  107 

Kaufman,  Don  and  Eleanor 
CAN  CHRISTIANS  PAY 
FOR  WAR?  359 

Kaufman,  Orlo 

RACIAL  TENSIONS  278 

Kehler,  Marvin 

VS  REFLECTIONS  140 

Kehler,  Peter 

TIME  FOR  EVERYTHING  73 

UNWANTED,  THE  139 

Keidel.  Levi  „ 

CHRISTIAN  LITERATURE 
IN  CONGO  488 

LITERATURE  FOR  CONGO  199 

Keim,  Ruth 

SEWING  PROJECT  HELPS 
REHABILITATE  KOREAN 
WIDOWS  753 

Keiser.  Mrs.  Arthur 

HYMNS  IN  THE  NIGHT  263 

IN  THE  HAND— 

OR  IN  THE  HEART?  456 

SCHOOL  BEGINS  AT 
EIGHT  O’CLOCK  361 

WOULD  YOU  HAVE  COME?  615 

King.  Herbert  R. 

DEFINITE  AIM,  A 83 

King,  W.  Harley 
POWER  OF  THE 
RESURRECTION,  THE  183 

Klassen,  Katherine,  Mrs. 

KOREA  "LAND  OF  THE 
MORNING  CALM”  42 

Kleinsasser,  Fern 

WITH  CHRIST  ON  CAMPUS  249 

Kliewer.  Mrs.  Walter  H. 

TRIBUTE  TO  MOTHERS,  A 277 

Kliewer,  Warren 

DIE  WANDERER  457 

Koontz,  Elbert 

MASTER  OF  NATURE,  THE  403 

Krahn,  Cornelius 

WE  ARE  APPROACHING  THREE 
CONFERENCE  CENTENNIALS  245 
Krahn,  Susan 

GUIDED  TOUR  OF  MCC  VS 
UNITS  170 

VISIT  TO  A VILLAGE  202 

WHAT  IT’S  LIKE  IN  MCC 
VOLUNTARY  SER’VtCE  106 

Kreider,  Anna 

LETTER  TO  A VOLUNTEER  299 

Kreider,  Emil 

ONE  OPINION  363 

Krueger,  Edna 

LEADERS,  LEARNING,  AND 
LEADERSHIP  CLINICS  283 

Landis,  Robert  M. 

ABOUNDING  IN  THE 
LORD’S  WORK  291 

Leisy,  Elva  Krehbiel 

CHRISTIAN  KREHBIEL, 

PIONEER  AND  PATRIARCH  473 

LeSourd,  Gilbert 

RELIGIOUS  LITERATURE  FOR 
THE  BLIND  19 

Letkeman,  Helen 

WITH  CHRIST  ON  CAMPUS  249 

Liechty,  Doris 

WITH  CHRIST  ON  CAMPUS  250 

Liechty,  Ruth  Ann 

LEARNIN’  217 


Lind,  Loren 

COMMUNIST  YOUTH 
DEDICATION 
Loewen,  Esko 

BETTER  THAN  MILITARY 
CONSCRIPTION 
Luginbuhl,  Darvin 

ENRICHMENT  THROUGH  ARI 
Martens,  Harry  E. 

FINANCING  CHRISTIAN 
EDUCATION 

LORD,  WHAT  WILT  THOU 
HAVE  ME  TO  DO? 

Martens,  K.  J, 

S.M.Y.O.  WORKSHOP 
Mast,  Russell  L. 

PIONEERS  OF  CONSCIENCE 
THREE  CRUCIAL  FACTS 
UNDERSTANDEST  THOU? 
Mayer,  Theodore  C. 

AGONIZING  REAPPRAISAL 
McCandless,  Dora  Hall 
BELIEVING  IS  SEEING 
Mellick,  J.  W. 

EXTENDED  FAITH 
Miller,  Mrs.  Herbert 

KINDERGARTEN  INTEREST 
CENTERS 
Miller,  Orie  O. 

PARAGUAYAN  DIARY 
Mueller,  Amelia 


Mueller,  Lyman  J. 

LETTER  FROM 
LAME  DEER.  A 
Murch,  James  DeForest 
TASK  OF  THE  SUNDAY 
SCHOOL 

Musselman,  Joyce 

BEST  PART  OF  EUROPE  WAS 
WORK  CAMP,  THE 
Negelspach,  Nancy 
MEDITATION  ON  A 
BATTLEFIELD  677 

Nelson,  Eloise 

MAKE  YOUR  WEDDING 
CHRISTIAN  340 

Neufeld,  Elmer 

AT  THE  ALTAR— MOCKING 
SIRENS  675 

PEACE— THE  WAY  OF  THE 
CROSS  374 

Neufeld,  Irma 

LOOKING  BACK  ON 
LAST  SUMMER  218 

Neufeld,  John  H. 

THERMOMETERS  AND 
THERMOSTATS  105 

Neufeld,  Vernon 

HOLINESS  IN  LIFE  691 

Neufeld,  Walter 
REDEMPTION  OR 
DESTRUCTION?  613 

Nickel,  Arnold 

TO  SERVE  THE  PRESENT  AGE  355 
Oiler,  Delores 

VOLUNTARY  SERVICE: 
RETROSPECT  AND  PROSPECT  155 
Page,  Kirbv 

PEACE  OF  MIND  CAN  BE 
BLINDING  85 

Pannabecker,  S.  F. 

MISSION  VS.  MISSIONS  20 

Parish.  Herbert  H. 

TWELVE  POINTS  FOR 
TEMPERANCE  408 

Peachey,  Paul 

PEACEMAKERS  IN  THE 
PACIFIC  102 

Poettcker,  Henry 

MARK’S  PICTURE  ALBUM  228 
Preheim,  Birdie 

TOK  121 

Preheim,  Marion 

WOMEN  IN  CHURCH 
VOCATIONS  296,  310 

Quiring,  Betty  M. 

CONFERENCE  PARTICIPANTS 
SHARE  THEIR  IMPRESSIONS  539 
Rahn,  Ben 

CHURCH  AND 

VOLUNTEERS,  THE  134 

Raid.  Mrs.  Howard 

TRUTHS  LEARNED  AT  HOME  259 
Ramsever,  Robert  L. 

JAPAN’S  STUDENTS  169 

Ratzlaff,  Mrs.  Harold 
FROM  WICHITA  TO 
JERUSALEM  196 

Ratzlaff,  Richard 
CONFERENCE  PARTICIPANTS 
SHARE  THEIR  IMPRESSIONS  539 
Regier,  Arnold  J. 

MINISTERING  TO  THE  SICK  581 
Regier,  Daniel  G. 

GUARD  RAILS  OF  A 
CHRISTIAN  HOME  371 


Reimer,  John 

OUR  UNITED  TASK 

568 

379 

Rempel,  C.  J. 

115 

MENNONITE  DELEGATION 
VISITS  CANADIAN  PRIME 
MINISTER 

167 

422 

Reusser,  James 
LIVING  SIMPLY 

659 

Riehert.  Elmer 

IS  THE  CHURCH  HIGH  SCHOOL 

471 

NECESSARY? 

150 

579 

Riddick,  Ed 
LOYALTIES 

601 

NOTE  FOR  THE  NEW  YEAR, 

A 9 

331 

Rosenberger,  Arthur  S. 

458 

WITH  JOY  IN  MY  HEART 

531 

Ross,  Kenneth  D. 

706 

35 

CHRISTIAN  WALK,  THE 

468 

Roth,  Paul  E. 

MOOSA  TO  MASONRY 

393 

6 

Rowe,  Elsie  V. 

776 

LET  US  GO  UNTO 
BETHLEHEM  AND  SEE 

775 

467 

Salzman.  Earl 

THIS  IS  LIFE  ETERNAL 

179 

Savers,  Dorothy  L. 

A POINT-BLANK  LETTER 

331 

324 

Schauffele,  Charles  G. 

484 

SUNDAY  SCHOOL  MEETS 
THE  FAMILY 

452 

543 

Schmidt,  Esther 

WHEN  YOU  PRAY, 

REMEMBER  JOHNNIE 

282 

635 

Schmidt,  H,  B. 

WEEK-END  WORK 

CAMPING  FOR  CHURCHES 

135 

568 

Schmidt,  Dr.  and  Mrs.  John  R. 
AN  UNFORGETTABLE  TRIP 

264 

Schmidt,  Melvin 

THEOLOGY  OF  THE  DEVIL, 

A 633 

233 

WITH  CHRIST  ON  CAMPUS 

251 

Schrag,  Kay  Ann 

VOLUNTARY  SERVICE; 

Regier,  Fremont 

PAX,  CONGO,  AND  ME 


201 


RETROSPECT  AND  PROSPECT  155 
Schrag,  Menno 

GLORY  OF  THE  MANGER, 

THE,  editorial  774 

LET’S  IMAGINE,  editorial  774 

LIKE  BOYS  . . . MENNONITE 
BOYS  LEAGUE  IS  GROWING  54 
Schultz,  Leola  A. 

CONFERENCE  PARTICIPANTS 
SHARE  THEIR  IMPRESSIONS  539 
Schwartz,  Merle  and  Dorothy 
MATERNITY  WORK  IN 
THE  CONGO  328 

Senner,  Edward 

VS  REFLECTIONS  141 

Shelly,  Andrew  R, 

NEW'  COMMITMENT,  A 627 

SEMINARY  BOARD  MEETS  182 

Shelly,  Maynard 
CHUCH  PAPER  SPEAKS 
UP,  THE  326 

MENNONITES  IN  THE  PUBLIC 
EYE,  editorial  546 

Shelly,  Paul 

OUR  TOTAL  CHURCH 
CURRICULUM  261 

Sigel,  Lola  Mitchell 

RIGHT  O.K.,  THE  569 

Sizoo,  Joseph  R. 

WHAT  DARKNESS  CANNOT 
DIM  759 

Smucker,  Carl  F. 

INCREASED  SPAN,  THE  390 

Smucker,  J.  N. 

PRAYER— NEGLECTED  POWER  792 
Smucker,  Joe 

WORLD  OF  MISERY  IN 
ASIA,  A 663 

Snyder,  Alice 

EMERGENCY  RELIEF 
IN  BEIRUT  214 

Snyder,  Catherine 
CONFERENCE  PARTICIPANTS 
SHARE  THEIR  IMPRESSIONS  538 
Spltznagel,  Harold 

ARCHITECT  REPLIES  410 

Sprunger,  Wilmer 

MOOSA  TO  MASONRY  393 

Stauffer,  Dr,  and  Mrs.  Stanley 

PEACE  AND  PARENTS  424 

Stauffer,  William 

GOD’S  GOOD  EARTH  244 

REFLECTING:  OUR 

CENTENNIAL  CONFERENCE  582 

Stoneback,  G.  S. 

MAKING  RELIGION  REAL 
IN  THE  HOME  499 

WHEN  SOCIETY  PLAYS  GOD  725 

Stucky,  Eldeen 

VS  REFLECTIONS  141 

Stucky,  Harley  J. 

AGRICULTURAL  CRISES  AND 
MENNONITES  70 


December  29,  1959 


803 


Stucky,  Vernon  J. 

I SOUGHT  FOR  TRUTH  362 

SECRET  CALL,  THE  467 

Teichroew,  Lowell 

CRISIS  AND  CHANGE  517 

MCC  REACHES  OUT  TO 
HONG  KONG,  CALCUTTA  599 

Thiessen,  Arthur  D. 

CONFERENCE  PARTICIPANTS 
SHARE  THEIR  IMPRESSIONS  538 
Thiessen,  Harold 


HOLY,  HOLY,  HOLY  147 

Thiessen,  John 
PROMOTING  MISSION 
INTEREST  660 

REFLECTING:  OUR 

CENTENNIAL  CONFERENCE  582 

Thiessen,  Muriel 
JUST  OUTSIDE  MY 
DORMITORY  WINDOW  346 

WHEN  YOU  PRAY, 

REMEMBER  EVELYN  282 

WHY  DO  WE  REBEL?  41 

Thorp,  Roy  L. 

MAKING  CHRISTIAN  WILLS  276 


Tiplady,  Thomas 

LET  NOT  THY  KINDNESS 

WAIT  518 

PEACE  FOR  ALL  51 

Tschetter,  Peter 

WHAT  IS  YOUR  LIFE?  211 

Unger,  Izan 

MINING  TOWN  WITNESS  570 

Unger,  P.  A. 

SIGNIFICANCE  OF 

BAPTISM,  THE  435 

Unrau,  John 

ON  SHOULDERS  OF  GIANTS  394 
Unruh,  Esther 

VS  REFLECTIONS  140 

Unruh,  John  D.,  Jr. 

MASS  SUICIDE  761 

Unruh,  Larry 

MOOSA  TO  MASONRY  393 


Unruh,  W.  F. 

MUST  WE  HELP?  598 

WESTERN  DISTRICT  HOLDS 
SIXTY-EIGHtH  SESSION  763 

Unruh,  Wilfred  , 

AFTER  EIGHTEEN— 

WHICH  WAY?  315 

RICH  OR  POOR— 

IT  DOESN’T  MATTER  683 

WITNESS  OR  WASTE?  699 

Vogt,  Esther  Loewen 
NO  CHEATING  617 

ONE  MIRACLE  765 

Vogt,  Roy  H. 

IN  QUIET  KNEELING  123 

MENNONITE  COLLEGE 
STUDENTS  749 

Voth,  Norma  Jost 

ADVENT  743 

Voth,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  W.  C. 

CHRISTIANS  IN  CHINA  36,  53 
Waltner,  Dianne 
INTRODUCING:  NORTHERN 

DISTRICT  YPU  11 

LEADERSHIP  CLINIC  122 

VS  REFLECTIONS  140 

Waltner,  Erland 

BUILDERS  FOR  ETERNITY  515 
MESSAGE  FROM  THE 
PRESIDENT,  A 616 

Waltner,  Harris 

COME  . . . GO  . . . GIVE  ...  542 
Waltner,  James  H. 

JOY  IN  THE  MORNING  3 

PACIFIST  WITNESS  AT 
OMAHA  483 


conference  stewardship 

November  30,  1958,  as  compared  to  November  30,  1959 


o 

o 


BUDGET 


519 

363 


74 

723 

230 


Waltner,  Orlando  O. 

INFORMATION  ON 
COLOMBIA 
Warkentin,  Lydia 
VISIT  TO  THE  CHACO 
Wedel,  Oskar 
TRAINING  GERMAN 
YOUTH  LEADERS 
Wedel,  P.  A. 

LABOR  SHORTAGE 
Wiebe,  Willard 
MIYAZAKI  STORY,  THE 
Wiens,  Anna 
VOLUNTARY  SERVICE: 
RETROSPECT  AND  PROSPECT  155 
Wiens,  Arthur 
INTRODUCING: 

CANADIAN  YPU  59 

Wiens,  Irene 

WHAT’S  IN  OUR  CHURCH 
NAME?  727 

Wingert,  Norman  A. 

LINES  THROUGH  ALL 
THE  EARTH  420 

Wismer,  Don 

TO  AND  FROM  A PASTOR 

699,  714,  735,  751,  767,  781 
Woelk,  Lamont 

HOW  CHRISTIAN  ARE  OUR 
CHRISTIAN  FUNERALS? 

Yoder,  Don 
WHEN  YOU  PRAY, 

REMEMBER  NOLAN 
Yoder,  John  H. 

DEATH  PENALTY,  THE 
Yoder,  Nancy 
ABSTINENCE  VS. 

TEMPERANCE 
Youngs,  Robert  W. 

WHY  DO  GOOD  PEOPLE 
SUFFER? 

Zehr,  William 
ONE  DAY  IN  HW ALIEN 
Zook,  Mrs.  John  E. 

WE  ’VISIT  CHARLES’VILLE 
Zuercher,  Joyce 

FRANKFURT/MAIN 
WELCOMES  YOU 
KARLSSCHULE  COMES  BACK 


563 


282 

724 


602 


760 

24 

229 


503 

697 


MISSIONS 


76. 1 % 
78.3  % 


1958 

1959 


$670,000 

$700,000 


CHRISTIAN  SERVICE 


57.4  % 
80.6  % 


1958 

1959 


EDUCATION  AND  PUBLICATION 


58.1  % 
48.3  % 


1958 

1959 


$193,500 

$177,600 


$ 70,000 
$ 75,400 


BUSINESS  ADMINISTRATION 


45.7  % 
44.1  % 


1958 

1959 


$ 26,500 
$ 41,500 


YOUNG  PEOPLE'S  UNION 


86.0%  1958 
60.7%  1959 


$ 7,450 

$ ■=’.400 


Receipts  to  Nov.  30; 


1 959  Budget 


COVER  PHOTO  (Seated)  Conference 
officers:  Erland  Waltner,  I.  I.  Friesen, 
Harris  Waltner,  P.  K.  Regier,  Erwin  , 
Goering. 

(Beginning  in  the  lower  left)  Busi- 
ness Administration:  Earl  Eymann, 

C.  C.  Neufeld,  Carl  Lehman,  Walter  A. 
Yoder,  August  Epp,  P.  R.  Harder,  C.  J. 
Dyck,  Wm.  L.  PYiesen. 

Christian  Service:  Albert  Gaeddert, 

Harry  Detwiler,  H.  N.  Harder,  J.  Win- 
field Fretz,  William  T.  Snyder,  J.  C.  j 
Neufeld,  Esko  Loewen,  David  Schroe-  , 
der,  Robert  Kreider,  Peter  J.  Ediger,  1 
William  Stauffer,  H.  A.  Fast,  Henry  1 
Wiens,  Leo  Driedger,  Wilfred  Unruh,  I 
James  Waltner,  Delmar  Stahly,  La-  j 
mont  Woelk.  I 

Education  and  Publication:  Jacob  I 

Enz,  Lloyd  Ramseyer,  E.  J.  Miller,  • 
Jacob  T.  Friesen,  H.  T.  Klassen,  Henry 
Poettcker,  George  Dick,  Vernon  Neu- 
feld. Elmer  Friesen,  Menno  Schrag, 
Paul  Shelly,  Milton  Harder,  Harold 
Franz,  Willard  Claassen,  Maynard 
Shelly,  Waiter  Unrau,  Walter  Quiring, 

J.  N.  Smucker. 

Missions:  Henry  H.  Epp,  George 

Greening,  Willard  Wiebe,  Leland  Har- 
der, John  P.  Suderman,  Walter  Dyck, 

S.  F.  PcLnnabecker,  Ward  Shelly, 
Esther  Wiens,  Lotus  Troyer,  Elmer 
Neufeld,  Orlando  Waltner,  Andrew 
Shelly,  H.  A.  Driver,  Wilhelmina  Kuyf.  ' 

Central  Treasury  Assistants:  Edna 

Ruth  Mueller,  Tina  Block. 

Mission  Board  Guests : Slegellnde 

and  Hielke  de  Jong. 

Women’s  Missionary  Association: 
Dorothea  Dyck,  Mrs.  Olin  Krehblel, 
Mrs.  Marden  Habegger,  Mrs.  T.  C. 
Boschart. 

Other  Guests:  Henry  Goosen,  Lester 
janzen,  G.  T.  Soldner,  Harry  Yoder, 
Robert  Landis,  R.  L.  Heirtzler,  Harry 
Martens,  Mrs.  A.  E.  Kreider,  A.  E. 
Kreider,  Gordon  Neuenschwander  (host 
pastor) . 


I 


)•